UC National News 1-7 February - Australia Day Honours List 👏, A PowerPoint for your worship, Welcome and inclusion at St Michael's and more

1-7 February 2023 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story Honours recipients across the UCA A First Nations community leader, a 91-year-old Church Elder, a pipe organist whose service spans half a century, an accountant and a church volunteer of 60 years are among the Uniting Church members recognised with Australia Day honours. We highlight some of the deserving recipients from across the UCA who have contributed selflessly to the community, some over many decades! Ninety-year-old Church Elder and Scripture teacher Vena Stoneham OAM was honoured for service to the community, particularly through the church. Vena has contributed to the Uniting Church (and its predecessors) for more than 56 years. She has been a Church Elder since 1973. “The Church has been my life,” said Vena this week. “I wouldn’t be who I am today without it.” Congratulations to all recipients and thank you for your outstanding, generous and faithful service!   Read more NEW Resource Assembly Weekly PowerPoint Introducing the Assembly’s new Weekly PowerPoint project! Every week, as part of our National Update email, we will send out a small deck of PowerPoint slides which can be incorporated into what you use each Sunday. These slides will include a feature story, highlight resources and perhaps most importantly, will suggest a few prayer points which could be incorporated into your Prayers of the People. Read more with this introduction from Assembly Associate General Secretary Rev Lindsay Cullen. Download our first PowerPoint here or at the bottom of this email! From around the Church A ministry of inclusion at St Michael's Photo: Ellen Smith/The Guardian on Instagram This article from The Guardian Australia tells the story of St Michael's Uniting Church in Melbourne, led by Rev Dr Margaret Mayman, and the blessing and welcome it offers to LGBTQI people. The church led a service as part of this year’s 'Midsumma' festival celebrating queer spirit, justice and joy. "During today’s service you could feel it, everyone felt safe and loved. All of those beautiful people and their beautiful souls, needing to connect – that feeling is sacred," says Laura, longtime member and Council Chair. Ecumenical news Global ecumenical opportunities Are you a young adult wanting to grow your discipleship and interested in what it means to be part of a world-wide ecumenical fellowship of faith? Here are three global opportunities which invite applications from emerging Christian leaders who are seeking to deepen their leadership and faith.  Events New dates for President's Conference! Please note there has been a change of dates for the President's Conference to be hosted by Rev Sharon Hollis in 2023. Located in Brisbane, the Conference will take now place in two parts, 26-28 July for ministry agents in a placement, and 28-30 July will be open to the whole Church.

Resources World Social Justice Day  The Social Justice Commission in the Synod of WA has produced this resource for congregations to mark World Day of Social Justice on the first Sunday in Lent, 26 February. The resource includes a sermon reflection and an adapted prayer written by Rev Gordon Scantlebury. Download the resource UnitingWorld Disability inclusion Learn from Liniah, a local preacher, in the Methodist Church of Zimbabwe (MCZ), about what it means to be an inclusive church as she reflects on the transformational work which has been supported by UnitingWorld over the past three years.    Follow on Facebook Resources 2023 Assembly Calendar Check out this new calendar highlighting key dates for us nationally in 2023. We've noted various UCA events, key liturgical and ecumenical dates and days we mark nationally as a Church. Do you have a date or event to add? Let us know.   Start planning NYALC Online Creating Community President Rev Sharon Hollis hosted an online gathering for the National Young Adult Leaders Conference on 28 January. Young adults from South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria joined the Zoom session, the first in a series of four online gatherings to run through 2023.   Read more

Positions Committee member - Assembly Finance, Audit and Risk Committee The Assembly's Finance Audit and Risk Committee (AFARC) is seeking a new member to begin in mid 2023. Team Leader - Presbytery of Port Philip East This role oversees, coordinates, and facilitates the life and effective operation of the Presbytery team in Port Philip East, Victoria. Join us in prayer for Uniting Church members acknowledged in the 2023 Australia Day honours and all in the UCA who selflessly offer their time and gifts in service to our Church and communities. All those impacted by flooding and extreme weather in Auckland, and for the families of those who have died. Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Western Sahara, Tunisia, as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. Know a great story in the Uniting Church? Email us! Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2023 Uniting Church in Australia, All rights reserved. We're sending you weekly updates because you opted into news from the Uniting Church in Australia. Our mailing address is: Uniting Church in Australia Lvl 4 262 Pitt St Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia