News, Notices & Prayer points - 24 April 2019

Posted Apr 24, 2019 in News

News & notices – 24 April 2019

• We pray for the people of Sri Lanka, for those who have lost loved ones in the tragic terror attacks on Easter
• Sunday. Pray for God’s comfort and strength for those experiencing grief and heartache.
• We pray and remember the ministry and service of many people in military service in the present day and those who have gone before us.
• We pray for every congregation and faith community within the Uniting Church to discern wisely on their future Presbytery needs. That they follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and be open to what God is doing in and through the Presbytery restructure.

Presbytery Restructure
Looking for more information about the Presbytery restructure? Information sessions are being held in May to assist congregations
understand the restructuring process.
You are invited to attend one of the following information sessions (supper provided):
7 May 2019 Murray Bridge Uniting Church
7pm – 9pm Narooma Blvd (off Monash Tce), Murray Bridge
14 May 2019 Spicer Uniting Church
7pm – 9pm 44A Fourth Ave, St Peters
21 May 2019 Balaklava Uniting Church
7pm – 9pm 29 Edith Tce, Balaklava
Please RSVP by Wednesday 1 May 2019 to Sue Page, Associate General Secretary on Turn on Javascript! or Ph: (08) 8236 4217

A list of Frequently Asked Questions is also available here.

Centre for Music Liturgy & the Arts (CMLA) – April newsletter
The CMLA has released their April newsletter with information about upcoming events and a new appointment. The
full newsletter can be viewed here.

Code of Ethics – Two day course
This two day non-accredited course introduces a code of ethics that includes training on the awareness of the prevention of sexual misconduct. It is essential study for Candidates for Ministry, Ministry of Pastor and Ministers transferring from other denominations.
The next course will be held on Tuesday 9 July and Wednesday 10 July from 9:30am to 4pm daily.
Cost $66 includes morning tea and afternoon tea. To register for this course please visit the Uniting College website here. For more
information please phone (08) 8416 8420 or email Turn on Javascript!.

Community Fete
Throughout 2019, the Burnside City Uniting Church Junior Church will be fundraising and supporting their local community in a number of ways, through Backpacks4SAKids. Backpacks4SAKids, is an organisation that provides local children and families,
the support they need through stressful times, when removed from their families, leaving behind their own belongings.
The first event for the year is a Community Fete on Sunday 26 May 2019 from 12.30pm to 4.30pm. The Fete will include boot sales of second hand clothing, books, toys, plants, bric-a-brac, home produce, kitchen ware and many other
things. This is a family fun day with face painting, hair braiding, BBQ, Raffles and much more. Find out more by visiting: www.burnsidecityuc.org.au
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Didn’t read the last “News & notices”? The items below are ones you might want to catch up on.

Pastoral letter addressing the issue of Abortion Law Reform before the SA Parliament
On Wednesday 10 April, Uniting Church SA Moderator Rev Sue Ellis sent out a Pastoral Letter that addresses the issue of Abortion Law Reform before the SA Parliament. Several members of the Uniting Church in South Australia are interested in the Uniting Church’s official position on abortion and Sue’s letter may be of assistance to those wish to explore changes to the reform bill. You can access the letter that was sent here.

White Pages Directory
Recently an email was sent to all Secretaries and Treasurers of congregations regarding the White Pages Directory. Could you
please check your listing carefully against the proof sent? Please advise any changes by the end of April. A final proof will then be sent out in May. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Jaensch: Turn on Javascript! or call 8236 400.

Welcome, compassion and safety for all
As Australians approach a Federal election on 18 May, we continue to encourage Uniting Church members to explore different parts of our recently released statement Our Vision for a Just Australia. In our statement we express our Christ-centred hope for Australia to be A Welcoming, Compassionate and Diverse Nation and to respond humanely to those seeking safety and refuge on our shores.
Our vision is that all who seek refuge here are treated fairly and are made to feel welcome and safe, regardless of their country of origin or mode of arrival. In support of this, many Uniting Church members from across the country marched in Palm Sunday rallies and the Uniting Church Assembly is joining the I Choose Humane campaign to send a message to our political leaders that we expect humane policies for people seeking asylum. Read more about the UCA Assembly’s message here.

Departing and Returning with Dr Maree Aldridge
Would you like to explore if there is another way to see, engage and move with the uncomfortable void of the unknown? This workshop offers space for you to explore transforming losses into an understanding and experience of restored relationship to yourself, belonging and homecoming. Dr Maree Aldridge is an Artist, Author, and Poet from Aotearoa, New Zealand who through weaving mythic stories, parables, poetry, visual art and creative rituals explores how welcoming life-altering transitions will bring us to the
thresholds of departure and return. This workshop will run on Sunday 5 May from 2:30pm - 9pm at the Uniting College
of leadership and Theology. Tickets are $60 (includes dinner) and can be purchased at the door. RSVP's must be in my Friday 26 April as numbers are capped.

New Faculty Announcement: Postgraduate Coordinator
The Uniting College for Leadership and Theology is pleased to announce that Dr Mauro Meruzzi has been appointed as Postgraduate Coordinator. This role provides academic leadership for the postgraduate life of the college, including the Graduate Certificate and Diploma, Master in Ministry, Master in Theological Studies, Doctor of Ministry and PhD programs.
Mauro has two doctorates - in Missiology and Biblical Studies - and is the author of several books and research articles. He also has extensive experience in supervision and lecturing. He is no stranger to the College, having lectured in an adjunct capacity since 2016. Mauro has expressed a great vision for the place of research in a theological college, and the place of such a college in the church and its mission in the world.

‘Summer in the forest’ screening
On May 27 at 6pm L’Arche Adelaide are holding a film night at the Capri Cinema. The film “Summer in the
forest”, featuring the life and learnings of Jean Vanier, will be screened as a fundraiser to open a L'Arche Community House in Adelaide in 2020.
With this acclaimed film you will learn about Jean Vanier, a Canadian philosopher who founded L'Arche and who has written many books on community, what it means to be human, disability and spirituality. Tickets are $25 and the funds raised will go
towards the first L'Arche Community House. Food will be on sale in the foyer from 6pm with the film screening at 6:30pm.
Tickets can be purchased online here.

Congress of Asian Theologians
The ninth Congress of Asian Theologians (CATS) will be held from 5 to 10 August, 2019, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The theme of the CATS-IX is: ‘Reconciliation, Renewal and Restoration: Divine Indicative and Human Imperative’. Interested theologians can now send in their applications to attend CATS-IX. For more information please view the website here or send a request to Turn on Javascript!.

Call for ecumenical internship applications
Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) has invited young people between the ages of 22-29 to apply for its Internship
Program. CCA Interns serve at this ecumenical organisation’s headquarters in
Chiang Mai, Thailand for one year. The program involves ecumenical leadership
development training to identify, recognise and mould prospective
ecumenical leaders in Asia. Intern positions are available in four areas of
interest. Find out more here.

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