News, Notices & Prayer points - 7 September 2021

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News & Notices – 31 August 2021

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 31st August edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points for the week:

We pray:

  • For all who have fled their homelands especially to escape tyranny and persecution, that they be given safe shelter and the hope of new life
  • For the leaders of all nations, that they will redouble their efforts to promote peace and the protection of our planet
  • For those who may be suffering physical, mental or financial distress from the COVID pandemic; that our communities will unite around them in support

 

 

Synod Office & Brooklyn Park Campus Closure

Please be advised that the Synod Office in Pirie Street and the Brooklyn Park Campus will both be closed from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm this Thursday, 9th September for staff professional development. Both locations will re-open at 1.00 pm that day for business as usual.

 

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Suicide Awareness – World Suicide Prevention Day September 10th

The Synod Working Group on ‘Suicide: No Secret’ campaign has produced a banner which invites passers-by to tie a ribbon in memory of someone lost to suicide. If your church would like a banner kit (includes banner, ribbons, ribbon holder) please contact Scots Church Adelaide on (08) 8223 1505.

 

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Code of Ethics Refresher: Save the date!

The Safe Church team is scheduling dates for the 2021-22 Code of Ethics Refreshers. Four online sessions are planned for the rest of this year with face-to-face and online sessions in 2022. Bookings for October and November sessions will be open soon. See the Event Calendar at the Safe Church website here: https://safechurch.ucasa.org.au/events-calendar/

 

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Through their Eyes: reporting child abuse and neglect

A full day of training is being conducted at Adare Camps and Conference centre on Friday 24th September, 2021. There are limited spaces so if you are interested in participating /attending this session please email Turn on Javascript! to register your interest.

 

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The Church in the Digital Age

Running from March 2021 until November 2022, the Assembly Standing Committee has formed the Church In the Digital Age Task Group to identify the critical theological, pastoral and practical issues related to the worship, witness and service of the Uniting Church in Australia raised by the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. In response the Task group are asking for short submissions (100-200 words) detailing how you or your community are or have engaged digital/online ministry. What about that engagement excited you, what surprised you? What has shaped your broader thinking about church? Read and download the invitation to engage with the Task Group here.

 

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Red Dove Cafe

Due to the cancellation of the Royal Adelaide Show, there will be no Red Dove Café this year for the second year in a row. This means that fundraising in the vicinity of $90,000 over the past two years for mission within the Synod of SA, has not been possible.

This vital ministry of the church has, in the past supported Uniting Church chaplains working in the areas of mental health, disability and prisons, as well as supporting UnitingCare agencies, the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, Uniting College for Theology and Leadership, Experience Café, migrant and refugee ministries, as well as Frontier Services.

This year, the Uniting Church Fellowship and Mission Support Committee invite congregations to hold a Red Dove Sunday on 12th September 2021 as a fundraiser for this on-going work. Congregations could have a special morning tea, retiring offering or simply make a donation.

For more information please contact Janet Woodward, UC Fellowship and Mission Support (UCFAMS) 0432271757.

 

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Advanced Christian Leadership with Craig Bailey

This 6-week course focuses on engaging with change in a pastoral context. ‘It is designed for leaders, lay or ordained, those in ministry or preparing for ministry, who are serious about seeing real and sustained change in a congregation or community of faith’ said Craig Bailey.

From a recent student in the Advanced Christian leadership course: 'The practical nature of the topic was great in affirming the work taking place in my context and it also gave a language that will be helpful in describing my work to church council and community and give us a way forward in our ministry.'

This course will commence on 22nd September and will run each Wednesday from 5.30pm-7.30pm (for credit or audit).

For further information please contact the college on 0884168400 or email Turn on Javascript! or contact Scott Litchfield on 0401453141 or email Turn on Javascript!. Please also visit acd.edu.au.

 

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National Church Life Survey 2021

The National Church Life Survey is for all churches who wish to take part in a process designed to help leaders and congregations thrive by including everyone as you evaluate ministry, identify strengths and plan for the future. Congregations are asked to find a suitable week in October or November to conduct the survey should they wish to take part.

The cost is $250 + $2 per form ordered (so a church ordering 50 forms it will cost $350). Orders can be placed 2021ncls.org.au. The survey can be completed online as well as in paper form - both are available, including switching to fully online if desired. Results will be available to churches in early 2022, initially by email and later in hard copy.

 

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Census and Leader Surveys

The Census and Leaders surveys will be sent to all churches across Australia and this will be the biggest surveys of their kind ever conducted in Australia. All congregations are urged to take part in order to provide a fresh picture of the Australian church in these unprecedented times. The Census is a one-per-church survey, about attendance, programs and activities. The Leader survey is offered to staff or others offering significant leadership in their church. Please note: there is no cost to take part in the census and leader surveys.

 

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Season of Creation 2021 Worship Guide available now

The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration of prayer and action for our common home. Together, the ecumenical family around the world unites to pray, protect, and advocate for God’s creation. During the 2021 Season of Creation, from 1st September through 4th October, hundreds of thousands of Christians will be uniting around the theme, ‘A home for all? Renewing the Oikos of God.’ The full guide and resources are available to download here: https://seasonofcreation.org/. A full liturgy outline, sermon reflections and an adaptable Powerpoint slideshow for each week are available for download here: https://ecochurcheswa.net/worship-resources/. An adaptable Powerpoint slideshow for an Ecumenical Prayer Service is available for download here. 

 

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International Day of Peace

The International Day of Peace, marked each year on 21st September, is a time for individuals, community groups, nations and international organisations to re-commit to the way of peace with justice. Uniting Church Synod of SA Moderator Bronte Wilson will be among the leaders representing the Uniting Church in an Interfaith event marking the 2021 International Day of Peace in Adelaide. The event is organised in the spirit of sharing common values that unite Australians from all cultural and faith backgrounds. Hon Rev Dr Lynn Arnold AO, Former Premier of South Australia is Keynote Speaker and representatives from varied religious traditions will offer prayers for peace, and there will be some musical items. The event will be held on Tuesday, 21st of September 2021 at St Peter’s Cathedral from 6:30pm-8:00pm. You can register to attend here.  

 

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Let’s Yarn about our Intergenerational Church

This Thursday 9th September there is an opportunity to join an online conversation with the Assembly Resourcing Unit about what it means to be a church that is welcoming and inclusive of all generations. To contribute to the discussion about what an intergenerational church looks like from your perspective and to talk about the possibilities to come visit: https://uniting.church/lets-yarn-about-our-intergenerational-church/ (for further information and the Zoom link).

 

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Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 31 August 2021

Check out last week’s UC eNews here to keep you updated.

 

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