Pipe organs, for centuries considered a fixture in Christian places of worship, have been gaining a place in some Japanese Buddhist temples over recent decades. Rissho Kosei-kai, a Buddhist lay movement, has used a pipe organ every day since 1965 for rituals and events at its headquarters in Tokyo. The organ is also used for concerts. "The organ was installed ...

Congregations are being encouraged to celebrate the life of the Queensland Uniting Church at mission with Blue Care Sunday on 19 August. “This particular Sunday is an opportunity for congregations to incorporate thanksgiving and prayer support for Blue Care into their worship services,” Acting Director of Mission Rev Jan Chalmers said. To help congregations celebrate, Blue Care has prepared a ...

The decision by Pope Benedict XVI to authorise a wider use of the old Latin Mass has been welcomed as offering a possibility of healing a rift with traditionalists, but has also faced criticism that it might open up new divisions within the church. "Pope Benedict XVI has tried to heal a painful wound within the church," said French Cardinal ...

Isothermal winter-wear cassocks for priests, and MP3 bell chimes were two of the items on display at SACROEXPO, a trade fair of church supplies in Poland, sponsored by Roman Catholic leaders and the Polish Ecumenical Council, which groups other denominations. "This event, the largest in Europe, is a source of satisfaction and hope," Cardinal Paul Poupard, president of the Vatican’s ...

Queensland born Rev Dr Andrew Dutney is Principal of Parkin-Wesley Theological College in Adelaide and Lecturer in Historical and Systematic Theology. Dr Dutney is one of Australia’s most respected commentators on the Basis of Union and he reflects for Journey on its importance for the church after 30 years. As the data from the 2006 National Church Life Survey begins ...

Adverts on the backs of buses, in taxis, on billboards and in newspapers for "Alpha courses", a popular introduction to the essentials of Christianity, are familiar to many people in Britain and further afield. Alpha’s organisers claim that more than 8 million people worldwide have now attended one of their courses, and that more than 7000 churches in Britain and ...

On the Sunday morning of Synod I preached on the theme, “Running Free”.  It was a sermon about the sinful burdens we choose to carry and how, as a result, our lives and relationships are inevitably damaged. It was also a clear declaration of the good news that in Jesus Christ we can know the reality of forgiveness and new ...

The Moderator of the Uniting Church Queensland Synod Rev Dr David Pitman spoke at a dinner in Mackay this week to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia. This is the text of his address. This is a very significant year for a number of reasons. 300 years ago, Charles Wesley, brother of John and hymn writer ...

The Uniting Church in Australia is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this Friday, June 22. Congregations all over the country are holding special services or social events to celebrate the milestone. The third largest church in Australia, the Uniting Church was formed on 22 June 1977 when the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian churches united. The first service, held on the 26th ...

When Australian Capital Reserve was placed in voluntary administration two weeks ago it was the life savings of mum and dad investors, up to $330 million worth, that were at greatest risk. Real estate agent Sam Pogson and many of the company’s founders are members of the Christadelphian church, pointing again to how vulnerable churches are to a scam known ...