The Body of Christ is made of many parts, and people experience their understanding of God in many different ways. On this blog, we'll consider the beliefs and activities of congregations, denominations and different religions.
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Uniting Church in Australia - đŸ“£Announcing the 17th Assembly Cato Lecturer, renowned theologian Grace Ji-Sun Kim. Read our interview with Grace in National Update 20-26 March
20-26 March 2024
National Update
Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia
The Assembly is delighted to announce that Grace Ji-Sun Kim will give the Cato Lecture at the 17th Assembly in July. A Korean American theologian and ordained minister within the Presbyterian Church (USA), Grace is a world-renowned scholar in intercultural, feminist and post-colonial theology.
Grace told the Assembly this week she was thrilled to be invited to present the Cato Lecture and reflect on the 17th Assembly theme, Threads of Love, in conversation with the themes in several of her 22 published books.
“I think the theme really speaks to our time right now. As Christians we speak about love all the time, but we don’t really act on it. The Church really needs to grow in love and what it means to love one another. Even in our own contexts we are afraid of those who are different from us."
"The theme of love and binding, it’s good for us to think about for these three years and beyond.”
The Cato Lecture is a key feature of the triennial Assembly and is a public event. Details for the Cato Lecture and how to attend or access the livestream will soon be available on the 17th Assembly website.
This Sunday 24 March, as Christians remember Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem, rallies and actions all over the country will call for peace and justice for refugees in a Palm Sunday tradition going back to the 1970s. In 2024, the call is for permanent protection for refugees and permanent visas. Check out our story for details of events confirmed so far, and for a Palm Sunday prayer written by Mark Brisbane in the Synod of Western Australia. Do you know of an event not listed here? Email us.
Manningham Uniting Church in Melbourne's eastern suburbs runs one of the VicTas Synod's most thriving playgroup ministries, with families gathering for play and connection on five days of the week. An incredible outreach to a neighbourhood of young families, each playgroup is full and the waiting list grows. In our latest Humans of the Uniting Church profile, meet Chris Bairstow who is the co-ordinator of this amazing ministry. If you're local, you can connect with the Manningham playgroup here.
In case you missed it, the President's Easter Message is now available! Rev Sharon Hollis powerfully reflects on "a grace that cannot be defeated" which is witnessed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and lived out through the church today in the work of love and justice. Download the video message from Vimeo or watch via our website, alongside Easter Messages from the Uniting Church Moderators.
Heading into the sixth week of Lent Event, we pray together with Rev Linda Driver from Brougham Place Uniting Church that we will be thankful for God's creation and learn deeply from First Peoples about how to steward it well. In the video for this week, Rev Dr Eteuati Sili Leuo Tuioti from the Methodist Church of Samoa calls upon each of us within the Australian church to stand up for our siblings in the Pacific.
If you're looking for intergenerational Easter resources, check out the newest update from Intergen with a range of materials and ideas. Chris Barnett is an expert in ministry with children and families who has previously worked with the Vic/Tas Synod and the National Assembly. He is now the Executive General Manager of Intergen. We thank Chris and Intergen for curating this list. This resource for Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday is a highlight.
Uniting Church minister and Advocate for the Assembly Working for Justice Circle Rev Alex Sangster was among those who joined the Ceasefire Pilgrimage in Melbourne on Ash Wednesday, walking the length of the Gaza Strip in prayerful solidarity with the thousands of refugees displaced by the war. Alex writes about the experience in this lovely read originally published by The Age. With three Australian pilgrimages yet to take place, find out how to take part.
Frontier Services has launched its Autumn Appeal, fundraising in support of people like Wayne, Betty and Monty in Manna Hill, South Australia - a town with just six residents! For years they've faced overwhelming challenges from health struggles to isolation. But with the help of Frontier Services' Bush Chaplains and Outback Links volunteers, their lives are changing. Join Frontier Services in making a difference in rural and remote Australia and donate today.
Mercy Aiken is the co-author of a new biography of Bishara Awad, a Palestinian Christian and the founder of Bethlehem Bible College. Mercy will be touring in April, for speaker events in Sydney (7-8 April), Canberra (11-12 April), Adelaide (14-15 April) and Melbourne (18-21 April). This biography is described as 'a Palestinian story of hope and resilience in Bethlehem'.
Are you connected to the Assembly on social media? Our feeds are packed full with news from and about the national Church, prayers, photos, celebrations of Uniting Church congregations and members, shares from around the country, stories about the faith and life of our Church, events and opportunities, our weekly e-news and more. We would love to connect with you and your community online. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
With the launch of Dr Bede Harris' new book, Indigenous People and Constitutional Reform in Australia: Beyond Mere Recognition, a panel discussion is being hosted by The Chapel at Charles Sturt University, on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country in Canberra. This conversation will explore 'a post liberal approach that focuses on love, family, faith and communion'.
UnitingWorld, the Uniting Church's agency for church partnerships and international aid, is seeking applications for two communications and fundraising roles: Fundraising Coordinator, and Coordinator - Donor Relations (based in Victoria). More information here.
Positions with the Christian Conference of Asia
The Christian Conference of Asia seeks applications for two Coordinator roles: Communications Coordinator and Coordinator for ATCHAA (Action Together to Combat HIV and AIDS in Asia); and for a Youth Programme Intern.
Upcoming Dates
24 March: Palm Sunday 29 March – 1 April: Easter weekend 4-6 April: Talanoa Oceania Conference 25 April: ANZAC Day
Palm Sunday services around the world as we enter Holy Week, that we would stand in solidarity together and act for peace and justice.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21 March) and Harmony Week (21-27 March), for an end to racism, our churches to be places where all are truly welcome and for repentance as individuals and institutions.
Close the Gap Day (21 March), lamenting the health and life expectancy disadvantages experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and for urgent and restorative justice.
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