Walk for refugees

As refugee advocates prepare for this year’s Palm Sunday Walk for Justice for Refugees, a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the fate of those left behind on Manus and Nauru.

According to Guardian Australia, more than 150 refugees from Australia’s two offshore immigration centres have been resettled in the US. Approximately 2000 refugees remain ...

Allan Thompson celebrates 50 years of very active ministry

NIGEL TAPP

Family folklore has it that the first time Rev Allan Thompson’s paternal grandmother held him in her arms she boldly declared that the little fellow would become a moderator of the Presbyterian Church.

“That did not quite happen…but I came close,” Allan laughed.

In 1986-87, at the age of 43, Allan served ...

All together now

The Presbytery of Tasmania’s new office, on the top floor of the Pilgrim Uniting Church building in Launceston’s central business district, was officially opened by moderator Rev Sharon Hollis last month.

The Paterson St site is now home to a strong Uniting Church presence including the Pilgrim congregation, a child care service and the Northern ...

Hello to CEO

The new UCA Funds Management CEO, Mathew Browning, says he likes going to work every day but doesn’t want to spend time in his office.

Mr Browning has ventured out of the glass walls of the executive office to situate himself at an ordinary work station. He believes having line-of-sight accessibility for all staff makes for a ...

Goodbye

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.” – Anatole France (1844 – 1921)

After 10 years working in one of the most fulfilling (and fun) jobs I have ever had, ...

The power of good people like Para

CAROLYN TATE

Para Paheer is a Sri Lankan man who has always stood up for what he thinks is right. Now living in Victoria, he’s standing up for fellow refugees who don’t have a voice.

As a university student, Para became involved in student protests against the Sri Lankan government.

“We students believed that large-scale ...

AgeWell for the future

Seniors in the North-West Tasmanian town of Latrobe will soon be able to access more aged care services close to home. At the start of this year, work began on a major $10 million extension and renovation at Uniting AgeWell’s Strathdevon Community.

The aged care residence will be expanded from 37 beds to 67 beds ...

Is the Bible poorly written?

Friday Forum Your views on the news

A recent article suggesting that the Bible is poorly written has been removed from Salon.com, following a reader backlash.

The article, which focuses on the Bible’s structure, argues that its ancient texts were poorly written and did not fit together as a cohesive whole.

On the same day that Salon.com published ...

Church says no to discrimination

The Uniting Church has affirmed its opposition to all forms of discrimination at a federal government hearing on religious freedom.

On Wednesday, UnitingCare Australia national director Claerwen Little participated in an expert panel review into Australia’s religious freedom laws.

The panel asked representatives from faith-based agencies how changes to the Marriage Act might impact the way they perform ...

UnitingWorld launches cyclone appeal

UnitingWorld has launched an appeal to support communities in Tonga affected by Tropical Cyclone Gita.

The category-four cyclone lashed the Pacific nation overnight, ripping roofs from houses and causing widespread flooding.

It is the worst storm to hit the country in 60 years, with winds exceeding 230km/h.

The parliament building in Tonga has been completely flattened and ...

A moment of healing – 10th anniversary of the Apology

First and Second Peoples in the Uniting Church have marked the 10th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations by calling for urgent action on sovereignty, treaty and Indigenous education.

President of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress Rev Garry Dronfield said the Apology shows that Australia can address past and present injustices.

“This was a ...

Getting creative for Lent

The season of Lent is just around the corner, with Ash Wednesday (14 February) marking the start of 40 days of abstinence and reflection.

Lent contains some of the most significant events on the Christian calendar. Many congregations will see an increase in children and families at services during this period.

The VicTas, South Australian and NSW/ACT synods ...