PURPOSES

The Uniting Church Historical Society assists primarily in

· The preservation of Uniting Church, Methodist, Congregational and Presbyterian records and memorabilia.

· The provision of lectures, publications and displays covering the history of the Uniting Church, 
   Congregational, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches.

· The planning of anniversaries of significant historical events.

LECTURES AND ACTIVITIES

· On the 21st  November 2001 Julia Pitman presented a lecture titled A MATTER OF PRIDE: the Ordination of Women in the Congregational Churches in Australia, 1927-1977.

· On the 21st  April 2002 the Rev’d Kevin Secomb presented a lecture titled  The Excitable Little Pastor: The Ministry of Rev’d J. Day Thompson in the North Adelaide Primitive Methodist Church 1892- 1898.

· On 22nd  November 2002 at the Helping Hand Centre Dr Pauline Payne presented a lecture titled  HELPING HAND AGED CARE: Developing a Service 1953-2002.   Pauline was commissioned to write the history of Helping Hand.

· On the 27th  April 2003 Brian Blackburn presented a lecture titled: NUNYARA: Highlights for 101 Years.

History Field Trip.

In September of 2001 a Field Trip planned  by the Rev’d Ted Curnow visited Methodist Church buildings and sites on the areas of the Salisbury and Gawler Plains.  As a result of the interest shown it is planned to repeat this Field Trip.

History Walk.

In September 2002 Rev’d Kevin Secomb conducted a Walk visiting significant church buildings and sites in the East Norwood Parade area.

Cataloguing the Records.

A suitable computer for a data base program has been purchased. Val Canty and Gaye Brown are in the process of entering the records into the database.  This will make the records much more accessible 
for inquiries.

Web Page.

A web page has been designed for the Historical Society.  The web page contains information about the work of the Society, planned events, information about membership, and a list of  the Society’s publications.  Every three months a photo of a Uniting Church will be at the head of the front page.  Currently it is Brougham Place
Church.
                         Web page address: http://historicalsociety.unitingchurch.org.au/

John Flynn replica Dodge Buckboard.

The Dodge Buckboard gifted to the Society by Padre Bill Paynter has been placed by the Society with the National Motor Museum at Birdwood.  As housing and care of the vehicle was becoming a problem the Council of the Historical Society was pleased to accept the offer to house the vehicle in the ‘Australiana Outback’ section of the Museum. 

Great Hymns of Faith CD.

As result of the continuing demand for the CD another 500 of the CDs have been cut.  These can be obtained from the Historical Society for the cost of $20.  A second edition is planned for 2004.

The Uniting Church History Centre for South Australia.

The bequest made by Mr Colin Watson to the Historical Society has enabled the purchase of the Church of Christ property, 44a East Avenue, Black Forest.  This property is in very good order and the plan of the property is particularly suitable for the purposes of the Historical Society.  The purchase of this property is a significant step for the work of sharing the history of the Uniting Church in South Australia.  It will enable the safer storage and better presentation of the records and memorabilia.  While the fitting of shelving and suitable storage cabinets are in process it is hoped that by the end of September the centre can be open to the public.  For the initial period the Centre will be open on Wednesdays 1 – 4pm. The phone number is 8297 8472. Between Wednesdays the phone is diverted to the Secretary, the Rev’d George Potter 8382 5658.

History Research Inquiries.

There is a significant increase in the number of inquiries which come not only from all parts of Australia but from parts of the USA and the United Kingdom.  This is a result of a more efficient supply of information for the inquiries and the web page advertising  the work of the Society.  It is expected that as the History Centre
becomes more operational that the demand for historical information will continue to increase.

FUTURE EVENTS

                        November 2003 Lecture.
                        Mr Paul Barreira, a religious researcher with Flinders University will
                        present a lecture from his Ph.D. research titled Bereavement and
                        Memorial Notices as Counter Point to Devout Enlistment, 1914-1918.

                        History Walk  -  February 2004.
                        Argent Church Cemetery, Payneham.
                        Mr Jim Everett is planning a twilight walk of historic graves in the
                        Cemetery.
          
                        Official opening of the SA Synod Uniting Church History Centre.
                        An opening is planned sometime during the first part of 2004.

                        Gordon Rowe Memorial Lecture  -  August 2004 
                        The Rev’d Dr D’Arcy Wood has accepted the invitation to present a 
                        Lecture on the history, and developments in worship during the
                        Uniting Church period. 

MEMBERSHIP

The Council of the Society is seeking ways to increase the Membership.  It is hoped that as the History Centre and its work becomes better known through people using the Centre that membership will increase.
                        Membership subscriptions:   One year  $10.  Two years  $18.
                        Three years  $25.   Life membership  $125.  Congregations  $200.

Val Canty,  President.
George Potter,  Secretary.