News, Notices & Prayer points - 27 March 2019

Posted Mar 27, 2019 in News

News & notices – 27 March 2019

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

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Prayer Points for the week

• We pray for every congregation and faith community within the Uniting Church to discern wisely on their future Presbytery needs. That they follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and be open to what God is doing in and through the Presbytery restructure.
• For children that attended KCO. That their lives will be enriched by their learnings from the recent KCO event; we pray for God’s blessing over them.

Grants available for security upgrades
In the wake of the terrorist attack on Muslim worshippers in Christchurch, New Zealand, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that $55 million will be made available for upgrades to security measures at religious organisations as part of the Safer Communities Grant scheme. Grants range from $50,000 to $1.5 million and can include enhancements such as CCTV cameras, lighting, fencing, bollards, alarms, security systems and public address systems.

Uniting Church congregations may be eligible to apply. If you would like more information about these grants or the application process, please contact Malcolm Wilson, Grants and Historical Records Officer, by email: Turn on Javascript!.

Applications close 4 April, 2019.

Upcoming ordinations
The Uniting Church in South Australia is looking forward to two ordinations that will be held in May. On Sunday, 1 May, Peter Morton will be ordained at Seeds Uniting Church at 7:00pm. Lynnette Aird will be ordained on Sunday, 5 May, 1:30pm, at Adelaide West Uniting Church. For more information about either of these ordinations please contact Rhanee Tsetsakos on 8236 4221 or by email Turn on Javascript!.

Think you can be a Chaplain during times of disasters?
Do you have a listening ear? Would you be prepared to offer a ministry of presence, care and comfort to people affected in times of great need? Disaster and Recovery Ministries SA Chaplains provide pastoral and spiritual support for people in the midst of, and after disasters, particularly natural disasters such as bush-fires. If you are interested in this ecumenical ministry coordinated by the Uniting Church SA, you are invited to register for any of the 2 day training session below.

• Wed 1 & Thurs 2 May at Dernancourt UC - Book here
• Thurs 22 & Fri 23 August at The Corner UC (Warradale) – Book here
• Tues 22 &Wed 23 October at Sunset Rock UC (Stirling) – Book here

Sessions run from 9:30am – 4:30pm both days. Sessions are free and all refreshments are provided.

For more information about Disaster and Recovery Ministries SA please contact Coordinator Wendy Perkins on 8236 4284 or email Turn on Javascript!.

Contact detail update request
The Synod office has received feedback that some of the important emails going out have not reached the correct office bearers. To help serve churches better in this time of change, the Presbytery and Synod office requests that contact information is updated for our records. Ministers, Chairs and Secretaries have been sent an email with a link to an online form requesting them to update their details for our records. If you are a Minister, Chairperson or Secretary and do not receive the email today, please contact Turn on Javascript!.

Ambidextrous
Quadriplegic artist Jayden ‘Donny’ Schulz will be exhibiting his mouth-drawn work for the first time at the West Torrens Auditorium gallery. The exhibition “Ambidextrous” will be opened by the City of West Torrens Mayor, Michael Coxon, on Monday 1 April, 6pm-9pm. The exhibition will be open to the public until 28 April.

Gift a new beginning this Easter
If you’re not a fan of chocolate or just looking for an alternative ethical gift this Easter, look no further than the range of meaningful gifts at Everything in Common. UnitingWorld recommends a gift card that will help to lift people out of poverty. Check out Buy a gift, dedicate it to a loved one and you'll help create the kind of world we'd all like to be part of this Easter!

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

June 2019 Presbytery & Synod Meeting – Change of Date

The June 2019 Presbytery & Synod Meeting, originally scheduled for 21-22 June, has been rescheduled to a later date. This meeting will now take place on 28-29 June. The meeting will start at 9:00am on Friday, an earlier time than usual, in order to provide enough time to deal with the business of the Presbytery restructure, as well as other business, including the ballot for Moderator-elect.

On Friday, 28 June, the meeting will run until 9:00pm and start again on Saturday, 29 June, at 9:00am to conclude at 4:00pm. The venue will again be Adelaide West Uniting Church in Brooklyn Park, Adelaide.

Save the date - Induction of incoming General Secretary, Rev Felicity Amery

Rev Felicity Amery (Deacon) will be inducted into the role of a General Secretary with a special service at Blackwood Uniting Church on Friday 17 May at 7pm. More details will be provided in the coming weeks.

Update on the Restructuring Task Group’s activities

On Thursday, 14 March, the Interim General Secretary, Rev Rob Brown sent out Circular 2 on behalf of the Restructuring Task Group and the Non-Geographic Presbytery Task Group. This Circular provides more specific information about the steps undertaken to progress the restructure process. If you did not receive this Circular, you can locate it on the Presbytery Restructuring website here.

Called to Care Orientation Session

Called to Care promotes and assists the Uniting Church with relevant information about ensuring a safe physical, emotional and spiritual environment for all people. The expectation is for members of Church Council and key leaders from congregations to attend. These training sessions provide an opportunity for congregations to gather together to share the experiences of the broader church.

On Saturday, 30 March, Blackwood Uniting Church will host a free Called to Care Orientation Session from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Please register your intention to attend by emailing: Turn on Javascript!, listing your name and congregation being represented. Morning tea will be provided.

Induction of Michael Dowling

Michael Dowling's induction service at Blackwood Uniting Church will be held on Friday, 29 March, at 7:00pm. All welcome to share in this occasion and join Michael for supper afterwards.

The Shape of Prayer with Tony Eldridge

Next week Tuesday (26 March at 7:30pm) Rev Tony Eldridge will explore the shape of prayer: how do we pray in worship, why do we pray, what do we say, how does praying in community differ to praying alone? The event is hosted by Rosefield Uniting Church and tickets are selling at $10/person or $40/congregation. Buy them online here or get them at the door. For more information contact the Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts by sending an email to Turn on Javascript!.

Free Pastoral Education Sessions

Rosefield Uniting Church hold a series of free informative sessions to equip lay folk in pastoral care. The next session is scheduled for 25 June, 7:00pm, with Rev Kim Thoday (Chaplain to Eldercare and formerly Defence Forces) themed “When is Rock Bottom Really Rock Bottom”. No bookings are needed and all are welcome.

Other sessions planned for August and October include “The Caring Grandparent – who cares!” and “Aged Care – Where is it at?” More details to follow closer to the time.

Just Earth Reflection Group

Christ Church at Wayville has started a ‘Just Earth’ reflection group that meets weekly during Lent to discuss the ‘Just Earth’ Lenten study app. The group meets on Tuesday nights, 7:00-8:30pm until 16 April. If you haven’t started using the app yet, you can download it through either the Apple or Android stores for free.

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

The Government has released draft Terms of Reference for a Disability Royal Commission and are seeking feedback by 28 March. We are currently working with the UnitingCare Network to provide feedback on the document which is available online here.

As yet there are no details of when a Royal Commission will commence or its time frame.

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