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November E-News

1. ACC Reports - 2011
The October ACCatalyst magazine contains helpful summaries of the reports from the 2011 ACC AGM. The various commissions have brief reports, and there is also an excellent overview of the state movements.

2. New Marriage Petition: The Australian Christian Lobby has prepared a new petition following the move of the debate to the forthcoming ALP conference. Their annual conference heard from "Australian Labor Party national executive member Joe de Bruyn that the ALP is under enormous pressure both from the Greens and from within the Party to change its marriage policy at its National Conference on December 2. Mr de Bruyn said that the only hope of stopping such a change is to demonstrate that it would be "electoral suicide" to do so - because marriage is so important to average Australians ... [outlining that it is] vital we send a strong message to the Party that we support marriage between a man and a woman, and that we do not want the ALP to change its policy. If you wish to add your name to the new petition you can do so at the following website: http://australianmarriage.org/petition/

The petition states: To the delegates of the 2011 Labor National Conference: "Marriage is the union of one man and one woman, voluntarily entered into for life. It is an institution vital to the well-being of all of society. In particular it confirms the importance of motherhood and fatherhood and seeks to protect children's biological identity. It has a meaning that we hold deeply for its cultural, religious and social significance. We urge you not to redefine marriage in your party platform to admit relationships to which it does not naturally or historically apply."

3. Melbourne seminar on marriage. With the assistance of the Waverley Cluster, our National Director Max Champion has organised a seminar on ‘The Future of Marriage' to be held on 5th November at St John's Mt Waverley. Other speakers are Ron Brookman and Peter Bentley.

4. Rod James in Queensland
The Queensland ACC group have organised Rod James to visit and provide input into the ongoing ‘same-sex marriage' debate, and resources to help people understand and focus on family and marriage being between a man and a woman.
Friday 25th November 2011: 7.30 pm. Queensland Synod Chapel, Auchenflower.
Saturday 26th November 2011: 3 pm. Mooloolaba Uniting Church
Sunday 27th November 2011: Preaching at Banora Point UCA (9am), and then seminar at Elanora Uniting Church at 3pm.
All Queensland members have received separate notices of the meetings

5. Caring for the Creation Bible Studies
If any member is interested in the short PowerPoint presentation on the "Caring for the Creation" Bible Studies shown by Nola Stewart at the September ACC conference you can obtain a copy by emailing her at: nst332769@bigpond.com
(or you may want further information about the studies and group)

6. Family & Children's Worker: New Lambton Uniting Church (up to 25 hours / week)
Located in the desirable neighbourhood of New Lambton with its growing young community is a vibrant Uniting Church that has a strong, expanding family and children's ministry. We are seeking an energetic person who will further encourage and enable our successful ministry team. The hours and working arrangements can be flexible to meet individual requirements. You will have:
• Relevant experience in education, children's or youth ministry or social work.
• Knowledge and understanding of Scripture and acceptance of the doctrines of the Uniting Church of Australia.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work as part of a team.

This is a lay specified Ministry of Pastor position. Under the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998 it is illegal for prohibited persons to apply and a ‘Working with Children Check" will be required.
If you have a passion for equipping families and children to meet the challenges of life, then mail your application to PO Box 67 New Lambton 2305 by the 18 November 2011. Please mark your envelope "Confidential Application". Please direct questions or requests for the position description to revsue.trevor@bigpond.com or phone Rev Sue Scott on 0433 387 240.

7. Ben Myers paper (2011 ACC Conference) is in the October ACCatalyst magazine. The magazine can be downloaded to share with people at: http://www.confessingcongregations.com/resources/item/accatalyst-october-2011/
Also Ben Myers presented a lecture at the 2011 Queensland UCA Synod meeting. To listen to Ben Myers at Queensland Synod meeting (similar themes to our presentation) visit the UCA Queensland Synod Journey website: http://www.journeyonline.com.au/mm_audio.php

8. Office arrangements and Staff
Some members may have spoken now with Louise Carr, who has been helping in the office on a casual basis for two months (usually on a Friday). Louise is learning the variety of the office tasks, and also making contact with members. ACC Board of Communications member Anne Weeks has also been helping with some particular tasks now that she is in Sydney (Anne's husband Ian is minister at Belrose Uniting Church, and Convenor of the NSW ACC Movement).

9. ACC Website
Max Champion's latest sermon ‘Faith and Politics' is now on the website. A timely reflection. You can read it at: http://www.confessingcongregations.com/resources/item/faith-and-politics/

Also 2012 ACC Calendar material: http://www.confessingcongregations.com/assembly/about/calendar/

Do you have any events to add to the 2012 ACC Calendar? A running calendar is kept on the above site, and it is very helpful to have local ACC events as well as regional ones. Please send your material to the office.

ACC Prayer Diary November 2011

To the church of God...... to all who are called to be God's holy people, who belong to him in union with Christ Jesus, together with all people everywhere who worship our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. (1 Corinthians 1:2-3).

• Please pray for the follow-up from the Living Waters day held on Saturday 29th October in conjunction with the SA Movement.
• November 14: ACC National Council meeting (teleconference). We continue to pray for wisdom and guidance by the Holy Spirit in our deliberations.
• We continue to uphold Max and Peter in our prayers.
• Prof. Pat Noller is in the process of selling her house and buying a more compact one. Auction is on November 9. We pray that this auction will go well for Pat and the transition into her new home will be smooth.
• We pray for the St. David's Parkdale Uniting Church in Melbourne as they search for a new minister.
• Please pray for the Assembly Standing Committee meeting on the 18th - 20th November. Uniting Prayer and Fasting is once again having a week of prayer and fasting leading up to and during the Assembly Standing Committee from the 14th -20th November . Please pray for the President-elect Rev. Dr. Andrew Dutney in the lead up to the next Assembly in 2012. Pray for courage, strength, wisdom and discernment.
• Fire recovery trip: Sun 13th-Sat 19th November, Rod James and a work party from SA will be travelling to the Victorian bushfire area to help build a house for the Watson family who were burnt out twice. Rod will also be visiting folk in the Strathewen and Kinglake areas.
• We pray for Rev. Rod James as he prepares for his Queensland trip 25-27th November:

Thank-you for your continued faithfulness in upholding the work of the ACC in prayer.
Please remember Friday is the ACC National Day for Prayer and Fasting.

Assembly of Confessing Congregations Inc.
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Incorporated in NSW INC9887628 Liability of Members is Limited
Registered Office: 2 Erskineville Road, Newtown NSW
Postal Mail: PO Box 968 Newtown NSW 2042
Tel: (02) 9550 5358; 0423 637 576; accoffice@confessingcongregations.com
www.confessingcongregations.com

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