News, Notices & Prayer points - 24th April 2023

Posted Apr 24, 2023 in News

News & Notices – 24th April 2023

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 24th April, 2023 edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points

We pray:

For peace in places of conflict, especially in Sudan and Ukraine
For all that have lost loves one due to war and conflict
For those mourning the loss of Father Bob Maguire, Catholic Priest and beloved advocate for social justice.

AngelWings Appointed to Review Missional Needs of the Synod

In October 2022 the Mission and Leadership Development (MLD) Board determined to conduct a major review across the Synod to identify current missional needs and opportunities and to make recommendations of priorities and methods by which these might be resourced by the MLD over the next 5-10 years, so-as to help the church enter more fully into the mission of God.

A tender process recently commenced seeking proposals from individuals and entities to conduct the review. This was advertised widely, and multiple proposals were received.

We are now pleased to announce that the MLD Board has engaged AngelWings Ltd to conduct this review. AngelWings is a bespoke education and mission research entity led by Rev Dr Steve and Dr Lynne Taylor. Steve and Lynne are well known to the SA Synod, and Steve has previously served on faculty at Uniting College for Leadership and Theology. They both have significant experience in research, consultation, strategy, church and mission. The review will commence in the next few weeks, and will be concluded by the end of July.

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UnitingWorld Sunday

The Uniting Church is connected in partnership with churches across the Pacific, Asia and Africa. They are vibrant, inspiring, and formidable people who are transforming lives and communities for the better. As the international aid and partnerships agency of the Uniting Church in Australia, UnitingWorld works together with the global church to address poverty and injustice.

UnitingWorld Sunday is an opportunity to be part of this movement. Sign up to receive excellent resources for hosting a service, including a sermon from a sailing canoe by Rev James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches!

Resources and more information available at www.unitingworld.org.au/sunday

Sunday, 7^th May is UnitingWorld Sunday, or any day that suits your church congregation.

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Rachel Collis in Concert

Rachel Collis is a Sydney-based singer songwriter. Her trademarks are finely crafted, heartfelt lyrics, whirlwind virtuosic piano playing and Celtic-like vocals. Rachel will be supported by Leigh Newton, well known to South Australian audiences as an extremely accomplished musician himself. Up to 50% of the night’s proceeds will go directly to supporting Pastoral Care Workers in our local schools. The event is being held on Friday, May 12^th, from 7.00 pm (for 7.30 pm start). This is a relaxed, cabaret-style eventing. Tickets are $30 each. Enquiries to Julie on 0418 811 556.

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Voice Banners now available

The Synod of VIC/TAS has designed a banner in support of the Voice to Parliament and the banner has been endorsed by the National Assembly. There are four colour options for those congregations that wish to display a banner in support of the Voice to Parliament. The designs are available to view at this link: UCA SA - Voice to Parliament Resources

If you would like to order a banner please email the Engagement Ministry Centre at Turn on Javascript! and include the following details with your order:

Name of congregation
Name of contact person at congregation
Type of banner required e.g. corflute, canvas
Size of banner, please include number of eyelets required
Indicate colour choice of your design (3 options to choose from)
Clearly indicate any additional words you would like included in the design.

There is no design fee, however there will be a print and postage and handling fee for all requests. Once an order is received, Engagement will let you know the print quote cost for your banner, before progressing your requirements.

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Call for Expressions of Interest: Missional Renewal Pilot

Mission Resourcing is seeking to identify three to five congregations for the first round of Awaken Adelaide cohorts for a Missional Renewal Pilot project: Intercultural Neighbourhood Congregation Pilot.

Awaken Adelaide is a six-month process for congregations to learn about new ways of being a church in an increasingly multicultural neighbourhood. This will be done through a cohort learning experience with neighbouring congregations and CALD faith communities to build missional partnerships in local communities.

A one-page flyer can be downloaded at this link: Intercultural Congregation Pilot Flyer-final.pdf

A four-page leaflet can be downloaded at this link: Four Page Awaken Adelaide flyer.pdf

Congregations are invited to submit expressions of interest at this link: Expression of Interest (office.com) by 31st May, 2023. For further information and enquiries, please contact Paul Goh Turn on Javascript! Mobile: 0416 564 193.

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United by Faith Blood Drive 1^st April – 30^th June 2023

We now have a wonderful opportunity to come together with other faith-based communities across Australia and take part in the annual ‘United by Faith’ Blood Drive. Here in Australia, we need 33,000 people each and every week to donate to ensure that we keep up with the needs of Australia. Of these donations over 34% are used towards cancer treatments and 19% Anaemia, this is something that many people are unaware of. Here in Australia 1 in 3 people will need blood during their lifetime however currently only 1 in 30 donate so it is so important that we work with wonderful organisations like Uniting Church of South Australia to ensure supply.

Please visit this website www.lifeblood.com.au to find out more about how Lifeblood helps the community. Most are aware of how we work in the area of blood donations but may not be aware we also have a breast milk donation program, work in the cutting edge area of Microbiome, tissue matching for organ transplants and also work with the wonderful bone marrow program here in Australia.

Donating blood is an easy process and only requires an hour of one’s time. Bookings can be made to donate at any Australian Red Cross Lifeblood location - appointments are available throughout the day, including evenings and weekends. For those who are a little anxious about giving blood for the first time, there’s an option to donate with Uniting Church of South Australia friends and family members. All donors will be warmly welcomed by Lifeblood’s professional and friendly nursing staff.

How can you get involved?

Visit www.lifeblood.com.au and follow the prompts OR
Call Lifeblood’s call centre on 13 14 95*

*For those with eligibility queries, we recommend booking through the call centre.

What about Lifeblood Teams?

Teams are a wonderful thing where organisations like yours come together as one and show their support, its so simple to join your team and then you can track how many lives you are saving through our web site or through quarterly updates that we will supply to your SA regional team in Adelaide.

To make your donation count towards Uniting Church of South Australia ‘tally’ (donation count), and towards this blood drive, you can do the following:

Online – in the account settings area, select ‘My Teams’ and then select The Uniting Church in Australia (Synod of SA) as your team OR
Simply advise the donor centre staff when donating – they can update your profile for you.

There are 5 Lifeblood Donation Centres located across Adelaide and there is also a mobile unit and pop up sites that visit communities across the state and again you can find all of these on the website. site.

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Volunteer Awards 2023

Volunteering brings people together – local volunteers are an integral part of our community. Mark Butler MP has launched volunteer awards inviting community groups and clubs to nominate volunteers in the following categories:

Volunteer Recognition Award: An organisation may nominate up to two volunteers to receive recognition.
Youth Encouragement Award: The Youth Encouragement Award recognised those under 25 years of age who volunteer in their local community. An organisation may nominated up to two volunteers.
Local Legends Prize: recognises and celebrates the work of volunteers that have made an exceptional contribution to their community over many years.

Nominations need to be submitted by Friday, 28^th April and forms are located an the following website: Mark Butler MP > Local Legends, forms for each category are also available at the same link.

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Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice: An Indigenous Theological Revolution 2023 Conference (10^th – 13^th July 2023)

The School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Divinity is pleased to announce a four-day conference entitled ‘Raising Our Tribal Voice for Justice: An Indigenous Theological Revolution.’ This is the first ever national ecumenical platform where Indigenous theologians from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific will raise up their voices and challenge churches across denominations to call their followers to action in addressing injustice, inequality and systemic failings of churches history to protect, nourish, and benefit from Indigenous peoples and their knowledge. More information and how to book is available at this link: Raising our Tribal Voice for Justice Tickets, St John's Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane City | TryBooking Australia

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Through their eyes training (formally known as Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect)

An upcoming session is being offered at Nunyara, Belair as a full day on April 27^th – for those who may not have completed the training or haven’t done so for several years. More details and booking information available at this link: https://safechurch.ucasa.org.au/events-calendar/.

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Winifred Kiek Scholarship

Applications for the 2024 Winifred Kiek Memorial Scholarship are now open and must be received by 31^st May 2023. The scholarship enables women to develop capacity in theology or for ministry. In 2024, the scholarship will be awarded to a woman from multicultural Australia. More information is available at this link: The Winifred Kiek Memorial Scholarship - NCCA.

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Uniting Church National History Society 2023 Conference (24^th – 27^th August 2023)

Registrations for the Uniting Church National History Society's 2023 Conference are now open. For information and details about how to register for the conference please download the promotional flyer at this link or contact Judy Orme email: Turn on Javascript!.

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National Lay Preachers Conference 2023 (4^th – 7^th August 2023)

The Queensland Synod is pleased to host on behalf of the National Lay Preacher Committee, the 2023 National Conference of Lay Preachers to be held Friday 4^th August to Monday 7^th August 2023 at Alexandra Park Conference Centre, Sunshine Coast Queensland.

For Lay Preachers, prospective Lay Preachers and those interested in leading worship. Share in a wonderful few days and be encouraged, supported and challenged in your ministry. Further information is available at this link: National Conference of Lay Preachers 2023 - Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod (ucaqld.com.au)

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Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (SERC) Award South Australia

SERC is grateful to the Synod for the continued funding of the Ecumenical Award.

Each year the award is given to a congregation that has done the most to foster ecumenical relations within the local community.

SERC is now calling for submissions for the 2023 award, either in writing or electronically and should be received by the secretary, Don Hopgood, 19 Ray Avenue, Morphett Vale 5162 email: Turn on Javascript! and no later than April 30^th 2023. Please use word and pictures (if possible) to make clear what you have undertaken and the measure of your success.

The award recipient will receive $600, or this amount may be divided between two or more entrants if appropriate. All entrants will receive a certificate acknowledging their willingness to engage in ecumenical activities and these will be presented at the Synod meeting 2023.

Should you require further information about this award please feel free to contact Velvy Holden (Chairperson SERC) Turn on Javascript! or Don Hopgood (Secretary SERC) Turn on Javascript!.

SERC looks forward to receiving your submissions and hearing about the involvement of congregations in South Australian Ecumenism. We pray God’s blessing on your efforts.

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Grant Opportunities

Multicultural Grants Program 2023-24 currently has Expand Together funding open to support multicultural communities.

The Expand Together grants assist multicultural organisations to expand their capacity by upgrading community facilities or purchasing equipment to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Apply for up $100,000. Applications for Round 2 open on 1st June 2023 and close on 30th August 2023. Find out more.

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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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Together Day

Uniting Church Fellowship and Mission Support Together Day is being held at Burnside Uniting Church, 384 Portrush Road, Tusmore on Friday, 5^th May 2023. Commencing with morning tea at 10.00 am, the program commences at 10.30 am and concludes with lunch. Lunch bookings can be made by registering at this link: Together Day Tickets, Together Day, Tusmore | TryBooking Australia.

More information is available by contacting Janet Woodward on 0432 271 757.

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Fundraising Movie Night

Nurse, Jennifer LeRay has arranged a movie night on 5^th May, with proceeds going to the Turkey/Syria earthquake recovery. Tickets can be purchased on the day or via Try Booking at this link: https://www.trybooking.com/CGSBR.

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