A fresh perspective on faith, church and life
Uniting WA is thrilled to have opened the doors to its transformed Tranby Engagement Hub (Tranby), Perth’s first co-designed and purpose-built crisis intervention space for people experiencing homelessness.
Minister for Community Services, Simone McGurk, officially launched the newly renovated Tranby, made possible by a $1.7m grant from Lotterywest, at an event in June.Continue Reading
The Uniting Church WA calls on the Western Australian Government to work closely with the LGBTQA+ community and survivors of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Change Efforts (SOGICE), including people of faith, to introduce legislation to protect people from harmful ‘conversion therapies’.
This practice, which encourages efforts to directly and indirectly attempt to change or supress a person’s sexuality or gender identity, has caused serious, ongoing, and tragic harm to those affected. Continue Reading
The Uniting Church WA calls on the Western Australian Government to commit to ending preventable deaths in custody, noting the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in WA’s justice system, particularly among young people.
The church also calls on the government to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody; embed culturally appropriate mental health support in police lockups, prisons and places of detention; broaden cultural awareness training for police, juvenile justice and prison officers; and work with Aboriginal Elders, community leaders and organisations to co-design an Aboriginal Justice Agreement.Continue Reading
A Celebration Service for the Perth College of Divinity will be held on Sunday 19 September, 2.30pm, at the Murdoch University Worship Centre. The service will give thanks for the 35-year partnership, and mark the closure of Murdoch University’s theology program. Continue Reading
Members of the Uniting Church WA will come together for the 45th Annual Meeting of the Synod of Western Australia at Scotch College from Saturday 11 to Sunday 12 September.
An opening worship, to which everyone is welcome, will be held at 7.00pm on Friday 10 September in the Scotch College Chapel. Continue Reading
Each year, the Social Justice Commission of the Uniting Church WA resources the church for Sustainable September by preparing and distributing worship material for congregations within the WA Synod.
This year, the theme is ‘Earth, Sea and Sky’, which focuses on nourishing and caring for our natural resources. The worship materials, including a full liturgy outline, sermon reflections and PowerPoint slides, cover the four Sundays in September.
Each Sunday concentrates on a different aspect of the theme – soil, waters, skies and humankind’s relationship with the Earth.
Wendy Hendry, Uniting Church WA Social Justice Officer, said, “We are encouraged to know that congregations set aside the month of September to reflect, pray and take action on issues of sustainability and our Christian call to care for creation.
“The statement made at Assembly back in 2006 is as relevant in 2021 as it was back then, and continues to underpin the work we do, including our focus on Sustainable September.”
The statement, For the Sake of the Planet and All its People, said “we renew our commitment to move towards sustainable non-exploitative living, believing that God’s creation — the Earth itself and all the life that it supports — is precious and the Earth’s resources exist for the good of all now as well as future generations.”
Wendy said “We’re thankful for the work Rev Gordon Scantlebury has done in creating so much of the resource material, which are designed to be a user-friendly package for churches with or without a minister in placement.
“Worship leaders can use the material as is or adapt according to their congregation style. We encourage you to get creative with it, connect with relevant examples of sustainability and environmental issues in your community, and facilitate discussion within your congregation.”
Sustainable September 2021 worship resources are available to download at ecochurcheswa.net/worship-resources.
For more information, contact the Social Justice Unit at social.justice@wa.uca.org.au
Mikaela Turner
In a significant sign of unity, major church denominations and Christian organisations have come together to support Afghan Refugees, launching the Christians United for Afghanistan campaign.
The Uniting Church in Australia as well as Sydney Anglicans, Baptists, Catholics, Pentecostals as well as the Australian Christian Lobby, Micah Australia and Common Grace have signed on to support the campaign.
Continue ReadingUniting Church WA Archivist Sheena Hesse, 83, retired on Friday 30 July, after 18 years in the role. Revive asked Sheena a few questions about her time with the Archives team.
How long did you work in the Archives team?
Five years as a volunteer, then 18 years as Archivist.
What sparked your interest in archives?
A love of history and an interest in the history of the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian churches.
Which congregation do you belong to?
Toodyay Uniting Church, worshipping with St Stephen’s Anglican Church.
What was your occupation before you began volunteering in Archives?
School Library Officer.
Do you have a favourite memory from your time in Archives?
Working in the basement of Westminster House with Clive Hamer, Dick Mofflyn and Betty Pearson.
What will you miss?
The people I have had the pleasure of working with over these past years. They have all become close friends.
What won’t you miss?
Getting up at 5.30am to catch the AvonLink train and getting home at 6.50 at night.
What’s next for you?
Looking to volunteer at the Old Goal Museum in Toodyay and spending some time in our caravan, travelling in this vast country.
The Uniting Church WA thanks Sheena for her years of service and constant positivity. She will be greatly missed. We wish her all the best for the future.
“We all have a part to play.”
The Uniting Church in Australia’s National Safe Church Unit has released a new Child Safe Principles poster for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.
Grace Williams, artist and a proud palawa woman from the South-East nations of lutrawita, has created powerful artwork for a new Principles for a Child Safe Uniting Church in Australia poster, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members and communities.
Continue Reading
With Love to the World: A Daily Bible Reading Guide, first published in 1976, is now available as an app that includes access to the daily biblical texts and commentary in an easy-to-use format.
Many people seek meaning, encouragement, and hope for life. With Love to the World has been meeting these needs for the past 46 years with its daily commentaries on lectionary and associated Bible passages, prayer suggestions, and questions for individuals and groups.
Designed to help users prepare for Sunday worship, nurture their faith, and strengthen us to live faithfully amidst the hopes and hurts of everyday life, With Love to the World is a resource for individuals, as well as for leaders of worship and small groups. It is widely used in the Uniting Church across the country, and in other churches.
“With Love to the World is an inspiring Australian resource which supports the daily practice of prayer and reflection on Scripture and the light it shines on our daily lives,” said Dr Deidre Palmer, President of the Uniting Church in Australia.
“I commend this resource to local churches and individual members of the Uniting Church.”
To subscribe to the app visit the App Store or Google Play Store. The cost is $24 per year. For booklets, email wlwuca@bigpond.com or call (02) 9747 1369. Visit the website at withlovetotheworld.org.au or email the Editor, Dr Peter Butler, at editorwlw@bigpond.com.
