News, Notices & Prayer points - 23rd January 2024

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News & Notices – 23rd January 2024

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 23rd January 2024 edition of UC e-News

Prayer Points

We pray:

  • For Rev Andrew Robertson as he is inducted as Associate General Secretary, Placements and Safe Church
  • For the crisis in the Middle East, may we continue to pray for peace for all
  • For the dispossession of Australia’s First Peoples and the ongoing injustices faced by First Nations people.

 

 

Effective Living Centre in 2024

The centre has a great program of events coming up this year including the new Progressive Christianity Forum (successor to Seminary of the Third Age) and a series on Readers and Writers, as well as old favourites such as Poets Corner, Social Issues and Wilkes Oration. For more information and to download the 2024 Program Brochure, please visit: EffectiveLivingCentre (ucasa.org.au)

The Effective Living Centre is a recognised Mission Centre of Uniting Church in SA. You can participate in their programs or support the work of the centre by becoming a Friend of ELC: Friends of ELC 2024 | Humanitix

 

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One Day Conference South Australian 2024 History Festival

The recently formed South Australian Church History Network (SACHN) invites you to register for their One Day Conference on 4th May 2024, as part of this year’s History Festival. The theme of the day is Paradise of Dissent Revisited. Papers of 20 minutes will be presented and will open up and examine areas in which churches and Christians influenced social and public life.

Early responses indicate that the event will be full of variety and interest and draw on most South Australian church traditions. Papers will explore the notion of SA as a ‘Paradise of Dissent’ and encourage further research and publication.

The SACHN involves historians from several Christian denominations (currently Anglican, Baptist, Salvation Army, Uniting Church) who are concerned with the recognition of SA religious history within the broader history of the state and within the religious history of Australia as a whole. Its aims are to increase awareness of the Christian presence in, and contribution to, SA life and history from 1836.

Those registering for the day will receive a detailed program including timetable and topics of papers. To find out more and to register contact the convenor of SACHN, Rev Dr Dean Eland at Turn on Javascript!.

The conference fee is $30 and the last date for registration is Monday 29th April. The conference will be held at The Church of the Trinity, (UCA) 318 Goodwood Road, Clarence Park. Generous onsite parking is available on the northern side of the church site.

 

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Parliamentary Inquiry into a Human Rights Act for SA

The 75th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights on December 10th, 2023 was heralded in South Australia with the Social Development Committee for the Parliament of SA announcing an inquiry into the Potential for a Human Rights Act for South Australia.

All people interested in the advancement of Human Rights are invited to lodge a submission to the Committee by Friday February 16th, 2024.

Organisations such as UnitingCare Wesley Bowden, Uniting Communities, UnitingSA and the South Australian Council of Social Services (SACOSS) have already signed up to progress this discussion in SA.

To lodge a submission or seek further information from the Social Development Committee, please go to https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/committees/sdc.

If you wish to obtain more information from a Uniting Church in Australia SA perspective, please contact Mark Waters, Director, UnitingCare SA on Turn on Javascript! or on (08) 8236 4276.

 

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Worship Resourcing Days with Rev Dr Sunny Chen

The Centre for Music Liturgy and the Arts (CMLA) will host New Testament scholar and Assembly Consultant Rev Dr Sunny Chen on Wednesday evening 7th and Thursday 8th February for two resourcing sessions for preachers and worship leaders. Dr Chen will focus on the Gospel of Mark and the book of Ephesians and he is an excellent, engaging speaker. The Thursday program will also feature new music, creative worship ideas, and space for worship planning. MediaCom resources will be available. Further details and how to book are available at this link: https://www.cmla.org.au/events/sunny-chen/

 

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Grant writing help wanted in UnitingCare SA

Are your circumstances changing in 2024? Have you thought about volunteering to assist those in need, but don’t see yourself working in a community Kitchen or outreach service? Do you have skills in writing grant applications or developing a sponsorship prospectus?

A rewarding opportunity exists to assist our Emergency Relief Centres in writing Grant Applications. If this sounds like something that you have the skills for (or would like to learn those skills), then please contact Helene Neilson, UnitingCare SA Support Officer at Turn on Javascript! or call (08) 8236 4256 in January 2024; alternative, please contact Mark Waters, Director, UnitingCare SA at Turn on Javascript! or call on 0417 834 938.

 

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Pancake Day

Shrove Tuesday and pancake days are wonderful opportunities to come together, enjoy delicious food, and contribute to a meaningful cause. The idea is ‘flipping for a cause’ on Shrove Tuesday to raise funds for those in need.

For anyone interested in hosting a pancake day in 2024 or helping spread the word, please register via the QR Code on the poster. You can download the poster here.

May your communities come together, enjoy some delicious pancakes, and contribute to making a positive difference in the lives of those who need support.

 

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International Day of Disabled Persons – Video Series

The theme of the 2023 International Day of Disabled Persons was ‘United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities.’

The Synod Task Group (STG) into the Disability Royal Commission highlighted this day as a time where we can focus on making our congregations, services and offices more accessible, inclusive and fairer for people with disabilities.

The STG has produced a series of short videos to assist people in thinking about how they can be proactive in supporting people with disabilities. Bruce Ind, Chair of the STG, and one of its members Rev Peter McDonald have been instrumental in developing these videos. The emphasis in the videos is to ensure that the voices of people with lived experience comes through as well as the interests of carers and community organisations.

The videos are now available on the Synod website at this link: UCA SA - UnitingCare SA

More videos will follow in the coming weeks.

 

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Summary of Review of Missional Needs & Opportunities

In 2023 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 remain open until the end of January. The 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. If you would like to order the 2024 Calendar, please visit this link: https://sa.uca.org.au/engagement/calendar

 

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Grant Opportunities

The City of Port Adelaide Enfield is pleased to advise that Environmental Grant applications are currently open and will 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.

 

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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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MediaCom for Lent

Mediacom is back with a focus on resources for Lent. A particular emphasis is on the Lenten resource, ‘Sanctuary for Lent 2024.’ Congregations are providing to their congregation members, for personal meditation and as an outreach resource. The Sanctuary for Lent 2024 - MediaCom Education.

There are also a wide range of Lent/Easter resources to review at this link: Lent/Easter Archives - MediaCom Education.

 

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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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Progressive Christianity Forum 2024 Launch

You are invited to participate in this new venture, a successor to the Seminary of the Third Age which over the past five years has offered a lively program for all who are interested to explore a meaningful faith in the context of our present times. The Progressive Christianity Forum provides a new format for continuing this exploration. The forum's theme for the year is 'Where faith intersects with the critical issues for the church and the world.' This event is being held at the Effective Living Centre, on 1st February from 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm and more information is available at this link: EffectiveLivingCentre (ucasa.org.au)

 

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Rev Emmy Wilson speaking at Gully Church

All are invited to come along to hear Rev Emmy Wilson at Gully Church on Sunday, 28th January. Services at 9.00 am and 10.30 am. Emmy has lived an extraordinary life, treating AIDS patients as a nurse in the 80s and taking Alpha into prisons around the world. Gully Church, 600 Milne Road, Banksia Park.

 

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