Friends,

the latest MtE news update:

1. We have a congregational meeting following worship this Sunday August 2; the agenda is principally the election of two elders and the endorsement (or otherwise!) of the Church Council’s proposed Focuses for Mission and Ministry from now until the end of 2016.
2. Our study series on Marcus Borg’s Meeting Jesus again for the first time is now underway – not too late to sign up! You can register your interest via our web site.
3. The Synod of VicTas is implementing changes to the oversight of its community service agencies. More information here.

Craig

Friends,

the latest MtE news update:

1. This Sunday we will take a break from the series of reflections on the kingship in Israel to consider an opinion piece by Lorraine Parkinson which appeared in the most recent issue of Crosslight (July): “A response to ‘Why Unite’”. (This is a response to an earlier piece by Randall Prior). To my mind it is an unhelpful piece but it warrants conversation or a response. To facilitate this reflection, the following readings will be heard in worship on Sunday:Galatians 2.15-21, Psalm 30 and Matthew 5.13-20.It will help you to participate in the reflection if you are able to read the Crosslight piece before Sunday. The form of our engagement around this will be a more of a dialogue than the usual sermon. It might also help to engage in this if you were to consider the following questions about Lorraine’s article, which we’ll use as the basis for our discussion: what appeals to you about her argument, what troubles you about it, and how good is the good news she thinks she has in her alternative to the traditional Christian reading of Jesus?
2.  In July and August there will be a study series focussing on Marcus Borg’s Meeting Jesus again for the first time. You can register your interest via our web site.
3. The most recent Presbytery update (July 6) is here.
4. The most recent Synod update (July 9) is here.

Craig

Yarra Yarra Presbytery Update July 6 2015

Events

• Retired manse fellowship – the next gathering for retired ministers, deaconesses, missionaries, spouses and widows/widowers will be heldtomorrow Tuesday 7^th July, from 10:00am-12:00pm at Wesley UC (148 Lonsdale St, Melbourne). Rev Alistair Macrae will talk about the proposed restoration and development plans at the Wesley site and Rev Robert Elkhuizen, Presbytery Minister Administration, will speak about his work including new programs Presbytery is tackling. For further information: Jim Cunnington, jimar6@bigpond.com or 9432 4200.
• Presbytery recognition and induction – an induction and recognition service for the Rev. Young Lee will take place at the Loving Church of Melbourne (Manningham Uniting Church, Westfield Drive, Doncaster) on Sunday 19^th July at 3:00 pm. These are significant occasions and all are invited and encouraged to attend.
• Collaborative Consultations training evening – the Consultations Advisory Working Group is planning a training event to equip and enable more people to participate in consultations with congregations. It will be held on Tuesday 28^th July from 7:00pm-8:30pm at the Yarra Yarra Presbytery Office, 415 Belmore Rd, Balwyn East. See attached for contact and other information.
• LPA Lay Education day – the next Lay Preachers Education Day will be held on Saturday 1^st August at the Centre for Theology and Ministry, Parkville from 8:45am-4:15pm. For further information and registration form contact Alastair Davison, ajdavison@netspace.net.au.
• Wisdom’s Feast – registrations for Wisdoms Feast are now open, a two event of theological reflection, discussion, friendship, activities and learning resourced by the Centre for Theology and Ministry and to be held in Ballarat from 14-15 August. More information and registration here
• August Presbytery meeting – an advanced notice that our next Presbytery meeting will be held on Saturday 22^nd August at Kingwood College, Box Hill. A date for your diary!

Other information and resources

• Applications for funding through the Share 2016 Lenten Offering are now open – see more here
• Koonung Heights UC (Balwyn East) is seeking a an experienced, enthusiastic and committed Children and Families co-ordinator for a half-time position initially for 2 years and commencing in September 2015. Contact Rev David Carter on 9816 3218 or drcarter@adelaide.on.net for a copy of the position description. Applications close Friday 31^st July.
• Synod Moderator Dan Wootton has released a statement regarding a decision to withdraw from ACCESS Ministries – see it here
• People might be interested to listen to UCA President Andrew Dutney’s message on this year’s anniversary of the Uniting Church, which can be foundhere; and also an interview with President-Elect Stuart McMillan who will be installed as President this weekend at the Assembly meeting in Perth.

Friends,

the latest MtE news update (a rather long one!):

1.  As you can see, the congregation’s web site is slowly being developed into a more interactive and informative resource! If you are noticing any display issues on your devices, please let Craig or Rod know.
2.  In July and August there will be a study series focussing on Marcus Borg’s Meeting Jesus again for the first time. You can register your interest via our web site.
3. The Board of UnitingCare Hotham Mission recently sent to the VicTas Synod’s Standing Committee two responses to the Report of the Major Strategic Review Team on the Synods community services network, of which Hotham Mission is formally a part (as a UnitingCare agency). These responses are provided via our website for the information of congregation members. The first of these responses relates largely to the procedure of the Report. The second response relates more to the understanding of church, mission and agency assumed by the Report.
4. We are pleased to welcome the Heaven’s Song church (choose the English version in the top righthand corner!), which will be using our hall/worship space on Saturday nights, 6-10pm. The congregation is part of a wider network of the Heaven’s Song church which has a ministry focussed on the Portuguese-speaking South American community. We pray that the two congregations will be a blessing to each other.
5. “A Thoughtful Faith” is a new service the wider church we’ll be trialing through our web site over the next few months.
6. St Mary’s Anglican Church is hosting a workshop on mental health which might be of interest to some of our congregation members.
7. The VicTas Synod has withdrawn its support from ACCESS ministries.
8. The UCA’s triennial National Assembly meets in a couple of weeks.

Craig