News, Notices & Prayer points - 9 February 2021

Posted Feb 9, 2021 in News

News & Notices – 9 February 2021

Below are the news and notices from congregations, the Synod of South Australia and the wider Uniting Church for Tuesday, 9 February edition of UC e-News

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Prayer Points for the week:

And give thanks for the ministries of those who are retiring, to pause at this significant milestone and pray for their ministry that now takes a new form in the world
We pray for new opportunities in ministry; for those within whom the Spirit is stirring; those who are in formation for ministry; and those beginning new ministry roles
We give thanks for the contribution and milestones of lay preachers and ordained ministers
We pray for all discerning a call to ministry, theological education and those starting out in ministry, for those newly inducted/commissioned/installed, and for lifelong education and learning for the gifts of the whole people of God.

Synod Meeting Update

We are 2 days away from our face-to-face Synod meeting. How exciting! Here are a few reminders for members:

COVID Safe Meeting
Our Synod meeting is operating under a COVID Safe Plan, so please do not attend if you are unwell. Please follow the guidance of our COVID Safe Marshals, and remember to keep physical distancing, hand-washing and sanitising.

Members will need to check in each morning using a QR Code (a paper option will also be provided). Please do not forget to arrive at your chosen arrival time! This is so we can manage the number of people who are gathering at one time in the hall.

Parking
The car-park at 312 Sir Donald Bradman Drive is shared with Emmaus Christian College (both staff and parents). Members are asked to please be mindful of the school pick-up and drop-off times. Small children WILL be present. Access through the car-park will be one-way only – enter through Beverley Avenue and exit via Lipsett Terrace. Sir Donald Bradman Drive also has designated bike lanes on Thursday and Friday between 7am – 10am and between 3pm – 7pm.

Livestream
As we are unable to allow visitors at this meeting, parts of the meeting will be live-streamed via our YouTube Channel.

Please keep checking the Synod website and the YAPP app for updated proposal and information.

If you have any questions about the Synod meeting, please email Turn on Javascript!.

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Synod Meeting Prayer Diary

You are invited to pray for the forthcoming Synod Meeting. A prayer guide for the month leading up to the Synod Meeting is located on the Synod website at the following link: https://sa.uca.org.au/filestore/synodmeet/Synod%20Prayer%20Diary.pdf

We encourage you to use this resource as a stimulus to connect with your own prayers for the Synod event.

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16^th Assembly goes Online

Due to continuing risk factors around COVID-19 the Uniting Church’s triennial Assembly meeting will take place online for the first time. Members of the Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) took the historic decision at an extraordinary meeting on Saturday 30 January 2021.

‘Putting the safety and well-being of members of the 16th Assembly first was the key driver in this decision,’ said Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer.

As such, a shortened 16th Assembly will take place online from 17-18 July 2021 with a view to reconvening the Assembly meeting in 2022 when a face-to-face meeting is possible.

Further information is available at the following link: https://uniting.church/16th-assembly-goes-online/

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MediaCom Education – biggest sale ever!

MediaCom Education is having their biggest sale ever! Visit during Synod from Thursday the 11th and 12th of February. MediaCom Education is extending their trading hours for 2 days only (from 9am to 7pm) and will offer huge discounts on popular books. Synod attendees are invited to grab a free book. For more information visit mediacomeducation.org.au or email Turn on Javascript!

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Lent begins in 2 weeks!

If you or your congregation are looking for some original studies to use, UnitingWorld have just released a new set called ‘How to be a good global neighbour.’

You’ll explore why neighbourliness is central to your identity in Christ, whether we’re called to generosity or justice and why vulnerability is so central to relationships.

Beenleigh Region Uniting Church in Queensland, who piloted the studies last year, have this to say:

‘We appreciated exploring what being created in the image of God really means for those who call themselves Christians - and what a world fully reconciled with God would look like.

Our group warmed to the reminder that sometimes our preconceived ideas about people in other countries and their needs can be quite inappropriate. It is a pertinent caution for us as “global neighbours” to learn from those in need, rather than for us to decide what we think they need. We’d recommend these studies to all Uniting Church groups to tackle!’

Visit UnitingWorld’s Lent Event at www.lentevent.com.au to find out more, or to download or order your copies online.

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SA Heritage Grants Program

Round 3 of the SA Heritage Grants Program is now open. Grants are available for owners of State heritage listed places; with up to $20,000 for conversation work or documentation; and are provided on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Applications for the program close on 26th February 2021. All applications must be submitted through the Department for Environment and Water, Grant Management System. If you would like further information please contact Malcolm Wilson, phone 8236 4206 or email Turn on Javascript!.

Further information is also available at the following link: https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/heritage/heritage-grants

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UCA Act2 Project

Last year in November, the Assembly launched the UCA Act2 Project – a whole-of-church consultation on the future together as a people of God on the way - in the words of paragraph 18 of the Basis of Union.

Through the UCA Act2 Project, in the lead up to the 16th Assembly in July 2021, members of the Church, in congregations, agencies, schools and other Councils are being invited to consider a shared vision for the future.

To find out more about Act2 and how you can be part of this important conversation, first read the Introduction to the Project at this link: http://form.jotform.com/203201030312024

You are also invited to take the survey and to review further information from the Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer about the Act2 theme: https://uniting.church/whats-in-a-name-uca-act2/

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Music on Flinders – Summer Series

On Monday, 15^th February spring into toe-tapping Music on Flinders for some lunch time out, with artists using full audio performing in the Pilgrim forecourt. Enjoy Adelaide guitarist Joseph Hannah and vocalist Ashlee Harvey, combined talents in a smooth acoustic duo. They mix a blend of styles, rhythmic yet intricate guitar; carrying Ashlee’s warm, crooning vocals. Their music covers from pop classics to contemporary, indie and soul songs.

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Positions Vacant

The following vacancies are currently available with information listed on the Synod website:

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Subtle Bricks ‘Come and Try’ Day

The Subtle Bricks Theatre Company supports worship through drama and theatre, aiming to make people think and laugh! ‘Bricks’ has been active in South Australia for nearly 30 years. They are currently looking for actors to join their team and are holding a ‘come and try’ day on 28^th February. If interest, please contact John Hudson on 0432 935 069 or Rohan Hudson on 0418 249 775 for more information.

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Uniting Church SA Historical Society – Public Meeting

‘Development in Music and Hymnody from the 1960’s to 2020’ – this event will be held at 7pm Friday 19^th March, 2021 at the Church of the Trinity, Clarence Park.

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Highbury Street Fund – Applications for the 1^st round of funding for 2021

The Fund supports leadership development among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse worshipping communities through education and training.

SA Residents with leadership roles within UC Synod SA can apply. Terms of Reference are available here http://sa.uca.org.au/documents/cald/highbury-street-terms-of-reference.doc

The Funding Round opens on Monday 17^th February, 2021 with applications to reach Mission Resourcing by 31^st March, 2021. Applications are available at: https://sa.uca.org.au/cald/highbury-street

Further information is available from Bev Freeman – Turn on Javascript! or phone 8236 4243.

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Lenten Reflections – ‘Just Earth’

A free phone app called ‘Just Earth’ is available to guide your thoughts, reflections and actions during the forty days of Lent. Developed by the UC Environmental Action Group it is also appropriate for Lent or any time during the year. For Apple phone download direct from the app store, for Android phone go to: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.earthapp

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If you didn’t get to read the last ‘News & Notices?’

Click here for the News, Notices & Prayer points – 2 February 2021, which included updates about: