Churches, Denominations and Religions: UC National News 4-10 May - 2 Days until #UCA2022 reconvenes, Building Harmony with interfaith friends, Pasifika voices lead call to action + more

Join us when the 16th Assembly reconvenes

In two days time, the 16th Assembly meeting will reconvene on the land of the Gubbi Gubbi People on the Sunshine Coast.

The meeting will begin with worship that will include a public recommitment to the Covenant between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, inviting us again to place the work of covenanting at the heart of our life as a Church.

The Covenant statement which was signed in 1994 will be re-read during worship on Friday night, and this will be livestreamed on the Assembly's website and Facebook page so that people across the Church can join.

Here are 10 ways you can connect with the Assembly meeting in real time, from watching the livestream, following on social media, to joining the worship and Bible Reflections led by Nungalinya College.

Find out how to connect

Building bridges of friendship and harmony

The spirit of friendship and welcome was in abundance at the ninth Building Harmony Iftar Dinner hosted by the Uniting Church and the Affinity Intercultural Foundation. More than 80 guests of different faiths gathered together for a meal at St Stephens Uniting Church in Sydney as part of the ritual breaking of the fast for Muslims during Ramadan. Read the highlights and see the photos.

Pasifika voices lead climate forum

The Uniting Church Pasifika community gathered over 200 people in Sydney last week, and more online, for a forum calling on political leaders to act for climate justice in Australia and the Pacific. It was attended by local congregations, the Samoan, Tongan, Tuvaluan, and Fijian communities, and by Chris Bowen MP, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy.
Photo: Sydney Alliance on Facebook

"Working for Justice is in our DNA"

In this video, Advocate for the Working for Justice Circle Rev Loni Vaitohi invites members of the Uniting Church to share their diverse gifts in the life of the Circle. "Working for Justice is at the heart of and inspired by the Gospel," says Loni. He invites UCA members to join with the Circle in living out the true identity of who we are as Church.
Join the Circle.

Where do you see God in the world?

We're getting ready to inspire members of the reconvened 16th Assembly meeting with over 60 wonderful photos from the #godineveryact challenge. It's not too late to snap and share a photo of something that reminds you of God's presence or gives you joy. Check out the photos so far and post your own using #godineveryact on social media or email us.

Rev Dr Solmon Zwana joyfully inducted

The Parramatta Nepean Presbytery joyfully inducted Rev Dr Solmon Zwana as National Chaplain for the Zimbabwean Methodist Fellowship of Australia on 22 April - the first role of its kind. A past Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, Rev Dr Zwana will minister to the Zimbabwean Faith Community in relationship with Liverpool Uniting Church in NSW, and to all Zimbabwean Methodist communities around the country.

West Papua churches speak out on human rights

The West Papua Council of Churches has detailed ongoing violence and marginalisation experienced by indigenous Papuans. Uniting Church in Australia President Rev Sharon Hollis has encouraged UCA members to pray for peace and justice in West Papua, that human rights be upheld, and the desires of indigenous Papuans be heard and realised.

Inspired to become a Bush Chaplain

New Frontier Services Bush Chaplain in the Prom Country of Victoria Rev Veronica Bradley shares how she was inspired to answer God's call to this ministry, walking alongside communities that live on the fringe and caring for those who are doing it tough.

Keeping our children and young people safe

An online forum to be jointly hosted by the National Safe Church Unit and UCA Redress Ltd this Thursday 5 May will share what we're doing to keep children and young people safe and thriving in UCA spaces. Any adult across the Church may join including ministry agents and Safe Church contacts. Email info@safechurch.uca.org.au to register.

JOBS

Presbytery Minister (Wellbeing) - Canberra Region Presbytery, Synod of NSW/ACT

Canberra Region Presbytery is seeking to call an experienced Minister of the Word, Deacon, or Pastor, to provide leadership and oversight in all matters related to the wellbeing of the Canberra Region Presbytery, its ministry agents, Congregations and Faith Communities.

Chaplain - The Wesley Hospital, UnitingCare QLD

UnitingCare seeks a full-time Chaplain for The Wesley Hospital to deliver spiritual and pastoral care, caring for the emotional, spiritual and religious needs of staff, patients, and their families.

Join us in prayer for

All who will gather this weekend for the reconvened 16th Assembly meeting. We pray 16th Assembly members connect in prayer and fellowship and to listen closely for God's Spirit leading the Uniting Church.
Those in the Uniting Church, and those we partner with, who respond to the Gospel and live out their faith by working for a more just world.
The people of West Papua. We pray for a just and peaceful end to conflict in the region.
Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.