News, Notices & Prayer points - 23 November 2021

Posted Nov 23, 2021 in News

News & Notices – 23 November 2021

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

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Prayer Points for the week:

We pray:

For South Australia as it re-opens its borders that it will continue to minimise the on-going impacts of COVID-19
For those impacted by and responding to the Northern Territory’s COVID-19 cluster
For the Act2 project and the important conversations taking place across the church at this time.

COVID Update

As the South Australian borders re-open we advise that there will be an email sent out from the Synod office later this week which will provide further information for Uniting Church congregations, associated agencies and staff.

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Synod Expo – Have your say!

The recent round of Synod Expos were well-received by congregations. We now seek your input as to your experience of the expos. If you would like to provide your feedback, a brief survey is available at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/synod-expos

The survey will close tomorrow, Wednesday, 24^th November 2021.

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Uniting Foundation Update

Every day the Uniting Church through its congregations and associated community and aged care organisations provides programs and services which bring hope and joy to South Australians.

Each year the Uniting Foundation receives applications for financial support from across the State. Successful applicants receive significant grants for projects which are considered to be at the 'cutting edge' in terms of services and programs which will build vibrant church communities and lead the Church into the future.

People often ask how they can support the work of the Church in providing services, programs, and the proclamation of a Christian message. One way to help is by supporting the Church through the Uniting Foundation.

By making a donation or including a bequest to the Uniting Foundation in your Will, you will be helping to shape the future of the Church; preparing it to meet the needs of the next generation. For a full list of the Uniting Foundation’s 2021 approved grants please visit this link: https://sa.uca.org.au/uniting-foundation/

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Privacy Considerations when Live Streaming or recording Worship

It is required by Privacy law that people attending worship that is to be live streamed or video recorded be given the option to not be filmed and/or recorded. Please ensure that you have signs notifying people that the service is to be live streamed/recorded, and that it is announced at the commencement of worship. You must give people the chance to opt out – that is, to move to a location that is not visible on the live stream/video recording. For more information, please contact the Synod Privacy Officer, Rev Sue Page Turn on Javascript!.

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External grant opportunities

Grants SA minor and medium grant rounds are now open. The purpose of the grants is to fund programs and services that encourage and support local community needs, and strong and inclusive communities. The minor grant provides up to $10,000 for programs and services that focus on connecting and belonging, apply before 26th November 2021. The medium grant provides up to $25,000 for programs and services that focus on connecting, belonging, aspiring and creating. Find out more.

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Act2

The biggest conversation taking place in the Uniting Church right now is the Act2 project. Act 2 is a whole-of-church process and approach to discerning where God is calling us and how we move boldly and with faith into the future.

If you haven’t yet heard about or engaged with Act2, this summary will bring you up to speed as to where we have been, where we are, and how to become involved right now: https://uniting.church/act2-where-are-we/

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Refugee Prayer Guide for Advent and Christmas 2021

All Uniting Church members and congregations are encouraged to pray for refugees and asylum seekers with deep compassion and hope during the season of Advent and Christmas. Synod Refugee Advocacy group has put together a two-page Refugee Prayer Guide with the latest statistics and information to use with your congregation. You will find the prayer guide at this link.

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The Church in the Digital Age

Running from March 2021 until November 2022, the Assembly Standing Committee has formed the Church In the Digital Age Task Group to identify the critical theological, pastoral and practical issues related to the worship, witness and service of the Uniting Church in Australia raised by the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. In response the Task group are asking for short submissions (100-200 words) detailing how you or your community are or have engaged digital/online ministry. What about that engagement excited you, what surprised you? What has shaped your broader thinking about church? Read and download the invitation to engage with the Task Group here.

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Accidental Counsellor Workshop: 7^th December 2021

Accidental counsellors often find themselves in a counselling role by accident, as a result of conversations or requests from customers, colleagues or others. Facilitated by experienced Lifeline mental health trainers, this workshop provides practical and effective skills to step into the shoes of a counsellor and respond to an support others when they are experiencing a challenging time. Find out more: https://donate.lifelineadelaide.org/event/accidental-counsellor-dec

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Save the Date – Amplify Conference for Children, Youth and Family Ministry

Amplify Conference is happening on March 5^th, 2022. Please put this in your diary and let your leaders and volunteers in children, youth and family ministry know about it too!

There will be hubs around Australia and online. We are excited to be joining in with four hubs in South Australia, including at the Uniting College.

Registration and information for the South Australian hubs will be hosted centrally through the Amplify Team in Queensland with an SA Planning Team organising hub locations and logistics.

For more information contact Melissa Neumann, Intergen Team, Mission Resourcing by email at Turn on Javascript!.

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Advent Resources for all ages

The ‘Christmas Family Faith Trail’ is free for churches to gift to households or small groups to explore the events of the Christmas story through five interactive stations. Each station includes a theme, Bible passage, questions to chat about, and activity ideas for different ages including pre-school, primary school and adults; and prayer ideas. The resource can be downloaded at this link: https://sa.uca.org.au/intergen/family-resources/

Also available is a ‘Letter for churches’ with ideas for running one station or modelling elements of this resource. An online seminar unpacking this resource is being planned for November 23^rd at 7.45pm. More information to follow.

Year C Advent – ‘Something is Coming!’ is a resource that includes a selection of verses and concepts across all lectionary readings for each week of Advent, and to engage together and interact with the story of Christmas. This resource can be scaled to the size of the congregation and used as part of the worship service. The resource can be downloaded at this link: https://intergen.org.au/product/advent-series-something-is-coming/

Recently an online seminar was held with the author – to view the recording please visit: https://www.facebook.com/UCAChildrensMinistry

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Cuisine & Culture in Conversation for Palestine Advocates

Two opportunities for you to engage with Palestine in a different way, whilst raising funds for Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network (PIEN). Online cooking class: Tuesday, 23^rd November 2021 at 7.30 pm AEDT. Host a ‘Peace Meal,’ a dinner party in the weeks following the cooking class – email Turn on Javascript! to register. Further information is available at this link: https://pien.org.au/c-c-c-combined-flyer/

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L’Arche Adelaide – Paid Assistants (Support Workers) Needed

L’Arche Adelaide is opening its first community house soon and they are looking for Assistants to support house members with intellectual disabilities. Information day for potential Community House Assistants is Saturday, December 4^th, 2021 from 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm at St Francis of Assisi Anglican Church Hall, 835 South Road, Clarence Gardens. More information is available at this link.

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Ordinations/Inductions

An induction service will be held for Rev Dr Phillip (Phil) Marshall as the Yorke Peninsula Restructuring Intentional Interim Minister on Tuesday, 23^rd November 2021 at 7.00 pm at the Maitland Uniting Church, 61 Robert Street, Maitland.

The Wimala Presbytery extends an invitation to all to the Ordination of Chelsea Size into the Ministry of Deacon. The service will be held on Sunday, 28^th November at 2.00 pm at the Para Hills Community Hub, 22 Wilkinson Road, Para Hills.

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Community Connector Program

Community Connections supports people to increase their independence in the home and to build stronger social and community connections. It is for South Australians aged 18 to 64, and 18 to 49 for Aboriginal peoples, who are not eligible for Federal Government programs such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and My Aged Care. Community Connections Partners across South Australia provide short-term support for up to 12 weeks or connection you with longer-term support if needed. Uniting Communities is one of the lead organisations that can support you to connect with the most appropriate Community Connections Partner. Phone (08) 8202 5291 or visit www.dhs.sa.gov.au/community-connections

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Scripture in Song Books

Clarendon Uniting Church love to sing from Scripture and still use (not having songs on a screen yet) Chorus book s(brown, blue and yellow). We are short on numbers, which is exciting as attendees are more than the supply we have. We are seeking to find out if there are any churches who may have finished with them and if they would consider giving or selling at least 20 with a set of music books. Please contact Trev Harslett on 0407 080 580.

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 16th November 2021

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

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