Uniting Church in Australia - 'Hope is here. Hope is alive. And it's up to us to share it.' 🌟💝🎄 President's 2024 Christmas Message out now!

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11-17 December 2024 National Update Your weekly snapshot of the Uniting Church in Australia

Our Featured Story PRESIDENT'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE "Hope is here. Hope is alive." President's Christmas Message out now The Christmas message from President of the Uniting Church in Australia Rev Charissa Suli is now available to download and share! In her first Christmas message as President, Rev Suli reflects on how the good news of this season surprises us with unexpected hope. “At Christmas we remember the birth of Jesus, the birth of hope itself,” says the President. “Jesus, the Son of God, was born not in a palace but in a stable – God entering our world in humility and vulnerability. Through this child, God chose to come among us, bringing love and light into the darkness.” The President speaks of the heavy burdens many of us carry at this time, weighed down by grief, fatigue and a world in conflict. “It can feel like hope is not enough.” “But the Christmas story speaks to these very struggles. Just like hope was born into poverty on that first Christmas, so is hope born into our broken world.” Watch and Download ADVENT SERIES Expanding our minds, expanding our hope As part of the 2024 Assembly Advent series, set against the background of war in the Middle East, we share two new reflections to expand our minds and our hope in this season. Old Testament lecturer Dr Rachel Krohn reflects on 'Israel' in biblical history, while Hope Uniting Church minister Rev Hee Won Chang offers Advent's invitation to 'wait in holy mess'. Read all contributions here. ADVENT SERIES An Advent Visio Divina As part of the 2024 Assembly Advent series, we invite you into this Visio Divina, an ancient form of Christian prayer in which we allow our hearts and imaginations to engage sacred image. We share works from three talented artists which might speak to us about the juxtapositions and paradoxes of this season, waiting amid the chaos. Pictured L-R: artworks by Rev Dr Doug Purnell, Rev Dr Rod Pattenden, Dianne Minnaar. ACT2 PROJECT An update on Act2 in 50 seconds Assembly General Secretary Andrew Johnson gives this video update on where the Act2 Project is heading now following the decisions of the 17th Assembly. As the Assembly prepares to set up two new national Commissions, there are two opportunities to get involved: express interest in joining one of the Commissions yourself, or give feedback on their Terms of Reference. Watch on our Facebook page. NATIONAL HISTORY SOCIETY National History Society National Conference 2025: Call for Papers The Uniting Church National History Society will hold its next National Conference from 3-5 October 2025. The Society is calling for 20-minute papers addressing the conference theme, 'The Church as a Prophetic Voice in Australian Society - Past, Present and Future.' Papers may cover the period of the Uniting Church's life so far (1977-2025) and can also explore the history of its founding denominations or other denominations. NATIONAL CONFERENCES Partners in Christ with the Chinese National Conference At the invitation of President Rev Charissa Suli, representatives of the Chinese National Conference (CNC) came together in late November for the first time since March 2019. Acting Secretary of the CNC Rev Dr Ji Zhang offers this reflection from the gathering. PASTORAL STATEMENT Pastoral Statement on South Korea President Rev Charissa Suli released a Pastoral Statement and prayer after a declaration of martial law last week plunged South Korea into chaos and prompted shock, anger and protests. Martial law has since been lifted but civil and political unrest remains. FRONTIER SERVICES "Our Bush Chaplain is this angel" "Our Bush Chaplain is this angel willing to help our little community and our school in any way they possibly can," says School Principal Renae. Renae moves mountains to ensure her students have the learning support they need, but it’s those unforgettable experiences, like school camps, that can often be out of reach. This year, she was determined to make the school camp happen for Noah and his classmates.

Around the Uniting Church New edition of Revive out now The summer edition of Revive from the Synod of Western Australia is out now, bringing you a selection of stories from across the Synod and a fresh perspective on faith, church and life. Working for Justice Prayer Vigil Recording With the Holy Land in another year of agony, the Assembly Working for Justice Circle held an online prayer vigil in November with reflections, song, silence and lament. Watch the recording now. Assembly roles Assembly communications role The Assembly Communications Unit is seeking a skilled communicator for a new communications role, leading on content creation and curation across the Assembly's platforms. Australian Community Support after synagogue fire President Rev Charissa Suli expressed support for and solidarity with the Australian Jewish community following an arson attack on one of Melbourne's most active synagogues on Tuesday.

In case you missed it... News and story highlights from the last couple of weeks Day of Mourning 2025 Assembly Standing Committee meets in Canberra National Net Zero roundtable in February 2025 Positions Executive Administrator - UnitingCare Australia Play a key role supporting and providing secretarial support to the Executive Team of UnitingCare Australia. Business and Operations Manager - Newtown Mission Provides financial/business support and strategic advice to the Senior Minister and Church Council of Newtown Mission. Upcoming Dates 1-24 December: Advent 18 December: final National Update for 2024 24 December: Assembly Office Closes (from 2pm) 25 December: Christmas Day (President's Christmas message) 6 January: Assembly Office Reopens 19 January: UCA Day of Mourning 24 January: National Day of Mourning Event - Brisbane CBD 5 February: first full National Update for 2025 Check out the 2024 Assembly Calendar more dates across the year Join us in prayer for Christian communities as we continue the Advent journey. As we celebrate God's joy this week, may we know that hope is being born for us. The Uniting Church Chinese National Conference and its communities which are following Christ boldly, growing in faith and forming the next generation of disciples. The people of South Korea in continuing civil and political unrest, and for the Korean community in the Uniting Church. Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam 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