By Stuart McMillan, Advocate – Walking Together as First and Second Peoples On Sunday 20 January 2019, Uniting Church Congregations will be able to join together in lament, recognising the tragic events of colonisation together with devastating effects for the First Nation peoples of Australia. The observance of a “Day of Mourning” was endorsed by the […]
Dr Richard Smith, from the Uniting Church WA Covenanting Commission, offered this reflection after a workshop on Sovereignty and Treaty led by UCA leaders of the Noongar people at the Presbytery of WA Meeting. Below his article is a question for reflection and some thoughts shared within the Circle. The Story was originally published in […]
Rev. Michelle Cook is a Panel Member for the Walking Together as First and Second Peoples Circle. We asked Michelle to tell us a bit about herself. I’m currently living on the land of the Letteremarriner people in the place also called Launceston, Tasmania. My current role is as Presbytery Minister – Mission development across […]
By Emily Evans After a long week of community building, prayers, pilgrimage and decision making, Emily Evans shares 5 highlights from the World Council of Churches’ Executive Committee in Uppsalla, Sweden, 2-8 November 2018. Joint ACT Alliance and WCC Day (1 November) The ACT Alliance Assembly met just prior to the WCC Executive Committee meeting. […]
By Emma Parr, Religious Education and Safe Church Consultant NSW/ACT SynodThe Christian Conference of Asia gathered a consultation group of 60 practitioners working with children and in child safety from member churches and ecumenical organisations on 17-19 September 2018, in Jakarta, Indonesia.I contributed on behalf of the Uniting Church, as a partner church and as one which […]
By Rosemary Austin Pope Francis in ‘Laudato Si’ writes, “returning to places, a chance to recover something of the true self.” With this in mind, I pack my bag and head for a return visit to Taizé, France, 40 years on! I reflect back to Sunday, 22nd January 1978 – a very special day for […]
The Growing in Faith Circle is beginning its first book discussion on Facebook. The book we are to discuss is Michael Frost’s Keeping Christianity Weird. The Basis of Union tells us in paragraph 4 that, “Through human witness in word and action, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ reaches out to command […]
A Response to “For the Whole Creation” by Dr Margaret Campbell, Panel Member Growing in Faith As I read the document For the Whole Creation presented at the 15th Triennial Assembly, I was drawn to the heading “Coming to Our Senses” on the first page. This phrase was chosen for its reference to the biblical […]
By Rev Cathie Lambert from her blog Deep Water Dwelling. My introduction to up-front ministry and worship leading came some 30 years ago. Our congregation, at the time, was mostly singing from the one hymn book and a small group of us had learnt some new songs at church camps. We asked the minister if […]
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 […]