Uniting Church Chaplaincy at UNE
Welcome
The Uniting Church was formed in 1977 by a union between the Congregational, Methodist and (some) Presbyterian Churches in Australia. The Uniting Church chaplaincy team consists of Rev Judy Redman the chaplain, and a group of staff and students who relate to the Armidale Uniting Church. Judy is full time and on campus most days from 9 am to 5 pm although she is not always in her office. You can get involved in a number of activities which include regular Bible studies as well as forums and other things that only happen occasionally. This semester, we have the second Faith and Environment seminar on Friday 8 August.
There are a number of resources on this website. Food for Life will help you to explore the idea of an holistic Christian lifestyle - it includes several links to on-line prayer guides. Or you might be interested in information on the sexuality debate within the Uniting Church at the moment. If you're interested in finding outmore about various aspects of faith on the net, you might like to visit the Finding God on the Internet pages, which Judy originally created for an elective for National Christian Youth Convention 1999 in Geelong.
I have just found a new site that I can't find a place for on the Finding God on the Internet pages without a total redesign, but which is very interesting. ISCAST stands for Institute for the Study of Christianity in an Age of Science and Technology. It's site provides copies of a range of interesting articles from a range of Christian perspectives, as well as the opportunity to become involved in on-line discussion forums about a range of issues ("Thinklings"). Definitely worth a visit!
So why would I choose the Uniting Church chaplain?
Sometimes your choice of chaplain may depend on whose door's open when you need to talk but Judy would be happy to talk to you if:
- you're wondering how your faith in God applies to decisions you need to make regarding study, career and vocation
- you're wondering how a disciple of Jesus Christ engages with people from other faith traditions and cultures in a way that allows for mutual learning, respect and fellowship
- you want to know what the Christian faith has to say about issues of politics, social justice and ethics
- you want to read the Bible in a way that is real, informs your faith and engages with the issues you're struggling with
- you want to speak about God with integrity in our secularised society
In addition
- You can be involved with a church in the wider Armidale community rather than worshipping on campus (transport can be arranged)
- The Uniting Church provides opportunities to become involved in a range of practical activities including the LIFT programme (visiting church communities in Asia and the Pacific), Cross-cultural consultations and About FACE (opportunities to spend time in indigenous communities)
- Judy has particular interest and expertise in: the internet and how faith is presented on the Web; Christian ethics, especially bioethics; ecotheology; the place of women in the church (how surprising!); interfaith relationships; the interface between faith, science and technology
- Judy has training and/or experience in working with international students including people who practise religions other than Christianity; mature age students; victim/survivors of sexual assault
- She has some experience in common with external students, having completed a Theol M Qual thesis as a part time external student whilst working full time. She is currently enrolled in a PhD part time.
To find out more about the Uniting Church and about Judy's particular background and experience, or simply to have a chat, drop in and see her in the Old Lodge (attached to the International Precinct building E21 - see left for identifying features), phone her on 02 6773 3739 or email her. If you want to make sure she will be there when you call, make an appointment first.