Reconvened 16th Assembly - Day 1

Reconvened 16th Assembly kicks off The 16th Assembly has officially reconvened on Gubbi Gubbi Country on the Sunshine Coast. Around 200 members from around the country have come together to continue the business of the triennial meeting which first met online in July last year. The meeting began with a Welcome to Country from the Gubbi Gubbi Dance Troupe who shared a number of traditional songs and dance from their Country. Members then shared in worship led by Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis which included a historic renewal of the covenant between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. In gesture of deep humility, those Second Peoples who participated in the worship and all who were watching online, were invited to kneel for an Act of Confession, and read the words, “We pray that our commitment to this covenant will be renewed and enlivened. Kindle in us a flame for justice and equity in these lands known as Australia, and remind us to work in solidarity, shoulder to shoulder, with our First Nations siblings." During worship, Bible readings were shared from Ezekiel (36:22-28) and Genesis (1:1 – 2:3). Prayers were shared in Fijian, Dinka, Korean, Tongan and English. The worship included joyful song and dance led by liturgist Megan Laurie-Thomson.  The night closed with blessing from the President and sung blessing for one another. Members were encouraged to continue to dwell in the love of Christ as the reconvened meeting begins. Renewing the Covenant Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis led a liturgy of renewal together with UAICC National Interim Chairperson Rev Mark Kickett during the worship at the commencement of the reconvened 16th Assembly. It was a time of both a celebration of this important commitment and a time of confession for the ways we have not honoured or lived up to the vision of the Covenant. Youthful delegates gather ahead of meeting Twenty youthful members of the 16th Assembly have gathered today ahead of the beginning of the reconvened meeting, building community and sharing hopes for the meeting. The final session was joined by President Rev Sharon Hollis and Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer, who fielded questions about the process and shared their own hopes for the meeting.  Join us in prayer for The Covenant shared between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. We pray that as Second Peoples we choose love and justice over racism and fear.  Day 2 of the reconvened 16th Assembly as members regather from across the country to discern the will of God and listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Are you at the Assembly meeting and have a great story to tell? Email Us

Copyright © 2022 Uniting Church in Australia, All rights reserved. We're sending you weekly updates because you opted into news from the Uniting Church in Australia. Our mailing address is: Uniting Church in Australia Lvl 4 262 Pitt St Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia

UC National News 24-30 Nov - Ambassadors for a world without violence, an invitation to Transforming Worship, ASC Update and more

Ambassadors for a world without gender-based violence Uniting Church in Australia President Rev Sharon Hollis and Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer are the newest ambassadors for the global Thursdays in Black movement. As we begin the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence tomorrow, the President and General Secretary reaffirmed the Uniting Church's commitment to the equality of all people and our firm stand against all forms of violence.  In a video interview, Ms Geyer and Rev Hollis reflect on how dressing in black each Thursday is a powerful weekly reminder that we must continue the work against gender-based violence. "We can’t look away and say this isn’t happening. We have to use our voices and every means we can to make a difference," said Ms Geyer. "A world without gender-based violence is good work, it’s hard work and it’s holy work. It is a privilege to do this work together and it’s so important,” said Rev Hollis. An invitation to Transforming Worship This week we hear from the Advocate for the Assembly's Transforming Worship Circle. Rev Alex Sangster invites you, whoever and wherever you are, and whatever you are wrestling with, to join a bigger conversation about transforming "our ancient, glorious and ever-new" worship. Join the Circle. ASC November Update In its last meeting for 2021, the Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) undertook governance training for its members, received the first progress report on the Assembly Climate Action Plan and extended permission to hold online worship with Holy Communion until the reconvened meeting of the 16th Assembly in May 2022. Read the full update. Following where the living Christ leads Act2 is the biggest conversation in the Uniting Church right now - but why are we having it? This week we take a look at the vision behind the Act2 conversation and why it's so important right now to discern where God is leading the Church and what the future shape of the Church must be to enable life-giving communities of faith.  UCA-Jewish Dialogue focus on family and domestic violence The role of faith communities in addressing family and domestic violence was the focus for the 52nd National Dialogue of the Uniting Church in Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. In a rich and thoughtful conversation, representatives discussed the importance of speaking out and addressing unhelpful interpretations of sacred texts. Read the report from Co-Chair Rev Tara Curlewis.   Religious Discrimination Bill must protect all people The Uniting Church Assembly remains concerned that the Government’s Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 does not yet achieve the balance needed to protect the rights of all people. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected to introduce the Bill to Parliament in the coming days. 'Uniting a Caring Australia' Nearly 50 leaders from across the Uniting Church and its national network of community services attended the annual Leaders Forum hosted by UnitingCare Australia on Tuesday. The theme for this year was Uniting a Caring Australia. Ahead of an election next year, the forum provided an opportunity for leaders to explore ways we can work together for a world where all people thrive. Share your voice on ageing UnitingCare Australia is inviting your voice on ageing and aged care, with the first national conversation to be held by Uniting Friends of Ageing.  Kadrienne, who will join the conversation from Camden in NSW, says “COVID has exposed the very difficult situation of older people who have no close relatives living nearby.” Add your voice by joining the conversation on Thursday 2 December at 4pm AEDT via Zoom. Empower women in Leadership As we begin the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, this gift card from UnitingWorld's Everything in Common collection is a great way to support women’s leadership in our international partner churches. The gift helps provide training for women in the Pacific so they can take hold of leadership opportunities, overcome family violence and achieve equality. "Equipping families for faith formation at home" Looking for an interactive and intergenerational Advent resource? Check out this Facebook live on the UCA Children and Families Ministry page, as Melissa Neumann (Synod of South Australia) shares about the Christmas Family Faith Trail which helps households and small groups explore the Christmas story through Advent.

Prison Chaplain (Dame Phyllis Frost Centre & Tarrengower Women's Prisons) - Synod of Victoria and Tasmania The Prison Chaplain will provide chaplaincy services to two prisons located in Western Victoria, offering ministry and pastoral care to prisoners, their families and prison staff as a representative of the UCA. Mission Facilitation Consultant - UME, Uniting Church Synod of NSW/ACT This is an exciting opportunity for a rural-focused Mission Facilitation Consultant to join the Uniting Mission and Education (UME) team, responsible for equipping Presbyteries and Congregations to develop their current and emerging missional capacity.

JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR: Those whose homes are not safe places and who live in fear of gender-based violence. May they find spaces of safety, support, healing, and strength.  Members of Parliament as they consider the Religious Discrimination Bill. We pray for thoughtful discernment and respectful conversation that is mindful of the rights of all people to be free from discrimination.  Conversations taking place across the Church as part of the Act2 project. May we discern the leading of the Spirit as we look to the future. Copyright © 2021 Uniting Church in Australia, All rights reserved. We're sending you weekly updates because you opted into news from the Uniting Church in Australia. Our mailing address is: Uniting Church in Australia Lvl 4 262 Pitt St Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia

UC National News 13 - 19 October - Growing in Faith considers the question of re-opening, #Uniting4climate, Liturgy of Acknowledgement and Lament

Theological questions for churches emerging from lockdown The Assembly's Growing in Faith Circle has compiled a resource to assist congregations as they discern what it means to re-open their buildings for worship as some states emerge from extended lockdown. Recognising that these conversations sit in the context of theological questions, assumptions and commitments, they have drawn together a series of articles from panel members and across the church, along with reflection questions and a prayer.  Growing in Faith Advocate Rev Liam Miller writes, "We hope this document will be in service not only of the immediate conversation, but help to foster a renewed sense of exploration into the people we are called by Christ to be in and for the world." Take action for climate this weekend The Uniting Church has a long history of calling for actions and policies that care for God's creation. Right now it is imperative that we take action on the climate crisis. Join others across the UCA in supporting climate action at the Schools Strike 4 Climate on Friday and the Faiths 4 Climate Justice Action on October 17 and 18.  Anniversary Liturgy Uniting Church congregations are invited to acknowledge the third anniversary of the National Apology to Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse which takes place on 22 October. A resource is available for congregations to use in worship near that date and can be adapted to the local context. "A gesture of welcome" Adamstown Uniting Church in NSW is leading a campaign to support recently-arrived Afghan refugees who have settled in their community. Many have arrived in Australia with very little and the gift cards will help them meet basic needs. Minister Rev Rod Pattenden said it is also a gesture of welcome. Partnering for double recovery from disaster and pandemic Disability creates challenges for people everywhere, but in West Timor during one of the region’s worst ever cyclones, the danger for Valentino and his family was acute. UnitingWorld is supporting people like Val through Uniting Church partners in West Timor and other places recovering from disaster and the impact of COVID-19. 2021-2022 Lectionary now here for download In case you missed it last week, the UCA Lectionary leaflet for 2021-2022 is now available for free download from our website. It includes a list of helpful websites, podcasts, commentaries and resources for planning worship.

Business Manager - Parramatta Nepean Presbytery, NSW/ACT Synod Parramatta Nepean Presbytery in the Synod of NSW/ACT seeks a Business Manager to provide business, finance, property and governance direction and strategic advice to the Presbytery and its committees. Director, Digital Transformation - Uniting AgeWell Uniting AgeWell seeks a senior IT leader with stakeholder management and communication skills to fill a new leadership position with responsibility for digital strategy and governance.

JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR: The people of Lebanon as they struggle with extended power blackouts, a failing economy and as they continue to support Syrian refugees who have arrived there. We also pray for the Lebanese community in Australia and UCA members who are supporting their families and communities in Lebanon. Communities in Australia as they emerge from lockdown and churches as they discern ways to re-open their buildings.  The work of UnitingWorld and our church partners who are supporting communities facing disaster and the impact of COVID-19.  Copyright © 2021 Uniting Church in Australia, All rights reserved. We're sending you weekly updates because you opted into news from the Uniting Church in Australia. Our mailing address is: Uniting Church in Australia Lvl 4 262 Pitt St Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia