"The good news of Christmas is that Christ enters into the darkest of places, shining the light of God in the world and in our lives...." ...says Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis in her Christmas message, as we prepare to mark the birth of Jesus, the light of Christ, who comes to dwell amongst us. The video of the President's Christmas message is available to download here along with the Christmas messages shared by Uniting Church moderators. Keep a watch for the live premiere of the President's message on our Facebook page on Christmas Eve. We pray that as you gather together in worship over the next few days you are reminded of the light of Christ shining through the darkness. Please email us photos from your Christmas celebrations! We hope to share a collection of images from across the national church as we celebrate the Christmas season. |
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 | Take a walk through 2022 with the Assembly Circles of Interest! In this story we share just some of the ways the Circles have contributed to, supported or inspired the work of the Assembly across 2022. Would you like to be a part of the national work of the Church in 2023? Join a Circle! |
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 | As someone who has enriched conversation about the life and identity of the Uniting Church, we asked newly retired Uniting Church minister and scholar Rev Dr John Squires about the highlights and joys of his 42 years in ministry and his thoughts on the future of the Church. Read his answers! |
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 | Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis has provided this prayer to be used in worship for New Years Eve or New Years Day. Please share! We note that for UCA members who follow the Lunar Calendar, the New Year will be celebrated on 22 January. |
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 | "In marking the Day of Mourning, we live into our covenant relationship to stand together with, and listen to the wisdom of First Nations people in their struggle for justice. We affirm the sovereignty of First Peoples and honour their culture and their connection to country."
UCA President Rev Sharon Hollis and Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress Interim National Chair Rev Mark Kickett invite UCA congregations and communities to mark a Day of Mourning on the Sunday before Australia Day/Surival Day (on or around 22 January). Get the updated resource. |
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 | The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) has called for a boycott of all Indonesian products and programmes until human rights abuses in the Papuan provinces (West Papua) are investigated. For decades, churches in West Papua have called for greater scrutiny, demilitarisation and a commitment to peaceful dialogue. The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) echoes this call for dialogue and justice. Rev Dr Apwee Ting has shared a prayer in Indonesian and English. |
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 | The first in a series of NYALC online events will be held on Saturday 28 January from 2pm-4pm AEDT. It's the same mission - to grow the leadership, faith and discipleship of Uniting Church emerging young adult leaders – but bite-sized! Come hear President Rev Sharon Hollis share on leadership and help shape NYALC 2024. Another opportunity open to Uniting Church young adults across the country is the Retreat Yourself event hosted by the Pulse team in the Synod of NSW/ACT - which now includes an extra day dedicated to conversation on leadership. Find out more about Retreat Yourself here. |
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 | Every person that calls the Uniting Church home is invited to take part in the Act2 Project! Through 2023 there’ll be lots of opportunities to engage, and one key opportunity is available right now. Any person, community, committee, council or other body in the Uniting Church can now make a submission to the Project. Join the conversation about how we can work together as a whole Church and shape our life for the future. |
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 | UnitingCare Australia is supporting the inclusion of spiritual care as one part of new quality standards in aged care being developed by the Department of Health and Ageing. In a submission to the Department, UnitingCare Australia has proposed that the definition of a ‘person’ encompasses the domains of physical, emotional, social, psychological and spiritual needs. Spiritual care is seen in a broad sense, and is wider than religious care. Read the submission here. |
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 | In this update from UnitingWorld National Director Dr Sureka Goringe, hear about recent opportunities to advocate in Canberra for the important role our Church Partners play in the delivery of effective and sustainable development led from the grass-roots, as well as for aid to support the hunger crisis in Africa. She says, "Our partners are formidable leaders, changemakers, teachers, scholars, peacebuilders, advocates. But more than that, they are disciples of the one who calls us all to this life of love, compassion, and generosity for all creation." |
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 | Looking for a way to give back in the New Year? Consider supporting disaster-affected rural and remote communities by joining Frontier Services' Outback Links volunteers (pictured above). When the dust has settled following catastrophic events like a cyclone, Frontier Services aims to be there with as many hands on deck as possible to support communities as they recover. |
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 | While many of us take time at Christmas to celebrate all that we have and can enjoy, for some in remote areas, the realities of everyday life cannot be set aside so easily, writes Frontier Services Acting National Director Rob Floyd in a Christmas message released today. |
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 | Save the Date! President's Conference in 2023Lock in these dates for the President's Conference to be hosted by Rev Sharon Hollis in 2023. Located in Brisbane, the Conference will take place in two parts, 12-14 July (ending midday) is for ministry agents in a placement, and 14-16 July (beginning late afternoon) will be open to the whole Church. |
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 | Throughout this year, we have included a question at the end of the newsletter inviting you to tell us about your Uniting Church story or to share on the themes and stories we have included from week to week. Here’s a short selection of the fantastic replies we received. |
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Pulse Team Leader - Uniting Mission and Education, Synod of NSW/ACT The position combines the positions of Secretary and Administrative Leadership. The person appointed to the role will be a key member of the Presbytery leadership team, providing support to the Presbytery, its committees and congregations. Passionate about global Christianity? The Global Christian Forum seeks a new Chief of Operations who will work in two primary areas: supporting the GCF Secretary in general administration, especially towards the Fourth Global Gathering in 2024, and offering strategic direction to development and fundraising efforts. |
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Join us in prayer for - Dialogue, peace and justice in West Papua
- Ministry agents and worship leaders as they prepare for Christmas services and create spaces for communities to gather and celebrate the birth of Christ.
- Those who are lonely or doing it tough this Christmas. May they know the joy and hope of Christ.
- Hongkong, Macau, Taiwan, and the Mainland of China, and Japan, North Korea, South Korea in the final weeks of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.
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| This will be our final National Update email for 2023! (we'll be back in the second half of January). Thank you to all those across the Church who have so generously shared stories with us this year. We wish all our communities a Christmas filled with the light and love of Christ. |
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| What would you like to see in National Update in 2023? |
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