Month: June 2016

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Stories & Feature Articles

Wobbly Christianity

Sometimes we stand and we know what we stand for. Sometimes we fall and we are tripped over by our lack of attention and focus.

Sometimes we just wobble.

We wobble when we celebrate God’s awesome creation and then add to the pollution of God’s world. We wobble when we claim to follow a Jesus who was poor while we chase a dream of luxury  and affluence. We wobble when we speak about being inclusive while we ignore people who are different to us. We wobble when we talk of justice for others while we can so easily become   self-absorbed and self-interested. We wobble when we preach the timeless gospel and do it in outdated and irrelevant ways.

Maybe this side of the full kingdom of God, we will struggle to run the race of faith and walk the way of Jesus without some wobbles.

This edition of Revive reminds us that Jesus did not wobble when it came to loving, serving, advocating and acting for others. Scot McKnight reminds us that Jesus as a Galilean prophet had a job  description a bit like this.

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News & Announcements

President launches Storm Relief Appeal

The president of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA), Stuart McMillan, has today launched a national appeal to assist communities hit by recent storms.

An intense low pressure system off Australia’s east coast has led to a number of deaths and widespread damage to property. Residents across New South Wales are facing a massive clean-up while Tasmanians are experiencing the worst floods in 90 years.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones. We grieve with the families and friends and pray for the safety of all,” said Stuart.

“The Uniting Church seeks to support people in need in such times of difficulty and to join with others at the heart of community recovery.”

“So I am today launching an appeal to encourage UCA members wherever they are to support our ministry in these places at this time of great need.”

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News & Announcements

Building a future through mentoring

In April this year, more than a hundred children, along with junior and adult leaders, converged on Kids Camp Out (KCO) for a weekend of fun and fellowship. Many Uniting Church members  get misty eyed as they talk about their experience of KCO (previously known as KUCA); it is a  much loved event and eagerly anticipated every year.

KCO is open to primary-school campers with teenagers invited to attend as junior leaders. In a new development, as of next year, high-school graduates and other young adults will have an opportunity to participate in a KCO mentorship program.

Helen Haslam has been involved in KCO as a congregation leader, and her daughter, Naomi Haslam, has been undertaking an informal mentorship with craft leader, Margaret Johnston, for the past two years.

Helen explained that seeing her daughter’s experience with Margaret work so well over a two-ear period, she thinks that a formal program would benefit KCO and the young adults who have come through as junior leaders

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Stories & Feature Articles

Touchstones on a spiritual journey

Often when I travel I know exactly where I am going, what I will be seeing and who I will be meeting. Travelling with two members of Margaret River Uniting Church, who were very good at getting flights and accommodation booked, meant that a week before leaving I still hadn’t given our journey to the SacredEdge Festival much thought.

It was a lovely change to be a participant who was open to making last minute decisions about how to engage with this ‘little festival with the big heart”.

This was a trip with a difference.

The journey that led us to attending this festival was, however, far more intentional. In 2015, Craig Mitchell,national director for formation, education and discipleship with the Uniting Church in Australia, spoke to guests at Summer Spirit, the Uniting Church WA’s continuing education and discipleship event.

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Stories & Feature Articles

Syrian refugees share their story

I recently travelled to an urban refugee camp in Jordan to meet with Syrian men, women and children who have been forced to flee their home to escape war and violence.

Whilst I was there I asked refugees, “What did the war take from you?”

“Our dad.” “Dignity.” “School.” “Everything.”

Their heartbreaking responses caused me to reflect on just how much the war in Syria has impacted ordinary mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. After five long years, the conflict has come at an unconscionable human cost.  People fleeing violence have lost not only their homes, livelihoods, family, friends, but also their dignity, safety and basic human rights.

I went to Jordan on assignment with Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia, to see how urgently needed food ration packs were being distributed to Syrian refugees. Many of the packs were funded thanks to the generous support of Uniting Church members in Western Australia, and it was incredible to see firsthand the difference this support was making.

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News & Announcements

Sorry Day: truth, justice and healing

Perth’s annual Sorry Day event was held at Wellington Square, East Perth, on Thursday 26 May, with over 2 000 school students plus a further 1 000 community members attending.

Six Uniting Church schools participated in the event, which aims to tell the stories of the Stolen Generations. The Uniting Church WA, through the work of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) WA and the Justice and Mission Unit, has supported the organisation of Sorry Day events for a number or years, through its involvement in the Bringing Them Home Committee WA. UnitingCare West was also a key sponsor of the event and ran a popular activity whereby young people could paint their stories onto message stones.

Rev Sealin Garlett, UAICC WA minister, provided a moving welcome to country, which was followed by a smoking ceremony from Prof Len Collard.

A stunning sand mural was laid out on the grass for people to admire, and later in the day dancers took to the mural with traditional dance, performing on the sand.

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News & Announcements

Past PLC principal honoured in naming of new senior school

Presbyterian Ladies’ College’s (PLC) Beth Blackwood Senior School was officially opened on 25 May 2016 in honour of PLC’s immediate past Principal, who left the school last October after 18 years of service.

Blessed with a sunny day in the midst of the stormy weather, the opening took place outside on the Quad, facing the impressive new limestone and steel building. The five Vice-chancellors of    WA’s  universities attended the opening as well as Rev Steve Francis, moderator of the Uniting Church WA, representatives from other schools, PLC students, staff and members of the school community. For Beth, it was the culmination of  years of planning.

First designed as part of a plan for the campus back in 1999 by architect Marcus Collins, construction began late in 2014 and was completed in February this year. Sadly, Marcus passed away last year before building was completed.

Beth paid homage to his vision and passion to create a space that is both functional  and beautiful.

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