Generosity hits great heights

By Andrew Humphries

As a member of the Burwood Heights congregation since the Uniting Church formed in 1977, Len Trotter has a wealth of information on its history, people and achievements.

Len may also be a master of understatement when he describes the congregation as being a generous one in terms of its missional work.

In fact, the congregation last ...

A journey of love with Di

By Cathy Withiel

“I knew I was going to marry her from the moment I first met her at a dance in Brisbane before I was sent off to the Vietnam War.

“She’s my sweetheart, she’s the best thing in my life and I love her to bits.

“I promised on our wedding day nearly 53 years ago that I’d ...

Staff share their stories

Across the national life of the Uniting Church, numerous Sundays are earmarked for focused learning, celebration, prayer and fundraising activities, which are related to different initiatives, services, and agencies.

Share Sunday traditionally marks the celebration of the Uniting Church’s community services work, and this year was held on August 25.

As the Synod’s community services organisation, Uniting VicTas prepared resources ...

It’s game on for advocate Bruce

By Meg Hocking

A single game of table tennis led Bruce Clark to a 37-year career in the print industry, where he met his wife and found his voice for disability activism.

During that game of table tennis, a friend recommended 20-year-old Bruce apply for a job at Tadpac, one of Uniting Vic.Tas’ social enterprises.

Established in 1965 ...

Poles promote peace message

By Andrew Humphries

Nearly 80 years after it began as a response to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II, a worldwide concept based around peace is flourishing among Uniting Church congregations in Tasmania.

Ten years after the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima, the first peace pole was erected and, nearly 80 years later, more than 250,000 have been ...

Bayswater’s beacon of hope

By Marina Williams

In the heart of Bayswater, a small but mighty group of volunteers is making a big difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health challenges and social isolation.

The volunteers run Elm St Mission, a free drop-in centre that has been a beacon of hope and belonging for the past five years, providing a safe ...

Duty calls us on care

I write this just after Share Sunday, celebrating the community work of Uniting Church agencies, congregations and parish missions.

When you read this, your congregation may well have been hearing Bible readings from the letter of James over the last month.

James famously talks about faith being seen in action for good for those in need.

One of the ways ...

Food and social justice

By Mark Zirnsak

Food is something we all share in hospitality, pleasure and the nourishment of our bodies.

There are many stories about food and meals in the Biblical text, including manna provided by God, and Jesus feeding thousands of people with five loaves of bread and two fish.

So, it is hardly surprising that food is an integral part ...

Sweet success for cookbook

By Andrew Humphries

What springs to mind when we think of great Australian traditions?

Cricket in summer and footy in winter, perhaps, maybe Anzac Day and Anzac biscuits, the running of the Melbourne Cup.

Well here’s another one: the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union (PWMU) Cookbook, which this year celebrates its 120th birthday.

Since 1904, families around Australia have eaten wonderful ...

Pen to paper seals deal

By Rev Caro Field

Whoa, Wednesday’s church council meeting was probably the wildest and most exciting I’ve experienced in a long time.

Settle in, this is a story …

Our Chin brothers and sisters of the Tasmanian Chin Christian Church are currently hosting a retreat/conference for 23 pastors from the Australian Chin Christian Church from across Australia.

Late on Wednesday ...

Salute to past and present

By Andrew Humphries

Andrea Wicks and Scots Uniting Church in Hobart go back a long way, all the way to 1952, in fact.

Andrea was baptised at Scots Presbyterian that year, married her husband Paul there in 1975, and for most of her life the historic church in Bathurst Street has been a constant companion on her faith journey.

With ...

The Joy of learning

By Andrew Humphries

To suggest Joy Han has a thirst for knowledge hardly does her justice.

Since deciding seven years ago to enrol in courses through Pilgrim Theological College, Joy has been a textbook study in success.

That success was recognised in March when the Northcote Uniting Church member was named Vice-Chancellor’s Scholar and also gave a short address at ...