News, Notices & Prayer points - 21st February 2023

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News & Notices – 21st February 2023

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 21st February 2023 edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points

We pray:

  • For the peoples of Turkey and Syria as they continue to come to terms with the recent earthquakes and the huge loss of life and livelihoods
  • For refugees who flee their homes in search of safety and for those that continue to work to make Australia a more welcoming and compassionate place
  • For all in the Uniting Church as the work of Act2 continues across the country.

 

 

 

From the Heart – Week of Action

National Council of Churches of Australia are encouraging our Church communities to engage with the wider South Australian and National community on matters relating to education around the upcoming Referendum.

As part of the campaign for constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament, the Yes Campaign will launch with a ‘Week of Action’ which commenced on 18th February to mark the start of referendum campaign efforts for the year. Supporters are asked to: attend a Voice event; have conversations within their community about the Voice; build our supporter list by signing up as a volunteer or supporter and asking others to do so; share support on social media in a number of ways. Links to various resources are as follows:

Roll out education resources: Indigenous Constitutional Recognition through a Voice - Overview (fromtheheart.com.au)
Help us Build the movement: Join Now - Constitutional Recognition through a Voice - From The Heart and Together, Yes - First Nation’s Voice to parliament (togetheryes.com.au).

 

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One in Worship Services are back for 2023

One In Worship services are a place for people to join with other churches and people within the community to pray together and enjoy a time of worship with music from all ages and fields. Come and be one as a united community. Each event is led by a live worship band and can be viewed online via the live stream. All are welcome. A complete list of dates is available at this Link.

 

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National Lay Preachers Conference 2023

The Queensland Synod is pleased to host on behalf of the National Lay Preacher Committee, the 2023 National Conference of Lay Preachers to be held Friday 4th August to Monday 7th August 2023 at Alexandra Park Conference Centre, Sunshine Coast Queensland.

For Lay Preachers, prospective Lay Preachers and those interested in leading worship. Share in a wonderful few days and be encouraged, supported and challenged in your ministry. Further information is available at this link: National Conference of Lay Preachers 2023 - Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod (ucaqld.com.au)

 

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Coming back to life: Poetry and Story

Coming back to life is a poetic journey with Sarah Agnew. Poems and stories of life lived, love shared, into the wilderness and night, then back into the light for healing, renewal and hope. New and selected work in conversation with life, the stories of Shakespeare and the Bible: raw, honest, cathartic and hopeful. Bridgewater Arts Centre, 3rd March at 8:00 pm. Cost: $30 and more information and how to register is available at this link: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/coming-back-to-life-af2023.

 

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Amplify Conference 4th March

A reminder that early bird registrations will close this Thursday, 16th February, 2023. The conference will feature 9 hubs across South Australia including Port Lincoln, Port Augusta, Minlaton, Clare, Tanunda, Victor Harbor, Mount Gambier and 2 Adelaide metropolitan sites (Uniting College and Rostrevor Baptist). There will also be free junior leader’s sessions at both Adelaide metropolitan hubs. For more information please download the flyer at this link.

 

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2023 Lenten Resource

In Lent, we reflect on Christ’s ministry, death, and resurrection. We slow down, and examine our internal spiritual lives as well as the way we live out our Christian faith in the world. This Lenten prayer and action guide will help individuals and congregations to cultivate public discipleship through taking time to learn, lament, repent, advocate, and take concrete steps to transform justice of God for coming reconciliation and renewal of the whole of creation. For further information, please contact Paul Goh, Justice Officer, by emailing Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 826 4244. The resource is available for download at this link.

 

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Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (SERC) Award South Australia

SERC is grateful to the Synod for the continued funding of the Ecumenical Award which for 2022 was won by Fulham-Henley.

Each year the award is given to a congregation that has done the most to foster ecumenical relations within the local community.

SERC is now calling for submissions for the 2023 award, either in writing or electronically and should be received by the secretary, Don Hopgood, 19 Ray Avenue, Morphett Vale 5162 email: Turn on Javascript! and no later than April 30th 2023. Please use word and pictures (if possible) to make clear what you have undertaken and the measure of your success.

The award recipient will receive $600, or this amount may be divided between two or more entrants if appropriate. All entrants will receive a certificate acknowledging their willingness to engage in ecumenical activities and these will be presented at the Synod meeting 2023.

Should you require further information about this award please feel free to contact Velvy Holden (Chairperson SERC) Turn on Javascript! or Don Hopgood (Secretary SERC) Turn on Javascript!.

SERC looks forward to receiving your submissions and hearing about the involvement of congregations in South Australian Ecumenism. We pray God’s blessing on your efforts.

 

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Through their eyes: Safe Environments for Children and Young People

The training ‘Through their Eyes: Safe Environments for Children and Young People’ (Reporting) will be held on Saturday 25th February commencing at 9:30am till 4pm, at Mount Barker Uniting Church. Pre-bookings are required at the following link: Through Their Eyes – full day – Safe Church (ucasa.org.au).

 

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Assistance for vulnerable groups unable to access Australian Government support

The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) has a Christian vision of compassion, generosity and hospitality for people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia that guides the advocacy work of the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce (ACRT) and the establishment of the Refugee Support Grant Fund.

NCCA wishes to assist people seeking asylum and refugees to live in dignity in Australia as independent individuals living their lives to the fullest (John 10:10) and sharing their traditions, skills and talents with us all.

Visit: the Refugee Support Grant Fund page of the ACRT website for Guidelines and the Application form. Applications: to be submitted to the NCCA Board of Directors, with forms completed and returned electronically to Turn on Javascript!. Closing date: 10th March, 2023. All enquiries and applications should be directed to: General Secretary, National Council of Churches in Australia, email: Turn on Javascript!.

 

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Justice Advocacy Guides - Letter-writing Actions for Asylum Seekers and Pacific Workers

In collaboration with other Synods, two Justice letter-writing action guides have been developed to help Uniting Church members advocate to the Australian government: Seeking Just processing for those seeking asylum and Reforms for a Fairer Deal for People coming from the Pacific Islands to Work in Australia. You can download the guides at these links:

Refugee Advocacy Guide February 2023

Letter Writing Guide on PALM Scheme reforms February 2023

For further information, please contact Paul Goh, Justice Officer, by emailing Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 826 4244.  

 

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MediaCom Education – Spirituality and Ageing

Spirituality in (Hebrew, Latin and Greek) root words mean wind, breath or air which gives life. Mediacom is expanding its range of resources to bring the breath of purposeful living in later years.

Faithful Grandparents is an example Faithful Grandparents - MediaCom Education.

More Seniors publications are also available at this link.

 

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Uniting World Lent Event 2023

UnitingWorld’s Lent Event seeks to help us refocus our lives through prayer, simplicity and generosity.

Pray - Use our prayer guide to pray alongside our partners as they address the challenges facing their communities.

Live simply - Give up something in solidarity with people who have less.

Give - Donate or fundraise to help our partners fighting poverty and injustice.

Head to http://www.lentevent.com.au today for a range of resources. In 2023, Lent is from 22nd February to 6th April.

 

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Lent 2023 – Oh, The Places You’ll Go

Lent is often described as a journey. Through the gospel texts of these weeks we see Jesus traversing the terrain of Palestine, heading towards Jerusalem, as well as exploring the inner landscape of the human soul and the hills and valleys of human relationships. All of this is familiar territory for God as we see in the accompanying texts from the whole of scripture. Abraham wanders towards blessing; Moses runs headlong into conflict; Samuel searches for leadership; the psalmist gets stuck and cries for forgiveness; the Roman community scale the depths of sin and grace. Together we open these stories like maps for our own journey in community to find our way, following Jesus. In intergenerational faith community we make time to pay attention to the world around us, and the space between us, and oh, the places we’ll go …

The Lent 2023: Oh, The Places You’ll Go Resource contains:

Bible Engagement, Interactive Prayer and Music for:

  • Places of Testing - Lent 1 (Feb 26)
  • Places of Wondering - Lent 2 (March 5)
  • In-between Places – Lent 3 (March 12)
  • Dark places - Lent 4 (March 19)
  • Places of Death – Lent 5 (March 26).

 

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Grant Opportunities

Multicultural Grants Program 2023-24 currently has Expand Together funding open to support multicultural communities.

The Expand Together grants assist multicultural organisations to expand their capacity by upgrading community facilities or purchasing equipment to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Apply for up $100,000. Applications for Round 2 open on 1st June 2023 and close on 30th August 2023. Find out more.

Community Grants 2023
Tea Tree Gully Council's community grants program consists of one-off financial grants for community groups and not-for-profit organisations. Grants are provided for activities, programs, events and initiatives that provide clear benefits for the community.

Community groups and organisations can apply for funding to improve wellbeing, encourage inclusion, celebrate cultural diversity, engage in the arts and improve the environment.

The next community grants round dates have now been confirmed. Please visit the community grants webpage to read through the policy and guidelines to check your eligibility here. Opens 10.00 am, Tuesday, 7th March 2023, closes 4.00 pm, Tuesday 4th April 2023.

Outcomes will be advised by Thursday 25th May 2023. To check eligibility and to discuss a  project call (08) 8397 7444 and speak to a member of the community grants team or send an Turn on Javascript!.

NAIDOC week
Funding is available for activities to be held during NAIDOC Week (2nd – 9th July 2023) by Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and community organisations. The funding will provide assistance towards the cost of organised activities. Previous grants have generally been for amounts between $200 and $1,000. Applications close on 17th February 2023. Find out more.

 

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Basic Support Skills for Bereavement by Suicide Workshop

What do I say? What do I do? A free workshop is being held at Scots Church Adelaide from 1.00 pm – 5.00 pm on Wednesday, 22nd February 2023. Afternoon tea is included. Topics include: crisis, trauma and grief. What makes suicide different from sudden death, support approaches; best practice; and self-care. For more information or to book, contact: Michelle on 0479 179 770. (Workshop Facilitator) or Rev Jill Lienert on 0409 178 465 (Scots Church). RSVP by 15th February 2023.

 

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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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