Australians rally to Light the Dark

Tens of thousands of people throughout Australia participated in candlelight vigils on Monday, urging the federal government to welcome refugees.

The Light the Dark vigils were sparked by the photo of three-year-old Syrian boy, Aylan Kurdi, who was found lying lifeless on a Turkish beach. The now-iconic image led to a global outpouring of grief and became ...

Keeping Children Safe Launch

The VicTas synod has today launched its Keeping Children Safe policy in Melbourne.

More than 50 people attended the launch, including Georgie Crozier, member for South Metropolitan region and chair of the Victorian Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Institutions. Bronwyn Halfpenny, member for Thomastown and committee member of the inquiry, was also in attendance.

...

Nauru Detention Centre must be closed

The Uniting Church has renewed calls for the immediate closure of the Nauru detention centre after another damning report into the centre’s operations.

The Senate Select Committee’s report, released on Monday, describes a disturbing lack of transparency and accountability about what is happening in the centre. It raises serious issues about the safety and wellbeing ...

Crosslight wins ARPA 2015 Publication of the Year  

Crosslight was recognised with two awards at the 2015 Australasian Religious Press Association awards, including the prestigious Publication of the Year award.

The 41st ARPA conference was held in Brisbane from 28-30 August. The annual awards ceremony recognises excellence in religious journalism across print and online media.

ARPA consists of members from 83 Christian publications in Australia and New ...

‘A Home with a Heart’ crowdfunding campaign

Lentara UnitingCare is launching a crowdfunding campaign to provide rent-free accommodation for asylum seekers.

Homelessness is a significant problem for many asylum seekers in Australia. Many of them are not eligible for public housing or homelessness accommodation.

With few work rights or access to government support, they struggle to accumulate the income needed to access private rental. ...

Bibles on the Western Front

Victorians will have an opportunity to see the actual Bible that saved the life of a young soldier on the Western Front.

Their Sacrifice is a touring exhibition run by the Bible Society Australia as part of a year-long commemoration of the Gallipoli landing centenary. It showcases the remarkable stories of 10 soldiers and the Bibles they took with ...

Opening doors in Fiji

A new church has opened in Fiji thanks to the generosity of congregation members from the former South Geelong Uniting Church (now worshipping at East Geelong Uniting Church).

More than 100 people attended the official opening of the Methodist Church in the Vatuadova village.

The villagers embarked on the $200,000 project because the existing building could no longer cater ...

The objectivity of the law

By Penny Mulvey

Lawyers are trained to assess the merits of any case against the law. The arguments are not based around emotion, opinion, values or morals, but what the law actually says.

Is it possible for anyone, including a lawyer, to be entirely objective, not impacted by their own blindspots of personal history, values and belief systems?

That ...

Exclusive interview with Gillian Triggs

By Penny Mulvey

THE ATTACKS

In her role as President of the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), Professor Gillian Triggs has become a prominent public figure, the topic of heated dinner party conversations.

Prof Triggs granted the Uniting Church an interview because she recognised the Church’s commitment to asylum seeker issues and knew that her views would be ...

Young Australians tackle poverty  

Many young Australians are passionate about making a difference in the world. Connections UnitingCare’s Anti-Poverty Awards recognise and support young people tackling poverty in Australia and abroad.

Now in its 11th year, the awards are open to Australians between the ages of 16 and 30.

Applications received so far cover a range of initiatives, including microfinance, disaster relief ...

Partnering with Palestinians

For many people, the thought of retirement conjures images of time spent with the grandchildren, cruising the oceans or joining a band of grey nomads chasing the sun.

Few would imagine opting to live in one of the world’s most volatile regions, acting as an eyewitness to abuses of military and political power.

But for Rev Joan Fisher, the ...

Ready for action

This month, the synod will launch its Disability Action Plan 2015 – 2018. Rev Andy Calder, disability inclusion officer, said the plan has been developed over the course of several years as an intentional strategy to ensure people living with a disability are welcomed fully into the Church community.

As Mr Calder explained, the Plan represents one of the ...