Month: May 2018

National Reconciliation Week: Learn, share, grow

Post author By revivewa
Post date May 28, 2018

The Presidents of the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress have urged congregations to find out more about the history of Indigenous people in their area during Reconciliation Week.

“Reaching out to local First Peoples and listening to their stories is the first step towards reconciliation,” said Uniting Church President, Stuart McMillan.

“Acknowledgement of country is a widely accepted practice in Australian public life, so I’m shocked at the number of people who are unaware or sometimes even deny basic facts about First Peoples.”

Tags First Peoples

News & Announcements

Guiding the next generation

Post author By revivewa
Post date May 24, 2018

Over 50 people across cultures and generations came together for the Intercultural Next Generation Conference at Cannington Uniting Church in Perth’s southern suburbs from Friday 23 to Monday 26 March.

Uniting Church members from Tongan, Indonesian, Samoan, Chinese, Arabic, Burmese, African and Anglo-Celtic communities came to share their stories and learn from one another.

Conference sessions covered ‘cultural intelligence’, how our culture affects our understanding of the Bible and bridging the gap between first and second generations.

My personal highlight was when the young people shared with the ‘older folk’ on how they can better engage with the young people in the church.

Tags Church and Community, Multi-Cultural, Youth

News & Announcements

Mandorla Art Award finalists announced

Post author By revivewa
Post date May 24, 2018

The Mandorla Art Award committee has announced the finalists for the 2018 award.

The Mandorla Art Award for contemporary religious art is a significant Australian thematic religious art prize, attracting some of the country’s finest artists since its 1985 inception. Rev Steve Francis, Moderator of the Uniting Church is Patron for the award, along with Archbishop Kay Goldsworthy, Anglican Diocese of Perth, and Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, Catholic Archdiocese of Perth. The award is sponsored by St John of God and a range of ecumenical partners.

The selection panel of Claire Bushby, Janis Nedela and Emeritus Prof Bill Loader deliberated for some time to make a selection of 40 works from the 186 entries received. The artworks respond to the 2018 theme “And then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…” (Rev 21 : 1-2).

Tags Books, Films, Art, Awards and Recipes

News & Announcements

Juniper reveals latest in apartment living

Post author By revivewa
Post date May 23, 2018

Juniper, Uniting Church WA agency providing residential and community aged care, has opened its newest retirement apartments to provide greater accommodation options for people seeking quality lifestyle choices.

Chief Executive, Vaughan Harding, said understanding people’s changing needs and their desire to live a full life are at the heart of Juniper Orana in Menora.

“This initiative represents the best in retirement accommodation where residents can enjoy security, independence and the benefits of community living,” he said.

“Juniper Orana successfully promotes apartments for life and ‘ageing in place’ – a concept where housing and community design enable residents to live and enjoy their home for as long as possible.”

Tags Ageing and Community, Our People and Agencies

News & Announcements

Funding boost for chaplaincy in WA schools

Post author By revivewa
Post date May 9, 2018

YouthCARE, a provider of chaplaincy services in Western Australian state schools, welcomes the announcement by the Federal Government to continue chaplaincy funding.

$247 million will be allocated to schools across Australia as part of the National School Chaplaincy Program.

In his budget speech, Treasurer Scott Morrison announced the Federal Government would be “extending the National School Chaplaincy Program on a permanent basis, with a special new anti-bullying focus”.

YouthCARE Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Jeyaraj, said the decision provides certainty for a large number of state schools in WA to access chaplaincy services.

Tags Ministry, Schools, Youth

News & Announcements

Budget 2018: Important initiatives but short on heart

Post author By revivewa
Post date May 9, 2018

The President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Stuart McMillan, has welcomed a number of important initiatives for First Australians in the 2018 Federal Budget.

Stuart said he was cheered by confirmation of a $550 million Federal commitment to a new five-year agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing with the Northern Territory Government.

“The housing needs of First Peoples have been scandalously neglected for so long,” he said.

“The Government has promised to ensure Aboriginal community control will be at the heart of this investment, from decision-making to employment and business procurement. If it does this, it will be an excellent outcome.”

Stuart was delighted at the extension of Medicare funding for dialysis services in rural and remote regions and confirmation that Purple House – Western Desert Dialysis in Alice Springs will receive $23 million in funding over the next few years.

Tags First Peoples

Stories & Feature Articles

Open doors in the city

Post author By revivewa
Post date May 5, 2018

For many years, churches in the Perth CBD have been opening their doors and offering a place of sanctuary where people can take time out of their busy day to pray, meditate, nurture their spirituality and seek assistance as needed.

The three Uniting Churches, Wesley, Trinity and Ross Memorial, which make up Uniting Church in the City (UCIC), are open to the public every weekday to provide an oasis of peace in the midst of a busy city. Uniting Church in the City’s vision to be vibrant and distinctive worshipping communities working collaboratively to touch hearts and transform lives through Christ is evident in this simple, but much needed, missional activity.

Workers, residents, shoppers, tourists and people seeking historical information visit the churches regularly. Many come seeking a quiet space whilst others come to view the architecture of the buildings and to trace family histories. Some come seeking assistance or just a kind, listening ear. Volunteers offer a welcoming face; greeting visitors with a friendly smile, answering questions and giving directions.

Tags Church and Community

Stories & Feature Articles

Period of Discernment: time between you and God

Post author By revivewa
Post date May 1, 2018

A Period of Discernment (POD) with the Uniting Church WA is an opportunity to take some time to think seriously about God’s call on your life.

Sione Leaaetoa recently undertook a POD, finishing up the year-long process last year. He began the process after studying a Bachelor of Ministry at the Perth Bible College. Sione had known for a long time that he wanted to work for the church, and since he, his wife Ana and their three children attend Scarborough Uniting Church, they decided to explore Sione’s call to ministry through the Uniting Church WA’s POD process.

Ana is now also undertaking a POD herself.

Sione feels that his POD cemented his calling to ordained ministry, meaning he is now going into the candidating process with a stronger knowledge about life in ministry.

“We knew that we wanted to be involved in the church, but to actually have that formal time of thinking and praying about it is actually good because you’re not just making the decision out of your own ego,” Sione said. “Through the POD, my calling to ministry was cemented because I feel like this is the right place for me to go. This is the right decision.”

Tags Our People and Agencies, Uniting Church