MPG13

Hosted by Adrian (Age) Greenwood morepraxis gathering (MPG) is a relaxed time with young adults, families, elders, artists, activists, workers, students, thinkers, dreamers etc like YOU who want to build a better world and share the journey with each other.

MPG13 – A Bus Called Heaven

Think, pray, play and meet with more of your tribe who long for a Christian spirituality that interconnects social action and theological reflection.
Been waiting for this? Good, so have we.

When: Sept 6-8

Where: Clifford Park Scouts camp site – Clifford Rd, Wonga Park VIC (Melways 24 J6)
45 mins from Melbourne

Cost: Saturday Pass $40 (Includes dinner)

Saturday Kids Pass $15 (Includes dinner)

Saturday Dinner $35

Accommodation and catering cost options are per person for the weekend.

Cabin $70 Sleeps 4 or 6 (min 3&5 in room) (Kids $60)

Camping $55 (Kids $40)

Flyer to download 

Online Registration Here Very Soon

Think:Act:Reflect Workshops

Following the three processes of praxis Think Act Reflect we have three morning workshops to help set the course of our gathering and challenge our walk.

Guest input from…..

Think: Emma & Peter – Helping Local Communities with Local Mission

Both Em & Peter have new roles in UCA congregations that focus on local mission, discipleship and partnerships with the community. What you they noticing in church people, culture & the task of engaging mission.

Act: Just Act – Pastor Berlin & Jill  Crossing boundaries & Solidarity with OS Partner Churches/Projects

A few of our communities have direct partnerships with groups and projects in East Timor, Africa, Philippines and India. Each year we see people make the trip to visit our OS friends. Jill & Berlin will lead briefing for us to help with how we engage in solidarity with our friends. Being useful partners for the people and not ‘poverty tourists’.  This workshop will be used as part of a briefing for a team of young adults head to East Timor end of September.

Reflect (& Alt Worship) : Alanee & GWUC – A Bus Called Heaven

Al and her team will bring the cool to our space and help us find some retreat and renewal for our soul. Art installations, sacred space & creative expression is on the cards.

This years theme to comes from the Children’s book A Bus called Heaven where a little girl leads her community to a more inclusive  world using an abandoned bus. For Stella, this decrepit old vehicle is special -this bus is “ours” – a place for everyone to be together: hold meetings, play games and share stories. But one day, the bus is towed away and Stella must fight to save not just the bus, but everything the community has worked so hard to create.

Dinner Speaker: Gwen & Joy

                  Equal Marriage & the church:   How do we as UCA and lefty Christians act with solidarity against discrimination with our GLBTQI friends/fellow humans.

Rev Dr Gwen Ince & Rev Joy Etwell are clever and fabulous. Also, they have experience in running and creating same sex commitment service & working for justice in relation to our countries discrimination of our gay people. Marriage Equality is a policy for our country and the UCA. Lets have a chat about that.

Last year: The  volley ball was fun, adventure course was again popular, more frisbee, board games and conspiring conversations went deep into the night. Lightning talks & Alt worship were again a key source of inspiration for the gathering. Great workshops & being active in justice issues. Pastor Berlin was helpful and controversial with his reflections on revolution non violence and liberation.  I found it profoundly meaningful to think that he would not be alive today without our (and everyone who joined in) letter writing and justice campaigning. As always it is hard to explain why this gathering is so good but it refreshes our spirits, builds friendships and fuels our different work for the year with good ideas. You just have to come to see…

last years program etc http://mpg11.eventbrite.com/

‘Lightning Talks’

You have been preparing all your life to lead a conversation on something – come prepared to engage that conversation but don’t stress on the preparation.

‘lightning talks’ are back and are your 5minutes of fame to spark more conversations.
Past topics include reflections on liquid church, community work in, out and with the church, activist strategies, talisman actions, politics, disabilities and the church, Am I going to hell if I own a iphone and a ipad? …. to name a few.

So get thinking about what you can share.
Also, there will be a space set aside for participants to propaganda/promote their group, cause, next action, t-shirt, study, book…. you get the idea. (byo for your promo space)

Should we come? Yes

If you are at a junction where you need to think and chat about your vocation and the direction of your life with active, prayerful and wise mentors and co-travelers … there will be a bunch at MPG to bounce ideas with.

If you are a family that is interested in connecting social justice and spirituality then this gathering has space for your needs. The site is well equipped for free play and organised chaos