News, Notices & Prayer points - 29 May, 2019

Posted May 29, 2019 in News

News & notices – 22 May 2019
Below are the news and notices from congregations, the SA Synod and the wider Uniting Church submitted for the Wednesday 29 May 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.
• We pray for true reconciliation between the first and second peoples of Australia, that we boldly speak God’s truth and courageously do God’s will, so that we can learn, grow and serve together.

 

Updating personal information

All church office bearers and key contacts recently received an email, requesting them to update their personal information and their privacy settings. Thank you to the 250 people who have responded and have assisted the Synod office to update the contacts database.

For those who haven’t yet responded, please check your emails and reply via the Survey Monkey link. Need assistance? Contact Associate General Secretary, Rev Sue Page on Turn on Javascript!.

 

Reconciliation week 2019 Resources

The Week of Prayer for Reconciliation and National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is held each year between 27 May and 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey—the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the Mabo decision.

If you are looking for resources to encourage your congregation in celebrating this week and in reconciliation, you can find them here. On this web page there is also a list of several activities happening during Reconciliation Week.

 

Discernment Retreat

On Saturday, 31 August, from 8:45am to 6:00pm, the Uniting College for Leadership and Theology is hosting a one day retreat for anyone wishing to hear God's voice and discern God's direction in their life. It will be led by Jessie Sanders and Rev Gary Stuckey. While the retreat is open to everyone, it is particularly recommended for all those participating in the Period of Discernment.

The retreat will take place at One Tree Hill Uniting Church and costs $25 per person. This includes morning and afternoon tea. For more information contact the College on 8416 8420 or Turn on Javascript!. Book your spot here.

 

The power of choice to lift up others

If you call Australia home, you have access to choices that millions of people around the world don’t: clean water to drink, knowledge about germs and illness, a toilet close to home. Every second of every day, one person dies due to complications related to dirty water.

They don’t need to. Together with UnitingWorld, use the power of your choice to give life to others, here.

 

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Didn’t read the last “News & notices”?

The items below are ones you might want to catch up on.

 

Welcome Rev Felicity Amery

Last week we welcomed new General Secretary, Rev Felicity Amery (Deacon). Felicity joins us from the Northern Synod, where she has been the Presbytery Minister of the Pilgrim Presbytery of Northern Australia, as well as the Dean of Students and Theology lecturer at Nungalinya College. She can be contacted via email Turn on Javascript! or via Executive Assistant, Tracey Bost on (08) 8236 4232.

Farewell Rev Rob Brown

Please be reminded that a farewell event for Rev Rob Brown will be held at the Presbytery & Synod office at Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide on Thursday, 13 June 2019, at 10:00am. If you would like to attend, please RSVP (for catering purposes) to Turn on Javascript! or 8236 4200 by 31 May.

 

Streamlining of payroll & HR processes

A new Payroll and HR information management system called ConnX will be launched in the second half of this year. ConnX will provide the capacity to automate and streamline the following processes:
-  electronically enter time sheets and leave applications
-  access their own employment information
-  update their own personal information
-  view leave balances and payslips on demand.

The system also supports Pastoral Relations & Mission Planning to maintain records for mandatory training for Ministers: a requirement following the Royal Commission. Planning is underway with the intent of a first phase rollout for Synod staff, and a second phase for congregations (those using Payroll Bureau) towards the end of 2019. Further information and updates on training, support and implementation dates will be communicated over the coming months.

Dr Deidre Palmer’s Greeting to Muslims for Ramadan 2019

Uniting Church in Australia President, Dr Deidre Palmer has released a video message to Muslim friends to coincide with the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.
View her message here.

Sally Stamp at your service

Long- time volunteer of the Uniting Church SA Stamp Group (Sally Stamp), Al Schammer, passed away recently. The UCASA and fellow Sally Stamp volunteers wishes to pay tribute to Al and asked that those who regularly donate stamps please keep doing so. Proceeds from the stamp collections gathered by the Sally Stamp group are donated to South Pacific School Aid Inc to send containers of books to the Islands and beyond. Stamp Collections that people might no longer need are particularly welcome. For information or donations, please contact Maxine Haines on 0427 972417 or email: Turn on Javascript!.

 

Stillpoint Winter Retreat

Bookings are now open for the Stillpoint Winter Retreat, on Friday 19 July to Sunday 21 July, at Nunyara Conference Centre. Retreat Convenor, Sharonne Price, will be running a workshop on the topic of 'Spiritual Practice in our Workday World'. Due to the large amount of interest in this retreat, Stillpoint has requested that those wishing to attend register soon to secure a place. For more information, please visit the Stillpoint website or email the office at Turn on Javascript!.

 

National Council of Churches in Australia Newsletter

The ecumenical National Council of Churches has released their May newsletter with news of modern slavery and Pacific Islander workers, the Armenian Ecumenical officer’s visit, National Reconciliation Week, Safer Churches Conference, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and more.
The newsletter can be accessed here.

 

Nominations for ‘Gathering” now open

The two-day ‘Gathering’ event on the Gold Coast from 12-14 September, 2019, is sponsoring 130 leaders (aged 25-35) to attend the event and nominations for sponsorship opportunities are now open.

‘Gathering’ is for emerging Christian leaders from the marketplace. It is a two-day event on the Gold Coast from 12-14 September 2019 to inspire, connect and mobilise leaders to live out God’s purpose for their lives. The theme for 2019 is your workstation is your worship station. The aim is to help delegates explore what it means to live out their faith and calling through diligently serving and excelling in their day to day work. More information is available on the website here. Nominations close on 14 June, 2019.

 

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