News, Notices & Prayer points - 6 April 2021

Posted Apr 6, 2021 in News

News & Notices – 6 April 2021

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 6 April edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points for the week:

We pray:

For Indonesia and its people as they come to terms with the devastation of a major mudslide and flooding
For those that continue to be impacted by COVID-19 both here in Australia and overseas
For the nominations process for the Uniting Church in Australia as it seeks to appoint a President-elect.

New COVID restrictions

The South Australian Government recently updated their guidelines around COVID-19. This information is currently available on the Synod website at this link: https://sa.uca.org.au/uniting-church-media-releases/covid-19-update

We have also updated the COVID-19 Guidelines for Uniting Church Congregations document to reflect these changes and it is available for download at this link.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Associate General Secretary Rev Sue Page on 8236 4217 or email Turn on Javascript!.

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UnitingCare Synergy – Management Committee Member Opportunity

Are you a small business manager or procurement professional? UnitingCare Synergy is looking for an external member to join its new Management Committee. Synergy offers a procurement and contracting service to the Uniting Church and its 17 associated organisations, with a focus on health and aged care services and education. We are looking to expand the Synergy services and are seeking additional expertise. If this is of interest to you or you know someone within your congregation that this would suit, please contact the Synergy Manager Emily Brodie-Tyrrell to discuss, phone: (08) 8236 4263 or email: Turn on Javascript!.

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Nominations for President-elect of the Uniting Church in Australia

Nominations for the President-elect of the Uniting Church in Australia are now open. If you are interested in nominating please consult your Presbytery in the first instance.

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Writers wanted

Do you have a passion for Christian writing? MediaCom Education is seeking freelance writers for sermon planning resources. If this is an area you feel you could serve, please send us a direct message or email Turn on Javascript!.

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CALD and Intercultural Ministry Online Survey 2021

This survey will inform a project which aims to resource Congregations/Presbyteries/ Agencies/Synod in shaping Action Plans for the Church as it continues to be a multicultural and cross-cultural Church with three identified foci of Synod Strategic Priorities 2021-2025:

Understand Who We Are as UCA
Create Local Connections
Support Ministries on the Margins.

The survey is expected to take approximately 20 minutes to complete and you can access further information and the survey at this link.

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Age-friendly spaces and places: launching Heart Foundation’s healthy active ageing resources

If you are a planner, built environment professional, community and advocate, you are invited to join the launch event of the Heart Foundation’s Healthy Active Ageing resources. You are also invited to attend if you are a walker interested in making the neighbourhoods more walkable and age-friendly for older people.

This event will be held on Thursday, 8^th April from 9am – 2.30pm at Mitcham Memorial Library (154 Belair Road, Hawthorn). It will launch the healthy active ageing module, inform built environment professionals of new evidence and data around healthy design, and collect much needed community voices to guide South Australia's first state-wide walking strategy.

This is a free event but places are limited, please register online if you wish to attend: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/age-friendly-spaces-and-places-tickets-144328641853

For more information and enquiries please contact Melissa Brewer on 8224 2801.

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PreachFest

PreachFest is a 3-day festival created to inspire and enliven the craft, art and vocation of preaching across Australia.

Through the lens of COVID, political changes, environmental concerns, culture changes, local needs and the many other contextual realities of our time and place, we are going to explore some important questions:

What is the point of preaching?
Is the art of preaching dead?
Can preaching change anything?

PreachFest will be held on 1^st June – 3^rd June 2021, it will give the opportunity to hear other gifted preachers and teachers, to network and share resources. This event will provide a great opportunity for preachers to refine the art of preaching, fine-tune the ability to proclaim God's Good News in context, and be inspired and challenged by the array of teachers, leaders and preachers, in person (Sydney and Canberra) and online and other interactive portals.

Early bird registration is now open. More information is available at this link: https://ume.nswact.uca.org.au/calendar/preachfest-2021/

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Volunteers Needed

The Memorial Hospital is looking for volunteers. The have a variety of shift available 3-4 hours long in the administration area. Day Surgery or attending to flowers in patient rooms. Parking is reimbursed and a free Hudson’s coffee voucher each time you attend. For more information please contact Rev Leanne Jenski 0409 516 857 or email Turn on Javascript!

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UnitingWorld’s Seven Days of Solidarity

UnitingWorld invites you to join the Seven Days of Solidarity – A Celebration of Our Global Neighbours from 18^th – 25^th April. UnitingWorld connects you to the global church. Each day UnitingWorld will tell a story of God changing the world through one of its partner churches. Individuals can sign up to receive a story each day direct to their inbox. If you're a minister, you can download these pre-formatted emails to send to your congregation using your own email list. For more information, visit https://donate.unitingworld.org.au/7dos.

A ‘We See Joy’ video about the Seven Days of Solidarity can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/486165085

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Multicultural Grants Program 2021-22

The Multicultural Grants Program 2021-22 stream ‘Advance Together ‘grant assists multicultural organisations to improve their governance and strengthen their capacity building skills. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for projects that can be delivered over 12 months, commencing in August 2021. Applications close 30^th April 2021.

Online application forms and guidelines are available from the Advance Together website information page.

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Music on Flinders – Summer Series, Pilgrim Uniting Church Forecourt

Spring into toe-tapping music for relaxing time out over lunch. On Monday, 12^th April 12.30 to 1.00pm, Forte will perform with full audio back-up under the trees.

Forte is a mindful South Australian Singer/Songwriter Guitarist who creates positive meaningful folk-rock music for social change. His mission – to create a world of authentic, courageous and empathetic people using coaching, education and music. Seating is provided. Free event.

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 30 March 2021, which includes updates about: