Opinion

International Women’s Day is an important event that (UCA tagged) is celebrating this year with a showcase of some of the incredible women who work within our services and teams and men who actively advocate and empower their female colleagues to achieve great things. We recognise that empowering women is essential for building stronger organisations and communities as we strive ...

By Rev Heather den Houting, General Secretary – Queensland Synod, Uniting Church in Australia At this time of Lent, three insistent themes have been emerging in my prayer and spiritual life. The first is Ecclesiastes 3:14, the second is the notion of Pilgrim people as articulated in the UCA’s Basis of Union and the third is Teresa of Avila’s prayer ...

By Rev Andrew Gunton – Moderator In many of Jesus’ stories, he uses excellent illustrations to point out who and how we are called to be God’s people.   In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus is put on the spot by a lawyer who, after finding out what he must do to inherit eternal life, that is, to ...

By Rev. Orrell Battersby, Gympie Regional Uniting Church.  “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain ...

By Kellie Broderick, Executive Officer Corporate, Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. When I think about firm foundations and solid ground, I wonder what is that is central to me, to my faith, and to my calling and the work I do. I’m a poor sleeper. I very rarely have a solid, uninterrupted night of quality sleep.  I don’t complain ...

By Scott Guyatt, Connect 100 Coordinator, Community Partnerships at UnitingCare Queensland and Director, Mission Strategy, Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. The wonderful 1997 Australian film “The Castle” introduced a new phrase into the lexicon of Australian culture: “the vibe”.  The story (spoiler alert!) centres on a family about to be forcibly removed from their home to make way for ...

By Neil Pembroke, Trinity College Queensland.  Vinita Nangia writes inspirational pieces for the Times of India. Here’s a recent offering: Helplessness is one of the worst feelings. But much worse than helplessness is hopelessness. So long as you know you have control over a situation, you call upon your inner resources to fight back, plan, strategise and hope for some ...

By Rev Janet Staines, Minister of the Word, Chermside Kedron Community Church. The words Surrender, Victory and Peace are central images to the nature of our faith. I suspect images might quickly jump to mind when we think of these words; images that reflect our experiences and faith formation. Surrender brings to mind my experience of kneeling in prayer as ...

1 Peter 3 says: “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with ...

Over the last few months, I have been on the road. To the Kimberly, on the Ghan, then out Western Queensland including Thargomindah and Yowah, and then just this week up and around the Western Cape up to Thursday Island and then back to Cloncurry. How amazing is God who showed me in every place where the gracious and spacious ...