News, Notices & Prayer points - 16th May 2023

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News & Notices – 16th May 2023

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 16th May, 2023 edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points

We pray:

  • For the people of Palestine and Israel, that a peaceful resolution will be sought
  • For those experiencing natural disasters, conflict and the results of the global pandemic
  • For peace to be with all those who have suffered and continue to do so.

 

 

 

Together Yes Campaign

The upcoming referendum is a historic opportunity for Australians to acknowledge and honour First Nations people. Uniting Church people have an opportunity to be a part of this. Together, Yes, is looking for people to host small local conversations that provide open and respectful spaces to talk about the issues underpinning a Voice to Parliament. An information session specifically for Uniting Church members will take place on 1st June at 12pm AEST (11.30 am in South Australia). Register now!

If you know others who might be interested in finding out more or becoming a host of local conversations – this is the link with the information, including the encouragement from the Assembly President: https://uniting.church/together-yes/

If you cannot attend this session, please feel free to go to one of the other Together, Yes information sessions, either in person or online. https://togetheryes.com.au/infosessions.

For further information please visit: Together Yes - Uniting Church Australia

 

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Budget 2023

The Uniting Church in Australia has welcomed the clear commitment in the Federal Budget to deliver support to those who are most vulnerable in our community.

Uniting Church Assembly President Rev Sharon Hollis said it was pleasing to see significant investments in the budget for rent assistance, single parenting payments, bulk billing to improve access to GPs, energy price relief and the aged care workforce, while noting some measures fell short.

Read more from the President and Uniting Church national organisation about what the budget included for aged care, climate, First Nations people, those in the bush and international development assistance: 2023 Budget response - Uniting Church Australia

 

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Missional Needs and Opportunities Review Update

Last week, AngelWings Ltd shared some emerging themes from the literature they have observed so far and encouraged you to share more literature with them. Thank you to those who have shared literature and perspectives which is greatly appreciated.

AngelWings Ltd are testing their messages from the literature with focus groups. They are hoping to have conversations with established and emerging leaders across each of the three Presbyteries to test questions and to hear from leaders in the church. Thanks to the Presbytery that has chosen their representatives – the team looks forward to chatting to you soon.

Emails have also been sent to churches across the three Presbyteries seeking copies of newsletters to understand the form and focus of churches’ appetites for mission resourcing. AngelWings is seeking to understand what mission resourcing churches are promoting in their newsletters. This phase of the research offers a church-based contextualisation for the literature, questionnaires, and focus groups. It is planned to review four newsletters per church from ten churches from each Presbytery: thirty churches in total.

The AngelWings Ltd team have also booked their flights to Synod and look forward to engaging with Synod attendees in June.

As always, you can keep up to date with the review via the following link: https://sites.google.com/view/reviewmissional2023/ and can get in touch with the research team via email at: Turn on Javascript!./.

 

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Roman Catholic - Uniting Church Dialogue in SA - Call for New Members

This dialogue group of six Roman Catholic and six Uniting Church members form part of an ongoing discussion which seeks to gain a deeper appreciation of each other’s traditions. There has been discussion of many topics of mutual interest. Further information is available at this link: https://www.sadialoguercuc.org/.

The group meets 5-6 times a year, usually on Thursday mornings from 9.30 for 10am until 12 noon at Lockleys Catholic Parish. There is one full day meeting each year.

Current work includes a study of a recent Papal Encyclical: Fratelli Tutti.

Expressions of interest from potential new members of the Uniting Church team are invited. Please provide about a page indicating your reasons for being interested, what gifts you would bring and your contact details. This application should be emailed to Alison Whish (acting Co-Convenor) at Turn on Javascript! by 30th May 2023.


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MediaCom Education: Upper Room Daily Devotion

MediaCom has excess stock of May - July daily devotions and is offering them as samples to congregations to encourage on-going subscription. Available in packs of 2, 5 or 10 for cost of postage or free pick up at MediaCom. Daily Devotional - MediaCom Education.

Mediacom Education phone (08) 8371 1399 or email: Turn on Javascript!

 

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Voice Banners now available

The Synod of VIC/TAS has designed a banner in support of the Voice to Parliament and the banner has been endorsed by the National Assembly. There are four colour options for those congregations that wish to display a banner in support of the Voice to Parliament. The designs are available to view at this link: UCA SA - Voice to Parliament Resources

If you would like to order a banner please email the Engagement Ministry Centre at Turn on Javascript! and include the following details with your order:

  • Name of congregation
  • Name of contact person at congregation
  • Type of banner required e.g. corflute, canvas
  • Size of banner, please include number of eyelets required
  • Indicate colour choice of your design (3 options to choose from)
  • Clearly indicate any additional words you would like included in the design.

There is no design fee, however there will be a print and postage and handling fee for all requests. Once an order is received, Engagement will let you know the print quote cost for your banner, before progressing your requirements.

 

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Call for Expressions of Interest: Missional Renewal Pilot

Mission Resourcing is seeking to identify three to five congregations for the first round of Awaken Adelaide cohorts for a Missional Renewal Pilot project: Intercultural Neighbourhood Congregation Pilot.

Awaken Adelaide is a six-month process for congregations to learn about new ways of being a church in an increasingly multicultural neighbourhood. This will be done through a cohort learning experience with neighbouring congregations and CALD faith communities to build missional partnerships in local communities.

A one-page flyer can be downloaded at this link: Intercultural Congregation Pilot Flyer-final.pdf

A four-page leaflet can be downloaded at this link: Four Page Awaken Adelaide flyer.pdf

Congregations are invited to submit expressions of interest at this link: Expression of Interest (office.com) by 31st May, 2023. For further information and enquiries, please contact Paul Goh Turn on Javascript! Mobile: 0416 564 193.

 

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Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice: An Indigenous Theological Revolution 2023 Conference (10th – 13th July 2023)

The School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Divinity is pleased to announce a four-day conference entitled ‘Raising Our Tribal Voice for Justice: An Indigenous Theological Revolution.’ This is the first ever national ecumenical platform where Indigenous theologians from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific will raise up their voices and challenge churches across denominations to call their followers to action in addressing injustice, inequality and systemic failings of churches history to protect, nourish, and benefit from Indigenous peoples and their knowledge. More information and how to book is available at this link: Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice Tickets, St John's Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane City | TryBooking Australia

 

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Winifred Kiek Scholarship

Applications for the 2024 Winifred Kiek Memorial Scholarship are now open and must be received by 31st May 2023. 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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Uniting Church National History Society 2023 Conference (24th – 27th August 2023)

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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National Lay Preachers Conference 2023 (4th – 7th August 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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Grant Opportunity

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 to $100,000. Applications for Round 2 open on 1st June 2023 and close on 30th August 2023. Find out more.

 

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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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Sally Stamp

Sally Stamps asks that people continue to send stamps to the Uniting Church office, to help with this ministry. The group also suggests that people consider asking local businesses to save their stamps, with doctor’s surgeries being one of the best sources of stamps! Any donations of private collections no longer required are also gratefully received. In 2022 donations were made to the following: South Pacific School Aid Inc. ($4,700); Frontier Services ($1,000); and The Grove U/C Kids Craft Group ($1,000). Pick up can be arranged in metropolitan areas. Contact: Maxine Haines (Convenor), Phone: 0427 972 417, email: Turn on Javascript!.

 

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