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Everything In Common | Lent Event 2010 | The Fiji Methodists | Leadership Development in Timor Leste | People for Peace Appeal | Peacebuilding in Timor Leste | Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Pacific | Experience Placements
Everything In Common – Gift Catalogue
Looking for a gift that alleviates proverty and builds the capacity for UnitingWorld’s partners to work for justice? The Everything In Common Gift Catalogue could be just what you’re looking for.
Gifts purchased from our catalogue or website help the work of our overseas partners break the cycle of poverty and generate income in their communities. It could be an eye examinations and lenses for a person in Fiji, a pig to help a West Papuan family generate income, or funding a Young Ambassador for Peace to organise a peace workshop for their local community.
While we work hard to send gift cards promptly, we ask that card requests be received by Friday 18th December in order to have them delivered before Christmas.
To request additional copies of the catalogue, please contact UnitingWorld on 02 8267 4267 or email info@unitingworld.org.au
Meaningful gifts can also be purchased securely online at http://www.everythingincommon.com.au/
Lent Event 2010 – Joining God at the Edges
The team at UnitingWorld and Lent Event would like to wish you a Christ-filled Christmas.
All congregations participating in Lent Event will have received their resources for Lent Event 2010, which will take place from 17 February to 3 April. Some improvements have been made to this years resources which include the digitalised version of the Youth Bible Study, interactive PowerPoint presentations and visual aids to help congregations engage with vital overseas development projects of UnitingWorld and God’s message for us this Lent.
We are very excited about the Bible Study for 2010, entitled Joining God at the Edges. Compiled by the Rev. Dr Chris Budden, the Bible study explores the harsh and dangerous places where Jesus can be found in the world and the everyday reality of life for many of our overseas neighbours. Following readings from the books of Luke and John, participants will be challenged to consider how our partners sense of Gods presence should challenge and shape our own.
Another exciting development is the creation of the Lent Event web blog to allow us to support one another during the Lenten season by sharing prayers and reflections. You can access the web blog from the Lent Event website (www.lentevent.com).
Dont forget, it is not too late to sign up to Lent Event 2010. For more information or to chat to one of the Lent Event team members, phone 1300 536 838 or email info@lentevent.com
The Fiji Methodists – Song of Solidarity Appeal
During the 12th Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia, the Church decided to convey support to our partner in Fiji, the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma. UnitingWorld has given practical expression to this call through the launch of the Song of Solidarity Appeal, to help the Church in Fiji through this period of transition.
Click here to read more about this appeal. To donate please call 02 8267 4267 or donate securely online at http://www.unitingworld.org.au/
Leadership Development Program in Timor Leste (East Timor)
Following meetings between John Barr, Associate Director for Church Solidarity (Asia) and Joy Balazo (Associate Director for Peacekeeping), the Protestant Church in East Timor (IPTL) will take part in a new Leadership Development Program. Facilitated by the Artha Wacana Christian University, West Timor, the program will reinforce the church by strengthening the leadership skills of pastors.
Click here to read more about this project.
People for Peace Appeal
On 23 November 2009, dozens of people were killed in a massacre that took place on the Philippine island of Mindanao. Victims include several members of the media and two lawyers known for human rights advocacy. The massacre was the result of ongoing tensions in this divided community.
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) have called for prayer for both our partner Church the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, (UCCP) and our Young Ambassadors for Peace (YAP) coordinators and volunteers.
UnitingWorld’s YAP coordinators work tirelessly to restore peace within their local communities, but their work can only continue through the generosity of supporters.
Click here to read the National Council of Churches in the Philippines’ (NCCP) full statement on the situation in the Philippines.
Click here to read the full story and information on how to donate to the People for Peace Appeal.
New Peacebuilding Workshop in Timor Leste (East Timor)
Following meetings between UnitingWorld and the Protestant Church in East Timor (IPTL), a new Peacebuilding Workshop will be established to promote peace within the local community. John Barr, Associate Director of Church Solidarity (Asia) and Joy Balazo, Associate Director of Peacemaking recently visited the region, and are excited about the opportunities this will bring to the local community, and to IPTL.
Click here to read more about our Peacemaking centres.
Our prayers for Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Pacific
This week saw the commencement of the UN Copenhagen Conference on climate change, during which members of the UN Framework Convention in Climate Change (UNFCCC) will negotiate reductions in carbon emissions. While breakthroughs have occurred with renewed commitments from China, the US and India, binding commitments must eventuate from this conference in order to protect those most at risk of climate change and rising sea levels.
The highest point in Kiribati is just three metres above sea level, and the highest point on Tuvalu is less that five. Kiribati and Tuvalu are amoung the smallest countries in the world. They have contributed the smallest amount to carbon emissions, but will be the first to feel the effects of rising sea levels. While this puts everyone at risk, the first to feel this will be our partners throughout the Pacific.
Climate change is already impacting people living in poverty around the world, and threatens to undo progress on the Millennium Development Goals. Developing countries are more vulnerable to climate change because they are more dependent on their natural resources and have a lower capacity to cope with environmental hazards. Poor communities around the world are already experiencing a range of impacts, including more severe droughts, rising sea levels, and more severe storms. Climate change cuts across all development issues and it is an absolute priority.
We urge you to write to your local parliamentary members in support of action against climate change. We also call for prayer for our partners, Tuvalu Christian Church, Kiribati Protestant Church, and our partner churches in the Pacific.
Click here to learn more about our overseas partner Churches.
Experience Placements
There are still a variety of exciting experience positions available throughout Asia and the Pacific:
- Teachers of any discipline in Tuvalu, Tonga, Thailand for 12 months (shorter periods will also be considered)
- Librarian for Theological College libraries in Pacific
- Architect/draftsperson to teach a Vocational Education course in Tonga
- Choir master to assist training a choir in Cook Islands in Western singing.
- Landscaper to assist in developing landscaping for Church in Cook Islands.
- Communications expert to assist the Church in North India, Amritsar Diocese, in developing their website authoring, journal, writing and reporting skills.
Experience placements not only provide life changing opportunities to use your skills in servicing communities in need, but give participants the chance to learn from new cultures and traditions. If you think you have the skills and passion to explore these possibilities, please contact:
Kathy Pereira
P: 02 8267 4250
E: kathyp@unitingworld.org.au
To see a full list of placements, please visit http://www.unitingworld.org.au/Experience
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