Churches, Denominations and Religions: President elected to #WCC Central Committee, Season of Creation Week 2, hear from three ecumenical leaders & more in UC National News 7-13 Sep

News from the World Council of Churches Assembly

The Uniting Church is delighted that Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis has been elected to the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee, the chief governance group tasked with carrying forward the work of the WCC between Assemblies.

Rev Hollis is among 150 members of the new Central Committee, which is elected from the Assembly delegates and so drawn from across the global communion. Read more from the World Council of Churches.

The Assembly closes on 8 September after eight days in the German city of Karlsruhe. Delegates and other participants have spent time together in worship, morning and evening prayer, regional groups and plenary sessions where creation care, climate justice, gender justice, peace, and the pursuit of deep Christian unity have been on the agenda.

You can watch recordings of Assembly sessions and see photos here.

Get all the news from the WCC Assembly

Season of Creation Week 2

Across the Season of Creation we're sharing a range of reflections that highlight First Nations voices and wisdom, alongside contributions from the Assembly Circles of Interest. This week, Panninher man Rev Tim Matton-Johnson reflects on the deep connection First Peoples have with the land and what it means to live on Country in a 21st century way. From the Seeking Common Ground Circle, read how people of faith across the world are uniting in the cause of creation care and climate justice.

"A prophetic witness in a world of schisms"

The Uniting Church in its founding document The Basis of Union declares its commitment to ecumenism – the intentional pursuit of Christian unity that also inspired the formation of the UCA itself. Being an ecumenical Church, in which we seek to share more fully the unity, identity and common ground we have with other Christians in Christ, is a key part of who we are. In this newest story in our Identity series we hear from three Uniting Church ministers who are leading in the Australian ecumenical movement.

UC National History Society calls for papers

The fourth biennial conference of the Uniting Church National Historical Society will be held in August 2023 on Larrakia Country in Darwin, under the theme: 'Truth Telling: From Colonising to Covenanting'. Organisers are now inviting proposals for conference papers that have a focus on the history of the Uniting Church in Northern Australia.

PIEN series Week 3: Love in Action

Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network (PIEN) committee member Rev Dr Graham Joseph Hill brings us the third in a series of articles from PIEN in the lead up to the World Council of Churches (WCC) World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel. This series has aimed to highlight the plight of Palestinians and what faith, hope and love in action looks like in their lived reality. From 15-22 September, the WCC invites people worldwide to engage in prayer, advocacy and solidarity for those in the Holy Land. Resources are available.

Is your next job opportunity with the Assembly?

The Assembly is currently recruiting for three vacant positions: Assembly Associate General Secretary, a senior position closing at COB this Friday 9 September; and two new roles in the Act2 Project Unit, Project and Research Officer and Administration Officer, both closing at COB on 16 September.

Vacancy with UnitingWorld

UnitingWorld seeks a Donor Relations Coordinator, part of its Communications and Fundraising Team, to be responsible for nurturing a cohort of donors by building strong respectful relationships to increase loyalty and financial support. This role is based in Melbourne.

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). President Rev Sharon Hollis is encouraging congregations to take part. “One of the stories I love in the Bible is of Anna and Simeon faithfully watching for God’s salvation. I love it because they remind me of the power of faith tested over time and of the wisdom of older people to know how to watch and wait for God’s new thing and to embrace that new thing with love.” Resources will soon be available.

JOBS

General Secretary - Uniting Church Northern Synod

This key executive officer role is a wonderful opportunity for a person with drive and creativity, wide ranging experience in Uniting Church leadership and a proven track record leading organisational change. This role may be where God is calling you next. Position description here. Applications by 26 September.

CALD Student Support Worker - United Theological College, Sydney

United Theological College in Sydney seeks a casual Student Support Worker with a focus on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD), particularly Pasifika, students.

Join us in prayer for

Those leading and working in the movement for Christian unity in Australia and beyond.
Meaningful connections and conversations on R U OK Day tomorrow. May we nurture a lifestyle and culture that promotes self-care and good mental health, and work together to overcome the stigma of mental illness.
First Peoples as they generously share their wisdom and insights into how to best care for this ancient land. May we listen.
Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.

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