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.

Telling Lived Experience is a short course that teaches ways to tell your own experiences of faith and life.

It begins with a retreat style day to consider and reflect on significant moments. How we notice instances of grace, recognition and insight will also be looked at and how these can be framed into stories. Class size is kept to a maximum of eight.

Cost $160. Classes run 9, 11, and 18 February 2008. Facilitator: Julie Perrin.

For more information contact the Centre for Theology and Ministry, 9340 8815 or email info@ctm.uca.edu.au.

The Dalton McCaughey Library in collaboration with the Children and Family Ministry team is opening a new collection of children’s picture books on Friday 29 February.

The collection aims to provide an imaginative and narrative base to some of the big life issues for children and families.  There are quality children’s books including biblical story re-tellings.

A practical workshop on using children’s picture books in ministry will be conducted by Sharon Hollis and Julie Perrin on the afternoon of the launch, from 2.30 to 4.00pm.

For more information contact Centre for Theology and Ministry, 9340 8815, info@ctm.uca.edu.au.

Cicero once suggested that the function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil. As the Wise Men travel from the East in search for an infant Jesus, we explore what it means for them to be wise, and how we might journey into wisdom.

Sermon, January 6th, 2008, St. David’s Oakleigh (pdf)
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

The Centre for Theology and Ministry and UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania will jointly host a Playgroup Conference ‘Stories of Childhood’ on Saturday 24 May 2008.

It will be a time to meet together with others who are part of playgroups and children’s ministry from churches all over Victoria. Conference speakers include Heather Barnes and Jackie Kerin.

Topics covered will include ‘Understanding Children’s Emotional Development’ and a storytelling workshop. There will also be a panel discussion looking at the topic of Pastoral Care of Parents in Playgroup Settings.

Registration forms will be sent out to congregations in February. More details available from Linda Harman linda.harman@victas.unitingcare.org.au, 9251 5288.

Passionate Arts is a one-day exhibition on 23 February 2008 that will focus on how the arts may enrich celebrations through the 50 days of Easter. 

This will be a day for artists and worship leaders to get together and share inspiration through a wide range of art forms through panel discussion, electives and arts showcase.

Participants will contribute to a collaborative felting artwork through the day.

For more information contact Centre for Theology and Ministry, 9340 8815, info@ctm.uca.edu.au.

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.

On Saturday 2 February 2008 those who are involved, interested in, part of, or just want to support all things Youth Ministry across the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania will gather for our annual Youth Ministry Dinner.

The peninsula youth band – Raize will perform on the evening, and there will be presentations from young people who will share their experience of the Call of God and how that can sometimes come when you least expect it.

Cost is $22 per head for tickets purchased before 23 January 2008 or $26 per head for tickets purchased on the night.

The dinner will be held at Brunswick Uniting Church, 214 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. If you are interested in coming along, or know someone who would be, contact Uniting Youth Ministries on 9340 8815 or email <uym@ctm.uca.edu.au>.

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).

Music is a big part of NCYC. Not only do delegates enjoy seeing their favourite bands live, but it is also great way for promising musicians to have their music heard by an international audience.

NCYC is looking for delegates to get creative and start writing music for the National Christian Youth Convention 2009. For information about music submissions, requirements and guidelines please visit the NCYC website www.ncyc.org.au/music.