News, Notices & Prayer points - 30th July 2024

Posted Jul 30, 2024 in News

News & Notices – 30th July 2024

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 30th July 2024 edition of UC e-News

Prayer Points

We pray:

For the safety and security of all athletes, spectators, organisers, and residents during the Olympics Games in Paris
For all medical professionals, caregivers, and researchers as they work to support those impacted by disease and other health crises
For justice and the protection of human rights for all people, especially the marginalised and oppressed.

Homelessness Week

Homelessness Week is usually held in the first week of August in Australia. In 2024 it will be held from Monday 5th to Sunday 11th August. The theme for Homelessness Week 2024 is ‘Homelessness Action Now. During the week homelessness services, and community groups raise awareness of the impact of homelessness, and the solutions needed to end homelessness, and advocate for change via national and local community events, media and social media activities. A PowerPoint Prayer for Homelessness can be found at this link A Prayer for Homelessness - ppt download (slideplayer.com).

For further worship suggestions, visit Homelessness Week | pilgrimwr.unitingchurch.org.au. For further information, visit Council to Homeless Persons and Homelessness Australia.

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Safeguarding for all: Fostering safe and welcoming spaces for everyone to thrive

You are invited to join us in the upcoming webinar ‘Beyond Compliance – Embedding Safety Culture in Church’ Tuesday 27^th August 7-9pm.

Sarah Lim will be the keynote speaker supported by Andrew Robertson and Linda Vinall from our UCA SA Safe Church team.

In this webinar, Sarah will take us through what it means to think about safeguarding beyond compliance. It will cover safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults and be tailored to congregational context. She will take participants through the Building Blocks Framework which will provide tools to think about where you are on your safeguarding journey. She will also cover the obligations of leaders of organisations and how you can govern and lead for safety.

Who should attend: All are welcome including members of Church Councils, Minsters and key leaders. Please register for this free webinar by COB Monday 26^th August via the this link: https://safechurch.ucasa.org.au/events/safeguarding-webinar/

Sarah Lim is a safeguarding, governance and project consultant who has worked in human services for over twenty years, across the government and not-for-profit sectors. She specialises in institutional safeguarding and is CEO of BBSafe safeguarding consultancy (www.bbsafe.com.au).

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Safe Church Screening

Have you started a screening application but found yourself stuck? Perhaps you are not comfortable using a computer or find the process too complicated? The UCA Screening team is here to help!

We are offering appointments between 10am and 2:30pm on Friday, 23^rd August, at the Synod city office to assist you in completing your screening application. Bookings are essential, so please call (08) 8236 4200 or email Turn on Javascript! to secure your spot.

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Intercultural Noah’s Pudding Event

When Noah’s Ark came to rest on Mount Ararat in Turkey, Noah’s family celebrated with a special dish according to Abrahamic faiths and traditions. Sharing Noah’s pudding has become a symbolic representation of the unity and essential relationship between people and the creator. Noah’s Pudding, a porridge made of grains and fruit, is traditionally served in the Balkans and Turkey during the month of Muharram, in which the Day of Ashure takes place. The dish is often called ‘ashure.’ It is traditionally made in large quantities to commemorate the ark’s landing and is distributed to friends, relatives, neighbours – by tradition those living within 40 houses from you, according to traditional lore.

Noah’s Pudding (Ashure) symbolises different cultures living together peacefully in harmony with preserving original identities. Noah’s pudding can offer us a global metaphor for richness of diversity, dialogue of civilizations, democracy, multiculturalism, tolerance, harmony of colours, and world peace. Noah's story is also mentioned in the Bible, Quran and Torah.

The Intercultural Noah’s Pudding (Ashure) event will be held on Saturday, August 27^th from 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm at St Peter’s Cathedral, Cynthia Poulton Hall, North Adelaide. RSVP is essential by phoning: (08) 08 8367 9022 or email: Turn on Javascript!.

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Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee celebrates being ‘One in the Spirit’

Does your congregation foster local ecumenical missional activities or an event? Please share this news at 2024 Synod through SERC Awars submissions. Congregations facilitating local ecumenism receive a Certificate of Recognition. The Award recipient receives $600 to further assist ecumenical activities and the news activities. Contact Rev Anne Hewitt, SERC Chair, Turn on Javascript!. 2024 SERC Award submissions are due by 31^st August 2024.

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It’s time to Volunteer!

The Red Dove Cafe is looking for volunteers before and during the Royal Adelaide Show to help cook, prepare and serve meals at the Showgrounds. A great mission to reach out to the community and work together as a church in mission. Dates are from 20th August – 8^th September. Please use this QR Code to sign up or email Turn on Javascript!.

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IRCA Oceania Conference 2025

The International Rural Churches Association’s (IRCA), purpose is to build connections across the southwestern Pacific area and to bring a uniquely antipodean perspective to the IRCA family.

IRCA is hosting an international conference from 26^th – 30^th May 2025, with the theme ‘Listening to One Another: Sharing Together Struggles and Joy of our rural Churches in Oceania.’ The draft program can be viewed at this link: IRCAOceania2025DraftProgramme.pdf. Further information is available at this link: IRCA Oceania 2025 - International Rural Churches Association.

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Volunteers Needed

Goodies Op Shop is needing some enthusiastic people to join their friendly team of volunteers. There are different roles available, including sorting, pricing, refilling the store and customer service. They also need a Christmas Elf who can organise their Christmas donations. If you enjoy working in a team and have a few hours to spare, visit them to check it out. Please contact Audrey on 0475 755 600.

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Safe Church Update

Safe Church trainings: Did you miss the last round of courses offered? Are you waiting for a location near you? Are you looking for a refresher for your knowledge of Mandatory Reporting? The next Through Their Eyes Refresher is being offered on Tuesday 13^th August at Hope Valley. A full day course, Saturday 7^th September at The Journey, Ridgehaven. Called to Care – our own Uniting Church Safeguarding training is being offered at the following: Saturday 17^th August at Spicer UC, St Peters; Sunday 18^th August at Westbourne Park UC and 13^th October at Bordertown UC. All training sessions require preregistration via the event listing on the Safe Church Events Calendar page: Events Calendar – Safe Church (ucasa.org.au).

Screening renewals: Since the introduction of the new screening requirements in 2019, reminders for expiring screenings due for renewal have been sent from the Synod’s UC SA Screening office. This year the Department for Human Services Screening Unit decided to send notifications to anyone who has a Working With Children Check (WWCC) that is expiring in the next 6 months. Unfortunately, this has sometimes been sent to individuals before the reminder from this office which has caused some confusion regarding how and through what channels to complete the renewal. Please ensure that any reminders that are responded to are from the UCSA Screening Admin email: Turn on Javascript!. If new WWCC have been completed directly through DHS, then please advise through completing the Step 1 form found here: Screening – Safe Church (ucasa.org.au). The Synod Safe Church Screening team welcome requests from congregations to assist with bulk renewals for members who find using the online system and/or access to computers challenging. Please email Turn on Javascript! to reach the Synod team.

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Semester 2 – 2024 Uniting College

It’s not too late to enrol for this semester at Uniting College. Contact the College today to explore Justice and Community Development; God the Trinity; Practice of Christian Ministry; one of the Biblical studies units or other exciting units on offer at Uniting College for Leadership and Theology. Enrolments are now open for Semester 2. Intensives also available. Classes can be taken for credit towards a degree or simply out of passion and interest. Online and in person learning. Contact Uniting College Turn on Javascript!, (08) 8416 8420.

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2024 Uniting Foundation Grant Round – Closing Soon!

The 2024 Uniting Foundation Grant round is now open. Uniting Foundation and UC Invest are excited to be able to provide $1million of grant funding. A welcome video is available at this link: Uniting Foundation 2024 Grants (youtube.com). The application form and eligibility criteria details are available on the Synod website page at this link: UCA SA - 2024 Grants.

Applications close 31^st July 2024. For more information email Alice Hammer at Turn on Javascript!.

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Grant Opportunities

Expand Together Grants 2024-25

The Minister for Multicultural Affairs has announced that applications for Multicultural Affairs’ (Department of the Premier and Cabinet) Expand Together Round 2 grants are now open.

These grants assist multicultural organisations to expand their capacity by upgrading community facilities or purchasing equipment to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Applications are open now and close 11pm, 31st August 2024.

Organisations are now able to apply for up to $100,000 for equipment or infrastructure, with co-contribution for applications above $50,000. Online application forms and guidelines are available at www.multicultural.sa.gov.au. For more information, please contact the Multicultural Grants Team on 1300 239 468 or Turn on Javascript!

Celebrate Together Grants 2024-25

The Minister for Multicultural Affairs has announced that applications for Multicultural Affairs’ (Department of the Premier and Cabinet) CELEBRATE TOGETHER Round 2 grants are now open. The CELEBRATE TOGETHER grants assist multicultural organisations to host festivals and events to share their cultures, customs and traditions with all South Australians. The government recognises that festivals and events celebrate our state’s cultural diversity and showcase who we are as South Australians. Applications are open now and close 11pm, 15^th September 2024.

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‘Sing a New Song’ Worship Leadership Events

The CMLA and Mission Resourcing SA are hosting two leadership development events for worship leaders, musicians and preachers. Friday evening 6th September: ‘Post-colonial Worship in Australia’ - lecture with Rev Prof Stephen Burns from the University of Divinity in Melbourne, followed by panel discussion. Saturday 7th September 9.30am-4.00pm with an address by Rev Burns followed by multiple electives including new music, worship in a multicultural church, church online, bringing Bible readings alive, Advent and Christmas ideas, copyright, and much more. Venues: Adelaide West UC and Uniting College Full program and registration details here.

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Open Garden Event

Rob and Carolyn are hosting an Open Garden event to support fundraising for The Corner Uniting Church, working closely with the community and diverse youth. Volunteers from The Corner are assisting this Open Gardens event with a barbecue, drinks, plants and gift stalls. All proceeds will be donated to their outreach programs.

A scenic garden trail has been created to locate icons across the one-acre garden and enjoy interactive displays, photo opportunities, garden art and detailed botanical information.

Garden Tours 11am and 2pm on 24^th and 25^th August, 2024. Enquiries to Carolyn 0439871465.

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Shout 4 Joy Adelaide West Uniting Church

'More than Friends' is a communications and relationships program designed by Bindy Taylor and Dana Baltutis, a Speech Pathologist and Life Coach. The program helps neurodivergent young adults (18+) better understand themselves, enhance communication skills, build friendships, and navigate the dating world through six weekly 2-hour evening sessions at the Mitchell Park Sports and Community Club. The course fee is NDIS approved. Register and discover more here: https://bit.ly/4ePlwCq.

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100 Year Celebration for Gelland and Croydon Park

Gelland Methodist and Croydon Park Uniting Church will celebrate 100 years of ministry at 310 Torrens Road, Croydon Park 5008. Moderator Rev Peter Morel will preach in this celebration at 2.00pm on 18th August 2024. You are invited to meet with past members and families of the Sunday School and Congregational life. Please advise your attendance to Mrs Jean Chinca 8445 8117 or Mrs Bettie Rundle 8346 3778.

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Lay Preachers’ Sunday

The first Sunday in August each year is celebrated in the UCA in SA as Lay Preachers' Sunday. A liturgy and suggested sermon notes may be found at UCA SA - Lay Preachers. Without the lay people who lead us, there would be many congregations every week with no-one to preach the Gospel of grace. You are invited to support our Lay Preachers on August 4th, 2024

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State Youth Conference is back for 2024!

What is love? It’s a question we ask ourselves every day without even realising it! Is it popularity? Going viral? Being in a relationship? At this year’s State Youth Conference (SYC) we’re getting to the bottom of what God says love is and how we can live in it! Registrations now open at this ink: SYC 2024 | What is Love? (eventzilla.net).

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COVID-19 Update

All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information in regards to COVID-19 guidelines can be found here: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations. If you would like further assistance, please contact your presbytery or:

Sue Page Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 8236 4217 or 0430 666 959

Philip Gardner Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 8236 4268 or 0409 077 076.

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Blackwood Uniting Church (BUC) Community Program turns 50

The BUC is excited to be celebrating 50 years of their community program and invite anyone that has been involved over the last 50 years: organiser, tutors and students, to their big afternoon tea get together. The event will include displays from years gone by on Sunday 25^th August from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm at the Blackwood Uniting Church. Please RSVP to Turn on Javascript!.

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