Local Church News

The Lives, Links and Legacy project underway at St Andrew’s Uniting Church in Brisbane city is uncovering the stories of congregation members who served in World War One. Dianne Jensen reports. When Martha Burns stepped off the yacht Greta onto French soil with Lady Rachel Dudley’s Australian Voluntary Hospital Unit in 1914, her independent ways had already flouted social conventions. ...

When Merilyn Thomas heard the story of a small boy medevaced from remote Papua New Guinea (PNG) in 2008, she was shocked by the harsh realities of the famine unfolding on Australia’s doorstep. Dianne Jensen reports. Merilyn Thomas is a member of Townsville Central City Mission, and the force behind a seed distribution program that has transformed the lives of ...

The race is on to prepare for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, as Dianne Jensen reports. Games fever may be two years away for most Australians, but Christians in south east Queensland are already counting down to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April 2018. Rev Dr Tim Winslade from Ashmore Uniting Church is delighted to be at ground ...

Over the Christmas and New Year period, five members of Toowong Uniting Church embarked on a short term mission trip to Thailand. Grace Branjerdporn reflects. The mission trip was called Thai’d Together to represent the sense of collaboration and cooperation that the team wanted to have with the local churches in Thailand. With only 1.2 per cent of the population identifying ...

There’s something deeply rewarding about growing and eating your own food, and what better way to get your hands dirty than in a community garden? Dianne Jensen talks to Uniting Church congregations who are digging deep in search of connection. As backyards shrink or disappear and our memories of home-grown produce fade, a quiet revolution is taking place across Australia. ...

Mareeba Uniting Church and UnitingCare Community have joined forces to deliver neighbourly support to drought-affected families in north Queensland this Christmas. Dianne Jensen reports. The Mareeba Uniting Church congregation is hoping to raise at least $3000 to provide gift vouchers to nearly 70 families served by UnitingCare Community’s North Queensland Remote Area Families Service (RAFS). Burke, Carpentaria, Doomadgee and parts ...

When the joy of Advent seems to mock the darkness in our hearts, Blue Christmas is a reminder that the light of God still illuminates the path. Dianne Jensen talks to Rev David MacGregor. Like every congregation, the people at Wellers Hill–Tarragindi Uniting Church, Brisbane have experienced their share of grief and struggle during the year. Some will take the ...

Bruce Mullan attended the Global Leadership Summit and came away surprised and impressed. From the moment you were greeted in the car park of Newlife Robina Uniting Church it was clear that this event was going to be something special. A team of over 40 volunteers welcomed 250 people to hear video presentations from experts in leadership training and church ...

Blackall Uniting Church in western Queensland has planted the seeds for a thriving youth ministry. Youth pastor Scott Walker speaks to Dianne Jensen. Thursday night at the Blackall Uniting Church is youth group night, and youth pastor Scott Walker starts the evening by praying with the six regular attendees. The numbers have fluctuated over the last two and half years ...

Last month, Christian political practitioners and academics gathered to unpack the presence of faith in public office. Ashley Thompson reports. To what extent should people that hold high public office constrain the expression of their personal faith and its inevitable influence over the performance of their public duties? Toowong Uniting Church member and director of Emmanuel College’s Centre for the ...