10.00am – 4.00pm (two sessions)

The Corner Uniting Church

After a very successful retreat in January, we are giving you another opportunity to give yourself the gift of expressive ‘time out’ in winter with time to explore the connections between life, creativity and spirituality with art or writing. Images and words are two ways in which we seek to give voice to our inner and outer human experience. This is a retreat time for exploring place and presence in relation to your life journey.

These two half-day guided workshops are an opportunity for you to be centred and stretched as you reflect on recent experiences and express these in some way. We aim to provide a space that is inclusive, reflective and prayerful, where you can spend time with others and also have your own time for focus and discernment.

Timetable

10.00 am – 12.30 pm Painting Workshop

12.30 – 1.30pm Lunch (BYO)

1.30 – 4.00pm Continuing Painting Workshop or Poetry Workshop

Morning and afternoon tea provided

Painting Workshop

Karan Hudson is an experienced artist and art teacher. She will provide the environment and guidance for both beginners and painters at any level to engage in visual journalling using watercolours.

Explore simple watercolour painting of places for the purposes of slow travel or spiritual reflection.

In the morning session we will focus on watercolour techniques, different papers, journal formats and composition. This session will be suitable for beginners.

Bring any pens, paints and journals you already employ. Some paints and papers supplied.

If you wish to attend all day, the afternoon will offer more individual tuition around the room considering your purposes for painting and level of experience. People who attended a previous painting workshop in January may like to choose to attend just the afternoon session unless they would like the morning refresher on technical aspects.

Equipment and Costs

Karan will provide artist quality watercolours and brushes.

One session (morning or afternoon) $40

Two sessions (morning and afternoon) $80

Poetry Workshop

Paul Turley is a Uniting Church minister and writer of poetry, prose, drama scripts, songs and prayers. Paul will provide the environment and encouragement for you to reflect on your life experience and to express this in whatever form of words you choose. There will be time and space for solitude and interaction as you wish.

This workshop is only offered in the afternoon.

Equipment and Costs

Please bring your own paper or journal and pen/s.

Afternoon session $30

Make a Booking

Venue

The Corner UC is situated at 93 Oaklands Road (Cnr Oaklands & Diagonal Roads), Warradale SA 5046. There is plenty of parking onsite.

There is a Subway, Chicken Shop, Pizza shop and IGA very close by for lunch options.

More information

Call Belinda on 0452 314 869 or email admin@cmla.org.au

Bridgewater Uniting Church

Give yourself the gift of expressive ‘time out’ in January and the connections between life, creativity and spirituality through art or writing. Images and words are two ways in which we seek to give voice to our inner and outer human experience. This is a retreat time for exploring place and presence in relation to your life journey.

These two half-day guided workshops are an opportunity for you to be centred and stretched as you reflect on recent experiences and express these in some way. We aim to provide a space that is inclusive, reflective and prayerful, where you can spend time with others and also have your own time for focus and discernment.

Timetable

10.00 am – 12.30 pm Painting Workshop
12.30 – 1.30pm Lunch (BYO)
1.30 – 4.00pm Painting Workshop or Poetry Workshop

Morning and afternoon tea provided

Painting Workshop

Karan Hudson is an experienced artist and art teacher. She will provide the environment and guidance for both beginners and painters at any level to engage in visual journalling using watercolours. This is a space in which you can reflect on a significant place or places and imaginatively explore your experience with paint and paper.

Some materials will be provided (see below). You can also bring your own or purchase additional materials.

You may attend one sessions (morning or afternoon) or both sessions.

Equipment and Costs

Karan will provide artist quality watercolours and brushes. Participants may pay $15 for an art journal and pen or bring their own (including brushes if you wish).

One session (morning or afternoon) $40
Two sessions (morning and afternoon) $80
Art journal and pen (optional) $15

Poetry Workshop

Paul Turley is a Uniting Church minister and writer of poetry, prose, drama scripts, songs and prayers. Paul will provide the environment and encouragement for you to reflect on your life experience and to express this in whatever forms of words you choose. There will be time and space for solitude and interaction as you wish.

This workshop is only offered in the afternoon.

Equipment and Costs

Please bring your own paper or journal and pen/s.
Afternoon session $30

Venue

Bridegewater Uniting Church
470 Mount Barker Rd Bridgewater

Bridgewater Uniting Church is situated in a leafy Hills setting attached to a peace garden. It offers multiple spaces for reflection, solitude and prayer. There is a Coles supermarket next to the church for lunch options.Parking is available at the front of the church or in the lower car park of the shopping centre behind the church.

More Information

Call Belinda on 0452 314 869 or email admin@cmla.org.au

• Purpose
• Practices
• Participation
• Possibilities

The session includes input by Dr Craig Mitchell, a presentation by the host church about the “why” and “how” of their online presence, and peer conversation. Craig has studied and taught in the area of digital communication, and has worked with churches on developing their online presence. He has a particular interest in discipleship formation in a digital world.

The team at Wesbourne Park UC will also speak about their learnings about developing online church and give a tour of their tech steup.

Cost: $10 per person per session. Maximum $40 per congregation per session

An outline of the first sessiobn, held in May, is here

A fourth session will be held in November.

Friday 6 September

7.30  -9.00pm

Uniting College for Leadership & Theology

What does it mean to reshape Christian worship in the light of our acknowledgement of the particular history and place of this land we inhabit, and the recognition of the story, culture and presence of its First Peoples? What does it mean to recognise how much our liturgical practices are shaped by northern hemisphere church traditions and contexts? How may our worship more authentically reflect this land and its peoples?

Rev Prof Stephen Burns is quite simply one of the best teachers of worship in Australia. He was a keynote speaker at the national Transforming Worship conference at Burnside UC a few years ago. Stephen is on the faculty of Pilgrim Theological College in Melbourne and the University of Divinity. He is a prolific writer and a wonderful teacher. Stephen is originally from the UK and is a priest with the Church of England, now working ecumenically in placement with the Uniting Church.

Stephen Burns’ presentation will be followed by a panel conversation.

Panel members are

• Revd Ken Sumner, Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress
• Dr Tanya Wittwer, Lecturer, Uniting College, member of St Stephens Lutheran Church, Adelaide
• Revd Peter Balabanksi, minister at St John’s Anglican Church, Adelaide
• Revd Dr Sarah Agnew, minister at Christ Church Uniting, Wayville

DOWNLOAD A4 FLYER (1.4 Mb P DF)

 Cost $10

Venues

Adelaide West Uniting Church and Uniting College for Leadership and Theology,
Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Brooklyn Park

DOWNLOAD PROGRAM (900KBPDF)

Keynote Speaker

Rev Prof Stephen Burns is quite simply one of the best teachers of worship in Australia. He was a keynote speaker at the national Transforming Worship conference at Burnside UC a few years ago. Stephen is on the faculty of Pilgrim Theological College in Melbourne and the University of Divinity. He is a prolific writer and a wonderful teacher. Stephen is originally from the UK and is a priest with the Church of England, now working ecumenically in placement with the Uniting Church. Profile

Friday 6 September

7.30  -9.00pm

Uniting College for Leadership & Theology

Post-colonial Worship in Australia?

What does it mean to reshape Christian worship in the light of our acknowledgement of the particular history and place of this land we inhabit, and the recognition of the story, culture and presence of its First Peoples? What does it mean to recognise how much our liturgical practices are shaped by northern hemisphere church traditions and contexts? How may our worship more authentically reflect this land and its peoples? Stephen Burns’ presentation will be followed by a panel conversation and Q&A.

Cost $10

DOWNLOAD PROGRAM

Saturday 7 September

9.30am – 4.00pm

Adelaide West Uniting Church

Uniting College for Leadership & Theology

Timetable

9.00am Registration at Adelaide West UC
9.30am Worship and plenary session – Stephen Burns: The Congregation is not an Audience
10.45am Morning Tea
11.15am Electives – Session 1
12.30pm Lunch
1.30pm Electives – Session 2
2.30pm Afternoon Tea
3.00pm Electives – Session 3
4.00pm Finish

Costs

$35 includes morning and afternoon tea
$120 for four to six peoplefrom one congregation
Lunch may be ordered for $15pp or BYO.

For group registrations from one congregation, please complete one group payment online. Groups will be emailed a discount code which group members can use when registering individually. Group members then register individually, indicate their church group, use the discount code and will pay no fee (other than lunch orders).

Registrations close Monday 2 Sept at 5.00pm.

Electives Program

SESSION 1: 11.15am-12.30pm

1A. Worship and Preaching in a Multicultural Church
In an increasingly multicultural society, much of our worship remains distinctly monocultural. How can our planning and leadership of worship shape an inclusive community? This session will explore how worship leaders might more genuinely include, represent, and communicate with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Rev Dr Paul Goh and guests. Paul is the Justice and CALD Multicultural & Cross-cultural Officer of the SA Synod. He has a broad experience in living and working across cultures in the Uniting Church, as well as in Australian society. Paul’s guests will share from their local church experiences.

1B. Creative Ways to Engage Congregations in Singing
Music is the heartbeat of worship, expressing the depth of our praise, confession, receiving and responding to the word. Jenni will demonstrate ways to invite, encourage and teach people to join their voices in song. Join us and experience familiar and new music as responses, chants, actions, rhythms, harmonies and much more.
Rev Jenni Hughes is a musician, choir leader and songwriter, and an experienced worship leader who brings creativity to worship planning. She has been a minister at Brougham Place UC and is the incoming Executive Officer for Mission Resourcing SA.

1C. Online Church and Communities of Faith
Many churches are now broadcasting their worship services, either “live” or pre-recorded. What might it mean from only offering a one hour “balcony experience” to inviting more regular and meaningful engagement in faith formation? This session will cover both thinking and practice related to being hybrid Christian communities, including the approach taken by Adelaide West UC.
Dr Craig Mitchell is an educator and multimedia author with experience in digital communication. He is currently co-ordinating the CMLA. Rev Lynne Aird is a minister at Adelaide West UC. James Finlay is the media producer for Adelaide West UC.

1D. Crafting Words for Worship
This session is a primer for people seeking to write prayers and other words for worship. While books and the Internet can help with worship words, for many reasons leaders need to learn to find words that suit their particular community in a particular time. You will be guided with some “do’s and don’t” and also helped to reflect on how our words invite participation and evoke faith.
Leader to be advised

SESSION 2: 1.30-2.30pm

2A. Playing Jesus? – Presiding at the sacraments
This session for ministers and lay presiders will explore what we think we are doing when we lead, and how this shapes our practice. Stephen promises a provocative and helpful examination of how we understand and approach this central element of worship.
Rev Prof Stephen Burns is the author of a number of publications and articles that address the place of the sacraments and presiding in worship.

2B. Learning and Teaching New Music
Join us to learn some new worship songs in a range of styles – gathering praise, lament, affirmation, telling the word, sending, and more. We will be drawing from the Walk as One songbook. The session will also model and discuss ways to teach new music, and show you some of the range of resources available in the Walk as One Worship Music Packs. The session is guaranteed to leave you humming throughout the day.
Leigh Newton is a prolific singer-songwriter and recording artist. He is a former teacher. Leigh is involved in music leadership at Bridgewater UC. ‘Ferg’ Ferguson is likewise, but at Adelaide West UC. He is a man of many talents who is currently ‘working for the man.’

2C. The Word Comes Alive: Not Just a Bible Reading!
The Scriptures are at the heart of Christian worship, yet the Bible reading can be one of the dullest parts of worship. Come and learn how presenting the Scriptures can be engaging and life-giving. Sarah will teach ways to approach texts and skills for presentation that will help anyone given this important task.
Rev Dr Sarah Agnew is the minister at Christ Church UC, Wayville. Her doctoral studies combined biblical studies with performance studies. Sarah is a member of the Network of Biblical Storytellers and a gifted and experienced communicator.

2D. Planning and Leading Intergenerational Worship
Often we encourage participation in worship. However, planning for intergenerational engagement and interaction requires intentionality and consistent learning on the part of leaders. This session will explore practices and principles that can shape more authentically intergenerational worship that builds up the whole body of Christ.
Leader to be advised

SESSION 3: 3.00-4.00pm

3A. Creative Ideas for Advent and Christmas
Every year the CMLA offers a swag of creative ideas and resources for seasonal worship. This will be an enjoyable, participatory session of new stuff to infuse your worship with depth, creativity, humour, wisdom, symbols and life! Did we mention take-home goodies?
Karan and JS Hudson have been part of creative worship at Brougham Place UC for years. Karen is also a teacher and visual artist. JS co-ordinates the Subtle Bricks Theatre Company as well as writing scripts. He is a retiring engineer and raconteur.

3B. Worship with No Musicians
So you have no musicians? Or they are on holidays? Can you still have music? Yes! Can people still sing together? Yes! Come and learn some ways to include music and song – some are simple and some require a bit more planning. This session will provide a stimulus to your worship whether your music needs are occasional or eternal!
Leader to be advised

3C. Art, Symbol and Imagination
Th e Word became flesh, which means that it was not only heard but seen. Art and symbols have been integral to Hebrew and Christian worship throughout the ages. Telling stories, enlivening imagination, evoking faith, inviting contemplation, deepening meaning and mystery. Mark will demonstrate and discuss a range of ways to enhance and enrich worship through visual and artistic expression.
Rev Mark Hewitt is a minister at Pilgrim UC with a long history of leading creative worship.. He is a visual artist and photographer with years of experience in using art in worship.

2D. Copyright: The conversation you’d rather not have (but need to)
The digital media has revolutionised the ability to copy, adapt and transmit information – text, images, sound, video. The internet era has further expanded the ability of churches to create, ‘borrow’, copy and share. Churches need to understand and actively manage their use of material from a wide range of sources. This session will focus on copyright in relation to worship and include consideration of issues related to streaming worship services.
Dr Craig Mitchell is the Co-ordinator of the CMLA. He has 30 years experience in publishing and 20 years experience in media production. Rev Sue Page is an Associate General Secretary of the SA Synod. Her responsibilities include being the copyright officer for UCA SA Synod. She is a former chaplain in the armed forces.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL PROGRAM (900KBPDF)

Enquiries email admin@cmla.org.au or phone us on 08 8267 2657

Registrations close Monday 2 Sept at 5.00pm.

Our second session on “Creating Authentic Christian Communities Online” will be held at Burnside Uniting Church on Tuesday evening 30th July, 7.39-9.00pm. Come and explore issues around being church online, creating community, and resourcing faith formation.

• Purpose
• Practices
• Participation
• Possibilities

The session includes input by Dr Craig Mitchell, a presentation by the host church about the “why” and “how” of their online presence, and peer conversation. Craig has studied and taught in the area of digital communication, and has worked with churches on developing their online presence. He has a particular interest in discipleship formation in a digital world.

Cost: $10 per person per session. Maximum $40 per congregation per session.

An outline of our first session in May is here. We had people from nine congregations registered, seven of which are currently offering some form of worship online. Every two months we will meet at a church which is streaming a worship service, hear about the ‘why’ and ‘how’ (aims and approach) and see the ‘what and how’ (tech).

Further sessions are to be held in September and November.

The CMLA and Mission Resourcing SA are hosting a learning and leadership development day for worship leaders, preachers and church musicians on Saturday 7 September at Adelaide West Uniting Church and Uniting College for Leadership and Theology. The day will consist of a keynote session with Rev Dr Stephen Burns followed by three sessions of multiple electives. The electives will cover a broad range of topics, from learning new music, to worship leading skills, to sessions for ministers and lay preachers / presiders.

Stephen Burns is a Professor with Pilgrim Theological College (UCA) and the University of Divinity, based in Melbourne. He is a gifted worship leader and teacher, and a prolific writer in the field of worship and liturgy. Stephen was one of the keynote speakers at the UCA national Transforming Worship Conference in Adelaide in 2017. He is a wise and encouraging speaker.

The program will run from 9.30am to 4.00pm on Saturday 7th. Program details and costs available in late June.

On Friday evening 6th September, Stephen Burns will lead a seminar on Postcolonial Worship in Australia at Uniting College. More details soon.

Every second Friday of the month, 10.00-11.00am Adelaide time, the CMLA is hosting a monthly online Zoom cafe for preachers, providing an informal opportunity for peer reflection by ministers, lay preachers and others to reflect on texts and themes for the coming month. This will be an conversational forum for sharing insights, pondering questions, developing ideas and learning with and from one another.

We hope to explore creative approaches to themes and the craft of preaching itself, not simply discuss the meanings of texts.

Bring a coffee or tea, a Bible and notepad. Second Friday of every month, April to November.

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 837 0220 0247
Passcode: 023140

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