AS THE Together on the way, enriching community journey continues Church members from all over Queensland are reflecting on the future of the Church in their own context. In the light of the Church’s 2020 Call and Vision, five areas of priority for the next two years have been identified. Focus Group C is working on “developing sustainable, mission oriented ...

Calls to review and revive the CovenantBy Mardi Lumsden Members of the 27th Queensland Synod were called to renew the Covenant between the greater Uniting Church and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) on the first day of business. Rev Dr Chris Budden addressed the Synod in session speaking on the theological foundation of the relationship between Indigenous ...

By Andrew McKaysmith, Synod Writer and Content Creator In a recent interview, Pastor Phuoc Dang discussed the growth and relocation of Darra Uniting Church to Graceville. The move was necessitated by an increase in membership, which exceeded the church’s capacity. In a move that contrasts with the national trend of declining church attendance, the growth is attributed to a focus on ...

PreachFest is a three-day festival created to inspire and enliven the craft, art and vocation of preaching across churches in Australia. The event involves a series of speakers and workshops for attendees. PreachFest is organised by the Uniting Church Synod of NSW & ACT in partnership with the Synod of Vic/Tas and is open to anyone across Australia and beyond ...

By Peter Rekers, Communications Coordinator, QLD Synod. When Noela and Noel Rothery visited East Timor in 2010, they never expected the turn of events that would follow. They immediately recognised the opportunity and need to help the struggling nation by donating to help where they could. On returning to Glebe Road Uniting Church in Ipswich, west of Brisbane, the congregation ...

While the title might suggest a reflection on Noah and the great flood unfortunately today I am writing about something a bit closer to home.  As we mop up after the flooding that stretched from Maryborough through the southeast and as far west as Moonie and Chinchilla right through Northern NSW, we pause and remember those who lost their lives, ...

When Rev Sharon Hollis was named President-elect of the Uniting Church in Australia, the world was a different place. It was pre-COVID-19. Before mandatory check-ins, the ubiquitous hand sanitiser, the mask-wearing emoji and we all got used to WFH.  On 17 July, Sharon will be installed as President of the UCA, the third women to hold the post and the ...

James O’Callaghan looks at a new initiative from the Synod Chaplaincy Commission created in partnership with UnitingCare Queensland to curve the declining trend of pastoral care volunteers within the Queensland Synod. During the 1990s and early 2000s there was an increase in pastoral care volunteering with many seeing it as their way of serving God and receiving a tremendous amount ...

Erin Mawhinney reflects on the importance of the Day of Mourning. In the spirit of the Covenant relationship between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, the Queensland Synod invites congregations to observe a Day of Mourning in their worship services the Sunday before Australia Day.  This was endorsed by the Fifteenth Assembly at ...

With another year almost at an end Journey editor Ben Rogers reflects on the year that was for the magazine and highlights some of the stories you may have missed from our last four editions. Is it just me or has it felt like time has been accelerating at a faster rate over the past year? It’s as if someone ...