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.
Comment on religious freedom
President Dr Deidre Palmer provided the following response to Fairfax Media yesterday after a request for comment about the recommendations of the Ruddock Review into religious freedom.
“The Uniting Church’s position, as conveyed to the Ruddock Review, is that any exceptions or exemptions for discrimination by religious organisations, should be limited in scope, and only as is required in order to maintain the integrity and existence of the religious organisation.”
“Our Church’s position is that every person is equal before the law and before God. Any permission given to religious organisations that allows them to discriminate on the basis of religious belief must be carefully balanced against the rights of people to be free from discrimination.
Niuean youth uplift spirits
For the first time the Niue National Conference of the Uniting Church in Australia handed the reigns over to its young people to organise its annual gathering. One of the organisers Tagaloa Matagi-Vilitama reflects on how it went.
Leading up to first ever Niue National Youth Conference, it was exciting but nerve racking.
Realising the high significance of this being the inaugural conference for youth put us on our toes. We had a committee of six young leaders, three mentors and a Minister who all worked hard.
National Apology Prayer
President Dr Deidre Palmer has written to members of the Uniting Church in Australia ahead of the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse on Monday 22 October.
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ in our Uniting Church,
The 22nd of October 2018 is an important day in the life of our nation and our Church.
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.
Women weaving wisdom and wonder
More than 300 women from all over Australia gathered at Somerville House in Southbank, Brisbane for an inspiring UnitingWomen conference from 27-30 September.
The theme of the Conference, “Weaving Wisdom and Wonder” captures the spirit of what UnitingWomen is all about - creating space for women of all cultures and ages to weave stories, share wisdom and wonder together at what God is doing in their lives and in our world.
Reimagining Church in NZ
Over the last few days I have had the great pleasure to represent the Uniting Church at the 2018 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ).
A Prayer for Palu and Donggala
The Assembly's Rev. Dr Apwee Ting has written a prayer in Indonesian and English for victims of the earthquake and tsunami that has devastated parts of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
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Together in Christ
By Paul Dongwon Goh, Justice & CALD Multicultural and Cross-cultural Officer, SA Synod
“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!...For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life forevermore.” (Psalm 133:1,3)
It was like a catchment of water from which 'Abundant Grace and Liberating Hope' were overflowing. My fellow Korean ministers who are serving either in Korean or English-speaking Uniting Church congregations, and candidates from across Australia, held a three-day gathering from 16-19 September 2018 at Mt Schoenstatt Retreat Centre in NSW. This was the first Korean National Conference gathering since the 15th Assembly.
Practical Care in Carinda
Frontier Services and the NRMA staff leave the small outback town of Carinda in high spirits after another successful Outback Links trip to the bush.
Pastoral Letter on Church Governance
President Deidre Palmer has today written to Uniting Church members, in light of reports that some congregations are considering alternative governance arrangements in response to the 15th Assembly decision on marriage.
Mutual Affirmation: A Theological Reflection on Marriage and Same Gender Relationships
In July, the Fifteenth Assembly resolved to honour the diversity of Christian belief among our members by holding two equal and distinct statements of belief on marriage. This decision will now allow Ministers and celebrants authorised by the Uniting Church the freedom to conduct, or to refuse to conduct, same-gender marriages. Church Councils also have the right to determine whether marriage services take place on their premises.