"Move out of our comfort zone": Mission Shaped Innovation 💡 & more in UC National News 13-19 July

"Move out of our comfort zone": mission shaped innovation This next story in our series exploring Innovation in the Uniting Church takes us to Suburban Seeds, a grassroots community ministry in the growth areas of south-west Sydney. Through meaningful relationships and under the leadership of Community Minister Rev Christine Palmer, Suburban Seeds is living out its vision to grow life-giving communities connecting people, faith and life. Christine is one of a growing group of people in the Uniting Church who have completed Mission Shaped Ministry, a one-year course out of the UK’s Fresh Expressions movement equipping people for ministry in innovative and ‘fresh expressions’ of church. She reflects: “Innovation for me is not so much about doing something new and fancy for the sake of it, but rather comes out of our ongoing discipleship of faithfully looking and listening for where God is at work and what God is calling us to do. It’s about finding ways of sharing the Gospel that connects with our neighbours. That’s going to look different in different places and it is going to require us to move out of our comfort zones." Read more Linking meditation and care for the earth Working for Justice Panel Member Richard Arnold looks at how the ancient Christian practice of meditation can help us grow a more present, aware and compassionate orientation to God's creation. A changed atmosphere on Climate Community attitudes towards the climate crisis have undergone a dramatic shift in the last few years. Once a divisive political commitment, voter polls showed that action on climate was one of the most defining issues of the 2022 Federal election. Social Justice Advocate in the Synod of NSW/ACT Jon O’Brien explores what's driving this change and the Uniting Church’s commitments. Webinar: History, Truth Telling and the Uluru Statement The Uniting Church National History Society is bringing together First Nations leaders and historians for an online webinar exploring the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Join the panel as it discusses the place of history and truth-telling in working toward a more just and self-determined future for First Peoples. Register here to attend via Zoom at 7:00pm on Thursday 21 July. The Uluru Statement in your language A joint project of the Uluru Dialogue and SBS has now translated the Uluru Statement from the Heart into more than 20 Aboriginal languages and 60 of Australia's multicultural languages. You can now find the Statement in 10 languages on Illuminate, the Assembly's resources database. The whole suite of translations is here in podcast and written form. Welcoming Bush Chaplain Noel Williams Frontier Services is celebrating the induction last week of Noel Williams, its newest Bush Chaplain in Barwon, NSW. An experienced farmer himself, Noel will come alongside farmers in a region where isolation is widespread and many are still recovering from record-breaking drought three years ago. Noel says, "My heart is in the land and with the farming community." Welcome, Noel! JOBS National Disaster Response Coordinator - Frontier Services Working closely with the National Programs Manager, this newly created role will develop and implement disaster response programs around the country, boosting long term outcomes for communities devastated by natural disasters. Project Manager - Aged Care Workforce Implementation Project, Aged Care Workforce Remote Accord (UnitingCare Australia) The Aged Care Workforce Remote Accord is made up of a group of employers delivering aged care services in remote and very remote Australia. This new role will manage a project focussed on the development of strategies to achieve and sustain a workforce that meets the needs of older people living in remote areas. Join us in prayer for The discernment and fellowship of the Assembly Standing Committee which meets in Sydney this weekend. Innovative Uniting Church ministries growing faith, hope and meaningful connection in our communities. Peace and stability in Sri Lanka amid economic crisis and protests. Eritrea, Ethiopia as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. What's the innovation story in your community? Email Us

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