Opinion

Greetings for the new year; I trust and pray that you will know God’s leading and blessing in it. There are some articles on leadership in this month’s Journey. Leadership is one of those constant, big buzzwords. It seems, in the West, everyone is crying out for it, yet those who are in positions of authority across many of the ...

There’s something almost spiritual about how we gather to watch sport. Now, just as the cricket season begins, Rev Tim Winslade writes about how sport gives us an opportunity to reflect Christ to the nation. Twelve months is a long time in the world of sport. On 27 November 2014 we were shocked at the tragic death of a young ...

I remember over the years hearing older folk, being confronted with new challenges and disturbing news, saying, “Would you bring a child into this world?” At this time of year we move into Advent on the journey to Christmas, and the readings of the lectionary for our worship and devotion may evoke the same response. The gospel readings are about ...

What happens when we consciously imagine ourselves as part of the Christmas story? It helps us recognise Christ as he dwells among us today, writes Rev Dona Spencer. Whilst Christmas is a time when we remind ourselves that Jesus came as a baby, the challenge for me as a minister and as an artist is to make real the truth ...

There’s no doubt Christmas is a wondrous time for children, but for adults the stress and frenzy can detract from enjoying the time together. Rev Paul Clark gives some tips on how to recapture the joy this Christmas by engaging your inner child. Plan fun family time Throw some water balloons or board games into the Christmas stocking—and ensure you ...

Alan Austin is a Uniting Church member and former Crosslight journalist who lives in Nîmes in the south of France. He shares his reflections on the impact of terror in his adopted homeland. The message was rapidly shared among neighbours in our small village near Nîmes: we will place a candle—une bougie—in our window tonight to show notre solidarité. At ...

The members of the last Synod in Session asked the church to prioritise ministry with children, youth and families. While my journey of faith was marked by a conscious decision to commit my life to Christ in my early 20s, the experience of Christian community as a child and a youth was profound and life changing. I look back on ...

Forget the flashing lights and loud music, ministry to children and youth is about valuing people and relationships. Rev Josie Neuendorff explains. When I speak to people in congregations about children and youth ministry, I am almost always asked about what programs and activities will attract young people and keep them interested. The answer is, simply, there are none. Compared ...

Journey has put together a few suggestions to mark World Kindness Day on 13 November in your church community. Visit us on Facebook to add your own ideas for random acts of kindness. Clean out the church fridge You will need a strong stomach, a calm disposition, and rubber gloves. Open the door, descend into a gentle squat (avoid locking ...

The Uniting Church is not widely known for being pentecostal or charismatic, but that doesn’t mean the Holy Spirit isn’t part of our theological DNA, writes Rev Dr Wendi Sargeant. As young theological students, we loved it when a minister retired and donated books to the Trinity students to scour for relevant knowledge for the next assignment and to add ...