Olive Press 3/3

Do you have a story of faith to share
… in which you have turned to God in some way?
It doesn’t have to be a big moment, or a fully formed story, just something where you experienced a turning point.
As part of our focus for Lent this year, we are wanting to share stories with one another about these moments during worship.
Contact Cath to find out more.

Gaza Peace Pilgrimage
Shawn Whelan and Tim Budge share their experience of the Ash Wednesday pilgrimage.

Visit the Hermannsburg Exhibition
On Thursday 14th March you are invited to meet in the foyer at the Ian Potter Gallery at Federation Square at 10.30am and join the Olive Arts Collective to view the Hermansburg Exhibition. Stay on after for a picnic lunch by the Yarra (weather permitting). Contact Leanne for details, ‭0449 912 092‬.

Rethinking Racism
Join the Justice and Mission Committee in a space for listening, discussion and reflection about racism and anti-racism. We will be listening to First Nations voices on these topics, and reflecting on how we can act in good allyship. Two opportunities: in person after worship on 21st April or on Zoom on 23rd April.

Join the Big Walk 4 Refugees (virtual walk around Australia)
Between 13 February – 26 March, people around Australia are contributing to a virtual walk around the country to show support for 10,000 people seeking asylum who are still waiting to call Australia home after more than 10 years.
Love Makes A Way has joined, and we invite you to too! It’s a simple sign up, and you can log any walking, running, cycling, dancing (etc!) that you do between now and 26 March.
See the website for more details.

Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project
Love Makes A Way and Brunswick UC invite you to support the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP) however you can. They work with people seeking asylum in our community, offering many different kinds of on-the-ground support.
Due to the very large numbers of people needing their help at the moment, they are in great need of assistance.
Please see the list of ways in which you can help – ranging from groceries, housing and job support, advocacy, friendship and community, and more.

Looking for a housemate
Penny has a room for rent in Fitzroy, the house is otherwise fully furnished. See further details here and send Penny a message if you think you’d be a good fit.

Have you noticed junk food ads targeting your children or grandchildren?
The Uniting Church’s Justice and International Mission Cluster is making a submission to a government enquiry into protecting children (up to 18 years old) from junk food advertising. They are looking for examples to provide evidence for the submission.
If you have an example or story to tell please e-mail jim@victas.uca.org.au or phone Mark Zirnsak on 0409 166 915.

Sydney Road Street Party
The Food Co-op is hosting our participation in this fabulous annual event on Sunday 3rd March. Find out how you can get involved. Volunteers for the Rainbow urgently needed – our prompt question will be ‘What are your hopes for peace in the world?’.

Planning for Holy Week
Join the worship committee for a planning conversation as we prepare for Holy Week – Wednesday 6th March.

Olive Pages
The Olive Pages, our collection of names, phone numbers, emails and addresses will be updated in the coming weeks, draft pages will be available for you to check and add to after worship on 18th & 25th February. The first edition for 12024 will be published privately early March. If you are new to the congregation or have changed any of your details please send Saide an email. Please only provide details that you are comfortable to share.

Special appeal: help Steph study Transitional Ministry
Church Council invites those who are able to chip in towards Steph Gesling’s study of Transitional Ministry. It’s the second part of a course she commenced before Sam was born, and connects with her Period of Discernment (i.e. discerning whether she feels called to ordained ministry). It will help her work with congregations that are going through significant periods of transition…which is a lot of UCA congregations these days!

We understand Presbytery is likely to cover the tuition fees, but we want to raise $560 to cover her travel and part of her accommodation costs in Sydney, where the course is offered.

Any surplus money donated will be put towards a new fund to support other such applications. See our Give Now web page for details. To donate, simply make an electronic transfer into our main ANZ account (BSB: 013 236, account 868 7863). Include “Study Fund” in your description/reference.

CYYA Events

Olive Pips, Saturday 2 March, 10.30-12, Youth Hall
YUCY, Saturday 2 March, 7.30-9pm. Fun with Cake! Brunswick Large Hall

Climate Action News

Climate Council’s Heat Map of Australia

Featuring – Living our God’s mission in Devonport, TAS, Teach us compassion for all living things, Urgent please for immediate ceasefire, Wanted: UCA perspectives on life and faith, and so much more.