Queensland Synod News

In a letter to the Queensland Premier the Clermont Congregation of the Uniting Church has condemned the proposal to establish the “Galilee Basin State Development Area”. This act of regulation would essentially set the area apart for the specific purpose of transporting coal from the proposed Galilee Basin mines to the coast with all other land uses allowed only if ...

The Queensland Synod is one of 165 signatories on a letter urging the Attorney General George Brandis not to repeal the racial vilification provisions in the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. The particular concern is around the proposed abolition of Section 18c which makes it unlawful for a person to do or say something (other than in private) that is reasonably ...

While Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are living 10-17 years less than other Australians UnitingCare Queensland CEO Anne Cross talked about the commitment of the organisation to engage constructively in actions that help “Close the Gap”. On National Close the Gap Day which focuses on the gap in life expectancy education, incarceration rates, family well-being and health between Aboriginal ...

The Uniting Church Queensland Synod expresses its gratitude to Dr Shirley Coulson. Mardi Lumsden reports. Uniting Church members from all over the country joined Dr Shirley Coulson for a moving service of the closure of her ministry as Queensland Synod General Secretary on 31 January. Attendees included Assembly General Secretary Rev Terrence Corkin and Synod of NSW/ACT General Secretary Rev ...

Life is about to get tougher for young Queenslanders in trouble with the law. Dianne Jensen reports. “Tough on crime” has a reassuring ring to the outraged householder who discovers a smashed car window or graffiti on their freshly painted wall. It’s time these kids faced up to the consequences of their behaviour, right? The Queensland Government is currently considering legislation ...

Uniting Church Queensland Synod Moderator Rev Kaye Ronalds joined Brisbane church leaders at a prayer vigil on 17 October against the endemic corruption which keeps people in poverty across the world. The ecumenical vigil at Wilson Outlook Reserve in Brisbane was one of an estimated 2000 prayer vigils held worldwide during Anti-poverty Week from 13–19 October. The initiative is part ...

Dianne Jensen talks to Lifeline Darling Downs rural mobile counsellor Brian Steele, the only men’s counsellor in the Western Downs region. The telephone call came on the weekend. A young man who had only just made an appointment to see the sole men’s counsellor in the Western Downs region had committed suicide. Lifeline Darling Downs rural mobile counsellor Brian Steele ...

Journey magazine claimed two prizes at the Australasian Religious Press Association (ARPA) awards in Melbourne in September. Scott Stephens’ article, Embracing uncertainty: The church in a secular age, was named best opinion piece in 2012. Former advertising manager, Tara Burton, was awarded bronze in the best new writer category for her article, Love and loss, about the passing of a close friend. “My ...

Shalom Christian College’s motto, “Many cultures: One faith”, has never been more true. Annette Dale explores the many things worth celebrating at the college last month. The Shalom Christian College community began three days of celebration on 10 September when Deloitte transferred responsibility of the college to the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod, officially making it a Uniting Church school. This ...

"The concept of Rural Muster was initiated to provide an opportunity for those in small and rural congregations to gather together... sharing our resources and stories" - Donna Muston