fbpx
1800 998 122Contact
DONATE

Everything in Common Tag

by
Blogs
November 19, 2024

The message of Christ’s birth is as radical today as it was more than two thousand years ago.

Born in humble circumstances, the Son of God came to embody hope for the poor, the oppressed and the forgotten. As I reflect on this journey, having just returned from Indonesia where I witnessed the harsh realities of climate change, poverty and inequality, I was reminded that the birth of Christ is not just a past event but an ongoing story—a living invitation to all of us to join in God’s mission of transformation.

During my recent trip, I met with church leaders from West Papua, Bali, and West Timor. Together, we wrestled with how climate change is impacting the poorest and most vulnerable. Rising sea levels, deforestation and natural disasters are not just statistics—they are the lived reality of many communities. Yet, amidst this, the church stands as a beacon of hope. I saw firsthand how local wisdom and theological reflection converge in the church’s response to these crises.

Local wisdom has always been the foundation of how communities respond to challenges. In Minahasa, a tradition of togetherness and mutual cooperation known as Mapalus came from small farming cooperatives who understood that collaboration and teamwork is vital to sustaining the community and environment around it. In Bali, the Subak philosophy arose as a system of equitably sharing water across separate but interconnected rice farms. In Sentani, West Papua, the Fira Wali encourages the responsible use of natural resources like the sago tree, reminding the people to live in harmony with creation.

Each of these ideas began as an agricultural technique and then expanded to become a greater understanding of the interconnectedness between humans, the land and the spiritual world. A way of life that honours God’s creation and cares for the community.

It made me consider: is there a way of life that flows from the nativity story?

The nativity is a story of God’s solidarity with the marginalised. When we look at the manger, we see the Son of God who does not remain distant but enters the world in vulnerability. The shepherds, considered outsiders, were invited to be among the first to hear the good news. Wise magi, strangers to the people of Bethlehem, travelled from far away to show honour and offer extravagant gifts.

Christ’s birth and the life he went on to live should challenge our understanding of power and vulnerability. In following Christ, we come alongside the lives of others exactly where they are—equal in vulnerability—and we offer love, hope and renewal.

That is our story. And it is one that Christ is always calling us to join.

During my time in Indonesia, I saw so many of our inspiring and formidable church partners answering Christ’s call and working for justice, inclusion and care for the most vulnerable in their communities. I saw communities that are completely exposed to the next extreme weather event, the next economic shock, the next food security crisis. As climate change, deforestation and other environmental injustices make life harder for the poor, communities are crying out for justice.

Here in Australia, we can help. This Christmas, as we gather in churches and homes, let us remember that the nativity is not a static story. It is an active call to love, serve and transform. The child born in a manger invites us into a life of compassion, urging us to take part in God’s mission for the world.

UnitingWorld’s Everything in Common Gift Catalogue gives us a tangible way to participate in this ongoing story. Everything in Common invites us to give each other gifts that are expressions of God’s love for our neighbours—clean water, education, sustainable agriculture, leadership opportunities for women in the church, and more.

It’s named after the Christian community described in Acts 22: 44-45 who responded to the message of Christ with lives of radical generosity:

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”

Giving gifts in solidarity with our global neighbours is a continuation of the nativity, where God’s love broke into the world through humble and transformative means.

For Christians the nativity is more than a story. It’s a way of life.

– Apwee Ting

(Article originally published in Revive)

Header photo of rice fields in Bali by Marcus Campbell

, , ,

by
Blogs, Campaigns
November 13, 2024

We all like to say Christmas isn’t about the presents—and we mean it. 

Ask around. It’s about family and friends, neighbourhoods alive with connection, and intergenerational debates over the holiday playlist (Taylor Swift or Mariah Carey? Elvis or Bing Crosby?). 

It’s a time to reflect on the gift of God’s grace, to be present with those we love, and to share kindness and gratitude. And yes, we give presents! But there’s a downside… 

Each year, Christmas fuels a massive surge in global consumption, and our planet is paying the price. We buy more, travel more, and produce nearly 30% more waste than at any other time of the year.  

The maddening part? A lot of what we give isn’t even wanted! (an estimated $921 million-worth in Australia each year!*) 

Polling by the Australia Institute found that over 6 million Australians expected to receive gifts they would never use or wear last Christmas. Nearly half of adults (48%) wish people would stop buying them presents altogether. 

Yet, despite this, the vast majority of us still love the act of giving. We want to be generous; we want to show our loved ones we care. But we also care about the planet, and we’re starting to realise we can’t keep adding to the piles of ‘stuff.’ 

Thankfully, there are plenty of alternatives!

Here are 10 Christmas gift ideas that show love for both people and the planet… 

 

 

1. Give a gift that fights poverty!

What better way to affirm someone you love by giving on their behalf to a person or community who really needs it? It honours your generosity and theirs, it’s useful and doesn’t contribute to more ‘stuff’ in the world.  

Looking for gifts like that? Check out the Everything in Common gift Catalogue: www.everythingincommon.com.au

2. Give an experience 

Instead of generating more stuff, why not generate some great memories? Whether it’s a voucher for a favourite local restaurant, tickets to a sporting event, or a relaxing massage or sauna, experiences create opportunities for quality time, connection and shared joy. Post-COVID, many small businesses could use the support, and there’s no better way to foster community than by enjoying a great meal or fun activity together.  

 3. Give something that grows 

Is it fair to say plants are universally loved and timeless? You can never have too many. They live, breathe, and brighten up any space. Plus, the receiver can use cuttings to propagate more, give them as great gifts themselves and spread beauty and sustainable giving for years to come. Let’s create jungles, not jumbles! 

 4. Give second-hand or local 

Opt for pre-loved treasures or locally-made items. You’ll reduce your environmental footprint while supporting small businesses and fostering a sense of community. I recently picked up a handmade wooden dinosaur from a men’s shed fundraiser that my two-year-old is 100% going to love. (It’s a green brontosaurus that bobs its head and tail as you roll it along). With so many local community groups struggling right now, it’s a great way to help financially if you can’t volunteer time. 

5. Repair, regift or upcycle something you already own 

Instead of buying new, think about sprucing up something you already have that could make a unique gift. Upcycle old furniture, clothes or household items and turn them into something new and exciting for someone you love. It’s creative, thoughtful, and sustainable.

Get some inspiration from the pros selling on Etsy.

6. Give time and attention  

Christian theologian and activist Simone Weil once said, “attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” In our era of smartphones and algorithms and distraction, giving your time, energy and attention to someone might be the best gift you can give! 

Babysitting so a couple can have a night out? Gardening help for an elderly family member? You could even pledge your time in a card with an explanation and deadline, so they know you mean business. 

7. Donate in someone’s name 

Make a donation to a cause that matters to a friend or loved one. Whether it’s a local or international cause, a gift has the power to make a real difference in someone’s life or for the environment. It’s personal, meaningful, and aligns perfectly with the Christmas spirit of giving. 

You can even make an online donation as a ‘secret santa’ gift to your loved one.

8. Give a digital or subscription gift 

Subscriptions to streaming services, audiobooks or digital magazines eliminate the need for physical products and packaging. You can even gift memberships to services like a virtual yoga class or an online creative workshop. It’s a way to give something fun and useful without adding clutter or waste. 

9. Give homemade 

There’s something extra special about a gift that’s been made by hand. Whether it’s baked goods, homemade jam, or a hand-knitted scarf, these kinds of presents are personal and meaningful. They also avoid the environmental footprint of mass-produced goods and packaging. 

Get some inspiration from Adamstown Uniting Church ‘s Pudding Kitchen.

10. Give sustainably 

If you do want to buy something new, choose gifts from companies that are committed to sustainable practices. Look for products that are organic, fair trade or made from recycled materials. Ethical shopping means your money is going toward businesses that are trying to make a positive impact on the world. 

Vote for a better world with your choices this Christmas – but don’t stop there.  

We know that overcoming the global challenges we face, especially the climate crisis, requires more than individual action. We need transformative changes to our political, economic, and social systems to truly tackle the root causes of climate breakdown. 

But individual choices are still important. They send signals to businesses and policymakers, spark essential conversations within our communities, and build momentum for the collective action needed to drive systemic change. 

While our gifts may seem small, the shift in mindset it represents is powerful.  

This Christmas, let your choices be part of a larger movement to protect our planet. Together, we can push for the deep, structural changes the world needs and inspire much-needed hope along the way. 

 Original artwork in header image by Cocoon Creative for our SHOP FOR THE PLANET gift card.

,

by
News
October 15, 2024

Wish your loved ones the hope, peace, joy and love of Christmas.

Sending our Christmas cards to your friends, family and loved ones is a great way to fight poverty, build hope and inspire others about the work of our overseas partners.

$15 for a pack of eight cards, with two of each design, and eight recycled paper envelopes. Each card design reflects a traditional Advent theme.

Order while stocks last!

Click here to order online

or call 1800 998 122 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri AEST)

✅ Christmas greetings to your loved ones

✅ Send joy to the world

✅ Fight poverty!

Christmas card sales represent a donation to UnitingWorld and are tax deductible in Australia.

New Everything in Common Catalogue 2024

 

Every Christmas, we release a catalogue of gifts that represent many of our projects with overseas partners. It’s called Everything in Common.

In it you can find great poverty-fighting gifts like goats, pigs, clean water, education and livelihood opportunities, as well as gifts that support gender equality and care for creation.

Shop online today!

 

, ,

by
News
October 24, 2023

Everything in Common is UnitingWorld’s gift catalogue, filled with gifts that fight poverty through health, education, leadership and income opportunities.

When people give Everything in Common gifts, it directly supports our projects helping people lead lives of dignity and hope.

You can help us make a big difference by becoming an Everything in Common Advocate and hosting a gift stall in your church, school or community group in the lead up to Christmas this year.

We’ll send you everything you need to help your community make a big difference.

Register Now: www.unitingworld.org.au/everythingincommon

Or for more information, reach out on 1800 998 122
or email Mardi at mardil@unitingworld.org.au

by
News
November 16, 2022

Uniting Church in Australia President Rev Sharon Hollis met with church partners from across Southeast Asia recently. While she was there, she got to see the fruits of UnitingWorld’s work in partnership with local churches and the power that Everything in Common gifts can have.

On the invitation of UnitingWorld, Rev Hollis joined our Southeast Asia partners conference in Bali, which brought together partners from Bali, Maluku, Timor-Leste, East Nusa Tenggara (West Timor), Papua and West Papua and Sulawesi.

As well as leading opening worship for the 4-day conference, Rev Hollis led a session on the Biblical imperative for safeguarding and gave a UCA perspective on how we seek to be a ‘safe church’. 

It sparked a lively and honest discussion about the historic failings of churches to protect people, as well as the cultural challenges of gender equality that our partners are working to shift in their communities.

The workshop sessions were predominantly led by partners, and Rev Hollis loved to hear more about the work they are doing with the support of UnitingWorld to develop their communities and share the good news.

“It was a joy to be there in person and to meet with overseas partners and hear about the work they’re doing, share their joys and their sorrows and share in the good news of the gospel together,” said Rev Hollis.

Conference delegates also got the chance to visit several community development programs run by host partner, Gereja Kristen Protestan di Bali (GKPB, the Protestant Christian Church in Bali).

(Watch video update Rev Hollis made while in Bali)

Rev Hollis met with program participants in rural Bali who were helped to start goat and chicken-breeding businesses and was touched by their stories.

“It was remarkable to see how a few simple things like goats and chickens can provide much-needed extra income and transform the lives of our neighbours across the world,” said Rev Hollis.

“When people have better food security and a sustainable income, they aren’t just healthier but have joy and hope for the future. It fills me with the same.” 

Share life-changing gifts this Christmas

You can share the same powerful gifts with your loved ones. Goats, chickens, small-business support, school books… there’s so many opportunities to change lives this Christmas.

Shop online to find gifts that fight poverty and build hope.


Header photo caption: Conference delegates visited a local GKPB congregation in rural Bali, where they shared a meal and heard about the lives of the small (but impactful!) local Christian community. 

, , ,

by
News, Sustainable Livelihoods and Health (Zimbabwe)
October 10, 2022

Chickens are easily some of the most popular gift cards from our Everything in Common Gift Catalogue, a concrete symbol of the way lives can be transformed.

But how many chickens does it take to help a community break free from poverty?

In Gokwe South, Zimbabwe, we (roughly) know the answer. Through the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe’s Development Agency (MEDRA), you’ve been supporting projects with a few communities for several years: providing chicks, equipment, seeds; training groups in budgeting, bookkeeping, and breeding of livestock; giving advice on how to market the products to get the best profit.

We’re delighted to let you know that the groups are now self-sufficient, and have now transitioned away from MEDRA’s support.

“All six of our broiler (chicken) project groups have managed to survive the impact of COVID-19 and are fully operational again,” our partners report. “Two of these groups increased production from 50 to 100 broilers, meaning that families are self-sustaining as they buy groceries, use health services and pay school fees.”

MEDRA have also set up savings and lending groups, which encourage people to pool their income and provide for those in need through small, interest-free loans. All the groups have saved between $5 and $10 each month – and one group member managed to buy four goats from money borrowed from the group savings. The outcome isn’t just about putting food on the table either. Women and people with disabilities have gained respect and positions of leadership in their communities, children have been able to go to school and people have supported others during hard times.

This is community resilience at its finest.

Thank you to everyone who has helped this community – one chicken gift at a time – learn new skills and stand up strong!

 

You can help other communities do the same

Host an Everything in Common Gift Stall this year!

, ,

by
News
September 18, 2020

Don and Sylvia Wright, from Hervey Bay in Queensland, have been running Everything in Common gift stalls for UnitingWorld at Christmas for a few years now.

It’s a simple concept: buy a card for a loved one that represents a ‘gift’ to help someone overcome poverty: a goat, clean water, school books…

The Wrights send gift cards every year to their children who live overseas, and they love having the chance to put into practice the call to love their global neighbours through practical help and generosity. But they also get a kick out of learning from others.

“Everything in Common focuses on the needs of our partners in non-Western cultures, and we’ve learnt so much from hearing about them and how they’re meeting the challenges facing their communities,” the Wrights say.

“But we also love the chance to chat with others in our congregation and hear about their experiences travelling or supporting communities outside of Australia. We’ve developed some really strong friendships through running the stalls!”

UnitingWorld supplies everything you need to run an Everything in Common gift stall, like cards and promotional posters. It’s easy and the funds you’ll raise have a big impact. Over the last five years, people like the Wrights have helped us inject more than $2 million into projects that provide clean water, education, small business start-ups and much more.

“Consider getting involved in running a stall as you’re able, or plan to help promote the gifts in other ways if congregations are still unable to meet,” say the Wrights. “You can be part of talking with others about the needs of the wider world and experience just how effective accountable giving can be.”

Click here to register a stall as an Everything in Common Coordinator

Alternatively, you can call  us on 1800 998 122 or email info@unitingworld.org.au to get your gift stall up and running from October through to Christmas.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

,

by
Blogs
December 19, 2019

Each year we release new Christmas card designs that support the work of our overseas partners fighting poverty and building hope in their communities.

Run out of time to send physical cards? You can also email them!

Sending our Christmas cards to your friends, family and loved ones is a great way to support people striving to be free from poverty and also inspire others about the work of our overseas partners.

E-card instructions (e-cards $3 each and must be added to the cart one at a time)

  1. Choose a design from the dropdown menu
  2. Choose a recipient and add a personal message
  3. Add to cart
  4. Add an optional donation
  5. Repeat! (each e-card must be added to the cart one at a time)
  6. When you’re done – head to the checkout for payment

 

Send Christmas greetings ✅

Great Advent designs ✅

Fight poverty ✅

Click here to send online

,