Your are most welcome to join us at our Christmas celebrations this year!

Sunday December 24 (Christmas Eve, morning worship): a service of Advent carols and readings with Eucharist, 10am.

Christmas Eve (afternoon and evening): (we have no later services at Mark the Evangelist, but commend the Christmas Eve services at St Mary’s Anglican Church – the 4pm “Kids’ Christmas” and the 11.30pm Christmas Eve Midnight Mass)

Christmas Day: Worship with Eucharist, 9.30am

Normal services will continue, 10am, throughout January

The latest MtE News

1. There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday December 10, following worship. The agenda will include presentation of the proposed 2018 budget, an official “launch” of a new ministry of the congregation, and a report on our buildings project.
2. The most recent Presbytery news (November 28) is here.
3. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday December 3, see the links here.

Other things potentially of interest

Treatment of asylum seekers and refugees – can the International Criminal Court prosecute Australia’s leaders for crimes against humanity?

Organised by The RMIT Arts, Labor & Working Life Collective & The Refugee Advocacy Network, Melbourne

How has Australia ended up here? A modern and democratic country – and early signatory to the UN Refugee Convention – is now referred to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.  Members of the panel will talk about their submissions to the ICC and will examine why has happened and how – as civil society – we can be part of a concerted effort to end this human tragedy.

Speakers

• Julian Burnside QC and Human rights advocate and submitter to the ICC
• Professor Gillian Triggs, Vice Chancellor’s Fellow University of Melbourne & former President of the Australian Human Rights Commission
• Mohammad Ali Baqiri, Refugee advocate formerly detained on Nauru
• Tracie Aylmer, Human rights advocate, and submitter to the ICC

Thursday 7 December 2017, 6.00 – 8.00pm

Building 80, Level 2, Lecture Theatre 2

445 Swanston Street

RMIT University, City Campus

Map

This is a free event.

RSVP
Antonio Castillo: antonio.castillo@rmit.edu.au

The latest MtE News

1. There’ll be another hymn-learning session on THIS SUNDAY November 19, after morning tea.
2. A pastoral statement from the UCA President and Moderators on the marriage survey result this week.
3. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday November 19, see the links here

The latest MtE News

1. This Sunday November 12 – Baptism!
2. We’ve added to our website the possibility of signing up to some e-lists which keep people up to date on some of our particular ministries; feel free to sign up to any of these lists here.
3. There’ll be another hymn-learning session on Sunday November 19, after morning tea.
4. The most recent Synod eNews (Nov 9) is here.
5. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday November 12, see the links here.

The latest MtE News

1. This Sunday is our “All Saints” luncheon (though Wednesday was All Saints!). We’ll welcome back Howard Wallace as a guest preacher, and be accompanied in worship by an icon-ic cloud of witnesses…
2. Having failed to convene a “quorum” at our last attempt, we’ll try for another hymn-learning session on Sunday November 19, after morning tea.
3. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday November 5, see the links here. The focus text will be the reading from Joshua.

The latest MtE News

1. Following worship on THIS SUNDAY October 22 we’ll have another of our new hymn-learning sessions.
2. The most recent Presbytery eNews (Oct 17) is here.
3. Our Presbytery (Yarra Yarra) is currently seeking nominations for its various committees for the next 12 months; please speak to Craig if you have an interest in serving in this way…

Old News

1. The next “Conversations which make a difference” at Church of All Nations (Carlton) will be on TONIGHT October 20; see here for more info.

The latest MtE News

1. The most recent Synod eNews (Oct 5) is here.
2. The lectionary for the coming liturgical year (Dec 2017+) is now available here. Let Craig know if you would like a hard copy printed (on A3; this link will print on A4, but will be quite small script!)
3. Following worship on Sunday October 22 we’ll have another of our new hymn-learning sessions.
4. Our Elder’s lists have recently been reviewed and re-jigged by the Church Council; members’ designated elder should be in touch with you soon to let you know who is whose; if you don’t hear soon, please speak to Craig!
5. Uniting Church in Australia: ‘A People of God on the Way’
   • Public forum: Sunday 15 October, from 3:00pm at the CTM Parkville, includes shared afternoon tea beforehand.
   • Dr Deidre Palmer, President-Elect of the national Assembly, will explore the current and future shape of the Uniting Church.
   • Rev Dr Geoff Thompson, established theologian of the Uniting Church, will address the Basis of Union as our continuing theological compass.
   • Join these two national leaders for an afternoon forum to explore where the Uniting Church is heading, and how will we find our way together.
   • FREE forum but please RSVP online for catering purposes: https://ucavt.goregister.com.au/peopleofgod2017

    

6. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday October 15, see the links here. We are presently hearing the Series II OT readings on Sunday.

Old News

1. The next “Conversations which make a difference” at Church of All Nations (Carlton) will be on Friday October 20; see here for more info.
2. “Sin boldly!” in October: In October Christ Church Kensington (76 McCracken Street, Kensington) celebrates the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, especially one of its leaders, Martin Luther—who actually meant it when he said, “Sin boldly!” On three Tuesday evenings at 7:30 PM (10, 17, and 24 October) at Christ Church, members of CCK will gather to learn about Luther (and what he meant by his “advice”). We will be reading portions of a short book, Martin Luther: A Very Short Introduction by Scott H. Hendrix, available from Book Depository and Amazon. If you would like to participate, please let Craig know and he’ll pass on your interest to the organisers (or let Margaret Rolfe [Christ Church] know directly).

The latest MtE News

1. This Sunday October 1 there will be a conversation following morning tea of the “Voluntary Assisted Dying/Suicide” consultation paper prepared by the VicTas Synod’s Justice and International Mission unit. Rosalie will lead us in one aspect of the document before we open up to a general discussion. You can download the document here, or pick up a hard copy at church on Sunday. If you’re pressed for time, pp.22-51 of the document might be the most helpful for our conversation.
2. The next “Conversations which make a difference” at Church of All Nations (Carlton) will be on Friday October 20; see here for more info.
3. “Sin boldly!” in October: In October Christ Church Kensington (76 McCracken Street, Kensington) celebrates the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, especially one of its leaders, Martin Luther—who actually meant it when he said, “Sin boldly!” On three Tuesday evenings at 7:30 PM (10, 17, and 24 October) at Christ Church, members of CCK will gather to learn about Luther (and what he meant by his “advice”). We will be reading portions of a short book, Martin Luther: A Very Short Introduction by Scott H. Hendrix, available from Book Depository and Amazon. If you would like to participate, please let Craig know and he’ll pass on your interest to the organisers (or let Margaret Rolfe [Christ Church] know directly).
4. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday October 1, see the links here. We are presently hearing the Series II OT readings on Sunday.
5. Go Tiges.

Other things potentially of interest

1. TEAR Australia Justice Conference (Melbourne, October)

 

The latest MtE News:

1. The latest Pilgrim College news (September 18) is here.
2. The latest Presbytery update (September 20) is here.
3. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday September 24, see the links here. We are presently hearing the Series II OT readings on Sunday.
4. “Sin boldly!” in October: In October Christ Church Kensington (76 McCracken Street, Kensington) celebrates the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, especially one of its leaders, Martin Luther—who actually meant it when he said, “Sin boldly!” On three Tuesday evenings at 7:30 PM (10, 17, and 24 October) at Christ Church, members of CCK will gather to learn about Luther (and what he meant by his “advice”). We will be reading portions of a short book, Martin Luther: A Very Short Introduction by Scott H. Hendrix, available from Book Depository and Amazon. If you would like to participate, please let Craig known and he’ll pass on your interest to the organisers (or let Margaret Rolfe [Christ Church] know directly).
5. On Sunday October 1 there will be a conversation following morning tea of the “Voluntary Assisted Dying/Suicide” consultation paper prepared by the VicTas Synod’s Justice and International Mission unit. Rosalie will lead us in one aspect of the document before we open up to a general discussion. You can download the document here, or pick up a hard copy at church on Sunday (72 pages long!).The purpose of the discussion is to:
   • To give an opportunity for members of the conversation to make comments, ask questions, and “overhear” the discussion of others on this question
   • To invite members to contribute in feedback to the Synod on this question (responses can be made up to October 20, 2017)

   Reading the consultation paper

   The consultation paper is long. It comprises:

   1. the recommendations on the governmental Ministry Advisory Committee, which outline how legislation enabling voluntary assisted dying might be constructed (pp8-19);
   2. existing VicTas Synod resolutions on the matter, theological reflections of selected members of the church, and formally expressed views of other churches (pp20-48);
   3. reasons why assisted dying laws might be needed (pp49-51); and
   4. an overview of such laws in other places (52ff)

   While reading the whole of the report will be helpful, our conversation will likely focus on the theological reflections, in connection with the “reasons why” section (that is, pp.22-51).

 

The latest MtE News:

1. The VicTas Synod of the UCA met this week; you can find information about the meeting and its resolutions here.
2. On Sunday October 1 there will be a conversation following morning tea of the “Voluntary Assisted Dying/Suicide” consultation paper prepared by the VicTas Synod’s Justice and International Mission unit. You can download the document here, or pick up a hard copy at church on Sunday (72 pages long!)
3. For those interested in some background commentary to the readings for this Sunday September 17, see the links here. We are presently hearing the Series II OT readings on Sunday.