News, Notices & Prayer points - 14 September 2021

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News & Notices – 14 Septembr 2021

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 14th September edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points for the week:

We pray:

  • For the Uniting Church in South Australia as congregations come together this Saturday to join together in the first of the Synod Expos at Adelaide West
  • For the Church, and for all who profess to call themselves Christians
  • For the protection and safety of all in these increasingly distressing times.

 


 

Youth Mental Health First-Aid (YMHFA)

Adolescence is a time of important change and development for a young person. It is also the peak age of onset for mental illness. It is commonly recognised that young people are at high risk of developing mental health problems, however the concern is those problems may go undetected in the guise of normal adolescent mood changes and developmental stage challenges. Left undetected, mental health problems can have a lifelong impact; however, the chances of this are significantly reduced with early intervention.

With a focus on improved mental health literacy and awareness, the Youth Mental Health First-Aid course is for adults who work, live or care for adolescents. It equips participants with the skills to recognise and respond to an adolescent who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis situation. Using a practical, evidence-based action plan, YMHFA teaches how to support an adolescent until appropriate professional help is received or the crisis resolves.

The Intergen Team will be hosting three Youth Mental Health First-Aid courses delivered by Rev Mark Dickens for anyone serving in youth ministry. We invite you to register your interest in participating through the following link: https://ucasa.org.au/mental-health-first-aid/

 

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UnitingCare Letter to all Congregations

UnitingCare Australia, as an Assembly agency, represents the Uniting Church’s community services across the country in advocacy. Following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, it is more important than ever that we see radical transformation of the aged care system. The Uniting Friends of Ageing has recently been established as a new national network for the Uniting Church members to stay in touch and support the changes needed to transform aged care in Australia. More information is included in correspondence from Claerwen Little, National Director of UnitingCare Australia. The letter is available for download at this link.

 

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Letter from the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly President

President Rev Sharon Hollis has written to all in the Uniting Church encouraging congregations and ministers to think about how they can be in prayerful solidarity with their local Catholic parishes as the Catholic Plenary Council meets. A Catholic Plenary is the highest formal gathering of all local churches in a country. The Australian Plenary Council which has been delayed due to COVID-19 is now due to be held from the 3rd – 10th October 2021. The full letter from the President is available for download at this link

 

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Vacancy – Minister, Pilgrim Uniting Church

Expression of interest are invited for a Minister – Deacon (Mission and Community Engagement 0.6FTE) and a Minister – Pastoral Care (0.4FTE) to join the Pilgrim Uniting Church ministry team. This position may be offered as one full-time role. Enquiries and Expressions of Interest (marked private and confidential) should be sent to Rev Philip Gardner, Synod Office, PO Box 2145, Adelaide SA 5001. Email Turn on Javascript!, phone: (08) 8236 4200 by 22nd October 2021.

 

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Global Day of Action for the Climate

All Uniting Church members and congregations are encouraged to participate in a global Day of Action for the climate called Faiths 4 Climate Justice, which will be take place on the 17th and 18th October, 2021. One of the actions we can take as a faith community is to put up a banner in our places of worship with the UCA logo and chosen ‘faith and climate messages’ such as ‘For the Whole Creation: Bold climate action by 2030 starting now.’ Mission Resourcing is pleased to offer small grants to 10 congregations for professionally printed banners. Please send an email expressing your interest to Rev Jesse Size at Turn on Javascript! by this Saturday, 18th September. For further information, contact Jesse on (0459 379 539).

 

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Code of Ethics Refresher: Save the date!

The Safe Church team is scheduling dates for the 2021-22 Code of Ethics Refreshers. Four online sessions are planned for the rest of this year with face-to-face and online sessions in 2022. Bookings for October and November sessions will be open soon. See the Event Calendar at the Safe Church website here: https://safechurch.ucasa.org.au/events-calendar/

 

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Through their Eyes: reporting child abuse and neglect

A full day of training is being conducted at Adare Camps and Conference centre on Friday 24th September, 2021. There are limited spaces so if you are interested in participating /attending this session please email Turn on Javascript! to register your interest.

 

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The Church in the Digital Age

Running from March 2021 until November 2022, the Assembly Standing Committee has formed the Church In the Digital Age Task Group to identify the critical theological, pastoral and practical issues related to the worship, witness and service of the Uniting Church in Australia raised by the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. In response the Task group are asking for short submissions (100-200 words) detailing how you or your community are or have engaged digital/online ministry. What about that engagement excited you, what surprised you? What has shaped your broader thinking about church? Read and download the invitation to engage with the Task Group here.

 

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Advanced Christian Leadership with Craig Bailey

This 6-week course focuses on engaging with change in a pastoral context. ‘It is designed for leaders, lay or ordained, those in ministry or preparing for ministry, who are serious about seeing real and sustained change in a congregation or community of faith’ said Craig Bailey.

From a recent student in the Advanced Christian leadership course: 'The practical nature of the topic was great in affirming the work taking place in my context and it also gave a language that will be helpful in describing my work to church council and community and give us a way forward in our ministry.'

This course will commence on 22nd September and will run each Wednesday from 5.30pm-7.30pm (for credit or audit).

For further information please contact the college on 0884168400 or email Turn on Javascript! or contact Scott Litchfield on 0401453141 or email Turn on Javascript!. Please also visit acd.edu.au.

 

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National Church Life Survey 2021

The National Church Life Survey is for all churches who wish to take part in a process designed to help leaders and congregations thrive by including everyone as you evaluate ministry, identify strengths and plan for the future. Congregations are asked to find a suitable week in October or November to conduct the survey should they wish to take part.

The cost is $250 + $2 per form ordered (so a church ordering 50 forms it will cost $350). Orders can be placed at 2021ncls.org.au. The survey can be completed online as well as in paper form - both are available, including switching to fully online if desired. Results will be available to churches in early 2022, initially by email and later in hard copy.

 

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Census and Leader Surveys

The Census and Leaders surveys will be sent to all churches across Australia and this will be the biggest surveys of their kind ever conducted in Australia. All congregations are urged to take part in order to provide a fresh picture of the Australian church in these unprecedented times.

The Church Census is one per church and asks objective questions about programs, activities, governance etc. and there is no cost to participate. The NCLS is planning to send every church in Australia the details so-as to obtain a comprehensive audit of the Australian church. The Synod will receive reports from the census.

The Leader Survey is for each leader who wishes to complete it (so can be multiple per church and the NCLS supplies this online). This survey asks more subjective questions about well-being, resilience, effective leadership strategies, training issues, leadership pipeline etc. and there is no cost to participate. This will be an important way for a Synod to look at leadership issues and to provide support to leaders.

Details about both surveys will be sent out by the NCLS.

 

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Season of Creation 2021 Worship Guide available now

The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration of prayer and action for our common home. Together, the ecumenical family around the world unites to pray, protect, and advocate for God’s creation. During the 2021 Season of Creation, from 1st September through 4th October, hundreds of thousands of Christians will be uniting around the theme, ‘A home for all? Renewing the Oikos of God.’ The full guide and resources are available to download here: https://seasonofcreation.org/. A full liturgy outline, sermon reflections and an adaptable Powerpoint slideshow for each week are available for download here: https://ecochurcheswa.net/worship-resources/. An adaptable Powerpoint slideshow for an Ecumenical Prayer Service is available for download here.

 

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International Day of Peace

The International Day of Peace, marked each year on 21st September, is a time for individuals, community groups, nations and international organisations to re-commit to the way of peace with justice. Uniting Church Synod of SA Moderator Mr. Bronte Wilson will be among the leaders representing the Uniting Church in an Interfaith event marking the 2021 International Day of Peace in Adelaide. The event is organised in the spirit of sharing common values that unite Australians from all cultural and faith backgrounds. Hon Rev Dr Lynn Arnold AO, Former Premier of South Australia is Keynote Speaker and representatives from varied religious traditions will offer prayers for peace, and there will be some musical items. The event will be held on Tuesday, 21st of September 2021 at St Peter’s Cathedral from 6:30pm-8:00pm. You can register to attend here.

 

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Send love and fight poverty

UnitingWorld’s set of eight beautiful Christmas cards are ready for pre-order. These cards bring hope and joy not just to friends and family, but to people working hard to free themselves from poverty overseas. $15 per pack of eight – proceeds give life to our international partners. Order now for delivery in early October! https://everythingincommon.com.au/collections/all-products/products/christmas-cards-pack-of-8-4-designs

 

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 7 September 2021

Check out last week’s UC eNews here to keep you updated.

 


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