Uniting Church in Australia - Uniting in Prayer begins this Sunday! Living unity, #NRW2023, unpacking the President's Conference + more in UC National Update 24-30 May

24-30 May 2023 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story Get ready for #UnitinginPrayer We are so excited that this Sunday 28 May begins Uniting in Prayer - 26 days of prayer across the whole Uniting Church. All who call the Uniting Church home are invited to take part between Pentecost Sunday and the 46th Uniting Church Anniversary on 22 June. Uniting in Prayer comes in the middle of the national Act2 Project which is currently grappling with the ferment and change we are experiencing as the Uniting Church, like many other Christian communities around the world. As we seek to discern the outlines of our future life, this is a chance to pause, holding our Church before God and upholding each other in love and prayer. There are many ways to be involved across this time, from local worship to the national prayer chain. A video message for Pentecost Sunday is now available from the President. There is also a suite of worship resources that can be used at any time. Check out these six ways to participate, and don’t forget to let us know what your community is doing by using the #UnitinginPrayer hashtag. As you gather for these days of prayer, may you and your community sense the refreshment and renewal of the Holy Spirit and your connection to others in our community of Christ. Sign up This is my Uniting Church  LIVING FAITH CHURCH Living unity at Living Faith This week we kick off This is my Uniting Church, a new series telling the stories of our local communities! In this first edition marking the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we catch up with Rev Graeme Harrison, Minister at Living Faith Church in north-east Melbourne. In 2006, after a three-year process, Greensborough Uniting Church combined with Greensborough Churches of Christ to create a new community out of both traditions. 17 years later it remains an inspiring example of living, breathing Christian unity. Image: Rev Graeme Harrison (far left) and Churches of Christ Minister Rev Adrian Clarke (far right) celebrate a baptism and a confirmation side by side. ECUMENISM What makes Christian Unity important? As we join with other churches in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, here's a collection of reflections and responses on what it means to pray and work for unity as members of the body of Christ in today's world. Rev Sandy Boyce, Executive Officer of Victorian Council of Churches and UCA deacon, reflects that unity takes work, but in our diversity, we find the treasure of belonging and enrich our understanding of the reign of God. Read this and four other responses.  WALKING TOGETHER AS FIRST AND SECOND PEOPLES National Reconciliation Week 2023 This year’s National Reconciliation Week from 27 May – 3 June invites all Australians to think about practical and meaningful ways we can create a more just and reconciled Australia with the theme, Be a Voice for Generations. We're collating resources and reflections to help people get involved on this page, including a video from artist and Stolen Generation survivor Uncle Jo Cuttabut speaking to his artwork. You might also like to think about joining Living the Covenant Locally - a grassroots movement to grow understanding and commitment to action for a more just Church and nation.  PRESIDENT'S CONFERENCE Refresh and reflect @ Redcliffe There's just one week left to get the Early Bird registration price for the 2023 President’s Conference! Taking place in two parts from 26-30 July at Redcliffe Uniting Church north of Brisbane, the conference is a great opportunity to connect, share and reflect with people from across the Uniting Church nationally. In this short Q&A we ask the President about the conference themes and highlights.  INTERGENERATIONAL 2023 Godly Play Core Training Godly Play Core Training is being offered in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney through 2023. Especially suitable for those in ministry roles, including Ministers, Pastors and Chaplains, these intensive three-day courses invite participants to be immersed in Godly Play practice with supportive feedback and evaluation. Image: Godly Play Core Training in Tasmania

UnitingCare Australia  Philanthropy Inquiry In a submission to the Productivity Commission’s Philanthropy Inquiry, UnitingCare Australia welcomes the Government’s commitment to double philanthropic giving by 2030. They've asked the Commission to focus on developing recommendations that increase the resources available to charities, including streamlining and harmonising fundraising regulations across jurisdictions. Go to the submission UCA-Jewish Dialogue A reflection on the Voice Member of the UCA-Jewish Dialogue Alison Bleyerveen shares this reflection after the dialogue's recent meeting which included guests Tom Calma and Alison Overeem speaking about their hopes attached to a Voice to Parliament. She shares why she thinks it's time we move beyond awareness to start listening and learning from First Peoples and wisdom they offer to deliver real change.  Read the reflection

Positions Youth and Young Adults Pastor - St Andrews, Glenbrook This youth and young adult Pastor position at Glenbrook Uniting Church will build community and drive youth-led mission in the lower Blue Mountains area. Minister - Brisbane West Uniting Church Come and be a key part of the ministry leadership of this congregation in the western suburbs of Brisbane, expanding its capacity for mission and connection. Upcoming Dates 27 May-3 June: National Reconciliation Week 28 May – 22 June: Uniting in Prayer 18-24 June: Refugee Week 22 June: Uniting Church Anniversary (President’s Message coming) 2-9 July: NAIDOC Week 16 July: Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday (resources to come from the Assembly) Check out more dates across the year Join us in prayer for The Uniting Church as we begin Uniting in Prayer this Pentecost Sunday. May the Spirit of the living God be with us and renew us in these days of prayer and fellowship. The ongoing journey of healing and reconciliation between First and Second Peoples and for a new step forward as we seek to answer the generous invitation of the Statement from the Heart. Living Faith Church and all Uniting Church communities partnering with other Christians locally to share God's love and live out God's mission in the world. Those mourning the passing of June Manning who served 16 years in the offices of Synod of NSW/ACT and the Assembly, acting as administrative assistant to Revs Winston O’Reilly and David Gill. We give thanks for June's faithful service to the Church. Indian Ocean Islands: Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles 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. Includes the Uniting in Prayer - Pentecost video from the President. Click enable content to watch 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