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e-news June 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:
• Uniting Creative photographer in the news
• Fun ministry ideas to teach kids stewardship by Darby Jones
• June Insights: Fit for Christ: Why your body matters
• Free recruitment ads on Insights’ new online job board
• Happy Anniversary to the Uniting Church in Australia
• Micah Challenge urges Christians to ‘Share the Earth’
• Insights online: Film, poetry and climate change
• Sports Roundup: Sport and religion, theology, superstition, and psychology
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
• Get your message out by advertising in Insights
• United Theological College Intensives: Second Semester 2011
• National Godly Play Conference Australia
LIVING IS GIVING: PRAYER POINTS AND RESOURCES
• The essence of our faith John 14:15-21
• Your personal way to support ministry
NEWS AND INITIATIVES
Message from the Moderator
What’s a relationship without change? My life with Jesus is not quite as simple as when I first believed… READ ON
Uniting Creative photographer in the news
Uniting Creative photographer and journalist Lyndal Irons had a photo spread in the Sun Herald on Sunday May 29. Her photos have also been posted on the Sydney Morning Herald’s online gallery. Lyndal’s exhibition Around Town – Parramatta Road runs from June 1 to June 12 at Global Gallery 5 Comber Street Paddington, Sydney, as part of the Head On Photo Festival. We congratulate Lyndal on her success and we’re proud that she brings such a quality aesthetic to all her work. This shines through in the photos she takes for Insights magazine, Living is Giving and other Uniting Creative clients. If you need photographs that will fire up the image of your church, not-for-profit or church organisation contact Lyndal via email or call 8267 4306 for further information.
Fun ministry ideas to teach kids stewardship by Darby Jones
"Point your kids in the right direction — when they’re old they won’t be lost." - Proverbs 22:6, The Message. Many parents give their children an allowance for doing chores because it helps to build discipline. Allowance money can go numerous places, some spiritually rewarding and others detrimental. It is important for the church to help teach stewardship to children. One fun way to do this is to use "Bible Bucks." READ ON
June Insights: Fit for Christ: Why your body matters
Sport has pervasive social and cultural implications and is an institutional thread uniting communities. June Insights shows how diet and exercise can be a spiritual discipline, a prayerful activity and how sport clubs and events present an opportunity for Christian ministry, pastoral care and even evangelism.
Also in this issue:
- What key characteristics should be used to define membership in the Uniting Church?
- Waste Not, Want Not, an innovative cooperative venture involving the Uniting Church in New South Wales, is halting food waste and feeding hungry people.
Free recruitment ads on Insights’ new online job board
For a limited time, Insights’ all-new website is happy to post your recruitment advertisements on the job board for free. With 23,000 page views per month this means your ad will be seen by more potential applicants. Visit the job board online and post your advertisement details now!
Happy Anniversary to the Uniting Church in Australia
Older members can remember the momentous event when three separate denominations joined together to form the Uniting Church in 1977. But it is worth taking the time to tell the story to younger generations or new members, so that the joy of that occasion and all that has been achieved is not lost. On the Children's ministry website you can find child-friendly ideas to celebrate both Pentecost and the Uniting Church's 34th Anniversary on June 22. READ ON
The national Assembly has also launched a church anniversary campaign ‘On the Way’. This includes a DVD and other materials. Visit the website for more information.
Micah Challenge urges Christians to ‘Share the Earth’
Creativity and food are two key ingredients in Micah Challenge Australia’s new advocacy campaign aimed at ensuring environmental sustainability in poor countries. READ ON
Insights online: Film, poetry and climate change
Religious leaders back carbon tax, Terrence Malick’s long-awaited film ‘Tree of Life’ offers a theo-cinematic vision of redemption, an interview and two poems with John Leax [...] READ ON
Sports Roundup: Sport and religion, theology, superstition, and psychology
A new history of ESPN shows how one religion got its start, the beautiful game urgently needs to escape from the clutches of a corrupting religion of global financial capitalism, Argentina’s soccer team settles outstanding debt with the Virgin Argentina’s national soccer team coach [...] READ ON
Cause and effect
When it comes to giving, most people want to do their best. We feel better about ourselves when we give, knowing that we are making a difference in the lives of others. But there are so many different ways we can help out. We can give money, our time or our knowledge. So how do we choose the best way that we can help? We all have unique gifts, so what's the best way to use them for the benefit of others? READ ON
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Synod’s getting jazzy
An evening of jazz music at Adamstown, tours to taste cheese, explore beaches and the Hunter region’s coal history, fair trade coffee carts, inspiring Bible studies, youth events, welcome to country stories, informative lunch meetings and a celebration of ministry. Yes, we’re talking about the 2011 Synod meeting and visitors program — and they’re shaping up to be good!
The Hunter Presbytery is excited to be hosting the 2011 meeting of the Synod of New South Wales and the ACT. Hunter minister and Moderator-elect, the Rev. Dr Brian Brown, will be installed as Moderator at Synod’s opening service on Friday September 23 at 7 pm. This is a free ticketed event so please email office@hunter.uca.org.au after June 30 to secure your seat and parking.
The Synod meeting itself runs from Saturday September 24 to Tuesday September 27 and is being held at the University of Newcastle’s attractive bushland campus.
The theme chosen for the Synod in 2011 is “…on new and risky paths”. Dr Brown says each day Synod members will explore an aspect of the theme. Following God; Walking with Jesus; Led by the Spirit; and Going out … on new and risky paths. He also says his favourite Robert Frost poem speaks of “taking the road less travelled”. And his hope is that Synod members would hear Christ’s call to eschew the comfortable and predictable in order to explore new paths and vital issues in Australia and beyond. Visit the Synod website for more details.
Want a website? Too easy!
Canterbury Balwyn Road Uniting Church Congregation writes: “We had little idea of where to start with our church website, but the staff at Uniting Creative made the process so easy, with their helpfulness and professionalism. We selected the STARTER package for its price and flexibility, and we are so happy with the outcome. It looks terrific and will certainly help us reach people in our community in new ways.” Take your pick from Uniting Creative’s web packages and make an impact with your website!
I believe in God
A series of sermons titled "I believe in God" are to be undertaken at the following venues:
Pitt Street Uniting Church: June 12 Jione Havea; June 26 Clive Pearson; July 3 Ian Pearson; July 10 Gerard Moore.
Parramatta Mission: August 14 Carolyn Thornley; August 21 Keith Hamilton; August 28 Jeff Aernie.
Leura Uniting Church: August 28 Ben Myers; September 18 William Emilsen; September 25 Graham Hughes.
These sermons will be delivered by members and associates of the United Theological College. They are a lead up to the forthcoming conference ‘Questioning God’ to be held October 20—23 2011 at the Centre for Ministry, 16 Masons Drive, North Parramatta NSW 2151.
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.
United Theological College Intensives: Second Semester 2011
Exploring Ordination Studies, with Clive Pearson & Michael Earl:
• Why does the Uniting Church believe ordination is a “Gift of God” to the Church?
• Explore the thinking of the Uniting Church in an ecumenical setting.
• How does the practice of the Uniting Church sit with the demands of today?
• Explore the relationship between the ordained ministry and the ministry of the whole people of God.
Centre for Ministry, August 22-16 2011. Enquires to Joanne Stokes: email or phone 8838 8914.
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.
LIVING IS GIVING: PRAYER POINTS AND RESOURCES
The essence of our faith John 14:15-21
A complex passage; Yet a simple message
Christ’s love for us and the world; Christ’s promise to never leave us – the promise of the Holy Spirit. Our task to share that love guided by the Holy Spirit.
John 14:15-21 was the reading in a Living is Giving service, held recently at Picton Uniting Church. Picton is one of the congregations that chooses Living is Giving as a way to share Christ's love and to create a future of promise and hope. A future that brings God’s love to the world and nurtures people as they grow, in faith and in their journey through life.
The Uniting Church we are all part of, is an organisation that does a lot of good work in many areas, but a big part of it is ‘behind the scenes’. Through Living is Giving we want to show the wonderful array of ministries and create awareness that a big part of the Uniting church's role is to stand alongside you, inside and outside the church.
The Living is Giving message is a message about giving, sharing and growing. Your contribution helps sustain our church and vital ministries like chaplaincy in schools, universities, rural areas, prisons, hospitals and mental health facilities. It also continues to advance the church’s mission work in the areas of Indigenous, cross-cultural, emerging ministries, theological education, tertiary ministry, and advocacy work — areas which have transformed many communities. Together we can do so much more!
Your congregation's treasurer received a Leaders Guide and Planning Form which contains information about how Living is Giving works and how your congregation can participate. You can download a copy here. Please talk to your congregation, faith community or family about which mission focus areas to support.
Return your congregation's Leaders Guide and Planning Form by June 30, 2011 to Financial Management Services, Uniting Resources, PO Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW 1235.
For more information, contact Marije Nieuwenhuis via email or call 8267 4475.
Your personal way to support ministry
From empowering the vulnerable to supporting the needy — the Uniting Church’s presence in the Australian and global community has been a positive one. Visit the website to find out more and to become personally involved!
Individual support to Living is Giving is not the same as Giving Direct, which is a way to guarantee regular contributions to your congregation by direct debit or electronic funds transfer (EFT). You can also use this method to give directly to Living is Giving projects.
The Living is Giving website is all you need to arrange easy, quick and secure individual support. Go to the donate page to make a one-off donation or sign up to regular monthly donations.
Becoming a Living is Giving Partner is as easy as A,B,C:
- Decide which mission focus area(s) you would like to support
- Sign up to monthly online giving by clicking the “Donate Now” button below
and fill in your personal and credit card details. - Click on the “submit details” button.
All mission focus areas are participating in God's mission. Thank you for you support.
Living is Giving new(s)!
From July Living is Giving is renewed: through 14 vital and effective ministry areas we strive to Grow God's Kingdom and make a positive impact in the world Christ loves. In the new Handbook you find information about all 14 mission focus areas. Any questions? Please don't hesitate to call 8267 4475 or email to find out more.
To celebrate and communicate the message of uniting, sharing and growing, Living is Giving will have a new look from next month. Keep an eye on Community Connections and let us know what you think. Ideas for sharing faith and spreading the seeds of God's Kingdom are very welcome. Email us and have a say!
Hope to see you soon
Living is Giving invites you, your family and your congregation to be part of God’s mission through the wider work of the Uniting Church. Find out more about the mission of the Uniting Church in New South Wales and the ACT by hosting a free presentation. Our speaker Wah Sim enjoys taking time to speak to congregations about Living is Giving and how it offers Christ’s love and compassion to communities and individuals who need it the most.
For more information or a booking email or call Camilla Raven at Living is Giving on 8267 4393 and she will be happy to answer your questions!
We would also love to hear you. Do you have a story to share about how your congregation or faith community has raised money for Living is Giving, or how funds from Living is Giving have benefited you or your congregation? Email your story, with a photo or two. We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Prayer points and praise points
We invite you to give prayerful consideration to the mission focus areas on offer and choose to support those which you believe:
•God is placing before you or your congregation in particular, or
•complement mission and ministry in your local community, or
•weigh heavily on your heart or the hearts of members of your congregation, or
•strike some other chord in the life of your congregation.
Pray for the world
These are times of fires, quakes and disturbances but also times of revival. One way we may respond is in the place of prayer. ”God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
”Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the middle of the sea.” Psalm 46, Verses 1-2
Praise
Let us thank God for the blessings we receive and be grateful that we have the freedom to be part of a supportive church, where in faith we can:
- live in a close, loving, personal, dynamic relationship with God;
- participate in a worshipping, caring and serving community of Christians;
- receive God's gifts so that life can be what God means it to be — loving, purposeful, joyful and eternal; and
- tell others of this good news and live it out in acts of compassion, service and justice in the community.
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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