UC pursues climate change policies

Despite the hype of a global resolve at the Copenhagen climate change negotiations, the result is viewed by the Uniting Church as disappointing.

The final agreement, which is known as the Copenhagen Accord, supports keeping the global average temperature increase below 2oC, but has failed to make any commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

However, the UC is continuing to push the Australian Government to take greater action and to increase its greenhouse gas reduction target.

Read the full story here at the Uniting Church Vic Tas Media Room.

Faith forum for the future

The future of how church agencies and congregations work together will be discussed in an open forum for the first time in April.

People from across the Uniting Church are invited to register for the ‘Engaging in God’s Mission Together’ forum on 20-21 April.

The forum will explore the 21^st Century reality that across the synod and Australia, many congregations are getting smaller and older while some UnitingCare agencies are getting larger and stronger.

It will provide the church with an opportunity to converse, name the issues and uncover ways of working together to serve the community with integrity and faith.

Registrations close on Friday, 19 March.

Read the full story here at the Uniting Church Vic Tas Media Room.

To register and to find out more visit http://victas.unitingcare.org.au, phone (03) 9251 5262 or email info@unitingcare.org.au.

Uniting Church raises funds for Haiti earthquake appeal

The Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania is responding to the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti by asking members of the Synod to donate to the SHARE – Haiti Earthquake Relief Appeal.

The Moderator, Ms Isabel Thomas Dobson, said The SHARE Community Appeal would coordinate donations through a Uniting Church sister organisation, the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA).

“The images from Haiti of utter destruction from the earthquake prompt our response as Christians in prayer and practical aid. 

“Please pray for all in the complex and desperate task of rescue and then rebuilding.

“For practical assistance the National Council of Churches of Australia, through its relief agency Act for Peace, has launched an appeal that will connect with the international churches and churches in Haiti,” Ms Thomas Dobson said.

Act for Peace is the international humanitarian and development agency of the NCCA (www.ncca.org.au).

Donations are tax deductable.

People wishing to make a donation to the SHARE - Haiti Earthquake Relief Appeal can send donations by website www.shareappeal.org.au, by phoning 1800 668 426, or by posting to GPO Box 4355, Melbourne 3001

For media enquiries, contact Michael Docherty, media liaison on (03) 9251 5222 or 0418 330 483.

Road accident memorial planned

Consultations are being held to develop a permanent memorial to acknowledge those who have died and been seriously injured on Victorian roads.

The initiative comes from the Road Trauma Support Services Victoria (RTSSV), a community-based counselling service funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC). It also supports people in their grief and the commemoration of their loved ones.

Since 2001 RTSSV and the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania have organised an annual Time of Remembrance ceremony. It is held on the third Sunday of November, designated by the United Nations as World Remembrance Day for Road Crash Victims.

The TAC has now provided initial funding for the consultation phase. A series of consultations with affected groups and individuals is taking place to learn about how people believe it should be developed.

One of these will be held on Wednesday, 10 March at 6pm, at the Uniting Church Centre, 130 Lt Collins Street. It is being organised in conjunction with the Victorian Council of Churches and the Faith Communities Forum of Victoria.

Read the full story here at the Uniting Church Vic Tas Media Room.

Roll up for Pancake Day 2010

Groups, schools and businesses across Victoria and Tasmania are invited to cook and sell pancakes next month for an important cause.

Pancake Day is UnitingCare’s annual fundraising event which encourages local people to help local people while having a great day of fun.

It is designed to raise money for those in the community suffering poverty and disadvantage by rallying thousands of people to cook and sell pancakes at self-organised events across the states.

By registering your group, you will receive a host pack with all the instructions and promotional materials to make your Pancake Day a success.

Groups have until February 12 to register.

Click here to read the full story at the Uniting Church Vic & Tas Media Room.

To register your event or to give a donation, contact Joanna Sullivan, Major Events Coordinator on (03) 9251 5252 or email joanna.sullivan@victas.uca.org.au

For media enquiries, contact Michael Docherty, media liaison, on 0418 330 483 or (03) 9251 5222.