Love that Counts

It is not love in the abstract that counts. Men have loved a cause as they have loved a woman. They have loved the brotherhood, the workers, the poor, the oppressed - but they have not loved man; they have not loved the least of these. They have not loved “personally.” It is hard to love. It is the hardest thing in the world, naturally speaking. Have you ever read  Tolstoy’s Resurrection? He tells of political prisoners in a long prison train, enduring chains and persecution for the love of their brothers, ignoring those same brothers on the long trek to Siberia. It is never the brothers right next to us, but the brothers in the abstractthat are easy to love.

Dorothy Day

WTO negotiations faring badly

Negotiations in the lead up to the World Trade Organisation’s ministerial in Hong Kong in December are proceeding badly.

For many years, wealthy countries, such as the US and the EU, have provided subsidies to their farmers (in the order of $1 billion per day) enabling them to dump agricultural produce on world markets at well below the cost of production. More efficient agricultural producers in developing countries are not able to compete against this level of protection, along with the high tariff barriers rich countries maintain against developing country exports.

The US and the EU have made offers to reduce these subsidies and tariffs, but these are widely viewed as inadequate, or even hollow. Our own trade minister, Mark Vaile, described them as "deeply disappointing".

Furthermore, developed nations, including Australia seem intent on forcing further liberalization on developing countries in the areas of services and agriculture. This threatens to undermine development, food security and poverty-reduction efforts  in developing countries.

Respond by being part of the December White Band day of action, calling on the WTO to give trade justice to poor nations.

If you can’t be at one of the following events, organize your own! For more information and resources to set up your own fair trade event, visit Micah Challenge:
 
Ben

Peanuts Bubble

Darren 

Snap IR Action in Canberra (This Sun 27th)

SNAP ACTION - Involvement requested…
VIGIL - Justice in the Workplace @ Parliament House, Canberra
This Saturday 26th - Sunday 27th - Monday 28th of November

Church and other community leaders have expressed concerns that proposed Industrial Relations legislation needs to support the interests of all
members of the community. The vigil will commence Saturday 26th November at 12 mid-day. It will continue from 12 to 9 pm on Sunday 27th and Monday 28th.

The Vigil at Parliament House will:

• encourage Parliament and the wider community to ensure that the interests of all people are protected;
• seek consideration for those not in a position to negotiate withemployers - such as outworkers in the clothing industry; and,
• encourage the churches and the wider community to maintain an ongoing commitment to these issues as legislation is implemented.

The Vigil will be peaceful, prayerful and reflective. It will not target individual politicians or political parties. It will use simple symbolism such as candles, rather than those of political rallies. We are currently organising final details in terms of speakers from various community and church groups, as well as a creative media event to support outworkers in the clothing industry.

The vigil will be based on understandings of biblical approaches to justice, support for those who would otherwise be disadvantaged, and the responsibilities of those in authority. It will be ecumenical in its approach. Broad community participation within the aims and methods of the Vigil is very much encouraged.

CONTACT: Rev Liva Tukutama, Bala BalaretnaRaja,
Canberra City Uniting Church (02) 6257 4600
office@canberracityuca.org.au

A Vic Contact: Greg Smith
This Wednesday and Thursday ring the Vic. Uniting Church office
- (03) 9251 5268
gregsmith1010@bigpond.com

Age

Celtic Birth Baptism

On Sunday the 13th we had a thanksgiving service for our twin girls. Below is the baptism that celtic waiting women (midwivies) would perform when the image of God was born into the world. We did this same celtic birth baptism with James when he was born and again with Jasmine and Chloe�. Birth is one of those thin places where God and the mystery life seem almost visible.

The little drop of the Father
On your little forehead, beloved one.

The little drop of the Son
On your little forehead, beloved one.

The little drop of the Spirit
On your little forehead, beloved one…

To keep you for the Three,
To shield you, to surround you;

To save you for the Three,
To fill you with the graces;

The little drop of the Three
To lavish you with the graces

 

Age

Speaking tour: Donna Mulhearn

26-29 November: Speaking tour: How the peace movement is changing America with Donna Mulhearn, former human shield in Iraq, recently returned from the Cindy Sheehan protest outside George W Bush’s ranch in Texas and James Hill, US peace activist with Veterans for Peace.

• Saturday, November 26, 2pm @ Gippsland Migrant Resource Centre,Buckley St, Morwell. Latrobe Valley Peace Network
• Sunday, November 27, 3pm @ Flemington Community Centre, Mt Alexander Road. Moonee Valley Peace Network
• Monday, November 28, 1pm @ Melbourne University, Theatre C - Old Arts building. Students and Staff for Peace
• Monday, November 28, 7pm @ Carlton Library, 667 Rathdowne St, Carlton. Carlton Fitzroy Peace Group
• Tuesday, November 29, 7pm @ Caffe Mingo, 600 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. Moreland Peace Group

For details contact David by email melbournestopthewar@yahoo.com.au

Seditious Intent

Seditious Intent - films inspired by Australia’s Anti-Terror Bill is an online site for short films and a proposed DVD made up of a series of quality political films, some sad, some funny, some downright shocking.

Call for submissions - create a short film (between 30 seconds and 5 minutes) that responds in some way to the draconian anti-terrorism laws.  The short film must include an interpretation of an image (or images) from the Government’s "HELP PROTECT AUSTRALIA FROM TERRORISM" campaign, or a word or phrase from the anti-terrorism legislation.

The time line associated with this initiative won’t prevent the laws from being implemented. However, ‘SEDITIOUS INTENT’ is aimed at keeping the discussion alive and enabling filmmakers to participate in actions that provoke debate that leads to change.

For more info: http://culture2.org/si/

Rights at Work

The federal government is about to push new industrial relations laws through the Senate which will severely curtail the workplace rights that most of us have come to take for granted. These rights were hard-won over more than a century of collective bargaining, yet workers stand to lose them all in only a few months and years.

I respectfully urge you to become involved in the movement to resist these laws, which will have a profoundly negative effect on community and family life, especially for the most vulnerable members of our society. You can learn about the laws and register your intention to join the fight against them by visiting this website:

http://www.rightsatwork.com.au/

Thankyou
Garry D

(post by Age)

There is a petition you can sign urging Barnaby Joyce to Vote No to Work Choices in the Senate! It has a deadline of Friday 5pm if your keen.

Age

Smile Bubble

 

Age 

Discipleship Transcends Comprehension

Discipleship is not limited to what you can understand – it must transcend all comprehension. Plunge into the deep waters beyond your own understanding, and I will help you to comprehend.

Martin Luther

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