Features

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator. Kath Ruhle, the Families Pastor at The Gap Uniting Church in the Moreton Rivers Presbytery, spearheads efforts to integrate faith into the church’s community work. With a keen eye for the challenges facing her congregation, Pastor Kath has been exploring innovative solutions to promote inclusivity and connection. Pastor Kath acknowledges that blending ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator Lydia’s Place drop-in-centre is a community-driven initiative in Kingaroy which has quietly transformed lives through acts of kindness and compassion. Founded by Rona Sandilands, who had previously volunteered as a chaplain and counsellor for an organisation called South Burnett Peace of Mind at a drop-in centre operating out of the Kingaroy Lutheran ...

By Pastor Phil Smith, BELLS Community.  There’s something catchy about the title and then winsome about its subtext for those who are weary of magic bullet guides to Church health, vitality, and growth (whatever). However, Turner’s appeal to village culture is swept up in a metaphor of ultimate chain store systems; Ikea’s labyrinth, taking us to the checkout instead of ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator After Cyclone Debbie struck and caused immense devastation to the historic Proserpine Whitsunday Uniting Church, a cherished place of worship since 1899, devoted members of the congregation, Tina Hamilton, Jane Bettridge, and Kim Porter, have taken the initiative to support the church’s restoration with their ‘Brick by Brick’ campaign. Their ambitious objective ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator. The COVID-19 pandemic, changing demographics and increasing costs of living have presented continuous challenges for The Gap Uniting Church (UC), the largest congregation in the Moreton Rivers Presbytery. The Presbytery designed the ‘Reimagined’ program to aid congregations in finding their genuine purpose, identifying their distinct strengths and areas for enhancement, and understanding ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod writer and content creator. Reverend Jim Haak, a seasoned minister passionate about spreading positive news within the church, shares his journey in ministry as he prepares to step into a new role at Ashmore Uniting Church. From his humble beginnings as a tradesperson to becoming a chaplain at various schools, Jim’s experiences have shaped his perspectives ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator Centenary Uniting Church is gearing up to honour Reverend Ross Mackay’s retirement with a special service, marking the end of his impactful career in ministry. As the retirement date draws near, Rev Ross took the time to reflect on his journey and share some of his experiences.  When asked about the starting ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator The Australian church scene is diverse, yet Logan Central Multicultural Church stands out for its distinct method of sharing the gospel. Situated in the sprawling and diverse suburbia of Logan, this church is particularly notable for its embrace of multiculturalism and its efforts to foster an inclusive environment where individuals from diverse ...

On Wednesday, July 12th, the Moderator, Rev Andrew Gunton, and Executive Officer Corporate, Kellie Broderick, were invited by Rev Dylan Miegel, Minister at St. Stephen’s Uniting Church, to attend the Winter Shelter Toowoomba 2023. Winter Shelter, organized by Lifeline Toowoomba, is a program where partner churches, including St. Stephen’s, host individuals who would otherwise be homeless during the cold winter ...

Prepare for an extraordinary adventure as the Dostana Group invites you to join their much-anticipated visit to India in November. Prepare to immerse yourself in this incredible country’s vibrant and captivating lifestyle, where the chaos and enthusiasm will leave you breathless (earplugs recommended!). Discover breathtaking landscapes, forge lasting friendships, and witness ministry like never before. Our journey begins in the ...