News, Notices & Prayer points - 14th March 2023

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News & Notices – 14th March 2023

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 14th March, 2023 edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points

We pray:

  • For remote communities impacted and isolated by flooding. We pray for safety and reconnection for those cut off from resources
  • For our world leaders may they have the wisdom to promote peace over war and division
  • For Christian unity.

 

 

 

Mission and Leadership Development Review

The Mission and Leadership Development Board (MLDB) has determined that it is timely to closely examine the missional needs and opportunities across our Synod, and determine how the church can best be resourced as it seeks to engage them at this time. It invites the church to engage with a major review to enable discernment on missional priorities and methods for the next 5 – 10 years. This review will furnish the MLDB in such a way as to assist it to focus and prioritise, organising its structure and activities in a manner that will best enable it to fulfil its mandate.

An external researcher will be engaged to conduct the review, and it is envisaged that the process of review will involve wide consultation across the Synod and thorough research. The Terms of Reference for the researcher can be downloaded at this link. More information to follow. Questions about the missional review can be referred to Rev Dr Tim Hein email: Turn on Javascript!.

 

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Winifred Kiek Scholarship

Applications for the 2024 Winifred Kiek Memorial Scholarship are now open. The scholarship enables women to develop capacity in theology or for ministry. In 2024, the scholarship will be awarded to a woman from multicultural Australia. More information is available at this link: The Winifred Kiek Memorial Scholarship - NCCA.

 

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2023 HARMONY WEEK Prayer Service Resource

Harmony Week will run from March 20th to 26th and includes the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on Tuesday, March 21st. During this week, we celebrate Australia’s diversity of races, cultures, and languages as God’s gifts and we pray for racial justice and reconciliation. An editable Prayer Service Power Point template has been developed for congregations and faith communities and can be downloaded at this link.

Further resources will be added to the Synod webpage: UCA SA - CALD Events and Resources.

For further information, please contact Paul Goh, Synod Justice and CALD Officer, on Turn on Javascript!.

 

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Youth Expo Scots Church Adelaide

Come and celebrate the skills, talents and interests of youth during SAs Youth Week. On 30th March from 11.00 am – 3.00 pm, young people will provide a concert, crafts, music, games and an entertaining fashion parade from the Op Shop. A light lunch and snacks will be served throughout the day. The event is free. Items purchased and raffle money raised will support emergency relief in Syria and Turkey. More information is available by calling 0409 178 465.

 

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Stations of the Cross Vigil

Bridgewater Uniting Community has been gifted a series of original art works by renowned liturgical artist Brother Martin Erspamer OSB from the USA. Pencil drawings in Brother Martin’s unique style follow the traditional 14 ‘stations’ imagery. A vigil for quiet reflection for those seeking a special Easter devotional time will be held on Tuesday of Holy Week (4th April) from 6.00 pm – 8.30 pm, Bridgewater UC, 407 Mount Barker Road, Bridgewater. All welcome, free entry.

 

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Women Preach – A resource

The Australian Women Preach podcast is celebrating one year of raising the voices of Australian Christian women preaching the Gospel. An initiative of Women and the Australian Church (WATAC) and the Grail in Australia, the podcast grew out of a desire to share the gifts and insights of diverse women within the church in Australia. Dr Tracy McEwan is WATAC’s vice-president and part of the Australian Women Preach organisation team. ‘Since our first episode we have had 52 women preachers from across different denominations, one every week preaching on the Gospel for the coming Sunday. Each preacher has brought their own experiences, each has shared from their heart and we’re very excited that all those women have had that opportunity.’

 

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Uniting Church National History Society 2023 Conference

Registrations for the Uniting Church National History Society's 2023 Conference are now open. For information and details about how to register for the conference please download the promotional flyer at this link or contact Judy Orme email: Turn on Javascript!.

 

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Equip church leaders and pastors with skills to help them provide Pastoral Care

A set of workshops designed for those in the helping professions - which includes church leaders and pastors, as well as counsellors entitled: Reflection on Connection: Patterns of practice in supervision, spirituality, and clinical work will be held at Tabor College, Millswood, South Australia on Saturday 15th April.

This is a rare opportunity to understand and apply the skills of reflective practice in a safe, supportive environment with facilitators who have more than 40 years of counselling experience in their own practice as well as within the church context. Participants will be equipped with transferable skills with immediate impact on self and clients to help avoid burnout.

Further details about the workshop/s can be downloaded at this link, or via the website https://ccaa.net.au/events/reflection-on-connection/to or by contacting Turn on Javascript! or calling (08) 7099 2277.

 

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Shout for Joy

All are invited to come and enjoy ‘Shout for Joy’, a fun and friendly worship night for people with intellectual disabilities, support workers and friends and family. On the second Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm at Adelaide West Uniting Church this event is an interactive worship night open to everyone! Lots of laughter, singing, prayer, friendship and community. The evening finishes with a light supper and cup of tea. For more information download the flyer at this link.

 

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Act2 Update

Act2 is born of the conviction that now is a critical time for the Uniting Church to consider afresh the ordering of our life. We are seeking to do this as a whole Church, discerning God’s call for our future, and we need everyone’s voice!

Over the last month the Act2 Project Unit has been working hard to invite the whole Church into the work of Act2. They have reached out to over 1,000 ministers, local leaders, congregations and faith communities across Australia. They have been deepening the engagement with key leaders and councils of the Church and have now developed and launched resources for local communities and their leaders. They have launched an invitation to Uniting in Prayer, a national time of prayer across the Uniting Church planned for 28th May – 22nd June this year.

Adding more opportunities all the time for people, communities and councils of the Church to take part in the work of this project – the biggest and most potentially transformative one undertaken in 45 years. Please read on to consider how you might be involved.
Read more

 

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How to make the most of your National Church Life Survey Results (NCLS)

NCLS Research will present ‘How to make the most of your National Church Life Survey Results’ a free webinar that will guide church leaders and their teams through their Church Life Profile of results, with insights and tips for exploring their results and using them to inform their ministry. Free tickets are available at: https://MakethemostofyourNCLSresults.eventbrite.com.au

Various event dates are available and for further information please download the flyer at this link.

 

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Uniting Mission and Ministry Network

The Uniting Mission and Ministry network is a national network in the life of the Uniting Church which provides an opportunity to learn from the diversity of Uniting Church agencies and parish missions.

Network gatherings are open to those who wish to learn from and contribute to the intersection between the Uniting Church and its missions and agencies.

Participating in the Network will expose you to the rich organisational and theological diversity of the Uniting Church in Australia. This is a unique learning, reflection, and leadership opportunity.

The Network seeks to:

  • discuss the way our organisations seek to shape mission and culture
  • engage representatives from across the agencies and missions
  • reflect on contemporary issues facing agencies and missions
  • provide peer support to those in similar roles.

Meetings are held via Zoom approximately every two months. The Network will hold its first face-to-face meeting since COVID, 26th -28th April 2023 in Cairns, hosted by Uniting Care Queensland.

Co-convenors:

Rev John Clarke (Co-Convenor; Director of Mission, Uniting Vic/Tas) Turn on Javascript!

Rev Suzanne Stanton (Co-Convenor; Director of Mission, Uniting NSW/ACT) Turn on Javascript!

If you would like further information or would like to be part of the Network please contact Warren Talbot at Turn on Javascript!

 

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National Lay Preachers Conference 2023

The Queensland Synod is pleased to host on behalf of the National Lay Preacher Committee, the 2023 National Conference of Lay Preachers to be held Friday 4th August to Monday 7th August 2023 at Alexandra Park Conference Centre, Sunshine Coast Queensland.

For Lay Preachers, prospective Lay Preachers and those interested in leading worship. Share in a wonderful few days and be encouraged, supported and challenged in your ministry. Further information is available at this link: National Conference of Lay Preachers 2023 - Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod (ucaqld.com.au)

 

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Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (SERC) Award South Australia

SERC is grateful to the Synod for the continued funding of the Ecumenical Award which for 2022 was won by Fulham-Henley.

Each year the award is given to a congregation that has done the most to foster ecumenical relations within the local community.

SERC is now calling for submissions for the 2023 award, either in writing or electronically and should be received by the secretary, Don Hopgood, 19 Ray Avenue, Morphett Vale 5162 email: Turn on Javascript! and no later than April 30th 2023. Please use word and pictures (if possible) to make clear what you have undertaken and the measure of your success.

The award recipient will receive $600, or this amount may be divided between two or more entrants if appropriate. All entrants will receive a certificate acknowledging their willingness to engage in ecumenical activities and these will be presented at the Synod meeting 2023.

Should you require further information about this award please feel free to contact Velvy Holden (Chairperson SERC) Turn on Javascript! or Don Hopgood (Secretary SERC) Turn on Javascript!.

SERC looks forward to receiving your submissions and hearing about the involvement of congregations in South Australian Ecumenism. We pray God’s blessing on your efforts.

 

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Grant Opportunities

Multicultural Grants Program 2023-24 currently has Expand Together funding open to support multicultural communities.

The Expand Together grants assist multicultural organisations to expand their capacity by upgrading community facilities or purchasing equipment to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Apply for up $100,000. Applications for Round 2 open on 1st June 2023 and close on 30th August 2023. Find out more.

Community Grants 2023
Tea Tree Gully Council's community grants program consists of one-off financial grants for community groups and not-for-profit organisations. Grants are provided for activities, programs, events and initiatives that provide clear benefits for the community.

Community groups and organisations can apply for funding to improve wellbeing, encourage inclusion, celebrate cultural diversity, engage in the arts and improve the environment.

The next community grants round dates have now been confirmed. Please visit the community grants webpage to read through the policy and guidelines to check your eligibility here. Opens 10.00 am, Tuesday, 7th March 2023, closes 4.00 pm, Tuesday 4th April 2023.

Outcomes will be advised by Thursday 25th May 2023. To check eligibility and to discuss a  project call (08) 8397 7444 and speak to a member of the community grants team or send an Turn on Javascript!.

 

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Green Adelaide – Grass Roots Grants Program

The Green Adelaide Board is again launching the Grassroots Grants program, supporting individuals, volunteers, community groups and other bodies working on local projects that contribute to improved management of the environment.

Since commencement of the program in 2020, Green Adelaide have invested in 77 projects valued at over $2 million, delivering on coastal management, water resources and wetlands, green streets and flourishing parklands, flora, fauna and ecosystem health, controlling pest animals and plants and nature education.

The total value of the Grassroots Grants Program for Green Adelaide in 2022-23 is $866,000, with grants between $2,000 and $150,000 available per application. A full list of the successful projects including Grassroots Grant information is available on their website.

 

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COVID-19 Update

All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information in regards to COVID-19 guidelines can be found here: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations.

If you would like further assistance, please contact your presbytery or:

              Sue Page Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 8236 4217 or 0430 666 959

              Philip Gardner Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 8236 4268 or 0409 077 076.

 

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Miriam Lieberman with Lara Goodridge

You are invited to an evening of live music on Thursday, 16th March at 7.30 pm. Enjoy the sounds of Miriam Lieberman (Kora) and Lara Goodridge (violin) as they sing and play a repertoire of music inspired by travels around the world and reminisce with the songs of Joni Mitchell. Wine and cheese available. Bridgewater Arts Centre, 407 Mount Barker Road, Bridgewater. Tickets: Miriam Lieberman with Lara Goodridge | Adelaide Fringe

 

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Palm Sunday – Peace and Justice Walk

The Palm Sunday – Peace and Justice Walk will take place on Sunday, 2nd April 2023 at 2.00pm at Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square loop. Walking for reconciliation, justice for refugees, environment, and peace and conflict resolution.

 

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MediaCom Education

MediaCom have perfectly priced Easter gifts for children in your church or wider community, including children's activity books for Easter.

Easter Around the Deep Blue World, by Dephna Flegal and illustrated by Four Story Creative. Throughout the Bible story the children meet new friends from different countries. The new friends tell some of the ways Easter is celebrated in their lands. Each biblical illustration includes a word for the children to find. Other activities also included. Order here.

Celebrate a Deep Blue Family Easter by Erin R Floyd and illustrated by Four Story Creative. Join the Deep Blue Crew as they tell the story of Jesus’ resurrection from the Gospel of John and celebrate this Holy time with their families. Find the Easter egg hidden on each page. Includes puzzles, a Holy Week calendar and stickers. Available in packs of 10 for $15 + p&h or single copies at $2.00 each + p&h. Order here.

 

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