Friends,

the latest MtE Update!

1. Our next study series begins in a couple of weeks. We learn heaps together in the groups! The next book – “Migrations of the Holy” – is a study in “the political meaning of the church”, and we’ll consider chapters on “The Liturgies of Church and State”, “The Church as Political”, “Migrant, Tourist, Pilgrim, Monk” and “The Sinfulness and Visibility of the Church.” You can REGISTER for a group from this page.
2. There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday August 6 following worship; the main item of business will be considering proposed focuses for mission and ministry for the next 18 months; a report will also be given on progress with our buildings project.
3. Public Lecture: Priorities for a public theology in a time of extremisms: Fresh insights from Bonhoeffer
   • Thursday, August 10, 2017
   • 6:00pm  8:00pm
   • Whitley College Theological School44-52 The AvenueParkville, VIC, 3052Australia

   Lecturer Revd Dr Keith Clements taught at Bristol Baptist College and Bristol University before serving with the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland and as General Secretary of the Council of European Churches. Author of What Freedom? The persistent challenge of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Learning to speak: The church’s voice in public affairs and others.

   Respondent: Revd Dr Gordon Preece, Director of RASP, editor of Bonhoeffer Downunder, ATF, 2012. FREE | Register at TryBooking. This event is co-hosted by Whitley College and RASP.

4. For those interested in some background reading to the readings for this Sunday July 30, see the links here. We are presently hearing the Series II OT readings on Sunday.

Friends,

the latest MtE Update!

1. TONIGHT July 21: Church of All Nations is sponsoring a “Conversations that make a difference” series, the first event of which will feature Andrew West (ABC Radio National), and Janet McCalman (UniMelb) discussing the place of religion in public discussions. See here for more info.
2. Our next study series begins in a few weeks – on Wed August 9 (Nth Melb) and Fri August 11 (Hawthorn), and there may yet be another group. These groups are a great opportunity to spend some time together thinking about Christian faith and practice. First you read and then you join to discuss. We learn heaps together in the groups! The next book – “Migrations of the Holy” – is a study in “the political meaning of the church”, and looks into the relationship between the church and contemporary Western culture. You can read more about the book in a brief account by the author here. Plan to join one of the groups if you can!
3. There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday August 6 following worship; the main item of business will be considering proposed focuses for mission and ministry for the next 18 months.
4. Brunswick UCA the Palestine Israel Ecumencial Network are presenting on “Peacemaking in the Modern World” next Tuesday July 25; details.
5. The August Pilgrim College news is here.
6. The most recent Presbytery update is here.
7. For those interested in some background reading to the readings for this Sunday July 23, see the links here. We are presently hearing the Series II OT readings on Sunday.

Friends,

the latest MtE Update!

1. Our next study series begins in a few weeks – on Wed August 9 (Nth Melb) and Fri August 11 (Hawthorn), and there may yet be another group. These groups are a great opportunity to spend some time together thinking about Christian faith and practice. First you read and then you join to discuss. We learn heaps together in the groups! The next book – “Migrations of the Holy” – is a study in “the political meaning of the church”, and looks into the relationship between the church and contemporary Western culture. You can read more about the book in a brief account by the author here. Plan to join one of the groups if you can!
2. Church of All Nations is sponsoring a “Conversations that make a difference” series, the first event of which will feature Andrew West (ABC Radio National), and Janet McCalman (UniMelb) discussing the place of religion in public discussions. See here for more info.
3. An invitation to service on the new Synod committees…
4. For those interested in some background reading to the readings for this Sunday July 16, see the links here. We are presently hearing the Series II OT readings on Sunday.

Friends,

the latest MtE Update!

1. Our next MtE-Habitat reading group begins next week! Five studies using Walter Brueggeman’s “Praying the Psalms (Second Edition): Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit 
   

   Wednesdays May 31 – June 28, 7.30-9.00pm, Mark the Evangelist, North Melbourne (venue TBA depending on numbers)

   Fridays June 2 – June 30, 9.30-11.00am, Habitat Uniting Church (Augustine)

   I’m sorry the reminder is coming so late. Options for obtaining the book include (click on the links):

   Koorong [Quick – from within Australia]

   Kindle [instant]

   Book depository [Usually within a week from the UK]

   Please let me know by reply email if you’re able to attend one of these groups!

   [You can see the proposed dates and books for other series this year here.]

2. Material for the next issue of Mark the Word is due by the end of the month; please get it to Suzanne as soon as possible…
3. The latest Synod e-Newsletter is here
4. Latest Pilgrim College news
5. News regarding changes in the UCA’s “SHARE”
6. If you’d like to do some background work on this coming Sunday’s readings (Easter 7A)

Acts 1:6-14

Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35

1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

John 17:1-11

Other potentially of interest:

FROM: Vic/Tas Uniting for Refugees Network

Dear Vic/Tas Uniting for Refugees Network members,

I am emailing to let you know of some great upcoming training that the Uniting Church and CAPSA (Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum) are running to offer local church and community groups an opportunity to come together and build skills for action around refugee issues in Australia.

These training sessions have been designed to support the launch of an action toolkit by CAPSA. You will be offered a hardcopy of this toolkit at any of the sessions. 

 So what’s on offer?

Training #1 – Community Conversations

Community conversations are a great way for people to learn about the issues affecting people seeking asylum, and to join the discussion about how we can be treating people with dignity and respect. We believe that when a community is made aware of an issue and works together in defence of what is fair and right, anything is possible.

We’ll present a model for having conversations in your local community and give you the tools and structures to organise your own.

 

Training #2 – Meeting your local MP

MPs are our elected representatives in parliament and have a responsibility to listen to the issues that are of concern to their constituents. In this session we will work through some of the key things to think about when arranging, preparing for and following up your meeting with an MP.

We’ll build your skills to have effective meetings with MPs that are outcome-focused and help us achieve important change for refugees and people seeking asylum.

For our Wednesday 31st May training we will be joined by former ALP candidate for Melbourne – Cath Bowtell – who has years of experience working with government departments, unions and elected officials and is currently CEO of Industry Fund Services.

For both MP sessions, we will be joined by Catherine Neville, who has held senior policy and advocacy roles in government and the community services sector and worked as an advisor and Chief of Staff for the Bracks, Brumby and Andrews Labor Governments in Victoria.

How do I get involved?

Register your attendance for one or two of the four session we have on offer:

Wednesday 24^thMay – 6.00pm-7.30pm – Community Conversation Training #1

Wednesday 31^stMay – 6.00pm-7.30pm – MP Meeting Training #1 (with Cath Bowtell)

Sunday 4^thJune – 2.00pm-3.30pm – Community Conversation Training #2

Sunday 4^thJune – 4.00pm-5.30pm – MP Meeting Training #2

All workshops will take place at the Cathedral Room, Cardinal Knox Centre, 383 Albert St, East Melbourne.

To register your attendance, please reply to this email giving me your phone contact details and details of the sessions that you would like to attend!  If you would like further information, please don’t hesitate to contact me (my direct contact details are below).

We look forward to having a good contingent of UCA people along for these sessions, and seeing the great activity that will come out of this training.

 Kind regards,

 Jill Ruzbacky
 
Social Justice Officer, Justice & International Mission
Commission for Mission
130 Little Collins St Melbourne 3000
t  (03) 9251 5266  | f  (03) 9251 5241  | m  0417 878 982
e  jill.ruzbacky@victas.uca.org.au
w  victas.uca.org.au

Friends,

the latest MtE Update!

1. This coming Sunday’s service – Passion/Palm Sunday – will feature a full reading of St Matthew’s passion narrative.
2. The latest Presbytery update (March 28) is here.
3. The latest Pilgrim college update (March 30) is here.
4. The latest Synod newsletter (April 6) is here.
5. Information on the progress of the Implementation of the Major Strategic Review
6. Palm Sunday walk info; UCA members are invited to gather in front of Wesley Church, Lonsdale Street, at 1pm where the Moderator will speak, before proceeding to the beginning of the walk from the State Library by 2pm.
7. Nomination forms are now available for this years Synod meeting (Box Hill from 8^th to 13^th September); speak to Craig if you’re interested in attending.
8. Our Mark the Evangelist luncheon is coming up — Sunday April 23; Wes Campbell will be our guest preacher on that day.
9. Our Easter services are as follows:
   

   Passion Sunday April 9, 10.00am with Eucharist

   Maundy Thursday April 13, 7.30pm with Eucharist

   Good Friday April 14 10.00am

   Easter Vigil Service Saturday April 15 8.00pm

   Easter Day Service 10.00am with Eucharist

10. There is an ecumenical service at St Paul’s cathedral on ANZAC Day, 11am.

 

Other things of potential interest:

A Tenebrae service at Auburn Uniting Church

UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA MEDIA RELEASE, 1 April 2017

The President of the Uniting Church in Australia Stuart McMillan has asked Church members to lend their support to UCA appeals for communities suffering in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie.

 “Our Church will be there to support people in need and help Queensland and northern NSW recover,” said Mr McMillan. “Please continue to pray for the safety and the welfare of all affected communities, as they come to terms with their losses.”

“I ask all UCA members to please try to support our appeals, which go to support ministry in these communities.” Cyclone Debbie made landfall on the Whitsunday Coast as a Category 4 storm with winds of more than 260 kilometres an hour on Monday 28 March causing extensive damage. Five days later water, shelter and communications are still limited into towns of Ayr, Bowen and Proserpine. Torrential rains from the weakening cyclone have also seen rivers in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales reach record peaks, causing major flooding in Beaudesert, Lismore and the Tweed Valley. Tens of thousands of residents had to be evacuated.

Counsellors from Lifeline UnitingCare Community in Queensland are working in the disaster-affected communities to supports locals to deal with the trauma of the last week. Disaster relief chaplains in NSW are working at evacuation centres in flood-affected areas in Lismore and the the Tweed Valley. National Disaster Recovery Officer Rev. Dr Stephen Robinson says all communities face a long road to recovery. “What’s most needed now are our prayers and support,” said Rev. Dr Robinson. “Your donations will support the recovery of those affected by providing personal and practical care to people, many of whom might otherwise fall through the gaps of formal support.”

 “The Uniting Church is well-placed to provide this kind of support, because we’re part of the affected community, and we’ll be there alongside the community into the future.”

 In the weeks ahead, the Synods of Queensland and NSW/ACT will be sending trained peer supporters to come alongside church leadership as the process of recovery begins. Rev. Dr Robinson will be following up with affected presbyteries and congregations and working with Synods to assist the recovery effort. Queensland Synod has launched a Disaster Relief Appeal.  The NSW/ACT Synod is encouraging its members to donate to the Moderator’s Appeal.  The Assembly’s National Disaster Relief Fund remains open to receive donations, with funds to be drawn on by Uniting Churches and agencies supporting recovery in affected areas. https://assembly.uca.org.au/national-disaster-relief-fund/. Donations of $2 and over are tax-deductible.

From Andy Calder, Disability Inclusion

Director, Uniting CPE – The John Paver Centre

“The most extraordinary, precise, deep and beautiful account of blindness I have ever read. It is to my mind a masterpiece.” – Neurologist and author Oliver Sacks

Jan Dale has written to let us know about a wonderful film which was made about Prof. John M. Hull. Their father was a Methodist minister, Rev. J.E. Hull, his last ministry being at Elsternwick Methodist around 1960. John went to live in the UK in the late 50s and was considered one of the most influential religious educators in the world.  He held the first full professorship in Religious Education in England (at Birmingham University).  John became blind in mid-life after a history of eye problems.  John kept an audio diary recording his struggle with loss of sight and subsequently published it in a book “Touching The Rock: An Experience of Blindness.”   The filmmakers discovered the book and decided to make a documentary and then discovered that the original diary tapes still existed.  These, along with recent interviews with John and his wife, are used as the film’s dialogue with actors lip synching. Sadly John died as a result of an accident just after the filming began.  The film has won many awards and received extraordinary reviews.

There is to be a special screening on April 26th at Cinema Nova at 6.30 but only if enough tickets are sold by 17th April.  The screening is the first time it has been available in a cinema in Australia. https://tickets.demand.film/event/1522

There is an app available for visually impaired people through MovieReading which automatically synchs with the film and gives an audio description of scenes, writing on the screen etc. in between the film’s dialogue

I commend this film to you and your networks

With thanks, Andy.

Commission For Mission
130 Little Collins St Melbourne 3000
t  (03) 9251 5489  |  f  (03) 9251 5491  |  m 0417 562 556
e  Andy.Calder@victas.uca.org.au
w  victas.uca.org.au

Friends,

the latest MtE Update!

1. Our congregational picnic is this Sunday, March 26, following worship on that day (Royal Park) — BYO everything to gather at the Australian Native Gardens section of Royal Park, near the corner of Gatehouse Street and The Avenue, Parkville (map) – about 5 minutes from the church.
2. If you’re wondering what is going on with the children’s talks in church recently, there’s a description of the logic on this new page on our web site. From the bottom of that page you can jump to another page which includes a demonstration of the memory palace concept with a 360° panoramic picture of the church as an aid to developing the memory of the unfolding story.
3. If you’d like to do some background work on this coming Sunday’s readings (March 26, Lent 4A), these links will be of assistance:

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Psalm 23

Ephesians 5:8-14

John 9:1-41

Other things of potential interest:

A local fundraiser for a Philippines charity