A passion for working with people with disabilities and those who feel called to minister among people with disabilities is what makes Rev Darcy Elks a compelling speaker. Presenting the Norman and Mary Millar Lecture as part of the 25th Synod of the Uniting Church in Queensland, Ms Elks urged the church to be more inclusive of people with disabilities. A ...
Read More »25th Synod
Theological Education Task Group requests more time
Chair of the Theological Education Task Group Mr Rob Leivesley brought a preliminary report to the 25th meeting of the Queensland Synod. The Task Group understands the need to provide quality theological education in a financially sustainable environment and said that, while the face-to-face college environment remains important, it needs to be supplemented by other facilities which provide for self ...
Read More »First round of ballots declared
The Moderator declared the results of the first round of ballots held at the 25th Queensland Synod of the Uniting Church. For the Synod Leadership Team the continuing members are Mr Geoff Batkin, Dr Ron Skilton and Mr Harry Thompson. The new members are Rev Robert Brennan, Mrs Sharon Kirk and Mr Robert Leivesley. For membership to the 11th Assembly ...
Read More »$2 million kicks-off new Synod Vision for Mission
Moderator Rev Dr David Pitman opened his introduction to the Queensland Synod’s Draft Strategic Vision by quoting from The Daily Mail List Email Newsletter saying, "Vision without action is a daydream, action without vision is a nightmare." "This Vision is not a blueprint. It’s more a description of what new initiatives in mission might look like as new work is ...
Read More »Farewell to fair moderator
Retiring moderator Rev Allan Kuchler gave his farewell address on the first morning of the 25th meeting of the Queensland Synod and spoke of positives and negatives of in his term as Moderator. He stated that not all experiences of his term as Moderator have been joyful. “Often expectations and reality are poles apart,” he said. “But nothing will ever take away ...
Read More »Sensitive multicultural conversation
As he welcomes a large group of multicultural congregation visitors, the Moderator Rev Dr David Pitman reminded the Synod that in 1985 the Uniting Church made a commitment to be a multi-cultural church. He explained that we see this in many ways in the Queensland Synod in congregations which worship in other language groups, and in congregations which are made ...
Read More »Historic links for Synod venue
Graham Leo, a Uniting Church member and Principal of Emmanuel College venue for the 25th Synod, welcomed the Uniting Church to the school’s facilities. Acknowledging the traditional and past owners of the land Mr Leo welcomed the Uniting Church on behalf of the current owners. Speaking at the start of Synod business on Saturday morning Mr Leo said that Emmanuel ...
Read More »Moderator Rev Dr David Pitman – Sharing our life in Christ
Rev Dr David Pitman’s first order of business as the new Moderator of the Queensland Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia was to open the 25th Synod meeting. Dr Pitman said there was a habit of approaching meetings begrudgingly within the Uniting Church, but assured the Synod that the Uniting Church makes every effort to make meetings interesting and ...
Read More »Preaching for call and passion
Preaching at the celebration of the 25th Queensland Synod of the Uniting Church, the newly inducted Moderator Rev Dr David Pitman challenge the Synod and the congregation to affirm their calling in Christ and to seek in the power of the Spirit the renewal of their passion for Christ and for his gospel. Dr Pitman told of a conscious memory ...
Read More »Some ministers do have a life
Three ministers talked about staying alive and their "re-creation" and described their hobbies and personal passions to the Convocation of Ministries held prior to the 25th Synod of the Uniting Church in Queensland. Rev Don McKay showed photographs of his prized restored red Bulldog and Massey Harris tractor but described his collection of four vehicles as much less than his ...
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