CONTENTS:

Thanks for Your Support in 2009 | Loans for Freedom Appeal | Lent Event 2010 | Congratulations to Jim Mein AM | Experience Placements | Meet Out Latest Volunteers | Blueprint for a Better World | Ask the Climate Change Specialist | Micah Challenge “5th Birthday Party”

Thanks for Your Support in 2009

From everyone at UnitingWorld, we would like to thank all our supporters for  continuing to express generosity and compassion for those in need throughout 2009.

The state of the global economy both in recent years and today has the potential to severely impact our capacity to continue our international work in relief and development, advocacy, peacemaking, and standing in solidarity with our Partner Churches. But by the end of 2009, our donations allowed us to reach our requirements to meet our commitments and continue run our ongoing overseas projects, as well as respond to those affected by disasters.

We are especially grateful for the generosity shown towards our friends in Samoa, Philippines, Indonesia, and Zimbabwe, who endured so much last year.

National Director of UnitingWorld, Rev. Dr Kerry Enright is pleased with what has been achieved in 2009, and is full of optimism for the future.

“Given that it is often those in the Pacific, Asia and Africa who suffer most during a global economic downturn, it was indeed heartening to see that our supporters throughout the Uniting Church continued to think of those less fortunate. I believe it is a strong indication of the depth of faith, the commitment to social justice and a worldwide perspective held by our supporters.

“I look forward to seeing our projects continue to benefit those in need for many years to come.”

West Timor: Loans Freedom Appeal

Today UnitingWorld launches the Loans for Freedom appeal to empower families and communities living poverty in West Timor to build their own futures.

“Loans for Freedom” is a project of the Tanaoba Lais Manekat Foundation (TLM). Economic, social and spiritual transformation of families and communities is enabled through the provision of small loans, known as microfinance for practical, income generating projects.

A new phase of the project will run through 2010 to 2012 to strengthen support services and expand the existing project. UnitingWorld has been working with TLM to help provide microfinance services in West Timor since 2001. In the last three years alone, over 15 000 people benefited from the project.

Associate Director, Relief and Development, Rob Floyd is excited about the opportunities this will continue giving the people of West Timor. “With solid foundations, communities and families in West Timor can build their own futures,” said Rob.

Click here to read about the Loans for Freedom project and download additional resources.

Lent Event 2010 – Joining God at the Edges

Lent Event 2010 is only a handful of days away, and congregations are now busy in preparation.

Lent Event challenges us to re-evaluate our everyday priorities and reflect on how we use our resources. Through sacrifice, study, and prayer, we examine our lifestyles while making life-affirming improvements in the lives of others around the world. 

During Lent, participants are asked to give up a luxury in their life, such as chocolate or coffee, and donate the money saved to helping those enduring extreme poverty.

Funds raised from Lent Event go directly to support six of UnitingWorld’s Relief and Development projects operating in Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, South India, Sudan, Solomon Islands and Zambia.

It’s not too late to sign up to this worthwhile and exciting event. The Lent Event staff will be happy to provide you and your community with resources, including the bible study, youth study, children’s materials, worship resource and a promotional pack.

Call the Lent Event office on 1300 536 838 or visit www.lentevent.com to find out more about how you can join God at the edges.

Congratulations to Jim Mein

UnitingWorld congratulates Mr Jim Mein AM on his admission to the Order of Australia on Australia Day this year. The award recognises his dedication to the life of the Uniting Church in Australia, his community-based work both in Australia and overseas, and his promotion of interfaith dialogue.

While Mein has held several significant positions within the Church with both the Synod of NSW and ACT and the National Assembly, he continues to play an integral role with UnitingWorld as Honorary Treasurer of the Relief and Development unit.

Mein’s has assisted the unit while it has been experiencing a significant period of growth. This growth has enabled existing projects to be strengthened, and the capacity for exploring new opportunities overseas has increased.

He has also spent a great deal of time connecting with Partner Churches overseas.  In recent years he has represented the Uniting Church to the Congregational Christian Church in Niue, the Presbyterian Church of Korea, and the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma.

“I have an altruistic view of the world and believe it needs more social cohesion. Less of the ‘them and us’ and more of the ‘we, together as one’,” said Mein.

National Director of UnitingWorld, Rev Dr Kerry Enright believes the award was well deserved.

“Jim has brought a wealth of experience working with the Uniting Church, financial and management acumen and long governance experience.  He has a heart to help overcome poverty and address those things that divide humanity.

“On behalf of UnitingWorld I congratulate Jim for his admission to membership of the Order of Australia, for his service in Australia, and for his work connecting with our Partners overseas.”

Experience Volunteer Placements

Each year, UnitingWorld offers over 100 Experience volunteer placements with our Partner Churches in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. The placements strengthen links between our Partners and transform the lives of those living in extreme poverty. Right now our volunteers are giving their time, energy and skills to serve on behalf of all members of the Uniting Church in Australia.

There are still a variety of exciting Experience volunteer placements available throughout 2010. Urgent placements include:

• A Early Childhood/Primary Teacher is required in Tonga to set up an English speaking school (6 – 12 months). Some financial support is available.
• A Printer is required in Samoa to consult the Church on how to operate and maintain their printing equipment (two weeks).
• A Counsellor/Psychologist is required in Samoa to help establish a counseling centre.

A full list of placements is available on our website.

For more information, please contact Kathy Pereira, Associate Director, Experience Programs:
P: 02 8267 4250
E: kathyp@unitingworld.org.au

Meet Our Latest Experience Volunteers

The Experience programs at UnitingWorld have moved from strength to strength in recent years, and more people are showing their enthusiasm to connect with our overseas Partners on behalf of all members of the Uniting Church in Australia. We are currently facilitating applications for 34 people, and an additionally 50 expressions of interest are being followed up.

In the last week of January, a group of new participants undertook a pre-service training course, over eight days. The 15 participants are now prepared for their placements in Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Philippines, Mongolia, and many more. Meet some of our new faces below:

Experience volunteers carry out their work with our overseas Partners on behalf of all members of the Uniting Church in Australia. Many rely on donations to complete their placements.

Click here to read more about our current Experience volunteers

Click here to learn how you can support our volunteers carry out their work

Blueprint for a Better World

Caritas Australia, in partnership with AusAID is currently running a travelling exhibition around Australia to bring about greater awareness of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). Entitled “Blueprint for a Better World” the exhibition will appear in Sydney from 16-25 February 2010 in Martin Place,

The “Stop for Poverty” flash mob will be welcoming the exhibition with public stunt in secret locations throughout Sydney’s CBD. They will freeze in the Stop Global Poverty pose for three minutes, before dispersing casually into the crowd of onlookers.

The exhibition is free and opens daily from 6am – 7pm. Simply sign up at www.stopforpoverty.org for regular updates on the secret location and how you can help stop global poverty.

Click here to visit the Blueprint for a Better World website

Image: Caritas Australia

Ask the Climate Change Specialist

In January, we asked our supporters to put questions forward to Prof. Stephen Howes from the Crawford School of Economics and Government, ANU, regarding the outcomes of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.

Thanks to everyone who put their questions forward. A selection of answers is now available to read on the Australian Development Gateway website

Micah Challenge ”Survive Past Five” 5th Birthday Party

Every year around the world millions of children die before their 5th birthday, largely from preventable diseases. In 2007, this number dropped below 10 million for the first time! However last year, 8.8 million children still died before their 5th birthday, a number that is far too high. To celebrate the progress that’s been achieved, but at the same time highlight the need to do more, Micah Challenge are holding a ‘Survive past five’ 5th Birthday Party in Martin Place to ask the Australian Government to take action and give its fair share of health aid.

Micah Challenge want a “Survive Past Five” party to be held in every electorate before the 2010 Federal Election. Click here to see how you can hold your own 5th Birthday Party.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 10:50 am and is filed under E-Newsletter, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.