Imagine connecting the gospel with our contemporary culture.

You are invited on Saturday May 15 to join with us as we engage these questions and more.  We will be resourced in our thinking by Queensland based mission consultant, writer, thinker, imaginer and missionary Duncan Macleod.  Duncan brings years of experience exploring these topics, and leading the Uniting Church in Queensland in developing and implementing a Vision for Mission.

When: 10am to 3pm, Saturday 15^th May
Where: Clarence Uniting Church, Bellerive
Who: Existing, past and future leaders, Christians who are thinking deeply about how we connect with our world
Cost: $30 includes morning tea and light lunch
How: Complete and return registration form, together with payment, or pay by EFT and e-mail us your details (registration form available from Liz Carter)

This day represents a unique opportunity for us to gather, think and imagine together.

Imagine is a joint venture between the Uniting Church Presbytery of Tasmania and the Baptist Union of Tasmania.

If you’d like to know more about this day and how you can be involved in it, please contact Scott Guyatt on 6331 9784 or e-mail scott.guyatt@victas.uca.org.au

Sanctuary is space to pause and reflect during Lent.

Sanctuary is an opportunity to enter into the spiritual journey of Lent.

Sanctuary is a series of quiet reflective gatherings engaging in various models of alternative worship, experiential encounters and meditation.

Sanctuary is being held at Clarence Uniting Church: Bellerive 7:30PM each Wednesday evening during Lent.

Sanctuary is beginning this coming Wednesday evening.

Sunday 22nd February at 6pm

Grace Church
45 Melville St
Hobart

Entry by donation with proceeds going towards mission trips to India.

You are special by Max Lucado – a book review
This beautifully illustrated story centres on Punchinello who is a wemmick or rather, a wooden person.  Punchinello falls short of the other wemmicks’ ideal of a perfect wooden person and soon he starts to believe that he is worthless.  However, after meeting Eli, his creator, Punchinello discovers that Eli cares for him regardless of the opinions of the other wemmicks and that comments made by others don’t matter.  While this book doesn’t mention God directly, the story is a lovely allegory for God’s love and provides a wonderful opportunity to affirm your child’s worth.

A new addition to the library
Bright lights dark nights by Simon Smart.  This book was generously donated by Alan Mathews.

In continuing to provide a relevant and supportive service to our older children, our congregation now asks for someone to “step forward” and accept the leadership of our senior group of children. We also would greatly appreciate any assistance for the junior group too.

Restorative Justice operates on principles of truth-telling, accepting responsibility and grace. In many ways it’s about establishing a mindset which in turn creates an environment where wholeness for individuals and communities is a real possibility.

Our forums this year are double edged. Some important topics will be explored; all from the perspective of how they demonstrate a commitment to Restorative Justice.

These events are open to anyone. They represent opportunities for listening, discussing and acting. Through these forums the Commission for Mission is attempting to work with the UCA community by stimulating interest and involvement in a range of themes. These themes have been identified as important to the missional life of the church.

Come along and be part of Mission now….

Information for the first of the Victorian events on the theme of Restorative Justice: Principles, along with online registration forms can be found by clicking here.

Please check the link as information will be updated on a regular basis.

Generously donated by Mike and Jean on the occasion of Mike’s retirement from ministry.  I have spent the week browsing this wonderful book that is a new edition of one that has sold over 3 million copies.  The handbook provides background information regarding many aspects of the Bible including its history, how the books of the Bible were selected and a brief outline of Israel.  Other topical sections include ‘The Bible through women’s eyes’ and ‘A scientist looks at the Bible’.   It provides a guide to each book of the Bible which is richly illustrated with coloured maps and photographs.  Special interest reports written by a variety of experts are scattered throughout and provide detailed information on a variety of topics and people in the Bible.  The extensive Rapid Factfinder serves as a directory to the Bible and index to the handbook.  A beautiful book that adds depth and clarity to the Bible. 

Something for the kids – The Ten Commandments (DVD)

Michael (who is 6) was captivated by the story and the 3D animation.  The running time is 88 minutes and is a great way to entertain and educate the kids during the holidays!

Library Aid International Update

Linda Abblit, Director of Library Aid International sent an update indicating that she and a few volunteers have been busy sorting and re-packing the books that will be sent to disadvantaged schools in South Africa.

Following morning tea Dr Zirnsak will be convening an open conversation with all interested people seeking to gain an understanding on issues of justice in Tasmania and to g discuss the work of the Justice and International Mission Unit. This conversation will begin at 11:15AM and is open to all interested people. If you are unable to attend the service because of commitments with your own congregation you may like to come across after church to share in the conversation. Mr McMullen will be holding a similar conversation at Sandy Bay at 11AM and Scots-Memorial at 12:30PM for those who may be closer to that worship centre.

Dr Zirnsak was employed as the Synod Social Justice Development Officer in the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania in June 1999 and became Director of the Justice and International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania in early 2004.

Mark is the National Coordinator of the Australian Network to Ban Landmines, Treasurer of the National Committee on Human Rights Education, Chair of the Victorian Human Rights Education Committee, Chair of the Victorian InterChurch Gambling Taskforce and Chair of the Victorian Council of Churches Social Questions Committee. He is also on the National Steering Committee for the Micah Challenge, a global campaign in the Christian community to ensure that the Millennium Development Goals are achieved, which includes halving absolute global poverty by 2015.

From December 1997 to the end of 1999, Mark had been National Religious Network Contact and Victorian Religious Network Coordinator for Amnesty International Australia. In 2003 Mark was awarded the National Meritous Service Award by Amnesty International Australia.

On the previous Friday evening, the 13th of February, Mark and Anthony and Jill Ruzbacky (formerly Cooper) will be hosting a workshop on justice issues at Wesley Uniting Church from 5:30PM to 7:30PM.

If you’re interested in joining this group, please contact Judith Cornish.