St Michael's Uniting Church

Living the Questions 2:0
2023-09-17 11:45 - 12:45 (Australia/Melbourne) | Waratah Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Explore the biblical foundations, theological grounding, and spiritual practices at the heart of Progressive Christianity in these DVD-based discussion series.
Join us for Session 10: Evil Suffering and a God of Love.
If you would like to receive the optional background reading, please phone or email the office and they will be happy to email or print you a copy.
Facilitator: Chris Phillips
*Please meet Chris at the Russell Street entrance of the church at 11:30am.

Progressive Pages: Digital Bookclub
2023-09-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Progressive Pages is a digital book club exploring progressive Christianity, hosted by St Michael’s Uniting Church and VicTas Synod New and Digital Ministries, with Kelly Skilton and Chris Phillips as the facilitators.
The first session begins on Wednesday, 18 September 2024. We will be reading covering “Gondwana Theology” by Rev Dr Garry Deverell.
Each week we cover a new chapter a week.

September 18 – Discussing Chapter 1

September 25 – Discussing Chapter 2

October 2 – Discussing Chapter 3

October 9 – Discussing Chapter 4

October 16 – Discussing Chapter 5

The previous printing has run out and it has now been released as a print-on-demand title from a new publisher.
The easiest place to order it is https://atfpress.com/product/gondwana-theology/
Alternatively, the St Michael’s office has a few copies that the church has kindly purchased if you are not able to get your own copy.

More information and the sign up form can be found at bit.ly/ProgPages3

Special Organ Recital – 100th Birthday Party
2023-09-21 13:00 - 14:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Long time Organ Recital patron Margaret Swann is turning 100, and St Michael’s is hosting a special recital to celebrate.
Featuring a celebratory program and wonderful musicians:
Dr Joel Brennan (Trumpet),
Dr Elyane Laussade (Piano),
David Pether (Organ),
and Rhys Boak (Organ)

Progressive Pages: Digital Bookclub
2023-09-21 19:00 - 20:00 | online
Progressive Pages is a new digital book club exploring progressive Christianity, hosted by St Michael’s Uniting Church and VicTas Synod New and Digital Ministries, with Kelly Skilton and Chris Phillips as the facilitators.
We are starting on August 24th, covering Robyn Whitaker’s new book Even the Devil Quotes Scripture a chapter a week on Thursdays at 7pm AEST.
We are meeting on Discord, an app that works like a hybrid of Zoom and Facebook.
Chris will be bringing their laptop to morning tea this Sunday to help get people set up on Discord – BYO device
(Chris can also be contacted through the office for help if you can’t make then).
Thursday August 24th – Discussions on Chapter 1
Thursday August 31st – Discussions on Chapter 2
Thursday September 7th – Discussions on Chapter 3
Thursday September 14th – Discussions on Chapter 4
Thursday September 21st – Discussions on Chapter 5
TWO WEEK BREAK
Thursday October 12th – Discussions on Chapter 6

Thursday October 19th – Duscissions on Chapter 7

More information and the sign up form can be found at bit.ly/ProgressivePages

St Michael's Day Gathering: Pilgrims along the River of Life
2023-09-24 10:00 - 11:15 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Sunday Gatherings are in church at 10am.
For those unable to attend, online services still continue and are available Sunday afternoon.
Watch the Online Gathering here
St Michael’s Day – Pilgrims Along the River of Life
Minister: Rev Dr Margaret Mayman”

Music in church: The St Michael’s Singers, The St Michael’s String Ensemble & Rhys Boak (Organ, Piano & Harpsichord)
Music online: The Nuovo Quartet, Dr Joel Brennan (Trumpet) & Rhys Boak (Organ)
All offerings for St Michael’s Day Gathering will be donated to the Yarra Riverkeepers
Read or download Order of Service here

A participatory earth-justice service with special music and reflections on justice for the earth and the spiritual practices that will sustain care of the planet.
Planned by Margaret and the Church Services Committee in consultation with the Environmental Action Group.

St Michael's Day Concert with Rhys Boak (Organ ) & Dr Joel Brennan (Trumpet)
2023-09-24 13:00 - 14:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
As part of our St Michael’s Week celebrations we invite you enjoy a free St Michael’s Day Concert>
This special free event features inspiring music by Dr Joel Brennan (Trumpet) and St Michael’s Organist and Music Manager, Rhys Boak.
Donations to the Yarra Riverkeepers welcome.

Meditation Session
2023-09-28 08:00 - 17:00
Regroup. Refocus. Revive.
A calming meditation session to help you reset.
Facilitator: Pamela Blood
When: Sunday 1 October | 12:00pm-12:30pm
Where: Mingary, The Quiet Place

Lunchtime Organ Recital
2023-09-28 13:00 - 13:30, 2023-10-05 13:00 - 13:30, 2023-10-12 13:00 - 13:30, 2023-10-19 13:00 - 13:30, 2023-10-26 13:00 - 13:30, 2023-11-02 13:00 - 13:30, 2023-11-09 13:00 - 13:30 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Make an organ recital part of your lunch plans and join us for the St Michael’s Lunchtime Organ Recital series this Thursday.
The recitals series feature St Michael’s organist, Rhys Boak and guest artists.
Free event.
Doors open at 12:30pm
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Sunday Gathering; In church and online
2023-10-01 10:00 - 11:15 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Moses strikes the rock in wilderness by Marc Chagall
Sunday Gatherings are in church at 10am.
For those unable to attend, online services still continue and are available Sunday afternoon.
Watch the Online Gathering here
Nineteenth after Pentecost – 1 October 2023, 10am
“Everyone’s a critic”
Minister: Rev Dr Margaret Mayman
Music in church: Rada Tochalna (Soprano) and Rhys Boak (Organ & Piano)
Music online: The St Michael’s Day Singers, Dr. Kim Tan (Flute) & Rhys Boak (Organ & Piano)

Sunday gathering: In church and online
2023-10-08 10:00 - 11:15 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Best Buddies by Keith Haring
Sunday Gatherings are in church at 10am.
For those unable to attend, online services still continue and are available Sunday afternoon.
Watch the Online Gathering here
Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost – 8 October 2023, 10am
Rules won’t make us loving, but they might help
Minister: Rev Dr Margaret Mayman”
Music in church: Edwina Cordingley (Cello) & Rhys Boak (Organ & Piano)
Music online: Zoe Wallace (Cello) & Rhys Boak (Organ & Piano)

A Voice for Country with Rev Dr Garry Deverell
2023-10-10 18:00 - 19:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
As part of our St Michael’s. Week celebrations we invite you to A Voice for Country: Say “Yes” to the Ecological Wisdom of the First People with Rev Dr Garry Deverell
Rev Dr Garry Deverell speaks on the relationship between empowering First Peoples through a Voice to Parliament and the ecological wellbeing of the land.
Followed by Q & A.
Chaired by Dr Mayman.
Garry is Academic Dean, Lecturer and Research Fellow in the new School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Divinity, which he helped to found.
He is a trawloolway man from northern lutruwita (Tasmania) and a canon priest of St Paul’s Cathedral here in Naarm/Melbourne.
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Progressive Pages: Digital Bookclub
2023-10-12 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-10-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Progressive Pages is a digital book club exploring progressive Christianity, hosted by St Michael’s Uniting Church and VicTas Synod New and Digital Ministries, with Kelly Skilton and Chris Phillips as the facilitators.
We are covering a chapter a week of Robyn Whitaker’s new book Even the Devil Quotes Scripture on Thursdays at 7pm AEST.
We are meeting on Discord, an app that works like a hybrid of Zoom and Facebook.
If you need help with Discord, please contact Chris via the church office.
Thursday October 12th – Discussions on Chapter 6

Thursday October 19th – Discussions on Chapter 7

More information and the sign up form can be found at bit.ly/ProgressivePages

Referendum Eve Vigil - “Constituted by Love”
2023-10-13 16:00 - 17:00 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
“Constituted by Love”
Minister: Rev Dr Margaret Mayman
Music: Judith Dodsworth (Soprano), Edwina Cordingley (Cello) & Rhys Boak (Organ & Piano)
Over the past two weeks, the Uniting Church Assembly has been sharing 14 Days of Prayer for the Voice.
On Friday 13 October, these prayers will culminate in a national Vigil on the eve of the Referendum, a time of reflection, faith and unity in solidarity with First Nations people and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.
From Larrakia Country (Darwin) to Lutruwita (Tasmania), and many places in between, congregations will open their sanctuaries for the local community to gather and pray. Each location will also be connected to a single Zoom webinar, taking turns to lead prayer and worship.
St Michael’s will be one of the locations connected to a single Zoom webinar, taking turns to lead prayer and worship and we welcome you to join our in-person gathering at 4pm.
Join online at any point across six hours of prayer between 2:00pm and 8:00pm AEDT.
The Vigil will be livestreamed on Zoom from 2pm-8pm (you must register to attend, please register here)
Rev Dr Margaret Mayman will lead St Michael’s special service of liturgy, prayer, hymns and music from 4pm onwards.
Join us online or in-person.
Vigil running sheet – Zoom
2-3pm AEDT (local time 12:30pm ACST)
Nungalinya College (President Rev Sharon Hollis)
Larrakia land, Darwin
3-4pm AEDT
Ballarat Central Uniting Church
Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung land
4-5pm AEDT
St Michael’s Uniting Church
Wurundjeri land, Melbourne
5-5:30pm AEDT (local time 2pm AWST)
Star Street Uniting Church
Wadjuk Nyungar land, Perth
5:30-6pm AEDT
Devonport Uniting Church
Punnilerpanner land, Tasmania
6-6:30pm AEDT (local time 5pm AEST)
Rev Roberta Stanley (UAICC QLD)
6:30-7:15pm AEDT (local time 6pm ACDT)
Brougham Place Uniting Church
Kaurna land, Adelaide
7:15-8pm AEDT
Leichhardt Uniting Church
Gadigal and Wangal land, Sydney
In person visiting hours will be communicated by the host locations. Most will be open for at least the above times (local time).
The Vigil will be live-streamed to the Uniting Church in Australia Facebook page from 2-3pm and from 7:15-8pm.

Sunday Gathering - "Healing and hope to soothe our souls" - In church and online
2023-10-15 10:00 - 11:15 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Image: Tree of Life by Peggy Bowie Davis.
“Healing and hope to soothe our souls”
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost – 15 October 2023, 10am
Minister: Rev Dr Margaret Mayman
Music in church: Kristen Leich (Mezzo Soprano), Dr. Elyane Laussade (Piano) & Rhys Boak (Organ)
Music online: Francesca Hiew (Violin), David Paterson (Piano) & Rhys Boak (Organ & Piano)
Sunday Gatherings are in church at 10am.
For those unable to attend, online services still continue and are available Sunday afternoon.
Watch the Online Gathering here

Living the Questions 2.0
2023-10-15 11:45 - 12:45 | Waratah Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Explore the biblical foundations, theological grounding, and spiritual practices at the heart of Progressive Christianity in these DVD-based discussion series.
Join us for Session 11: The Myth of Redemptive Violence.
Facilitator: Neil Blood

Sunday Gathering - In church and online - "God and Empire"
2023-10-22 10:00 - 11:15 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost – 22 October 2023, 10am
“God and Empire”?
Guest Minister: Rev Peter Burnham
Music in church: Joe Chindamo (Piano) & Rhys Boak (Organ)
Music online: Zoe Black (Violin), Joe Chindamo (piano) & Rhys Boak (Organ)

Sunday Gatherings are in church at 10am.
For those unable to attend, online services still continue and are available Sunday afternoon.
Watch the Online Gathering here

Repair Reuse Refashion with Ange Tang
2023-10-22 11:45 - 12:45 | Waratah Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Help give your favourite clothes another chance and reduce textile waste.
Step into Spring with a wardrobe refresh.
This week Ange will show us how to deal with woven fabric in fixing shirts and blouses.
Ange will bring some darning wool so that you can give your woollens some TLC before you pack them away until next winter.
If you have your own sewing kit you are welcome to bring it.
The workshop is open to everyone, regardless of skill level.
Come along, slow down, and enjoy a relaxing hour and revive an item you love.

Sunday Gathering - "Living Fully in the Face of Death" - In church and online
2023-10-29 10:00 - 23:15 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Image: Sleeping beauty by Marie Louise Anderson
Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost – 29 October 2023, 10am
“Living Fully in the Face of Death”
Minister: Rev Dr Margaret Mayman
Reflection: Irene Renzenbrink
Music in church: Dr. Kim Tan (Flute) & Rhys Boak (Organ)
Music online: Zoe Wallace (Cello), Dr Kim Tan Flute) & Rhys Boak (Organ & Piano)
Sunday Gatherings are in church at 10am.
For those unable to attend, online services still continue and are available Sunday afternoon.
Watch the Online Gathering here

Exploring the Act2 Project
2023-10-29 11:45 - 12:45 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
The Road to Eemmaus by Daniel Bonnell
The Uniting Church of Australia is engaged in a major transformational change project called Act2.
Act2 is focussed on discerning and deciding the future of the Uniting Church in Australia.
The Act2 Project is an invitation to every Uniting Church member and council to discern together where God is calling us into the future.
St Michael’s Council is considering its response to the third stage of this Project. Chris Phillips will lead a discussion on Act2 and to explore how faithfully following Christ in our time and place shapes the life of the Uniting Church.
It’s been over 45 years since the The Uniting Church of Australia was founded. The Uniting Church looks very different now, than in 1977. In response the UCA is currently engaged in a major transformational change project called Act2, a comprehensive review of the structure and functioning of the Uniting Church.
‍As a Uniting Church congregation, St Michael’s is governed by the UCA rules and regulations. It also means St Michael’s has been offered the exciting opportunity to engage with the Act2 report to ensure our needs, collectively and individually, are met going forward. There are proposed changes that will affect St Michael’s. For example, the responsibilities of the other Uniting Church councils; Presbytery, Synod, Assembly; are likely to be restructured and regulations regarding the responsibilities and flexibility St Michael’s as a congregation have are also to be discussed.
The ACT2 project is seeking feedback on some of the options and proposals on its latest report Act2: In Response to God’s Call.
St Michael’s Council is preparing a response, but the the Act2 project are inviting people to provide individual feedback that can help shape the change.
On Sunday, Chris Phillips will summarise the history and current position of the Act2 project to keep people up to date and informed should they wish to submit feedback to the project individually to the Act2 project.

Sunday Gathering - In church and online
2023-11-05 10:00 - 11:15 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Image: World of peace and justice by John-August-Swanson
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost – 5 November 2023, 10am
“Justice is the Path to Peace”
Minister: Rev Dr Margaret Mayman
Music in church: Edwina Cordingley (Cello) & Rhys Boak (Organ)
Music online: The St. Michael’s Singers conducted by Rhys Boak (Organ)
Sunday Gatherings are in church at 10am.
For those unable to attend, online services still continue and are available Sunday afternoon.
Watch the Online Gathering here

Meditation in Mingary
2023-11-05 12:00 - 12:30 | Mingary, The Quiet Place, St Michael's Uniting Church, Russell Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Regroup and refocus. join this calming meditation session to help you reset in the beautiful space of : Mingary, The Quiet Place
Facilitator: Neil Blood

Sunday Gathering - in church and online
2023-11-12 10:00 - 11:15 | St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost – 12 November 2023, 10am
“Living courageously in a spirit of radical connectedness”
Minister: Rev Dr Margaret Mayman
Music in church: Joe Chindamo (Piano) & Oscar Herrick (Organ)
Music online: Zoe Black (Violin) & Joe Chindamo (Piano) & Rhys Boak (Organ)
Sunday Gatherings are in church at 10am.
For those unable to attend, online services still continue and are available Sunday afternoon.
Watch the Online Gathering here

Repair, Reuse, Refashion: The Christmas Edition
2023-11-12 11:45 - 12:45 | Waratah Room, 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Get into the spirit of a green Christmas with a wardrobe refashion.
Ange Tang presents her popular workshop to make tired clothes new again.
During the session Ange will offer tips (and a place) on repairing buttons, replacing zips and hooks, and inserting drawstrings.
For those with no repair projects, come along for a session in making simple felt Christmas decorations for a heartfelt gift (felt supplies will be provided).
Facilitator: Ange Tang
