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NOW LISTING EVENTS FOR 2009/2010!

22nd JUNE-JULY 3rd - VICTORIA: 'UNDERSTANDING INTEGRAL MISSION' TWO WEEK INTENSIVE STUDY

To be held at the TEAR Education Centre, 1/4 Solwood Lane, Melbourne, this is an in-depth study of issues of poverty and development. Selected Biblical texts on the themes of poverty, wealth, justice and compassion will provide a framework within which we will explore Christian responses to the needs of marginalised people in a globalised world. We will examine the situations of the global poor, refugees and asylum seekers, as well as the themes of power, trade, debt, gender, advocacy and the role of NGOs.There will be a focus on the potential of the church as an agent of transformation, using the Micah Challenge campaign as an example. The course will be facilitated by Steve Bradbury (chairman of the Micah Network and Micah Challenge International), with support from Deborah Storie (TEAR Australia), Siu Fung Wu (World Vision) and others. Priced at $350 for those simply doing it for interest; can also be completed as part of an undergraduate course. For more details, see https://www.tear.org.au/education/further-education/

4th JULY - VICTORIA: 'A BETTER DAY' COMMUNITY CONCERT

To be held at the Kinglake Marquee, in Kinglake, from 3pm to 8pm, this community concert will feature acts including Colin Buchana, Roma Waterman, the Melbourne Gospel Kids Choir and Melbourne Gospel Choir, and Carter and Carter.

4th-9th JULY - QUEENSLAND: FIVE NIGHT FATHER-SON ADVENTURE

How does a boy become a man? He requires a process of initiation that can only be imparted within a community of men that involves testing and challenging, strength and determination, calling forth daring and courage. Fathering Adventures is offering a five night 'Father-Son Adventure' which features professionally-guided outdoor adventures such as white-water rafting, snorkelling on the outer Great Barrier Reef by day and, at night, multimedia presentations and small group interaction on topics such as “Authentic Manhood versus Conventional Manhood” followed by time relaxing around the fire sharing stories of the day's adventures. Minimum age is 13 with a maximum of 12 father and son pairs. Mature sons and their fathers are welcomed. Visit the website at www.fatheringadventures.com.au for further details.

16th JULY AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR - VICTORIA: ANGLICARE VICTORIA FOSTERCARE INFORMATION NIGHTS
If you’ve ever thought about fostering, volunteering to help a child or young person in need, or just want to make a difference, then why not come along and learn about our foster care programs? Anglicare Victoria provides foster care for children and young people aged 0-18, including respite care, support and foster care for children and young people with various special needs. Anyone is welcome to attend any of these sessions. Please call Josh on 1300 889 335 for more details. Our dates for 2009 are:
• 16th July, 7.30pm (Anglicare Knox, 666 Mountain Highway, Bayswater);
• 5th August, 7.30pm (South Warrandyte Hall, 66-68 Hall Road, Warrandyte South);
• 7th August, 7.30pm (Kew Library - Phyllis Hore Room, corner of Cotham Road & Civic Drive, Kew);
• 8th October, 7.30pm (Anglicare Yarra Ranges, 47-51 Castella Street, Lilydale);
• 11th November, 7.30pm (Anglicare Box Hill, 7-11 Shipley Street, Box Hill).

20th JULY - 26th OCTOBER - VICTORIA: JUSTICE, POVERTY & DEVELOPMENT COURSE

To be held Monday evenings from 6.30pm to 9.45pm at Harvest Bible College, 307 Gladstone Road, Dandenong North. In conjunction with World Vision, lecturers include: Amdrew Newmarch (World Vision); Ash Barker (Urban Neighbours of Hope, Bangkok); Ashley Goode (World Vision); Dr Brett Paris (World Vision); Dr Deborah Storie (TEAR Australia); Fiona McLeay (World Vision); Gilbert Kamanga (World Vision); and, Ian Grant (Harvest Bible College). Priced at $215 (not for credit/assignment free); $890 (as Bachelor of Arts unit); $935 (as Graduate Certificate (Theology) unit/Graduate Diploma (Theology) unit). To register or for more information, phone (03) 8791 5200 or see www.harvestbc.com.au.

25th AUGUST - THANKS DAD PHOTO COMPETITION CLOSES

We all have some great pictures that have captured a special moment between a child and a special man in their lives. They could be their dad, granddad, uncle foster dad or even older brother! These are the type of pictures that make up our Thanks Dad National Exhibition and, without pictures like yours being contributed we couldn’t run this wonderful exhibition of these moments. The Thanks Dad Photo Competition is on again and closes on August 25th. All entries into this competition will go onto our website and become part of our National Exhibition for 2010 that will tour the country for people to enjoy. Be part of this exhibition that helps encourage more men to spend quality time with their children. The competition is not judged on technical quality – rather on capturing that special moment between the child and the man in their life. We also encourage Primary and Secondary age children to enter a photo of a young person with their favourite older man or they could also to enter a story (250 words or less) about the day or moment in their photo. There is a separate prize for this section. Your entries can be emailed to us at tdpcoord@communityconnections.org.au or mailed to us at Thanks Dad, PO Box 1005, Lismore, 2480. Entry forms can be downloaded from our website at www.thanksdadphotos.org.au or call us on (02) 6622 3143 and we can send you one out.

11th SEPTEMBER - VICTORIA: THEOLOGICAL FORUM: WHAT PART DOES SOCIAL JUSTICE PLAY IN THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH?

To be held from 10:00am to 12:30pm at Tabor College, 222 Oban Road, Ringwood North, Victoria.  There has been a growing interest among Australian churches in social justice and poverty alleviation. But there seems to be a diverse theological understanding of what justice means, what it "looks like" in practice, and what relationship it has with the church's mission. The forum seeks to encourage conversations among Christian thinkers and pastors, so that there can be greater clarity on the topic. Speakers include Deborah Storie (deputy chair of the TEAR Australia board); Michael Raiter (principal of the Bible College of Victoria); and Steve Bradbury (director of the Micah 6:8 Centre, Tabor College). Free admission. For further Information, phone Siu Fung Wu on (03) 9287 2331 or email siufung.wu@worldvision.com.au.

1st DECEMBER - WORLD AIDS DAY

Visit www.worldaidsday.org.au for more information.

25th DECEMBER - CHRISTMAS