In our first episode we're asking: where are we and where are we going? Lets take stock of the current crisis we're in, and then, by listening to the science, to Country and to lived experience, imagine what a distinctly Christian stance towards the future might look like.
As followers of Jesus, we’re called to love God, love our neighbours, and care for God’s good creation. But what does that look like in a world experiencing more frequent fires, floods, heatwaves, biodiversity loss, and other impacts of the climate crisis? In this four-part podcast series, we’ll explore what it means to live faithfully in a changing climate. We’ll wrestle with the theological questions climate change raises, make space for hope, grief and climate anxiety, and consider practical ways the Church can respond.
First up, climate scientist Dr Felicity McCormack and biodiversity lawyer Dr Phillipa McCormack unpack some of the key findings of Australia’s National Climate Risk Assessment and reflect on what they might mean for our future.
Next, Rev Alimoni Taumoepeau - Uniting Minister and climate advocate - shares what it means to live faithfully in communities already experiencing the impacts of climate change.
And finally, Uncle Pastor Dr Ray Minniecon - Kabi Kabi, Gurang Gurang and Ambrym Island Elder, and co-pastor at Scarred Tree Indigenous Ministries - invites us to listen to Country and consider what creation itself might be teaching us in this moment.
The realities ahead are confronting. But rather than responding with fear or paralysis, this episode invites us to face them honestly and consider how we might follow Jesus with wisdom, love, hope and resilience into the future.
You can also download the episode via this Google Drive link.
A transcript of this conversation can be downloaded here.
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Dr Felicity McCormack is an Antarctic Climate Scientist and Academic, researching how Antarctic ice flow contributes to sea level rise. Her work helps reduce uncertainty in sea level projections, particularly for vulnerable communities in the Indo-Pacific. Based in Naarm/Melbourne on Wurundjeri land, Felicity finds solace in walking along the Birrarung/Yarra River when the weight of climate change research feels heavy. |
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Dr Phillipa McCormack is a Research Fellow in Law. Her work focuses on environmental and climate laws and she is particularly interested in the ways that law can help us to adapt as the climate changes. She has recently been working on projects about bushfire preparation and recovery, nature restoration, and legal tools for promoting intergenerational justice. Phillipa has the rich privilege of living on the foothills of beautiful kunanyi in nipaloona/Hobart, with her husband, daughter and a Brittany spaniel called Albert. |
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Uncle Pastor Dr Ray Minniecon is a proud Kabi Kabi, Gurang Gurang and Ambrym Island Elder. He is the co-pastor and founder of Scarred Tree Indigenous Ministries at St John’s Anglican Church in Glebe. Uncle Ray holds a BA in Theology from Murdoch University and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community. He is a passionate advocate for bold climate action, truth-telling, and genuine justice for Aboriginal peoples. |
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Rev Alimoni (Moni) Taumoepeau was born in Tonga and studied theology in Australia. He has served as a Minister of the Word for more than 25 years, ministering in both rural and urban congregations and offering pastoral care in prisons and schools. Moni also spent seven years as a missionary, helping to establish new ministries among university students and supporting church planting in disadvantaged communities. He is passionate about intercultural ministry, justice, and caring for creation, and currently serves as the Intercultural Ministry and Climate Action Team Leader with the Uniting Church Synod of NSW and the ACT. Moni is married and has two adult children. |
In our first episode we're asking: where are we and where are we going? Lets take stock of the current crisis we're in, and then, by listening to the science, to Country and to lived experience, imagine what a distinctly Christian stance towards the future might look like.