UC e-News 2nd August 2022
No images? Click here
2nd August 2022
Homelessness Week 2022
This 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.
UnitingCare Australia is conducting a survey for Homelessness Week, from 1-7 August 2022. Read more
Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee Award
The 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 Ministries
As 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 Chaplaincy
Our 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 update
Through 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 highlight
Leading Youth Ministry Teams
Join 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:
Read more
Assembly Update
News highlights from the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia this week include:
Why Innovate?
A reflection on the State of the Environment
Equipping young ecumenical leaders
- Homelessness Week 2022
- Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee Award
- Prayer & Praise points for Mwandi
- Celebration of Ministries (Synod '22)
- Lay Preachers' Sunday
- Frontier Services - Bush Chaplaincy
- Emergency Relief Centres
- Adelaide Theological Library Book Sale
- Suicide Awareness Day banner offer
- Safe Church Update
- Dollars & Sense
- Sedan Life exhibition
- COVID-19 Update
- Support Sri Lanka: An Emergency Appeal for Sri Lanka
- L'Arche Adelaide
- Series 3 of the 'Dwelling' Podcast with Rev Dr Paul Goh
Reflection of the week
Leaving the Garden
by Richard Rohr
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 points
This week we pray:
- For those impacted by the ongoing war in Ukraine, and for those who have fled the destruction to find safe-haven in Australia and across the world
- For the athletes representing Australia at the Commonwealth Games who are chasing their sporting dreams
- For the First Peoples in Australia as the government moves towards implementing a referendum for an indigenous voice to parliament
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.
- Adelaide Theological Library Book Sale >>>
- 'Honest to God' revisiting Robinson's ground breaking book - still relevant 60 years on >>>
- Breathe Art Exhibition Opening >>>
- The Relevance of Bonhoeffer's Religionless Christianity >>>
- Concert for Peace, Love and Understanding >>>
- Live Arts at Newland >>>
- Faith, Hope and Love >>>
- Preaching Series: Preaching with a difference >>>
- Accessing Aged Care Services Made Simple >>>
- Christianity and the Making of the Western Mind >>>
- Through their eyes: Safe environments for children and young people >>>
- Celebrating 100 years as a Church community >>>
- Mypolonga Uniting Church
Centenary >>>
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.
