32nd Synod

Day three of the 32nd Synod closed with a celebration of ministries as Rev David Baker started proceedings with a call to worship; Psalm 100. Minutes of appreciation were received to retiring ministers: Rev Subramaniam Manopavan, Rev Hohaia Matthews, Rev May Morris, Rev Jan Rossow, Rev Costa Stathakis, Rev Dr Paul Walton, Rev Ian Wilson, Rev Peter Aay, Rev Lloyd ...

Uniting Church National Assembly general secretary Colleen Geyer reported to 32nd Synod members about the vast and exciting work of the Assembly. Colleen noted the centrality of the Assembly’s covenant with first peoples saying, “We are guests on occupied land”. She reminded Synod members that last year’s 14th Assembly in Perth “committed to a conversation regarding sovereignty; what that means ...

32nd Synod members have today elected Rev David Baker for a second term as Queensland Synod moderator. Ashley Thompson catches up with David to reflect back on the first 18 months of his first term. Ashley: Why did you put your hand up to be moderator again? David: I was nominated by Bremer Brisbane Presbytery because they thought I still had ...

Since 1999, the Queensland Synod has recognised the outstanding and invaluable commitment of volunteers to the Uniting Church’s mission in community services through the Moderator’s Community Service Medal. The medals are coordinated by UnitingCare Queensland and were today presented by CEO Anne Cross and moderator Rev David Baker. “This year we received 41 notable nominations—all of which exceptionally deserving—so I’m ...

Members of the 32nd Synod have confidently called Rev Heather den Houting to be the next general secretary of the Queensland Synod. Currently acting associate general secretary of the Queensland Synod, Heather will begin this new role on 1 June 2016. “When we say the words ‘together on the way’, I want you to know I work best in the ...

Executive officer of the Schools and Residential Colleges Commission Dr Daniel Pampuch outlined the importance of developing tangible links between educational institutions and the church in his report to the 32nd Synod. Citing the 18 organisations, 17 500 students and 1000 staff with whom the commission works, Daniel said “this is a very big mission field in terms of reaching ...

A new forum to explore outside-the-box thinking was a smash success at Synod. Journey reports. Hundreds gathered for Unchained, a half-day festival held during Synod in Session to air dangerous ideas about how the Uniting Church might re-imagine itself and its place in the world. The event evolved from a suggestion first made by the moderator that the Synod needed ...

In a new style of engaging with Queensland Synod presbytery reports, South Moreton Presbytery multicultural officer David Busch facilitated a Q&A panel discussion between 32nd Synod members and presbytery representatives. Available on the Queensland Synod YouTube channel, members were encouraged to watch presbytery reports and submit their questions for discussion. Identified by the moderator as a forum to raise and ...

During his report to the 32nd Synod, moderator Rev David Baker highlighted the importance of relationships, leadership and vision as the church seeks to respond to the challenges of the last 40 years. He called the church to return to those ways of being “that have been life-giving since the church was formed”, quoting Jesus’ instruction to Peter to “feed ...

In his report to the 32nd Synod general secretary Robert Packer outlined how the church has been traveling against its Vision 2020 roadmap and identified priorities since the 31st Synod.  Robert reminded Synod members that this year is a key review point on the Vision 2020 roadmap and remarked it was, “Checking in to see how we are progressing towards ...