Remembering Hiroshima: Morning Vigil

This year will be the 65^th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is also the 25^th anniversary of the South Pacific Nuclear Weapons Free Zone treaty. A Vigil sponsored by MAPW, Pax Christi and the Society of Friends will be held on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral to commemorate and reflect, with a minute’s silence at 8.15, the time the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

• When: Friday 6 August, 7am to 9am
• Where: St Paul’s Cathedral (corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets).

Hiroshima & Nagasaki Memorial Concert

Sunday 8th August 2010, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Village Roadshow Theatrette @ State Library of Victoria, Melbourne

Tickets at door: $15/$10 conc.

Warm up a cold wintry Sunday at a concert for peace
Sixty-five years after the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by nuclear blast, Japanese for Peace will bring together a diverse array of inspiring musicians, speakers and citizens of the world in a concert to celebrate peace and enable us to imagine a world without nuclear threat.

Performers:
Anne Norman – Shakuhachi
Dean Frenkel – Overtone Singer, Didgeridoo
Lee Morgan – Indigenous Musician
Liz Frencham – Singer/Songwriter
Wadaiko Rindo & Ayako Sato – Japanese Drums

Speaker:
Dave Sweeney – Australian Conservation Foundation

Supported by Victorian Multicultural Commission.
Concert proceeds to be donated to a charity organisation.

for more info http://mapw.org.au/

2010 series — ‘What I believe and why’

What a great idea. Thanks!

check out http://www.electionleaflets.org.au/

Election leaflets are one of the main weapons in the fight for votes in Australia.

They are targeted, effective and sometimes very bitter.

We need your help to photograph and map them so we can keep an eye on what the parties are up to, and try to keep them honest.

Your Faith, Your Vote, Your Voice

When it comes time to exercise one of our core democratic rights and responsibilities and vote in a parliamentary election, how do we think about our vote? Do we vote the way we always have? Do we vote on the basis of a single issue? Will we vote for whoever is promising the most? Is our vote based on which candidate will be better able to  represent our locality? Will we think about what kind of society we want and which politicians seem to share our values?

Building an Economy for Lifeinvites you to consider the values which underpin the policies of the political parties and candidates who are asking us to give them the responsibility of national leadership.

Download these resources

Building an Economy for Life Booklet

The cornerstone of the resources is the Building an Economy for Life booklet, which explores some of the major areas of public policy and current issues from a Christian perspective on human and ecological wellbeing. A fuller introduction to the theology and more detailed information about the purpose of the resource can be found here.

The booklet also includes an election toolkit with useful links to information on all things politics and elections and suggestions for planning activities such as pre-election candidates forums and a meeting with your local MP or candidates.

Click here to download the booklet

You can obtain hard copies of this booklet, free of charge, by contacting the Assembly office, on 02 8267 4300 or email enquiries@nat.uca.org.au

Hot Issues

The Hot Issues papers are A5 sized flyers that take a snap-shot look at particular topical issues such as Indigenous health, the Northern Territory intervention, gender pay equity, freedom of religion and multiculturalism. Several of these papers are available in hard copy - contact the Assembly office to place an order, on 02 8267 4300 or email enquiries@nat.uca.org.au

• Alcohol Misuse
• Christmas Island
• Taking the “Dis” out of Disability
• Gambling
• The State of Indigenous Health
• Northern Territory Indigenous Intervention
• Multiculturalism in Australia
• People Trafficking
• Freedom of Religion (web-only)
• Gender Pay Equity (web-only)
• A Tax on Financial Transactions (web-only)

Issues Papers

These web-only papers offer a more in-depth look at the issues and policies covered in the Building an Economy for Life booklet. Papers have been contributed from many parts of the Church, including the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and numerous Assembly agencies and units.

• Recognition and Respect: Justice for Indigenous Australians
• Protecting the Persecuted: Compassion for Asylum Seekers and Refugees
• Tackling Climate Change: Ensuring our Future
• Beyond the Urban Fringe: Issues for Outback Australia
• Protecting Human Rights
• Justice in Income Support
• Sharing the Wealth: A Just and Progressive Taxation System
• A Decent Life for Older People
• Embracing our Diversity: A Multicultural, Multi-faith Society
• Justice in International Development

Additional Resources

How to plan a candidates forum

Read the statement ‘An Economy of Life’ adopted by the 12^th Assembly. 
http://www.unitingjustice.org.au/uniting-church-statements.html#economyoflife.

* all Federal Election 2010 resources have been printed on ‘carbon neutral’ paper ]]> http://morepraxis.org.au/election2010/feed/ http://morepraxis.org.au/feature-clip-getup/ http://morepraxis.org.au/feature-clip-getup/#comments Wed, 14 Jul 2010 04:03:25 +0000 Age http://morepraxis.org.au/?p=2671

The link to enrol to vote = http://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/Update_enrolment.htm

morepraxis gathering 2010

MPG10:There’s one in all of us

Think, pray, play and meet with more of your tribe who long for a Christian spirituality that interconnects social action and theological reflection.

Been waiting for this? Good, so have we.

Where: Clifford Park Scouts camp site - Clifford Rd, Wonga Park VIC (Melways 24 J6)
45 mins from Melbourne
Online Rego here and facebook event to help spam the gathering here

Costs PP: $45 Cabin, $30 Camp, Food $25 Adult/$15 Kids, Day Pass $35, Dinner Pass $30

This is an All Play event - Come ready to share.

http://www.regonline.com/mpg10

You have been preparing all your life to lead a conversation on something - come prepared to engage that conversation but don’t stress on the preparation.

Last year the adventure course was popular, ultimate frisbee was fun, conversations went deep, reconstruction of missles into prayers was beautiful, games, craft and relaxing also went well.

‘lightning talks’ are back and are your 5minutes of fame to spark more conversations.
Last year we had some presentations on activist strategies, politics, ultimate frisbee as discipleship and sermons that suck to name a few. I understand that pacebene may even offer NVDA training excercises and games in the gaps. So get thinking about what you can share.
Also, there will be a space set aside for participants to propaganda/promote their group, cause, next action, t-shirt, study, book…. you get the idea. (byo  for your promo space)

If you are at a junction where you need to think and chat about your vocation and the direction of your life with active, prayerful and wise mentors and co-travelers … there will be a bunch at MPG to bounce ideas with.

If you are a family that is interested in connecting social justice and spirituality then this gathering has space for your needs. The site is well equipped for free play and organised chaos

This is clever and made me laugh (Almost enough to pee my pants)

The upper room project meets the first Monday of each month (6:-8:30pm) to engage with spirituality and justice as struggled with and fought for by the Prophets and Jesus. We meet upstairs in the Shine Caf?/Bar (74 Kingsway Glen Waverley) with gallery space, discussion corners, opportunity for practical response and pondering space.

We hope the upper room will be

Space to rest/relax with your tribe

Be challenged by the prophetic call of compassion

Connect with heartbeats for living

There will be food, wine and friends plus

Please bring your friends - all are welcome

This month Upper Room - Di will be sharing about permaculture and some of what she learnt in a permaculture course in Uganda.  This quote from her blog should be enough to make conversations and debate a plenty

“One of the most challenging questions for me was: “If our faith is calling us to care for people and live with ethics, fair trade and care for the earth, how can we too live in solidarity with the poor?” Given that ethical and fair trade means are a more expensive option, how does this make us view our choices and options. This question I will explore more as I develop a deeper understanding of the connection of Permaculture and my Christianity.

Check out her thoughts here http://dianegreenwood.com/

Facebook event if your on it

Still no date for the election but I though a community announcement was due If this is your first time voting or you have changed address now is the time to click this link and enrol to vote.

By completing this one enrolment form you will be enrolled to vote in federal, state/territory and local government elections.

http://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/Update_enrolment.htm

It’s a girl! (cross to three wise men looking bewildered)

At 9.35 this morning I twinged pre-emptively for Julia Gillard. Being Prime Minister is not so much grasping a poisoned chalice as throwing yourself at Damocles’ throne. Rudd was thrust onto rather than fell upon his sword. All political careers end in disgrace — who said that? — which is why a lot of women don’t want them (some of us can act disgracefully without a Party).

Gillard’s moment was thrust upon her, as was Rudd’s decision not to contest. Factional politics, media interest and big advertising provoked exactly the crisis that neither wanted, at least not now.

As a woman, a lawyer, a Victorian, and a feminist, I am delighted to have such a smart, confident, self-assured, genuine woman leading my country. Especially after such a hard struggle within the ALP to make sure women political candidates are treated as serious contenders for winnable seats so that they can demonstrate how good they are, and bring a different and important awareness of community and electorate issues to the table.

The importance of a woman getting the highest political post in the land — remember that our Governor General is a progressive, savvy woman as well — is not so much in its being a ‘first’, but that the new Prime Minister is her own woman. She has not turned into an ‘honorary bloke’. The singular attribute of Julia has been her obvious sincerity and the genuineness of her public conversations. And she can laugh.

Women do have a different experience of the world, not least in our socialisation (playground politics tend to carry on into the grown-up workplace), but also in our opportunities. It takes a particular kind of woman to, so obviously, revel in her role as a minister and deputy PM, and a particularly strong character to have leveraged a grudging respect from her factional foes and overcome the truism that nobody from ‘the Left’ could ever gain overall ALP support.

Continue reading here

There are a heap of other articles and perspective  about the last few days happening on ES go clicking.

The call out from Robin back in Sherwood…

Two months ago we asked Robin Hood supporters to write to Treasurer Wayne Swan and urge him to consider a financial transactions tax. An incredible 2,500 of you responded, filling out an online e-action letter that was sent direct to the Treasurer. Today, we are asking you to once again spend just 0.05% of your day – that’s less than a minute – on writing to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

On June 26 Kevin Rudd will attend the G20 Leaders Meeting in Toronto where proposals for a financial contribution to society by the global banking and finance sector will be discussed.

Of all the proposals on the table, the Robin Hood Tax is the only tax which both dissuades some of the finance sector excesses and makes a significant contribution to society. All other proposals are focused instead on simply recouping the direct costs of bail-outs or providing a money pot for future financial crises.

The Robin Hood Tax is an historic opportunity to leverage a tiny tax on short-term speculative trading to both improve the finance sector and make a giant change to people’s lives, and our planet, in this lifetime. We want Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to back this tiny tax on financial transactions that will bolster public services, reduce global poverty and help tackle climate change.

According to the IMF, it was the strong public campaign which was responsible for keeping the Robin Hood Tax on the table. But, without continuing public support, this crucial tax could be pushed aside at the G20 Leaders Meeting in Toronto. It is vital we act now.

What you can do

Add your voice to the growing global movement supporting the Robin Hood Tax. Write to the Prime Minister today. Show Prime Minister Rudd that you want Australia to lead the world in championing global financial reform. Show him you want him to take this historic opportunity to create a better world.

It’s easy: we have a letter ready that you can use.

Write to Kevin Rudd Now

Young Adult Discipleship Scholarships

School of Discipleship 2010

Dear friends

We are seeking applicants for five scholarships to attend the School of Discipleship in Canberra from 9-12 July 2010, at Greenhills Conference Centre. The scholarships are for young adults in Vic/Tas Synod and cover the registration costs for the event. The successful applicants will be required to attend the event and write a 300 word reflection on their experience with a particular focus on the discipleship themes of ‘connecting life and faith’ and ‘being a young adult in the church today’.

Scholarship Details

• There are five scholarships available covering the registration costs of $200 (please note it does not include transport costs)
• Applicant is a young adult from the Vic/Tas synod
• Applicant attends the event
• Applicant will write a 300 word reflection on their experience to be used in raising awareness of young adults and discipleship in print and online
• Applications close 20 June

To apply simply email or post a short letter including contact details and a paragraph about why you would like to receive the scholarship. All applications need to be in by 20th June.

Email with subject line ‘SOD Scholarships 2010′: age@morepraxis.org.au

Postal address: 1 Morrison Close, Parkville, 3052

What is School of Discipleship?

The school is exactly what it says, a ’school’ where we come to work on what it is to live the Christian life. The truth is that a follower of Jesus can only authentically obey if they are biblically grounded and theologically informed. Our conviction is that the church today stands in constant need of renewed worship and testimony ? a determined struggle to seek faith with understanding.

Web Site with rego etc  = http://schoolofdiscipleship.org.au/

Keynote Speakers

School of Discipleship is very excited to announce the keynote speaker for our 2010 conference: David Batstone!

Prof. Dr. David Batstone is the President of Not For Sale. A professor of Ethics at the University of San Francisco, he is also founder and president of Right Reality, an international social venture firm. Batstone has authored seven books, the two most recent being Not For Sale (HarperOne) and Saving the Corporate Soul (Jossey-Bass). He was a member of the founding team of Business 2.0 magazine and served six years as executive editor of Sojourners magazine and founder of the SojoMail e-zine. He has contributed articles to the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, the San Francisco Chronicle, Wired, and SPIN. He is the recipient of two national journalist awards and was named National Endowment for the Humanities Chair at the University of San Francisco for his work in technology and ethics. During the 1980s, Batstone founded a non-governmental agency dedicated to economic development.

For more information and question feel free to contact me.

Thanks,

Adrian (Age) Greenwood?

Another great clip from the robin hood tax peeps in UK.

This weekend at SYG we are making mischief for Robin Hood

facebook event here for those on it or if you are at SYG come to cafepraxis at 10:30pm for mischief making briefing by this hood

Think masks, postcards, raiding parties and a big screen to try and get on

Age

New hospitality house in the south east Suburbs Melbourne is welcoming 10 indigenous friends this weekend. Can you help?

Hannah will be needing more linen (sheets towels etc), plates and pots.

(She could probably do with a beds and side tables etc too)

The house is connected with the Koornang UCA (Murrumbeena) and  Hannah is the host welcoming friends from the Coorong SA.

Also, if you have been thinking about being a resident in this house - this would be a good to time to chat - not such a good time to move in

Contact Hannah Dungan

email: mousey_brown@hotmail.com

and her phone is 0422 628 028

UNITING NETWORK AUSTRALIA invites you…

“Daring to Join”

Explore Your Faith
Enjoy Workshops
Make friends & have fun
Commit to your partner
Worship
Share meals

Melbourne gathering 11 – 14 June 2010
Centre for Theology & Ministry, 1 Morrison Close, Parkville (limited on-site accommodation available)

Bible Study Leader: Rev. Dr Gwen Ince
Special Guest: Rev. Alistair Macrae, President of the Uniting Church in Australia

Special Event: “Sacred Union Ceremony”
Saturday 12 June @ 4.00pm, Brunswick Uniting Church, 214 Sydney Road (Cnr. Merri St), Brunswick

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=128059333874631

Join us for dinner afterwards in Brunswick @ Alasya Turkish Restaurant

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111714085538483

More info? Register for ‘Daring to Join’ gathering or to commit to your partner during the ‘Sacred Union Ceremony’?

Go to http://www.unitingnetworkaustralia.org.au/

Click on the link above to register

(Please note: internet bookings incur a $3.00 booking fee)
$120.00 early-bird registration (close Wednesday 31 March 2010)
$140.00 waged registration (close Friday 4 June 2010)
$100.00 unwaged registration (close Friday 4 June 2010)

Click on the link above to print, complete & post your registration form.

Billeting can be arranged if required

Limited accommodation is available on-site @ $60 per night, twin share, in single beds. “Maclean House is an affordable accommodation option if you are spending time in Melbourne. It is provided to the Uniting Church community by the Centre for Theologyand Ministry (CTM). Maclean House is located in the picturesque grounds of Ormond College, Parkville. It is conveniently located for those attending activities at the CTM, using the Dalton McCaughey Library or for that quick trip into Melbourne CBD. Trams are close to the front door and Lygon Street is just around the corner - who could resist! Maclean House provides comfortable rooms with linen (including pillows), on-site parking, a light breakfast, shared bathrooms, kitchen and laundry facilities - all at the reasonable price of $60 per night.”

Food allergies & dietary requirements can be catered to.

We are taking registrations for the ‘Sacred Union Ceremony’ on Saturday 12 June - please let us know if you’d like to be involved.

* Please forward registration form with cheque / money order made payable to: “UnitingCare - Cutting Edge” (do not send cash)
UNA “Daring to Join” Conference Registrar
Damien Stevens, C/- PO Box 1697, Shepparton, 3632
or use the link above to pay securely from your bank account or credit card using PayPal.