Snakes and Ladders be gone! Why The Voice to Parliament matters Part 2
But how will the Voice work? And what difference might a permanent Voice into the core of Government make?
News, Notices & Prayer points - 19th September 2023
Posted in News
News & Notices – 19th September 2023
Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 19th September, 2023 edition of UC e-News
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Prayer Points
We pray:
- For the people of Libya who have been devastated by the floods in Derna
- For those struggling in the current housing crisis, may they find security and protection
- For Palestine and Israel during World Week for Peace.
World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel
Ecumenical resources—including reflections, prayers, and more—are now available to help churches to observe the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel (WWPP) from 16th – 23rd September 2023.
At the June annual meeting of the Synod 2023, it was resolved to commend the statement ‘Seeking Justice and Peace for all in the Middle-East’ of the World Council of Churches (WCC) to members, congregations, and agencies in the Synod of SA in their advocacy for a just peace in the Holy Land and encourage congregations to observe the annual WWPP in the third week of September.
During the week, which includes the International Day of Prayer for Peace on 21st September, congregations and Christians around the globe who share the hope of justice shall unite to participate in worship services, take peaceful actions together, to create a common public witness. From the Bible verse Matthew 8:20 comes the theme of the 2023 World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, ‘No place to lay my head,’ reflecting the challenge for Palestinian families as well as other people facing difficulties to find a uniting home. You can download materials for the week here.
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Blessing of the Animals
Prospect Road Uniting Church are hosting their annual ‘Blessings of the Animals’ event on Sunday, 24th September from 10.00 am. All are welcome to bring their favourite furry friends to this very special service.
Please come along with your pet, or a photo of your pet, for this wonderful (and unique!) service and stay for morning tea for both humans and animals!
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Planting a New Future
UnitingWorld is conducting a campaign to help families in Maluku and Timor-Leste to support communities to grow their own food. UnitingWorld is currently seeking donations to support a project to end hunger in Maluku and Timor-Leste. For further information and to donate click here: Food crisis in Maluku and Timor-Leste (unitingworld.org.au)
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Care for Creation: A Wellspring and Iona Listening Pilgrimage
The Wellspring Community, Australia and the Iona Community, Scotland are enabling dialogue between First Nations and Celtic voices on the issue of Caring for Creation. The events are taking place on Country from Boorooloo (Perth) to Meanjin (Brisbane), across most states and territories from late September to the end of October. Several Uniting Churches are involved.
In South Australia eight events on Tarntanya, Kaurna Country and surrounds, will involve the pilgrimage team of Rev. Ruth Harvey Iona Community Leader, Lisa Wriley, environmental activist and Co-leader of the Wellspring Community and Brooke Prentis, Wakka Wakka woman and Aboriginal Christian leader. Events run from 1 – 5 October. These include a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at Colebrook Reconciliation Park, Walking on Country (with Uncle Frank Wanganeen), a ‘Wee sing’ and public meeting, and visit to Raukkan (with Uncle Clyde Rigney). For all details go to https://wellspring-community.com/events-1 Inquiries to Turn on Javascript!
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Congregational Resource on the Voice
A two-page resource explains why the Uniting Church supports the change, a position informed by our covenant commitment with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and our Christian call to work for practical and meaningful change that ensures all can live life abundantly.
The resource includes:
- Simple information on why a Voice is needed, how it will work and how it will make a difference
- Connections to our Covenant with UAICC
- A section on 'what the Bible says'
- Helpful starting points for a conversation.
Here is the link to the Assembly webpage, A Voice to Parliament in 2 pages - Uniting Church Australia and click here to download, print and share in your community!
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Awareness raising sessions on the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament
A group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous advocates for The Voice at Pilgrim Uniting Church are available to run an engaging workshop on the topic at your church or in your community.
The session can be either 45 minutes or 60 minutes and starts with a Welcome to Country by a Kaurna elder who is a member of the Pilgrim Church. Originally, designed to engage people of all faiths and cultures, the group has also run successful workshops with Pilgrim UC communities. The workshops cover the background to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and its call for a Voice to Parliament and engages participants in reflecting their own understandings about the topic. Importantly, participants can also document any questions or arguments against the proposed constitutional change which they might have heard so that responses can be discussed.
The workshop presenters of these sessions would prefer to meet with representatives from interested groups to make sure that the session can be tailored to your needs. Contacts: Marelle Harisun Turn on Javascript! or Uncle Allen Edwards Snr Turn on Javascript!.
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Grant Opportunities
Community Christmas Event Contributions
Alexandrina Council is now accepting applications for its Community Christmas Event Contributions program. Applications will be accepted via SmartyGrants until 4pm on 30 September 2023.Please find more information about this program, including program guidelines and a link to the application form, at the web link below.
Christmas Contributions | Alexandrina Council
Alexandrina Council Grants Program
The Alexandrina Council Grants Program is now open until 22nd August 2023. Grant categories include: Community Environment Grant; Community Wellbeing Grant; and Business Initiatives Grant. A further round of grants will also open on 1st August 2023 – 30th April 2024 and these categories include: Youth Sponsorship Program; Community Events Grant; Heritage Grant; and Creative Community Grant. Information sessions and grant details are available at this link: Alexandrina Grants Program | Alexandrina Council.
Securing Faith-based Places
The Securing Faith-Based Places grant opportunity aims to assist faith-based places and spaces to improve security and safety.
The objective of the program is to support religious schools and pre-schools, places of worship and faith-based community centres to address the risk of crime and violence motivated by religious or racial intolerance through the installation or upgrade of security infrastructure and/or the engagement of security guards at those sites. For more information and how to apply please visit: Current Grant Opportunity View - GO6276: GrantConnect (grants.gov.au)
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Disaster and Recovery Ministries
Would you be prepared to offer a ministry of presence, care and comfort to people affected in times of great need?
You are invited to train as a chaplain for Disaster and Recovery Ministries SA. Coordinated by the Uniting Church in SA, they provide training and coordinate teams of people from many faith groups who are able to provide pastoral and spiritual support to others in the community during times of disaster and subsequent recovery.
For more information, with training dates the 10th and 11th October, please download the flyer located at this link: UCA SA - Disaster and Recovery Chaplain Training
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Voice Banners now available
The Synod of VIC/TAS has designed a banner in support of the Voice to Parliament and the banner has been endorsed by the National Assembly. There are four colour options for those congregations that wish to display a banner in support of the Voice to Parliament. The designs are available to view at this link: UCA SA - Voice to Parliament Resources
If you would like to order a banner please email the Engagement Ministry Centre at Turn on Javascript! and include the following details with your order:
- Name of congregation
- Name of contact person at congregation
- Type of banner required e.g. corflute, canvas
- Size of banner, please include number of eyelets required
- Indicate colour choice of your design (3 options to choose from)
- Clearly indicate any additional words you would like included in the design.
There is no design fee, however there will be a print and postage and handling fee for all requests. Once an order is received, Engagement will let you know the print quote cost for your banner, before progressing your requirements.
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COVID-19 Update
All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information in regards to COVID-19 guidelines can be found here: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations. If you would like further assistance, please contact your presbytery or:
Sue Page Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 8236 4217 or 0430 666 959
Philip Gardner Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 8236 4268 or 0409 077 076.
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Code of Ethics Dates 2023 – Bookings for August and September NOW OPEN
The dates for both face-to-face and online refreshers of the Code of Ethics in 2023 have now been set as follows:
All ministry agents who are either in placement, awaiting placement or providing supply are expected to complete a refresher session each year.
Bookings for the first 3 courses can be accessed at this link: Events Calendar – Safe Church (ucasa.org.au)
Bookings opening soon:
17 October Online 1.30pm to 4.00pm
26 October Online 9:30am to 12.00pm
30 November Rosefield UC - 1.00pm to 4.00pm.
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Sally Stamp
Every Monday morning a small group of volunteers meet at the Synod office to collect and sort stamps which have been received from fellowships and businesses around South Australia. In 2022 they paid freight for South Pacific School Aid Inc., Frontier Services (Outback Pastors) and Grove Uniting Church (Kids Club). In 2023 they paid $2,034.84 for South Pacific Schools Aid Inc. and have committed to pay for another shipment this year. They also paid $1,000 to Frontier Services (Outback Pastors). Please consider asking local businesses to save their stamps; doctor’s surgeries are one of the best sources of stamps! Any donations of private collections no longer required are gratefully received. Sally Stamp asks that people continue to send stamps to the Uniting Church Synod Office, Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide. Pick-up can sometimes be arranged. For more information, please contact Maxine Haines (Convenor) on 0427 972 417 or email Turn on Javascript!.
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Prospect Hill Uniting Church – 150th Anniversary Service
Prospect Hill Uniting Church will celebrate their 150th anniversary service on Sunday, 1st October at 331 Morris Road, Prospect Hill. For further information please call the church office on (08) 8536 6071 or (08) 8383 6135. All welcome.
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MediaCom – A New Church Year
Year B begins on 3rd December 2023. From 14th September through to 14th October, MediaCom is pleased to offer an early and pre-order discount on all Year B resources. Listing of publications relating to Lectionary Year B can be found here
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Spring Fair
Dernancourt Uniting Church are holding a spring fair on Saturday 21st of October from 9.00am to 1.00pm. Sausage sizzle, morning team pancakes, plants, books, cakes/produce and children’s activities. For further information please call the church office on 08 8369 0802.
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Care for Creation: Listening to First Nations and Celtic Voices
A meeting at Adelaide West Uniting Church on Tuesday, 3rd October from 7.00 – 9.00 pm will include a panel consisting of: Ruth Harvey (Leader of the Iona Community); Brooke Prentis (Wakka Wakka woman and Aboriginal Christian Leader); and Bishop Chris McLeod, Dean of St Peters Cathedral of Gurundji descent). Contact Lynona Hawkins: Turn on Javascript!; 0438 021 263. All welcome to this interactive evening event. For more events held between 1st - 4th October, visit Wellspring Community website: www.wellspringcommunity.org.au
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Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (Serc)
SERC is delighted to have presented to the South-West Fleurieu Congregations at the Synod 2023 the Ecumenical Award of $600 and congratulate them on the various activities they are involved in with other denominations in their region. The award is given to a congregation each year that has done most to foster ecumenical relations within their local community and SERC is grateful to the Synod for the continued funding of the Award. SERC is now calling for submissions for the 2024 award, either in writing or electronically which should be received by the secretary, Don Hopgood 19 Ray Ave, Morphett Vale 5162. Turn on Javascript!. No later than April 30th 2024. Use words and pictures (if possible) to make clear what you have undertaken and the measure of your success.
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