Uniting Church in Australia - Funeral details for Michelle Cook & UAICC statement, President preaches climate justice, Gen Sec reflects, comms hiring & more in National Update

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13-19 November 2024 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story UNITING CHURCH NEWS President's pastoral message and funeral details for Rev Dr Michelle Cook Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli has written again to Uniting Church members following the announcement of funeral details for Rev Dr Michelle Cook, acknowledging the love and support which has poured forth since her tragic death on 2 November. The President writes: "In these days of grief and remembrance for Rev Dr Michelle Cook, General Secretary Andrew Johnson and I have been in continuous prayer, reflecting on the profound expressions of love and solidarity that have come forth across our Uniting Church." "We have witnessed how deeply this community has rallied together, creating spaces for prayer, sharing, and mutual support, and it has been a source of comfort to see members and wider communities holding one another as we mourn." Michelle’s funeral will be held on Thursday 14 November at 10:30am ACST at Nightcliff Uniting Church in Darwin (9am AWST, 11am AEST, 11:30am ACDT, 12pm AEDT). The service will be live-streamed here and public viewings of the funeral have been arranged around the country for people to gather as they mourn and celebrate her life. Find these details here. There are two other ways people can provide support at this time: Donate to the GoFundMe established by Ex-President Rev Sharon Hollis which will go towards funeral costs and support for Michelle's family. Leave a tribute to Michelle on the online condolence board arranged by President Rev Charissa Suli. These messages will later be shared with Michelle's family. Read the message and find all the details UNITING ABORIGINAL AND ISLANDER CHRISTIAN CONGRESS "Michelle loved the UAICC and the UAICC deeply loved Michelle" Rev Mark Kickett, National Chairperson of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, has released a letter of pastoral support upon the passing of Rev Dr Michelle Cook. He writes, "We deeply share your loss of an exceptional woman, who gave so much to the life of the Church, in particular her unwavering support and love for the UAICC and dedication to education, to justice, and to the Covenant." PRESIDENT "Climate justice is a theological imperative" The World Council of Churches (WCC) invited Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli to preach at an ecumenical prayer service held on Monday to mark the beginning of the UN Climate Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The President has generously offered her sermon to be shared, in which she urges "a deep and humble transformation, a turning back to God’s vision for creation." Watch the recording thanks to the WCC. ASSEMBLY LEADERS A loving community in Christ? Assembly General Secretary reflects Assembly General Secretary Andrew Johnson offers the second reflection in a series based on his speech to the 17th Assembly. He reflects on the Uniting Church baptismal promise to live out our baptism "as a loving community in Christ" and what this means for our full embrace of the mess, noise, chaos - and richness - of children and their families. 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. 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.  EVENTS International Peace Conference 2024 President Rev Charissa Suli will be speaking at the 2024 International Peace Conference, being held in Toowoomba this Saturday 16 November on the theme 'From inner peace to world peace: social flourishing through connectedness'. Registration information is here and the event will be live-streamed here. UNITINGWORLD 10 Christmas gifts that don't cost the planet Each year, Christmas fuels a massive surge in global consumption and our planet is paying the price. We buy more, travel more, and produce nearly 30% more waste than at any other time of the year. But there are changes we can make! Check out this great blog from UnitingWorld with ten ideas for spreading love this Christmas without the cost.

Frontier Services Volunteering to change lives Meet Ranford and Julia, Outback Links volunteers who have spent years lending a hand to farmers in remote Australia. Whether fixing sheds or simply lending a listening ear, they remind us any small act of kindness can make a big difference. Interested in volunteering? You don't need special skills - just a willingness to help! See more from Frontier Services. Intergen Intergen Advent resources On the lookout for Advent resources? Check out this wonderful free resource from Intergen which packages together intergenerational liturgies and ideas for the four weeks of Advent and Christmas Day, written by Rev Kath Ruhle in the Synod of Queensland. You might also like this Australian Advent Wreath Liturgy. 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. The vigil will feature a series of reflections including from Usama Nicola who will join live from Bethlehem. Register for the Zoom here. Act for Peace Appeal for the Middle East With the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, hundreds of thousands of innocent people are being forced to flee their homes and are searching for a safe place to belong. Act for Peace is expanding its Gaza appeal to provide vital support to the broader region. Gifts will help provide life-saving emergency help.

In case you missed it... News and story highlights from the last couple of weeks 2024-2025 UCA Lectionary released General Secretary Commissioning - 23 November Intergen November Update Act2 Call for Papers Rev David MacGregor writes on his time on Iona Positions Church Engagement Manager (NSW) - UnitingWorld UnitingWorld is hiring for a Sydney-based role which uniquely combines theological education with fundraising efforts. Pastor - Newtown Mission Working closely with Newtown's Senior Pastor, coordinate leadership training, pastoral care, and small groups across the life of Newtown's various communities. 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 World leaders attending the UN Climate Conference. As we seek nothing less than a transformation of life, may there compassion, understanding and boldness. The Anglican communion upon the announcement of the Archbishop of Canterbury's resignation. We hold front of mind victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and pray for those for whom this decision will raise pain and trauma. Unity and peace in the United States of America in the wake of its national election. Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia 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