Friends,

the latest MtE Update

1. Sunday worship this week will be lead by Rob Gallacher and Bruce Barber; Bruce has selected a set of texts different from the RCL for the day; for those who like to read up before the service, they are: Genesis 22:1-14; Romans 4:1-3; 13-17; Matthew 3: 7-10
2. We are seeking another set of hosts for further coffee-and-cake conversations about our buildings project in the weeks of Sept 19-23 and Oct 3-7. If you are able to assist with this (a lounge room for a couple of hours, morning, afternoon or evening), please let Craig know and he’ll pass your offer on to the meetings coordinator.
3. Hotham Mission’s food security research has featured in a recent article in the Moonee Valley Leader.
4. The most recent Presbytery Newsletter (September 6) is here; an older newsletter which hasn’t been circulated (August 29) is here.
5. The Institute of Postcolonial Studies, with which MtE runs occasional joint programs, has a special presentation by Samah Sabawi on the theme “My Words My Story! A Palestinian Australian’s Quest for Voice and Inclusion”; see the top item here for more details.

Other things of potential interest:

1. Brunswick UCA has two theological conversations in the coming weeks; see here for more information.
2. Some might be interested in a one-day symposium, Rethinking Liberation, Emancipation, and Inequality, at Melbourne Uni on Oct 21; details here.
3. A public lecture on “Islam in our world today: Learning to understand & respect Islamic cultures & religion” is being presented at Yarra Theological Union (Box Hill); details are here.

Friends,

the latest MtE Update

1. Matthew and Miranda are presenting the Sugden Fellow Lecture at Queen’s College, Parkville, on Monday August 22, 7.00pm for 7.30pm (RSVP by August 19); the full details are here. 
2. The first Hotham Mission newsletter – the “Hotham Herald”, is available here.
3. The moderator has circulated this letter regarding Synod budget cuts (staff reductions).
4. There is a conference at the CTM in September on the relationship of church welfare agencies to the church itself. Some members of our congregation are attending, and others might be also interested; the details are here.
5. Hotham Mission is running a special community screening of the documentary “Chasing Asylum”, which explores Australian asylum-seeker policy and its effects on those seeking asylum. For more details, the film trailer and the link to purchase tickets, please see the UCHM web site – tickets almost sold out!
6. Our next study series has begun. If you’re keen to come but haven’t registered, details and registration page is here.
7. As previously advised, the planned congregational meeting on our buildings and mission issues, set for August 21, has been re-scheduled this meeting for September 4, following worship. Papers for this should be available on two weeks beforehand.

Friends,

the latest MtE Update

1. The planned congregational meeting on our buildings and mission issues, set for August 21, has had to be postponed on account of delays in gathering the information the Church Council had hoped would be available for consideration at that meeting. Church Council has re-scheduled this meeting for September 4. We note that this date is Fathers’ Day but, on account of other limitations, it is the only feasible date for a meeting before October. The service on September 4 will be shorted and the meeting kept as tight as possible to enable as many congregational members as possible to participate. The purpose of this meeting will principally be to hear and discuss a progress report as a prelude to a planned “decision” meeting later in October.
2. Hotham Mission is running a special community screening of the documentary “Chasing Asylum”, which explores Australian aslyum-seeker policy and its effects on those seeking asylum. For more details, the film trailer and the link to purchase tickets, please see the UCHM web site.
3. Our next study series STARTS NEXT WEEK. If you’re keen to come but haven’t registered, details and registration page is here.
4. For information on a forthcoming event on “The Churches’ Approach to Advocacy for Refugees and People Seeking Asylum”, see this post.
5. The most recent Synod eNewsletter (August 2) is here.

Other things of potential interest:

1. Victorian Gender Equality Strategy Consultations for Victorian Seniors