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Our final story on the theme of Innovation is about the creative and life-giving work of Saltbush, a ministry supporting rural and remote communities in the Synod of NSW and ACT.
Rev Mark Faulkner, who took up the challenge of this ministry five years ago, says seeing firsthand small rural congregations struggling to function in the same ways led to a new way of thinking about how we nurture Christian communities and be disciples.
With some rural presbyteries in crisis, Mark says we need to reshape the way we go about doing Church. He says,
"I think God is doing wholly different things within the life of our world and within our society. The Church may or may not even be involved, it has to choose. That’s the innovative edge that we have to participate in, if we are willing.”
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As we wrap up our series about Innovation in the Uniting Church, Assembly National Consultant Rev Lindsay Cullen shares this reflection on why we need to innovate. He writes, "The scriptures regularly describe God as doing new things, previously unimagined - freeing a slave people, caring for the poor, touching lepers, inspiring miracles and giving different languages to disciples."
Read more about what makes innovation so important.
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In this next episode of the President's Podcast Dwelling, a conversation with Beth Irvin, UnitingCare Australia's Senior Advisor on Disability whose work focuses on the Uniting Church's engagement with the Disability Royal Commission.
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The Assembly Standing Committee (ASC) met in Sydney from 15-17 July for the first time following the reconvened 16th Assembly meeting and the first time in-person since 2020! Read a summary of the meeting.
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Chair of the Uniting Church's Korean National Conference (KNC) Rev Seung Jae Yeon shares this recap of the recent KNC ministry retreat, which gathered 21 ministers in Sydney for worship, prayer, fellowship and mutual sharing and support. It is available to read in both Korean and English. There are currently 28 Korean-speaking congregations across the Uniting Church and 44 Korean ministers serving in English-speaking placements.
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Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress leaders Rev Mark Kickett and Alison Overeem and a number of Uniting Church leaders from the Pacific diaspora participated in the first in-person meeting of the Pacific Church Partnership Advisory Network in Canberra last week. The dialogue gave particular focus to learning about self-determination for First Nations People, Pacific migrant labour and development in the Pacific.
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At the World Council of Churches (WCC) Assembly from 31 August-8 September in Geneva, a large tapestry will be on display made up of handmade quilt panels from around the globe. The ‘Waterfall of Solidarity and Resistance’ is a project of the global Thursdays in Black movement. Read about the two quilt panels from the Uniting Church that will travel to the WCC Assembly with Thursdays in Black ambassadors President Rev Sharon Hollis and General Secretary Colleen Geyer – and how there’s still time to submit your own.
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Advocate of the Assembly Transforming Worship Circle Rev Alex Sangster shared this reflection after the latest State of the Environment Report, released last week, found that Australia's environment is deteriorating. The reflection was originally shared on the Working for Justice Circle Facebook page.
Join a Circle and join the conversation.
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Do you know a young person in the Uniting Church with leadership potential in the world of ecumenism? The National Council of Churches in Australia administers the Ronald Wilson Ecumenical Leadership Fund to help people under the age of 35 enlarge their ecumenical and leadership experience, gifts and vision through ecumenical study. Applications can be made at any time.
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If you preach, lead worship, or are interested in influencing a more intergenerational approach to worship, there's now a new way to engage with A Gospel for All Ages, a great new resource on intergenerational preaching. Learn with others in Zoom Huddles which will meet for an hour fortnightly over three sessions (commencing late August). Find available slots and register here.
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Come along to the Uniting Friends of Ageing (UFA) conversation in August to be joined by Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis. UFA is a national network for members of the Uniting Church interested in ageing and aged care. Join the conversation at 4pm AEST on Tuesday 2 August. Sign up to UFA online. Contact Warren Talbot at warrent@nat.unitingcare.org.au for the Zoom link.
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UnitingWorld is seeking expressions of interest for the role of Board Chairperson. UnitingWorld is an agency of the Uniting Church engaged in transformative international development with partners in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. If you have strong governance experience, a love for social justice, and are looking to make a contribution that has a profound impact on human flourishing, keep reading.
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Australian farmers are really struggling at the moment. Across the country, most have experienced devastating floods, drought or bushfires in recent years. And there are more challenges still on the horizon. Get some friends together and join Frontier Services in supporting our farmers by hosting your own Great Outback BBQ this September. Register today!
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Director of Faith and Order - World Council of Churches, Geneva
This important role with the WCC will coordinate and actively participate in a wide range of activities in the pursuit of Christian unity, including theological work, close collaboration with member churches and partners, and ecumenical formation. Read more about the Faith & Order Commission.
Principal - Knox Centre of Ministry & Leadership, Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
The PCANZ is seeking a Principal to lead the Knox Centre of Ministry & Leadership, which is charged with the responsibility of equipping men and women for ministry and leadership in the Presbyterian Church and partner churches.
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Join us in prayer for
- Courage, creativity and faithfulness to be innovative in the ways we serve and proclaim the hope and love of Christ.
- Korean members of the Uniting Church. We give thanks for the gifts they bring to the life of the Uniting Church and pray for their ongoing ministry and mission within the life of their congregations and the broader Uniting Church.
- Our environment. We give thanks for the wonderful gift of God's creation, we lament the destruction and devastation we have caused, and we pray for actions and plans that aim to restore and repair the damage done.
- Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.
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Why Innovate? Tell us what you think.
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