News, Notices & Prayer points - 15 June 2021

Posted Jun 15, 2021 in News

News & Notices – 15 June 2021

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 15th June edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points for the week:

We pray:

For all church councils as they seek to make decisions
For the people of India as they continue to come to terms with the COVID pandemic
For communities across Victoria as they come to terms with both COVID and the impacts of widespread flooding.

Queen’s Birthday Honours

The Uniting Church in South Australia would like to congratulate and acknowledge the following recipients in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours list:

Rev John Maddern AM, former Moderator and advocate for inclusivity in the church. A member of Adelaide West UC
Dr Kaye Roberts-Thomson OAM, current Chair, Adelaide College of Divinity and Chair of the Assembly Standards for Ministries Committee and is a member of the Unley Uniting Church
Mrs Jenny Curnow OAM, received her award for involvement in a number of community organisations and is a member of Campbelltown Uniting Church.

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Six weeks of dwelling prayer

With just six weeks before the 16th Assembly, Uniting Church members across the country are invited to join together in prayer. Each week a new prayer will be offered, often in languages other than English.

In our Week 1 Prayer, President-elect Rev Sharon Hollis leads us into prayer for all who are preparing for the 16th Assembly and all its members as they seek to become a community of discernment - wise, open, curious and alert to the movement of the Spirit. For more information visit: https://uniting.church/dwelling-in-prayer/.

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Beyond Violence – a new resource

The Uniting Church Assembly has launched Beyond Violence, a new resource that aims to help congregations and communities begin a conversation about Domestic and Family Violence (DFV).

In a video introduction, UCA President Dr Deidre Palmer and National Consultant Rev Charissa Suli speak of the Uniting Church's commitment to say no to all forms of violence and urge UCA members to help change the culture that allows DFV to occur.

The resource includes theological reflection, worship resources, key statistics, helpful information on how to pastorally care for those experiencing or fleeing DFV and key actions we can take to build a world ‘Beyond Violence.’

For more information visit: https://uniting.church/dfv/

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Safe Church Update

As we grow our culture of safety across UCA, how can we keep our energy and focus as we work to embed child safety and well-being into our leadership, governance and culture?

Rev Felicity Amery, General Secretary, Synod of South Australia shares some of her Synod’s approaches and tells us why it’s about keeping it relevant every day to everyone.

Felicity is in conversation with John Cox, National Director, National Safe Church Unit. To view this video visit: https://vimeo.com/560286791/aa3c1eedd9

The National Safe Church Unit also has a new website to make it easy to find all the resources and information you need. In the handy section for Congregations and Presbyteries, you’ll find UCA Child Safe Principles posters in multiple languages, Tools for Listening, the new ‘Safe Church’ poster and more. Visit the website and let us know how we can make it even more useful https://safechurch.uca.org.au

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2021 Refugee Week - – Sunday 20 June to Saturday 26 June

The Refugee Week theme for this year is Unity – The way forward. During the COVID-19 pandemic we have learned that our society is only as strong and healthy as the most vulnerable in our communities and we are called to work together to help build a more compassionate and cohesive community during Refugee Week.

The Uniting Church in South Australia sees strength in diversity and we strategically endeavour to support ministries on the margins. Let’s take the opportunity to build back better and move forward unified together with our most vulnerable and marginalised refugee neighbours.

For planning worship services and events, the Synod Refugee Advocacy Group has put together a one-page sheet of resources for congregations. It can be downloaded here.

For information on ways you might like to support refugees, please download information here.

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2021 Australia Post Community Grants Program – now open

The 2021 Australia Post Community Grants Program is offering grants of up to $10,000 for eligible community-led, local projects that help improve connection and mental health and well-being in a community.

Being connected and feeling part of a community is vital to maintaining good mental health and well-being. Australia Post seeks to support communities and organisations that are helping to improve mental health outcomes.

For more information and to read the guidelines and FAQs and to check eligibility criteria visit this link.

Alternatively, contact Malcolm Wilson, Grants and Historical Records Officer by phoning 0414 520 140 or email Turn on Javascript!.

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Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee Award

The Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (SERC) invites congregations who have been involved in Ecumenical activities within their local community to submit a brief of their activity to SERC. This can be via a written report with photographs, video, or whatever creative presentation you would like to make.

This award has been agreed to by Synod with $600 included in the SERC budget. Certificates will be presented to all applicants. The closing date is 17^th September, 2021 and the award will be presented at a future Synod meeting.

Please submit applications to Don Hopgood Turn on Javascript! or Velvy Holden at Turn on Javascript! or mail to SERC c/o 19 Ray Avenue, Morphett Vale 5162.

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Disaster and Recovery Ministries SA Chaplaincy Training

The next 2-day training opportunity for volunteer chaplains will be held on Tuesday 22^nd and Wednesday 23^rd June at Seacliff Uniting Church. Chaplains are trained to provide pastoral and spiritual support to those affected by disasters in the wider community as part of the State Emergency Management Plan. Further information is available at: https://sa.uca.org.au/disaster-and-recovery-ministries/

To book please visit: https://www.trybooking.com/BQFNA

In addition to the Seacliff training, face-to-face training, both full and refresher, in some regional areas throughout the winter months are now on offer. Dates, venues and the booking links are available here: https://sa.uca.org.au/disaster-and-recovery-ministries/diaster-chaplain-training/

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Winter Retreat, 18-19 June, Nunyara

The Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts is holding a Creative Winter Retreat for artists in June. A time for creative community, writers, visual and performing artists to be tucked away in the Adelaide Hills to practise your craft and to be inspired. Reconnect with your inner artist and be spiritually nurtured in this retreat. You have the option of a full overnight retreat, commencing Friday evening, or a day-only retreat from 9.00am-5.00pm on Saturday. Sean Gilbert and Sharonne Price will be leading the retreat. For speaker bios, program and registration information visit cmla.org.au.

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New Climate Change Videos now available

COVID-19 has negatively affected every aspect of life in every country. Climate Change is also starting to negatively impact more people and biodiversity at a growing pace all around the world.

The UCFAMS team has addressed these two issues in their new video series, ‘Lessons from COVID-19 for the Climate Emergency.’

Part 1 of the video looks at the lessons we can learn from COVID and Part 2 addresses the Biblical principles and suggested personal, public and political actions for individuals and groups.

The strength of these videos is that at the end of each section there are questions for discussion – ideal for sessions after worship when people can gather over coffee and view together, to discuss and potentially decide on actions to better care for God's creation.

The series can be accessed at the following link.

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Connect4Children

This program aims to build support and family for marginalised families – come and chat, read a book to a toddler, build a tower, plant something or listen to a mum! Tuesdays on a weekly basis from 11.00 am – 12.30 pm at Hope’s Café (behind the church), Corner of Portrush and Norwood Parade, Norwood. This event is a Community Connections – Pilgrim Uniting Church and Morialta Trust initiative.

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Friendship Club

The next meeting of the Western Link Uniting Church Friendship Club, 93 Crittenden Road, Findon will be held on Thursday, 17 June at 1.30 pm. The guest performer will be James Kendall aka ‘The Bikie Busker.’ Come and enjoy a time of fellowship and fun concluding with afternoon tea. $5.00 donation – enquiries: phone 8445 2332 or Turn on Javascript!. All welcome.

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Active Retired Ministers and the Online Directory

At the Synod meeting in February this year, it was resolved that active retired ministers should have continuing access to the online directory. In order to do this, retired ministers are invited to create a Uniting Portal account via this link: https://portal.sa.uca.org.au/OSD/. Once actioned please email Turn on Javascript! and access to the online directory will be organised.

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Uniting Foundation

Do you have an idea for a vibrant new initiative or project to engage with your local community?

Every day, Uniting Church congregations and faith communities provide programs and services that bring hope and help to many South Australians. Uniting Foundation grants offer financial support to establish projects that will help to build vibrant churches and communities into the future. The 2021 round is now open with a closing date of 31 July 2021.

For more information visit: https://sa.uca.org.au/uniting-foundation/applying-for-a-grant

Further information about the work undertaken by previous grants is available at this link.

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Hare Street Uniting Church

The Hare Street Uniting Church will hold its last services of worship on 27^th June after nearly 100 years of service to the local community.

The Keswick Methodist Church (1923) and the Kurralta Park Methodist Church (1930) amalgamated in 1955 to form the Hare Street Uniting Church.

Past members and previous ministers are warmly invited to attend this occasion as a celebration of the past. The service will commence at 10.30 am, with time for fellowship and refreshments to follow.

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2021 ARA and Hawke Centre Conversation (free event)

Levelling the Playing Field: The Refugee Reality in Sport is being held on Thursday, 24^th June 2021 from 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm at the Allan Scott Auditorium, Hawke Building, UniSA, City West Campus.

Presented by the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and Australian Refugee Association (ARA): register at this link.

Plus exhibition, SA Refugee Week 2021 Youth Poster Awards Exhibition, Kerry Packer Civic Gallery. (Supported by Lielle McLaughlin, Community Connections, a Pilgrim Uniting Church initiative).

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Interfaith Monthly Forum

Hindu Faith and a Reflection on Dharma versus Religion. Speaker, Vani Shukla followed by an insightful discussion. Wednesday, 23^rd June at 5.45 for a 6.00 pm start at Hope’s Café, Cnr The Parade and Portrush Road, Norwood. RSVP by 20^th June to Liellie (0437 794 410) for catering. A sumptuous meal cost between $10-$15 to pay the chef. Gold coin donation appreciated. This event is an initiative of Liellie McLaughlin of Community Connections, a Pilgrim Uniting Church project).

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Meet UnitingWorld’s Sri Lanka Partners

You are invited to a special ‘behind the scenes’ Zoom conversation with UnitingWorld’s partners in Sri Lanka on Monday, 21^st June at 7.00 pm AEST. Unitingworld’s Dr Sureka Goringe and Cath Taylor will be joined by Gnanarajah from DeafLink. This is a wonderful opportunity to see first-hand what they are doing together, and to ask questions about the work. To receive the Zoom meeting details email: Turn on Javascript!.

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Celebrate with Refugees – a Circle of Friends (Pilgrim) Fundraiser

Celebrate and reflect on the art of welcome and belonging (while raising funds in support of Circle of Friends (Pilgrim) and hear more about the COFA & J4Refugees. Book/donate via this Eventbrite link.

Or contact Pilgrim on (08) 8212 3295. When: Saturday, 22ndJune from 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm at Pilgrim Church Hall, 12 Flinders Street, Adelaide. Cost: $50 couple; $30 general admission; $20 Concession. (Event is coordinated by Community Connections, a Pilgrim Uniting Church initiative).

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Environmental Action Group (EAG) calls ‘All Aboard’

The Uniting Church in South Australia body for the environment, the EAG, plans to engage individuals and churches seeking to create a Climate Action Plan. The EAG invites expressions of interest into this program. Please indicate your interest in this ‘Living the Change’ forum. A week-day evening after July is likely. Specific details to follow. Interested parties – please send names and contact details to the EAG email at: Turn on Javascript!.

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 8 June 2021, which includes updates about: