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As we enter NAIDOC Week this Sunday, the Uniting Church joins with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) in celebrating Australia’s First Peoples and their place at the heart of our nation and our church. This year's theme is Get Up! Stand up! Show Up!
Thanks to Palawa women Alison Overeem and Grace Williams from Leprena UAICC Tasmania for sharing this NAIDOC Week reflection - The Strength Within - To Takamuna Rrala (to stand, to rise up strong).
Alison writes, "For those brave warriors of the past, our legacy to continue to get up, stand up and show up, runs deep within us. We are custodians of the warrior-ship, the custodians of a voice for change, accompanied by our ancestors, elders and leaders. So our call to all is to lean into the resilience, spirituality and faith that sits at the heart of the takila of who we are as church, who we are as a nation."
The reflection is available in written form or as a video with graphics and production by Grace. Feel welcome to use these reflections in your worship throughout NAIDOC Week.
Keep on eye on the Assembly's Facebook page and website as we will be sharing links to resources that are part of the Living the Covenant Locally initiative, and a number of other stories and reflections affirming our commitment to walk together as First and Second Peoples.
#GetUpStandUpShowUp
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For many of us, having a ‘cuppa’ is one of the small but simple pleasures of our day but for Barry Schofield, and St Leonard's Uniting Church in Brighton, the humble cup of coffee gave birth to an innovative idea that has led to thousands of dollars being raised to support people in crisis. In seven years, St Leonard's has raised $62,538 and the Coffee Cup Challenge is now a major fundraiser for Uniting (Vic.Tas). Read more in this week's innovation story.
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Uniting Church communities across the country have celebrated the 45th anniversary of the UCA with joyful gatherings, special worship services and cake! Check out the photo highlights on our Facebook page.
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The upcoming online Assembly for the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) will feature Rev Dr Casely Essamuah, Secretary of the Global Christian Forum, in conversation with NCCA President Rev John Gilmore. The Uniting Church is a member of the Global Christian Forum which brings together the World Council of Churches, World Evangelical Alliance, Pentecostal World Fellowship and the Roman Catholic Church. Join on Thursday 6 July from 11am-12.30pm AEST via Zoom.
Register here.
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The Uniting Church has welcomed Australia’s attendance at the first meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons which took place in Vienna last week. The meeting also heard a Joint Interfaith Statement endorsed by 144 religious organisations around the world. The Uniting Church has called for Australia to sign on and ratify the Treaty and looks forward to working with Government towards becoming a signatory.
Image: Pacific Conference of Churches representative Olivia Baro reads the Joint Interfaith Statement to the meeting.
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Global poverty and hunger are rising because of the widespread impacts of conflict, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Your tax-deductible donation will help UnitingWorld and our overseas church partners fight poverty and build hope across the Pacific, Asia and Africa.
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There are places in remote Australia that are lost and forgotten to many. But they are home to real, hard working people. Right now, Frontier Services' volunteers are in Cockburn, SA. Along with Bush Chaplain Sunny Kadaparambil (pictured) they are providing hands-on support and helping to instil new pride within the small community. More people need your support across the country. Register with or donate to Frontier Services' Outback Links team today.
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Director of Ministry - Wayside Chapel, Sydney
Lead innovative ministry and mission in the urban and neighborhood context in this significant leadership role at Wayside Chapel.
Minister - St Stephen's Uniting Church Toowoomba
St Stephen's Toowoomba seeks a Minister to lead its historic city Church, growing its members in faith and discipleship and nurturing its passion for mission and pastoral care in the community.
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Join us in prayer for
- First Peoples in Australia. We give thanks for their achievements, their resilience, their spirituality and culture. May we all have the courage to 'Get up, stand up, show up' for genuine reconciliation.
- Those gathering for the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania this weekend, and Rev David Fotheringham as he takes up his role as Moderator.
- Rev Peter Morel, newly elected Moderator-Elect of the Synod of South Australia, as he prepares for this important role in the life of the Church.
- Kenya, Tanzania as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.
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What you said:
As we invite you to share your stories with us each week, we hope to highlight some of what we've heard. After our UCA Anniversary edition last week, Rev. Sally Apokis from South Melbourne wrote back,
"As a 15 year old from Ringwood Methodist Church, I have happy memories of proudly marching, celebrating the formation of the Uniting Church in 1977. The strong beliefs and values of the UCA, Trinitarian, missiological in equity, inclusion and diversity, embedded in Australian identity and the gospel of a radical reforming Jesus Christ, have guided me all the days of my rich life of service and ministry."
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How are you planning to mark NAIDOC Week?
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