Advent - A Season of Waiting and Preparation

Joy is often a companion to many other emotions. We can feel joy in addition to feeling many other things at once: grief, anticipation, anxiety, excitement, disappointment, exhaustion. Perhaps many of us live with the myth that joy is not something we deserve—or that it is wholly out of reach. But our joy is grounded in the truth that we belong to God. Can you tether yourself to that deep truth? You deserve to feel joy—fully. The world needs your joy, even if you are weary. Our joy is better when it is shared.

Our Advent theme for 2023, “How Does A Weary World Rejoice?” of course alludes to a line in the familiar Christmas hymn, “O Holy Night,” which has an interesting history. The song was originally written by a French poet who was atheist, and the music was supplied by a Jewish composer. The hymn was later translated into English by an American Unitarian minister. In the 1800s, it became a popular hymn for Christian abolitionists due to its justice-focused language in verse 3. Like Mary’s song in Luke’s Gospel, the hymn reminds us that justice and joy belong together. Sometimes our joy is an act of resistance. This year as we look at the experience of people around the world who find themselves in the middle of war, unrest, disaster and scarcity, we experience a collective weariness. We may even wonder where hope is amidst the global situation.

And so, this Advent, we will hold space for our weariness and our joy. We will seek a “thrill of hope” in our hurting world. We will welcome joy—even and especially if, like the prophet Isaiah, we cry out for comfort (Isaiah 40:1). In this weary world, may we find many ways to rejoice this Advent.

Grace & peace, Rev Phil

MISSION and MINISTRY

Every Week

Byron Bay Uniting Church Op Shop, Open Monday to Friday

• 9am to 1pm (Volunteers welcome!) Uniting Sewing & Social Group Monday 9am-3pm and 6-9pm @ Byron Bay UC

AGAPE Outreach - Food & supplies Tuesday 2pm @Byron Bay UC Carpark Scripture (Rev Phil)

• Thursday 12pm-2pm @Byron Bay PS (in the School Term)

Upcoming Events

• Bangalow Fair Trade Fair Saturday 2nd December, 8am-1pm @ Bangalow UC

• Advent Family Gathering Sunday 3rd December 5pm @ Bangalow UC Christmas Crafternoon Tuesday 5th December

• 3.15pm @ Bangalow UC Outdoor Carols & Picnic Sunday 17th December

• 5pm @ Bangalow UC Carpark Bangalow Christmas Tree Festival 17th - 23rd December

• 6-8pm @ Bangalow UC

“Presbytery Gathering - 9th December 9:00am-4pm @ Lismore Regional UC

At this regional gathering the Saltbush team will lead us in a reflective conversation, known as The Great

Unravelling of the Church. Rev Yvonne Ghavalas will be inducted as the newest member of the Saltbush Team. She is incredibly creative and a wonderful collaborative leader. Rev Jane Fry, General Secretary of NSWACT UCA Synod will be our guest speaker and Rev Dr Peter Walker will be online making a presentation to us, as part of our reflective conversations. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Register with Sue Duncan: sued@nswact.uca.org.au or 0412 559 673.

CHRISTMAS BOWL

This year our offerings across our Christmas gatherings will go to the global relief work of the Christmas Bowl, as will all donations received during the Christmas Tree Festival. Funds raised are being used to support those who have been displaced through conflict and disaster around the world, so that they can find

BANGALOW CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

17th-23rd DECEMBER, 6-8pm @ Bangalow UC Come along and experience this wonderful community event hosted in our Bangalow Church. We have received a fantastic response from a range

of community groups who have accepted the invitation to create a tree. There will be musicians and choirs joining us each evening, singing and playing Christmas Carols. The Friday evening will also include an appearance by Santa for Santa Selfie Night. Invite your friends and come along to celebrate.

WAYSIDE CHAPEL VISITS BYRON BAY

On 27 & 28 November, Rev. Jon Owen (CEO & Pastor) and Rev Kent Crawford (Community & Ministry Consultant) of Wayside Chapel, spent two intentional days visiting Byron Bay and spending focused time with Rev Phil and the Church Council. Our congregation, after a thorough mission planning process, ascertained that our Byron Bay site should strategically focus on ministry to the marginalised and that Wayside Chapel were an aligned Uniting Church ministry in this area with whom to explore a partnership. The two days were spent meeting local community providers of services to the marginalised and a dinner was part of the visit which included the visitors from Wayside, Rev Peter Overton and the Church Council. This involved some relationship building and key conversations around Wayside Chapel, its history and possibilities for partnering together in ministry in our region. Ongoing support, mentorship and resourcing was offered to the congregation, Church Council and Rev Phil and the exploration of formalising a partnership is also a strong possibility as the relationship develops.

Prayer Points

• Open hearts, joy and expectation this Advent as we prepare again to celebrate Jesus' arrival into our world and as we journey with the theme: “How Does A Weary World Rejoice?”
• Those in our community and around the world who are in desperate need for peace and hope due to grief, loss, illness or conflict.