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e-news August 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:
• Tend the Flame — Make Unity Possible
• The NCYC music site goes live
• Commencement of the new Synod General Secretary
• Newtown Mission chapel celebrates 150 years (1860-2010)
• Lutheran president-elect speaks on Arab Christians
• Superficial poll debates simply 'demean' voters
• Homeless families are being turned away
• Major church groups seek action on mental health
• Faith leaders warned on statements about HIV and AIDS
• Supporting your church just got easier!
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
• Hiroshima Day commemoration, August 6
• Biblical Culture Day, August 14
• Ethics with or without God, August 28
• “Faith. On Earth” conference, September 17-18
LIVING IS GIVING: PRAYER POINTS AND RESOURCES
• What has Living is Giving ever done for my congregation?
• Presenting a world of possibilities
NEWS AND INITIATIVES
Two books that I have been reading caused me to reflect upon and reinforce my conviction that God has a particular role and calling for the Uniting Church. READ ON
Tend the Flame — Make Unity Possible
Seeking the unity of the body of Christ is an inescapable obligation of Christian discipleship — not an optional extra. It’s 100 years since representatives of missionary organisations and churches gathered in Edinburgh for the World Missionary Conference, which is now seen as marking the beginnings of the modern ecumenical movement. In this August issue, Insights asks, “How is ecumenism faring globally and locally?” READ ON
This is where songwriters can submit music to be used in worship at NCYC11 and where everyone else can get a sneak preview of the music, listen and download songs, lyrics and chord charts for use in your local congregation. Music plays a significant role in worship at NCYC, so we'd encourage you to get involved and be creative. Find out how it all works at www.ncycmusic.com.au
Gordon Uniting Church was filled with Uniting Church dignitaries, ecumenical colleagues, friends, family and congregation members on July 18 for the closure of ministry service for the Rev. Paul Swadling. READ ON
Commencement of the new Synod General Secretary
The staff of the Secretariat welcomed the new Synod General Secretary, the Rev Dr Andrew Williams on Monday, August 2, 2010.
Mr Williams will be a familiar face to some as he was the World Mission Consultant in the Board of Mission from 1992-1999. He then worked for the Council of World Mission in London from 1999-2007. In 2007 Andrew returned to Australia and was the Minister at the Eastwood Congregation.
Newtown Mission chapel celebrates 150 years (1860-2010)
Newtown Mission will celebrate 150 years of serving the local community from their King Street Chapel on August 14-15, with an interactive art workshop, historical tours, and community celebrations throughout the weekend. READ ON
Lutheran president-elect speaks on Arab Christians
At a time when many Christians worry about the future of fellow believers in the Holy Land, the first Arab elected as president of the Lutheran World Federation has highlighted their situation, and urged them not to emigrate. READ ON
Superficial poll debates simply 'demean' voters
The superficial standard of debate in the election campaign so far is demeaning to the voters, with the leaders appearing like puppets or paper cut-outs, Uniting Church of Australia president Alistair Macrae said. READ ON Small election in Australia, not many interested. READ ON. Remember that ‘Building an Economy for Life’ Election Resources are available at http://nat.uca.org.au/election2010.html
Homeless families are being turned away
Homeless families seeking accommodation are being turned away from shelters because of a shortage of beds, according to a report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. READ ON
Major church groups seek action on mental health
Major church groups providing social services in Australia; Anglicare Australia, Catholic Social Services Australia, The Salvation Army and UnitingCare Australia, called on major parties to commit to an immediate and substantial increase in investment in community mental health. READ ON
Faith leaders warned on statements about HIV and AIDS
Faith leaders can play a key role in the fight against the HIV pandemic if their public statements help combat stigma and discrimination, a meeting of faith groups in Vienna in advance of the 18th International AIDS Conference has heard. READ ON
Supporting your church just got easier!
While the Self Help Scheme has been assisting Uniting Church congregations for many years, the Scheme has recently been simplified to make it easier for individual congregations to grow the financial support they need to fulfil their mission. To find out more call Uniting Financial Services’ friendly Service Team on 1300 133 673 or visit their website www.unitingfinancial.com.au/selfhelpinvestment.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Hiroshima day commemoration, August 6
All are welcome to participate in music from the Christian Tertiary Students (UCATSA), prayers at several stations around the Cathedral and also breakfast in the church vestry, following the service.
The service will proceed regardless of the weather!
When: Friday, August 6, 2010 - 6.45am
Where: The grounds of Christ Church Cathedral, Church Street, Newcastle
Have you ever been to a concert and wondered 'why can't church be like this?' Does your iPod have more dance music than traditional hymns?
Paddington Uniting Church is pleased to present “Reverence”, a multi-sensory alternative worship servicefeaturing the music of UK dance legends Faithless, stunning visual meditations, confronting artworks and personal prayer stations to stimulate your Spirit.
After the service you are welcome to stay around as the church converts to a chillout lounge for discussion about 21st Century church, worship and mission.
Where: Paddington Uniting Church
When: August 7, 8:00-9:30 pm.
For more information about REVERENCE, contact Richard Telfer, Community Development Worker, on 0401 474 794.
Biblical Culture Day, August 14
Share in courses of food from various Biblical eras, learn prayers in Biblical languages, enjoy some special entertainment, or simply absorb the cultural environments that gave us the Bible.
The event will be held on Saturday August 14, 10 am to 3 pm at Wesley Church Hall, East Maitland. It’s $25 (limited exceptional circumstances concessions available) or for more information contact Geoff Hicks on 4933 3703 or email : g_a_hicks@yahoo.com.
Please remember that registrations close August 7.
Ethics with or without God, August 28
“Exploring a Progressive Religious Basis for an Ethical World View" is the title of the Regional Conference to be held in the Beecroft Community Centre, Corner of Beecroft & Copeland Road, on Saturday, August 28, 9 am-4 pm.
The Rev. Dr Ian Mavor, Fellow of the Australian College of Educators and an ordained Uniting Church minister, will be the keynote speaker.
He has completed a doctorate in Education with specialisation in curriculum theory applied to religion and ethics, was director of Lifeline Gold Coast, and co-founder of Hopewell Hospice Services of which he is currently executive director. For over ten years Ian has been conducting a monthly meeting, “Explorations in Spirituality and Worship” for people having difficulty finding a faith community that fits their developing consciousness.
Invited companion speakers include: Teresa Russell (St James Ethics Centre), Professor Tony Cody (Director Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, University of Melbourne), and Jan Tendys (Spirit of Life Unitarian Fellowship, Remedial Teacher retd).
Registrations close August 21, $50 (Concession $45). Early Bird August 1- $45 including Lunch, Morning and Afternoon Tea.
CPRT Freedom to Explore, 22 Badajoz Road, Ryde, NSW, 2112
Phone 0405758116 or email cprtfreedomtoexplore@yahoo.com.au.
“Faith. On Earth” conference, September 17-18
Earth is not, “heaven’s second rate hand me down,” but our home, our family, the place we meet God. As earthlings we will gather to:
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Engage with the wisdom of creation spirituality; through the four paths, three vocations, two stances, and the only prayer that matters.
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Find the sacred in food; eating together in local businesses, making and breaking bread, creating dinner together, and sharing an apple and water communion.
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Draw on the wonder of the great story of life and how it shapes the human, Christian story, and your story.
Come to "be-you-to-full" Bellingen, for the “Faith. On Earth” conference held on September 17-19. For more details go to http://ecofaith.org or contact Jason on 02 6655 1050. Cost is $25 plus meals out; organise your own accommodation (from cheap as chips to luxury).
“Faith. On Earth” is being put on as part of the mid north coast ecofaith ministry, which is supported by SMRF through Living is Giving.
LIVING IS GIVING: PRAYER POINTS AND RESOURCES
What has Living is Giving ever done for my Congregation?
Do your children or grandchildren receive religious education at school from a volunteer teacher trained by the Uniting Church? Do you have a minister who received his or her training at the Uniting Theological College? Have you or your congregational members ever benefited from a university chaplain or received pastoral care from a Uniting Church hospital chaplain? Has your congregation ever received financial assistance through Synod Mission Resource Funding? Do you read Insights Magazine?
These are just some of the many vital ministry areas which rely on your support. Don’t forget that the life and existence of the Uniting Church, who we are and what we do, depend on your contributions to Living is Giving.
Visit www.livingisgiving.nsw.uca.org.au for more information.
Presenting a world of possibilities
Want to know how you can unlock a world of mission work that's full of possibilities. To find out how 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. 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. This is a great way to connect with the mission focus areas you support. For more information please call Kimberly Almarza on 8267 4475.
Prayer points and praise points
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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The hard and sometimes overlooked minitsry area that is Prison ministry. According to UnitingCare NSW.ACT prison chaplain at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater, the Rev. David King, you can bring hope behind bars by simply making the time to talk to prison inmates.
While prisoners are often perceived as tough and hardened members of society, David’s role offers him rare insights into the anxieties and pressures faced by inmates. He also helps inmates come “to terms with who they are as a person” and “what’s gone wrong in their life” and, importantly, “what they need to do for the future”.
For David, the underlying quality uniting him and the other four chaplains at the remand centre is the ability to look beyond the surface.
“For me it’s the ability to see people beyond just what they have done; to see them with the values that they are to God.”
If inmate participation is anything to go by, then this form of ministry seems to be thriving.
“We have at least ten per cent of the inmates coming to the chapel service. That’s really good. There are [some] who just really cherish everything that chaplaincy can do for them. This is the group where things can grow from.”
When asked why congregations should continue to support ministry with prisoners, David’s answer was short and to the crux: “I couldn’t imagine Jesus doing anything else.” Please pray for this crucial ministry area.
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The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress’ work to revitalise Wellington Uniting Church.
On April 17, 2010, Wellington Uniting Church held a rally at Nanima. Over 120 people participated in fellowship, solidarity, an afternoon open-air service, afternoon tea and then a barbecue. According to Jane Brown, from Wellington Uniting Church, the Holy Spirit was with the group that day
“It was about getting people together to lift the church; to come along and have a rally with the church, where we had a barbecue with different people from other areas and other towns,” said Jane.
Wellington Uniting Church began when two Aboriginal elders went to Alice Springs to see the Pope (John Paul II). They met Mr Charles Harris, who was involved with Congress. They talked about getting a church for Aboriginal people in town and from that discussion a church was established.
After falling by the wayside, the rally highlighted the congregation’s efforts to revive and revitalise the church.
Neville Brown, community worker at Nanima and supporter of UAICC, said that the community needed much spiritual guidance.
“With underage drinking, drug wars in town, soaring unemployment and a lack of facilities for youth, [having] a strong church presence is one of the ways to approach Wellington’s problems,” he said.
One of Wellington’s major obstacles was the lack of funds for a full-time minister.
With the help of Development and Outreach Officer Pearl Wymarra, the team at Wellington was able to organise a grant application for a culturally appropriate ministry agent. Wellington Congregation now has its very own minister living in the community to assist people in need.
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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