The Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) have congratulated the Federal Government on its planned formal apology to members of the Stolen Generations. A formal apology was made to Australia’s Indigenous people by the Uniting Church more than a decade ago.

The President of the Uniting Church, Reverend Gregor Henderson, said the Christian view of confession was a recognition of wrongdoing.

“We take confession to mean that what has been done is not in accordance with the hopes and possibilities that God has for us,” Rev. Henderson said.

“Confession is both an acknowledgement of this and an expression of resolve to live, by the grace of God, differently in the future.

“Our partnership and covenanting agreement with the UAICC is one way in which we have demonstrated our resolve to walk alongside our Aboriginal and Islander brothers and sisters; to seek forgiveness and reparations.

“The Government’s apology to the Stolen Generations marks the beginning of a sense of renewal and we hope it will be backed up with practical measures for better outcomes for Indigenous Australians.”

Read more from the UCA assembly web site>>

Plan Australia, in partnership with the Youth Research Centre, at the University of Melbourne, and RMIT University, has been awarded an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project grant, valued at $283,000 over three years, to generate a new model of sustainable partnership across NGOs and learning institutions with the aim to provide youth-led, global education programs for school-aged youth.

Known as the Global Connections Program, the project will facilitate the development of effective processes toward young people’s greater participation in social life and will focus on social connections across racial and religious boundaries.

Read more>> 

The following is text that appeared recently in the religion column of the ‘Advocate’ newspaper, a periodical from Tasmania.  It is re-printed here with permission.

I have been reading a book called “The Spirituality Revolution” by David Tacey,  one of Australia’s leading thinkers on spirituality. David calls on the church to recognise that “if God is alive and active in the world, then God will be creative in the world, beckoning us to new transformations”.

Perhaps God is calling us to befriend the emerging questions of our time, and listen to those who feel disillusioned with the institutional church in its various forms, I believe that we in the church often diminish God in people’s understanding by sounding as though we are the custodians of truth. God is much bigger than any of our institutions and stated beliefs and forms of worship. Words are icons that can encapsulate some of the truth, but not all of it. One day we will see Truth face to face, and there will be no more need for words. As St. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13, “Now we see through a glass dimly; then face to face”.

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Former UN chief Kofi Annan has opened formal mediation to try to end Kenya’s post-election crisis, pulling together both sides to strike a political deal and stanch violence threatening to spiral out of control.

Mr Annan opened the meeting in the Kenyan capital Nairobi flanked by President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga. Western nations have urged both sides – who appear far apart – to take the talks seriously or risk losing aid.

“There is only one Kenya,” Mr Annan said as he spoke to open the ceremony.

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With Shrove Tuesday rapidly approaching, the Oakleigh community is gearing up to support the ‘Take a break’ program while eating their share of savoury and sweet pancakes.

‘Take a break’ is an initiative of the Wimmera UnitingCare agency to help out drought affected families to take a holiday from the stresses and distresses of living on drought affected land.

The annual pancake day at the Oakleigh Uniting church serves as a fun community day while also raising awareness of UnitingCare, and in particular this year, the ‘Take a break’ program.

The pancake day is open to everyone, and begins at 5:30pm on Tuesday February 5th at 154 Drummond St., Oakleigh. 

Indigenous groups have warmly welcomed the announcement of a date for a formal apology to the Stolen Generations.

Christine King from the Stolen Generations Alliance says it will be a historic and emotional day.

“Sorry is the most important word because it has great meaning in our community,” she said. “It means having having empathy and compassion and understanding.”

Read more>>

A Virginian Baptist minister, Steve Reynolds, appauled at the addiction of many of his flock to fatty takeaway foods decided it was time to make a difference.

A year ago he set his entire congregation on a diet, and developed a Bod4God program.

There has been a remarkable difference in outlook as between them there are 952 less kilograms …

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In a recent gathering of the Society of Christian Ethics in Atlanta, Georgia, Father Frank Brennan reflected on politics in Australia, and how it came to be that former Prime Minsiter, John Howard, ended up with his religious allies speaking out against his policy.

The paper explores the idea that while individuals make decisions based on a personal morality, there remains principals by which the churches take their stance on issues such as industrial relations and the war in Iraq.

The edited article appeared in The Australian newspaper.

UnitingCare Pancake Day will be officially celebrated on Shrove Tuesday- 5 February 2008. Churches are invited to host a fundraising event anywhere in the month of February to raise funds to help UnitingCare provide assistance to low income earning Australians who are struggling to access affordable housing, are facing high rents or who are homeless.

The first 1,500 school, community, church and business groups to register will be provided with bottles of Green’s Pancake Shake and maple flavoured syrup to use at their event, free of charge.

So that everyone can enjoy a pancake each party pack will also contain one bottle of Basco Gluten Free Pancake Shake. Green’s will also donate 10 cents to UnitingCare from every specially marked bottle of Green’s Pancake Shake sold at supermarkets across Australia during February 2008.

To register your event go to www.pancakeday.com.au or free call 1800 060 543.

The St. David’s Oakleigh congregation will join the Balkara Parish and host a pancake day celebration on February 5th at 154 Drummond St., Oakleigh.

Groups of five or more can now register to attend NCYC’09 in Melbourne through bulk registrations. Larger groups of at least ten delegates receive one additional tent or budget registration for free.

Bulk registrations close on 15 May 2008. You can now register online at www.ncyc.org.au, or for a hard copy form contact the NCYC office on 1300 00 NCYC (6292).