No Images? Click here October 2017News from SynodFlorence and Sheryil AllenFlorence Allen, an 80-year-old Indian woman, and her 50-year-old daughter Sheryil have been given an extra eight weeks to stay in Australia but still face deportation because of Sheyril's autism.The struggle to keep the family of synod employee Jacqueline Vanderholt together has been covered in Crosslight here and here. Mainstream media outlets including The Project, the ABC and SBS have also featured the family's plight. Please consider asking church members to contact their local federal members and urge them to stop this cruel separation. The more pressure that is brought to bear on Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, the more chance there is of keeping this family together. There is also an online petition calling for Florence and Sheryil to stay. Medically Supervised Injecting CentresClick here to read a letter from Moderator Sharon Hollis to all ministers in placement asking them to support the campaign for bipartisan political support to trial Medically Supervised Injecting Centres (MSIC) in Victoria and Tasmania. These actions are in line with the resolution adopted at the last Synod meeting. Dying with Dignity consultationThe Justice and International Mission unit is calling on church members to share their views on voluntary assisted dying as the Victorian parliament debates a Dying with Dignity Bill. The JIM unit has released a discussion paper to inform and guide the synod's conversation. Church members are encouraged to make their submissions to the JIM unit before Friday 20 October 2017. Submissions can be sent to: End of Life Options Submission, c/- Justice and International Mission Unit Uniting Church Synod Centre, 130 Little Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 or email: jim@victas.uca.org.au The JIM unit welcomes the chance to consult with presbyteries, congregations and small groups to hear views on the issues raised by the paper. To arrange a meeting, call (03) 9251 5271 or email jim@victas.uca.org.au Anti-Poverty Week (15-21 October)Poverty and severe hardship affect more than a million Australians. Around the world more than a billion people are desperately poor. For more information and ideas on what your congregation can do to fight poverty visit www.antipovertyweek.org.au or email apw@antipovertyweek.org.au or call 1300 797 290 Letter-writing actions for Anti-Poverty Week are also available from the Synod Justice and International Mission Unit, email jim@victas.uca.org.au or call (03) 9251 5265 Bethel CentreNews from the Centre for Theology & MinistryA People of God on the WayJoin assembly president-elect Dr Deidre Palmer and Pilgrim Theological College systematic theology teacher Rev Dr Geoff Thompson for an afternoon forum to explore the current and future shape of the Uniting Church in Australia. This 40th anniversary event will be held from 2pm to 5.30pm at the Centre for Theology & Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville. The event is free but please RSVP here for catering purposes. Read more about this and see what else is on this month at CTM here. To see what is on later in the year click the calendar below. UA SundayOn Sunday, 8 October, Uniting Church congregations will take part in “UA Sunday”, which draws together all the festivities of Uniting AgeWell’s annual Celebration of Ageing Well. This special service is intended to give thanks to God for the wonderful diversity of backgrounds and life experiences of Uniting AgeWell customers and their families.It is also an opportunity for congregations to be proud of Uniting AgeWell as a mission of the Uniting Church. To assist worship leaders in their preparation for “UA Sunday”, the Uniting AgeWell Mission Committee has made available a suite of resources, which can be obtained from the Uniting AgeWell website, or by contacting Uniting AgeWell Director of Mission John Broughton at: JBroughton@unitingagewell.org. News from Uniting Vic.Tas Induction of mission and ethos partnerModerator Sharon Hollis will be presiding at the induction of Rev Lisa Stewart as the mission and ethos partner, Western Victoria & Tasmania with Uniting Vic.Tas from 1.30pm on Wednesday 15 November, at Ballarat Central Uniting Church, 103 Lydiard Street South Ballarat. All are welcome. Refreshments to follow. News from AssemblyBe prepared for fire seasonAssembly’s national disaster recovery officer Rev Dr Stephen Robinson is urging people to ready for fire season, which has already come to some parts of the country. Read more about why preparation matters and find resources here. Same-gender marriageAs the debate on the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey continues some members may be unsure of the Uniting Church’s position. All who would like to understand this better are encouraged to read this statement from President Stuart McMillan. NoticesPositions vacant and placementsVicTas Synod For details on the following job opportunities see here Children’s and Families Ministry Coordinator, Grovedale Uniting Church, part-time Other Remote Area Ministry Patrol Minister, Frontier Services, South Australia Multicultural Project Officer, Presbytery of South Moreton, Queensland Minister of the word, Floreat All Saints Uniting Church Congregation, Western Australia For other VicTas Synod job opportunities click here |