Category: Events

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Events

Visiting theologian attracts lively discussion

In October, the WA Progressive Network hosted a conversation at All Saints Floreat Uniting Church with Prof Hal Taussig, a scholar of ancient texts and a Visiting Professor of New Testament at Union Theological Seminary in New York.

The seminar attracted people from the Uniting, Seventh Day Adventist, Church of Christ and Catholic churches and some who don’t belong to a church.

The conversation at Floreat was an extremely interesting event. There was plenty of time for questions
and comments which Hal used to adjust his presentation.

The ten new books outside the canon from archaeological digs in Egypt, which his book The New New Testament includes and discusses, were selected from a group of 47 possible choices by invitees, including John Dominic Crossan, two nuns who had worked in Rome for the Pope, and two people from the Jewish faith.

Geoff Taylor

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Events

Understanding data to find new pathways

The National Church Life Survey (NCLS) and Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census data provide a wealth of information to the community, which churches can use to help guide them in strategic decisions.

Rev David Kriel, Mission Planner for the Uniting Church WA, and Rev Dr Elizabeth Raine, a past member of the NCLS Board of Governors and the NCLS Research Committee, will lead two  workshops in October: Understanding your congregation using NCLS data and Understanding your community using Census data.

Elizabeth said that NCLS data is a great tool for congregations  to understand their gifts and how to use them to connect with their local community. Not only can NCLS provide congregation profiles, but they can also provide information that is specific to the community around them.

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Summer Spirit: stop, look and listen

Over a hundred people gathered at All Saints Floreat Uniting Church on Saturday 27 February for the Uniting Church’s annual Summer Spirit event. Guests spent much of the day considering God’s call on their lives.

Rev Michelle Cook, presbytery minister – mission development from the Uniting Church Presbytery of Tasmania, was the key note speaker. She challenged those present to think beyond doing things simply because it is what has always been done, and discovering new ways to live out their faith in the church.

“When I was younger there seemed to be a certain path in using gifts,” she said. “First of all you went to youth group, then you we asked to be a youth group leader, then you may have been trusted to lead worship, then perhaps you became an elder was able to be part of the decision making of the Church Council. Although these things are worthy in themselves, my mother had the same experience 30 years before.

“I see that same thing happening now. We’re looking to fill already established holes in leadership.

“Where is the room for the new things that God is doing? Where’s the room for the fresh words and deeds that the Basis of Union calls us to?”

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Events

Suter set to visit Perth

Keith Suiter speakingIn December last year, Revive published an article using Dr Keith Suter’s research looking to the future of the Uniting Church, which stirred a lot of discussion. Uniting Church members will  have an opportunity to further that discussion in May, when Keith leads two events in Perth on the theme of ‘Choose your future wisely.’

On Thursday 7 May Keith will speak at an evening function followed by a Q and A session. It is open to anyone associated with the Uniting Church WA and will be an important discussion on the  scenario  planning technique as applied to the Uniting Church in Australia. During the morning on Friday 8 May, Keith will lead a workshop for members of commissions and committees of  the Uniting Church WA.

Rev David Kriel, strategy and mission planner at the Uniting Church WA, said that as this is Keith’s area of expertise, the events will be a stimulating discussion for everyone who is passionate  about the Uniting Church and its future.

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