Justice News
World Environment Day 2011
Forests: Nature at your service 
World Environment Day is celebrated annually on 5 June. First proclaimed in 1972, the day has grown to become the one of the main vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action.
Each year World Environment Day highlights in its theme one important environmental issue - in 2011, WED focuses on the importance of the world's forests for the integrity of creation and the survival of humankind.
For World Environment Day this year, UnitingJustice has produced for Church members a collection of resources for worship and education. Why not incorporate these resources into your service on Sunday 5 June this year?
Click to download:
What is World Environment Day?
Liturgical resources [pdf]
Liturgical resources [word]
Activities for children and families
Click here to download all of the resources in one PDF document
[NB: the file size of the complete set of resources is 7MB. If you would like to be emailed the file instead of downloading it from this website, please contact UnitingJustice]
These resources have been endorsed by the AngliGreen Diocese of Brisbane Environment Group.
http://angligreen.org.au/
UnitingJustice Australia greatly appreciates the assistance of Cath James, Environment Project Officer at the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania in the management of this project, and the contributions from many staff and volunteers around the Church.
In order to download these resources, an Adobe PDF reader is required. You can download this program for free from the Adobe website.
You can find an archive of resources from previous World Environment Days here.
Christmas Island chaplaincy: a light in the darkness
Christmas Island is a tiny speck in the Indian Ocean, yet it will seem vast compared to some of the tight spaces Rev Christine Senini worked in. And she won’t have to sleep in a bunk bed.
The President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev. Alistair Macrae has added his name to the list of prominent Australians calling for reform to our asylum seeker policies. UnitingJustice has continually advocated for a more compassionate approach to these vulnerable members of our society.
UnitingJustice and the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly has joined the chorus of voices calling for Constitutional recognition of the unique contribution that First Peoples have made to this country. Amendments to the Australian Constitution should also include removal of racist and discriminatory language and clauses. The open letter was accompanied by a submission to the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition made by UnitingJustice.
UJA Reference Committee member, Professor John Langmore, discusses the political momentum behind and the public benefits of introducing a financial transactions tax.
Rethink Refugees - watch UJA National Director, Rev. Elenie Poulos, reflecting on her work in refugee advocacy as part of Amnesty's information campaign
Preamble posters and Covenanting resources
Download or print your own here.
Position Vacant: Senior Media Officer
The Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia seeks to appoint an experienced media professional to the role of Senior Media Officer. Read more...
Churches solid on poker machine reform
The major Christian churches in Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to the Government’s proposed poker machine reform this morning in the face of Catholic priest Father Chris Riley’s apparent support for the inaccurate, well-funded industry campaign. Read more...