News, Notices & Prayer points - 19 November 2019

Posted Nov 19, 2019 in News

News & notices – 19 November 2019

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church submitted for the Tuesday 19 November edition of UC e-News.

------------------------------------------

Prayer Points for the week

For everyone affected by the bushfires currently raging throughout Australia.
For those recently inducted and commissioned into service in the Uniting Church in South Australia.
For the smooth planning and implementation of Christmas and end-of-year services and activities planned by all our Congregations and Faith Communities.

Christmas Service Times

The Synod Communications and Events Team would like to encourage congregations to send in their planned Christmas Service times, as these will be published together on the Synod webpage. This is an important and often overlooked detail, as many holidaymakers would like to attend a local Uniting Church during the Christmas season. Christmas is also a time where our churches often receive visits from those in the community who do not regularly attend Sunday services. Having the service times available online is the best way to inform those interested in attending.

Please send your Christmas Service times to Turn on Javascript! as soon as they have been confirmed.

Tools for listening posters

Did your congregation Synod representative pick up your free Tools for Listening poster? The poster is a free gift from Safe Church to promote the Tools for Listening resource, which is a practical guide to engaging children and young people in your community on decisions that affect them. If you missed getting a poster, please email Turn on Javascript! with your congregation’s name and address for delivery. The entire Tools for Listening resource is available here.

SA Synod Communications and Events Survey

Due to recent staff movements within the Synod Communications and Events Team, the Synod Secretariat is taking the opportunity to review its work before a new Manager is appointed. As a “consumer”, the SA Synod Communications and Events Review Group would appreciate your support by completing a survey that will assist us in identifiying opportunities for the future and areas that could be improved. If possible, please take part in the survey, found online here, before Monday 25 November.

International Mission Partnerships Gathering

Members and Supporters of the Synod's International Mission partnerships, particularly PROK and Philippines, are invited to an informal gathering at UCity, 43 Franklin Street Adelaide on Thursday 28 November at 7:00pm. The gathering will be held in the 3rd Floor Training Room.

This will be an opportunity for all Support Group members to meet the Synod's new International Mission Officer, Tarlee Leondaris.

For more information please contact Bev Freeman on 8236 4243 or Turn on Javascript!.

Sally Stamp

With the end of 2019 fast approaching, please send your collected postage stamps to the Uniting Church Office, Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide. This year our Stamp Group paid over $3,000 to support South Pacific School Aid Inc. which sends books and other goods to the South Pacific Islands. We have promised another shipment prior to the end of 2019.

Donations of stamp collections no longer required are very welcome. Thank you to all church groups and businesses - keep up the good work.

For more information please contact Maxine Haines, Convenor of the UCA Stamp Group, on 0427 972 417 or by email Turn on Javascript!.

Advent and Christmas resources for sale

If you are a worship leader, lay preacher or minister and would like some fresh and interesting ideas to incorporate into your worship services, you may be interested in the resources available from the Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts (CMLA).

They have a collection of resources from creative worship leaders, songwriters, liturgists, scriptwriters and poets, all of whom offer their gifts in their local communities. All of these resources are available for purchase online here.

SACC is requiring a Treasurer

SA Council of Churches - Churches Together SA is seeking the services of a Treasurer. Do you know someone who has an ecumenical outlook, passion for ministry and mission across denominations,
a willingness to work in the not-for-profit sector, and has the gifts and skills to be Treasurer in our work as churches together?

Anyone interested can contact the SACC office Monday to Wednesday on 0477 019 163 or email Turn on Javascript!.

_______________________________

Didn’t read the last “News & notices”? The items below will keep you updated.

Induction service: Rev Alison Whish

Rev Alison Whish will be inducted as Minister of the Word at Unley Uniting Church on Tuesday 10 December at 7:00pm. The preacher at this service will be Rev Greg Elsdon. The service will be followed by light refreshments. All are welcome and no RSVP is needed. Unley Uniting Church is located at 187 Unley Road in Unley.

The final service with Rev Alison Whish at Newland Memorial Uniting Church will be held on Sunday 24 November at 9:30am. Newland Memorial Uniting Church, 28 Victoria St Victor Harbor with morning tea served after the service. Lunch will follow at 12 noon. If you would like to attend, please come along. If you would like to stay for lunch, please let Geoff Penhall know on 0428 652 221.

First Peoples’ Voice to Parliament

The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, UnitingCare Australia and the Uniting Church issued a media release last week reaffirming support for a First Peoples’ Voice to Parliament, and expressing reservations about the Federal Government’s plans for what it calls an ‘Indigenous voice to government’.

You can read the media release here.

Researching the factors affecting Christian-Muslim dialogue in Adelaide

A PhD research study is currently being undertaken which explores the views, attitudes and experiences of everyday Christians and Muslims towards dialoguing with the ‘other’. This study is seeking to recruit members of the Uniting Church and the Sunni Muslim community in Adelaide to participate in confidential interviews. This study welcomes and encourages people with a diversity of views to become involved.

By providing understanding of the underlying factors that influence interfaith dialogue between members of these two religious communities, it is hoped this research will derive lessons that may help in building more effective and sustainable social cohesion and inclusion.

Participants will need to be over the age of 18 and be members of or regularly attend a Uniting Church. If you would like to be involved in this important research, please contact Greg MacDonald on Turn on Javascript!.

Choral Evensong @ Pilgrim UC

The Choir of Pilgrim Church continues the great tradition of Choral Evensong here in Adelaide, with the November service being the last of the series. Come and hear some of the finest choral repertoire, accompanied by the magnificent Pilgrim organ. A time of music and contemplation in the heart of the city.

When: Saturday 30 November
Time: 5pm to 5:45 pm
Where: Pilgrim Uniting Church, 12 Flinders St, Adelaide.

New words for hymns?

The SA Dialogue of the Roman Catholic and Uniting Churches is a group consisting of six Roman Catholic and six Uniting Church representatives. They are part of an ongoing discussion which seeks to gain a deeper appreciation of each other’s traditions.

This year the Dialogue has been focussing on our Jewish-Christian relationship, and has become aware of our responsibility as Christians not to cause hurt to our Jewish brothers and sisters, for example as we express our faith in some hymns like "O Come, O come Emmanuel". New words by Dr Mary Marshall of Perth are worth considering.

For more information contact Marelle Harisun at Turn on Javascript! or visit the website sadialoguercuc.org.

Indigenous and CALD Women in Politics - Towards a more inclusive Australia!

A workshop is planned for supporters and those interested to stand for political and public office to increase the presence of minority groups in our everyday life. Frances Bedford (Independent Member for Florey), Esther Simbi, (Dignity Party) and a range of speakers will discuss the joys and challenges of public and political life in the 125th anniversary year of Women’s Suffrage in SA.

A forum discussion on the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the future of Voice.Treaty. Truth. will form the high-point of this event. The workshop will be followed by a performance by the Dusty Feet Mob and an Iranian feast!

When: Saturday 23 November 3:00pm to 7:30pm
Where: Hope's Cafe, Corner of the Parade and Portrush Rd Norwood. Register here.

For more information contact Rev Liellie McLaughlin 0437 794 410. This event is presented by Pilgrim Church's Community Connections and the Spire Community and supported by Department of Human Services SA.

Urgently seeking accommodation

A 26-year-old Christian male physics student from Newcastle is seeking granny-flat type accommodation from 30 November 2019 to 22 February 2020. He needs accommodation in the northern suburbs close to RAAF Edinburgh Base for a summer internship with the Defence Force in a research position. If you are able to help, or know someone who might, please contact Scott 0433 263 126.

Western Link Uniting Church Friendship Club

The next meeting of the Western Link Uniting Church Friendship Club will be held at 93 Crittenden Road, Findon on Thursday 21 November commencing at 1:30pm. "ROJO Entertainment" will prepare everyone for Christmas with a presentation. A donation of $5 includes afternoon tea. All welcome! Enquiries: 8443 8145 (Pam).

SACOSS AGM and 'Working to Make Ends Meet' report

The South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 20 November, 3:30pm – 5:00pm at Marjorie Black House Community Room, SACOSS, 47 King William Rd, Unley. During this meeting SACOSS will be launching their “Working to Make Ends Meet” report on low-income workers and energy bill stress.

Find out more here.

Ageing Well Community Grants 2019-20

A range of Ageing Well Community Grants is now available for application. These grants are aimed at funding initiatives that will enable South Australia’s older residents to live fulfilling and meaningful lives, and to age well within their communities. Non-government, non-profit incorporated organisations can apply for Grants for Seniors and Positive Ageing Fellowship Grants.