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Articles about "Rural Matters"
Ross Neville, Rural Consultant with the Board of Mission, writes about the new Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance, a collaboration which works towards a food system where people have the opportunity to choose, create and manage their food supply from paddock to plate. He discusses the global and Australian context and why food sovereignty is needed, and encourages the church to get involved. more
Ross Neville from the Board of Mission and Miriam Pepper from South Sydney Uniting Church explore the global challenge of world hunger, developments in sustainable farming, and the importance of small farmers and consumers for driving change. The church, they argue, has an important role to play. A version of this article first appeared in Insights, November 2010. www.insights.uca.org.au. more
Ross Neville, the Evangelism, Mission and New Congregations Consultant with the Board of Mission, reports on the 4th quadrennial conference of the International Rural Christian Association (IRCA). The IRCA met in September 2010 in to discuss the IAASTD report to the United Nations entitled “Agriculture at a Crossroads”. more
"Abundance in the Bush" is a collection of 31 devotions written by Linda Watt of Mary Valley Uniting Church Qld, based on life in the Australian bush which will stir, encourage and refresh anyone who is ‘country at heart’. more
A small ecumenical group, including members of Uniting Earthweb, spent some days together in early May in “ecological learning” in central western NSW. This included participation in an event on “Caring for Creation” organised by the Sisters of Mercy in Bathurst. Following that, we the group visit four Christian farmers, and learned about stewardship of the land in farming, and the various issues facing people in rural and regional areas. This article is a report on the experience. more
Files related to "Rural Matters"
The first in a series of devotional studies, discussions, and sermon background materials that brings a 21st century rural perspective to Jesus’ parables. The first in this series is related to Jesus’ teaching about cropping, and features 14 short story explanations. Written by Ross Neville, Uniting Church Consultant for Rural Mission and Evangelism in NSW.
The second in a series of devotional studies, discussions, and sermon background material that brings a 21st century rural perspective Jesus’ parables. This resource has eight short story explanations under the heading "garden parables", where Jesus likens us to trees, vines, fruit producing trees and fig trees. Written by Ross Neville, Uniting Church Consultant for Rural Mission and Evangelism in NSW.
The third in a series of devotional studies, discussions, and sermon background materials that brings a 21st century rural perspective to Jesus’ parables. This third resource is entitled "Weeds and Harvest". Written by Ross Neville, Uniting Church Consultant for Rural Mission and Evangelism in NSW.
"Abundance in the Bush" is a collection of 31 devotions based on life in the Australian bush which will stir, encourage and refresh anyone who is ‘country at heart’. Written by Linda Watt, of Mary Valley Uniting Church.
Would people from your church or faith community like to comment or study some of the issues about the future use of water in Australia? Material for information and discussion about the Murray Darling Basin Plan has been prepared by Ross Neville, Julie Greig and Kel Hodge from the Board of Mission. The purpose of the material is to: · Inform people about what has happened. · Invite more people within the Uniting Church to comment about the issues. Ross, Julie and Kel would like to hear the opinions of your group so that they can prepare a comprehensive follow up response to the government enquiry into the Murray Darling Basin plan.
Board of Mission staff Ross Neville (Rural Evangelism and Mission Consultant), Kel Hodge (Rural Chaplain) and Julie Greig (Rural Chaplain) appeared before the Windsor Inquiry into the Murray Darling Basin Plan in March. Ross, Kel and Julie have now made a follow-up submission, drawing upon discussions held at more than a dozen locations across the Synod. Their submission makes the following recommendations for the Murray Darling Basin Plan process: - Change needs to be with real consultation and include local wisdom - There needs to be a consensual process to help communities find new ways of being - There has to be long term certainty for those using the water including irrigators and communities - The whole Australian community, and not just those living in the basin area, needs to share “the pain” of fixing the problem - Australia needs a long term food policy
Web links to sites about "Rural Matters"
http://nsw.uca.org.au/bom/ruralmission/twinning.htm
An initiative of the Board of Mission's Rural Mission and Evangelism project that brings together rural and urban congregations.
http://www.irca.is/index.htm
IRCA is a network of people with a passion for rural communities based on their passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The IRCA community shares stories of struggle and hope, joined by reliance on the land and by determination and hope based on faith in God.
http://www.viacampesina.org
An international movement of peasants, small- and medium-sized producers, landless, rural women, indigenous people, rural youth and agricultural workers.
http://nsw.uca.org.au/bom/RM_contact.html
The Board of Mission's Rural Mission and Evangelism initiative. Includes an event listing and reports on events such as the International Christian Rural Association, and information about rural/urban twinning.
http://www.rural-theology.org.uk/
A UK-based association which aims to develop theology in a rural setting; raise awareness of the nature of rural ministry, worship and mission; and discover ways of living in the countryside which embodies a Christian response to the world.