On this month’s Crosslight cover, prayer ribbons adorn the barbed wire fence of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea.
The ribbons carry messages of hope that the Korean War – which has separated families and divided a nation for nearly 70 years – will soon come to an end.
Last month, synod NextGen youth visited South Korea for a contextual learning trip. Tim Lam, who accompanied the group, reports on their journey.
A house dividedThe seemingly tranquil surrounds of the Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) mask a dark history of death, separation and anguish.
Rev Sharon Hollis has stepped into the role of UCA president-elect, with a passionate plea for the church community to be the conduit of God’s grace, as it has been for her in the darkest times of her life.
Ms Hollis, the moderator of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, was announced as the president-elect ...
While the resolution on same-gender marriage dominated headlines, it was just one of many significant decisions and discussions during the 15th Assembly meeting held from 8 to 14 July.
It was also a memorable week of worship, reflection, celebration and community for the more than 260 members of Assembly, visitors and support ...
A new set of resources is available to encourage conversations to help the Uniting Church community discern their part in God’s mission.
The resources can be used by gathered communities as well as synod-based ministries and staff.
The resource website describes a mission conversation as “a focused and facilitated conversation about what a community of ...
NIGEL TAPP
Last week, the Devonport Uniting Church congregation farewelled the Steele Street church site that has hosted worship since 1889.
More than 250 congregants from the across the North-West region of Tasmania, previous ministers as well as past and present church members gathered for the moving service of closure.
ALEX SANGSTER
‘Most of the refugees I spoke to on Manus had been drained of hope. They have a heaviness of spirit about them. Their struggle is existential: they are told that Australian public opinion is against them, detained, ignored, sent the message that they are somehow outside the scope of ordinary human kindness’ Tim Costello
Book | Paul and the Gift | John M G Barclay
The main argument of this large, scholarly book is actually quite simple: if we are to understand what Paul says about salvation as a gift we need to understand what the concept of gift meant in the culture of the day. ...
DAVID SOUTHWELL
Going to the movies is not often considered a deep theological experience, but a new course being taught at Pilgrim Theological College is set to challenge that.
Later this month, Head of Pilgrim Theological College Dr Sean Winter and Associate Professor John Flett will teach the intensive unit ‘Watching for God: Theology, the Bible, and Film’.
...
We don’t very often tell the story of Australia’s role in establishing the United Nations. Perhaps it is not widely known that a delegation of 20 Australians at the San Francisco Conference on International Organisation from April to June 1945 helped shape the Charter of the UN in decisive ways.
July was a busy month for Leprena, the Tasmanian home of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.
The Leprena team was involved in several activities for NAIDOC week, which celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Book | Why Indigenous Sovereignty Should Matter To Christians | Chris Budden
Chris Budden is profoundly qualified to write this book that examines the issue of Indigenous sovereignty for the church. He has a passionate heart and a willingness to sit and listen to the concerns and desires of the First Peoples of ...
