This week we hear from proud Adnyamathanha woman, theologian and Uniting Church minister Aunty Rev Dr Denise Champion. Aunty Denise is the Theologian in Residence at Uniting College in Adelaide. In this short video she speaks about God’s presence in the land before colonisation, and the creator Spirit that “danced across Country” at creation.

This clip comes from an Assembly video series on Covenanting in the Uniting Church. See the whole showcase here.

Learn about actions taking place across the church

This week we have released our fourth and final episode of our Towards Zero series. Compiled by Rev Dr Ji Zhang, the video connects faith and action on climate change, exploring the commitments we have made, the innovative actions taking place across the church and the work that still needs to be done to create a better future. Watch now!

Read about our commitments.

The Assembly Climate Action Plan commits the Assembly to net zero emissions by 2040, with an emissions reduction of 5% per year, and to advocate for better and stronger climate policies. Across our commitments we’re informed by the wisdom of First Peoples and a concern for the places and communities most impacted by climate change. Also see below some of the commitments across the country.

Get involved with the multi-faith Australian Religious Response to Climate Change network.

1. Join the next Faiths for Climate Justice event on 13 October, when multi-faith services and some overnight vigils will be held across the country calling for an end to new coal and gas projects and climate justice for impacted communities.
2. Join with others on Zoom to meditate for the planet ahead of COP27 with Contemplative Tuesdays, an initiative of ARRCC WA.
3. Publicly declare your support for climate action and creation care by hanging one of the ARRCC's banners, or make your own.

Empower your congregation to reflect and take action.

Check out this climate justice resource for congregations, a collaboration of the Assembly, Synod of South Australia and Synod of Victoria and Tasmania. It has resources for talking about climate change in your congregation, talking about climate change from a faith perspective, worship materials, and resources for creating your own climate action plan. Find out more about why and how we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our homes and churches in this Emissions Reduction Booklet produced as part of the NSW/ACT Synod Climate Strategy.

Get recognition and support.

If your congregation is doing great things for the environment – for example making your buildings more sustainable or incorporating the environment into your worship  – then you might be eligible for a Five Leaf Eco Award. The Five Leaf Eco Awards is an ecumenical program which assists, inspires and rewards faith communities for taking environmental action.

Support the next generation.

The Uniting Church has been supportive of the School Strike 4 Climate, a grassroots, student-led movement for climate action. Keep up with news from the SS4C, including upcoming actions, so you can support Australian young people as they raise their voice for a sustainable future.

Share your story with us.

If your congregation or community has a great story to tell about how you're caring for God's creation, let us know! Email us now.