Uniting Church in Australia - Assembly Advent series ⭐ Sign up for 2025 #DayofMourning, Net Zero roundtable, Advent resources & more in UC National News 20 - 26 November

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20-26 November 2024 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story ADVENT Expanding our language, hearts and minds this Advent season This Advent, the Uniting Church Assembly will be sharing a series of reflections under the theme, Expanding Advent. The series has been prepared in recognition that we are living in a time of acute crisis in the Holy Land, the very lands of Jesus' birth. Some communities and worship leaders may be wrestling with the language, themes and ideas of the Advent season in light of the present war in Palestine, Israel and the Middle East. Over the next five weeks the Assembly will offer a range of resources including reflections, art and vigil to enrich our journey through this season of the church. In his introduction to the series, a reflection on Advent waiting, Transforming Worship Circle Advocate Matt Julius writes: "Advent invites us into a season of deep waiting, of yearning for Jesus the Prince of Peace to come near to us." "The invitation to Advent, in a time of personal and global crisis, is to sit in the waiting. The invitation is to name the hard truths we carry. The invitation is to move slowly through the prayers and songs at this time which call for ransom, release, and freedom." The offerings will be available here each week and you can read the first one now, Expanding our Language, which explores some of the biblical context and offers a range of resources to consider the language we use in this season. Read now DAY OF MOURNING Sign up for the 2025 Day of Mourning resource In the spirit of truth-telling, covenant and walking together as First and Second Peoples, your community is invited to mark the Uniting Church Day of Mourning on Sunday 19 January 2025. The UCA has marked a Day of Mourning since 2019, and we are delighted that the 2025 Day of Mourning resource is being developed by Muth arrak, the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress in Queensland. It will be available to download in mid-December and you can sign up now to receive it to your inbox. EVENTS Save the date! You're invited to the Assembly's second national Net Zero roundtable Calling all climate champions across the Uniting Church! You're invited to be part of the Assembly's second online national Net-Zero roundtable on 26 February 2025. This exciting national gathering will bring together and catalyse climate champions in all parts of the Church as we move toward climate justice and Net Zero Emissions by 2040.  ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS Advent and Christmas resources It's hard to believe that Advent is less than two weeks away. Whether your preparation is just beginning or already well underway, we’ve gathered a range of links to resource your worship planning and help you mark this season with your community and family. We've got resources from the Assembly, the Synod of Queensland, With Love to the World, Intergen, Common Grace and more. POSITION Calling compelling communicators The Uniting Church Assembly is recruiting for a new role, Communications and Content Coordinator. In this position you'll find creative and engaging ways to share the national story of the faith, mission and ministry of one of Australia's largest churches. You'll be curating and writing stories, delivering a national newsletter and working across social platforms. With hybrid/remote working arrangements on offer, this is a great opportunity. ECUMENISM Opportunities at the World Communion of Reformed Churches General Council 2025 The 27th General Council of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, of which the UCA is a member, will take place in Thailand in October 2025. The WCRC is calling for applications from people aged 18-30 for the role of Steward, with applications closing on 31 January 2025. Applications are also open for people under the age of 35 to join the Global Institute of Theology which takes place immediately prior to the General Council. These applications close on 1 December 2024. EVENTS General Secretary Commissioning Here is your final opportunity to RSVP for the Commissioning of Andrew Johnson as Assembly General Secretary, which will take place this Saturday 23 November at Gungahlin Uniting Church in Canberra. It will also be live-streamed. All are invited to celebrate and support Andrew whether in person or online as he takes up this significant senior leadership role.

Watch Rev Dr Michelle Cook funeral The Service of Thanksgiving for the late Rev Dr Michelle Cook was held at Nightcliff Uniting Church last Thursday 14 November and was watched by hundreds around the country. You can watch the recording of the service now. Frontier Services Noah's bright spirit Seven-year-old Noah lives with a degenerative disorder, and it had looked like he would miss out on an opportunity that comes as a matter of course for his city peers. Thanks to supporters like you, Noah and his school of seven children were able to go on their very first school camp. Read about your support that makes stories like Noah's possible. Holy Land Prayer Vigil for the Holy Land The Assembly's Working for Justice Circle will host an online prayer vigil on Thursday 28 November, inviting the church to song, silence, love and lament as we move into another Advent. Register for the Zoom here. With Love to the World New Advent edition The newest edition of Uniting Church devotional With Love to the World is now available on the app, covering the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Head to the website to download the app or order hard copies. The cover for this new issue is an icon written by Rev Dr Peter Blackwood who teaches in Melbourne's UCA Icon School.

In case you missed it... News and story highlights from the last couple of weeks 2024-2025 UCA Lectionary released General Secretary reflects: A loving community in Christ? President's sermon for prayer service ahead of COP29 Positions Library Officer (Data and Communications) - Dalton McCaughey Library Provide frontline library information services including circulation, general reference assistance, and academic support. Children's Ministry Worker - Newtown Mission Resource Newtown Mission in renewing a children’s ministry with a focus on relationship and play, and often with families facing financial and social stress. Upcoming Dates 24 November: Reign of Christ 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 Assembly Standing Committee, meeting in Canberra this weekend. Uniting Church leaders and communities preparing for Advent and to re-tell our ancient story of faith in new contexts. Those marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which begins on Monday, as we advocate for a world beyond violence. East Timor (Timor Leste), Indonesia, Philippines 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