Friends,

the latest MtE Update

1. The most recent Synod e-Newsletter (September 9) is here.
2. The most recent Pilgrim Theological College news is here.

Other things of potential interest:

1. Some might be interested in a one-day symposium, Rethinking Liberation, Emancipation, and Inequality, at Melbourne Uni on Oct 21; details here.

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

Friends,

the latest MtE Update

1. This Sunday, July 31, we’ll have another hymn-learning session after worship for those who have time to stay and a desire to expand their repertoire!
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. We need a particular number of ticket purchases by August 4 (next week) for the screening to go ahead (the screening is on August 16); for more details, the film trailer and the link to purchase tickets, please see the UCHM web site.
3. Our next study series will be in August, considering Rowan Williams’ great little book, Being Christian; details and registration page is here.
4. For those who missed Bruce Barber’s Lenten studies last year, or want to hear them again, he is presenting that at South Melbourne UCA; details are here.

 

Friends,

the latest MtE Update

1. This Sunday July 17 we have, as our after-worship conversation, Mark Duckworth speaking on “The Victorian approach to preventing violent extremism”.
2. Our next study series will be in August, considering Rowan Williams’ great little book, Being Christian; details and registrations are available here.
3. The church council has recently adopted a range of Synod “Safe Church” policies, the details of which are here.
4. For those who missed Bruce Barber’s Lenten studies last year, or want to hear them again, he is presenting them once more at South Melbourne UCA; details are here.
5. The most recent Synod newsletter (July 7) is here.

Rev Bruce Barber will present at series of talks on the theme of God in Western culture at SOUTH MELBOURNE Uniting Church on Friday mornings, mid-August to mid-September. For more details, see the flyer.

Friends,

the latest MtE Update

1. Our next study series will be in August, considering Rowan Williams’ great little book, Being Christian; details and registrations are available here.
2. At our most recent (June) church council meeting, the church council agreed to support a proposal from Craig that we might explore ways of encouraging the wider Uniting Church to reflect upon its practice of celebrating the Eucharist, with a view to promoting the benefits of moving towards weekly celebration of the Eucharist as being the norm in UCA congregations, rather than the (very rare) exception. A basic description of this project is given here; there will be an opportunity for to participate in a conversation about this following worship on Sunday July 10.

Other things of potential interest:

A letter from the Moderator:

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The Basis of Union encourages us to engage in active partner relations with the Asia-Pacific region. These relationships are a source of great blessing to us as a church. Part of being in partnership is to encourage and support each other. Through the President Stuart McMillan, and Uniting World, one of our partner churches – the Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua (Gereja Kristen Injili Di Tanah Papua ‘GKI-TP’) – has asked for our urgent prayer and support as they lead their people in troubled times, seeking to reduce political tension and avoid conflict in Papua.

I want to encourage you to remember the GKI-TP, its people and leaders and the people of West Papua in your prayers this week, and over the weeks to come. Could you also share this call to prayerful solidarity widely with your communities.

There is further information from the President and Uniting World about the situation in West Papua here.

Grace and peace,

Sharon Hollis, Moderator

An upcoming free event to celebrate NAIDOC week at Brunswick Library

Taizé prayer

5.30pm, Saturday, 2nd July 2016

@ Trinity College Chapel, Royal Parade, Parkville.

Singing practice from 5pm.

Please join us for dinner in the Dining Hall afterwards ($10 per person)

It does get VERY chilly in the Chapel during winter, so please make sure you rug up and bring your scarves, beanies and blankets …

If you can’t make it this week, the dates for the rest of the year are:

6th August

3rd September

1st October

5th November

Taizé in Melbourne, Working Group

Pastoral Care workshops (Bethel)

Dear POTENTIAL Lentara Team Member,

As part of a major fundraising effort to support Lentara’s Asylum Seeker Program, Lentara is again pulling together a team of people to participate in this year’s Melbourne Marathon Festival on Sunday the 16th October 2016 and are looking at you to Put the U in Run.

You don’t need to be fit to participate, as distances include the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km, 5.7km and a 3km walk.

Runners will have the opportunity to seek supportive sponsors, and we’ll let our team know how to do this a little later.

Last year, with a team that included a number of very impressive performances from UC Ministers, Lentara staff and friends, our team raised over $12,000 and had a great day. So we encourage you to get involved.

Our Target in 2016 is to raise in excess of $20,000.00 and registrations are now open.

Please let me know if you do register or if you have any queries, and feel free to pass this on to anyone you think might be interested.

With thanks,

Rev David Withers

Mission Development Minister