Current Letter Writing Actions
Resources
2026 JIM Convention
When: Saturday 25 July 2026, 9:30 am – 4:45 pm
Where: Centre for Theology & Ministry, 29 College Crescent, Parkville
Cost: $50 for metropolitan participants/$25 concession and non-metropolitan Melbourne participants
Register: Click Here
The focus of the 2026 Justice and International Mission Convention will be to explore how Uniting Church members can build greater engagement on non-violent peacebuilding.
The 1982 National Assembly affirmed the Uniting Church in Australia to be a peacemaking body and encouraging alternatives to war. However, the resolution did not rule out the use of “Just War” in exceptional circumstances. With a number of serious armed conflicts around the world, and increased polarisation across communities, the following statement from the World Council of Churches is highly relevant:
"We are convinced: A clear witness to peace and nonviolence grounded in justice is what the world needs today from all the churches together…As Christians, we are motivated and encouraged by the Gospel message of the peace of Christ and the rich Biblical tradition of peace and justice…We want to engage in constructive efforts to build a culture of peace."
True peacebuilding must seek to create socially just outcomes, not simply aim for the absence of violence. Without addressing underlying injustices, the chance for lasting peace fall to near zero.
NAIDOC Week 2026 - 5 July to 12 July
Nation voices. Marking decades of those who came before, who kept showing up to build the movement, this NAIDOC week is a good time to share stories of how far we’ve come.
>Click here for NAIDOC news and events<
For the Uniting Church, our story includes the Uniting Aboriginal Christian Congress (UAICC/Congress) and Charles Harris. This NAIDOC week, consider reading ‘Charles Harris – A Struggle for Justice’.
The Synod’s Covenanting Pathways Toolkit is a digital resource for Victoria and Tasmania and includes information about who the Traditional Owners are while offering pathways to connect and learn their story.
>Click to view the Toolkit and FAQ<
Friends of Standing Together
Standing Together is a progressive grassroots movement organising Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel against the occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem and for peace, equality, and social justice. They know that the majority of people have far more in common than what sets them apart and only a tiny minority benefits from the status quo. The future they seek — peace and independence for Palestinians and Israelis, full equality for everyone, and true social, economic, and environmental justice — is possible. As the largest Palestinian-Jewish grassroots movement in Israel, they are committed to creating an alternative to the existing reality by building the political power to make it happen.
More about them can be found here
Watch this video to see members of Standing Together in Action.
Friends of Standing Together Sydney chapter. The Synod has decided to be part of forming Friends of Standing Together Melbourne (Naarm).
Friends of Standing Together Melbourne (Naarm) will:
- Raise local awareness of the philosophy, goals and work Standing Together does on the ground in Israel /Palestine;
- Fundraise for Standing Together (tax-deductible donations can be made through https://www.nif.org.au/standing_together; and,
- Facilitate interfaith dialogue towards the outcomes Standing Together is seeking.
New Postcard Actions
e-mail JIM@victas.uca.org.au with a request for this postcard, your address and the number of postcards you would like.
AI and Biological Weapons
The International AI Safety Report 2026 confirmed that general-purpose AI systems can now provide expert-level guidance on biological weapons development. There are not enough safeguards to AI and those that exist can be circumvented. Help to stop AI-facilitated development and proliferation of biological weapons.
e-mail JIM@victas.uca.org.au with a request for this postcard, your address and the number of postcards you would like.
Global Tax
The existing global tax rules are no longer fit for purpose and allow corporations and individuals to avoid paying the taxes they should in Australia and in lower-income countries. To address this, the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation could play a constructive role, but first Australia needs to support it.
Ongoing Postcard Actions
e-mail JIM@victas.uca.org.au with a request for this postcard, your address and the number of postcards you would like.
Fund Peacebuilding
The Palestinian and Jewish Israeli peace movement has called for governments worldwide to finance an International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, dedicated to empowering and scaling the work of civil society to create support for a just resolution to the conflict. Help urge the Australian Government to make a meaningful and ongoing contribution to an International Peace Fund, as it did to the International Fund for Ireland.
e-mail JIM@victas.uca.org.au with a request for this postcard, your address and the number of postcards you would like.
Harmful Marketing
Gambling, alcohol and unhealthy food companies are allowed to bombard us with advertising telling us to gamble more, drink more alcohol and eat more foods that harm our health. As a result, their sales are booming, while we experience more cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, mental ill health and financial hardship. Ask our Government to introduce a new Harmful Products Marketing Act to prevent harmful marketing.
e-mail JIM@victas.uca.org.au with a request for this postcard, your address and the number of postcards you would like.
Artificial Intelligence
While artificial intelligence (AI) can have significant benefits, it can also facilitate or create risk and harm. Help advocate for safeguards in response to emerging AI.
e-mail JIM@victas.uca.org.au with a request for this postcard, your address and the number of postcards you would like.
Modern Slavery
Not enough is being done to ensure that goods imported into Australia have been produced without the involvement of modern slavery. Help advocate for supply chains that can afford basic freedom and dignity.
e-mail JIM@victas.uca.org.au with a request for this postcard, your address and the number of postcards you would like.
Medicare for Seasonal Workers
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees identified that 2.5 million refugees will need resettlement in the next year, but only 120,000 resettlement places are being offered globally. The Labor Government has committed to increasing the number of refugee places to 27,000 per year with an additional 10,000 if sponsored by community groups. Send this card to ask the government to commit to reaching these numbers as soon as possible.
e-mail JIM@victas.uca.org.au with a request for this postcard, your address and the number of postcards you would like.
Committing to Refugee Intake
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees identified that 2.5 million refugees will need resettlement in the next year, but only 120,000 resettlement places are being offered globally. The Labor Government has committed to increasing the number of refugee places to 27,000 per year with an additional 10,000 if sponsored by community groups. Send this card to ask the government to commit to reaching these numbers as soon as possible.
Resource Highlights
D&A Victorian Food Policy Forum Flyer
The Federal government has embarked on the process to create a National Food Security Strategy. A Melbourne Forum is being held so Victorian’s can learn more about what this means and to participate in the conversation.
Motivating Ethical Sourcing Ensuring of Imported Goods
Goods produced with forced labour gain a competitive price advantage over those produced where workers earn decent wages and have decent working conditions. This resource explains whare more Australian can do to ensure ethical supply chains.
Food principles from World Council of Churches
This resource will tell you more about the WCC’s ‘Food for Life Campaign’ and connect you to advocacy resources for congregations detailing the 10 principles of how we should relate to food.
2026 JIM Social Justice Calendar
The annual social justice calendar.
Resource on Sanctions
A resource discussing the value and effectiveness of economic sanctions as an international tool.
Food principles from WCC
A resource for congregations outlining 10 principles for how we might relate to food.
2026 Feedback sheet on JIM Cluster issues work areas
135 people responded to the survey on the JIM Cluster’s work, and this is the results.
Empire and Christianity
A short resource in response to the church’s ‘Respecting Country’ 2025-2028 Project.
Week of Prayers for Peace and Justice in Israel
The theme for the World Council of Churches World Week for Peace and Justice in Palestine and Israel is “Whatever you did… you did it for me” (Mt 25:40). Church organisations and people of faith are encouraged to participate with material prepared to be included in church services.
Language Around the War in Gaza
Picking sides in the Gaza war polarizes narratives around how the conflict is discussed. The issues are more complex than they are being described. This resource explores some key language being used.
Addressing Weight Stigma Related to Obesity
Weight and physical size have become a contemporary barrier to inclusion in our society, be it self or socially imposed. This resource acknowledges judgment as a legitimate barrier for people, and opens the issue of stigma up for discussion.
Slavery Resource
This resource explores Friday 23rd August 2024 as the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.
Democratic Reform Resource
Despite our institutions existing to protect equality, dissatisfaction with government and democracy is on the rise. This resource explores what we can do.
JIM Convention 2024 ‘Food and Social Justice’ Flyer
The 2024 JIM convention explores issues from the role of food in our Christian communities, to the social justice implications of food in the economy, including modern slavery and climate change.
Qukes Boycott
Boycott Perfection Fresh by not buying Qukes, and take a stand again abuse in the workplace.
Refugee Week resource
Refugee Week is 16 - 22 June in 2024. A resource been developed by Council of Churches and the Uniting Church helps explore this year’s theme Finding Freedom: Family.
World Fair Trade Day Resource
World Fair Trade Day is Saturday 11th May in 2024. The day shines a spotlight on the transformative power of the Fair Trade business and its positive impact on people’s lives and communities.
World Environment Day Resource
World Environment Day is Wednesday 5th June in 2024. The date was chosen by the United Nations to highlight the protection and health of our environment as a major issue.
Reconciliation Week Resource 2024
Reconciliation is 27 May - 3 June in 2024. A national resource has been developed for the Uniting Church and helps explore this year’s theme Now More Than Ever.
Cookbook Committee
The PWMU cookbook is the oldest continuous cookbook in Australia, and has been in print since 1904. Royalties go to the mission and ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria and the Uniting Church in Victoria.
JIM Social Justice Calendar 2024
The annual social justice Calendar.
True Freedom – Modern Slavery Resource
True Freedom is a six-week course for Lent. It draws on themes from the book of Galatians and encourages individuals and churches to respond to modern slavery in their communities.
Feedback on social justice issues survey 2024
Each year we invite our supporters to tell us which issues they most want us to campaign with them on towards just outcomes. This is the findings of that invitation.
The Uniting Church in Australia is committed to acting justly and compassionately in the world. We believe that our participation in God’s mission calls us toward the transformation that God desires for us all, marked by reconciliation, love, justice, peace, abundance and flourishing for all people and the whole earth. In Our Vision for a Just Australia, the Uniting Church in Australia has articulated its vision for a just, compassionate and inclusive nation in this updated 2025 statement and resource.
Justice and International Mission
Call us to schedule a meeting or a presentation. We are happy to help.
