Uniting Church in Australia - Despair and Wisdom, Calls for Ceasefire, ASC Update, Act2 countdown + more in UC National Update 15-21 November

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15-21 November 2023 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story A reflection on despair and wisdom In a time when despair is present everywhere, what does our faith say to us? This week, we share a reflection from Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis on what it means to seek the wisdom of God in a time such as this.  The President writes, "Despair is easy at the moment. Fire ravishes our country. Climate change is impacting low lying lands across the globe. Droughts are becoming more severe in many places leading to famine. War rages both in places noticed by the news and in places unnoticed except by those who live through it. Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Ukraine and Palestine and Israel." "Across the globe, conflict is causing division and preventing us from seeing the humanity in each other." Reflecting on words of scripture and song, the President reflects on God’s wisdom made known to us in the cross of Christ. God's wisdom does not turn away from despair but rather suffers for and with those most in need, inviting us to pray, hope and work for a world renewed.  Go the reflection ISRAEL-PALESTINE UCA echoes calls for immediate ceasefire The Uniting Church joins the World Council of Churches (WCC) in its demands for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Palestine and Israel. Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis has reiterated an appeal made in a statement this week by the WCC executive committee calling for all parties to show respect for human life. At the same time, the President condemned acts of antisemitism or attacks on Muslim or Palestinian communities in Australia, urging UCA members to continue to pray for a pathway to a just peace.  ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ASC November Update Read the highlights from the November meeting of the Assembly Standing Committee (ASC), the final ASC meeting for General Secretary Colleen Geyer. The ASC has advised the President to appoint Rev Lindsay Cullen as the Assembly General Secretary (Interim) from January 2024 until the next General Secretary is elected. There were also reports on the Voice referendum, the 17th Assembly, the Net Zero Emissions Working Group, Frontier Services and Act2.  THIS IS MY UNITING CHURCH "We look for the outworking of love" Come with us as we head to Hampton Park Uniting Church in the south-east of Melbourne for this week's #ThisIsMyUnitingChurch. In our Q&A, Children's Worker Niki Oostwoud shares about the life of this congregation making its presence known in the wider community and creating shared spaces of welcome and hospitality. Do you know a congregation with a great story to tell? Email us to nominate them! ACT2 PROJECT Act2 discernment phase: two weeks left People across the Uniting Church have just two weeks to make a response to the Act2 Project in the current Collective Discernment phase. Every part of the Uniting Church has been invited to respond to the Act2 report and the future Directions and Options. We're gathering feedback through the councils, but individual members of the Uniting Church can make their own response. Here are three things you can do right now to get the key information and have your voice heard before 30 November. RESOURCES Getting Advent ready It’s hard to believe that the beginning of Advent is less than three weeks away! On Sunday 3 December we will turn from Ordinary Time to this season of preparation and anticipation which readies us for the good news of Jesus’ arrival into our world. We've gathered a range of links to resource your worship planning and help you enter this season, ranging from intergenerational worship to daily devotionals and gift guides. Make sure you check back – we’ll add new links as they emerge. HUMANS OF THE UNITING CHURCH Meet Isaac Prior This week in our Humans of the Uniting Church series, meet Isaac Prior, who leads youth ministry at Playford Uniting Church in the northern suburbs of Adelaide. In this Q&A, Isaac shares how he's energised by seeing the love of God change people's lives, what we can pray for in his community and what he values about the Uniting Church: "I love telling people of the UCA vision of a church united." INTERGENERATIONAL New worship resource - Regenerational A new resource to introduce your church to intergenerational worship is out today! Regenerational contains four services to use in worship with all generations gathered together. Each service contains a summary order of service, details of preparation required, a full service with choice of activities and explanations about why we do things in these particular ways. Check it out now!  UNITINGWORLD Christmas cards that fight poverty Wish your loved ones a Merry Christmas and fight poverty at the same time with these beautiful Christmas cards from UnitingWorld's Everything in Common gift catalogue. Designed and printed in Australia, proceeds from these cards will go towards supporting our overseas partners to build hope and make a lasting difference in people’s lives. Get a pack of eight cards for $15.

Events Talanoa Oceania 2024 Talanoa Oceania Conference 2024 will be held at United Theological College, Sydney, from 4-6 April under the theme: Indigeneity: Belongings and Subversions. Talanoa Oceania facilitates the gathering of Pasifika peoples from home islands and the diaspora to share, engage, create and reflect theologically. The call for papers closes on 31 December 2023. More information Video Stan Grant at the QLD Synod At the meeting of the Queensland Synod in October, Wiradjuri man and journalist Dr Stan Grant gave the Norman and Mary Millar lecture. Speaking after the referendum on a Voice to Parliament, Stan reflected on the need to move beyond simple media headlines, turning to the deeper things of human life and God's presence in the midst of despair. A recording of the lecture is now available. Watch now Act2 Project National Prayer Gathering Join the Act2 team and Assembly leaders for an online time of prayer and thanksgiving! The Act2 Project is getting ready to turn to a new phase and we want to mark this by giving thanks to God and seeking the leading of the Spirit for the time ahead. Join on Zoom, Thursday 30 November at 8pm AEDT (7:30pm ACDT, 6:30pm ACST, 5pm AWST). Register Study LGBTIQA pastoral care subject Are you seeking a deeper understanding of LGBTQA pastoral care? Join this workshop to gain insights and strategies with leading advocate Jac Tomlins, hosted by the University of Divinity and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. A great further learning or professional development opportunity. 1 December, 9:30am-1pm, in Box Hill (Melbourne). More information

Positions Lecturer in Leadership - Uniting College for Leadership and Theology (SA) Deliver units in leadership and oversee the leadership development of those preparing for Uniting Church ministries. Minister Aitkenvale Uniting Church (Townsville) Located in Australia’s largest tropical city, Aitkenvale congregation is seeking a Minister to lead its congregation in worship, mission and service.  Upcoming Dates 16 November: Act2 Going Deeper session 18-21 November: Vic/Tas Synod meeting 25 November: 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence begins 30 November: Act2 National Prayer Gathering (online) 1 December: Beginning of Advent Check out more dates across the year Join us in prayer for The meeting of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, gathering in Melbourne this weekend. The ministry and mission of Hampton Park Uniting Church. The 12th General Assembly of the Pacific Conference of Churches in Noumea next week. Transgender people, their families and communities as we mark Transgender Day of Remembrance on Monday. May they know they are made in the image of God. Worship resources to mark TDoR are available. Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. What is your Uniting Church story? Email us! Share Tweet Forward