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e-news December 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:
• Boards of Mission and Education to merge
• Mobilise for HIV prevention, Tutu says on World AIDS Day
• That thieving Christ and Advent
• Need a building for worship?
• Facebook as the opium of the masses
• Gungahlin opening focuses on community
• Ethics legislation: an important choice for parents
• ACU teams up with NCLS Research
• Uniting Church first to acknowledge first peoples
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
• Bold, evocative art hits chapel, December 10
• Calling All Choristers, December 16
• The Baptism of Jesus Christ, December 18
• Operation Santa, December 23
• KCO Refresh, March 12- 13, 2011
LIVING IS GIVING: PRAYER POINTS AND RESOURCES
• A year of possibilities made possible thanks to you!
• Get your Calendar before the start of the new year
• Become part of something bigger
NEWS AND INITIATIVES
I picked up the October issue of ACCatalyst and read the article on Brian Medway’s booklet The Primary Purpose: Rediscovering the Biblical Reason for Church, which speaks of the Great Commission. READ ON
Boards of Mission and Education to merge
The Uniting Church Synod of New South Wales and the ACT Standing Committee on November 27 approved the merger of its Boards of Mission and Education and the formation of a new structure under one board with a single Executive Director. READ ON
Mobilise for HIV prevention, Tutu says on World AIDS Day
Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, has issued a call to world leaders to take action to accelerate a decline in new HIV infections through activism that promotes prevention measures. READ ON
That thieving Christ and Advent
I started thinking this week that maybe we should make Advent lists — kind of like Christmas lists, but instead of things we want Santa to bring us, we write down what we want Christ to take from us. READ ON
St Andrew’s Uniting Church in South Turramurra is looking for another congregation with which to share their new building in 2011. READ ON
Facebook as the opium of the masses
There can be no doubt that new technologies do create new possibilities for political action and social transformation. But these often function in unexpected and unforeseeable ways. READ ON Cyber-con. READ ON
Gungahlin opening focuses on community
On October 30, after many years of planning and hard work, Gungahlin Uniting Church and Community Centre was opened by the congregation, wider church and community. READ ON
Ethics legislation: an important choice for parents
Its intention is to enshrine the right to a secular ethics course for those parents who have chosen that their children not attend scripture and to prevent this choice being taken from them unnecessarily. READ ON
ACU teams up with NCLS Research
Australian Catholic University has launched a new partnership with ecumenical church research group, NCLS Research. READ ON
Uniting Church first to acknowledge first peoples
The Uniting Church is the first church in Australia to constitutionally acknowledge Aboriginal and Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia. READ ON
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
The President of the Uniting Church, the Rev. Alistair Macrae, is encouraging Uniting Church people to take part in Pilgrimage to Living Water — using the ancient spiritual discipline of walking together on prayerful pilgrimage to foster spiritual renewal.
Synod Moderators are very supportive of the initiative. Some, including the Rev. Niall Reid, have already indicated that they would like to lead a pilgrimage themselves.
Living Water, Thirsty Land is the theme adopted by the Uniting Church’s national Assembly for 2009-2012.
“Would you design and lead a community pilgrimage to a source of ‘living water’ in your own area?” the pilgrimage kit asks.
The resource kit can be found at http://assembly.uca.org.au/resources/pilgrimage.html.
The pilgrimages can be held at any time however it is hoped that as many as possible will be held between Easter and Pentecost on 2011.
Insights is keen to hear stories from groups in New South Wales and the ACT which are planning to take part. Please email stephenw@nsw.uca.org.au soon.
Bold, evocative art hits chapel, December 10
The Chapel by The Sea Bondi Beach will be the venue for a bold evocative art exhibit of the works of Naomi Vorster and Daphne Maloney, opening Friday December 10.
Naomi Vorster has been an artist and, at times, a teacher for over 25 years. In addition to teaching painting, she has also taught figurative sculpture. Daphne Maloney works with material and has been strongly influenced by time spent with and her study of Aboriginal communities. The exhibition opens at 7 pm Friday, December 10, at the Chapel by the Sea, 95 Roscoe St. Bondi Beach. The work will hang until February 9. For more details contact 9130 3445.
Calling All Choristers, December 16
Let’s get together again and sing!
Our Lady of the Rosary (Hornsby’s Catholic Cathedral Church) in collaboration with Hornsby Arts Council, is presenting an ecumenical public performance of Handel’s Messiah with massed multi-denominational choirs from Hornsby and surrounding areas.
Performance is on Thursday, December 16, 8 pm at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Cathedral Church, 23 Yardley Avenue, Waitara.
Official massed rehearsals at St Swithuns Anglican Church cnr Merrivale Road and Telegraph Road, Pymble: 7.30 pm on Wednesday November 17, 24, December 1 and December 8.
There is a participation fee from each chorister of $10. The Novello-Prout edition of Messiah will again be used. Parts can be downloaded from the internet at http://www.ultimate.com/ccc/messiah/.
This event is in aid of the Hornsby homelessness task force.
Interested choristers — single or groups — please contact Barb Angell on 02 9985 7207 or biz@angellpro.com.au.
The Baptism of Jesus Christ, December 18
Al-Ghazzali Centre in Sydney invites you to the Australasian launch of the documentary film The Baptism of Jesus Christ – Uncovering Bethany Beyond the Jordonon Saturday, December 18, 2010.
Arrive at 7 pm for 7.30 pm start at St Patrick’s Cathedral Hall, 1 Marist Place Parramatta. Commentary and discussion led by Imam Afroz Ali and Fr. Herman Roborgh. Further details and online registration (essential) can be found at: http://www.alghazzali.org/events/xpresso_baptism
UnitingCare and Target are asking you to join forces with them this Christmas to spread the gift of love, joy and hope to vulnerable people through Operation Santa.
The mission is to donate a gift from now until Thursday, 23 December.
We support thousands of people every day who turn to us for reasons including financial difficulties, mental illness, homelessness, family turmoil and an absence of loved ones.
For many of the children, young people, families and older people we assist, Christmas is a source of additional distress.
Please help us to collect 100,000 gifts for people in need. For more information on Operation Santa please visit http://unitingcarenswact.org.au/resources/operation_santa
KCO Refresh, March 12- 13, 2011
The Kid’s Camp Out will be held at Elanora Uniting Venues next year. This will mean some changes for church leaders who will now have a choice of camping in tents or booking a room. All meals will be provided, so there will be more flexibility with recruiting helpers. An exciting program to take advantage of the beautiful environment at Elanora will focus on appreciating God's creation and nurturing children's faith. Because of the extra costs, 'KCO Scholarships' will be offered to children who might otherwise miss out. Please contact Judyth Roberts to find out more about 'KCO Scholarships'. Held on Saturday March 12 – Sunday, March 13, 2011, Saturday 1 pm until Sunday 1 pm at Elanora, 19a Wesley Street, Elanora Heights NSW. For more information or tickets contact Rowena at the Synod office on 8267 4295 or see the website : www.childrensministry.org.au and to see the facilities at Elanora see the website: www.unitingvenues.org/pages/elanora.php.
LIVING IS GIVING: PRAYER POINTS AND RESOURCES
A year of possibilities made possible thanks to you!
Each year Living is Giving continues to advance the church’s mission work in the areas of indigenous, cross-cultural, emerging and traditional ministries, theological education, school and tertiary ministry, community services, advocacy, and rural evangelism — areas which have changed many lives for the better.
Without your generous support, these sustaining and life-giving activities wouldn’t have been possible. From all the communities, congregations, and families who have benefited from Living is Giving – a very Merry Christmas and big thank you!
Get your Calendar before the start of the new year
Another year has past and another year has come where you can rally behind Living is Giving - support this life changing fundraising program all year long by getting your own copy of the Living is Giving Calendar for 2011.
So far, the calendar has garnered much interest from the Uniting Church Community with many copies being sent far and wide.
The calendar will be offered on a trial basis in 2011 with expressions of interest taken into account for the production of a calendar for 2012. If such a resource is something you believe should continue into the future – let us know. Either contact us or if you feel passionate about the new calendar make a personal donation to Living is Giving by visiting the website on www.livingisgiving.nsw.uca.org.au.
The Living is Giving 2011 Calendar is another free resource helping to inspire new ways of getting connected with the mission work of the Uniting Church.
If interested members in your congregation would like copies of the calendar or would like to know more please contact Kimberly Almarza on 8267 4475.
This limited edition Living is Giving Calendar is expected to run out fast, so get your copy for the New Year now.
Become part of something bigger
By joining with Living is Giving, you become a part of something much bigger than yourself. Your support through Living is Giving goes a long way in sustaining vital ministries such as: empowering the vulnerable and needy; advocating for peace and breaking down injustices; resourcing people for a life in ministry; allowing new congregations and faith communities to thrive; and offering pastoral care through the work of our Uniting Church chaplains in schools, universities, prisons, hospitals and mental health facilities.
Make it your new year’s resolution — so it’s not just about shedding the winter weight or getting more sleep but about bringing Christ’s message of hope and love to the rest of the world.
You have an important part to play in Living is Giving. So join the journey by making your own personal donation online. Visit the Living is Giving website on
www.livingisgiving.nsw.uca.org.au and make a one-off contribution or regular monthly donations to the mission focus area you wish to see continue into the future.
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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Salesi Faupula, who over the last few years has been responding to a call to the ordained ministry of the word. There is a family tradition here. Salesi’s father was a minister in Arnhem Land and then the Synod of New South Wales and the ACT. So far, there are five consecutive generations of ministers in his family; he will make number six!
For some time Salesi resisted the call to ministry. There was an internal wrestle going on: was God calling him to the ordained ministry or was he simply seeking to maintain a family tradition? That was only part of the problem. The call of God into such ministry can be a nuisance: it ignores having a well-paid job, being heavily mortgaged, living outside Sydney [in the ACT] and having a young family.
Some people these days want a quick route into ministry. They do not necessarily want to “jump through the hoops” and attend the Synod Selection Panel, relocate, then go to college and so on. They don’t want to study too much. They have not heard that the Uniting Church believes — with the ecumenical church — that ordination is God’s gift to the church!
Salesi wasn’t sure he could handle the study. He had made it to Year 10 and saw himself as more of a “hands on guy”.
Today he is one year from completing his formation program. He’s had placements, done orientations and become a highly respected member of the college community. He is a good preacher; he has a sense of presence; he calls the college to worship on special occasions through the blowing of the conch — a Pacific custom. Salesi is one year away from becoming ordained and a very gifted, thoughtful minister with a heart for the mission of God.
Your support and contribution to this Mission Focus Area allows students like Salesi Faupula to gain a greater understanding of their faith as they prepare for further ministry. Thank you!
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.
CONTACT US: unitingcreative@nsw.uca.org.au
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