news
Relationships with agencies
Bible studies
Rev Rob Brown, Executive Officer UnitingCare SA, and Rev John Watt, Chair of the UnitingCare Commission, facilitated discussion around the relationship between the Uniting Church and its agencies and schools. Both risk management and the benefits of the relationships were taken into consideration before discussion time was held. A reworded proposal was passed by the Presbytery & Synod, requesting that UnitingCare SA continue its intended dialogue with all agencies and schools with a view to discussing the issue further in 2014.
Two Bible studies were held over the weekend, both led by thinker and blogger Ben Myers. Ben led the meeting attendees through the work of two historical theologians, and focussed on celebration and song in scripture. Ben will be back in Adelaide for the Fringe Festival in 2014 when he will present a gospel message at ‘God at the fringe,’ a Uniting Church SA event held at House International on Thursday 13 March. For more information on this event, please visit sa.uca.org.au/events/ god-at-the-fringe
Constitutional recognition
Declaration of ballots
The Covenanting Coordinator for the Uniting Church in SA, Denise Champion, put forward a proposal that asked the Presbytery & Synod to urge the Federal Government to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian constitution – this would require holding a referendum. The proposal was passed with an addition made to request that the Covenanting Committee resource Uniting Church SA congregations, networks and associations to support this work. The Uniting Church in Australia will also take part in a Week of Prayer and Fasting that will act as an expression of grief for the continuing injustice experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This will take place from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 March in 2014, and will include a vigil in Canberra. All in the Uniting Church are encouraged to take part.
Members of the Standing Committee, Placements Committee, Presbytery Strategic and Planning Team, and Leadership Development Council were declared on Saturday 2 November. Standing Committee – Rev Sandy Boyce, Rev Sue Ellis, Rev Tim Hein, Michael McClaren, Rev Dr Tony Nancarrow, Danica Patselis, Bronte Wilson. Placements Committee – Rev Roger Brook, Rev Wes Howland, Rev Rebecca Purling. Presbytery Strategic and Planning Team – Rev Philip Gardner, John Harris. Leadership Development Council – Rev Dr Dean Brookes, Rev Cheryl Wilson.
Assembly news Rev Glenda Blakefield, the Acting General Secretary of the Uniting Church in Australia, gave a report related to recent Assembly news and detailed plans for the coming year. She spoke on a wide variety of topics which will be focussed on in 2014: the need for biblical literacy, and resources to support this; the three President’s conferences to be held throughout the year; planned discussions around marriage; changes and challenges facing Frontier Services; the Week of Prayer and Fasting; Songs That Unite; and the appointment of a National Disaster Recovery Officer. For further information on any of these items, please visit the Assembly website assembly.uca.org.au
Millennium Development Goals The United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals were discussed with an emphasis on the fifth goal, “Improve Maternal Health.” Members of the Uniting Church in SA agreed to assist in the training of midwives in South Sudan, a project that will be conducted in partnership with UnitingWorld and the Uniting Church SA International Mission team.
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Celebrating ministry A celebration of ministry was held on Friday night of the meeting. The celebration opened with song, before moving into a time to honour retiring and recently retired ministers. Also recognised were ministers moving from Phase 3 to 4, and Rev Phil Webber, a minister transferring from the Church of Christ to the Uniting Church. Rev Dr Ian Price presented a message based on the Gospel of John before a time of prayer and worship, enhanced by the lighting of candles. The retiring ministers who were recognised were: Rev Dr Gillies Ambler, Rev Jo-Anne Fulton, Rev Bruce Grindlay, Rev Brant Jones, Rev Len Jude, Rev Sue Langhans, Rev Kevin Sarlow, Rev Rob Williams, and Rev Dr Donald Wilson.
CommUnity Day awards CommUnity Day awards were presented by Dr Deidre Palmer and Bindy Taylor, Uniting Church SA Communications Manager and New Times Editor-in-Chief, to commend the work of those involved in CommUnity Day events. Appreciation awards were given to key people from each event, and three major awards were presented with prizes awarded by MediaCom. The full list of CommUnity Day award recipients was featured in the November edition of New Times (pp.9-11).
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