Queensland Synod News

Ashley Thompson speaks with newly appointed Queensland Synod General Secretary Gary Doyle about his passion for young people and the church. Last December Gary Doyle and his wife Helen uprooted themselves from their home in Townsville and moved to Brisbane—enabling him to become general secretary of the Uniting Church in Queensland. “I don’t really see this job as a promotion; ...

Currently 17-year-olds are treated and sentenced as adults in the Queensland criminal justice system. This means that they are dealt with in adult courts and imprisoned in adult jails. Queensland is the only state to treat 17-year-olds as adults in the criminal justice system. The Queensland Synod of the Uniting Church has consistently spoken against this practice; including a resolution ...

One Uniting Church congregation has expressed real concern about the legal and property rights of local people impacted by the state government’s establishment of the “Galilee Basin State Development Area”. However, the Queensland government has removed long-standing public rights to object to mines. Previously off-limits areas of western Queensland are being opened up to oil and coal seam gas mining ...

With the calling of a snap Queensland election for 31 January, local candidates are out in force campaigning for your vote. This is a great opportunity to raise an issue you care about.  Here are some questions you could ask next time you see a local candidate at a political forum or at your local shopping centre. “How will you ...

Theology on Tap is a public lecture series held at your local pub. Ashley Thompson explores how an ecumenical group of Brisbane Christians is bringing theology into the public sphere. Co-founded by two American Catholic priests in 1981, Theology on Tap’s (TOT) original purpose revolved around remaining relevant to university-aged young adults who had lost touch with the church. So ...

Every 18 months UnitingCare Queensland recognises significant contributions to the community made by volunteers. Journey reports. Twelve Queensland volunteers have been acknowledged for their outstanding contribution to the community by being awarded a 2014 Moderator’s Community Service Medal. Seven of the 12 recipients were presented their medals by Queensland Uniting Church Moderator Rev David Baker and UnitingCare Queensland CEO Anne ...

The 31st Queensland Synod meeting (10–15 October) could be characterised by an energy signifying that the church is on the cusp of something different. Members from across the Queensland Synod gathered together for the 31st Synod in Session as they discussed issues important to the Uniting Church in Queensland, ranging from statistics of church decline and hardship to inspiring stories ...

Uniting Church Moderator Rev David Baker was one of the Queensland Heads of Christian Churches who met with leaders of the Queensland Islamic Community in Brisbane on Monday. Mr Baker said it the meeting was called to consider ways of strengthening relations between the Christian and Islamic communities in the State and to promote respect and harmony. The meeting was ...

A number of general proposals were passed by consensus during the 31st Synod in Session, many focussing on the church’s call to love our neighbour as ourselves. Constitutional recognition A proposal brought to the Synod by UnitingCare Queensland CEO Anne Cross and Calvary Presbytery Minister Rev Dennis Corowa called the church to join UnitingCare Queensland in being official partners of ...

The 31st Synod in Session closed five days of work and fellowship on 15 October with a worship service reminding members to “keep the charge”. Moderator David Baker reflected on the church as a flotilla; a group of ships traveling together, supporting each other. He reflected on past moderator, Kaye Ronalds’ question: “Are we there yet?” “I hope you have ...