#UnitinginPrayer resources, Anzac Day prayers, UAICC National Conference wrap + more 👉 UC National Update 19-25 April

12-18 April 2023 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story Just landed: Uniting in Prayer resources Today we are excited to launch a suite of resources to help your community take part in Uniting in Prayer next month. Uniting in Prayer is 26 days of prayer across the national Uniting Church, taking place between Pentecost and the Uniting Church Anniversary (28 May-22 June). It is born out of the Act2 Project and our shared discernment about where God is calling the Uniting Church into the future. The work of the Act2 Project Unit and the Assembly Transforming Worship Circle, the Uniting in Prayer resources include a full worship liturgy, wide range of creative ideas and prayers including in different languages, an at-home resource written for children and families and a series of biblical reflections. In the coming weeks, Uniting Church communities in every part of the country will be connected through a national prayer chain. In her introduction to the worship resource, President Rev Sharon Hollis writes: “I pray that Uniting in Prayer will be a powerful time of community, faith and hope. In the tradition of Pentecost, may the breath of Christ come to rest on our Church through this time. May we see visions and dream dreams together for our future. May God bless the participation of your community.” Make sure you're signed up to get all the updates and daily prayers across the 26 days. Find the resources RESOURCES ANZAC Day Worship resources Uniting Church Defence Force chaplains have recorded a scripture reading and prayer for UCA members and communities to mark ANZAC Day this coming Sunday, ahead of national commemorations on Tuesday 25 April. Chaplain John Saunders reads Psalm 46 and Chaplain Santina Waugh shares a prayer inside the All Saints Chapel, Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera in Brisbane. Find the video, prayer and links to other resources on our website.  UAICC NATIONAL CONFERENCE “Weaving and Awakening": UAICC meets in Darwin The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) held its National Conference on Larrakia land in Darwin from 13-18 April, its first national meeting in five years. With about 60 Congress members in attendance, it was a time of reconnection, fellowship, joyful worship and deep thinking about what changes and structures are needed to support the self-determination of Congress within the UCA. Read our wrap of the conference and see some of the wonderful photos taken across the week.  PODCAST In conversation with Heeyoung Lim This week on the Dwelling podcast, President Rev Sharon Hollis speaks with Rev Heeyoung Lim, minister at Leighmoor Uniting Church. Heeyoung is one of three women in the President's Easter message. In this podcast, they reflect more deeply on what it means to have new life in Christ. Listen now! ACT2 PROJECT Join an Act2 Focus Group The Act2 team is looking to hear from people in every type of Uniting Church community through a new series of online focus groups. Whether you belong to a small or large congregation, an online community, are part of a network or are experimenting and church planting, there's an opportunity to hear what's important in your context and how the Act2 Project can help you flourish. Find your focus group and register now.

UnitingWorld  The gift of clean water Read about the determination of a remote community in PNG to improve the water quality of their entire village. Through a whole community effort, a new water system was made possible with the support of the United Church of Papua New Guinea and funding for materials through the Australian Government Church Partnership Program.   Read the story UnitingCare Australia Welcome report on poverty UnitingCare Australia has welcomed the recommendations of the Interim Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee's report. The report highlights the urgent need to address economic exclusion and calls for action in the federal budget to support the most vulnerable members of our community.   Read the media release

Positions Pilbara Patrol Remote Area Bush Chaplain This vital role offers emotional, physical, and spiritual care and support to people living in this remote area of Australia. Conduct worship, offer pastoral care and support community witness. Communications and Marketing Coordinator - UC Synod of NSW/ACT This role is responsible for coordinating and creating social media content and working on a variety of internal and external communications. Join us in prayer for A deep commitment to our Covenant relationship as we seek ways to support and enhance the self-determination of First Nations people within the Uniting Church. Peace in places of conflict. We pray for all those who have lost loved ones in war.  The Armenian community as this week we mark the Armenian Genocide on 24 April.   Those mourning Father Bob Maguire, Catholic Priest and beloved social justice advocate. Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. Do you have a story to share? Email us! Our weekly PowerPoint with stories, resources and prayer points for use in your weekly worship. You may need to 'enable content' to play the Anzac Day video.  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