This is an update to the April 2020 post.  The main reason for sending you this additional email is to let you know what is happening on 15 May in relation to Climate Action and during National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June.

Climate Action

There are many options for those who would like to participate in some way in the “Build a Better Future” Day of Community Action on 15 May to show the world that we, the Uniting Church and it’s members, care about climate change.  You can see what The Uniting Church in NSW/ACT is proposing on the UnitingEarth website.  These include:

• Including climate change in worship on 10 May or in a future worship service – I know we’re a little late for the former – see below
• Share a personal message for climate action in a number of different ways
• Participate in a multi-faith service organised by the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change on 15 May at 10am
• Attend the ecumenical online service organised by Common Grace, with participation by Uniting Church leaders at 3pm
• Attend the “Build a Better Future national broadcast online from 4-8pm

All the details are on the website with the link:

https://www.unitingearth.org.au/uniting-supports-the-may-15th-climate-strike/ 

There are also worship resources that you may consider using that are on the website.  The suggestion is that some of the resources are best used on Sunday 10 May.  However at this point in time I expect that most preachers will have decided what they are planning to use for this coming Sunday in whatever arrangement they have for online or hard-copy worship.  One option is to use some of the resources provided in the following Sunday’s (17 May) worship or in future worship.

I know that some of our members do not agree with the whole concept of students striking.  However, I think we can all agree that praying for the safety of all students who participate in the strike, whether that is physically (in countries where social distancing  rules have been relaxed) or online, is something we can all do.  Please consider this for your prayers of intercession or for a brief separate prayer for Sunday 10 May.

If you would like to find out more about the background to the student strike, you can go to the general website:

https://www.schoolstrike4climate.com/ 

Aboriginal Reconciliation

A number of commemoration dates that are coming up are related to Reconciliation with our Aboriginal and Torres Straight brothers and sisters. These include (see the list of Social Justice dates in my Email to Contacts on 17 April):

26 May – National Sorry Day (National Day of Healing)

27 May – 3 June  National Reconciliation Week

Common Grace are providing a number of different options for Reconciliation Week.

Quoting Common Grace, “reconciliation is a journey of friendship. One that needs to be grounded in truth and action.” 

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2020 (#NRW2020) is, In This Together. In light of the current COVID-19 crisis, this theme is more relevant than ever. 

The 28th of May 2020, during this year’s #NRW, marks the 20th Anniversary of the Reconciliation Walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the year 2000, where 250,000 people walked together in an act of unity, calling for true Reconciliation to be realised in this nation. This is still the largest public gathering in Australia's history. All other States and Territories joined in similar walks throughout the year 2000. 

In this year's #NRW2020 Campaign, we will be reflecting on these significant events, and together commit to #StillWalkingForReconciliation.

We will be providing resources for National Reconciliation Week for individuals and churches to stand together to re-imagine our nation and continue to pray, act, and walk for Reconciliation.

This will include:

• daily devotions in your inbox throughout #NRW by some of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders. These will be short, powerful reflections and include a call to action.

• Creative ways to engage and share the message of Reconciliation.
• Church resources including video message, prayer, Bible readings and other resources to use in your church. 

The link to Common Grace is: https://www.commongrace.org.au/reconciliation_week_2020

More background information and suggestions for action can be found on the links:

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-sorry-day-an-important-part-of-healing/ and

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/2020-national-reconciliation-week-theme-announced-in-this-together/