By Andrew Humphries
When Pilgrim Theological College Rev Associate Professor Monica Melanchthon addressed a recent Synod Intercultural Forum event she spoke on a topic very close to her heart.
Monica’s talk on how the Bible can be read among marginal communities explored a theme central to her life and work: a strong commitment to those marginalised in society, particularly women ...
“Advent invites us to see clearly the challenges that are around us, and to pray for God’s response.”
I am expecting a very different Christmas this year, for which it’s very difficult to do too much planning.
Robyn and I can’t commit to particular plans around Christmas gatherings because very close to the date that we celebrate Jesus’s birth, we ...
By Carol Boyce
As I sit to write this, we are halfway through November. The weather is cool, and spring is trying to poke its face through the chill of the morning. By mid afternoon it can feel quite warm and some days humid. Clouds come and go, with people praying the precipitation won’t eventuate this time. And we wait.
...
A stirringly beautiful instrumental and vocal music concert is being held soon to raise funds for a program to support people living with dementia and their carers.
Music to Gladden the Soul features an impressive line-up of classical performers including pianist and composer Sam Hartley, cellist Luke Severn and coloratura soprano Natalie Grimmett, an artist with Melba Opera Trust.
Thirty-two students were honoured yesterday when Pilgrim Theological College held its 2022 Valedictory Service.
The service, held at the Centre for Theology and Mission in Parkville and hosted by Head of College Rev Assoc Prof Sean Winter, saw students recognised for their efforts in attaining a range of honours, from Graduate Certificates in Leadership to a Doctor of Philosophy.
As Victoria and Tasmania have been hit hard by flooding, Moderator David Fotheringham has written a pastoral letter expressing the Synod’s support for those communities affected.
“Uniting facilities have not been directly impacted at this stage, and Uniting will be providing important services in many communities in the recovery phase,” David says.
By Donald Moss
It’s a Sunday night at the end of a very long week and the last thing you feel like doing when you get home is cooking.
A beer or glass of wine perhaps, but definitely not the time spent and hassle needed to prepare something to eat for the whole family.
By Andrew Humphries
Mark Twain once famously said reports of his death had been greatly exaggerated.
At first glance, Twain would seem to have little to do with the Uniting Church in Australia, but if we could stretch a long bow to within breaking distance, we might argue that his words perfectly sum up where the Uniting Church finds itself ...
By Stephen Acott
See if you’ve heard this story before.
Five years ago, Jesse had a drug habit. A big one. His drug of choice — because he chose it, not the other way around — was ice.
Ice is an insidious drug. Highly addictive, when you inevitably fall into its vice-like grip, the only way is down. And you ...
By Andrew Humphries
Like many young people in high school, Meredith Allan had dreams of pursuing tertiary education.
Nothing unusual in that, you might think, except that physical mobility issues and no voice mean everyday life is a constant struggle for her.
Even more frustrating is that Meredith, like so many Australians with a disability, is immediately pigeonholed because of ...
At a recent meeting of the Synod Standing Committee I invited the members to imagine the Uniting Church as a vineyard, following the prophetic words of Isaiah.
In small groups we spent a few minutes drawing images of the church as a “vineyard”, to help us to focus our minds on the situations of the church across ...
By Peter Malone
Where is that text in Matthew’s Gospel about not calling anyone Master or Rabbi? It is there in chapter 23, Jesus being really fierce in his denunciation of the behaviour of the religious leaders, urging that we do what they say but not what they do.