News, Notices & Prayer points - 23 March 2021

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News & Notices – 23 March 2021

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

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Prayer Points for the week:

We pray:

  • For all people and communities impacted by the flooding across New South Wales and Queensland
  • For all women that have experienced sexual violence and harassment 
  • For the national roll-out of the vaccine program and especially for the people of Papua New Guinea and frontline workers responding to the surging number of COVID-19 cases in that country.

 


 

Assembly Standing Committee Update - March 2021

The Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) met for the final time in the current triennium, 12-14 March 2021. As well as an overview of the work of the ASC for the past three years, and finalising some significant projects, it was an opportunity to thank ASC members for their diligence and commitment to this important governance committee of the Uniting Church.

Among other business, the ASC was updated on plans for the 16th Assembly in July, a new task group on Church in the Digital Age and approved an extension to arrangements for online Holy Communion until November 2021. A full summary is available here.

 

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Domestic and Family Violence Resource

The Uniting Church is deeply concerned about the prevalence of domestic and family violence in our communities and its devastating effects on survivors and victims, their families, friends and our wider society. The Assembly is committed to support and resource the work that is needed for all people to be safe in their own homes and in their relationships. Every woman has the right to be safe in her relationships, as does every man. Every child in Australia needs to feel safe in their own homes.

A resource has been developed in response to the 15th Assembly resolution on Domestic and Family Violence which reaffirms the commitment of the church to address Domestic and Family Violence. Further information is available at this link.

 

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Active Retired Ministers and the Online Directory

At the recent Synod meeting, it was resolved that active retired ministers should have continuing access to the online directory. In order to do this, retired ministers are invited to first create a Uniting portal account by visiting: https://portal.sa.uca.org.au/OSD/  - once you have done this please email Turn on Javascript! and your access to the online directory will be finalised.

 

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Called by God 2

Secure your spot for Called by God 2 - Dr Deidre Palmer's second President's Conference to take place in April in Adelaide. Check out newly released details, including speakers and a draft program at this link: https://uniting.church/called-by-god-2/

 

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Easter service times

Easter is nearing, please forward your Easter event times to Turn on Javascript! so we can post them on the Synod of SA website here: https://sa.uca.org.au/easter-2021/easter-2021-services

 

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Highbury Street Fund – Applications for the 1st 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 of SA can apply. Terms of Reference are available here http://sa.uca.org.au/documents/cald/highbury-street-terms-of-reference.doc

The Funding Round opens on Monday 17th February, 2021 with applications to reach Mission Resourcing by 31st March, 2021. Applications are available at: https://sa.uca.org.au/cald/highbury-street

Further information is available from Bev Freeman – Turn on Javascript! or phone 8236 4243.

 

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CALD and Intercultural Ministry Online Survey 2021

This survey will inform a project which aims to resource Congregations/Presbyteries/ Agencies/Synod in shaping Action Plans for the Church as it continues to be a multicultural and cross-cultural Church with three identified foci of Synod Strategic Priorities 2021-2025: 

  • Understand Who We Are as UCA
  • Create Local Connections
  • Support Ministries on the Margins.

The survey is expected to take approximately 20 minutes to complete and you can access further information and the survey at this link.

 

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Hosanna in the Highest, Ecumenical Service

 

This event will be telecast via Zoom on Saturday 27th March, the day before Palm Sunday at 5:00pm Adelaide / 8.30am Jerusalem time.

The Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network in Australia and Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Centre in Jerusalem are organising a joint Ecumenical service. As we mark the beginning of Passion Week, clergy and lay people from both countries will offer prayers, praise, readings and reflections proclaiming the liberation and presence of God even as we acknowledge the situation in the Holy Land today. This is a unique event providing the opportunity for Christians in Australia and Palestine to worship together at this significant time of the year. 

A very special element will be the Gospel reading from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (the church that is purported to be the site where Jesus was crucified and the site of his empty tomb). Permission is rarely granted for filming to occur within this sacred church. What a significant way for Christians in Australia to see inside this most holy of places at such a commemorative time, particularly as travel to the Holy land is currently unavailable.

Register to attend the hour long service here. Please invite your friends and share the Facebook event page here.

 

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Palm Sunday Peace Walk – March 28th, 1pm

The Palm Sunday March is held in the heart of the Adelaide CBD, and has been reflecting South Australia’s voice on matters of Justice and Peace for nearly 40 years. The SA Council of Churches (SACC) has had a long association with this walk throughout this time.

Last year, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions at that time. This year, it is fortunate for South Australia, that people will be able to Walk in Peace together, with representatives from across our communities.

This year it has been named a PEACE WALK to recognise the sorrow, pain and continuing injustice that arises across many areas of our community. The Peace Walk is an intergenerational event, and all are welcome.

It is a gentle walk beginning at Tarntanyangga (Victoria Square) along King William Road to (Tarntanya Wama) Elder Park, where there will be three short presentations and an invitation for all to stroll in prayerful presence along the banks of the Karrawirra Pari (Torrens River).

More information is available at this link: https://churchestogethersa.org.au/events/peace-walk-for-palm-sunday/

 

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UnitingCare Synergy – Management Committee Member Opportunity

Are you a small business manager or procurement professional? UnitingCare Synergy is looking for an external member to join its new Management Committee. Synergy offers a procurement and contracting service to the Uniting Church and its 17 associated organisations, with a focus on health and aged care services and education. We are looking to expand the Synergy services and are seeking additional expertise. If this is of interest to you or you know someone within your congregation that this would suit, please contact the Synergy Manager Emily Brodie-Tyrrell to discuss further, phone: (08) 8236 4263 or email: Turn on Javascript!.

 

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16th 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: https://uniting.church/16th-assembly-goes-online/

 

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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: 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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Volunteers Needed

The Memorial Hospital is looking for volunteers. They have a variety of shifts available 3-4 hours long in the administration area, Day Surgery or attending to flowers in patient rooms. Parking is reimbursed and a free Hudson’s coffee voucher each time you attend. For more information please contact Rev Leanne Jenski 0409 516 857 or email Turn on Javascript!

 

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The World Community for Christian Meditation

The World Community for Christian Meditation SA is holding a Community Day on Saturday 17th April 2021 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 139 Archer Street, North Adelaide, from 11 am to 3 pm. The Honorary Assistant Priest at St Peter’s Cathedral, Rev Joan Claring-Bould will speak to us about her friendship with Henri Nouwen. To fulfil COVID requirements please register your attendance at https://www.trybooking.com/BOJCJ or email Turn on Javascript!. Please bring your own lunch and cup. Suggested donation: $15. Parking is available behind the church (enter via Walter Street).

 

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UnitingWorld’s Seven Days of Solidarity

UnitingWorld invites you to join the Seven Days of Solidarity – A Celebration of Our Global Neighbours from 18th – 25th April. UnitingWorld connects you to the global church. Each day UnitingWorld will tell a story of God changing the world through one of its partner churches. Individuals can sign up to receive a story each day direct to their inbox. If you're a minister, you can download these pre-formatted emails to send to your congregation using your own email list. For more information, visit https://donate.unitingworld.org.au/7dos.

A ‘We See Joy’ video about the Seven Days of Solidarity can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/486165085

 

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Child Safe in many languages

The Uniting Church is committed to being a safe church for all people, especially children and young people. That’s why we’re committed to the Principles of a Child Safe UCA. These principles support us in growing our child safe culture across the life of the Church, helping children and young people feel safe, supported and connected. UCA posters sharing the principles are now available in eight languages – Chinese, English, Fijian, Korean, Indonesian, Niuean, Portuguese and Spanish – from our National Safe Church website.

 

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Multicultural Grants Program 2021-22

The Multicultural Grants Program 2021-22 has two streams of funding open to support multicultural communities.

Celebrate Together – grants to assist multicultural organisations to host festival and events in a COVID-safe manner, which showcase their rich diverse culture and customs with the wider South Australian community. Open now – close 31st March 2021.

The Advance Together grants assist multicultural organisations to improve their governance and strengthen their capacity building skills. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for projects that can be delivered over 12 months, commencing in August 2021. Applications close 30th April 2021.

Online application forms and guidelines are available from the Celebrate Together and Advance Together information pages.

 

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Building Harmony IFTAR Dinner

Each year the Assembly co-hosts the Building Harmony IFTAR dinner in partnership with NSW/ACT Synod, Uniting NSW/ACT and Affinity Intercultural Foundation. The Iftar meal is the breaking of the fast during the Muslim period of Ramadan. Sharing the Iftar meal with Muslim friends and people of different faiths has become a powerful symbol of interfaith friendship. Due to COVID impacts there is the opportunity for people to be connected in a physical space in smaller numbers in different locations. The event will take place on Wednesday 5th May, 2021. The keynote speaker is former Socceroo and human rights advocate Craig Foster. For further information or to host a local gathering for this national event contact Anna Catliffe, Assembly Resourcing Unit by emailing Turn on Javascript!.

 

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MediaCom Education - 40 years of mission and ministry

Congratulations to MediaCom Education as they celebrated 40 years of operation. Past and present staff and board members recently attended the Franklin Hotel to celebrate. Due to Covid-19, the celebration was delayed by 6 months. A fabulous lunch and shared stories were enjoyed by all who attended. MediaCom Education Founders, Tony and Christine Nancarrow also cut the celebratory cake.

 

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Faith Community Nursing Course

Adding a health focus to pastoral care can help your church respond meaningfully to contemporary needs produced by COVID-19, ageing, disability, chronic illness, mental health conditions, isolation etc. Faith Community Nurses provide compassionate care that promotes whole health including spiritual care. Australian Faith Community Nurses Association prepare nurses for this role with a self-paced internationally recognised ‘Foundations of Faith Community Nursing’ online course, commencing May-September 2021. Information is available at https://afcna.org.au/foundations-course/ or contact Turn on Javascript!.

 

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Random Acts of Welcome Lunch (RAW-Hope)

Harmony Tuesday, 30th March from 1.00pm-2.30pm at Hope’s Café (Cnr Portrush Road and The Parade). RAW-Hope invites you for a lunch-time barbecue meal to discover a new person to chat to. Bring food for the barbecue e.g. vegetables/sausages/bread-dough/pizza and if you like, a guitar or harmonica. Please contact: Liellie on 0437 794 410 or email Turn on Javascript!

 

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Music on Flinders – Summer Series

On Monday 29th March from 12.30pm – 1.00pm, Pilgrim Uniting Church forecourt will feature Nice Verdes. Spring into toe-tapping Music on Flinders for lunch time-out, with artists using full audio performing under the trees. Indie/Folk duo Nice Verdes, Sally and Jesse have performed together since 2003. They have toured Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Europe and Guatemala, continually honing their craft, studying music and dance in Cuba, India, West Africa and Colombia.

 

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Easter Sunday Organ and Choral Service – Pilgrim Church

All are welcome to a real listening and devotional gift at the 11.00am Easter service at Pilgrim Uniting Church on Easter Sunday. The Choir of Pilgrim Church directed by Peter Kelsall, along with organist, Christopher Bridge will present a superb Organ and Choral Program. Part of the service will be dedicated to Antonin Dvorak’s widely renowned beautiful Mass in D Major Op86 (1887). Please come along and enjoy one of Adelaide’s most acclaimed choirs.

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

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

  • Synod Office Closure
  • Called by God 2
  • Harmony Week
  • Easter service times
  • Highbury Street Fund
  • CALD and Intercultural Ministry Online Survey 2021
  • Palm Sunday Peace Walk
  • 16th Assembly goes online
  • UCA Act2 Project
  • Volunteers Needed
  • Journeying Through Music
  • The World Community for Christian Meditation
  • UnitingWorld’s Seven Days of Solidarity
  • Music on Flinders – Summer Series
  • Singing the Journey – Book Launch
  • Multicultural Grants Program 2021-22
  • Building Harmony IFTAR Dinner
  • L’Arche Adelaide
  • Synod Art Project: Artists’ Launch.

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

 



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