V for victory
By Penny Mulvey
I raise my arms to the sky
On my knees I pray
I’m not afraid anymore
I will walk through that door
Walk, dance, rise
Walk, dance, rise
This typical Australian outback landscape might be the last place people would expect to find a UCA school. Yirramalay, Wesley Studio School in Western Australia’s Kimberleys , is a collaborative effort between Wesley College and the local Indigenous community. In this month’s centre spread, we speak to UCA school chaplains about education, social justice, faith and ministry.
...Daniel sets up camp
With more than 30 years’ experience in outdoor education and small business, Daniel Murray brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his new position as Uniting Church Camping’s (UCC) General Manager-Business Development.
Appointed late last year, the former Merricks Lodge site manager is tasked with supporting the existing three businesses in the eastern region – Merricks Lodge, ...
AC gong to leading UC scholar
By Penny Mulvey
Former President of the Uniting Church, Rev Professor James Haire AM, has been awarded Australia’s highest honour, the Companion (AC) of the Order of Australia in this year’s Honours List.
Prof Haire was awarded the AC ‘for eminent service to the community through international leadership in ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, the promotion of ...
Filipino Christians threatened
In March last year the Synod Justice and International Mission (JIM) unit requested Uniting Church members write to Filipino authorities following the murder of Jimmy Liguyon.
Jimmy Liguyon (right), a government official and United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) member, was murdered after refusing to sign papers allowing the increase of local mining operations.
“The Uniting Church for me is family”
Penny Mulvey spoke with Rev Prof James Haire (pictured) on the eve of the announcement of the Australia Day 2013 Honours’ List.
P: Professor Haire, congratulations on your award.
J: I am absolutely amazed. I received an AM some years ago and I thought that would be it. So was quite amazed when this came through, ...
Fire ravages Tasmania
By Nigel Tapp
Before the beginning of last month, not many people in Australia had heard of the tiny Southern Tasmanian town of Dunalley. Even fewer would have been able to find it on a map.
But over 24 hours on 4 January, most Australians had witnessed horrifying images of a ferocious fire storm which ripped ...
Seeking justice for all
By Nigel Tapp
University student Laura Sykes (pictured) says she simply wants to make a difference for the world’s poor. A lofty aim, but one the 20-year-old pursues every day with a zeal which would put most people to shame.
Laura is currently the State Director of VGen, World Vision’s ...
Introducing the new Gen Sec
Rev Dr Mark Lawrence might be new to the role of General Secretary of the Synod but he is definitely not new to the Uniting Church.
Mark has spent most of his professional life working in the church in a range of positions, the most recent as presbytery minister pastoral care in ...
All in readiness for Pancake Day
Throughout the last decade Pancake Day – UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania’s annual fundraising event – has seen stacks of pancakes sold and more than $1.5 million raised.
Those funds have helped UnitingCare provide practical support to those in need including vulnerable children and adults, families in crisis, young parents and other disadvantaged groups. This year there will be ...
Voice for the voiceless
Possible Dreams International (PDI) is a Melbourne based not-for-profit organisation currently working with 32 remote communities in Swaziland – a country with the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the world.
Uniting Church member Maithri Goonetilleke, a Melbourne doctor who heads up PDI, has organised a series of concerts throughout Victoria featuring performances by the ...
Driving a bargain
By Nigel Tapp
Isolated Tasmanian communities will soon be able to grab a bargain from one of UnitingCare Tasmania’s two new Travelling op shops.
The refurbished Metro buses have been outfitted with space to hang clothes for easy selection, tubs to hold ...