Uniting Church in Australia - Celebrating our climate🍃 stories, come w/ us to Nightcliff UC, spotlight🔦 on the 17th Assembly theme & more in UC National News 10-16 April

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10-16 April 2024 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story CLIMATE A new series of good news stories on climate This week we are excited to launch a new series of good news stories about efforts in the Uniting Church towards climate action and reduced carbon emissions - part of the Assembly's journey to net-Zero emissions by 2040. This series arises from the 16th Assembly resolution in 2022 that committed the Uniting Church to prioritise First Peoples voices and wisdom in our pursuit of climate justice and creation care, and to share stories, expertise and learnings. Each week through April and May we will share a new story featuring local congregations, Indigenous theologians, agencies and Synods. In the first story of the series, listen in on a Zoom conversation between Assembly Policy and Advocacy Officer Raul Sugunananthan and Panninher man Rev Tim Matton-Johnson. Tim shares a First Nations theology of the environment, inviting us into a world where the earth is our first teacher and guide. Watch now THIS IS MY UNITING CHURCH "Nurtured by the Holy Spirit" In this week's This is my Uniting Church we head north to the intergenerational, participatory, creative and inclusive community of Nightcliff Uniting Church on Larrakia land in Darwin. Rev Felicity Amery shares how the congregation values the ancient practices of discernment, hospitality and connectivity, through the peaks and troughs of ministry, their faith life and work for justice. 17TH ASSEMBLY "What are the strands we need to weave and unweave?" It's almost exactly three months until the 17th Assembly gathers in Parramatta, Sydney (11-16 July). Check out this short video from President-elect Rev Charissa Suli as she unpacks the theme for the 17th Assembly and the coming triennium, "Threads of Love: Weaving Christ's Love Across Cultures and Boundaries." In Tongan culture, Charissa says, "the mat is a symbol of hospitality, of generosity, but also a place where we hold the different seasons of our life and death, and conflict, and even moments of birth." SOCIAL JUSTICE Write to your MP about asylum seeker rights In the last sitting days of Parliament in March, the Government attempted to change Australia’s migration laws. Advocates for refugees and asylum seekers have expressed concern because this legislation increases the power of Government to punish asylum seekers living in Australia and prevent asylum seekers coming here from abroad. Submissions to give feedback on the Bill are open until this Friday, April 12 and you can find out how to stand up for refugees and asylum seekers here. SOCIAL JUSTICE Save the Date: UnitingWorld Sunday UnitingWorld Sunday is the opportunity for churches to celebrate the Uniting Church's global church partners and learn about the work they are doing in their local communities. The theme for 2024 is Micah 6:8, 'to do justice and love kindness and walk humbly with your God'. Resources will be available soon including a video sermon and liturgy. UnitingWorld Sunday takes place on 12 May, but your church can celebrate it anytime!

Faith Living in resurrection days 'Jesus’ resurrection is perhaps the ultimate demonstration of renewal.' Scott Guyatt, Project Officer for the Queensland Synod, has penned an encouraging article titled Resurrection Days, as we deepen our understanding of Easter beyond one day or one weekend, into the liturgical season which lasts for 50 days until Pentecost.   Read more from Journey Intergenerational A Messy Science Adventure! Here's a great training for your Messy Church team! Learn from intergenerational ministry experts about how to engage people of all ages in the big questions of faith and science. Taking place in Perth from 3-4 May and Melbourne from 11-12 May, the event includes a keynote speech on the Friday night of each weekend (accessible online), followed by a full Saturday of hands-on exploration. A collaboration of Messy Church Australia, Intergen and eLM in the Synod of Vic/Tas. Register now Frontier Services Welcoming Yanima Bryant Introducing Frontier Services' newest Bush Chaplain, Yanima Bryant, who will lead the West APY Lands Remote Area Ministry. Yanima joined the Irrunytju/Wingellina community in worship for Palm Sunday, conducting several baptisms in a small tank set up for the occasion. It was a beautiful expression of faith and connection. What a wonderful opportunity! Learn more about Yanima here Climate Uniting Climate conference You're invited to the Uniting Climate Conference: Faith in a better future on Saturday 11 May. Organised by the Uniting NSW.ACT advocacy team, the conference will equip and encourage UCA members to take faithful climate action through a range of keynotes and workshops on youth perspectives, solidarity with Pasifika and First Nations communities and how to have positive conversations about climate action. Options are available to attend the conference online. More information

Positions Presbytery Minister (Mission) - Uniting Church WA The Presbytery Minister - Mission will work with the Thrive Mission Committee and Presbytery staff to support and resource congregations and faith communities to engage fully in worship, witness and service. Dean of Formation - Uniting Church QLD (Trinity College) Drive and maintain an innovative and flexible program for the formation of mission-ready ministry candidates and graduates within the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. Upcoming Dates 22 April: Passover (Jewish festival) 25 April: ANZAC Day (resource coming from UCA Defence Force Chaplains) 5 May: Orthodox Easter 12 May: UnitingWorld Sunday Check out more dates across the year Join us in prayer for Rev Dr Michelle Cook, elected Moderator-elect of the Uniting Church Northern Synod over the weekend, and Rev Janet Staines, appointed the Synod's new General Secretary. First Nations elders who generously offer their wisdom as we seek to nurture a more loving relationship with the earth that sustains us. The faithful, inclusive and creative community at Nightcliff Uniting Church and for its minister Rev Felicity Amery. Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. Our weekly PowerPoint with stories, resources and prayer points for use in your weekly worship. What do our commitments to care for creation mean to you? Email us! Share Tweet Forward