News, Notices & Prayer points - 30 June 2020

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News & Notices – 30 June 2020

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church submitted for the Tuesday 30 June edition of UC e-News.

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Prayer Points for the week

  • Our partner churches on the Korean Peninsula and our ecumenical friends, as they seek to be peacemakers in the way of Jesus.
  • For our politicians, that they continue to guide our nation as we move forward through this difficult time.
  • For those who remain sick, those who have lost loved ones during this time, those who are struggling with physical distancing, social isolation and economic hardship
  • For the situation in Victoria and many countries around the world who are feeling overwhelmed by this COVID-19 pandemic



COVID-19 update – Letter from General Secretary

Beginning yesterday 29 June 2020, COVID-19 restrictions around physical distancing were relaxed from 4 sqm to 2 sqm per person. General Secretary Rev Felicity Amery sent out a letter to congregations and encouraged everyone to move with caution while planning for in-person church gatherings. She also clarified other frequently asked questions about hospitality/morning tea and children’s/youth ministry. SA Synod continues to encourage BYO morning tea and food seated at tables. Drinks may be served from a servery but physical distancing needs to be maintained. There is to be no sharing of food or beverages using shared/self-serve utensils. Children and youth activities are encouraged with good planning, consistent with the government’s guidelines. Playgroups can now open but it is important for the shared toys to be cleaned before and after activities.

The full letter by the General Secretary including the updated “Roadmap for re-opening churches” can be read here: http://createsend.com/t/j-176EB2B1E29D63792540EF23F30FEDED

Please contact your Presbytery or email your questions to the Associate General Secretary Rev Sue Page (Turn on Javascript!). As there are currently lots of enquiries, please be patient with the response time.


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Uniting Venues SA: WE’RE OPEN!

The restrictions have been eased and many of Uniting Venues SA (UVSA) sites have reopened as of Monday 29 June. This includes Adare Camp and Caravan Park, Nunyara, Emmaus, Tarooki and Thuruna. Beyond Limits Outdoor Education is also back and ready to offer programs for camps, incursions, expeditions, social justice and Aboriginal programs. A COVID-Safe Plan has been developed as the health and well-being of UVSA staff and guests is the main priority. Food service on sites will look a little different and cleaning and hygiene practices have been increased.

To find out more about Uniting Venues SA’s updates, follow Uniting Venues SA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitingvenuessa/ or contact: Turn on Javascript!

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Survey MS Teams

SA Synod staff and members have been using Microsoft Teams (MS Teams) for the last few months to stay connected with internal and external colleagues or to hold online meetings. MS Teams was new to most of us, therefore SA Synod Office is conducting a survey to hear about your experiences when using MS Teams. Your feedback is appreciated and will help the Synod to continue to support and resource each one of us andthe mission of the Church effectively and well.

You are invited to complete the survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/UCASAMSTeams) before Sunday 5 July. Please forward any queries regarding this survey to Turn on Javascript!


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UC FAMS Video Project: Volunteers wanted

In these anxious and frustrating days, does the COVID-19 pandemic have something to teach us about the climate crisis? The Uniting Church Fellowship and Mission Support (UCFAMS) believes it does and has taken up the challenge to ask, “What are the connections between the COVID-19 pandemic and the current climate crisis?” and further, “What can we do about it as God’s people?”

UC FAMS is preparing a video production for churches and communities to explore this intersection of crises. There will be many ways to interact with the production, with the first of a two-part series available in late-August. As the project is in pre-production phase, we are seeking participants to present topics on camera.

If you're interested in being involved with the project - or know of someone you'd like to suggest - please contact Brian Polkinghorne at Turn on Javascript!. We are seeking a diverse cast to help us realise this project, impassioned by climate science and the possibility of a sustainable future.


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Efforts for peace on the Korean War’s 70th Anniversary

As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, the World Council of Churches (WCC) together with the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) launched the Global Prayer Campaign: “We Pray, Peace Now, End the War.” The invitation is for all churches and Christians to join in prayer for the formal end to the Korean War and the replacement of the 1953 Armistice Agreement with a peace treaty. Online streaming happened last Monday 22 June. If you missed it, watch the prayer video on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7p_YFKjpXE


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The Great Outback BBQ is back for 2020!

We are getting excited about our Great Outback BBQ and like many people, we really don’t need an excuse to catch up with family and friends. Whilst there are currently strict restrictions around food and sharing, there are other ways in which we can celebrate the Great Outback and the work of Frontier Services.

This year is very special because our farmers need us now more than ever.They are trying to rebuild after the worst drought on record, devastating bushfires and now COVID-19. This means that some farmers cannot sell their stock because overseas markets are closed.The disasters just keep coming for them, but we can show our care by holding a Great Outback Fundraiser and raising necessary funds to provide a helping hand.

Now that churches are starting to gather in person again, could you consider a Sunday for A BBQ Offering without the food? Please remember to adhere to current government advice in your local area: physically distancing and hygiene are still important.

By hosting a Great Outback BBQ, we are providing our farmers hope for the future. Find out more here https://greatoutbackbbq.rallybound.org/


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Preaching Series: Preaching Contextually in Complex Times

Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts' Preaching Series offers conversations to develop and strengthen preaching skills, particularly in our current times.. Sessions include reflection on practice, conversation on a thought-provoking topic and sermon preparation. We will consider how to preach into current complex issues and times, in ways that acknowledge the complexity, create healing and vitality, and speak of the new, using some of the material from this year’s Festival of Homiletics to guide the discussion.

It is open to all preachers - experienced, new, lay and ordained.

Mondays – 10 and 24 August, 7 and 21 September 2020

Time and venue to be confirmed

Cost: $15 per session or $40 for all four

More information at cmla.org.au


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Café Manager Position for Koorong Adelaide

Bring your passion for coffee, solid organisation skills and leadership talents to this rewarding role!

Koorong has an exciting full-time career opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated person to manage our Adelaide café, preferably someone who can start ASAP. Support Koorong’s mission as a Christian retailer through this key role and be rewarded with a friendly and fun workplace.

Find out more about the position here: https://www.eternityjobs.com.au/job/704/caf%C3%A9-manager/





News from Generate Presbytery

Throughout June, Generate Presbytery in partnership with Propel Network, has been holding the Momentum Webinar series. The heart of this series was to explore the missional focus areas of Evangelism, Discipleship, Raising Leaders and Planting and Renewing Churches. Each week a panel of local and national guests shared their learning and experiences, exploring the topics generally and in light of what God is teaching us in this particular COVID season.

Our desire is that we move out of this moment with momentum, because we have learnt and applied what God wants to teach us.

The webinar sessions and bonus content can be viewed here: https://generate.ucasa.org.au/resources/#videos

Contact Turn on Javascript! for more information.

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News from Wimala Presbytery

Wimala Presbytery has released its latest newsletter here: https://sa.uca.org.au/documents/news/2020/Wimala-Presbytery-Newsletter-June-2020.pdf

The newsletter includes an important decision about the change of date for the next Presbytery meeting. Contact Turn on Javascript! for more information

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News from Presbytery of Southern SA

The meeting of the Presbytery of Southern SA will be held on the date originally planned – Saturday 12 September. The venue will be at the Adelaide West Uniting Church. A primary focus will be on pastoral matters, including what we have discovered (especially in recent months) about who we are as a church. Contact Turn on Javascript! for more information.





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

Introducing Bridget Ransome as the new Executive Officer Engagement

Following the 7 February 2020 meeting, where Synod Standing Committee approved the establishment of an Engagement Ministry Centre, a special meeting was conducted to approve the appointment of the new Executive Officer. The 26 May 2020 Special Synod Standing Committee resolved to appoint Mrs Bridget Ransome to the position of Executive Officer - Engagement.

Bridget has many years’ experience in a corporate environment, including 11 years with SAS Channel 7 Adelaide. She has a degree in Professional and Creative Communication from the University of South Australia, First Class Honours in Writing, a postgraduate degree in Evaluation and Assessment of Projects and an Associate Diploma in Business.

Bridget’s professional experience comes from working in a diverse range of industries and includes strategic planning, media relations, digital and website management and communications. She is also a professional editor and a published freelance writer.

“I am really looking forward to contributing to the work of the Uniting Church in South Australia, and to effectively engaging within the Church and between the Church and its diverse communities,” said Bridget.

The Synod of SA would especially like to welcome Bridget, who will commence her work on Monday 13 July.


New dates announced for NAIDOC Week 2020

Due to the impacts and uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic across our communities and cities, the National NAIDOC Committee (NNC) has decided to postpone NAIDOC Week from the original July dates. National NAIDOC Week will now be held 8-15 November 2020.

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet. This year’s theme - Always Was, Always Will Be – recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.

For more information and further announcements, visit the NAIDOC website: https://www.naidoc.org.au/news/new-dates-announced-naidoc-week-2020

CALD Research Project

CALLING ALL MINISTERS AND LAY LEADERS! The Synod’s CALD Ministry Centre is providing you with the opportunity to share your experience of, and attitudes towards, the Uniting Church in Australia’s commitment to becoming more multicultural and intercultural. This is part of the CALD Ministry Centre’s initiative to develop intercultural strategy in a number of areas in order to enhance understanding of intercultural awareness, activities and best practices to share with congregations.

3-4 research assistants will be selected from expressions of interest to form a research team with Paul Goh, Principal Researchers and Research Associates. If you would like to be considered for one of these positions, please email your expression of interest to Turn on Javascript!.

President’s Conference

The theme of the President’s Conference, which will be held on 2-5 October 2020, is “Called by God – living our Christian vocation in our daily life”. The conference will explore one of the core themes of the Uniting Church, “every member ministry” – what this looks like in its many forms, from local churches through to Uniting Church agencies and schools, as well as for faithful people serving in and living out their Christian discipleship.

There are 3 ways to join the Conference: attending a gathering at Adelaide U-City, in hubs with a group of 8-12 people or online through livestreaming and joining virtual group discussion. For more information and to express interest in participating, contact Neryl McCallum Turn on Javascript!

Calling OpShop contributions for Goodies at Hope’s Café

Goodies Op Shop at Hope’s Caféis open again. Goodies is located at the rear of the Clayton Wesley UCA property, corner of Portrush Rd and Norwood Parade, and the staff would love donations of winter clothes, jackets, shoes (for men, women and children).

Many people can now happily shop again at the Goodies OpShop.




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