Monthly Round up - September 2021
Welcome to our first monthly round up. The monthly round up aims to bring you some interesting articles to read, or podcasts to listen to, or recommendations that connect topics we have been discussing to what is popping up in our media. These links are things that I’ve enjoyed over the past month, but I’d love to see what things you have been reflecting on too!
Here’s a few links to get us started:
Fast fashion
Foreign Correspondent had this interesting look at what happens when fast fashion gets turned into donations which get shipped overseas. “Dead White Man’s clothes” is thought-provoking. I’d love to hear you what think of it.
Volunteering
We know Covid has changed the way we do short-term service and mission trips. But what are some alternatives? Check out some ideas that are being trialled in the US at the moment.
Rok Kern, one of our partners, is looking for a native English speaker to help with communications and social media. If you are interested in trying out externally-based volunteering yourself, email Saray at saray@childreninfamilies.org
From the Church Calendar
According to the liturgical church calendar (used the Anglican/Episcopalian/Lutheran/Catholic/Orthodox and Reformed churches), the time between September 1 and October 4 is the season of creation.
It has been a time of reflecting on our call as Christians to care for creation and be at the fore-front of climate action. Here’s a few tips from TEARFund to help you think about how you can make a difference in this area:
https://www.tearfund.org.au/stories/seven-practical-ways-to-care-for-creation
What’s happening in the Christian advocacy space?
It’s been nearly 6 weeks since the fall of Kabul. Every Christian denomination and many organisations have signed this petition to ask the Australian government to increase its refugee intake. There are definitely some names on this list that aren’t normally seen together. Check it out here:
https://www.unitedforafghanistan.com/
And something fun:
So questions about the use of violence, the cultural impact of teaching us that we all need (to be) heroes and the ethics of multimillion dollar investments in entertainment aside, I really enjoyed Shang-Chi and the 10 Rings. If you are into Marvel, I definitely recommend the first Asian superhero and all-Asian cast for its exploration of Chinese cultural elements and the Asian-American experience, and for having some female leads who don’t exist purely as comic relief or as love interests.
