News, Notices & Prayer points - 25 February 2020

Posted Feb 25, 2020 in News

News & notices – 25 February 2020

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church submitted for the Tuesday 25 February edition of UC e-News.

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Prayer Points for the week

For all those who suffer in violent and abusive relationships.
For people working to create a more welcoming community for refugees.
For all those who seek to provide leadership in our Church, in whatever context. May God grant our leaders courage, compassion and wisdom to be bearers of God's hope for the world into the future.

Calling all churches doing Emergency Relief

Does your Uniting Church have an emergency relief program? Do you give out food hampers, toys or other kinds of assistance to people in need? Do you have a free meal for the vulnerable?

If the answer is yes, then UnitingCare SA would like to hear from you with a view to developing ways that we can support your ministry. For more information about how UnitingCare SA can assist, please contact Julianne Rodgers on (08) 8236 4233 or by sending an email to Turn on Javascript!.

Dollars & Sense

The online newsletter Dollars & Sense seeks to provide useful information and updates to better equip Church office bearers in their roles within the life of the Uniting Church. Articles are produced by the Synod Resources Team, which includes Financial Services, Human Resources, Information Technology & Telecommunications, Insurance Services, Property Services, UC Invest, Uniting Venues SA and WHS.

Find the latest articles here and watch out for the email version later this week.

For more information please contact the Synod Resources Team on 1300 766 956.

Working with Children Checks (WWCC) and assistance for those without access to a computer

If you have members in your congregation who are seeking to complete a WWCC and are flummoxed by the online process – check out the info sheet on the Safe Church Screening page here or use this direct link to download the Assistance information for Safe Church Congregation Liaisons.

Those with existing Uniting Church Screening and Authority checks (done before 1 July 2019) will need to complete a new application in the coming months to ensure that by 1 July 2020 they have a WWCC and any others as outlined in the Duty of Care Policy.

A Light of Peace - Prayer Campaign for Peace on the Korean Peninsula

The World Council of Churches has encouraged Christians worldwide to participate in a season of prayers for peace on the Korean Peninsula. The campaign will run from Sunday 1 March to Saturday 15 August.

The campaign commemorates 70 years since the Korean War in 2020. The aim of the campaign is to encourage peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.

The Uniting Church Synod of South Australia is fortunate to have a longstanding partnership with the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK). In 2020 this partnership is 30 years old. Throughout the past 30 years many Uniting Church members will have fond memories of hosting Korean visitors and attending PROK partnership trips to Korea. This special partnership draws us close to the campaign, in the hope of reconciliation for our Korean brothers and sisters.

During the campaign, we are encouraged to pray for the peace of our Lord upon all in North and South Korea. During the season of prayer, the World Council of Churches will regularly publish prayers and stories relating to the campaign. Resources are available on the World Council of Churches website here.

Lenten Carbon Fast 2020

The ecumenical group Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) is promoting a Carbon Fast for Lent this year. The idea originated with The Care for Creation team of the Catholic Parish of St Dennis, Madison, in the US State of Wisconsin and has been adopted by the ARRCC as part of its Living the Change campaign.

If you would like to try a Carbon Fast from Ash Wednesday tomorrow (26 February), find the Carbon Fast Resource here.

Spiritual care in the midst of disaster

National Disaster Recovery Officer Rev Dr Stephen Robinson and several of his colleagues in chaplaincy have spoken about their work in the recent bushfire crisis on the ABC'S God Forbid program. Read more (and listen) here.

Thank you for being part of the Christmas Bowl

Act for Peace’s 2019 Christmas Bowl campaign has raised more than $1.6 million to date, with more still expected to be received.

In a world so full of disaster, conflict, injustice and pain, donors to the Christmas Bowl have joined with Christian communities across Australia to make a powerful difference for people in need. Read more here.

Religious Short Film Prize 2020

Call for entries from the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture for the 2020 Spiritus Short Film Prize are now open. The renamed biennial national 2020 Spiritus Short Film Prize (previously known as The Religious Short Film Prize) aims to contribute to a vision of hope and the common good for Australia.

Entries close: 5:00pm on 30 June 2020. Read more here.

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Didn’t read the last “News & notices”? The items below will keep you updated.

In memoriam: Rev Graham Hunt

We mourn the death of Rev Graham Hunt on 12 February 2020. Graham was born on 23 January 1952. Although he had a short time in ordained ministry in the Lower Murray Parish from 1993, he had a significant lay ministry in many areas, including as a Safe Church trainer. After his retirement Graham concentrated on writing and theological reflection.

A Celebration of Life Service was held at the Church of the Trinity (318 Goodwood Rd, Clarence Park) on Thursday 20 February at 11:00 am.

Child Safe Training 2020

Basic Orientation Course (non-accredited) on Wednesday 4 March, 7:00-9:30pm. Cost $5. Suitable for all those connecting with children in ministry in and beyond the Uniting Church. Please RSVP by Monday 2 March.

Child Safe Environments Course ("Through Their Eyes" - Department of Child Protection Accredited Course). Sunday 5 April, 2:00-8:30pm. Suitable for Ministry Coordinators, Ministers, Church Council Members, Ministry of Pastor. Cost $40. BYO dinner. Please RSVP by Sunday 22 March.

Both sessions are being run by Rev Mark Schultz, Team Leader, Mission Resourcing, and held at Hope Valley Church, 1263 Grand Junction Road, Hope Valley. RSVP and enquiries to Turn on Javascript!.

World Day of Prayer Australia 2020

Friday 6 March. Theme: "Rise, Take Your Mat and Walk".

The World Day of Prayer 2020 host country is Zimbabwe and the program is based on Jesus’ encounter with a person who, although positioned for healing, had not acted upon the opportunities given. The Bible study text is John 5:2-9a.