A partnership launch between UnitingCare Community and Redcliffe Uniting Church brought a children’s favourite to town. Journey reports on the event and what’s in store for the community’s families. Bob the Builder, the beloved children’s television icon, recently came to Redcliffe to help launch the Building Strong Families partnership-program between UnitingCare Community and Redcliffe Uniting Church. The event attracted hundreds ...
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Christmas boost for isolated families
Mareeba Uniting Church and UnitingCare Community have joined forces to deliver neighbourly support to drought-affected families in north Queensland this Christmas. Dianne Jensen reports. The Mareeba Uniting Church congregation is hoping to raise at least $3000 to provide gift vouchers to nearly 70 families served by UnitingCare Community’s North Queensland Remote Area Families Service (RAFS). Burke, Carpentaria, Doomadgee and parts ...
Read More »The monster in the back pew: Why domestic violence still happens in your church
Churches must tackle their own demons if the scourge of domestic violence is to be overcome, writes Dianne Jensen. The chilling stories take time to trickle down through the years, but the tragedy of abuse at the hands of family lingers across the generations. We all know this to be true. Domestic violence is not a fancy term for marital ...
Read More »Cyclone damage bill mounts
Uniting Church emergency aid and relief has begun to arrive in Central Queensland after Tropical Cyclone Marcia tore through the Capricorn Coast in February this year. Ashley Thompson reports. The Queensland Synod’s Risk and Insurance team has been contacted by 14 sites which sustained varying levels of insurable damage from Cyclone Marcia, totalling an estimated insurance cost of $517 000. Those ...
Read More »Shop guilt-free
Years ago you wouldn’t be caught dead in hand-me-down clothes, but today upcycling an old garment is considered both ethically conscious and fashionable. So why isn’t it mainstream? Ashley Thompson explores. Emerging in the early 1900s, “charity shops” or “bazaars” were first set up to give labour opportunities to the disadvantaged and simultaneously fundraise for charities. It wasn’t until the deprivation ...
Read More »Moderator’s medals recognise service
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 ...
Read More »Moderator’s Community Service Medal: the search is on
The search is on for nominations for the 2014 Moderator’s Community Service Medal. Successful nominees will have the opportunity to be presented with their medal during the Uniting Church in Queensland’s 31st Synod meeting at Alexandra Park Conference Centre 10-15 October. Colleen Geyer, Director of Mission, UnitingCare Queensland and member of the judging panel, said the Moderator’s Medal is a ...
Read More »Setting a place for everyone
Bundaberg families are “one unexpected expense away from crisis,” UnitingCare Community regional director Richard Johnson told NewsMail late last year. A free hot meal has never been in greater need. Ashley Thompson reports. Established 15 years ago by Judy Gallagher out of Bundaberg Uniting Church, Andy’s Place is a community-run soup kitchen offering three free meals a week to anyone ...
Read More »Communities care post-suicide
UnitingCare Community, in partnership with StandBy Response Service, offers postvention programs to assist families, friends and communities bereaved by suicide. Ashley Goetze reports. Queensland’s largest drought has consequences that stretch beyond its thirsty soil. According to The Australian, Lifeline figures show that where severe drought hits, suicide rates increase sixfold. Issues of guilt and shame about suicide impact the grieving ...
Read More »When I was in prison you visited me
UnitingCare Community Prison Ministry coordinator and senior chaplain Beatriz Skippen talks to Dianne Jensen about her life behind bars. Beatriz Skippen talks quietly on Monday mornings. As UnitingCare Community Prison Ministry coordinator and senior chaplain, her Sundays are spent either speaking in churches or preaching in prisons, sometimes participating in between four and six services a day. Her day has ...
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