Opinion

WE were a small part of an ecumenical team that worked together to keep the heritage-listed Mt Mee Church as a community resource. It was built in 1922 by the Mount Mee community with donated land, materials and labour. By 1985 the church was in danger of becoming a ruin and the grounds were unfenced and untended. It was important ...

I really don't like talking about money. Like most pastors I like tobe liked and I know that as soon as I talk about money there will be some in our church who won't like me! Rather than speaking too much about money in the church we end up speaking too little, if anything, regarding stewardship This is a serious ...

“PEOPLE of the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches have united. A new church has been born.” It was with these words 35 years ago that the Uniting Church in Australia was created. To celebrate, the church issued a Statement to the Nation that spoke of the importance of every human being, the proclamation of truth and justice, and our responsibility ...

IT’S that time of the year again when charities remind their supporters to donate and get the benefit of a tax deduction. Government policy rewards generosity. Last year the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies, based at QUT Business School, released a study of tax-deductible gifts claimed for the 2008-2009 financial year. Based on that data, mixed crop and livestock farmers claim the highest percentage of their income, about 3.4per cent. ...

IT is the end of the financial year and everywhere I look there are worthy causes hoping for my tax-deductible dollars. But how do I choose who to donate to? It seems like an impossible, almost callous, task of deciding what is most worthy. In the midst of all this (not to mention 2012-13 budget planning) we focus on stewardship ...

GREG Ryan- Employment Services Manager– It's empowering to help the disadvantaged; being part of the Uniting Church offers me that opportunity. Helping people is a huge part of my motivation and I might not get that opportunity with other organisations. Mike Jeffrey- Marketing, Communication and Fundraising Manager- The Uniting Church was prepared to invest in my development, whether it be ...

WHEN I was a child I was fascinated by the kaleidoscope I was given for my fourth birthday – the endless colours, shapes, light and reflections as the scope rolled around. Every time it was turned the patterns were completely different and equally beautiful. I have had the challenge and pleasure of working for and being part of the wider ...

HAVE you ever competed in a three-legged race? You won’t see it on the program for the Olympic Games but you might get to see it at a church family picnic. I wonder who came up with the idea that one body should be shackled to another racing against a whole lot of other awkward pairs. Put the stop watch ...

AS you may have heard, I have been appointed the new Director of Uniting Communications. Uniting Communications is the communications team for the Synod and is responsible for this and many other publications. This appointment is a strategic role and I am very much looking forward to steering our talented team on our own journey to provide effective communications for ...

In the States and the northern hemisphere, Easter comes at the end of what is generally a harsh winter so it gets wrapped up in this concept of new beginnings. A lot of the time I rebel against that kind of thing because it gets wrapped up with the Easter bunny, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t that concept ...