Churches, Denominations and Religions: UC National News 23-29 March: Take action for climate, listen to a podcast, delve deeper into Lent, read the latest ASC update and more!

Taking action for the whole of creation

In our Federal Election resource released last week, we expressed a vision for the flourishing of the whole of God’s Creation and all its creatures and our desire for bolder action from Australian leaders to reduce climate change, including stronger carbon reduction targets by 2030.

This Friday Uniting Church members will again join actions both in person and online to call for climate justice, as part of part of the global youth-led School Strike 4 Climate movement. Actions are expected to take place in at least 30 locations including every capital city. Find out more

Then on Saturday people across the world will mark Earth Hour, switching off for 60 minutes, symbolically supporting action for the planet's future.

Check out our list of other opportunities and resources, including an online forum hosted by the NSW/ACT Synod on the links between the food we eat and climate change.

We'd love to hear about to hear about the ways you are adding you voice to care for God's creation. Tag us and share on your socials with the hashtag #uniting4climate.

Get involved

Talking hope with ICU chaplain Rev Sarah Williamson

Episode 5 of the President's Podcast Dwelling is out now! Rev Sharon Hollis speaks to Rev Sarah Williamson about her call to ministry, the deep joys of her work as a hospital chaplain in the Intensive Care Unit at Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, how people find hope in their worst moments and her passion for peace and justice.

Going Deeper Lenten Study: Week 4 out now

Week 4 of the Assembly Circles Going Deeper Bible Study series comes from the Growing in Faith Circle on the story of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15:11-32). Delve deeper into the complexity of forgiveness and grace both given and received, and the God "who loves us and stands at the gate waiting."

ASC March Update

The Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) met for the first time in 2022 via zoom on 11-13 March. Members finalised reports and recommendations for the 16th Assembly reconvened meeting, participated in governance training, UnitingCare Australia delivered its annual report and a number of appointments were made.

"Future generations are counting on us"

The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, UnitingCare Australia and the Uniting Church Assembly together called for a renewed commitment to justice for First Peoples on National Close the Gap Day. A joint statement called for cultural safety to be front and centre of the Government's plan to improve health and work outcomes for First Nations People.

Rev Sandy Boyce new EO of the Victorian Council of Churches

We welcome the announcement from the Victorian Council of Churches appointing UCA Deacon Rev Sandy Boyce as Executive Officer. Sandy was most recently in placement with Pilgrim Uniting Church in Adelaide and is the President of the DIAKONIA World Federation. Reflecting on the new role, Sandy says churches have a leading role in a fractured world building visible unity and speaking publicly through the lens of justice and compassionate care.

Churches respond to growing humanitarian need in Ukraine

Hosting refugees, providing food, helping in hospitals and ringing church bells as a warning when shelling starts - these are some of the ways churches are responding in Ukraine and bordering countries as the war continues, reports the World Council of Churches (WCC). More than two million people have poured out of Ukraine, with 18 million people expected to need humanitarian assistance. Read more from a WCC and ACT Alliance delegation in the region.
Photo: Albin Hillert/LWF

Help shape global thinking on children and families ministry

Ministers, pastors and other leaders of UCA communities are invited to add their voice to global research exploring the vision and strategy we have for ministry with children and their families. Regardless of the level of engagement you have with children and their families in your ministry, you can share your views in a 10-15 minute survey and help shape future strategy.

Our mission is to stand with people in the bush

We dream of an Australia where everyone who lives in our rural and remote areas feels cared for and supported, writes National Director for Frontier Services Jannine Jackson in an article originally published by the National Rural Health Alliance. Read more about the network of Bush Chaplains and Outback Links volunteers who are on the frontlines working to connect, fill the gaps and be a trusted friend.

A Faith Celebration of Trans and Nonbinary People

Marking the International Transgender Day of Visibility on 31 March, an online worship is being organised by Equal Voices and supported by the Uniting Church's Transforming Worship Circle. Organisers say the event is part of the vitally needed affirmation of gender diverse people at this time.

POSTPONED: Grief in the time of COVID-19 Webinar

The first webinar for 2022 from the Assembly Resourcing Unit and the Being a Multicultural Church Circle has been postponed. Keep an eye on the event page and the Assembly Facebook page for updates and new opportunities from the Being a Multicultural Church Circle.

JOBS

Executive Officer, eLM (equipping Leadership for Mission) - Synod of Victoria and Tasmania
This significant leadership role provides missional leadership across the equipping Leadership for Mission (eLM) unit and the Synod of VIC/TAS, to encourage the living out of the Church’s life and mission and foster key aspects of the Synod’s Strategic Framework.

Social Justice Advocate - Uniting NSW.ACT
Uniting NSW.ACT seeks a motivated and passionate person to coordinate and implement social justice advocacy campaigns. This role is an identified position, so Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultural and linguistically diverse peoples or any intersection of these identities are invited to apply.

Join us in prayer for

Those engaged in efforts to overcome racism, people who are working to build bridges between faiths and cultures and for the communities we are engaged in to be places of welcome and inclusion, as we mark Harmony Week.
Bold and innovative action on climate change and for climate policies that prioritise care for creation and people.
The millions of people displaced and impacted by the conflict in Ukraine and for a path to dialogue and peace
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.