Home > Agency News (page 6)

Agency News

Chaps help kids giddy-up

A young participant experiences horses up close at MacKay Riding for the Disabled. The photo was supplied.

The Iona West Men’s Shed in Mackay is helping a local charity saddle up to overcome disadvantage. Ashley Thompson reports. Iona West Men’s Shed Coordinator Chris McAdam recently handed over one of six horse-shaped saddle racks to the Mackay Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA). The association works to develop ability and enrich the lives of disabled people though relationships ...

Read More »

Moderator’s Community Service Medal: the search is on

Recipients of the the 2013 Moderator's Medal. Photo: Uniting Communications.

The search is on for nominations for the 2014 Moderator’s Community Service Medal. Successful nominees will have the opportunity to be presented with their medal during the Uniting Church in Queensland’s 31st Synod meeting at Alexandra Park Conference Centre 10-15 October. Colleen Geyer, Director of Mission, UnitingCare Queensland and member of the judging panel, said the Moderator’s Medal is a ...

Read More »

Plugging into employment

Andrew Coleman (pictured) went from participant to site supervisor. Photo taken by Wesley Mission Brisbane.

Wesley Mission Brisbane is assisting jobseekers through a social enterprise which gives them the skills to find employment. Jessica Mewburn writes. Rewired IT, an e-waste recycling business, is a new addition to Wesley Mission Brisbane’s employment services area. Set up late last year, thanks to a Federal Government grant, the Australian Disability Enterprise is recycling computers that would otherwise go ...

Read More »

Learning to say goodbye

Rockhampton South Uniting Church is reaching out to the community through a program helping people to deal with grief. Dianne Jensen reports. Dealing with the death of a loved one is one of the toughest things we ever face. When members of Rockhampton South Uniting Church heard about training for the Grief Recovery Program offered by Blue Care Gold Coast, they ...

Read More »

Communities care post-suicide

New life represented by one plant thriving in burnt land. Photo by stock images.

UnitingCare Community, in partnership with StandBy Response Service, offers postvention programs to assist families, friends and communities bereaved by suicide. Ashley Goetze reports. Queensland’s largest drought has consequences that stretch beyond its thirsty soil. According to The Australian, Lifeline figures show that where severe drought hits, suicide rates increase sixfold. Issues of guilt and shame about suicide impact the grieving ...

Read More »

Hospitals care with praying hands

Wesley Hospital clinical nurse Rachel Oxford and Pastorial Care Department Manager, Rev Murrary Fysh.

Last month Brisbane’s Wesley Hospital launched a program that will enable all UnitingCare Health hospital staff to pray for patients, no matter their job. Ashley Goetze reports. Dubbed the Praying Hands initiative, staff identified by a green and yellow Praying Hands badge can now answer prayer requests from patients as they go about their daily tasks.   “We’re the first hospital ...

Read More »

Old friend spurs memories

Michael Parkes with Benny the horse and Bob Allen. Photo by Blue Care.

The reunion of a man and his horse highlighted the importance of animal therapy in aged care, write Hayley Campbell and Albert D’Aprile. It was a magical moment one Remembrance Day when former 5th Light Horse Regiment Maleny Troop Quartermaster Bob Allen was reunited with a horse called Benny. Benny and Bob’s special relationship came to light at Blue Care ...

Read More »

UnitingWorld supports United Church in Solomons relief effort

Flash floods have displaced more than 49 000 people across the Solomon Islands

Flash flooding has caused enormous damage since torrential rain began in the Solomon Islands on Friday. So far three people have been confirmed dead and more than 49 000 people have been displaced from their homes. UnitingWorld is gathering support for the United Church in the Solomon Islands in their relief efforts. Please donate online or phone 1800 998 122. ...

Read More »

Giving out for Lent

Vicki, Joel, Brian and Zac Robinson.

The Christian tradition of giving something up for Lent could provide a new perspective on life and faith. Dianne Jensen talks to families about Lent Event. Uniting Church congregations don’t have much corporate memory when it comes to the Lenten practice of undertaking 40 days of repentance and self-denial, culminating in the joy of Easter Sunday. Frankly, it’s been a ...

Read More »

Caloundra takes action after Cyclone Ian

Judy and Alan with students of a Free Wesleyan Church School in Tonga.

When Cyclone Ian ripped through the Pacific Island nation of Tonga on 11 January, Caloundra Uniting Church member Judy Morrison’s first thoughts were with her friends on Tongatapu, the southernmost island. Ashley Goetze reports. While the category five storm left no dramatic structural damage on Tongatapu, the north island of Ha’apai, home to the Free Wesleyan Church school and kindergarten, ...

Read More »