Uniting Church in Australia - The new-look 2024-2025 Uniting Church Lectionary is here to guide you through the Year of Luke. This & more in in UC National News 30 Oct - 5 Nov

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30 October - 5 November 2024 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story RESOURCES The new look 2024-2025 Lectionary is now here. Enjoy preaching in the Year of Luke! The 2024-2025 Uniting Church Lectionary is now available to download from the Assembly, and available to order from Wayzgoose, the new online store for MediaCom and Uniting Church resources. The new-look lectionary features a number of changes - a new poster format, additional liturgical colour coding, new listings for Uniting Church special days and an online list of worship and preaching resources. "The lectionary encourages us to connect the stories of our lives to the story of God’s faithful throughout Scripture," writes Transforming Worship Circle Advocate Matthew Julius. "These texts are not simply offered to focus our sermons, but also to shape our prayers and liturgy and song." In her introduction, President Rev Charissa Suli writes: "The Gospel of Luke invites us into a unique and profoundly compassionate vision of Christ’s ministry—a vision that speaks especially to the lost, the marginalised, and the least among us." "As we journey through this liturgical year, may Luke’s witness inspire us to embody and weave Christ’s love that knows no bounds, welcoming all with the same compassion, justice, and joy that Jesus embodied." Enjoy preaching and worshipping in the Year of Luke! Download it now AROUND THE UNITING CHURCH Open doors and open hearts on Iona For nine weeks this year, Uniting Church minister Rev David MacGregor joined the ecumenical Christian community on the holy island of Iona, Scotland. In this article, David writes about the deep blessings of his time volunteering there, the rich history of the isle, and how God has called him to become a more 'open-doored, open-hearted disciple of Christ' through this 'thin' place. HOLY LAND Prayer Vigil for Peace in the Holy Land With the Holy Land in the continued grip of violence and trauma, the Assembly's Working for Justice Circle will lead an online prayer vigil for peace on Thursday 28 November at 7:30pm AEDT. The vigil will feature a reflection from Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli, reflections from Rev Chris Booth and Rev Dr Helen Richmond, and a special guest joining live from Bethlehem. Register for the Zoom now. HOLY LAND Give to the Act for Peace appeal for Gaza All eyes have been on northern Gaza this week which is in a dire and desperate situation under heavy Israeli bombardment. Its people are experiencing harrowing levels of death and injury and are facing starvation. If you're looking for a way to help, consider giving to the Act For Peace Gaza Emergency Appeal or the Palestinian Christians in Australia accommodation drive. You may like to read the UN Secretary-General's statement this week. Please continue to pray deeply for a just peace in the region. THEOLOGY For all the saints This Friday we mark All Saints Day, a precious and 'thin' day on the Christian calendar when we remember with love and thanksgiving the saints of God, extraordinary and ordinary, past and present, who have belonged to Christ in life and death. You might enjoy this rich reflection from Sue Lodge, a regular blogger and contributor to the Assembly's Transforming Worship Circle Facebook group. FRONTIER SERVICES A job to make a difference Are you ready to make a difference? Frontier Services has an exciting opportunity to join the team as Operations & Administration Coordinator. In this key role, you will ensure the efficient operations of Frontier Services by managing resources, coordinating essential activities and projects, and supporting the Senior Executive Team. Help us advance our mission to serve rural and remote communities across Australia. INTERGENERATIONAL Intergenerational resources for your ministry The November Update from Intergen is here, packed as usual with worship resources, ideas, podcasts and events for your ministry with all generations. The highlight for this month is NEW weekly Advent and Christmas resources. Get a jump on your planning! Please note that National Update will be taking a break next Wednesday 6 November. Your next edition will arrive on Wednesday 13 November. The Assembly Communications team welcomes your stories, ideas and feedback at any time. Contact us here.

Intergenerational Intergenerate Conference InterGenerate is a movement of Christians committed to bringing together all generations of disciples. At the 2025 international InterGenerate Conference, hear from researchers, experts and practioners in children's spiritual formation and intergenerational ministry. Intergenerational Messy Church Conference 2025 Did you know there are around 90 Messy Churches in the Uniting Church? If you want to start, grow or develop your Messy Church, next year's international conference is a great opportunity to share with others, learn from practitioners and experts and be inspired for your own messy ministry. Events 'Drawing life from the water' Rev Dr Seforosa Carroll and Naomi Wolfe will anchor this year's Janette Gray RSM Lecture, held each year in honour of the Australian Sister of Mercy and feminist theologian. A panel discussion of women's voices will explore transformative mission work. Assembly Leadership RSVP for Commissioning Andrew Johnson will be commissioned as Assembly General Secretary on 23 November at Gungahlin Uniting Church in Canberra. It will also be live-streamed. All are invited and welcome to celebrate and support Andrew as he takes up this senior leadership role. More information, Zoom link and RSVP here.

In case you missed it... News and story highlights from the last couple of weeks 'Not on the Titanic': A reflection from the General Secretary The President reflects on attending a parliamentary reception in honour of the King and Queen Act2 Project calls for papers on mission, evangelism, discipleship Call for EoIs – Assembly legal and finance bodies Positions Chaplain - Moreton Bay College (Synod of QLD) Moreton Bay College is seeking to appoint a Chaplain with experience in teaching Religious Education to help promote the Christian character and ethos of the College. Church planting roles - UC Synod of NSW-ACT New church planting roles are now available in the Synod for those committed to Christian mission, community and innovative approaches to ministry. Upcoming Dates 1 November: All Saints Day 24 November: Christ the King Sunday 25 November: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 28 November: Assembly Prayer Vigil for Peace 1 December: beginning of Advent Check out the 2024 Assembly Calendar more dates across the year Join us in prayer for The people of northern Gaza. May leaders heed international law and calls for an immediate ceasefire to preserve the sanctity of human life and allow humanitarian aid to enter the region. Our communities as we continue to be inspired by those who have walked the paths of faith before us, all those known, unknown and beloved by us, as we celebrate All Saints Day. The family of Nikkita Azzopardi, the 71st woman to be murdered in Australia this year. May our leaders recognise the urgent need for change to secure the safety of Australian women and all family violence victims and survivors. Canada, The United States of America as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle. Do you or your community have a great story to share as you live out God's mission where you are? Let us know! Email us! Facebook X Instagram Website Email