News, Notices & Prayer points - 2 March 2021

Posted Mar 2, 2021 in News

News & Notices – 2 March 2021

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 2 March edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points for the week:

For those that are struggling to find meaningful work and who may continue to be impacted by the reduction in government support
Young people in the Uniting Church, that we may listen to their insights, their joys, their struggles and support them in their journey of faith
For all people facing injustice and violence, especially the people of Vanuatu and the Philippines
That we may all find the sustaining power of prayer as the ‘World Day of Prayer’ approaches.

World Day of Prayer

This Friday 5^th March is the World Day of Prayer, a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women. The host country this year is Vanuatu. As you prepare for prayer, you may like to find out about the Gender Equality work of UnitingWorld in Vanuatu and across the Pacific.

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It’s time to care about Aged Care: Standing up for Older Australians

UnitingCare Australia has joined more than 1,000 aged care providers calling for the transformation needed in Australia’s aged care system especially in light of the publication of the Royal Commission's final report. Add your voice by signing the petition at this link.

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Building Bridges Between Faiths

A coalition of young adults from different religions has launched a new charter of principles and commitments for how we live together as people of different faiths.

Ps Joyce Tangi has been the Uniting Church representative on the executive committee of Youth PoWR (Parliament of the World’s Religions) which includes young people from Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh traditions.

The young leaders based in NSW spent two years in conversation, hosting roundtables, consultations and workshops to develop The Sydney Statement.

The intention for the Statement is to provide a universal framework for people to build bridges between religions in our communities, wherever they might be. More information is available at this link.

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Palm Sunday Peace Walk

The Palm Sunday March is held in the heart of the Adelaide CBD, and has been reflecting South Australia’s voice on matters of Justice and Peace for nearly 40 years. The SA Council of Churches (SACC) has had a long association with this walk throughout this time.

Last year, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions at that time. This year, it is fortunate for South Australia, that people will be able to Walk in Peace together, with representatives from across our communities.

This year it has been named a PEACE WALK to recognise the sorrow, pain and continuing injustice that arises across many areas of our community. The Peace Walk is an intergenerational event, and all are welcome.

It is a gentle walk beginning at Tarntanyangga (Victoria Square), along King William Road to (Tarntanya Wama) Elder Park, where there will be three short presentations and an invitation to all to stroll in prayerful presence along the banks of the Karrawirra Pari (Torrens River). More information is available at this link.

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Australian Women Preach

A new podcast Australian Women Preach will feature 30 Australian Christian women preaching the Gospel. An initiative of Women and the Australian Church (WATAC) and the Grail in Australia, the podcast will highlight and share the voices of women breaking open the Word of God in ways that are meaningful to people today.

Australian Women Preach will launch on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2021 and will run for 30 weeks. The podcast will feature diverse Australian women from across different Christian denominations. Each Monday an episode will be released with preaching on the following Sunday’s Gospel. For more information go to the following link: https://australianwomenpreach.com.au/

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16^th Assembly goes Online

Due to continuing risk factors around COVID-19 the Uniting Church’s triennial Assembly meeting will take place online for the first time.

Members of the Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) took the historic decision at an extraordinary meeting on Saturday 30 January 2021.

‘Putting the safety and well-being of members of the 16th Assembly first was the key driver in this decision,’ said Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer.

As such, a shortened 16th Assembly will take place online from 17-18 July 2021 with a view to reconvening the Assembly meeting in 2022 when a face-to-face meeting is possible.

Further information is available at the following link.

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UCA Act2 Project

Last year in November, the Assembly launched the UCA Act2 Project – a whole-of-church consultation on the future together as a people of God on the way - in the words of paragraph 18 of the Basis of Union.

Through the UCA Act2 Project, in the lead up to the 16th Assembly in July 2021, members of the Church, in congregations, agencies, schools and other Councils are being invited to consider a shared vision for the future.

To find out more about Act2 and how you can be part of this important conversation, first read the Introduction to the Project at this link.

You are also invited to take the survey and to review further information from the Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer about the Act2 theme at this link.

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SA Synod Justice e-Newsletter

The most recent issue of the SA Synod Justice e-Newsletter has now been published. This issue comes from the Transforming Justice Unit of Mission Resourcing at the Uniting Church and contains a range of information and events including a refugee update, petition/letter writing actions and a range of resources for lent, climate justice and creation care. A copy of the enews is available at this link. To receive future updates please go to the ‘subscribe’ button at the end of the newsletter and follow the prompts.

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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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Highbury Street Fund – Applications for the 1^st round of funding for 2021

The Fund supports leadership development among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse worshipping communities through education and training.

SA Residents with leadership roles within UC Synod SA can apply. Terms of Reference are available here.

The Funding Round opens on Monday 17^th February, 2021 with applications to reach Mission Resourcing by 31^st March, 2021. Applications are available at this link.

Further information is available from Bev Freeman – Turn on Javascript! or phone 8236 4243.

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Sacred People, Sacred Earth – Global Day of Action

A worldwide interfaith initiative created by Greenfaith.org is being held on 11^th March from 11.00 am – 12.15 pm. This event sounds the alarm towards an awareness and building together of a Hopeful Path for 2040. Come together to reflect, pray, sing and listen.

Also on 11^th March from 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm at the Wild Nectre Café 191A Victoria Square, Adelaide a discussion on the topic of ‘Exploring a Hopeful Path for 2040.’ Featuring the Honourable Mark Parnell and Philippa Rowland, President of Multi-faith SA; including MC Leigh Newton and a Q&A session. This is a free event - all welcome and for further information contact Liellie McLaughlin on 0437 794 410.

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

Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 23 February 2021, which included updates about: