Opinion

By Dave Wu, Executive Officer – Chaplaincy Commission The Road to Emmaus is a well-known story in the Bible, found in the Gospel of Luke chapter 24. It recounts the story of two disciples walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus after the crucifixion of Jesus. On the road, they meet a stranger who joins them on their journey. The stranger listens ...

By Paul Wetzig, Project Officer – Discipleship.  Over the last couple of months there have been a number of events across the Synod inviting us to consider what discipleship means and how we respond to Jesus commission first given to the original disciples in Matthew 28:16-20 to “go and make disciples”. Reflecting on these events, some consistent ideas have emerged ...

By Rev Rod Fisher, The Gap Uniting Church.  Our gospel lectionary reading for this Sunday is Luke 24: 13-35, often referred to as “The Road to Emmaus.”  It’s an important story near the end of Luke’s gospel.  I’ve often wondered why this particular story was included at this point of the story and what relevance it has for us as ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content creator.  Blue Care Sunday is a special day to reflect on the origin of Blue Care. It honours the story of the Rev Arthur Preston, superintendent minister of the West End Methodist Mission and Sister Olive Crombie, the first nurse for the Blue Nursing Service in 1953.  Participating in Blue Care Sunday means ...

By Rebecca Riggs, Communications Manager – Office of the Synod, Uniting Church in Queensland. What seems a very long time ago I was the sort of heartbroken you can only be in your early 20s – sitting by the edge of the road waiting for a bus. Everything was a bit blurry in the midst of my struggle and I ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator, with Kym Korbe – Koa, Kuku Yalanji (Wakka Wakka), Manager RAP Program, UnitingCare In partnership with QPAC, Multicultural Australia recently hosted an enlightening series of discussions called “Changing the Conversation”. This series brought together esteemed thought leaders from academia, government, business, and the community to engage in robust conversations about the complexities ...

By Vanessa Griffiths, Fundraising Support Manager – Church Enterprise Development This is the amazing story of one man’s dream to serve his community and create a legacy that, thanks to the Alcorn Trust, lives on today. Cyril David Alcorn was born in 1911 in Ipswich.  He attended Brisbane state schools and then went to Teacher Training College. He was so ...

By Kate Welch, Raymont College  In recent years, young Christians worldwide have been actively responding to the call to love their neighbour and care for people in need. Many of them have found inspiration in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who taught his followers to love and serve others as he did. A key focus of young Christians ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator.  March 21st in Australia is Harmony Day, a chance to honour the diversity of nations that have made Australia their home. Rev Stanley Tuilovoni, originally from Fiji, is a Minister of the Word at Kangaroo Point Uniting Church and has established a family in Australia, which now includes four grandchildren. He said ...

By Steve Drinkall, Manager, Mission Engagement Synod Support Services The story of the Good Samaritan is possibly one of the best-known stories of the bible.  This story came about originally after a lawyer approached Jesus and asked “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”.  Jesus responds with a fairly standard answer of “Love the Lord your God with all ...