News, Notices & Prayer points - 26 November 2019

Posted Nov 26, 2019 in News

News & notices – 26 November 2019

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church submitted for the Tuesday 19 November edition of UC e-News.

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Prayer Points for the week

• For everyone affected by the bushfires that raged on the Yorke Peninsula and beyond.
• For the smooth planning and implementation of Christmas and end-of-year services and activities planned by all our Congregations and Faith Communities.

UnitingCare Australia Leaders Forum

Last week UnitingCare Australia held their 2019 Leaders Forum in Canberra. The theme of the event was “Unity in Purpose and Action – justice, trust and hope”. The group was welcomed by a video from Prime Minister Scott Morrison in which he acknowledged the important work of the Church and its agencies.

Synod Office closing dates

The Synod Office on Level 2, 212 Pirie Street Adelaide, will be closed over the Christmas break from 3pm on Tuesday 24 December 2019, reopening at 9:00am on 2 January 2020.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Returning to Church: Research

Dr Janette Young (University of SA) is working with Dr Ruth Powell (Director of NCLS Research), conducting research about why people who drop away from church for a long period decide to return.
More people are needed to be interviewed about their personal story.

If you would like to participate, or have suitable candidates in mind, please contact Margaret Holt from the SA Council of Churches by email: Turn on Javascript!.

Remembering Bill Hollingsworth

Former National Chairperson of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress Pastor Bill Hollingsworth was laid to rest at a funeral service in Cairns on Thursday 21 November. As we remember Bill and send our condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues, the Uniting Church in Australia has shared some archival material from Bill’s amazing life.

You can read more here.

NCCA November Newsletter

The National Council of Churches in Australia has published their November newsletter. Read it online here.

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

Christmas Service Times

The Synod Communications and Events Team would like to encourage congregations to send in their planned Christmas Service times, as these will be published together on the Synod webpage. This is an important and often overlooked detail, as many holidaymakers would like to attend a local Uniting Church during the Christmas season. Christmas is also a time where our churches often receive visits from those in the community who do not regularly attend Sunday services. Having the service times available online is the best way to inform those interested in attending.

Please send your Christmas Service times to Turn on Javascript! as soon as they have been confirmed.

Tools for listening posters

Did your congregation Synod representative pick up your free Tools for Listening poster? The poster is a free gift from Safe Church to promote the Tools for Listening resource, which is a practical guide to engaging children and young people in your community on decisions that affect them. If you missed getting a poster, please email Turn on Javascript! with your congregation’s name and address for delivery. The entire Tools for Listening resource is available here.

SA Synod Communications and Events Survey

Due to recent staff movements within the Synod Communications and Events Team, the Synod Secretariat is taking the opportunity to review its work before a new Manager is appointed. As a “consumer”, the SA Synod Communications and Events Review Group would appreciate your support by completing a survey that will assist us in identifiying opportunities for the future and areas that could be improved. If possible, please take part in the survey, found online here, before Monday 25 November.

International Mission Partnerships Gathering

Members and Supporters of the Synod's International Mission partnerships, particularly PROK and Philippines, are invited to an informal gathering at UCity, 43 Franklin Street Adelaide on Thursday 28 November at 7:00pm. The gathering will be held in the 3rd Floor Training Room.

This will be an opportunity for all Support Group members to meet the Synod's new International Mission Officer, Tarlee Leondaris.

For more information please contact Bev Freeman on 8236 4243 or Turn on Javascript!.

Sally Stamp

With the end of 2019 fast approaching, please send your collected postage stamps to the Uniting Church Office, Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide. This year our Stamp Group paid over $3,000 to support South Pacific School Aid Inc. which sends books and other goods to the South Pacific Islands. We have promised another shipment prior to the end of 2019.

Donations of stamp collections no longer required are very welcome. Thank you to all church groups and businesses - keep up the good work.

For more information please contact Maxine Haines, Convenor of the UCA Stamp Group, on 0427 972 417 or by email Turn on Javascript!.

Advent and Christmas resources for sale

If you are a worship leader, lay preacher or minister and would like some fresh and interesting ideas to incorporate into your worship services, you may be interested in the resources available from the Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts (CMLA).

They have a collection of resources from creative worship leaders, songwriters, liturgists, scriptwriters and poets, all of whom offer their gifts in their local communities. All of these resources are available for purchase online here.

SACC is requiring a Treasurer

SA Council of Churches - Churches Together SA is seeking the services of a Treasurer. Do you know someone who has an ecumenical outlook, passion for ministry and mission across denominations,
a willingness to work in the not-for-profit sector, and has the gifts and skills to be Treasurer in our work as churches together?

Anyone interested can contact the SACC office Monday to Wednesday on 0477 019 163 or email Turn on Javascript!.

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