UCA National News - 13-19 March 2020 - Ministry in the Hot Zone, UnitingCare welcomes COVID-19 measures and more

MINISTRY IN THE HOT ZONE "When I was in self-isolation, you Facetimed me." Pastoral care in the coronavirus pandemic. UnitingCare Australia responds to economic stimulus package and aged care boost UnitingCare Australia has welcomed Federal Government measures to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, but asked for more targeted and long-term support to those most in need. Click through for the full statement. NSW/ACT Guidance for Worship With 78 confirmed cases and more than 1800 under investigation NSW faces the most immediate threat from the coronavirus outbreak. The NSW/ACT Synod has produced a comprehensive guide for hygiene in worship. Inauguration of Carpentaria Presbytery  Calvary and North Queensland Presbyteries have merged to become a new presbytery. Lent Stories: Livelihoods and Peacebuilding in Ambon  More than a decade after the conflict between Christian and Muslim religious groups in Ambon, the Protestant Church in Maluku is working to bring together mixed groups of Christian and Muslim women for education and microfinance opportunities.

UNITING WOMEN 2020 The fourth UnitingWomen conference in Darwin is only four months away. Sign up now to escape the southern winter and share the spirit with your Uniting Church soul sisters from 9-12 July. PRESIDENT'S CONFERENCE 2020 This year's President's Conference will be held in Adelaide from 2-5 October, and explore expressions on the theme of "every member ministry". Registrations open, program now available.

JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR: Those who have contracted the coronavirus, those who are self-isolating, those who are fearful or vulnerable, the health care workers and pastoral responders to the pandemic. May God bring comfort and healing. Members of the Carpentaria Presbytery as they engage in God's mission in northern Queensland as First and Second Peoples together The peacebuilders of Ambon and the work of UnitingWorld.   Copyright © 2020 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 10 222 Pitt St Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia

UCA National News - 6-12 March 2020 - Each for Equal IWD, A Coronavirus Prayer, Vale Bernie Clarke and more

EACH FOR EQUAL – IWD2020  When President Deidre Palmer thinks of a gender equal world, she thinks of the Uniting Church’s “every member ministry”.  A Prayer in Response to Coronavirus While heeding the advice of public health professionals, we must not forget our call as Christians to love our neighbour, says Deidre Palmer. Vale Rev Bernie Clarke AM Tributes have flowed for the former Assembly Associate Secretary for Aboriginal Work and Mission and early UAICC supporter Rev. Bernie Clarke. . Pray for Zimbabwe on March 6 The host nation of this year's World Day of Prayer is Zimbabwe, a country facing huge challenges. Frontier News Frontier Services' first quarterly publication for 2020 is out now. This edition features a gripping account by Bush Chaplain Rev Rowena Harris of being trapped in Mallacoota by the bushfires. Also a feature on Pastor Julia Lennon, the first ever female Aboriginal Bush Chaplain, who's working to bring First and Second Peoples together in Oodnadatta.

UNITING WOMEN 2020 The fourth UnitingWomen conference in Darwin is only four months away. Sign up now to escape the southern winter and share the spirit with your Uniting Church soul sisters from 9-12 July. PRESIDENT'S CONFERENCE 2020 This year's President's Conference will be held in Adelaide from 2-5 October, and explore expressions on the theme of "every member ministry". Registrations are open.

JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR: Women everywhere as they seek equality All those in our community and around the world who are responding to the coronavirus outbreak, for those who are suffering and dying, for those who mourn their loss, for those who are anxious or scared. May we be communities of empathy, love and care, in all we face. For the people of Zimbabwe as they host this year's World Day of Prayer.    Copyright © 2020 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 10 222 Pitt St Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia

UCA National News 27 Feb-5 Mar 2020 - Welcome to Lent, A World without Nuclear Weapons, Summer Spirit, Frontier News and more

WELCOME TO LENT Lent is underway – from the global to the local there are a wide range of Lenten reflections and resources available to UCA members. Here is a collection of resources and campaigns to start you on your Lenten journey this year. A WORLD FREE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS President Deidre Palmer reflects on this week's UCA-hosted interfaith roundtable on the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). WCC CCIA VISIT President Deidre Palmer and Associate General Secretary Rob Floyd welcomed members of the WCC's Commission of the Churches on International Affairs at the Assembly offices this week. CCIA Director Peter Prove, CCIA Commissioner Rev Gunilla Hallonsten and their colleagues have been holding workshops in Australia to focus on Pacific regional priorities. SUMMER SPIRIT 2020: ALL OF THIS IS US National Consultants Rev Dr Apwee Ting & Rev Charissa Suli were in Perth from 21-23 Feb as guest speakers for Summer Spirit 2020. Over 50 people from across the WA Synod gathered at All Saints Floreat Uniting Church to be inspired, challenged and equipped for ministry in the areas of intercultural and intergenerational ministry under the theme, All of this is us: Church and Culture. Frontier News Frontier Services' first quarterly publication for 2020 is out now. This edition features a gripping account by Bush Chaplain Rev Rowena Harris of being trapped in Mallacoota by the bushfires. Also a feature on Pastor Julia Lennon, the first ever female Aboriginal Bush Chaplain, who's working to bring First and Second Peoples together in Oodnadatta.

UNITING WOMEN 2020 The fourth UnitingWomen conference in Darwin is only four months away. Sign up now to escape the southern winter and share the spirit with your Uniting Church soul sisters from 9-12 July. NATIONAL DISASTER APPEAL Donate to the Uniting Church in Australia's National Disaster Relief Fund and fund disaster recovery chaplaincy and support programs, helping communities rebuild after a natural disaster.

JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR: All those seeking to deepen their discipleship through Lent The work of the WCC Commission of Churches on International Affairs Frontier Services' Bush Chaplains as they bring God's hope to the people of remote Australia The family and friends of the Rev Bernie Clarke AM, former Assembly Associate General Secretary and National Consultant to UAICC. Bernie died on 23 February. A tribute to him will be published in next National Update.  Copyright © 2020 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 10 222 Pitt St Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia