Local Church News

In an active demonstration of Christ’s love, different parts of the Uniting Church worked together to change the course of one man’s life. Ashley Goetze reports. Last October, a team of specialists from St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, Brisbane performed a rare life-saving operation on Vebui Bala, a 21-year-old man from a small village in Central Province, Papua New Guinea ...

Moses Leth, pastor of the Uniting Church’s South Sudanese Nuer Faith Community in Brisbane’s Coopers Plains narrowly escaped death under fire. Ashley Goetze reports. As the world’s newest sovereign state struggles to navigate tensions between the Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups, media outlets speculate that South Sudan runs the risk of mirroring nearby republic Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. Yet the true ...

The image of the 77-year-old Bundaberg Uniting Church awash with 60 cm of putrid water was a symbol for many of the devastation wrought by the January floods. It was the end of September before the congregation gathered in the refurbished church for worship, writes Dianne Jensen. The damage to the Bundaberg church property was extensive. As well as flooding the church, ...

As Bundaberg Uniting Church members begin the familiar Advent journey, many will reflect on a year of working and waiting for a new beginning. Dianne Jensen reports. The people of Bundaberg and the nearby towns in the Wide Bay Burnett region had their lives turned upside down by the floods caused by cyclone Oswald last January. An estimated 9000 houses ...

Rev Paul Clark is blazing the path for innovative worship in the south-east corner. Ashley Goetze talks to the “art church” minister. From Genesis to Jesus, over the course of 52 weeks, Redcliffe Uniting Church commissioned artists from within their church and wider community to journey together through the Old Testament. The year-long art project, inspired by a desire to address and help ...

Emerald Uniting Church is passionate about sharing the good news of Jesus by serving the community in all its diversity. Rohan Salmond spoke with Rev Suzy Sitton. What is happening in your congregation? There’s regular vibrant worship, youth activities, Bible study and lots of care and support for each other and for those in the community. Our local mission focus ...

Cairns Emmanuel Uniting Church is one of the most culturally diverse in Queensland. Rohan Salmond spoke to interim minister Rev Peter Woodward. What’s happening in your congregation? The Emmanuel Congregation is in a period of transition. I’m the intentional interim minister for 2013, but the processes of calling a minister to commence in early 2014 is well in hand. The ...

Southport Uniting Church has opened its doors and its heart to the busy world outside. Dianne Jensen reports. The young woman was a regular attender at the night services at Southport Uniting Church on the Gold Coast. An artist who lived alone, Anne suffered from depression and schizophrenia following childhood trauma. One night she self-harmed, and accidentally killed herself. Artist and Southport ...

Last month, young adults across Queensland gathered to talk about holistic sexuality with Uniting Church President, Rev Dr Andrew Dutney. Ashley Goetze reports. Suggestively titled Theology between the sheets, bashfulness soon subsided in exchange for sincere questions surrounding the nation’s fixation on Biblical interpretations regarding same-sex marriage. As one young person asked, “What’s the big deal?” Uniting Church President Rev Dr Andrew Dutney answered, ...

Actively expressing love for others by being a positive presence in the community has become a priority for Jandowae Uniting Church. Rohan Salmond spoke with congregation minister Rev Jenny Sims. What’s happening in your congregation? There is new enthusiasm within the congregation to connect with the community. Three members of the congregation are involved in religious instruction in the school. Members are involved ...