From the Moderator

Monday morning prayer

Join us for the Monday morning prayer in August:

Create in me a clean heart, O God; a heart fully alive to you. Amen

"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

Moderator's diary

This week, Moderator Rev David Baker is on Walk on Country. David will return on Saturday to present at the Unite Young Adult Retreat.

Synod office news

Please welcome Andrea to the Group Insurance team

Andrea Gynn has joined the Group Insurance team on 13 August in the role of Insurance Officer.

This role will replace the Senior Insurance Adviser role as Jason Grimsey reduces his hours with the Group Insurance team in transitioning to another role within the Uniting Church.

If you have any insurance-related questions or require assistance from the Group Insurance team, please contact 07 3377 9725 or email insurance@ucaqld.com.au

David Munro
Manager, Group Insurance, Queensland Synod

Presbyteries and congregation news

Religious Instruction survey

The Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod is represented on the Education Queensland committee overseeing Religious Instruction in State schools (Religious Instruction Quality Assurance Committee) which helps to advise on changes necessary or issues arising in Religious Instruction programs. We need to have accurate data on how many of our Uniting Church people are teaching in schools and what curriculum materials they prefer to use.

Please complete the following short survey and give us any additional comments or questions so our contribution is maximised. The current representative is Rev Dr Elizabeth Nolan. 

We appreciate your time in filling out this 5-minute survey. For more information, contact Elizabeth.

Rev Dr Elizabeth Nolan
Queensland Synod Representative, Religious Instruction Quality Assurance Committee

Only 44 days to go until UnitingWomen 2018

Over 270 women have already registered for the conference in Brisbane from 27–30 September—don't miss out! Hear why Uniting Church President Dr Deidre Palmer is excited about the conference.

UnitingWomen 2018 will be a time for Christian women to gather, grow and be inspired.

Due to popular demand, you can now register for a day ticket.

• Friday (all day) – $100 (Tongan feast no longer offered)
• Saturday (all day) – $120 (including Saturday night event)
• Sunday (ends 12 noon) – $80 

For more information head to the website or email hello@unitingwomen.org.au

Kellie Broderick
Manager, Office and Events, Queensland Synod 

Ordination service – Peter Blake

An invitation to join with Moreton Rivers Presbytery at the ordination service for Peter Blake.

The service will be held at Emmanuel Uniting Church (Laurel Street, Enoggera) at 2 pm on 1 September.

Afternoon tea will be served after the service. Please contact Kathy via email to RSVP (for catering purposes).

Kathy Wright
Administration Office Manager, Moreton Rivers Presbytery

Support for farmers

A fundraiser to provide cash assistance for the drought-affected Western Queensland community will be held on 18 August at Buderim Uniting Church from 8:30–11:30 am.

There will be a prayer tent, sausage sizzle/BBQ, plant, cake, strawberry stalls, devonshire tea and more.

The church will be open to the public for quiet reflection and prayer. All proceeds will be distributed through the Uniting Church Queensland Synod Disaster Relief Fund.

Joy Buse
Church Council Secretary, Buderim Uniting Church

Learning news

Principal's Hour: Week 3, Semester 2

This is the second podcast in our series on 1 Samuel.

Dr Paul Jones is preaching from 1 Samuel 3 on the earliest days of Samuel's prophetic ministry, highlighting God's persistent call upon our lives to bring light and hope against the threat of darkness.

You’re invited to Principal’s Hour 11:45 am on Tuesdays even if you’re not enrolled in one of Trinity's courses.

Subscribe to our podcast today!

Marie Bourne
Marketing Coordinator

Agency and service provider news

UnitingCare Queensland: Induction service for Rev Linda Hanson

Join us as we induct Rev Linda Hanson to the role of Associate Director of Mission, Mission Integration Unit, UnitingCare Queensland.

The induction and worship service will be followed by light refreshments. The service will start 8:30 am on 22 August, level 5/192 Ann Street, Brisbane.

Arielle Despal
EA to Director of Mission, UnitingCare Queensland
 

Reaching out and speaking out

The Future of Food

TEAR has produced The Future of Food report to help you understand more about food, hunger, climate change and the part we can play in transforming our food system to be more sustainable.

Sign up to take action and download the report.

Do we need to rethink disability?

Podcast on God Forbid – ABC Radio. Jesus healed the blind and the lame, so how do people with disabilities fit in at churches today? Far from being open to all, some church buildings have literal barriers to entry. 

This podcast is well worth listening to (53 minutes); just make a cup of coffee and put your feet up while you listen. More information about this podcast is here.

September is …

From 1 September to 4 October Christians around the world celebrate the Season of Creation, uniting to pray and care for creation. This year’s theme is “Walking together”, and there are endless ways for your community to journey towards better care of our common home. How about hosting a prayer service, organising a litter clean-up, meditative walk, participating in a campaign or pledging to live more sustainably? 

The Synod of Victoria and Tasmania offer liturgies and other resources to help.

Sue Hutchinson
Research and Policy Officer, Queensland Synod