Yesterday 32nd Synod members called Rev Heather den Houting to be the next Queensland Synod general secretary, starting 1 June 2016. Ashley Thompson catches up with Heather to uncover the personality behind the profession.
Ashley: What is your passion?
Heather: My passion is people, especially people in Christ. I am always deeply delighted by the capacity and resilience of those who gather together to reimagine community.
A: What dangerous idea are you most excited about?
H: Digital disruption. Considering the fact that in the last ten years we have seen transformation in ultra-connection, imagine what might happen in the next ten. Are we ready to network this?
A: What were you like in high school?
H: I was friends with everyone. Too naughty to be head prefect but engaged enough to be head of the school’s cheer squad. Go team!!
A: What’s your secret talent?
H: I love to paint, but do so very rarely these days.
A: How do you relax?
H: Hmm … a shout out to all my Words with Friends mates!
A: What is your favourite church weasel word?
H: It’s not church only, but I refuse to use the term “going forward”—I think we mean “in the future”.
A: Describe the Uniting Church in three words.
H: Adventure, joy, Jesus.