Justice and the Environment
The fact that a site is listed here does not necessarily mean that I agree with what is presented in it or that it represents an official position of the Uniting Church in Australia unless it is an official UCA site.
Please also note that the two UCA justice sites have a large number of links to all sorts of issues encompassing social justice and the environment, so I have seen no need to replicate them here.
Two significant sites of groups working for justice that have appeared in the last year or two are Make Poverty History and Micah Challenge
Pages with a general justice focus
See also the peace page - peace and justice are inextricably linked, at least IMHO!
Lent Event - a program of the Uniting Church, based in Sydney. This program encourages people to give up something for Lent and donate the money saved to help people in developing countries through Uniting Church Overseas Aid. It also provides a set of four Bible Studies written by Rev Graeme Gardiner of West Epping Uniting Church and based on the Revised Common Lectionary. They encourage us to examine our lifestyles in the light of the Gospel.
Centre for an Ethical Society - launched in November 2006, the objective of the CES is to promote Christian Social Justice within Australia's democratic traditions and to cooperate in the development of a more just and compassionate Australia. It is supported by the Anglican, Catholic and Uniting Churches in Australia.
How Can We Create a Just Society? - Do the scriptures have anything to say to the dilemmas of justice and injustice that confront individuals and communities in real life? Fr Frank Turner, SJ, currently Assistant General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, introduces us to a range of the justice issues that confront ordinary people. In each case he turns to the Scriptures for guidance. The resulting social theology is a testament to the relevance and significance of the Scriptures to the demands of modern life.
Australian Diversity - A summary of the 2001 Australian census figures
So Who is in Your Community? - A guide to finding more specific demographic figures for Australian communities
Face the Facts - Questions and answers about refugees, immigration and indigenous affairs produced by the Acting Federal Race Discrimination Commissioner 2001
Indigenous Facts - some facts about Australian indigenous peoples and their spirituality, with some suggestions for further reading
Issues Relating to Migrants and Immigration - Just what it says - Australian facts and figures
Looking at Issues of Prejudice and Racial Justice - A bible study resource designed with young people in mind
Sojouners Home Page - A Christian magazine with a specific emphasis on sustainable life-style and social justice issues
UCA National Social Responsibility and Justice Home Page - Home page of the Uniting Church in Australia's national social justice unit - has lots of resources for worship amongst other things
UCA Unity and Mission - an agency of the Uniting Church that focuses on relationship with other churches and how we can be partners with churches in other countries. Contains info on international human rights and East Timor
Reconciliation and Social Justice Project - a project to promote reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians
Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation - fairly self-explanatory, I think.
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance - as well has having information on various faith groups, it also has articles on issues like terrorism
Uniya Jesuit Social Justice Centre - based in Sydney, with lots of useful information, especially at the moment about refugee issues
Fair Wear and Fair Wear on the Web - two websites with information about the campaign to stop the exploitation of outworkers in the Australian Clothing Industry
Web-based worship resources - contemporary worship resources with social justice material
TEAR Fund - Christian action with the world's poor
Environment-specific pages
A church going "green" - a page of links to "green" church initiatives from the Uniting Church Synod of NSW. Includes information about "green" energy, a book, information about what one congregation has done, a "green" hymn and more.
UCA Earth Team - based in Melbourne, a group committed to environmental justice. Links, and an e-group to join.
Web of Creation - the subtitle of this site is 'transforming faith-based communities for a sustainable world - wide range of personal, church and community resources.
Earth Ministry USA - more resources for churches and individuals of faith who are concerned about our environment - ecumenical.
Earth Ministry Australia - an activity of the Sydney North Presbytery of the Uniting Church in Australia, supported by the Enistone East congregation and the Uniting Church chaplain to Macquarie University.