Presbytery of North East Victoria

Praying together

Many Congregations are in the habit of deliberately praying for one another each time they meet. By naming each other in prayer we enhance our pastoral support with each other, in God’s company.  This invitation continues our practice over the past couple of years [Download the  "Praying together list for 2013" in PDF].

Mission on your Veranda

The November 2010 Presbytery meeting included  a conversation on the metaphor of “veranda as mission”, being an interface between the ‘inside-family’ space and the ‘outside’ world.  Many good stories were enthusiastically told by members of ways we are engaging with our communities in and beyond our own ‘spaces’.  The rich ideas from this metaphor open up many possibilities for fruitful innovation. 

Download the "Mission on your Veranda" flier, "Mission Ideas Booklet 1" ,"Mission Ideas Booklet 2", "Mission Ideas Booklet 3", and "Mission Ideas Booklet 4"

Check out this frequently-useful info:

• 'About us' includes summary information about the Presbytery 
• 'Events and Dates' includes ... Events and dates  (cunning, huh!)
• 'News' includes the Presbytery newsletter 'Uniting NEws'

 

Asylum Seeker Projects need your support

Hotham Asylum Seeker Project centred in Melbourne works with the most vulnerable people living lawfully in the community while they await the outcome of their claims for protection. Hotham works with children, women and men who have little or no income and face homelessness. Many struggle with physical or emotional trauma, isolation and mental illness. Hotham also provides housing and care for unaccompanied young people who arrived by boat and have been released from detention centres into community based care while their claims are processed. Donations of money and housing are urgently needed. Please donate online at www.givenow.com.au/hothammission

The passing of the Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection) Bill 2011 in September last is a breakthrough for people seeking protection under a range of international conventions. Until now, people claiming asylum in Australia under the 1951 Refugee Convention had to wait until they had exhausted that process before they could be assessed under other conventions. The new legislation allows people to have their claims for protection under relevant conventions assessed simultaneously. Hotham ASP and other agencies including UnitingCare Cutting Edge, UnitingCare Wodonga and UnitingCare Goulburn North East (Wangaratta and St David's Albury) have advocated for the change in the hope that people will be able to obtain a final visa outcome in far less time. It is also hoped that fewer cases will need to go to the Minister for Intervention, freeing the Minister to process humanitarian claims. More at http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/61a-complementary.htm

UnitingCare Cutting Edge centred in Shepparton in its 2011 Annual Report stated "The commencement of the Humanitarian Settlement Service in April 2011 resulted in the expansion of the Multicultural Services Team. In planning for this a Multicultural Services Manager, Tim Andrews was employed in April 2011 followed by two Multicultural Project and Case workers and fifteen casual Muticultural Support workers who have been drawn from the new settling communities".

UnitingCare Cutting Edge, UnitingCare Goulburn North East (Wangaratta and St David's Albury), and UnitingCare Wodonga all need support to continue their valuable community work. Please donate online at www.givenow.com.au/

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