JourneyOnline
AS part of the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia (22 June) a series of studies based around 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (One body with many parts) is being developed.
Stemming out of Together on the way, enriching community’s Priority Direction A (“Enabling a demonstrated commitment to the shared Call and Vision”), the study, called Side by Side, will be available in the May Journey accompanied by online resources with enhanced resources.
Pilgrim Learning Community Director, Neil Thorpe, said the studies will provide space for reflection, celebration, discovery
and appreciation of where the Uniting Church has come from and where it may be heading.
“The studies provide an opportunity to reflect on Paul’s metaphor of the church as an interconnected body.
“We have a tendency to focus on the here and now and be preoccupied with our own activity.
These studies are a timely reminder that we are all part of a much larger body – our congregation, Uniting Church organisation, presbytery and synod.
“This larger body can only function at its peak when each of us is not only working to our best but making sure we are effectively contributing to the whole.”
Writers include former Moderator, Rev Bruce Johnson, and UnitingCare Queensland Director of Mission, Colleen Geyer.
Together on the way, enriching community Project Officer, Lyndelle Gunton, said the study is for all parts of the church.
“Using 1 Corinthians 12 as inspiration, the Side by Side series provides congregations, agencies, bible study groups, staff and individuals with a space to consider the role that relationships play across different parts of the Church in Queensland.
She said the study provides four different ways of looking at key relationships within the Uniting Church in Queensland and offers ideas for opportunities to initiate new connections and further develop existing ones and enhance sustainable mission across the church in Queensland.
“While many congregations may have an exciting idea for engaging with mission in local, national or global settings, the path to realising this vision may be hampered by a lack of skills or knowledge about how to achieve this,” said Ms Gunton.
“Developing connections with other parts of the Church that do possess knowledge or expertise in a particular missional activity promotes collaboration, encourages learning and highlights the value of raising awareness about sharing the resources we already have to a greater degree.”
In true collaborative style, Uniting Communications is working with the Assembly to produce additional video resources for this study.
Resources will be available free from the Resources section of http://ucaqld.com.au/about-us/about-the-uniting-church-in-queensland/together-on-the-way-enriching-community
Photo : Lyndelle Gunton and Neil Thorpe. Photo by Osker Lau
