Advent waiting, #16Days poster, ASC Update, Christmas playlist 🎶 + more in UC National News 7-13 Dec

Waiting for something greater... Today's invitation in the Assembly Advent Calendar is to take time to reflect on what it means to wait. Rev Marie Wilson, Panel Member for the Seeking Common Ground Circle, offers a reflection on the waiting we do at this time - for floods to recede or rain to come, waiting for surgery, for the bus, for exams to finish, Santa to come, for loved ones to return, for guests to arrive. "In Advent we wait for something greater.  We wait for the fulfilment of God’s promise, of the coming of God’s rule. The promise that is there for us in the death and resurrection of Christ. But still we wait in hope for the fulfilment of that promise of a kingdom of justice and peace." You might like to share with someone today, what are you waiting for? Follow the Advent on your Doorstep calendar each day with contributions from across the Church.  Follow the Advent Calendar Show your support in the #16Days of Activism  As we come to the end of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, one thing you can do is print and display this poster in your community to show a commitment to making our churches and communities safe places for all people. It is part of the Assembly's Beyond Violence resource which includes tools to help you care for people experiencing violence and resources for prayer and worship. ASC Update November 2022 Read the Update from the Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) which met in Melbourne in November. A number of reports were received on the Assembly's ecumenical connections, including a report on the World Council of Churches General Assembly in Germany this year which you can read in full. Advent in song We are loving the song suggestions being shared through the Assembly's Transforming Worship Circle so much, we thought we'd put a short sample together for you to enjoy. Find out more about the Circle or join the Facebook group here.  Webinar: Anniversary of the Royal Commission Report In this webinar tomorrow, join a panel of UCA experts reflecting on the five years since the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the future of child safety in the UCA. Register here to join online on Thursday 8 December at 12pm AEDT. Walking alongside flood-affected communities In the midst of hardship, often community spirit swells. We share two stories from ministry agents in the Synods of NSW/ACT and Vic/Tas who are walking alongside flood-affected communities - Disaster Recovery Coordinator for the Murray Darling Presbytery Julie Fry visited Eugowra, a town of 750 people in country NSW, and Carol and Mark Boyce who minister to the five churches of the Mallee Rivers Regional Team where communities continue to wait for waters to recede. Please pray for all those offering pastoral care to devastated communities at this time. Photo credit Ashley Williams. Autism and Congregational Life: video resources In timing with the International Day of People with Disability on 3 December, equipping Leadership for Mission (eLM) in the Synod of Vic/Tas has shared three videos - personal, parental and theological - related to autism, along with accompanying resources and discussion suggestions. "Lets not rush into this": UnitingCare Australia In a recent submission to the Department of Health and Ageing on a new model for In-Home Aged Care services, UnitingCare Australia has urged the Government to take the time needed to ensure there are no gaps in safety, quality, and care. Find out more and read the submission here.  UnitingWorld Annual Report 2022 Financial Year 2022 was a tough time at home and abroad. It is a testament to the incredible generosity of UnitingWorld's supporters and the determination of our church partners that, despite the volatility of the context, they reached 201,691 people with tangible benefits, across 31 projects in 14 countries with 23 partners. Read all about it in UnitingWorld's Annual Report out now.  An Advent Message from Bush Chaplain Rev David Jackson On Day 10 of the Assembly Advent Calendar (6 December), Frontier Services Disaster Recovery Bush Chaplain Rev David Jackson, shared this Advent message -  Emmanuel, God is with us. David provides ongoing pastoral care and support to communities in Mid-West WA in the aftermath of Cyclone Seroja. Find out how you can support the work of the Bush Chaplains this Christmas.  Professional Supervisor training Have you completed some supervisor training, and are looking for some practical learning? The Synod of NSW & ACT's 2023 Supervision Practicums may be the opportunity you’ve been looking for! The practicums consist of six sessions throughout the year starting from February via Zoom and you can attend from any state and Synod. Find out more here or contact Supervision Development Officer Rev. Jan Reeve at janr@nswact.uca.org.au to learn more. Tired of navigating busy stores and crowds? Browse online for meaningful gifts your friends and family will love with UnitingWorld's Everything in Common Gift Guide. If you want to order physical cards, you need to get your orders in by 9 December. You can still order e-cards and print-at-home cards for instant delivery all the way up to Christmas. Sneak Peek: President's Christmas message Watch this space - next week we will share President Rev Sharon Hollis' 2022 Christmas message which was filmed at Wesley Church in Melbourne: it reflects on the light of Christ which lightens our darkness. Stay tuned! JOBS Committee member - Finance, Audit and Risk Committee (UC Assembly) (Voluntary) The Assembly Finance Audit and Risk Committee (AFARC) is seeking a new member to begin in mid 2023. This appointment is for an initial three-year term, supporting the Assembly and its Standing Committee in this vitally important area. Next Gen Pastor - Toowong Uniting Church This role will strategise, plan and facilitate opportunities for young adults in the Toowong community to encounter Jesus and have a sense of belonging where they are able to join in community, grow and be encouraged in their walk as disciples. Join us in prayer for Communities of faith as they gather for worship in the season of Advent. May we rejoice in and be bearers of the hope, peace, joy and love of God.  People who have experienced abuse and trauma, and those who care for them.  Flood-affected communities, particularly at Christmas, as they face the long road to recovery.  Myanmar, Thailand as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. What are you waiting for in Advent? How are you waiting? Email Us

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