News, Notices & Prayer points - 27 April 2021

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News & Notices – 27 April 2021

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 27th April edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points for the week:

We pray:

  • For those that may be living in fear that they may find peace
  • For the people of India as they continue to battle the impact of COVID-19
  • For all people who may be experiencing loss and heartbreak may they be comforted
  • For all who may be angry, hurt or lost – may God’s presence surround and support them.

 


 

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: https://sa.uca.org.au/disaster-and-recovery-ministries/

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

 

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National Redress: Two Years On

It has been two years since the Uniting Church in Australia joined the Federal Government’s National Redress Scheme (NRS) for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Almost 4000 Uniting Church institutions, including congregations, schools and agencies, now participate in the NRS. A report back on the Uniting Church’s participation in the National Redress Scheme across the whole of the Church is available at this link: https://uniting.church/national-redress-scheme-two-years-on/

 

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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.

 

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PreachFest

PreachFest is a 3-day festival created to inspire and enliven the craft, art and vocation of preaching across Australia.

Through the lens of COVID, political changes, environmental concerns, culture changes, local needs and the many other contextual realities of our time and place, we are going to explore some important questions:

  • What is the point of preaching?
  • Is the art of preaching dead?
  • Can preaching change anything?

PreachFest will be held on 1st June – 3rd June 2021, it will give the opportunity to hear other gifted preachers and teachers, to network and share resources.  This event will provide a great opportunity for preachers to refine the art of preaching, fine-tune the ability to proclaim God's Good News in context, and be inspired and challenged by the array of teachers, leaders and preachers, in person (Sydney and Canberra) and online and other interactive portals.

Early bird registration is now open. More information is available at this link: https://ume.nswact.uca.org.au/calendar/preachfest-2021/

 

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2021 Break The Silence Sunday (BTSS)

At the Special South Australian Synod meeting held on 9 February, 2019, it was agreed to adopt the fourth Sunday of April every year (or another suitable Sunday) for ‘Break The Silence Sunday’ (BTSS). Congregations are encouraged to explore, within the context of worship, how the voice of survivors from gender-based violence may be heard, honoured, and their pain acknowledged. As the date for this year, 25 April, fell on ANZAC Day, it is suggested the 16th May be an alternate BTSS date. A video will be prepared and uploaded closer to the May date and will be available on the Synod YouTube channel for your use in congregations and groups. In the meantime, you might start preparing the service with the 2021 BTSS Worship Guide which is available at this link.

For further information, visit: https://sa.uca.org.au/justice-advocacy/peace/break-the-silence

  

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Multicultural Grants Program 2021-22

The Multicultural Grants Program 2021-22 stream ‘Advance Together ‘grant assists multicultural organisations to improve their governance and strengthen their capacity building skills. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for projects that can be delivered over 12 months, commencing in August 2021. Applications close 30th April 2021.

Online application forms and guidelines are available from the Advance Together website information page.

 

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Uluru Statement and First Nations Voice to Parliament

The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) has called on the Government to ensure a Voice for First Nations Peoples is enshrined in Australia’s constitution. In a joint submission to the Indigenous Voice co-design teams, UAICC and the Assembly say the proposed legislative model does not go far enough.

To sign the Uluru Statement Canvas and to support the call for real, fair and practical change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people please visit the ‘From the Heart’ website at this link: https://fromtheheart.com.au/

You have until 30th April to voice support for a First Nations Voice to Parliament protected by the Constitution.

 

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With Love to the World Mobile App

With Love to the World: A Daily Bible Reading Guide, first published in 1976, is now available as a mobile app that includes access to the daily biblical texts and commentary in an easy-to-use format. To subscribe, visit the App Store: https://www.apple.com/au/app-store/ or Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store and search ‘With Love to the World.’

 

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Children’s Art Activity

 

What should our neighbourhood look like? This year in Child Protection Week (5-11 September) we will be talking about the need to treat all of Australia’s children fairly, by making sure that every neighbourhood has what kids need to thrive and be healthy.

NAPCAN is looking for art-works to show what children and young people think about their neighbourhoods. These will then be used in this year’s campaign to help show that protecting children is about working together as a community. Visit the NAPCAN website where you can download the Children's Art Activity flyer.

Art-works need to be submitted by May 5th.

 

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White Pages Directory – Metropolitan Edition

Metropolitan congregations are asked to check that their current listing in the White Pages Directory is up-to-date. For enquiries or changes, please either call Chris on (08) 8236 4200 or email changes to Turn on Javascript!.

 

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Interfaith Matters Forum

Theme: Baha’I focus and a hundred year celebration in Australia. Presenter: Mahboobeh Aryanpad. 28th April from 5.45 pm for 6.00 pm at Baha’i Centre of Learning, 275 Flinders Street, Adelaide. All welcome – RSVP by 25th April to assist chef Gulal. Meal $10-$15. Thank you gold coin donation to Baha’I centre for hospitality. Contact: Liellie McLaughlin on 0437 794 410. Event distributed by Liellie McLaughlin of Community Connections, a Pilgrim Uniting Church project.

 

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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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RAW – Hope Lunch – Random Acts of Welcome

A fun meal for everyone to share yummy food, stories, life and recipes about resilience, roasting and rhymes. Come, bring a friend and contribute to lunch. If good wather, bring food for the barbecue. 1.00 pm, 4th May at Hope’s Café, Corner of Portrush Road and The Parade, Norwood (behind Clayton Wesley Church. For enquiries contact Turn on Javascript!. (Event supported by Liellie McLaughlin, Community Connections, a Pilgrim Uniting Church project.)

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Invigor8 Children, Youth and Family Ministry Conference

On Saturday, 22nd May from 9.30 am – 4.00 pm, join a hub near you for a fantastic day of training and networking across denominations, featuring top speakers and electives. Brought to you by Children’s Ministry Network SA in cooperation with ‘Amplify’ Conference, Queensland. Tickets are $15. Register by Monday, 17th May. For more information, including hub locations visit: https://events.sa.uca.org.au/mission-resourcing/invigor8-2021

 

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Music on Flinders – Summer Series

Spring into toe-tapping Music on Flinders for some lunch time-out, with artists performing under the trees with full audio set-up. Sue Baker’s debut album of original songs, ‘Bit of Earth’ was released in 2010. A second album is now being recorded. Sue’s songs are full of metaphors of nature, life and love. Best described as alternative folk.

 

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 20 April 2021, which includes updates about:

 

  • UnitingCare Synergy – Management Committee Member Opportunity
  • Writers wanted
  • CALD and Intercultural Ministry Online Survey 2021
  • PreachFest
  • Volunteers Needed
  • 2021 Break The Silence Sunday (BTSS)
  • UnitingWorld’s Seven Days of Solidarity
  • Multicultural Grants Program 2021-22
  • An ecumenical opportunity for training on Climate Change
  • Uluru Statement and First Nations Voice to Parliament
  • With Love to the World Mobile App
  • Children’s Art Activity
  • White Pages Directory – Metropolitan Edition
  • Biggest Morning Tea
  • Anzac Day and RAAF Centenary Choral Evensong Service
  • Interfaith Matters Forum
  • Winter Retreat, 18-19 June, Nunyara

 

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

 


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