News, Notices & Prayer points - 17 April 2019

Posted Apr 17, 2019 in News

News & notices – 17 April 2019

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the SA Synod and the wider Uniting Church submitted for the Wednesday 17 April edition of UC e-News.

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Prayer Points for the week

• We pray for a peaceful Easter period filled with opportunities to renew the spirit and the mind.
• We pray for the people of France, and Christians everywhere, over the terrible spiritual loss the nation has sustained through the fire at the Cathedral of Notre Dame .
• We pray for every congregation and faith community within the Uniting Church to discern wisely on their future Presbytery needs. That they follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and be open to what God is doing in and through the Presbytery restructure.

Presbytery Restructure

Looking for more information about the Presbytery restructure? There is a new circular available here (circular 3). Information sessions are being held in May to assist congregations to understand the restructuring process.

You are invited to attend one of the following information sessions (supper provided). The invitations can also be viewed as Facebook events also:

• 7 May 2019 - Murray Bridge Uniting Church, 7pm – 9pm, Narooma Blvd (off Monash Tce), Murray Bridge
• 14 May 2019 - Spicer Uniting Church, 7pm – 9pm, 44A Fourth Ave, St Peters
• 21 May 2019 - Balaklava Uniting Church, 7pm – 9pm, 29 Edith Tce, Balaklava

Please RSVP by Wednesday 1 May 2019 to Sue Page, Associate General Secretary on Turn on Javascript! or Ph: (08) 8236 4217

A list of Frequently Asked Questions is also available here.

Pastoral letter addressing the issue of Abortion Law Reform before the SA Parliament

On Wednesday 10 April, Uniting Church SA Moderator Rev Sue Ellis sent out a Pastoral Letter that addresses the issue of Abortion Law Reform before the SA Parliament. Several members of the Uniting Church in South Australia are interested in the Uniting Church’s official position on abortion and Sue’s letter may be of assistance to those wish to explore changes to the reform bill.
You can access the letter that was sent here.

Easter and Holy Week Resources
CoroUniting has created a resource page for families with various links to Easter crafts, suggestions for talking with your kids about
Good Friday and Easter as well as some ideas for making Holy Week special. View the resource page here.

Leaders2go Conference

If you're a leader of leaders (paid or voluntary) engaged with pre-school and primary-age children and their families
in a church, school or community based setting, then Leaders2go is for you. It's the premier conference in this space and is happening in 8 weeks' time.Check it out at https://leaderstogo.org.au/ - earlybird rate ends 26 April – register here.

White Pages Directory

Recently an email was sent to all Secretaries and Treasurers of congregations regarding the White Pages Directory. Could you please check your listing carefully against the proof sent? Please advise any changes by the end of April. A final proof will then be sent out in May. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Jaensch: Turn on Javascript! or call 8236 400.

Welcome, compassion and safety for all

As Australians approach a Federal election on 18 May, we continue to encourage Uniting Church members to explore different parts of our recently released statement Our Vision for a Just Australia. In our statement we express our Christ-centred hope for Australia to be A Welcoming, Compassionate and Diverse Nation and to respond humanely to those seeking safety and refuge on our shores.

Our vision is that all who seek refuge here are treated fairly and are made to feel welcome and safe, regardless of their country of origin or mode of arrival. In support of this, many Uniting Church
members from across the country marched in Palm Sunday rallies and the Uniting Church Assembly is joining the I Choose Humane campaign to send a message to our political leaders that we expect humane policies for people seeking asylum.

Read more about the UCA Assembly’s message here.

Indonesian National Conference

The 14th Indonesian National Conference took place at St Andrew’s Gardiner Uniting Church, Melbourne from Friday 5 April to Sunday 7 April. The Conference titled ‘Blessed to Bless’, was attended by up to 60 Indonesian leaders from Darwin, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne. Read more here.

Departing and Returning with Dr Maree Aldridge

Would you like to explore if there is another way to see, engage and move with the uncomfortable void of the unknown? This workshop offers space for you to explore transforming losses into an understanding and experience of restored relationship to yourself, belonging and homecoming.

Dr Maree Aldridge is an Artist, Author, and Poet from Aotearoa, New Zealand who through weaving mythic stories, parables, poetry, visual art and creative rituals explores how welcoming life-altering transitions will bring us to the thresholds of departure and return.

This workshop will run on Sunday 5 May from 2:30pm - 9pm at the Uniting College of Leadership and Theology. Tickets are $60 (includes dinner) and can be purchased at the door. RSVP's must be in my Friday 26 April as numbers are capped.

New Faculty announcement: Postgraduate coordinator

The Uniting College for Leadership and Theology is pleased to announce that Dr Mauro Meruzzi has been appointed as Postgraduate Coordinator. This role provides academic leadership for the postgraduate life of the college, including the Graduate Certificate and Diploma, Master in Ministry, Master in Theological Studies, Doctor of Ministry and PhD programs.

Mauro has two doctorates - in Missiology and Biblical Studies - and is the author of several books and research articles. He also has extensive experience in supervision and lecturing. He is no stranger to the College, having lectured in an adjunct capacity since 2016. Mauro has expressed a great vision for the place of research in a theological college, and the place of such a college in the church and its mission in the world.

Together We Can: Building Stronger Communities

UnitingSA, in partnership with the Uniting Church Historical Society of South Australia, will host a one-day forum to explore the evolution of UnitingSA, social reform in the Port area, the benefits of strong partnerships, and how UnitingSA turns values into actions. This is a free centenary event where you will hear from experts in social reform during an informative day of presentations, panel discussions and smaller, special interest seminars.

This event is scheduled for Wednesday, 15 May, at Port Adelaide Uniting Church. Morning, afternoon tea and a light lunch will be provided. Registration is essential by 6 May using this link. For more information call 8440 2144.

‘Summer in the forest’ screening

On May 27 at 6pm L’Arche Adelaide are holding a film night at the Capri Cinema. The film “Summer in the forest”, featuring the life and learnings of Jean Vanier, will be screened as a fundraiser to open a L'Arche Community House in Adelaide in 2020. With this acclaimed film you will learn about Jean Vanier, a Canadian philosopher who founded L'Arche and who has written many books on community, what it means to be human, disability and spirituality. Tickets are $25 and the funds raised will go towards the first L'Arche Community House. Food will be on sale in the foyer from 6pm with the film screening at 6:30pm.

A trailer of the film can be viewed here. Tickets can be purchased online here.

New appointment to NCLS Research Board

Emeritus Professor Ross Chambers AM has been appointed to the National Church Life Surveys (NCLS) Research Board of Governors. Professor Chambers was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2018 for his service to university education, including regional education and theological education. He is former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) from 2002-2015. He is the chair of the Board of the Centre for Ecumenical Studies and is a member of the Advisory Board of Affinity Intercultural Foundation.

In nominating Professor Chambers, Dr Glen Powell, Executive Director, Uniting Mission and Education, Synod of NSW and ACT said, “With his wealth of experience, knowledge, and a strong commitment to research we are confident that Ross will make an extremely valuable contribution to the work of NCLS Research”.

NCLS Research is an ecumenical research organisation which focuses on church vitality and community spirituality and wellbeing.

Congress of Asian Theologians

The ninth Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS) will be held from 5 to 10 August, 2019, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The theme of the CATS-IX is: ‘Reconciliation, Renewal and Restoration: Divine Indicative and Human Imperative’. Interested theologians can now send in their applications to attend CATS-IX. For more information please view the website here or send a request to Turn on Javascript!.

Call for ecumenical internship applications

Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) has invited young people between the ages of 22-29 to apply for its Internship Program. CCA Interns serve at this ecumenical organisation’s headquarters in
Chiang Mai, Thailand for one year. The program involves ecumenical leadership development training to identify, recognise and mould prospective ecumenical leaders in Asia. Intern positions are available in four areas of interest. Find out more here.

Donate blood this Easter

The Red Cross has issued a vital and very urgent call this week for blood donations over Easter, especially in aid of cancer sufferers. Please could you consider encouraging your fellow congregation members (and yourself!) to donate blood as a matter of priority this Easter.

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Didn’t read the last “News & notices”? The items below are ones you might want to catch up on.

Time to choose

As a result of the process initiated at the November 2018 Presbytery and Synod meeting to structurally separate the Synod and Presbytery, and to form a Missional Non-Geographic Presbytery (MNGP), it is now time for congregations to choose which Presbytery their church will join.

All Congregations and Faith communities were sent a Presbytery Decision Form last week by the Interim General Secretary, Rev Rob Brown, via email. These forms should be returned, completed, by Friday 7 June, either by return email (Turn on Javascript!) or via post (Uniting Church SA c/o Secretariat, GPO Box 2145, Adelaide SA 5001).

If your Congregation or Faith Community did not receive the Presbytery Decision Form, please contact Rob via email on Turn on Javascript!, or the Associate General Secretary, Rev Sue Page, on Turn on Javascript!.

The Mission and Building Cohort

The May gathering of the Mission and Building Cohort will be held at Payneham Road Uniting Church on Thursday 30 May, 6:30pm-9pm. The theme for this meeting is “The DNA of the Evolving Uniting Church”. If you would like more information about the Mission and Building Cohort, please find an article on the topic by Rev Paul Turley here.

Please RSVP for catering purposes by 16 May to Turn on Javascript!, or 0412 552 703.

Re-thinking Faith in the 21st Century

During May the Effective Living Centre in Wayville will host two respected theological scholars in Liz Boase and Norm Habel for seminars that will reflect on questions of faith and spirituality relevant in the 21st Century. These seminars take place on Thursday evenings during May, with topics dwelling on issues of trauma.

$45 for 4 seminars or $15 each. RSVP essential. Call the office for booking assistance on 8270 0329.

The Path Within

Holy Week, Sacred Space Installation at Christ Church Uniting, 26 King William Road, Wayville. This is a self-guided space of contemplation, prayer, and journey toward Easter. Explore our common humanity and connection to the world through story and reflection.

Daily: 15th - 18th April / 10am - 3pm.
Evening: 16th April / 5pm - 9pm.
Find out more on the website.

Australian Requiem not the first

In last week’s UC-eNews and New Times Online we featured a story about an Australian Requiem for Easter, by composer Anne Cawrse, which had been commissioned by Clayton Wesley Uniting Church. The articled mentioned that this is Australia’s first contemporary Requiem, which is not factually correct. It is rather the first Australian contemporary Easter Requiem written for Clayton Wesley Uniting Church.

$2 million boost to assist regional and remote aged

UnitingCare Australia and Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) have welcomed a $2 million boost in funding to support the implementation of regional and remote elements of the Aged Care Workforce Strategy, including the Remote Accord. The two groups, who will be responsible for implementing the expanded programs, say the welcome boost will ultimately support the aims of addressing disadvantage and allowing older people to age where they have lived their lives.

SA Council of Churches change of contact details

The SA Council of Churches has new contact details, replacing their previous email and landline. The new office email address: Turn on Javascript! and new phone number is: 0477 019 163.

Mindfulness Group Sessions

For parents/guardians who wish to explore mindfulness with their child/ren, an eight week course that will run during the second term will start on 9 May (ending 27 June). You and your child/ren will learn tools in enhancing cognitive focus, the ability to calm down, pay attention and emotionally regulate. Each week you will explore different mindfulness practices and its benefits. This will be a closed group to create a safe environment. Cost: $130 for one child and one parent for 8 weeks (plus $50 for each extra child). Thursdays starting 9 May from 4-5pm, Glenelg.

For Adults wishing to explore mindfulness and relaxation a different eight week course is available in Port Adelaide. These adult sessions are tailored to help with self-regulation, relaxation and self-awareness. Cost: $120 each person for 8 sessions. Tuesdays starting 7 May from 10-11am, Port Adelaide.

Contact Maria on Turn on Javascript! or click here for further information and enrolment.

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