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Queensland Synod News

Mission opportunity: schools and colleges

Schools and Residential Colleges Commission executive officer Dr Daniel Pampuch delivers his report to the 32nd Synod. Photo by Uniting Communications.

Executive officer of the Schools and Residential Colleges Commission Dr Daniel Pampuch outlined the importance of developing tangible links between educational institutions and the church in his report to the 32nd Synod. Citing the 18 organisations, 17 500 students and 1000 staff with whom the commission works, Daniel said “this is a very big mission field in terms of reaching ...

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Dangerous ideas brew at 32nd Synod

32nd Synod members took part in a virtual reality experience at Synod Unchained. Photo by Uniting Communications.

A new forum to explore outside-the-box thinking was a smash success at Synod. Journey reports. Hundreds gathered for Unchained, a half-day festival held during Synod in Session to air dangerous ideas about how the Uniting Church might re-imagine itself and its place in the world. The event evolved from a suggestion first made by the moderator that the Synod needed ...

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Presbytery Q&A stimulates discussion

Bruce Johnson addresses the 32nd Synod presbytery Q&A panel. Photo by Ben Rogers.

In a new style of engaging with Queensland Synod presbytery reports, South Moreton Presbytery multicultural officer David Busch facilitated a Q&A panel discussion between 32nd Synod members and presbytery representatives. Available on the Queensland Synod YouTube channel, members were encouraged to watch presbytery reports and submit their questions for discussion. Identified by the moderator as a forum to raise and ...

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A call for open hearts and hungry shepherds

Moderator Rev David Baker addresses members. Photo: Holly Jewell

During his report to the 32nd Synod, moderator Rev David Baker highlighted the importance of relationships, leadership and vision as the church seeks to respond to the challenges of the last 40 years. He called the church to return to those ways of being “that have been life-giving since the church was formed”, quoting Jesus’ instruction to Peter to “feed ...

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Towards 2020 and beyond

Queensland Synod general secretary Robert Packer. Photo by Ben Rogers.

In his report to the 32nd Synod general secretary Robert Packer outlined how the church has been traveling against its Vision 2020 roadmap and identified priorities since the 31st Synod.  Robert reminded Synod members that this year is a key review point on the Vision 2020 roadmap and remarked it was, “Checking in to see how we are progressing towards ...

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Synod agrees moderator can nominate as moderator-elect

Members participate in the ballot process. Photo: Holly Jewell

The first full day of business at the 32nd Synod was full of meaty reports and proposals. General secretary Robert Packer and Governance, Nomination and Remuneration Committee chairperson Andrew McBryde presented the Synod Standing Committee’s proposal that the Synod allow the current moderator’s name to go forward in the ballot for moderator-elect. It was noted by many that this proposal ...

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Synod starts with a purpose

Deaconess Terani Lima, Rev Dennis Corowa and moderator Rev David Baker take part in a Samoan symbolic time of confession. Photo: Ben Rogers

The 32nd Synod meeting of the Uniting Church in Queensland began on 20 May 2016 as Rev Dennis Corowa, Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and Calvary Presbytery chairperson, acknowledged the traditional owners of the land at Alexandra Headland, the Gubbi Gubbi people. “We pay our respects to elders past and present and say prayers with all those in the future,” ...

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Seven Synod in Session stand-outs

7 Synod in Session stand-outs

This month’s 32nd Synod in Session offers a wealth of activities to inspire and enjoy. Journey suggests seven great things to look out for. Unchained Ever had a risky or dangerous idea for our church that you weren’t quite brave enough to name? Unchained is a festival where some of those dangerous ideas will be set free. Listen and share ...

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You asked for it: new Safe Ministry resources

iStock youth photo.

A new suite of resources to assist the church to be a safe place for children and young people was launched in March this year. Mardi Lumsden reports. The new Safe Ministry with Children resources are the result of feedback from congregations, collaboration between the Synod office, presbyteries and several committees, and a commitment that the church’s ministry with children ...

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Making more mission possible

Moreton Bay College student Caitlin Ramsay and Clayfield College student Helen Watson. Photos were supplied.

A Uniting Church Foundation program supporting Year 10 Indigenous students to fulfil their educational potential is going from strength to strength. Journey reports. Two more Indigenous students have been helped to pursue their vocational goals, thanks to a second round of grants from the Uniting Church Foundation’s $10 for 10 Appeal. The Indigenous Learning Pathways project was launched in 2014 ...

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