News, Notices & Prayer points - 21st November 2023

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News & Notices – 21st November 2023

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

 

Prayer Points

We pray:

  • For the family and friends of Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and his son Charlie, who was tragically killed last Friday
  • For those in Australia who are separated from their loved ones in Palestine and Israel – we continue to pray for peace
  • For the children in our congregations, whose joy and curiosity brings life to our churches.

 

 

 

Summary of Review of Missional Needs & Opportunities

Earlier this year the Mission & Leadership Development Board (MLDB) commissioned AngelWings to conduct a review of the missional needs and opportunities in the SA Synod to inform their decisions on how to best fulfill their mandate over the next 5-10 years. That review is 38 pages, and was not intended to be a public document, as it contains information and recommendations pertaining to specific roles, programs, and personnel that may have implications for people’s positions. However there is much in it that is beneficial for the whole Synod, so the MLDB have prepared a summary which can be read here.

 

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2024 Calendars

2024 Uniting Church Calendar orders are now open. This year's Calendar celebrates food and hospitality from across the church – including different congregations, faith communities and organisations from around the Uniting Church in South Australia. We extend our sincere thanks to all those involved who submitted photographs and recipes for the Calendar this year. If you would like to order the 2024 Calendar, please visit this link: https://sa.uca.org.au/engagement/calendar

 

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­Moderator’s Christmas Video

The Moderator’s Christmas message with the theme ‘Joy, Hope, Peace, and Love’ is now available for download from the Christmas resources page of the Synod website and can be viewed together with other resources at this link: UCA SA - Christmas 2023.

 

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Limitless Church

Be Strong and Courageous for God (Joshua 1:9). Wanted!!! Worship Leaders, Musicians, and Tech Savvy youth and young adults to come on board as ‘Limitless Church’ prepares for launching in 2024, at 4.00 pm on Sundays at Salisbury Uniting Church. Also, the church would appreciate hearing from you if you are interested in starting a kids ministry program alongside the Limitless Church. This initiative is starting from the ground up, so if you feel God calling you into a new church team in Salisbury, come along and join in!

Contact Pastor Justin Gutteridge at Turn on Javascript! or on 0433 181 858 for further information.

 

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Being an Intergenerational Church: Papers

Recently the Uniting Church released its vision for an Intergenerational Church, a Church where every generation is engaged together in active discipleship, growing and sharing faith in Jesus, a Church for all ages where faith and discipleship is encouraged, equipped, and expressed intergenerationally.

Part of an ongoing project, this series of twelve short, free, downloadable papers has emerged to assist the church in being and becoming more intentionally intergenerational. They are available for all those who share the dream of a more intergenerational church – a church comprised of lifelong followers of Jesus, of all ages, caring, praying, celebrating, learning and serving faith-fully together. Titles include…

Intergenerational Discipleship

Intergenerational Worship

Intergenerational Mission

Recommended Reading

Download ALL the papers here.

 

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Everything in Common Christmas gift catalogue 

UnitingWorld's Everything in Common Christmas gift catalogue is now available! It’s filled with gifts that fight poverty through health, education, leadership and income opportunities. There are gifts like goats, pigs, clean water, schoolbooks, kitchen gardens, small business training and disability support and lots more! And a new set of Christmas cards. You can browse the full range of life-changing gifts for all budgets at this link: www.everythingincommon.com.au

Everything in Common gifts are a great way to make a difference in the world as well as share the hope, peace, joy and love of the Christmas season. 

 

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Grant Opportunities

The City of Port Adelaide Enfield is please to advise that Environmental Grant applications will open on the 4th of December 2023 and close on Friday 29th March 2024. The Environmental Grants Program encourages environmental project initiatives that will protect and enhance the sustainability and environment of the local area. More information  on how to apply and guidelines for project funding can be found here.

Expand Together grants

Multicultural Grants Program 2024-25 currently has Expand Together funding open to support our multicultural communities.

An Online Information Session will be held on Wednesday 22nd November 2023 from 5pm to 6.30pm. To register your interest, email your details to Turn on Javascript!.

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.

Expand Together Grants of up to $100,000 are available to multicultural organisations for projects to be delivered over 12 months, commencing July 2024.

Applications for Round 1 are open now and close 11pm, 14 January 2024.

Online application forms and guidelines are available at www.multicultural.sa.gov.au.

 

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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

The final date for Code of Ethics training is 30th November 2023 at Rosefield Uniting Church from 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm.

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 course can be accessed at this link: Events Calendar – Safe Church (ucasa.org.au)

 

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MediaCom

MediaCom is pleased to advise that all pre-orders of the popular Advent resource, Advent 2023: A Calendar of Devotions are being prepared for delivery. Limited stock is still available for new orders. $39.95 for a pack of 10 + p&h with 10% discount on orders of 10 packs or more.

 

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Clavinova for sale

Yamaha Clavinova CVP-305/30 for sale $1,200 – has not been used for 10 years.

It was purchased by Newland UCA at Victor Harbor as an interim instrument during rebuilding of the pipe organ and has not been used since. In near new condition.

The price includes the stool and manual. Contact Wayne Colebatch on 0431 663560 or email Turn on Javascript!

 

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Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (SERC)

SERC is now calling for submissions for the 2024 award. The award is given each year to a congregation 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. Submissions can be made 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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Dr Michael Frost – Mission is the Shape of Water

‘In an ever-changing world, how can we learn from the past to discern the shape of mission today?’

In our contemporary culture, the mission of God can seem elusive and hard to define. We often focus on the present moment, losing sight of the epic story of God that has been unfolding through the ages. Michael Frost offers a compelling framework for understanding mission by drawing on the rich tapestry of Christian history and revealing how context shapes mission, just as a bottle shapes water.

Join Dr Michael Frost in Adelaide for a deep-dive into mission, with two offerings:

  1. A two-part lecture on ‘What Is Mission?’ including insights on the art of faithful evangelism today Mike Frost - What is Mission? - Powered by Eventzilla
  2. Mission is the Shape of Water: A seminar at Malvern Uniting Church where you can hear and engage with Dr Frost's captivating new book. Mike Frost - Mission is the Shape of Water - Powered by Eventzilla.

 

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CMLA News - Supply Minister, Zoom Cafe, Advent and Christmas Resources

The CMLA welcomes Dr Craig Mitchell as part-time Supply Minister. Craig has returned to South Australia after a presbytery ministry role in Victoria. This Friday 24th November 10.00-11.00 am Craig will host an online Zoom Cafe where people can talk about their church's Advent and Christmas plans. The CMLA website also has a new section with a smorgasbord of resources for Advent and Christmas. Details on the CMLA website at this link: cmla.org.au

 

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Adelaide Women’s Prison Request

The activities officers at The Adelaide Women’s Prison have requested 8 ply acrylic to enable women to continue with their knitting and crotcheting program. They made poppies for remembrance day recently  to raise money for legacy. The women also require polyester filling for the  toys. All toys made are donated to various charities.

A ball of acrylic is a wonderful gift as it enables creativity, the learning of new skills and the gift of giving to others. Donations can be brought to the Semaphore Uniting Church Op Shop. Tuesday - Saturday – between 10.00 am – 3.00 pm until Saturday, 23rd December. It re-opens 9th January.

Thanks are extended for past donations which have been very much appreciated. The women are  creating beauty in an austere environment. Would you like to support this Spiritual Well-being Program? Rev Frances is a volunteer chaplain at the prison most Wednesdays and will deliver the wool and polyester filling. She is contactable on 0407687311.

 

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Induction and Commissioning Ceremony

All are invited to the Induction of Rev Hohaia Matthews as Minister of the Word and the Commissioning of Melissa Sumner as Children’s Worker for the UAICC SA Murraylands Ministry. This special event will take place at the Murray Bridge Uniting Church on Friday, 24th November with a meal at 5.30 pm and the service will commence at 6.30 pm. All welcome.

 

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