From the Moderator

Monday morning prayer

Join us for the Monday morning prayer:

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

This Friday, Moderator Rev David Baker will attend the commissioning service of Nigel Alexander as Chair the of UnitingCare Queensland Board.

On Sunday, David will join other Queensland delegates at the 15th Triennial Assembly in Melbourne at the Box Hill Town Hall.

Presbytery and congregation news

Donate to our Scholarship Fund and get tax savings!

The Queensland Synod Scholarship Fund supports students with financial assistance when they need it most and gives you tax savings every time you donate. All donations will go towards providing theological scholarships for Trinity Queensland College students, residential scholarships for students from regional and rural Queensland studying in Brisbane and living at Raymont Residential College and/or secondary school scholarships for high school students across the state.

Gifts over $2 are tax-deductible. Call (07) 3377 9823 for more details or visit the website.

Your gift today can make a student’s dream come true tomorrow! 

Raushen Perera
Chief Fundraising and Marketing Officer, Queensland Synod

Less than 90 days to go!

More than 210 women across Australia have already registered for UnitingWomen 2018! You don't want to miss out!

Held in Brisbane from 27–30 September, join women from across Australia as they weave their stories of wisdom and wonder.

• Hear from inspiring speakers including keynote speaker Olympian and humanitarian—Eloise Wellings.
• Engage in a variety of workshops (see program).
• Join other women for worship and Bible studies.

Whether you are a traveler on the way or a seeker, you will find acceptance, encouragement and revelation as women come together in God’s name, weaving wisdom and wonder. Register today!

Induction service for Rev Dr Peter Hobson

Please join the Moreton Rivers Presbytery in welcoming Peter into the Presbytery at his induction service as Wesley Mission Queensland's Superintendent Minister at Albert Street Uniting Church (opposite King George Square) on 18 July at 7 pm followed by supper at Wesley House.

To RSVP please email office@moretonriverspresbytery.org.au or phone Kathy on 3366 0236.

Kathy Wright
Administration Office Manager, Moreton Rivers Presbytery

Youth and young adults news

Follow the journey at Assembly 2018

As they journey through the 15th Triennial Assembly, our young adult members will be offering their hopes, thoughts and reflections on the process, and what it meant for them as disciples. Here's the first video in the series featuring Ben Tupou, Emele Fe'ao, Joshua Harbort, Ana Tuilovoni and George Panoa.

Steve Molkentin
Mission Officer (Generation Next), Queensland Synod

Position vacant

Presbytery Minister – Uniting Generations (WA Synod)

The Presbytery of Western Australia is seeking to appoint a new member to the current Uniting Generations team.

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).

For more information on the role and on how to apply visit the website.

Monica Pettersen
HR Manager, Presbytery of Western Australia

Assembly news

Fellowship of reconciliation

Stuart McMillan, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, reflects on the work that’s been done and that still to do, and offers a parting blessing in his final address. Take five minutes to listen to his message.

Matt Pulford
National Manager, Media and Communications, National Assembly

Reaching out and speaking out

NAIDOC Week

8 –15 July  marks NAIDOC week. This year the NAIDOC committee have made available every poster produced from 1972 until 2018. The first poster in 1972 promoted “Aborigines Day” which had become widely accepted as a day for Australians to come together in support of better rights for Indigenous people. Take the time to look at these posters, as they represent the more recent history of the struggle for rights and recognition of Australia’s First Peoples.

If you are at the Uniting Church Centre in the two weeks from Wednesday 4 July, visit the dining room on the ground floor to see all the posters displayed.

So many housing terms!

Everybody’s Home is a campaign about fixing Australia’s broken housing system. They have provided a helpful animated explainer to help us understand all the different terms, such as community housing, public housing, social housing and affordable housing. Scroll to the bottom of the page and join the campaign to fix the system.

Palm Island news

2018 marks 100 years since Palm Island was established as one of Australia’s harshest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander settlements. In its centenary year, how has the community coped with its brutal past? And what do the next 100 years look like? Watch the NITV Living Black show “Palm Island Centenary” available on SBS On Demand.

In the Bwgcolman Class Action findings the High Court of Australia determined the Queensland Government breached the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) in response to the Doomadgee death riots. 447 Bwgcolman claimants have been awarded compensation and the Queensland Government has made a formal public apology to the Bwgcolman people/community.

Sue Hutchinson
Research and Policy Officer, Queensland Synod