Mission and Ministry Network meets in Cairns
An opportunity to learn from the diversity of Uniting Church community service agencies and parish missions.
May 17, 2023
By Warren Talbot, UnitingCare Australia
The Uniting Mission and Ministry network (UMMN) is a national network in the life of the Uniting Church which provides an opportunity to learn from the diversity of Uniting Church community service agencies and parish missions. UnitingCare Queensland recently hosting the network in Cairns, its first face-to-face meeting since before COVID restrictions.
“Meeting with mission colleagues from across Australia who share a vision of the Church engaged with their community, faithfully supporting people to live abundantly, was a great joy."
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Participants included leaders within missions teams of the major Uniting Church community service agencies – Uniting NSW.ACT, Wesley Mission QLD, Uniting Vic.Tas, Wesley Mission (Sydney), Juniper aged care (WA) and Uniting Agewell (Vic.Tas).
They were joined by Assembly President Rev Sharon Hollis and the UnitingCare Australia National Director of Claerwen Little.
The gathering commenced with a visit to Mossman Gorge, a “Uniting on Country” walk, led by Kym Korbe, the Reconciliation Action Plan Manager with UnitingCare Queensland. A strong First Nations theme was continued in the evening session with presentations and conversations with Sharon Hollis and Claerwen Little. The President outlined the reasons why the Uniting Church Assembly is strongly supporting the Voice to Parliament, and what is at stake in the referendum. In addition, she spoke about the importance of the Act2 project for the entire Uniting Church, including community services.
Ms Little spoke about the three main priorities for UnitingCare Australia, and some of the possibilities for extending national projects, such as the Escaping Violence project.
On the second day of the gathering participants visited three services provided by UnitingCare Queensland in the Cairns region; UnitingCare Family and Disability Services (including Lifeline and Lifeline Retail), Pinangba Hollingsworth Elders Village, named in honour of a pioneering member of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, Pastor Bill Hollingsworth, and a UnitingCare local neighbourhood centre, called Birch Street.
“It was such a deep and rich time with leaders from across the Church”, said the Rev John Clarke, Director of Mission with Uniting Vic.Tas. “Meeting with mission colleagues from across Australia who share a vision of the Church engaged with their community, faithfully supporting people to live abundantly was a great joy. So many common challenges, so many opportunities to learn from each other and share resources.”
Mr Clarke said that he was extremely grateful for the directed and ad hoc conversations about chaplaincy, UCA induction, Act2 and the Voice.
“I was able to grow in my understanding, reflect theologically, and connect to some practical actions straightaway. (Apologies to Carol who sat beside me on the way home, who was the first person I asked “Are you across the Voice and the upcoming referendum?”)
“Sharing in the regular worship service at Pinangba Hollingsworth Elders Village with First Nations people was an amazing spiritual experience,” Mr Clarke added.
UnitingCare Queensland provide many regional services, and the Friday morning saw the network participants travel to the Tablelands surrounding Cairns, and a site visit to Blue Care Atherton. This was followed by a presence walk, based at lake Eacham.
In addition to site visits the participants engaged in a number of conversations around current issues in mission and ministry.
About the UMMN
Network gatherings are open to those who wish to learn from and contribute to the intersection between the Uniting Church and its missions and agencies.
Participating in the Network will expose you to the rich organisational and theological diversity of the Uniting Church in Australia. This is a unique learning, reflection, and leadership opportunity.
The Network seeks to:
- discuss the way our organisations seek to shape mission and culture;
- engage representatives from across the agencies and missions;
- reflect on contemporary issues facing agencies and missions; and
- provide peer support to those in similar roles.
Meetings are held via Zoom approximately every two months.
If you would like further information or would like to be part of the Network please contact one of the Co-Convenors: Rev Suzanne Stanton (Director of Mission, Uniting NSW.ACT) sstanton@uniting.org or Rev Dr Peter Armstrong (Associate Director, Mission Team, UnitingCare Queensland) peter.armstrong@ucareqld.com.au
More news
Towards Net Zero Good News Stories: Week 3
In 2022, the 16th Assembly resolved “A call to action for climate justice: listening to First Peoples wisdom.” The resolution established a steering group that amongst other things, is tasked with sharing stories, expertise and learnings on effective strategies and resources to reduce emissions, prioritising the wisdom of First Peoples. Towards Net Zero: Good News…
Meet Michelle Cook
Humans of the Uniting Church Rev Dr Michelle CookThis year, we’re excited to be featuring some of the inspirational people who make up the Uniting Church. Check out the growing hub of stories here. If you know of someone with a great story to tell, contact us and nominate them to be featured. In this…
Remembering the Armenian Genocide
Remembering the Armenian GenocideRemembering the Armenian Genocide April 24 marks the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. The Uniting Church in Australia formally acknowledged the Armenian Genocide at its 14th Assembly meeting in 2015. We share this prayer from Uniting Church minister Rev Levon Kardashian who is the grandson of a genocide survivor.Subscribe to our…
ASC resolution on the Holy Land
Assembly Standing Committee resolution on the Holy Land President Rev Sharon Hollis has written to the Australian government and representatives in the Holy Land to share the Uniting Church’s deep concerns about the Israel-Palestine war The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly has this week sought to highlight and communicate its deep concerns about the escalating…
Marking ANZAC Day 2024
Marking ANZAC Day 2024Uniting Church Defence Force chaplains have shared a reflection and prayer for UCA members and communities to mark ANZAC Day either side of national commemorations next Thursday 25 April.The reflection has been offered by Chaplain (Wing Commander) Christine Senini with the Royal Australian Air Force and the prayer by Chaplain (Squadron Leader)…
God with us in the darkest valleys
God with us in the darkest valley President Rev Sharon Hollis reflects on Psalm 23 in the wake of two violent attacks in Sydney this weekwritten by Rev Sharon Hollis, President of the Uniting Church in Australia This week, many of us will hear Psalm 23 read in our worship services. It is a psalm…
Towards Net Zero Good News Stories: Week 2
In 2022, the 16th Assembly resolved “A call to action for climate justice: listening to First Peoples wisdom.” The resolution established a steering group that amongst other things, is tasked with sharing stories, expertise and learnings on effective strategies and resources to reduce emissions, prioritising the wisdom of First Peoples. Towards Net Zero: Good News…
Fijian Bible Study - Year B now available
A Fijian Bible Study A new book of weekly Bible Studies in Fijian based on Year B of the Revised Common Lectionary by Rev Dr Iliesa Jovili MeoThe second volume of the Fijian Bible study written by minister, theologian and author Rev Dr Iliesa Jovili Meo is now available. The new book, written in Fijian,…