Today the Assembly's Growing in Faith Circle launches a new series of reflections on the Basis of Union. The series is inspired by and is a response to an online conference hosted late last year by Pilgrim Theological College marking 50 years since the Basis was published and specifically exploring how the Basis engages with the realities of our current context. The first reflection comes from Rev Dr Sally Douglas, a panelist from the conference, responding to the question of how the Basis enables or limits the UCA's capacity to develop new forms of church, ministry and mission. She writes, "I am struck as I read and re-read the Basis by the way in which core convictions of Christian faith are carefully tethered while, at the same time, the Basis creates space for wide and new horizons." "Refreshingly, the Basis of Union assumes, as a matter of course, that the church will get things wrong, that new perspectives will emerge and the Spirit Holy will continue to refine us (paragraph 18). This embedded humility and preparedness to acknowledge error is striking in a foundational church document." Further reflections and responses will be published in the coming weeks. It is hoped they will inspire future responses and creative engagements! Enjoy! |
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 | The Act2 Project is a major national process focussed on discerning the future of the Uniting Church in Australia. It's a whole-of-Church process, and we need you and your community involved! You're invited to come and chat with the Act2 team at fortnightly Zoom Drop-Ins, a new opportunity to hear about Act2, share your insights and get advice on how to get involved. Register here for the first Drop-In on Friday 18 November at 1pm AEDT, and take our survey about what times and days would work for you in the future.
Have you seen the new Act2 website yet? Check it out here. |
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 | Many churches will have heard something about intergenerational ministry, but it can be difficult to know what practical steps to take to make this commitment come alive in your community. This week in our Intergenerational series, we share a story about GenOn Growth Groups for Intergenerational Ministry, a collaborative and supported learning process that is helping congregations take the first steps to intentionally being more intergenerational. And it's having ripple effects! A free online introductory session is being offered next Tuesday 15 November. |
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 | In the first of four new episodes of the podcast R&R with the ARU, Assembly National Consultant Rev Lindsay Cullen speaks to President-elect Rev Charissa Suli about why engaging with emerging generations is important for the Uniting Church, what particular issues are important to engage with and what we might learn by doing so. Listen now! |
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 | In this video from the UCA Children and Families Ministry Facebook page, meet some of the members of the Uniting Church's National Youth, Young Adult, Children & Families Ministry Coalition (NYCC) and hear about some of the amazing and exciting work they do! The Coalition is a national network of people working across the Uniting Church to resource and encourage our communities in their ministry with young people, children and their families. |
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 | After much consideration, a difficult decision has been made to postpone the National Young Adult Leaders Conference (NYALC) planned for January 2023 due to a change in circumstances for keynote speakers and leaders. It will now take place in January 2024. We sincerely apologise to all who had applied to come. Ahead of the 2024 event, the President will host a number of NYALC online events with the first to take place on Saturday 28 January 2023 from 2-4pm AEDT. See the full announcement and register your interest here. |
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 | If you missed this webinar last night, watch the recording and hear all about the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly meeting from a number of Uniting Church people who were present. The gathering brought together more than 3000 people from across the global church in Karlsruhe, Germany in August-September this year. |
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 | An international mission group from the Synod and Presbytery of South Australia is currently in the Iksan Province in South Korea for the 31st anniversary of its partnership agreement with the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea (PROK). They have been greeted with exceptional hospitality and exchanged stories of faith and ministry, renewing old friendships and making new ones. |
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 | Congratulations to human rights activist and former Socceroo Craig Foster for being named NSW Australian of the Year! Craig was the keynote speaker at our 2021 Uniting Church and Affinity Building Harmony Iftar Dinner. |
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 | There's still time to donate to the National Floods Appeal to support communities in the short and long term as they recover from recent flooding disasters across the country. Find details for supporting the National Disaster Relief Fund here. |
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 | Dairy farmers Pete and Jane know too well that the mental health challenges of living on a rural farm can be crushing. Operating near Finley in South West NSW, the isolation and stress of keeping on top of an overwhelming amount of work mean they rarely stop. Pete says the support provided by Frontier Services Outback Links and NRMA corporate volunteers has made all the difference during tough times. |
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 | Pitt Street Uniting Church has compiled a booklet, including a liturgy and other prayers, for local churches to mark the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance on Sunday 20 November. This day was established in 1999 to remember transgender people who have been killed or committed suicide due to prejudice and hatred. |
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Ministry to the first third of life - Glen Waverley Uniting Church Glen Waverley Uniting Church in Victoria seeks a person for ministry to the first third of life, including faith development and pastoral care for youth and young adults, leadership and resourcing of children & families' ministry and worship leadership within a ministry team. Director - UnitingCare South Australia This role oversees the relationships between the Uniting Church SA and councils of the Uniting Church, including congregations, the Synod and National Assembly, managing networks and partnerships and nurturing mutual respect. |
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Join us in prayer for - Millions struggling with hunger in the horn of Africa.
- Leaders attending COP27. We pray for courage and solidarity to respond swiftly and compassionately to the challenges posed by climate change and for collaborative efforts to support the countries which are most vulnerable.
- Members of the Assembly Standing Committee who are meeting in Melbourne this weekend.
- Oceania: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia (Maohi Nui), Kanaky, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.
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| How is your life and faith informed by the Basis of Union? |
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