Uniting Church in Australia - Save the date: Celebrating 30 years of the UCA-UAICC Covenant ❤️💛🖤 Sign up for resources & read more in National Update 8-14 May

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8-14 May 2024 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story LIVING THE COVENANT Save the Date for the 30th Anniversary of the Covenant Almost three decades ago the Uniting Church in Australia and Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress made a historic covenant under God. Captured in a Covenanting Statement which was formally signed at the 7th Assembly in 1994, the Covenant followed years of discernment by visionary First Nations leaders within the Uniting Church. Acknowledging the pain of the past, it committed us to a new relationship where we would seek a more just and reconciled future together. On 10 July 2024 we will celebrate 30 years of the Covenant. In the same month we will also mark 15 years of the revised Preamble to the Uniting Church Constitution (12th Assembly, 15-21 July 2009). Both dates will fall in NAIDOC Week. The Assembly will soon release resources to equip Uniting Church communities to celebrate these anniversaries in worship and reflect on their ongoing meaning. You can sign up to receive these resources as soon as they're available. We encourage you to save the date in your church calendars as we prepare for what we pray will be a significant opportunity for the Uniting Church to grow in friendship with Australia's First Peoples, remember our history and recommit to walking together. Read more and sign up for resources ADVOCACY Religious Discrimination back on the agenda The debate about Australian religious discrimination laws is expected to re-emerge again this year. As a tool for Uniting Church members who may be seeking to engage in this issue locally, this explainer looks at where it's up to and the Uniting Church's position and engagement so far. President Rev Sharon Hollis has also released a Pastoral Statement calling Uniting Church members to care for each other and for those who may be feeling vulnerable ahead of a renewed debate. GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE A new series on gender-based violence As anger and heartbreak continues to rise in Australia over the epidemic of violence against women, with thousands protesting in recent weeks, the Assembly will be bringing you a new weekly series of reflections. In this first reflection, President Rev Sharon Hollis writes about the kind of Christian communities we ought to build to prevent and end violence and abuse. Rev Hollis was among almost 300 women who signed an open letter last week calling on the Prime Minister to boost the Jobseeker rate to provide economic security for women leaving violent situations. LAND, SKY AND WATERS HEARINGS VicTas Moderator appears at Yoorrook Justice Commission Last week, Rev David Fotheringham, Moderator of the Vic/Tas Synod appeared at the Yoorrook Justice Commission. Yoorrook is Victoria's truth-telling commission establishing a record of the historical and ongoing injustice experienced by First Nations people as a result of colonisation. You can go here to watch last Wednesday's Land, Sky and Waters Hearing or download a transcript of the church leaders' panel. TOWARDS ZERO Good news from Good Sammy Good Sammy Enterprises has been providing employment to Western Australians with disabilities since 1958. In week 5 of our Towards Zero series of good news stories about climate action in the church, we learn how this agency of the Uniting Church is contributing towards creating a circular economy and encouraging the wider community towards sustainable practices through recycling and transitioning to electric vehicles. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Christian churches in Australia will begin the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity this Sunday 12 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 a suite of resources including a full worship service and eight daily reflections. Image: Good Samaritan in Tibet © Frank Wesley 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.

UnitingCare Escaping Violence payment UnitingCare has welcomed the Australian Government's $925 million investment announced last week to establish the Escaping Violence Payment as a permanent program. Uniting Vic.Tas is the lead agency delivering this program, along with eight other UnitingCare Network consortium organisations across Australia. During the two-year trial, the program has supported 60,000 individuals to find safety from violence and begin the journey of recovery. People can access the payment here. Read more Resources World Environment Day 2024 Wednesday 5 June marks World Environment Day 2024. The Synod of Victoria and Tasmania has released a resource based on this year's theme: Journey to a greener future and land restoration, desertification and drought resistance. The resource contains prayers, activities, opportunities for further action and more, to assist individuals and communities to delve deeper into ecotheology and creation care. You can mark the day in worship on 2 or 9 June. Download the resource UnitingWorld UnitingWorld Sunday Hosting a UnitingWorld Sunday service is a chance to hear the wisdom of the Uniting Church's overseas church partners, learn more about our work together and how each of us can make a difference. Worship and liturgical resources are now available, including a video sermon from Rev Dr Mery Kolimon, a theologian in the Christian Evangelical Church in Timor, preaching on Micah 6:8 and calling on the church to work together to address shared challenges like climate change. Sign up now Frontier Services Bringing Cobargo together Frontier Services recently visited Cobargo, NSW to brighten up the local Community Garden, a facility designed to bring people together and share knowledge. Hear from Brian, who has lived in Cobargo for almost all his life. In that time the community has overcome incredible challenges and demonstrate tremendous strength. Brian has also seen the difference Frontier Services' Outback Links volunteers make in uplifting spirits and keeping things going. Read more

Positions Executive Assistant Administration (VicTas Synod) The role reports directly to an Executive Officer responsible for the delivery of a wide range of business services in the Uniting Church Synod of Vic/Tas. Administration Officer - Brooklyn Park, Adelaide (SA) The Administration Officer (MLD) will support the activities of the Mission & Leadership Development Ministry centre, including Uniting College for Leadership & Theology (UCLT).  Upcoming Dates 11 May: UCAN Climate Conference 12 May: UnitingWorld Sunday 12 May: Mother's Day 12-19 May: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 19 May: Pentecost Check out more dates across the year Join us in prayer for The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and the Uniting Church as we prepare to celebrate the significant anniversaries of the Covenant and the Preamble. Mothers Day, giving thanks for the mothers and mother-figures who guide us in faith and love, and for comfort for everyone for whom this is a difficult day. Christian churches during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. May God's peace make us one. Those at Good Sammy working for a more sustainable world. Pakistan, Sri Lanka 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