Author: Robyn Hodge

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Weekly Update Sunday 14th October & Tsunami Appeal

 

Weekly update 14th Oct 2018

Uniting World Indonesian Tsunami Appeal

Foto udara rumah-rumah warga yang hancur akibat gempa 7,4 pada skala richter (SR) di Perumnas Balaroa, Palu, Sulawesi Tengah, Senin (1/10). ANTARA FOTO/Hafidz Mubarak A/kye/18

Dear friends,

You will have seen in the news that the cities of Palu and Donggala in Central Sulawesi were hit by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake. The earthquake triggered a tsunami along coastal areas in Palu, killing 1,234 people and displacing roughly 50,000 from their homes.

The event has been very personal for us. UnitingWorld staff and our partners in Indonesia have lost friends and loved ones.

More than 4000 vulnerable people in Central Sulawesi who are clients of a microfinance project supported by our partners, Tanaoba Lais Manekat (TLM), have been affected by the disaster. TLM are in the process of evacuating their team there but it will be some months before they are able to locate and assess the impact on the people they serve.

Our Southeast Asia Regional Office staff have lost family members and are waiting for news from friends.

Friends, we are asking you to pray for our staff and partners during this time. We are walking with them as they assess the impact and determine how they are best placed to serve.

If one part of the body suffers, all suffer together with it – 1 Corinthians 12:26

If you would like to support our partners as they respond to this tragedy, please  donate through Uniting World at www.unitingworld.org.au

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Faith Formation Survey invitation

From Chris Barnett, Children and Families worker, Victas Synod:

Here’s something different…the opportunity to contribute to an international survey on Christian faith formation.

My sense is that the greater the number of respondents, the more potential use the survey will be. Let me encourage you to participate!

Being organised by GenOn Ministries (a non-profit organisation in the US), the survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete. Surveys need to be completed by October 12, 2018, so why not take the opportunity to pause, reflect on your church’s ministry and complete the survey now?

 

Christian faith Formation Survey 2018

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Humans in Geelong Expo Sunday 7th October

As well as our Mental Health speaker and Outback BBQ fundraiser, the Humans in Geelong expo, featuring groups in  Geelong doing wonderful things to make it a better place for everyone, is on this Sunday.  Details:

https://humansingeelong.com/humans-in-geelong-expo-2018/

 

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For the Love of God Movie Screening

With screenings all over Australia, almost 20,000 people have seen the film already with encore screenings happening all over the country from 26 September.

If you haven’t seen it yet, this documentary is insightful, complex, and vulnerable, opening up a space for honest conversations about the best and worst parts of Christian history.

This is not the history we think we know.

to purchase your tickets:

https://fan-force.com/screenings/for-the-love-of-god-village-cinemas-geelong-vic/

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Mental Health Month Special Event Sunday 7th October

On Sunday 7th of October, Tania Lewis, Lived Experience Educator for Barwon Health Mental Health Drugs and Alcohol Service, will give a presentation on Mental Health at 12 noon at St. Luke’s Uniting Church.

Biography – Tania Lewis

Tania was a policewoman, when, at age 23, she experienced a psychotic episode. She was subsequently diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and continued in the force for 15 years, experiencing episodes of psychosis and mania during that time.

In 1997 Tania left the force and pursued her passion as a trainer and educator.

She currently works as a Lived Experience Educator for Barwon Health Mental Health Drugs and Alcohol Service. She is a Master Mental Health First Aid Instructor and also has her own training and speaking business.

Tania undertakes speaking engagements around topics including; an introduction to mental illness, managing mental illness and wellbeing, and how people with mental illness can be supported to remain in their workplace, a topic close to her heart.

Tania lives by the beach on the Bellarine Peninsula. Her dog, Mahla, is her much loved companion and a great source of wellness.

Tania’s presentation is preceded at 11:30 by a Great Outback BBQ fundraiser for Frontier Services, a Uniting Church Agency who provide essential support to remote communities experiencing hardship due to the ongoing drought.

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Uniting Barwon needs your help

From Jan Douglas, Uniting Barwon:

Please VOTE now for our Uniting Barwon community projects in the State Government Pick My Project initiative.

The more votes we receive the more chance we have to receive vital funding for these community programs.

Pick My Project (website: pickmyproject.vic.gov.au) is a Victorian-first community grants initiative, with at least $1 million in funding available in each metro and regional area.

We would appreciate your support for the 4 projects submitted by Uniting Barwon – you can only vote for 3

Grovedale Community Safety, Health and Emergency Relief Project

Supporting Grovedale community health by meeting emergency needs

$50,000 requested

Winchelsea and District Community Safety, Health and Emergency Relief Project

Supporting Winchelsea and District community health by meeting emergency needs

$22,500 requested

Barwon Education Expenses Project

Breaking the cycle of disadvantage by supporting children’s education

$50,000 requested

Barwon family budgeting and bill management project

Assisting families with household budgeting and bill management

$50,000 requested

 

Voting is quick and simple, and open until 5pm, Monday 17 September. You will need to go to the website and pick your favourite project ideas in your local community and help make them a reality.

Make sure you share who you’ve voted for with your family and friends.

Need help with voting? Contact Lewis on  4210 1113 at Uniting Barwon Grovedale or drop into your local Library or Neighbourhood House for assistance.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!