News, Notices & Prayer points - 27 February 2019

Posted Feb 27, 2019 in News

News & notices – 27 February 2019

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the SA Synod and the wider Uniting Church submitted for the Wednesday 27 February edition of UC e-News.

 

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Prayer Points for the week

• For all survivors of child sexual abuse and for their families and the families of those who can no longer share their pain. We pray for a safe society where the rights of children and vulnerable people will be recognised and championed.
• We pray for the Catholic Church at this time as Pope Francis leads the people into a new era of accountability in their discipleship to Christ.
• For the work of the restructuring task groups as they meet to prepare recommendations for the restructure of the Presbytery and Synod in South Australia.

 

Easter postcards still available for order

The last date to order Easter postcards and posters has been extended to Wednesday, 6 March. The Uniting Church SA Easter campaign helps our congregations and faith communities to communicate service and event details, to share in the Easter story, and to raise awareness of the Uniting Church in the wider community.

The front of this year’s Easter postcard features a cross budding and flourishing with new growth and greenery against a backdrop of dry, cracked soil. This symbolises new life sprouting forth from the desolate – a chance to flourish – which points to Isaiah 65:17-18 and the hope brought by Jesus’ death on the cross.

The back of the postcard provides space for Easter service details and dates, and a quote from Isaiah 65:17-18.

For details about costs and how to order, please follow this link, or contact the Communications and Events team on 8236 4237 or Turn on Javascript!.

 

Closure of Lucindale Uniting Church

The Lucindale Uniting Church has regretfully made the decision to close due to lack of numbers. A closing service will be held on 31 March 2019 at 10:00am, led by Rev Eric Kirkham. All are welcome to join this congregation for the service and to join together afterwards for lunch in Lions [CWA] hall for Fellowship.

Because of this closure the church has Australian Hymn books which they have no further use for and they would like to give these books to any churches that would have them. For enquiries please contact Fay on 0458 662460.

 

In memoriam: Rev Allan Hatcher

Rev Allan Hatcher passed away last week Wednesday, 20 February, at the age of 94. Allan was ordained as a minister into the Methodist Church in 1954 and served significantly in ministry as a missionary to Fiji for 21 years before holding leadership roles in the former Fleurieu and Wakefield Presbyteries of the Synod of South Australia. He retired in 1990.

His funeral was held today, Wednesday 27 February, at the Vermont Uniting Church in South Plympton, at 10:30am. He is survived by his children Kathryn, Ian and Robert and their families. Please hold them and all who knew and loved Allan in your prayers.

 

UnitingCare testifies before Royal Commission

UnitingCare Australia’s National Director, Claerwen Little, testified last week at The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. She revealed some grim consumer feedback and results that were gathered during a UnitingCare online survey and focus group. “The expectations of people are that residential aged care is not a good place to be,” said Claerwen. “The results of our survey and focus group also showed that people did not have a good understanding of the system and it was something they did not think much about until they had to.”

The Royal Commission hearings concluded in Adelaide at the end of last week, although more hearings are scheduled in all capital cities and a number of regional locations. Its first background paper was released on Monday, 25 February.

 

Seminar: Important developments in New Testament Greek Studies

Dr Dirk Jonkind, Senior Research Fellow in New Testament Text and Language at Tyndale House, Cambridge, will speak at a seminar about two important developments in New Testament Greek studies. This event will be held at Uniting College for Leadership & Theology/Yarthu Apinthi, 312 Sir Donald Bradman Drive Brooklyn Park, on Thursday 4 April 2019, 1.30 to 4pm.  Free entry.

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Didn’t read the last “News & notices”? The items below are ones you might want to catch up on.

 

Nominations for Moderator

Mission Networks and Congregations are invited to submit nominations for Moderator-elect. Nominees do not need to be contacted prior to nomination.

Send advice of nominees to:

Moderator Nominating Committee Convenor Turn on Javascript!.

or

Associate General Secretary, Turn on Javascript!

 

Please note that nominations close on 15 March, 2019.

 

Screening Checks

Recently the media announced that the regulations surrounding the new Working with Children Checks will begin on 1 July 2019.  The Uniting Church SA is currently reviewing policies and procedures for how this will be incorporated into our existing Screening & Authority process. Communication will be sent to all congregations, Safe Church contacts, Secretaries, etc when a clear pathway for meeting the new requirements is reached.  Until any further advice comes from this office, please continue with the current practice of ensuring all those in a role of responsibility within the church has an active Screening and Authority check.

 

The Mapoon Appeal

The Synod’s Covenanting Committee met earlier this month for the first time this year. While most committee memberships have lapsed, there was a willingness by most to renew their commitment through membership.

One of the items discussed was the Mapoon Appeal. The Mapoon Appeal was endorsed in the 2015 Assembly to support the Mapoon community in the Northern Region Synod, as a show of our Covenanting with First Peoples. It was to assist with the community’s place of worship, their church.

The Covenanting Committee resolved to again remind and encourage Church Councils to consider donating funds toward this from their Justice budget.

For more information on the Mapoon Appeal see the link https://uaicc.org.au/mapping-mapoon/

 

Calling all artists and art programs

New Times would like to feature the work of artists and art programs within the UCASA community in the next edition of New Times. This could be in the category of either visual or performing arts. If you would like to share your work and/or program with the rest of the Uniting Church community, send New Times an email to Turn on Javascript! with the details so someone can follow up with you. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 22 March.

 

Join the 40 day Lent Event

UnitingWorld’s Lent Event starts on 6 March and runs until 18 April. This year’s event highlights the courage of the people in Timor-Leste, one of the poorest nations in our region. To join, take the pledge to live simply for 40 days in solidarity with those that have less, give up something you can live without for those 40 days and use what you save to help people escape poverty. Sign up on the Lent Event web page here.

 

City of Tea Tree Gully community grants update 

The next round of community grants for the City of Tea Tree Gully will open on Tuesday 26 February 2019 and close on Tuesday 26 March 2019. Council's community grants program consists of one-off financial grants for community groups and not-for-profit organisations. Grants are provided for activities, programs, events and initiatives that provide clear benefits for our community.

 

On Caring for our Common Home

An Australian Ecumenical Response to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si 2 will be happening 8 – 10-March in Galong, NSW.

He said: “The earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor; she groans in travail. This is reflected in the symptoms of the sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all forms of life.”

Participants are invited to join an ecumenical dialogue with those who make their own the prayer of Pope Francis: Bring healing to our lives so that we may protect the world and not prey on it. Teach us to recognise that we are profoundly unitied with every creature. As we journey towards your infinite light.

Uniting Earth NSW/ACT is one for the event partners. Call 02 6380 5222 or send an email to Turn on Javascript! if you are interested to join.

 

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