Local Church News

One of Queensland’s iconic city churches celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, throwing the spotlight on a remarkable period of Christian witness in the south-east region. Dianne Jensen reports. Built of local basalt and sandstone,St Stephen’s Uniting Church (formerly Presbyterian) in Toowoomba was completed in 1884. The 150th anniversary marks the establishment of the charge (parish) in 1863, although the ...

Christian women coming together can be a powerful force for mission. Dianne Jensen visits a booming community program at Elanora Uniting Church. Is this the biggest craft group in Australia? Elanora Uniting Church on the Gold Coast opens its doors every Wednesday during school term to around 280 people who gather to share skills and fellowship. The Leisuretime ministry started ...

The Leichhardt Patrol is not a “congregation” in the traditional sense, but rather an initiative of the Presbytery of the Downs that provides pastoral care to rural properties as well as regional congregational bodies. Rohan Salmond spoke with patrol minister Rev Graham Slaughter. What is the Leichhardt Patrol? The Patrol covers part of the area known as the Surat Basin ...

What is your mission? Townsville Central City Mission is a strategic city church committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and ministering to human need by providing personal and family care through the ministry of word and deed. What’s happening in your church? At the moment a Joint Nomination Committee is being selected to call a minister to the ...

Some congregations look at a large grassy block and worry about the mowing roster. Others, like the members of Coorparoo Uniting Church, think about the possibilities. Dianne Jensen reports. Coorparoo is one of Brisbane’s oldest suburbs. Its central location and traditional housing are prime targets for redevelopment, and green space is precious. Four years ago the congregation (then led by ...

Northside Uniting Church is located in Mackay, central Queensland, and its sister congregation is Seaforth, in a coastal village. The congregations have strong links with the community. Tara Burton spoke with congregation member Rod Kirkpatrick. How are you enriching your community? We play significant roles in local schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Hospital and nursing home visitation, including conducting chapel ...

The view from a back deck can be inspirational, as Aitkenvale Uniting Church Deck Dwellers convener Scott Heron and minister Mark Dewar told Dianne Jensen. When Aitkenvale Uniting Church members felt called to connect with a Christian congregation overseas, they sat out on a back deck and talked and prayed about it. The new group, the Deck Dwellers, was formed ...

In February 2013 the Central Burnett congregations experienced heavy flooding for the second time since 2011. Pastor Fay Barton tells us how the floods have had a profound impact on the way Central Burnett approaches mission and community outreach. Read the story on the Central Burnett floods.

The progressive and dynamic town of Chinchilla is located in the Darling Downs region of Queensland. The Chinchilla/BrigalowUniting Church enriches its local community in a variety of ways. Tara Burton spoke with congregation member Jill Covington. Who makes up your congregation? We have an ageing congregation, between 50 and 90 years old. There are a few young families starting to ...

Burleigh Heads Uniting Church is known locally as 'the church on the hill' and is situated on the outskirts of the busy Gold Coast region. Tara Burton spoke to co-founder of the Burleigh Heads Never Alone Friendship Centre, Neville Free. Who makes up your congregation? Burleigh Heads Uniting Church is a worshipping and caring congregation of 260 members. It is ...