From the General Secretary

‘Walking on Country’ an unforgettable experience

Queensland Synod General Secretary, Rev Heather den Houting reflects on a recent ‘Walking on Country’ experience, part of the church’s commitment to working together with First Peoples.

"There are some experiences that take time to unfold properly into your life, and a ‘Walking on Country’ experience is one of these." Read more.

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 diary

On Wednesday, Moderator Rev David Baker will be attending the celebration of Israel's 70th anniversary at Parliament House.

From the Associate General Secretary

Withdrawal of recognition of ministry

On 7 June 2018, the Synod Standing Committee accepted the resignation from ministry of Doug Winten.

As of 6 April 2017, the Synod Standing Committee withdrew the recognition of Andrew Fox as a Minister of the Word in the Uniting Church.

Rev David Fender
Associate General Secretary, Queensland Synod

Synod office news

Inspired Disciples festival

Based at Queensland Synod office in Auchenflower, Inspired Disciples (22–27 October) is a week  of workshops, forums and training events which focus on growing, building and inspiring disciples. With learning opportunities for both ministry agents and lay people, Inspired Disciples promises to inspire and reinvigorate the meaning of discipleship.

For 2018 Inspired Disciples incorporates Chaplaincy Affirmation Days (24–26 October).

Full details and registration will be available in the next few weeks. For more info and to subscribe to the Inspired Disciples mailing list, head to the website.

Emma Holmes
Project Officer (Inspired Disciples), Queensland Synod

Presbytery and congregation news

Queen's Birthday Honours

Congratulations to Geoff Batkin (Wesley Mission Queensland) and Anne Cross (former CEO UnitingCare Queensland) who were both named as Members of the General Division of the Order of Australia in the 2018 Queens Birthday Honours List.

Congratulations also to Rev Lyn Burden (Superintendent Minister, Wesley Mission Queensland), Iris Gillingham (Sandgate), Christine Moran (Elanora) who received a Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division.

James O'Callaghan
Communications Coordinator

Position vacant

Administrative Assistant (St Lucia Uniting Church)

St Lucia Uniting Church is seeking a casual part-time Administrative Assistant for four hours per week with a focus on finances and hall booking management. This position requires skills in financial record keeping and communication. The choice of hours is negotiable and may include some of the work being done off-site. The rate of pay would be commensurate with the Clerk’s Award.

For more information or to obtain a copy of the position description please contact Robyn Cupit (Treasurer) on 0412 607 687 or robyncupit@hotmail.com. Applications with referees and a current CV should be forwarded to the email above by C.O.B. Friday 15 June 2018.

Robyn Cupit
Treasurer, St Lucia Uniting Church

Presbytery Minister – Uniting Generations (WA)

As part of the implementation of the Intergenerational Ministry Model (known as Uniting Generations), the Presbytery of Western Australia would like to offer a full-time equivalent (FTE) ministry position for a period of three years (subject to review after two years).

The position description provides further details about the role.

Expressions of interest accompanied by a completed ministerial profile and enquiries related to the position can be made directly to Amanda Badenhorst,  Pastoral Relations and Placements Administrator at amanda.badenhorst@wa.uca.org.au.

Applications close Friday 29 June 2018.

Amanda Badenhorst
Pastoral Relations and Placements Administrator, Presbytery of Western Australia

Administrative Assistant (St Mark's Uniting Church)

St Mark's Uniting Church, Mt Gravatt, is seeking a temporary Administrative Assistant for eight hours per week.

For a copy of the position description please email stmarksadmin@bigpond.com

Applications close 30 June 2018.

Viv Valentine
Church Council Secretary, St Mark's Uniting Church

Learning news

Principal's Hour: Week 11 (Rev Nigel Rogers)

In this sermon from Principal’s Hour, Rev Nigel Rogers explores Ephesians 6:1-9 and draws out the importance of the ekklesia in supporting and encouraging parents and children.

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

Trinity Unplugged podcast now available

In our contemporary culture, church can sometimes appear as a religious box to tick. And probably—if we’re honest—a box we’d rather leave unticked ...  or one that we sometimes secretly hope might disappear altogether. This is actually a reasonable and rational position.

Yet, we must also ask: what if the Scriptures are calling us to something deeper, something more authentic, compelling, and radical than status quo Churchianity? What if we are called not to run from the brokenness of the church, but to run toward it?

Listen to the latest Trinity Unplugged "I'll take Jesus, but not the church" podcast by Dr John Frederick.

Marie Bourne
Marketing Coordinator

Reaching out and speaking out

This will have momentous consequences

The government has decided to terminate the income support of many people seeking asylum waiting for their applications for refugee status to be determined. This will be rolled out in coming months.

There will be an unprecedented crisis in South East Queensland, particularly regarding safe housing. There will be hundreds of families and individuals without money for rent, medical attention, medications, food and other essentials. Churches must now begin to consider every possible way to provide accommodation: pay rent on a weekly basis, free up church property, a caravan in people’s backyards or church yard, find people willing to share their house.

Please contact Sue Hutchinson.

The NDIS and Queensland

The roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme has been delayed, with fewer than 60 per cent of eligible people likely to be in the program by July 2019. This is going to cost the Queensland government a lot of money.

There have been many reports of problems with the NDIS. The Uniting Church is part of the Queensland Community Alliance, and we are involved in advocacy to the government about these issues.

If you personally or your family member or friend have a story about trying to access disability support, please contact Sue Hutchinson on 3377 9774 or by email.

Sue Hutchinson
Research and Policy Officer, Queensland Synod