By Caro Field
Candidate for Ministry at Centre for Theology and Ministry

Last night I worked my final shift as a Pastoral Care Intern at Peter Mac Cancer Centre.

On the last day of my official CPE unit, I took in a goodbye card and box of chocolates for the staff on the ward where I had been working, and then proceeded to do a Dame Nellie, and kept coming back after the farewell, for a few casual shifts. I was very grateful for the opportunity to work these extra shifts, so my exit from the hospital has been more gradual and gentle (even if some of the nurses have looked confused when they have seen me on the ward after I said goodbye).

But this time it’s final. I have handed in my hospital ID and pager, and said my final farewells to the staff of the Pastoral Care Department. And to mark the auspicious occasion of my final shift, I was treated to a rather eventful night. (more…)

By Adrian Pyle
Director of Mission Participation Resource Unit
Uniting Church in Australia
Vic / Tas Synod

I wonder what might happen if the church said sorry to its members, past and present for lack of spiritual direction?

I found myself ruminating on this question after listening to the apology to the stolen generation of indigenous children.

I am certainly not suggesting that the church’s lack of spiritual oversight to “the flock” is in the same league as the horror of forced family break-up. But the events of 13 February 2008 raise interesting questions about past acts which lead to future dire consequences…..and whether the simple act of saying sorry may open doors to resolution like nothing else ever will. (more…)

By Reverend Paul Creasey
Outreach Ministries in the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania

 This movie marks the Coen Brother’s return to the highest level of their craft. This is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. The Brothers Coen have produced a colourful, well crafted thriller that has been described as “a quirky and bloody meditation on the rising tide of violence in America.” (more…)

By Kim Cain
Director of Communications
Uniting Church in Australia / Synod of Vic Tas

Now what do we make of Heath’s tragic death?

Inspirational artist, who like so many creative people before him, died before his time?

A legend in the making, cut down in his prime; paradoxically ensuring his fame?

A rising star, who has been taken from us, before his Hollywood nebular has really flared to its full magnitude?

Or, is Heath Ledger, just another young man tragically lost young, along life’s way? (more…)

By Reverend Paul Creasey and Andrew Gillett
Outreach Ministries in the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania

Father Bob Maguire has become a Melbourne institution through his thirty years of tireless ministry and outreach in the Catholic Parish of South Melbourne, and most recently as a consequence of his relationship with iconoclastic television and radio presenter, John Safran. (more…)

By Adrian Pyle
Director of Mission Participation Resource Unit
Uniting Church in Australia
Vic / Tas Synod

I wonder what our communities could be like if we took conversations to a new level of intensity?

Recently, driving on a major freeway, I saw a billboard advertisement for a major oil company. Referring to the company’s record on climate change issues, the billboard proudly trumpeted “Talk stopped long ago.” The implication of course is that this is a company that has:
• stopped the talk (which is by further implication, unproductive)
• rolled up its metaphorical sleeves and
• taken concrete action (which, by yet further implication, is the only productive response possible). (more…)

By Caro Field

Candidate for Ministry at Centre for Theology and Ministry

As a relative newcomer to Melbourne (moved here just under 2 years ago), I am still getting used to some of the quaint idiosyncrasies that make Melbourne Melbourne. One of these came to light, when I was reminded recently by a colleague in ministry that the most important religious holiday occurs the day after Christmas Day. He was, of course, referring to the Boxing Day Test Match. (more…)

photo by Lauren Cain.

By Caro Field
Candidate for Ministry at Centre for Theology and Ministry

I have been thinking about death a lot lately.

This is partly because my father died a couple of months ago, and there are still times when I catch myself thinking, “I’ll have to ask Dad about that,” and then have to remind myself that he’s not around any more. However the main reason for my thoughts turning to this subject this week is because I am currently participating in a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) unit in a cancer hospital as my second Field Education placement for my ministerial training. (more…)

By Rev David Pargeter
Executive Director
Commission for Mission

Christmas cards have started to arrive. Actually, I’m exaggerating a bit. I’ve just received one from my sister in the UK. It’s one of those nostalgia coated water-colour scenes of a peaceful village church covered in snow. The words “Christmas greetings from Cambridge” twinkle at me. Inside it says ‘Wishing you a peaceful Christmas’, Love Kay. It’s nice to know that my sister and the people of Cambridge are thinking of me this Christmas. It’s also nice to know that peace is something that might just come about by wishing for it. (more…)