Simple. Powerful. Answers to FAQs on the Voice; Meet Bush Chaplain Lindsay Ginn and more in UC National Update 3-9 May

3-9 May 2023 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story Your questions on the Voice, answered. Looking for simple answers to common questions raised about the proposed First Nations Voice to Parliament? Check out this new page dedicated to Frequently Asked Questions and the common myths and misconceptions around what a Voice is, how it will work, what the Uniting Church has said and why a 'yes' vote will be a unifying moment for all Australians. For each question we've found some simple explanations, clear and powerful statements made by First Nations leaders and places to go for more information.  We hope this page will be a valuable resource as you engage in conversation with others about the Referendum and consider the impact a First Nations Voice can make.  Go to the page Humans of the Uniting Church  LINDSAY GINN "Let us be who God is calling us to be!" Next up in our Humans of the Uniting Church series we meet Pastor Lindsay Ginn, Frontier Services Bush Chaplain in Goldfields–Esperance region of Western Australia. Lindsay shares how music enlivens his faith and about the exciting opportunity he has to teach students in remote schools how to play the ukulele.  If you know an inspirational Uniting Church person or community with a great story to tell, contact us and nominate them to be featured. ECUMENICAL NEWS Week of Prayer for Christian Unity The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is coming up on 21-28 May! The National Council of Churches in Australia has released a suite of resources under the theme chosen by the Minnesota Council of Churches, 'Do good; seek justice' (Isaiah 1:17). Head to the website to download resources including a full worship service and daily reflections. Resources are also available from the World Council of Churches. UNITING CHURCH ADULT FELLOWSHIP Apply now for the Joan Stott Bursary Every year, the Uniting Church Adult Fellowship (UCAF) supports young people engaged in theological or leadership studies through the Joan Stott Bursary. Available to people under the age of 50, the bursary provides a $1500 grant towards theological or leadership study within the ethos of the Uniting Church. Applications for 2024 are now open. Download the flyer and scroll to the bottom of this page for links to the application.  Photo: UCAF National Committee 2021-2024 ACT2 PROJECT Call for papers: our theological culture How would you speak about the theological culture of the Uniting Church? What kind of theological culture do we want? What's unique about our theological culture? The Act2 Project is calling for papers, provocations and reflections from theologians and others across our Church to help us consider our theological culture. We're inviting your contributions through until September 2023.

Resources With Love to the World The next edition of With Love to the World is now available offering daily Biblical reflections based on the Lectionary. Covering the period which includes Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week, this issue includes a diversity of voices including UCA contributors who are First Nations and of Asian heritage. The cover art (above) is by Kirsty Burgu, Ngarinyin Worrorra woman and Uniting Church Pastor at Mowanjum (WA). Read more from Insights Ecumenism More divisive, less effective? "Has the ecumenical movement become more divisive and less effective?" This was the question posed by Dr Mathews George Chunakara, General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia, to the high-level Asian Church and Ecumenical Leaders Conference currently taking place in Jakarta. The address considered the context of Christianity in Asia and the significant change and challenge being experienced by the Asian ecumenical movement. Read more Uluru Statement Preaching from the Heart In response to the upcoming referendum on a First Nations Voice to Parliament, the Preaching from the Heart project is calling for Australian sermons for a collection to be published as a book. The project is coordinated by the Uniting Church Creative Ministries Network in partnership with the University of Divinity. Read the invitation From across the UCA A house for all nations Enjoy this write-up from the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader on the Easter celebrations at Bexley Uniting Church in southern Sydney. The congregation recently amalgamated with the Korean Uniting Church in South Hurstville which has brought a new life and energy to the combined congregation. Read about the simple ways they're worshipping and sharing in life and faith together.   Get the story UnitingWorld The vision of emerging leaders 100 emerging young leaders, including from the Uniting Church, Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and our Pacific partner churches, connected in March at the inaugural Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders Summit. A collaboration of Micah Australia and the Pacific Conference of Churches, the event brought together young people from 14 countries to build relationships, advocate on issues and engage with Parliamentarians. More from UnitingWorld Events President's Conference Register by 31 May to get the Early Bird discount for the 2023 President's Conference! Hosted by Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis in Redcliffe, QLD, the conference is taking place in two parts: 26-28 July for ministry agents in a placement and 28-30 July for the whole church. Register now

Positions Business Team Leader - Narana Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, reflecting the vision and work of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress in Victoria, is recruiting for a new role to support business operations. Presbytery Resource Minister - Northern Tasmania Expressions of interest are invited for a full-time minstry placement in Tasmania, commencing 1 July 2023, with a focus on the north and north-west of the state. Email Synod Placements to express interest. Join us in prayer for The health of Rev Mark Kickett, National Interim Chair of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, as he recovers from a major operation.    An end to hostilities in Sudan. We pray for actions that will bring about lasting peace and for humanitarian support to reach those who are struggling to find food and basic necessities. Open, respectful and honest dialogue about a First Nations Voice to Parliament and in response to the invitation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.  Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan 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. 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