Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert may be credited with making Christmas trees popular in Britain, but the tradition actually dates back millennia. The evergreen fir tree has traditionally been used to celebrate winter festivals (pagan and Christian) for thousands of years. Pagans used branches to decorate their homes during the winter solstice, as it made them think of the spring to come. The Romans used fir trees to decorate their temples at the festival of Saturnalia while Christians use it as a sign of everlasting life with God. It’s impossible to be sure when fir trees were first used as Christmas trees, but it is thought to date back about 1000 years to northern Europe. Many early Christmas trees seem to have been hung upside down from the ceiling using chains. Other early Christmas trees were cherry or hawthorn plants that were put into pots and brought inside so they would hopefully flower at Christmas time. People who couldn't afford a real plant made pyramids of timber that they decorated to look like a tree with paper, apples and candles.

Baby Jesus was the first “star”

These days we place a star or angel on top of the tree, but in the early days a figure of the baby Jesus was used. The first Christmas Trees came to Britain sometime in the 1830s but they really became popular in 1841 when Queen Victoria’s German husband Prince Albert had a Christmas Tree set up in Windsor Castle.In Victorian times, the tree would have been decorated with candles to represent stars. In many parts of Europe, candles are still used to decorate Christmas trees. 

In preparation for our Synod gathering in May 2022, nominations for the position of Moderator-Elect have been received from congregations and presbyteries. The Moderator Candidature Task Group (MCTG) has accepted these nominations and closed the nomination process.

We are delighted to advise the following nominations will be presented to the 36th Synod in Session (in alphabetical order):

Further information about each nominee and their call to be nominated for Moderator-Elect will be available in March 2022.

We ask that you hold the preparations for the 36th Synod, the church's wisdom and discernment, and the nominees and their families as they prepare for this momentous occasion in your prayers over the next few months.

In grace and peace in this Advent season
Rev Heather den Houting
General Secretary

The Uniting Church has welcomed new recommendations for the National Redress Scheme after a two year independent review found rapid reforms were needed to ensure the Scheme remains accessible, efficient and survivor centred.
https://ucaredress.org.au/news/
UCA Redress Ltd and the NSCU work closely to ensure learnings from the past inform contemporary practice, communication and strategy.

UNITING CARE
The annual appeal has been launched to support families in need this Christmas who have been cared for by UnitingCare Family and Disability Services. There are a number of ways your congregation can get involved to bring some peace and hope to the most vulnerable this Christmas.
Giving tree 
Host a gift or food drive
Fundraise and donate to the Christmas Appeal. 
For more information, please contact Lidija Judd or click here for more information and resources.