Features

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator. International Day of Older Persons is an opportunity to honour their significant contribution to society and the fortitude of the elderly. This year’s theme is ‘Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World’, appropriate given COVID-19 tested many as civil, social and cultural links experienced upheaval. Blue Care Residential Aged Care Chaplain and ...

During this past year, the Office of the Synod has been slowly assuming landlord and site management responsibility for Barnabas House. Barnabas House, previously managed by a volunteer Committee, is a residential dwelling in Brisbane that provides accommodation and care services for four people living with disabilities. All the current residents have come to Barnabas House through a connection with ...

Across Queensland, thousands of foster carers open their hearts and homes to provide a safe and nurturing space to children in need, but many more are urgently needed. UnitingCare’s Foster and Kinship state manager, Amanda Moormann, explained the urgency is due to more children coming into care than foster care places. “These are vulnerable children that come to need care ...

By Vanessa Griffiths, Fundraising Support Manager (Church Enterprise Development).  Being African-born has come with its blessings and its heartache.  I grew up in Zimbabwe, and the early part of my life was dominated by war.  My world was embedded with racism and inequality, but I wouldn’t understand the true extent of that until I was much older.  I had an ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator. World Teacher’s Day 2022 takes place on Wednesday, October 28; it’s an opportunity to celebrate and honour the tremendous work of those who are called to a vocation in teaching.   Uniting Early Learning is proud to have many outstanding teachers and educators in its ranks. Helping little hands as they discover ...

This month our theme is rest, and the letting go of burdens. Earlier in the month I had the pleasure of speaking to ministers from across Queensland at the Moderator’s convocation on voluntary assisted dying (VAD), connecting to themes of burden and rest when we consider the journey of dying. With the legalisation of VAD in Queensland coming into effect ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator. When Lismore was devastated by floods earlier this year, Pimpama Uniting Church Op Shop was one of many community groups that lent a hand. Many people were facing overwhelming devastation and loss and were forced to abandon their homes in the Northern New South Wales city as waters peaked at a record ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator.  Early Childhood Educators’ Day 2022 takes place on Wednesday, September 7, representing a chance to celebrate child care educators and say thanks. Uniting Early Learning employs over 270 educators throughout 22 childcare services responsible for almost a thousand children in their care, with many in Family day care and In Home care ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator.  Mental health and well-being are in the spotlight this week through R U OK Day and World Suicide Prevention Day. The message behind R U OK Day, which is on Thursday, September 8, is to encourage anyone struggling with things happening in their lives to chat with a friend or reach out ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator.  National Child Protection Week is from September 4th to the 10th, and this year’s theme is early childhood. The campaign promotes the value of children and focuses attention on the issues of child abuse and neglect, which the Uniting Church in Queensland is committed to preventing through Safe Ministry with Children. Lynde ...