Supporting SS4C
Why is the Uniting Church supporting the School Strike 4 Climate movement?
Uniting Church members are invited to a stimulating webinar aimed at shedding light on this question.
Over the last two years, hundreds of Uniting Church members have supported actions by the School Strike 4 Climate (SS4C) movement, calling for stronger action on climate change in Australia. They have made supportive signs (#BuildOurFutureNotGas), posted messages on social media, and stood with and marched alongside students when COVID restrictions allowed and joined them on-line when they did not. Congregations have acted as well, hanging banners with messages like Act on Climate! Leave No One Behind, using church noticeboards to create their own messages and integrating themes of creation care into worship. Standing with students in these ways is consistent with the commitment of our Synod’s Climate Action Strategy, created by a Synod resolution in July 2019. Part of that resolution read:
That the Synod:
- Support initiatives taken by young people in advocating for action on climate change, including the global climate strikes.
But other Uniting members and those in the wider church community might have wondered what all the fuss was about. Others may have disagreed with the idea of a school strike. After all, shouldn’t students be in school rather than taking to the streets in protest! Why are they so worked-up on this issue anyway?
Now a special webinar, hosted by well-known broadcaster and journalist Julie McCrossin, will explore why our church has taken this sometimes controversial position. In her lively and engaging style, Julie will interview some key players, across the diversity of the Uniting Church. They include our Moderator, a Headmaster of a UCA school, members of Christian Students Uniting and other adult supporters, representatives of our First Nations and Pasifika communities and most importantly, students from both UCA and public schools directly involved in the SS4C movement.
We’ll hear about the different reasons they have for supporting the student’s call for stronger action on climate, how their faith and personal values have led them to be involved in this movement and what they are hoping to achieve by adding their voice in support.
Whatever your views on the questions involved, don’t miss this stimulating, informative and engaging evening, Wednesday October 6, 7.15 pm – 8.30 pm. You can register for the event here.
If you would like more information, or have any questions, please contact Jon O’Brien on 0477 725 528 or joobrien@uniting.org
Remember you can keep in touch with PULSE by signing up for our monthly newsletter, or for further information contact our team via email, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok.
Ofa Foiakau is the Field Officer (Central/West) and Youth/High School ministry lead as a part of the PULSE team.
