News, Notices & Prayer points - 9 March 2021

Posted Mar 9, 2021 in News

News & Notices – 9 March 2021

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

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Prayer Points for the week:

We pray:

For women everywhere. We especially give thanks for the ways women generously give their time, compassion and care to others
For the diversity of people – of cultures and ethnicities, of histories and life-stories, of skin colour and land and hearts that love the world, as the ‘Harmony Week’ approaches
For an end to discrimination in all its forms and that each person may be respected and valued as a child of God
For our eyes to be opened to see You in all that You have created and as we think how great You are. Move us to help our brothers and sisters to care for the earth that we share.

Harmony Week: 15 - 21 March 2021 & Worship Resources for the International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination - 21^st March 2021

Harmony Week celebrates Australia's cultural diversity. It's about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

This year ‘The International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination’ falls on Sunday 21st March 2021. Worship resources are available to download here.

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Easter service times

Easter is nearing, please forward your Easter event times to Turn on Javascript! so we can post them on the Synod of SA website here: https://sa.uca.org.au/easter-2021/easter-2021-services

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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 of 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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SA Synod Justice e-Newsletter

The most recent issue of the SA Synod Justice e-Newsletter has now been published. This issue comes from the Transforming Justice Unit of Mission Resourcing at the Uniting Church and contains a range of information and events including a refugee update, petition/letter writing actions and a range of resources for lent, climate justice and creation care. A copy of the enews is available at this link. To receive future updates please click on the ‘subscribe’ button at the end of the newsletter and follow the prompts.

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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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It’s time to care about Aged Care: Standing up for Older Australians

UnitingCare Australia has joined more than 1,000 aged care providers calling for the transformation needed in Australia’s aged care system especially in light of the publication of the Royal Commission's final report. Add your voice by signing the petition at this link: https://uniting.church/standing-up-for-older-australians/

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Palm Sunday Peace Walk – March 28^th, 1pm

The Palm Sunday March is held in the heart of the Adelaide CBC, and has been reflecting South Australia’s voice on matters of Justice and Peace for nearly 40 years. The SA Council of Churches (SACC) has had a long association with this walk throughout this time.

Last year, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions at that time.

This year, it is fortunate for South Australia, that people will be able to Walk in Peace together, with representatives from across our communities.

This year it has been named a PEACE WALK to recognise the sorrow, pain and continuing injustice that arises across many areas of our community.

The Peace Walk is an intergenerational event, and all are welcome.

It is a gentle walk beginning at Tarntanyangga (Victoria Square), along King William Road to (Tarntanya Wama) Elder Park, where there will be three short presentations and an invitation for all to stroll in prayerful presence along the banks of the Karrawirra Pari (Torrens River).

More information is available at this link: https://churchestogethersa.org.au/events/peace-walk-for-palm-sunday/

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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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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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Sacred People, Sacred Earth - Climate Change Awareness

A faith response: local and global events at Pilgrim Uniting Church

Bell ringing to sound the alarm of awareness making, and a call to action. Watch and take photos of the electronic billboard and spread the vibe across the world. Time: 11am on 11th March, 2021. Action: take a photo of yourself and post on #SacredEarthSacredPeople or via www.arrcc.org.au/greenfaith-australia
The band Planet Blue (presenting cover-songs of famous bands which will raise awareness of paradise versus parking lots) with Graham Brice as MC. Time: 11.05 am - 12 noon on 11th March, 2021. Join us on the forecourt of Pilgrim Church to converse with passers-by, listen to the songs and singalong, take time to pray and reflect. Action: take a photo of yourself and post on #SacredEarthSacredPeople or via www.arrcc.org.au/greenfaith-australia. Venue: Pilgrim Uniting Church, 12 Flinders Street, Adelaide.

Event near Pilgrim

Join us to listen to the Honourable Mark Parnell: Exploring Sacred People, Sacred Earth - Towards a Hopeful Path for 2040, with Philippa Rowland, President Multi-faith SA with Leigh Newton, Environmental Action Group, UCA as MC. Venue: Wild Nectre Cafe, 191A Victoria Square, Adelaide. Time: 5-6 pm, 11 March, 2021. Free event – all welcome to bring friends and listen to a great speaker, with Q&A included.

Participants are welcome to join or create your own response and post on http://www.arrcc.org.au/greenfaith-australia or https://www.arrcc.org.au/global.

An Initiative created by Community Connections, Pilgrim Uniting Church, Environmental Action Group UCA, and Multi-faith SA.

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Journeying Through Music

You are invited to explore different expressions of Spirituality in a relaxed atmosphere and explore the journey of song writers (Robin Mann, Leigh Newton, Doug Simper) on:

What drove their song writing in the sixties? What has changed in church and culture since then? What have been the resultant changes in their emphases?

Date: 21^st March 2021

Time: Beginning at 5pm with wine and cheese

Hosted by Blackwood Uniting Church Community (266 Main Road, Blackwood SA)

For more information, email Turn on Javascript! or visit blackwooduc.org.au.

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The World Community for Christian Meditation

The World Community for Christian Meditation SA is holding a Community Day on Saturday 17th April 2021 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 139 Archer Street, North Adelaide, from 11 am to 3 pm. The Honorary Assistant Priest at St Peter’s Cathedral, Rev Joan Claring-Bould will speak to us about her friendship with Henri Nouwen. To fulfil COVID requirements please register your attendance at https://www.trybooking.com/BOJCJ or email Turn on Javascript!. Please bring your own lunch and cup. Suggested donation: $15. Parking is available behind the church (entering via Walter Street).

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Pilgrim Uniting Church Lunchtime Organ Recitals

Pilgrim's free Thursday lunchtime organ recitals are back! The 30 minute recitals will be held on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. The first recital for 2021 will feature Pilgrim's Organist and Choir Director, Peter Kelsall playing music for the Lenten season.

Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 1– 1:30 pm, 12 Flinders St Adelaide 5000 (Opposite Victoria Square.)

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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.

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

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

World Day of Prayer
It’s time to care about Aged Care: Standing up for Older Australians
Building Bridges Between Faiths
Palm Sunday Peace Walk
Australian Women Preach
16^th Assembly goes Online
UCA Act2 Project
SA Synod Justice e-Newsletter
CALD and Intercultural Ministry Online Survey 2021
Highbury Street Fund – Applications for the 1^st round of funding for 2021
Sacred People, Sacred Earth – Global Day of Action