Prayer Points

Ministry Team
Church Council
Olive Way program
Pastoral Care Committee
Justice & Mission Committee
Sunday Morning Program
Roster participants
Non-Violent Direct Action
FUNdraising Committee
Presbytery of Port Philip West
Creatures of the land

BUC News

Riding the Waves – Episode 7
Our sixth story features Helen Rowe.

Coming out of Lockdown at BUC
Are you wondering what the latest changes to COVID restrictions mean for Brunswick Uniting?  There is much to consider before we can safely re-open our buildings including restrictions on the number of people who can gather.  The Church Council COVID Reference Group monitors all government advice as it is issued and we are working with Synod to  implement appropriate safeguards. By taking a cautious approach within the guidelines the aim is ensure the health and safety of everyone.  Leaders of programs and groups are developing their COVIDSafe plans but for the foreseeable future groups using Zoom and other virtual options to stay connected will continue in this way.  We will keep you informed about the timing of any activities recommencing at  the BUC Sydney Road site. There are also some limitations for small groups and Committees that normally meet in homes.  Our Pastoral Care Team is available if you are seeking personal support at this time.  Contact Rev Ian Ferguson 0438 547 842‬ or Gwen Arnold 0413 047 938
Please contact Helen Rowe if there are any questions about this message. Email helen.rowe@rocketmail.com or mobile 0423 009 813

Pastoral Care Review 2020 – Gathering up Stories
It is 5 years since we introduced our new model and structures for Pastoral Care in our church (Vision Document). Now we are undertaking a review to celebrate what we have achieved in that time and to consider what we have learnt and might want to do differently as a result. Please read An Introduction to Pastoral Care as background reading for the review.
The review will be supported and resourced by Anne Mallaby, Baptist minister and recently retired academic dean of Whitley College where she lectured in pastoral studies and ministry formation. Anne will work with a small team from within the congregation including Ian, Gwen Arnold and Jane Allardice. We look forward to hearing your stories and experiences over the next couple of months.

Calling all photographers
The worship committee would love to hear from anyone who loves taking photos and wants to offer their work for use as Title Slides during worship.  Please contact Ian Ferguson, 0438 547 842 or Saide Cameron, 0407 096 743.

Christmas Bowl catalogue
As with most other activities our big Act for Peace Christmas Bowl FUNdraising stalls are being offered online.  An online catalogue will be available from Sunday 1st November for a limited time only.  Choose from biscuits, preserves, cakes and puddings, gingerbread houses, Christmas craft, home made gifts and an Art Silent Auction.  Pick up or delivery 12th-13th December or by arrangement.  Contact Saide, 0407 096 743, for more information.

BUC News

Ian on leave
Ian will be taking a week’s annual leave from 2nd-9th November.  We will welcome Peter Blair, our Olive Way Pastor, as the preacher on Sunday 8th November.

Anniversary Service
During worship on Sunday 15th November we will celebrate two special anniversaries – 15 years since Brunswick UC was formed and 10 years since our redeveloped worship space was opened and blessed.  See the November Olive Branch for more information.

Wider Church News

Port Philip West Presbytery
Read Newsletter 18 for news, stories and information from our Presbytery.
You might also like to follow the Regenerating the Church Facebook group.

Climate Action News

Climate Action Group
The next meeting of BUC Climate Action Group (CAG) will be at 5pm on Saturday 7th November via zoom. Contact Richard Arnold for more information.

Make a commitment
CAG invites us all to make a voluntary climate crisis commitment. We ask that households try their best to reduce carbon emissions and to also consider advocating for society as a whole to reduce carbon emissions.  Members of the congregation have shared some of their commitments in this 9 minute video (an extended version of the offering segment from Season of Creation Worship 4).

Citizens Assembly – build Moreland back better
NUCA and NECCHi, along with the Coalition of Everyone are preparing to run a Citizens’ Assembly in late November (evening of Friday 27th and all day Saturday 28th). The objective for this Citizens’ Assembly (CA) is to ‘build Moreland back better’ in a way that is tailored to residents’ specific needs and circumstances by ensuring that the diversity of voices in Moreland is heard when making decisions around recovery plans – this is the opportunity for the community to get involved in identifying and prioritising a range of needs, as well as giving advice on how they would be most effectively and meaningfully addressed. 18 participants selected by lot, similarly to the creation of a jury for legal trial. The residents will be chosen to be representative along the lines of gender, age, location / region, and other important demographic factors. The participants who are chosen to be part of this mini-public event will be paid $100 each for their time. If you are aged 16 or over and live in the area covered by Moreland City Council, you can register your interest here: https://www.sortitionfoundation.org/necchi_2020 by Monday 9th November.  See a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document here