Friends,

the latest MtE Update!

1. The latest Synod eNews (Sept 6) is here.
2. A letter from the Moderator (Sept 7) regarding our Synod meeting this and next week is here.
3. The latest Pilgrim College news is here.
4. For those interested in some background reading to the readings for this Sunday September 10, see the links here. We are presently hearing the Series II OT readings on Sunday.

Other things of potential interest

1. The Resilient Women Forum.A new report has shown that women are the main targets of Islamophobic violence, with half of offline attacks occurring in crowded public spaces, often in front of children. You can read more about the report here Islamophobia in Australia Report.Participants attending this mid-day Forum will learn what practical steps community members, as well as local agencies and community leaders, can take to respond to this gendered violence and community safety issue.Guest Speaker: Tasneem Chopra – Curator, Consultant, Author and prominent activist.  Tasneem’s passion for addressing social justice issues has embraced many platforms.We welcome all those interested, including those from community organisations, state and local government, schools, hospitals, places of worship, community members and leaders.  The event is free of charge, but please register, as it is being catered. Please also let the organisers know if you have any dietary requirements.  Note: Some childcare can be provided. Please contact April Robinson if you will need to use this service: april.robinson@victas.uca.org.au or 0417 225 231Details are as follows:Date:                     Tuesday, 12 September 2017Time:                    10am – 2:30pm (including morning tea & lunch)Venue:                 Preston Shire Hall – 286 Gower St, PrestonRSVP before 8 September 2017 via Eventbrite: Resilient Women Forum

   Kind regards, April Robinson

   Interfaith Network Developer
   Commission for Mission
   130 Little Collins St Melbourne 3000
   t  (03) 9251 5965  | f  (03) 9251 5491  | m  0417 225 231
   e  April.Robinson@victas.uca.org.au
   w  victas.uca.org.au

2. UCA Assembly Membership 2018 (Melbourne)
   TO: Synod members, ministers in placement, Church Council secretaries and Presbytery Secretaries:

The Business Committee has decided to extend the deadline for Assembly nominations  till 6.00pm on Saturday 9 September – the first day of the Synod meeting.

Nominations for Synod Standing Committee close at 6.00pm on Sunday 10 September. Please note, you do not have to be a member of Synod to nominate for the Assembly, but you do need a member of Synod to nominate you.

You do, however, have to be a member of Synod to nominate for the Synod Standing Committee. You can find the nominations website at: http://nominations.victas.uca.org.au

 

Friends,

the latest MtE Update!

1. Our new study series has begun – not to late to join in (week 2 next week)! You can register for a group from this page.
2. The latest Presbytery update (August 15) is here.
3. The latest Synod update (August 9) is here.
4. For those interested in some background reading to the readings for this Sunday August 20, see the links here. We are presently hearing the Series II OT readings on Sunday.

 

Other things of potential interest

Dear Vic/Tas Uniting for Refugees Network members,

National Day of Action – 8^th October!

Different groups in the refugee sector are planning for a National Day of Action on Sunday 8^th October, and we would like to encourage you to think of creative ways that you might be able to might mark this day and use it as a way of calling for bipartisan commitments for humane solutions and real justice for those who are entangled within the awful web of offshore detention, long periods of arbitrary detention, prolonged family separation, and no clear guarantees of permanent protection.

It might be as simple as a reflection in the Service that morning (using some previously-published Refugee Week resources by UnitingJustice), or a creative activity involving your Congregation on the day.   If you’re doing an activity, please send through a photo and a few lines about what you did – that would be great to promote to others to give encouragement and ideas!

On that day in Melbourne, a City-wide event is being organised by the Refugee Action Collective for 2pm at the State Library – further information can be found here: http://bit.ly/DayofAction8-10

Keep an eye on our Vic/Tas Uniting for Refugees Network Facebook page, as well as the pages of Refugee Advocacy Network; Refugee Action Collective; Australian Refugee Action Network; Rural Australians for Refugees; Safe Asylum Tasmania and other similar pages to find out what else is happening and for resources which can be used for the day.

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. Our next study series begins next week. “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. Please contact Sue if you are able to assist with the worship roster for the next few months, or if you’re usually on the roster but will be away for some of that time.
3. There will be a congregational meeting on THIS 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.
4. For those interested in some background reading to the readings for this Sunday August 6, 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 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