·         August Presbytery day – a quick reminder that our next Presbytery-in-council meeting will be held this Saturday 22^nd August at Kingswood College, Box Hill. The agenda and papers have been sent, please let me know if you did not receive them.

·         Mission Shaped introduction (MSI) – this introductory course exploring new ways of building communities which connect with Australians unfamiliar with traditional church will take place over the course of three evenings in August, September and October. Information is attached.

·         Fundraiser for Asylum Seeker Resource Centre – Glen Iris Rd UC will be hosting a Jazz evening (and I see there will be cheese platters) to raise funds for the ASRC. An image with further information is attached and you can book here

·         Thriving: Resilience and 40 Developmental Assets Training – a one day workshop for people passionate about the holistic and positive development of young people. Saturday 29^th August. More information here

·         Child, Mission and Education Symposium – a great opportunity for ministers, pastors, chaplains, religious educators and Christian teachers. Friday 11^th  September. More information here

·         Justice and International Mission Unit convention – the 2015 convention will be held on Saturday 12^th September at the CTM in Parkville. A registration form is attached.

·         Disability Inclusion – the VicTas Synod’s Disability Action Plan will be launched by Victoria’s Public Advocate, Colleen Pearce on Friday 25^th September. An invitation is attached.

·         Transform Conference – “Let’s talk about sex: the Bible, faith and relationships” is the theme of the second Transform 2015 Conference for young adults, over the weekend of September 25-27, 2015 at Pallotti College. Prof. Bill Loader is the key presenter, with lots of other great presenters and stuff! Some registration subsidies are available for those not in full time paid employment. For more information: www.transformgatherings.com

·         Living Leadership intensive – Living Leadership, resourced by the CTM, works to enhance the capacity of individual leaders and leadership teams across the church to exercise effective leadership. For anyone in a le

The August 2015 issue of Crosslight is now available online. Click here to access it.

The President of the UCA National Assembly has issued this pastoral letter on same-sex marriage.

·         August Presbytery day – a quick reminder that our next Presbytery-in-council meeting will be held on Saturday 22^nd August at Kingswood College, Box Hill. Put this date in your diary if you have not already! Further information will follow at the end of next week.

·         Presbytery Induction – a reminder that the induction and recognition service for the Rev. Young Lee will take place this Sunday 9^th August from 3:00pm at the Loving Church of Melbourne (Manningham UC, Westfield Dr, Doncaster).

·         Dedication and opening of ‘Barry’s Place’ at Burwood UC – Thursday 27^th August. An invitation is attached.

·         40 Developmental Assets Training – a one day workshop for people passionate about the holistic development of young people. Deepen your understanding of positive youth development in Australia and engage in conversations on how your community, school or faith congregation may enhance and develop young people’s resilience and capacity to thrive. Saturday 29^th August. More information:http://ctm.uca.edu.au/ctm/events/thriving-40-developmental-assets-training/

·         ‘Mind, Body, Spirit’ at North Balwyn – Ms Jessica Morrison, who is a member of Christian Peacemaker Teams, will talk on the topic ‘Embodying Christ’s call to be peacemakers in a violent world’. Sunday 30^th August, 5:30-7:30pm, NBUC, 17-21 Duggan St, Balwyn North.

·         Music at St Margaret’s – is to be held on Sunday 13th September from 2:30 pm, featuring clarinet quintet Clique des Clarinettes with the St Margaret’s choir supporting. Admission by gold coin donation including a light afternoon tea. St Margaret’s UC, Hull Road, Mooroolbark. Further enquiries to 9726 5953.

·         Celtic spirituality workshop at Bayswater – Sunday 16^th August. Information attached.

·         Hymn playing workshop at North Balwyn – Saturday 26^th September. Information attached.

·         ‘A Thoughtful Faith’ – is an new initiative of the Congregation of Mark the Evangelist (North Melbourne), which provides a listing of upcoming theological conferences and seminars and an email subscription if you’d like to be notified of new additions to the list. See www.marktheevangelist.unitingchurch.org.au

Uniting Journeys is hosting a journey to Sri Lanka with Uniting Journeys, and we would like to invite you to join us! This is much more than tourism – it is responsible travel.

 

“Speaking as someone who has had very little experience of travelling overseas, you couldn’t ask for better travelling companions.”

Dan Wootton 

Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia,

Synod Victoria and Tasmania

 

Join Larry and Cynthia on the next

“Journey to Paradise”

• Depart October 14^th2015
• 14 days
• $2800 approximate cost all inclusive

 

Your personal video invitation from Larry and Cynthia

 

The draft itinerary is here!

 

For more information email: info@unitingjourneys.com.au

 

 

The Synod of VicTas is implementing changes to the oversight of its community service agencies. More information here.