UC e-News 15th November 2022
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15th November 2022
Unexpected Joy - Christmas Appeal 2022
The Christmas season is a time to celebrate JOY. Churches remember the joy of the gift of a Saviour to the world arriving in the baby Jesus. The Seniors Ministry Unit through Uniting Church Fellowship and Mission Support (UCFAMS) is inviting congregations, friendship and fellowship groups, family and youth ministry groups to dig deep this Christmas by donating personal care gifts to make up pamper packs for vulnerable adults. Read more
Worship Resources for 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence 2022
Uniting Church Congregations and Faith Communities are encouraged to participate in ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence,’ beginning on the International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women (November 25). This global campaign is supported by the United Nations and the World Council of Churches. Some relevant resources have been collated for use in the context of worship. Read more
Uniting Church Calendar 2023
The 2023 Uniting Church Calendar is now available for order! The 2023 Calendar features Uniting Church schools and colleges and is both colourful and vibrant; and we extend our sincere thanks to all of the schools for their willingness to be a part of our annual publication. If you would like to order the 2023 Calendar, please visit this link: https://ucasa.org.au/calendars/
Advent Calendar of Daily Devotions
This annual favourite is a wonderful resource for churches to give to each family, to share with visitors or others, emphasising the importance of the Advent. Based on the Revised Common Lectionary, it includes the Scripture, a short devotion, and a brief prayer. It is printed with a larger font for ease of reading. Sold in packs of 10, enabling churches and making it easy to share with visitors or others the church wishes to reach during the Advent season. Read more
Christmas Worship Times
Thanks to those congregations that have informed us of their Christmas Worship times and activities. In preparation for Christmas and New Year, if you haven't already done so, please send through your congregational worship times, and we will feature them on the Synod website. All details can be sent to: engagement@sa.uca.org.au
Free Church Signs
Coonalpyn Uniting Church has held its final service and are now offering to any church who could make use of them, some free standing, good quality signs.
P Reserve parking - Church use only (3 signs)
Come on in! We're here today! (With the Uniting Church logo) (2 signs)
Please contact Graham Sturdy at graham.sturdy3@gmail.com if you are interested.
Christmas Worship Resources
Based on Luke 2:10 - 'Do not be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people,' we are pleased to bring you a range of resources for congregations as you prepare your Christmas and New Year services and activities. Resources include social media graphics, Powerpoint template, poster and postcard designs. The Moderator's Christmas video will soon be added into the resources, all available at this link.
Event highlights
Together Thanksgiving Day
A time of giving thanks for the work of Fellowship, Frontier Services and National and World Mission now known as UC Fellowship and Mission Support.
Speakers for the day include Sureka Goringe, National Director for Uniting World Rob Floyd, current Acting Director Frontier Services, and Rev Sunny Kadaparambil, Bush chaplain for Parkin/Sturt area. Bookings can be made at this link.
Global Leadership Summit for 2022 (GLS22)
Tickets are now available to attend the Global Leadership Summit for 2022 (GLS22) at the Uniting College for Leadership and Theology on the 19th of November. The GLS will be delivered onsite via media presentation with additional access to the materials. To book for this event please follow this link http://ow.ly/8YTf50Lu0ZE
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:
National Floods Appeal
Lending a Listening Ear
Christmas Cards that Fight Poverty
- Worship Resources for 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence 2022
- 2023 Uniting Church Calendar
- MediaCom Advent Calendar of Daily Devotions
- Wool Donations- Thank You
- October Refugee Advocacy Guide - A letter writing action and postcard campaign
- Sally Stamp
- Free Church Signs
- Together Thanksgiving Day
- Call for Auditors
- Spiritual Care Volunteers Needed
- Intergenerational Ministry Training Opportunities
- COVID-19 Update
Reflection of the week
Nature: Our First Ancestor
Once we know that the entire physical world around us, all of creation, is both the hiding place and the revelation place for God, this world becomes home, safe, enchanted, offering grace to any who look deeply.
I want us to consider our relationship with land ... To think of ourselves as a part of creation rather than apart from it. What if the land is a being in its own right? That concept is not as foreign as you might
think. And what if the land and all that grows from it and on it and in it are sentient beings in their own right?
Read more
Prayer points
This week we pray:
We pray for all those who have been affected by the flooding across the country, as well as those who have put themselves on the front lines to rescue people, sandbag houses, prepare shelter, and provide comfort. May God’s presence give courage and hope in the midst of despair
For those whose homes are unsafe places and for those living in violence and abuse. May we pray for their safety, healing and strength
For all in the Uniting Church who go above and beyond to faithfully serve their local communities and wider society.
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.
- Movie: Death Makes Life Possible; followed by "A Life and Death Conversation" >>>
- 'Being a Dad' - Free Workshop >>>
- Quiznite with a difference >>>
- BUC Community Program Christmas Craft Fair 2022 >>>
- 'Crossing Place' - An Advent Retreat Day >>>
- Global Leadership Summit 2022 - GLS22 Local >>>
- Morialta Uniting Church Christmas Market >>>
- Journey to a Just Earth >>>
- Carols in the Bush >>>
- Mystic Forest Sound Meditation >>>
- Gingerbread House Making >>>
- Together Thanksgiving Day >>>
- Climate Action Resources Expo >>>
- Poets Corner with Norm Habel >>>
- Joy to the World (Fundraiser Christmas concert) >>>
- 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.
