Brunswick Churches Climate Action Group
‘The destruction of the planet has begun through our over-exploitation of our lands and seas. These are not times for blame and accusation. There is a task ahead of all of us to address the outcomes of our avarice and sloth.’ Patrick Dodson, Yawuru man

On Saturday 30th July, 2022 representatives of some of the churches of Brunswick met for the first time at the Brunswick Uniting Church on Sydney Road. It was agreed that our initial purpose is to inform the faith community and the wider local community about COP27 and encourage the Australian Government to commit to bold action to prevent global warming.
The Conference of Parties 27(COP27) will be held in Egypt from 6th -18th November, 2022. Representatives from over 40 countries will work to implement the Paris Agreement i.e. to limit the increase of the global temperature to 1.5 degC and ensure global temperature does not exceed 2 degC.

In support of COP27 and in the spirit of acknowledging the need to heal and nurture our common home the Brunswick Churches Climate Action Group warmly invite you to join us at the following events.
1. Thursday 6th October: Gathering at Brunswick Uniting Church, 210 Sydney Road, Brunswick Meet from 6 pm to 7 pm for quiet reflection.  There will be times of silence, some readings, prayer and some singing.
2. Thursday 13th October: A Multi-Faith Service at St Paul’s Cathedral at 5pm
3. Friday 21st October: Gathering at Brunswick Uniting Church, 210 Sydney Road Brunswick. Meet from 6 pm to 7 pm for quiet reflection
4. Friday 28th October: Gathering at St Ambrose’s Church 287 Sydney Road Brunswick. Meet from 6pm-7pm for quiet reflection


Climate Futures Summit
From COP26 in Glasgow, through catastrophic weather events, to damning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports, climate has remained an unrelenting, urgent subject over the past year. Continuing research insights and the absence of effective climate policy paint a dire picture of what our climate future might be. But there is also momentum for change. Researchers continue to innovate and develop new ideas, and we have seen industry and local communities taking real action.

The inaugural Climate Futures Summit is an opportunity to work together, share ideas and continue to make strides towards change. Melbourne Climate Futures will bring the breadth of University of Melbourne research together with voices from policy, industry, Indigenous people, and youth that make up our rich community.Speakers include:

  • Henry Puna, Pacific Island Forum Secretary General and former Cook Islands Prime Minister
  • Ross Garnaut, Economist and Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow, University of Melbourne
  • Karina Gistelinck, Vice President of Strategy, BHP
  • Karrina Nolan, Executive Director, Original Power
  • And more than 20 others.

Join this free, one-day hybrid event on Thursday 6th October September 9.00am – 4.30pm to share ideas and collaborate, so that we can bring about a positive climate future. Registrants attending in person will receive lunch and refreshments and have the opportunity to participate in interactive side events between forum sessions. It is not too late to register here for online attendance.


Faiths 4 Climate Justice Australia
ARRCC will be holding a day of action on Thursday, 13th October including the publication of an open letter and the multi-faith services. In Melbourne, there will be a multi-faith service at St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne at 5.10pm.
Join with people of all faiths both in Australia and around the Pacific to show solidarity with those suffering because of humanity’s addiction to fossil fuels. We will show the strength of grassroots support for an open letter to Prime Minister Albanese, signed by senior faith leaders in Australia and the Pacific. It will call on the Australian Government to:

  • stop approving new coal and gas projects
  • End public subsidies for coal and gas projects
  • Fully respect First Nations peoples’ rights to protect Country
  • Actively participate in creating a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to phase out fossil fuels
  • support a just transition
  • Re-start contributions to the United Nations Green Climate Fund.

Like many people who care about the climate, people of faith are excited by the potential of this new government to take Australia in a different direction. Yet they also need encouragement to go further.
More information can be found here: https://www.arrcc.org.au/f4cj2022


Contemplative Tuesdays for climate justice – today!
There are now 5 weeks until November 7th, the start of COP27. A multi-faith group meets weekly at 11 – 11.30 am AEST on Tuesdays, to pray and meditate for an outcome of COP27 that brings us much closer to climate justice. See more here, including the link to join.
This is an open group and would warmly welcome anyone who would like to meditate in silence with like-minded supporters of climate justice.


BUC Climate Action group
The meeting of the BUC Climate Action group scheduled for Sunday 2 October has been postponed.


Expression of Interest for CoPower Board
The Synod is seeking expressions of interest from any interested members of the Uniting Church to represent the Synod of the board of CoPower. CoPower is a not-for-profit cooperative that has a focus on the transition away from fossil fuels and using the funds it generates to fund human rights and social justice projects. CoPower’s first service is offering retail electricity with their product partner Energy Locals.

The Synod was recently accepted as a member organisation of CoPower. The Synod has a place on the board of CoPower as part of its efforts to address its own greenhouse gas emissions.

Anyone interested in representing the Synod on the board of CoPower should send through an expression of interest by Monday 28 November to mark.zirnsak@victas.uca.org.au. Please also contact Mark if you have any questions about the role.

The expression of interest should outline why you wish to represent the Synod on the board of CoPower and any relevant experience. Previous experience on a board or as a director of a corporate entity is an advantage. You should also outline any experience they have in the electricity industry or with renewable energy generation.