News, Notices & Prayer points - 26 April 2022

Posted Apr 26, 2022 in News

News & Notices – 26 April 2022

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 26th April 2022 edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points

We pray:

For the ministry and service of all Uniting Church Chaplains and for the care and support they provide
For the forthcoming national Assembly meeting may it be a time of renewal for the church
For all people working to support flood ravaged communities.

Ukraine Humanitarian Assistance

We are all concerned about the unfolding human tragedy in Ukraine. Rosefield Uniting Chuch has direct contact with Community Solidarity Support Ukraine (CSSU). We are raising funds to help out in real and tangible ways. CSSU purchase supplies and distributes them to communities in Ukraine. For more information please download this flyer: https://rosefield.ucasa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/94/2022/04/UKRAINE-HUMANITARIAN-ASSISTANCE-Leaflet-v2.docx
Alternatively you can email Turn on Javascript! for further information.

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Sally Stamp

The UCA Stamp Group is happy to again be meeting in the Synod office to continue to sort stamps. We had a good sale for $357.50 to our buyers which will enable us to continue to pay for freight to South Pacific School Aid Inc. (SPSA). We were thrilled that SPSA organised to send 7 pallets of equipment to Tonga which was sent by the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade by air without any payment from our end. Stocks of stamps are now low, so please continue to save and send your used stamps through to: Maxine Haines – Convenor, UCA Stamp Group phone: 0427 972 417 or email Turn on Javascript!.

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Campbelltown Uniting Church – 175^th Anniversary Service

Campbelltown Uniting Church is celebrating 175 years of Methodist/Uniting Church worships, witness and service in the district. An anniversary service will be held on Sunday, 15^th May at 10.00 am. The Moderator will preach and all are welcome to join in worship and morning tea.

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New Creation Care Guide

A new Creation Care Guide has been developed in collaboration with the Environmental Action Group and UCA Assembly and is designed to help individuals and congregations take climate action. This two-page sheet includes GreenPower Guide for Congregations and Homes and the UCA Federal Election Resource regarding Climate Change. The guide is available for download at this link:

GreenPower-Election resource-April 2022-revised.pdf

For further information, please contact Paul Goh, Justice Officer, by emailing Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 826 4244.

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April Refugee Advocacy Guide

The April Refugee Advocacy Guide has been developed in collaboration with the Synod Refugee Advocacy Group and UCA Assembly and is designed to provide justice supporters and congregations with updates on current Refugee issues including:

UCAs response to the Federal Budget: What it means for Refugees and What We Can Do?
UCA Federal Election Resource on Safety for Refugees and Asylum Seekers.

You can download the guide at this link: Refugee Advocacy Guide-April 2022-revised.pdf

For further information, please contact Paul Goh, Justice Officer, by emailing Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 826 4244.

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Climate Report: ‘They Shall Inherit the Earth’

A new Climate Report entitled They Shall Inherit the Earth for a new conversation about climate change in Christian communities is available now.

An essential report for all those involved in Church leadership, this study and its findings show:

How Christians aged 18-40 years are engaging with climate change
What they think about the role of the Church in taking action
The attitudes and practices of church leaders towards this issue
How we can take steps to heal division and, together, bring a voice of hope.

For details and a social media toolkit please refer to this link: https://assets.tearfund.org.au/files/Tearfund_Climate-Report.pdf

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COVID Update

On Tuesday, 12th April, 2022 the South Australian government announced further easing of some COVID-19 restrictions which take effect on Good Friday, 15th April, 2022. The restrictions that relate to churches are as follows:

Mask requirements* in all indoor public places (including churches) have been removed – but strongly recommended in crowded spaces. An individual's choice to wear a mask should be supported for those who wish to maintain this practice
QR codes and contract tracing records are no longer required.

*Mask wearing will still be required in high risk health settings which include hospitals, residential aged care, disability services and correctional services.

A reminder that the following restrictions were also previously eased:

Hospitality (no restrictions apply, good infection controls expected)
Density (no limitations apply)
Physical Distancing (no restrictions apply, strongly recommended where possible)
Singing, Dancing and Music (no restrictions apply).

Pending further information, the following requirements continue to apply to church activities until further notice:

COVID Safe Plans
COVID Marshal(s)
Hand sanitising and frequent cleaning.

The Leaders of Christian Churches SA (LoCCSA) are also working on recommendations for the following church specific activities and therefore current arrangements should remain in place until further notice:

Communion
Baptism.

All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information 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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Renewal: An autumn Retreat with Sean Gilbert

A time for creative community, songwriters, poets, writers, visual and performing artists. Be inspired and renewed by the autumn season in the Adelaide Hills. Take time to be creative, reflect and be spiritually nurtured in this retreat. Immerse yourself in this opportunity, wander the gardens, walk the labyrinth, enjoy being part of a creative community. Sean Gilbert will lead us as we take time out and re-invest in our inner-lives and creative endeavours. 13^th-14^th May at Nunyara Retreat Centre. See cmla.org.au for more information and registration.

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Safe Church News

Screenings: Reminders are being sent to those who have upcoming renewals due that were initially processed via the Synod Screening Unit. If you have renewed your Working With Children Check (WWCC) through another source, please remember to inform not only your local congregation but also the Synod Screening Unit. This helps us to keep our records current and can be done via the Step 1 form from the Screening webpage: https://sa.uca.org.au/safechurch/screening/

Power and Healthy Communities: Code of Ethics refresher sessions 2021-22. For upcoming dates please see the Events Calendar located at: https://safechurch.ucasa.org.au/events-calendar/. Don’t delay in booking into either the online or face-to-face sessions.

Murray Bridge Uniting Church is hosting the following training session over the weekend of the 4^th and 5^th of June.

Saturday, 4^th June, 9:30am-4.00pm ‘Through their eyes: safe environments for children and young people.’ For all church leaders and volunteers to understand their legal obligations for reporting concerns of children and young people.
Sunday, 5^th June, 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm ‘Called to Care’ is an awareness session for key leaders and members of church councils to explore and consider best practice for creating a safe place.

Registration of attendance is required in advance for both sessions. Bookings close 31^st May. Register at this link: https://safechurch.ucasa.org.au/events-calendar/

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Synod Meeting 2022

Registrations have now been sent out for the June Synod meeting. The 2022 Synod meeting will meet online on Saturday, 18^th June and in person on Friday, 24^th June and Saturday, 25^th June at the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre at Hahndorf. If you have any questions about the Synod meeting please email: Turn on Javascript!.

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Artist in Residence Week

Find your voice and strengthen the ties between us during a week-long Artist in Residence event at St Andrew’s in Glenelg. Tasmanian singer/songwriter John Coleman and Melbournian art therapist Jenny Batten will guide us in singing, song writing and community building. 15^th – 22^ndMay, various events and times. Refer to the website for details https://www.standrewsuc.org.au/ and booking information or contact Christine Gilbert on (08) 8295 1771. A balm for the COVID weary.

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 19th April 2022

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

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