St Andrews Uniting Church Bendigo

20/08/2024

… the warmth and comfort of Uniting Threads reaches a out into our community with love and beauty …

09/04/2024

… making a difference in partnership with others for the benefit of others …

08/03/2024

In the tradition of these women we celebrate the recognition of courageous, compassionate, visionary and empowering women - who seek to make a difference and live their faith with integrity in all faith traditions and none.

For the women in our Biblical traditions who are figures of protest, strength, dignity, and agency. For the faith and witness of so many who have come before. For those whose ministry, wisdom, leadership and service brings wholeness and life to the church and world. Thanks be to God.
Happy International Women's Day 💜

06/04/2023

… our Church prays with all of us, as we pray with others …

This prayer is the first in a series we will share over this weekend as we journey to the mystery at the heart of Easter. Join us as we pray through this holy time. 🙏✝️
--
God, you place us humans among networks of others.
Those who birth us, feed, nurture and protect us.
People we work with, play with, those who laugh and cry with us.
Friends, lovers, soul-mates. Family.
We remember on Maundy Thursday that Jesus met with friends.
People with whom he had laughed and cried.
Those who had learned much from him, and who sometimes struggled to learn.
People he had served, and who had also served him.
And in a final act of serving and teaching, Jesus washed their feet,
And he served them bread and wine,
And he spoke of the giving and serving and teaching to come.

Today, we may gather with friends to remember Jesus.
We remember his servanthood.
“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”
We remember his self-giving.
“Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”
We look forward to Good Friday and Easter Sunday and the sacrifice and vindication of Jesus.
“Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.”

Jesus said to his followers,
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.”
May we experience that peace as we approach the grief and darkness of Good Friday,
The waiting of Holy Saturday,
And the joy of Easter day.
May we experience the peace of Jesus as we eat bread and drink wine in remembrance,
As we follow in his path of service and love,
As we pray in his name,
Amen.

- Assembly Associate General Secretary Rev Lindsay Cullen

24/03/2023

We hope for peace, harmony and blessing for our friends and all of the Muslim community in Bendigo as you begin this holy month of fasting. May it be a blessing to you, as we surround you with compassion and care. And for all Muslim communities May it be so.

Download this photo by Dwi Asy Syafa on Unsplash

24/03/2023

… when people gather with openness to inclusion, freedom to lament and the joy of the freedom to celebrate - it begins to look a little like this …
… Sunday evening March 19th at St Andrew’s during Bendigo Pride Celebrations …

06/03/2023

UCA Reflections in Lent inspiring us to encounter Jesus in new faith enriching ways …

"In these central seasons of the church, what are we doing but preparing to meet the Jesus of our faith anew? ...The crucified and risen One who is coming to us once again, bearing the marks of a new world in his body. Are we prepared for what he will have to say to us this year?"

Read the second in our series of Lenten reflections as we continue ➡️ https://uniting.church/lenten-reflections/ -beb5ef2c

26/02/2023

… from local churches to our Assembly the Uniting Church welcomes the launch of …

22/06/2022

… celebrating the Uniting Church … ministry, mission, justice, compassion, inclusion, courage …

25/02/2022

Praying for Peace in UkraineUniting Church in Australia President Rev Sharon Hollis has invited Uniting Church members to join with others worldwide in praying for peace to prevail in Ukraine, and to pray for all those impacted by the violence taking place.“The pursuit of peace is at the core of w...

26/01/2022

Today on 26 January we honour the resilience and survival of the world’s oldest living culture. We acknowledge that for many First Peoples, this is a painful and conflicted day of mourning, loss and reflection. We pray that we might all be part of a groundswell of change in the heart of Australia that ushers in reconciliation, justice and healing for First Peoples and all who call these lands home. ❤️💛🖤

Hear more from Rev Mark Kickett, UAICC National Interim Chair, in conversation with UCA President Rev Sharon Hollis: https://vimeo.com/666639626

The beautiful artwork in the background of this image is by Aboriginal woman Kelly Rambaldini Pulevaka who is a member of Carlton-Ramsgate Uniting Church. Full image in the comments.

28/12/2021

Condolences in Response to the Death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India, December 26, 2021 - Immediately on being informed that his “respected elder spiritual brother and good friend” Archbishop Desmond Tutu had passed away, His Holiness the Dalai Lama composed a letter to the Archbishop’s daughter, Rev. Mpho Tutu.

“Please accept my heartfelt condolences,” he wrote, “and convey the same to your mother and other members of your family. I pray for him.

“As you know, over the years, your father and I enjoyed an enduring friendship. I remember the many occasions we spent time together, including the week here at Dharamsala in 2015 when we were able to share our thoughts on how to increase peace and joy in the world. The friendship and the spiritual bond between us was something we cherished.

“Archbishop Desmond Tutu was entirely dedicated to serving his brothers and sisters for the greater common good. He was a true humanitarian and a committed advocate of human rights. His work for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was an inspiration for others around the world.

“With his passing away, we have lost a great man, who lived a truly meaningful life. He was devoted to the service of others, especially those who are least fortunate. I am convinced the best tribute we can pay him and keep his spirit alive is to do as he did and constantly look to see how we too can be of help to others.”