Friends,

the latest MtE news update:

1. There will be no congregational lunch following worship this Sunday; the next congregational lunch will be the All Saints luncheon on November 1.
2. Following worship (morning tea) next Sunday October 11 there will be a short workshop considering the new preamble to UC Hotham Mission’s Strategic Plan, which is being reviewed after three years. We encourage you, if you are able, to stay for a half hour or so to reflect on UCHM’s work and its link to the life of the congregation.
3. A number of you have expressed appreciation for the “LitBits” we’ve been including in Sunday pew sheets, illuminating some aspect of the worship service. Imagining that others might find them helpful as well, we’ve launched a page on our web site making them available to whomever might be interested, and will be advertising their availability through the church. 
4. The VicTas Synod has recently launched its Keeping Children Safe Policy, available here; the church council continues to work through the new requirements of congregations with respect to this.
5. For the Synod’s recent decision about what to do with its 130 Lt Collins Street office block, see the Moderator’s letter and the information sheet.
6. Some of you might be interested in a web page I stumbled across while looking for something else — some old newspaper “clippings” on the construction of Union Memorial Church, and the windows in particular.
7. Brunswick Uniting Church invites you to to hear of life in Palestine from Dr Bishara Awad, the founder and president of Bethlehem Bible College Monday, October 5th at 7:30pm – 9:00pm – an informal supper will conclude the evening.

– Bishara Awad was born in Jerusalem in 1939. During the height of the Arab/Israeli conflict, Bishara’s father fell victim to a stray bullet, and Bishara became a refugee along with his mother, three brothers and three sisters. Following his high school education in Jerusalem he attended the Dakota Wesleyan University in the USA. After marrying Salwa from Gaza in 1970 and the birth of their first son, Sami, in 1972, Bishara returned to Palestine to work in the Hope School in Beit Jala.  He served as principal for ten years. In 1979, Bishara felt led to start Bethlehem Bible College and with the support of other Christian leaders and a $20 donation, began this ministry during evening hours at Hope School. From 1979 until 2012, Bishara has served as president of Bethlehem Bible College. Today, Bethlehem Bible College is a fully accredited institution that enjoys its own campus and serves 130+ young men and women each year. Extension satellites operate in the Galilee region and in Gaza. Graduates of Bethlehem Bible College are serving their communities as pastors, Christian educators, counsellors, and tour guides. 

Bethlehem Bible College: http://www.bethbc.org/ 

Bethlehem Hope: http://bethlehemhope.net/

AND don’t forget that Daylight Savings begins this Sunday morning!

Craig

“LitBits” are a new liturgical educational aid for congregations. We have started to develop and use them at Mark the Evangelist, and imagine than others might find them helpful as well! LitBits are text snippets intended to be inserted into a pew sheet in the midst of the liturgy itself or as part of your pew sheet’s “notices” section. For more information, see here.

Friends,

the latest MtE news update:

1. On Sunday September 20 there will be a congregation discussion following worship (this replaces the previously planned Sunday Conversation). This will be an introduction of the Mark the Evangelist Futures Project (MTEFP), which is the process we will be going through to make a decision regarding our utilisation of the various capital resources we have for mission (including questions of the renovation of Union Memorial Church). The MTEFP is a major exercise which will engage us for the next 6-8 months. Further details about the September 20 meeting have been posted directly to congregational members. We expect to begin after a brief morning tea, and for the introduction and discussion to run between 1.5 and 2 hours (and so to include a light bring-to-share lunch).
2. The most recent Synod e-Newsletter is here.
3. COMMUNITY ACTION FOR PEACE – MONDAY 14th SEPTEMBER 5.30 – 7.30 P.M.

   Dr John Langmore will be presenting the next in the Church of all Nation’s series of Spring Conversations: Both Sides of War. His topic will be: Community Action for Peace. All are welcome at the CAN Church Space (180 Palmerston Street Carlton) for conversation and a light dinner on Monday 14 September between 5:30 and 7:30 pm.
4. The VicTas Synod of the UCA has recently launched its Safe Church Policy; see here for more information.
5. The Assembly of the UCA has called for immediate sanctuary in Australia of refugees from Syria and Iraq; see the press release here.

Craig

Friends,

the latest MtE update:

1. This Sunday we begin a series of reflections on the book of James; more information here.
2. On Sunday September 20 there will be a congregation discussion following worship (this replaces the previously planned Sunday Conversation). This will be an introduction of the Mark the Evangelist Futures Project (MTEFP), which is the process we will be going through to make a decision regarding our utilisation of the various capital resources we have for mission (including questions of the renovation of Union Memorial Church). The MTEFP is a major exercise which will engage us for the next 6-8 months. Further details about the September 20 discussion will be advised in the next week or so, but at this stage the Church Council encourages as many members as as possible to plan to be present at this particularly important conversation. We expect to begin after a brief morning tea, and for the introduction and discussion to run up to 1.5 hours.
3. Some of you might be interested in this historic film strip, which gives some insight into the work of the Methodist Mission in North Melbourne several generations ago (perhaps some one of you can date it for us?!)

Craig

Friends,

the latest MtE news update:

1. This Sunday August 30 we’ve another of our occasional hymn-learning sessions following worship. If you’re especially keen you can have a look before we get together; the list will likely include TIS 394, 673, 183, 628, 178, 393 – some new, some refreshers!
2. The President of the UCA National Assembly has sent this Pastoral Letter on Same-Sex Marriage to all congregations.
3. If you’re interested in something more to read, here’s another “Worth a read” suggestion, principally on the theme of worship.
4. The most recent Presbytery Update (August 20) is here.

Craig