We have some exciting news this edition, as Revive magazine recently won an Australasian Religious Press Association (ARPA) Award!
We won a Gold Award for the ‘Best Social Justice Article’, Rethinking plastic: Local action on a global issue,’ published in our June 2018 edition.
The award ceremony and conference was held in Christchurch, New Zealand, in September. I wasn’t able to attend, however, Maggie Johns, Media and Communications Manager for the Uniting Church WA, attended and accepted the award. With this being only our second edition in our new format after taking a short hiatus earlier this year, I’m stoked for the magazine to be appreciated in this way.
With Christmas just a few weeks away, this edition we have a Christmas reflection from Pastor John Tomkins (pg 28), and a spread on how you can make your Christmas gifts count in the lives of others you may never meet (pg 14). Check out our editions page to download the printed edition, or keep an eye out on our Facebook page to read these as they are released.
As the hectic lead-up to Christmas is upon us, I’ve been trying to think of some ways to show my friends and family that I love them without bombarding them with junk they don’t need – and avoiding the crowded shops! The appeals on page 14 are a great place to start. There are also plenty of ways to give that don’t add to the stress on our environment by avoiding single-use plastic and over-packaging. I recently went to a workshop where I learnt how to make a ‘low-tox’ body scrub and a body cream using ingredients found in my local bulk food store. I could easily make these as gifts for friends.
And let’s not forget all the amazing edible gifts that are so simple to make! Everyone loves a homemade slice, I know we have a few traditions in our family that would surely be missed if they weren’t on the table. Our recipe this edition will make a great addition to the Christmas spread, it’s a tasty, sweet, no-bake date slice, sent in by Maureen Skeet from Rockingham Uniting Church (pg 25). And don’t forget to keep sending in your recipes, letters and other creative pieces. This edition we were also lucky enough to receive a prayer and a hymn, written by Rev Bill Jenkins for Guildford Wesley Chapel.
Send your letters and contributions to revive@wa.uca.org.au, or mail them to Revive magazine, GPO Box M952, Perth, 6843.
Have a fantastic and safe Christmas holiday period.
Heather Dowling, Editor