1. THIS SUNDAY August 12 Anja & Zlatna invite you to their annual concert ‘Music without borders’ – in support of ‘Befriend a Child in Detention.’ This is to raise much needed funds for educational resources for these unfortunate children. Location: 4 Elm Street North Melbourne, Hall of Congregation of Mark the Evangelist, 1pm. The programme will feature beautiful and intricate music from the Balkans and beyond. The programme will run for an hour without interval. Entry by donation to the cause but if you are not in a position to donate, please come and enjoy our music and community.
2. Next Wednesday August 15 we will begin an experimental online discussion group, looking weekly at a chapter of a book. The book will be Northrop Frye’s The Great Code; for more on the book, see some of the reviews here. It is a challenging but very rewarding read! The quickest and cheapest way to obtain a copy is probably here (typically arrives in 7-10 days); electronic versions do not seem to be available. The experimental and online aspects of this group are that we will ‘meet’ via Skype or a similar video-conferencing vehicle — more details to come, and not as hard as it might sound (we think!). This means not having to travel in the evening for the group. The group will ‘meet’ online at 7.45pm on Wednesday August 15. Let Craig know if you are interested in joining; details on how to participate are here.
3. The most recent Synod eNews (August 9) is here.

Old News

1. A monthly series of sermons on the the Ten Commandments will commence on Sunday August 26. Some more details are given here, including some suggested background reading to the Commandments for the series.
2. ALSO on Sunday 26 there will be an open conversation following morning tea around the recent resolution of the UCA’s national Assembly on marriage.

 

1. This Sunday we formally welcome of couple of members as transfers to the congregation!
2. Late-ish notice but… on Wednesday August 15 we will begin an experimental online discussion group, looking weekly at a chapter of a book. The book will be Northrop Frye’s The Great Code; for more on the book, see some of the reviews here. It is a challenging but very rewarding read! The quickest and cheapest way to obtain a copy is probably here (typically arrives in 7-10 days); electronic versions do not seem to be available. The experimental and online aspects of this group are that we will ‘meet’ via Skype or a similar video-conferencing vehicle — more details to come, and not as hard as it might sound (we think!). This means not having to travel in the evening for the group. The group will ‘meet’ online at 7.45pm on Wednesday August 15, 7.45pm. Let Craig know if you are interested in joining, and we’ll send the details on how to participate!
3. A monthly series of sermons on the the Ten Commandments will commence on Sunday August 26. Some more details are given here, including some suggested background reading to the Commandments for the series.
4. You might be interested in this brief account by the composer of the music setting for the Eucharist, ‘the Mass for the Fallen’, which we regularly use in worship at MtE (YouTube video link).
5. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday August 5, see the links here (we’ll hear Ps 78 and the gospel reading this week, in addition to our focus text from 1 John – 1 John 4.13.-16 (cf. here), a reflection on the church’s faith in God as Trinity).

Other things potentially of interest

Old News

1. For those interested in the question of indigenous sovereinty in Australia, two lectures at RMIT Uni
2. A Jazz fundraiser for Refugees, August 4

Wednesday August 15 we will begin an experimental online discussion group, looking weekly at a chapter of a book. The book will be Northrop Frye’s The Great Code; for more on the book, see some of the reviews here. The quickest and cheapest way to obtain a copy is probably here (typically arrives in 7-10 days); electronic versions do not seem to be available.

The experimental and online aspects of this group are that we will ‘meet’ via Skype or a similar video-conferencing vehicle — more details to come, and not as hard as it might sound (we think!). This means not having to travel in the evening for the group.

The group will ‘meet’ online at 7.45pm on Wednesday August 15, 7.45pm. Let Craig know if you are interested in joining; details on how to set up to participate in the group are here.

1. This Sunday we will welcome in worship a number of students from the Uniting Church Studies course at the Centre for Theology and Ministry.
2. The latest Presbytery eNews (July 24) is here.
3. A Jazz fundraiser for Refugees, August 4
4. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday July 29, see the links here. Our focus text will be a continuation in our series on 1 John – 1 John 4.7-12.

5. Old News

6. For those interested in the question of indigenous sovereinty in Australia, two lectures at RMIT Uni

1. A week ago, the UCA Assembly came to a resolution on the nature of marriage and the celebration of marriages by UCA celebrants; the unconfirmed minute of the resolution can be found here. A pastoral statement from the UCA President in relation to this matter is available here.
2. A brochure and invitation to protest changes to the government support of asylum seekers in Australia.
3. For those interested in the question of indigenous sovereinty in Australia, two lectures at RMIT Uni…

1. Our ‘Dinners for Eight’ are underway; please see the pew sheets or speak to Norma or Wendy to register!
2. The latest Presbytery eNews (July 4) is here.
3. The latest Synod eNews (July 4) is here.
4. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday July 8, see the links here. Our focus text will again (likely!) be a continuation in our series on 1 John.

5. Old News

6. The 15th Assembly of the Uniting Church gathers this July in Melbourne; you can see some of what is to be discussed on the dedicated web site (see especially the menu items at the top right of the page).

1. Our ‘Dinners for Eight’ are about to commence; please see the pew sheets or speak to Norma or Wendy to register!
2. The 15th Assembly of the Uniting Church gathers this July in Melbourne; you can see some of what is to be discussed on the dedicated web site (see especially the menu items at the top right of the page).
3. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday July 1, see the links here. Our focus text will again be taken from 1 John, this week 3.1-3.

1. This Sunday June 17 our after-worship talk will be presented by Peter Blackwood, on Christian iconography. This is part of our continued reflection on the use of icons in our own weekly worship.
3. ‘Dinners for Eight’ are planned in members’ homes for the following dates and locations; please see the pew sheets or speak to Norma or Wendy for more details and to register!

4. Sunday 24:6:18 lunch at Midday (Parkville).

   Sat 30:6:18 dinner at 6 pm (Nth Melb).

   Sun 1:7:18 lunch at midday (Sth Melb).

   Fri 6:7:18 dinner at 6.00pm (South Yarra).

   Sat 14:7:18 dinner at 6 pm (Lower Plenty).

   Sun 15:7:18 lunch (Full)

   Fri 20:7:18 dinner at 6.30pm (Nth Melb).

5. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday June 17, see the links here. Our focus text will again be taken from 1 John, 2.18-28

6. Old News

   1. The 15th Assembly of the Uniting Church gathers this July in Melbourne; you can see some of what is to be discussed on the dedicated web site (see especially the menu items at the top right of the page).
   2. Events in Refugee Week 2018 (June 17-23)

1. Worship this Sunday June 10 will be led by Peter Blackwood and Robert Gribben.
2. On Sunday June 17 our after-worship talk will be presented by Peter Blackwood, on Christian iconography. This is part of our continued reflection on the use of icons in our own weekly worship.
3. The most recent Synod eNews (June 6) is here.
4. Events in Refugee Week 2018 (June 17-23)
5. The UCA media release on the church’s participation in the national redress scheme for victims of institutional child abuse (June 4)
6. An invitation has been extended, to any interested, to attend the induction of the staff of the new Synod eLM unit (‘equipping Leadership for Mission’), including Sean Winter, Fran Barber, Mel Perkins, Nigel Hanscamp, Bradon French, Sue Withers, Adrian Pyle, Daniel Murray and Jenny Byrnes, Friday June 22 at the CTM: Details.
7. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday June 10, see the links here.

 

1. Old News

2. The 15th Assembly of the Uniting Church gathers this July in Melbourne; you can see some of what is to be discussed on the dedicated web site (see especially the menu items at the top right of the page).

1. Following morning tea THIS Sunday June 3 we’ll have another of our hymn-learning sessions; please stay if you can, as we enlarge our repertoire!
2. The 15th Assembly of the Uniting Church gathers this July in Melbourne; you can see some of what is to be discussed on the dedicated web site (see especially the menu items at the top right of the page).
3. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday June 3, see the links here; our focus on 1 John continues from 2.11-17.

Other things potentially of interest

A time of reflection, prayer and music this Saturday 2nd June.

A Taizé prayer will be held at Trinity College, Royal Parade, Parkville at 5:30pm the Saturday of reconciliation week. Dinner to follow in the dining hall nearby.

Looking forward to seeing you there. Any questions can be directed to this email address or you can connect to our Facebook group: Taize in Melbourne, Australia. Thanks!

Old News

Outreach Ministry

Make it Messy! Training Day THIS Saturday June 2 Parkville 

Make it Messy! will assist those already engaged in Messy Church, churches contemplating beginning a Messy Church and people genuinely curious about the Messy Church phenomenon take the next step in their Messy journey. Join with others from churches across the state for a day of active engagement, stimulating discussions, encouraging stories and helpful electives that will empower your ministry in your local context – whether you are already engaged with Messy Church or not!. Across the day you will have the opportunity to connect with experienced Messy Church leaders and engage with…

Introducing Messy Church                                                                    

Starting a Messy Church                                                                        

Extreme Craft for Messy Church                                                        

Opening the Bible in Messy Church 

Growing discipleship in Messy Church

Exploring what makes Messy Church church                                

Messy Church beyond the monthly gathering                                             

Activities and games for building Messy community                 

More information and registration: e-mail ann.byrne@victas.uca.org.au or Make it Messy 2018 (live from May 1);  for more on the ‘messy church’ idea: http://messychurchaustralia.com.au/

Please let Craig or Lauren know if you’d be interested in being part of an MtE group attending this workshop