News, Notices & Prayer points - 7th March 2023

Posted Mar 7, 2023 in News

News & Notices – 7th March 2023

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 7th March, 2023 edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points

We pray:

For the people of Vanuatu as they recover from two cyclones and where hundreds of people remain in emergency evacuation centres in the capital and tens of thousands of people have reportedly been impacted
For Turkiye and Syria as they face devastation and deep grief
For continuing conflict in Ukraine, earthquakes in New Zealand, storms in the Pacific, First Nations People at this significant time and Australian communities affected by floods and fires.

Act2 Update

Act2 is born of the conviction that now is a critical time for the Uniting Church to consider afresh the ordering of our life. We are seeking to do this as a whole Church, discerning God’s call for our future, and we need everyone’s voice!

Over the last month the Act2 Project Unit has been working hard to invite the whole Church into the work of Act2. They have reached out to over 1,000 ministers, local leaders, congregations and faith communities across Australia. They have been deepening the engagement with key leaders and councils of the Church and have now developed and launched resources for local communities and their leaders. They have launched an invitation to Uniting in Prayer, a national time of prayer across the Uniting Church planned for 28^th May – 22^nd June this year.

Adding more opportunities all the time for people, communities and councils of the Church to take part in the work of this project – the biggest and most potentially transformative one undertaken in 45 years. Please read on to consider how you might be involved.
Read more

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How to make the most of your National Church Life Survey Results (NCLS)

NCLS Research will present ‘How to make the most of your National Church Life Survey Results’ a free webinar that will guide church leaders and their teams through their Church Life Profile of results, with insights and tips for exploring their results and using them to inform their ministry. Free tickets are available at: https://MakethemostofyourNCLSresults.eventbrite.com.au

Various event dates are available and for further information please download the flyer at this link.

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Child of Sunday

‘Child of Sunday’ is a one-woman show about life as a ‘Preacher's kid.’ It features a combination of monologues and (mostly) familiar songs. It was nominated for Best Musical Theatre/Cabaret show when it premiered at the Sydney Fringe Festival in 2022. It examines what brings people together, applauding the people we all know who profoundly impact our communities and bring colour and depth to our world.

Child of Sunday plays at Adelaide Town Hall, 128 King William St, on March 8^th and 9^th, at 6.00 pm. If you want to know more about the show, please visit this link: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/child-of-sunday-af2023

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Uniting Mission and Ministry Network

The Uniting Mission and Ministry network is a national network in the life of the Uniting Church which provides an opportunity to learn from the diversity of Uniting Church agencies and parish missions.

Network gatherings are open to those who wish to learn from and contribute to the intersection between the Uniting Church and its missions and agencies.

Participating in the Network will expose you to the rich organisational and theological diversity of the Uniting Church in Australia. This is a unique learning, reflection, and leadership opportunity.

The Network seeks to:

discuss the way our organisations seek to shape mission and culture
engage representatives from across the agencies and missions
reflect on contemporary issues facing agencies and missions
provide peer support to those in similar roles.

Meetings are held via Zoom approximately every two months. The Network will hold its first face-to-face meeting since COVID, 26^th -28^th April 2023 in Cairns, hosted by Uniting Care Queensland.

Co-convenors:

Rev John Clarke (Co-Convenor; Director of Mission, Uniting Vic/Tas) Turn on Javascript!

Rev Suzanne Stanton (Co-Convenor; Director of Mission, Uniting NSW/ACT) Turn on Javascript!

If you would like further information or would like to be part of the Network please contact Warren Talbot at Turn on Javascript!

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One in Worship Services are back for 2023

One In Worship services are a place for people to join with other churches and people within the community to pray together and enjoy a time of worship with music from all ages and fields. Come and be one as a united community. Each event is led by a live worship band and can be viewed online via the live stream. All are welcome. A complete list of dates is available at this Link.

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National Lay Preachers Conference 2023

The Queensland Synod is pleased to host on behalf of the National Lay Preacher Committee, the 2023 National Conference of Lay Preachers to be held Friday 4^th August to Monday 7^th August 2023 at Alexandra Park Conference Centre, Sunshine Coast Queensland.

For Lay Preachers, prospective Lay Preachers and those interested in leading worship. Share in a wonderful few days and be encouraged, supported and challenged in your ministry. Further information is available at this link: National Conference of Lay Preachers 2023 - Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod (ucaqld.com.au)

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2023 Lenten Resource

In Lent, we reflect on Christ’s ministry, death, and resurrection. We slow down, and examine our internal spiritual lives as well as the way we live out our Christian faith in the world. This Lenten prayer and action guide will help individuals and congregations to cultivate public discipleship through taking time to learn, lament, repent, advocate, and take concrete steps to transform justice of God for coming reconciliation and renewal of the whole of creation. For further information, please contact Paul Goh, Justice Officer, by emailing Turn on Javascript! or phone (08) 826 4244. The resource is available for download at this link.

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Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network (PIEN) 2023 Lenten Guide

PIEN has produced a Lenten guide for 2023 with reflections on Palestine / Israel.

Take a walk in the footsteps of an Ecumenical Accompanier (EA) Andrew Telfer (who is also on the PIEN committee), spent time as an EA with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel EAPPI program. Having recently returned from three months living in the West Bank, Andrew has first-hand stories to share, of the context to what is currently unfolding in the Holy Land.

Sabeel Palestine have also produced some excellent resources, to add some personal elements that you can apply each week. To engage with the information they produce go to this link through Kumi Now and respond to their suggested actions, along with prayers sourced from the Sabeel Wave of Prayer.

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Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (SERC) Award South Australia

SERC is grateful to the Synod for the continued funding of the Ecumenical Award which for 2022 was won by Fulham-Henley.

Each year the award is given to a congregation that has done the most to foster ecumenical relations within the local community.

SERC is now calling for submissions for the 2023 award, either in writing or electronically and should be received by the secretary, Don Hopgood, 19 Ray Avenue, Morphett Vale 5162 email: Turn on Javascript! and no later than April 30^th 2023. Please use word and pictures (if possible) to make clear what you have undertaken and the measure of your success.

The award recipient will receive $600, or this amount may be divided between two or more entrants if appropriate. All entrants will receive a certificate acknowledging their willingness to engage in ecumenical activities and these will be presented at the Synod meeting 2023.

Should you require further information about this award please feel free to contact Velvy Holden (Chairperson SERC) Turn on Javascript! or Don Hopgood (Secretary SERC) Turn on Javascript!.

SERC looks forward to receiving your submissions and hearing about the involvement of congregations in South Australian Ecumenism. We pray God’s blessing on your efforts.

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Assistance for vulnerable groups unable to access Australian Government support

The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) has a Christian vision of compassion, generosity and hospitality for people seeking asylum and refugees in Australia that guides the advocacy work of the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce (ACRT) and the establishment of the Refugee Support Grant Fund.

NCCA wishes to assist people seeking asylum and refugees to live in dignity in Australia as independent individuals living their lives to the fullest (John 10:10) and sharing their traditions, skills and talents with us all.

Visit: the Refugee Support Grant Fund page of the ACRT website for Guidelines and the Application form. Applications: to be submitted to the NCCA Board of Directors, with forms completed and returned electronically to Turn on Javascript!. Closing date: 10th March, 2023. All enquiries and applications should be directed to: General Secretary, National Council of Churches in Australia, email: Turn on Javascript!.

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Uniting World Lent Event 2023

UnitingWorld’s Lent Event seeks to help us refocus our lives through prayer, simplicity and generosity.

Pray - Use our prayer guide to pray alongside our partners as they address the challenges facing their communities.

Live simply - Give up something in solidarity with people who have less.

Give - Donate or fundraise to help our partners fighting poverty and injustice.

Head to http://www.lentevent.com.au today for a range of resources. In 2023, Lent is from 22^nd February to 6th April.

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Lent 2023 – Oh, The Places You’ll Go

Lent is often described as a journey. Through the gospel texts of these weeks we see Jesus traversing the terrain of Palestine, heading towards Jerusalem, as well as exploring the inner landscape of the human soul and the hills and valleys of human relationships. All of this is familiar territory for God as we see in the accompanying texts from the whole of scripture. Abraham wanders towards blessing; Moses runs headlong into conflict; Samuel searches for leadership; the psalmist gets stuck and cries for forgiveness; the Roman community scale the depths of sin and grace. Together we open these stories like maps for our own journey in community to find our way, following Jesus. In intergenerational faith community we make time to pay attention to the world around us, and the space between us, and oh, the places we’ll go …

The Lent 2023: Oh, The Places You’ll Go Resource contains:

Bible Engagement, Interactive Prayer and Music for:

Places of Testing - Lent 1 (Feb 26)
Places of Wondering - Lent 2 (March 5)
In-between Places – Lent 3 (March 12)
Dark places - Lent 4 (March 19)
Places of Death – Lent 5 (March 26).

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Grant Opportunities

Multicultural Grants Program 2023-24 currently has Expand Together funding open to support multicultural communities.

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 $100,000. Applications for Round 2 open on 1st June 2023 and close on 30th August 2023. Find out more.

Community Grants 2023
Tea Tree Gully Council's community grants program consists of one-off financial grants for community groups and not-for-profit organisations. Grants are provided for activities, programs, events and initiatives that provide clear benefits for the community.

Community groups and organisations can apply for funding to improve wellbeing, encourage inclusion, celebrate cultural diversity, engage in the arts and improve the environment.

The next community grants round dates have now been confirmed. Please visit the community grants webpage to read through the policy and guidelines to check your eligibility here. Opens 10.00 am, Tuesday, 7^th March 2023, closes 4.00 pm, Tuesday 4^th April 2023.

Outcomes will be advised by Thursday 25^th May 2023. To check eligibility and to discuss a project call (08) 8397 7444 and speak to a member of the community grants team or send an Turn on Javascript!.

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Green Adelaide – Grass Roots Grants Program

The Green Adelaide Board is again launching the Grassroots Grants program, supporting individuals, volunteers, community groups and other bodies working on local projects that contribute to improved management of the environment.

Since commencement of the program in 2020, Green Adelaide have invested in 77 projects valued at over $2 million, delivering on coastal management, water resources and wetlands, green streets and flourishing parklands, flora, fauna and ecosystem health, controlling pest animals and plants and nature education.

The total value of the Grassroots Grants Program for Green Adelaide in 2022-23 is $866,000, with grants between $2,000 and $150,000 available per application. A full list of the successful projects including Grassroots Grant information is available on their website.

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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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Overhead projector slides to give away

Praise and Worship 532-857 plus most between 1 and 430. Some Songs of Praise and various others. Fair to good condition. Please contact via email: Turn on Javascript! (if interested).

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Line Marking Scam

Please note, the Synod office has been contacted by a Minister to advise that their Church Council had agreed to a contractor doing car park line marking recently, and they now realise that they have been scammed.

They were misled and pressured into thinking that if they acted immediately they would get the job done cheaply. The job was done quickly, but not cheaply and part of it was not finished at the time and they don’t believe that it will be. They are now aware of another organisation that this has also happened to last week.

Congregations should be made aware of pressured sales tactics in this regard and to err on the side of caution.

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Miriam Lieberman with Lara Goodridge

You are invited to an evening of live music on Thursday, 16^th March at 7.30 pm. Enjoy the sounds of Miriam Lieberman (Kora) and Lara Goodridge (violin) as they sing and play a repertoire of music inspired by travels around the world and reminisce with the songs of Joni Mitchell. Wine and cheese available. Bridgewater Arts Centre, 407 Mount Barker Road, Bridgewater. Tickets: Miriam Lieberman with Lara Goodridge | Adelaide Fringe

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Synod Office Closure

The Synod office at 212 Pirie Street and the Brooklyn Park campus of the Uniting College for Leadership and Theology will both be closed from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm this Thursday, 9th March. This closure is to allow for a professional development half-day training for all staff. Normal office hours will apply after 1.00 pm.

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Palm Sunday – Peace and Justice Walk

The Palm Sunday – Peace and Justice Walk will take place on Sunday, 2^nd April 2023 at 2.00pm at Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square loop. Walking for reconciliation, justice for refugees, environment, and peace and conflict resolution.

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