Category: News & Announcements

Joining forces for climate action

Post author By revivewa
Post date February 1, 2017

A diverse group of 40 signatories representing Western Australian health professionals, religious leaders, farmers, renewable industry experts, environmentalists and unions have launched a joint statement calling on all parties leading into the WA elections to provide decisive action against climate change. The Uniting Church WA is among them.

The coalition wants WA to become a renewable energy superpower and says the government must commit to rapidly transitioning the state to renewables.

An online petition has also been launched calling on the community to demand action from their candidates.

Professor Fiona Stanley says Western Australia has the economic and technical capacity to lead in the transition to renewables.

“We just need the political will to do so,” she said.

“Fossil fuels are a major contributor to air pollution, which is now close to tobacco as a leading cause of death globally.”

Tags Environment

News & Announcements

Faith amongst pirates

Post author By revivewa
Post date January 24, 2017

For the last few years, Paul ‘Werzel’ Montague, a candidate for ministry with the Uniting Church WA, and Rev Chris Bedding, rector at Darlington-Bellevue Anglican Church, have been known around town as Pirate Church. Since the comedy duo was created, many have caught the Pirate Church bug. The show has toured around the country, and in 2015 won Best WA Comedy at the FringeWorld Awards.

On the back of Yurora NCYC 2017, the Uniting Church in Australia’s National Christian Youth Convention, and in the lead-up to the Perth Fringe Festival, Paul and Chris sat with Heather Dowling, editor of Revive, to chat life, faith, comedy and pirates.

Tags Church and Community, Our People and Agencies

News & Announcements

Disturbing Much, Disturbing Many: Theology provoked by the Basis of Union, by Geoff Thompson

Post author By revivewa
Post date January 15, 2017

This book contains a collection of recent articles by Rev Dr Geoff Thompson, related in one way or another to the Basis of Union (the foundation document of the Uniting Church in Australia). Dr Thompson teaches at the University of Divinity in Melbourne, and is well-placed to lead us into the bumpy and tempestuous ride of provocation and disturbance.

This book, I am confident, will foster such qualities in the theological imagination and ecclesial commitment of anyone who reads it. Geoff Thompson has grappled with a wide range of topics, and has sought to show how the intention of the authors of the Basis of Union has been worked out in the ongoing discussion amongst Uniting Church people (and the wider church).

If you read this book, or selected chapters from it, you may feel disturbed much. For myself, as should be clear, I have been disturbed a little, and would like to be disturbed more. Or, at least, would like to see many others sharing more fully in the process of being disturbed by the expression of ‘fresh words and deeds’ as we make our journey as the pilgrim people.

Tags Books, Films, Art, Awards and Recipes

News & Announcements

Progressive spirituality: new directions

Post author By revivewa
Post date January 11, 2017

Thirteen members of the Uniting Church WA made the long flight to Brisbane to join with 300 others from around the world for the 4th Common Dreams Conference. Common Dreams aims to promote study and discussion of progressive religious thoughts.

The conference was formally opened by Rev David Felten, co-author of Living the Questions, who highlighted the significance of the progressive movement and his experience of a co-ordinated attack on Progressive Christianity by his neighbouring evangelical churches. It was followed by a lecture for the late Rev Canon Nigel Leaves, a past Warden of Wollaston College in WA, introduced by his widow Rev Jewlz Leaves and given by theologian Dr Val Webb.

We also heard a most engaging lecture by a Muslim woman, Saara Sabbagh on ‘Living with Faith in a faithless world’. She shared the wisdom of Islam’s Sufi mystical tradition known to many of us from the writings of Rumi. Nine different elective workshops on progressive spirituality led by experts were held throughout the conference, as well as a range of keynote sessions on interesting topics.

Tags Theology and Spiritual Reflections, Uniting Church

News & Announcements

Investment in a sustainable future

Post author By revivewa
Post date January 9, 2017

In an effort to become more sustainable, Uniting Church in the City (UCIC) has undertaken a number of projects to increase their environmental sustainability and reduce their ecological impact.

UCIC general manager, Neil Starkie, explained that in July 2015, the church adopted a strategic plan that included new direction on sustainability and design. Since adopting the plan, UCIC have engaged in three initiatives to address their sustainability.

One of these initiatives is the upcoming installation of a 65 cell solar array on the tallest building in the Wesley Quarter. The solar array has been made possible with the help of a small scale technology certificate rebate. The project is expected to reach completion by 31 December. The array will account for 5% of the energy for the largest building in the Quarter.

Tags Environment

News & Announcements

Sit, chat and wander at Campfire

Post author By revivewa
Post date January 7, 2017

Over the September long weekend, 125 people from Uniting Churches around WA descended on the small, Wheatbelt town of Lake Yealering for Campfire 2016.

Campfire is run by the Pastoral Network of Evangelicals Uniting in Mission Action (PNEUMA) with the express aim of encouraging and resourcing people for mission. It is also a fantastic weekend of relaxing and hanging out with friends – old and new.

Andrew Hamilton, part-time retic guy and part-time pastor of Quinns Baptist Church, was guest speaker this year with his three sessions focusing on ‘The practices of sent people,’ ‘Living lives that are different’ and ‘Speaking of Jesus.’ Andrew’s sessions were engaging and practical with plenty of time for discussion.

Tags Church and Community, Youth

News & Announcements

Contemplation on Canvas comes to Perth

Post author By revivewa
Post date January 6, 2017

Rev Cathie Lambert, minister at Margaret River Uniting Church, will be at Trinity North Uniting Church on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 January guiding participants through an art and spirituality workshop – Contemplation on Canvas.

Contemplation on Canvas will run on Friday evening, and then all day Saturday. During the retreat, participants will have the opportunity for personal reflection on their own life and spiritual journey so far. Guidance and inspiration will be given in a large group format, followed by individual reflection time.

At each stage of reflection, participants will begin to create their very own mixed media canvas. Using creative materials, participants will craft an artwork that depicts their life and their hopes for the future.

Tags Books, Films, Art, Awards and Recipes, Theology and Spiritual Reflections

News & Announcements

UnitingCare West announces next CEO

Post author By revivewa
Post date December 21, 2016

The Chairperson of the UnitingCare West Board, Peter Fitzpatrick, and the General Secretary of the Uniting Church WA, Rev David deKock, take great pleasure in announcing the appointment of Amanda Hunt as the next Chief Executive Officer of UnitingCare West (UCW).

Amanda Hunt comes to UnitingCare West from the position of State Manager, Mission Australia – WA and SA. Amanda will bring energy, enthusiasm and strong leadership and management to the position. Amanda was selected from a strong field of candidates including candidates from other jurisdictions.

“Amanda is well known in the Western Australian community services sector and she has extensive experience in a range of services that are provided by UnitingCare West” Peter Fitzpatrick said.

Tags Our People and Agencies

News & Announcements

A celebration of ministry, leadership and unconditional love

Post author By revivewa
Post date December 21, 2016

Rev Sealin Garlett celebrated his retirement to a packed room on Sunday afternoon 18 December, at Len Packham Hall in Coolbellup. Sealin officially retires on 31 December 2016.

Sealin trained at both the Perth Theological Hall and Nungalinga College, a ministry college for Australia’s First Peoples in Darwin. He was ordained in 1991 to serve at Coolbellup Uniting Church, now Maaman ‘O’ Miya Uniting Church.

Throughout his ministry, Sealin has served with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), both nationally and in WA. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the UAICC WA’s Beananging Kwuurt Institute.

One of Sealin’s passions has been strengthening the covenantal relationship between the UAICC and the Uniting Church in Australia – a journey of working together to bring about reconciliation and forgiveness between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people of Australia.

After a welcome to country from Nyungar elder Uncle Ben Taylor, Rev Dennis Doust introduced a range of speakers from many walks of Sealin’s journey in ministry.

Rev Dr Ian Tozer, acting general secretary of the Uniting Church WA, said that Sealin’s use of Indigenous stories and traditions has helped introduce many people to Jesus Christ.

Tags Church and Community, First Peoples, Our People and Agencies

News & Announcements

Uniting Church WA urges Premier to stop work on Roe 8

Post author By revivewa
Post date December 15, 2016

The moderator of the Uniting Church WA, Rev Steve Francis, and the chairperson of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress WA, Rev Sealin Garlett, have written to the West Australian Premier urgently asking that the preparatory work on the ‘Roe 8’ site be stopped immediately.

Tags Environment, First Peoples