Office Admin: Sabine Handreck H: Tuesday— Thursday 8.30am - 2.30pm

A: P.O. Box 700 Ballarat VIC 3353

P: 0491 706 667 E: admin@bcuc.org.au W: bcuc.org.au

Minister: Rev Lauleti Tu’inauvai (Monday—Day off) In BCUC office: Thursday 10am-4pm A: P.O. Box 700 Ballarat VIC 3353 P: 5333 1361

E: lauletitui@gmail.com M: 0413 115 711

Youth/ Andy Gault H: Monday -Tuesday 9am-3.30pm, Friday 9am-12pm

Family Worker: P: 0476 880 394 E: youth@bcuc.org.au

Sudanese Services:

Koang pan Jock P: 0413 896 550 Services suspended

Treasurer: Ben Mata E: treasurer@bcuc.org.au A: P.O. Box 700 Ballarat VIC 3353

Pastoral Assistant:

29th April - 23rd May Naomi James P: 0402 123 601 24th May— 21 June Ross Jones P: 0417 108 508

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS - when connection and support is so important we ask you please keep us informed of any address, phone, email changes so that we can keep our Pastoral Roll updated and care for you.

Please email/phone the Office on the new mobile phone number 0491706 667.

STAY CONNECTED - Check out the BCUC webpage - bcuc.org.au and the OFFICIAL Ballarat Central

Uniting Church Facebook page

Drawing Breath has recommenced in a safe, socially

distanced environment.

Drawing Breath meets on the 2nd & 4th Monday at 9am in the Peart Wing.

Next meeting dates: Monday 13th & 27th July.

Please speak to Andy Gault for more info.

With Covid19 restrictions starting to ease, Youth Group has

recommenced.Please contact Andy 0476 880 394 if you are interested

and wish to find out more info.

The Uniting Church in Australia

Ballarat Central Congregation — a pilgrim people — on the way

Notice Sheet for JULY 2020

Prayer at the 43rd Anniversary of the Uniting Church

Gracious and loving God,

we remember our calling, a calling to bring our diverse heritage into union, a calling to work together for you.

We heard, and continue to hear your voice, reminding us to care for the marginalised, to proclaim your message, and to share your love for all.

We saw, and continue to see, suffering in the world, racism in many forms, greed and corruption and we remember your teaching.

We seek to act, guided by those who went before us and by those showing the way at this moment.

May you continue to speak to us through your scriptures and those who lead and guide us.

May we remember the principles set out in the Basis of Union and the Statement to the Nation as we seek to do your will in our lives.

In Jesus name we pray. Amen

2020 OFFERINGS Weekly Budget for 2020 $4,100

Ballarat Central Offering

Weekly Offering

Received Year To Date

Budget To Date

Sunday 7th June $1,763.00 $72,305.85 $94,300.00

Sunday 14th June $3,343.00 $75,648.85 $98,400.00

Sunday 21st June $2,098.00 $77,746.85 $102,500.00

Sunday 28th June $10,575.67 $88,322.52 $106,600.00

DATE

READINGS READER PRAYERS

JULY 5 Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 Psalm 45:10-17 Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

Glenice Warner Lyn Fleming

JULY 12

Genesis 25:19-34 Psalm 119:105-112 Romans 8:1-11 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Gault Family Fiona Lyons

JULY 19 Genesis 28:10-19a Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 Romans 8:12-25 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Joy McKelvie Karen Coad

JULY 26 Genesis 29:15-28 Psalm 105:1-11, 45b Romans 8:26-39 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

Corrie Olsen Adri Stickland

AUGUST 2 Genesis 32:22-31 Psalm 17:1-7, 15 Romans 9:1-5 Matthew 14:13-21

Helen Duggan Andrew Boatman

It is intended that the recommendation that Rev. David Carter be so appointed (for a two year term w.e.f. February 2021) will be put - via an election process - to Presbytery members, also, at the August meeting. Our current planning is for an in-person meeting at Norval on 22 August, perhaps with one or two remote ‘Zoom’ call-in locations. Because nominations for the UCA VicTas Synod meeting in November are required by late August, we will need to have an election/confirmation process for Presbytery nominees. In order to aid us, it would be beneficial if expressions of interest by/from/for lay persons (11 names sought) could be forwarded to the Presbytery Secretary by Monday 6 July. (Note that nominees must be members of the UCA, but not necessarily members of Presbytery - or Congregation office bearers. Note, also, that there is a separate process for identifying potential nominations of Ordained Ministers from within the bounds of the Presbytery, to a similar timeline, via conversation with the Presbytery Minister (PLE)). Finally, I take this opportunity to alert (or remind) you that responses to questions about any (historical) violence, abuse, neglect and/or exploitation of People with Disability within Uniting Church settings - which might be contained in Congregation records (as per Rev. Dr. Mark Lawrence letter dated 2 June 2020) are (also) due by 6 July.

Presbytery Safe Church Worker, Colleen Barker, is in the process of contacting Congregation representatives about (inter alia) ongoing responsibilities in this arena. In encouraging you as you embark on your reopenings- whilst noting that many congregations are waiting for regulatory restrictions to be further relaxed over the next several weeks - I offer this prayer from Laura Kelly Fanucci (of the USA Catholic Health Service): When this is over, may we never again take for granted: a handshake with a stranger, conversations with neighbours, a crowded theatre, Friday night out, the taste of Communion, a routine checkup, the school rush each morning, coffee with a friend. the stadium roaring, each deep breath, a boring Tuesday, Life itself. When this ends, may we find that we have become more like the people we wanted to be, we hoped to be; and may we stay that way – better for each other - because of the worst.

May the Peace of the Lord remain with you, veritably,

Andrew Boatman

Andrew Boatman Chairperson UCA Presbytery of Western Victoria 4/6/2020

Dear Sisters and Brothers Greetings in the name of Christ On Pentecost Sunday, just past, I chanced upon a magazine article focussing on ‘verity’: the need to discern truth, speak powerfully against mistruth; and the importance of lifting up ourselves and others, by sharing the joy of our faith. As we contemplate opening our worship spaces; and gathering, again, physically, as congregations; we acknowledge anew that (each Pentecost Sunday - and perhaps every Sunday) we are called to embrace a new vision of what can and should be. Our words and actions in local settings can spark and grow in ways which ultimately serve to transform our world. This is ‘verity’ in action. I echo the remarks about ‘love of neighbour’ contained in the letter from Moderator Rev. Denise Liersch and Synod General Secretary Rev. Dr. Mark Lawrence dated 14 May. As you work through the reopening checklist, it is imperative that the needs and concerns of those at heightened risk of illness are considered. I encourage you to access the Covid-19 FAQs (currently updated weekly) about what is permissible (and/or required).

I think it important that there is a deliberative process of identifying what lessons have been learnt during the past three months about worship and pastoral contact . Specifically, I ask “what portions of our revised processes and practices will we keep doing into the future ?” and “what (if any) things that have been in prescribed abeyance will we be happy to discontinue permanently ?”. I hope that, at the August meeting of Presbytery-in-Council, we can explore your answers to such. The Presbytery Minister (PLE) has framed some potential questions which will be distributed to Ministry agents, and which, I hope, can inform your responses. For some congregations, I suspect, the question of future viability will become pertinent (although traditional winter declines in numbers of worshippers might mask any dilemma). The related question of financial wherewithal might also come to the fore. Any of the persons listed below can provide guidance about relevant UCA Regulations (or at least point you in the right direction for additional advice). Presbytery Standing Committee has continued to meet (by Zoom), and has received a report from a Nominations Task Group regarding appointment of the next Chairperson.

Join us each Sunday for Worship via the Ballarat Central Uniting Church

YouTube Channel. Please subscribe and share with your family and friends.

Ballarat Central UC Weekly Giving program

If you are not already involved with our regular giving program we encourage you

to do so. There are ways you can be involved.

You can directly transfer to Bendigo Bank BSB 633 000 Account 133779470

and enter the word pledge with your name or phone Ron Harris 5332 2456 who will

provide you with a pledge number. Cheques can also be sent to he Treasurer,

BCUC, PO Box 700, Ballarat 3353. Thank you for being part of the Ballarat

Central UC Giving Program.

Taize Services 1st Sunday of the month at 7pm. Currently 20 Congregation Members are allowed to meet in the Chuch and the Service will be zoomed for those who wish to continue to worship from home. If you wish to join in via Zoom, please email Lauleti, lauletitui@gmail.com by 3.30pm Sunday so that a zoom link can be sent to you.

Family Evening Services Currently 20 Congregation

Members are allowed to meet in the Chuch and the Service will be zoomed for those who wish to

continue to worship from home. If you wish to join in via Zoom,

please email Lauleti, lauletitui@gmail.com by 3.30pm

Sunday so that a zoom link can be sent to you. Contact Andy Gault for

further info 0476 880 394.

4th SUNDAY of month

NAIDOC Week 2020

NAIDOC Week will now be held 8-15 November 2020 in the

interest of safety for our communities. NAIDOC Week is usually held in the first week (a Sunday to Sunday) of July that

incorporates the second Friday – which historically was celebrated

as 'National Aboriginal Day'. The NAIDOC 2020 theme -

Always Was, Always Will Be. - recognises and celebrates that

First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000

years. NAIDOC 2020 invites all Australians to embrace the ancient history of this country – a history which dates back thousands of

generations.

Early Word on Sunday 7th June by Rev. Trevor Bassett

Monty has had a good time in iso! He has been making and eating

chocolate cake at a huge rate! This might explain the shortage of flour in supermarkets. Monty suspects he could be guilty. Monty has had a good time in iso! He has been making and eating chocolate cake. Monty reckons that his chocolate cake production has meant that the world has been saved from other inferior cakes…like orange cake! Everyone knows orange cake and orange cake eaters are inferior! I am shocked. Monty is a mouse. Monty knows well what it is to get poorly treated because he’s a mouse. Today we are going to hear one of the stories of creation. How God made a beautiful world and filled it with beautiful things. Lots of different beautiful creatures to share the world with. Lots of different beautiful things to look at and care for. Lots of different people, all of us made beautiful and wonderful however we are: all with different personalities, different hair, different skin, different eyes. God made gave us a wonderful world full of wonderful things! Monty is a mouse, he is part of God’s wonderful world. Orange cake and chocolate cake…all cakes, are a part of God’s wonderful world.

In our world today, we are not treating each other the way God intended. Black lives Matter has been a strong social action focus both over seas and here in Australia. While this action started with the death of George Floyd, it has also shone a light on the issues and treatment of the indigenous people of Australia. Sometimes we can take a simple action that indicates our solidarity and support of a cause. On this Trinity Sunday it is interesting to note that in some traditions, when the Trinity is spoken, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; people make a sign of the cross over themselves. A physical action that reinforces the blessing of God. One simple action has been adopted by many people to say they agree that we should all treat each other the same, however our hair is, our eye colour….or our skin colour. Then simply take a moment to kneel on one knee. Maybe we could all think of something like this…. maybe we could even put a photo of ourselves on Social media doing this?

RE-OPENING OUR BCUC spaces Our guiding advice is that provided by Synod which is made in reference to the need for its congregations and agencies to adhere to Victorian State Government health requirements, and our duty of care to all potential users of our spaces particularly those in the ‘at risk’ groups for contracting infection. Church Council Executive has decided that small group meetings and activities be permitted to re-commence from Monday 6th July. 1. All meetings or group activities must be booked through the Church Office so we have a record. If a meeting or activity is cancelled please remember to notify the office. 2. Please take into consideration that time will be required for you to clean the areas you have used. We are recommending that wherever possible there be a one hour gap between groups wanting to use the same space. 3. We must adhere to the restrictions on the numbers of persons allowed to occupy any room which is based on the limit of 1 person per 4 sq m. A sign has been posted in each Church space indicating the maximum number of persons allowed. 4. The requirement for physical distancing of 1.5m between persons remains in place. 5. A record must be kept of all persons (names and contact details) who attend each meeting or activity so that ‘contact tracing’ can be done if necessary. Attendance Record forms for this purpose are available on a clipboard located on the table in the entrance foyer to the Peart Wing/Old Manse.

6. On entry to the buildings all persons should use the hand sanitiser provided. 7. Users should try as much as possible to limit their activity to just the space booked. This will limit the amount of cleaning your group will be required to do. 8. Kitchens should be used as little as possible. Preparation of food and drink for shared consumption is not permitted. It is recommended that if access to a Kitchen is required, that one person engage in this and that the same person does any clean-up of the kitchen since they will know what surfaces require cleaning. 9. It is recommended that food and drink should not be shared by participants. Participants may wish to bring food and drinks for personal consumption in suitable containers (eg thermos flasks) and take them away for cleaning afterwards. 10. At the conclusion of each activity cleaning must be undertaken according to the advice provided on the Cleaning Checklist available on a clipboard located with the portable cleaning kits provided. One person will need to sign on behalf of each group that cleaning has been carried out. 11. Three portable cleaning kits are available; one is located in the Peart Wing for use there and the kitchen, a second in the Old Manse kitchen for use in spaces in the Old Manse, and the third in the vestry for use in the Main Worship area. Please return cleaning kits to the correct location, and if necessary advise Sabine if there are supplies that need to be replaced. Important Note: All ‘church’ meetings or activities held in private homes should follow the State Government guidelines on maximum number of meeting participants and requirements.