News, Notices & Prayer points - 20 September 2022

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News & Notices – 20 September 2022

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 20th September 2022 edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points

We pray:

  • For those who live in feat and are impacted by violence and terrorism
  • For just and peaceful relations between all cultures and ethnic groups
  • For the people of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth countries and others across the world as they mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

 

 

 

UCA resources at MediaCom 

Through the UCA Act2 project, members of the Uniting Church, its congregations, agencies, and schools are invited to engage in a conversation about the future to which God is calling our Church, the Assembly invites us to get involved by:

  • Reflecting with others on the ‘Basis of Union’ and reconnecting with our theological identity.  

As publisher for the Uniting Church in Australia, MediaCom Education has many resources that speak to the UCAs theology, ministry, administration and identity. They can be viewed and ordered online at: Home - MediaCom Education or by visiting MediaCom at unit 2, building 4, 32 – 56 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Mile End, 08 83711399. 

 

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Call for Auditors

The Uniting Church SA Synod Financial Services Team currently requires additional assistance from suitably qualified auditors (CPA, CA or Registered Company Auditor) to provide audit services to Uniting Church SA congregations and other entities. Fees are to be negotiated directly with the congregation and prospective auditors will need to have their own ABN as well as appropriate insurance. If you or someone you know is available and willing to join a small team to provide this valuable service, please contact Bella Esposito, Financial Services Coordinator on 8236 4251 or via email at Turn on Javascript! for further information.

 

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September Creation Care Guide – A Letter writing Climate Action

At the June 2022 Synod meeting, a new Synod Climate Action Plan was endorsed including: to encourage and resource Uniting Church members to engage and communicate with their local Federal and State members of Parliament to call for stronger climate action. A two-page letter-writing action guide has been prepared to help individuals and congregations take climate action targeting the Australian Government to oppose further development of fossil fuel projects. You can download the guide at this link Letter-writing action on ending funding for fossil fuel extraction-September 2022.pdf. A four-page Synod Climate Action Plan is also available to view here. SA Synod Climate Action Plan 2022-2030-adopted June 2022 Synod meeting.pdf. For further information, please contact Paul Goh, Justice Officer, by emailing Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 826 4244. 

 

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Life FM Community Festival

Radio Station Life FM is planning a Community Festival Day at its premises in Hendon. The day will include live music, stalls, amusements and tours of the Life FM studio. Organisers are reaching out to churches across Adelaide to come together to help provide free fun activities for families and to show Christ’s love in a non-threatening environment. Life FM are seeking volunteers willing to come and represent your church while helping run games and activities. Saturday, October 22nd from 11.00 am – 3.00 pm, contact Kit Densley on 0466 547 158.

 

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Expression of Interest – Synergy Committee

Synergy is a collective buying group, established by the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of South Australia. It combines the buying power of 17 Uniting Church associated organisations in the aged care, health care, community, school and church sectors to obtain the best value for money from suppliers. Synergy currently manages 16 contracts valued at over $25m per annum. Contracts cover the categories of facilities management, energy, health and aged care services and business services. Aside from procurement and contract management, Synergy also runs events throughout the year to bring member organisations together to network, collaborate and learn.

The Synergy Committee is seeking expressions of interest from suitably experienced individuals for the role of Committee member. The committee is seeking two volunteer members who will be appointed based on their skills and experience. More information and how to apply is available at this link: UCA SA - Synergy Committee - Expression of Interest.

 

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New opportunities for welcoming refugees in local communities

Uniting Church congregations and faith groups have long been at the forefront of welcoming refugees to Australia. Now your congregation can take the next step and welcome newly arrived Afghan evacuees and other refugees referred by the UNHCR living in our communities. The Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) allows us to do just that. The CRSA are looking for volunteers, individuals and groups, to be a part of their Group Mentorship and the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) Programs.

Here’s how it works:

  • Volunteers are groups of at least 5 adults who live near each other. The group offers support to a refugee household (The household is on a refugee or humanitarian visa with full access to Centrelink, Medicare, Work Rights etc.)
  • The group volunteers 10+ hours of support per week between them.
  • Group provides ongoing practical support as required e.g. social connection, assist with driving lessons, finding employment.

How to get involved:

Please let Synod Refugee Advocacy group know your interest in the program (Contact convenor Rev Paul Turley Turn on Javascript! or Justice Officer Paul Goh Turn on Javascript!).

 

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Connecting with Ancestors' Retreat

A weekend of connecting with your spiritual heritage through listening to stories of our ancestors and learning through dialogue between the spirituality of First Nations people and the spirituality of the ancient Celts. More information and details about how to book are available at this link.

 

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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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Thuruna Campsite – 60th Anniversary – Save the Date!

Thuruna will celebrate 60 years of ministry, service and hospitality to the people of the Eyre Peninsula and beyond. A commemorative worship service and afternoon tea is planned for Sunday, 23rd October, 2022 at Thuruna commencing at 2.00 pm. All welcome. Enquiries and RSVPs can be made by emailing Turn on Javascript!.

 

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Season of Creation 2022 Worship Resources available now

The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration of prayer and action for God’s beautiful Earth. From 1st September – 4th October, the global Christian family around the world unites to pray, protect, and advocate for God’s creation. This year's theme is ‘Listen to the Voice of Creation’ and the full guide and resources are available to download here: SOC-2022-Celebration-Guide-Final-English.pdf

An adaptable Powerpoint slides for Prayer Service with some Australian songs is available for download here: Prayer Service for the Season of Creation 2022.pptx

With the theme of ‘Time to Turn Around,’ the West Australian Synod Social Justice Commission also offers a liturgy outline, sermon reflections, children’s activities and adaptable Powerpoint slides for each week and these are available for download here Sustainable September – Ecochurches WA.

Also, Common Grace offers a range of resources to engage with throughout this season. Find links to prayers, songs and reflections that can be used as part of your church or faith community’s engagement with Season of Creation 2022 here.

 

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Willunga Uniting Church Cemetery

A memorial has been installed recognising the unmarked, predominately children's graves, that are in the church cemetery. There are over one hundred unmarked graves in the cemetery. The official opening of the memorial for the Unmarked Graves will take place on Sunday, October 16th at 12.00 noon. This will be followed by a light lunch at Bethany Hall. The Willunga Uniting Church Cemetery is located next to the church at 33 St Andrews Terrace, Willunga. RSVP not essential, but preferred by reply email for catering purposes to Turn on Javascript!.

 

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World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel

World Council of Churches (WCC) invites people and churches all over the world to pray, advocate, and stand in solidarity with people in the Holy Land during the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, to be observed 15th-22nd September 2022. The theme is ‘Faith, Hope and Love in Action: Towards Justice in Israel Palestine.’ Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network (PIEN) have developed a series of five-weekly articles to reflect upon in September and these are available each week as published on the UCA Assembly website here

 

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Request for Wool

The Women’s Prison is seeking donations of wool and stuffing and is currently in need of any and all colours, but also a big need for reds and black as production of crotchet poppies for Remembrance Day in November is in full swing. Poppies will be sold for a gold coin donation and the proceeds will be donated to the Anzac Appeal. Other wool will be used to make toys, blankets, scarves and beanies to be donated to the APY Lands, Catherine House and hospitals. 14 bags of woollen items were donated two months ago to the above places and were highly appreciated. People can contact Rev Frances Bartlett/Bartholomeusz on 0407687311, or at the Semaphore Uniting Church Thursday and Friday. Donations can be dropped into the Semaphore Uniting Church OP Shop from Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 3.00 pm (146 Semaphore Road, Exeter).  

 

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 13th September 2022

Check out last week’s UC eNews here to keep you updated.

 

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