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e-news April 2011
Welcome to Community Connections.
To keep Community Connections of interest to the widest possible readership, we welcome for consideration news and information about initiatives, events and activities from all parts of the Synod. Regional contributions, and stories of how your congregation supports Living is Giving, are especially welcome. Email your material (maximum 150 words) to us. Thank you!
This issue includes:
• April Insights: Boots ’n’ Bible — Pilgrims hit the trail
• Churches in Japan recover as ecumenical spirit shines
• Roundup: The soul, the Bible, exorcism and martyrdom
• Long term unemployed need skills, not further discrimination
• Youth and Young Adult Ministry
• Quakers Hill family lend a hand in the Outback
• Ongoing support for Queensland and New Zealand
• Expert says faith groups play an environmental role
• Worship, Theology and Discipleship: Doc.bytes
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
• Insights website is new so take a look!
• Get your message out by advertising in Insights
• Easter: a time for new beginnings
• National Godly Play Conference Australia
• Focus on the New Testament: Reading the Text, Ministering in the World
LIVING IS GIVING: PRAYER POINTS AND RESOURCES
• Share your faith and life goals through Living is Giving
NEWS AND INITIATIVES
Message from the Moderator
On Monday, June 13, I am planning a pilgrimage from the start of the Parramatta River to North Head by foot and ferry. READ ON
April Insights: Boots ’n’ Bible — Pilgrims hit the trail
Grab your boots and your Bible for a modern pilgrimage — that’s what Insights magazine is encouraging this Easter. Read about Australian pilgrims who’ve already hit the trail and what some, including the President of the Uniting Church and this Synod’s Moderator, have planned. Also in this issue:
- How churches are going solar and reaping the benefits.
- Easter and Anzac day — together this year, but how do they diverge?
- The director of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (released recently on Blu-Ray and DVD) talks about this Narnia film’s special warmth and appeal. READ ON
Churches in Japan recover as ecumenical spirit shines
As recovery efforts in Japan proceed, the full impact of the earthquake and tsunami two weeks ago continues to be felt by some of the World Council of Churches (WCC) member churches there. At the same time prayers, letters of solidarity and, in some cases, monetary support are coming in from the ecumenical community in Asia as well as around the world. READ ON
New host for Open House
During the final Open House show for Sheridan Voysey on Sunday March 27, it was announced that Sky News Reader Leigh Hatcher would be the new show host, beginning Sunday May 1 from 8pm. READ ON
Roundup: The soul, the Bible, exorcism and martyrdom
A review of Of Gods and Men, a rise in the demand for exorcisms, what makes the King James version so good, and why spirituality is essential to consciousness. READ ON
Long term unemployed need skills, not further discrimination
UnitingCare Australia says better services and supports will ensure long-term unemployed Australians find meaningful, long-term employment. READ ON
Youth and Young Adult Ministry
The Transit Lounge is the Uniting Church in Australia's leading youth and young adult publication. Check out the new look Transit Lounge and join us on Facebook!
Quakers Hill family lend a hand in the Outback
It was a family holiday that Matt and Sarah Smith will not forget. The couple and their four children drove 1,000 kilometres to an isolated
cattle station to lend a hand to a stranger in flood-affected Queensland over
their summer break. READ ON
Ongoing support for Queensland and New Zealand
It has been distressing for us all to observe the devastation and loss caused by the natural disasters that have befallen Australia and New Zealand. You have responded to appeals with the generosity we have come to know from Uniting Church members, and as a church we were able to add to this with a donation from our Disaster Relief Fund. READ ON
Expert says faith groups play an environmental role
Religious denominations and people of faith play crucial roles in caring for the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change, according to the head of the Alliance of Religions and Conservation. READ ON
Worship, Theology and Discipleship: Doc.bytes
Worksheets to support (Bible study) groups or individuals in personal reflection: two new Doc.bytes - "The Lord's Supper" and "Living the Christian Life" have been printed. Click here for copies or contact the Assembly office on (02) 8267 4220 to purchase glossy copies.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Music for Passion Week
Vocal Ensemble, Mixed Blessings, will present sacred music by Pergolesi and Mendelssohn. Amelia Koh-Butler (soprano) and Radhika Sukumar (mezzo-soprano). There is no cost for tickets, however, donations towards costs will be gratefully received. Dates and locations:
- 1 pm, Sunday April 17, 264 Pitt Street, Sydney.
- 8 pm, Tuesday April 19, 16 Masons Drive, North Parramatta.
- 6 pm, Thursday April 21, 16 Lakeside Road, Eastwood, Tenebrae (includes dinner, costs will be separate). Bookings essential, call 9858 5732 or mail ucaeastwood@optusnet.com.au.
- 3 pm, Friday April 22, 31 Carrington Avenue, Strathfield.
Does your website work?
Uniting Creative now offers special web packages to ensure your congregation, church agency or not-for-profit organisation makes an impact on the web! It’s easy to make your mark with our Starter, Plus, Premium or Custom Web packages. Email us to connect with your online community.
Uniting Creative web designer Esther Turnbull has been helping congregations and others to design websites that work. Meet the team online.
Insights website is new so take a look!
Uniting Creative launched Insights’ new website in late March. It looks great, is easy to navigate and offers visitors greater interactivity, including the ability to comment, post and re-tweet items of interest. It’s designed to attract younger readers while keeping our regular readers happy too! Potential subscribers and advertisers will find the site informative — with premium advertising space now available for purchase. Insights’ web address remains the same: www.insights.uca.org.au.
Get your message out by advertising in Insights
Advertising in Insights magazine and on the Insights website is the best way to reach Uniting Church members in New South Wales and the ACT. For more information about recruitment ads and contract bookings, email Adrian Drayton.
Easter: a time for new beginnings
Be part of the celebrations in April as Wesley Mission prepares for Holy Week and brings the message of Easter to our city and nation. READ ON
ABC Compass program
The ABC Compass program on Good Friday April 22 at 6.30 will feature the church at Ernabella in the far north west of South Australia. The program is titled No Ordinary Mission and includes interviews with Pitjantjatjara people who attended the re-opening of the church in March 2010. For information please call the Rev. Dr Bill Edwards on 08 82725915.
Services Worshability
A worship service for children and young people with differing abilities (and their families) – a chance to get close to God, have fun, express yourself, celebrate and share with others. There is a theme and activity to participate in, and an afternoon tea. For enquiries please contact Sue on 0425 36 08 26 or Christine on 0409 925 607. St Matthew’s Uniting Church, Baulkham Hills, May 29, August 21, November 13, 2.30 pm – 4.00 pm.
National Godly Play Conference Australia
Three days of training provided by international Godly Play trainers. Internationally accredited certificate for Godly Play teachers, especially professional children’s ministry workers, school chaplains, etc. Conference includes a Godly Play showcase Expo, and an official launch of Godly Play in Australia. The Centre for Ministry, Masons Drive, North Parramatta, July 13-17, 2011. For more info contact the Children’s Ministry team on (02) 8267 4295.
Youth Ministry: Unfiltered
Unfiltered is a Youth Ministry Intensive being held over the weekend of June 10-12, 2011, aimed at stretching, supporting, educating and building up people in ministry with young people.
READ ON
Focus on the New Testament: Reading the Text, Ministering in the World
Lecture with Don Hagner, Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary in California USA and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Centre For Ministry, 16 Masons Drive North Parramatta, April 11-14, 2011. For more details go to the website and follow the link or contact Sue Bowra: sueb@nsw.uca.org.au or phone (02) 8838 8936.
LIVING IS GIVING: PRAYER POINTS AND RESOURCES
April Update posters coming soon!
A wonderful diverse array of ministries, is what you help sustain through Living is Giving. To thank you for spreading the seeds of God’s Kingdom and to let the heartwarming stories (of people whose lives are touched by Living is Giving) speak for themselves, we send update posters to congregations and individuals who donated so generously.
Please keep an eye out for them, to read about your congregation’s selected mission focus areas and to learn about the encouraging results of the Living is Giving ministry work - made possible thanks to your financial and prayerful support. Thank you so much!
For more information, visit the website or contact Marije Nieuwenhuis, Missions Promotions Officer on (02) 8267 4475 or marijen@nsw.uca.org.au. You can also find the updates online.
Share your faith and life goals through Living is Giving
Through the areas of Indigenous, cross-cultural, emerging and traditional ministries, theological education, school and tertiary ministry, community services, advocacy, and rural evangelism, Living is Giving brings God’s love to the world and nurtures people as they grow.
From as little as $4 a week you can choose from a variety of mission focus areas that reflect your passions and hope for the Uniting Church’s future.
You can help at this very moment, sitting behind your computer. Make your online contribution:
It’s easy. It’s secure. It’s needed.
With your support you help ensure that the mission and service of the Uniting Church continues well into the future. For more information, contact Marije Nieuwenhuis via email or call 8267 4475.
Thank you!
A personal touch
Living is Giving provides you and your congregation with the opportunity to share the Christian message of hope and love with your community within and beyond the Uniting Church, by hosting a (free) presentation. Our speaker Wah Sim is happy to preach and (or just) speak about the Living is Giving program during your church service.
The Living is Giving presentation is a great way to connect with the mission focus areas you support and to have our speaker contributing to your worship service. Wah Sim can lead your service or take reading and sermon, as you wish.
For more information email or call Camilla Raven at Living is Giving on 8267 4393 and she will be happy to answer your questions!
Prayer points and praise points
Let us pray for the victims of natural disasters all over the world.
Close to home
"We extend to any Uniting Church members our love and support if you have personally suffered loss during this time and all those affected [by the natural disasters in Australia and New Zealand] continue to be present in our prayers as we look forward to lives being rebuilt and spirits renewed", says the Rev. Terence Corkin, Assembly General Secretary.
And abroad
Bathurst city in New South Wales is the sister city of Ohkuma — just five kilometres from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant — and has been deeply affected by the unfolding events in Japan. Over the past 20 years almost 1,000 Bathurst residents have visited Ohkuma or have hosted Ohkuma residents in their homes.
In response to the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis, Bathurst City Uniting Church held a memorial service for the residents of Bathurst on March 23, attended by over 140 people. During the service Mr Faiva gave a message about the need for compassion in the global community, Fudeko Reekie described the 20-year sister city relationship, Bathurst residents spoke about their visits to Ohkuma and Bathurst High Campus students read messages in Japanese to their friends in Ohkuma.
While the primary focus was on the city of Ohkuma and Japan, thoughts and prayers were also with the people of Christchurch and New Zealand.
Let us pray and give thanks for Encouraging young people in our church.
Mission Worker James Ellis of the New England North West presbytery: “To lead our youth group we did the Uniting Church training program for Leadership and Teamwork formation. My coworker Katie Evans and I take our task ‘of engaging in God's activity in this world’ seriously and leading children and young people in church requires more than basic, secular leadership skills.
The future of our church lies in the hands of the young generation and it is vital that they feel connected to church life and are being well guided in their journey through life and faith. Training will let us grow in our role and give us the pastoral sense that you need to be a church youth group leader.
Thank you for your support, and to find out more about this mission focus area and other Living is Giving activities please visit our website.
Studying journalism, graphic design or communications and would like to offer your skills to Insights? Go to http://news.nsw.uca.org.au/employment/2009/graduates-students.htm to learn how.
CONTACT US: unitingcreative@nsw.uca.org.au
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