JourneyOnline
COLD weather did not deter enthusiastic attendance by people from all denominations at the annual Queensland Churches Together and Churches Together Indigenous Peoples Partnership (CTIPP) Service of Reconciliation.
The service was held at St John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Enoggera, on 31 May, during National Reconciliation Week, with over one hundred people in attendance.
The Malu Kiai Torres Strait Island Dancers provided the welcome, alongside other musicians including guitarist Eric Barkmeyer.
Uniting Church Indigenous minister, Rev Rodney Minniecon, used the "Valley of dry bones" passage in Ezekiel 37 as the basis for the sermon.
He likened the restoration of the bones to the restoration of the identity and respect for Indigenous people and culture that is occurring in Australia.
Mr Minniecon reminded the congregation that, although some steps have been taken in this process, there is still a long way to go.
During the service, Indigenous Elder Aunty Jean Phillips spoke with the local participants in the recent Grasstrees Conference in Melbourne about growing and encouraging young Indigenous Christian leaders.
CTIPP Coordinator, Georgia Corowa, was encouraged by the turnout and said it was "a good indication of support for stronger relationships between our Indigenous and non-Indigenous Christian community".
Photo : Guitarist Eric Barkmeyer performs at the service at Enoggera’s St John the Evangelist Anglican Church. Photo by Michael Stephenson
