News, Notices & Prayer points - 25 May 2021

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News & Notices – 25 May 2021

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

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Prayer Points for the week:

We pray:

  • For the region of Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh, and its people as they come to terms with destruction of cultural and religious sites, may we hold them in our prayers
  • For the violence and unrest in Israel and Palestine to permanently cease so that a resolution can be sought and all people can live in peace
  • For the gift of the Spirit to dwell amongst us, and in giving thanks for the diversity of languages and cultures that make up the Uniting Church.

 


 

Safe Church Update

One of the many days that are marked for observance is 1st of June for International Children’s Day. While we acknowledge this more formally later in the year, the National Safe Church Unit has decided to raise the profile of their work; the on-going development of resources and the upcoming online National Safe Church curriculum.

As part of our monthly Safe Church spot, we have been looking at each of the Principles of a Child Safe Church. The overarching message of a Safe Church for all people is one that we are always striving towards. In the coming month each congregation will be asked to complete the 2021 Safe Church Audit. Thank you for the on-going ways you are all making our church a safe place to be. If you are looking for information about training and other resources, be sure to visit our new website: https://safechurch.ucasa.org.au/

 

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President’s Conference 2021 Wrap-up

For a taste of the recent President's Conference you are invited to view this highlights video: https://vimeo.com/544959474.

Over four days participants gathered to hear about and reflect on the ways God is calling us to live lives of justice, reconciliation, hope and liberation in the world.

 

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Reconciliation Week 2021 and National Sorry Day

Reconciliation Week 2021 begins with National Sorry Day on 26th May, and then from the 27th May, the anniversary of the 1967 referendum and concluding on 3rd June, the day in 1992 that Eddie (Koiki) Mabo won and the lie of terra nullius was laid bare by Koiki in the Australian High Court.

This year’s theme is ‘More than a Word – Reconciliation takes Action’. For more information visit this link.

 

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2021 Refugee Week – Sunday 20th June to Saturday 26th June

Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to raise awareness about the issues affecting refugees and celebrates the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society. This provides a platform where positive images of refugees can be promoted in order to create a culture of welcome throughout the country. The aims of Refugee Week are:

  • To educate the Australian public about who refugees are and why they have come to Australia
  • to help people understand the many challenges refugees face coming to Australia
  • to celebrate the contribution refugees make to our community
  • to focus on how the community can provide a safe and welcoming environment for refugees
  • for community groups and individuals to do something positive for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people, within Australia but also around the world.

The Synod Refugee Advocacy Group is putting together some ideas and resources for congregations. Rev Paul Turley has offered Sermon starters and prayer resources for World Refugee Day Sunday, 20 June, which can be accessed at this link.

 

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Growing Up Uniting

MediaCom Education’s latest book ‘Growing up Uniting’ is now available for pre-order at this link.

Edited by William Emilsen (author of ‘Charles Harris - A Struggle for Justice’) and Elizabeth Watson, ‘Growing up Uniting’ features narratives from 20 individuals who share their personal experience of being formed in the Uniting Church. The book will be officially launched at the Assembly’s National History Conference to be held at the Centre for Ministry in Sydney from Friday, 11th June to Sunday, 13th June 2021. More information can be found on the Uniting Church SA Historical Society website at this link

 

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Act2 Reflection Continues

As the responses are gathered and considered from the Act2 survey, a series continues of contributions from around the church reflecting on the shape of the future. To hear from Dr Catherine Pepper, please visit this link.

 

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Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee Award

The Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (SERC) invites congregations who have been involved in Ecumenical activities within their local community to submit a brief of their activity to SERC. This can be via a written report with photographs, video, or whatever creative presentation you would like to make.

This award has been agreed to by Synod with $600 included in the SERC budget. Certificates will be presented to all applicants. The closing date is 17th September, 2021 and the award will be presented at a future Synod meeting.

Please submit applications to Don Hopgood Turn on Javascript! or Velvy Holden at Turn on Javascript! or mail to SERC c/o 19 Ray Avenue, Morphett Vale 5162.

 

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‘Realisations and Reflections’ Book Launch – Pilgrim Church

When: Reconciliation Sunday, 30th May at Pilgrim Uniting Church at 10.00am after the 9.30am service. Geoff Boyce, editor, has collected stories of transformation from fellow members of the Pilgrim 9.30am community, his ‘white’ church congregation, shedding light on the yawning gap between Australia’s First and Second Peoples. It has revealed their underlying yearning for justice and mutuality. Copies of the book are on sale from the Pilgrim Office for $20. Proceeds to Covenanting projects.

  

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Disaster and Recovery Ministries SA Chaplaincy Training

The next 2-day training opportunity for volunteer chaplains will be held on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd June at Seacliff Uniting Church. Chaplains are trained to provide pastoral and spiritual support to those affected by disasters in the wider community as part of the State Emergency Management Plan. Further information is available at this link.

To book please visit: https://www.trybooking.com/BQFNA

 

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CALD and Intercultural Ministry Online Survey 2021

This survey will inform a project which aims to resource Congregations/Presbyteries/ Agencies/Synod in shaping Action Plans for the Church as it continues to be a multicultural and cross-cultural Church with three identified foci of Synod Strategic Priorities 2021-2025:

  • Understand Who We Are as UCA
  • Create Local Connections
  • Support Ministries on the Margins.

The survey is expected to take approximately 20 minutes to complete and you can access further information and the survey at this link. Please note, this survey will close on Tuesday, 1st June, 2021.

 

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PreachFest – South Australian Hub

PreachFest is a 3-day festival created to inspire and enliven the craft, art and vocation of preaching across Australia and the Uniting College will become an SA hub for this event.

From the 1st – 3rd June 2021, you can attend Preachfest at the College with tickets available from: https://events.sa.uca.org.au/uclt/preachfest.

3-day tickets are $25 pp and single day tickets are $10 pp (morning and afternoon refreshments are included).

For more information email Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 8236 4265.

More information is also available at this link

 

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Winter Retreat, 18-19 June, Nunyara

The Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts is holding a Creative Winter Retreat for artists in June. A time for creative community, writers, visual and performing artists to be tucked away in the Adelaide Hills to practise your craft and to be inspired. Reconnect with your inner artist and be spiritually nurtured in this retreat. You have the option of a full overnight retreat, commencing Friday evening, or a day-only retreat from 9.00am-5.00pm on Saturday. Sean Gilbert and Sharonne Price will be leading the retreat. For speaker bios, program and registration information visit cmla.org.au.

 

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SA History Festival – Pilgrim Uniting Church Archive Guided Tours

Hidden behind stone walls in Flinders Street, is a long-forgotten history and a present-day wonder, the Pilgrim Uniting Church. The church sprung from the colony of South Australia’s early beginnings in 1837. Guided tours in May are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. Please book by phoning (08) 8212 3295 or email Turn on Javascript!. An archived history exhibition is open Monday to Friday 12.00 – 2.00 pm and Sunday services.

 

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Safe Church Training

A full day ‘Through their Eyes – Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect’ is being offered on Saturday, 29th May at Playford Uniting Church. To see more details and to book visit this link

 

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Music on Flinders – Autumn Series

Monday, 31st May from 12.30pm – 1.00pm, in the Pilgrim Church forecourt – Musician Zach C-R. Spring into toe-tapping Music on Flinders for lunch time-out under the trees with full audio set-up. Zach C-R is a musician, rapper and singer/songwriter. His music ranges from folk and acoustic through to metal and hip-hop. Zach C-R produces new original sound with indie hip-hop tones and ear-catching melodies.

 

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Reconciliation Week Appeal 2021

This year’s Reconciliation Week Appeal supports youth and young adults to be trained as leaders and followers of Jesus in the Uniting Church in South Australia. Young people are the leaders not just tomorrow, but also today. The Congress (UAICC) appreciates the support of all churches, fellowships and individuals who support Congress on a regular or ad-hoc basis. Please print out the poster for more information which is available at this link.

 

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Free Ricoh MP C30 03 Copier/Printer

Out of lease copier/printer available – you will need to arrange collection/transport and your own service agreement with Ricoh for supplies and servicing. This printer can do folding, stapling, scanning, scanning with text recognition (OCR), be programmed with various codes and has three paper drawers. Call Madeleine at Scots on (08) 8223 1505, Monday-Thursday, 9.00 am – 4.30 pm) for more information.

 

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 18 May 2021, which includes updates about:

  • President’s Conference 2021 Wrap-up
  • Reconciliation Week 2021 and National Sorry Day
  • Reconciliation Week Appeal 2021
  • Growing Up Uniting
  • Budget 2021-22
  • Mercer's Federal Budget Webinar
  • Act2 Reflection Continues
  • Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee Award
  • Urgent Call for Volunteers
  • Disaster and Recovery Ministries SA Chaplaincy Training
  • CALD and Intercultural Ministry Online Survey 2021
  • PreachFest – South Australian Hub
  • Winter Retreat, 18-19 June, Nunyara
  • Invigor8 Children, Youth and Family Ministry Conference
  • SA History Festival – Pilgrim Uniting Church Archive Guided Tours
  • Safe Church Training
  • Music on Flinders – Autumn Series
  • Are you a Man who likes to sing?

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

 


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