WATCH: President's Christmas Message! 🎇🎥 Day of Mourning resource, NYALC Online + more in UC National News 14-20 Dec

President's Christmas Message The 2022 Christmas message from Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis is now available for congregations to download.  In a year marked by war, racism, soaring cost of living and devastating floods, Rev Hollis said the good news of Christmas is that the light of Christ enters into the darkness - but the darkness cannot overcome it. She says, "Jesus is born into a dangerous world, he lives in an occupied country, he eats with the outcast, grieves the death of a dear friend, and dies a lonely death.  And in all of this, the love of God triumphs." Despite the darkness we face, the President reminds us that the desire to share the light of Christ is found in those who accompany people through flood and fire, in those who feed the hungry and work to end racism and in those who seek to build justice for the poor.  The message includes an encouragement to engage with the Uluru Statement next year as we seek to shine light into the darkness of our colonial past and present.  Much thanks to Wesley Church in Melbourne where the Christmas message was filmed!  You can view and download the message now using the password Christmas2022 Watch 2023 Day of Mourning Since 2019 the Uniting Church has marked a Day of Mourning on the Sunday before 26 January to reflect on the dispossession of Australia’s First Peoples and the ongoing injustices faced by First Nations people in this land. In 2023, we again invite you to mark the Day of Mourning on or around 22 January by hosting worship services that reflect our commitment to justice and truth-telling. An updated resource is now available.  NYALC goes online 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.  Messages of hope from Church Leaders this Christmas The National Conference of Churches in Australia (NCCA) has compiled 14 messages from Australian Church Leaders as Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. You can also read the Christmas message from World Council of Churches Acting General Secretary Rev Prof Dr Ioan Sauca, reflecting on the love of Christ—a love that is for all.  Last chance to Drop-In with Act2 this year The Act2 Project team have enjoyed connecting with people across the Uniting Church at fortnightly Drop-Ins, an informal online opportunity to chat about all things Act2. The final Drop-In will be held this Friday 16 December at 1pm AEDT. Register here. If you can't make this one, head to our website and sign-up for one of the 2023 dates already in the calendar. RnR with Scott Guyatt In the next installment of the RnR with ARU podcast Assembly Associate General Secretary Rev Lindsay Cullen speaks to Scott Guyatt of UnitingCare QLD about his long history of experimentation, fresh expressions, new forms of church and what the future might look like for the Uniting Church. Only 11 days until Christmas! But don't worry, UnitingWorld's Everything in Common Gifts are available as e-cards or you can print them at home up until Christmas Day! Save the Date! President's Conference in 2023 Lock these dates in now for the President's Conference to be hosted by Rev Sharon Hollis in 2023. Taking place in Brisbane next July, 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. Can't wait to see you there! JOBS School Chaplain - Kinross Wolaroi School The Chaplain represents the life of faith, particularly as it is lived in the Uniting Church in Australia within the School context and promotes Christian ethos through leading worship, pastoral care, nurturing discipleship and teaching as appropriate. International Partnerships Manager - UnitingWorld UnitingWorld is looking to fill the vital role of International Partnerships Manager, a person with a passion for God’s call to global justice who can build networks, engage with church leaders and nurture our relationships with partner churches. Join us in prayer for Those mourning Queensland police officers Constable Matthew Arnold and Constable Rachel McCrow, and all impacted by the tragic incident in Wieambilla. We pray for the safety of all police officers serving our communities. Communities of faith as they gather to mark the season of Advent and prepare to make way for the arrival of the Christ child. Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. Where is the light of Christ shining in your community? Email Us

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