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The Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod

UNITING NEWS

5 June 2018

Hello 


It is our hope Uniting News continues to help you grow, transition and innovate as the people of God.

Rev Heather den Houting
General Secretary, Queensland Synod

From the General Secretary

Interim Redress Scheme closure

I write to inform you of the Uniting Church in Australia’s commitment to support a truly national, equitable and just redress scheme. The Uniting Church has been working with the commonwealth to ensure the National Redress Scheme established by the Australian Government is available equally to all survivors.

At a recent meeting of the Queensland Synod Standing Committee, the decision was made to close the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod’s Interim Redress Scheme to any new applications, effective 30 June 2018.

For enquiries, please contact Lauren Forsyth (Interim Redress Scheme Coordinator, Queensland Synod).

Rev Heather den Houting
General Secretary, Queensland Synod

From the Moderator

Monday morning prayer

Join us for the Monday morning prayer during June:

Lord, empower us to hunger and thirst for your justice, in our lives and in our world. Let us never be satisfied with anything less. Amen

Moderator's musing

In this week's Moderator’s Musing Rev David Baker reflects on the Iftar dinner.

Hosted by the Synod Interfaith Relations Committee, the event is an opportunity for the Uniting Church and the Muslim community to fellowship together over the meal that breaks the day’s fast in the Muslim celebration of Ramadan. Read more.

Rev David Baker
Moderator, Queensland Synod

Vale—Rev Jovilisi Ragata

The Queensland Synod extends its condolences to the family of Rev Jovilisi Ragata, who died aged 78. Jovilisi was ordained in 1985 and served much of his ministry with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) in Queensland, the Northern Synod and Nungalinya College in Darwin. Most recently he came out of retirement to serve part-time at Brisbane Fijian Uniting Church in Annerley, but ill health required him to step out of active ministry in late 2014.

Jovilisi was highly regarded in the UAICC community for his leadership and education of Indigenous ministry candidates. Please join us as we pray for and remember the Ragata family during this time.

National Uniting Church news

Uniting Church opts into Federal Government's National Redress Scheme

The President of the Uniting Church in Australia Stuart McMillan has announced that the Uniting Church will opt in to the Federal Government’s National Redress Scheme for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

All seven Synod Standing Committees have resolved to opt in to the national scheme. The WA Synod’s entry is conditional on the WA government also opting in, something which is expected to occur within weeks.

James O'Callaghan
Communications Coordinator, Queensland Synod

Position vacant

Executive Assistant to UnitingCare Queensland Director of Mission

UnitingCare Queensland’s Director of Mission leads the mission team as they perform key roles in supporting UnitingCare Queensland to be a mission and values-led organisation reflecting the mission of the Uniting Church in Australia and encouraging strong healthy relationships between UCQ services and the church.

Applications are invited for the role of Executive Assistant. This is an exciting opportunity to serve God as part of the wider mission of the church. The full-time position supports the mission team through a variety of high level administration duties.

Further information please email or contact 07 3253 4663. Applications close 15 June 2018.

Rev Bruce Moore
Director of Mission, UnitingCare Queensland

Presbytery and congregation news

Chaplaincy Affirmation Days 2018

Chaplaincy Affirmation Days 2018 will be held at Chermside Kedron Community Church from Wednesday 24 to Friday 26 October.
The theme for Chaplaincy Affirmation Days 2018 is #inspireddisciples.

Chaplains will be contacted directly in the near future with more details and registration information.

Rev Keren Seto
Executive Officer Synod Chaplaincy Commission, Queensland Synod

Learning news

Principal's Hour: Week Ten (Rev Nigel Rogers)

In this sermon from Principal’s Hour, Rev Nigel Rogers explores Ephesians 5:21–33 and suggests that the most important issue for the Uniting Church is not marriage but something else entirely.

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

Reaching out and speaking out

Caring for our sacred Earth

Rebecca Beisler reports from the Inspiracy Festival in Newcastle. “If we want to change the climate crisis, it starts with a change of mind … The Festival provoked all who attended to consider what it would take to rethink our systems, re-evaluate our priorities, rediscover our faith and recognise our own responsibility to care for the earth."

At the 15th Assembly meeting in July, the Assembly will consider a new statement on climate change and proposals which call the church to listen to others, to advocate and to act. The statement encourages us to delve deeper into our understanding of faith in this new era and our Christian calling to respond.

Sue Hutchinson
Research and Policy Officer, Queensland Synod

Agency and service providers

Appointment of new Board Chair

UnitingCare Queensland today announced the appointment by the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod, of Nigel Alexander as Chair of the UnitingCare Queensland Board, effective 1 July 2018.

Nigel succeeds outgoing Chair, Dawson Petie, who has served as Board Chair since October 2017. Read more.

Matthew Cuming
Head of Corporate Affairs, UnitingCare Queensland

Blue Care Sunday resources now available

Resources are now available for Blue Care Sunday (19 August 2018). Please contact Kay Bittner, UnitingCare Queensland Chaplaincy Coordinator, for the service outline and PowerPoint.

Kay Bittner
Chaplaincy Coordinator, UnitingCare Queensland