Uniting for the Voice, Love over Hate, Preparing for the Easter Jesus and more in today's UC National Update 1-7 March

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

Our Featured Story "Now is the time for Australians to unite" The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) last week welcomed the launch of the campaign to vote Yes in the Referendum which seeks the support of the Australian people for a constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice. Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis and UAICC Interim National Chair Rev Mark Kickett affirmed their strong support for a Voice to Parliament as a critical step toward honouring the sovereignty of First Nations Australians and furthering the work of truth-telling and treaty.  Rev Hollis said, "We support the Yes vote for the Voice as a pivotal step toward the full implementation of the Uluru Statement, so that as a nation we can finally confront the truth of our past and present and make way for justice.” Rev Kickett said, “In the same way the 1967 Referendum brought Australians together, this is an opportunity for all of us to unite in a big way as we seek to restore justice and promote healing for First Nations people in this land.” They encouraged Uniting Church members to be informed about the Uluru Statement and the things it asks of this nation and urged people to create spaces for respectful yarning on the impact a First Nations Voice will make. Find resources to begin those conversations in the link below and stay tuned for more in this space.  Photo: From the Heart, People gather for the Week of Action, Kaurna country, Adelaide. Uniting for the Voice Resources Lenten reflection #2 - Prepare This week's "Walking into New Life" Lenten reflection comes from Assembly Communications Officer Bethany Broadstock. Bethany reflects on hearing the Easter story anew in our lives and in this moment in time as we prepare to meet the Easter Jesus again. 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.  World Pride Love over hate: UCA President condemns acts of vandalism Uniting Church members celebrated World Pride on Saturday 25 February, joining thousands of others in Sydney's annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. It was a joyful celebration despite acts of vandalism which took place that day. Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis condemned the attacks, saying hate is never acceptable.  Podcast In conversation with Rev Al Macrae In this next episode of the Dwelling Podcast, President Rev Sharon Hollis interviews Rev Alistair Macrae who recently retired after 38 years of faithful and transformative ministry, including his time as the 12th President of the Uniting Church. Alistair shares what has sustained him in his ministry and what he would like to tell the Church as he concludes this chapter. Read the tributes paid to Alistair at his retirement celebration in this story published in Crosslight. Photo: Rev Dr Ji Zhang.  UnitingCare Australia Urgent action needed to eradicate poverty Appearing before a Senate inquiry into the extent and nature of poverty in Australia this week, UnitingCare Australia National Director Claerwen Little highlighted the devastating impacts of poverty on individuals and families. Joined by CEO of Parramatta Mission Mark Newton, Ms Little said poverty was not just a flashpoint of the current cost of living crisis, but a structural problem that required structural solutions.  Frontier Services Welcome to the newest Bush Chaplain! Frontier Services has inducted a new Bush Chaplain - Rev Dona Spencer who will serve in a new ministry, the Bottle Tree Remote Area Ministry in Queensland. Dona is pictured here with Frontier Services Acting National Direct Rob Floyd and Kennedy Bush Chaplain Pastor Joe Eka who presented Dona with the Frontier Services Bush Chaplain stole.  Humans of the Uniting Church LUKE MOLKENTIN "Excited for what’s to come, with a fire renewed inside." This week in our Humans of the Uniting Church series, we hear from Luke Molkentin from Terrigal Uniting Church. The one thing Luke asks the Church to pray for is love and growth in the Uniting Church, "that we can collectively see how we can be better servants of God." Read Luke's profile here. Nominate someone you know to be included in this snapshot of the people who make up the Uniting Church.

Ecumenical news World Day of Prayer The World Day of Prayer this Friday 3 March is a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women as a creative response to issues of concern around the world. The 2023 host country is Taiwan. Find a service near you.  Find a service UnitingWorld Lent Event Thanks to everyone already praying with our church partners as part of Lent Event 2023. Discover how you can join others on a journey of prayer, simplicity and generosity.   Join Lent Event

Positions Social Justice Officer - UCA Synod of Western Australia Assist with the implementation and communication of social justice advocacy and education projects in the Synod of WA. Communications and Marketing Coordinator - UCA Synod of NSW/ACT Coordinate, curate and create social media content and work on a variety of communications. Join us in prayer for Conversations around the proposed First Nations Voice in the lead up to the Referendum to be conducted with respect, openness and hope for a better nation. The people of Taiwan, the host country of the 2023 World Day of Prayer. We pray for strength and wisdom to cope with an uncertain future. Uniting Church communities which have been a target of vandals during the World Pride event and those impacted by these hateful acts. We give thanks for these communities of faith and their ministry of welcome and inclusion. Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. Do you have a story to share? Email us! This week's PowerPoint includes our Featured Story, the Walking With Jesus Lenten Reflection, a short video clip from Rev Dr Matagi Vilitama from the Being a Multicultural Circle answering the question, "What Enlivens Your Faith?", 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