Meet Pablo Nunez, announcing new Frontier Services National Director, Act2 Focus Groups and more in week's National Update 15-21 March

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

Our Featured Story REV PABLO NUNEZ "There’s nothing like witnessing the work of God in a person" We've met some amazing people across the country as part of our Humans of the Uniting Church series; people sharing in life and mission, growing disciples and nurturing faith. This week, Rev Pablo Nunez, Minister at Ballina Uniting Church in northern NSW, shares how he was inspired by his sister's coming-to-faith journey.  "That led me to visit a church and start the same transformation journey that I am still going through today, and that I get to witness in the lives of so many people in different places, different settings, different cultures - all carrying the same beautiful elements of God’s irresistible grace, patient and passionate love and continuous mercy." Pablo says his prayer for the Uniting Church is for a revival in our passion for evangelism. Read about how Ballina Uniting Church is growing faith in this story from Insights in the Synod of NSW/ACT.  In coming weeks, we will begin a new series profiling congregations. Would you like to nominate your congregation? Email us. Meet Pablo AROUND THE UNITING CHURCH New National Director for Frontier Services The Assembly is delighted to announce the Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) has appointed Rob Floyd as the National Director for Frontier Services. Rob is an outstanding and well-respected leader in the Uniting Church with extensive experience in fundraising, governance and building partnerships, both internationally and across the Church. RESOURCES Lenten reflection #4: Redemption Rev David MacGregor from the Transforming Worship Circle shares this week's Lenten reflection on Christ's promise of renewal and redemption. He has created an audio version with music. Find it on our website and in the PowerPoint below to share with your congregation. JUSTICE Continue to stand with #ThursdaysinBlack Thank you to people across the Uniting Church who supported #ThursdaysinBlack on Thursday 9 March, the day after International Women's Day. We invite you to continue to stand in solidarity for an end to gender-based violence by wearing black on Thursdays. Explore the host of resources from the World Council of Churches. You can also read more from the Uniting Church's own Thursdays in Black Ambassadors. PODCAST In conversation with Rob Floyd In this latest episode of the Dwelling podcast, President Rev Sharon Hollis speaks to Rob Floyd who recently finished up as the Assembly Associate General Secretary. This is the final of four episodes in which the President has spoken to people across the Uniting Church who have recently concluded significant roles, exploring what has sustained them and what they have learned. Catch up on all the Episodes here. Act2 Project Sign up! Act2 focus groups and forums Do you have a vision for the life of local Uniting Church communities of faith in the years ahead? What do you value about the national work of our Church? The Act2 Project will soon be running an online series of 13 focus groups exploring local communities of faith, and five topical forums focused on the national work and identity of the Uniting Church. You can now sign up for both opportunities. These conversations will directly contribute to shaping the options the Uniting Church will be invited to consider in the next phase of the Project - so don't miss out. SUBMISSION Protecting the rights of the most vulnerable The Uniting Church Assembly has made a submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) affirming the principle that the safety and care of students should be paramount in anti-discrimination legislation regarding Religious Educational Institutions.

From across the Uniting Church  Postcards for Ukraine  Children impacted by the war in Ukraine have received messages of support on postcards from Australia thanks to a project organised by Gordon-Pymble Uniting Church. Penned in September, the postcards finally arrived at their destination in February. Photo: SBS. Read more Resources Celebrating women authors In marking International Women's Day, MediaCom Education has promoted an inspiring selection of titles from Australian women authors, including many from the Uniting Church. The collection includes books on spirituality, liturgy, Bible studies, meditation and story.    Browse the collection

Positions Ministry to the first third of life position - Glen Waverley Uniting Church Lead the ministry, faith development and pastoral care of youth, young adults and children and their families at Glen Waverley UC, Melbourne. Intercultural and Ministry Strategy Leader - UC Synod of NSW/ACT Support the growth of culturally specific and multicultural congregations and help build cultural capacity across the Synod. Join us in prayer for All those working to address enduring inequalities and injustices faced by First Nations peoples, as we mark National Close the Gap Day tomorrow. As a nation may we commit to lasting change that supports all to flourish. The vital work and ministry of Frontier Services as it continues to make a life-changing difference to people in rural and remote Australia. Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden 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