UC e-News 6th September 2022
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6th September 2022
Moderator Update
We give thanks to God for the gradual healing of our Moderator, Bronte Wilson. Thank you to the SA Synod for your many prayers. Bronte has now commenced a return to work program over the coming weeks. He will undertake limited activities as Moderator and the Ex-Moderator, Rev Sue Ellis will continue to support him. Please make contact with the Moderator through the moderator@sa.uca.org.au email address or through the Synod phone number (08) 82364200.
Uniting College for Leadership and Theology joins the University of Divinity
Uniting College for Leadership and Theology (UCLT) is pleased to announce that it has joined the University of Divinity. This announcement marks a significant new era in its Higher Education Provider arrangements. UCLT, formally Parkin-Wesley College, has been a member of the Adelaide College of Divinity since 1979 and has had a long-standing partnership with Flinders University. Read more
Food for the Soul SALA Art Exhibition 2022 at the Red Dove Cafe
L to R: Grant Piggot, Rev Sue Ellis, Rev Ruthmary Bond, Rev Mark Schultz
The Food for the Soul Art Exhibition was officially launched on August 31st at the Red Dove Cafe at the Royal Adelaide Show. Food for the Soul is an Art Poster display by original artists that speak to the resilience and hope that rural people exhibit in their daily lives, qualities of the soul that encourage all people and bring joy. Read more
MediaCom Education
MediaCom Education is the publisher for the Uniting Church in Australia and an official agency of the Synod of South Australia and publishes local Christian authors of integrity to fit its vision, value, and identity. MediaCom's new premises at Building 4, 32-56 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Mile End (just 12 steps from Perkup Coffee!) makes a perfect setting to meet the staff, check the clearance stock and view the ever-growing resources for Advent, Christmas and Year A. Each Monday for the four weeks of October, between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm, MediaCom invites you to visit, and to sit around a table at Perkup, grab a book or two to view as you enjoy a beverage, and receive a coffee voucher for any orders over $30.00. Read more
September Creation Care Guide – A Letter writing Climate Action
At the June 2022 Synod meeting, a new Synod Climate Action Plan was endorsed including: to encourage and resource Uniting Church members to engage and communicate with their local Federal and State members of Parliament to call for stronger climate action. Further information and resources are available at this link.
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is taking place right now with over 4,000 people from across the global church gathering in Karlsruhe, Germany, for its 11th Assembly. Running from 31st August - 8th September, with some pre-gatherings held last weekend this is the first Assembly in nine years. For more information and to access available resources please visit this link.
National Child Protection Week
For over 30 years, the National Association for Prevention of Child abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) has been running the annual National Child Protection Week (NCPW) campaign. Each campaign builds on the strengths of previous years and has evolved to provide support to communities to act on the core message, 'protecting children is everyone’s business.' Read more
Expression of Interest - Synergy
Synergy is a collective buying group, established by the Uniting Church in Australia Synod of South Australia. It combines the buying power of 17 Uniting Church associated organisations in the aged care, health care, community, school and church sectors to obtain the best value for money from suppliers. The Synergy Committee is currently seeking expressions of interest from suitably experienced individuals for the role of volunteer Committee members. Read more
Event highlights
Life FM - Community Festival
Radio Station Life FM is planning a Community Festival Day at its premises in Hendon. The day will include live music, stalls, amusements and tours of the Life FM studio. Organisers are reaching out to churches across Adelaide to come together to help provide free fun activities for families and to show Christ’s love in a non-threatening environment. Life FM are seeking volunteers willing to come and represent your church while helping run games and activities. Read more
Uniting Church National History Society - Call for Papers
The Uniting Church National History Society (UCNHS) 2023 Conference will be held in Darwin in August 2023. The theme is ‘Truth Telling: From Colonising to Covenanting.’ The organising committee has issued a Call for Papers for the conference. 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:
Vlogging from the World Council of Churches
Our inclusive Church
The power of a helping hand
- World Council of Churches
- September Creation Care Guide - A letter writing Climate Action
- Life FM Community Festival
- Expression of Interest - Synergy Committee
- Uniting Church National History Society - Call for Papers
- New opportunities for welcoming refugees in local communities
- Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee Award
- Connecting with Ancestors Retreat
- Emergency Relief
- Safe Church Update
- COVID-19 Update
- Thuruna Campsite - 60th Anniversary - Save the Date!
- African Community - Ecumenical Prayer Service
- RU OK? It's more than small talk
- Uniting Church Historical Society Public Meeting
- Assembly - Job Vacancies
- Season of Creation 2022 Worship Resources available now
Reflection of the week
What a shock! How does Luke 14:25-33 fit with the God of love, having life and living it abundantly, honouring your mother and father, and loving your neighbour? How do we hear this as a follower of Jesus? If we focused on Jesus’ teaching and call to us, where would be our focus? What would we value most? What does it mean within our family of God?
In ancient times, family, position in society and possessions gave security and a place in community. It was paramount to identity. This would have been confronting. It is to us today. Read more
Prayer points
This week we pray:
- For all nations that they will come to the aid of Pakistan and its peoples as they come to terms with the devastation and loss of life caused by flooding
- For all in attendance at the World Council of Churches Assembly as they meet together in faith
- For all coping with the impacts of climate change and for those advocating for a better climate future for all nations.
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.
- 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 >>>
- Amplify Conference for Children, Youth and Family Ministry >>>
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.
