Roundup: Sri Lanka, Tolkien, Korea and ecumenism, church attendances, family centre, global economy

Flock keeping the faith — and feeling blessed

Falling church attendances in Australia may have plateaued and churchgoers are considerably happier than ten years ago, according to the five-yearly church “census”.

A form of Korean church union in Australia?

Andrew Dutney sees the ecumenical significance of the inauguration of a Uniting Church Korean Presbytery.

A Hobbit journey

Jackson absconded with Tolkien’s names and characters and plot elements in order to put forth a very different underlying worldview that in many ways was entirely at odds with that of Tolkien.

Cash boost for Hills Family Centre

Wesley Mission’s Hills Family Centre in Bella Vista will employ two new financial councillors for The Hills area after receiving a $337,668 government grant.

Church NGOs present alternative global economy plan to Argentina

Despite being a wealthy country at one time, Argentina has more recently faced recurring economic crises, persistent fiscal and current account deficits, high inflation, mounting external debt and capital flight.

Sri Lanka pressed at UN to prosecute wartime crimes

Western countries kept up pressure on Sri Lanka on Thursday to prosecute killings of civilians and other crimes committed in its 30-year civil war and to investigate continuing grave violations.