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The Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod

UNITING NEWS

30 October 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 Moderator

Monday morning prayer

Join us for the Monday morning prayer in November:

We thank you, Lord for the people who revealed the living presence of your son to us; may your spirit enable us to bear witness to him also. Amen

Moderator's diary

Today Moderator Rev David Baker along with the Synod Ecumenical Relationships Committee (SERC) will host an ecumenical dinner.

Guests include members of the Anglican Ecumenical Affairs Committee, Roman Catholic Council for Ecumenism and Inter-religous Relations and the Queensland Churches Together Executive.

On Wednesday, David will attend the annual speech night at Clayfield College.

Congregation and presbytery news

Theological conversation on marriage

The Uniting Church affirms two views about same-gender marriage. What are the biblical and theological reasons for the two positions, and what does it mean for a church to affirm both?

Come and join two theologians who take different views on this matter—Rev. Dr Geoff Thompson and Dr John Frederick—in a respectful and enquiring theological conversation about marriage.

This Wednesday, 31 October, 1:30–4:30 pm, at Broadwater Road Uniting Church, 481 Broadwater Rd, Mansfield.

The event is free, organised by the Presbytery of South Moreton. Refreshments provided.

A recording of the event will be made available as well as a guide for group discussions.

David Busch
Prebytery Minister, South Moreton Presbytery

Synod office news

Christmas resources now available

This year's Christmas theme is "Rediscover the wonder".

Over the next few days we will be sending out an email to congregations regarding how to order your postcards and posters. 

Please check your inbox and spam boxes. If you do not receive an email by the end of the week, please contact communications@ucaqld.com.au. More resources will be available on the website soon.

Megan Haryanto
Graphic Designer, Queensland Synod

Youth and young adults news

Synod subsidies available for NYALC participants

The Queensland Synod has made available funds to assist those accepted as participants in the National Young Adult Leaders Conference (NYALC) 2019.

Applications are open until 30 November 2018.

All applicants for subsidy will require a reference from their Presbytery youth minister/representative or congregational minister. A panel of youth ministry practitioners will meet after the deadline to arrange disbursement of funds based on a specific set of criteria.

Congregations and presbyteries are asked to identify and encourage young adult leaders who would be suitable to attend, and support them in their application (spiritually as well as financially).

Please also pray for NYALC as an event.

Steve Molkentin
Mission Officer (Generation Next), Queensland Synod

Assembly news

Tools for Listening

President Dr Deidre Palmer has launched a new Safe Church resource in Adelaide on Universal Children’s Day.

"Tools for Listening" is a practical guide to engaging children and young people in your community on decisions that affect them.

The resource is available for download now.

“The more children are empowered to participate in decisions affecting them, the safer they’ll be—and we really want children to be safe in our churches and institutions,” said Dr Deidre Palmer.

Learning news

Principal's Hour: Week 11 Semester 2

There are very few things more difficult in life than loving your enemies.

In this week's sermon Rev Melissa Lipsett unpacks the way in which David not only spares Saul’s life once again but demonstrates a love for his enemy that foreshadows the command of Jesus for all humanity to do likewise.

Subscribe to Trinity College Queensland's podcast.

Belinda Hoadley
EA to the Principal and Office Manager, Trinity College Queensland

Trinity Unplugged—less than 10 seats left!

Register today and invite your congregation, friends and family. Limited spaces available so don't miss out!

Sharing Jesus with our friends requires a lifestyle change, not merely learning a new technique.

Jesus commands us to make disciples. But are we all equipped for the job? How do you talk with your friends about following Jesus?

Join us as Dr Sam Chan (gifted evangelist and trainer in evangelism) helps us explore the key steps to telling our friends about Jesus.

Cost: $10 (discount for groups of five or more). Held 7–9 pm, 1 November at Trinity College Queensland, Level 1, 60 Bayliss St, Auchenflower.

Belinda Hoadley
EA to the Principal and Office Manager, Trinity College Queensland

Reaching out and speaking out

Spare room at your place?

In his statement last week, Rev David Baker reported the crisis in our communities with people seeking asylum being left with no income source at all. In early December, the will be another 40 single men and women in dire need. This is set to increase again in early 2019.

Refugees Welcome Australia is a Brisbane-based volunteer group who do a fantastic job organising homestay placements for people in this situation. Do you have a spare room, granny flat, etc that you could make available for three months for someone in desperate need? Refugees Welcome provides training and support. Read more about the program here.

Your help is urgently needed. Please share this call widely.

Inside a secret safe house

There is no place like home, but what happens when it’s the most dangerous place you can be? The Women’s Weekly visits a women’s refuge which offers hope to the growing number of women being forced to flee for their lives.

Sue Hutchinson
Research and Policy Officer, Queensland Synod