Following a visit to Scarborough in 2012 from UnitingWorld representative Lee-Anne Burnett, the Scarborough and Waterman’s Bay Congregations agreed to sponsor a student from the Indonesian province of Papua to be a part of a group of students undertaking a three-month intensive English language course in Perth early in 2013. A good grasp of English enhances the employment prospects for Papuans.
Whilst living in the Middle East in 1980 I mail-ordered my first personal computer. That is, I ordered a kit to build a Sinclair ZX80 personal computer, along with a correspondence course on BASIC programing (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code). With my trusty soldering iron in hand I swiftly – and to my surprise successfully – assembled the computer, plugged it into the TV aerial socket, powered it up and, armed with my correspondence course, entered the brave new world of personal computing.
The Wesley Museum, at Albany Wesley Uniting Church, was the inspiration of Rev John Phillipson, who collected and displayed historical photos, artefacts and papers in ‘The Upper Room’ – the balcony in Wesley Church.
His work was enlarged on and reorganised some years later by Bonnie Hicks, whose information boards form the basis of the present museum. The museum is now situated in more spacious accommodation in Centenary Hall and has again been extended to include many historical books, one of which is a very old Bible and a complete set of Methodist Conference Reports.
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.