Community Connections July 2011

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Welcome to a new and shiny Community Connections

Welcome to a new and shiny Community Connections. Your
e-newsletter keeps you up-to-date with news and announcements from the Synod of New South Wales and the ACT and provides you with feedback about the Living is Giving program via prayer points and news from mission focus areas.

Living is Giving has a new look – and it includes you!

Living is Giving — the church's major fundraising and stewardship program — has a new look! Glowing and growing, as is God's Kingdom. The tree stands for growth. Yellow is the colour of optimism and hope. The leaves are Uniting Church individuals and our congregations, united in faith and joined in ministry. Every leaf is vital and together we prepare for the blooming of the Kingdom of God!

Living is Giving... And Receiving!

Bathurst Uniting Church took up the offer of the Principal of United Theological College: "How can we [UTC] help your congregation?" Bathurst invited Clive Pearson to run a workshop and preach in a weekend in February this year. The theme, based on Paul's epistles, was "You've got mail". Members from as far as Oberon and Grenfell attended the workshop.

Don't forget the power of a good story – Jesus didn't!

Invite our Living is Giving speaker to lift your ministry spirits with God's word and encouraging Living is Giving success stories! Our passionate presenter is happy to come to your worship service to speak about the Living is Giving program; this is a great way to connect with the mission focus areas you support.

Three ways to support us

Only through your support can we continue to do what we do

Give

You can give a one off gift or consider setting up a regular contribution.

Do you have a story to share? We want to hear about how your congregation has supported Living is Giving, or how we have supported you! Email your story, with a photo or two, to Marije.

Pray

"What kind of letter might Paul write to your congregation?" is the theme of a Living is Giving story in this Community Connections.
Paul also encouraged us to put all kinds of prayers to God.

• Message from the moderator

• National Church Life Survey 2011 – Order your survey forms now

• Australian churches take a punt on stopping gambling addiction

• Waste Not Want Not: Hillston Uniting initiative feeds thousands

• Christian Book of the Year 2011 shortlist

• Christian bodies agree on code of conduct for evangelising

• Burnside celebrates centenary

July Insights:
High Stakes

Three quarters of severe problem gamblers play poker machines and the social costs of problem gambling are high. The Australian Churches Gambling Taskforce supports the introduction of pre-commitment technology (requiring gamblers to choose and stick to gambling limits) on poker machines.

What's new at
Uniting Creative

• Temporary offer: free recruitment ads on Insights' new online job board

• Uniting Creative designed the new Living is Giving look, including photography

• Need photos to fire up your image?

• Advertise in Insights…reach print and web audiences

• Want a website? Too easy!

Synod 2011: On New & Risky Paths

Hunter minister and Moderator-elect, the Rev. Brian Brown, says the Hunter Presbytery is excited to be hosting the 2011 meeting of the Synod of New South Wales and the ACT.
Synod's opening service will be held on Friday September 23. The meeting itself will run September 24-27.

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Living is Giving
NSW ACT Synod

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