Local Church News

HOME HILL Combined Church Kids Club members in Burdekin, North Queensland, were treated to a special guest in June – the Stig. The Stig is the name given to the racing driver on the BBC program Top Gear. Burdekin’s the Stig was a guest for the final week of the four-week Kids Club that focused on cars. He was there ...

CHILDREN ENJOYED getting back to nature at Day Camps held all over the state in the July school holidays. Numerous presbyteries and congregations helped primary school aged children get back to basics and learn about God in Caboolture, Moggill, Oxley, and Samford to name a few. Many of these were hosted through a joint effort from local churches. Cleveland Uniting ...

THE CHURCHES of Christ and the Uniting Church in Queensland signed a landmark joint agreement regarding the Certificate IV in Pastoral Care in July. Queensland Synod Chaplaincy coordinator Rev John Cox said the agreement will benefit both churches. “It is an opportunity for the Uniting Church to build on the great work the Churches of Christ have done,” he said. “The ...

CLONCURRY UNITING Church and McKay Patrol minister Rev Garry Hardingham was honoured with an Order of the Outback by the Burke Shire at the Burketown Ball on 3 July. Rev Hardingham and the Cloncurry Uniting Church shared the award with fellow flying padre Simon Steele from the Salvation Army. Burke Shire Mayor Annie Clarke said the night was a time ...

AFTER TWO years of work, the first group of 19 students completed the academic requirements of the Lay Preachers’ course through Pilgrim Learning Community. Director of Pilgrim Learning Community Rev Dr Rob Bos said most of the students came from various migrant-ethnic backgrounds and were studying in English as a second language. “They showed determination and commitment,” he said. “I’m ...

THE GROWING relationship between the Presbytery of North Queensland and the United Church of Papua New Guinea (PNG) enabled Rev Samson Lowa, his wife Jessie and two adult children to enjoy a week of rest and renewal with Rev Malcolm and Judy Bottrill at Lake Eacham in the Atherton Tablelands. Mr Lowa has been on leave since suffering a stroke ...

YOUNG COOK and part-time theological student Daniel Singer has had a life-changing year after moving from working in the kitchen at Raymont Residential College, the Uniting Church residential college attached to the Synod office, to the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre, Queensland’s largest prison. As cook supervisor Mr Singer works with a manager and four other supervisors to assist and teach ...

IN JULY Chermside Kedron Community Church held a lunch to honour the many years Darcy Gough has played the organ for their worship services. In 1994 Mr Gough began playing at the Hamilton Road, Chermside Church. In 2001 the Hamilton Road church together with the Strathmore Street, Kedron church moved to the new complex. Mr Gough was instrumental in having ...

ON SUNDAY July 11 the link between Brisbane’s Meals on Wheels and the St Andrew’s Congregation was celebrated in worship. Rev William Young, the minister of then St Andrew’s Presbyterian congregation in 1960, had seen a need in the community and convened the elders and managers to work out a way the congregation could make a Christian response. Forty-nine meals were ...

ECUMENICAL PRIMARY school Jubilee Primary School at Pacific Pines on the Gold Coast celebrated its 10 year anniversary with religious leaders from various traditions on 20 May. Living Rivers Uniting Church joined their ecumenical covenant partners in the Anglican, Apostolic and Catholic churches to give thanks. Living Rivers Uniting Church minister Rev Jim Hohnke and immediate past Moderator Rev Dr ...