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e-news June 2010
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. Send your material (maximum 150 words) to kima@nsw.uca.org.au.
This issue includes:
• Message from the Moderator: Engage in ethics discussion
• The latest from Uniting Creative
• New rate card for Insights advertising
• Evangelism and social justice belong together
• WCC concerned over tensions on Korean peninsula
• Are 'faith-based initiatives' good for congregations?
• Vulnerable Australians miss out on social support
• Religion-themed films take top prizes at Cannes
• Need a banner that will stand out?
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
• Myall Creek Commemoration 2010
• Church survey: Childhood Christian memories from the elderly
• Fishing Nets or Safety nets? Creating Church to Connect to the Unchurched
• Lay specified ministry of pastor 2010 conference
• FUTURE DIMENSIONS: Mission Re-imagined
• Young Leadership Council International Conference 2010
• Vocal Concert in the Knox Chapel
LIVING IS GIVING: PRAYER POINTS AND RESOURCES
• Get Planning! Send in your Leaders Guide and Planning Forms
• Host your own Living is Giving presentation in 2010
NEWS AND INITIATIVES
Message from the Moderator: Engage in ethics discussion
In many congregations in the Macquarie-Darling, as well as in the Mid-North Coast and Riverina Presbyteries, I have discovered a great dedication and passion for the teaching of SRE in schools. READ ON
The latest from Uniting Creative
In June Insights you can read reportage of the recent Christian Conference of Asia Assembly, Howard Packer explains the pilot of ethics classes in government schools and John Jegasothy’s ministry with Tamil refugees is profiled. READ ON
New rate card for Insights advertising
Insights is the easiest way to communicate with the Synod of New South Wales and the ACT. Download the revised advertising kit including deadlines, rates and reader demographics here.
Evangelism and social justice belong together
The need to keep together evangelism and the quest for social justice was highlighted by a representative of an ecumenical mission body speaking at an international church conference in Edinburgh on June 3. READ ON
People want to change the world and not simply start another ministry program. READ ON
WCC concerned over tensions on Korean peninsula
Deep concern over the precarious situation people on the Korean peninsula are facing was expressed by the general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in a letter to WCC member churches in South Korea. READ ON
Are 'faith-based initiatives' good for congregations?
Congregations play an enormous role in the economy of social care, but they have to be free to find and exercise that role in partnership, along with, and at the side of non-congregational approaches. READ ON
Vulnerable Australians miss out on social support
UnitingCare Australia’s National Director, Susan Helyar, said that getting access to social security payments in times of crisis was proving too difficult for the people who needed them most. READ ON
Is reason always right?
Science and logic are often held up as the only way to answer the modern world's big questions. But is there a role for instinct, inherited wisdom, or even God? READ ON MORE
Religion-themed films take top prizes at Cannes
A Buddhist-inspired Thai film has won the coveted Palme d’Or for best picture at the Cannes film festival. “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives,” a mystical exploration of reincarnation as a well-to-do farmer confronts his imminent death, was directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul. READ ON
President on Synod TV
Input from the Rev. Alistair Macrae, President of the
Need a banner that will stand out?
If your church or organisation takes part in community events, make sure what’s on offer stands out. Uniting Creative will design your portable banner to give your message impact. Email unitingcreative@nsw.uca.org.au now for a free quotation.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Myall Creek Commemoration 2010
The annual memorial commemoration ceremony for those who died in the 1838 Myall Creek massacre will be held at Myall Creek on Saturday, June 12.
Engage the Basis
A conference to explore the theological commitments and responsibilities of the Uniting Church in Australia (Engaging the Basis: Theological Directions of the Uniting Church) will be held in Melbourne, July 9-11.
It will include a public forum, which will explore the theological intentions of the Joint Commission on Church Union when it was writing the Basis of Union, and reflect on how the Basis has shaped the actual life of the Uniting Church. Presenters include Dean Drayton, Andrew Dutney, Norman Young and Ben Myers. See www.engagingthebasis.ucaweb.com.au.
Congregational renewal
The School of Continuing Education is distributing a book and study guide that could help congregations effectively relate to their communities, particularly as the Uniting Church begins to work in association with the Sydney Alliance.
The book by New York community organiser Michael Gecan is Effective Organizing for Congregational Renewal. The related guide has been written by the Rev. Dr Robert McFarlane.
Contact Sue Bowra, 8838 8936 or or visit nsw.uca.org.au/boe/sce/.
Church survey: Childhood Christian memories from the elderly
Pennant Hills Uniting Church in Sydney has embarked on a project to research and produce a resource for ageing people based on their childhood Christian memories.
In association with UnitingCare Ageing Northern Sydney Region, the Pennant Hills church is establishing a database by surveying as many people as possible, mainly over the age of 60, about their childhood Christian memories.
The survey will provide data for the development of a resource, which will assist ageing people (including those with dementia) to maintain their Christian experience and express their Christian faith by connecting with meaningful Christian experiences from their childhood and youth.
The results will guide the design of an audio device (and associated kit) containing hymns, choruses, Bible verses, prayers, poems and biblical stories from early childhood. The survey, which can be filled in electronically and returned by email or as a hard copy, is available from Fenton Sharpe.
Fishing Nets or Safety nets?
Creating Church to Connect to the Unchurched
Canberra: June 23
Hunter: June 24
Centre for Ministry: June 25-26.
Contact: Peter Hopkins
Lay specified ministry of pastor 2010 conference
General Competencies, Lay Education and Formation.
When: July 20-21
Where: Centre for Ministry, North Parramatta
Cost: $70 for both days or $40 per day (includes morning & afternoon teas & lunches)
For more information or to register 8838 8916 or 0433 739 105 or jorger@nsw.uca.org.au or elm@nsw.uca.org.au
FUTURE DIMENSIONS: Mission Re-imagined
Re-claiming Mission in an emerging century
Reflections from some of Australia’s most prominent religious thinkers.
The conference takes an unapologetic progressive stand in believing that we need to move from past ‘certainties’ to struggle with the nature of faith in the 21st century.
If home is a marketplace for beliefs, if poverty looms on our doorstep, where is the mission field?
Speakers: Fr. Peter Kennedy, Graham Long, Fr David Smith, Penny Davies, Gordon Bradbery, Captain Robin Moulds
Where: Chapel by the Sea, Bondi Beach and HopeStreet Urban Compassion, Darlinghurst
When: July 23-25
For info: 9130-3445 or chapel@ucabondibeach.com.au
Young Leadership Council International Conference 2010
Each year, the International Council of Christians and Jews YLC hosts a conference that brings together a group of carefully selected participants from diverse religious backgrounds and geographical locations. We are very excited to be hosting this year’s YLC Conference in Dublin, Ireland, 28 July to 1 Aug 2010. MORE INFO
Vocal Concert in the Knox Chapel
On June 17, 7:30pm, a special concert from Knox Grammar School Gallery Choir and Kappella with orchestra and organ. Hear the Mozart Sparrow Mass, Missa
LIVING IS GIVING: PRAYER POINTS AND RESOURCES
Get Planning! Send your Leaders Guide and Planning forms
Has your congregation made its decisions about which mission focus areas to support in the coming financial year, and how much money it can contribute?
Living is Giving gives your congregation an opportunity to make choices about which areas of the wider church’s mission to support — choices that reflect your own convictions and passion.
Please give generously. Talk to your congregation about increasing your contribution from last year, if possible, to ensure that the important ministries of our church can continue. Working together, all congregations can genuinely make a difference!
Planning Forms for 2009–10 are due in by June 30. If you need a new form, just contact Kimberly Almarza on (02) 8267 4475 or kima@nsw.uca.org.au.
For more information, visit the website
Host your own Living is Giving presentation in 2010
Make a new financial year's resolution by challenging your congregation to be more active in discipleship and stewardship. 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. To find out how you can become part of the bigger picture and learn how your congregation can make a difference to the lives of others, we invite you to host a free Living is Giving presentation. Our passionate presenters are happy to come to worship service and speak about their work or Living is Giving in general. This is a great way to connect with the mission focus areas you support. For more information please call Danielle Pitts on 8267 4475, 8267 4475.
Each year Living is Giving continues to advance the church’s mission work in ways that have changed many lives for the better. The current year, 2010-11, already looks exciting, with new ventures and significant achievements. Contributions by congregations and individuals through Living is Giving have helped make these activities possible.
Pray and give thanks for:
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Caring for our Carers
Many people draw great satisfaction from being a carer. But caring for someone, even someone that you love, can be a physically and emotionally draining job. It’s an exhausting job where carers experience a myriad of emotions from satisfaction to stress, frustration, and fear.
So how does the carer care for themself? How can burnout and exhaustion that result from the demands of being a carer be prevented?
Through a combination of meditation, reflection, music, artistic expression, ancient wisdom and contemporary spirituality, Soul Food provides carers with the tools they need for self care.
“Soul Food provides an avenue where carers can identify some of the places they feel good and places that are very stressful. It helps them come to terms with them,” said the Rev. Jennifer Kivikko, UnitingCare hospital chaplain at Prince of Wales and RPA hospitals.
What was once a monthly gathering at the Royal Hospital for women has evolved into professional development workshops days for hospital staff, and smaller workshops like Soul Food for Lunch, for hospital patients.
“It’s an opportunity to connect with people and help them develop some tools for nurturing their own spirituality but also helping to sensitise them towards how important spirituality is to their patients,” said Jennifer.
As the healthcare system suffers from a shortage of nurses, many nurses not only work under huge pressure, they also work long stressful hours.
“It’s the way spirituality works that whenever one or two people gather I really do believe that god is present in that.”
So far, Jennifer’s workshops have involved work with Nurses, social workers, mental health professionals, carers and patients.
UnitingCare Chaplains like the Rev. Jennifer Kivikko minister in the most challenging environments, sharing Christ’s compassion with people facing a time of crisis in their lives. Your support is greatly appreciated.
You can read more about these mission focus areas and other activities by clicking here.
To find out more about Living is Giving visit: http://livingisgiving.nsw.uca.org.au.
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.
Don’t forget about the Moderator’s Drought Appeal. Your donation will help provide counselling, chaplaincy services and emergency relief to drought-affected people.
CONTACT US: unitingcreative@nsw.uca.org.au
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