News, Notices & Prayer points - 16 August 2022

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News & Notices – 16 August 2022

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 16th August 2022 edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points

We pray:

  • For the people of Sri Lanka, Myanmar and the Philippines that are coping with challenging and uncertain times
  • For those people that find themselves without a secure place to live and for actions, policies and changes that enable everyone to have a home
  • For peace and understanding by all nations in the Asia Pacific region.

 

 

Acting General Secretary

On Friday 12th August, Synod Standing Committee appointed Rev Philip Gardner (Executive Officer: Placements and Safe Church) and Rev Sue Page (Associate General Secretary) to undertake the role of General Secretary until June Synod 2023. Philip and Sue will be collaborating to ensure that the work of the Synod, equipping and resourcing the congregations, councils and the mission of the church continues. They will also be overseeing the carriage of the decisions of the 2022 Synod meeting. They will also attend to the processes that will allow for the placement of a new General Secretary during 2023. For general enquiries regarding Synod oversight you can contact them through the Turn on Javascript!. If you need to communicate specifically in relation to their continuing roles then please use their regular emails Turn on Javascript! or Turn on Javascript!.

 

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New opportunities for welcoming refugees in local communities

Uniting Church congregations and faith groups have long been at the forefront of welcoming refugees to Australia. Now your congregation can take the next step and welcome newly arrived Afghan evacuees and other refugees referred by the UNHCR living in our communities. The Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) allows us to do just that. The CRSA are looking for volunteers, individuals and groups, to be a part of their Group Mentorship and the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) Programs.

Here’s how it works:

  • Volunteers are groups of at least 5 adults who live near each other. The group offers support to a refugee household (The household is on a refugee or humanitarian visa with full access to Centrelink, Medicare, Work Rights etc.)
  • The group volunteers 10+ hours of support per week between them.
  • Group provides ongoing practical support as required e.g. social connection, assist with driving lessons, finding employment.

How to get involved:

Please let Synod Refugee Advocacy group know your interest in the program (Contact convenor Rev Paul Turley Turn on Javascript! or Justice Officer Paul Goh Turn on Javascript!).

 

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Asia Sunday 2022 Worship Resource: ‘Christ’s Love Reconciles and Unites’

Uniting Church in Australia is a member of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and this year CCA encourages all member Churches to observe the Asia Sunday on 21st August 2022 and to use the Asia Sunday liturgy. With a focus on reconciliation and unity in the Asian context, the special liturgy contains prayers of intercession for the people of Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the Philippines that are coping with challenging and uncertain times.

Although Asia Sunday is annually observed on the Sunday before Pentecost, this year Asia Sunday is being organised in the run-up to the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the theme of which is ‘Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.’

The text of the special liturgy can be accessed here:

Asia Sunday–2022 Liturgy – Word 
Asia Sunday–2022 Liturgy – PDF   

 

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Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee Award South Australia

The Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (SERC) is indeed grateful to the Synod for the continued funding of the Ecumenical Award which for 2022 was won by the Fulham-Henley Uniting Church.

The award is given each year to a congregation that has done 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, email Turn on Javascript!.

No later than April 30th 2023. 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 2023 Synod meeting.

Should you wish for 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!.

 

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Celebration of Ministries

As part of this year’s Synod ’22, A Celebration of Ministries service will be held at Adelaide West Uniting Church on Sunday, 21st August at 2.00 pm. This service celebrates the ministry, those who have retired since the last Synod meeting, and those who are celebrating special anniversaries of their ordination. The service will be both in person and live-streamed online. Phone (08) 8236 4200 or email Turn on Javascript! for further information.

 

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Celebrity Quiz night & Silent Auction

You are invited to support the Circle of Friends at a Celebrity Quiz Night and Silent Auction. Silent Auction available online via https://cofa.org.au/ and at the event.
Bookings at this link: https://tinyurl.com/2ab65ay4. Saturday 27th August 2022 at Burnside City Uniting Church, 384 Portrush Road, Tusmore. Doors open at 6.30pm.
Cost: $20 and BYO everything (coffee and tea will be provided). Book as an individual, a small group or make up a table of eight.

 

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Connecting with Ancestors' Retreat

A weekend of connecting with your spiritual heritage through listening to stories of our ancestors and learning through dialogue between the spirituality of First Nations people and the spirituality of the ancient Celts. More information and details about how to book are available at this link.

 

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Frontier Services – Bush Chaplaincy

Bush Chaplains fulfil a role that most people would struggle to do. Visiting people on properties for a cuppa and a chat, they are often on the frontline for identifying issues. They lend a sympathetic ear and can refer people to other service providers as appropriate. They provide practical, pastoral and spiritual support to those in need.

Travelling tens of thousands of kilometres every year, Bush Chaplains collectively visit thousands of families and individuals (including farmers and miners), but getting to remote locations is one of the biggest expenses. From just $10 per month, you can gift an extra tank of fuel for one of our Bush Chaplains. https://frontierservices.org/bush-chaplaincy/

 

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Emergency Relief

The UnitingCare Emergency Relief Centres are struggling to keep up with the demand from people needing emergency food supplies. The usual sources have reduced supplies because of floods and rising costs. UnitingCare SA encourages congregations to include packaged goods as part of their regular offerings and to then, say monthly, arrange delivery to an Emergency Relief Centre. More information can be found at https://sa.uca.org.au/unitingcare-sa/ or call UnitingCare SA on (08) 8236 4255. The number of people seeking relief is continuing to increase each month and if we all do our bit we can, collectively, help many.

 

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Sedan Life

An exhibition featuring artists from Sedan and surrounds, in South Australia’s Mid Murray region is currently at Scots Church Adelaide, 237 North Terrace in the city. From August 8th – 20th, 2022; Monday – Friday from 10.00 am – 4.00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12.00 noon – 5.00 pm. For more information call 0409 178 465.

 

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Safe Church Update

It is 3 years since the changes to legislation required a change in the screenings types that ‘persons with roles of responsibilities within the church community’ are expected to have. ‘Working with Children Checks’ are valid for 5 years – so any checks carried out post 1st July 2019 still have another couple of years before renewal is required. However the other screening types of General Probity and Vulnerable Persons are valid for 3 years. Renewal of a previous screening needs to be carried out no more than 6 months prior to the expiry date. Thank you to those who are diligently seeking renewals for these screenings. Reminders will be sent to the contact details given by individuals at the initial time of requesting a check.

For all screening requests and more information:
Safe Church Resources – Safe Church (ucasa.org.au)

Upcoming training: ‘Through their Eyes – safe Environments for children and young people:’ Saturday 17th September, The Corner Uniting Church, 93 Oaklands Road, Warradale, is hosting a full day course (9:30am – 4:00pm). Bookings are essential and can be registered at this link: Events Calendar – Safe Church (ucasa.org.au).

Cost $30.00 per attendee. Morning Tea provided, BYO lunch.

 

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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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Items for Sale

Unity Hill Uniting Church (Port Lincoln) has the following items currently for sale: Baptism font, Holy Communion Table, Pulpit, Holy Communion rails and sets of TIS and AHB books. If interested please contact Kay Brace on 0428 221 140.

 

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Thuruna Campsite – 60th Anniversary – Save the Date!

Thuruna will celebrate 60 years of ministry, service and hospitality to the people of the Eyre Peninsula and beyond. A commemorative worship service and afternoon tea is planned for Sunday, 23rd October, 2022 at Thuruna commencing at 2.00 pm. All welcome. Enquiries and RSVPs can be made by emailing Turn on Javascript!.

 

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Uniting Conversations

In these uncertain times there are and will continue to be increasing numbers of people who are refugees coming to Australia whether for political, economic, climate or other reasons. Listening to refugees and their advocates and hearing their stories is important before we can understand how best to offer assistance to them. Walking in Refugees’ Shoes is an event being held on Sunday, September 4th from 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm at the Seacliff Uniting church, 5 Wheatland Street, Seacliff. For more information and to book for this event please visit: Uniting Conversations - Walking in Refugees’ Shoes Tickets, Sun 04/09/2022 at 7:00 pm | Eventbrite

 

Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 9th August 2022

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

 

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 2nd August 2022

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

 

 

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