Hope in Action e-conference

The Earth has received a very bad prognosis. Take Climate Change: Is it happening? Is it us? Is it bad? Can we do anything about it? YES to all. Will we face the awful truth, face the pain of the world, and act? Grief is a normal, healthy response to a world in trauma. What difference does following Jesus make? The power of lament. Honest grief. Godly sorrow. How to avoid hope becoming a dangerous delusion.

Leaders from Groundswell Gloucester, which by relentlessly holding AGL and the Government to account, saved their town from CSG. This frank interview is a must see for a behind the scenes look at this successful campaign, including how faith and action interrelated for the Christians in the group, and the core motivation for action.

When it came to fossil fuel divestment, churches were clear leaders. What happened, and how can you and your church get on board? - Why is divestment important? - What role have religious organisations played? Especially in Australia. - What advocates in this space have learned.

God calls us into a relationship of mutuality and interdependence with the rest of Creation Deidre shares examples of the Uniting Church pursuing the coming reconciliation and renewal of the whole creation, including the challenge from Australia's First People to listen to the Earth and follow a new path of reconciliation and healing.

Is there any hope to be drawn from what churchgoers say about the environment, and what they actually do about environmental issues? How have things changed in churches between 2011 and 2016?

A short introduction to some of the amazing things Australian churches are doing to care for God's Creation.

John Brentnall challenges all Christians to be environmental activists, drawing on his experience on the frontline attempting to protect Maules Creek from coal mining. He also explores where to find hope when a campaign fails.

Where do we find hope in the Anthropocene? David argues that hope without works is actually hopeless. Christian hope rests on the goodness of creation and God's plan for redemption. David summarises Christianity as, "A good God created a good world, which was corrupted by evil. But God has a plan, already begun in Jesus on the cross and resurrection."

For Thea, hope comes from taking action alongside others. It is the living out of our values. Action cures despair. Anger spawns hope. Transformation causes conflict. We follow Jesus by both "retreating" and taking action

Claire Dawson put her hopes into action, by co-founding a cooperative living project, where sustainable living can be tackled communally. She discusses the community values: Community; Simplicity/Generosity/Justice; Sustainability; Discipleship

Andrew is a Uniting Church minister, who as part of his ministry joined the board of the Queensland Community Alliance. The Synod, and some presbyteries and congregations have joined the movement as a way of collaborating with their communities to address common issues. Andrew's initial skepticism has been replaced by hope as positive outcomes have been achieved.

Rev Alex Sangster participates in non violent direction action for climate action, and asylum seekers. Jesus is her model for NDVA. She argues that it is important for Christians to be visibly seen at events, and if people can't participate, they can support those who can. To follow Jesus means taking action, and taking action with others increases hope. Seeing what others are doing combats despair. Despite our poor image, people are grateful for the church's presence.

Australian Religious Response to Climate Change at Maules Creek What an amazing and brave action by ARRCC, who took non-violent direct action by locking themselves to a cross to stop heavy mining vehicles from entering Maules Creek. #leardblockade

For the hope in action e-conference Sep 23 & 25th 2018. http://unitingearthweb.org.au/32-news/events/202-2018hope-in-action.html (there is also an abridged version in the playlist) Where do we find hope in the Anthropocene? A community garden as hope in action. Good ecotheology needs good ecopractice. "Hope without works is hopeless" Critiquing the myth of progress, and the platonic dismissal of matter Christian hope rests on the goodness of creation, the nature of evil, and God's plan for redemption. Christanity in a sentence: "A good God created a good world, which was corrupted by evil. But God has a plan, already begun in Jesus on the cross and resurrection."