UC e-News 30th August 2022
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30th August 2022
Season of Creation
The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration of prayer and action for God’s beautiful Earth. From 1st September – 4th October, the global Christian family around the world unites to pray, protect, and advocate for God’s creation. This year's theme is ‘Listen to the Voice of Creation’ and the full guide and resources are available to download at this link. Read more
RU OK?
Scots Church in the Adelaide CBD is hosting a fun, free and informative day to support your own and your friend's emotional health on Thursday, 8th September from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm. Read more
Child Safe Sunday Resources
Sunday, 4th September is the UCA Child Safe Sunday. Resources are available from the National Safe Church Unit and include a President's video message (for use in the week leading up to the 4th September and on the day itself); President's prayer; Powerpoint for Ministers and leaders/others to use in group settings; and a colouring in activity for children. Please visit: https://safechurch.uca.org.au/resources/ the folder is under Congregations & Presbyteries/UCA Child Safe Sunday Resources.
Assembly Vacancies
Three roles have become available as the Assembly Standing Committee has commenced putting together the Act2 Project Unit to carry the project forward. A project lead will be shortly appointed and the Project Unit will have three staff roles. Read more
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
Event highlights
African Community - Ecumenical Prayer Service
An Ecumenical Prayer Service for Reconciliation, Unity, Peace and Harmony among the African community in South Australia and Africa is being held on Saturday, 10th September at 2.30 pm at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, in the city. Read more
Connecting with Ancestors Retreat
A weekend of connecting with your spiritual heritage through listening to stories of our ancestors and learning through dialogue between the spirituality of First Nations people and the spirituality of the ancient Celts. Enjoy the beautiful Moonta landscape and history with time for walking, writing and reflecting. The registration fee includes the cost of the Retreat’s activities, some meals and a Retreat Reflection Booklet. Attendees will be required to source and fund their own accommodation and some meals. Read more or Register here.
Research Hour: 'Listening with the Ear of Your Heart'
For 1500 years the Rule of Benedict has been the most widely used guide in Western Monasticism. In recent years, the wisdom of the Rule is finding expression beyond the monastery walls in a number of ways. One of those is in the area of leadership and organisation. This presentation will focus on the role of Abbot as spiritual guide/leader of the community and will explore what the Rule has to offer us today. Read more
Safe Church Training - 'Through Their Eyes'
Through their Eyes - Safe Environments for Children and Young People training is being held at The Corner Uniting Church on Saturday, 17th September. This is a full day course from 9.30 am - 4.00 pm. Bookings are essential and can be made at this link: Events Calendar – Safe Church (ucasa.org.au).
Uniting Church Historical Society
The history of Church Youth Movements: 1950s to 1970s is the topic of this event which will take place on Sunday, 18th September from 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm at Malvern Uniting Church. This could be part of your history! A panel of speakers representing the three Uniting denominations will lead a reflection on the way things were and how and why they have changed. 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:
'Bishops all the way down':- oversight in the UCA
How to connect with the World Council of Churches Assembly
Register Now for Walking Together Conference
- New opportunities for welcoming refugees in local communities
- Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee Award
- Connecting with Ancestors Retreat
- Leading Youth Ministry Teams
- Season of Creation 2022 Worship Resources available now
- UCA Child Safe Sunday Resources
- Research Hour: 'Listening with the Ear of your Heart'
- RU OK?
- Assembly Job Vacancies
- Frontier Services Bush Chaplaincy
- Emergency Relief
- Safe Church Update
- COVID-19 Update
- Items for sale
- Thuruna Campsite - 60th Anniversary - Save the Date!
- Uniting Conversations
- African Community - Ecumenical Prayer Service
- Uniting Church Historical Society Public Meeting
Reflection of the week
We all want a place at the table. To have the place that is near the most honoured person in the room, is a wonderful thing! To have a place at all, is an even greater gift.
In Luke 14:1, 7-14 Jesus speaks of a number of aspects – the honouring of hospitality, the honouring of the rules of societal hospitality and the honouring of the guests. As God’s people, we are called to honour each other and God’s creation, hospitably.
Prayer points
This week we pray:
For the people of Pakistan as they come to terms with the devastation caused by extreme flooding and significant loss of life
For the work of bush chaplains as they provide support across diverse and remote regions
For all that may be experiencing depression, anxiety and emotional distress, may they find peace and support at this time.
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.
- Creative Retreat: Rest and Wonder >>>
- Growing and Learning in the Family - Parenting Workshop >>>
- Uniting Conversations >>>
- LGBTIQA+ People's right to Be: Views from the Abrahamic Traditions >>>
- Creative Retreat: Renewal >>>
- Community conversation about Child Sexual Exploitation >>>
- Book Launch - Charles Strong's Australian Church >>>
- History of Youth Movements >>>
- Sandy Creek Uniting Church Annual Wild Flower Walk >>>
- 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 - Lefevre UC >>>
- Mypolonga Uniting Church
Centenary >>> - Spring Fair >>>
- Best of British Music - Proms Style >>>
- Men from the East >>>
- Amplify Conference for Children, Youth and Family Ministry >>>
- Uniting Conversations >>>
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.
