Uniting Church in Australia - ⏰Referendum countdown, Apology Anniversary, 3 new theology papers, Disability Royal Commision response + more in National Update 4-10 October

4-10 October 2023 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story Why the Uniting Church is Uniting for Yes In just 10 days, Australia will go to the polls for the referendum on an Indigenous Voice. The Uniting Church is saying 'yes' because we believe it's important to listen to First Nations voices. Saying 'yes' is a step toward greater unity, healing and reconciliation.  Over the past few weeks, we've been sharing messages from Uniting Church people on what the Voice means to them. As you gather with your community this weekend, we invite you to share this compilation video - a resounding affirmation that giving First Nations people a Voice will be good for all of us.  On Friday, we began 14 Days of Prayer leading into the referendum. You can sign up to receive the remaining prayers in your inbox or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.  The prayers will culminate with the Referendum Eve Vigil, a time of prayer and reflection in solidarity with First Nations people and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, and an opportunity to come together in faith and unity ahead of the referendum. Register to join online at any point across six hours of prayer, or where possible, join an in-person gathering.  With pre-polling underway, now is the final opportunity to have meaningful conversations with those around you to help get the Voice over the line. Can you have three conversations ahead of polling day with those closest to you? You can also join a Uniting Church phone-banking party - an opportunity to connect with undecided voters in these crucial last days.  Watch the video RESOURCES Anniversary of Apology to survivors October 22 is the fifth anniversary of the National Apology to Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. Marking the anniversary is an opportunity to reaffirm the Uniting Church's apology to survivors, reflect on the wrongs of the past and recall our commitment to be vigilant in ensuring safe spaces across the Church. Read the joint statement from the Assembly, UCA Redress and National Safe Church Unit and download the Liturgy of Acknowledgement and Lament.  ACT2 PROJECT "The church is an event": new Act2 papers This week we share three new additions to the Act2 series of rich reflections on Uniting Church theological culture. Read them now, from Rev Dr Peter Walker and Rev Dr Chris Budden (joint reflection), Rev Deacon Richard Arnold and Robbie Tulip. If you've been feeling energised by this conversation, make sure you sign up for the final Act2 National Forum on Our national theological culture next Tuesday 10 October at 7:30pm AEDT with Rev Dr Geoff Thompson, Rev Dr Michelle Cook and Rev Dr Tim Hein on the panel. DISABILITY ROYAL COMMISSION Uniting Church welcomes final report The Uniting Church has welcomed the final report delivered by the Disability Royal Commission, affirming its vision for a more inclusive Australian society. Jade Strongman, a member of the Uniting Church National Disability Task Group, applauded the calls within the report for an end to the segregation of people living with a disability. The Uniting Church will carefully consider the report's recommendations as part of its ongoing work to ensure we provide safe and inclusive spaces for all. Read our full response to the report. THIS IS MY UNITING CHURCH "Searching for God's call in this time and place" In this week's This is my Uniting Church we head to the harbour city of Newcastle, NSW, on Awabakal land, where Hamilton Uniting Church is deeply engaged in the community and in discerning God's mission. Minister Rev Rob Hanks shares about the faith and discipleship of this active congregation, and invites us to pray for "continued energy to rediscover who we are as followers of Jesus in this time and place".

Around the Uniting Church Season of Creation wraps up The Season of Creation wraps up tomorrow after a month of celebration, action and reflection. Check out our Facebook post for a photo snapshot of how Uniting Church communities celebrated, from transforming worship spaces to worshiping outdoors. As we move beyond this season, may we continue to join in that mighty river of justice and peace for creation. See the post Ecumenical news Churches in Asia support Voice The Uniting Church has had a strong presence at the Christian Conference of Asia General Assembly held over the last week in Kerala, India. This week the General Assembly unanimously passed a public statement called ‘Australia’s First People’s Voice' which expressed solidarity with First Peoples and urged support for the Voice to Parliament. Read some of the concluding words of the statement and see photos of the UCA delegates and representatives in action in the post on our Facebook page.   See the post

Worship Launching Transforming Spirit Transforming Spirit is an exciting new album from Uniting Creative in the Synod of NSW/ACT. Emerging out of the Synod meeting in September 2023, the album offers new and contemporary music for congregations. It will be formally launched on 14 October with support from musical duo The Brilliance. Head here to get your launch tickets, listen on Spotify and download the album's songbook. Listen here Events Intergenerational Book launch Join with ministry leaders from around Australia and beyond at the online book launch of All Ages Becoming: Intergenerational Practice in the Formation of God's People by Dr Valerie Grissom. Planned by the team at InterGenerate (USA), the Book Launch Party will include book giveaways, short interviews with authors and intergenerational experts, intergenerational tips and more. The launch will be held on Zoom on Wednesday 25 October 11am AEDT.  Find out more

Positions Roles with Terrigal Uniting Church, NSW Terrigal Uniting Church is partnering with Terrigal Public School to create two new roles: Support Learning Support Officer (Terrigal Public School) and Children’s Worker (Terrigal Uniting Church). Bible Translation Trainer - Nungalinya College, Darwin Use your linguistic qualifications and translation experience to grow the skills and knowledge of Indigenous translators from remote communities in the principles and processes of Bible translation. Upcoming Dates 6 October: Act2 Going Deeper Session (focusing on Directions for local communities) 10 October: Act2 National Forum - Our national theological culture 16-20 October: Frontier Services Bush Chaplains National Conference 21 October - 24 October: Queensland Synod meeting 22 October: Anniversary - National Apology to Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Check out more dates across the year Join us in prayer for An enduring sense of our call and responsibility to care for God's world, our beautiful and broken common home, as the Season of Creation comes to a close. Dialogue marked by respect, understanding and careful listening as Australians continue to consider the upcoming Referendum on a Voice to Parliament. Disability advocates, and all those working to transform our communities into safe, inclusive and accessible places for people with disability. Courage and vision for the future across the Uniting Church as we continue to seek God's leading through the Act2 Project. Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. What is your Uniting Church story? Email us! Our weekly PowerPoint with stories, resources and prayer points for use in your weekly worship. Cleck 'enable content' to play video.  Share