Social Justice Network Blog

ENVIRONMENTAL LINKS AND RESOURCES

2007-11-20T17:06:00.000+11:00

1. Season of Creation: This truly is a marvel with one of the richest resources on the web:news;prayers and Scripture not only for a series of special Sundays thru the year,eg land,mountain and ocean Sundays,but also sermon suggestions.While an Australian site it is linked to both the USA and European Christian Environmental Network.One great resource.

2. California Interfaith Power and Light: A diverse site containing not only info on the Disciples commitments, and some thoughts on a theological basis for ecostewardship, but also info on green technology.Note particularly the link to the Web of Creation: www.webofcreation.org/.

3.Christian Ecology Links: Includes a daily prayer guide,festivals and green sermon notes,as well as a handy listing of info on issues such as sustainable transport,genetically modified crops and mobile phone masts.

4.Catholic Earthcare Australia: The PowerPoint audit is a must see.

5.Faiths and interfaith links.

* The Climate Institute: Note the series of interfaith statements;CofC is not a signature to any of them.

* Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life: Of particular interest are the resources related to the Jewish festivals:eg. Passover and Shabbat.

* Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences: Note a couple of their documents: "Islam and the Environment", and "Environment and Poverty: 2 sides of one coin".

And if you're interested in finding out who in your street or neighborhood is interested in the environment,check out: http://www.whoonearthcares.com/woec/home.action/ (Type in your post code and check out your neighbors;a product of ACF).

Thanks again to Alan Matheson for these links and resources - SJN.

RESOURCES AND LINKS ON INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIA

2007-11-20T16:53:00.000+11:00

Following are some internet based resources on issues facing Indigenous Australians. It is assumed that organisations such as ANTAR ( http://www.antar.org.au/), and Reconciliation (http://www.reconciliation.org.au/) are already known.The links contained in the following sites will take readers into such issues such as the stolen generation, land rights, racism and stolen wages.

1. 30 Years of Reports into Aboriginal Australia.

There is no longer an excuse for not knowing what has been happening to Aborignal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI)communities.This site lists all of the reports,royal commissions and enquiries which have been conducted over the years.

2.Women for Wik

A rich and varied site;important because of its women's perspective,but also because of its current and breaking news section (ABC,SBS,Koori Mail,Indigenous Times),blog watch,video,as well as an invaluable listing of black resources.

3.Religion,Spirituality and Worship

There are 3 sites which provide both information and resources which can be used in services as well as with children and young people.

a. Australian Museum

An easy to read and accessible site on timelines as well as detailed information on Aboriginal spirituality.Also contains a good collection of stories of the dreamtime.

b.Catholic Education SA.

Not a site to be missed.Covers everything from justice,spirituality,education kits,liturgical resources,and music. For Victorians do not miss the link to Yarra Healing to provide all the information on the Aboriginal communities from whom land was stolen to build your churches!

c.Australian Catholic Ministry

A comprehensive resource of indigenous prayers and liturgies.

4.Black History and Action

This is the site of one of the best known black activists.Gary Foley's collection of more than 3500 pages covers,reproductions of historic statements,photographs,time lines,articles,as well as one of the best collections of cartoons covering some of the significant black actions over the years.Great for browsing.

SJN thanks Alan Matheson for these resources.

HOW FAIR IS HIGHER EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA?

2007-11-05T23:03:00.000+11:00

As part of What’s Fair in Anti Poverty Week, a forum was held at RMIT called “What’s Fair in Education?” (October 17^th 2007) The presenters were:

Dr. Helen Kimberly (Executive Director of the Equity Research Centre),

Professor Richard James (Director the University of Melbourne’s Centre for the Study of Higher Education) and

Ms. Maree Bovell (Manager for Employment and Training Services at the Brotherhood of St Laurence).

The forum was hosted by the wonderful and witty Father Bob Maguire (JJJ radio presenter).

When we talk about fairness and equity in higher education we need to start with a definition of equity. Richard James from the University of Melbourne came up with a useful one; higher education populations should reflect the general population (except for age). This is a good starting point but is it true? No it isn’t, anyway you look at it, universities are filled with more students from higher socially economic backgrounds than from lower socially economic backgrounds. The higher education sector is split between Universities and the VET (Vocational Education Training) sectors. Within the VET system there are a number of groups; Tafes, ACE (Adult Community Education) RTO (Registered Training Organisations) and Enterprise training (Training programs created by large corporations).

The latest OECD report on education shows that the Australian government does not spend enough money on education at all levels from kindergarten right through to higher education.

“Most revealing was what Education at a Glance 2007 showed in relation to how much Australia invests in education, both public and private, across all levels: pre-primary, primary, secondary, tertiary and post-secondary, non-tertiary education.

Our public investment in education at every level has declined to the point where we are investing less than most other developed countries. As a proportion of GDP, public expenditure on all levels of education in Australia is 4.3 per cent, compared to an OECD average of 5 per cent. This places Australia behind countries such as the US, Britain, Switzerland, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, Norway and New Zealand. Only six out of 30 OECD countries had less public investment in education.

The OECD notes: "Differences in spending on educational institutions are most striking at the pre-primary level of education. Here, spending ranges from 0.1 per cent of GDP in Australia and South Korea to 0.8 per cent or more in Denmark and Hungary." As a proportion of GDP, our investment in pre-primary education is just 0.1 per cent compared to an OECD average of 0.5 per cent.” (Source The Australian Sep 24 2007)

Australia has seen a drop in detention rates in secondary schools in recent year, money spent on tertiary education fall as a percentage of GDP and a greater reliance on fees from international students.

When we look at accessibility for all students, there has been a tendency in the past to put all students labelled ‘disadvantaged’ in the one group. We have recently seen a move away from this model to a more complex model which considers the wide range of factors which impact students attending higher education.

Despite record levels of economic growth in Australia in the last decade, many Australians are still missing out on education. So who is missing out? Students from lower socially economic backgrounds (SOSE), rural students and indigenous people consistently miss out on educational opportunities. Rural students make up a third of the secondary student population yet they only contribute 17% to those in tertiary education. Students from a high or medium socially economic background are twice as likely to attend University.

Professor Tony Vinson for Jesuit Social Services and Catholic Social Services Australia wrote a report in April 2007 titled “Dropping off the edge, the distribution of Disadvantage in Australia” which raises a number of pertinent questions:

· Is equity built in or bolted on the education model? He asks the question “why are the disadvantaged on the edges of the system?”

· Is equity an issue of human rights or ethics?

“The report highlights the particularly strong link between intergenerational poverty and low educational attainment. By detaching individuals, families and whole communities from the modern economy in this way, the report argues that disadvantage is holding back the nation's economic potential. Concentrated disadvantage of the kind demonstrated in the report, robs the nation of needed skilled workers, adds to labour shortages and, by inflating welfare expenditure, reduces government expenditure than would otherwise be necessary.” (Source www.catholicsocialservices.org.au/node/976)

The second part of the forum was three focus groups who each looked at providing recommendations for assisting people to get to education, staying in education and then beyond education. The recommendations are below:

1. Recommendations from the Getting There Facilitation Group

· More welfare agencies should move away from a welfare model towards more of an education model

· Young people hoping to access tertiary education should have access to mentoring partnerships during their secondary school years

· Properly resource and support individuals so they are able to make their own decisions about higher education; irrespective of parents post code etc

Careers teachers should have improved access to students before they reach year ten.

2. Recommendations from the Staying There Facilitation Group

· Identify and offer support to first generation higher education students

· Revamp university processes for applying for support

· Improve eligibility conditions for income support

· Work on integration during critical first two weeks

· Improve housing support

· Cost of text book/computers/ material costs too high (investigate subsidising these costs)

· Fix curriculum so students can integrate work

Build better campus communities.

3. Recommendations from the Beyond Facilitation Group

· Strong support for building course connectedness with world of work and for course related work experience

· Strong support for increased provision of on-campus careers counselling

· Tighter regulation of the promotion of universities and future career prospects of graduates

· The level of expenditure on student recruitment should not exceed the level spent on student welfare and employment support.

4. Father Bob’s Recommendations

· All prisons should provide tertiary education

· People working with street people require accredited training (develop a system similar to “Doctor’s without Borders” in the education system).

The main aim of this forum was to develop a network of people interested in the issues of access, equity and poverty within education. At the forum we were lucky enough to have a number of interested people join however we would love to add more names to this list!

If interested in joining this network please send an email to Antony.McMullen@victas.uca.org.au with your name and a contact phone number. We will then contact you with further details. Your confidential contact details will only be used by the Justice and International Mission Unit for the purpose of informing you about our social justice campaigns (particularly education) and won’t be given to a third party without your consent.

ELECTION 07 AND MPH REPORT CARD

2007-11-05T22:59:00.000+11:00

Do you wonder how your favourite political party stacks up against the MAKE POVERTY HISTORY policies? Now you can find out by clicking HERE and reading the report card on all the major parties.

ELECTION RESOURCES

2007-10-29T10:19:00.000+11:00

Following are some value links to help in making heads or tails of the upcoming Federal Election from a Christian perspective:

1.GROWING A NATION OF HOPE:Federal Election 2007 - Your faith,your vote,your voice.

Probably the best resource on linking faith and voting. Produced by the UCA it covers issues such as a faith imperative for political engagement, indigenous Australians,work justice,peace and climate change. There is no more comprehensive site than the UCA one.

http://assembly.uca.org.au/election2007/

2. A VOTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE: Australian Catholic Social Justice Council leaflet.

A handy 2 page leaflet setting out a number of priorities, as well as justice issues for indigenous people,workers,the poor,asylum seekers and the environment. Its value lies in the set of suggested questions which could be directed to candidates at community meetings.

http://www.socialjustice.catholic.org.au/

3. A Litany for use during an election campaign: The Liturgy Commission of the Anglican Church of Australia.

It can be found at the end of the Social Issues page on the Federal Election

http://www.anglican.org.au/index.cfm?SID=2&SSID=97&PID=297/

4. Christian Principles in a Election Year. Victorian Council of Churches.

This 2 page leaflet "lists 10 principles to guide decision making at election time", together with a group study guide.(NB. Open page and hit "the brochure")

http://www.vcc.org.au/update.html/

5. FEDERAL ELECTION 2007: SALVATION ARMY

A comprehensive collection of key election statements including issues related to poverty reduction,housing affordability,health and aged care.

http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/SALV:NEWSRELESE::pc=PC_62058/

Thanks to Alan Matheson for these excellent links.

BURMA: PROSPECTS FOR DEMOCRACY?

2007-10-10T11:06:00.000+10:00

Thursday 11 October 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm

Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, 185 Pelham St, Carlton (room to be confirmed)

The University of Melbourne Human Rights Forum and the School of Political Science, Criminology and Sociology present a forum on the current crises in Burma.

In recent days the large demonstrations in Rangoon and the aggressive response of the ruling military junta have once again thrust Burma into the global spotlight. Are there any prospects for democratic change in Burma? What can, and should, states such as Australia, and their people, do in support of such change? And is there anything we can learn from Burma’s history to help answer such questions? In this public seminar these issues are addressed by:

Dr Garry Woodard - Senior Fellow, School of Political Science, Criminology & Sociology Australian Ambassador to Burma, 1973-75 Australian Ambassador to China, 1976-80

Alison Tate - International Officer, ACTU Former Program Officer for South-east Asia for Union Aid Abroad Former Burma Research and Information Officer, AUSTCARE

U Teddi Buri - Member of Parliament, National League for Democracy, Burma. Exiled in Australia.

Ample time will be allowed for questions from the audience.

Please pass this information on to others who might be interested in attending.

All welcome: Please RSVP to human-rights@unimelb.edu.au

Cause for Celebration and Repentence!

2007-10-04T10:48:00.000+10:00

On Sunday 16 September the halls of Churches of Christ Theological College filled with people gathered to continue the Centenary Celebrations with an art show, "Reminiscence: Reflection upon Life’s Journey," and a vibrant tribute to Sir Doug Nicholls, co-sponsored by the Australian Churches of Christ Indigenous Ministries and the Social Justice Network. A magnificent photographic portrait of Sir Doug, donated to the College, was hung by his three daughters – Pam, Lillian and Nora in the foyer beside a certificate of recognition reading,

"On this occasion of celebration & remembrance, the Churches of Christ Social Justice Network recognizes "Pastor Doug" Sir Douglas R. Nicholls MBE OBE Pastor in the Churches of Christ with gratitude for his inspiring Christian commitment to Justice and his outstanding contribution to the Fight for Aboriginal Rights in Australia."

Many people shared reminiscences in word and song including Pastor Neville Lilly, Pastor Richard Radcliff and Bruce Alcorn. Dick Menteith, National President of Churches of Christ, drove down from Sydney for the occasion. Darren Wight of ACCIM, flew in from NSW with his didgeridoo, the tones of which filled the campus. Greetings were brought by Alan Griffin MP for Bruce and Greg Warmbrunn, Chair of Council for the Vic-Tas Conference. A book of greetings included a letter from Premier John Brumby and Churches of Christ around the country. A "Table of Memories" held books, photos and newspaper clippings about the life of Sir Doug Nicholls. An article by Alan Matheson in the special edition of the Churches of Christ Historical Digest, called upon us all to seek out action for justice in relationship to our Aboriginal sisters and brothers and to reflect upon the budget of Conference and how that demonstrates our commitment (or lack thereof) to the plight of Australian Indigenous peoples

Make a Faith Witness: A congregational response

2007-09-25T09:02:00.001+10:00

The Social Justice Network of Churches of Christ invites you and your congregation to reflect on issues of importance to you, your community, our nation and the world. What is God calling you to do? How can you make a faithful witness as you add your voice to those crying for justice? How can you put your hands and feet behind your words? We hope that together we can identify areas of concern and ways to respond as faithful Christians serving our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Congregational Covenant of Caring:

We invite you to choose at least one area to covenant to become involved with:

Caring for God’s People: Aboriginal Issues

Caring for Creation: Environmental Issues

Caring for the least of these: Issues of World Poverty and Hunger

Caring for our Community: An Issue within your local community

NEW WEB RESOURCE

2007-09-25T08:55:00.000+10:00

Disciples
Justice
Action
Network

DJAN is a multi-racial, multi-ethnic grassroots network of individuals, congregations, and organizations within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), all working together for greater justice, peace and diversity in our churches, our communities, our nations (Canada and the United States) and our world. Click HERE to check out their website.

CARE FOR CREATION (aka "a slot of green")

2007-09-25T08:52:00.000+10:00

For the picking...tangible actions you can take to make the world a better place and inspiring quotations to get you moving!

Share these in your church newsletter or in a "Care for Creation" moment in worship.

This month’s tip:

Register on line to receive one realistic, nature-friendly tip each weekday from www.idealbite.com "At 85,000 subscribers and counting, the Web site is nibbling away at ecological destruction one in-box at a time."

This month's quote:

"The issues that confront us may seem so huge, so complicated, so difficult to deal with that it’s hard to believe that anything we can do will have a meaningful impact. But there are a lot of us in the world. A lot of people doing a lot of little things could have a huge impact. And by doing something, we are also demonstrating that lots of people really do care." –Michael Norton, "365 Ways to Change the World" (Free Press)

What’s Fair in Anti-Poverty Week 2007

2007-09-04T10:56:00.000+10:00

The National Council of Churches in Australia (Christian World Service), the Justice & International Mission Unit of the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania and FairWear Victoria are organising a series of events throughout Anti-Poverty Week 2007 called “What’s Fair in Anti-Poverty Week 2007”. People will be coming together from a range of perspectives - from faith communities, educational institutions, trade unions and community organisations to tackle various issues relating to poverty and social justice. There are also a range of challenges that are set for all participants.

Details of our program:

What’s Fair morning tea – a Christian Perspective - Monday 15th of October - 10-12am

Kilbride Centre, 52 Beaconsfield Parade (corner of Foote St)., Albert Park.

Join us as we begin the What’s Fair in Anti-Poverty Week campaign. This will be an opportunity for all Christians to learn about the issues involving Fairtrade and how we can respond in a way of fairness and justice as we purchase products. Try out Fair Trade tea, coffee, herbal tea and chocolate and discover what you and your church can do to support this growing and important movement. This forum features material by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance as part of the Trade Week of Action.

RSVP/Contact: Kilbride (03) 9690 1076 contact@kilbridecentre.come.au

Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving - (with prayers for people in poverty)

Wed. 17^th October - 12.45-2.15pm Gryphon Gallery (1888 Building), University of Melbourne, Carlton

Contact: Wes Campbell (Revd Dr), Chaplain, University of Melbourne, Uniting Church in Australia, (03) 8344 6034 / 0431 847 278 / wesleyc@unimelb.edu

What’s fair in the ragtrade?

Thurs 18th October - 6:30-8:30pm. University of Melbourne, Melbourne Law School, University Square, 185 Pelham Street, Carlton 3053

High profile speakers will talk about fair trade and justice for workers in the clothing industry here and overseas. Features a showing of China Blue - shot clandestinely, this is a deep-access account of what both China and the international retailers don't want us to see: how the clothes we buy are actually made.

Contact: FairWear Victoria Coordinator, Liz Thompson, (03) 9251-5270 / Liz.Thompson@victas.uca.org.au

What’s fair in education?

Wednesday, October 17th between 4.20-6.30pm

There will be a 4.20pm welcome at the RMIT University Spiritual Centre, Building 11B. The forum will then be held at RMIT Building 13, (Emily McPherson College), Ethel Osborne Hall.

The forum aims to establish a church presence regarding issues of access and equity and tertiary education; as well as influence public debate through building a community network for this area.

Contact: Justice & International Mission Unit Social Justice Officer Antony McMullen, (03) 9251 5241 / antony.mcmullen@victas.uca.org.au

PROTECT CHILDREN IN THE NT + END ABORIGINAL DISADVANTAGE

2007-08-30T09:43:00.000+10:00

Please send a message to your local Member of Parliament on effective and proven action to stop Aboriginal child abuse and disadvantage.

The Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the NT (CAO), representing over 40 Aboriginal organisations, encourage Australians to support them by sending a message to their Members of Parliament. The CAO released a paper on proven and effective responses to tackle child abuse and disadvantage on July 10.

When Parliament considers legislation to protect children in the Northern Territory please ask them to consult with Aboriginal communities and develop plans for working with them. You can ask your MP to support the expansion of programs that have already been proven to work, and ensure that the hard fought land rights of Indigenous people remain in place.

Please click through to send a message to your MP. Visit http://www.acoss.org.au/Action.aspx

ACOSS is also urging people to send e-mails to Senators about the Northern Territory Income Management Bill, which has required the suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act and is being rushed through both Houses of Parliament. Visit the website http://www.acoss.org.au

RADICAL FORGIVENESS: BEYOND HANNAH ARENDT

2007-08-30T09:41:00.000+10:00

Friday 7 September, 5.30pm for a 6.00pm start

Village Roadshow Theatrette, State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Entry 3 La Trobe Street

Political philosopher Hannah Arendt famously remarked that the radical evil of the concentration camps represented a crime of such magnitude that it could neither be punished nor forgiven.

In this lecture internationally acclaimed Professor of Psychology, Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela reaches beyond Arendt, with her concept of “radical forgiveness” She offers hope and the possibility that every person, no matter how dehumanised, can be restored to human community.

Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela is Professor of Psychology at the University of Cape Town. Her current research interests are trauma in the aftermath of violence, the role of forgiveness in healing psychological trauma, and HIV/AIDS and trauma. She is the author of many books. Her most critically acclaimed, A Human Being Died That Night: A Story of Forgiveness, won the 2004 Alan Paton Award in South Africa. Her latest is Narrating Our History: Perspectives on Working Through Trauma, co-authored with Chris van der Merwe.

She served on the Human Rights Violations Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa and chaired numerous Public Hearings for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Drawing on her experiences serving on the Truth and Reconciliation Professor Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela will lead a discussion about this powerful and challenging reappraisal of the possibilities of forgiveness in politics.

Book online by Thursday 30 August www.arts.monash.edu.au/news-and-events/public-lectures/ or by phone 03 9905 2112

Admission: Free, refreshments provided

LAUNCH OF A NEW BROTHERHOOD OF ST LAURENCE REPORT

2007-08-30T09:40:00.000+10:00

THE LAUNCH OF A NEW BROTHERHOOD OF ST LAURENCE REPORT:

ETHICAL THREADS CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE AUSTRALIAN GARMENT INDUSTRY
Tuesday 4 September 10.30 am – 11.30 am
Span Galleries, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

An invitation to the launch of a new Brotherhood of St Laurence report:
Ethical Threads Corporate social responsibility in the Australian garment industry By Emer Diviney & Serena Lillywhite

To be launched by: the Chair of the Research Advisory Committee Linda Funnell-Milner, National Director, Sustainability & Reporting, Energetics
Speakers include: Country Road Clothing Australia, report co-author Emer Diviney and a garment outworker

This research is the first comprehensive investigation of the Australian garment sectors attitude to, and knowledge of, corporate responsibility in relation to labour rights. The report documents both the opportunities and the challenges facing the garment sector in demonstrating responsible and sustainable business practice. The study documents Australian garment companies awareness of working conditions, laws, regulations and voluntary mechanisms and includes industry recommendations for improving both compliance and socially responsible
practice.

The report will be available at the launch or can be obtained after the launch from the website www.bsl.org.au or contact publications on: Email:publications@bsl.org.au or phone (03) 9483 1386

RSVP by Friday 31 August via phone (03) 9483 1301 or events@bsl.org.au

A MATTER OF IDENTITY

2007-08-30T09:39:00.000+10:00

A MATTER OF IDENTITY AND FIRST CITIZEN ALBERT NAMATJIRA FILM NIGHT

Monday 3 September, 7.30 pm

Ivanhoe Uniting Church, 19 Seddon Street, Ivanhoe

‘A Matter of Identity’ is a film about four Australian Aboriginal artists who provide insights into their creative processes, discuss family and influences, presenting highly individual styles and make strong statements reflecting a sense of identity and place.

First Citizen: Albert Namatjira’ explores the great talent which enabled the Aranda Aboriginal to become the first to adopt the painting techniques and modes of expression of culture which were in direct contrast to his own.

Organised by Reconciliation Banyule

INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION OF SIR DOUG

2007-08-30T09:34:00.000+10:00

The website of Global Ministries is promoting and honouring the work and memory of Sir Doug Nicholls in preparation for the afternoon celebration "An honouring of the story of Sir Douglas Nicholls... alongside an experience of reflection upon life's journey" which is being at the Churches of Christ Theological College on Sunday 16^th September 2007 – for more information, see blog entry below, or click here.

International Day of Prayer for Peace - 2007

2007-07-31T09:51:00.000+10:00

WCC member churches worldwide are once more invited to pray for peace on 21 September 2007 or the closest Sunday. The International Day of Prayer for Peace offers an opportunity for church communities in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities and societies. The idea was proposed in 2004 during a meeting between WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan (press release), and coincides with the UN International Day of Peace. The Day of Prayer is one of the initiatives of the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence.
Congregations worldwide are invited to pray for peace - possibly using the same prayers - in all participating churches on September 21 or the Sunday preceding it. Click here for worship resources and for further information.

An ever-expanding number of people worldwide, representing a wide variety of religious and spiritual traditions, have committed to the task of working with other like-minded individuals and groups for an International Day of Peace Vigil.

The objective of the International Day of Peace Vigil is "to encourage worldwide, 24-hour spiritual observations for peace and nonviolence on the International Day of Peace, 21 September 2007 in every house of worship and place of spiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups and individuals, and by all men, women and children who seek peace in the world."

CELEBRATION OF SIR DOUGLAS NICHOLLS O.B.E., M.B.E.

2007-07-31T09:34:00.000+10:00

The Churches of Christ Theological College Community and the Social Justice Network of the Churches of Christ in Vic-Tas invite you to

An honouring of the story of Sir Douglas Nicholls…

alongside an experience of reflection upon life’s journey

Sir Douglas Nicholls: 101 years!

Preacher & Politician, Activist & Athlete

Sunday, 16 September 2007

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Events of the day will include:

Unveiling of an historic portrait of Sir Douglas Nicholls
Art Show Official Opening: "Reminiscence: Reflection upon Life's Journey"
Speakers: family, colleagues and friends
Worship
"Family Photo Table" - please bring your photo of Pastor Doug to share for the day!
"Table of Memories"
Devonshire Tea

Venue: Churches of Christ Theological College, 44-60 Jacksons Road, Mulgrave (Melways 80K3)

Hosted by Churches of Christ Theological College and the Social Justice Network of the Churches of Christ in Vic-Tas.

For more information call 9790-1000 or email admin@cctc.edu.au

AMAZING GRACE - Preview Screening and Discussion Group

2007-07-19T12:39:00.000+10:00

Tuesday July 24, 6.45pm
Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon Street, Carlton

Cinema Nova, together with Liberty Victoria, presents a preview screening of Michael Apted’s historical epic about the life of anti-slavery pioneer William Wilberforce followed by a discussion on modern day slavery with Julian Burnside QC, Mordy Bromberg SC, anti-human trafficking campaigner Kerryn Clarke, and Kon Karapanagiotidis, CEO of the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre.

Amazing Grace is the historic tale of the courageous William Wilberforce and his mission to rid the world of slavery. Acclaimed director Michael Apted (The 7 Up Series , Narnia, The World is Not Enough) brings to life the story of the antislavery pioneer and MP, who fought hard and strong during the late 18th century to put the issue of slave labour on the table, not only in political circles, but also throughout Britain.

THE PANEL DISCUSSION:
Cinema Nova is thrilled to be playing host to Julian Burnside, QC, president of Liberty Victoria and one of the most outspoken people in Australia on human rights, Mordy Bromberg SC, a Senior Counsel at the Victorian Bar with extensive experience of international labour law including on the issue of forced labour, anti-human trafficking campaigner Kerryn Clarke, Social Justice Officer for STOP THE TRAFFIK initiative, and Kon Karapanagiotidis, CEO of the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, Australia’s leading asylum seeker aid, health and advocacy organization.

COST: $18 full / $15 Concession / $12 Liberty Victoria members. Includes wine on arrival.

RUDD PROMISES TO SAVE MORE LIVES - MPH

2007-07-17T14:52:00.000+10:00

On 4 July 2007, Opposition Leader, Kevin Rudd MP, announced a plan to save more lives by promising to increase Australia’s overseas aid to 0.5% of Gross National Income by 2015 (which would increase the aid budget to around $8.8 billion dollars).

If delivered, the extra aid could allow Australia to fund programs to achieve all of the following: reduce child deaths by 140,000 each year, cut maternal deaths by 4,200, lead to at least 29,000 fewer deaths from AIDS and 31,000 fewer deaths from TB each year. It could also provide access to safe drinking water to almost 37 million people.

This announcement sets a new benchmark for commitment to a generous and effective aid program. It also highlights the importance of constant pressure on our politicians – so thank YOU for your energy and support!

"In the last four years the MPH campaign has ensured that global poverty is on the political agenda more than ever before." - Bob McMullan speaking at the MPH Forum 7/7/07

This information is taken directly from the Australian MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY e-newsletter. If you wish to sign up to this resource, click HERE.

WHO IS JESUS CHRIST? Jesus for the non-religious

2007-07-12T17:12:00.000+10:00

Bishop John Shelby Spong will speak on: Who is Jesus Christ? Jesus for the non-religious

WHEN: Wednesday 22 August 2007 at 7.30pm

WHERE: Malvern Town Hall
Corner of Glenferrie Rd and High St, Malvern

Sponsored by the Progressive Christian Network of Victoria http://www.pcnvictoria.org.au

Tickets may now be purchased from Ticketmaster for $25 per person:
By phone 136 100. Internet: www.ticketmaster.com.au and select lecture/seminar
Entry by ticket only. There will be no sale of tickets at the door.

SHOPPING WITH A CONSCIENCE: SUPERMARKET TOURS

2007-06-27T09:21:00.000+10:00

Friday 29 June, 6pm
Footscray Baptist Church, 60 Paisley Street, Footscray (Mel Ref 42 B4)

What are the issues that reflect the true cost of the products we buy?
What are the ‘best buys’ for our health, our communities and our planet?
How can you find the most sustainable purchase amongst the options available?

Join us to find out more the products, companies and related issues that are part of your weekly supermarket shop. We’ll explore practical ways to help you in making more ethical choices and lighten your impact, with time to share questions, experiences, and to feast on some positive alternatives.

Tours will also be conducted on Friday 27 July, Friday 31 August and Friday 28 September.

COST: $6. Light supper provided.
ENQUIRIES: Contact Nick Ray on 0500 868 498, or email info@directory.slf.org.au.

Supported by the Sustainable Living Directory and the Ethical Consumer Group.

This information is taken from the June 26th Edition of Justice and International Mission Email Update - If you'd like to subscribe to either this weekly email update, or the bi-monthly hardcopy mail out, or if you have an event to advertise, send us an email at jim@victas.uca.org.au.

An Opportunity for Action

2007-06-25T08:48:00.000+10:00

Dear Friend,

Five years of war in Iraq have produced bloodshed, suffering and violence that have cost thousands of precious and innocent lives. The United Church of Christ is calling on its members and supporters to "join protest to prayer" by calling for an end to the war and promoting peace with justice. Please take action today by signing the petition to end the Iraq War.

Justified as a means to end oppression, the Iraq War has imposed a new oppression of terror on the people of Iraq. We've lost thousands of Americans to the bloodshed, and innocent Iraqi lives are forever altered by fear and violence. In our name human rights have been violated, abuse and torture sanctioned, civil liberties dismantled and lives destroyed.

It's time to end the war and to bring peace and justice in the Middle East.

Today, the Collegium of Officers released a pastoral letter at the opening plenary the UCC's General Synod voicing our opposition to the war in Iraq. We were supported by the UCC's Conference Ministers and Seminary Presidents who joined as co-signers. Now, we are asking you to join us, too, by signing our online petition.

Let us create an unprecedented faith-based movement calling for an end to this war, an end to our reliance on violence as the first, rather than the last, resort. Please sign the petition today.

Sincerely,

The Rev. John H. Thomas
General Minister and President
United Church of Christ

NEW SOCIAL JUSTICE WEB-LINKS

2007-06-19T17:32:00.000+10:00

Here are some more Social Justice Web-based resources for you. Most of these are youth/young adults focussed but the information is for everyone.

JustAct is about taking action against instances of injustice in our local community and our world. It is about being part of creating change, no matter how big or small the contribution is, every voice counts! In signing up you will receive a monthly SMS or email alert informing you a new justice action is up on the web and ready for you to act.

Global Issues is a summary information website on Global Issues of social justice (funny enough). Its about informing us about the Social, Political, Economic and Environmental Issues That Affect Us All.

The Oaktree Foundation is an entirely youth run aid and development organisation. We are driven by young people under the age of 26. We believe that education is the key to making lasting change. This page summarises the latest campaigns that you can get involved in.

Stir Your World is a youth initiative of World Vision Australia, aimed at stirring up young people to take action in an unjust world.

We Are What We Do is a movement. We’d like to inspire people to use their everyday actions to change the world. Whoever they are. And wherever they are. And that includes you. We’ve created 50 simple, everyday actions that can improve our environment, our health, and our communities, making our planet and the people on it much happier. We started by putting these actions in a book, but the whole movement is getting bigger. And bigger.

Get Up Australia!is a new independent political movement to build a progressive Australia. GetUp brings together like-minded people who want to bring participation back into our democracy. GetUp.org.au members use the latest online tools to act on important issues facing the country. Whether it is sending an email to a member of parliament, engaging with the media, attending an event or helping to get a television ad on the air, GetUp members are always only ever asked to take targeted, coordinated and strategic action.

REPLY TO THE FEDERAL BUDGET

2007-06-18T11:19:00.000+10:00

What follows is taken from TEAR Australia's e-newsletter on Advocacy and Action

TEAR's post-budget campaign email encouraged changemakers to write letters to the editor, or contact talkback media, to put forward concerns about the aid program. We wanted to ensure that in the frenzy of analysis of tax cuts, and tertiary endownment funds, and the like, that our fundamental obligations to assist the poorest people and countries was not lost:

Not many people know that when our Prime Minister signed on to the Millennium Development Goals and agreed to help cut global poverty in half by 2015, he said that he would 'spare no effort to free more than a billion men, women and children from the abject and dehumanising conditions of extreme poverty.' Sadly, every budget since he signed on to that declaration in 2000 has spared plenty of effort in the fight against poverty.

TEAR Australia doesn't have a sophisticated media analysis machine, but I am aware of two letters from TEAR supporters that were published in the Sydney Morning Herald, two that were published in The Age, and one in the Canberra Times. And it's a fair bet that there were letters published (and comments aired) that I'm not aware of. A fair bet, too, that for every letter published there were several received that weren't chosen.

So, thank you! Together we are shaping a public debate in favour of a more generous and poverty-focused aid program.

Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute.
Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:8-9

NEW WEB RESOURCE

2007-06-14T09:36:00.000+10:00

DISCIPLES JUSTICE ADVOCACY
Information about and commentary on public policy issues, justice concerns, news events, and the activities of our denominational, ecumenical and interfaith partners, from the Disciples of Christ in North America. A great resource from within our own movement.

MOVIE NIGHT - AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

2007-06-12T16:41:00.000+10:00

15^th June 7.00pm - Churches of Christ Theological College, 44-60 Jacksons Road, Mulgrave

Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth"

A personal journey of action and consequence as told by Al Gore, US Vice President under Bill Clinton. A powerful documentary that opens a window onto tomorrow’s life upon planet earth.

Discussion to follow. All welcome.

Free admission

Hope to see you on 15 June.

WORLD REFUGEE DAY

2007-06-12T16:29:00.000+10:00

Sunday 17 June, 12midday
Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton
Join us as we march to join the Multicultural Arts Victoria's Emerge Festival at Fitzroy Town Hall, with food, music and dancing.
ENQUIRIES: Visit www.rac-vic.org
Supported by RacVic, Friends of the Earth, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Free West Papua.

Wednesday 20 June, 9am
Lecture Theatre G.02, Victoria University, 295 Queen Street, Melbourne (Mel Ref 1A H2)

June 20 is the United Nations World Refugee Day and this coincides with Refugee week (Sunday 17 June to Saturday 23 June) in Australia. To mark these important dates, the Institute for Community, Ethnicity and Policy Alternatives (ICEPA) at Victoria University will be holding a half day seminar on refugee settlement in Australia. The aims of the seminar are to:

identify the needs of refugee communities
reflect on refugee settlement experiences
generate reflection, debate and policy considerations on refugees in Australia.

The new ICEPA report, The Relocation of Refugees from Melbourne to Regional Victoria: A Comparative Evaluation in Swan Hill and Warrnambool, will also be launched.

Speakers:

Mr Christopher Callanan, Acting State Director, Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Mr Terefe Aborete, Horn of Africa Community Network
Mr Phong Nguyen, Chairman, Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria University
Ms Kim Webster, Senior Program Advisor, Mental Health and Wellbeing Unit, VicHealth
Dr Steve Francis, Policy Manager, Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues
Professor John McCallum, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Victoria University
Ms Anita Milicevic, Bosnian Refugee and PhD Student Moondani Balluk, Indigenous Academic Unit, Victoria University

COST: $60 Government or Corporate / $50 Academic or NGOs Non-profits / $25 Public / $20 Student
RSVP: Essential as laces are limited.
ENQUIRIES: Contact Sue Butterworth on 9919 5478 or sue.butterworth@vu.edu.au, or visit ww.vu.edu.au/icepa

This event is held in association with the Sudanese Australian Integrate Learning (SAIL) Program.

Information taken from the Justice and International Mission Unit 12 June 2007 Update. If you'd like to subscribe to either this weekly email update, or the bi-monthly hardcopy mail out, or if you have an event to advertise, send us an email at jim@victas.uca.org.au.

Ballarat Central celebrates all things Sudanese

2007-06-05T14:10:00.000+10:00

Ballarat Central have just sent through details of their forthcoming event “Snapshots from Sudan”
Saturday 9^th June 07. 1pm-4pm.
37 – 39 Peel Street South,
Cnr. of Eastwood and Peel Streets
Tel/Fax 5333 4396

1:00pm Conversation, Culture and Craftwork
2:00pm Songs, stories, singing and dancing
3:00pm Food tasting and refreshments

A time of learning, appreciating, accepting and embracing.
If you are able to support this event in any way that would be wonderful.

Next SJN event – A Focus on Palestine with Sylvia Haddad

2007-06-05T13:53:00.000+10:00

The next SJN event will be in conjunction with the CWS Partners4Peace program and the Churches of Christ Theological College. There are actually 2 events on Friday the 20^th of July. Sylvia Haddad is the Executive Secretary of the Joint Christian Committee in Lebanon. She is a gifted speaker and will share stories and insights from the Middle East.

“What the JCC is trying in its humble way to do is to help people in any way it can and especially in empowering people with education and skills that will qualify them for employment and jobs.”

The first event planned is a youth forum with Sylvia Haddad. We are aiming for 18-35s who may have an interest in social justice and/or the Middle East. It will be 5-6pm at CCTC and entry is free.

The second event is a dinner hosted by CCTC. Cost is $25 for dinner and talk or $5 for talk only. SJN would like to host one or two tables, so come along and enjoy Middle-eastern food and music and hear Sylvia’s story. RSVP to Kristen Hobby (03) 9558 7462 or email hobby@bigpond.net.au.

ENVIRONMENT SUNDAY - JUNE 10TH

2007-06-04T15:09:00.000+10:00

Environment Sunday is being celebrated on Sunday June 10th 2007, as the closest Sunday to World Environment Day. Below are some communities who are offering resources to help integrate this event in your worship time, and also offer suggestions as to how your community can be more environmentally conscious.

Eco-congregation
A United Kingdom based community who aims to encourage churches to consider environmental issues within a Christian context and enable local churches to make positive contributions in their life and mission. The web site contains plenty of free resources for practical and worship use. Some things may need to be 'Australian-ised' but a quality website.

A Rocha - Christians in Conservation
A Rocha is a Christian nature conservation organisation, our name coming from the Portuguese for “the Rock,” as the first initiative was a field study centre in Portugal. A Rocha is now a family of projects working in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North and South America, and Asia. A Rocha projects are frequently cross-cultural in character, and share a community emphasis, with a focus on science and research, practical conservation and environmental education. The link above is to the British based website, which contains Resources for Environment Sunday. They say "Environment Sunday is the closest Sunday to World Environment Day, and each year A Rocha produces materials to help churches celebrate creation, and encourage action. This year the theme is Noah’s Ark - with flexible worship material for liturgical, informal and all-age worship, as well as sermons, bible studies, children’s activities and practical suggestions. The pack is also linked to ‘Operation Noah’, the Churches’ Climate Change Initiative."

Eco-faith Ministry
Ecofaith is an environmentally aware worshipping community which has its origins in the Scot's Church (UCA) in Adelaide, South Australia. In community with the Rev Dr. Jason John Eco-faith is a worshiping community, on a journey of discovery about who we are and who God is. We celebrate life and our growing understanding of its evolutionary past and ecological present. We are more concerned with where people are heading than where they are at. All people of good will, whether they have two, four or zero legs are welcome to join us! Goodwill includes a relaxed, open minded and friendly approach, just like the rest of us! Rev. Dr Jason John presented the recent G.R. Stirling Lecture at the South Australian Churches of Christ Annual Conference. The Website contains information and resources on incorporating a theology of ecology into worship services and into the worshiping existence of life.

KEEPING THE PROMISE - G8 & THE ONE CAMPAIGN

2007-06-04T09:24:00.000+10:00

In less than a week, G8 leaders will have the power to save millions of lives by fighting global disease and extreme poverty. All they have to do is fulfil the promises they already made to the world's poorest people.

Next week's G8 summit in Germany is do or die time, not just for the G8's promises, but for the millions of people who depend on them. It's not too late to do something.

Please sign the petition calling on the G8 to get back on track to keep their historic promises to the developing world. The commitments which have been kept are already saving millions of lives, but if every G8 country were to live up to its promises, we could save many more.

We are closing in on one million signatures from around the world on this crucial petition, please act now to push us over the edge before the G8 summit.

The G8 promised to make poverty history. Let's hold them to it, it's our promise too.

Please take action by signing the petition calling on the G8 to renew their commitments to the world's poorest people.

Thank you for your voice,

Josh Peck, ONE.org

HOW GENEROUS ARE WE?

2007-06-01T13:49:00.000+10:00

MORE than $600 million of Australia's foreign aid over the past two years never went overseas but was swallowed up in the coffers of a small Federal Government agency in Pitt Street, Sydney.

This is just one example of a shift in policy under which the Government dresses up as overseas development assistance money that never leaves Australia or is used to prop up its immigration policies......

Almost $1 billion which the Government has identified as official aid is being spent on programs in which no new money flows to the countries said to be getting it, Aidwatch says in a report to be released today.

Counting as much expenditure as possible as aid has become increasingly important since the Prime Minister, John Howard, made his pledge to the United Nations 18 months ago to increase official aid to $4 billion a year by 2010.

But the Herald found that much of the money has never left Australia, and that 10 private companies held almost $1.8 billion in contracts let by the Government's official aid delivery agency - AusAID - last year....

To read the rest of the Sydney Morning Herald Article click here: Phantom aid never leaves our shores

URGENT REQUEST FOR ACTION!!

2007-05-31T17:47:00.000+10:00

*** NOTE IMPORTANT : Ideally a response, even of serious interest to consider, is required by June 6 at the latest as any additional evidence needs to be submitted to the Australian Immigration officials in Pretoria by June 7.

However, the best summary is given by her nephew, now in South Dakota, USA , who first contacted the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) office by phone & after my contact by email. The nephew’s brief explanation is helpful and I reproduce it below, corrected for some grammar points or explanation points.

The woman is a Rwandan refugee, a widow, presently in Togo. She has three children.( Christian World Service, National Council of Churches in Australia, NCCA –CWS does not have details of the ages of the mother or children). She applied for resettlement for Australia via the United UNHCR and she passed the interview in September, 2006. As other refugees, she had to pass the medical examinations with her 3 children. But she is HIV positive, but all of her children are HIV negative.

The Australia immigration in South Africa (Pretoria) advised she did not meet the health requirement. The cost of treating serious health conditions over a lifetime is estimated and influences the decision as to whether to offer resettlement. Before the Pretoria High Commission staff make a final decision, they asked her to give other information that may help the immigration service to waive her medical history. When she got the message, she tried to meet a physician who wrote another report (apparently very well, and she is taking treatment).

The report is saying that she is under treatment and she is able to work (because even in Togo she works for her children), and she has sent the report.

The nephew thought that if an Australian group was able to offer to help her for the first few months once she arrives in Australia this may strengthen her case for a waiver. NCCA staff person, John Ball, was advised by an Immigration Department officer in Canberra that such Australian support would be helpful but weighing the need of the woman and her children against the medical cost issue would be the main consideration.

John Ball, NCCA-CWS staff, understands that, if accepted, the airfares of the woman and three children would be paid by the Australian Government as they are accepted under the strict refugee category, and have not had Australian proposers. On arrival they would be entitled to usual social services payments and provisions, eg Medicare. I suppose key factors to consider in offering support would be for how long a group is offering to provide support, the likelihood of needing to help buy medicines for HIV treatment ( I can’t estimate the cost of this ) and the emotional support needed for the family due to resettlement needs and this special health situation and the unpredictability of health needs. With modern HIV drug treatment and proper nutrition, etc it would be hoped that the woman would live many years.

While not having any more details than the above if anyone wishes to offer support or wishes to discuss this matter please contact John Ball on 03 9650 6811 (work- NCCA-CWS-Victoria ; or email: jball@ncca.org.au

SIMPLY SHARING WEEK: SEND MY FRIEND TO SCHOOL

2007-05-31T17:08:00.000+10:00

Sunday 17-24 June*

The United Nations estimates that over 115 million young people around the world are denied basic education. Simply Sharing Week 2007 will focus on our spiritual motivation to seek education for all children and young people. Australian Christians have the opportunity to make a positive global change and stand up for education for all.

Christian education resources are available to use in Church services, community groups and schools from http://www.simplysharingweek.org.au

Simply Sharing Week will be held 17-24 June to prepare for International Literacy Day on 8 September and Anti-Poverty Week on 14 October.

ENQUIRIES: Contact Kaylea Fearn on (03) 9650 6811 or email kfearn@ncca.org.au.

*If these dates do not fit into your school calendar, feel free to change the dates. We like to say that ‘Any week can be Simply Sharing Week and every week should be a Simply Sharing Week!’

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY INFO NIGHT

2007-05-31T16:36:00.000+10:00

Thursday 7 June, 6.15pm
Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Want to know how you can help MAKE POVERTY HISTORY? Wish to support the campaign but don’t know where to start? Interested in volunteering? Want to learn how to lobby your local politicians? Want to find out about upcoming campaigns and how you can get involved? Got questions? Well – we’ve got answers!

The Make Poverty History campaign is looking for people of all ages and all walks of life to get involved in upcoming campaigns. Whether you have lots of spare time on your hands or perhaps you’d rather help out every now and again, there are various opportunities to get involved. Letter writing, utilizing your creative skills, helping us distribute white arm bands, starting up a MPH group or club in your local area, or taking on an ongoing volunteer coordination position, are just some of the ways you can help make poverty history.

The info night will cover:

An overview of the Australian Make Poverty History Campaign
Upcoming campaigns and actions
Volunteering opportunities

The session will be followed by a Lobbying info session hosted by National MPH campaign co-coordinator Leanne Minshull:

If you can’t quite wait that long here’s a couple of things you can do in meantime:

Visit the mph website for up to date campaign info and resources www.makepovertyhistory.com.au
Friend us at the Australian Make Poverty History myspace www.myspace.com/mphaustralia
Join us at the Victorian Make Poverty History volunteers and supporters ‘Google group’ for local resources, sneak peeks at upcoming campaign info, volunteer opportunities and information on campaigns, events and actions by local MPH member organizations http://groups.google.com.au/group/mphvic

If you can’t attend the info session – the google group will be the best way to stay tuned into local information, resources and opportunities

ENQUIRIES: Contact mphvolunteers@yahoo.com.au

Justice and International Mission Convention

2007-05-31T16:34:00.000+10:00

God's Economics - The Divine Economy?
Saturday 2 June, 9.00am
Centre for Theology and Ministry, 1 Morrison Close, Parkville

Economic considerations seem to dominate much of our society. Sometimes this may serve a greater good, ensuring efficient use of resources for meeting the needs of a greater number of people. However, too often the economic focus puts aside human needs and human dignity, encouraging greed and environmental destruction.

The convention will consider what the Christian faith has to say about economic systems we live with and what principles should guide a Christian view of the economy.

The Convention will also seek input from participants on Synod policy for the 2008 Synod.

The full program and workshop details can be downloaded from our website: http://victas.uca.org.au/jim

COST: $25 for Metropolitan participants/ $15 concession and non-Metropolitan participants
ENQUIRIES: For a registration form contact the Synod Justice and International Mission Unit on (03) 9251 5271 or email jesse.cain@victas.uca.org.au

REFUGEE WEEK 2007: THE VOICES OF YOUNG REFUGEES

2007-05-31T16:28:00.000+10:00

June 17 – June 23

The Refugee Council of Australia is once again coordinating Refugee Week across Victoria and New South Wales. The week will now be celebrated in June to coincide with UN World Refugee Day on June 20. Refugee Week is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the amazing contribution that refugees make to Australian society. This year’s theme provides an opportunity to explore and try to understand the refugee experience from the perspective of children and young people.

With June not far away the Refugee Council would like to invite you to start thinking and planning how you, your school, your community or your workplace could participate in Refugee Week 2007. Whether through celebrations, fundraising for asylum seekers or activities that promote awareness of the issues, by doing something to mark Refugee Week we send a message that refugees are a welcome and important part of the Australian community.

This year to counter some of the negative media that refugees have been receiving we would like to see a positive refugee related story in every local newspaper. Download our resource kit from www.refugeecouncil.org.au for more information about how to make this happen.

For more information about Refugee Week please contact the Refugee Council on:

NSW – (02) 9211 9333
Victoria – (03) 9348 2245

FOCUS ON AFRICA

2007-05-15T11:49:00.000+10:00

Churches of Christ Social Justice Network invite you to
Focus on Africa
Saturday 26th May 2007
2:30pm - 5:00pm
Panel discussion and workshop
Surrey Hills Churches of Christ
1 The Avenue Surrey Hills VIC
Cost: $5 includes afternoon tea
RSVP: Kristen Hobby on hobby@bigpond.net.au or (03) 9558 7462
We welcome Visier Sanyu from the National Council of Churches to assist in the facilitation of the workshop.

2-3:30 pm—Hear from an expert panel with representatives from Africa discussing the current situation in Sudan, Zimbabwe the Congo and other parts of Africa. Hear personal stories with opportunities for Q&A to follow.

4-5pm — Two Workshops. One will focus on how individual churches can assist African churches who are currently welcoming African families into their congregations. The second workshop will look at how we as Christians can respond to the current African situation.

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2007

2007-05-10T11:50:00.000+10:00

World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

The World Environment Day slogan selected for 2007 is Melting Ice – a Hot Topic? In support of International Polar Year, the WED theme selected for 2007 focuses on the effects that climate change is having on polar ecosystems and communities, and the ensuing consequences around the world

World Environment Day can be celebrated in many ways, including street rallies, bicycles parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, recycling efforts, clean-up campaigns and much more. In many countries, this annual event is used to enhance political attention and action.

Heads of State, Prime Ministers and Ministers of Environment deliver statements and commit themselves to care for the Earth. More serious pledges are made which lead to the establishment of permanent governmental structures dealing with environmental management and economic planning. This observance also provides an opportunity to sign or ratify international environmental conventions.

On this World Environment Day, let us examine the state of our environment. Let us consider carefully the actions which each of us must take, and then address ourselves to our common task of preserving all life on earth in a mood of sober resolution and quiet confidence.

For ideas on how the day can be commemorated, please visit The World Environment Day Alphabet - 77 Ways to Celebrate

May 27 What it could mean? Letter to the AC editor

2007-05-02T14:46:00.000+10:00

Dear Editor,

May 27 What it could mean?

Doug Nicholls,pastor and black activist,stood before a Sydney crowd(1) on April 29 1957, and announced the referendum campaign.

For the next ten years,Nicholls was in every street demonstration,deputation and public meeting,agitating,promoting and demanding a referendum on Aboriginal recognition and rights.

May 27 2007, marks the fortieth anniversary of that referendum(2).

I suspect that Nicholls preaching today in one of our churches,would still be angry with our feeble efforts to ensure the recognition and well being of Aboriginal communities.

Is it not possible on this day, for Churches of Christ to commit themselves, to renewed support and solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders?

Could we, for example, commit ourselves to:

*ensuring that the legacy and ministry of Doug Nicholls and white leaders such as Stan Davey,are recognised and remembered,

*providing targeted Indigenous employment and training opportunities in our aged care homes and services,

*encouraging congregations to ensure the effectiveness of the stolen wages campaigns(3),

*cooperating with Aboriginal communities in their celebrations, such as the Long Walk(4) in Victoria,

*standing with,and supporting the continuing struggle for land rights,

*funding the telling and publishing of the stories of Aboriginal women in our congregations,

*organising "faith and culture" young adult exchanges and placements in indigenous communities,such as the UCA's F.A.C.E. program,(5)

*encouraging partnerships between urban ethnic - both white and overseas born -congregations, and Aboriginal congregations and communities,

*providing a visible sign on our congregational and conference buildings that we recognise the land of their tribe and clan,

*allocating a proportion of congregational and conference departmental budgets, to the well being and support of Aboriginal congregations and communities,and finally,

*actively promoting and participating in the events and celebrations around the Day of Reconciliation(Sorry Day May 26);May 27-June 3 Reconciliation Week(6),and May 27 the fortieth anniversary of the 1967 Referendum.

Nicholls was also one of us.

Is it not possible for us to continue his ministry with a renewed commitment and passion?

Alan Matheson

1. http://www.reconciliation.org.au/i-cms.isp?page=351

2. http://www.reconcilation.org.au/i-cms.isp?page=345

3. http://www.esjgws.org.au/issues/indigenous/wages.htm/; http://www.antar.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&amp;id=25&Itemid=108

4.http://www.thelongwalk.com.au/

5.http://ns.uca.org.au/uca_ns_website.nsf/44ea0efa66c2e2236925704c000ba
118/3d8cdea121c6d2f26925719d001305dc/$FILE/AboutFace8%20OverviewCosts.pdf

6.http://www.abc.net.au/message/blackarts/culture/s853725.htm

GOOD NEWS FROM A JUST AUSTRALIA

2007-05-01T09:16:00.000+10:00

ALP policy change

This weekend the Australian Labor Party held their National Policy Conference. Along with other organisations, A Just Australia lobbied hard on ending Temporary Protection Visas and granting work rights to asylum seekers on Bridging Visas. The change to Bridging Visas was something AJA and National Council of Churches worked particularly hard on together - working with Labor for Refugees, traveling to Canberra to lobby key MPs as well as negotiating implementation models directly with the Shadow Minister for Immigration.

We are pleased to tell you that this work paid off, with both amendments being accepted by vote at the conference. See the ALP website for more details, although as of Monday 30th they said it will be a few days before they upload the new platform. (But see below for the TPV and BVE changes)

We could not do this work without your support, both in your letter writing and your financial support. There is still a long way to go on issues such as offshore processing where asylum seekers do not have the same access to legal rights as onshore applicants. If you are not yet a financial member of AJA, please consider becoming one for only $50 per year. Membership gives you voting rights at our annual general meeting, as well as being able to run for a position on the board. Many of our members or general supporters also pledge monthly donations. This core funding allows our lobbying work to continue, with successful results such as the above changes to ALP policy.

Thanks for all your support.

Kate Gauthier
For the A Just Australia team

TPV change
Asylum seekers who are independently determined to be refugees under the Migration Act 1958 will be given permanent protection.

BVE Change
Labor recognises that the arbitrary 45 day rule results in legitimate asylum seekers on Bridging Visas being unnecessarily denied the right to work while their claim is being processed. It also prevents immigration officers from denying work rights to frivolous claims within the 45-day period. Labor will work to develop guidelines based on merit so that frivolous or vexatious applications will be denied those rights, instead of applying an arbitrary 45 day time limit.
Asylum seekers in Lombok, Indonesia
From Felicia Di Stefano:

Thank you for your past help. We urgently need your help once again.

The good news is that from about 67 there are now 21 Afghan asylum seekers detained on Lombok. Mohammad has been accepted by NZ and is now studying English, others have been moved to Jakarta and interviewed by representatives of countries that will resettle them.

The bad news, and this is why we urgently need you help again, is that the 21 Afghan asylum seekers who are left on Lombok do not have protection status and are now illegal immigrants. The three families (eight children ages ranging from three to 19) and seven single people, are being coerced by IOM and Indonesian officials to return to Afghanistan which is becoming a war zone.

The people are at risk of being arrested by the Indonesian police and are being threatened with quarantine. People who have been in quarantine report a tiny cell with the bare floor to sleep on, starvation rations and an indefinite time, depending on how much money you have to bribe the guards.

Attached is a form letter addressed to Kevin Andrews, the minister for immigration. You are welcome to put your name, date and signature and post it off, or write your own letter. Also, it would be good to write to the federal representative for your electorate and any one you feel may be able to take notice for whatever reason.

Here is the form letter. Every letter does count. Please send letters urgently.

Thank you, once again for your support.

Warm regards, Felicia Di Stefano, member South Gipplsand RAR

PSALM OF LAMENT RE: VIRGINIA SHOOTINGS

2007-04-30T11:54:00.000+10:00

Comfort your children’s sorrow, lamenting mothers, bitter fathers,
A nation wounded.
Lead us to love and life in You
where our guns are beaten into plough shares.

NOW is the opportunity for local churches, regions, conferences and our denomination to make a bold statement calling for gun control. Now is the time for our church leaders -- ministers and campus pastors-- to encourage and enable members of our churches to contact our politicians and the NRA with our cries for sanity and restricted access to weapons of such destruction. While we apply balm and succour to the wounded and bereaved, let us each accept the responsibility to cry out in the face of this tragedy for a change in our national ethos, laws and life style. When the 1996 massacre of 35 people in Port Arthur, Australia occurred, the Prime Minister sensed the outrage of the Australian people and responded with federal gun control laws which continue today. While our president and other politicians use the constitutional phrase "the right to bare arms" to justify access to modern guns, may we, as faithful Christians remember the God of love to whom we pledge allegiance. May we never forget that our nation is "under God." May we declare our homes and communities not only "Nuclear Free Zones" but also "Gun Free Zones." Let us follow the Christ who is the Prince of Peace, and call for gun control throughout our land, TODAY.

Psalm: Virginia Lament

I weep, oh God.
I wonder, "Where the hell are you?"

Alan stops me in the faculty lounge,
"Disastrous news from Virginia.
A gunman. Thirty-three dead.

Virginia – my heart drops,
for she is the land of my infancy,
my childhood
my adolescence.

I think of Kevin and Mike
still living there.
Are their children students at VPI?
Have they been injured, or worse killed?

And You, oh God, what are you doing about it?
This land that prides itself as a "Christian Country"
How long will you let this go on?

O God, O God
I know that you do not forsake us.
As one is wounded, so you are wounded.
As my heart bleeds and I weep,
so your heart bleeds and You weep.

Comfort your children’s sorrow, lamenting mothers, bitter fathers,
A nation wounded.
Lead us to love and life in You
where our guns are beaten into plough shares.

Psalm by Tod Gobledale
written during a community worship service at Churches of Christ Theological College, Mulgrave, Australia

CLIMATE CHANGE RESOURCES

2007-04-26T10:18:00.000+10:00

The Uniting Church in Australia have developed some fantastic resources and reflections upon Climate Change. It has come our of their "UnitingJustice Australia" movement which is charged with pursuing social and ecological justice and peace on behalf of the Uniting Church in Australia, National Assembly.

Climate Change is the most challenging environmental issue of our time.

Climate Change is also a human rights, economic, cultural and social issue that will profoundly affect the way we live our lives as a human community.

"If we are to meet and overcome the challenge we must think creatively about the organisation of our social and economic institutions, our relationship with each other across national and cultural boundaries and our relationship with the environment." - For the Sake of the Planet and All Its People, Statement of the Assembly Standing Committee, 2006
This page has been set up to provide a storehouse of UnitingJustice's and the National Assembly's work on this important issue.

ENDING SLAVERY

2007-04-26T09:58:00.000+10:00

Two new resource and action based websites which are working towards ending human trafficking and slavery.

Site 1: STOP THE TRAFFIK

There are people who want to take the most precious thing you have and sell it to those who will abuse it and wreck it ...

People trafficking is one of the worlds fastest growing illegal industries. It is happening right here, right now, on your doorstep. It is devastating the lives of millions of men, women and children each year.

With YOUR help STOP THE TRAFFIK will create awareness and understanding of this
worldwide problem and call for change. Together WE will:

Prevent the sale of people
Prosecute the traffickers
Protect the victims

Site 2: Anti-Slavery Project

Promoting a Human Rights Response to Slavery and Trafficking in Australia

The Community Law Centre at the University of Technology, Sydney, has been providing direct assistance to trafficked and enslaved persons since 2004 and now sponsors the Anti-Slavery Project (ASP). ASP is dedicated to eliminating slavery in all of its forms through a range of direct service and advocacy programs. Collaboration is a core value at ASP and we are committed to engaging a broad audience of client, community and government stakeholders in activities aimed at ending violence, exploitation and injustice.

Our Goals

Promote a human rights response that prioritises the needs and concerns of survivors
Improve and expand legal protections and benefits for survivors
Ensure delivery of comprehensive and culturally appropriate human services to survivors
Increase collaboration between community and government agencies to effectively address slavery and human trafficking crimes
Mobilize public awareness and support for survivors
Strengthen the institutional and community response to slavery and human trafficking
Empower survivors to act as agents of social change

Our Activities

Advocacy for a social justice and human rights policy approach to address slavery and human trafficking
Sydney Community Response Network to assist survivors and build capacity
Comprehensive legal services including criminal, immigration, civil, labour and family law
Skills-based practical training on slavery and human trafficking issues
Outreach, education and media advocacy
Research on the patterns and practices of slavery and human trafficking in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region

Both sites have plenty of excellent resources and information. There is a link in the title of each site above , or find one over on the side bar.

INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO ABOLISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS

2007-04-24T11:43:00.000+10:00

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ican) was launched in Victoria yesterday at a luncheon at Parliament House. Speakers included the Rt. Hon. Malcolm Fraser A.C., C.H., Professor Fred Mendelsohn, Dr. Joeseph A. Camilleri, and Judge Christopher Weeramantry with video messages from Gareth Evans, Jody Williams and John Howard (the actor, not the other one).

Can you imagine a world without nuclear weapons? ican!

ICAN is a new campaign initiated by the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), a federation of medical professionals in 60 countries. The organisation received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985 for uniting doctors across the Cold War divide to raise awareness of the threats posed by nuclear weapons. Its prescription for survival was, and remains, the complete elimination of nuclear weapons

ICAN focuses on the roots of the nuclear weapons problem - the continued possession of nuclear weapons by a small minority of countries, who risk their use by design, accident, miscalculation or by terrorists, and whose weapons are an incentive to others to also become nuclear armed.

ICAN aims to achieve a Nuclear Weapons Convention to ban the development, possession and use of nuclear weapons.

UCC worship litany responds to violence at Virginia Tech

2007-04-24T09:17:00.000+10:00

The Rev. John H. Thomas, UCC general minister and president, has released a special litany in response to the violence at Virginia Tech. Here is the text:

Through the ages we hear the Risen Christ: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"
"Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." Yet today we grieve for precious lambs, not fed, but slaughtered. For those sons and daughters, students and classmates, colleagues and friends whose lives we cherish, whose loss we mourn, we pray,

Lord, have mercy. [A TIME OF SILENCE IS KEPT]

Through the ages we hear the Risen Christ: "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"

"Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Tend my sheep." Yet today your flock is scattered by fear at Virginia Tech and throughout the world where guns and bombs kill and maim. For those paralyzed by fear in Blacksburg and Baghdad, Kabul and Karachi, Gaza and the Golan Heights, we pray,

Christ, have mercy. [A TIME OF SILENCE IS KEPT]

Through the ages we hear the Risen Christ, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"

"Yes, Lord, you know every thing, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." Yet today we are hungry - hungry for peace, hungry for justice, hungry for security, hungry for hope. For children who look for bread but are given the crushing stone of violence, often with our complicity, we pray,

Lord, have mercy. [A TIME OF SILENCE IS KEPT]

Take us, O God, to places we are reluctant to go, to the wounded places, the shattered places, the terrified places. There may we feed your lambs with compassion, tend your sheep with healing, feed your flock with hope. There, with Peter, may we move from denial to discipleship, and thus find strength in the midst of this week's sorrow and rage, to sing again the Easter song, "Alleluia, Christ is risen!"

Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia! Amen.

(This prayer uses themes from the Gospel lesson for the third Sunday of Easter, John 21.1-19)

NEXT SJN EVENT

2007-04-24T09:15:00.000+10:00

Churches of Christ Social Justice Network

invite you to

Focus on Africa

Saturday 26th May 2007

2:30pm - 5:00pm

Panel discussion and workshop

Surrey Hills Churches of Christ

1 The Avenue Surrey Hills VIC

Cost: $5 includes afternoon tea

RSVP: Kristen Hobby on

hobby@bigpond.net.au (03) 9558 7462)

We welcome Visier Sanyu from the National Council of

Churches to assist in the facilitation of the workshop.

AGENDA:

APOLOGY

2007-04-24T09:13:00.000+10:00

Apologies for the distinct lack of posting recently - our primary blogger has been on six weeks leave, but all good things must come to an end - so stay tuned for much more frequent updates.

Shalom,

VIC/TAS Social Justice Network Executive

WORSHIP RESOURCES

2007-03-10T12:37:00.000+11:00

The Disciples of Christ are encouraging congregations around the world to stop and remember the beginning of the War in Iraq. Here is a link to some PDF resources for Sunday March 18th.

CAMPAIGN WORKER POSITION WITH FAIRWEAR (MELBOURNE)

2007-03-09T15:41:00.000+11:00

Do you want to work with the FairWear campaign?

The two day per week position as a campaign worker is now being advertised to work in the FairWear Melbourne office on a range of FairWear projects, go to: http://www.fairwear.org.au/engine.php?SID=1000007&AID=100175 or click here.

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY Continues

2007-03-08T16:39:00.000+11:00

Everyday celebrities like the rest of us also need to make our voices heard so that our leaders pay attention and work to make things better for those living in poverty. To help you plan ahead, mark the following key dates in your calendar or diary, stay tuned for more details, and make sure that you're ready on these dates to do your bit to MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY.

July 1 - 7: Zero Point Seven Road Trip
Led by coalition members the Oaktree Foundation and Reach, this national roadtrip will draw in youth from around the country and engage them on issues of global poverty.
July 7: 07/07/07 National Day Of Action
The half-time mark to halve poverty by 2015. Time to raise a deafening roar.
September 1 - 6: APEC Action
World leaders from countries of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meet in Sydney. You'd better believe we're going to be there.
October 17: Stand Up & Speak Out
Last year, almost 93,000 Australians (and 23 million people worldwide) stood up against poverty and set a new Guinness World Record. This year we'll break that record and speak out against poverty to show our leaders that Australians want them to take action.

If you don't receive the regular MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY e-newletter - got to their website to subscribe - click here - or on the side bar.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

2007-03-08T16:36:00.000+11:00

(from the Make Poverty History campaign)

Make Gender Inequality History!

If we really want to make poverty history, we must ensure that all women everywhere can fully participate in the development of their families, communities and nations. However, there is much to be done to end gender inequality and discrimination.

Did you know:

Of the 1.3 billion people living in poverty around the world, 70% are women.
Two-thirds of children denied primary education are girls, and 75% of the world's 876 million illiterate adults are women.
Women work two-thirds of the world's working hours, produce half of the world's food, and yet earn only 10% of the world's income and own less than 1% of the world's property.

Today (March 8) is International Women's Day. Visit our website to see 5 things you can do to celebrate the day and help make gender inequality history.

FAIR TRADE FORTNIGHT 2007

2007-03-08T12:40:00.000+11:00

To get involved in this initiative or to find out what happened last year, click here

CLIMATE CHANGE PETITION

2007-03-08T12:38:00.001+11:00

The leaders of the world's biggest polluting countries will be meeting in Germany this June and the agenda for this summit is being decided right now. Avaaz.org is a new global online network and is launching a campaign to tell these Presidents and Prime Ministers to start putting in place plans for a new climate change treaty to come into effect after Kyoto. Click below to watch their TV ad and sign their petition calling for immediate action.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/climate_action/mo.php

Avaaz.org is an online community for global citizens to take action on urgent global issues, from climate change to global poverty to the crisis in the Middle East. (Our name means "voice" or "song" in several languages.) Our mission is to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decisions. We use the latest technology to empower people to directly contact key global decision-makers, corporations, and the media when there is an urgent opportunity to make a difference. Avaaz.org was co-founded by MoveOn.org Civic Action and Res Publica.

SPIRITUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

2007-03-08T12:35:00.000+11:00

Workshop on Spirituality and Social Justice

Led by The Revd Kathy Galloway - Warden of the Iona Community, Scotland

Saturday 17th March - 10am to 4.00pm

Buzzard Lecture Theatre, Burge Building, Trinity College, Royal Parade, Parkville

Admission $25.00 at the door.

The Revd Kathy Galloway is the author of nine books of theology, liturgy and poetry, and is an Honorary Lecturer in Practical Theology at Glasgow University. The major focus of her work has always been with social justice issues, especially relating to people living in poverty and to women.

Enquires: Dorothy Dullege phone: 9348 7127 Email: theology@trinity.unimelb.edu.au

www.trinity.unimelb.edu.au/theological_school, www.wellspringcommunity.org

PEACEMAKING AND NON-VIOLENCE

2007-03-08T12:33:00.000+11:00

Tuesday 13 March 9:30 am – 4:30 pm – Day Retreat: Exploring Gospel Non-violence

Wednesday 14 March 9:30 am – 12:30 pm – Public Lecture: Peacemaking in a Violent World

Wednesday 14 March 7:30 pm – 10 pm – Public Lecture: Peacemaking in a World of Fear with Tim Costello

These events are being lead by Fr John Dear SJ, one of the leading voices for peace in the USA. A priest, pastor, peacemaker, retreat leader and author. He served for years as the director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the largest interfaith peace organisation in the USA. He has given thousands of lectures on peace across the US.

For further details about these events, including venues, prices and how to register, visit http://www.paceebene.org.au/johndearinmelb or contact Simon on 0402 857 915

SUSTAINABLE LIVING WORSHIP

2007-03-08T12:32:00.000+11:00

Deepdene Uniting Church Hall, 958 Burke Road, Balwyn

Do you support environmental sustainability, but are not sure how to incorporate this into your everyday life?

Deepdene Uniting Church Social Concerns Committee is hosting four free evening (7.00pm-9.00pm)workshops on the topics of:

· Water in the Home and Garden -- Thursday 1^st March;

· Energy in the Home –Thursday 19^th April;

· Waste and Sustainable Consumption –Thursday 3^rd May; and

· Healthy Homes and Transport –Thursday 7^th June

Each session will give practical assistance with opportunity to ask for advice on products.

The project has received funding through the State Government's Sustainability Fund and support from Origin Energy Pty Ltd, Melbourne Water Corporation and VISY Recycling.

ENQUIRIES: Contact Rhonda at the Church Office on phone number 9859 4566 (Wed, Fri am; Thur pm); Sadie 9816 9229, or Dorothy 9818 4706. Places are limited to 40 people.

Jointly presented by the City of Boroondara and Swinburne University.

SJN EVENT - FOCUS ON AFRICA

2007-03-08T12:31:00.001+11:00

The SJN are currently planning an event called “Focus on Africa” which aims to bring together the many churches who are currently supporting or welcoming African people and their families into our churches. We plan to run a workshop which will feature some guest speakers from Africa who will tell their stories as well as provide a forum for churches to share their experiences and knowledge. If your church is interested in joining the discussion which will probably be held during the Week of Christian Unity (20-27 May 07) please email Kristen on hobby@bigpond.net.au. Venue TBA.

FAIR TRADE - HAVE YOU SWITCHED?

2007-03-08T12:27:00.000+11:00

The fair trade coffee movement is gaining a lot of momentum, already within Churches of Christ, there are a number of churches that have made the switch to fair trade coffee. It is easy to do. What about your church? You can know that you are supporting farmers all around the world and know that they are receiving a fair and sustainable amount for their coffee beans.

Coming soon – fairtrade chocolate. To order coffee and herbal teams call People for Fair Trade 30 Wellington Road Clayton (03) 9511 0152 or email orders@fairtrade.asn.au

Arab-Israeli-Palestinian Peace: From Crisis Hope

2007-02-20T16:08:00.000+11:00

Global Ministries Update - A common witness of the Division of Overseas Ministries, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and Wider Church Ministries, United Church of Christ

The Rev. John Thomas, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, and the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), sent an important interfaith message to the President on the need for a comprehensive Middle East peace by signing a document entitled: “Arab-Israeli-Palestinian Peace: From Crisis Hope”

On December 12, 2006, 35 Jewish, Christian, and Muslim national figures, all leaders of faith communities frequently seen as at odds on issues of Middle East policy, proclaimed in unity that they held more in common than different in their conviction of what must make for peace between Israel and Palestine. This National Interreligious Leaders Initiative (NILI) is a Jewish-Christian-Muslim coalition that has come together since its beginning in 2003 around the basic idea that peace in the Holy Land is essential.

Global Ministries Co-Executive, Cally Rogers-Witte played an important role in helping shape the contours of the NILI document during a leaders’ consultation on the message hosted by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of the Archdiocese of Washington last September. Peter Makari, Global Ministries Area Executive for the Middle East and Europe, and Derek Duncan, Program Associate for Education and Advocacy for Global Ministries, also contributed to the writing of this timely document.

To read the full text Arab-Israeli-Palestinian Peace: From crisis to hope, click here

MINISTRY RESOURCES

2007-02-16T13:59:00.000+11:00

Earth Day Sunday 22 April, 2007

This year's theme is "The Food that Sustains Us." For more information and resources visit www.nccecojustice.org/faithharvestworship. Also, check out www.SimpleLiving.org (New Resources) where you will find a cookbook for children that focuses on eating seasonal and local foods and practical help selecting food and products that are Earth-friendly and healthy.

Lent Alert! Ash Wednesday is Feb 21st.
Want a 40-Day Guide to help you travel through Lent and prepare for Easter? Get one free at www.SimpleLiving.org where you will find other Lent and Easter resources to use in your church.

* *

Note: ALTERNATIVES for Simple Living has been providing Christian resources for responsible living and celebrating since 1973.

Alternatives@SimpleLiving.org * www.SimpleLiving.org

CLIMATE CHANGE - NEWS FROM TEAR AUSTRALIA

2007-02-15T11:01:00.000+11:00

An excerpt from TEAR AUSTRALIA's most recent "Changemakers: Advocacy & Action" Newsletter:

Climate Change has been hitting the news a lot recently, particularly with the release on the weekend of the first part of the authoritative report of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change, Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis . The report makes it abundantly clear that the world is warming at an unprecedented rate, and that the burning of fossil fuels is the chief cause.

As the Stern report (among many others) has demonstrated, "the most vulnerable - the poorest countries and populations - will suffer earliest and most, even though they have contributed least to the causes of climate change." Because climate change is a justice issue, and one of the greatest challenges posed to sustainable development, TEAR Australia will be working with other groups - through Make Poverty History and through the Climate Change and Development Roundtable - to take action on this critical issue.

Responding To Climate Change - Brisbane

Friday evening 16 March - all day Saturday 17 March
St James' College, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
Cost: $50 / $30 concession

Organised by the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, this conference provides people of faith a chance to consider the impacts of climate change, explore the biblical, theological and spiritual dimensions of a Christian response, and learn about practical ways to take action.

Speakers include:

Dr Clyde Wild, Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Innovative Conservation Strategies, Griffith University
Col Brown, Executive Officer of Catholic Earthcare Australia

To register, or for further information, contact:

Alana Emerick
emericka@bne.catholic.net.au
07 3336 9351
CJPC, GPO Box 282, Brisbane, 4001

FAITHFUL AMERICA

2007-02-15T10:27:00.000+11:00

This is a recently discovered website that " is a great source of faith-based justice proclamation and calls to action...USA focused, but still helpful to see what the church is saying and doing.

Ana"

FAITHFUL AMERICA

we are a progressive, inclusive, and responsive interfaith electronic advocacy community dedicated to providing a powerful collective voice to help advance the cause of compassion and justice in public policy.

Faithful Americans include Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Baha’is, to name a few. Many express their faiths in individual ways. Yet all of us share a common bond - when it comes to government, we believe our faith does matter. Our voices are needed. Our values must be reflected in our nation’s public policies

A program of the National Council of Churches, USA, FaithfulAmerica.org is made up of persons who believe that one’s faith - however broadly or uniquely expressed - has a word to say about our nation’s government and its priorities.

CODE PINK - WOMEN FOR PEACE

2007-02-15T10:14:00.000+11:00

CODEPINK is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into healthcare, education and other life-affirming activities. CODEPINK rejects the Bush administration's fear-based politics that justify violence, and instead calls for policies based on compassion, kindness and a commitment to international law. With an emphasis on joy and humor, CODEPINK women and men seek to activate, amplify and inspire a community of peacemakers through creative campaigns and a commitment to non-violence.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SITE

CHRISTIAN VEGETARIAN ASSOCIATION (CVA)

2007-02-14T09:10:00.000+11:00

The Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA) is an international, non-denominational ministry of believers dedicated to respectfully promoting healthy, Christ-centered and God-honoring living among Christians.

We advocate nutritious plant-based diets in the global Christian community. Through publications, websites, and related public information campaigns, we educate people about the distinct health, environmental, and animal-related advantages of plant-based eating. Click on the link HERE or under the "New Social Justice Links - Feb 07" Menu on the sidebar to check out this website and resource.

As excerpt from their most recent newsletter....

Article by Fr. Peter Mihalic [to be published in his Diocesan Newspaper, "The Universe Bulletin"]

Fran Lebowitz once quipped, "Food is an important part of a balanced diet." What we eat is also is part of a balanced life. We eat to live and live to eat. And what we consume says a lot about who we are. We are far more health conscious today than ever before. Ecological concerns have questioned the mass production of some foods and products through factory farming. Not only animal activists, but even church leaders including Pope Benedict XVI and popes before him have had their say about our need to consume with a conscience. Therefore many today for different reasons have embraced a change in their eating habits.

Change is very difficult when it touches aspects of our lives that are so common and ingrained. Today losing weight is not the only reason for avoiding some foods and consuming others. I myself am a vegetarian (no meat, little dairy), leaning at present toward becoming vegan (no meat or dairy of any kind) for many reasons. From my experience people have a difficult time understanding this, though they eventually seem to accept it and respect it. Some, however, do feel threatened by the change. They seem to concur with Sir Robert Hutchison who said, "Vegetarianism is harmless enough, though it is apt to fill a man with wind and self-righteousness." I certainly do not intend to be self-righteous and will always be accused of having a little too much wind. But at the same time I feel obligated to see a picture of this world wider than what is on my plate. Respecting the issues at hand, I feel the personal need to adjust my intake of food, not to mention the purchasing of certain products. The question then becomes what should I consume. Luckily, we live in a society that provides a wonderful array of choices, some of which are far healthier and more in tune with issues of ecology and justice than others.

FALUN GONG - SUMMARY REPORT

2007-02-14T09:06:00.000+11:00

Summary of “Report into allegations of organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners in China” written by David Matas and David Kilgour. July 2006.

Recently the Social Justice Network was given a report by a member of the National Council of Churches of Christ called “Report into allegations of organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners in China” and asked to provide a summary document. The report is disturbing reading. It alleges that the Chinese Government is willingly using detained Falun Gong members to harvest their body parts for transplants. It sounds like Science Fiction and my initial reaction was this was perhaps an exaggerated story but the evidence seems compelling. I’ll let you decide.

The report was written by David Matas and David Kilgour. David Matas is an immigration, refugee and international human rights lawyers in private practice in Winnipeg Canada. David Kilgour is a former Crown prosecutor and former member of parliament and a former Secretary of State of the Government of Canada for the Asia Pacific Region.

While neither writers visited China (they were denied entry) they have gathered a large amount of evidence to suggest that the Government approved practice of harvesting body parts from detained Falun Gong followers exists and exists in a significant way. They have put forward the following evidence and state that while each piece of evidence does not prove conclusively that the practice occurs, as seen as a whole it suggests that this practice is unfortunately occurring.

Who are Falun Gong?

You may have heard of the group but no sure what exactly the group is. Put simply Falun Gong refers to a set of five meditations and spiritual teachings.

Falun Gong has been the focus of international controversy since the government of the People's Republic of China began a nationwide suppression of Falun Gong on July 20, 1999. The Chinese government claims to have banned the group for its illegal activities. The Falun Gong claims the ban was a result of President of the People's Republic of China Jiang Zemin’s personal jealousy of the group’s popularity. The suppression of Falun Gong is considered a human rights violation mainly by western human rights groups and politicians.

The exact number of Falun Gong practitioners is not known. A figure of 70 million practitioners was quoted in a New York Times article published April 27, 1999. According to the article, this figure was the estimate of Chinese government. According to a statement posted on November 1, 1999 the membership estimated by Beijing was 2.1 million. A main Falun Gong website states a figure of 100 million practitioners worldwide, including 70 million in China.

There have been some very strong policy statement by the Government of China and the Communist Party Of China calling for the persecution of the Falun Gong including physical persecution.
There is continued evidence that a large number of deaths of Falun Gong are counted as suicide and cremated immediately to avoid the chance of autopsies.
Since 1999, Falun Gong members who are arrested (and it is estimated to be over 830,000) and detained in labour camps are later subjected to weeks of “brainwashing”.
After arrest and/or detention (often for attending demonstrations in Beijing) many members are returned to their communities but their families would be implicated in their Falun Gong activities and pressured to join in the effort to get their practitioners to renounce Falun Gong. Their workplace leaders, their co-workers, their local government leaders would be held responsible and penalized for the fact that these individuals had demonstrated.
Many Falun gong members therefore decide not to divulge their identities and therefore remain in custody as anonymous people. They are however, then treated especially badly. As well they are moved around within the Chinese prison system.
It is suggested that this anonymous group are the group that are primarily being used to harvest organs.
At least 98% of the organs for transplants come from someone other than family donors. According to public records, there were 30,000 transplants in total done in China before 1999 and about 18,500 in the 6 year period 1994 to 1999 and then 41,500 transplants between 2000 and 2005.
The increase in organ transplants in China parallels the increase in the persecution of the Falun Gong.
There is a great deal of evidence to suggest that practitioners in detention are systemically blood tested. The practitioners themselves are not told the reason for this. Blood testing is a pre-requisite for organ transplants and the matching of organs.
A number of family members of Falun Gong practitioners who died in detention reported seeing the corpses of their loved ones with surgical incisions and body parts missing.
The report offers a number of recorded conversations of doctors and other administrators admitting that they use prisoners for organ harvesting.
A number of hospitals which conduct organ transplants advertise that waiting times for operations are approximately one week. The average wait time in Canada is 32.5 months in 2003.
The report comes to the conclusion that based on the evidence they have gathered, the practice of large scale organ seizures from unwilling Falun Gong practitioners exists.

Recommendations

That this report be returned and the summary be forwarded to the National Council of Churches of Christ.
That a letter expressing our grave concerns be sent to the Australian and Chinese Governments.

The Social Justice Network have forwarded the summary to the Australian Christian for publication.

Stop the Construction of the Christmas Island Detention Centre

2007-02-13T11:56:00.000+11:00

To the Honourable Members of the House of Representatives and Senators of the Parliament of Australia We, the undersigned, are alarmed at the recently released plans for the new immigration detention centre currently being built on Christmas Island. In particular we are deeply concerned that the plans:

are for a maximum security prison facility — including electric fences, 24-hour surveillance, microwave detectors and individual surveillance of all detainees — intended to house people who have not been charged with any crime;
provide for children to be imprisoned in this maximum security facility, in direct contravention of a commitment made by this Parliament in 2005 that children will only be detained as an absolute last resort; and
are inconsistent with the findings of numerous Parliamentary Inquiries, the opinions of medical professionals, mental health experts, international human rights bodies, lawyers, scholars, refugees and members of the community about the negative impact of such detention facilities on the lives of everyone who is held in them.

Therefore, we call all Members of the House and Senators to:

affirm the commitment of the Australian Government to:
1. transparency and accountability in governance; and to
2. the rule of law; and the recognition of human rights and the inviolable right of every individual to be treated with dignity and respect;
demand an immediate halt to the construction of the Christmas Island Immigration Detention Centre;
demand accurate information from the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and his Department, and from the Prime Minister, and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, about why construction has begun on this Detention Centre, and who can or will be interred there;
demand an immediate end to the mandatory, indefinite and judicially non-reviewable detention of refugees and asylum seekers;
re-affirm the Parliament's commitment to ensuring that Australia's immigration system will not permit the detention of children.This petition can be downloaded from the Refugee Action Committee Website

2007 SWEATSHOP AWARDS

2007-01-29T10:20:00.000+11:00

FairWear EYE ON FASHION presents....

the 2007 Sweatshop Awards for excellence in avoiding transparency and accountability

VOTE ONLINE at www.sweatshopaward.com to choose your favourite label to win this prestigious award.

The annual Sweatshop Award is given to an Australian company who has excelled in non-compliance and avoiding FairWear’s efforts to make the garment industry fairer for home-based outworkers.

Companies that have been nominated have shown exceptional innovation in ignoring the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia, the FairWear campaign and other groups who have asked them repeatedly to become accredited to the Homeworkers Code of Practice after they have been either found in factories that have been prosecuted or actually prosecuted themselves for failing to comply with the outworker provisions of the Federal Clothing Award.

Make sure you are invited to the glamorous awards ceremony (see www.sweatshopaward.com website for invite) where one lucky label will be honoured with the impressive sweatshop trophy.

Please be patient as the website takes around 30 seconds to load all of its wonderful art-work. Vote as many times as you like.

See you at Awards Night!

www.sweatshopaward.com

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE CHURCH...

2006-12-08T09:15:00.000+11:00

This was sent in by a reader from yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald:

Church's attack on greenhouse gas not just hot air
Linda Morris Religious Affairs Writer
December 7, 2006

THE Uniting Church is poised to become that nation's first to buy into a carbon credit scheme to compensate for the greenhouse emissions generated by its leaders' air travel.

Its national council will audit emissions generated by travel and providing power to it property as part of increasing church interest in global warming.

And it is investigating the feasibility of buying carbon offsets for the greenhouse gases produced while staff fly because aircraft emit large amounts of carbon dioxide. [TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE CLICK HERE]

Editorial Comment:
Is this something that the Churches of Christ as a movement should be investigating? Could we as a movement - both nationally, state, agencies and individual churches - investigate and hopefully invest in reducing our ecological footprint? Should we as Christians be concerned about these sorts of things? [my bias is that we should] What are your thoughts on the issue?

In lieu of contributing to the document "Common Belief: Australia's Faith Communities on Climate Change - December 2006" should/could the Churches of Christ movement seek to be good stewards of creation in other ways? What are peoples are people thinking on this issue?

[Original email and links submitted to the SJN Blog Moderator by Alan Matheson - posted on this site as a potential conversation starter by the Moderator]

WEST PAPUAN SITUATION

2006-12-06T09:13:00.000+11:00

This is an invitation to a most historic and spiritually significant event for our church leaders, representatives and all concerned citizens to stand in prayer and solidarity with the suffering peoples of West Papua.

On the 14^th Dec. there is a concert ‘Peace Child’ at the BMW Edge Theatre, Federation Square. Preceding this event there is a symbolic ‘Prayer Walk” to Federation Square (see accompanying information). An ancestral wooden sculpture (see picture) has been carved by a recent West Papuan asylum seeker which will be carried to the theatre and later displayed at the Art Gallery or Museum. This carving is of great spiritual significance to the West Papuans. Although this event will be cultural and spiritual, the political significance is paramount.

As we know Jesus and the Prophets call us to stand on the side of the oppressed and suffering. Genocide is taking place in West Papua at the hands of the Indonesian government while our government shakes hands, makes immoral treaties with Indonesia and turns a blind eye to the most terrible atrocities, putting trade and self interest as number one on the agenda. This is a chance for the church to show our leaders and country there is a higher call, and for people of conscience to make a stand. Australia’s track record regarding historic agreements on the destiny of West Papua involves serious betrayal (see New York Agreement, Act of Free Choice etc. in Sydney University report ‘Genocide in West Papua 2005’). In fact I don’t know how the churches have the audacity to pray for rain while not challenging our government and not standing by our nearest neighbour. I hope we will not be like those religious people in the parable of ‘The Good Samaritan’.

I hope you will give this invitation your most careful and prayerful consideration. I hope you can come on this ‘Prayer March’ for the liberation of the suffering people of West Papua through peaceful means (you may also like to attend this most exotic, exciting, highly cultured concert). I believe we the followers of Jesus in this free and lucky country can help the people of West Papua through prayer and action.

WALKING THE ASMAT HERITAGE ALONG THE YARRA RIVER TO FEDERATION SQUARE
Thursday 14 December 2006; 5.00pm

Stefanus Akanmor is from the Asmat lands of West Papua, and one of the forty-three asylum seekers whose traditional canoe beached on Cape York Peninsula on 17 January 2006. For the past four months he has been carving a magnificent totem for Tumbuna’s performance of ‘Peace Child’ at BMW Edge Theatre on 14 December 2006 at 7pm

Stefanus will carry his ‘bis pole’ to the theatre, leading a March for Peace and Justice along the north bank of the Yarra River. The walk begins at 5.30 pm, and ticket holders to the ‘Peace Child’ concert are invited to join him.

Concert bookings: ticketmaster
Ph. 1300136166
Enquiries 95102193 or
Enqpeacechild@hotmail.com

Stefanus is negotiating with the Museum of Victoria and the National Gallery of Victoria, two institutions which are keen to display his work after the ‘Peace Child’ concert.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY: January 18-25, 2007

2006-12-05T15:52:00.000+11:00

RESOURCES

Two websites provide the 2007 Week of Prayer resources in different formats:

Firstly, the full documentation (introduction to the theme, the origins of the material from Umlazi, a proposed worship service, biblical reflections and prayers for the eight days, and additional resources from South Africa) may be found at: http://wcc-coe.org

Secondly, the website of the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute has adapted these materials and posted copies of the worship resources (poster, background resources, worship bulletin, etc.) that can be printed from the website or ordered at http://www.geii.org/wpcu.htm.

Plan to make use of these resources in your local communities and congregations during the 2007 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, joining with Christian throughout our world “to break the silence that oppresses” as together we seek to receive God’s gift of oneness, reconciliation, and healing in Christ.

CHRISTMAS BOWL 2006

2006-12-05T15:47:00.000+11:00

Christian World Service’s work aims to break down the structures which create poverty, oppression, injustice and division. Christmas Bowl is a fund-raiser for Christian World Service. This year Worship material has been prepared by Greek Orthodox Churches for Christmas Bowl. This resource contains Worship resources, resources for churches, schools and youth groups, clip-art resources for advent. These resources can be viewed at: http://www.ncca.org.au/cws/christmasbowl

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

2006-12-05T15:46:00.000+11:00

Remembering the War and Violence in Sri Lanka and in the World

Sunday 10 December, 10.30am

St George’s East St Kilda Uniting Church, 4 Chapel Street, East St Kilda

THEME ‘Peace on Earth and Goodwill among Humankind’

Guest Speakers include

Ranjith Hettiarachi: “Buddhist Perspectives of Peace”
Kumaran Thangarajah: “Hindu Perspectives of Peace”.
Swee-Ann Koh: “Christian Perspective of Peace”

The festival will also include Eastern and Western music, recitals and dances. Light refreshments will be served after the function.

ENQUIRIES: Rev. Angela Tampiyappa 9731 0604 or Rev. John Bottomley 9827 8322

A HUMAN RIGHTS VIGIL

2006-12-05T15:44:00.000+11:00

Who Is My Neighbour?

Friday 8 December, 6pm - Saint John’s Anglican Church, Point Nepean Road, Sorrento

Saturday 9 December next is the fifth anniversary of the arrest and imprisonment of DAVID HICKS. Whatever one thinks of Hicks himself, it is not right that he should be imprisoned for so long without a fair and proper trial. MOHAMMED SAGAR is the last of the 1500 boat arrivals from 2001 sent to Nauru to be outside the Australian legal system. He is an Iraqi refugee condemned to mandatory indefinite detention and declared by ASIO to be "a risk to Australia's national security" without explanation or recourse.

A group of Melbourne parishes concerned for the denial of basic human rights such as these are simultaneously holding a HUMAN RIGHTS VIGIL pray, meditate and reflect on the plight of people such as Hicks and Sagar. The vigil concludes with a brief service during which the prayers of participants are offered.

The Mornington Peninsula Human Rights Group, which initiated this vigil would welcome similar vigils under the auspices of other Churches

SJN Motions and workgroups

2006-12-05T15:43:00.000+11:00

The SJN is currently formulating workgroups with the view to developing motions to present to our Vic/Tas Conference in 2007. If you have any burning issues you would like to explore and debate with others such as “Where to now for Iraq?” “How will the new Industrial Relations reforms affect Australians” or “Continuing the push for a fairer system for people seeking asylum and refugee status.” if you are interested please email Kristen on hobby@bigpond.net.au

NEXT SJN EVENT

2006-12-05T15:36:00.000+11:00

Who is Jesus in Asia today?
Thursday 8^th of February 2007

As part of the CCTC Centenary Symposium the SJN are hosting a dinner and address with Rev. Dr. Xiaoling Zhu. He is currently the East Asia and Pacific Executive for Global Ministries. He will speak to us on the growing presence of Christianity in China and other parts of Asia. Dr. Zhu is an excellent presenter with an inspiring message to share.

At CCTC Thursday, 8 February, 6:00 dinner and 7:00-9:00 presentation on "Who is Jesus in Asia today?" Cost $5 to cover dinner.

For more information about his work at Global Ministries click HERE

THOMAS MERTON QUOTE

2006-11-24T10:26:00.000+11:00

A wise man emailed me this quote today, and I wanted to share it. It comes from Thomas Merton.

The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth.

Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate...Returning violence for violence multiples violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.

CLIMATE ACTION NOW

2006-11-15T12:24:00.000+11:00

After four long terms of denial, the Howard Government has made its anticipated back flip on climate change with a million dollar giveaway for 'clean' fossil fuels and even some renewable energy. It's official: the Prime Minister can no longer afford to ignore climate change. And we can't afford to be fooled.

Join Australia's growing movement to stop climate change. Make your mark on the Climate Action Map today, and ask friends to join you.

www.getup.org.au/campaign/ClimateActionNow

With all the gas being emitted from our politicians, it's going to become harder to sort the real solutions from the spin. So GetUp has gone straight to the leading environmental policy experts in the country - from Greenpeace to the Climate Institute and the Australian Business Roundtable on Climate Change - for their blueprint for tackling the climate crisis. Here's what they agree we need to do:

1) Legislate aggressively to reduce the level of greenhouse gas emissions. In California, Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced targets of 80 per cent emissions reductions by 2050. Meanwhile Australia's emissions have increased 10 per cent in the last decade, and are set to rise by an additional 17 per cent by 2020.

2) Establish economic incentives to reduce pollution and encourage energy efficiency and innovation. From abundant sun to wind and even geo-thermal power, Australia has enormous potential to reduce our dependence on polluting fossil fuels. But until we take into account the true cost of pollution and price carbon appropriately, clean energy just won't make sense to industry's bottom line.

3) Be part of the global solution by signing the Kyoto Protocol, the only international treaty that addresses climate change. Signing Kyoto immed iately gives us access to an annual global carbon trading market forecast to be worth $2.6 trillion by 2012, and makes the transition to a carbon-constrained world far easier on Australia's economy than going it alone.

4) Meet our energy needs from clean and renewable sources. We need clear, binding targets to drive renewable energy to at least 20 per cent of our total energy use by 2020 and 30 per cent by 2030. The global clean energy market was worth $74 billion last year, while the proportion of electricity Australians receive from renewable energy is in decline.

5) Kick the coal addiction, and provide a just transition for miners and their communities. We cannot keep investing in polluting, limited sources of energy and hope technology provides the 'silver bullet' solution in another decade to come.

It may be inconvenient, but politicians from every level of government must deliver us a believable, clear and realistic plan to significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and stop climate change. Join the movement - and the experts. Get on the Climate Action Map now to demand the real deal.

www.getup.org.au/campaign/ClimateActionNow

Thanks for being part of this,
The GetUp team

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

2006-11-10T18:14:00.000+11:00

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: January 18-25, 2007

Open our ears and loosen our tongues. --Mark 7:31-37

“When the world is at war in so many places and the forces of violence, war and oppression seem to be increasing, praying for peace (and unity) may seem to be a futile exercise. But we Christians believe both in the power and in the promise of peace -- and we also believe in the power of prayer.”

--Dr. Sam Kobia, General Secretary, World Council of Churches

Dear Friends of Christian Unity,

Materials, prepared jointly by the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in the Vatican, were developed from a draft written by an ecumenical group in the township of Umlazi, near Durban in South Africa. Based upon the healing story in Mark 7: 31-37, the materials extend a twofold invitation to Christian communities worldwide: to pray and work for unity among Christians, and to join together in responding to situations of human suffering. As noted in the “Introduction” to the materials, these two tasks are deeply intertwined as two threads of a single fabric – each focusing upon healing the wounded body of Christ.

RESOURCES

Two websites provide the 2007 Week of Prayer resources in different formats:

First, the full documentation (introduction to the theme, the origins of the material from Umlazi, a proposed worship service, biblical reflections and prayers for the eight days, and additional resources from South Africa) may be found at: HERE

Second, the website of the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute that has adapted these materials and posted copies of the worship resources (poster, background resources, worship bulletin, etc.) that can be printed from the website or ordered HERE.

HISTORY
The week of Prayer for Christian Unity was initiated in 1908 by the Rev. Paul Wattson, co-founder of the Society of the Atonement. Its observance has changed over the years, in accordance with developments in the ecumenical movement: the universal week of prayer advocated by Abbé Paul Couturier in Lyon, France in the 1930s; the formation of the World Council of Churches in 1948; the Second Vatican Council’s Decree on Ecumenism in 1964; and the formation of the Joint Working Group between the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches. A world observance, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an important expression of ecumenical activity at the local level.

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY FESTIVAL

2006-11-10T15:32:00.000+11:00

This November 20 of the world’s largest nations, together with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund will meet in Melbourne to discuss global economic issues. On the weekend of the G20 Summit –get informed, be inspired and take action at the *Make Poverty History Festival.*

Come to the Festival and enjoy feature bands & world music including, David Bridie, Telek, Bad Boys of Batucada, Simon Nugent and Vox Congo, sample Fair Trade & Sustainable products, see Workshops International Speakers and MPH info stalls or just sit back and enjoy the music, the Global Beats Chill Zone, International Food, Children's Activities and Roving Performers.

This a great opportunity to learn about how to address global poverty and how we can create a world that is fair and sustainable for all, in a fun, celebratory and interactive atmosphere. Now is the time, during the G-20 meeting, for Melbourne to show our leaders that we support the next step in the fight to *MAKE*POVERTY*HISTORY*.

This November Be Inspired, Get Informed, Take Action!
Festival queries mphfestival@optusnet.com.au

GLOBAL PETITION TO END INVASION OF IRAQ

2006-11-10T15:23:00.000+11:00

A Global Petition to Call Upon the US-led Coalition to Withdraw from Iraq

With a newly elected US Congress, the world has a unique opportunity for a global public outcry to change the course of the war in Iraq. Today is the perfect time to act. To seize this opportunity, ads will be placed in US and UK papers with a new global petition calling upon the Coalition to accept a larger role for the international community and a phased withdrawal of all its troops from Iraq. The number of signatures will be published in the ads, so please add your name and make it count. This is our chance to make sure the pressure of global public opinion is being felt by Coalition governments as they rethink this war in Iraq, pressing them to accept a larger role for the international community and to withdraw their troops.

The Global Petition...

The pursuit of a Coalition military victory in Iraq is driving the country to ruin and a vicious civil war. Thousands of Iraqi civilians are dying every month. The Coalition must accept that there will be no military victory in Iraq, and that it long ago lost the legitimacy necessary to bring peace. We call upon the Coalition to accept a larger role for the international community in bringing peace and stability, and to implement a phased withdrawal of all Coalition troops from Iraq.

Sign the petition at http://www.ceasefirecampaign.org/

WORLD AIDS DAY

2006-11-08T13:46:00.000+11:00

World AIDS Day

1 December

Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise

Your church, youth group, women's group, prayer circle, club or school is encouraged to join people all over the world in prayer as we observe World AIDS Day. Plan a special order of worship on World AIDS Day or the weekend before or after. Several worship services prepared especially for this year can be used or adapted You can find them at http://www.ucc.org/hivaids or http://www.e-alliance.ch/media/AdventLiturgy.pdf or http://www.e-alliance.ch/media/AdventLiturgy.doc

World AIDS Day is the international day of action on HIV and AIDS which takes place every year on 1 December. The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance is encouraging faith communities worldwide to hold special worship services to mark World AIDS Day and is promoting an ecumenical liturgy and action ideas on “Keep the Promise”. The theme of accountability, with the slogan, “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise”, was chosen in consultation with civil society campaigns to stress the critical need to meet current commitments to increase the global response to AIDS and reach universal access to treatment, care, and prevention by 2010.

World AIDS Day is about reminding us all that HIV is an issue for everyone. Hundreds of thousands of new cases of HIV are being diagnosed around the world and the only way we can stop it spreading is by creating a more AIDS Aware society in which everyone takes action. It is up to us to provide HIV/AIDS education in our churches.

Links for resources on World AIDS Day (December 1):

The theme for World AIDS Day 2006 is accountability. The theme of accountability was developed by the World AIDS Campaign support team based on their ongoing work around World AIDS Day, and based on the outcomes of the London HIV and AIDS Campaigning and Advocacy meeting in February 2005. A number of lessons have been learnt from previous work on World AIDS Day, and far more energy is being invested early in the year to make World AIDS Day 2006 a success. The most significant aspect of this World AIDS Day is the degree to which it has been based around the inputs of a wide range of civil society partners.

Around forty million people are living with HIV throughout the world - and that number increases in every region every day. In the UK alone, more than 60,000 people are living with HIV and more than 7,000 more are diagnosed every year. Ignorance and prejudice are fuelling the spread of a preventable disease. World AIDS Day, 1 December is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS. This year, it's up to you, me and us to stop the spread of HIV and end prejudice. http://www.worldaidsday.org/

UNAIDS: Uniting the world against AIDS...The renewed commitment to universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support undertaken by countries across the world, has paved the way in West and Central Africa to scale up national programmes.

Actions taken by governments this year will determine the global response to AIDS for years to come,” states Marcel van Soest, executive director of the World AIDS Campaign.

Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance offers excellent and varied World AIDS Day resources at http://www.e-alliance.ch/wad.jsp

Our partner in mission, the United Church of Christ USA, offers several liturgical items for use on World AIDS Day Sunday at http://www.ucc.org/hivaids

FAIR TRADE COFFEE AND COLUMBIA

2006-11-06T18:50:00.000+11:00

EVERY SIP COUNTS

With our eyes on Columbia through the Global Women Connecting Columbia Network Project, our taste buds can be directed toward Columbia, too. At the recent Women’s Ministries Heartline Conference, Jackie Bunch, President of Global Women Connecting, lifted up the plight of our Columbian Sisters in Christ and the need for us to learn more about the situation in Columbia and to identify ways we can make a difference in the lives of people there. Purchasing Fair Trade Columbian coffee is a great way to start! Consider this, with every sip of your morning cuppa, you can be making a statement of faith...you can help shine the light of God’s love into Columbia! Get your church to purchase and serve Columbian Fair Trade coffee, and help everyone in your congregation be part of this important ministry.

So, here’s some information to use to educate yourself and your congregation, excerpted from an article by Lutheran World Relief. Having that Columbian cappuccino or cuppa is up to you!

THE PROBLEM...

The Coffee Crisis in Columbia

In Colombia, the effects of the global coffee crisis have been devastating. During the 1970’s, coffee accounted for well over half of Colombia’s legal exports. The average price on world commodities markets was nearly $3 per pound. By 2000, coffee accounted for less than 10% of Colombia’s legal exports, and by 2002 the price dropped to only 45 cents per pound. At that price, for a $2.00 cup here in the Australia, less than one cent went to the farmer who grew the beans. The coffee crisis, combined with economic policies begun in the early 1990’s that removed protections from other agricultural products like corn, left thousands of farmers with few options to make ends meet or hold onto their farms by growing legal agricultural crops.

A Dangerous but Profitable Cash Crop: Coca

This crisis has caused many Columbian farmers to switch from growing coffee to coca, the plant used as raw material for producing cocaine. A farmer explained his decision to grow coca: “When it comes down to watching my children go hungry or growing coca, I’ll break the law.”

The Civil Conflict

Drug money fuels all sides of Colombia’s war, with tragic consequences, but it is not at the root of the conflict. The conflict in Colombia began almost 30 years before the drug trade took hold. The war pits leftist guerillas against the government and right wing paramilitary groups. However, the majority of victims in Colombia’s conflict are not members of these armed groups, but civilians caught between them—especially poor, rural civilians. More than 3 million Colombians have been displaced from their homes, and over 70% of the country’s arable land is now owned by just 3% of the population.

In sum, war, poverty, displacement and coca production leaves farmers caught in a vicious cycle: violence leads to displacement and poverty, and displaced and impoverished farmers are forced by a lack of options into coca-production or into armed groups. Much of this destructive cycle is fueled both by drug-trafficking dollars and, since 2000, by $4 billion of U.S. aid, 80% of which has gone to the Colombian military. U.S. aid has also been spent on aerial fumigation of coca plants, but these plants are often located near subsistence food crops which fumigation also destroys, causing further hardships for poor farmers.

THE SOLUTION...

Fair Trade

Fair Trade shares the profits of the coffee trade with those who grow the crop, helping them to build a better future for themselves and their communities. By working together in democratically organized cooperatives, farmers can sell their coffee directly to international Fair Trade buyers. They receive a price that covers their production costs and guarantees them a living wage.

Only the most organized communities, those practiced in the arts of local democracy, dialogue and cooperation, have been successful in taking a peaceful stand against the conflict. Fair Trade cooperatives strengthen these qualities. The reasonable wages allow farmers to resist planting coca or joining an armed group, and can allow communities to become models of sustainable alternatives to the conflict. As economic stability and fairness take root, they nourish the community’s growth and make it possible for peace to blossom.

Learn More

Find an explanation of Fairtrade at: OXFAM

Order Fair Trade coffee today and start making a difference

Find a list of places to buy Fairtrade in the Melbourne area via OXFAM

To order Fairtrade in the Eastern Suburbs (to use or sell at your church or workplace) contact People for Fair Trade at 03-9511 0152 or e-mail orders@fairtrade.asn.au click on the link in the side bar to visit the Fairtrade website.

by Ana Gobledale

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY - NOVEMBER 06

2006-11-06T10:36:00.000+11:00

Make Poverty History campaign hits Melbourne

This November a range of events have been organised by both the Make Poverty History and Micah Challenge campaigns to coincide with the G20 forum of finance ministers who are meeting in Melbourne. These events include a public forum, concert, festival and ecumenical service.

1 Public Forum
Thursday 16 November, 10am
Melbourne Town Hall, Cnr Swanston and Collins Streets, Melbourne

A free Make Poverty History forum featuring leading national and international speakers: Kumi Naidoo, Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of Cape Town, Lidy Nacpil, Sharan Burrow and Father Frank Brennan.

ENQUIRIES: email registrations@oxfam.org.au or call Lisa Bates on 03 9289 9495

2. MAKE POVERTY HISTORY FESTIVAL
Music, Workshop, Speakers, Food
Saturday 18 November, 10am Alexandra Gardens, Melbourne

A family festival to educate and inspire you to create change in the world and help make poverty history. Featuring world music and dance with David Bridie, Vox Congo & Bad Boys Batucada; international speakers working in poor communities, as well as workshops, children's activities; educational MPH stalls, art & photo exhibits, fair trade food and crafts and a sustainable living market. Speakers include the Archbishop of South Africa, Kumi Naidoo and Tim Costello.

ENQUIRIES: email janemc@tear.org.au

3. MICAH CHALLENGE ECUMENICAL PRAYER SERVICE
Saturday 18 November, 5pm
St Pauls Cathedral, cnr Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne

This November, Melbourne will host the G20 Forum – a gathering of finance ministers from the world’s richest nations to discuss “Building and Sustaining Prosperity”. But who are the richest countries building prosperity for? And will this prosperity be sustainable? In November, take the opportunity to learn, pray and speak up for economic policies that reflect biblical values of responsibility, equality, justice, and sustainable prosperity for all.

This is a reflection and prayer service for all during the G20 Forum.

The main speaker will be Archbishop Ndungane of Cape Town. A powerful speaker, Archbishop Ndungane dreams of a world where “every individual would be able to smile together in complete freedom, in unity, in peace, in prosperity...a world where every human being can fulfill their potential as God created them to be.”

Also speaking will be

Shobie Owen, UNOH
Tim Costello, World Vision
David Pargeter, Uniting Church
Amanda Jackson, Micah Challenge
Pastor Brian Birkett, City Life Church
Bishop Christopher Prowse, Catholic Church
The Richmond AOG Choir

ENQUIRIES: Email apreston@anglicord.org.au

PEACE AND JUSTICE

2006-11-06T10:34:00.000+11:00

Another petition for Peace and Justice around the world

This petition encourages our church members to follow the Prince of Peace and sign.

This is a great site, "Women for Peace" listing lots of opportunities to sign petitions and take other actions for peace and justice around the world.

CLIMATE CHANGE

2006-11-06T10:31:00.000+11:00

Have your say on Climate Change

It's official: the Prime Minister can no longer afford to ignore climate change. And we can't afford to be fooled.

Join Australia's growing movement to stop climate change. Make your mark on the Climate Action Map today, and ask friends to join you. CLIMATE ACTION NOW

CLONING PETITION

2006-11-01T18:12:00.000+11:00

We have received a petition from the Australian Christian Lobby seeking support for a petition against the motions being brought to the federal Parliament by Senator Patterson to allow the implementation of the recommendations handed down by the Senate committee established to investigate and report on issues related to embryonic cloning. These motions will be voted on in the next week, so if you wish to participate in the petition, you will need to act speedily.

As we do not have a specific position as Churches of Christ in Vic/Tas on this issue, it has been decided to make the petition available through the Social Justice Network website for ministers and congregations to access if they wish to sponsor the petition or if you wish to investigate it further (the petition has links to the Report). It is also suggested that you read the document on cloning written by Dr. Trevor Banks from our Belmont church on the issue.

Cloning is a complex issue and Christians have taken quite different positions on the issue. So it is suggested that the issue be thought through carefully with a view to both profound respect for human life and to the potential for healing, both of which are central to the teachings of Jesus and the traditional stance of the Christian church.

Social Justice Network Blog

ENVIRONMENTAL LINKS AND RESOURCES

RESOURCES AND LINKS ON INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIA

HOW FAIR IS HIGHER EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA?

1. Recommendations from the Getting There Facilitation Group

ELECTION 07 AND MPH REPORT CARD

ELECTION RESOURCES

BURMA: PROSPECTS FOR DEMOCRACY?

Cause for Celebration and Repentence!

Make a Faith Witness: A congregational response

NEW WEB RESOURCE

CARE FOR CREATION (aka "a slot of green")

What’s Fair in Anti-Poverty Week 2007

PROTECT CHILDREN IN THE NT + END ABORIGINAL DISADVANTAGE

RADICAL FORGIVENESS: BEYOND HANNAH ARENDT

LAUNCH OF A NEW BROTHERHOOD OF ST LAURENCE REPORT

A MATTER OF IDENTITY

INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATION OF SIR DOUG

International Day of Prayer for Peace - 2007

CELEBRATION OF SIR DOUGLAS NICHOLLS O.B.E., M.B.E.

AMAZING GRACE - Preview Screening and Discussion Group

RUDD PROMISES TO SAVE MORE LIVES - MPH

WHO IS JESUS CHRIST? Jesus for the non-religious

SHOPPING WITH A CONSCIENCE: SUPERMARKET TOURS

An Opportunity for Action

NEW SOCIAL JUSTICE WEB-LINKS

REPLY TO THE FEDERAL BUDGET

NEW WEB RESOURCE

MOVIE NIGHT - AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

WORLD REFUGEE DAY

Ballarat Central celebrates all things Sudanese

Next SJN event – A Focus on Palestine with Sylvia Haddad

ENVIRONMENT SUNDAY - JUNE 10TH

KEEPING THE PROMISE - G8 & THE ONE CAMPAIGN

HOW GENEROUS ARE WE?

URGENT REQUEST FOR ACTION!!

SIMPLY SHARING WEEK: SEND MY FRIEND TO SCHOOL

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY INFO NIGHT

Justice and International Mission Convention

REFUGEE WEEK 2007: THE VOICES OF YOUNG REFUGEES

FOCUS ON AFRICA

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2007

May 27 What it could mean? Letter to the AC editor

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Church's attack on greenhouse gas not just hot airLinda Morris Religious Affairs WriterDecember 7, 2006

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Church's attack on greenhouse gas not just hot air
Linda Morris Religious Affairs Writer
December 7, 2006