Tag Archives: OCTOBER2017

Synod in Session is coming up later this month (20–24 October) when 400 or so members of the Uniting Church in Queensland will gather for five days. Whether you’re attending or not, here are five ways to keep informed about what’s happening and even join the conversation. Read the reports Synod reports are available online and provide a succinct overview ...

Aitkenvale Uniting Church member Dr Scott Heron is at the forefront of research into the crisis facing the iconic Great Barrier Reef. Dianne Jensen reports. Most Aussie hearts beat with quiet pride at the thought of the Great Barrier Reef. It’s one of the seven wonders of the natural world and right here on our doorstep, a 2300 km ecosystem ...

A small, precious and fragile object of God’s love: the Uniting Church after 40 years: Rev Dr Julia Pitman, St Paul’s and Armitage Uniting Churches, Mackay suggests a roadmap for the future of the Uniting Church. The Uniting Church has survived despite considerable external and internal threats to its life. Its existence is a triumph of good over evil in ...

Ready to leave high school behind but not ready to jump straight into further study or work? With one in four Australians choosing to take a gap year, Trinity College Queensland’s Activate program provides a challenging new option for Christians. Dianne Jensen reports. Trinity College Queensland Activate coordinator Simon Gomersall has developed an innovative three-days-a-week gap year program aimed at ...

Grassroots change is happening in South East Queensland communities and the Uniting Church in Queensland is proud to be part of that change. Synod research and policy officer Sue Hutchinson reports on the founding assembly of the Queensland Community Alliance. The founding assembly of the Queensland Community Alliance (QCA)—led by Queensland Synod moderator Rev David Baker—was held in September at ...

An art exhibition hosted by Graceville Uniting Church and Milpera State High School was a successful showcase for both the church’s commitment to the community and the school’s support for developing their students’ cultural and linguistic skills. Journey reports. Located just a short walk away from Graceville Uniting Church in Brisbane’s south west, Milpera State High School is the only ...

I was listening to Sammy Thaiday, the popular Queensland rugby league player describe a State of Origin training camp. “Oh, they’re great times,” said Sammy, “we train a bit, we plan a bit, and we have some fun.” As I listened, I thought, wow, sounds like that’s what a Synod in Session could be like. Now a Synod is a ...

Unless you’ve been in a coma or busy on the International Space Station I’m sure you’re aware of the debate surrounding the proposal to legalise same-sex marriage. I’m also sure you will not have escaped the avalanche of advertisements, media opinion pieces and (sometimes heated) discussions in your social circles about the issues at stake, so the last thing you ...

The expression “Space for Grace” may have pricked your ears recently in the context of our church’s continuing discernment about marriage. Uniting Church president Stuart McMillan reflects on what it actually means as the nation participates in a postal survey on legalising same-sex marriage.  Space for Grace is a process that we’re using to build community for Spirit-led decision-making within ...

In 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany and the rest, as they say, is history. Luther’s call for debate on the faith would lead to the Reformation which shook the very core of European thinking on religion, politics and culture. To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation Dr Janice ...