Stuart McMillan, president of the Uniting Church in Australia has issued a statement in response to the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act. His statement follows:
Month: March 2017
Homosexuality commonly draws out strident views. Oppositional positions seem to be the norm; dialogue is often elusive. The editor notes this is not a ‘Christian’ versus ‘non-Christian’ debate: it is a discussion within the church.
Seeking to encourage deep engagement, evangelical publisher Zondervan asked two scholars to present an ‘affirming’ and two a ‘traditional’ view. Elsewhere, the editor says, the “question of homosexuality defies simple answers … I refuse to give thin answers to thick questions …” These scholars do the same.
Two authors were new to me. Knowing little about intersexuality, DeFranza’s work intrigued me. Holmes sees no room for same-sex marriage and with Hill (a self-identifying gay man) perceives celibacy as the only same-sex Christian option.
This year the Uniting Church in Australia celebrates its 40th anniversary. Throughout 2017, Revive will feature significant events for the life of the church during that time.
On Sunday 26 June, 1977, a celebration to mark the Inauguration of the Uniting Church WA and the Induction of its first Moderator was held at the Perth Entertainment Centre. A free ticketed event, members of the newly formed Uniting Church WA enjoyed a moving and joyous service at the venue, which has now been replaced with Perth Arena.
For Fijian Methodist minister Rev James Bhagwan, climate change is not a theoretical concept. For many people in the Pacific, the impacts of rising sea levels and severe tropical cyclones are an all too real experience of a changing climate.
James, the Methodist Church in Fiji’s secretary for Communication and Overseas Mission, is a keen advocate for strong action on climate change, having seen its direct impacts in his community.
“Our small nation, Fiji, was the first to ratify the Paris Agreement and almost immediately, as if to underline the importance of the convention on climate change, we were faced with Severe Tropical Cyclone (STC) Winston, a category 5 cyclone and the most powerful in the southern hemisphere — a symbol of the earth’s groaning and crying to the rising temperatures and sea levels,” he said.
“Before STC Winston and since we continue to suffer from other extreme weather patterns – droughts and floods – as a result of climate change.
Categories
Women who lead
International Women’s Day will be held on Wednesday 8 March. To celebrate, four inspiring women share with Revive their thoughts on leadership and faith as a woman in the Uniting Church today.
Hanamoa Vaitogi
Serving with the Perth Samoan Uniting Church.
What makes great leadership?
We can all be leaders in different ways, and being in great leadership for God’s people is doing it with love, patience and honesty. You don’t have to be a pastor or an evangelist to do that. As a Christian, you can lead people to Jesus in spiritual growth through encouragement, praying together and ongoing discipleship.
How can we contribute to creating a better world?
We can do this by setting good examples for our young people and educating them well, so they know what’s good and what’s bad as they grow up they will decide accordingly.
Being a woman in leadership is…
l used to live in a culture where leadership in church is always dominated by males, and it’s tough. Now, I’m a member of the Uniting Church and it’s totally different. My mission now is to listen to people’s concerns and understand their opinions, relate them to the word of God and then share with love and patience.
Janine McDonald
First Third project officer at the Uniting Church WA.
What makes great leadership?
I think a great leader is someone who motivates and inspires their team, or even just those around them, to embrace and passionately work towards a common goal.
How can we contribute to creating a better world?
By learning about and getting to know each other, by embracing our differences and sharing God’s love for each other, we can absolutely make the world a better place.
Being a woman in leadership is…
Being a working mother has its challenges and is often exhausting. It is a juggling act between school, family and work schedules, and commitments. Being involved in and making a positive difference in young people’s lives, however, is a worthy reward for all of the hard work and effort involved.
Rev Lorraine Stokes
Minister at Willetton Uniting Church, chairperson-elect of the Presbytery of WA.
What makes great leadership?
Leadership is about doing all that is possible to help people be the person they were created to be, with all the potential that brings for them and everyone around them. Leadership is about giving guidance and encouragement.
How can we contribute to creating a better world?
Each day, and in every situation, we can choose to act wisely, with care and compassion in our use of time and our treatment of people and all of creation. It is about changing ourselves first and modelling that lifestyle to others. I believe it is of more benefit to empower people than to give help to the extent that people remain helpless.
Being a woman in leadership is… demanding and invigorating. Being a wife, a mother, a housekeeper and cleaner, as well as being in leadership can take a lot of organisation; but nothing is too much effort when you know you are following the path to which you have been called.
Kristin Grainger
Pastor for the Warren-Blackwood Group of the Uniting Church WA.
What makes great leadership?
Being able to relate to people from all walks of life, having life experience and being compassionate and resilient in all situations.
How can we contribute to creating a better world?
Definitely no other answer could go beyond the giving, receiving and expressing of love, compassion and equality. We need to move more into sustainable living and utilising the renewable energies that we have been provided.
Being a woman in leadership is… being the feminine side of Jesus. Lead by Jesus’ example; gentleness, firmness, stand firm in the storms. I aspire to Micah 6:8 “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Be strong in what God has placed before you through faith with thanksgiving.
The president of the Uniting Church in Australia, Stuart McMillan, has issued a pastoral statement to the church. On Friday 10 March, the Uniting Church in Australia will appear at a public hearing of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses into Child Sexual Abuse.
Rev Dr John Squires was inducted into the role of director of Education and Formation in the Uniting Church WA, on Friday 24 February at Uniting Church in the City, Wesley Perth. John’s role also includes being the principal of the Perth Theological Hall (PTH).
The service also celebrated the commencement of PTH.
John was ordained as a minister of the Word in 1980, since serving in a wide variety of placements. He has served in city and rural congregations, and as the vice principal at the United Theological College, Sydney.
As well as having published articles and book chapters on a range of topics, John has also completed doctorate study at Yale University in the USA, and has been a research scholar at Durham University and the University of Cambridge in the UK. He has also been the associate head of campus at Charles Sturt University.
Rev David de Kock, general secretary of the Uniting Church WA preached at the service.
In his response, John acknowledged the local Nyungar people and shared that Australians have a lot to learn from our Indigenous people in the areas of caring for country, honouring the land and welcoming the stranger.
He then recited the words agreed to at the 2009 Synod which established the Commission for Education for Discipleship and Leadership (CEDAL) and said he has enthusiasm and hope for his new role.
