The Centre for Theology and Ministry and UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania will jointly host a Playgroup Conference ‘Stories of Childhood’ on Saturday 24 May 2008.
It will be a time to meet together with others who are part of playgroups and children’s ministry from churches all over Victoria. Conference speakers include Heather Barnes and Jackie Kerin.
Topics covered will include ‘Understanding Children’s Emotional Development’ and a storytelling workshop. There will also be a panel discussion looking at the topic of Pastoral Care of Parents in Playgroup Settings.
Registration forms will be sent out to congregations in February. More details available from Linda Harman linda.harman@victas.unitingcare.org.au, 9251 5288.
Passionate Arts is a one-day exhibition on 23 February 2008 that will focus on how the arts may enrich celebrations through the 50 days of Easter.Â
This will be a day for artists and worship leaders to get together and share inspiration through a wide range of art forms through panel discussion, electives and arts showcase.
Participants will contribute to a collaborative felting artwork through the day.
For more information contact Centre for Theology and Ministry, 9340 8815, info@ctm.uca.edu.au.
On Saturday 2 February 2008 those who are involved, interested in, part of, or just want to support all things Youth Ministry across the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania will gather for our annual Youth Ministry Dinner.
The peninsula youth band – Raize will perform on the evening, and there will be presentations from young people who will share their experience of the Call of God and how that can sometimes come when you least expect it.
Cost is $22 per head for tickets purchased before 23 January 2008 or $26 per head for tickets purchased on the night.
The dinner will be held at Brunswick Uniting Church, 214 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. If you are interested in coming along, or know someone who would be, contact Uniting Youth Ministries on 9340 8815 or email <uym@ctm.uca.edu.au>.
RELIGION has been unfairly blamed for conflicts around the world in recent years, but Christians should remember the benefits of their devotion, Sydney Catholic Archbishop George Pell has said.
In his Christmas message, the archbishop reminds Christians that the birth of Jesus is a symbol of helplessness and hope.
“Christians believe that the almighty God has visited us, not just through prophets, saints and humanitarian heroes, but through sending his son to be born of a virgin in Bethlehem…,” Cardinal Pell has said.
A child once asked, “If Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, why do we get all the gifts?†In the midst of the busyness of the season, many of us may have asked ourselves the same question. Are all the presents we receive and the gifts we exchange really a reflection of God?For God so loved the world that He gave… When we read those words, then it becomes clear that giving truly is at the heart of the reason we celebrate. Giving reflects God’s character and expresses His heart.
But sometimes the true meaning does get lost. That’s why we’re inviting you to be a part of the “Share and Care†Christmas challenge. When we share with those around us through giving unselfishly, we are an example of what God did for us when He sent Jesus. When we use giving to express our hearts, we show the world once again that love is the reason for Christmas.
We can give a simple present. We can give a moment of our time. We can give a small kindness or a great sacrifice. What matters is not the size of the gift, but the meaning behind it. All gifts are ultimately a reflection of Jesus, who is The Gift.
God loved. God gave. God made a difference. We can too.
This article is from the web site: Jesus is the gift
MELBOURNE’S Anglican dean has been appointed the worldwide church’s top diplomat, representing the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Vatican.
David Richardson, dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, said yesterday his job would be to interpret Anglicans to the Roman Catholic Church and relay what was going on in the Vatican to fellow Anglicans.
As the stormy weather in Melbourne this week has caused all sorts of chaos, it is reminder that the cosmos has been brewing for an event that keeps surprising us – Immanuel means God is with us …
Sermon, Sunday December 23rd, 2007Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
Paddington Uniting Church on Oxford St has welcomed the gay and lesbian community to a light-hearted Christmas celebration last Sunday.
It’s a first Christmas Together event conducted with St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Oxford St and St George’s Anglican Church at Five-Ways.
The web site: Jesus is the gift has free flash based e-cards that you can send now to friends this Christmas.
This web site urges people to both give and receive in a way that reflects the love that God shows us through the gift of Jesus.
The electronic cards can also be customised allowing you to share your own special gifts this season.
If anyone knows of other great web sites with special free Christmas e-cards, please sign in and comment below.
Ministry intern student, Jay Robinson, reflects on how her new personal ministry situation and changes involved has given her a new sense of what Advent is really like.
Jay shares her thoughts along with many others on the new UCA synod of Victoria-Tasmania’s blogsite called trapeza. Trapeza is an online community of people who are interested in faith. It is a place of reflection, spirituality and contemporary theology.
Along with stimulating content to read, trapeza is a place to leave a comment, to have a voice. There is an invitation there to share your view on spirituality, the church, or whatever is on your soul.