Agency News

Christmas Bowl founder Frank Byatt reminded us that we can all be agents of transformation in the lives of people we will never know, inspiring and connecting people and communities across the world. Journey reports. Such a simple idea. Rev Frank Byatt of Victoria placed an empty bowl on the dinner table on Christmas Day in 1949 and asked his ...

Volunteering with Frontier Services Outback Links provided Uniting Church members Brad and Jeanette Heck with the chance to support families doing it tough in remote areas. Dianne Jensen reports. There’s no question that Frontier Services holds a special place in the hearts of Uniting Church members. Through its network of patrol ministers and support for remote communities, Frontier Services continues ...

Dianne Jensen finds out about the Wesley Mission Queensland No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) providing low income people with funds for essential goods and services—and how your congregation can participate. When the fridge broke down, the single parent of two boys thought she would have to rent a new one. Instead, thanks to a no-interest loan through the Wesley Mission ...

A new employment project developed by UnitingCare Australia in partnership with the Australian government is helping women enter the job market and early trials by UnitingCare look promising. Amy Cobb reports. Wesley Mission Queensland, UnitingCare Queensland and UnitingCare Australia welcomed the recent announcement by Federal Minister for Women and Employment, Senator Michaelia Cash of $10 million for a national rollout ...

The Bible presents some uncomfortable depictions of women, particularly in the Book of Revelation. Ashley Thompson speaks with North American Biblical scholar, Dr Tina Pippin about what to do with the duality of the “women of the apocalypse”. In June, Grace College hosted Dr Tina Pippin as keynote speaker for their second annual Women’s Theology Conference—a gathering of over 40 ...

A reciprocal fundraising effort by a Northern Irish community brings much needed funds for the McKay Patrol. Journey reports. As a two-year appointment with the Greenisland Methodist Church in Northern Ireland draws to a close, Rev Eric Lawson was recently treated to a traditional barn dance and concert by the community as a farewell fundraiser for the McKay Patrol. For ...

Dianne Jensen reports on how a partnership between the Christian church in China and the Uniting Church in Australia is flourishing at the grassroots level. An aged-care facility in a regional town in Shandong province in China seems a world away from the Wesley Mission Brisbane (WMB) Jacobs Court Aged Care Community in Sinnamon Park, Brisbane. But thanks to a ...

An outreach to people affected by cancer has given the congregation at Wulguru Uniting Church in Townsville a new lease of life. Dianne Jensen reports.  When Rev Phillip Hulme came out of retirement a few years ago, the triple-cancer survivor was already thinking about ways of providing holistic support for those affected by the disease. At Wulguru Uniting Church he ...

Lifeline Bookfests attract crowds eager for a bargain on their books but there’s a wide array of the weird and wonderful to browse. Journey reports. While the Australian book industry continues to acclimatise to consumer trends favouring digital publishing, lovers of the printed page know Lifeline Bookfests are the must-attend event to celebrate their passion. With a massive volume of ...

A Wesley Hospital chaplaincy initiative is providing Uniting Church congregations with opportunities to support bereaved parents during the darkest of times. Dianne Jensen reports. Chaplain Julie Mackay-Rankin is passionate about the role of the church in supporting people through loss. Working in consultation with the midwives, Julie helps manage the Perinatal Bereavement Program at Brisbane’s Wesley Hospital, and she understands ...