Over the last month the Assembly has been telling stories of communities around the Uniting Church which are seeking to live out our commitment to be an Intergenerational Church. Bethany Broadstock, Assembly Communications Officer, offers this final piece bringing together the common threads in these stories and asking the all-important question "why". She writes, "In these stories we have seen some of the marks of intergenerational community: Christ-centred gatherings of whole communities, planned and purposeful settings which welcome all ages, a mutual investment by all and the courage to embrace the change that intergenerational brings. They demonstrate how, at its heart, intergenerational is not about a program but about a vision and a culture." As we enter into the season of Advent, we hope you might find an opportunity to ask ‘why’ in your context. Why would it be meaningful for us in this time and place to nurture this kind of community? |
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 | As we begin the journey of Advent, here is one way to enter faithfully into the season at home and in your neighbourhood. The Assembly has created an intergenerational Advent Calendar with contributions from across the Church! Each day across the four weeks, you’ll find interactive activities, prayers, songs, short reflections, videos and questions to engage with as we anticipate anew the Good News of Jesus' coming. We wish you a joyful Advent! |
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 | The global campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. With this year’s theme, UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls, we encourage you to get involved in learning more, beginning conversations and sharing your voice for a world without violence. Stay tuned for a video message from the Uniting Church President and Moderators on Day 1. |
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 | At least 160 people have lost their lives after an earthquake struck the town of Cianjur in Indonesia on Monday. Our partner church GKI West Java has established a centre to coordinate assistance for the survivors. Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis has offered this prayer for strength, comfort and healing. It has been translated into Indonesian by Rev Dr Apwee Ting. |
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 | If you've got questions, insights and feedback for the Act2 Project, then Act2 Drop-Ins are for you! Drop-Ins are a relaxed, informal opportunity to chat with the Act2 team on Zoom every fortnight. It was great to have our first Drop-In on 18 November, and there's still two more opportunities in 2022:
Thursday 1 December, 7:30pm AEDT
Friday 16 December, 1pm AEDT
Head to the website to register and to take the survey about future planning. |
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 | Senior leaders from across the UnitingCare Network, the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), and the Uniting Church in Australia will come together in Parliament House this week. The theme for the 2022 UnitingCare Australia's Leaders Forum is Equality, Fairness, Justice. Leaders will discuss the escalating cost of living crisis, aged care reform and workforce issues, the Voice to parliament – and the future of the Church in Australia. Follow UnitingCare for regular updates on Facebook and Twitter. |
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 | This reflection was offered by Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress Interim National Chair Rev Mark Kickett at the funeral for Cassius Turvey last week. Rev Kickett reflects on God's promise to walk with us in our darkness (Psalm 23) and the call to a live a new way of justice (Micah 6:8). |
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 | The next World Council of Churches Central Committee meeting in June 2023 will involve a group of young people from across the global church aged 18-30 who will serve as stewards. Through service to the work of the WCC, the Stewards Program offers ecumenical formation, leadership development and opportunities to contribute for the young people who take part. Applications are now open for the Stewards Program and close on 20 January 2023. |
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 | With only four days until the beginning of Advent, now is a great time to explore the latest Children and Families Ministry Update from Chris Barnett in the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania. It has fantastic resources for an intergenerational Advent and Christmas, music suggestions, ideas for your playgroup and more. |
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 | Frontier Services Bush Chaplains share a great love and passion for supporting people in rural and remote communities. But they also have unique gifts and talents! Serving in the Goldfields region of Western Australia, Rev Lindsay Ginn loves music and hopes to use it to bring joy and healing to others. We sign off today with this gift from Lindsay singing the song he wrote, God of all. |
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Join us in prayer for - Those impacted by the earthquake in Indonesia. We pray for those grieving, first responders and those assisting in the recovery, including our church partners, GKI West Java.
- Peace and the restoration of justice in Myanmar, following the attack on a theological seminary and churches in Kachin and Kayah States and ongoing violence and deterioration of human rights.
- The Pacific Church Leaders meeting in Sydney and the Micah youth leaders’ summit in Canberra this week - for faithful fellowship and thoughtful dialogue on how we can work together for the flourishing of all people and the whole of creation.
- East Timor (Timor Leste), Indonesia, Philippines as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.
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| What are some of your Advent traditions? |
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