Queensland Synod News

A new chapter in the Uniting Church in Queensland’s covenanting journey was opened last month with the first Moderator-hosted gathering of the Queensland Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC). James O’Callaghan reports. The event—hosted in Cairns was attended by people from all congregations within the congress including Aurukun, Mornington Island, Weipa, Napranum, Townsville, Cairns and Zillmere as well as ...

James O’Callaghan meets one of the 2021 Moderator’s Medal recipients, Krishna Buhler. For Krishna Buhler of Kuranda, near Cairns, volunteering is in her DNA. The Uniting Church has been the beneficiary of Krishna’s years of service, for which she was recognised last month with a Moderator’s Medal. Krishna has provided the local Lifeline with 22 years of service, but she ...

Here’s a brief summary of the Synod Standing Committee (SSC) meeting—held on Thursday 6 May 2021—to inform the wider Queensland Synod community of the discussions, deliberations and decisions arising from that meeting. This meeting was a hybrid meeting with some members attending in person and others attending virtually. Rev John Cox—Director of the Uniting Church in Australia’s National Safe Church ...

Here’s a brief summary of the Synod Standing Committee (SSC) meeting—held on Thursday 1 April 2021—to inform the wider Queensland Synod community of the discussions, deliberations and decisions arising from that meeting. This meeting was held virtually.  Fit for Purpose The meeting included a workshop around “fit for purpose”, a key mission priority identified during the Plenty strategic process. Members ...

Below is the brief summary of the Synod Standing Committee (SSC) meeting—held on Thursday 4 March 2021—to inform the wider Queensland Synod community of the discussions, deliberations and decisions arising from that meeting. This meeting was held in person in Toowong. 16th Assembly The Synod Standing Committee wishes to congratulate the below who have been successfully appointed as either lay ...

Below is the brief summary of the Synod Standing Committee (SSC) meeting—held on Thursday 4 February 2021—to inform the wider Queensland Synod community of the discussions, deliberations and decisions arising from that meeting. This meeting was held in person at Grace College. 16th Assembly The Synod Standing Committee endorsed the nomination of both lay and ordained members of the Uniting ...

Rev Duncan Harrison—the third Moderator and second General Secretary of the Queensland Synod and a colleague of Don’s for more than 50 years—and Rev Bruce Johnson—retired Uniting Church Minister and Moderator of the Uniting Church in Queensland between 2008 and 2011—write this tribute to Rev Don Whebell who passed away on Friday 11 December 2020. Following service in the RAAF,  ...

Below is the brief summary of the Synod Standing Committee (SSC) meeting—held on Thursday 3 December 2020—to inform the wider Queensland Synod community of the discussions, deliberations and decisions arising from that meeting. This meeting was held in person at UnitingCare Queensland’s office in the Brisbane CBD. Project Plenty The SSC received an update from Project Plenty after Shared Life. ...

James O’Callaghan looks at a new chaplaincy framework to be implemented within Queensland Health facilities which will open new doors for chaplains.  Our chaplains within Queensland Health facilities are in many respects the first and last spiritual care points of contact that many may have. And so, with the current framework for Integration of Pastoral Careers and Chaplains in Queensland ...

Prominent social justice advocate, ethicist, academic, commentator and Uniting Church minister, Rev. Dr Noel Preston, died early on Thursday, October 22, after a long illness. He was 78. David Busch writes.  Noel William Preston was born on 15 December 1941 in Mareeba, North Queensland, the first of four children to Methodist minister, Rev Arthur Preston, and his wife, Clare (nee Green). Arthur ...