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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250831T183000
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SUMMARY:Mending Our Social Fabric: Learning from Palestinian and Israeli Women Peacebuilders
DESCRIPTION:Mending Our Social Fabric: Learning from Palestinian and Israeli Women Peacebuilders \n  \n \nRiman Barakat – Is a veteran peacebuilder and social entrepreneur from East Jerusalem. She currently serves as the co-CEO of FeelBeit\, an Israeli-Palestinian cultural centre on Jerusalem’s East-West boundary that harnesses the transformative power of the arts to bridge divides\, foster dialogue\, and is a prototype of a shared future. \n  \n \nPeta Jones Pellach – Is an educator\, activist\, and blogger. She is committed to interfaith dialogue and peace-building. She is Director of Education\, Elijah Interfaith Institute\, co-founder and moderator of Praying Together in Jerusalem and an active member of Women Wage Peace. \n  \n \nThe moderator for the night will be Margaret Hepworth. Margaret is an inspiring peace educator\, speaker\, and advocate for non-violence and building social cohesion. She is currently serving as the Victorian Education Coordinator for Together for Humanity and founder of the peace education initiative\, The Gandhi Experiment. \n  \nSunday 31 August \n6:30 pm for 7 pm start \n  \nVenue: The venue will be in the inner South-East suburbs of Melbourne/Naarm. Location will be provided three days before the event for community safety reasons \n  \nCost: $18/ $10 concession/ Free for the unwaged and those unable to pay at this time \n  \nTo register\, click here \n  \nFor questions about the event please e-mail jim@victas.uca.org.au or melindajones613@gmail.com \n  \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 
URL:https://victas.uca.org.au/event/mending-our-social-fabric-learning-from-palestinian-and-israeli-women-peacebuilders/
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ORGANIZER;CN="Mark Zirnsak":MAILTO:mark.zirnsak@victas.uca.org.au
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250712T090000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250712T161500
DTSTAMP:20260417T164720
CREATED:20250408T015533Z
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SUMMARY:Justice and International Mission Convention 2025
DESCRIPTION:Christian Community and the pursuit of Common Good \nJustice and International Mission Convention 2025 \n  \nWhen: Saturday 12 July\, 9 am – 4:15 pm \nWhere: Centre for Theology and Ministry\, 29 College Crescent\, Parkville \nCost: $50 Metropolitan/ $30 Concession and Rural and Regional\, $10 online (morning sessions only) (Morning tea\, lunch and afternoon tea included) \n  \nDo nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather\, in humility value others above yourselves not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 \n  \nWhen Jesus said\, “Whatever you do for the least of these\, you do for me\,” (Mt 25:40) he was inviting us to seek the Common Good. Jesus saw a common good as fulfilling God’s will that we love and serve others\, creating a society where all people are valued and treated with dignity\, and where justice and peace prevail. The common good is a collective responsibility\, where people live in harmony\, sharing resources\, offering help\, and showing kindness to one another in ways that build up the community\, and not just for individual gain. \nPolitical and financial inequality across the globe and in Australia is increasing\, resulting in people on lower incomes believing that the democratic system does not work for them. The increase in these inequalities also erodes trust and social cohesion in our society\, and increase the growth in racism. It also makes it harder to address problems that require whole of society and international cooperation\, such as climate change and pandemics. \nThe problem of the erosion of trust and social cohesion is enhanced by the spread of disinformation and misinformation in the online world. The ability of generative artificial intelligence to create realistic video material will increasingly make it more difficult to tell the truth from lies in the online world. \nThe Convention will examine what we\, in the Christian community\, can do to reverse these trends and rebuild a commitment to the common good in our society. \nKeynote Speaker \n  \n \nAssociate Professor Myra Hamilton \nMyra Hamilton is an Associate Professor in Work and Organisational Studies at the University of Sydney Business School. She is a sociologist and social policy scholar whose work identifies and challenges inequalities arising from gender\, age and social disadvantage. Among other things\, her most recent work challenges the notion of the ‘generation wars’ and seeks to uncover the workings of elite privilege and its harms. \nMyra will speak to her recent book on social\, political and financial inequalities that exist in Australia\, The Privileged Few. \n  \nPanel Members \n  \n \nGodfrey Moase \nGodfrey is an Executive Director of the United Workers Union\, that represents many workers on low incomes. He is also the chairperson of CoPower\, a non-for-profit cooperative that seeks to transform the electricity and gas industries. He has published in the Guardian and New Matilda. \nGodfrey will speak on the importance of democratic reform for low-income people. \n  \n  \n \nBruce Poon \nIn his professional life\, Bruce worked as a consulting project manager and CEO in the infotech sphere. He has been the founder and director of several for-profit companies and not-for-profit charities and has led numerous expeditions overseas to aid communities in the developing world. \nHe joined the Animal Justice Party in 2012 and has served in various roles on the board and state committees\, parliamentary adviser to our first Victorian member of parliament\, and has served several terms as national president. \nHe is the president of the Animal Justice Foundation\, which seeks to provide long term funding to valuable initiatives within the animal protection movement\, including political initiatives. \nBruce will speak on the challenges faced by a small political party that lacks support from billionaires and millionaires in our current democratic system. \n  \n \nMark Zirnsak \nMark is the Senior Social Justice Advocate in the JIM Cluster. He has been in Synod social justice roles for 26 years. He has been a numerous government consultive bodies in that time. Prior to joining the Synod he was a research engineer with a multinational mining corporation. \nMark will speak to the threats that financial and political inequalities pose to our collective well-being and what could be done to address them to build the common good and rebuild trust between us. \n  \n \nAunty Esme Bamblett \nBangerang\, Taungurung and Wiradjuri \nAunty Esme has been involved in Aboriginal Affairs for over 50 years in various capacities. She is a member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria\, which is negotiating a Treaty with the Victorian Government. \nShe speak on what kind of reforms to the democratic system are necessary to advance social justice for First Peoples. \n  \n  \nWORKSHOPS \nPlease list your top three workshop options when registering (eg\, 6\, 3\, 7). 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. \n  \n\nOne person\, one vote – Giving people an equal say in democracy\nUnequal access – Regulation of Lobbyists\nSeparating ice from snow – Misinformation and Disinformation and the role of AI\nThe other person might be right – Addressing political polarisation\nGiving First Peoples a fairer say in democracy\nLimitarianism – Limiting the role of wealth in democracy\nRiders of the Apocalypse – Responding to threats to humanity’s future\nMake me a channe – The Synod’s role in peace-building\n\n  \nProgram \n9 am Gathering & Registration. Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival \n9:30 am Introduction\, acknowledgement of country and opening worship \n9:45 am Keynote address \n10:30 am Morning Tea \n11 am Panel Discussion on the common good\, democratic reforms\, and trust. \n12:20 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. \n12:35 pm Lunch \n1:15 pm First Round of Workshops \n2:00 pm Short Break \n2:15 pm Second Round of Workshops \n3 pm Discussion on the direction and work areas of the JIM Cluster \n4 pm Closing worship \n4:15 pm Finish \n  \nTo register\, click here \nPlease register by Wednesday\, July 9 \n  \nIf you have particular access needs or need assistance to register contact Alicia Torres on 03 9340 8815 or alicia.torres@victas.uca.org.au \n  \n 
URL:https://victas.uca.org.au/event/justice-and-international-mission-convention-2025/
LOCATION:Centre for Theology & Ministry\, 29 College Crescent\, Parkville\, Victoria\, 3052\, Australia
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241005T090000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20241005T161500
DTSTAMP:20260417T164720
CREATED:20240618T031553Z
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SUMMARY:Justice and International Mission Convention 2024
DESCRIPTION:Give us this day our daily bread – Food and Social Justice\nJustice and International Mission Convention 2024\n  \nWhen: Saturday 5 October\, 9 am – 4:15 pm \nWhere: Centre for Theology and Ministry\, 29 College Crescent\, Parkville \nCost: $40 Metropolitan/ $25 Concession and Rural and Regional/$10 online (morning sessions only) \n  \nFood is an integral part of our life in our Christian Communities. There are many social justice dimensions to what we eat. These include: \n\nMaking sure everyone has enough healthy food to eat;\nImpacts on climate change\, with emissions related to food making up a third of global greenhouse gas emissions;\nMultinational food corporations that put their profits ahead of people’s health;\nFair employment conditions for those that produce our food; and\,\nNot stigmatising people for their weight when ultra-processed foods are designed to be addictive.\n\n  \nLarge 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. \n  \nMore than half the global population will be living with being overweight or obese within 12 years if prevention\, treatment and support do not improve. \n  \nClearing 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. \n  \nThe Convention will explore the social justice dimensions of food production and how to incorporate them into the church’s life. \n  \n \nKeynote speaker – Jonathan Cornford \nJonathan 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. \n  \n \nPanellist – Dr Sureka Goringe; National Director\, Uniting World \nSureka 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. \nAn 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. \n  \n \nPanellist – Jane Martin; Executive Manager\, Food for Health Alliance (FHA) and Alcohol and Obesity Programs at Cancer Council Victoria \nJane 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. \nFor 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. \nShe is the Immediate Past President of ANZOS. \n  \nPanellist – Caterina Cinanni; Director of Farms at the United Workers Union  \nCaterina 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. \n  \n \nIvan Blacket \nIvan 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. \n  \nWorkshop Options \nPlease 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. \n  \nThe workshop options are: \n\nFood and global financial poverty\nReducing emissions through what we eat and reducing what we throw away\nTalking about reducing stigma around weight in congregations\nSupporting workers in the Australian food industry from the Pacific Islands – United Workers Union\nCampaigning for healthier food\nPromoting healthy food in your congregation\nCorruption in the food industry – Mark Zirnsak\, Senior Social Justice Advocate\, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania\nProtecting babies and toddlers from unhealthy foods\nPractical tips on having a community garden at your congregation\nThe benefits of reducing meat consumption\nMapping Power\, Growing Justice: Understanding our role in the food system – Ivan Blacket\, Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance\n\n  \n  \nProgram \n9 am Gathering & Registration. Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival \n  \n9:30 am Introduction\, acknowledgement of country and opening worship \n  \n9:45 am Keynote address \n  \n10:30 am Morning Tea \n  \n11 am Panel Discussion on food and social justice. \n  \n12:20 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. \n  \n12:35 pm Lunch \n  \n1:15 pm First Round of Workshops \n  \n2:00 pm Short Break \n  \n2:15 pm Second Round of Workshops \n  \n3 pm Discussion on the direction and work areas of the JIM Cluster \n  \n4 pm Closing worship \n  \n4:15 pm Finish \n  \n  \nPlease register by Monday 23 September by clicking here \n  \nCost: $40 for metropolitan participants \n$25 concession and non-metropolitan participants. \n$10 online (morning session only) \nTea/coffee and lunch included. \n  \nIf you have particular access needs or need assistance to register contact: \nAlicia Torres \nCentre for Theology and Ministry \n29 College Crescent\, Parkville\, Vic\, 3052 \nPhone (03) 9340 8815 \nEmail: Alicia.Torres@victas.uca.org.au
URL:https://victas.uca.org.au/event/justice-and-international-mission-convention-2024/
LOCATION:Centre for Theology & Ministry\, 29 College Crescent\, Parkville\, Victoria\, 3052\, Australia
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ORGANIZER;CN="Mark Zirnsak":MAILTO:mark.zirnsak@victas.uca.org.au
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20230729T090000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20230729T170000
DTSTAMP:20260417T164720
CREATED:20230517T224108Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240605T044258Z
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SUMMARY:Welcoming and Inclusive: Actions for Churches in response to people with disabilities and health issues
DESCRIPTION:Welcoming and Inclusive: Actions for Churches in response to people with disabilities and mental health issues \n  \nWhen: Saturday 29 July 2023\, 9:15 am – 5 pm \nWhere: Salvation Army Centre\, 1010 Whitehorse Road\, Box Hill or Online \nCost: $40 for Metropolitan participants/ $25 concession and non-Metropolitan participants/ $10 online participants. Catering provided. \nBoth Federal and Victorian Governments have been part of significant reforms in relation to mental health and disability. Most significant has been the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. However\, despite these reforms\, too many people with disabilities and mental health needs still face abuse\, neglect\, exploitation and discrimination. These issues have been highlighted by numerous Parliamentary inquiries and the Royal Commission into Violence\, Abuse\, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. \nTheological response to people with disabilities and mental health issues have also shifted\, becoming more aware of the impact of our theology and language on Christian perspectives and responses to disability. Many churches have also made efforts to be welcoming and inclusive. At the same time\, people with disabilities and mental health issues still struggle to find churches that make them feel welcome and fully included. \nThe conference will provide opportunities to explore how congregations can be more welcoming and inclusive of people with disabilities and mental health issues. Together we will also explore the ways in which churches can be part of advocacy for further reforms by governments. \n  \nKey Speakers \n  \n \nRev Dr Andy Calder \nDisability Inclusion Advocate \nUniting Church in Australia\, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania \nAndy has previously held roles as chaplain at Prahran Mission\, and senior chaplain at Epworth HealthCare\, Richmond. \nPrior to ordination in 1995 as a Uniting Church deacon\, Andy worked in a range of community and government contexts in program delivery\, policy development and advocacy with people with disabilities. \nAndy is committed to ensuring people with disabilities are full and equal participants in all activities of the Synod. His PhD explored the spirituality of adults with an intellectual disability. \nAndy is also Director of the Uniting CPE – the John Paver Centre\, a Clinical Pastoral Education provider. \n  \n \nColleen Pearce \nPublic Advocvate \nDr Colleen Pearce has been Victoria’s Public Advocate since September 2007. \nIn this role\, she is the guardian of last resort for adults with disabilities in Victoria. Under legislation\, she is also chair of the Community Visitor boards. \nColleen fearlessly advocates for the human rights and interests of people with a disability and a mental illness\, and is outspoken on the significant issues of abuse\, neglect and exploitation. \nColleen has more than 30 years’ experience managing community and health services in both the government and non-government sectors. \nShe is a board member of Connecting Home\, an organisation established in response to the recommendations arising from the Stolen Generations Taskforce Report. \nColleen is a proud Yuin woman from southern NSW. \n  \n  \nPanellists \n  \n \nMajor Christine Pickens \nMajor Christine Pickens has been a Salvation Army Officer for over 32 years in a variety of ministries in corps and social work. Over the last 16 years\, the focus of her work has been in the Emergency Relief sector and in delivering training. \nChristine is part of Eva Burrows College Vocational Training Stream and delivers a variety of different accredited and non-accredited training programs and is responsible for Positive Lifestyle Program Trainers across Australia. \n  \n  \n \nRev Amanda Nicholas \nComing from her own lived experiences and passion for creating a genuinely educated and meaningful faith encounter\, Amanda is passionate about educating and resourcing individuals and communities of faith in accessible and inclusive liturgies and practices within the dynamics of the Body of Christ seeking to be known as inclusive communities across the expanse of culture\, gender\, sexuality\, neurodiversity and more. \n  \n \nZak Hanyn \nZak is of proud Moroccan descent\, who lives in Naarm and works on the lands of the Wurundjeri people. He has had a long and complex journey of moments of joy and great loss due multiple chronic medical conditions. He has an enduring faith that has sustained him through most of life. \n  \n \nJoanne Gardiner \nDr Joanne Gardiner currently works as a GP at Cohealth Collingwood\, Geelong Head to Health\, and is a Refugee Health Fellow at RMH. \nShe has worked with refugees and asylum seekers since 1995\, and has been involved in teaching GPs and Allied Health about Refugee health\, and has worked in policy and service development to support humanitarian entrants and asylum seekers \n  \n  \nProgram \n9 am Gathering & Registration – Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival \n9:15 am Introduction – Acknowledgement of Country and opening reflection – Rev Sandy Boyce\, Executive Officer\, Victorian Council of Churches and Kelly Skilton\, Younger Generations – Digital and New Communities\, Uniting Church in Australia \n9:30 am Keynote address – Theological reflection on disability and mental health – Rev Dr Andy Calder \n10:30 am Morning Tea \n11 am Keynote Address – What reforms are needed to ensure people with disability and mental health challenges can lead flourishing lives? – Dr Colleen Pearce\, Public Advocate Victoria \n11:30 am Panel Session – What role should the Christian community be playing to welcome and include people with disabilities and mental health issues? \n12:30 pm Lunch \n1:15 pm Workshops – 1st Round \n2:15 pm Workshops – 2nd Round \n3:15 pm Afternoon tea \n3:45 pm Reflection – Discussion on where to next and what participants will do as a result of the conference \n4:45 pm Closing Worship – Kelly Skilton \n5 pm Finish – After conference drinks and nibbles \n  \n  \nWorkshop Options \nPlease list your top three workshop options (in order) 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. \nThe workshop options are: \n1. Addressing abuse and neglect of people with disability – Progress by the Royal Commission – Natalie Clements\, Social Justice and Policy Coordinator\, Queensland Synod\, Uniting Church in Australia – Online workshop only \n2. Designing a protective systems that works for people with disability and mental health issues – Mark Zirnsak Senior Social Justice Advocate\, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania\, Uniting Church in Australia \n3. Rethinking our theology on disability and mental health – Rev Andy Calder \n4. How can congregations be more inclusive and welcoming of people with disability and mental health issues? – Including examples of congregations that have created welcoming environments – Chelsea Church of Christ\, Mooroolbark Salvation Army Corps\, St Andrews Alphington-Fairfield Uniting Church \n5. Getting Young People out of Residential Aged Care – Dr Di Winkler\, CEO\, The Summer Foundation. The workshop will outline the plan for the Summer Foundation to stop the flow of young people with disability or mental health issues being placed in residential aged care once and for all. \n6. Responding to mental health issues in the criminal justice system \n7. On Captions\, Clarity and Sign: A perspective on speech – Adrian Jackson and Laura Weatherall. Adrian has the lived experience of a hearing loss and navigating this experience in church\, work\, education and social contexts. Adrian is a member of a local Baptist congregation. Laura is both a qualified Primary teacher and an accredited Minister for Churches of Christ. One focus area for Laura has been in the teaching of Auslan. \n8. Neurodiversity Inclusion – Rev Amanda Nicholas \n9. Invisible Illness/The Spoon Theory – Zak Hanyn \n10. From Diagnosis to O.A.M. – A Personal Autism Journey – Daniel Giles O.A.M. and his Dad\, Daryl discuss their journey with Daniel’s autism through their combined lenses of lived experience. \n11. Flexibility and Support\, assisting people with disability to navigate the system – Marina Jacob\, General Manager\, Vine & Branches Disability Services \n  \nTo register\, click here \nPlease register by Monday 10 July. \n  \n  \n  \nIf you have particular access needs or need assistance to register contact: \nAlicia Torres \nCentre for Theology and Ministry \n29 College Crescent\, Parkville\, Vic\, 3052 \nPhone (03) 9340 8815 \nEmail: Alicia.Torres@victas.uca.org.au
URL:https://victas.uca.org.au/event/welcoming-and-inclusive-actions-for-churches-in-response-to-people-with-disabilities-and-health-issues/
LOCATION:Salvation Army Box Hill\, 1010 Whitehorse Road\, Box Hill\, Victoria\, 3128\, Australia
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221008T090000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20221008T170000
DTSTAMP:20260417T164720
CREATED:20220908T235408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240605T035059Z
UID:10000260-1665219600-1665248400@victas.uca.org.au
SUMMARY:POSTPONED: Mental Health and Disabilities Conference
DESCRIPTION:**IMPORTANT NOTICE: It is with regret that this event has been postponed until 2023. Information on new dates will be released next year. \n  \n  \nWelcoming and Inclusive: Actions for Churches in response to people with disabilities and mental health issues. \n  \nWhen: Saturday 8 October 2022; 9.00am – 5.00pm \nWhere: Centre for Theology and Ministry\, 29 College Crescent\, Parkville or Online \nCost: $40 for metropolitan participants \n$25 concession and non-metropolitan participants. \n$10 online participants \n*Tea/coffee and lunch included. \n  \nBoth Federal and Victorian Governments have been part of significant reforms in relation to mental health and disability. Most significant has been the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. However\, despite these reforms\, too many people with disabilities and mental health needs still face abuse\, neglect\, exploitation and discrimination. These issues have been highlighted by numerous Parliamentary inquiries and the Royal Commission into Violence\, Abuse\, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. \nTheological response to people with disabilities and mental health issues have also shifted\, becoming more aware of the impact of our theology and language on Christian perspectives and responses to disability. Many churches have also made efforts to be welcoming and inclusive. At the same time\, people with disabilities and mental health issues still struggle to find churches that make them feel welcome and fully included. \nThe conference will provide opportunities to explore the ways in which churches can be part of advocacy for further reforms by governments. Together we will also explore how congregations can be more welcoming and inclusive of people with disabilities and mental health issues. \n  \nKey Speakers \n  \nRev Dr Andy Calder \nDisability Inclusion Advocate \nUniting Church in Australia\, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania \nAndy has previously held roles as chaplain at Prahran Mission\, and senior chaplain at Epworth HealthCare\, Richmond. \nPrior to ordination in 1995 as a Uniting Church Deacon\, Andy worked in a range of community and government contexts in program delivery\, policy development and advocacy with people with disabilities. \nAndy is committed to ensuring people with disabilities are full and equal participants in all activities of the Synod. \nAndy is also Director of the John Paver Centre\, a Clinical Pastoral Education provider. \n  \nEmma Kealy \nShadow Minister for Mental Health \nLike many young people\, Emma left the country to further her education\, and attained a Degree in Biomedical Science at the University of South Australia. \nEmma has lived and worked in Hamilton\, Melbourne and the Northern Territory\, before making the decision to return to Edenhope to raise her family in a country environment. \nEmma has worked at senior levels in the health sector including Western District Health Service in Hamilton and as Chief Executive of the Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital. \nEmma is involved in many community activities\, including having served on the Edenhope College Council\, delivery of an Anglicare program to support and connect young Mums in Edenhope\, Relay for Life and helping out at the Lake Charlegrark Country Music Festival. \nShe became the Member for Lowan in November 2014. \n  \n  \nProgram \n  \n9 am Gathering & Registration – Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival \n9:15 am Introduction – Acknowledgement of Country and opening reflection \n9:30 am Keynote address – Theological reflection on disability and mental health – Rev Dr Andy Calder \n10:30 am Morning Tea \n11 am Keynote Address – Ms Emma Kealy\, Shadow Minister for Mental Health \n11:30 am Panel Session – What reforms are needed from governments to ensure people with disabilities and mental health issues can lead flourishing lives? \n12:30 pm Lunch \n1:15 pm Panel session – What role should the Christian community be playing to welcome and include people with disabilities and mental health issues? \n2:15 pm Workshops \n3:15 pm Afternoon tea \n3:45 pm Reflection – Discussion on where to next and what participants will do as a result of the conference \n4:45 pm Closing Worship \n5 pm Finish – After conference drinks and nibbles \n  \n  \nWorkshop Options \nPlease list your top three workshop options when registering online. 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. \n  \n*You will be prompted to enter your top three workshop preferences when you register. Please note your preferences before registering as once you are in the ticket purchase section\, you will be unable to see the workshop options. \nThe workshop options are: \n1. Designing a protective systems that works for people with disabilities and mental health issues \n2. What would it take to provide a society where people with disabilities and mental health issues can flourish? \n3. Rethinking our theology on disability and mental health \n4. How can congregations be more inclusive and welcoming of people with disabilities and mental health issues? – Including examples of congregations that have created welcoming environments \n5. Down to Ten Days Campaign – addressing housing needs for people with disabilities – Dr Di Winkler\, CEO\, The Summer Foundation \n6. Responding to mental health issues in the criminal justice system \n  \nTo register\, click here \n  \nPlease register by 9am on Friday 7 October. \n  \n  \nIf you have particular access needs or need assistance to register contact: \nAlicia Torres \nCentre for Theology and Ministry \n29 College Crescent\, Parkville\, Vic\, 3052 \nPhone (03) 9340 8815 \nEmail: Alicia.Torres@victas.uca.org.au
URL:https://victas.uca.org.au/event/mental-health-and-disabilities-conference/
LOCATION:Centre for Theology & Ministry\, 29 College Crescent\, Parkville\, Victoria\, 3052\, Australia
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ORGANIZER;CN="Mark Zirnsak":MAILTO:mark.zirnsak@victas.uca.org.au
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220430T090000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20220430T161500
DTSTAMP:20260417T164720
CREATED:20220325T020900Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240605T034058Z
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SUMMARY:Justice and International Mission Convention 2022
DESCRIPTION:Justice and International Mission Convention 2022 – Our planet is changing: do we? \n  \nWe are witnessing a rapidly growing scientific understanding of the need to act urgently on environmental challenges we face. The Justice and International Mission Convention revisits where the Uniting Church can continue to make a difference in how Australia impacts environment issues. \nAt this Convention we will particularly consider the issue of whether technological developments will enable us to continue with our current lifestyles without unsustainable harm being done to our planet. The alternative possibility is that we will need to significantly change our lifestyle. \nJoin us and be part of the conversation to inform the future direction of the Uniting Church’s social justice mission as we unpack the urgency of climate change we are all facing. \nThe Convention will also seek input from participants on the work areas of the Justice and International Mission Cluster. \n  \n  \nKEY SPEAKERS \nRev Tim Matton-Johnson \nPanninher man\, currently living on Mumirimina country (Kutalayna: Lower Jordon river Valley: at least 40\,000 years of continuous human occupation.) \nOrdained 1985\, three rural ministry placements in Victoria and Tasmania\, two urban placements and two Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) placements. Now retired. \nServed two terms as Chairperson of UAICC Tas and one term as Deputy Chairperson of UAICC National. \nLifetime interest in environmental issues – Franklin River Blockader Summer of 1982-3 .Tasmania. \nOne week as a prisoner in the old Risdon Jail. \nMarried to Lynne\, with three children – Elanor Ross & Barnaby. Three grandchildren\, Harry\, Charlie and Lucy. \n  \nKaj Löfgren \nKaj is the Strategy Lead at Regen Melbourne\, a mission- led network exploring a regenerative future for the city. He is also the Entrepreneur in Residence at Small Giants Academy where he collaborates on the Academy’s education and storytelling initiatives\, including the Mastery of Business and Empathy. \nHe holds a masters of Economic History\, a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts. He has worked with Engineers without Borders. \n  \nElla Plumanns Pouton \nElla is aPhD candidate at the University of Melbourne. Her research interests include ecology\, conservation\, environmental governance and social equity. Her research has spanned from the effectiveness of carbon markets\, to most recently understanding how climate and fire influence plant diversity. \nPrior to her PhD\, Ella worked in non-for-profit and the private sector\, most recently as an evaluator of programs in the areas of climate change\, natural resource management and emergency management. \n  \n  \nPROGRAM: \n9am – Gathering and registration. Tea and coffee will be provided on arrival \n9:30am – Introduction. Acknowledgement of country and opening worship \n9:45am – Keynote address. “Why are we not Kangaroos. Two Civilisations\, Climate Change and Human Agency” – Rev Tim Matton-Johnson \n10:30am – Morning Tea \n11am – Discussion. Do we need to change our lifestyle in response to the environmental changes we face\, or if technology will allow us to continue in our current lifestyle. \n12:20pm – 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. \n12:35pm – Lunch \n1:15pm – First round of workshops \n2pm – Short break \n2:15pm – Second round of workshops \n3pm – Discussion on the direction and work areas of the JIM Cluster \n4pm – Closing worship \n4:15pm – Finish \n  \nWORKSHOP OPTIONS: \nPlease list your top three workshop options from the list below using the number of the workshop. Workshops will be run based on the number of participants\, and will not run if not enough participants register interest. \nEach workshop will aim to look for a specific way forward in each area. \n  \nWorkshop 1 \nWhat can a congregation do to be environmentally friendly? Team from Brunswick Uniting Church. \nWorkshop 2 \nWhat are the opportunities to derail the expansion of the gas industry in Australia? Mark Zirnsak\, Senior Social Justice Advocate. \nWorkshop 3 \nSupport for your local council to act on environmental issues and how to influence local council actions on the environment \nWorkshop 4 \nAustralia’s Nuclear Landscape\, Mines\, subs\, reactors? How to respond. Dave Sweeney\, Nuclear Free Campaigner\, Australian Conversation Foundation. \nWorkshop 5 \nAssessing the corporate disclosures of companies we buy from and invest in. Desiree Lucchese\, Head of Ethics and Impact\, U Ethical Investors. \nWorkshop 6 \nHolistic approach to our non-human friends. The workshop will explore the nexus between the health of our planet\, its people and the animals with which we co-exist. It will explore the role we can each play in moving towards a kinder world for all. Meg Chanom\, Community Manager\, Animals Australia. \n  \nCost:\n$40 for metropolitan participants \n$25 concession and non-metropolitan participants. \n$10 online participants \nTea/coffee and lunch included for those attending in person. Catering has been organised through the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Lunch will be wheat and gluten free\, vegan and delicious. \n  \n  \nTo register\, click here \n  \n 
URL:https://victas.uca.org.au/event/justice-and-international-mission-convention-2022/
LOCATION:Centre for Theology & Ministry\, 29 College Crescent\, Parkville\, Victoria\, 3052\, Australia
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://victas.uca.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1000x500-JIMCON-banner.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Mark Zirnsak":MAILTO:mark.zirnsak@victas.uca.org.au
GEO:-37.7922071;144.9619031
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Centre for Theology & Ministry 29 College Crescent Parkville Victoria 3052 Australia;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=29 College Crescent:geo:144.9619031,-37.7922071
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20211106T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20211106T161500
DTSTAMP:20260417T164720
CREATED:20210826T032754Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240605T033608Z
UID:10000241-1636191000-1636215300@victas.uca.org.au
SUMMARY:Justice and International Mission Convention 2021
DESCRIPTION:Our faith in democracy: How do you have a meaningful say? \nMost of the social justice causes church members are concerned about require government action\, from addressing climate change\, modern slavery\, and family violence to the treatment of people seeking asylum and justice for First Peoples. In order to see positive change in our society\, we need to care about making government work for the betterment of our community and the world. \nGlobally\, and in Australia\, there has been declining trust in democracy as a system of government. On the positive side\, people are looking for more meaningful ways to have a say in how our society is run and the laws that govern us than voting in an election every few years. On the negative side\, the declining trust in democracy is leading to greater cynicism towards elected governments and all that they do. Such cynicism makes it harder for any reforms of any nature to be introduced by any government.\nThe Justice and International Mission Convention will explore what the Christian faith has to say on the subject of government and trust in societies. The Convention will also hear from movements seeking to re-energise our democracy and give us a greater say in how government runs. \nThe Convention will also seek input from participants on the work areas of the Justice and International Mission Cluster. \n  \nWorkshop Options \nPlease list your top three workshop options from the list below using the number of the workshop. Workshops will be run based on the number of participants. Workshops will not run where there are not enough participants to make them worthwhile. Each workshop will aim to look for a specific way forward in each area. \n\nWhat does the public good mean and how do we get people interested in it? – Tim Molineux\, Synod Social Justice Officer and Millie Rooney\, Australia reMADE will explain how you can get your community involved.\nHow do we reduce corporate influence in subverting our democracy? – Saffron Zomer\, Australian Democracy Network will  outline how you can get involved.\nIncreasing engagement with your local MPs and the political process so your voice can be heard – Mark Zirnsak\, Senior          Social Justice Advocate\nThe need for a National Integrity Commission to address corruption and foster good government – Serena Lilywhite\,              Transparency International Australia will outline the campaigning options you can join in on.\n\n  \nPROGRAM \n9.30am – Introduction\, acknowledgement of country and opening worship \n9.45am – KEYNOTE ADDRESS\nRev Associate Professor Sean Winter\, Pilgrim Theological College\, on a Christian view of forms of government and the role of trust in a society. \n10.30am – Morning tea \n11am – PANEL\nJolene Elberth\, Democracy Campaigner\, Australian Conservation Foundation\, on the findings of how Australians see our democracy. \nMillie Rooney\, Australia reMADE\, on the vision of a better Australia to unite the Australian community. \nDamian Charmichael\, Commonwealth Department of Industry\, Science\, Energy and Resources\, on what the Commonwealth Government is doing to increase opportunities for democratic participation. \nSaffrom Zomer\, Australian Democracy Network\, on reforms to reduce corporate influence in our democracy. \n12.20pm – 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. \n12.35pm – Lunch \n1.15pm – First round of workshops \n2pm – Short break \n2.15pm – Second round of workshops \n3pm – Discussion on the direction and work areas of theJIM Cluster \n4pm – Closing worship \n4.15pm – Finish \n  \n  \nKEY SPEAKERS \nRev Associate Professor Sean Winter – Principal and Co-ordinator of Studies in New Testament\, Pilgrim Theological College \nIn 2009 Sean was appointed as Coordinator of Studies in New Testament at the Uniting Church Theological College\, now Pilgrim Theological College. In 2015\, he became Academic Dean at Pilgrim\, and from 2018 has served as the College Principal. He teaches and writes about issues relating to the historical Jesus and has an ongoing interest in issues of hermeneutics with a focus on the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. \nJolene Elberth – Democracy Campaigner\, Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF)\nJolene leads the ACF’s work to address the systemic issues with our political system that drive ecological unsustainability. Prior to joining ACF\, Jolene spent years as a grassroots community organiser working with directly impacted communities to build political power and win policy change. \nDr Millie Rooney – National Co-ordinator\, Australia reMADE\nMillie has a research background with a PhD in local community and social norms around neighbourhood sharing and community building. Working with Australia reMADE she has the privilege of listening to people reflect on their hopes and dreams for this country. \nDamian Carmichael – Commonwealth Department of Industry\, Science\, Energy and Resources\nDamian has had 25 years’ public sector experience in policy and service delivery and has held leadership positions in Canberra\, the States and Territories and overseas. He led a project examining the barriers to Commonwealth public servants better engaging with the community. The project also examined how the public service can more meaningfully provide opportunities for members of the community to participate in policy development and design of services. \nSaffron Zomer – Executive Director\, Australia Democracy Network\nSaffron is a lawyer\, campaigner and political strategist. Prior to the Australian Democracy Network\, Saffron was Government Relations Manager at the Australian Conservation Foundation. In 2017\, Saffron co-founded and led the Hands Off Our Charities Alliance which secured critical changes to 2017 Electoral Act amendments to protect the rights of civil society organisations to engage in advocacy. \n  \nTo register\, click here \n  \n \n \n \n \n  \nTo download printable flyer\,  click here \n  \n 
URL:https://victas.uca.org.au/event/justice-and-international-mission-convention-2021/
LOCATION:Online
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ORGANIZER;CN="Mark Zirnsak":MAILTO:mark.zirnsak@victas.uca.org.au
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