Tomorrow on the first day of Spring we begin our celebration of the Season of Creation, a month-long period to pray and reflect with others across the world on our shared call to care for the earth - our common home and the 'household' of God. Across the month we'll be sharing a range of resources and reflections that highlight First Nations voices and wisdom, alongside contributions from the Assembly Circles of Interest. This week, in two videos: listen in on a conversation about the 16th Assembly decision to take seriously First Peoples wisdom on care for creation, and an encouragement from the Transforming Worship Circle to "get outside!" "What would it be like if we took our worship on to the streets, and held sacred space outside? Creation is charged with the grandeur of God." |
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 | The World Council of Churches 11th Assembly has kicked off in Karlsruhe, Germany, with a number of pre-gatherings ahead of the official opening today. UCA delegates President Rev Sharon Hollis and General Secretary Colleen Geyer will be bringing you a number of video updates over the next week. Check out the first video from Sharon, Colleen and Rev Mark Kickett, and stay tuned for more on the Assembly's Facebook and Instagram.
Here are some other ideas for connecting with the work of the Assembly. |
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 | One of the most recognised Uniting Church values is inclusiveness, writes Assembly National Consultant Rev Lindsay Cullen in this newest piece in our Identity series. Even though it's part of who we are, being inclusive takes work and intention. There are now three new simple and practical guides from the Transforming Worship Circle to help UCA communities think about how to be more inclusive to First Nations people, people with disabilities and people of diverse genders in their worship. |
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 | The Assembly is delighted to announce that Andrew Johnson has been appointed the Act2 Project Lead in the newly-established Act2 Project Unit. Working collaboratively across the Church, Andrew will provide broad leadership, support and advice to the Act2 Project, a whole of Church process discerning the future shape of the Uniting Church. Andrew is a member of the Uniting Church and a recognised leader in a variety of contexts.
Check out two vacant positions in the Act2 Project Unit. |
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 | Child Safe Sunday is this Sunday 4 September! Across the Church we will celebrate and reflect on our commitment to being safe communities for all. The National Safe Church Unit has shared this video message from President Rev Sharon Hollis for use in worship. There is also a prayer from the President, a presentation for ministry agents and a children's activity.
Find all the Child Safe Sunday resources on the Congregations and Presbyteries tab. |
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 | President Rev Sharon Hollis is inviting people in the Uniting Church aged 18-30 to join her at the next National Young Adult Leaders Conference, to be held in Victoria from 26-29 January 2023. Build your leadership skills, faith and discipleship at this national event which has been equipping, empowering and nurturing UCA young adults for almost 10 years. |
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 | First and Second Peoples from across the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, Uniting Church in Australia and UnitingCare Network have recommitted to lasting justice for First Peoples at the third Uniting First Peoples gathering, held on Turrbal and Jagera Land in Brisbane this week. |
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 | UnitingCare Australia National Director Claerwen Little visited Uniting Burnside Multicultural Family Centre at Cabramatta last week, with Independent Member for Fowler Dai Le. The Centre operates a range of important programs and outreach to individuals, families and the community. |
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 | After a fire ripped through Glebe Road Uniting Church in Ipswich, Queensland, the congregation did not expect to receive help from people in one of the poorest nations in our region - Timor-Leste. Read this wonderful story of friendship, partnership and generosity from UnitingWorld. |
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 | When Frontier Services volunteers show up to a farmer’s gate, they display the power of a helping hand - but the joy goes both ways. Read about the difference it made to Brad, who manages his family farm in remote central west NSW, when a group of Outback Links and NRMA volunteers turned up to crunch down the to-do list that had been piling up due to a devastating drought. |
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 | There's just a little over a month until we celebrate Older Persons Sunday, endorsed by the 16th Assembly as an annual opportunity to celebrate the contributions of older people and address ageism. The day suggested is Sunday 2 October, the first Sunday after the United Nations International Day of Older Persons. UnitingCare will be providing worship resources. Contact Warren Talbot for more information. |
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Join us in prayer for - God's glorious and diverse creation that surrounds us with colour and life. May we be attentive to creation's cry for renewal, and each take actions to protect and help sustain the world around us.
- All those leading and participating in the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly for the next week. May the Holy Spirit guide and companion them.
- The open-heartedness of the Uniting Church as we seek to live as communities where all are welcomed and included.
- Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.
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| How are you celebrating the Season of Creation? |
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