Prayer Points

Ministry Team
Reopening from lockdown
Worship on 7th November
Emergence Exhibition
26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties
Preparations for the Christmas Eve Pageant
Olive Way Coordinator position

BUC News

Worship this week and next
On Sunday 31st October, a fifth Sunday, our worship will have a reflective focus.  We will welcome Kirsten Parris, member of our congregation, as our preacher.  And the service will be live-streamed on YouTube.
And on 7th November we are returning to worship in person.  We will celebrate Holy Communion.  See the BUC Reopening Plan for all the details.  Please remember to use Trybooking to book for worship.

Olive Way Operations Co-ordinator – NEW CLOSING DATE
In response to the recent Olive Way review a new role has been developed.  See Future Directions for details.  Applications are now called for the role of Olive Way Operations Co-ordinator.  Applications close on 14th November.  The three year position commences on 1st January 2022.  Please share this opportunity with your network.

Emergence
Join us for a Visual Arts Exhibition and program of events from 5th-15th November.  Emergence will be offered in-person where possible and in a virtual format.  The Opening Night will be offered on Zoom.  Details for the Performance Evening will be confirmed closer to the date.  We’d love to hear from anyone who is available to volunteer to assist with a range of tasks to support the exhibition.  Visit the Emergence page for all the details.

Statement from the Heart
The second session exploring the Statement from the Heart will be held via Zoom on November 8th at 7.30pm. This series of discussions is being hosted by the BUC  Walking Together Group. All details can be found on this flyer.

PIEN Network
Our congregation has recently become an organisational member of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network.  PIENis hosting a two-pronged major fundraiser in November including a Cuisine & Culture in Conversation Zoom event on Tuesday 23rd November and an invitation to host a Peace Meal.  Details here.

November Olive Branch
Look out for this month’s edition on Monday or Tuesday.

Climate Action News

COP26 climate summit
The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021. Despite 30 years of climate diplomacy, urgent and aggressive action is needed to halt global warming. Nature explains what success looks like, and what’s on the line: COP26 climate summit: A scientists’ guide to a momentous meeting.

Praying for COP26
In consultation with the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the UNFCCC, Bishop Philip Huggins and Ms Sarwat Tasneem invite people of faith everywhere to offer prayers and silent meditation for a successful COP26. Many of us believe such prayers, offered with faith, can be transformative. If this is you, these offerings may help. They include a beautiful Quaker prayer written by Linsey Fielder Cook.

In addition the Anglican parish of Queenscliff/Lonsdale in Geelong, Victoria, is offering a 30-minute midday meditation during COP26 from October 31 to November 14. They will be in the church and on Zoom.  The meditation will begin at 12noon with the ringing of the church bell. Join here

Wider Church News

UC National News, 27/10-2/11

  • Act2 dives deep in the Basis of Union
  • “Ya pulingina” from Advocate Alison Overeem
  • On the road to COP26
  • Opportunity to advise of Royal Commission – People with Disability
  • Raising our First Peoples Voice
  • And more …
  • JOIN US IN PRAYER FOR:
    • Courage, compassion and collaboration from global leaders attending the COP26 meeting from this weekend. For a shared commitment to act together on the climate crisis.
    • Our Walking Together as First and Second Peoples Circle and its work to grow relationships, listen and learn to First Peoples and to raise voices for justice and truth-telling.
    • Faithful disciples who have gone before us, and all those who have carried our traditions and taught us faith, as we celebrate All Saints Day on 1 November.