UC e-News 2nd August 2022 No images? Click here 2nd August 2022Homelessness Week 2022This year, Homelessness Week runs from 1-7 August, and there are a number of actions you can take. Everybody’s Home is asking for signatures on a petition to Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, calling for a significant investment in social housing in the October Budget. Homelessness Australia will be conducting a series of events during Homelessness Week, which you can
take part in. Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee AwardThe Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee (SERC) is indeed grateful to the Synod for the continued funding of the Ecumenical Award which for 2022 was won by the Fulham-Henley Uniting Church. The award is given to a congregation each year that has done most to foster ecumenical relations within the local community. SERC is now calling for submissions for the 2023 award either in writing or electronically. Read more Celebration of MinistriesAs part of this year's Synod '22 meeting, a Celebration of Ministries service will be held at Adelaide West Uniting Church on Sunday, 21st August at 2.00 pm. This service celebrates ministry; those who have retired since the last Synod meeting; and those who are celebrating special anniversaries of their ordination. The service will be both in person and live-streamed online. Read more Frontier Services - Bush ChaplaincyOur Bush Chaplains fulfil a role that most people would struggle to do. Visiting people on properties for a cuppa and a chat, they are often on the frontline for identifying issues. They lend a sympathetic ear and can refer people to other service providers as appropriate. They provide practical, pastoral and spiritual support to those in need. Travelling tens of thousands of kilometres every year, our Bush Chaplains collectively visit thousands of families and individuals (including farmers and miners), but getting to remote locations is one of the biggest expenses. From just $10 per month, you can gift an extra tank of fuel for one of our Bush Chaplains. Read more Safe Church updateThrough their eyes - Safe environments for children and young people training is being held on Saturday, 17th September at The Corner Uniting Church, 93 Oaklands Road, Warradale. This is a full day course from 9.30 am - 4.300 pm. Bookings are essential and can be made at this link. Event highlightLeading Youth Ministry TeamsJoin leadership expert Craig Bailey in unpacking and understanding the dynamics of team youth ministry. You will explore: team purpose, mechanics and dynamics, team culture, communication and covenanting. This event is best experienced with your whole youth ministry team! Barista Coffee will be available. To book click here 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: Assembly UpdateNews highlights from the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia this week include: Why Innovate?
Reflection of the weekLeaving the Garden The word “innocent” from its Latin root means “not wounded.” That’s how we all start life. We’re all innocent. It doesn’t have anything to do with morally right or wrong. It has to do with not yet being wounded. We start unwounded. We start innocent, but the killing of our holy innocence (as in Herod’s command to kill the Holy Innocents [Matthew 2:16–18]) is an archetypal image of what eventually happens to all of us. Probably it has to happen for us to grow up. We have to leave the garden. This movement of leaving and returning, forward and back, is the process of transformation. It’s the way we increase the spaciousness of freedom in our lives, so that we have the capacity for true relatedness. Prayer pointsThis week we pray:
COVID-19 updateThe 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 PrioritiesThe 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 EventsPlease 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.
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