1. This Sunday August 21 we’ll be filling the next quarter’s roster during morning tea, and we also have a hymn-learning session after morning tea.
2. News from the Justice and International Mission Cluster (August 17)
3. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (Aug 17)
4. This Sunday August 21 we welcome Matt Julius as our preacher.For commentary on the other lectionary readings for this week, see here.
5. The MtE Events Calendar

Worship

1. Our COVID policy for worship continues to be as follows, to be reviewed again by the church council in September:
2. Mindful of the health-vulnerability of some members of our congregation and the uncertain state of play with respect to the pandemic, the church council has decided that we will continue to wear masks in worship throughout March, except for those who need to remove them when leading the worship, and for morning tea, or who have an exemption from wearing a mask. Holy Communion continues to be servied in both kinds, the wine via small communion glasses only.

Advance Notice

1. August 21 – Rosters and hymn-learning session
2. [Date to be changed – TBA] – Worship Bible readers workshop
3. September 11 – workshop for those leading the intercessions in worship

Old News

1. Got time to volunteer for the Hotham Mission homework club?

Other things of interest

From the local UCA CBD churches justice coaltion)

MYANMAR

This is an invitation to a multifaith online service organised at short notice. 
On 25th July four democracy campaigners were executed by the military government of Myanmar. This has caused shock, sorrow, and revulsion within the Burmese community in Myanmar, and in other parts of the world. Members of this community have requested an Online Prayer Service to remember the four and others who have since also been executed. The Prayer service will provide an opportunity to express solidarity towards their families and supporters, and pray for Myanmar. 
Pax Christi has continued to support the Burmese community in various ways. A few of us from different groups, including Burmese representatives and Pax Christi, have been involved in organising the service, which will be likely led by Anglican Bishop Philip Huggins and Rev Heidi Kunoo. 
The hour long Service will be on Sunday 21st August at 5.30 pm (AEST); futher details

AUKUS

A number of peace, community, environment and faith organisations are planning to place an advertisement in a national newspaper calling on the Australian government not to involve Australia in a war with China over Taiwan; to sign the UN Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons; and direct public spending away from AUKUS (Australia UK US) war preparations to urgent social and environmental needs. 

National Newspaper Advertisement

“We call on the Government of Australia in the interests of peace and security for the Australian people and the region:

• To advise its AUKUS partners that Australia will not be involved in a war against China over Taiwan or disputed territorial waters in the South China Sea, or any other country, and will not allow use of Australian territory for that purpose
• To sign and ratify the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
• To cancel military spending for AUKUS war preparations, including cancellation of the acquisition of nuclear-propelled submarines, so that urgent domestic social needs (climate change mitigation, education, health including public hospitals and housing) can be better addressed.”

Over 1,000 signatures of organisations and individuals are being sought to back this statement for publication. The aim is to publish in one of the national newspapers on the anniversary of the announcement of the AUKUS military pact and nuclear submarines,16th September,2022.

To cover the cost of publishing the statement in one of the major national newspapers on 16 September we request individual donations of $20 (or what you can afford) and larger amounts from organisations. This statement can be signed and donations made on the Australian Anti-AUKUS Coalition website https://antiaukuscoalition.org/

This campaign is co-ordinated by the national Australian Anti-AUKUS Coalition (AAAC) with the support of peace, community, faith organisations and unions.

Please donate towards covering the cost of placing this advertisement in a major national newspaper on 16 September.

Please circulate this public appeal for peace and no war with China over Taiwan.

To contact Australian Anti-AUKUS Coalition: info@antiaukuscoalition.org