Uniting Church in Australia - 🙏National Prayer Gathering coming up, Reflecting on All Saints Day🕯️, #ThisIsMyUnitingChurch Alice Springs & more

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1-7 November 2023 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story Join the Act2 National Prayer Gathering On Thursday 30 November, the Act2 Project team with Assembly leaders will be hosting a national online prayer gathering to give thanks to God and pray for the leading of the Spirit as the Act2 Project closes one phase and moves into another. Since the release of a major report in June this year, the Project has been in the Collective Discernment phase. The Project team has travelled extensively, hearing responses from around the country. Theologians from across the Church have been reflecting deeply. People have brought energy and insights to five National Forums and twelve Focus Groups. On 30 November, this phase of intensive discernment will close and the process will turn to consider the proposals to come before the Assembly meeting in July 2024. As we cross this threshold, we'll gather in real time to pray for each other, our life together and our future. We’ll give thanks for the faithful discernment of the Uniting Church over the past five months and the Spirit’s unending presence with us. We’ll pray for openness to God’s call as we turn more concretely to the path ahead. All are invited and welcome. Join on Zoom, Thursday 30 November at 8pm AEDT (7:30pm ACDT, 6:30pm ACST, 5pm AWST). Register now ALL SAINTS DAY "The love that will outlive us all" Today on 1 November we mark All Saints Day, a precious and spiritual day on the Christian calendar when we remember with love and thanksgiving the saints of God, extraordinary and ordinary, past and present. In this short reflection, Assembly Communications Officer Bethany Broadstock writes about the loved rituals of All Saints Day and the enduring life and love that sustains and binds us. Image: All Saints Day 2022, Wesley Church Melbourne. THIS IS MY UNITING CHURCH Discipleship in the heart of Australia This week in our #ThisIsMyUnitingChurch series we travel to the very heart of Australia where Alice Springs Uniting Church worships on the lands of the Arrernte people, the lands they call Mparntwe. Minister Rev Emily Hayes shares some of the story of this unique congregation which worships in both English and Pitjantjatjara and meets in the John Flynn Memorial Church in the centre of town. Do you know a congregation with a great story to tell? Email us to nominate them! INTERGENERATIONAL Engage Together is here for Advent Kickstart your intergenerational worship planning with the freshly updated Engage Together resource for Advent! Covering the Sundays in December, this five-week resource includes Advent Wreath/Candle lighting litanies, worship service outlines and practical ideas, drawing on the Revised Common Lectionary readings and four Advent themes. Download it now and get inspired to grow the intergenerational connections in your community this Advent and Christmas! HUMANS OF THE UNITING CHURCH Meet Pastor Elissa Inglis This week in our Humans of the Uniting Church series we catch up with Pastor Elissa Inglis who is part of the ministry team at Waypoint Uniting Church in Parafield Gardens, South Australia. In this Q&A she shares some of her story, what enlivens her faith and the one thing she loves telling people about the Uniting Church: "How bright the future is with the emerging leaders that are coming through ... so many people who are passionate about Jesus, the Word of God, and the power of the Spirit." ACT2 PROJECT That's a wrap: Act2 theological culture series The Act2 Project has now published 36 papers, reflections and provocations on the theological culture of the Uniting Church! As this series comes to the end and the Act2 process prepares to turn to a new phase, we want to thank all those who contributed and those who read them each week. We have been inspired and challenged by their honest wrestling with our theology, identity and God's call upon our life. But it's not over yet! Six reflections are new this week, from Rev Dr Sef Carroll, Rev Dr Paul Goh, Rev Dr Cathie Lambert, Rev Dr Rob McFarlane, Rev Dr David Merritt and Dr Wendi Krüger. Enjoy! WORSHIP A lament for our times As many of us continue to process the brokenness revealed by the referendum on a Voice to Parliament, and feel deeply our grief and sorrow at the conflict ravaging parts of our world, we share this lament written by Uniting Church minister Rev Bec Lindsay. These words are shared with permission and may be used personally and in worship settings.

Worship Transforming Spirit launch Transforming Spirit, an exciting new worship album from Uniting Creative in the Synod of NSW/ACT, had its official launch at United Theological College in Sydney on 14 October. A wonderful event full of music, dancing and celebration! In case you missed it, watch this great video of highlight clips from the launch and go here to listen to the album on Spotify and download the songbook. Watch the highlights Around the Uniting Church 37th QLD Synod meeting Queensland's 37th Synod meeting finished last week after five rich days which included the induction of new Moderator Rev Bruce Moore, a powerful and challenging address from Stan Grant and time spent exploring themes of renewal and hope. Scott Guyatt was on the ground reporting on the meeting and brings us this summary. Read the wrap Act2 Project Reflecting back: Focus Groups Over the last few months the Act2 Project has been running a series of twelve Focus Groups, opportunities for ministers and local leaders to respond to the proposed Directions for Uniting Church communities in the latest Act2 report (Section 5). Learn about four key findings from these conversations, thanks to Act2 Administration and Engagement Officer Rev Cyrus Kung. Read now Ecumenism Calling all young people: WMC The 22nd World Methodist Conference (WMC) will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden, from 13-18 August 2024. In hopes of bringing together a diverse and vibrant group of young people, there is a discounted registration rate and financial assistance available for people aged 18-35. Apply for the Youth and Young Adult Scholarship by 15 December. See more

Positions Restaurant Manager - Newlife Church, Robina (QLD) Newlife Church is seeking a highly skilled and dedicated restaurant manager who possesses a proven track record of excellence in the hospitality industry. Manager, Development Projects - Uniting Church Synod of Vic/Tas A senior opportunity for an experienced manager to lead a team providing advice and services to support property development. Upcoming Dates 1 November: All Saints Day 1-3 November: Preachfest! 2023 16-21 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 faithful community of Alice Springs Uniting Church, witnessing to Jesus in the heart of Australia. Our communities as we continue to be inspired by those who have walked the paths of faith before us, all those known, unknown and beloved by us, as we celebrate All Saints Day today. The Uniting Church's theologians of every kind, inspiring and challenging us with deep reflection on our identity and God's call on our life in this time and place. Canada, United States of America as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. What is your Uniting Church story? Email us! Share Tweet Forward Our weekly PowerPoint with stories, resources and prayer points for use in your weekly worship. Click 'enable content' to play video.  Copyright © 2023 Uniting Church in Australia, All rights reserved.