Rev. Dr Cliff Bird and Rev. Dr Jione Havea join the Intercultural Ministry and Climate Action Team

In December last year, Director of Mission, Rev. Glen Spencer announced that the Mission teams would be aligning with our Future Directions commitments.

With this in mind, Rev. Alimoni Taumoepeau was appointed to lead the newly created Intercultural Ministry and Climate Action Teams.

After an interview process to look for team members, Uniting Mission and Education (UME) are delighted to announce that Rev. Dr Cliff Bird will be joining the team as Mission Catalyst – PALMS (Pacific and Australia Labour Mobility Scheme) and Rev. Dr Jione Havea will be joining the team as Mission Catalyst – Stewardship of the Earth These roles sit within the Intercultural Ministry and Climate Action Team, led by Rev. Alimoni Taumoepeau.

Rev. Dr Cliff Bird will work with Presbyteries and Congregations, along with PALMS workers themselves to grow capacity in providing pastoral care and creating genuine and inclusive Christian community. The Mission Catalyst – PALMS will also resource the church to support advocacy for the rights and well-being of PALMS workers within local communities, raising awareness about their unique challenges and fostering a supportive environment through educational initiatives and community connections. A significant part of this role be spending time in rural communities and building bridges and networks to share in this important work.

“I am glad and honoured to be offered this great opportunity to serve as Mission Catalyst – PALMS and to be part of the Uniting Mission and Education team and the wider NSW and ACT Synod,” Cliff says of the role. “There is much that can be done together in the intersecting areas of pastoral care and support, and in education and advocacy on socio-economic justice as well as in engendering conducive environments towards inclusive, life-affirming and life-giving communities and community connections amongst PALMS workers and beyond. I look forward to working with the UME team and to partner with Presbyteries and Congregations, as well as with relevant stakeholders to take this critical task forward during such critical and strategic times.”

“Rev. Dr Cliff Bird brings a wealth of experience to this role having worked in diverse cultural, generational, institutional and geographic contexts and communities. He has worked extensively across the Pacific and is widely known and respected across the region and beyond,” says Rev. Glen Spencer, Director of Mission with Uniting Mission and Education.

“A few of the many roles Cliff has held include: Mission Secretary Pacific Region, Council for World Mission; Regional Coordinator, UnitingWorld Pacific Office; Head of Department and Senior Lecturer, Pacific Theological College. Cliff is a long term friend of the UCA and has developed strong, collaborative relationships over many years. Honestly – it is an absolute joy that he is prepared to come and lead this important work.”

Cliff is an ordained Minister of the United Church in Solomon Islands and will be joining the team following visa approval.

Rev. Dr Jione Havea will work across the church to create an environment of theological reflection, strategic planning, advocacy, education, community engagement, and collaboration focused on our responsibility as Christians to care for creation. An important part of this role will be collaborating with the Uniting Advocacy team and other partners to encourage and resource the church in advocating for climate justice.

“I appreciate (and i'm a little overwhelmed by) the opportunity to serve as “Mission catalyst – Stewardship of the Earth,” said Rev. Dr Havea of the role. “In this role, i will invite the peoples and institutions of the NSW-ACT Synod to be intentional with being and doing church—through what we say, do, and serve, with and for whom. For that to happen, i need the openness and goodwill of all folks in the Synod, alongside neighbours who also yearn for justice and hope. SO: you will be the catalysts for what and how i serve in this role. Together, we will learn to be stewards of Earth – with words, actions, and commitments – in a world that has the capacity to transform and survive.”

Rev. Dr Jione Havea is an ordained Minister of the Methodist Church in Tonga and research fellow with Trinity Methodist Theological College (Aotearoa) and the Centre for religion, ethics and society (Charles Sturt University). 

“Jione is a globally respected scholar and public theologian. He has extensive experience in organizing and delivering bible studies, workshops, conferences, and publications on matters related to “Stewardship of the Earth” – for local, regional, and international audiences,” says Rev. Glen Spencer.

“Jione engages deeply at the grass-roots level as an activist and initiator of community-based movements of change. We are deeply honoured that Jione is taking up this critical role in the life of the church and are very much looking forward to him joining us later this year.”

Due to a number of existing commitments within Australia and across the Pacific, Jione will be commencing his role on 1 October.

There is much that can be done together in the intersecting areas of pastoral care and support, and in education and advocacy on socio-economic justice as well as in engendering conducive environments towards inclusive, life-affirming and life-giving communities and community connections amongst PALMS workers and beyond. Rev. Dr Cliff Bird

Together, we will learn to be stewards of Earth – with words, actions, and commitments – in a world that has the capacity to transform and survive. Rev. Dr Jione Havea