Orientation 2024 Welcome Ceremony
2024-02-22 15:30 - 18:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Centre for Theology & Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
Pilgrim Theological College
Invites you to join our Orientation 2024 Welcome Ceremony
Thursday 22nd February 2024
Starting 3.30pm (a Student Orientation and optional Library Tour will commence at 2pm)

A Welcome and Smoking Ceremony will commence onsite at the Centre for Theology & Mission, 29 College Crescent, Parkville 3052
Followed by a Reflective Conversation about ‘What it means to do Ministry on stolen land’ with Rev. Mark Kickett, National Chair of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Congress https://uniting.church/uaicc-national-leadership/
Hosted by Rev. Sharon Hollis, President of the Uniting Church
Note: No recording allowed during welcome and smoking ceremony.

Exploring the Old Testament
2024-02-26 06:30 - 2024-05-06 20:30 | Online
An introductory online unit for anyone who wants to know more about the Old Testament.
Exploring the Old Testament was also written and developed to encourage faith and discipleship formation.
Exploring the Old Testament has been created around Worship and Preaching Competencies for Biblical studies from the ‘Assembly Standards and Competencies for the Formation and Education for the Specified Ministry of Lay Preacher‘
Exploring the Old Testament covers:

An introduction to interpreting the Scripture
An introduction to the world of the Old Testament
A brief introduction to all the Old Testament books
An introduction to the theological themes of the Old Testament

The 10 sessions will be hosted on:

February 26
March 4
March 11
March 18
March 25
April 8
April 15
April 22
April 29
May 6

Cost: $50 plus students are to purchase their textbook ‘Studying the Old Testament’ by Rhonda Burnette-Bletsch. These can be purchased through CTM Resourcing https://www.ctmresourcing.org.au/

To register, click here

Understanding the UCA
2024-02-27 18:30 - 2024-03-28 20:30 | Online
Understanding the UCA has been created around the Core Competency “Work within the doctrine, ethos and polity of the Uniting Church” from the ‘Assembly Standards and Competencies for the Formation and Education for the Specified Ministry of Lay Preacher’ and UCA Assembly’s Standards for the Ministry if Pastor: Core Competencies’.
Understanding the UCA covers:

History of the formation of UCA
Theological foundations of the Basis of Union
The place and role of key aspects of the Church’s life and witness
Understanding the Councils and Ministries of the UCA
Understanding the UCA’s commitment to First Nations People and Intercultural Ministry
Act2

Those undertaking Understanding the UCA for assessment purposes, must attend the tutorial and submit the given assessment.
The four tutorials will be hosted on:

February 27
March 26
April 30
May 28

To register, click here

Thinking Theologically About...
2024-02-29 10:30 - 12:30 | Centre for Theology & Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
Rev Dr Kylie Crabbe is our guest for Thinking Theologically About… on February 29th. Kylie is a UCA minister and Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Catholic University. Her area of speciality is biblical studies, and area of interest and current research is the way we understand disability in the scriptures. Accordingly, Kylie’s topic with us will be: ‘Biblical Disability and Its Discontents: Exploring Faithful Readings for the Whole People of God.
Kylie’s sessions will give the opportunity to Think Theologically about biblical texts that explicitly relate to disability, with some resources also from disability theology and other recent work from the disability sector. These questions take us beyond what it means to be an “inclusive” church, to what we imagine the church itself even is and our shared experiences of human limitation. There’ll also be the chance to share some handy resources in development for those who use the bible in worship and pastoral care, including on the history of interpretation (in art, music, literature, early Church sermons, etc) of biblical passages about disability. This “biblical reception” is another way of illuminating aspects of our own readings and assumptions.

Come along to the Centre for Theology and Ministry at 10.30 am. The session concludes at 12.30 when those who wish gather at Sage and Grace café for lunch.
You are welcome to attend remotely. You’ll receive a zoom link the night before the event.
See you there!

To register, click here

The Voice Referendum - A Uniting Church Reflection
2024-03-03 14:30 - 17:00 | Church of All Nations, 180 Palmerston St, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia
Rev. Sharon Hollis, National President UCA

Sunday 3 March 2024 at 2.30pm

Free event at:
Church of All Nations
180 Palmerston Street, Carlton

Or for a Zoom link, email ken.barelli@bigpond.com

For enquiries, call Ken on 0418 317 942

VicTas Uniting Church Historical Society

eLM Induction and Commissioning Service
2024-03-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Centre for Theology & Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
Uniting Church in Australia – eLM
Executive Officer – eLM – Duncan Macleod along with colleagues invites you to join us for the Induction & Commissioning Service for new staff members:
Rev. Sandy Brodine as Younger Generations – Education & Strategy Coordinator
Rev. (David) Dong Won Kim as Multicultural Ministries Coordinator
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kerrie Handasyde as Coordinator of Studies – History of Christianity & Academic Dean

Monday 4th March 2024
5:00pm
Followed by Refreshments
Yuma Auditorium at the Centre for Theology & Mission
29 College Crescent, Parkville 3052
Note: Parking is not available onsite unless by prior arrangement.

To register, click here

Tradition with a Future
2024-03-07 19:30 - 2024-05-09 21:00 | Online
Tradition with a Future Webinar Series
Thurs 7:30-9:00pm
7 Mar, 21 Mar, 4 April, 18 April, 2 May, 9 May

Let’s make it easy for people to become involved in God’s mission through our churches.
Churches who develop an intentional culture of including and a clear pathway for new people to become involved, can expect:-
– A new sense of energy and excitement within their church.
– New people becoming disciples.
– Expanded missional opportunities.

More transformed lives.
Clarity on their Churches future direction.
All who register will receive a Workbook prior to each session.

This will assist to understand your congregations unique abilities and ways in which you can build on who you presently are and the things you presently do.
All sessions will be recorded and a link will be sent so that anyone who isn’t able to make a particular session will be able to catch up.

To register, click here
Registrations close at 12pm on Thursday 7 March. Please note the Zoom details will be emailed to you on the morning of the first session.
online

240212 eLM PFA Tradition with a Future Flyer page 0001

Northey Lecture: Bearing Witness – an approach to Christian-Muslim Dialogue
2024-03-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Craig Auditorium, Trinity College, 100 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Join us for the first lecture in the 2024 Northey Lecture series, co-hosted with Trinity College Theological School as the Hughes-Cheong public lecture, to be presented by Dr Joshua Ralston, Reader in Christian-Muslim Relations at the School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh and visiting scholar at Trinity College Theological School.
Bearing Witness: An Approach to Christian-Muslim Dialogue discusses how two assumptions dominate approaches to Christian-Muslim theological dialogue. First, theological differences over God, Jesus, and Muhammad are viewed as the main problem facing Christian-Muslim relations. Based on this claim, the chief aim of interfaith dialogue becomes addressing the problem of difference through seeking out areas of commonality and theological consensus. This paper challenges both assumptions by presenting a vision of Christian theological engagement with Islamic thought where the primary aim is not agreement, but mutual learning through non-apologetic witness, honest contestation, and theological clarification. The profound questions that Islamic thought present to Christian theology about God, the Qur’an, and Jesus Christ are not viewed as a threat, but as an opportunity for fresh theological reflection on what it means to bear witness to the God who speaks.

Parking is not available on College grounds.

Date: Thursday 21 March 2024
Time: 7 – 9pm (Refreshments will be served in the Bernardo Family Atrium after the lecture).
Venue: Craig Auditorium, Gateway Building, Trinity College, 100 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052
RSVP: By 5pm, Thursday 14 March 2024
Tickets: Free, but bookings essential. To book click here
Enquiries: Briony O’Halloran | events@trinity.unimelb.edu.au | 03 8341 0216

Younger Generations Multicultural Sports Day
2024-04-01 10:00 - 16:00 | Cooper Reserve, Aminya Place, Camberwell, Victoria, 3124, Australia
Come along for a fun day of sports, laughter and of course fellowship!

When: Easter Monday, April 1
Where: Cooper Reserve; Aminya Place, Camberwell
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: Free! BYO lunch and drinks

Please register here to be put into an allocated Sports Team. Once registered you will receive an email with the confirmed details for the sports day. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen and water!

Flyer

Science and Faith Converse
2024-05-10 19:30 - 2024-05-11 19:30 | Centre for Theology & Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
If you are looking for ways to engage people across the age spectrum in the big questions of Science and Faith, then this event is for you!
It will include hands on opportunities to explore the big questions of the environment, science, faith… and more!
Dates: 10th May 7:30-9:30 pm & Saturday 11th May 9 am- 4pm
Venue: Centre for Theology and Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville VIC 3052
To register, click here

Thinking Theologically About....
2024-05-30 10:30 - 12:30 | Centre for Theology & Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
Daniel Sihombing is going to lead us in a conversation on “Theology and Politics: Stories from Indonesia,”

Daniel is a Candidate for Ministry of the Word in the Uniting Church, Junior Fellow at the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy, and Supply Minister at Caulfield Indonesian Uniting Church. He has a PhD from the Protestant Theological University, Netherlands, where he defended a thesis on a political reading of Barth’s Church Dogmatics in the light of the theological and political struggles in Indonesia under the military dictatorship of Suharto and after his fall. He was born and raised in Indonesia and had working experience in political journalism and grassroots activism there.

Come for stimulating conversation and join us for lunch (at your own expense) at Sage and Grace at 12.30pm

Online participants welcome, zoom link will be sent to you the night before the event.

To register, click here

United Through Colour
2024-06-10 09:00 - 2024-06-28 17:00 | Kinross Arts Centre, 603 Toorak Road, Toorak, Victoria, 3142, Australia
Exhibition June 10 – 28

Kinross Arts Centre invites you to United Through Colour by QArt Gallery and Studio (Endeavour Foundation). Exploring the depths of colour abstraction through acrylics, this exhibition reflects a vibrant and diverse human experience.
“United Through Colour is a celebration of the rich tapestry of humanity and the limitless expressions of self. As artists, have come together to illuminate the profound significance of inclusiveness and the beauty found in embracing our uniqueness. We have taken inspiration from nature and the world around us for this body of work, which offers a glimpse into our individual journeys.” – QArt Artists

QArt is a social enterprise that provides employment, mentoring, and training for professional artists with intellectual and physical disabilities.

Opening Celebration
Fri, June 14. 6 – 8 pm

Watercolour Workshop
Tues, June 18. 11am. $15. Please RSVP
director@kinrossarts.org.au

Dive into abstract watercolour with artist Kitty Yiu from QArt! Perfect for beginners and seasoned artists alike, explore the fluid nature of watercolours in a playful, experimental workshop. Learn brush strokes, colour mixing, and unleash your imagination.

Kinross Arts Centre
603 Toorak Rd, Toorak VIC 3142
Ph: 98290340 E: director@kinrossarts.org.au W: kinrossarts.org.au

Po Talanoa (Night of Conversation)
2024-06-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Dandenong Regional Uniting Church, Scott Street, Dandenong, Victoria, 3175, Australia
Younger Generations invite you to Po Talanoa (Night of Conversation).
Join us for a night of storytelling, sharing and fellowship.

When: Friday 21st of June 2024
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Where: Dandenong Regional Uniting Church – 32 Scott Street, Dandenong, VIC 3175
Age: 18-40 years old

For more information please contact Virginia Lavaki on 0484 189 318

To register, click here

Northey Lecture - Church in Ordinary Time: A Wisdom Ecclesiology
2024-07-18 19:30 - 21:00 | Brunswick Uniting Church, 214 Sydney Road, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia
Lecture topic: Church in Ordinary Time: A Wisdom Ecclesiology
Speaker: Professor Amy Platinga Pauw, Louisville Presbyterian Seminary
Time/date: 7.30pm, Thursday July 18th
Location: Brunswick Uniting Church, 214 Sydney Road, Brunswick (cnr Sydney Road and Merri Street). The lecture will also be livestreamed via YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/@brunswickunitingchurch4303
About the Lecture: The doctrine of creation has been missing in most theological accounts of the church. That has made it harder for Christians to make common cause with others in a religiously pluralistic world and to address the ecological threat we all face as creatures. I propose a wisdom ecclesiology that takes the doctrine of creation seriously in thinking about the church.
About the Lecturer: Amy Plantinga Pauw is the Henry P. Mobley Professor of Doctrinal Theology at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. She has written widely in Reformed theology and with Serene Jones she editor she is the editor of Feminist and Womanist Essays in Reformed Dogmatics. She is also the general editor of the Belief series, a 36-volume theological commentary on scripture published by Westminster John Knox Press, and is the author of the volume on Ecclesiastes and Proverbs. Her book on ecclesiology, Church in Ordinary Time: Wisdom Ecclesiology offers a novel appeal to feminist, wisdom, liturgical and classical theologies to re-frame how we think about the church and its engagement with the world. She is currently working on a project on theological aesthetics.

To register, click here

Release of Ties for Andy Calder
2024-07-23 13:30 - 15:00 | Centre for Theology & Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
A Celebration of Ministry
Rev Deacon Dr Andy Calder
Join us to celebrate the ministry of Andy Calder as he finishes his ministry as Synod Disability Inclusion Advocate, and as he sets off into retirement.
Keynote Speaker: Dr Bill Gaventa
Author: Disability and Spirituality: Recovering Wholeness
Speaker, Trainer and Consultant, Faith and Disability
Founder and Director Emeritus, Institute on Theology and Disability (theologydisability.org, facebook)

When: Tuesday 23 July, 2024, 1.30-3pm
Where: In person at the Centre for Theology and Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville 3052 and Online
Note: Onsite parking is only available for those with Accessibility Parking passes. Please indicate this on registration. Street parking is available around the campus, and the venue is accessible by Tram (19) and Bus.
A Facebook Live link will be sent closer to the event.

To register, click here

Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry, (part 1) the Work of the Leader
2024-08-06 10:00 - 2024-08-20 16:00 | Online, Australia
Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry – Leader is a 3-day program designed to give participants an introduction to the key concepts and practices of ministering with congregations and agencies in times of transition.
While it is a stand-alone program, it is also the first phase of training that leads to being qualified as an Intentional Interim Minister. Thus, it is useful in itself for anyone in lay or ordained ministry, and also for those exploring whether they are called to Intentional Interim Ministry.
Who is this course for?

People in Presbytery leadership Roles
People in the latter half of Third Phase of Ministry
Ministers intending to do significant amounts of supply
Ministers moving from chaplaincy/agency roles into congregational ministry
Ministers in placements going through significant transitions, such as looking for new mission directions, contemplating combining/closing, moving to resource ministry.

We’re delivering the course ONLINE on August 6, 13 and 20th.
Day 1 of 3: Tuesday August 6th 2024
Day 2 of 3: Tuesday August 13th 2024
Day 3 of 3: Tuesday August 20th 2024
Each day is 10am -4pm
This course is delivered fully online via Zoom. This is a nation-wide training, and people from all Synods are warmly welcomed to register.
Cost: $300

Course leaders:

Rev Fran Barber, Coordinator of Continuing Education (VICTAS)

Rev Dr Niall McKay, Educator for Lifelong Learning (NSW/ACT)

Rev Linley Liersch (Mission Development Strategist & Education)

To register, click here

Understanding the UCA
2024-08-13 19:00 - 2024-12-12 21:00 | Online, Australia
Understanding the UCA has been created around the Core Competency “Work within the doctrine, ethos and polity of the Uniting Church” from the ‘Assembly Standards and Competencies for the Formation and Education for the Specified Ministry of Lay Preacher’ and UCA Assembly’s Standards for the Ministry if Pastor: Core Competencies’.
Understanding the UCA covers:

History of the formation of UCA
Theological foundations of the Basis of Union
The place and role of key aspects of the Church’s life and witness
Understanding the Councils and Ministries of the UCA
Understanding the UCA’s commitment to First Nations People and Intercultural Ministry
Act2

Those undertaking Understanding the UCA for assessment purposes, must attend the tutorial and submit the given assessment.
The four tutorials will be hosted on:

August 13
September 3
October 15
November 19

To register, click here
Registrations close strictly on Monday 5 August 2024

Accessible Worship
2024-09-09 13:00 - 2024-09-19 20:00 | Online, Australia
Free Online Training for all Church leaders.
As part of the Synod’s 2023-26 Disability Action Plan, eLM is offering free online training for all Ministers, Lay Leaders and Church Councils.
The ACCESSIBLE WORSHIP workshop will be presented online by the Centre for Accessibility Australia, and will include:-

Making your Worship Service accessible
How people with disability engage with content
Policy and legislation on making content accessible
Making your content accessible (Websites, newsletters and the promotion of church activities on Social Media).

WHEN: This online training is being offered either as

one FOUR-HOUR afternoon session

Thursday 19 September, 1pm-5pm
To attend this session click here,

OR

two TWO-HOUR evening sessions

Monday 9th and Tuesday 10th September, 6pm-8pm
to attend these sessions, click here

Soul Care 2024
2024-09-12 09:00 - 2024-09-13 17:00 | Wesley Conference Centre, 220 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
Soul Care 2024
12-13 September
Wesley Conference Centre, Sydney & Online
Rediscover and reimagine pastoral care at SoulCare 2024
You’ll be energised, inspired and equipped to bring transformative pastoral care to your church, community and school.

Discover innovative developments and practices, understand community-based approaches and explore existing ministries and programs that give you opportunities for engagement, whether in disaster relief, at school or on social media.

And get practical with all the skills, tips and tools you’ll need to take your ideas into the world.

Sign up to the mailing list here in the meantime to stay informed of Soul Care announcements!

For further information, visit https://www.nswact.uca.org.au/calendar/soulcare-2024-12-13-september/

Rejecting Eurocentric Christianity: Embracing Hopelessness
2024-09-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Centre for Theology & Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
Rejecting Eurocentric Christianity: Embracing Hopelessness

Northey Lecturer: Dr Miguel de la Torre
Date: 12 September 2024
Time: 6:30 pm
Venue: Pilgrim Theological College, 29 College Crescent, Parkville, 3052, and online
Many living on the margins of colonial/missionary ventures have uncritically accepted eurocentric Christianity, a faith ideology which legitimizes and normalizes the current global economic hegemony. For any theological perspective to be liberative, it must first reject the very faith tradition which masks and justifies this worldview which fails to critically analyze the link between bowing one’s knees to the eurocentric Jesus and the eurocentric power arrangements. By rejecting a theology of hope, and instead embracing a theology of hopelessness, a liberative ethical methodology of resistance can be developed.

Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre – Cuban, international scholar, documentarian, novelist, academic author, and scholar activist, serves as Professor of Social Ethics and Latinx Studies at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO, USA. Dr. De La Torre’s academic pursuit is social ethics within contemporary U.S. thought, specifically how religion affects race, class, and gender oppression. He has published forty-five books, six of which have won national awards and over a hundred articles. His most recent book Resisting Apartheid America: Living the Badass Gospel (Eerdmans, 2023) is the conclusion to the trilogy comprised of Burying White Privilege: Resurrecting a Badass Christianity (Eerdmans, 2018), and Decolonizing Christianity: Becoming Badass Believers (Eerdmans, 2021). As a Fulbright scholar, he has taught in several parts of the world. He is the co-founder of the Society of Race, Ethnicity, and Religion and was its executive director from 2013-2017. He is also the founding editor of the Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Religion. Among his many achievements are the most recent awards – the American Academy of Religion awards for “Excellence in Teaching” in 2020, and the “Martin E. Marty Public Understanding of Religion Award,” in 2021. De La Toree is also the screenwriter of Trails of Hope and Terror – a documentary on immigration, which has screened in over eighteen film festivals winning over seven awards. To know more, check out his website: www.drmigueldelatorre.com.

To register, click here

Feast of Faith
2024-09-20 19:00 - 2024-09-22 11:00 | Peninsula Outdoors (Merricks), Frankston - Flinders Road, Merricks, VIC, 3916, Australia
This weekend, we will focus on what it means to be a 1.5/2nd Generation member in the Uniting Church is Australia (UCA). We’ll explore the struggles and obstacles we face, along with the joy we receive as 2nd Generation followers of Christ. We’ll discuss how we can equip, enrich and encourage each other in this journey of life.

Event name: Feast of Faith
When: Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd of September 2024. Starts 7pm and finishes Sunday 11am (Morning Tea time)
Where: Peninsula Outdoors
Who: UCA CALD members aged 18-40
Costs: Full weekend $100 (this includes all meals and accommodation)
To register, click here
Cut off date for Registration: 1st of September

Pause and Paint
2024-10-03 10:00 - 2024-10-04 16:00 | Scots Uniting Church, Burgundy Street, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084, Australia
Pause and Paint: An Icon painting workshop for teens.
A two day school holiday event for teens to learn the ancient art of Icon Painting.
Across the two days you will learn the skills you need to draw a face in perspective as well as the opportunity to try painting using the painting style artists used over 500 years ago using the same materials: dry pigments in egg tempera.
The workshop will be led by UCA Icon School teacher Peter Blackwood. There will be opportunities to pause and pray and reflect each day as you paint.
Participants can also pause and walk the labyrinth on site at the church, or to enjoy an icon exhibition. If you enjoy art and like thinking about faith, then this is for you!

When: 10am – 4:00 pm Thursday 3rd October & Friday 4th October.
Where: Scots Uniting Church 187 Burgundy St Heidelberg.
Cost: $20 to cover art materials and morning and afternoon teas.
Lunch can be brought, or purchased at the Sycamore Tree café on site, or at other nearby shops.
Transport: Scots church is 200m from the Heidelberg Train station, and accessible by bus.
To register, click here
RSVP: Tuesday 1st October

To find out more contact: sandy.brodine@victas.uca.org.au or the Younger Generations VicTas Facebook page.

Justice and International Mission Convention 2024
2024-10-05 09:00 - 16:15 | Centre for Theology & Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
Give us this day our daily bread – Food and Social Justice
Justice and International Mission Convention 2024

When: Saturday 5 October, 9 am – 4:15 pm
Where: Centre for Theology and Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville
Cost: $40 Metropolitan/ $25 Concession and Rural and Regional/$10 online (morning sessions only)

Food is an integral part of our life in our Christian Communities. There are many social justice dimensions to what we eat. These include:

Making sure everyone has enough healthy food to eat;
Impacts on climate change, with emissions related to food making up a third of global greenhouse gas emissions;
Multinational food corporations that put their profits ahead of people’s health;
Fair employment conditions for those that produce our food; and,
Not stigmatising people for their weight when ultra-processed foods are designed to be addictive.

Large food corporations are producing unhealthy and addictive food products that drive up unhealthy food consumption. The foods in question cause various health problems, including obesity, cancer, heart disease and depression. Ultra-processed foods have been progressively tailored by scientists and technicians through combinations of sugar, salt, fat and flavour enhancers to bypass our natural mechanisms of appetite control.

More than half the global population will be living with being overweight or obese within 12 years if prevention, treatment and support do not improve.

Clearing forests for farms and ranches comprised 29% of the food-related greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, strategies by food corporations to drive up food consumption and obesity also impact global greenhouse gas emissions.

The Convention will explore the social justice dimensions of food production and how to incorporate them into the church’s life.

Keynote speaker – Jonathan Cornford
Jonathan is one of the founders of the community group Manna Gum. He has a background in international development, working for a decade as an advocacy coordinator for Oxfam Australia, focussing on natural resource management and international financial institutions in the Mekong region. Jonathan also lived and worked for three years as a mission coordinator for Urban Seed in the heart of Melbourne. He has a Ph.Ds in Political Economy and Theology, and an Honours Degree in Australian History.

Panellist – Dr Sureka Goringe; National Director, Uniting World
Sureka became National Director in July 2017. Sureka’s work at UnitingWorld answers a life-long calling, weaving her global childhood, her faith, and her passion for justice with the all the skills gained through professional life.
An Australian since the nineties, Sureka comes via university in England, and a childhood in Botswana, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Sureka has Ph.D. in Materials Science, is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, is married a UCA minister, and the mother of two kids and a dog.

Panellist – Jane Martin; Executive Manager, Food for Health Alliance (FHA) and Alcohol and Obesity Programs at Cancer Council Victoria
Jane leads the Food for Health Alliance, a partnership between Cancer Council Victoria, VicHealth, and the Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE) at Deakin University. Food for Health Alliance is a leading policy and advocacy voice working to improve diets and prevent overweight and obesity in Australia, particularly for children. It advocates to governments to improve food environments – the way food is made, labelled, sold and advertised.
For more than thirty years, Jane has worked in public health advocacy, engaging in tobacco control, alcohol policy and obesity prevention. She is active in the media as a commentator and advises state and federal governments on obesity policy.
She is the Immediate Past President of ANZOS.

Panellist – Caterina Cinanni; Director of Farms at the United Workers Union
Caterina currently leads the campaign team which organises to expose slave-like conditions across the supermarket and food supply chain in Australia. The United Workers Union farm team organises thousands of permanent and temporary migrant workers from all over the world, including Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, Afghanistan, Nepal, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the South Pacific and has empowered farm workers to speak out and resist against wage theft, dodgy contracting arrangement and sexual harassment and abuse. Caterina is also the Vice-President of the International Union of Food, Agricultural and Hotels Associations which fights for justice and freedom of association across the global agricultural and food supply chain and helps support independent democratic global worker union organisations. Caterina started her union journey in 1994 on the inaugural ACTU Organising Works program and spent two decade as an organiser with the National Union of Workers (NUW) and was the first woman to be elected as National President. She has worked for the ACTU Organising Centre as a national campaign organiser.

Ivan Blacket
Ivan Blacket is a farmer, educator and designer with a focus on creating truly regenerative farming systems. He grew up on a small goat dairy on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula and, since studying agricultural sciences at Melbourne University, has managed multiple farms around Australia from agroforestry market gardens to large fruit orchards and he has a strong understanding of the current state of affairs of our food system. He has designed food systems at The Farm at Byron Bay, Conscious Ground and Common Ground Project to name a few. Along the way he has educated hundreds of aspiring farmers and homesteaders and is currently a facilitator with Permaculture for Refugees and on the committee for the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance.

Workshop Options
Please list your top three workshop options when registering. Workshops will be run based on the number of participants, and will not run if not enough participants register interest. Each workshop will aim to look for a specific way forward in each area.

The workshop options are:

Food and global financial poverty
Reducing emissions through what we eat and reducing what we throw away
Talking about reducing stigma around weight in congregations
Supporting workers in the Australian food industry from the Pacific Islands – United Workers Union
Campaigning for healthier food
Promoting healthy food in your congregation
Corruption in the food industry – Mark Zirnsak, Senior Social Justice Advocate, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania
Protecting babies and toddlers from unhealthy foods
Practical tips on having a community garden at your congregation
The benefits of reducing meat consumption
Mapping Power, Growing Justice: Understanding our role in the food system – Ivan Blacket, Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance

Program
9 am Gathering & Registration. Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival

9:30 am Introduction, acknowledgement of country and opening worship

9:45 am Keynote address

10:30 am Morning Tea

11 am Panel Discussion on food and social justice.

12:20 pm Lightning talks: One minute presentations about what you are doing in your church or community on social justice. Please register your interest in advance if you would like to make a presentation.

12:35 pm Lunch

1:15 pm First Round of Workshops

2:00 pm Short Break

2:15 pm Second Round of Workshops

3 pm Discussion on the direction and work areas of the JIM Cluster

4 pm Closing worship

4:15 pm Finish

Please register by Monday 23 September by clicking here

Cost: $40 for metropolitan participants
$25 concession and non-metropolitan participants.
$10 online (morning session only)
Tea/coffee and lunch included.

If you have particular access needs or need assistance to register contact:
Alicia Torres
Centre for Theology and Ministry
29 College Crescent, Parkville, Vic, 3052
Phone (03) 9340 8815
Email: Alicia.Torres@victas.uca.org.au

Opening Panel Discussion: Ecumenical Period of Reflection on Disability and the Bible
2024-10-08 17:30 - 19:00 | Australian Catholic University, Mercy Lecture Theatre, Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC, 3002, Australia
As we mark the first anniversary of the release of the final report of the Disability Royal Commission, a group of ecumenical leaders invite you to a period of reflection on disability and the bible.
This opening panel discussion brings together biblical scholars and disability theologians to reflect together on the bible’s diverse portraits of disability and impairment, and on the contexts in which these texts were written and those in which they continue to be interpreted.
This is a discussion that might shape our practice of reading and ministry together, drawing on the latest research and theological reflection on diverse lived experience. And it will open a discussion for which Inside Others will provide further resources over the weeks that follow, for those who would like to take this reflection further.
These are crucial questions for everyone who draws on the bible in ministry settings and you are warmly invited to join us for it.
There will be opportunity to join a collegial group (sometimes called a Peer Learning Group) to deepen learning, and for ongoing reflection on practice in your context. There will be three gatherings fortnightly. More information on October 8.
Panellists:

MEREDITH ALLAN
Meredith Allan is National Treasurer of ISAAC-Australia and was world President of ISAAC 2018-2020. ISAAC is the International Society for Augmented and Alternative Communication. Meredith worked for the Australian Public Service for almost 30 years and now has blissfully retired from the full time workforce. Meredith works on a casual basis as a Communication Assessor and Disability Educator with Scope in Victoria, which is part of the process to be awarded the Communication Access symbol. Meredith also is on the Board of the NDIA.
Meredith is a person who uses Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to communicate and takes great joy in watching other people who use AAC become more confident and take leadership roles.

LOUISE GOSBELL
Louise is an researcher and writer in disability, with a focus on disability in the Bible as well as in church practice. In 2021, Louise worked with the Social Issues Committee of the Sydney Anglican Diocese to release a set of accessibility guidelines for churches on disability inclusion called “Everyone Welcome: Accessible church for all.” Louise lives with a neurological disability and a number of chronic health conditions & is also the parent to a child with disability.

JUSTIN GLYN SJ
Justin Glyn SJ is a Catholic priest, Jesuit. academic in the area of law and theology and a civil and canon lawyer. He is a fellow of The Loyola Institute and honorary fellow of ACU. Among other things, he writes about disability theology.

Note: This event includes catering from 5pm. When registering, please provide information about dietary requirements, and any other accessibility needs. Online participants will receive the Zoom link at 4:30pm on the day of the event.

To register, click here

Green Dreams: Protecting Our World
2024-10-21 11:00 - 2024-12-06 20:00 | Toorak Uniting Church, 603 Toorak Road, Toorak, Victoria, 3142, Australia
Green Dreams: Protecting Our World
An exhibition by Toorak Art Studio

Oct 21 – Nov 10

*Gallery will also be open during Sat Nov 2, Sun Nov 3, Sat Nov 9 and Sun Nov 10

Toorak Art Studio presents Green Dreams, an inspiring exhibition showcasing the voices of young artists, aged 6 to 12, as they explore the urgent environmental challenges of our time. Through a variety of mediums, these children express their hopes and concerns for the future, celebrating the beauty and fragility of the natural world.

Opening Celebration
Friday, Nov 1, 6 – 8 pm
Please RSVP: director@kinrossarts.org.au

Kinross Arts Centre
603 Toorak Road, Toorak.
Ph 9829 0340 | kinrossarts.org.au | E director@kinrossarts.org.au

Ursula Betka
Margaret Gibson

Madonna – Wisdom, Grace and Compassion

Nov 18 – Dec 6, 2024
Gallery will also be open on Sat, Nov 23 and Sat, Nov 30 with the artists.

*Our exhibition has been made possible by the generous support of an anonymous donor.

This exhibition presents a thoughtful exploration of the rich tradition of European sacred art, presenting the Madonna as a symbol of divine grace, wisdom, and compassion. Ursula Betka and Margaret Gibson, both esteemed iconographic artists, bring together Renaissance-inspired and Byzantine-influenced works, articulating the Madonna’s enduring spiritual resonance across different cultural and artistic traditions. Utilizing the time-honoured techniques of egg tempera painting and decorative gilding on wood panel, these sacred artworks invite contemplation of the inherent virtues embodied by the Madonna.

Opening Celebration and Book Launch
Friday, Nov 22, 6 – 8 pm

With master of ceremonies Mary McGillivray, art historian and content creator; and guest speaker Caroline Field, Curator of the ACU Art Collection.
RSVP required: director@kinrossarts.org.au

Kinross Arts Centre
603 Toorak Road, Toorak.
Ph 9829 0340 | kinrossarts.org.au | E director@kinrossarts.org.au

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Friday, Nov 22, 6 – 8 pm

Dr. Ursula Betka presents her new book

Techniques of Painting and Gilding in Late Medieval and Early Renaissance Italy.
Egg Tempera and Gold Leaf on Wood Panel.
Ursula Betka (Nov. 2024)

This book concentrates on a genre of sacred painting on wood panels that flourished in Catholic Europe from the late-medieval era. Both historical and contemporary methodologies of egg tempera painting and decorative gilding are explored, along with the theological and historical meanings of sacred art in the Italian tradition. Cennino Cennini’s seminal text, Il Libro dell’Arte, written in the late-fourteenth century, provides a starting point for an exploration of workshop techniques and materials seen through the lens of the author’s own artistic practice, teaching and academic research.

Thursday, Nov 28.

Artist’s Demonstration by Dr. Ursula Betka

Session 1: 11am – 12pm
Egg tempera painting on wood, Gold leaf applications.
Admission $30
Limited space. Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/CVMCC

Session 2: 1 – 2pm
Repeat demonstration of Egg tempera painting on wood, Gold leaf applications.
Admission $30
Limited space. Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/CVMCC

https://www.instagram.com/kinross_arts_centre/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089869959433

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Centenary Concert of Reverend David Hodges AM.

The Director and Committee of Kinross Arts Centre, along with David Ross-Smith, invite you to a special Soirée at David’s home, (15 Watson Street, Glen Iris), on Sunday, October 27th at 4 pm. The event is a concert of David Hodges’ favourite music performed by members of the TUC Choir, students of David Ross-Smith, and guest opera artists Kate Amos (soprano) and Samuel Thomas-Holland (tenor). The program includes a diverse selection of music, from Handel arias to Scottish folk songs. Proceeds will support Kinross Arts Centre during this important milestone. Catering generously sponsored by Heather Martin.
Due to limited seating, booking is essential. Tickets are $35.00 or $30.00 concession.
To book, visit TryBooking https://www.trybooking.com/CVBJW or call David Ross-Smith on
0429 907 908

Exploring Worship in the UCA
2024-10-21 19:00 - 2024-11-25 21:00 | Online, Australia
An online course for anyone who wants to know more about Worship in the UCA.
Exploring Worship in the UCA has been created around the Worship Competencies from the “Assembly Standards and Competencies for the Formation and Education for the Specified Ministry of Lay Preacher”. So, those training for the ministry of Lay Preaching, and those needing to undertake training for the Worship Competencies for Pastors (as these are the same), can be assured they are receiving training to help them meet these competencies.
However, Exploring Worship in the UCA is also a great course for:

Worship leaders
people undertaking a Period of Discernment
Lay Preachers looking for some continuing education
people new to the UCA who would love to know more about how Worship happens in the UCA, and
anyone just generally interested in knowing more about worship in the UCA.

Exploring Worship in the UCA covers:

what the Bible and the UCA say about worship
the UCA of ‘doing Worship’ – “Ordered Liberty”
inclusive worship
creative worship
practical Worship skills
planning Worship
leading Worship
ethical Worship leadership (briefly, this is covered more in the unit on the Code of Ethics for Lay Preachers)

Dates (Monday night):
21 October
28 October
4 November
11 November
18 November
25 November

Time (all on Zoom): 7-9pm
Cost: $30
To register, click here
*Registrations close at 11:30pm (AEST) Monday 14th October 2024

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Pilgrim Valedictory Service 2024
2024-11-07 17:30 - 19:30 | Wesley Church, 136 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000
Pilgrim Theological College
Valedictory 2024

Rev Dr Sean Winter, Head of College together with the Faculty and Staff at Pilgrim College warmly invite you to join us to celebrate with students who have completed awards in theology, including candidates for ministries within the UCA. This event will also be available online if you cannot attend the ceremony in person.

When: Thursday 7th November 2024 – service to commence at 5:30pm
Where: Wesley Church, 130-150 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000. The service will be followed by celebratory refreshments at Wesley Place (Level 2). Please note, limits may apply.
Guest Preacher: Salesi Faupula (Moderator Elect)

To register, click here
RSVP: by Thurs 31 October 2024
Dress code: Please dress for the occasion, choosing traditional cultural attire or semi-formal wear as appropriate.

Transport & Parking: Wesley Church is conveniently located with various public transport options available and street parking is also available in Lonsdale Street.
Follow up information to those registered regarding access for Level 2 after the service will be sent prior to the event.

Conclusion of Placement service for Sean Winter
2024-11-29 16:00 - 17:00 | Centre for Theology & Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
Sean Winter’s Conclusion of Placement Service.
Sean is leaving from his role as Head of College at Pilgrim College to take up a new role elsewhere.

When: Friday 29th November – 4pm service (Followed by refreshments)
Where: Yuma Auditorium, Centre for Theology and Ministry, 29 College Crescent Parkville VIC 3052 and online

To register, click here

Geoff Thompson's Conclusion of Placement Service
2024-12-15 15:00 - 16:00 | Brunswick Uniting Church, 214 Sydney Road, Brunswick, Victoria, Australia
Geoff Thompson’s Conclusion of Placement Service.
Geoff is retiring from his role as Associate Professor in Systematic Theologies.

When: Sunday 15th December – 3pm service (Followed by refreshments)
Where: Brunswick Uniting Church, 214 Sydney Road Brunswick and online

To register, click here

Uniting Church Ministry & Mission Day
2025-02-18 09:30 - 13:30 | Centre for Theology & Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
The Centre for Theology and Ministry is hosting a Synod Ministry and Mission Day on Tuesday 18 February 2025, which will include a welcome to country, an induction service for the new Lecturer in Systematic Theology and Ministry Formation Coordinator, and a Commencement lecture by Rev Professor Sathianathan Clarke, Lecturer in Theology and Mission, United Theological College, North Parramatta: “Discipleship in a multireligious world: faithful living in the Jesus Way and gracious loving within the embrace of the Trinity.”

9.30 am Welcome to country, smoking ceremony
10 am Worship service in Yuma Auditorium
including the induction of new Synod ministry staff.
Preacher: Rev Dr David Fotheringham, Moderator, VicTas Synod.
11 am Morning tea
11.30 Commencement Lecture in Yuma Auditorium
The commencement lecture marks the beginning of the academic year for Pilgrim Theological College.
“Discipleship in a multireligious world: faithful living in the Jesus Way and gracious loving within the embrace of the Trinity.”
Rev Dr Sathianathan Clarke, Lecturer in Theology and Mission, United Theological College, North Parramatta.
12.45 pm Lunch

About Sathi Clarke
Sathianathan (Sathi) Clarke is Lecturer in Theology and Mission at United Theological College, North Parramatta.
Sathi is a Presbyter of the Church of South India. He bridges the world between establishment and the marginalised, the global and the local, and academy and the congregation. He has taught and lectured on global Christianity, contextual theology, postcolonial mission, and interreligious dialogue in India, the U.S.A.,
the U.K., Germany, Sri Lanka, Korea, South Africa, and Liberia.
In his research and teaching, Sathi has cultivated specialties in contextual theology, constructive global theology, and theology of religions. From 1996-2004 he was on the faculty at United Theological College, Bangalore. He has also been visiting professor at Harvard Divinity School and, for the last twenty years, the Bishop Sundo Kim Chair in World Christianity and Professor of Theology, Culture and Mission at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington D.C, a chair Sathi continues to hold in conjunction with his appointment at UTC.

To register, click here
