Prayer Points

Ministry Team
Ecumenical Neighbours
Assembly President – Deidre
ASWC
CY&YA Committee
Property Committee
Mulling group
Hospitality Ministry
Indigenous Hospitality House
UCA Assembly
Creatures of the air

BUC News

Riding the Waves – Episode 8
Our eighth story features Sophia and Thomas.

Coming out of Lockdown at BUC – COVID-19 safety guidelines if you need to access the BUC Sydney Road site
There will be very few reasons why BUC folk will need to access our buildings at the moment.  However, if you find there is a reason you need to go to the BUC Sydney Road site and buildings, please check with Helen Rowe about the COVID safety guidelines we have put in place. This includes a record of attendance in case contact tracing is required.  We are trying to keep things as simple as possible. Together we can stay safe.  Please SMS Helen on 0423 009 813
Message submitted on behalf of the Church Council COVID-19 Reference Group.

Worship news
On Sunday 8th November we welcome Peter Blair, Olive Way Pastor as our preacher as Ian concludes a week of leave.  Next Sunday 15th November we’ll be reflecting on two big anniversaries – 15 years since we became the Brunswick Uniting Church congregation and 10 years since the Renewal Project celebrated the reopening of our worship space.

Christmas Bowl catalogue
As with most other activities our big Act for Peace Christmas Bowl FUNdraising stalls are being offered online.  The online catalogue was launched Sunday 1st November , orders close on 22nd November.  Choose from biscuits, preserves, cakes and puddings, gingerbread houses, Christmas craft, home made gifts and an Art Silent Auction.  You can also buy a gift for a Stewart Lodge resident. Pick up or delivery 12th-13th December or by arrangement.  Contact Saide, 0407 096 743, for more information.

Christmas Carols & Pageant Choir
We are recording eleven Christmas Carols for our Christmas services and if you offered to help with the recording please set aside some time soon to listen to the demo tracks and record your part.  Contact Natalie Sims, 0457 054 807‬, to find out more.
Contact Elaine Potter, 0434 671 109, to join the Pageant Choir – we are recording two beautiful songs to start and finish the pageant.

Pastoral Care Review 2020 – Gathering up Stories
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.

Wider Church News

Time for Remembering
You are warmly invited to join us for the 20th annual Time for Remembering ceremony on Sunday 15 November 2020.  The United Nations General Assembly designated the third Sunday in November as The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.  It is an occasion to come together to commemorate loved ones lost and injured on our roads, give thanks for those who survived and pay tribute to all who work tirelessly to reduce the road toll.  This year Time for Remembering will be on Zoom (video conferencing) on Sunday 15 November. The event is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link.

Daily Advent devotionals
This year’s Common Grace Advent devotionals series invites us to reflect on  the Advent story: the lament and the hope we share.  Sign up now.

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 –  18 participants selected by lot, similarly to the creation of a jury for legal trial. If you are aged 16 or over and live in the area covered by Moreland City Council, you can register your interest here by Monday 9th November.  See a  frequently asked questions here.

Sacred People, Sacred Earth
On Wednesday November 18 at 7pm, join fellow people of faith for a global TEDx event to kick off organising for Sacred People, Sacred Earth (in Australia hosted ARRCC)- the biggest-ever grassroots, global, multi-faith, COVID-friendly climate action that will take place next year on March 11. RSVP here.