Uniting Church in Australia - "A new lease of life..." #ThisismyUnitingChurch hears from Sheffield UC in National Update 7-13 February

7-13 February 2024 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia  WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this newsletter includes an image of an Indigenous person who has died.

Our Featured Story THIS IS MY UNITING CHURCH A Church in and for the community This week in our This is my Uniting Church series we head to the beautiful Kentish town of Sheffield in Tasmania where the 140-year old Sheffield Uniting Church has stood in the main street since 1882. Having shrunk down to a group of five by 2022, the congregation faced the choice of either closing or radically changing. Change they did, turning outward to their context - a small but busy and prosperous rural town - and opening wide their doors to the community. The Church is now a recognised hub for mission and a community gathering space, used each week by over 100 people who are part of worshipping communities, creative and social groups and the University of the Third Age. In this Q&A, Leoni Reed, one of the leaders in the community writes, "Instead of a church focussing on Sunday worship, it has found a new lease of life, new direction, and new ways of serving, which has caught us by surprise." “Pray for us as we continue and celebrate the role our church plays in our small country town. Just like a mustard seed planted in the ground, small and unseen, God’s kingdom is present here in our community.” Do you know a great Uniting Church community? Nominate them to be featured! Meet Sheffield Uniting Church HUMANS OF THE UNITING CHURCH Meet Judith McKay OAM Next up in our Humans of the Uniting Church series, we meet Judith McKay OAM, who was recently recognised in the 2024 Australia Day Honours List for her work as an historian and museum curator. The daughter of a long-serving patrol padre of the Australian Inland Mission, now Frontier Services, Judith speaks of how she's been inspired by stories of compassion, courage and optimism while documenting collections at John Flynn Place in Queensland and Adelaide House in Alice Springs. ACT2 PROJECT Sign up now: Uniting in Prayer 2024 In case you missed it, Uniting in Prayer is on for the second year in 2024! The national prayer event will take place from 19 May-22 June and draw on the theme for the 17th Assembly, 'Threads of Love'. You'll be able to participate through daily prayers gathered from around the church, prayer and worship gatherings and a national prayer chain. The Act2 team is seeking prayer submissions in a variety of creative styles, so whether you feel inspired to contribute a poem, song, artwork, video or beautiful written prayer, they'd love to hear from you. Use the sign-up form on the Act2 website. FIRST NATIONS LEADER HONOURED Vale Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue We give thanks for the life and legacy of Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE DSG. The proud Yankunytjatjara woman and former Australian of the Year is being remembered as an outstanding and courageous leader who fought tirelessly for justice and equity for First Nations people. Dr O'Donoghue was a member of the Stolen Generation, taken from her mother at two and placed at the Colebrook Children's Home, an institution established by the United Aboriginal Mission in SA. Throughout her life, she defied barriers placed before her, first as a nurse, then in state, national and international affairs. We extend our condolences and prayers to the family and wider community mourning her passing and pray we embolden our efforts toward equity and justice.  Photo: Leanne King LENT RESOURCES Resources to enrich your Lenten worship It is just seven days until Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season. In its latest e-news, MediaCom Education has curated an excellent collection of resources to nurture reflection and faith in your community through Lent, including devotionals, group studies, commentaries, intergenerational activities and theology to inform worship and preaching. You can find other resources for Lent and Easter on the Mediacom website. AROUND THE UNITING CHURCH In Melbourne's outer west, Melton Uniting Church is discovering the power of youth. Five years ago, with a great deal of hard work and vision, the congregation re-imagined its life and mission with a strong focus on families and youth. Emerging from this transformation was Grace Community, home to many South Sudanese members and a vibrant youth group that's helping young people make a positive contribution in their community. Read this great feature from Crosslight.  The Uniting Church has a vision for creating communities where all can enjoy God's abundant life. As more Australians battle hunger and loneliness, here are 3 examples of Uniting Church congregations in WA working toward that vision. A free food program, a community hub and a mobile laundry; the common thread in these stories is a heart for mission, a warm welcome and community connection. Read this great story published by Revive. Photo: Wagin Uniting Church's CommuniTEA hub

Parliament begins Ecumenical prayer service Uniting Church minister Rev Daniel Mossfield preached at the ecumenical service to mark the start of the Parliament year in Canberra. Held at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Forrest, Rev Mossfield delivered a stirring reflection on the call to serve in public life and the common commitment to good. UnitingCare Australia's Director of Policy & Advocacy Fay Mound and Director of Communications & Public Affairs Anna Page joined the service. Follow UnitingCare Current opportunities Join the Assembly comms team If you're a skilled communicator, work well in a close-knit team and would enjoy using your gifts to tell the story of the Uniting Church, this role could be for you! The Assembly is looking for a part time Communications Officer on a temporary basis to join its small and dynamic communications team at an exciting time, in the lead up to the 17th Assembly meeting. Applications close 21 February 2024. Apply now UnitingCare Australia Seeking new Board Chair The UnitingCare Australia Board is seeking expressions of interest for a new Chair on the retirement of its current Chair at the upcoming triennial Assembly meeting (July 2024). This is a key leadership role within the Uniting Church and an exciting opportunity for the right person to lead UnitingCare Australia to achieve its mission and vision. Applications close 16 February 2024. More information Frontier Services New Bush Chaplains map Check out the updated poster of the Frontier Services Bush Chaplains whose ministry spreads wide across the country. It's an amazing snapshot of this unique ministry offered by the Bush Chaplains who travel thousands of kilometres each year to provide both practical and pastoral support to isolated properties and communities. Find out more about how you can support the Bush Chaplains to continue this ministry by donating to Frontier Services. Go to the map Have your say Assembly surveys As 2024 kicks off and planning is underway for the year ahead, the Assembly is inviting your feedback on three different areas of work. Three short surveys are now available for you to share your thoughts on: 1) National Update, the Assembly's weekly e-news, 2) the Assembly Circles of Interest and 3) the 2023 Voice Referendum. Your feedback will help us review our work in these areas and shape our future directions. Give your input UnitingWorld Get set for Lent Event Get inspired and inspire others to come along the Lent Event journey with this introduction video from UnitingWorld. Lent Event is an invitation to 40 days of faithful action for God's creation. In this video, representatives from our church partners share their hopes and vision for a world that provides a safe haven for everyone. Help them in their commitment to combat climate change - sign up to take part.  Watch the video

Positions Resource Worker (Support Coordinator) - Northern Regional Council of Congress The NRCC is calling for an experienced senior leader with knowledge, gifts and insight suitable for the position of Resource Worker. Presbytery Minister - South Moreton Presbytery, QLD Provide executive leadership and work to ensure the health and vitality of ministry agents across an area of Queensland defined by rapid population growth. Upcoming Dates 13 February: Anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations 14 February: Lent begins with Ash Wednesday 1 March: World Day of Prayer 8 March: International Women's Day 29 March – 1 April: Easter weekend  Check out more dates across the year Join us in prayer for The vibrant and outward-facing mission of Sheffield Uniting Church, and for its wider community. All those who will celebrate the Lunar New Year this Saturday. All those mourning the passing of Yankunytjatjara elder Lowitja O'Donoghue, pioneering champion for the rights and wellbeing of First Nations peoples and for recognition. Andorra, Italy, Malta, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Vatican City as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. Our weekly PowerPoint with stories, resources and prayer points for use in your weekly worship. What would you like to see in National Update in 2024? Take our survey! Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2024 Uniting Church in Australia, All rights reserved.