Retirement of Rev Dr Ian Breward
In December last year, a luncheon was held at the Elsternwick RSL to farewell Rev Dr Ian Breward (pictured) who retired after13 years as the archivist of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.
Life choices
As the saying goes, the only certainties in life are death and taxes. While many people will freely discuss the issue of tax (usually bemoaning how much they pay), death remains a topic even more taboo than politics or religion.
A greener future
The National Energy Efficiency Network (NEEN) is a government funded program working to empower faith-based and not-for-profit community organisations to become more energy efficient.
Through a new partnership between Catholic Earthcare Australia and the Vic/Tas synod, the NEEN regional leader Michael Hwang (pictured) is working from 130 Little Collins Street while overseeing work for the nation-wide energy reduction project.
...Moderator committee convenes
The moderator nominating committee recently met to begin facilitating the selection of the next moderator of the Victoria and Tasmania Synod.
Committee members, Rev Trevor Bassett, Kirsty Bennett, John Diprose, Anna Harrison, Rev Alistair Macrae and Rev Lavingi Tupou will meet monthly in ...
Young parents’ efforts rewarded
Almost 20 young Bridgewater and Gagebrook parents were recognised last month with certificates following the completion of accredited training courses in business and community service.
Nine completed the community service training and 14 the business course. Four parents undertook both courses.
The parents participated in the Level One courses as part of their involvement in UnitingCare Tasmania’s Pregnant and Young ...
FX faith
Churches can get stuck in doing things ‘the old way’ simply because that’s how it’s always been done. It’s not unheard of for innovative ideas or experimental forms of church to get blocked by tedious approval processes or institutional resistance to change.
There are likely to always be aspects of church that focus on traditions and familiar ritual – but ...
Recognising our First Peoples
A leading constitutional expert has called for a national convention to be used as a key driver of community engagement on the question of constitutional recognition for Aboriginal people.
University of New South Wales law professor George Williams spoke following a community forum in Launceston on the topic late last month. He said one of the big lessons from the ...
Divestment details
As the relocation phase of the properties divested as part of the Uniting our future program continues, affected congregations are each contending with unique situations and have stories to tell.
Many congregations are taking the time to reflect on the life of the properties, most of which have been the spiritual centres of their community for many generations.
Tasmanians go to the polls
Jobs, the economy and the importance of a strong majority government have dominated Tasmania’s 2014 State election campaign – and nothing will change between now and polling day on March 15.
The Labor Government has been kept in power for the last four years because of an arrangement with the Greens but insists it now wants to govern alone. The ...
Church calls for a Destiny Together
Members of the Assembly of the Uniting Church will join together next month for a week of prayer and fasting to demonstrate support for Australia’s First Peoples.
The nationwide activities will be held from 17 to 23 March, 2014, and all church members are encouraged to get involved.
A Destiny Together will be led by the Uniting Aboriginal and ...
Pizza, theology, and conversation
“Theological students always need more pizza and conversation. Well, I know I did,” Rohan Pryor, lay leadership educator at the Centre for Theology and Ministry (CTM) said.
Students of theology who enrol as private students often miss out on the conversations and support that students sponsored by a denomination appreciate in their formation program. CTM formation coordinator, Rev Dr ...
Rupanyup church building celebrates 100 years
A little more than a century ago, the foundation stone was laid for the new, brick Rupanyup Methodist Church.
The wooden church was moved back on the church block to become the Sunday school.
In April 1913, the Rupanyup Spectator reported that Mrs Ann Chapple was chosen by the minister to lay the foundation stone as her family ...