News, Notices & Prayer points - 18 May 2021

Posted May 18, 2021 in News

News & Notices – 18 May 2021

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 18th May edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points for the week:

We pray:

We pray for the people of Israel and Palestine, and for a peaceful resolution to this on-going conflict
We take a moment to reflect and pray for all countries in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis
We raise our hearts in grateful praise for all the beauty that surrounds us - may we learn to respect all as a sacred gift and do what we can to work towards real action on climate change.

President’s Conference 2021 Wrap-up

For a taste of the recent President's Conference you are invited to view this highlights video: https://vimeo.com/544959474.

Over four days participants gathered to hear about and reflect on the ways God is calling us to live lives of justice, reconciliation, hope and liberation in the world.

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Reconciliation Week 2021 and National Sorry Day

Reconciliation Week 2021 begins with National Sorry Day on 26th May, and then from the 27^th May, the anniversary of the 1967 referendum and concluding on 3^rd June, the day in 1992 that Eddie (Koiki) Mabo won and the lie of terra nullius was laid bare by Koiki in the Australian High Court.

This year’s theme is More than a Word – Reconciliation takes Action. For more information visit: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/

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Reconciliation Week Appeal 2021

This year’s Reconciliation Week Appeal supports youth and young adults to be trained as leaders and followers of Jesus in the Uniting Church in South Australia. Young people are the leaders not just tomorrow, but also today. The Congress (UAICC) appreciates the support of all churches, fellowships and individuals who support Congress on a regular or ad-hoc basis. Please print out the poster for more information which is available at this link.

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Growing Up Uniting

MediaCom Education’s latest book ‘Growing up Uniting’ is now available for pre-order at this link.

Edited by William Emilsen (author of ‘Charles Harris - A Struggle for Justice’) and Elizabeth Watson, ‘Growing up Uniting’ features narratives from 20 individuals who share their personal experience of being formed in the Uniting Church. The book will be officially launched at the Assembly’s National History Conference to be held at the Centre for Ministry in Sydney from Friday, 11^th June to Sunday, 13^th June 2021. More information can be found on the Uniting Church SA Historical Society website at this link.

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Budget 2021-22

The Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia has welcomed the historic investment in social services in the Federal Budget handed down last week. UCA President Dr Deidre Palmer commended the Federal Government's investment in measures that will make a difference in people's lives - including in aged care, mental health and support for women's economic participation and safety. Read the response from across the Church about welcome measures and missed opportunities at this link: https://uniting.church/budget-2021-22-uca-response/

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Mercer's Federal Budget Webinar

Mercer is conducting an online webinar on Wednesday, 19^th May to discuss the Federal Budget impacts on the Super industry and the broader economy. Hear from David Knox (Senior Partner) on the impacts to the Super Industry, Yaying Dong (Market Strategist) on the impacts to the broader economy and Jessica Balcombe from Mercer’s Career team to walk participants through their recently released key insights on the Superannuation Guarantee increase. Registration can be made at this link.

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Act2 Reflection Continues

As the responses are gathered and considered from the Act2 survey, a series continues of contributions from around the church reflecting on the shape of the future. To hear from Dr Catherine Pepper, please visit: https://uniting.church/dreams-for-the-future/

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Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee Award

The Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (SERC) invites congregations who have been involved in Ecumenical activities within their local community to submit a brief of their activity to SERC. This can be via a written report with photographs, video, or whatever creative presentation you would like to make.

This award has been agreed to by Synod with $600 included in the SERC budget. Certificates will be presented to all applicants. The closing date is 17^th September, 2021 and the award will be presented at a future Synod meeting.

Please submit applications to Don Hopgood Turn on Javascript! or Velvy Holden at Turn on Javascript! or mail to SERC c/o 19 Ray Avenue, Morphett Vale 5162.

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Urgent Call for Volunteers

Frontier Services is building an emergency response team to assist with a clean-up operation following Tropical Cyclone Seroja in WA and they need as many boots on the ground as possible. Help spread the word or sign up to volunteer! Call 1300 787 247 or email Turn on Javascript!.

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Disaster and Recovery Ministries SA Chaplaincy Training

The next 2-day training opportunity for volunteer chaplains will be held on Tuesday 22^nd and Wednesday 23^rd June at Seacliff Uniting Church. Chaplains are trained to provide pastoral and spiritual support to those affected by disasters in the wider community as part of the State Emergency Management Plan. Further information is available at: https://sa.uca.org.au/disaster-and-recovery-ministries/

To book please visit: https://www.trybooking.com/BQFNA

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CALD and Intercultural Ministry Online Survey 2021

This survey will inform a project which aims to resource Congregations/Presbyteries/ Agencies/Synod in shaping Action Plans for the Church as it continues to be a multicultural and cross-cultural Church with three identified foci of Synod Strategic Priorities 2021-2025:

Understand Who We Are as UCA
Create Local Connections
Support Ministries on the Margins.

The survey is expected to take approximately 20 minutes to complete and you can access further information and the survey at this link.

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PreachFest – South Australian Hub

PreachFest is a 3-day festival created to inspire and enliven the craft, art and vocation of preaching across Australia and the Uniting College will become an SA hub for this event.

From the 1^st – 3^rd June 2021, you can attend Preachfest at the College with tickets available from: https://events.sa.uca.org.au/uclt/preachfest.

3-day tickets are $25 pp and single day tickets are $10 pp (morning and afternoon refreshments are included).

For more information email Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 8236 4265.

More information is also available at this link.

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Winter Retreat, 18-19 June, Nunyara

The Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts is holding a Creative Winter Retreat for artists in June. A time for creative community, writers, visual and performing artists to be tucked away in the Adelaide Hills to practise your craft and to be inspired. Reconnect with your inner artist and be spiritually nurtured in this retreat. You have the option of a full overnight retreat, commencing Friday evening, or a day-only retreat from 9.00am-5.00pm on Saturday. Sean Gilbert and Sharonne Price will be leading the retreat. For speaker bios, program and registration information visit cmla.org.au.

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Invigor8 Children, Youth and Family Ministry Conference

On Saturday, 22^nd May from 9.30 am – 4.00 pm, join a hub near you for a fantastic day of training and networking across denominations, featuring top speakers and electives. Brought to you by Children’s Ministry Network SA in cooperation with ‘Amplify’ Conference, Queensland. Tickets are $15. Register by Monday, 17^th May. For more information, including hub locations visit: https://events.sa.uca.org.au/mission-resourcing/invigor8-2021

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SA History Festival – Pilgrim Uniting Church Archive Guided Tours

Hidden behind stone walls in Flinders Street, is a long-forgotten history and a present-day wonder, the Pilgrim Uniting Church. The church sprung from the colony of South Australia’s early beginnings in 1837. Guided tours in May are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. Please book by phoning (08) 8212 3295 or email Turn on Javascript!. An archived history exhibition is open Monday to Friday 12.00 – 2.00 pm and Sunday services.

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Safe Church Training

A full day ‘Through their Eyes – Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect’ is being offered on Saturday, 29^th May at Playford Uniting Church. To see more details and to book visit: https://safechurch.ucasa.org.au/events-calendar/

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Music on Flinders – Autumn Series

On Monday, May 24^th from 12.30 pm to 1.00pm in the Pilgrim Uniting Church forecourt, spring into toe-tapping Music on Flinders for some lunch timeout, with the artist Dingo performing outdoors under the trees with full audio set-up. Dingo is a singer and guitarist from Adelaide. He plays in a number of different bands and styles from rock to jazz to folk. This is the second last performance before the winter break.

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Are you a Man who likes to sing?

Come and join The Metropolitan Male Choir of South Australia. The benefits include: adding to physical, social and mental well-being; and it is also great fun! A well-established and highly credentialed choir, rehearsing in Adelaide and performing concerts in Adelaide, Regional Areas, Interstate and Overseas. Registered as a not-for-profit and supporter of many worthy causes – you will be assured of a very warm welcome and great mateship. Visit www.mmcsa.org or call 0401 204 634.

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 11 May 2021, which includes updates about: