Uniting Church in Australia - Enough is enough on gender-based violence🚫, sign up for UCA Anniversary message, meet Rev Ken Devereux & more in UC National News 1-7 May

1-7 May 2024 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE Enough is enough. Women deserve better With people all across the country our hearts cry out in grief, heartbreak and anger at the violent deaths of almost 30 women in Australia this year. The death of a sixth woman in the month of April alone triggered nationwide protests over the weekend and into this week, with tens of thousands turning out to say enough is enough; women deserve a safer world. We echo their calls for urgent action on this crisis and join them in their longings for change. The Uniting Church believes that gender-based violence is against the will of God and diminishes us all. Women deserve to live free from violence, fear and control. They deserve to flourish in homes and communities of safety, equality and mutual respect. Beyond Violence is the Assembly's key resource on domestic and family violence, guided by a resolution of the 15th Assembly in 2018. It seeks to empower the Uniting Church to reflect theologically, understand the UCA's commitments, pray and respond. We encourage you to take up this resource in the coming weeks to begin conversations in your community, and to pray together for a safer world where we can recognise each other's fullest humanity and all can flourish. Image: via the What Were you Wearing Facebook Page Read more HUMANS OF THE UNITING CHURCH "May compassion lead us closer to God's new creation" In this week's Humans of the Uniting Church, we catch up with solar advocate Rev Ken Devereux. He shares about his passion for ecotheology and experiences as a Minister of the Word, hospital chaplain and teacher in Western Australia. Ken shares about those encounters which have deepened his faith and commitment to discipleship and solidarity. TOWARDS ZERO Striving for sustainability at Aitken College Aitken College is striving Towards Zero by making sustainability a priority across school life. In week 4 of our good news stories about climate action in the church, the school's Principal, Chaplain and Sustainability Coordinator share how the college has become an oasis of creation care among Melbourne's growing outer suburbs. WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY Week of Prayer for Christian Unity resources Christian churches in Australia will mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from 12-19 May. The theme has been chosen by a working group from Burkina Faso, “You shall love the Lord your God ...and your neighbour as yourself..." (Luke 10:27). The National Council of Churches in Australia has released resources including material for promotion, a full worship service and eight daily reflections. Image: WPCU feature image, 'Good Samaritan in Tibet' © by artist Frank Wesley UNITING CHURCH ANNIVERSARY Sign up: President's Anniversary message On 22 June this year, the Uniting Church in Australia will celebrate 47 years since Union. A video message from President Rev Sharon Hollis will be available later in May for congregations and communities to mark the anniversary, as well as some liturgical resources inspired by the message. Sign up now to receive the message straight to your inbox as soon as it's available. FAITH FORMATION Regos open for School of Discipleship 2024 The School of Discipleship (SoD) is back for 2024, taking place from 5-7 July at the Uniting Church Centre for Ministry in Sydney. Open to all, SoD is a radical discipleship conference which has run since 2004, bringing together challenging input, deep Bible engagement, study, prayer, community and worship. This year the keynote will be given by theologian and scholar Grace Ji-Sun Kim. More information and registration here and follow the Facebook event. JUSTICE New video supports global nuclear ban treaty Leaders from across the political spectrum have renewed their commitment to work together to see Australia sign and ratify the global nuclear weapons ban treaty. A new video from the Parliamentary Friends of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) has been welcomed by ICAN Australia, who are calling on supporters to email the video to their MP to build further support. Learn more about Australia's engagement with the treaty in a new report from ICAN, 'History is Calling'. New Revive out now The April edition of quarterly magazine Revive is out now from the Synod of Western Australia! This is a feast of excellent reads, including profiles of newly ordained ministers in the Synod, a feature on the upcoming 30th Anniversary of the Covenant, a reflection on the recent 'Raising our Tribal Voices for Justice' conference, a prayer for World Environment Day and much more. Amy Jill Levine to visit Australia Renowned Jewish scholar of the New Testament Dr Amy Jill Levine will visit Australia from 6-14 May. A feminist biblical scholar who has written prolifically on the gospels, the women of the New Testament and the Jewish context of Jesus, she will be speaking at public events in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, and will give an online lecture. Information and registration here.

Events New BoU volume launch tonight This evening Pilgrim Theological College in the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania launched a new, long-awaited collection of papers on the present and future of the Basis of Union. Inspired by a 2022 online conference marking the 50th anniversary of the Basis, the collection is edited by Rev Dr Geoff Thompson and Rev Dr Ji Zhang with contributors from across the country. See photos of the event here. See photos Ecumenism Asia Sunday 2024 On Sunday 12 May, member churches and ecumenical partners of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) will mark Asia Sunday which unites Christians across Asia in prayer and reflection each year on the Sunday before Pentecost. In 2024 Asia Sunday has a focus on Myanmar which has endured brutality, repression and suffering since a military coup in 2021. The CCA has released a full order of service for use in marking the day. Download the resource Events Pacific Day of Prayer This Friday 3 May is the 2024 Pacific Day of Prayer, organised each year by the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC). This year's worship liturgy has been prepared by the Etaretia Porotetani Maohi Protestant Church in French Polynesia/Tahiti. As a member church of the PCC, Uniting Church communities are invited to join in prayer with our siblings in Christ in the Pacific. Download the liturgy Frontier Services Frontier News out now Dive into the May edition of Frontier News as it celebrates National Reconciliation Week and National Volunteer Week! Meet two first-time volunteers, discover the extraordinary work of Bush Chaplains Lindsay, David and Benj, and get an update on the construction of the church in Oodnadatta which is offering hope and connection. Join Frontier Services in reflecting on the power of unity in fostering connection and healing. Download now

Positions Lead Minister - The Gap Uniting Church (QLD) The Gap UC in Brisbane is seeking its new minister to lead the congregation in worship, mission and pastoral care, and oversee a small team of Pastors. Operations Coordinator - Warrnambool UC (regional Vic) The Operations Coordinator role represents an exciting opportunity to enable a dynamic, progressive church to achieve its mission in the community. Upcoming Dates 3 May: Pacific Day of Prayer 5 May: Orthodox Easter/Pascha 11 May: UCAN Climate Conference 12 May: UnitingWorld Sunday 12 May: Mother's Day 12-19 May: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Check out more dates across the year Join us in prayer for Those impacted by the devastating crisis of violence against women, and all those calling for change. May women everywhere know safety, support and equality. Our siblings in Christ in the Orthodox churches celebrating Easter this weekend. Christ is risen! Those at Aitken College working for a more sustainable world. All those in the Tongan community and beyond mourning the passing of Rev Siupeli Taliai. Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. Our weekly PowerPoint with stories, resources and prayer points for use in your weekly worship. Do you know a Uniting Church community with a great story to share? Nominate them to be featured! Email us! Share Tweet Forward