Queensland Synod News

The President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Reverend Gregor Henderson, has today expressed dismay about the attitude of the Australian Government towards the loss of life in Gaza. “Our acting Prime Minister readily and rightly condemns the actions of Hamas in firing rockets into Israel, which have killed some 20 Israelis in recent times,” Rev. Henderson said. “However, Julia ...

Supporters of a strict interpretation of the separation of Church and State in the United States have filed a lawsuit seeking an end of the use of the term "so help me God" during President-elect Barack Obama’s 20 January inaugural ceremony. The lawsuit, initiated by groups of U.S. atheists and humanists, also wants an end to the practice of prayer ...

U.S. president-elect Barack Obama has defended his selection of evangelical leader and best-selling author Rick Warren to deliver the prayer at his 20 January inauguration, a move criticised by some gay groups and supporters of abortion rights, saying Warren opposes what they stand for. "I am a fierce advocate of equality for gay and lesbian Americans. It is something that ...

With just days until Christmas, Uniting International Mission’s gifts of love catalogue Everything in Common has provided numerous Christmas gift options with Uniting Church partners in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Gift areas cover projects connected to Church Partnerships, Uniting Church Overseas Aid, People in Mission and Young Ambassadors for Peace. Uniting International Mission National Director, Rev Dr Kerry Enright, ...

UnitingJustice Australia has today criticised as “woefully inadequate” the Australian Government’s target for a 5-15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. “The Australian Government has failed to put forward a credible target for greenhouse gas reduction by 2020,” said Rev Elenie Poulos, UnitingJustice National Director. “The Government’s refusal to face the heat of climate change is bitterly disappointing,” she ...

The global financial crisis and economic recession represent an "historic opportunity" to bring about a low carbon economy to combat climate change, three European church heads have said in a joint letter to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose country currently holds the European Union presidency. "The challenge of resuscitating economic growth cannot be treated in isolation from the challenges of ...

The global financial crisis accompanied by one of the worst economic recessions in recent times is due to the doctrine of private capital summed up by the idea of economic growth propelled by unregulated markets, the outgoing General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, the Rev. Mvume Dandala has said. "Even the rich and the most powerful countries ...

The Uniting Church in West Mackay was forced to move a nativity scene after it was daubed with satanic graffiti. West Mackay minister Pastor Euan McDonald said the number 666 was spray painted on a statute of the Virgin Mary and a wall was also vandalised. Last weekend statues were stolen and dumped at a nearby caravan park. "It’s discouraging ...

Where is God? In light of the many human rights abuses occurring in the world, this is an entirely reasonable and fair question according to the President of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA). Where is God for those being raped and tortured in the Congo? Where is God for those in the Philippines facing military and government intimidation to ...

On the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Uniting International Mission expressed concern for Uniting Church international partners still deprived of fundamental rights. National Director of Uniting International Mission and Uniting Church Overseas Aid Rev Dr Kerry Enright has affirmed the gains made globally in human rights but said he remains concerned about the continued human rights ...