Commissioning and Ordination

A couple of diary dates for two candidates for ordained ministry associated with Pilgrim UC.

6.00pm, 10th February – Julia Pitman will be commissioned into her first placement at Yankalilla Uniting Church, 121 Main Street, Yankalilla. The commissioning will be followed by a meal provided by Commissioning and Ordination.

18th March – Julia Pitman and Michael Dowling will be ordained as Ministers of the Word in the Uniting Church. The venue will be Adelaide West Uniting Church. The time to be confirmed closer to the event, but will be in the afternoon.

Please note the date and come along and support Julia and Michael.

Urban Mission Network

The Urban Mission Network is delighted to extend to you Christ Church congregation's invitation to join them in celebrating the induction of Rev Nicholas Rundle to their congregation.

The service will take place at 7.30 pm on Friday 10th February. Please pass this invitation to others in your congregation who may like to join us at this happy event.

RSVP to Marian Smith, Secretary of Christ Church congregation, phone 8338 1376 or email to .

Pancake Day

Pancake Day – 21st February 2012 - Watch this space

Volunteers required – contact Pat Button 8276 2119 or Pilgrim Office.

Ecumenical Lenten Resource 2012

Fast, Pray, Give and Receive

The Ecumenical Lenten Resource for 2012 is available from the SA Council of Churches for free download here.

If you require a hardcopy to be posted, contact Jacqui, 8215 0300,
or email . Cost: $5 each.

Pilgrim Pathways

"Pilgrim Pathways" is the new name for what was previously referred to under the coverall title "Progressive Christianity".

This year there will be six bi-monthly meetings of Pilgrim Pathways. The first will be on Sunday 12 February at 11am, in the Draper Room (enter from the hall, behind the church). It will be titled "In My Own Words"

The guests will be Christine Garner, a Uniting Church minister, formerly of Newland Church Victor Harbor, and Helen Warmingham, a member of the Pilgrim 9.30 Community.

Each will share a small part of their spiritual journey, followed by an opportunity for personal reflection and discussion in small groups.

The Planning Team is sensitive to, and respective of, differing thoughts and beliefs that people hold, and for this reason, the intention always is to create a safe environment for people to feel comfortable and companonable at all times. They look forward to welcoming anyone who would like to join them.

Circles of Healing

Tuesday 14 February 2012: 2 pm – 4 pm
Pilgrim Uniting Church Hall, 12 Flinders Street, Adelaide

To progress action that will to assist the Church community in SA to respond more deeply to social justice and the prison system. Feel free to invite others.

RSVPs to Jacqui or Geraldine – or phone 8215 0300

Ecumenical Service for the Opening of the Parliamentary Year

Thursday 16 February 2012, 8am (concluding by 8.45am)
Pilgrim Uniting Church, 12 Flinders St, Adelaide

You are invited to join with the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship and Leaders of Christian Churches SA at a Service to mark the beginning of the 2012 Parliamentary year.

Stretch and Relaxation Classes

Classes have recommenced
Thursdays, 5.30pm-6.30pm
in the Pilgrim Hall.

Contact Frances Bartholomeusz for further information, 0407 687 311.

No contracts, no fees, simply fitness and relaxation.

Act for Peace - Study Tour of Africa

Exciting news for Act for Peace Partners: you can experience Africa on a three- week study tour and safari in March 2012, visiting Act for Peace's project partners in Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Harare and Bulawayo and seeing first-hand what partnership with Act for Peace means to them.

To register your interest in participating in the tour, please call 1800 025 101 and ask for Howard or Emma. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to come on an exciting journey of discovery and cultural education!

Should you require a flyer for more information, please contact the Act for Peace, Development Officer for SA, Virginia Macaspac on (08) 8232 7071 or via email:

UnitingWorld – InSolidarity 2011 - 2012

India (late 2011/early 2012)
Visit the UCA partner church, Church of North India. Engage with their Relief and Development projects. Trip includes New Delhi, Durgapur and Kolkata.

Bali “Fill in the Gap” (Jan 2012)
A fun and challenging visit to some of the Christian Protestant Church of Bali’s community projects with Kathy Pereira and Roz Elkington.

West Timor (June 2012)
Visit the UCA partner the Evangelical Christian Church in Timor. Engage with their schools, university and microfinance programs, particularly the work of TLM, their Relief and Development organisation. This trip will be led by Rob Floyd, UnitingWorld’s Associate Director of Relief and Development.

With teams limited to 10-12 people, you need to indicate your interest ASAP. For further information on InSolidarity visits contact Roz Elkington: or (02) 8267 4269

More information: Click here

Partnership visit to Korea

From 28 May to 6 June 2012 a group of people will travel to our partner church, the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) in South Korea.

If you are interested in joining the group, contact:

   Christa Megaw 8236 4203,
   or
   Adam Tretheway 8236 4239, .

Visit to Diocese of Madras, Church of South India

Following the recent visit of Bishop Devasahayam, Diocese of Madras, some interest has been expressed in a visit to the Diocese. This is tentatively being planned for a few weeks in the second half of 2012. More details to come.

Seeking an introduction to southern Africa

David and Liz Linn have arranged a tour of parts of South Africa and most of Lesotho. Why? They are regular travellers to southern Africa with a special link through their project: Library Books for Schools in Lesotho - a project that Pilgrim Church supported.

One project supporter suggested they share their experiences. So, they have arranged a tour, at very reasonable cost, for up to 12 people to spend about one week in each country - enough time "to savour the sights, sounds and the people".

A few seats/beds are still available for the trip, departing Adelaide 28 April and returning 14 May 2012. Time is of the essence; please contact them NOW for details on 8373 1224 or email:

Trinity Sunday DVD – Refugee fundraiser

On Trinity Sunday, 19th June, we celebrated our Church Anniversary with a combined service at 10.30 am. The guest preacher was the Rev. Prof. Bill Loader who addressed the issue of Christianity and the Uniting Church in a changing landscape with an address entitled Where will the river flow?

The service was video taped and a DVD has been produced. Copies may be purchased or ordered at morning tea on Sundays, or from the church office. Each DVD will sell for $10 and all the money received will be donated to our Circle of Friends to support refugees.

Pilgrim Church office – Ph: 8212 3295 – Email:

UnitingWorld experience placements available 2012

Interested in volunteering overseas next year for anything from four weeks to three years? Placements connected to our partner churches are available in a range of countries. Some require formal training while others do not need specific qualifications.

For more information, go to the UnitingWorld website.

Philippines - Partnership with Central Luzon Jurisdiction

Rev Christa Megaw, International Mission Officer, SA Synod, has offered Pilgrim UC an opportunity to explore a partnership with Central Luzon Jurisdiction, along with the Urban Mission Network. There will be opportunities for reciprocal visits through this partnership as it develops.

Inverbrackie Detention Centre

Let’s support the local churches in the Hills area as they seek to offer pastoral care and support. Other Churches are also looking for ways of helping, whether through Circles of Friends, coordinated by the Australian Refugee Association, or by working with Adelaide Hills congregations. The issue will remain controversial for some time. Let us keep our colleagues confronting these issues in our prayers.

Christmas has come and gone, the New Year is getting underway....

Research by eBay has found that this year Australians each spent an average of $662 to buy presents - overall, an $8.5 billion spend on gifts! And there are an estimated 20 million unwanted gifts, valued at $1.05 billion dollars!

Spare a thought for the new arrivals at Inverbrackie Detention Centre who are settling in, and their more modest needs. Perhaps you might be able to help with some of them?

• sewing machines (urgent)
• toys that can be shared (sports, balls, etc)
• toiletries (only new unopened items in plastic containers allowed)
• art and craft items
• materials for sewing
• crockery
• furniture

If you have goods you would like to donate, please email Veronica and await her reply as to whether the goods are needed and/or instructions of what to do with them.

Email to:

Please note that the following are NOT needed at this stage:
   – soft toys – food – electrical goods – clothes – bicycles –

(Note : Serco may operate a bike repair workshop in the future, when bicycles will be welcomed).

Thomas Trotter CD’s

CD’s of the Choral Worship Service at which Thomas Trotter was the guest organist are now available. Cost $10. Please contact Peter Kelsall or Julie (Office Administrator) if you would like to obtain a copy.

Oasis in a Busy Week

Tuesday morning 8am and Thursday afternoon 12.15pm services come along and bring your friends. Each service is a wonderful oasis in a busy week, and a great opportunity for those living and working in the city.

CONCERTS and RECITALS - at Pilgrim

There is a continuing program of concerts and recitals at Pilgrim Uniting Church. For details, Click here .