By Rev Dr Matagi Vilitama, Being a Multicultural Circle Advocate In a world characterised by globalisation and increasing inter-cultural interaction, it is critical that we engage other cultures and the differing perspectives they offer in our daily experiences both inside and outside worshipping congregations. We trust the work of the Holy Spirit in the weaving […]
Rev Angie Griffin is one of the Panel Members of the Being a Multicultural Circle. We asked Angie to tell us about herself. My full name is Rev Angelina Carmela ‘Angie’ Griffin I am currently in full time placement as Minister for the Grange Cluster congregations in the Henty Region of the Presbytery of Western Victoria. […]
Alison Overeem was part of the Tasmanian delegation at the COAG National Summit to Reduce Violence against Women and Children. She reflects on what it meant to have a First People’s voice on Family Violence and our response to it. I was honoured to be part of a strong Tasmanian delegation invited to attend the COAG National […]
By Alison Overeem, Leprena Centre Manager, UAICC A group of over 70 people gathered for the unveiling of the Cultural Landscape at Leprena, the home of UAICC Tasmania in Glenorchy. The completion of the playscape was a culmination of over two years planning with community, staff, committee and designers. We want visitors and family of Leprena to […]
Cindy James is a Panel Member for the Working for Justice Circle. We asked her to tell us a bit about herself and her work supporting refugees in Wagga Wagga. Currently I work for St Vincent de Paul as school coordinator which includes educating school students about poverty, refugees and asylum seekers and other social […]
Pilgrim Uniting Church has become the first South Australian church to be recognised by the Five Leaf Eco-Awards for their environmental achievements. The Five-Leaf Eco Awards are an ecumenical initiative for churches and religious organisations to assist, inspire and reward churches for the actions they take for the environment. Director of the Five Leaf Eco-Awards […]
Circle Advocate Rev Dr Amelia Koh-Butler reflects on what makes seeking common ground hard, and why it’s always worth pursuing. A few years ago I was involved with a bunch of radical disciples who birthed a new community. It’s called ‘The Commons’ in Newcastle, NSW. The founders were inspired by Acts 2:42-47. The believers devoted […]
Emily Evans is one of the Seeking Common Ground Panel members. She is also a member of the World Council of Churches Central and Executive Committees. We’ve asked her to share some of her experiences. What were your first experiences of ecumenism? One of my first experiences of ecumenism was at a local level when I […]
By Rev Dr Matthew Wilson, Co-Convenor UCA-ECAJ Dialogue The National Dialogue of the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) has met 45 times since 1991. The Dialogue was established when tensions arose between the Uniting Church and the Jewish community in relation to the political situation in Israel-Palestine. […]
Rev Dr Ji Zhang reflects on the historic agreement between the Vatican and the People’s Republic of China on the mutual recognition of bishops appointed both by the Catholic Church in China and Vatican. In the 17th century, Matteo Ricci was one of the founding figures of the Jesuit China mission. He studied Chinese, read […]