UC e-News 16th August 2022
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16th August 2022
Moderator Bronte Wilson
Following a stressful period for the Moderator, Bronte Wilson, he is currently on extended leave for his well-being and recovery. The Ex-Moderator, Rev Sue Ellis is acting in the Moderator role for the time being and can be contacted on either the Moderator email address or sellis@sa.uca.org.au and on 0427162 009. Your prayers for the Moderator and the Acting Moderator are appreciated.
Acting General Secretary
On Friday 12th August, Synod Standing Committee appointed Rev Philip Gardner (Executive Officer: Placements and Safe Church) and Rev Sue Page (Associate General Secretary) to undertake the role of General Secretary until June Synod 2023. Philip and Sue will be collaborating to ensure that the work of the Synod, equipping and resourcing the congregations, councils and the mission of the church continues. They will also be overseeing the carriage of the decisions of the 2022 Synod meeting. They will also attend to the processes that will allow for the placement of a new General Secretary during 2023. For general enquiries regarding Synod oversight you can contact them through the gensec@sa.uca.org.au. If you need to communicate specifically in relation to their continuing roles then please use their regular emails pgardner@sa.uca.org.au or spage@sa.uca.org.au.
Farewell to Dawn Garrett, Minister Care Advocate for Mercer
L to R: Chanuka Mallawaarachchi, Sue Page, Dawn Garrett, Philip Gardner
The Synod of South Australia bids farewell to Dawn Garrett, who has been our Minister Care Advocate with Mercer for the last 4 years. We wish Dawn well on her retirement. Minister Care Advocates are the link between members, employers and the Trustee. They offer support to ministers who are members of the UCA Beneficiary Fund, now managed by Mercer. Read more
Synod Meeting '22 Update
The Minutes of the Synod held on the 24th and 25th June are now available from the Synod website at the following link.
Expression of Interest - Uniting Venues SA
Uniting Venues SA’s mission is to provide opportunities for exploring faith, fostering community, creative learning and leadership development through exceptional Christian hospitality. The UVSA Committee lives out this mission by providing oversight of its camps, campsites, conference and retreat centres and outdoor education services on behalf of the Synod. The Uniting Venues SA (UVSA) Committee is seeking expressions of interest from suitably experienced individuals for the role of Committee Member. Read more
New opportunities for welcoming refugees in local communities
Uniting Church congregations and faith groups have long been at the forefront of welcoming refugees to Australia. Now your congregation can take the next step and welcome newly arrived Afghan evacuees and other refugees referred by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) living in our communities. The Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) allows us to do just that. The CRSA are looking for volunteers, individuals and groups, to be a part of their Group Mentorship and the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP) Programs. Read more
Event highlights
Asia Sunday
Uniting Church in Australia is member of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and this year CCA encourages all member Churches to observe the Asia Sunday on 21 August 2022 and to use the Asia Sunday liturgy. With a focus on reconciliation and unity in the Asian context, the special liturgy contains prayers of intercession for the people of Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the Philippines that are coping with challenging and uncertain times. Read more
Uniting Conversations
In these uncertain times there are and will continue to be increasing numbers of people who are refugees coming to Australia whether for political, economic, climate or other reasons. Listening to refugees and their advocates and hearing their stories is important before we can understand how best to offer assistance to them. Walking in Refugees' Shoes is an event being held on Sunday, September 4th from 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm at the Seacliff Uniting Church. Read more
During these difficult times we are pleased to provide you with resources for worship leaders to use to encourage people to worship and pray together as a gathered community or at home. These resources have been prepared by Rev Cheryl Wilson:
Read more
Assembly Update
News highlights from the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia this week include:
What's great about your Uniting Church?
Celebrating the lives of our Creatives
Empowering Community Voices in Bali
- Acting General Secretary
- New opportunities for welcoming refugees in local communities
- Asia Sunday 2022 Worship Resource
- Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee Award
- Celebration of Ministries (Synod '22)
- Celebrity Quiz Night & Silent Auction
- Connecting with Ancestors Retreat
- Frontier Services Bush Chaplaincy
- Emergency Relief
- Sedan Life Exhibition
- Safe Church Update
- COVID-19 Update
- Items for sale
- Thuruna Campsite - 60th Anniversary - Save the Date!
- Uniting Conversations
Reflection of the week
‘When we discern the sacramental principle in the world—the presence of God in every person and every place—then we can rejoice and celebrate the fullness of life and the joy of creation.’ (John Chryssavgis, Creation as Sacrament).
Greek Orthodox theologian John Chryssavgis compares creation to an ‘icon … the epiphany of God in the world and the existence of the world in the presence of God.’ [1] He writes: ‘Just as the Spirit is the “air” that the whole world breathes, so too the earth is the “ground” which we all share. Were God not present in the density of a city, or in the beauty of a forest, or in the sand of a desert, then God would not be present in heaven either.' Read more
Prayer points
This week we pray:
- For the people of Sri Lanka, Myanmar and the Philippines that are coping with challenging and uncertain times
- For those people that find themselves without a secure place to live and for actions, policies and changes that enable everyone to have a home
- For peace and understanding by all nations in the Asia Pacific region.
COVID-19 update
The Synod of SA is adapting and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. For all current updates please visit the Synod website COVID page at this link.
Our Strategic Priorities
The Uniting Church Synod of SA has embarked on a journey to identify its key missional priorities and directions for the next 3-5 years. Read more
Upcoming Events
Please note, many gatherings of people in SA may be further impacted by recent COVID-19 restrictions. The list below is the most up-to-date information available at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
- Accessing Aged Care Services Made Simple >>>
- Interfaith Forum: 1001 Persian tales - how do we learn from one another - food, story, song and discussion >>>
- Regenerate Australia >>>
- Conclusion of Placement >>>
- Preaching Series: Preaching with a Difference >>>
- Creative Retreat: Rest and Wonder >>>
- Uniting Conversations >>>
- LGBTIQA+ People's right to Be: Views from the Abrahamic Traditions >>>
- Creative Retreat: Renewal >>>
- The Seminary of the Third Age: Beyond Literalism: Seven Gods in the Bible >>>
- Christianity and the Making of the Western Mind >>>
- Growing and Learning in the Family - Parenting Workshop >>>
- Through their eyes: Safe environments for children and young people >>>
- Celebrating 100 years as a Church community - Lefevre UC >>>
- Mypolonga Uniting Church
Centenary >>> - Spring Fair >>>
Positions & Placements vacant
Placements News is available here.
Submitting Content
UC e-News is the weekly e-newsletter of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of South Australia. If you wish to include content in UC e-News or on the Synod of South Australia website please submit it by 10am on Tuesdays.
