Building Harmony Virtual Iftar
UCA President Dr Deidre Palmer shared the following speech at the UCA and Affinity Building Harmony Virtual Iftar on 13 May 2020.
For the Whole Creation - Reflection for 15 May 2020 Climate Action
The air we’re breathing in our most populated cities is cleaner.
We can see mountains unobstructed by the haze of pollution.
Our children are getting outside, and enjoying the beauty of creation.
There seem to be more birds and animals around, but perhaps we’re just noticing them more.
These are some of the stories we are hearing emerge as some of the positive outcomes to the safety measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
By Colleen Geyer
Leadership and Theology Symposium, Adelaide, February 2020
Abstract:
The Uniting Church was built on an innovative and forward-looking idea, though built in a particular time and context. Still only a young church, it has grown and become more than could have been imagined at its birth and faced many challenges along the way. As we look to the future what type of leaders do we need and what challenges will they face? Can we as the Uniting Church be bold enough to listen to our history, step away from what has always been, be open to where God is leading us and step aside for the leaders who will take us there?
On 24 January 2020, President Dr Deidre Palmer took part in a forum in Sydney organised by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre on the latest version of the Religious Freedom Bills drafted by the Federal Government.
On Saturday 7 December 2019, Uniting Church in Australia President Dr Deidre Palmer delivered the keynote address at the annual Parramatta Mission Peace dinner.
Dr Palmer spoke on the theme: “Walking together on pathways of peace.”
UCA President Dr Deidre Palmer preached at the opening worship of the 2019 Tongan Conference
President Dr Deidre Palmer preached at the Conclusion of Placement for Rev. Dr Seforosa Carroll on 6 August 2019.
General Secretary for the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) Rev. James Bhagwan was one of the keynote speakers at the UCA President’s Conference in Fiji from 13-17 July 2019.
In an interview reflecting his key themes, James shares how the Pacific is on a journey of self-determination, reclaiming itself as a large “liquid continent” and people connected by the ocean. He reflects on the impacts of climate change in the Pacific where land and sea are bound to culture and a sense of belonging. He describes the work of the PCC and the role of the Church find ways to both speak truth to power and find practical responses from the grassroots up.
Here is a transcript of his interview.
For many generations, Westerners have continued to look at the Pacific as small dots in a big ocean.
The President of the Uniting Church in Australia Dr Deidre Palmer delivered this sermon at Lautoka Methodist Church in Fiji on Sunday 14 July 2019 at a combined service of the local congregation and members of the 2019 UCA President's Conference.
BIBLE READINGS: Luke 8:1-3 and Luke 23:50-24:12 (NRSV)
Some Women Accompany Jesus
8 Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2 as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others
Reflection at memorial for Rev Jeffrey R Garrawurra
President Dr Deidre Palmer offered this reflection at the Memorial Service for Rev. Jeffrey Garrawurra in his home community at Galiwink’u on Elcho Island on 14 June 2019.
BIBLE READINGS: John 14: 1-27 and Romans 8:35-39
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you….Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
President Dr Deidre Palmer gave a response to the keynote address at the sixth annual community Iftar dinner hosted by the Uniting Church and the Affinity Intercultural Foundation at Western Sydney University on Friday 24 May 2019.
Salaam Alaikum. God’s peace and abundant grace be with you.
As I begin this evening, I pay my respects to the Buramattagal Peoples, a clan of the Dharug nation, the sovereign Peoples and traditional custodians of the land on which we meet.
President Dr Deidre Palmer preached on Matthew 5:1-12 on the opening night of the 2019 Indonesian National Conference "Blessed to Bless" at St Andrew's Gardiner Uniting Church on Friday 5 April.
President Dr Deidre Palmer was interviewed by David Bevan of 891 ABC Adelaide Mornings for his program's regular Meet God segment.
In a wide-ranging discussion, Deidre spoke extensively about faith, prayer and being part of a loving Christian community.
President Dr Deidre Palmer preached the sermon at a special Service of Thanksgiving for the life of former UAICC National Chairperson Rev. Jeffrey Garrawurra at Darwin's Casuarina Uniting Church on 21 February 2019.
President Dr Deidre Palmer gave the following closing words of encouragement and commissioning at the end of the National Young Adult Leaders Conference in Adelaide.
Dr Deidre Palmer gave the following reflection at worship at NYALC on Sunday 20 January 2019 - the day Uniting Church congregations and faith communities around Australia were asked to reflect on the effect of invasion and colonisation on Australia’s First Peoples and our identity as a nation.
President Dr Deidre Palmer opened the 2019 National Young Adult Leaders Conference with a reflection on Jesus' encounter with the disciples' on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24.
This Prayer of Thanksgiving was delivered by Rev Dr Ji Zhang, the Assembly's Theologian-in-Residence, at the UnitingCare Australia 2018 Leaders Forum.
No matter which land you come from, no matter which culture you belong, we come before the Creator with humility and give thanks to the Spirit sustaining all lives in the Land.
This blessing was delivered by Uniting Church in Australia President Dr Deidre Palmer at the opening of the new UnitingCare Australia offices in Barton ACT.
We acknowledge this office space is on the land of the Ngunnawal people, the traditional custodians of this area. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. We honour their continuing culture amongst us, and commit to and pray for justice and reconciliation in our land.
President Dr Deidre Palmer delivered this reflection for Closing Worship at the Pacific Conference of Churches in Auckland.
How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?
Brooke Prentis gave the Closing Address at the UnitingWomen Conference in Brisbane from 27-30 September. Brooke is Common Grace's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Team's Spokesperson. She is a descendant of the Waka Waka people, an activist for indigenous rights, a Christian pastor, and an accountant.
My name is Brooke Prentis. I come from a long line of strong Aboriginal women.
My Aboriginality comes right through my maternal lines – my Mum, to my Mum’s Mum, my Nan, to my Nan’s mum, my Great Grandmother. We are Williams’ from Waka Waka country.
The times I get to be on my country are sacred.
President Dr Deidre Palmer preached on Luke 8:1-3 and 24 at the Closing Worship of the 3rd UnitingWomen conference in Brisbane on 30 September 2018.
Dr Deidre Palmer preached at the Opening Worship of the 42nd annual Synod meeting of the Uniting Church in Western Australia.
The Ministry of the Body of Christ
Readings: Ephesians 4:1-16 Unity in the Body of Christ
President Stuart McMillan delivered this sermon at the closing service of the Middle East National Conference held at Bankstown District Uniting Church on 5 November.