From the Moderator

Monday morning prayer

Join us for the Monday morning prayer during May:

Blessed are the humble, for they shall inherit the earth.

Lord, may we ever have the capacity to laugh at ourselves;
to be open to our own absurdity; to receive the wisdom of others. Amen

David's diary

Today, the Moderator Rev David Baker will attend a special afternoon tea for the police chaplaincy service. 

On Wednesday, David will be presenting at the National Youth and Young Adult/Children and Families Coalition (NYCC) held at the Queensland Synod office. The Uniting Church in Australia President Stuart McMillan and President-elect Deidre Palmer will also be in attendance.

Moderator's Musing

In this week’s Moderator's Musing, Rev David Baker reflects ahead of this evening's budget.

"I’d be thinking our character is marked by how much we are committed to ensuring that that dignity which is God-given is respected and honoured; our character is marked by the equality of access to opportunity that our education system is called to provide, and the quality of that system."

Read more.

Presbytery and congregation news

2018 Chaplaincy Sunday – Making Connections

Each year Chaplaincy Sunday provides the church with a unique opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the vital ministry of chaplaincy across Queensland.

Chaplaincy Sunday resources are offered for use in worship gatherings across the state.

The theme for 2018 is "Making Connections" and the resources seek to highlight the role chaplains play in facilitating the making of connections.

Rev Keren Seto
Executive Officer – Synod Chaplaincy Commission, Queensland Synod

Synod office news

Treasurers' handbook

Financial management is a process that generally involves a number of people in the collection and management of financial information for the local church/congregation/agency.

With this in mind, the Queensland Synod office has developed and released the 2018 Treasurers’ Handbook, which is available online.

The aim of this handbook, the first update to be released in some time, is to provide assistance to treasurers in individual congregations by outlining the minimum requirements for the financial administration of the congregation. The handbook serves as a reference guide providing instructions and background on the various financial areas for managing a congregation’s finances.

Irene Hoving
Accountant – Mission Support, Finance, Queensland Synod

New ministry agent policies and procedures

Following on from the review of ministry agent payment and benefits conducted in 2016/2017, new policies and procedures have been released.

• Ministry Agent Stipend and Allowances (POL-MAP-07 and PRO-MAP-07) outlines the benchmarks used by the Remuneration and Nominations Committee when reviewing the stipend and allowances each year.
• Ministry Agent Leave (POL-MAP-08 and PRO-MAP-08) provides information on a number of leave types (study, compassionate/bereavement, annual, long service, maternity, adoption). 

For other policies and procedures, visit the People and Culture section of the Synod website.

Grant Weaver
Manager People and Culture, Queensland Synod

Data Breach Response Plan procedure released

A new procedure has been implemented across the Queensland Synod in response to new data breach legislation.

The cost to the church for a data breach could be significant with the potential to damage reputation and cause significant financial consequences and statutory penalties for you and the wider church.

The Data Breach Response Plan procedure applies to all congregations, presbyteries and other entities and institutions of the Synod as well as any activity of the Synod.

Terry Selva
Manager Risk and Compliance, Queensland Synod

Position vacant

Uniting Church chaplain, Rockhampton

This full-time role covers both hospital and aged care contexts and requires significant pastoral and spiritual care experience, and a willingness to contribute to and work within a multidisciplinary and ecumenical team framework.

To obtain a position description or further information, please contact Rev Keren Seto or Rev Dr Adam McIntosh.

Applications close on 25 May 2018 and should be addressed to:

Uniting Church Chaplain Rockhampton JNC
C/- Secretary of Synod Placements Committee
Uniting Church in Australia,
Queensland Synod
GPO Box 67
or placements@ucaqld.com.au

Rev Keren Seto
Executive Officer Synod Chaplaincy Commission, Queensland Synod

Reaching out and speaking out

Affordable housing?

Anglicare Australia’s annual Rental Affordability Snapshot is designed to highlight the lived experience of looking for housing while on a low income. It focuses on the Australian population who earn the least income – Commonwealth benefit recipients and minimum wage earners.

The 2018 report shows only three suitable properties available in the whole of Australia if you were single and receiving Youth Allowance or Newstart. And they were most likely rooms in shared houses.

Listen to this nineminute ABC Radio report.

Use your freedom to support the freedom of others

The Federal Government is proposing to introduce Modern Slavery legislation this year. This will mean that the consumer power of Australia can be mobilised to help bring an end to modern slavery around the world. We need to make sure the new law is robust in setting new standards for companies to report on modern slavery in their supply chains. Find out more details.

Please contact your member and senators to ask that this be strong legislation. Details of what to ask can be found on the Be Slave Free website: enter your postcode, then click on the envelope icon below the politician to find the options.

National Week of Prayer for Reconciliation

The Week of Prayer for Reconciliation and National Reconciliation Week are held each year between 27 May and 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey—the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the Mabo decision.

As an initiative of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (now Reconciliation Australia) and communities of faith across the country, the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation was established in 1993 and continues to receive strong support from faith communities. The week-long event has been celebrated nationally across the general community since 1996 when it evolved into National Reconciliation Week.

Sue Hutchinson
Research and Policy Officer, Queensland Synod

Other news

Brisbane Lord Mayor's prayer breakfast

Now in its 13th year, the annual Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is an opportunity for Brisbane’s church communities to come together for a unique interdenominational gathering. The breakfast is a wonderful celebration of Brisbane’s Christian groups and a chance to connect and pray with members of the city’s vast church community.

The breakfast will be held on the 1 June at the Brisbane City Hall. Tickets are $35 and are now available. 

Kristine Bromiley
Admin support – Synod office and Events, Queensland Synod