When Super Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in early November, thousands of people were killed, and many more injured, displaced and left to rebuild their lives.
Since launching the Philippines Typhoon appeal not long after the tragedy, UnitingWorld has received over $30,000 from the generous support of individuals, businesses and congregations within the Uniting Church in Australia.
The actor Aaron Pedersen got it in one.
When Australians get a chance to come together and vote at a referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our Constitution, he said earlier this year, it would be “a simple act of humanity.” He’s right.
First Third’s newest team member may be recognisable to some, as Trinity North Uniting Church welcomed Richard Telfer to their ministry team in November. Richard has previously worked as a First Third specialist for the South Metro region but had to return to Sydney for family reasons. Now back in Perth, Richard is excited to be able to share his knowledge of First Third theology and principles with the Metro North region, specifically with the Trinity North congregation.
In his introductory chapter Hugh Mackay looks at the Utopia complex being sold to us by business, the media and general societal pressure. He suggests that the pursuit of happiness can actually make you miserable. We seem to think that happiness is our default position whereas often we grow through pain. Wholeness can involve the whole range of emotions and experiences.
The President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Prof Andrew Dutney, and a delegation of Uniting Church leaders attended a historic series of meetings with leaders from the China Christian Council (CCC) in four Chinese cities from 16–24 September.
The story strikes terror into the heart of middle class Westerners like me: surely this is not a command for everyone, at all times?
When we think of a theology of simplicity we need to remember that we are under grace, not law. Grace leads us to whatever form of discipleship towards our material goods – and the way we conduct our lives – to which God calls.
In July 2012 in Adelaide, the members of the 13th Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia listened to members of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) tell stories about the effects of the Federal Stronger legislation (and before that) on their lives and the lives of their communities.
Since the appearance of the building has changed a fair bit, last editions’ mystery photo was a hard one to crack. Laura Fox, however, from Northam Uniting Church, has come through with the goods, sharing that the building was in fact the St Pauls Presbyterian Church, Northam.
The Swan View Community Garden, at the local Uniting Church, was one of two recipients of a community grant in the Open Garden Scheme, being awarded the grant for Best Community Garden.
The South Perth Childcare Centre enjoyed a wonderful week of celebrations to commemorate the anniversary of its 20th birthday in October. Past children, staff, members of the committee, parents, Uniting Church ministers and members of the South Perth Uniting Church congregation met each evening to reminisce about their participation in the centre over the past 20 years.