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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260721T193000
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SUMMARY:Live reading of Mark's Gospel
DESCRIPTION:In a candle lit church\, gather with others to hear the whole of Mark’s Gospel read aloud in one evening. There will be mulled wine\, space for reflection\, and gentle silence. Whether you are spiritual-not-religious\, part of a faith community\, or simply curious to hear this ancient text come alive\,  you are welcome. \n  \nWhere: Brunswick Uniting Church \nWhen: 7.30pm Tuesday 21st July \nCost: Free \n  \nTo register\, click here
URL:https://victas.uca.org.au/event/live-reading-of-marks-gospel/
LOCATION:Brunswick Uniting Church\, 214 Sydney Road\, Brunswick\, Victoria\, Australia
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://victas.uca.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Marks-gospel.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Sally Douglas":MAILTO:sally.douglas@pilgrim.edu.au
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260725T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260725T170000
DTSTAMP:20260612T003824
CREATED:20260603T034617Z
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SUMMARY:2026 JIM Convention
DESCRIPTION:Blessed are the Peacemakers – Building a Peace Church \nJustice and International Mission Convention 2026 \nWhere: Centre for Theology & Ministry\, 29 College Crescent\, Parkville \nWhen: Saturday 25 July 2026\, 9:30 am – 4:45 pm \nCost: $50 for metropolitan participants/$25 concession and non-metropolitan Melbourne participants \n  \nThe 1982 National Assembly affirmed the Uniting Church in Australia to be a peacemaking body and encouraging alternatives to war. However\, the resolution did not rule out the use of “Just War” in exceptional circumstances. With a number of serious armed conflicts around the world\, and increased polarisation across communities\, the following statement from the World Council of Churches is highly relevant: \nWe are convinced: A clear witness to peace and nonviolence grounded in justice is what the world needs today from all the churches together…As Christians\, we are motivated and encouraged by the Gospel message of the peace of Christ and the rich Biblical tradition of peace and justice…We want to engage in constructive efforts to build a culture of peace. \n  \nTrue peace-building must seek to create socially just outcomes\, not simply aim for the absence of violence. Without addressing underlying injustices\, the chance for lasting peace fall to near zero. \n  \nAn assessment of civil resistance movements between 2010 and 2019 found 34% of non-violent struggles succeeded compared to 9% of violent campaigns. Thus\, in practice\, non-violent campaigns are four times more likely to be successful than violent ones. \n  \nThe focus of the 2026 Justice and International Mission Convention will be to explore how Uniting Church members can build greater engagement on non-violent peacebuilding. \n  \nKeynote speakers \n  \nDr. Nida Shoughry \nCo-Director\, Center for Women\, Peace and Security\, Itach-Ma’aki \n  \nDr Shoughry is a scholar-practitioner working at the intersection of feminist peacebuilding\, conflict transformation\, and women’s political participation. She has co-trained and accompanied over 100 Palestinian and Israeli women leaders in preparation for peace negotiations. She has collected more than 2\,000 online accounts of Palestinian women documenting survival\, resistance\, and visions for peace. \n  \nDr. Tsameret Levy-Daphny \nStrategic Advisor and Lecturer; Fellow\, Forum for Regional Thinking \n  \nDr Levy-Daphny is an expert on Turkey and the Middle East\, and a lecturer and strategic advisor with over 25 years of experience in Israeli academia and civic initiatives. She previously headed the Turkey Forum at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute\, where she led research programs and regional collaborations. \n  \nDr. Matt Anslow \nMatthew is a biblical scholar and theologian\, activist\, author\, and preacher. \n  \nMatthew’s first book\, Fulfilling the Law and the Prophets\, was published in 2022 and he has published numerous academic and popular articles on subjects such as peacemaking\, nonviolent activism\, agriculture\, biblical studies\, preaching\, and philosophy. \nProgram \n9:30 am – 9:45 am Acknowledgement of Country and Opening Worship \n  \n9:45 am – 10:45 am Plenary Session \nTheological reflections on peace building – Matthew Anslow \n  \n10:45 am – 11:15 am Morning Tea \n  \n11:15 am – 12:30 pm \nHalf the Story\, None of the Power: Women\, Exclusion\, and the Failure of Israeli-Palestinian Peace – Nida Shoughry and Tsameret Levy-Daphny \n  \n12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Lunch \n  \n1:30 pm – 2:15 pm Workshop Session 1 \n  \n2:20 pm – 3:05 pm Workshop Session 2 \n  \n3:05 pm – 3:30 pm Afternoon tea \n  \n3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Plenary Session – How to build support for non-violent peacebuilding and the direction of the JIM Cluster \n  \n4:30 pm – 4:45 pm Closing worship \nThe Workshops \n\nSwords into ploughshares – Campaigning against the arms trade\, including autonomous weapons and biological weapons\n\nFacilitator: Mark Zirnsak \n  \n\nNon-Violent Strategies versus Armed Conflict – How do we assess the alternatives?\n\nFacilitator: Mark Zirnsak \n  \n\nMove the Money Campaign – Increasing funding for peacebuilding\n\nFacilitator: Heather Clarke\, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom \n  \n\nEcumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel – Practical non-violent involvement in conflict zones\n\nFacilitators: John Wardlaw (who recently returned from a placement in the West Bank) and Rev Sandy Boyce\, Executive Officer\, Victorian Council of Churches \n  \n\nPeacebuilding in Myanmar\n\nFacilitator: Myanmar Campaign Network \n  \n\nSolidarity with peacebuilders in Palestine and Israel\n\nFacilitator: Friends of Standing Together Melbourne \n  \n\nCorrecting the historical injustice of the colonial conquest of Australia\n\nFacilitator: Tim Molineux\, Synod Social Justice Officer \n  \n\nAddressing family\, domestic and sexual violence\n\nFacilitator: Mark Zirnsak \n  \n\nSettings relationships right: practicing peace in congregations\n\nFacilitator: Rev Michael Wood\, author of “Practicing Peace: Theology\, Contemplation\, and Action” \n  \n\nWhat does peace-building look like in real communities today? The experience of UnitingWorld’s partner in Maluku\, Indonesia\n\nFacilitator: Antony McMullen\, Church Engagement Manager at UnitingWorld \n  \n\nPeace-building in the Philippines\n\n  \n  \nDietary Requirements \nAll catering will be vegetarian to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the catering. \n  \nIf you have a special dietary requirement please let us know when you register. \n  \nTo register\, click here \n 
URL:https://victas.uca.org.au/event/2026-jim-convention/
LOCATION:Centre for Theology & Ministry\, 29 College Crescent\, Parkville\, Victoria\, 3052\, Australia
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260727T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261012T210000
DTSTAMP:20260612T003824
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SUMMARY:Understanding the UCA
DESCRIPTION:This unit is designed for those interested in learning more about the identity\, history\, and life of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA). It explores our historical formation\, theological foundations\, and the Basis of Union\, as well as the Church’s life\, witness\, and governance structures within its councils and ministries. \nParticipants will also engage with the UCA’s commitment to First Nations peoples and intercultural ministry through integrated learning and an optional Enrichment Day (available via separate registration). \nThis unit is particularly suitable for individuals undertaking Specified Lay Ministries programs—such as Lay Preacher and Ministry of Pastor—as it addresses the Assembly Standards core competency: “Work within the doctrine\, ethos\, and polity of the Uniting Church.” It also serves as a valuable introduction for ministers new to the UCA. \n  \nTo register\, click here \nRegistrations close strictly on Friday 17 July 2026
URL:https://victas.uca.org.au/event/understanding-the-uca-8/
LOCATION:Online
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://victas.uca.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UUCA-tile.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Amanda Nicholas":MAILTO:amanda.nicholas@victas.uca.org.au
GEO:-37.8136276;144.9630576
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260805T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261007T210000
DTSTAMP:20260612T003824
CREATED:20260609T051626Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260609T051628Z
UID:10000365-1785956400-1791406800@victas.uca.org.au
SUMMARY:Exploring the Old Testament (ULVT4)
DESCRIPTION:This Uniting Learning unit is an invitation to participants to deepen their response to and faith in God as Trinity. The Old Testament describes God and how God acts in history and creation. Major themes that impact on Christianity find their beginning in the words of the Old Testament scripture. The unit is closely integrated with the study of the life of Israel as a community of faith as well as historical and contemporary scholarship. \n  \nDates: Wednesday 5\, 12\, 19\, 26 August; 16\, 23\, 30 September; 7 October \n  \nTo register\, click here \n  \nRegistrations close strictly on Monday 27th July
URL:https://victas.uca.org.au/event/exploring-the-old-testament-ulvt4/
LOCATION:Online
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://victas.uca.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/EOT-tile.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Amanda Nicholas":MAILTO:amanda.nicholas@victas.uca.org.au
GEO:-37.8136276;144.9630576
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261026T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20261130T210000
DTSTAMP:20260612T003824
CREATED:20260609T052216Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260609T052218Z
UID:10000366-1793041200-1796072400@victas.uca.org.au
SUMMARY:Exploring Worship in the UCA
DESCRIPTION:This Uniting Learning unit introduces participants to an understanding of worship and its biblical and theological warrant\, patterns of worship in the church and in the Reformed and evangelical tradition (Uniting Church). Participants will look at elements of worship in constructing a service\, exploring and choosing resources for worship (Uniting in Worship 2\, video\, book and online resources). The unit includes approaches and contexts for worship including multi-sensory and multi-intelligence\, communicating effectively\, and ethics and knowing yourself as a worship leader. \n\nTo register\, click here \n\nRegistrations close strictly on Monday 19th October
URL:https://victas.uca.org.au/event/exploring-worship-in-the-uca-2/
LOCATION:Online
ORGANIZER;CN="Amanda Nicholas":MAILTO:amanda.nicholas@victas.uca.org.au
GEO:-37.8136276;144.9630576
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