Magnolia Films 2011 Review by Dr Robert Davidson, Lecturer in Composition, School of Music, The University of Queensland. AFRICAN-American gospel music is at the heart of American popular music. It is the fabric from which most of the plethora of genres is cut, including jazz, rock, soul, country, funk and hiphop. Gospel legend Smokey Robinson, interviewed in this joyful and ...

HUNDREDS of Christians from across Australia converged on the nation's capital this week for an event called 'Voices for Justice' that urged politicians to play their part in halving global poverty by 2015. Voices for Justice is organized annually by Micah Challenge Australia. The Australian campaign is part of a global network inspired by the prophet Micah's call to "do ...

A YOUNG man who attended a Lutheran school was going out with a girl who was educated in a Roman Catholic school. He was amazed to discover that she had never heard of Martin Luther or the Reformation. What do you think should be taught in a church-based school? What do you hope the graduates of our Uniting Church schools ...

BLUE Care Sunday will be held in Uniting Churches across Queensland to celebrate the Church's establishment of and on-going commitment to community services. Blue Care Director of Mission Rev Heather den Houting is encouraging congregations to incorporate appropriate aspects of thanksgiving and prayer into their worship services on 26 August, Blue Care Sunday. "Blue Care is part of the network ...

Hillsong Music Australia 2012 RRP $39.95 Reviewed by Rev David MacGregor. "CORNERSTONE" is the latest CD/DVD package in a near-yearly succession of contemporary live worship-music releases from Hillsong Church dating back to the late 1980s. Over this time, although occasionally using Hillsong material in worship, I've had reservations about a lack of inclusive language and clear mission-related titles, a seeming ...

HarperCollins Publishers (Toronto), 2012, RRP $35.99 Reviewed by Peter Harvey, Rural Ministry Associate, Presbytery of Western Australia FOR many people, prayer is an essential part of their daily lives, connecting them with God, a force, or the universe and bringing them, among other things, assistance and protection. Prayer makes their lives more meaningful, and their world make more sense. And ...

RRP $14.95 Wendy Scott, Kenmore Uniting. THIS DVD is very professional in the graphics and animation. The jingles are very catchy and would appeal to children in the under 8 age group. Paul is a boy who always has a back pack with at least one bible in it. He pulls it out as soon as there is and incident ...

THE small rural church of Dalveen in the Downs Presbytery has closed its doors after 57 years of worship. More than 50 people packed into the traditional weatherboard building on 23 June for the final service to remember and give thanks for fellowship and worship during countless Sunday services, weddings, baptisms, confirmations and funerals. The establishment of the church in ...

WHILE waiting by the carousel for luggage after our flight home from Adelaide, with memories of the 13th Assembly swirling in my head, I read a text message from my sister announcing that my aunt had died. Aunty Beth, a maiden aunt, had lived with my parents for most of my life. Hers was a remarkable life. Born in 1920, ...

THE Uniting Church's current Ministerial Education Committee is to be replaced by an Education for Ministry Working Group, with the new body to provide advice on the standards of formation, education and training for the Ministry of the Word, Ministry of Deacon, Ministry of Pastor and Ministry of Lay Preacher. The statement presented to the 13th Assembly, One Body, Many ...