Churches, Denominations and Religions: UC National News 15-21 June - 45th UCA Anniversary President's message, Queen's Birthday Honours, a prayer for refugees 🙏and more

Celebrating 45 years of the Uniting Church

As we approach the anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia next Wednesday 22 June, we invite you to share this video as you celebrate our birthday in your part of the Church.
UCA President Rev Sharon Hollis shares what she is thankful for about the Uniting Church and her hopes for the future in this 45th Anniversary video.
We also include short snippets from members of the 16th Assembly who reflect on what they love most about the Uniting Church. Thank you to those who shared!
You may like to use this video as inspiration for a conversation on your experiences of following Christ in the Uniting Church and how we might continue to work for justice, unity, wholeness and creation.
A special shout out to Uniting Creative for the music in the video with their song based on the UCA hashtag #Allofthisisus.
We look forward to hearing about your UCA anniversary celebrations!

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UCA members honoured for their service

The Uniting Church congratulates over 20 UCA members recognised in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours List, including Deirdre McNeil and Andrew McBryde (pictured above) who were honoured for their service to the Uniting Church. Other UCA members were recognised for their gifts in a range of areas and their extraordinary service to the Church and for the community.

A Prayer for Refugee Week

This Sunday begins Refugee Week (19-25 June), a celebration of the many contributions refugees make to the Australian community. Thanks to Abi Benham-Bannon, a panel member of the Assembly's Working for Justice Circle for sharing this prayer to use in your worship across the week.

Innovation that saves lives

This week in our Innovation series we share a story from the Synod of NSW/ACT about the Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Kingscross (MSIC) marking 21 years. The first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the Uniting Church pioneered a practical health response to reverse the number of people dying from drug overdoses. Uniting (NSW.ACT) continues to advocate for drug reform and harm reduction.

With Love To The World: Season of Creation edition

The next issue of the locally-produced lectionary resource With Love To The World is devoted to the Season of Creation. It features 14 commentaries from environmentally engaged theologians across the country for 13 weeks beginning 15 August. Editor Rev Dr John Squires says he hopes the issue will encourage reflection on God's love for creation and inspire actions that reduce our carbon footprint and deepen discipleship practices of sustainability.

'Reflective Being, Being Reflective': get your copy now

A new book celebrating 25 years of the multi-faith disability and spirituality movement in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand is now available to purchase after being launched this week. The collection explores issues of faith and meaning in the lived experience of disability. Synod of Vic/Tas Disability Inclusion Advocate Rev Dr Andy Calder is one of its co-editors.

News from the World Council of Churches

Among the latest news from the World Council of Churches: a new major publication on ecumenical diakonia has been launched by the WCC and ACT Alliance, providing a common platform for the churches and ecumenical partners worldwide to act and reflect together. It includes a contribution from Uniting Church Minister and Executive Officer of the Victorian Council of Churches Rev Sandy Boyce. Also, a century-old library of papers from the WCC's Faith and Order Commission goes digital.

Pacific talks must respect rights to self determination

The Pacific Conference of Churches has called on Australia and other members of the Pacific Islands Forum to ensure their engagement in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework does not come at a cost to Pacific Island territories struggling for self-determination. The advice comes as General Secretary Rev James Bhagwan presented a statement to the UN Special Committee on Decolonisation expressing the PCC's serious concerns about the timing of the third independence referendum for Kanaky-New Caledonia.

"It was wonderful"

Julie lives on her own in Condobolin in the Central West Region of NSW, where they've experienced drought and a mice plague in recent years. Having long COVID has prevented Julie from working and being with her friends. Volunteers with Frontier Services arrived to give her support, company and hope.

Help UnitingWorld break the poverty cycle

When you donate to UnitingWorld’s end of financial year appeal, you’ll help give people tools to break the cycle of poverty and live with dignity and hope. Together we can make a powerful difference in the world.

A year on: a President reflects

President Rev Sharon Hollis will give the next lecture in the quarterly Albert Street Lecture Series hosted by The Cooperative, reflecting on her first year as President of the Uniting Church in Australia. Join online or in person (Brisbane), 7pm (AEST) tomorrow Thursday 16 June. Register here to attend in person or use this link for the livestream.

JOBS

Executive Secretary for Mission and Advocacy - World Communion of Reformed Churches

The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) invites applications for this new position, with responsibilities that include managing WCRC advocacy work and building an internationally networked platform to promote and support concerns of the WCRC, its member churches, and its ecumenical partners.

Children and Young Adults Program Coordinator - Payneham Road Uniting Church, Synod of South Australia

Join Payneham Road UC in this new role facilitating activities for children and young adults to strengthen the multicultural character of the congregation, and connect with families and young people in the community.

Join us in prayer for

All those who give their time and energy so generously to faithfully serve God, their community and our Church.
Safety, hope and welcome for people who seek refuge in Australia and for peace to prevail in the parts of our world impacted by war and violence.
Those hit hardest by increased costs of living and for individuals and families struggling for the resources to meet their basic needs.
Botswana, Zimbabwe as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.