St Michael's Uniting Church

PHILOSOPHY FOR BEGINNERS
2016-08-28 11:45 - 12:45, 2017-04-30 11:45 - 12:45, 2017-06-25 11:45 - 12:45 (Australia/Melbourne) | Camellia Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Thinking outside the square
A lively, interactive discussion group, presented by Dr Peter Kingsbury, focusing on thinking outside the square.
Designed to inspire creative and innovative thinking.

HOPE: HELPING OUR PLANET EARTH
2016-09-11 11:45 - 13:45 | VIC
St Michael’s environment group, explores the environmental issues of concern for the wellbeing of our planet.
We will be showing an environmentally inspiring film that will inform and enlighten you. Holding discussions about the actions we can take in our home and workplace to take better care of our world.
Every individual can help care for the environment and these workshops will help you to do that.

On Sunday 11th Sept we will hold a round-up of all the 4 Rs of Recycling and other information our interesting members care to share.

Guided Meditation
2016-09-11 12:00 - 13:00, 2016-10-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Wellbeing Studio, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Join meditation practitioner Sian Ellett and discover the energy of your body and the world around you through guided awareness.
This one hour session will include:

a welcome and introduction to the concept of guided meditation
a guided body awareness meditation, utilising movement, visualisation and breath
discussion of experiences and time to ask questions

Sian is a writer and meditation practitioner specialising in health, wellbeing, meditation and personal development.

Mobile Minds
2016-10-02 11:45 - 12:45 | Waratah Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS!
This is the time to take advantage of your skills in using mobile technology.
Using your mobile device and the many apps available is a fantastic way to keep your mind active.
Bring your mobile device and come have some fun with Roger Hersey.
You can get more information, entertainment and help from your Phone or Tablet.
Bring your mobile device and your ideas. Share with others. After the workshop, try out the ideas that interest you.

The Trivia Challenge
2016-10-16 11:45 - 13:45 | Waratah Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
The Trivia Challenge, presented by Val and John Little is back by popular demand.
Covering a range of topics including sport, geography, films politics, music, musicals, literature, history, and general knowledge.
Join in the fun in teams of no more than six. If you do not have a team do not worry, teams will be formed on the day.
Register you interest at the Information desk on Sundays or email ironacton@bigond.com.
This will assist us knowing the number of chairs that have to be set up.

HOPE
2016-11-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Camellia Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
This environment group, explores issues of concern for the wellbeing of our planet.
Discussing the actions each of us can make in our home and workplace to take better care of our world.
Every individual can help care for the environment.
On Sunday 13 November join us for a picnic in the Treasury Gardens, 2 Spring St, East Melbourne, weather permitting. We will meet in the Camellia Room at 12pm and walk up to the gardens, weather permitting.
We can discuss what we would like to do next year. Having been offered an exciting music/audio visual presentation we need to book in a date!
Hope to see you .
Sally Clarke, Roger & Johanna Hersey.

Creative Faith Discussion Group
2016-11-20 11:45 - 12:45 | Waratah Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
The word faith is generally avoided in everyday conversation, being associated with religious subculture, beliefs and superstitions.
At St Michael’s the Creative Faith discussion group distinguishes between faith and belief, providing an opportunity and the freedom to explore our personal faith and help find meaning in the course of our lives
All are invited to the Creative Faith sessions; you may join in the conversation or just come along to listen in while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee.
Join Neil Blood in the Waratah room 1st floor St Michael’s halls after morning service on the following dates.
Time: 11.45 to 12.45
Tea and Coffee provided

Freedom Stories
2016-11-27 11:45 - 12:45 | Waratah Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Join us as we screen the awarded film Freedom Stories which explores the achievements of former asylum seekers who arrived in Australian around 2001.
After years in remote detention centres these now Australian citizens, are finally building secure lives and contributing to their new country with astonishing resilience and enthusiasm.
There will be a Q&A session and discussion following the film.
Jointly sponsored by Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children and St Michael’s Church.

ZEST: Savouring with pets to bring out your best
2016-12-04 11:45 - 12:45 | Waratah Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Roz Rimes recently completed her Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) at the University of Melbourne. Her final project explored savouring and human animal interactions to improve wellbeing which included her highly qualified Australian Labradoodle, Flash.
Flash has been a Delta therapy dog visiting the Royal Melbourne Hospital (Rehabilitation and Mental Health/Eating Disorders) for over five years. His qualifications include RSPCA Pet Dog Manners certificate, National Canine Good Citizen award and Lead the Way Animal Assisted Therapy for Human-Canine teams certificate.
Enjoy some lightness and laughter as you watch Flash perform his portfolio of tricks.

H.O.P.E. Helping Our Planet Earth
2017-02-12 11:45 - 12:45 | Kurrajong Room, 120 Collins, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
For human beings to flourish, the earth must flourish. We need clean air, clean water and nutritious food; to maintain a diversity of species and environmental systems.
There are many things that we, as individuals and as a group can do to promote environmentally friendly thinking. The H.O.P.E. workshops aim to explore these possibilities and inspire others.

SUMMER! Keeping cool, keeping the planet cool.
11.45am, Sunday 12 February – Kurrajong Room, St Michael’s Place

2016 was the hottest year on Earth since record-keeping began more than 130 years ago, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In this changing climate, we need to learn new ways of water management to continue to feed and cool the planet’s population.

Cheryl Power, an Honorary Fellow and former senior lecturer in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne, will discuss her first-hand experience of how the western states of the USA are adapting to less water as the planet continues to heat.

Sally Clarke will explore the importance of trees, our natural air conditioners and rainmakers, connecting with our visit to the Toolangi Forest on Saturday 4 March.

H.O.P.E. is a great opportunity to hear our special guest speaker and to share insights and ideas to help our planet. We look forward to seeing you at this first session of 2017.

Gymanfa Ganu
2017-02-26 15:00 - 17:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne Welch Church’s 2017 St David’s Day Gymanfa Ganu
An afternoon of hymn singing, conducted by an esteemed choir conductor from Wales, with additional performances by five local choirs. Some items will be sung by the winner of last year’s national Eisteddfod of Wales who has been brought out especially for this event.
Featuring special guests from Wales:
EDWARD-RHYS HARRY – guest conductor
KEES HUYSMANS – 2016 National Eisteddfod of Wales Blue Riband winner
And the combined voices of five local choirs:
– Australian Welsh Male Choir
– Melbourne Welsh Male Choir
– Victorian Welsh Male Choir
– Geelong Welsh Ladies Choir
– Excelsis
This is a FREE EVENT

In Conversation with Dr Debra Campbell
2017-03-12 10:00 - 23:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
We are delighted to have Dr Debra Campbell join us during Sunday Service as she launches her new book Lovelands. Rev Ric Holland will join Dr Campbell in conversation during the Sunday Service. Dr Campbell will be signing books in the library after the Service.

Nothing is more important to us than love, yet nothing is more painful than love gone wrong. Throughout our lives, dangerous fault-lines and crevasses can develop in our inner emotional landscapes due to past hurts and losses.
Lovelands is psychologist Dr Debra Campbell’s map for traversing the sometimes treacherous terrain of love and cultivating the wisdom and self-awareness for a passionate life and relationship.
Drawing on her personal experiences and professional knowledge of dysfunctional love relationships, Dr Campbell helps you to locate and identify your fault-lines so you can avoid repeating negative patterns and be empowered to make different choices.

Lovelands will guide readers in making sense of love and claiming the role of hero of your own life, sovereign of your Lovelands.
About Dr Debra Campbell
Psychologist, couple therapist and former university lecturer in marriage and relationships, Debra Campbell has worked in private practice, consulting on everything from panic to depression and parenting problems, as well as spending a number of years as a couple therapist at Relationships Australia.

Prior to her work in psychology Debra taught yoga and meditation and was the director of Hobsons Bay Yoga and Natural Health and Newport Yoga Centre. To date mindfulness remains a cornerstone of her work in mental health and couple relationships.

Her research has been published in psychological journals in Australia and the USA. Debra lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, kids and a dog.
Debra can be found on Twitter: @drdebracampbell Instagram: @drdebracampbell and Online: www.drdebracampbell.com.

H.O.P.E. - Helping Our Planet Earth
2017-03-12 11:45 - 12:45 | Kurrajong Room, 120 Collins, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Making a Difference to Climate Change
11.45am, Sunday 12 March – Kurrajong Room, St Michael’s Place
We are honoured to have Kelly Wickham, from Sustainability Victoria, present an inspirational discussion about climate change and how we can reduce our impact on the planet with minimal inconvenience.
Examining how we can help reach a target of net zero emissions by 2050, with a 15-20% reduction in emissions in the next three years.
As Project Advisor for the Climate Change team at Sustainability Victoria, Kelly is responsible for the collation and analysis of evidence that supports the development and implementation of an integrated Climate Change Program which includes energy, waste and resource recovery work.
Join us for a constructive conversation, audiovisual presentation and refreshments.
H.O.P.E is organised by Sally Clarke, Cheryl Power & Jorge Torrico.

Guided Meditation
2017-04-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Wellbeing Studio, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Join meditation practitioner Sian Ellett and discover the energy of your body and the world around you through guided awareness.

This one hour session will include:

a welcome and introduction to the concept of guided meditation
a guided body awareness meditation, utilising movement, visualisation and breath
discussion of experiences and time to ask questions

Sian is a writer and meditation practitioner specialising in health, wellbeing, meditation and personal development.
Sian Ellett

French Conversation
2017-06-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Kurrajong Room, 120 Collins, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Join native French speaker, Johanna Hersey, for a fun and informal French conversation workshop where all are welcome to practice their French and receive some pointers in basic French conversation skills.
Beginners and fluent speakers alike will find someone to chat to in French with help and guidance on hand.

French Conversations
2017-07-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Kurrajong Room, 120 Collins, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia

Creative Faith Discussion Group
2017-07-30 11:45 - 12:45 | Waratah Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
The word faith is generally avoided in everyday conversation, being associated with religious subculture, beliefs and superstitions.
At St Michael’s the Creative Faith discussion group distinguishes between faith and belief, providing an opportunity and the freedom to explore our personal faith and help find meaning in the course of our lives
All are invited to the Creative Faith sessions; you may join in the conversation or just come along to listen in while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee.
Join Neil Blood in the Waratah room 1st floor St Michael’s halls after morning service on the following dates.
Dates: July 30, August 20, September 17, November 19
Time: 11.45 to 12.45
Tea and Coffee provided

French Conversations
2017-08-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Camellia Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia

St Michael's Membership - Information Session
2017-08-13 11:30 - 12:30 | Waratah Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Would you like to consider becoming a member of St Michael’s?
On Sunday 13 August, prospective New Members will be able to meet with Rev Ric Holland and the New Members Team in the Waratah Room following the service, where you will have the opportunity to hear more about St Michael’s and to ask questions.
Rev Ric will also talk about what becoming a member of the Uniting Church in Australia, and St Michael’s in particular means.

Exhibition Opening - Jane Downing "Gratitude"
2017-08-20 11:00 - 13:00 | VIC
Join us as we celebrate the opening of Jane Downing’s vibrant and inspirational artwork in the St Michael’s Gallery.
Jane Downing focuses on things to be grateful for. Since embarking on her creative journey this sense of gratitude has been highlighted even more.
Jane started painting a year and a half ago. “It is my happy place; a place to ‘be’, reflect, ponder, be at peace and to explore and play.” She says.
Her bright paintings showcase her love of colour and expression. Jane paints from within, from her emotions, from her life experience; exploring the feeling of gratitude through art.
Jane aims to provoke thought, thanks, nurture, caring for each other through the paintings in this exhibition.

Creative Faith Discussion Group
2017-08-20 11:45 - 12:45 | VIC
Continuing our series The Things That Bring Meaning To Life, our next session we focus on our faith and our Spirituality, that undefined element of humanity that unites, enlightens, comforts and nourishes us.
We welcome you to this discussion group to join with a group from St Michael’s community, for a conversation about aspects of a faith that brings meaning to our lives.
Topic: Spirituality – so what – does it really matter?
Date: August 20. Time: 11.45 am to 12.45 pm
Location: Waratah Room, Level 1, St Michael’s Place. Tea and Coffee provided.

Philosophy for Beginners
2017-08-27 11:45 - 12:45 | Camellia Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Thinking Outside the Square.
A lively, interactive discussion group, presented by Dr Peter Kingsbury, focusing on thinking outside the square.
Designed to inspire creative and innovative thinking.
FREE EVENT
No bookings required

French Conversation
2017-09-03 11:45 - 12:45 | Ministers Reception Room
Join native French speaker, Johanna Hersey, for a fun and informal French conversation class where all are welcome to practice their French and receive some pointers in basic French conversation skills.
Beginners and fluent speakers alike will find someone to chat to in French with help and guidance on hand.

Healing Our Planet Earth (H.O.P.E.)
2017-09-10 11:45 - 12:45 | Kurrajong Room, 120 Collins, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Today we will host a round-table discussion over nibbles with a look at little-known aspects of Seaweed, Cement & Plastic.
Drawing from research by the ABC Catalyst program, with Prof Tim Flannery & the Melbourne Univ think-tank Beyond Zero Emissions, Sally Clarke will host the session, including any news & views you are invited to share.
BYO lunch Tea & coffee supplied.
When: Sunday 10 September, 11.45 am
Location: Kurrajong Room, Level 1, St Michael’s Place.
Enquiries: Sally Clarke, Roger Hersey, Cheryl Power.

Creative Faith Discussion Group
2017-09-17 11:45 - 12:45 | Wellbeing Studio, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Our Past and the Experiences that Shape Our Present.
Our life journey is a personal one-full of experiences, which help guide our response to everything happening in our lives.
This will be the topic for our next session in our series The Things That Bring Meaning To Life.
All are welcome to Join Neil in the Wellbeing Studio for this conversation.
* Note room change * Tea and coffee provided
Date: September 17
Time: 11.45 am to 12.45 pm
Location: Wellbeing Studio (end of passage) Level 1 St Michael’s halls.

Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony
2017-09-24 09:00 - 10:00 | VIC
Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Di Kerr will deliver a welcome to country and smoking ceremony in the St Michael’s Gardens as we acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather to celebrate St Michael’s Day.
Join us as we pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Elders from other communities who may attend this special service.
All are welcome

Photo Book Workshop
2017-10-22 11:45 - 13:00 | Waratah Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Learn how to make a Photo Book and make use of your digital photo files, with Roger Hersey.
We all have lots of photos on computers, tablets and phones – but how often do we look at them? Having a coffee table photo book gives us easy access to wonderful memories.
Presented over three Sunday’s after Sunday Service, Roger will go over the tools needed to produce a photo book to keep a hard copy of wonderful memories.
When: Sunday 22 & 29 October, 4 November
Time: 11:45am
Where: Waratah Room, Level 1, St Michael’s Place
Free Event for those with a tablet or mobile device.
