UnitingWorld Magazine is our full-size publication, reporting on major news from each of our four program areas: Relief and Development, Church Solidarity, Peacemaking and Experience.

If you wish to obtain additional copies of any of our publications please contact us on +61 2 8267 4267 or info@unitingworld.org.au and we’ll post you some copies.

October 2010

In this issue:

Partnership tracker - St. Andrews Uniting Church in Glenbrook (NSW) have entered into a partnership with the Kangra Girls’ Hostel, a project of the Church of North India

Connecting Communities: Timor-Leste – UnitingWorld continues to stand with our Church Partner as they continue to recover from decades of confict and oppressive colonial rule

A future for West Papua? – One could be forgiven for thinking that West Papua is an idyllic tropic paradise. But increasingly, all is not well in Papua

Understanding mission in the 21st Century – In June 1910, the Scottish city of Edinburgh hosted one of the most defining gatherings in the history of Christianity in the 20th Century. The 1910 World Missionary conference was a significant event in the missionary movement, and was instrumental for ecumenical developments of the last century

Why YAP works – After Ted Woodley returned from witnessing a YAP Ambon workshop in action, he described the experience as a “revelation.” Here’s his reflection on why he believes YAP really works

Inside a Peacemaking workshop – Ever wondered what happens at a YAP workshop that brings about life-changing transformations for the participants? Here’s a snapshot of what it involves

Nurturing a thoughtful generation of young adults – Kathy Pereira writes about the many benefits of cross-cultural experience in learning not only about other cultures, but about yourself

Stories from the field: Sela Ahosivi – Sela, a second generation Tonga-australian from Yass in NSW is spending the first 12 months out of school working alongside the Free Wesleyan Church in Tonga as an English language tutor

One year on, Samoa continues to recover – In September and October 2009, several Church Partners of the Uniting church in Australia faced some of the most destructive and widespread natural disasters in memory

Development education in action - Kinross Wolaroi School (Orange, NSW) has been working in partnership with George Brown High School in Papua New Guinea (a United Church in PNG school) to assist the school in PNG adapt to an improved educational framework

Staff profile - Meet Bronwyn Fraser, Development Education Officer for the Relief and Development Unit of UnitingWorld

Decoding development – Poverty is caused when communities experience discrimination or are unable to access essential services. But this is something that the “picture of poverty” often doesn’t show

November 2009

In this issue:

• Connecting Communities: North India – UnitingWorld’s close engagement with the Church of North India is enabling Australian church communities connect – for life
• Mission Musings – In this series, Uniting Church leaders and members share their personal understanding of mission and how it has changed in their lifetime. Here, Melbourne’s Rev. Jenny Preston shares her thoughts…
• Balibo film review by John Barr – Importantly, while the movie captures a brutal incident in East Timor’s history, the film is really about the vulnerable and uncertain nature of our neighbours
• Connecting Communities: Robina, Queensland -In 2008, Newlife Uniting Church at Robina on the Gold Coast held the 30-30 Challenge – to raise $30,000 over 30 days to build accommodation for visiting medical staff at a hospital in the Solomon Islands.
• North Korea up close – Earlier this year, seasoned traveller John Barr and iphone toting 20-something, Amy Goodhew took the journey into the relative unknown of North Korea.
• Postcards from the field: Elizabeth Mullan, the Philippines – Canberran Elizabeth Mullan is currently serving and learning in the Philippines with UnitingWorld and has just experienced the floods in Manila.
• Ambon: a new frontier – Today, the centre is spreading the message of peace between and within these communities.
• Island hopping medical care brings sight to Vanuatu – Battling high seas and up to 30+ knot winds, the volunteers island hopped by boat to some of the most isolated places known as the ‘forgotten islands’ to run ten eye and medical health clinics.
• UnitingWorld supporters rally behind Samoa, the Philippines and Sumatra – Uniting Churches in Australia have thrown their support behind the communities devastated by the tsunami in Samoa, the flood in the Philippines and the earthquake in Sumatra, generously giving over $300,000 to support UnitingWorld relief efforts.

Click here to download a PDF version of the full November 2009 Magazine

June 2009

In this issue:

• Connected for Life with the United Church in the Solomon Islands – When NewLife Uniting Church in Robina QLD appealed for funds for Helena Goldie Hospital in the Solomon Islands they were thrilled when their target of $30,000 was exceeded with $70,000 given at final tally.

• UnitingWorld lobbies Canberra -This March, UnitingWorld, the ACTU and other civil society leaders met with Australian parliamentary and government leaders in Canberra to ask for a fair go on trade talks with Pacifiic nations.
• Sri Lanka: The Story Continues – After fleeing race related violence in Sri Lanka Shiranee Pararajasingham and her family have been members of the Strathfi eld – Homebush Parish of the Uniting Church in Australia for 26 years.
• Engage globally, grow your church – Ready to be invigorated as you learn from others’ journeys, and seek to give without expecting anything in return?
• Slumdog Millionaire and the new India – The film, “Slumdog Millionaire”, scooped the movie awards for 2008. However, there have been mixed reactions. By John Barr
• Profile: Amie Dural – Amie Dural wowed young audiences at National Youth Christian Conference 09 with her vibrancy and stories of faith and justice.
• Identity – Identity is one aspect of the UnitingWorld project in the remote mountain region of Nilgris Hills.
• Trust and see – A few months ago I began to meet with a spiritual director who encouraged me to read and refl ect on a book called Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin’s Path to God by Brennan Manning.
• Hela region unites for peace - On the 2nd of October, 2008 a long hoped for event occurred as 32 warring tribes based in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea came together to sign permanent peace treaties.
• Working in the conflict zone: India and Pakistan - Joy Balazo has been working with leaders of the Presbyterian Church of India and in late 2008 ran a YAP workshop.

Click here to download a PDF version of the full June 2009 Magazine