Greetings …

Last Sunday we celebrated Pentecost, reading the text from Acts 2, and recalling the coming of the Holy Spirit in a way that was transformational to those present.  It is after this, that we see what many call the beginnings of the Christian church emerging.

Currently, the Uniting Church is participating in a project called Act2, led by the National Assembly, during which we are invited to look again at the present and future of our life as a Church.  This project asks serious questions about what will be needed to faithfully follow Christ into the future, noting the challenges we face and our many strengths, while we continually seek to follow the Spirit’s calling.

Throughout the history of the church, prayer has run like an unbroken thread, making us attentive to the Spirit as we discern together.  For 26 days between the Pentecost and the Uniting Church Anniversary (28 May to 22 June) all parts of the church are invited to join in prayer for one another and our life together.

During this time we might …

• Give thanks to God for our history and the vision that birthed our Church, honouring those who embraced God’s new future, and giving thanks for God’s faithfulness to us.
• Remember that while change is a part of life, God’s presence is our constant, and Christ our centre and foundation and that this doesn’t change.
• Confess that we have not always lived up to all who could be, and acknowledge that we need to be open to follow Jesus in a radically changed context.

We are also invited to pray for specific church communities through a national prayer chain, and we do this knowing other communities have been asked to pray for us.  Brunswick Uniting Church and Campbelltown Uniting Church (SA) are the communities that we will hold before God.

I invite you to engage with me in praying for the Uniting Church, its congregations / faith communities, and its continuing work in the community as we share the love Jesus.

Blessings – Heather (she/her).