News, Notices & Prayer points - 5th September 2023

Posted Sep  5, 2023 in News

News & Notices – 5th September 2023

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 5th September, 2023 edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points

We pray:

• For every child, as we mark National Child Protection Week, may all children know what it is to be safe and secure so that they can grow and flourish
• For peace in Palestine and Israel
• For the forthcoming State Youth Conference ‘hopeFULL,’ for participants, leaders and organisers.

 

 

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World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel

Ecumenical resources—including reflections, prayers, and more—are now available to help churches to observe the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel (WWPP) from 16^th – 23^rd September 2023.

At the June annual meeting of the Synod 2023, it was resolved to commend the statement ‘Seeking Justice and Peace for all in the Middle-East’ of the World Council of Churches (WCC) to members, congregations, and agencies in the Synod of SA in their advocacy for a just peace in the Holy Land and encourage congregations to observe the annual WWPP in the third week of September.

During the week, which includes the International Day of Prayer for Peace on 21st September, congregations and Christians around the globe who share the hope of justice shall unite to participate in worship services, take peaceful actions together, to create a common public witness. From the Bible verse Matthew 8:20 comes the theme of the 2023 World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel, ‘No place to lay my head,’ reflecting the challenge for Palestinian families as well as other people facing difficulties to find a uniting home. You can download materials for the week here.

 

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Intergenerate – Season of Creation

This September Intergen 2023 Season of Creation resources are now available. Written by Rev Dr Michelle Cook - a theology teacher at Nungalinya College and Chairperson of the Pilgrim Presbytery of the Northern Synod. Information and resources are available at the following links: fb post and/or this link.

 

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Poetry Church at Clayton Wesley

The Psalmist wrote, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ (PS 46:10). Clayton Wesley is launching a new weekly Sunday evening service of lectio divina and contemplation. Making space for peace. Restoring our soul. Deepening our faith. Poetry Church services begin on Sunday, 10^th September, weekly at 6.00 pm. All welcome. More information is available on the Clayton Wesley website or contact Rev Olly Ponsonby on 0420 961 081.

 

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Congregational Resource on the Voice

A two-page resource explains why the Uniting Church supports the change, a position informed by our covenant commitment with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and our Christian call to work for practical and meaningful change that ensures all can live life abundantly.

The resource includes:

• Simple information on why a Voice is needed, how it will work and how it will make a difference
• Connections to our Covenant with UAICC
• A section on 'what the Bible says'
• Helpful starting points for a conversation.

Here is the link to the Assembly webpage, A Voice to Parliament in 2 pages - Uniting Church Australia and click here to download, print and share in your community!

 

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 HopeFULL – State Youth Conference 2023

On 9^th of September 2023 we (local youth ministries in collaboration with Mission Resourcing) are running 'hopeFULL', a State Youth Conference for high school years 7-12.

At 'hopeFULL', teenagers will explore:

• Worship experiences that will help them encounter God

• Inspiring and challenging messages from Courtney Lush, Youth Pastor of New Life Uniting Church
• Electives that will help you to follow Jesus in a bunch of different ways, from ‘understanding pain and suffering’ to ‘hearing God’s voice’
• Opportunities to make new friends and connect with other young people
• A whole lotta of fun.

Do you have a teenager in your life? Please invite them and encourage them to register, it's going to be a simply wonderful event. Registrations can be made at this link: https://events.eventzilla.net/e/state-youth-conference-2023-2138592381

 

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Awareness raising sessions on the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament

A group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous advocates for The Voice at Pilgrim Uniting Church are available to run an engaging workshop on the topic at your church or in your community.

The session can be either 45 minutes or 60 minutes and starts with a Welcome to Country by a Kaurna elder who is a member of the Pilgrim Church. Originally, designed to engage people of all faiths and cultures, the group has also run successful workshops with Pilgrim UC communities. The workshops cover the background to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and its call for a Voice to Parliament and engages participants in reflecting their own understandings about the topic. Importantly, participants can also document any questions or arguments against the proposed constitutional change which they might have heard so that responses can be discussed.

The workshop presenters of these sessions would prefer to meet with representatives from interested groups to make sure that the session can be tailored to your needs. Contacts: Marelle Harisun Turn on Javascript! or Uncle Allen Edwards Snr Turn on Javascript!.

 

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Grant Opportunities

Expand Together

The Expand Together 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. Apply for up to $100,000. Applications for Round 2 opened on 1st June 2023 and closes on 30th August 2023. Find out more.

Alexandrina Council Grants Program

The Alexandrina Council Grants Program is now open until 22^nd August 2023. Grant categories include: Community Environment Grant; Community Wellbeing Grant; and Business Initiatives Grant. A further round of grants will also open on 1^st August 2023 – 30^th April 2024 and these categories include: Youth Sponsorship Program; Community Events Grant; Heritage Grant; and Creative Community Grant. Information sessions and grant details are available at this link: Alexandrina Grants Program | Alexandrina Council.

Securing Faith-based Places

The Securing Faith-Based Places grant opportunity aims to assist faith-based places and spaces to improve security and safety.

The objective of the program is to support religious schools and pre-schools, places of worship and faith-based community centres to address the risk of crime and violence motivated by religious or racial intolerance through the installation or upgrade of security infrastructure and/or the engagement of security guards at those sites. For more information and how to apply please visit: Current Grant Opportunity View - GO6276: GrantConnect (grants.gov.au)

 

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Disaster and Recovery Ministries

Would you be prepared to offer a ministry of presence, care and comfort to people affected in times of great need?

You are invited to train as a chaplain for Disaster and Recovery Ministries SA. Coordinated by the Uniting Church in SA, they provide training and coordinate teams of people from many faith groups who are able to provide pastoral and spiritual support to others in the community during times of disaster and subsequent recovery.

For more information, with training dates the 10^th and 11^th October, please download the flyer located at this link: UCA SA - Disaster and Recovery Chaplain Training

 

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Voice Banners now available

The Synod of VIC/TAS has designed a banner in support of the Voice to Parliament and the banner has been endorsed by the National Assembly. There are four colour options for those congregations that wish to display a banner in support of the Voice to Parliament. The designs are available to view at this link: UCA SA - Voice to Parliament Resources

If you would like to order a banner please email the Engagement Ministry Centre at Turn on Javascript! and include the following details with your order:

• Name of congregation
• Name of contact person at congregation
• Type of banner required e.g. corflute, canvas
• Size of banner, please include number of eyelets required
• Indicate colour choice of your design (3 options to choose from)
• Clearly indicate any additional words you would like included in the design.

There is no design fee, however there will be a print and postage and handling fee for all requests. Once an order is received, Engagement will let you know the print quote cost for your banner, before progressing your requirements.

 

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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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Code of Ethics Dates 2023 – Bookings for August and September NOW OPEN

The dates for both face-to-face and online refreshers of the Code of Ethics in 2023 have now been set as follows:

All ministry agents who are either in placement, awaiting placement or providing supply are expected to complete a refresher session each year.

Bookings for the first 3 courses can be accessed at this link: Events Calendar – Safe Church (ucasa.org.au)

6 September      Enfield UC - 9:30am to 12.00pm

Bookings opening soon:

17 October          Online 1.30pm to 4.00pm  

26 October          Online 9:30am to 12.00pm 

30 November      Rosefield UC - 1.00pm to 4.00pm.

 

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Sally Stamp

Every Monday morning a small group of volunteers meet at the Synod office to collect and sort stamps which have been received from fellowships and businesses around South Australia. In 2022 they paid freight for South Pacific School Aid Inc., Frontier Services (Outback Pastors) and Grove Uniting Church (Kids Club). In 2023 they paid $2,034.84 for South Pacific Schools Aid Inc. and have committed to pay for another shipment this year. They also paid $1,000 to Frontier Services (Outback Pastors). Please consider asking local businesses to save their stamps; doctor’s surgeries are one of the best sources of stamps! Any donations of private collections no longer required are gratefully received. Sally Stamp asks that people continue to send stamps to the Uniting Church Synod Office, Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide. Pick-up can sometimes be arranged. For more information, please contact Maxine Haines (Convenor) on 0427 972 417 or email Turn on Javascript!.

 

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Anthem for The Voice: It’s Gotta Start Somewhere

Nathan May has written a song in support of The Voice, it is available at this link: nathan may it's gotta start somewhere - Google Search

 

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Spring Fair

Dernancourt Uniting Church are holding a spring fair on Saturday 21^st of October from 9.00am to 1.00pm. Sausage sizzle, morning team pancakes, plants, books, cakes/produce and children’s activities. For further information please call the church office on 08 8369 0802.

 

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Calling all Suicide Awareness Banners

Over the past 10 years, Scots Church Adelaide has coordinated over 15 banners to congregations to enable us to work together to break down the silence around suicide in Australia, and to reach out to people affected by death by suicide. Congregations are reminded that Sunday, 10^th September is the day for banners to be re-erected. Please send a photo of your banner to Turn on Javascript! which would be gratefully appreciated. For more information, please phone 0409 178 465.

 

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Care for Creation: Listening to First Nations and Celtic Voices

A meeting at Adelaide West Uniting Church on Tuesday, 3^rd October from 7.00 – 9.00 pm will include a panel consisting of: Ruth Harvey (Leader of the Iona Community); Brooke Prentis (Wakka Wakka woman and Aboriginal Christian Leader); and Bishop Chris McLeod, Dean of St Peters Cathedral of Gurundji descent). Contact Lynona Hawkins: Turn on Javascript!; 0438 021 263. All welcome to this interactive evening event. For more events held between 1st - 4th October, visit Wellspring Community website: www.wellspringcommunity.org.au

 

 

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