Polkinghorne Oration - Rev James Bhagwan

Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want. (Amos 5:24 MSG)

Following the theme of the 2023 Season of Creation, our yarning/talanoa will explore what the theme means for our Blue Pacific Continent as we continue to struggle for whole of life Self-determination, as we face the global challenges of climate crisis, indo-pacific geopolitics and regional issues around a push for deep sea mining, and inceasing labour mobility.  In the face of these challenges, how do Pacific and Australian Churches: First Peoples, Second Peoples and Diaspora along our oceanic communities of faith voyage together for political, economic, social, ecological and cultural self-determination that affirms Jesus' vision of life in abundance for all?

Rev James Bhagwan is an ordained Methodist Minister in Fiji and was appointed in 2018, as the General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, whose membership includes the Uniting Church in Australia. James has spoken widely on the impact of Climate Change on the Pacific Island communities, having addressed Past-President, Dr Deidre Palmer’s Assembly President’s Conference “For the Whole of Creation” in 2019 and in 2021 addressing the United Nations Climate Change Conference on human security and Climate change. His podcasts on this issue can be heard on “The Last Wave” on the United Nations Development Program website or on Spotify.

This event is sponsored by UCFAMS (Uniting Church Fellowship & Mission Support) in partnership with Churches Together SA, EAG (Environmental Action Group) and ELC (Effective Living Centre).