Share the light

Darla had been living in her car for three weeks – a long time to live so rough. It was cold in Ballarat, which meant her nights were especially miserable.

Darla was fleeing domestic violence, afraid to go to anyone she knew for fear of being found by her abusive husband. Her self-confidence was so shaken, she was unable to ...

Betrayal of Trust

The final report of the Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Non-Government Organisations was tabled in the Victorian Parliament on 13 November.

The report, titled “Betrayal of Trust”, makes 15 key recommendations in relation to reforming criminal laws, avenues for justice, organisation’s responses to allegations of abuse and prevention.

The Uniting Church, alongside the Anglican ...

Road to recovery

After-effects of the destruction wrought by Typhoon Haiyan, in the Philippines, continues to be felt throughout the region. Latest reports suggest that, in total, 13.25 million people have been affected, with 4.4 million people currently displaced and hundreds of thousands left homeless and struggling for basics to survive. Lack of safe drinking water and shelter are being touted as the ...

Church sales proceeding

Two of the properties listed for divestment in the Uniting our future program were sold to their tenants late last month. Many more on the divestment list are expected to be sold this month. Ten residential properties are up for auction in the first two weeks, 22 larger sites will go under the hammer in a single venue auction at ...

New committee to keep a watchful eye on finances

In the wake of the failure of projects such as the Acacia College development at Mernda, the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania has taken a tangible step to improve its governance model with the formation of a Finance Committee (FC) to monitor and review the financial performance of the Church.

The formation of the FC – whose membership includes former ...

Education a lasting legacy

Australia’s main military base throughout the Afghanistan occupation, Tarin Kowt, will be formally handed over to Afghan security mid-December and 800 troops will return home. More than 1000 will be home by Christmas and the entire force will have returned to Australia by the end of 2014.

This will mean the formal end to 12 years of occupation and coincide ...

UC joins alcohol policy coalition

The Uniting Church was recently invited to join the Victorian Alcohol Policy Coalition. The VicTas synod will join several organisations campaigning to reduce alcohol misuse in the community. Coalition members include the Australian Drug Foundation, Cancer Council Victoria, Heart Foundation Victoria and Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre.

The coalition is currently working to restrict marketing directed at teens, ensuring ...

Members of St Stephens Uniting Church in Williamstown in a very public display of anger at the decision to sell their property. Their ‘mock’ for sale sign includes items such as ‘Relief Centre’, ‘Brain Gym’ and ‘Lunch Group’ – just some of the services they feel will be lost with the closure of their church.

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Inroads alleviating poverty

The Andean band Inka Marka (pictured) provided some lively musical entertainment at a recent event held by the Aireys Inlet Uniting Church.

To mark the United Nations International Year of Quinoa, attendees filled the Aireys Inlet community hall to hear former World Vision sustainable food production project coordinator Dr Paul Woods.

Noted for its nutritional value and ability to ...

A new challenge for Isabel

Former moderator Isabel Thomas Dobson (pictured) said she hadn’t considered the position of associate general secretary before being tapped on the shoulder by the placements committee earlier this year.

“This is not where I expected to be but, then again, I did not know where I intended to be (after stepping down as the moderator at the May Synod),” ...

CMN program under pressure for funding

One of Australia’s most highly specialised social services is in difficulty as government funding has been significantly reduced. The Work-Related Grief Support program, operated by the UnitingCare agency Creative Ministries Network (CMN), provides grief support to family members whose loved ones have died through work-related causes.

CMN director Antony McMullen (pictured) said the program was unique because it offered ...

Stoles for Fiji

One of the most striking images of the new look of the Methodist Church in Fiji are the elaborate stoles unveiled as part of the church’s first national gathering for seven years in August.

Designed and made by Uniting Church ministers Rev Chris and Rev Eseta Meneilly, the stoles were unveiled at the national conference’s induction service and will be ...