Displaying items by tag: Deidre Palmer

It was a joy to be part of a retreat with members of the Central Queensland Presbytery, who gathered at The Haven in Emu Park on Queensland’s Capricorn Coast for their annual retreat from 26-29 July 2020.

The retreat was a time of rest, renewal and reflection on our ministry contexts.

In the case of CQP participants these span the major centres of Gladstone, Mackay and Rockhampton, stretching out to Winton and Longreach in the west; Proserpine and Airlie Beach in the north; and Miriam Vale on the coast to the south.

The President of the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly Dr Deidre Palmer has welcomed principles developed by five national governments to help organisations combat the sexual abuse of children online.

The Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse for online platforms and services seek to stop the viewing and sharing of child sexual abuse materials, the grooming of children online and the livestreaming of child sexual abuse.

The principles were developed by the “Five Country” Ministers (Ministers for Home Affairs, Interior, Security and Immigration) from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States in collaboration with digital industry representatives.

Dr Deidre Palmer has encouraged Uniting Church members to apply the difficult learnings of 2020 to shape the way the Church pursues God’s mission in the world.

In her annual message to coincide with the foundation of the UCA on 22 June 1977, Dr Palmer said the Uniting Church was responding with creativity and compassion to COVID-19 and other crises, embracing new opportunities to be the Body of Christ.

The national leaders of the UCA and UAICC are encouraging members to stay active in support of racial justice, as the movement against racism continues around the world.

This week UCA President Dr Deidre Palmer and the Interim Chairperson of the National UAICC Pastor Mark Kickett, met to reflect on recent events, the issues in Australia and the ways church members can address these in the short and longer term.

“Together we grieved Aboriginal deaths in custody that continue, despite the Royal Commission that happened 30 years ago,” said Dr Palmer.

The national leaders of the Uniting Church and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress have shared grief, outrage, and prayers of solidarity with civil rights protesters in the United States, where the murder by police of African American man George Floyd has sparked global anger against racism and police brutality.

Assembly President Dr Deidre Palmer and the Interim UAICC National Chairperson Pastor Mark Kickett have issued Pastoral Statements.

“I join with Christian leaders from around the world to express my outrage and deep sorrow over the murder of George Floyd, and the evil of racism, which gives birth to such acts of inhumanity,” said Dr Palmer.

“I offer prayers for the Floyd family and for all those in the US who live in fear and ongoing discrimination because of the colour of their skin.

President Dr Deidre Palmer has warmly thanked Uniting Church members for their creative responses to being the Church during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a special message for Pentecost, Dr Palmer said it had been "a joy to see the ways you have adjusted to these dramatically changed circumstances."

"I give thanks for all of you – members of the Uniting Church, sisters and brothers in Christ, who are faithfully expressing the ministry of Christ through this time of pandemic."

President Dr Deidre Palmer has issued a Pastoral Letter to all congregations and faith communities encouraging people with disability within the Uniting Church to share their stories with the Disability Royal Commission.

“The 15th Assembly of the Uniting Church affirmed that all people are created in the image of God and along with all members, the faith, gifts, hopes and dreams of people with disability are to be valued and honoured,” writes Dr Palmer.

“To understand the prevalence and toll of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability, it is essential the Disability Royal Commission hear directly from people with disability, their families, and support people.”

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.

Uniting Church President Dr Deidre Palmer and Rob Floyd and Rev Dr Apwee Ting from the Assembly Resourcing Unit staff held a videoconference catch-up with leaders of nine National Conferences within the UCA on 22 April 2020.

The meeting included leaders from our Fijian, Ibero-Latino, Middle East, Korean, Samoan, Tamil, Chinese, Tongan and Filipino National Conferences.

After opening the meeting, Deidre provided an update of the Church’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other work currently being undertaken by the Assembly.

Each National Conference leader shared from their own context in the midst of COVID-19.

President Dr Deidre Palmer and the Moderators of the six UCA Synods have released a seven-day devotional resource for the Church.

"What Sustains Us" is a collective reflection on faith and spiritual practice, shared with love and hope in the time of COVID-19. 

“I invite Uniting Church members to reflect on: how your faith is sustaining you through this challenging time,” said Dr Palmer.