Tag: Uniting Church

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Social Impact

Phasing out single-use plastics in WA

Tarutao national park, Thailand

The 42nd Annual Synod of the Uniting Church Western Australia, held over the weekend, called on the State Government to take action on the purchase and disposal of single-use plastics.

The Uniting Church has a long standing commitment to social, environmental and intergenerational justice. Recognising the impact of plastics on the environment, particularly in marine ecosystems, the Synod affirmed the 2018 decision of the WA State Government to ban the provision of single-use plastic bags, and called for further action.

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Social Impact

Uniting Church WA calls to reinstate ‘SRSS Safety Net’ support program

An Ethnic mother and daughter are indoors in a hospital. The girl is holding a teddy bear for comfort. The mother and doctor are talking about the girl's checkup.

The 42nd Annual Synod of the Uniting Church Western Australia, held over the weekend, committed to taking the next step in advocacy for people seeking asylum, calling on Australia’s leaders to restore dignity to people seeking humanitarian protection.

The Synod agreed to write to the Federal Government expressing concerns at the restriction of access to the Status Resolution Support Service (SRSS). Removing the service leaves families at risk of destitution and homelessness, and the church is calling for full access to be reinstated.

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Social Impact

Standing with refugees

While our Federal Government still takes a hard line approach to refugees and asylum seekers, many Australians want to do more to help those coming to Australia for safety. There are a number of practical ways members of the Australian community can help.

The Uniting Church WA has been a long-time supporter of the Coalition for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees (CARAD), who provide support to refugees and asylum seekers in Perth. Recent cuts to the Status Resolution Support Service mean that up to 500 people in Perth may lose access to this program, leaving them without any form of income. Individuals and groups, such  as Uniting Church WA congregations, can help by donating items to CARAD’s Food Bank or organising a fundraiser to donate cash.

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News & Announcements

A safe church for all people

Little girls painting with finger paint

Dr Deidre Palmer, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, has released a statement during National Child Protection Week. National Child Protection Week runs from Sunday 2 to Saturday 8 September, and aims to promote the safety and wellbeing of children. Read Deidre’s statement below.

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News & Announcements

Uniting Church publishes additional marriage liturgy

Close-up of "Just Married" sign attached on convertible car's trunk. Horizontal shot.

The Uniting Church in Australia has today published an additional marriage liturgy that will allow same-gender couples to get married in Uniting Churches from Friday 21 September 2018.

The liturgy was approved by the Uniting Church’s Assembly Standing Committee which met in Sydney from 24 to 26 August.

The publication of the Uniting Church in Australia Additional Marriage Liturgy (2018) follows the decision by members of the Fifteenth Assembly Meeting in July to hold two equal and distinct statements of belief on marriage to honour the diversity of Christian belief among Uniting Church members.

Dr Deidre Palmer, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, has issued a Pastoral Letter to church members, to reassure people about the additional liturgy.

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News & Announcements

Celebrating 103 years

Osborne Park Uniting Church will be celebrating 103 years of worship in the area on Sunday 9 September.

Established in 1915, the original church has seen several additions and extensions over the years and experienced the variations in congregation size as many churches have.

At the centenary services in 2015, a total of about 220 attended, showing the many people who have attended over the years.

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Stories & Feature Articles

Youthful members reflect

The Uniting Church WA recently supported five youthful members to attend the 15th Triennial Assembly Meeting of the Uniting Church in Australia. Youthful members, aged under 30, take part in a program where they are encouraged to share with and support each other over the week. Three youthful members from the Uniting Church WA share their experiences from the meeting with Revive.

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Stories & Feature Articles

5 ways the Assembly meeting is more than business

While members of the 15th Triennial Assembly Meeting made important business decisions for the life of the church over the next three years and beyond, they also shared plenty of moments learning, being inspired and journeying together as the people of God. Here are just five of those ways.

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Social Impact

A Christian response to racism

President of the Uniting Church in Australia Dr Deidre Palmer has called on Australians to respond with love, hospitality and inclusion to a surge in anti-immigration rhetoric in Australian public life.

“Jesus’ great commandment to his followers was to love God and love your neighbour. As Christians we believe all people are created in the image of God and deserving of respect and dignity. Racism is incompatible with the Christian faith,” said Deidre.

In recent weeks, inflammatory opinion pieces have suggested a ‘foreign invasion’, a neo-Nazi has been allowed to air his views on a news channel; there has been more fearmongering about so-called ‘African gangs’, and a Senator has used his maiden speech to honour the White Australia Policy and call for future migration to “reflect the historic European-Christian composition of Australian society.”

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15th Assembly theme: Abundant Grace, Liberating Hope

Newly installed President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Dr Deidre Palmer, outlines why she chose ‘Abundant Grace, Liberating Hope’ to be the 15th Triennial Assembly theme.

As the Uniting Church we have been greatly blessed by the abundant grace of God, calling us into being and shaping our life and mission.

For the 15th Triennial Assembly and the following three years, this theme, ‘Abundant Grace, Liberating Hope’ invites us to live by God’s abundant grace – reflecting God’s generous and overflowing love, in our relationships with one another, in our local community contexts and in our relationships in the wider world.

In a time where we could focus on scarcity – fewer people and less financial resources, God’s gift of abundant grace calls us to be a people who share our gifts, resources, time and energy generously. In a time where our world is overshadowed by violence, hatred and suspicion of the other, the church is called to live an alternative narrative of hope, reconciliation and love.

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