What is About Face?
About FACE stands for Faith And Cultural Exchange and has been an activity of the National Uniting Church in Australia since 1984. It is open to anyone over 18 years of age to attend and the next program will take place from 3rd – 20th January, 2018. About FACE involves briefing, time living in Congress Aboriginal communities, participating in the UAICC National Conference; and debriefing.
The program aims to create an ‘about face’ in the attitudes and lifestyles of participants, and to build relationships and bridges of understanding. About FACE is not simply an event for an individual, but is a shared experience with congregations and communities. It is a program run in partnership with the National Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC/Congress).
The About FACE program celebrates the Covenant relationship between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, and encourages participants and those supporting them to be actively involved in Covenanting and working together for reconciliation in our Uniting Church and in their wider communities.
The Partners
About FACE has a strong focus on working collaboratively with all partners to ensure that the program is beneficial for everyone involved, from host communities to participants.
About FACE host communities are identified by the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC/Congress) to strengthen and build upon the already existing relationships with the Uniting Church.
The groups involved in organising this project come from across the life of the Uniting Church in Australia and include:
- Justice and International Mission Unit (JIM) – Commission for Mission, Synod of Victoria & Tasmania. The JIM unit exists to support individuals and congregations in the Vic/Tas Synod to work towards social justice. The Unit provides resources and education on a wide range of international, national and local justice and human rights issues.
- Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress – is the Aboriginal and Islander arm of the Uniting Church. Congress has members throughout all of Australia and are involved in various forms of mission and outreach in urban and rural settings. Congress is committed to supporting young non-indigenous Australians in their journeys of reconciliation and covenanting.
- Uniting Church in Australia Assembly – the UCA Assembly is the national council of the Uniting Church in Australia and has responsibility in matters of doctrine, worship, government and discipline which sets national policy and promotes the Church’s mission in the world.of the church.
- UCA National Assembly Formation, Education and Discipleship Working Group (FEDWG) – is the Christian Education and Faith Formation Unit of the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia.
For more information on About Face visit the website.
