By Rev Heather den Houting, General Secretary – Queensland Synod, Uniting Church in Australia At this time of Lent, three insistent themes have been emerging in my prayer and spiritual life. The first is Ecclesiastes 3:14, the second is the notion of Pilgrim people as articulated in the UCA’s Basis of Union and the third is Teresa of Avila’s prayer ...

Members of the 36th Synod worked, listened, danced and shared in the daily theme of Life Together as the meeting entered its third day, with business deliberation, small groups, bible study and a Plenty Party to end the day. Bible Study with Pastor Mike Hands Rev Tim Griggs hosted Newlife Senior Pastor Mike Hands for a morning bible study exploring ...

One Church. If One Church is the “what” of Project Plenty’s focus on church’s identity, what is the “why” that undergirds this priority? Perhaps the why of one church is to enhance the relational dynamics and operational efficiencies between all key stakeholders. This could lead to innovative opportunities, financial savings and a clearer sense of identity within the branding of ...

Morningside Uniting Church Minister Rev David Kim reflects on the theme of “Uniting in Diversity”, coinciding with Queensland Multicultural Month. The word “unity” is generally translated into a Korean word 연합 (yearn harp, in Chinese 联合). Its literal meaning is to achieve a common goal together. Partnership through MoU would be a good example. So, depending on what the common ...

Since its formation the Uniting Church has given voice to a desire to be open to and learn from others, writes Uniting Church in Australia President Rev Sharon Hollis. The Basis of Union committed the church to seek special relationship with churches in Asia and the Pacific and reminded the church that its life is lived within a worldwide fellowship ...

Rev Duncan Harrison—the third Moderator and second General Secretary of the Queensland Synod and a colleague of Don’s for more than 50 years—and Rev Bruce Johnson—retired Uniting Church Minister and Moderator of the Uniting Church in Queensland between 2008 and 2011—write this tribute to Rev Don Whebell who passed away on Friday 11 December 2020. Following service in the RAAF,  ...

James O’Callaghan reports on the first day of the 35th Synod in Session. The 35th Synod in Session of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod commenced on 23 October 2020. The session was opened by Rev Andrew Gunton—who was inducted as Moderator of the Queensland Synod on 22 October 2020—before Gaja Kerry, Traditional Owner, Jaggera/Turrubal Lands performed a Welcome ...

What does it mean for the Uniting Church to  call itself a multicultural church? As part of Queensland Multicultural Month, Levon Kardashian reflects on the importance of multiculturalism within the Uniting Church. Introduction I use the terms multicultural and cross-cultural interchangeably most of the time. I believe that the word of the cross, in the term “cross-cultural”, is one of ...

There’s a bit of concern in some parts of the church about how we are going to get out of this, and will we still be the same. Some are concerned about having access to financial resources to sustain us over this time, some about how we are making the most of this time in terms of our worship, witness ...

Rev Shane Kammermann reflects on the life-giving light of Jesus, illuminating the darkest places in a broken world and surprising and blessing us beyond comprehension. The first words of God recorded in the biblical narrative are “Let there be light”. From those first words, creation emerges with goodness, order, purpose and life extending right down through the ages. A history ...