News, Notices & Prayer points - 23 February 2021

Posted Feb 23, 2021 in News

News & Notices – 23 February 2021

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 23 February edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points for the week:

Almighty and ever living God, that you may invite us deeper into your world, your people, your Lent.
May this time be one of outward focus; seeking you in those we often ignore.
Help us to live a Lent focused on freedom, generosity, and encounter. Give us hearts hungry to serve you and those who need what we have to give.
For the times we have caused our earth harm; for the times we have impacted our neighbours – help us Lord to care for our environment and to continue to support communities in times of challenge and great need.

National Day of Prayer and Fasting

The National Day of Prayer and Fasting 2021 is on Saturday 27th February from 8.30am to 5.30pm ACDT (Adelaide time) online via Zoom this year and in selected local gatherings.

The Zoom link is https://zoom.us/j/776881184 no password required (you will be admitted from a waiting room).

A short video from various national Church and indigenous leaders is available at this link.

For more information please go to the Australian NDoPF website at this link. Resources are also available for download (Church notices etc.).

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

UnitingCare Australia has joined more than 1000 aged care providers calling for the transformation needed in Australia’s aged care system ahead 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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Multicultural Grants Program – 2021-22 Open for Applications

The Multicultural Grants Program 2021-22 currently has an Expand Together grants stream of funding now open to support multicultural communities:

Expand Together – Grants to assist multicultural organisations to expand their capacity by upgrading community facilities or purchasing equipment to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Applications close 28^th February 2021.

Online application forms and guidelines are available from the Expand Together Grants information page.

To find out more about the Multicultural Grants Program 2020-2021, contact the grants team.

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Spire Community at Clayton Wesley – What do you think?

80.77% think that the Spire Community is compassionate; 21.15% think they are noisy! What do you think? The Spire Community at Clayton Wesley Uniting Church which includes Hope’s Café wants to know how you view their community – it will only take a few minutes – you can participate at the following link.

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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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Lent Event – Together on the Journey

Lent has now begun. Thanks are sent for the enthusiastic support of UnitingWorld’s Global Neighbours Bible Study series! Did you know, every dollar raised from the Studies is invested back into supporting community projects through ‘Lent Event’ this year? Find your studies, ideas about what to give up or take up and creative fundraisers to support at lentevent.com.au.

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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 26th February 2021. All applications must be submitted through the Department for Environment and Water, 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.

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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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Positions Vacant

The following vacancies are currently available with information listed on the Synod website:

Pastor

Chaplaincy and Supervision Manager

Bush Chaplain - Presbytery of Gippsland (VIC)

College Chaplain, Wesley College Perth

Maintenance Hand - Uniting Venues SA

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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 at this link.

The Funding Round opened 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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Worship under the Stars

Come together as one from all denominations to enter into worship and prayer in unity. Come, and be present calling forth God’s anointed blessings as we bring life’s trials to His feet and enter into His presence. Let the things of this world grow strangely dim as we come surrendered in unity in the presence of our God.

Sunday, February 18^th, Mary Ann Reserve, Mannum. Praise and Worship Service 7pm – 8pm. More information is available at this link.

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Book Launch – ‘Deeper Water: Resources for Immersive Worship'

Craig Mitchell and MediaCom Education will be launching Craig's news book, ‘Deeper Water’ on Tuesday 2nd of March at 10.30am. The launch will be online and will feature music, readings, and video snippets. Dr Deidre Palmer will officially launch the book. More information is available at the following link.

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

Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 16 February 2021, which included updates about: