Last Sunday churches around the globe began the season of Advent. While most people are focussed on the coming of Christmas (buying gifts, carols in the shops, decorations, community Christmas carols), there is often confusion about what Advent is really about.
For a reflection on what Advent means to the Christian church, read more>>
Climate change is a growing issue for our planet. As the climate change conference is underway in Bali, a group of Dominican Friars in Oxford have considered a Christian approach to the issue and how much responsibility humans can take for it.
This coming Sunday night, the ABC radio program Encounter will air their story. We encourage you to listen live, to the archive on the web site, or download a podcast.
One of the first things the new Rudd Labor government has done was to sign the Kyoto protocol on climate change as promised. The work now begins in earnest with nearly 200 countries gathering in Bali to discuss climate change and negotiate emissions targets, binding or non-binding.
The Vatican has sent a delegation of Roman Catholic experts to Bali due to the international importance of the conference.
With the dust slowly settling after the Australian federal election, many analysts and commentators are trying to make sense of the emphatic win for Rudd and Labor when the Australian economy is in such good shape.
It is interesting to see the results of a recent opinion poll, conducted post election. It showed that more voters were concerned about health, education, workplace relations and climate change than about taxation, interest rates or prices.
While a strong economy has been appreciated, many believe there are other things far more important, typified by a talk-back radio comment, “We live in a society, not an economy.”
An opinion article states: Our happiness depends on such qualities as loving and being loved, security, autonomy, productive work, enjoyable leisure, achievements and harmony.
On Saturday December 15th in Oakleigh we will see the return of Search for an Angel.
This is a special event for younger children and their parents to help spread the good will of Christmas.
In Oakleigh mall (Eaton St.), and the path from there down Drummond St. to the Oakleigh Uniting Church, there will be angels waiting to be found by the children. Not only will our angels be spreading Christmas cheer, they will be giving out clues to the meaning of Christmas which can then be handed in at the church for some Christmas prizes.
One of the prizes of Christmas is waiting for all comers at the church. Our animal farm is a fun re-creation of the stable where Jesus was born. Christmas is a celebration of all the life and hope and love that Jesus brings us.
Prizes for children include an Advent showbag with lots of things to bring Christmas good will. Food, drinks and craft will also be available.
This event is a free gift to our community because we believe it is important to share freely the heart of Christmas.
If you have enquiries, please email us or call Rev. Arnie on (03) 9562 7559.
The November edition of the Children’s Ministry newsletter is now available from the Synod website. It includes ideas for Advent and Christmas, stories about what is happeing around the place in Children’s ministry, and events that are coming up.
The newsletter is available as a pdf download (2.26MB) here.
Following on from a successful first year, the churches of Oakleigh are proud to present the 2007 Carols in the Park on December 7th.
Last year a crowd of around 2000 enjoyed a community Christmas celebration that included cultural items, a choir, and items from the local schools.
In response to last year’s event, local councillor, Denise McGill wrote:
The combination of energetic enthusiasm by all the churches, a fine display from local schools, a beautiful evening and many young families attending was a sight to behold. … this can only be an indicator of the appreciation and need in our community for such an event.
We invite you to mark this special evening in your diary.
Since the Wisdom’s Feast of art and celebration mid year, the arts have been thriving with activity and creativity amongst the Uniting Church.
For the latest on what has been happening and what is planned, check out the latest edition of Artfull Faith.
The word of God is being brought up to date with a new service in Britain allowing Christians to download the Bible directly to their mobile phones.
A company has launched a religious line of products for mobiles, giving users the chance to express their faith through their phone’s wallpaper and ringtones.
Brides in Stockholm who want their fathers to walk them down the aisle are likely to be told it can’t be done, as some pastors are refusing to allow the practice they say is sexist.
“In Sweden we have worked hard in many different ways to eliminate everything that is unequal,” a Lutheran Church vicar in the Stockholm region, Yvonne Hallin, said.