News, Notices & Prayer points - 17 November 2020

Posted Nov 17, 2020 in News

News & Notices – 17 November 2020

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for the Tuesday 10 November edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points for the week

We pray for South Australia and all its people during this challenging period as we come to terms with a resurgence of COVID-19
We pray for those who are unwell and for the medical and government teams as they continue to work to keep our community safe
We pray for chaplains who are caring for both staff and patients as they continue to offer support to allay fear and anxiety and to nurture families in times of grief
We pray for all church leaders who continue to seek out new ways of sharing the gospel at this time.

Synod Meeting 11-13 February 2021

Registrations have been sent out to members for the Synod Meeting in February 2021. Please register at your earliest convenience and be sure to check your spam folder if you have not yet received the email and believe you should have. If you have any questions about membership of Synod, please contact us by emailing Turn on Javascript!. For more information about what happens at our Synod meeting we invite you to view this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txW2vX1hMJ4

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Operation Santa: Calling all youth groups!

Join us as we shop, shop, shop to buy presents for young people doing it tough this Christmas.

The Operation Santa Youth Event is an opportunity for youth groups to start the conversation around disadvantage and the gift of giving through the work of UnitingCare community service organisations.

Friday 27th November from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Target Centrepoint (parking available).

Please let Julianne (Turn on Javascript!) or on 8236 4233 know that you are coming. For more information visit: https://sa.uca.org.au/opsanta/

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2021 Calendar and Christmas Postcard Update

Orders for the 2021 Uniting Church in SA Calendar at the pricing of $4.00 per Calendar have now closed. Orders can still be placed for the Calendar but the price has increased to $8.00 each.

This year, only online orders will be accepted, please click here to be taken to the Calendar online ordering page.

We thank all that have placed Postcard orders, and advise that orders are now closed.

Please note: due to the impact of COVID-19 and the closure of the Synod office from 18th November - 1st December (inclusive), that Calendars will now not be available for pick-up until 2nd December 2020 onwards.

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Christmas service details

All congregations and faith communities are invited to share their Christmas service and event details on the Synod of SA website (sa.uca.org.au/Christmas-2020). Please list the service dates, times, locations and titles (e.g. Blue Christmas, Carols Service etc.) and email them to the Engagement team at Turn on Javascript!.

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COVID – Intergenerational Ministry Grants 2020

The Intergen Team (Mission Resourcing, Synod of SA) is inviting applications for grants to encourage and resource age-specific and intergenerational ministries with children, youth and young adults to flourish as we move into 2021.

It is hoped that this grant process will create opportunities for local ministries to be thinking ‘outside the box’ about how they are forming young people to follow Jesus resiliently in everyday life; and how they are looking to share the message of Jesus beyond their church and with young people in the wider community.

For more information about key criteria and the application process, please download the application form: https://sa.uca.org.au/documents/intergen-docs/resources/2020-Intergen-Ministry-Grant-Application-Form.pdf

Applications close 5pm Monday 23rd November 2020.

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November Refugee Advocacy Guide

In response to issues raised by the Commonwealth Ombudsman concerning on-shore immigration detention, a two-page Refugee Advocacy Guide has been put together for supporters' letter-writing actions. The November Refugee Advocacy Guide can be downloaded here.

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Called by God Webinar – Part 2

On Saturday 3rd October 2020, President Dr Deidre Palmer hosted a three-part webinar to introduce the themes of her 2021 President's Conference, Called by God - Living our Christian vocation in daily life. The second vodcast of the three sessions can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/472422755. The video is available with closed captions in English for greater accessibility.

This second part of three sessions includes the call stories of Rev Mark Kickett, Rev Alistair Macrae, Rhanee Tsetsakos, Rev Radhika Sukumar-White, Rev Charissa Suli and Catherine Pepper.

The Called by God President's Conference is scheduled to take place in Adelaide from Thursday 29th April until 2nd May 2021.

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The best gifts this Christmas!

UnitingWorld's Everything in Common gifts are back and they're all yours to share with your loved ones. Each gift represents a life-changing project helping people to break the cycle of poverty so they can step towards a life of dignity. Check out the full catalogue of gifts and resources to share with your church at www.everythingincommon.com

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Congregational Website Program

The Congregational Website Program offers congregations, faith communities, Presbyteries, and other UCA organisations, the opportunity to have a fully functional website. It provides a clean design that reflects the Uniting Church in South Australia as an innovative and growing church. At present the Synod hosts 55 websites on behalf of congregations, UCA associated organisations and Presbyteries.

We offer a one-page site; a full website with a pre-set layout; and a full website with a customised layout. If you are thinking about a website we urge you to act now, as our pricing is due to increase as of January 1^st, 2021. To find out more about the program visit https://ucasa.org.au or email: Turn on Javascript!.

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Quiet Communion for Advent

Commune with the One who was and is and is to come each Sunday in Advent (29 November – 20 December) at St Andrew’s by the Sea in Glenelg. Gather at 8.30 am for prayer, scripture, silent reflection and communion around the table. This contemplative worship will help you to stay centred during this significant season. Enjoy a walk on the beach or coffee at the bay afterwards!

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Christmas Family Faith Trail

Equip families to explore the events of the Christmas story through five interactive stations during Advent. Each station has a theme, Bible passage, questions to chat about, activity ideas for different ages including adults, and prayer ideas that use locations and items from around the home. This free resource is a gift that churches can give to families and small groups with people of any age. To find out more about how churches can use this resource and to download it, visit: https://intergenteam.ucasa.org.au/christmas-family-faith-trail

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Invitation to Global TEDx Launch of Sacred People Sacred Earth

Join ARRCC in a global TEDx event, 18 November at 6.30 pm in Adelaide to herald the start of working together for the faith-based, COVID-friendly, biggest ever global day of action to prepare for climate change justice on 11 March 2021. RSVP to reserve a spot for TEDx in your region of the world. Contact Leillie Mc Laughlin: phone 0437 794 410 or email: Turn on Javascript!

If you didn’t get to read the last ‘News & Notices?’

Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 10 November 2020, which included updates about: