1. News from the Justice and International Mission Cluster (August 24)
2. NOTICE re ELM STREET sewerage works: from Aug 30 (for three weeks) there will be sewerage works in Elm Street during the week. These may restrict parking and access to the church; please factor this in if you intend to come to the church or office during the week!
3. The most recent Synod eNews (August 11)
4. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (Aug 24)
5. This Sunday August 28 we will be consider Jesus’ teaching on humility from Luke’s gospel (Luke 14.7-11).
6. 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. 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)

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

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

1. The most recent Synod eNews (August 11)
2. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (Aug 10)
3. Something Craig is speaking at next week, should you be interested!
4. Our first “Quarterly Conversation” will be held on August 18, 2pm in the Hotham Room of the North Melbourne library, for more information and to register to attend, see here.
5. This Sunday August 14 we will consider the set reading from Hebrews 11, and some thoughts about funerals. For commentary on the other lectionary readings for this week, see here.
6. 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 14 – Congregational Meeting following morning tea
2. August 21 – Rosters and hymn-learning session
3. [Date to be changed – TBA] – Worship Bible readers workshop
4. 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

The Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry is delighted to invite you to attend a series of four upcoming lectures delivered by Professor Christoph Markschies on the topic ‘How theological is church history? Excursions into the history and present of a discipline.’ Professor Markschies is professor of Ancient Christianity at Humboldt-University in Berlin, president of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and president of the Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities. He also served as president of Humboldt-University between 2006 and 2010. 

The series of four lectures were originally delivered in German for the Joseph Ratzinger Papst Benedikt XVI.-Stiftung at the University of Regensburg in 2017 and we are honoured to be hosting the debut of their English translation. We welcome any and all to attend but registration is kindly requested to assist with planning. Please note that the first lecture will be an evening public lecture followed by a reception and lectures 2-4 will be midday seminar-style lectures, with boxed lunches provided afterwards.

Registration for the lectures can be found here and closes on 14 August.

1. Got time to volunteer for the Hotham Mission homework club?
2. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (Aug 3)
3. Our first “Quarterly Conversation” will be held on August 18, 2pm in North Melbourne (precise location TBC!), for more information and to register to attend, see here.
4. This Sunday August 7 we will consider the Gospel reading for the week – hearts and treasures. 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 14 – Congregational Meeting following morning tea
2. August 21 – Rosters and hymn-learning session
3. [Date to be changed – TBA] – Worship Bible readers workshop
4. September 11 – workshop for those leading the intercessions in worship

1. This Sunday July 31 – we will have a session following morning tea, to reflect together on worship at MtE
2. Our first “Quarterly Conversation” will be held on August 18, 2pm in North Melbourne (precise location TBC!), for more information and to register to attend, see here.
3. The most recent Synod eNews (July 28)
4. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (July 27)
5. This Sunday July 31 we will consider the Gospel reading for the week, Luke 11.13ff. For commentary on the other lectionary readings for this week, see here.
6. 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 August:
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 14 – Congregational Meeting following morning tea
2. August 21 – Rosters and hymn-learning session
3. August 28 – Worship Bible readers workshop
4. September 11 – workshop for those leading the intercessions in worship

1. This Sunday July 24 there will be a Congregational Meeting following morning tea, after a slightly shortened service!
2. Next Sunday July 31 there will be a conversation following morning tea for reflection on worship at MtE.
3. “Quarterly Conversations” is a new intiative by MtE, seeking to promote important conversations about Australian society; for more formation: Quarterly Conversations! Please let Craig know if you are interested in being part of this.
4. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (July 20)
5. This Sunday July 24 we will again look at the Gospel reading for the week – the Lord’s Prayer. For commentary on the other lectionary readings for this week, see here.
6. 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 August:
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 14 – Congregational Meeting following morning tea
2. August 21 – Rosters and hymn-learning session
3. August 28 – Worship Bible readers workshop
4. September 11 – workshop for those leading the intercessions in worship

1. “Quarterly Conversations” is a new intiative by MtE, seeking to promote important conversations about Australian society; for more formation: Quarterly Conversations! Please let Craig know if you are interested in being part of this.
2. If Facebook is your thing, you might be interested to “follow” the new MtE FB page, set up principally as a platform for sharing more widely what we’re doing…
3. The most recent Synod eNews (July 14)
4. See all the “Advance Notice” items added below!
5. Church of All Nations (UCA, Carlton) is running a series of discussions on the “Statement from the Heart” on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, for six sessions commencing the Sunday July 10. The sessions will follow Sunday worship, around 11.30am, and run for about 75 minutes.
6. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (July 13)
7. This Sunday July 17 will we look at the Gospel reading for the week – the story of Mary and Martha, and the “one thing needful”. For commentary on the other lectionary readings for this week, see here.

Worship

1. Our COVID policy for worship continues to be as follows, to be reviewed again by the church council in August:
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. July 24 – Congregational Meeting following morning tea
2. July 31 – Reflecting together on worship at MtE
3. August 14 – Congregational Meeting following morning tea
4. August 21 – Rosters and hymn-learning session
5. August 28 – Worship Bible readers workshop
6. September 11 – workshop for those leading the intercessions in worship

MtE’s Quarterly Conversation seeks to foster conversation in the community on important social and political themes. Our hope is that these conversation groups will broaden understanding of — and engagement in — what is happening in Australian society.

The conversations have as their basis the corresponding issue of the Quarterly Essay, a widely-known journal which treats important community and national issues in a single extended, focussed essay.

Participants should get a hold of the current essay and read it in preparation for discussion in the group. Copies are available at your local library, bookstore or newsagent, and in hardcopy and electronic versions from various online sources or by direct subscription.

NEXT Quarterly Conversation

FRIDAY February 6 — in the library at the Center for Theology and Ministry. (Some parking may be available onsite, but plan to park in the surrounding streets, just in case…). Catch a coffee at the CTM cafe before the meeting (although coffee not allowed in the library), and then stay for lunch afterwards! We meet for the conversation from 11.00-12.30.

Please register for this event, or ask to be added to the contact list, with the form below

1. Church of All Nations (UCA, Carlton) is running a series of discussions on the “Statement from the Heart” on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, for six sessions commencing the Sunday July 10. The sessions will follow Sunday worship, around 11.30am, and run for about 75 minutes.
2. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (July 6)
3. This Sunday July 10 will take a short(?) break from the book of Revelation (we’ll probably get back to it!), and look at the “easier” Gospel reading for the week – “the good Samaritan”. For commentary on the other lectionary readings for this week, see here.

Worship

1. Our COVID policy for worship continues to be as follows, to be reviewed again by the church council in July:
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. Congregational Meeting following worship July 24

1. Our study groups next week will be looking at the work of grace and forgiveness – details
2. News from the Justice and International Mission Cluster (June 29)
3. The most recent Synod eNews (June 30)
4. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (June 29)
5. This Sunday July 3 will continue with the book of Revelation, looking this week at the theme of divine vengeance (!!!) (16.1-7). For commentary on the other lectionary readings for this week, see here.

Worship

1. Our COVID policy for worship continues to be as follows, to be reviewed again by the church council in July:
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. Congregational Meeting following worship July 24 (previously erroneously advised to be July 17)