Uniting Church in Australia - Celebrating #IWD2024 🚺 , spotlight on Chermside Kedron 🔦, sign up for the President's Easter message & more in UC National News 6-12 March

6-12 March 2024 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY An #IWD Humans of the Uniting Church The leadership of women and the equality of us all, made in the image of God, is in the DNA of the Uniting Church. The Holy Spirit knows no limits of gender in gracing people with gifts and we praise God for the ministry, leadership, service and inspiration of all Uniting Church women. In honour of International Women's Day this Friday 8 March, we spoke to three women across three generations about their journey in the UCA, what enlivens their faith and how we can better empower women in our Church. In these three Q&A's we meet Emelia Haskey, Youth Worker at Brougham Place Uniting Church in South Australia; Alison Xamon, chair of the Presbytery of Western Australia; and Ann Sutton, who has been an Elder at Wesley Uniting Church in Canberra for over forty years. Ann writes, "Today’s Church relies heavily on the work of women, and I would like to see these able people realise they can be involved in the decision making and the up-front running of their Churches." This Friday, you might like to reach out to those women in and beyond the Uniting Church who have encouraged and inspired you. Read the stories THIS IS MY UNITING CHURCH Making disciples at Chermside Kedron In this week's #ThisIsMyUnitingChurch we head north of Brisbane to meet the vibrant, inclusive and intergenerational community at Chermside Kedron Community Church. In this Q&A, Minister Rev Janet Staines shares about the congregation's passion for love and justice, what it means to practice a disciple-making culture and how a partnership with UnitingCare Queensland's Connect 100 program is helping them grow their community outreach. They invite us to pray for them as they seek to live out faith in ways that are "meaningful to us and transformative to our community." PRESIDENT'S EASTER MESSAGE Sign up! President's Easter Message 2024 "It's a grace that cannot be defeated..." The 2024 Easter message from Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis will be available to download by next Wednesday 13 March. Make sure you don't miss it by signing up to receive the link straight to your inbox as soon as it's released. LENT EVENT "A family in all living things" Heading into the fourth week of Lent Event, we pray together with Mikali Anagnostis from Leichhardt Uniting Church in giving thanks for the family of creation and the nourishment of our lives. For the 40 days of Lent, UnitingWorld is sharing daily reflections and weekly prayers and videos from theologians and faith leaders to inspire us to faithful action. In the video for week 4, Rev Tomasi Jale from the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma speaks about disaster resilience in a changing climate. THE WAY UC IT What's your take on life, faith, theology, culture? In case you missed it, The Way UC It is coming soon! We're passing the mic to you in this new series for Uniting Church opinion and comment, inviting diverse perspectives on a range of contemporary issues in our Church and world. What are we seeing around us? What are the issues involved? How can we think theologically about this? What should the Church’s response be? We invite you to share your take in your own words. Read through the guidelines and pitch us your ideas! A reminder that nominations are open for the next President-elect of the Uniting Church in Australia, to be elected at the 17th Assembly in July 2024. Nominations can be made by a Synod, a Presbytery, a regional or national committee of the UAICC, or two members of the 17th Assembly. The Assembly Standing Committee has developed a list of future challenges and opportunities to aid in discernment. Nominations must be received by Friday 12 April 2024. Yalanya – That’s the way it is is a new book celebrating the life of prominent Aboriginal leader and activist Pastor Don Brady. Pastor Brady’s family hosted a book launch at the Queensland State Library on 1 March supported by Wesley Mission Queensland. Having long wanted to tell the story of his life and contributions, Pastor Brady’s children collaborated to write the book recognising his enduring legacy in the struggle for justice and equality for First Nations people.

Palm Sunday rallies Marching for peace and justice On Palm Sunday as Christians remember Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem, treading the path of peace, people from all walks of life will take part in Palm Sunday rallies and actions for peace and justice on Sunday 24 March. In 2024, the call is for permanent protection for refugees and permanent visas. Our story has the details of events confirmed so far, but check back - we'll keep adding to the list as details become available. Do you know of an event not listed here? Email the communications team. Find your nearest rally Around the Uniting Church Baptism Sunday @ Pittwater UC In this great little write up from Insights in the Synod of NSW/ACT, read about the transformational work of the Spirit at Pittwater Uniting Church in NSW where over 100 people attended the congregation's Baptism Sunday at a local lake on 25 February. 10 people were baptised while another 10 reaffirmed their baptism. "God is alive and moving here," said minister Rev Simon Lee. More from Insights Frontier Services Meet Bush Chaplain Sunny "Bush Chaplaincy isn't work for me; it's my life." In South Australia's expansive Parkin-Sturt remote area, encompassing 49 towns and 170 farming stations, Bush Chaplain Sunny Kadaparambil is coming alongside local communities facing significant challenges including isolation, drought and the aftermath of COVID-19. Travelling huge distances and getting his hands dirty along the way, he's letting people know they're not alone. Read about his passion and dedication in the latest edition of Frontier News. Read now Worship New Uniting Creative release "Come to the table as we share in love divine. Here, see the feast prepared with every heart in mind..." If you're looking for a new communion song to teach your congregation, look no further than this beautiful new release from Uniting Creative. 'Bread and Wine' is now available to stream on Spotify and as a free sheet music download. Get the music

Positions Opportunities in the Uniting Church Synod of Queensland Provide missional, pastoral and strategic leadership as Associate General Secretary; lead an innovative mission team as Mission Accompanying Team Leader. Discipleship Pastor - Gerringong Uniting Church Gerringong UC in NSW is seeking an entrepreneur with a missionary heart to disciple people in Christ and engage them in community. For an initial period of two years. Upcoming Dates 8 March: International Women's Day 24 March: Palm Sunday 29 March – 1 April: Easter weekend  Check out more dates across the year Join us in prayer for All women in the Uniting Church ahead of International Women's Day; we thank God for the ways they lead, serve, teach, preach, accompany, encourage, challenge and inspire us all. The diverse, intergenerational and faithful community at Chermside Kedron Community Church. Ireland; United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.