#IWD call to wear black tomorrow, #TeamRoyston, #GriefHurts - Lenten reflection, #Vanuatu Appeal and more in this week's National Update

8-14 March 2023 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY Wear black for a world free from gender-based violence Today we join people everywhere in celebrating the women in our lives and communities as part of International Women's Day.  This day is also an opportunity to draw attention to the gaps that remain in gender equality. In Australia, one of the most pressing issues we face is gender-based violence. Led by the World Council of Churches since the late 1980s, Thursdays in Black is a worldwide ecumenical movement of solidarity for an end to gender-based violence. As global ambassadors for Thursdays in Black, President Rev Sharon Hollis and Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer are inviting people across the Church to show support by wearing black tomorrow, Thursday 9 March. “The Thursdays in Black campaign has long recognised that to truly see full equality realised and seek inclusion for all, we must uncover and address the root causes of inequality from which gender-based violence can emerge," said Rev Hollis.  You may like to share a photo to your socials with the hashtag #ThursdaysinBlack. If you’d like to be included in our photo collage, make sure you also tag Uniting Church in Australia on Facebook or @unitingchurchau on Instagram and Twitter. Read more Around the Uniting Church Royston follows his dream on Australian Idol Singing in the spotlight to a TV audience of thousands on Australian Idol is a long way from Old Mapoon, the tiny Aboriginal community at the tip of the country where Royston Sagigi-Baira grew up. The Uniting Church member, now through to the top eight of the competition, is chasing his dream to sing professionally, and along the way, inspiring people across the country with his powerful voice, courage and determination. Resources Lenten reflection #3: Grief Hurts The third Lenten reflection in the Assembly's Walking into New Life series comes from Rev Alex Sangster, Advocate for the Working For Justice Circle, who reflects on telling and listening to stories of grief. Find the short reflection (written and recorded as an audio file), a question to prompt further reflection and a short prayer on our website and in the PowerPoint below. UnitingWorld Emergency Appeal for Vanuatu Last week Vanuatu was struck by two cyclones and an earthquake, causing extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure. Thousands of people are now sheltering in evacuation centres. UnitingWorld has launched an appeal to help our local partner, the Presbyterian Church in Vanuatu, respond to the crisis and meet the needs of affected communities. Please give as you can to help our neighbours get back on their feet. Covenant Justice comes with land recognition In this piece originally published by Crosslight, Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis writes about how engagement with First Nations communities in exploring the history of their land and country offers the possibility of justice, healing and restoration. Humans of the Uniting Church KATE BARTON "I love telling people how diverse the Uniting Church is" This week in our Humans of the Uniting Church series, we hear from Kate Barton who belongs to Pioneer Valley Uniting Church in Queensland. Nominate someone you know to be included in this snapshot of the people who make up the Uniting Church.  Podcast In conversation with Rev Dr Amelia Koh-Butler In this next episode of the Dwelling Podcast, President Rev Sharon Hollis speaks with Rev Dr Amelia Koh-Butler who is finishing in ministry at Eastwood Uniting Church in Sydney. Amelia discusses her ministry in the Uniting Church across many different roles and her upcoming transition to become the new Mission Secretary – Education & Empowerment with the Council for World Mission based in Singapore. Frontier Services Thank you Rev John Dihm! After 20 years supporting remote communities, Frontier Services says a huge thank you to its longest-serving Bush Chaplain Rev John Dihm as he moves into retirement and farewells the Pilbara. "It’s been a wonderful ministry. A lot of fun, a lot of tears and a lot of kilometres. When I accepted the position with Frontier Services, I didn’t even know where Hawker was. I didn’t know anything about the outback," recalls John in this story.

First Nations Voice Statements from the Soul 'Statements from the Soul: The Moral Case for the Uluru Statement from the Heart' is a new collection of essays from religious leaders advocating for a First Nations Voice. Newly launched on 20 February at the Great Synagogue in Sydney, it is now available to order. Order now Resources PIEN 2023 Lenten Guide The Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network (PIEN) has produced this Lenten guide for 2023 with reflections on Palestine and Israel. It includes first hand accounts from the Holy Land, some suggested actions and prayers to guide you through Lent. Download the guide Refugees New ACRT Chairs We are delighted that Uniting Church Deacon and Executive Officer of the Victorian Council of Churches Rev Sandy Boyce will co-Chair the Australian Churches Refugee Taskforce. She will share the role with Major Karen Elkington, Manager of the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Service Victoria. Read more ACRT news Scholarship Winifred Kiek Scholarship Applications for the 2024 Winifred Kiek Memorial Scholarship are now open. The scholarship enables women to develop capacity in theology or for ministry. In 2024, the scholarship will be awarded to a woman from multicultural Australia.  Apply now

Positions Executive Officer, Board for Christian Formation - UCA Synod of Queensland Play a critical role in supporting and driving continued education and training in mission priority areas across the Synod. Pastor (Worship and Community) - St Michael's Uniting Church Supporting the Minister in Placement, provide pastoral care and lead engaging worship for this congregation in Melbourne CBD. Join us in prayer for All those celebrating International Women's Day today; may God give us courage to raise our voice for a safer and more equal world this day and every day. Members of the Assembly Standing Committee who are meeting in Sydney this weekend. The people of Vanuatu in the wake of two cyclones and an earthquake and our partners the Presbyterian Church in Vanuatu as they respond to the crisis.  Communities in the remote Northern Territory which continue to be impacted and isolated by flooding. We pray for safety and reconnection for those cut off from resources. Ireland, United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. Do you have a story to share? Email us! This week's PowerPoint includes a Featured Story, the Walking Into New Life Lenten Reflection, featured resources and prayer points for use in your weekly worship. 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