News, Notices & Prayer points - 22 December 2020

Posted Dec 22, 2020 in News

News & Notices – 22 December 2020

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for the Tuesday, 22 December edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points for the week:

We pray that this last month of the year will be filled with your peace, presence and hope. Help us to remember what is important during this season.
May we find joy in simple pleasures and treasure each opportunity to gather with family and friends.
We pray for comfort for all who are going through difficult times and ask for your healing hand to be on all who are in need.
We pray for protection for all who are in harm’s way and particularly for all people in New South Wales as they go through another challenging time.

UC-enews / New Times / Synod Office - Christmas/New Year dates

UC e-News will be taking a three-week break over the festive season, with its last edition for 2020 being published today. 2021 editions will commence again on a weekly basis from Tuesday 19th January. During the holiday break there will also be no additional New Times Online articles or News and Notices published on the website. New Events Submissions via the online form will only be attended to as from Monday 11th January.

Synod Office closing dates

The Synod Office on Level 2, 212 Pirie Street Adelaide, will be closed over the Christmas break from 3:00pm on Thursday 24th December 2020, reopening at 9.00am on Monday 4th January 2021.

February/March 2021 New Times print deadline

Whilst the end of the year is fast approaching, the Engagement Team would like to remind you that the submission deadline for the next edition of New Times is Friday, 15^th January, 2021. The 2021 print schedule for all issues has been released on the website here. Please send any enquiries to Turn on Javascript!

The Engagement team wishes you a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

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President’s Christmas Message

The central message of Christmas is that we are loved by God, says Dr Deidre Palmer in her 2020 Christmas video. Loved by the God who comes to us in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ who lights up our lives and world with a message of peace, love and hope that transcends our distance and separation.

The President's 2020 Christmas message is now available to download for UCA congregations and faith communities to play at Christmas services and events. Dr Palmer's message along with messages from UCA Moderators, are on the uniting.church website. The message is password protected (P/W: Joy2020) until Christmas Day.

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UCA Act2 Project

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: http://form.jotform.com/203201030312024

You are also invited to take the survey and to review further information from the Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer about the Act2 theme: https://uniting.church/whats-in-a-name-uca-act2/

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Congregation Responses to COVID-19

All ministers/pastors/faith community leaders are invited to participate in a research project exploring how congregations responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during the lockdowns.

This first phase of the research explores how congregations adapted their worship, mission and ministry practices during the lockdowns; what motivated those responses; and the extent to which congregations have continued these new or adapted practices post-lockdown(s). We hope the research will be useful to the church.

Depending on your responses, the questionnaire might take up to 30 minutes to complete and you can access the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020C-19AUCA You can read the information at that site without a commitment to participate.

If you have any questions please contact Tanya Wittwer, UCLT +61 8 8416 8434 Turn on Javascript! or Lynne Taylor, Theology Programme, School of Arts, +64 3 479 5358, Turn on Javascript!

[This project has been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committees of Adelaide College of Divinity and the School of Arts, University of Otago.]

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Christmas Events

In spite of COVID-19 there are a range of Christmas events still being planned and delivered, from carol singing and stories, to a Christmas movie night, and nativity plays – check out the full list on the Synod website at the following link: https://sa.uca.org.au/events/upcoming-events-list/

And for a comprehensive list of Christmas services and times visit: https://sa.uca.org.au/christmas-2020/christmas-services-2020/

For congregations that have yet to share their Christmas services and event details you can do so by emailing Turn on Javascript!. Please include the service dates, times, locations and titles (e.g. Blue Christmas, Carols Service etc.) and they will be added to the Synod website.

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Littlehampton Celebration and Closing Service (Re-schedule)

The celebration and closing service of the Littlehampton congregation has been rescheduled for Sunday 31 January commencing at 2:00pm. Moderator Mr Bronte Wilson will be attending at a special guest and speaker for this important occasion.

There will be a celebration of the many memories, achievements, and especially of past and present members to give thanks with worship for the life and witness of this congregation.

Bookings essential by contacting Annette Innes, Phone 0417864274 or email Turn on Javascript!

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SA Heritage Grants Program

Round 3 of the SA Heritage Grants Program is now open. Grants are available for owners of State heritage listed places; with up to $20,000 for conversation work or documentation; and are provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Applications for the program close on 26 February 2021. All applications must be submitted through the DEW Grant Management System. If you would like further information please contact Malcolm Wilson, phone 8236 4206 or email Turn on Javascript!.

Further information is also available at the following link: https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/heritage/heritage-grants

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Free Christmas Facebook Frame

As well as the Moderator’s Christmas message, PowerPoint templates and free graphics for Christmas 2020, we have prepared a free Facebook Frame with the 2020 ‘Joy’ theme.

To add the frame to your profile photo or your congregation’s Facebook page, simply follow these steps:

With your Desktop Computer, go to www.facebook.com/profilepicframes.
Click your profile picture in the bottom left and select your Page.
Search for a frame by entering 'UCASA 2020 Christmas.'
Choose the ‘UCASA 2020 Christmas’ frame from the results.
Adjust frame size to your logo/ profile photo and click 'Use as Profile Picture.'

For other Christmas resources and to check out the events and services Uniting Church congregations are conducting during this Christmas season, please visit our Synod website: https://sa.uca.org.au/christmas-2020/

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Morialta Uniting Church Student Houses – Vacancies 2021

Undergraduate university/TAFE students from rural/regional areas. Furnished single bedrooms, living areas, shared bathroom or ensuite. Close to UniSA, Magill Campus. Easy travel to city for Adelaide University and UniSA and to Mawson Lakes Campus. Rent $390 or $430 monthly. Contact: Anne Ind 0402061124, Church Office 83319344.

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

Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 15 December 2020, which included updates about: