Uniting Church in Australia - Assembly Gen Sec announcement, join us in 14 Days of prayer, Act2 National fourm + more in National Update 27 Sep - 3 Oct

27 September - 3 October 2023 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story General Secretary announcement Uniting Church in Australia Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer will step down from her role at the end of December 2023 after eight years offering leadership to the national council of the Church.  Making the announcement, Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis praised Ms Geyer for her strong and dedicated leadership during a time of great challenge and change for the Church. She said,  “Colleen has been a creative, highly collaborative and steadfast leader for the Assembly. Throughout a period that has at times been difficult and challenging, Colleen has exhibited and nurtured the values adopted by the Assembly during her leadership – hope, justice, compassion, respect, integrity and innovation.”  Ms Geyer leaves behind a significant legacy, including her leadership across two triennial Assembly meetings and steering the Assembly through the difficult time of COVID-19, which included running the first online Assembly meeting.  The Assembly Standing Committee will put a plan in place to ensure the significant work of the Assembly continues without any loss of energy until a new General Secretary is appointed at the 17th Assembly. We give thanks for the faithful service Colleen has provided and ask God’s blessings as she looks to serve the Uniting Church into the future. Read the full announcement UNITING FOR THE VOICE Join us in prayer ahead of the referendum With just under two weeks until referendum day, we invite you to join in 14 days of prayer as we reflect on the significance and potential of a national vote on the Voice to Parliament. Beginning this Friday 29 September, you can sign up to receive the prayers on email or follow us on Facebook. The two weeks of prayer will culminate in a national Referendum Eve Vigil on Friday 13 October. Bringing together Uniting Church members from across the country, both in local communities of faith and online, this will be an opportunity to centre ourselves in faith and unity before referendum day. You can register to connect to the Vigil via Zoom here. The Uniting Church has continued to share its strong vocal support for a Voice in public and ecumenical spaces this past week. The Uniting Church in NSW/ACT launched a powerful video in support of the Voice at The Rev Bill Crews Foundation in Sydney on Sunday where church leaders were joined by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Liberal MP Julian Leeser and NT Senator Malarndirri McCarthy. Meanwhile, last Thursday Vic/Tas Moderator Rev David Fotheringham was one of 14 Church Leaders who gathered at St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne affirming their support for the Voice as a first step to a fairer, more truthful and more reconciled nation. Their statements are recorded in this excellent video.  ACT2 PROJECT Act2 National Forums: last chance! Your last opportunity to be part of the Act2 series of National Forums is coming up with a final forum focussing on Our national theological culture. What will it look like to cultivate a vibrant theological culture into the future, and what's the role of the national Church? An excellent panel will include Rev Dr Geoff Thompson, Rev Dr Michelle Cook and Rev Dr Tim Hein with others being confirmed. Join on Tuesday 10 October at 7:30pm AEDT on Zoom (7pm ACDT, 6pm ACST, 4:30pm AWST). Register here. UNITING FOR THE VOICE "A just future for our children and grandchildren" We're delighted this week to add three new messages of support for the Voice. Dr Deidre Palmer, Ex President of the Uniting Church, says voting 'yes' is about relationship and listening. Ps Rodney Minniecon, a Queensland member of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Congress, says its a beginning for truth-telling. UCA Minister Rev Beatriz Skippen shares a heartfelt message in Spanish and English about the importance of First Nations people having a voice in their own land and the difference this could make. Be inspired by our full collection of messages.  RESOURCES ICYMI: Our Intergenerational vision In case you missed it, last week the Assembly launched a new resource that sets out the Uniting Church's vision for an Intergenerational Church. Being an Intergenerational Church includes an expression of commitment, a statement of vision, an invitation to act and resources to explore. The recorded video of the launch hosted by Assembly Associate General Secretary Rev Lindsay Cullen last Thursday will be added to this page soon.  UNITINGCARE AUSTRALIA Celebrate Older Persons Sunday Join communities across the Uniting Church this Sunday 1 October (or another Sunday that works for your community) in marking Older Persons Sunday, an annual opportunity to celebrate the contributions of older people. UnitingCare Australia compiled these worship resources (find them at the bottom of the page) last year which include prayers, reflections and a Service of the Word.

Act2 Project Two new papers have landed We continue to be gifted with rich reflections on the Uniting Church's theological culture through this Act2 series of reflections, papers and provocations. This week, read two new papers from Matthew Julius and Rev Dr John Squires. The deadline for these contributions is 30 September - this Saturday! If you've been thinking about offering your own, now is the time. Read now Ecumenism A survey about the future NCCA The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) will mark 30 years at its 11th National Forum in June 2024. As the NCCA plans for the future, it's seeking broad input on future directions through a new survey to help identify challenges, opportunities and future priorities. Respond by 27 October. The NCCA is also inviting applications for two funds: Refugee Support Fund Grant and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Development Fund. Applications close 30 October. Head to the survey

Around the Uniting Church 20 years of faith and community The South Sudanese Nuer Faith Community in Brisbane recently celebrated a milestone 20 years of shared spirituality and fellowship. In this story originally published in the Queensland Synod's Journey Online, read how the event, held at St David's Uniting Church in Cooper's Plains, brought together a community bound by faith and dedication to their homeland. More from Journey Around the Uniting Church Nungalinya Documentary In August this year Nungalinya College celebrated 50 years of equipping and empowering First Nations Christians for leadership and ministry. You can now learn more about its incredible story in a feature length documentary to mark the anniversary, 'Freedom: The Nungalinya Jubilee Story.' Woven with historical and current day footage and personal stories, the video celebrates the life and work of the College since its formation in 1973 and God's faithfulness among First Peoples. Watch now

Positions Mission Resourcing Minister - Synod of NSW/ACT Working closely with the Synod's Growth & Innovation Team Leader, develop and implement missional leadership for the church planting and new growth strategies. Content and Communications Manager - Synod of VIC/TAS Manage a small team of communicators who promote the Church's story and provide broad communications services. Closing date extended until 11 October. Upcoming Dates 1 September - 4 October: Season of Creation (worship resource available) 1 October: Uniting Church Older Persons Sunday 10 October: Act2 National Forum - Our national theological culture 22 October: Anniversary - National Apology to Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (resource coming) Check out more dates across the year Join us in prayer for Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer as she prepares to step down from her role after eight years of faithful and courageous leadership. We give thanks to God for her legacy and her dedication to the Uniting Church, and pray God's blessings now and in the time to come. Older people in our Church, families and communities as we celebrate Older Persons Sunday this weekend. May we honour their contributions, faithfulness and wisdom. The Uniting Church Niue National Conference, meeting this weekend in Sydney. Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. What is your Uniting Church story? Email us!