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What is your Yurora?

IMG_1359   “Faith is a practical thing,” preached Julian Hamilton, of the Methodist Church of Ireland on the third day of Yuróra, the 2014 National Christian Youth Convention (NCYC).“We must perform the text, and when we do God turns up.”

With a week full of worship, song, dance and social justice, mixed in with a healthy dose of Yuróra, how could we not be performing the word of God? Yuróra was the theme for the  2014 NCYC, a biennial event held by a presbytery or synod of the Uniting Church, and means ‘passion’ in the Dharug language. As over 1000 delegates and volunteers pulled up  outside the Centre for Ministry, Parramatta, it was clear their yuróra was calling them.

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Celebrating diversity while learning for life

North Balga‘s Devanya Strickland and Makayla White with Scotch College’s Will Lewis and Cooper Van Rooyen. Photo courtesy of The Community Newspaper Group.
North Balga‘s Devanya Strickland and Makayla White with Scotch College’s Will Lewis and Cooper Van Rooyen. Photo courtesy of The Community Newspaper Group.

As neighbours from across the city, year five students from Scotch College enjoyed a day out last year celebrating  with students of North Balga Primary School (NBPS) in their Multicultural Day. North Balga Primary School is a vibrant, multicultural school, with many students speaking English as their second language, from many different cultures.

Students from the school performed a range of dances and displays to celebrate their different cultures with the students from Scotch College, a Uniting Church school in Perth’s  Western Suburbs.

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Give it UP for Lent

Georgina Garrett, Jemima Taylor and Imogen Senior from Picton Uniting are Giving it UP for Lent in 2014 with new youth resources.
Georgina Garrett, Jemima Taylor and Imogen Senior from Picton Uniting Church are Giving it UP for Lent in 2014 with new youth resources.

UnitingWorld’s Lent Event provides opportunities for people of all ages to – as their motto says – connect, reflect and act. Connect with overseas communities; reflect on your faith  and act, by giving up everyday items and donating the money to vital relief and development projects instead.

This year Lent Event includes a new, youth-inspired addition – Give it UP for Lent. Running over one weekend from March 7–9, Give it UP for Lent is the result of collaboration  between UnitingWorld and South Australia’s Uniting Young People. It includes a full range of youth group resources, video and bible study materials. 

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Stories & Feature Articles

A tree of hope

178892264Helping to strengthen family bonds under pressure, Mount Hawthorn St Peter Emmaus Church recently helped families with a parent in prison celebrate Christmas. Through Angel  Tree, incarcerated parents can ask to send a gift to their child along with a hand written card as a way of celebrating Christmas together.

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News & Announcements

Celebrating a ministy of care

Tom's retirement resizedCelebrating a ministry of care Rev Isobelle Shortreed organised a retirement service for Rev Tom Wilson last November at Noranda Uniting Church.

After many years in congregational ministry, including as a home missioner, Tom served at the Wasley Centre from 1980 providing counselling and training in the field. However  when the centre moved outside the Uniting Church – to the Wasley Institute – his role was no longer officially a church placement. Tom has been of great service to the church  throughout his ministry, and his work is appreciated by many.

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Postcards with love from Good Samaritan Industries

Good Samaritan Industries (GSI) has teamed up with Postcare, a new mobile phone and device app which allows users to take a photo on their digital device and send it via the post  as a good-old postcard.

Launched last year at the Uniting Church in the City Centre, each postcard is processed by staff at GSI, a community service agency of the Uniting Church in WA providing employment for people living with a disability.

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News & Announcements

Uniting Church mourns passing

The Uniting Church in Australia is saddened to announce the death of the late Rev Ian Tanner who passed away Friday 27 December 2013.

Ian was a past President of the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly from 1985 to 1988 and served as the first Moderator of the Synod of South Australia from 1977-1979.

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Betty marks a milestone

2012 synod Betty Matthews pic DSC_0232Rev Betty Matthews, the first person to be ordained as a deacon in the Uniting Church, will be celebrating 60 years since she was ‘set apart’ as a deaconess with the Presbyterian Church in 1954.

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Community leaders honoured

Three members of the Uniting Church in WA have been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), announced this Australia Day.

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A life of love and hospitality

Errol Ruth Phillipson picA celebration of the life of Errol Ruth Phillipson was held recently, after her passing in January.

Errol was born in England in 1933 to an English father and an Australian mother. The family returned to Perth when  Errol was 14 months old. In 1949, John Phillipson was appointed assistant minister to Victoria Park, Carlisle and Welshpool as a home missioner. Errol and John became friends and that friendship developed into a lifelong partnership  of marriage.

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