A new look in 2012 !

We are considering a new format to our meetings in 2012. Details will posted on this site later. Pilgrim Uniting Church will be promoting a series of social justice events in 2012 and we will probably be part of that and our actions may well come out of the themes that will be explored. More information will be posted here as it comes to hand.

Visit of Rt Rev Dr V. Devasahayam

will speak at a public forum in the Pilgrim Hall on Wed August 24th (the usual night for S&J meeting), from 6-8pm, with a light Indian meal available for $5. Bishop Devasahayam will speak on the Dalits in the context of a nation on the rise (India).
All are very welcome. Registration is helpful for catering P: 8212 3295
Rt Rev Dr V. Devasahayam is Bishop in the Diocese of Madras, Church of South India (partner church with UCA). Bishop Devasahayam is in Adelaide for a week and his visit is being supported by Pilgrim UC.
He will preach at all three services at Pilgrim on Sunday morning 21st August (8am, 9.30am and 11am)

... we have but to hum along

"When we find the sound of the kingdom we have but to hum along. "

from: Community of Faith - Crafting Christian Communities Today by Evelyn & James Whitehead, Chapter 7 - The Dream of the Kingdom.

We spent the evening in May with Brian Lewis Smith reflecting on the early days of Social Justice work in the Uniting Church and its forbears in this state.....
Some selected thoughts have been noted below - (notetaker’s apology - couldn’t get it all!):

Think about the context, liberation theology - action and reflection, not aware of the oppression of Aboriginal people, in the early years Jesus was the answer, but what were the questions? Bernie and John Brown took us down to a hostel where we were subjected to the naked anger of Aboriginal people, experiences are the key, a way of being - walking with and seeing the world from their eyes, we started engaging with people we knew were victims of injustice in our community - enabling them to speak and walking with them.

Two people that were a significant influence in the early days (and may still be?)

Leonard Cohen (is coming to Adelaide in November) a lot of profound broken-ness

George Orwell - went and lived with the poor in England. The core message for both right and left wing politics is that human beings are more important than ideology.

Jesus - was doing the same, hanging out with the wrong people. Christ’s way of doing stuff is always uncomfortable for those who are middle class.

What has happened since those early days: - a lot of fundamental justice principles have entered mainstream. The church made a big mistake in its desire for power to assume its justice work into its social service arm - UnitingCare.

How do we go about this? (the way of getting the social justice message out)

A given: we have a very committed group of people.

A question: how do we bring other people into these experiences?

Dignity in Humanity

At the next meeting of the network, Alastair Blake and Peter Russell will be re- introducing members to the "Dignity in Humanity: Recognising Christ in every person" policy statement of the Uniting Church. This has become increasingly important as the Commonwealth government has failed to support a Human Rights charter.