Anzac Day 2021
Uniting Church Defence Force chaplains have recorded messages and prayers for UCA members and congregations to mark ANZAC Day this Sunday.
This year Australians are encouraged to remember and honour our veterans, past and present by attending commemoration services locally or in a moment of private reflection as part of the Light Up the Dawn initiative which began in 2020 during COVID-19 lockdown.
The 10-minute video (on the page below) can be used in part or whole, in gathered worship, online or in personal worship.
The video includes a reflection from Rev Chaplain Matthew Stuart who is Coordinating Chaplain 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Kapooka.
Rev Chaplain Maumau Monu, Senior Chaplain 17th Sustainment Brigade, offers a Prayer of Remembrance in Tongan and English and the Ode is delivered by Rev Chaplain Robyn Kidd, Chaplain RAAF BASE Edinburgh South Australia.
Sergeant Steve Carter, bugler of the Australian Army Band, Brisbane performs the Last Post and Rouse, as recorded in the 2020 Anzac Day service prepared by Rev Chaplain Charles Veseley.
A final message is delivered by Rev Kaye Ronalds, Uniting Church member of the Religious Advisory Committee to the Services, who encourages the Church to pray for the ministry of our chaplains.
In the Uniting Church, there are 40 chaplains serving across the navy, army and air force, with about half of these full-time.
“Chaplains come alongside people in the ordinary routines of daily life but also in times of sadness and tragedy. They are there in times of conflict and peace-keeping,” says Kaye.
“This ANZAC Day I invite you to offer prayers for the service of our chaplains, also Defence Force members, veterans and their families.
“If you get a chance, take the opportunity to have a conversation with a chaplain and find out about how they serve in ministry on behalf of our Church.”
Uniting Church President Dr Deidre Palmer has also offered a prayer for ANZAC Day which gives thanks for the spiritual leadership and pastoral care offered by Defence Force chaplains and upholds those who continue to suffer from the trauma of war.
The prayer is below:
PRAYER FOR ANZAC DAY
Gracious God,
On this Anzac Day, we bring before you all those who have and continue to serve in our Defence Forces.
We remember and give thanks for their service to our country.
We pray for all those who suffer in war and continue to suffer from the trauma of war. We pray for comfort in their grief. We pray for supportive communities to journey with them in their struggles, healing and recovery.
We give thanks for all our Defence Force chaplains.
We thank you for their response to your call to offer spiritual leadership and pastoral care to Defence Force personnel and their families.
We pray for all those who are negotiating for peace in situations of war and conflict throughout our world. Bless them with wisdom, strength and resolve to find ways we can live together in harmony and respect for one another.
We pray that we might be bearers of your peace.
Through Christ, who is our Peace, we pray.
Amen.
Dr Deidre Palmer, President of the Uniting Church in Australia
Further, those preparing for ANZAC Day commemorations might like to refer to the ANZAC Day worship resource produced by Rev Sue Page and Rev Matthew Stuart for the centenary of the landings at Gallipoli in 2014, see below.
The Resource includes a variety of calls to worship, prayers of invocation, confession, thanks and remembrance and a lot of other useful information.
You might also like to include an Acknowledgement of Country at the start of your service.