News

1. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (Feb 2)
2. Two resources coming from the recent city UCA churches’ justice coalition:

“Set them free” video – for potential circulation to congregation members via local email groups

A Vision for a Just Australia – Uniting Church Australia

1. This Sunday February 6 we’ll continue to prepare for our scheduled conversation about our congregational future on Feb 13, Our focus for these Sundays will be three readings from the Genesis creation stories to consider the context we’re in, our responsibilities, and so the kind of decision we’re to make. Last week we considered the “deep” and the “void” in Genesis 1.1-5, next week we’ll look at Genesis 2 (“Eve and Adam”) and on February 13 from Genesis 3 (“naked”).

Worship

1. Attendance at gathered services is presently limited to those who demonstrate that they have had two COVID-19 vaccination shots, or that they are exempt from being vaccinated. It will be necessary to provide proof of your vaccination, either prior to the service or on the day at the door, but this only needs to be shown once for recording; please see here for more information. If you presently are unable to attend under these conditions the live-stream is still available from the home page, or please contact Craig or your elder.
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 January, 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. We have now returned to reception of Holy Communion in both kinds – small communion glasses only.

News

1. Welcome to the first MtE Update for 2022!
2. The most recent Synod eNews (Jan 27)
3. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (Jan 26)
4. This Sunday January 30 we’ll take most of the set readings for Epiphany 4C. In antcipated of our scheduled (for the time being, at least!) conversation about our congregational future on Feb 13, we’ll take three readings from the Genesis creation stories to consider the context we’re in, our responsibilities, and so the kind of decision we’re to make. The focus text this week will be Genesis 1.1-5 (“deep and void”), next week from Genesis 2 (“placed”) and then from Genesis 3 (“naked”). See here for comment on the other readings this week.

Worship

1. Attendance at gathered services is presently limited to those who demonstrate that they have had two COVID-19 vaccination shots, or that they are exempt from being vaccinated. It will be necessary to provide proof of your vaccination, either prior to the service or on the day at the door, but this only needs to be shown once for recording; please see here for more information. If you presently are unable to attend under these conditions the live-stream is still available from the home page, or please contact Craig or your elder.
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 January, 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. We have now returned to reception of Holy Communion in both kinds – small communion glasses only.

Advance Notice

1. February 13: Futures workshop following worship

1. Christmas Day services
2. Attendance at gathered services is presently limited to those who demonstrate that they have had two COVID-19 vaccination shots, or that they are exempt from being vaccinated. It will be necessary to provide proof of your vaccination, either prior to the service or on the day at the door, but this only needs to be shown once for recording; please see here for more information. If you presently are unable to attend under these conditions the live-stream is still available from the home page, or please contact Craig or your elder.
3. Mindful of the health-vulnerability of some members of our congregation, the church council has decided that we will continue to wear masks in worship throughout December and January, 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. We have now returned to reception of Holy Communion in both kinds – small communion glasses only.
4. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (Dec 22)
5. This Sunday December 26 will be Christmas 1; we’ll take, however, a Christmas Day reading (John 1.1-14) and compelementary texts in Psalm 130 and Genesis 3 to reflection on the incarnation.

Advance Notice

1. February 13: Futures workshop following worship

1. Attendance at gathered services is presently limited to those who demonstrate that they have had two COVID-19 vaccination shots, or that they are exempt from being vaccinated. It will be necessary to provide proof of your vaccination, either prior to the service or on the day at the door, but this only needs to be shown once for recording; please see here for more information. If you presently are unable to attend under these conditions the live-stream is still available from the home page, or please contact Craig or your elder.
2. Mindful of the health-vulnerability of some members of our congregation, the church council has decided that we will continue to wear masks in worship throughout December and January, 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. We have now returned to reception of Holy Communion in both kinds – small communion glasses only.
3. Christmas Day services
4. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (Dec 15)
5. This Sunday December 19 is the fourth Sunday of Advent – a cycle of Advent carols and readings.

Advance Notice

1. February 13: Futures workshop following worship

1. Attendance at gathered services is presently limited to those who demonstrate that they have had two COVID-19 vaccination shots, or that they are exempt from being vaccinated. It will be necessary to provide proof of your vaccination, either prior to the service or on the day at the door, but this only needs to be shown once for recording; please see here for more information. If you presently are unable to attend under these conditions the live-stream is still available from the home page, or please contact Craig or your elder.
2. Mindful of the health-vulnerability of some members of our congregation, the church council has decided that we will continue to wear masks in worship throughout December and January, 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. We will return to reception of Holy Communion in both kinds – small communion glasses only – from this Sunday December 12.
3. This Sunday December 12 will be our annual budget approval meeting (following worship), in connection with proposed focuses for mission and ministry; papers for this meeting have been distributed electronically and will be available in hard copy from the church.
4. News from the Justice and International Mission Cluster (Dec 6)
5. The most recent Synod eNews (Dec 9)
6. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (Dec 8)
7. This Sunday December 12 is the third Sunday of Advent. See here for some backgound on this reading and others to be heard on Sunday.

Advance Notice

1. December 19 – Advent Cycle of Readings and Advent Carols, worship 10am
2. Christmas Day services
3. February 13: Futures workshop following worship

1. Attendance at gathered services is presently limited to those who demonstrate that they have had two COVID-19 vaccination shots, or that they are exempt from being vaccinated. Unable to It will be necessary to provide proof of your vaccination, either prior to the service or on the day at the door, but this only needs to be shown once for recording; please see here for more information. If you presently are unable to attend under these conditions the live-stream is still available from the home page, or please contact Craig or your elder.
2. Mindful of the health-vulnerability of some members of our congregation, the church council has decided that we will continue to wear masks in worship throughout December and January, except for those who need to remove them when leading the worship, and for morning tea. We will return to reception of Holy Communion in both kinds – small communion glasses only – from Sunday December 12.
3. Sunday December 12 will be our annual budget approval meeting (following worship), in connection with proposed focuses for mission and ministry; papers for this meeting have been distributed electronically and will be available in hard copy from the church.
4. If you would like to the see the recording of last Sunday’s “peace and diplomacy” session (John’s presentation only, not the discussion), it can be viewed/downloaded here
5. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (Nov 24)
6. This Sunday December 5 is the second Sunday of Advent; our preacher will be Matt Julius, with Rob Gallacher serving as liturgist. See here for some backgound on this reading and others to be heard on Sunday

Advance Notice

1. December 19 – Advent Cycle of Readings and Advent Carols, worship 10am
2. Christmas Day services
3. February 13: Futures workshop following worship

You’re most welcome to join us at our Christmas celebrations this year!

Sunday December 19 (Advent 4, morning worship): a service of Advent carols and readings with Eucharist, 10am.

Christmas Eve (afternoon and evening): (we have no Christmas Eve services at Mark the Evangelist, but commend the Christmas Eve services at St Mary’s Anglican Church.

Christmas Day: Worship with Eucharist, 9.30am

Normal services will continue, 10am, on December 26 and throughout January. 

ALL SERVICES at MtE are presently being live-streamed from the designated start time, and are available later as a recording: details from streaming link on the Home Page

1. Attendance at gathered services is presently limited to those who demonstrate that they have had two COVID-19 vaccination shots, or that they are exempt from being vaccinated. Unable to It will be necessary to provide proof of your vaccination, either prior to the service or on the day at the door, but this only needs to be shown once for recording; please see here for more information. If you presently are unable to attend under these conditions the live-stream is still available from the home page, or please contact Craig or your elder.
2. We will continue to wear masks in worship, except for those who need to remove them when leading the worship, and for morning tea. This policy will be reviewed at the next church council meeting.
3. The theme of the next issue of Mark the Word is “Peace and goodwill: looking forwards with sharing and caring” What kind of Christmas are you planning for 2021?” We are also suggesting any stories about specially memorable or unusual Christmas in the  past. Contributions to Rosemary are sought by the 30th of November.
4. News from the Justice and International Mission Cluster (Nov 21)

5. Peace and diplomacy, and the part we play.

   On Sunday November 28, 2pm (Zoom), Dr John Langmore will present on the importance of international diplomacy in avoiding and minimising international conflict, and connect this work to our own commitments to peace-making at the local level.

   John is Chair of the Board of the Initiative for Peacebuilding at the University of Melbourne. He has previously worked in PNG, been an Australian Member of Parliament, a Divisional Director at the UN and has taught political studies at the University of Melbourne.

   The 1-hour Zoom session will commence at 2pm. About half the time will be committed to the presentation and half to discussion.

6. The most recent Synod eNews (Nov 25)
7. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (Nov 24)
8. This Sunday November 2 is the first Sunday of Advent. Our focus text will be Luke 21.23-36; see here for some backgound on this reading and others to be heard on Sunday

Advance Notice

1. December 12: Congregational meeting (budget and focusses for 2022), following worship
2. December 19 – Advent Cycle of Readings and Advent Carols, worship 10am.
3. February 13: Futures workshop following worship

1. Attendance at gathered services is presently limited to those who demonstrate that they have had two COVID-19 vaccination shots, or that they are exempt from being vaccinated. Unable to It will be necessary to provide proof of your vaccination, either prior to the service or on the day at the door, but this only needs to be shown once for recording; please see here for more information. If you presently are unable to attend under these conditions the live-stream is still available from the home page, or please contact Craig or your elder.
2. The new roster is about to be finalised; please confirm with Sue your availaliabity to be assigned roles again for the next quarter.
3. The theme of the next issue of Mark the Word is “Peace and goodwill: looking forwards with sharing and caring” What kind of Christmas are you planning for 2021?” We are also suggesting any stories about specially memorable or unusual Christmas in the  past. Contributions to Rosemary are sought by the 30th of November.

4. Peace and diplomacy, and the part we play.

   On Sunday November 28, 2pm (Zoom), Dr John Langmore will present on the importance of international diplomacy in avoiding and minimising international conflict, and connect this work to our own commitments to peace-making at the local level.

   John is Chair of the Board of the Initiative for Peacebuilding at the University of Melbourne. He has previously worked in PNG, been an Australian Member of Parliament, a Divisional Director at the UN and has taught political studies at the University of Melbourne.

   The 1-hour Zoom session will commence at 2pm. About half the time will be committed to the presentation and half to discussion.

5. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (Nov 17)
6. This Sunday November 21 is “Christ the King”/”the Reign of Christ” – the final Sunday in the liturgical year. Our focus text will be John 18.33-19.5; see here for some backgound on this reading. If you’ve not seen the film, “The Truman Show”, that would also be good preparation for Sunday!

Advance Notice

1. December 12: Congregational meeting (budget and focusses for 2022), following worship
2. December 19 – Advent Cycle of Readings and Advent Carols, worship 10am.
3. February 13: Futures workshop following worship

1. Worship continues in the church this Sunday November 14. Attendance at gathered services will be limited to those who demonstrate that they have had two COVID-19 vaccination shots, or that they are exempt from being vaccinated. It will be necessary to provide proof of your vaccination, either prior to the service or on the day at the door, but this only needs to be shown once for recording; please see here for more information.
2. AND, and new roster will be prepared in the next or two — please confirm with Sue your availaliabity to be assigned roles again for the next quarter.
3. The theme of the next issue of Mark the Word is “Peace and goodwill: looking forwards with sharing and caring” What kind of Christmas are you planning for 2021?” We are also suggesting any stories about specially memorable or unusual Christmas in the  past. Contributions are soughtby the 30th of November.
4. The most recent Synod eNews (Nov 11)
5. The most recent news from the UCA Assembly (Nov 10)
6. This Sunday November 12 the readings will come from lectionary, Daniel 12.1-3, Psalm 16 and Mark 13.1-8 (focus text); see here for some backround on some of these texts.

Advance Notice

1. December 12: Congregational meeting (budget and focusses for 2022), following worship
2. December 19: Advent Carols and Readings Service (10am)
3. February 13: Futures workshop following worship