UC National Update 14-21 February - #UnitinginPrayer for Act2 🙏, New Circle Advocates, Welcome news for refugees and more!

15-21 February 2023 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story Save the Date! Uniting in Prayer 2023 You are invited to Uniting in Prayer, a national Uniting Church prayer event to take place between Pentecost and the 46th Uniting Church Anniversary this year (28 May – 22 June 2023). As whole-of-Church discernment about the future of the Uniting Church continues through the Act2 Project, Uniting in Prayer is an opportunity to come together in thanksgiving and hope as together we seek the leading of the Spirit. For 26 days we’ll be sharing prayers from across our Church, we'll gather for prayer and invite Uniting Church communities to pray for each other. “Through Uniting in Prayer, we want every part of our Church to be joined together in prayer for one another and our life together,” says Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis in a video message. Save the date in your personal and church calendars now and look out for resources landing in mid-April to help you and your community take part. In the meantime, you can register yourself or your community for updates. Watch and register Circles of Interest Two new Circle Advocates We're excited to share that two of the Assembly Circles of Interest have new Advocates: Rev Jon Humphries is the new Advocate for the Transforming Worship Circle and Rev Alex Sangster, the previous Advocate for Transforming Worship, will lead the Working for Justice Circle. A huge thank you to Rev Loni Vaitohi for his gentle and wise leadership of the Working for Justice Circle over the past five years. It was wonderful to have all seven Advocates come together in Sydney last week! Watch a short introduction from both Alex and Jon in this update.  Working for Justice Welcome end to temporary visas for refugees This week we welcomed news that the Australian Government has moved to end temporary protection visas, providing a permanent pathway for more than 19,000 refugees in Australia. “We welcome this news and the hope it brings for many people who can now plan for and build their future here,” said Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis. Humans of the Uniting Church KAREN MITCHELL-LAMBERT "Together we hear God’s voice best." This week in our Humans of the Uniting Church series, we hear from Rev Karen Mitchell-Lambert, who is getting ready to move back into congregational leadership after four years as the Team Leader for Pulse in the Synod of NSW/ACT. Karen reminds us that you are never too old to be part of God’s work and vision. And that children and young people want to be part of your life. Covenant 15th Anniversary of the Apology to Stolen Generations Monday 13 February 2023 marked the 15th Anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. Alison Overeem, Ayla Williams and Grace Williams from Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress Lutruwita  (Tasmania) have shared this reflection to mark the anniversary.

Resources Lent Event 2023 Prayer Guide UnitingWorld asked our church partners how we can support them in prayer over the season of Lent. Their responses allow us to pray in solidarity, but also to learn about their struggles and what they long to see in their communities. On your Lenten journey, connect to the global body of Christ and see how God is moving through it.   Download the Prayer Guide UnitingWorld Earthquake appeal Donate to support churches working together through ACT Alliance to assist people in Syria and Türkiye following the devastating earthquakes which killed more than 40,000 people. More than which than a million people are now in temporary shelters. Donations will be directed to ACT Alliance members in the region to provide much needed humanitarian support.  Donate UnitingCare Australia The value of care UnitingCare Australia explains why the care sector is a pathway to a better future for all Australians and a key part of addressing women’s economic security. Millions of Australians depend on the care sector every day. It employs two million people and is the nation’s largest employer. Read more Prayer Love heals, not hurts On Valentine's Day this week, when many celebrate the love in their lives, Uniting Church Thursdays in Black ambassadors President Rev Sharon Hollis and General Secretary Colleen Geyer shared this prayer for those whose intimate relationships have come packaged with violence and abuse. Read more from the World Council of Churches campaign, Love Heals, Not Hurts.  Read the prayer on Facebook Frontier Services All in a day's work Traversing between Narrabri and the outback, and all areas in between, is all in a day’s work for Frontier Services Bush Chaplain Noel Williams. In this interview with The Courier, Noel shares his affinity with the bush and his calling to support people in times of crisis. Since he began, he has clocked up 28,000 km travelling to be with people in remote places.  Read more Resources Lenten prayer and action  This Lenten prayer and action guide from the Synod of South Australia will help individuals and congregations to cultivate public discipleship by taking time to learn, lament, repent, advocate, and take concrete steps to be bearers of God's transformative justice.   Download the resource

Positions Board appointed director (EoI) - UCA Redress Ltd The Board with oversight of UCA Redress Ltd is looking to appoint a director with legal qualifications. Presbytery Minister (Pastoral) - Presbytery of WA The Presbytery Minister (Pastoral) ensures the health and vitality of ministers and congregations. Join us in prayer for Refugees who flee their homes in search of safety and for those who work to make Australia a more welcoming and compassionate nation.  The leading of the Spirit as the work of Act2 continues across the country.  Advocates and Panel Members of the Assembly Circles of Interest as they seek to nurture and encourage input from circle members.  Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. What enlivens your faith? Share your answer with us! Our weekly PowerPoint can be incorporated into what you use each Sunday. This week's slides include a link to Uniting in Prayer, prayer points, resources and a video from Alison Overeem answering, "What enlivens your faith?" 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