Did You Reduce Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions in September?
Did you choose one or two of the suggestions below for the whole month of September.
- Choose not to buy products in plastic wrapping/bags. Use recyclable bags.
- Halve the time of your daily shower during September.
- Choose to walk or using public transport instead of your car at least once a week during September
- Talk with at least one person each week about the need to phase out Fossil Fuels.
- Investigate changing one appliance in your home to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (for example investigate your hot water, house heating, stove/oven, car, lighting)
- Have at least one meat-free day each week during September
- An action of your choice
Now is the time to write a short story about what you did and send it to Richard Arnold richarn50@gmail.com We will combine all the stories and share these with the congregation.
Prayers and meditation for successful negotiations at COP31
From UCA National Update
11am Friday 2 October
Uniting Church members are invited to join people of faith across Australia, the Pacific and Asia in prayer and meditation for the Earth and for successful negotiations at COP31.
The online gatherings, initiated by Bishop Philip Huggins and supported by Australia’s Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) and other interfaith organisations, will bring together Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Baha’i, Jewish, Sikh and other faith leaders.
Thirty-minute gatherings will be held on Fridays from 2 October to 6 November, ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9–20 November. During COP31, prayers and meditations will be held every day from Monday 9 to Friday 20 November.
Participants will share a short reflection followed by 20 minutes of silent meditation, each according to their own tradition.
Many Faiths, One Planet
Together Caring for our Common Home
From Just Update UCA, News from the Justice and International Mission Cluster
Join us at The Multicultural Hub in Melbourne for this 1-day conference celebrating how the living world brings us to together in Faith, and in care. Hosted by The Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA) and the Faith Ecology Network (FEN).
The full conference program is available at: www.faithecology.net.au
Date: Saturday 3rd October 2026
Time: 8:30am – 5:00pm AEST
Cost: $140 Waged,
$95 Concession/Unwaged/Student
Children under 18 Free
Location: Melbourne Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
The Multicultural Hub is an accessible venue
Registrations: Here
The Earth is crying out to us. We read reports of species becoming extinct and ecosystems under attack. It is easy to lose hope when confronted by the Biodiversity crisis before us. And none of us can face the challenges alone.
In October, people from diverse faith groups, cultures and ecological sciences will meet in Melbourne to hear the cry of the Earth. We will listen, learn, reflect and grow in ecological consciousness together.
We come together because Australia’s unique biodiversity matters. Together we will discover ways people of faith and the sciences collaborate to protect species and ecosystems before they disappear.
Download the conference flyer to share: Here
Rising Tide in Victoria gathering
From Rising Tide
A lot is going on for Rising Tide in Victoria. In Naarm and in our hublets across Vic, we have been taking action to stop ANZ from opening up fracking in the Beetaloo Basin. People have stepped up into new roles and new challenges, old hands have been sharing their expertise, and energy is building.
At our Commonground Retreat, we will figure out what to do with all that energy. Commonground is near Seymour, an hour from Naarm/Melbourne, on Taungurung Country. This retreat could be transformative. We will make plenty of time to get to know each other, connect, and enjoy 95 acres of regenerated bushland. We will share skills and train each other up to shut down the fossil fuel industry. We will share meals and make plans for building our power in hubs and hublets across Victoria.
This retreat is for everyone – from core organisers to those who haven’t quite been able to get along to an event yet.
October 2 at 6pm – October 4
Register HERE
High Life Expo – Sustainability Expo back in 2026!
From High Life Living and Zero-carbon Merri-bek
Saturday 3 October 2026, 10am – 3pm
Melbourne Town Hall
Free Entry – Bookings Essential
Book Your Free Ticket HERE Now
Apartment Owners · Renters · Owners corporation managers · Facility managers: this one’s for you.
Whatever you’re trying to solve in your apartment or building — energy bills, EV charging, safety, financing or governance headaches — you’ll find practical answers and the support you need.
Talk to experts, meet reliable suppliers, and compare notes with people who get it.
What’s On?
Six expert seminars with Q&A covering topics like energy, sustainability, resilience and governance.
A huge Suppliers Showcase, where you can meet:
- Trusted suppliers and installers of energy and sustainability products
- Owners corporation service providers
- Specialists in government rebates, funding and project finance
- State and local government representatives
- Community organisations and groups
Pick the topics that matter to you:
- EV charging
- Solar and batteries
- Waste, recycling and circular economy solutions
- All-electric upgrades
- Safety and security
- Wellbeing and comfort
- Gardening and greening
- Community connection and resilience
- Governance, decision-making and project management
- Rebates and finance
- and more!
Stand with our Pacific Neighbours
ARRCC Day of Action – Melbourne
Join ARRCC at 10am on Tuesday, 6th October, as faith communities across Australia gather together for a major national moment of public action, standing with our Pacific neighbours.
Climate impacts are affecting our neighbours in the Pacific. The main cause is burning coal, oil, and gas. On Tuesday 6th October a national day of action across Australia will see people of faith, standing together with our Pacific neighbours, calling for a Fossil Fuel Treaty.
We are hosting highly visible gatherings and giant banners at significant places of worship and other locations in cities across Australia.
In Melbourne we will be gathering at 10am at St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins St, Melbourne.
Send a powerful message to our Pacific neighbours, the media and political leaders by joining with us and sharing this event widely!
For more information go to www.arrcc.org.au/fossil_fuel_treaty and show your interest in going on Facebook.
Artificial Intelligence and Data Centres
Are you concerned “that any data centre construction in Australia does not result in an increase in Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions or delay plans to reach net-zero emissions” and “that any cooling needs for data centres do not negatively impact other people who need the same water source”?
Read the Submission from the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, Uniting Church in Australia, to the inquiry into Artificial Intelligence and Data Centres, 1 September 2026.
Watch World Council of Churches video on Counting the Ecological Cost of AI – Data Centres, Water, Energy, and Critical Mineral Extraction, 18 September 2026.
Write to the Prime Minister Letter-writing action on data centres August 2026.
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