I grew up in a community that was both microscopic and networked at the same time. It was a microscopic community because my family lived on lighthouse stations. At the same time it was a dynamically networked community across the whole country, with 24 manned stations and the accompanying support networks. Looking back, it was a safe community. There were ...

YOU know that you belong when you turn up and they have a name tag for you. At the very least they will feed you. But is that the same as belonging? It might just mean that the efficient electronic registration system has you on the list. It doesn’t mean that you will feel welcome and included. I recently attended ...

IN the synod offi ce we are calling 2012 the year of belonging. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Back in July our communications team, now known as Uniting Communications, got together to nut out our mission statement. What we came up with inspires everything we do. Here it is: In serving God, Uniting Communications will inspire, ...

EXPERTS IN health and human rights from around the world gathered in Geneva 16-18 January to ponder a question: How can churches create "safe spaces" where people can learn and discuss sensitive issues without fear of judgment? "We need to have open and inclusive dialogue on mental and physical health issues, so that we can create safe spaces, where communities ...

THE COOROY Uniting Church (formerly Methodist), in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, will celebrate 100 years of ministry and service to the community in January 2012. The original church building still stands on the site where it is used today as a hall. Over the course of 100 years this small church has provided comfort and support to thousands of rural ...

The Alban Institute, 2008 RRP $33.95 Reviewed by Karyl Davison, Rural Ministry Coordinator, Presbytery of Central Qld & Lecturer in Christian Education, PLC.  EVERYTHING ABOUT a congregation speaks of its values. Imagine yourself walking into a church you know nothing about. If you see children’s artwork posted on the notice board, hear children singing and playing, and see posters for ...

ON THURSDAY 3 November the 96five fm (Family Radio) Family Show went on a school excursion to The Gap State School in Brisbane’s west. The team broadcast live from a free breakfast for the school community with members of The Gap Uniting Church feeding the hungry students, staff and parents. 96five Community Partnership Manager, Billy Diehm, said the excursions are ...

SINGING CHRISTMAS CAROLS has certainly been part of my heritage. As a teenager it was great fun being driven around the suburbs adjacent to the local church on the back of a truck, dangling our legs over the side, singing carols accompanied by an inadequate reed organ or an inaudible guitar. Part of the deal was that we also encouraged householders ...

ON SATURDAY 27 August Indooroopilly Uniting Church hosted the second Bremer Brisbane Presbytery Ministry Expo, a capability-building initiative. With a common theme of developing community connections, there were around 27 displays and stalls from congregations in the Presbytery as well as the Synod and the Assembly alongside those from ecumenical and para-church organisations and agencies, such as World Vision. Speakers ...

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. Priority Direction E looks at “Engaging in opportunities for intentional, ...