News, Notices & Prayer points - 16 June 2020

Posted Jun 16, 2020 in News

News & Notices – 16 June 2020

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

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Prayer Points for the week

All those who stand against racism and seek racial justice.
For the healing of racial tensions worldwide, including here in Australia, and an end to racial inequality and racist attitudes.
For refugees, both those known and unknown to us, for greater compassion from our decision makers, for the safety and wellbeing of refugees living in hardship and for endurance of people supporting refugees.

Step 2 Plus Recovery from COVID-19, Letter from the General Secretary and Facebook Live

A range of COVID-19 restriction changes has been announced with Stage Three being brought forward, a date set for the opening of state borders, and the lifting of further venue restrictions. The Synod of SA will release the revised ‘Step 2 Plus Roadmap for Re-opening Churches’ to assist congregations in the safe return to worship in church buildings in the coming days. This roadmap will be uploaded on Synod’s website: sa.uca.org.au/uniting-church-media-releases/covid-19-update along with the latest letter from the General Secretary.

If you have any questions, you are invited to join Facebook Live with the Associate General Secretary Rev Sue Page Wednesday 17 June at 3pm to unpack these changes. Those who join in can ask questions through live chat which Sue will answer in real-time. Should you not able to join the live update, you can revisit the Facebook post and see all questions in the Synod’s Facebook page feed.

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Increase in in scam emails asking for assistance

Reports of scam emails which pretend to come from ministry leaders, using a similar email address, and asking for urgent assistance and gift cards are on the rise. If you receive one, please do the following:

Check any email address carefully
If you are not sure whether or not the email is real, DON’T reply, instead start a fresh email using the contact details you already have or phone the person
DO NOT reply (however if you have already done so, just cease any further conversations / contact).

Please continue to be vigilant with emails during this time.

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CALD Research Project

CALLING ALL MINISTERS AND LAY LEADERS! The Synods CALD (Cultural and Linguistically Diverse) Ministry Center is providing you the opportunity to share your experience of, and attitudes towards, the Uniting Church Australia’s commitment to becoming multicultural and intercultural. This is part of CALDs initiative to develop intercultural strategy in a number areas to enhance understanding of intercultural awareness, activities and best practices to share with congregations.

Three to Four research assistants will be selected from expressions of interest to form a research team with Paul Goh, Principle Researchers and Research Associates. Email your expression of interest to Turn on Javascript!.

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South Australia Council of Churches Newsletter

The South Australia Council of Churches in Australia has released its latest newsletter. The newsletter includes resources and news from the ecumenical community. The newsletter can be read here.

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Working with Children Check

Do you volunteer with children? If you answered yes, then you require a Working With Children Check by 30 June 2020.State Government mandated the new Working with Children Check in July 2019. The former Uniting Church SA Screening and Authority will no longer be valid, regardless of any date listed beyond 1 July 2020. If you have not yet completed a new screening, please do so as soon as possible.

The Safe Church section of the Synod website has been updated to include a list of ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.If you still have any questions not covered by these, please email Turn on Javascript!.

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A just recovery – post-COVID-19

The Uniting Church in Australia has outlined a set of principles and key actions that will guide the way to a better future as Australia recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

UCA President Dr Deidre Palmer said that the pandemic has highlighted the stark inequality and disparity in our Australian society and exacerbated the disadvantage faced by our most vulnerable people.

The Assembly has drawn together a document, Build Back Better: A Just Recovery, Post-Covid-19, with input from across the Church, including from our agencies delivering community services on the ground, our Uniting Aboriginal Islander and Christian Congress (UAICC) and others working in the area of justice.

For more information and to read the full document, visit: https://assembly.uca.org.au/news/item/3197-a-just-recovery-post-covid-19

Didn’t read the last “News & Notices”? The items below will keep you updated.

Service of Lament

Pilgrim Uniting Church has prepared a Service of Lament that prayerfully and creatively offers a space for lament in light of the events that have led to the #BLM protests and Aboriginal deaths in custody (432 deaths since 1991). The service can viewed on the Pilgrim Uniting Church Adelaide’s YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/hVJP1cscTdE.

UCA/UAICC leaders condemn racism and police brutality

Dr Deidre Palmer and Pastor Mark Kickett have written Pastoral Letters in solidarity with the global protest movement which has arisen out of the murder by police of African American man, George Floyd. Read more here.

Lifeline Accidental Counsellor online workshop

Registration is now open for our next Accidental Counsellor training session. Facilitated by experienced Lifeline mental health trainers, this online workshop provides practical and effective skills to be able to respond to and support others when they are experiencing a challenging time.

Enrol by calling 0447 197 717 to find out more. Discounted rates available for not-for-profit organisations.

WCC Assembly postponed until 2022

The World Council of Churches' 11th Assembly, due to take place in Karlsruhe, Germany in September 2021, has been postponed due to uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more here.

NCCA Newsletter

The latest newsletter of the National Council of Churches in Australia can be read here.

Not-for-Profit working group to support recovery in the sector

The National COVID-19 Coordination Commission has established a not-for-profit working group to provide recommendations to lessen the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on vulnerable people and the sector that supports them. Read more here.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day online forum

World Elder Abuse Day took place on Friday 12 June. The Aged Rights Advocacy Service is offering an online forum with focus on how government agencies, health and allied health professionals, service providers and advocacy groups can work together to deliver care and support services to older Australians, with quality and compassion. Register here.

Bushfire recovery funds for community groups

The SA Bushfire Appeal is now taking applications from not-for-profit organisations and community groups for gift payments of up to $20,000 to respond to local recovery needs and issues. Funds must go toward a project that supports the strength and resilience of bushfire-affected Kangaroo Island and Adelaide Hills communities. This includes rebuilding or replacing community infrastructure or equipment used by the affected communities.

Applications for this category of payment close on Friday 3 July. To find out more or apply now, visit sa.gov.au/bushfireappeal

Nominations are open for the 2021 Australian of the Year Awards

The Australia Day Council of South Australia needs the community’s help to ensure our nation’s best continue to receive the recognition they deserve. They are looking for people who are great at what they do, contribute to Australian society and inspire those around them. They could be quiet achievers, community members, leaders in their field of work, household names or unknown heroes.

The Awards rely on members of the public to nominate and you are encouraged, through your networks, to identify and put some of our best and brightest forward for the 2021 Awards.

Nominee(s) could be recognised in one of four categories: