National News

RELIGIOUS communities across Australia will leave their cars at home and cycle or walk to worship during Ride to Worship Week, from 5-11 October 2012. Ride to Worship Week is an initiative of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC). ARRCC President Thea Ormerod said the event, which is now in its third year, is an opportunity for religious ...

TENS of thousands of Queenslanders will continue to be able to access tenancy advice services because of the federal government's announcement today to provide emergency funding for these services to 30 June next year. "We are very excited about this funding announcement today. The $3.3 million will provide relief for Queenslanders needing to access the services provided by Queensland Tenant ...

THE Australian Christian Book of the Year was announced on 16 August at the Australian Christian Literature Awards in Melbourne. Gumbuli of Ngukurr by Murray Seiffert (Acorn Press) emerged from a tight field of over 40 entries, with the judges praising it as "a unique and timely contribution to the story of Aboriginal engagement with western culture and Christianity. "Always ...

HUNDREDS of Christians from across Australia converged on the nation's capital this week for an event called 'Voices for Justice' that urged politicians to play their part in halving global poverty by 2015. Voices for Justice is organized annually by Micah Challenge Australia. The Australian campaign is part of a global network inspired by the prophet Micah's call to "do ...

ON 8 September, the Sunshine & Cooloola Coasts/Caboolture Suicide Bereavement Remembrance Day was held at Picnic Point, Maroochydore, to remember those who have been lost through suicide in the local communities and to acknowledge those bereaved family, friends and associates who have been left behind. The Uniting Church is in its second year of the 'Suicide: It's No Secret' campaign. ...

MEMBERS of the Uniting Church's National Working Group on Relations with Other Faiths have called on all Australians – whether they are religious or not – to take some time this month to respect and understand other faiths, cultures and traditions. "When the voices of hate and intolerance speak loudly in the public square, church members should recall their Christian ...

SOME people on the dole are living in such poverty that their chances of getting a job are seriously limited, according to a new report released by the Major Church Providers (MCP) of social services in Australia. The report by the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) at the University of Canberra, launched at Parliament House in Canberra ...

AS Australian church leaders, we stand together to express our grave concern at the passing of legislation to allow for the offshore processing and indefinite detention of asylum seekers. Core to the Christian faith is the principle of 'welcoming the stranger', and Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan guides us as we seek to care for those who are vulnerable ...

Responding to growing calls from churches for increased collaboration and engagement in Australian public policy and debate on refugees and asylum seekers, the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) has formed the Australian Church Refugee Network (ACRN). Representatives from a wide range of church organisations, including service, advocacy and policy agencies have come together as the ACRN to better ...

THE desire to live in peace and goodwill with neighbours in local communities and around the world lies behind Interfaith September, a celebration established by the Uniting Church in Australia National Working Group on Relations with Other Faiths. Beginning with Interfaith September Sunday on 2 September, Uniting Church congregations and other interested groups will select activities to complete throughout the ...