Fiona Bottcher, Master of Theological Studies/Graduate Diploma of Theology
Fiona had great support from her ministry team when she first thought about enrolling.
When she graduated, her spiritual care skills were in demand.
“I was ordained as Covid-19 made the news. My placement as the Mental Health Ministry Coordinator (Sunshine) has involved building and supporting both a Men’s ...
By Marina Williams
As Victoria seeks public consultation on new laws to restrict protests near places of worship, there’s concern about impacts on civil liberties, religious safety, and social cohesion.
Premier Jacinta Allan announced the proposed legislation in December 2024, citing a rise in “antisemitic incidents”, including the bombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, and a growing ...
By Andrew Humphries
When Rev Mat Harry talks to congregations and faith communities in Victoria and Tasmania, he imparts one simple message.
There is no limit, he says in his role as New and Renewing Communities Catalyst, to what can be achieved through a positive mindset and one open to change.
By Aileen Muldoon
When Bronwyn Pike steps down as the CEO of Uniting Vic.Tas at the end of this month, she will call time on an extraordinary career of dedicated public service which has its roots in her Christian faith and commitment to the Uniting Church.
Brought up in the Methodist Church, Bronwyn’s parents were dedicated evangelical Christians.
By Andrew Humphries
When Associate General Secretary Rev Sharon Hollis celebrated International Women’s Day at a special event in March, it was an ideal opportunity to promote another cause very close to her heart.
During her role as Uniting Church in Australia President from 2021-24, Sharon was installed as an ambassador for the Thursdays in Black movement, a role she ...
By Andrew Humphries
“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13
Viliami Vea knows what it means to lay down his life for someone.
In his case it was for his seriously ill sister Fe’ofa’aki Helotu, and Viliami didn’t hesitate when he was asked to put his life on the line ...
Each day, if you were to go out with Uniting Vic.Tas workers, you would see rough sleepers who have jobs and go to work.
You would also see mums with children, fleeing from violent partners, and whole families couch surfing, living in their cars, or camping in tents.
And you would meet caring young mums like Grace* who urgently needed ...
By Marcus Campbell
In the race to transition away from fossil fuels, the world has begun mining its way into a new set of crises.
The shift to green energy comes with a hidden cost.
Critical minerals like lithium, cobalt and nickel are essential to solar panels, wind turbines and battery technology.
By Marina Williams
A Uniting Church in Melbourne’s show of solidarity with the LGBTIQA+ community has sparked years of repeated vandalism and abuse, but also resilience.
Since 2022, the Ascot Vale congregation has flown the rainbow pride flag as a public expression of welcome and inclusion — a stance reflected in its commitment to social justice and Christian compassion.
By Andrew Humphries
Music, in its many forms, is a hugely important part of Geoff Serpell’s life.
And it’s the music from a country 15,000km away that resonates most deeply with the Leighmoor Uniting Church member.
Welsh choral music, in particular the tradition of male voice choirs, has its roots in the chapels which sprung up in Wales in the ...
By Mark Zirnsak
In his work ‘A Public Faith. How Followers of Christ Should Serve the Common Good’ (2011), theologian Miroslav Wolf made the case that if we believe God is love and we are created for love, we will care for our neighbours’ wellbeing for their own sake.
This month’s Crosslight will be arriving when the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is being celebrated in Australia.
This has been a year in which the Orthodox and Western celebrations of Easter have coincided. It’s also the 1700th anniversary year of the ecumenical council of Nicaea, which articulated the foundational faith of all of the churches in words that ...