The politics of religion
Social commentators repeatedly state that politics and religion should not mix.
I strongly disagree, as both are about life.
The Uniting Church respects, accepts and supports all religious beliefs, Indigenous peoples, asylum seekers and people of all sexual persuasions.
Most of these groups have little voice in the corridors of power. That the Uniting Church stands up for them is only right.
To me, this is true Christianity.
Kevin P McIntosh
Gladstone Park, VIC
Give a Gonski
I’m bitterly disappointed that the Turnbull Government decided in late 2015 not to fund the final two years of the Gonski school funding reforms.
For the first time in decades the Gonski reforms had meant that education funding would be based on student need, providing greater opportunity for children from low socio-economic areas to receive the best quality educational opportunities.
The ones with the most to lose from this heart-breaking decision will be disadvantaged students attending under-funded and poorly resourced government schools.
Many of these students will most likely continue to be disadvantaged throughout their lives. They will face high unemployment, low incomes, and not be given the chance to participate fully in the workforce and the economy.
It’s a situation which I find deplorable and immoral, and I ask the Justice and International Mission unit, as well as all Uniting Church schools and colleges to advocate for these children and young people facing extreme educational and lifelong disadvantage.
Congregations or individual church members who wish to express support for the Gonski funding model can visit www.igiveagonski.com.au, or contact the Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, 107 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Hilton SA 5033, phone 08 8354 1644, email: Minister@education.gov.au
Robert Van Zetten
Via email
Windows to the past
Camperdown Uniting Church is a congregation of the UCA in south west Victoria. We have recently set up a fundraising appeal for the restoration of the historic stained glass windows which were part of the original church construction dating back to1901. In recent years the deterioration of the windows has become more evident and professional advice received is that the windows need immediate attention or we face losing them forever.
Back in 1901 the final cost, including alterations, repairs and improvements in the old church amounted to over two thousand one hundred pounds, of which one thousand four hundred pounds was raised by subscriptions prior to completion of the building.
A note from Church records on 3rd October 1901 celebrates the opening of the new Presbyterian Church. The building was planned to seat 300 to 400 people. It appears that the price of installation of the windows were all in the contract price.
The Church Council is seeking to undertake the repairs in stages and therefore donations from those people interested will be gratefully received so this important work can begin in the near future.
If anyone has any information regarding our windows or would like to donate towards the restoration project can contact Lorraine Browne at email: saloza@tca-online.com.au or the Church Office at email: uccsm@tca-online.net.au.
Lorraine Browne
Church Historian
Welcoming the stranger?
At Christmas many of our churches are filled with visitors and those seeking to know more about Christian faith. Perhaps, more than any other time of the year, Christmas is an opportunity to welcome others and engage them with the story of the God of love, the creator of all things, who enters our human condition, not in power, but in vulnerability. As we know, this is the most amazing and wonderful experience and celebration.
However, conversations with family and friends on Christmas Day and the days following have led me to question whether we are the welcoming and hospitable church we claim to be.
In trying to find a Uniting Church to attend on Christmas Day, people I spoke with did what just about anybody does in this current age when they’re seeking information. They googled and looked for the website of their local Uniting Church only to discover there often wasn’t a website or the basic information they sought – on this occasion Christmas service times – wasn’t available.
Another drove past local Uniting Churches to look for advertised Christmas service times, only to discover no times were displayed.
On one occasion a person went to a church, but couldn’t find the entrance. And she wasn’t alone, another man having exactly the same issue and getting in his car and driving away.
These are the most basic acts of welcome and inclusion. If we do not let people know what our churches are doing, we cannot possibly expect people to feel welcome, let alone share in an experience of the incarnate God.
Rev Cameron McAdam
Minister: The Village Church, Mt Eliza
Welcoming the stranger?
At Christmas many of our churches are filled with visitors and those seeking to know more about Christian faith. Perhaps, more than any other time of the year, Christmas is an opportunity to welcome others and engage them with the story of the God of love, the creator of all things, who enters our human condition, not in power, but in vulnerability. As we know, this is the most amazing and wonderful experience and celebration.
However, conversations with family and friends on Christmas Day and the days following have led me to question whether we are the welcoming and hospitable church we claim to be.
In trying to find a Uniting Church to attend on Christmas Day, people I spoke with did what just about anybody does in this current age when they’re seeking information. They googled and looked for the website of their local Uniting Church only to discover there often wasn’t a website or the basic information they sought – on this occasion Christmas service times – wasn’t available.
Another drove past local Uniting Churches to look for advertised Christmas service times, only to discover no times were displayed.
On one occasion a person went to a church, but couldn’t find the entrance. And she wasn’t alone, another man having exactly the same issue and getting in his car and driving away.
These are the most basic acts of welcome and inclusion. If we do not let people know what our churches are doing, we cannot possibly expect people to feel welcome, let alone share in an experience of the incarnate God.
Rev Cameron McAdam
Minister: The Village Church, Mt Eliza
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