News, Notices & Prayer points - 17th December 2024

Posted Dec 17, 2024 in News

News & Notices – 17th December 2024

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 17th December 2024 edition of UC e-News

Prayer Points

We pray:

For hearts full of gratitude as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the greatest gift of all
For peace and joy to fill our hearts and homes this Christmas. May we experience the true peace that only Christ can bring, and may His joy overflow in our lives and in the lives of others
For families, Lord, to experience unity, love, and harmony this Christmas. May relationships be strengthened and may the spirit of forgiveness and grace abound in every household.

Synod Offices Closed for Christmas and New Year

The Synod Office will be taking a short break over the holiday season. Our office will be closed from 3:00 pm, Tuesday, 24th December 2024, and will reopen on Monday, 6th January 2025.

Wishing you all a joyous Christmas and a peaceful New Year!

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UC-Enews Break Over Christmas and New Year

Please note that this is the last issue of UC-enews for 2024. The Enews will be taking a break over the Christmas and New Year period and will return on Tuesday, 21^st January 2025. We encourage you to continue sending your news and notices for inclusion in the Enews in the New Year. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season, and we look forward to connecting with you again in January!

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Copyright Reminders

This is a reminder to all congregations to ensure you have permission to use any content such as photos, artwork, poems, worship songs, etc.... before you use them in worship, on brochures or posters or in any publication.

We have had some cases recently of churches being fined by organisations who are searching the internet for infringements on behalf of copyright owners. Please be aware that if you livestream your worship, anything you put in your presentation is recorded. This appears to be an avenue that is being used to identify copyright infringements.

If you are unsure if you have breached copyright, here are some helpful links with more information:

UCA SA - Content Guidelines

PicRights: How to Deal with a Letter Alleging Copyright Infringement

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Christmas 2024 Resources for Congregations

As you prepare your Christmas worship services a selection of social media graphics, posters, PowerPoint template and postcard designs are now available on the Synod website, ready for download. The Moderator’s Christmas theme for 2024 is ‘Through their Eyes.’ Additional resources will be added from time to time, so please check the site on a regular basis. More information is available at: UCA SA - Christmas 2024

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Christmas Worship Services 2024

Please send through your Christmas Worship times and services so they can be featured on the Synod website at this link: UCA SA - Christmas Services 2024. To provide your Christmas Worship times to the 2024 list please email: Turn on Javascript!. For all other Christmas events, please list them in the usual way via the Events submission form available at this link: UCA SA - Submit an event.

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Safe Church Audit 2025 – Fostering safe and welcoming spaces for everyone to thrive.

The Uniting Church SA is launching the Safe Church Audit 2025 as part of its commitment to creating safe and nurturing environments, responding to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

This annual audit allows congregations to celebrate safeguarding achievements, reflect on best practices, and align with the highest standards of care. On Thursday, 5^th December, an email with all necessary details was sent to congregations, typically to the Safe Church contact, Church Council Secretary, and Ministers.

If you missed the communication or want more information, the Safe Church News is available in the Audit section of the Safe Church website. The audit is due by March 7^th, 2025, allowing Church Councils ample time to prepare.

Thank you for supporting this vital work as we build a safer church community together!

Safe Church training 2025: Upcoming dates for your diary.

Coromandel Uniting is hosting a full day Through their Eyes training on Saturday, 8^th February. Registrations are open now for bookings and payment via the Safe Church website.

March 29^th – Unity Hill UC is the venue for two half day sessions. Through their Eyes Refresher and Called to Care. Bookings will be available for each course in the new year.

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In 2025 Uniting College in partnership with UAICC South Australia is offering two 12-week journeys into Indigenous wisdom.

Yarta Wandatha: The Land is Speaking the People are Speaking with Aunty Denise Champion in the Flinders Ranges. March-May – readings + four morning online sessions 12^th & 26^th March, 14^th & 28^th May and a four-day immersion 2^nd – 5^th May at Alpana Station, Blinman.
Kungan Kaldowinyeri: Listening to Creation with Uncle Ken Sumner on the Kurangk/Coorong. August-October – readings + four evening online sessions 21^st August, 4^th September, 9^th & 23^rd October and a four-day immersion 19^th – 22^nd September.

Study for credit with reflective assessment or for audit without. OR cross credit this unit into your studies elsewhere.

Note: Both options have a UAICC SA additional fee to pay our Elders for their Indigenous expertise and for accommodation.

Give yourself the experience of a lifetime! Enquire now: Turn on Javascript!

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Shout for Joy Church Service for People with Intellectual Disability - Southern Adelaide Information Evening

‘I have no idea what Greg prayed, as he is non-verbal, but God did.’ S4J services offer truly joyful experiences for both participants and the teams who serve. You are warmly invited to an information evening about starting a monthly S4J service in southern Adelaide. The event will be held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, 18^th February, at Southern Life, 280 Beach Road, Hackham West. For an Info Pack or to RSVP, please contact David Bailey, S4J Coordinator at Adelaide West Uniting, at Turn on Javascript! or 0408 207 675.

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Clearing Out All Saints’ Uniting Church

All Saints’ Uniting Church is closing, and we need help clearing the property. Items such as pews, church furniture, plastic chairs, and kitchen items will be available for free/giveaway. Please visit on Wednesday, 15^th January 2025, at 10.00am at 364a Marion Road, North Plympton.

Computers, electronics, and communion items are not available. It is preferred that items are taken on the day, but another opportunity may be offered depending on need.

For questions, contact Sharon Thomson, Property Coordinator, at (08) 8236 4210 or Turn on Javascript!.

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Grant Opportunities

Mark Butler MP Grants Information

A range of grants information is available via the Grants Hub at markbutler.net.au/community/grants.

2025-27 Stronger Together Grants - Funding now available.

Applications for the STRONGER TOGETHER grants, offered by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet’s Multicultural Affairs, are now open. These grants support multicultural organisations in delivering initiatives that promote healthy family relationships, mental health, and community cohesion. Eligible organisations can apply for up to $200,000 for projects running from July 2025 to June 2027. Applications close on 2 March 2025. For more details and to apply, visit www.multicultural.sa.gov.au or contact the Multicultural Grants Team at 1300 239 468 or Turn on Javascript!.

Heritage Conservation Grants

The Department for Environment and Water, 2025-2026 Heritage Conservation Grants Program will open to receive applications on the 11^thDecember 2024 and close at 2:00pm Monday 31^th March 2025

Grants are intended to support essential conservation works at privately owned State Heritage Places. Properties owned by private individuals, commercial entities, community organisations, or local government are all eligible to apply.

Applications for the program will close at 2:00pm Wednesday 3 April 2024, and no late submissions will be accepted. All applications must be submitted through the DEW Smarty Grant System at this link or on the website.

For assistance through the application process please refer to the Smarty Grants Help Guide for Applicants attached and at the following link:

Help Guide for Applicants (smartygrants.com.au) If you have any questions or would like further information, please refer to the website, or contact Alison Othen on 0405735479 or by email at Turn on Javascript! or Turn on Javascript!.

Please note the office will be unattended from 23 December until 6 January 2025.

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Aunty Denise's books available

Copies of Aunty Denise's books, are available by contacting Ian Dempster on Turn on Javascript! or dropping into the UAICC SA office when he is working there. Also, available by contacting Rosemary Dewerse: Turn on Javascript!.’

Copies of Yarta Wandatha are available @ $35 each and a new print run of Anaditj is due mid-November (books for sale @ $30 each).

Rosemary Dewerse has also edited ‘Location Shaped Theologies: First Peoples and Second-Generation Wisdom,’ of which Aunty Denise has a contributing chapter. For more information contact: Turn on Javascript!

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2024-2025 Uniting Church Lectionary released

The 2024-2025 Uniting Church Lectionary is now available to download from the Assembly, and available to order from Wayzgoose, the new online store for MediaCom and Uniting Church resources.

The new-look lectionary features a number of changes - a new poster format, additional liturgical colour coding, new listings for Uniting Church special days and an online list of worship and preaching resources. More information is available at this link: 2024-2025 Uniting Church Lectionary – Uniting Church Australia.

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CMLA Journalling with the Paint and Poetry

Join a reflective and creative retreat at Bridgewater Uniting Church, 10.00am–4.00pm. Explore life, spirituality, and creativity through painting, poetry, or both. Suitable for all experience levels, with full-day or half-day options.

Led by Karan Hudson and Paul Turley, hosted by the Centre for Music, Liturgy, and the Arts. More details are available at this link.

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Hakuna Matata Children's Choir Coming to Adelaide South Australia, 2025

The Hakuna Matata Children’s Choir from Kenya, a group of 15 talented children, is touring Australia in April 2025. They share inspiring songs, dances, and stories, spreading God’s love and raising funds to build a dormitory for over 300 orphans in Kenya. Available dates include:

Sundays: April 6^th, 13^th, 20^th, 27^th
Wednesdays: April 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, 30^th
Fridays & Saturdays: Various dates

Hosting involves accommodation and a space for daytime activities. Performances are flexible, and a love offering will support their mission. More information is available at: https://connectwithachild.org/

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Social Justice Advent Resource 2024

This Uniting Church resource is for congregations and faith communities seeking to include social justice content in their Advent services and activities. Including biblical reflections and prayers, it covers a variety of social justice issues that are connected to Advent or Christmas, offering something to different congregations depending on their interests. More information is available at Social Justice Advent Resource 2024.pdf

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Australian Academy of Liturgy Conference

A continuing education opportunity in Brisbane January 14-16th 2025
"Justice at the Heart of the Liturgy". Liturgy and the worship are intrinsically linked to the work of justice. How does the worship have potential to both embody and perpetuate injustice? Keynotes from Gerard Moore, Anita Munro, and Peter Catt. Further information at https://australianacademyofliturgy.wordpress.com/ or Turn on Javascript!

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Rev Keith Garner Guest Preacher at Wesley Kent Town

Wesley Uniting Church, Kent Town, warmly invites you to worship on Sunday, 12th January, at 10:00 am, when Rev. Keith Garner will be preaching. Born in the UK, Keith became a Methodist Minister and served as the Superintendent Minister of Wesley Mission Sydney, in addition to holding numerous other community service roles. He is currently the Chairperson of the Sydney Central Coast Presbytery. The service will be followed by morning tea.

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Sally Stamp 202

A big thank you to everyone who has donated stamps and collections. Thanks to your generosity, donations have been made to the following organizations: Oodnadatta Church for chairs ($500), South Pacific School Aid Inc. (3 shipments, $3,376.91), and The Grove Uniting Church Kids Craft Group ($1,000). Please continue saving stamps for the Uniting Church, as these contributions enable ongoing support for similar causes. Pickup can be arranged in the metro area. For enquiries, please contact Maxine Haines, Convenor, at 0427 972417 or email Turn on Javascript!.

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