Churches, Denominations and Religions: UC National News 16-22 March - Our Election 2022 resource, floods update, Going Deeper with Transforming Worship, and more

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

UC National News 16-22 March - Our Election 2022 resource, floods update, Going Deeper with Transforming Worship, and more

So that all might share abundant life: Election 2022

Ahead of the 2022 Federal Election, the Uniting Church Assembly has released a resource which expresses our hope for Australia to become a nation where all people and the whole creation can flourish.

Drawing on the UCA document Our Vision for a Just Australia, the election resource identifies seven critical issues that Australia must address urgently to build a more just, compassionate and inclusive nation.

In launching the resource, UCA President Rev Sharon Hollis said right now Australians were looking to our leaders to work with courage and commitment to rebuild communities without leaving anyone behind.

We encourage Uniting Church members and congregations to use the resource to learn more about some of the key issues facing Australia ahead of the election and to generate conversations in their community and with their local candidates.

Go to the resource

Flood update: the long road to recovery

As communities impacted by the floods across NSW and QLD assess the physical and mental toll of the disaster, Uniting Church chaplains and ministry agents are working on the ground to provide community support and emotional and spiritual care. Pastor Tim Bennett from Lismore Regional Mission Uniting Church where floodwaters peaked at 14m says the next big challenge for the town will be the mental health response.
Image: members of Lismore Regional Mission Uniting Church with Disaster Recovery Chaplain Rev Robert Buchan

Going Deeper Lenten Study: Week 3 out now

Can you remember a time when you felt overwhelmed by the enormity of all that lies ahead? The Transforming Worship Circle offers this meditative visual and spoken word reflection on Psalm 63 for Week 3 of the Assembly Circles Going Deeper Bible Study series.

Webinar: Grief in the time of COVID-19

There are only eight days to go until the first webinar for 2022 from the Assembly Resourcing Unit and the Being a Multicultural Church Circle. Don't miss this opportunity to reflect with others on the grief, loss and change the COVID-19 pandemic has brought us and our world. Register now to join via Zoom on Thursday 24 March, 7:30-9:00pm AEDT.

New President for National Council of Churches in Australia

With other member churches we welcome the commencement of Rev John Gilmore as NCCA President following his appointment in October 2021, chairing his first Board meeting on Ash Wednesday and offering this Lenten reflection. Rev Gilmore is a Minister of the Churches of Christ in Australia and the 9th President of the NCCA.

UnitingCare calls for increase in aged care wages

Ahead of the 2022 Federal Election, UnitingCare Australia is calling on the major parties to commit to fully funding an increase in aged care wages to give certainty and hope to the sector. “Aged care workers are the lowest paid caring workforce, yet they provide some of the most important work caring for our loved ones,” said National Director Claerwen Little.

'Let us always be beacons of hope'

We're all called to live simply during the season of Lent, but what does it mean in a country suffering power cuts, food and water shortages? President of UCA partner church, the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka, Rev WP Ebenezer Joseph, has written a Lenten pastoral letter calling on its Churches to remember who they are and why they exist: to be a caring community following Christ, living simply, standing for truth and bringing hope to others.

JOBS

Opportunities in Prison Chaplaincy, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania

Two roles in Prison Chaplaincy are now available in Victoria, providing ministry to prisoners, their families and prison staff as a representative of the Uniting Church in Australia. This includes pastoral care and leading worship. Prison Chaplain (Hopkins and Langi Kal Kal) and Prison Chaplain (Barwon, Marngoneet & Ravenhall).

New positions available with UnitingWorld

UnitingWorld has two open roles within its dynamic Communications and Fundraising Team: a Production Coordinator to be responsible for producing all digital and print publications and assets, and a Campaign Coordinator to lead the implementation of fundraising appeals and campaigns.

Join us in prayer for

Chaplains of all faiths working in crisis and disaster-hit communities, providing support and meeting trauma and chaos with care and compassion.
Our brothers and sisters in the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka as they seek to follow Christ and mark the season of Lent in a challenging and uncertain context.
Rev John Gilmore and the ecumenical work and vision of the National Council of Churches in Australia.
Communities around Australia marking National Close the Gap Day on Thursday 17 March. We honour the ongoing strength and resilience of First Peoples in sustaining the world’s oldest living cultures and pray for health equality and justice and for lasting change.
Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.