In early discussions of the Joint Commission on Church Union - which had representatives from each of the founding churches - it was proposed that the Uniting Church adopt the office of Bishop. This proposal was later dropped and the UCA came into existence without it. In the years since, writes Growing in Faith Circle Member Matt Julius, some have felt this decision left the UCA without sufficient oversight. But this is not the case, writes Matt, because oversight is a dispersed ministry that belongs to many across the life of the Uniting Church. This model – in which many share collectively in the oversight of the Church as they wait on God’s word – is part of our identity and Christian vocation. "The work of oversight finds its centre in the holding forth of the Gospel: it begins, and finds its end, in seeking more and more to align the diverse ministry of the Church with the vision of a just and reconciled world that Christ proclaims and enacts. And so it is that all must share in the one life and one ministry of this one Lord: who alone has true oversight of the Church." |
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 | In the newest episode of Dwelling, Emily Evans speaks to Rev Sharon Hollis about her lifelong journey in the Uniting Church and engagement in the ecumenical movement internationally. Emily has been a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central and Executive Committees for the last nine years. She speaks about the highlights and challenges of the WCC’s work across this time, the gift of consensus decision-making, the global pursuit of Christian unity and what it means to be formed as an ecumenical Christian. |
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 | The World Council of Churches (WCC) is right now preparing to welcome over 4000 people from across the global church to Karlsruhe, Germany, for its 11th Assembly. An abundance of worship and other resources have been released for Assembly members and their churches, meaning lots of opportunities to bring the work of the Assembly into your local context. Check out our six suggestions for connecting with the global gathering. |
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 | 181 quilt panels from around the world are currently being sewn together into the Waterfall of Solidarity and Resistance tapestry, a project of the Thursdays in Black movement to be unveiled at the World Council of Churches Assembly next week. Together, the panels speak of survival, hope, and a global commitment to a safer world. See more photos here. add panels from uca
Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC |
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 | Christians across the world will celebrate the Season of Creation throughout September, an annual invitation to pray and reflect on our shared call to care for creation. This year, the Assembly will share resources that highlight First Peoples perspectives, following the 16th Assembly resolution to take seriously the voices and wisdom of First Peoples on climate justice and creation care. Beginning 31 August, keep an eye out for weekly reflections from First Nations leaders and the Assembly Circles of Interest. |
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 | The Act2 Project is a whole of Church project led by the Assembly to consider how we can shape our life as the Uniting Church to support life-giving communities of faith, build a cohesive national identity, and improve our governance and resourcing framework. The Assembly Standing Committee has established the Act2 Project Unit to develop and execute the Act2 Project Plan. It now has two new vacant positions: Project and Research Officer and Administration Officer. |
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 | Next Sunday 4 September we will celebrate UCA Child Safe Sunday across the national Uniting Church. How is your community planning to reflect on our commitment to being safe communities for all? The National Safe Church Unit has released a suite of resources to help, including this Presentation for ministry agents which can be used in worship.
Find the Child Safe Sunday resources on the Congregations and Presbyteries tab. |
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 | Tickets are now available for the inaugural First Peoples theology conference to be hosted by the Uniting Church Synod of NSW/ACT in Sydney. Featuring prominent First Nations leaders and theologians, the one-day conference is an opportunity to hear First Nations perspectives on theology, reconciliation and the Covenant between the Uniting Church and Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. Register here to attend in-person or online. |
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 | UnitingCare Australia has called on the Federal Government to scrap the cashless debit card in an appearance before the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Monday. Uniting Communities CEO Simon Schrapel AM, National Director Claerwen Little and Senior Adviser Sam Gledhill put the case for abolishing compulsory income management in all its forms, advocating instead for a voluntary opt-in approach developed alongside communities. |
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 | Members of the UnitingCare Australia network will be wearing purple this Friday 26 August to demonstrate support for queer young people. Wear it Purple is a national, annual awareness campaign in support of safe, empowering and inclusive environments for the young rainbow community. UnitingCare Australia National Director Claerwen Little said that “Young people of diverse sexual and gender identities are affirmed and welcomed in services in the UnitingCare network. These young people contribute much to our Church and society.” |
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 | Rev Noa Turaganivalu’s life was transformed when he came to understand God’s vision of equality and dignity for all people through UnitingWorld’ s Gender Equality Theology project. Now he’s a champion of anti-violence and gender equality within our partner church the Methodist Church in Fiji. Read this powerful story from UnitingWorld and take action to support this life-changing project with our Pacific partners. |
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 | A team of 18 Outback Links volunteers from Frontier Services recently joined forces to help revitalise the Cockburn Community Hotel, 50km west of Broken Hill. It is the only public meeting place in the town, which has only six residents living in isolation away from easy access to vital services. Ian, the hotel manager said, “Sometimes all you need is a helping hand, and someone willing to share a cuppa and a yarn. It goes a long way in reassuring people they’re not alone." |
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 | Uniting Church congregations and communities are encouraged to celebrate Older Persons Sunday on 2 October 2022, the first Sunday after the United Nations’ International Day of Older Persons. This opportunity to recognise the human rights and dignity of older people in worship was endorsed by the 16th Assembly in May. Keep an eye out for worship resources from Uniting Friends of Ageing, and contact Warren Talbot for more information. |
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 | The Assembly is recruiting for the position of Assembly Associate General Secretary. Do you know someone who is deeply passionate about the mission and ministry of the Uniting Church nationally, has excellent people skills, change management expertise and loves to multitask? Apply by 9 September. |
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Join us in prayer for - First Nations Leaders from UnitingCare Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) as they prepare to gather for the third First Peoples Gathering, working together to raise a First Peoples Voice within the UCA.
- The pre-gatherings of the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly which take place this weekend.
- Safe, empowering and inclusive communities of belonging for LGBTIQA+ young people.
- Liberia, Sierra Leone as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.
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| What's your Uniting Church story? |
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