Category: News & Announcements

Welcome Rev Dr Apwee Ting

Post author By revivewa
Post date April 22, 2015

The Assembly Standing Committee has approved the appointment of Rev Dr Apwee Ting as the new National Director of Multicultural and Cross Cultural Ministry.

Rev Dr Ting is a Minister of the Word at Dandenong Uniting Church in Victoria, in one of Australia’s most culturally diverse and multifaith communities. He is a former Chairperson of the UCA’s Indonesian National Conference, as well as a former Chair (2006-2009) and current member of the Assembly’s National Reference Committee for Multicultural and Cross Cultural Ministry, with the specified role of liaison with the Assembly’s Relations with other Faiths Working Group.

Rev Dr Ting completed his PhD in 2005 at STTIP Jakarta (Sekolah Tinggi Teologi International Philadelphia) with an examination of the topic ‘Cross Cultural Ministry is the fulfilment of missional mandate in the areas of Church Unity and Growth’ from theological and ministerial perspectives.

“I strongly feel the hands of God, friends and communities supporting and encouraging me to take this important role. I feel so grateful and humbled by this opportunity and will give myself as a servant to all,” said Rev Dr Ting.

Tags Multi-Cultural, Multicultural

News & Announcements

Creating vision at the Crossroads

Post author By revivewa
Post date April 22, 2015

Wanneroo Crossways Uniting Church lies close to a major crossing of roads. The congregation has also been at something of a crossroads in its life over the last year. Quietly urged on by members, it has now completed a planning process which has been suitably labelled ‘Towards a 2020 Vision’. The crux of the action was led by Rev David Kriel, mission planner at the Uniting Church WA.

Members are now focussing on the set goals and are in the process of setting in place suitable actions and time-lines, as well as calling members to serve Christ and the gospel with the skills.

May the Holy Spirit grant Crossways the strength, guidance and wisdom to enable their reach to be bigger than our grasp.

Gemmel Sherwood

Tags Ageing and Community, Church and Community

News & Announcements

The hands and feet of Jesus

Post author By revivewa
Post date April 15, 2015

Upon the retirement of Robert Watson late last year, UnitingCare West put the call out for the next suitable candidate to fill this unique role. Rev Daniel Viljoen has answered that call.

The role of mission development officer at UnitingCare West is a specific one, designed to continue and grow the existing relationships between the organisation, its staff and volunteers, as well as members and groups of the Uniting Church. UnitingCare West, an agency of the Uniting Church WA, is one of the state’s largest providers of community services, offering professional care, love and support in a range of areas.

Daniel and his family moved to Australia from South Africa around ten years ago. After completing compulsory military service in 1993 with the South African Defence Force, Daniel decided his calling was as a military chaplain with the Dutch Reformed Church. In 1994, Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa, after being elected in the nation’s first democratic election. Working for the military throughout the transition to end Apartheid was an interesting time.

“It basically meant that former enemies became colleagues,” said Daniel.

Daniel first worked with a congregation before taking up a position coordinating chaplaincy at Bethanie, an aged care facility of the Churches of Christ. Daniel talks fondly of his previous positions, as he recalls how they have all guided him on the journey of growth towards his new role at UnitingCare West.

Tags Ageing and Community

News & Announcements

Call for a new approach to remote Indigenous communities

Post author By revivewa
Post date March 19, 2015

The Uniting Church in Australia, Western Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress WA (Congress) are deeply troubled by the planned closure of remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia. They are concerned about the ramifications this will have on individuals and communities affected and believe it displays a concerning lack of understanding about Aboriginal culture and the rights of Indigenous people.

“We call on the Federal and State Government to reconsider their approach to remote settlements, and engage upon a consultation with remote communities about the best way to deliver services to them,” said Moderator of the Uniting Church, Rev Steve Francis.

“We need to act sensitively with Indigenous people who have suffered so much dispossession and trauma during the history of European settlement of Western Australia. Making decisions to remove services to remote Indigenous settlements could increase the sense of Indigenous dispossession and displacement.”

Tags First Peoples, Remote and rural communities

News & Announcements

National appeal for cyclone affected communities

Post author By revivewa
Post date March 17, 2015

UnitingWorld and the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) have launched a national appeal to support the communities devastated by Tropical Cyclone Pam.

Thousands of people across Vanuatu are homeless after the Category 5 cyclone. The UCA’s partner in Vanuatu, the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu (PCV), is providing much needed shelter with 10 churches set up as evacuation centres. The Cyclone’s 300 km/h gusts of wind wiped out entire villages and an estimated 15,000 homes have been destroyed. At least eight people have lost their lives, with the toll expected to rise. Hospitals, government buildings, shops and hotels were also significantly damaged.

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Ralph Regenvanu reported from the National Disaster and Management Centre that a state of emergency was declared for Province of Shefa, which includes Port Vila.

“Once aerial assessments are in, the state of emergency will be extended to other provinces, if not the whole country. The total population of Vanuatu is considered to be affected,” said Ralph.

PCV health program co-ordinator Richard Tatwin said Port Vila looked like a “war-zone”.

Tags Disaster Relief

News & Announcements

Building project supports the spirit of giving

Post author By revivewa
Post date March 13, 2015

A generous grant from Lotteries West has helped Pemberton Uniting Church expand their own generous spirit, as they built an extension on their church. The extension will be used to store and pack food parcels for local families doing it tough.

Faye Backhouse, from Pemberton Uniting Church, said that while there is still some minor work to be done, the renovations are a major improvement on what they have been using previously.

“We’ve still got a little bit of painting to do,” she said. “We’ll have a few more busy-bees to finish it off properly.

“All the food is in the new area, it’s out of sight and we’ve got a couple of freezers.”

Tags Church and Community, Remote and rural communities

News & Announcements

President launches National Cyclone Relief Appeal

Post author By revivewa
Post date March 13, 2015

President of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA), Rev Prof Andrew Dutney has today launched a national appeal to assist communities hit by cyclones.

Cyclone Lam struck Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory on 20 February causing extensive damage to homes and public buildings. Sixty dwellings were left uninhabitable and there was extensive damage to the natural environment.

On the same day Cyclone Marcia battered the Queensland coast from Yeppoon to Rockhampton. Wind damage caused property and crop losses just before annual harvests with flooding affecting areas as far inland as Biloela.

Currently, there are also cyclones of concern in Queensland and northern Western Australia.

“We are very concerned for the communities affected by these disasters. Please join me in praying for the church in these areas too – for their safety and recovery, and for their service and witness to their neighbours in need after the cyclones,” said Andrew.

“I encourage UCA members wherever they are to do what they can to support our brothers and sisters in this time of need.”

Tags A Helping Hand, Remote and rural communities

News & Announcements

Help is on hand for older residents at home

Post author By revivewa
Post date March 11, 2015

Older people in Perth’s north eastern and Hills suburbs can gain access to care and support designed to maintain their independence and quality of life at home.

Juniper, part of WA’s UnitingCare network, delivers a full range of home care services that can be an effective option for older people who want to live independently at home but may need assistance.

Juniper community executive manager, Daymon Joseph, said the organisation’s care packages are for people aged 65 and over, or 50-plus for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander clients.

“We understand that support in the home may be a new opportunity for some, so our aim is to help people live their life on their terms,” he said.

Tags Ageing and Community