Churches, Denominations and Religions: "True plenty must count for everyone"... Follow our Intercultural Church series in UC National News 21-27 September 👇

Where our Intercultural journey begins

Integral to our life as the Uniting Church is the belief that everyone belongs to the Body of Christ and that God calls people from different races, languages and cultures to share space, faith and life together. This week we begin a new series about our life as an Intercultural Church.

First up, Second-generation Korean migrant and young UCA leader Joy Han writes this reflection probing the commitments we have made as a multicultural church and pointing us to the place where our journey as an intercultural church begins: affirming the sovereignty of First Peoples in these lands now called Australia. She writes,

"Without telling the truth of how First Nations people have been made to feel like foreigners on their own Country, we cannot expect the newest arrivals—actual foreigners—to feel truly welcome or safe."

To mark the beginning of this series, we are grateful to members of our diverse communities who have shared in their languages the UCA hashtag that describes the unity and diversity that makes us who we are we - "All of this is us". You'll find it on our socials and can read about it here. If you can add your language to this banner, please let us know!

Begin our Intercultrual series here

Settle in for some R&R with the ARU

We're very excited to share a new podcast - R&R with the ARU! Join members of the Assembly Resourcing Unit (ARU) as they discuss and reflect on Reconciliation and Renewal in our Church and in our world today. In this first episode, National Consultants Rev Lindsay Cullen and Rev Dr Apwee Ting ponder together why it is important to live as an Intercultural Church.

Season of Creation Week 4

Today we highlight the voice of Ngarinyin Worrorra woman Kirsty Burgu who offered this reflection at the Reconvened 16th Assembly. In Week 4 of Season of Creation, listen to Kirsty as she weaves her Christian faith with ancient stories of creation through her artwork. Secondly, Panel Members of the Being a Multicultural Church Circle offer images of their home country – or a place close to their heart – alongside prayers in different languages. Download a PowerPoint presentation to use in worship.

Celebrating Older Persons Sunday in worship

Celebrate the contributions of older people and challenge ageism by marking Older Persons Sunday on 2 October (or another suitable date). UnitingCare Australia has provided a package of worship resources, including a prayer by Rev Dr Ji Zhang, which includes the words below:

Since the ancient times, Your grace rises in the presence of the aged,
and your blessing is honoured among the elderly.
Through ancient cultures, we have learned:
respect for the elderly is the foundation of all social goodness.
Raise us in your grace, Lord, as we rebuild a culture of respect;
send your blessings, as we honour life together with you.

Find the resources at the bottom of the Uniting Friends of Ageing webpage.

Make the Anti-Poverty Week Pledge

UnitingCare Australia National Director Claerwen Little has pledged her support for Anti-Poverty Week's Halve Child Poverty Pledge, which urges Parliamentarians to legislate to halve child poverty by 2030 with measurable targets and actions to achieve this goal. You can make the pledge yourself and commit to support action to #EndChildPoverty.

Southeast Asia Partners gather in Bali

Church Partners from across Southeast Asia are gathering in-person in Bali this week for the first time since 2019. Gathering with UnitingWorld, it is a time for our partners to connect, learn from each other and be in fellowship. Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis is taking part and has led a discussion on the Biblical imperative of safeguarding, offering a UCA perspective on how we seek to be a 'safe church'. Follow the gathering via UnitingWorld's Facebook page.

On the road to Birdsville

Each year Frontier Services shows up to the Birdsville Races on the edge of the Simpson Desert in Queensland, an opportunity to be among the incredible people making up our bush community from around the country. Meet Bert: pizza maker, outback traveller and cancer survivor. Like the work of all our Bush Chaplains, simply being there means Frontier Services can listen and ensure people like Bert can be heard.

New Act2 Appointment

The Assembly is delighted to announce the appointment of Bethany Broadstock to the new role of Act2 Communications Officer. Bethany brings great insight and experience to the Act2 Project Unit as it continues to implement the work commissioned by the 16th Assembly.

JOBS

Mission and Ethos Partner - Uniting Vic/Tas

A challenging opportunity for a person committed to the Church’s community service with experience engaging across the breadth of the Uniting Church and creating a collaborative culture. Position description here. Enquiries and applications to John Clarke, john.clarke@vt.uniting.org. Closes 5 October.

Donor Relations Coordinator - 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.

Join us in prayer for

The deep peace of Jesus to guide us and lead us in our lives. On this International Day of Peace, we pray especially for people who are impacted daily by war and conflict and for dialogue to lead the way to peace.
Our Church Partners from across Southeast Asia who are meeting in Bali this week with UnitingWorld and President Rev Sharon Hollis.
All of the earth's creatures impacted by the loss of habitat and environmental degradation. We pray for courage and commitment to seek new ways of living that will limit our impact on the earth and renew the land and waters around us.
Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.

What are your hopes for our Intercultural Church?

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A defining moment

Thanks to Rev Dr Robert Johnson, from St David's Uniting Church, Oakleigh, who after reading last week's piece on the importance of our history, shared this memory of the Uniting Church Inauguration.

The defining moment and the one which will always remain in my memory is the meeting which was held in the Lyceum Theatre during the day of 22 June, 1977, where the UCA was simply and formally inaugurated. I could write a lot about that, but the most memorable moment was when Rev Dr Harold Wood rose to pray. I and many others have said that we felt lifted into a different spiritual realm as Rev Dr Wood led us in in an extemporaneous prayer which gave thanks for the churches which brought us into the UCA, and for the future of the UCA.

Read the prayer by Rev Dr Harold Wood.