Assembly Update September 2003 <http://nat.uca.org.au> part 2
One Great Sunday of Sharing can be celebrated on any Sunday!
If you didn't get a chance to celebrate One Great Sunday of Sharing on 21 July, why don't you find another day suitable to celebrate it. The purpose of ONE GREAT SUNDAY OF SHARING is to provide an opportunity to:
? Grow in what it means to live as people from different cultures in worship, witness and service
? Celebrate the richness of our cultural diversity
? Share faith and fellowship and deepen our mutual understanding and sense of unity
? Build bridges within our Uniting Church
? Recommit ourselves to the vision of being a multicultural church
Resources
Copies of the order of service "Called to extend Gods hospitality" and other resources on the theme of hospitality can be downloaded from our Multicultural Ministry web page <http://nat.uca.org.au/multi>. Hard copies can be mailed to you if needed. Contact Ruth Crispin e: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> or t: (02) 8267 4220.
A special A3 size poster has been designed with a WELCOME in 28 of our community languages. Placed on your church notice board, this could be a useful way of welcoming people from a variety of cultural backgrounds. These can be obtained at $4.00 per copy (includes postage) by contacting Assembly Multicultural Ministry. Contact Ruth Crispin e: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> or t: (02) 8267 4220.
Confronting Racism: Celebrating Diversity
On October 27-31 there will be Confronting Racism Workshop and Facilitator training course, the third week of a six week course "Pacific Peacebuilding Initiatives" run at the Alan Walker College of Evangelism in Sydney. The cost for the one week course is $150.
Facilitators: Myong Duk Yang, Walter Fejo, Ivan Roberts and Helen Richmond.
This module will take the form of an interactive workshop designed to expand awareness of one's own and other's cultural background and experience. It is focused on listening to scripture alongside listening to each other's stories. There will be opportunity to reflect on racism in the broader world context and in the local situation and to reflect on the causes, the victims, the remedies and the strategies to overcome racism, assisting people to reflect on the need for healing and justice within communities, including church communities, and building bridges across differences. Various approaches will be used that will engage the delegates and train them to be able to later conduct a workshop on Confronting Racism: Celebrating Diversity.
For more information contact Helen Richmond e:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> or <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> (Pacific Peacebuilding Initiatives)
Resources for Prayer and Spirituality
The Assembly website now has some useful resources for prayer and spirituality. These include a list of agencies and contacts around Australia who minister in this area, as well as some helpful papers. The papers include ones by Robin Pryor, which has some reflections on the spirituality of the Basis of Union, and by Wes Campbell on the link between theology and spirituality. Ann Siddall reflects on the church's role of spiritual direction in our current context. Andrew Dutney has a paper on Prayer for Rain and Rob Bos a paper on Prayer for Healing. These may all be downloaded free of charge. Go to <http://assembly.uca.org.au/TD> and click on "Spirituality".
Preaching and Teaching - in the Year of Luke
A national conference sponsored by Uniting Education and the Synod of Victoria Otira.
Where: Glen Waverley Uniting Church, Melbourne, Victoria When: 17-19 November 2003
Another opportunity to encourage and enthuse the churchs preaching and teaching ministry. For those engaged in these ministries ministers and pastors, lay preachers, educators, candidates for ministry, chaplains, childrens ministry and youth ministry workers. An intensive focus on content and process, exploring Luke, engaging best practice in teaching and learning.
Keynote Speaker
Bill Loader is a Uniting Church minister, Professor of New Testament and Head of the School of Social Inquiry at Murdoch University. Bills six presentations are all on the Gospel of Luke, the focus of the churchs preaching and teaching ministry in 2004, and explore the background of the gospel, its key features, principal teachings and theological emphases.
Four workshops are designed to connect Luke to practical ministry settings: hands-on, very practical, relating to small groups, discipleship, drama and justice.
Ten lively electives are deliberately specialised, to engage with cutting-edge practice and theory relating to rural ministry lay teams, Christmas programs, indigenous issues, children, art, film and the Hebrew scriptures.
Cost
Full three-day conference cost: $180 Early Bird rate (until Oct 10th - inc. GST)
$195 Full three-day conference cost (inc. GST)
$70 per day conference cost (inc. GST)
$160 Full three-day conference cost (available for groups of 3 or more - inc, GST)
How to register
For conference booklets and further information contact Katie Sullivan at:
Uniting Education
PO Box 1245
Collingwood
VIC 3066
Ph: 03) 9416 4262 Fax: 03) 9416 4264 or email: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
For further information on program, workshops, electives, or to complete an e-registration for this event, visit <www.unitinged.org.au>
Books for Unitings
Books are selected by Hugh McGinlay e: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> (These new books are available from UCA bookshops and resource centres)
A GRIEF UNVEILED
Gregory Floyd
(Paraclete Press)
ISBN: 1557252157 $31.95
Reveals his heart-breaking journey through the sorrow of losing a young child, as he deals not only with his own broken heart, but also with the struggle to reconstruct his role as husband and father; addresses the theological why's and the personal emotions that question the goodness of God in the midst of unbearable loss, offering hope to all who struggle.
MEANING IN THE MIRACLES
John Jeffrey
(Canterbury)
ISBN: 1853114340 $31.95
New edition of a popular and essential guide to understanding the miracle stories. Rejects the usual categories for explaining the miracles and sets the miracles of Jesus in a wider biblical context, showing them to be loaded with theological and prophetic relevance.
WHAT IS MISSION?
J. Andrew Kirk
(DLT)
ISBN: 0232523266 $42.95
How should today's church shape its response to the Gospel? How can we set about 'making disciples of all nations' in our post-Christian, multi faith world? What does 'mission' mean in our times? A book that addresses these issues honestly and openly.
ROWAN WILLIAMS
An introduction
Robert Shortt
(DLT)
ISBN 0232524904 $25.95
The first thorough review of the life and work of the Archbishop of Canterbury, presenting a theologian who is both orthodox and progressive, loyal to the church's doctrinal heritage and open to the best of contemporary thought.
RADICAL HOSPITALITY
Benedicts way of love
Dan Homan and Lonni Collins
(Paraclete)
ISBN: 1557253099 $44.95
Deep within the heart of Benedictine spirituality lies a remedy to hatred, fear and suspicion: hospitality. At once deeply comforting and sharply challenging, true Benedictine hospitality requires that we welcome the stranger, not only into our homes, but into our hearts.
BEING A DISCIPLE
Counting the real cost
Kay Arthur
(Waterbrook)
ISBN: 157856476X $13.95
New Bible study series of six 40-minute studies tackles important issues in brief, easy-to-grasp lessons for personal or small group use, including: what is the difference between a true follower of Jesus Christ and others who merely call themselves 'Christian'?
CHRIST IN THE MARGINS
Icons and biographies
Robert Lentz and Edwina Gately
(Orbis)
ISBN: 1570753210 $49.95
Features forty Robert Lentz icons and Edwina Gateley biographies of Christ-like figures who confound the status quo; with portraits of contemporary men and women who reveal the Christ-presence in the most unlikely places, and includes (with the likes of St Francis) Steve Biko, Albert Einstein, Johann Sebastian Bach, J.R.R. Tolkein, etc. Full colour throughout.
NUMBER TWO TO TUTU
Michael Nutall
(Cluster)
ISBN: 1875053344 $29.95
The story of two South African church leaders, Desmond Tutu and Michael Nuttal (Bishop of Natal when Tutu was Archbishop of Cape Town), during a dramatic and decisive time in the history of their country, the 1980s and 1990s. Recalls how the church played an important part in South Africa's journey from being a racist tyranny to acquiring a new democratic dispensation.
Positions Vacant
Uniting International Mission
Energetic Donor Liaison Officer Wanted!
? Full Time (35 hours per week) ? Located in Sydney City ? Friendly, flexible team environment
Uniting International Mission (UIM) is responsible for international relationships of the Uniting Church in Australia and work with Partner Churches concentrating in Asia & Pacific.
We are looking for a team player with initiative. This is a busy, hands on position where the major focus will be on managing and maintaining the database. Accuracy and attention to detail is mandatory.
You will be joining a friendly team who are passionate about Gods mission.
Applications close 1 November 03, unless specified on our website <www.uim.uca.org.au>
Please forward all letters of interest addressing the criteria as outlined on the job description to;
Uniting International Mission Jane Gibson Promotions Program Manager PO Box A2266 Sydney South NSW 1235 F: (02) 8267 4222 E: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
World Council of Churches
CONFERENCE ON WORLD MISSION AND EVANGELISM - Call for expressions of interest.
The World Council of Churches has announced the convocation of the next World Conference on Mission and Evangelism. It will be held in Athens, Greece, from 12 to 19 May, 2005.
The UCA has been asked to nominate a short list of persons as potential participants, who could bring a contribution to the theme from a mission point of view and on the basis of their experience. The theme is: Come Holy Spirit, Heal and Reconcile - Called in Christ to be reconciling and healing communities
It is the World Council itself that will select the approved delegates from the short lists submitted. No person nominated should take participation for granted until that approval has been given.
The web site for the conference can be accessed through <www.wcc-coe.org>
Expressions of interest should be sent to:
Rev. Dr. Rob Gallacher Christian Unity Working Group, Level 4, 11 Bank Place, Melbourne. 3000
and must be received by 30 September 2003.
Frontier Services QLD
Student Group Home House Parents
Frontier Services operates Student Group Homes at Charleville and Atherton in Outback Queensland. These services provide a home away from home for students whose family home is a long way from any secondary school.
There is currently a vacancy for House Parents in our Charleville service. We are seeking applications from couples who have a willingness to serve people in rural and remote communities and particularly enjoy working with young people.
You will be responsible for the daily management of the hostel, and the provision of a caring and positive environment for 10-11 students. You will liaise closely with the students families and school.
If you feel you have the qualities and skills needed for such an important position, please contact Frontier Services Queensland Regional Office on t: (07) 3377 9828 or
e: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> for an information package.
The successful applicants will be required to obtain a Blue Card (required to work with children in Queensland). Closing date for applications is 10 September 2003.
The Pacific Theological College Fiji Islands
Lecturer in Church Ministry
The person appointed will be expected to teach Ministry courses at MTh and BD levels with emphasis on Christian Education and Pastoral Counselling; to supervise the research work of master students to write and assess extension courses for PTCEE; to assist students to write in praxis in the Pacific context; to have the experience of students whom English is a second language; to participate in the colleges other programs; to participate in committee work and other appropriate duties assigned from time to time by the principal and/ or the college Executive committee.
Qualification expected: Ph.D. or equivalent. A Master degree with five years or more experience in teaching both MTh and BD levels and ministry experience will be considered also. Scholarly publications in the field stated above in non-western context would be advantageous.
The Pacific Theological College (PTC) is an ecumenical institute serving the region of the South Pacific. The person appointed is expected to be sympathetic to the aspirations of the island nations of the region, open to diversity and value of their cultures, and willing to serve in an ecumenical community. Preference will be given to candidates from the South Pacific, however, consideration of candidates outside the region may be necessary. Applications from women will be especially appreciated.
The person appointed will be expected to take up duties on 15 January 2004
Applications should include a full C.V. endorsement letter by the Home Church or Mission Board, 3 references and be sent to: Rev. Dr. Feleterika Nokise, Principal, Pacific Theological College, Private Mail Bag, Suva, or
t: (679) 3311 100, f: (679) 3301728 or e: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> from whom further details may be obtained.
The closing date for application is 30 September 2003
The Pacific Theological College Fiji Islands
Coordinator for Gods Pacific People Programme
The person appointed is expected to: 1. To operate and administer the GPP programme, i.e. organising and implementing programmes; 2. To relate to the Pacific Churches which own the programme; 3. To organise co-operatively the administration of the programme with other partner bodies in the region; 4. To manage and administer programme staff; 5. To relate externally to funding partners; 6. To participate in committee work and any other appropriate duties assigned from time to time by the Principal of the College and/or the College Executive Committee.
The person appointed is to: have both sensitivity and enthusiasm for ecumenicalism, exhibits skills in administration and organisation and be able to work in a team environment; exhibit a deep personal Christian faith commitment and spirituality; be an engaged speaker and teacher; have proven personal relationship skills; show initiative; have good literacy skills. Preferably be a Pacific Islander who is sensitive to multicultural issues and is open minded to the cultural and theological diversity of Christian churches in the Pacific Islands.
Qualifications expected: A Ph.D. or equivalent is required, however a Masters degree from a recognised university or theological college, with 5 10 years ministry experience and management background. Other suitable qualifications may be considered.
The Pacific Theological College (PTC) is an ecumenical institute serving the region of the South Pacific. The person appointed is expected to be sympathetic to the aspirations of the island nations of the region, open to diversity and value of their cultures, and willing to serve in an ecumenical community. Preference will be given to candidates from the South Pacific, however, consideration of candidates outside the region may be necessary. Applications from women will be especially appreciated.
The person appointed will be expected to take up duties on 15 January 2004
Applications should include a full C.V. endorsement letter by the Home Church or Mission Board, 3 references and be sent to: Rev. Dr. Feleterika Nokise, Principal, Pacific Theological College, Private Mail Bag, Suva, or
t: (679) 3311 100, f: (679) 3301728 or e: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> from whom further details may be obtained.
The closing date for application is 30 September 2003
The Pacific Theological College Fiji Islands
Director Pacific Theological College Education by Extension
The person appointed is expected to: 1. Manage the college Extension programme, having responsibility for all operations and the total administration of the programme; 2. Relate effectively to the pacific churches who own the programme; 3. Relate effectively, both internally and externally, to partners and partners bodies in the region; 4. Relate effectively to external funding partners; 5. Relate effectively to PTCEE students throughout the pacific region; 6. Manage programme staff, including academic and administration staff; 7. Promote the further development of the PTCEE Francophone programme through support and resourcing the Francophone coordinator; 8. Promote further development of the PTCEE Tutor programme through the provision of support materials and training for tutors in the field; 9. Design, write and edit Certificate, Diploma and Degree level courses; 10. Oversee the writing, publishing and updating of courses, and relate effectively to internal and external course writers and markers; 11. Participate in committee work and other appropriate duties assigned from time to time by the principal and/or the college Executive Committee.
The person appointed must have the competency to teach at B.D. and MTh levels. As PTCEE moves into degree level programmes, he/she will be responsible for the development of the new curricula and the implementation of the new programmes.
The person appointed is to work in cooperation with the PTCEE Advisory Committee and is responsible to the Principal of the College.
Qualifications expected: The person appointed should have extensive experience in writing and editing theological extension courses and in the distance education administration. He/she should posses an advanced research degree in religion and theological studies. A Ph.D. or equivalent is required, however, a Masters degree from a recognised university or theological college, with 5 10 years experience will be considered.
The Pacific Theological College (PTC) is an ecumenical institute serving the region of the South Pacific. The person appointed is expected to be sympathetic to the aspirations of the island nations of the region, open to diversity and value of their cultures, and willing to serve in an ecumenical community. Preference will be given to candidates from the South Pacific, however, consideration of candidates outside the region may be necessary. Applications from women will be especially appreciated.
The person appointed will be expected to take up duties on 15 January 2004
Applications should include a full C.V. endorsement letter by the Home Church or Mission Board, 3 references and be sent to: Rev. Dr. Feleterika Nokise, Principal, Pacific Theological College, Private Mail Bag, Suva, or
t: (679) 3311 100, f: (679) 3301728 or e: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> from whom further details may be obtained.
The closing date for application is 30 September 2003
Dates for your diary
2003
September 19-21 Vic/ Tas Synod, LA Trobe University September 26-29 WA Synod meeting September 27-30 NSW Annual Synod. Held at Canterbury Park Raceway September 28 Social Justice Sunday September 29- October 1 NT Synod meeting
October 8 11 Pacific gathering on Multicultural Ministry Auckland NZ
October 17 Bishop Spong, will speak at Pitt St Uniting Church 264 Pitt St Sydney. During worship 10 am Sunday 10 October (free entry) and again at 7.30 pm. Friday 17 October for which entry will be $10 or $5 concession. Pre-booking strongly advised for Friday night to avoid disappointment. Send a cheque made out to Pitt St Uniting Church in an envelope addressed Bishop Spong Event, 264 Pitt St Sydney 2003. Include your name, address, phone number and email. Phone Enquiries 9267 3614 office hours Tues-Friday.
October 22-24 Face to face meeting of UnitingCare Australia Advisory Committee on Ageing in Perth.
Ocotober 26 29 Uniting Mission Conference, Perth
October 27 31 Confronting Racism Workshop & Training for Facilitators Alan Walker College of Evangelism Oatlands, Sydney. See this issue of Assembly Update for details.
October 30-31 Surviving as a Change Agent conference, Sydney.
November 1-2 E-merging Church II: Sketching tomorrow conference, Sydney.
November 2-7 Pray for the Patrol Ministers Conference at Nunyara in SA
November 14-16 Assembly Standing Committee, Sydney
November 15 Conference on Cross-cultural Congregations, Centre for Ministry. Cost $15.00. Registrations: Board of Mission MM Unit, PO Box A2178, Sydney South 1235
November 17 18 UnitingCare Australia National Reference Committee meeting Canberra
November 17 18 Preaching and Teaching in the year of Luke conference. Melbourne. For further details see the Uniting Education Website <www.unitinged.org.au>
November 21 23 Christian Unity Working Group Annual Conference, Melbourne at Otira College
December 4 5 UnitingCare Face to Face meeting in Canberra December 11 Defence force Chaplaincy Committee
2004
Congregational Union of Australia and New Zealand centenary will be celebrated this year. The Congregational Union of Australasia was effectively established in 1904, however it was preceded by several Inter-colonial conferences in the 1880's.
January 3-23 About Face Program. Young people placed in indigenous communities.
January 8 11 Fijian National Conference - Melbourne
March 22 25 Chinese National Conference - Sydney
April 21-25 The national U.C.A.F. celebration 2004. Venue: Lincoln College, North Adelaide
May 21-25 QLD Synod meeting
July 2-5 Queensland: Thomas Bandy speaks on the topic Why Churches Thrive, Sustaining Thriving Churches and Sustaining Leadership
July 9-10 South Australia: Thomas Bandy speaks in on the topic Why Churches Thrive, Sustaining Thriving Churches and Sustaining Leadership
July 9 - 13 NCCA National Forum, Adelaide
July 16-17 Victoria: Thomas Bandy speaks on the topic Why Churches Thrive, Sustaining Thriving Churches and Sustaining Leadership
July 30 - August 12 World Alliance of Reformed Churches 24th General Council
Accra, Ghana. The theme is: That all may have life in fullness
August 8 13 National Presbytery Ministers Conference. For further details contact Graham Whybird t: (02) 9980 67 62
September 27 29 National Meeting of Indonesian UCA Ministers September 29 October 2 Indonesia National Conference - Sydney
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Stephen Webb Media Officer Communications Unit NSW Synod, Uniting Church in Australia Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW 1235, Australia email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: +61 2 82674308; Fax: 92674716; Web: nsw.uca.org.au/cu/ & insights.uca.org.au/ ------------------ The Communications Unit publishes the monthly magazine Insights, conducts public relations for the NSW Synod of the Uniting Church, and provides a variety of communications services. These include writing, editing, web consultation and development, desktop publishing and graphic design, public relations and advertising. For a consultation or free estimate on your project call the Communications Unit at (02) 8267 4307.
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