Solidarity and Justice Community

A new look in 2012 !

2011-12-01T23:05:00.000+10:30

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

2011-07-28T09:40:00.002+09:30

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

2010-07-16T16:04:00.006+09:30

"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

2010-05-11T13:39:00.001+09:30

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.

Symposium Audio Downloads

2009-10-27T08:20:00.002+10:30

Hear Marion Maddox, Rick Sarre, Peter Buckskin, Lynn Arnold and other distinquished guests speak on Politics and the Public Good, Values for living in the 21st Century.

The Symposium 2009 was held over 3 nights and addressed sub-topics "Gullotining God?: Religion in the future republic", "The heavenly barbie: Towards an inviting republic", "In this together: Can a republic include nature?"

Audio downloads are now available from the Pilgrim Uniting Church website. Click here

A Workshop on the Preamble

2009-09-09T15:35:00.003+09:30

Thursday October 1st, 7.30-9.30 pm
at Pilgrim Church Hall

A new Preamble to the UCA Constitution was accepted at the 2009 Assembly and will be one of the issues considered at the October meeting of the SA Synod Presbytery.
Aboriginal people see the Preamble as the important next step in the Covenant between the UCA and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress .
This workshop, offered by the Solidarity and Justice Community, is to enable members of the Urban Mission Network to think through the content of the Preamble, its history and theological underpinnings and its significance for us as a church in covenant relationship with Aboriginal people.

RSVP Pilgrim Church Office (10am - 3pm) Ph: 8212 3295
by Monday 28 September
or email: prussell [at] sa [dot] uca [dot] org [dot] au
(please put "Preamble Workshop" in the subject line and indicate the number attending)

Preamble to the UCA Constitution

2009-08-24T16:33:00.002+09:30

The solidarity and justice community will be focusing on the proposed preamble to the uca constitution when we talk about our group at the meeting of the Urban Mission Network on Thursday 27th August at Clearview Uniting Church. We will show how standing for justice and in solidarity with Aboriginal people has led us to wanting to support the preamble and to assist people in congregations to understand what it is about and the importance of voting for it at the Synod meeting in October.

Welcome to our new web presence

2009-07-24T15:05:00.003+09:30

The Solidarity and Justice Community has joined with the Urban Mission Network to provide better support and communication of justice issues to members as well as those inside Urban Mission Network congregations and those in other networks. Keep tuned to this web presence for the latest news and views on justice issues. Join our group and contribute. More details coming soon.