Churches, Denominations and Religions: How our history points to the future, Richard La'Brooy wraps up our #Identity series with this reflection in UC National News 14-20 September

The history that guides our future

In our final story on the Identity of the Uniting Church, Richard La'Brooy writes from the Uniting Church National Historical Society about the way our history shapes who we are and how we think about our future.

Richard writes, "Our history shows us that we are courageous and risk-takers, it shows us that we are pioneering and missional and it shows us that we are people-focused and inclusive. These are key markers of our Uniting Church DNA and are writ large in the fabric of our history."

When we look to our history, we see our identity shining through, Richard says, and as we think about the future direction of our Church, our key historic moments offer us a guiding light.

Click the link at the end of this email to tell us what you think have been the defining moments in our 45-year history.

Read here

That's a wrap from the WCC Assembly

The World Council of Churches 11th Assembly has concluded with a final message from its delegates calling for churches to act together to build a more just and reconciled world. The Assembly closed on 8 September after eight days in the German city of Karlsruhe, gathering more than 3000 delegates and other participants from across the global communion. Read our wrap from the gathering including final reflections from the official UCA delegates President Rev Sharon Hollis and Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer.

Season of Creation Week 3

In Week 3 of Season of Creation, Ngarrindjeri man and Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress leader Sean Weetra offers this reflection on what it means to listen to the voice of creation. From the Discipling the Next Generations Circle, we share a prayer written by young members of Willoughby Northbridge Uniting Church and from the NSW/ACT Synod, an inspiring video highlighting young Pasifika voices at Auburn Uniting Church in Western Sydney speaking on what it means to be wise stewards of the earth.

PIEN series Week 4: Justice in Action

Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network committee member Nils von Kalm brings us this final article from PIEN in the lead-up to the World Council of Churches World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel (WWPPI). Through the WWPPI, which begins tomorrow, people worldwide are invited to engage in prayer, advocacy and solidarity for those in the Holy Land.

Celebrating the wisdom of older people

UnitingCare Australia invites UCA communities to celebrate the contributions of older people and challenge ageism by marking Older Persons Sunday on 2 October (or another suitable date). In May the 16th Assembly endorsed Older Persons Sunday. A package of worship resources is now available for congregations to adapt and use in their own community.
Find information and resources for Older Persons Sunday at the very bottom of the Uniting Friends of Ageing webpage.

Your next opportunity is calling...

There are currently two fantastic opportunities to work on the biggest project in the Uniting Church right now. Act2 is a whole-of-Church process discerning the future shape of the UCA. The Assembly is recruiting for two roles in the newly-established Act2 Project Unit: Project and Research Officer and Administration Officer. Applications close at COB on 16 September.

JOBS

Children and Families, Youth and Young Adults Coordinator - Presbytery of Western Australia

This Coordinator role will work with the Presbytery of WA to develop networks that assist communities and champions to support each other in understanding and practicing intergenerational ministry including Second Gen ministry.

Digital Discipleship Pastor - Chapel Hill Uniting Church, QLD

Chapel Hill UC seeks a Digital Discipleship Pastor to lead the development and delivery of a social media strategy, incorporating digital discipleship and an online worship program aligned with the mission of the congregation.

Join us in prayer for

A just peace for all in the Holy Land as we mark the World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel from 15-22 September.
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The family of Queen Elizabeth II and for people of the United Kingdom and around the world who are mourning her death. President Rev Sharon Hollis has offered this prayer.
Ghana, Nigeria as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.