Background of New Common Grace Creation and Climate Justice Coordinator 

from a Uniting Church Perspective

As followers of Christ, we are called to care for Creation, and we have been living out this mission for many years. 

In 2013, the "Uniting Earth Ministry" was set up by enthusiastic Uniting Church members, the Mid-North Coast Presbytery, and the Synod to build capacity in the Uniting Church in NSW/ACT in relation to environmental and ecological matters. Two paid positions supported this work centering on discipleship, theological insights, and the gospel, and acting as advocates on both broad and local issues. Initially funded by Uniting Mission and Education, the positions were later moved to Uniting, seeing a greater focus on advocacy.

In 2019, the youth rallied behind this movement when Christian Students Uniting mobilised over 350 members and affiliates of the Uniting Church to the September 20 Global Climate Strike. The professional advocates played a key role in supporting this action.

Unfortunately, due to financial pressures from COVID-19 and changes in aged care, in 2020 Uniting had to make more than 50 non-direct service staff redundant. Four positions in the Advocacy team were lost, including the Uniting Earth roles. Uniting continues to campaign strongly on climate change but CSU believes there is a need for a more theologically focussed climate Ministry.

In response, everyday members of the Uniting Church, alongside Common Grace's ecumenical community, decided to take action and start a grassroots campaign to fund a Creation and Climate Justice Coordinator role, working across the Christian churches. We invite you to join us on this journey and donate if you are able so that we can recentre our increasingly important calling to care for Creation, pursue climate justice and build a movement across the Christian communities in these lands now called Australia.

Click here to donate, any amount great or small is graciously appreciated: https://bit.ly/CSU_DONATE_CLIMATE