From the general secretary

ACNC annual information statements

For those congregations/agencies for whom the Synod office has previously bulk lodged their Annual Information Statement with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), bulk lodgements for the year ended 31 December 2017 will again be done by the Synod office.

Please disregard any requests from the ACNC to lodge this information directly. For further questions, please email acnc@ucaqld.com.au

From the moderator

Monday midday prayer

Please join us in prayer at midday on Mondays in January:

O Lord,
kindle our faith in you, that we may face the new year with grace and hope. 
Amen

Moderator's diary

This Friday Moderator Rev David Baker will be participating in a workshop for the Queensland Synod Covenant Action Plan. The purpose of a Covenant Action Plan is to be intentional about developing more just, inclusive and equal relationships in the church that recognise the place of First Peoples.

On Sunday David will be visiting Killarney Uniting Church where he will be preaching and presenting a moderator's medal to Bernice Peterson.

Position vacant

Community life pastor (worship, life groups and connections)

Logan Uniting Church, is seeking the right person to join a great church on an adventure to help lead and develop our worship and creative arts ministries along with giving strategic leadership to our life group and newcomer integration ministries. The position is a full-time role.

For more information on the role and how to apply, please see the advertisement and role description.

Rev Adam Low
Lead Pastor, Logan Uniting Church

Synod office news

Journey magazine new distribution dates for 2018

As previously announced Journey magazine will now be distributed quarterly with the next edition to be released in late February. In 2018 editions will be distributed to congregations, organisations and individuals on the first Sundays of June, September and December.

We are always on the lookout for stories happening in your congregations or presbyteries so please contact Journey editor Ben Rogers to discuss further.

Also, in order to identify opportunities to reduce wastage, we are currently reviewing the number of Journey print magazines distributed to congregations, organisations and individuals.

To update your subscription details, please contact us on 07 3377 9910 or via email.

Ben Rogers
Digital Producer, Queensland Synod

Presbytery and congregation news

Induction and re-admission service for Rev Colin Batt

The Presbytery of South Moreton extends an open invitation to the service of induction and re-admission as a minister of the Uniting Church in Australia for Rev Colin Batt. Colin will be inducted as minister of Nerang Uniting Church.

The service will be held at 2 pm on 17 February at Nerang Uniting Church, 2 River Dr. Refreshments to follow. Please RSVP by 10 February to Lynn Reeves on 0438 137 104 or creeves5@bigpond.com.

David Busch
Presbytery Minister, South Moreton Presbytery

Religious Instruction Week 2018 in February

Religious Instruction week is being encouraged by Queensland Churches Together for February, to encourage and highlight this important ministry. For resources including a video and more details on how your congregation can be involved visit the Queensland Christian Religious Instruction Network (QCRIN) website.

Rev Paul Clarke
Chair, Queensland Christian Religious Instruction Network

Induction service for Rev Veneeta Singh-Lucas

The Presbytery of South Moreton extends an open invitation to the induction service of Rev Veneeta Singh-Lucas as minister of Burleigh Heads Uniting Church. The service will be held at 2 pm on 4 February, Burleigh Heads Uniting Church (2 Burleigh St), followed by refreshments.

David Busch
Presbytery Minister, South Moreton Presbytery

Youth and young adults news

Easter Madness registrations are up for grabs!

Easter Madness is a camp for high-schoolers that opens up unique opportunities to explore faith alongside young people from across Queensland.

From worship rallies and guest speakers, to new friends and endless activities, there will be experiences you can only have at Easter Madness.

The camp will be held 6–9 April at the Sunshine Coast Recreation Centre, Currimundi (right between the beach and the lake)!

Spread the word and encourage the young people in your life to sign up!

This is a camp worth not missing (and fun times are guaranteed)!
Sign up at eastermadness.com.au

Emma Holmes
Easter Madness Project Officer, Queensland Synod

Assembly news

Abundant Grace Liberating Hope

Uniting Church President-elect Dr Deidre Palmer has announced her chosen theme for the 15th Assembly.

The theme Abundant Grace Liberating Hope invites the Uniting Church to live by God’s abundant grace—reflecting God’s generous and overflowing love.

“At the heart of being a follower of Jesus, is our experience of God’s grace,” said Dr Palmer. Read the full story on the Assembly website.

Photo: President-elect Dr Deidre Palmer. Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly.

Church trip to China

A senior delegation of Uniting Church and church agency leaders is visiting China on the invitation of the China Christian Council.

The visit from 26 January to 2 February will focus on the theology and practice of social service.

Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer is leading the delegation that includes UnitingCare Australia National Director Claerwen Little, Wesley Mission Queensland CEO Geoff Batkin, Uniting NSW/ACT CFO Charles Grover, National Director of UnitingWorld Dr Sureka Goringe and Assembly Theologian-in-residence Rev Dr Ji Zhang. 

Photo: Rev Dr Manhong Lin of the China Christian Council delivers the 14th Assembly Cato Lecture in July 2015. Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly.

Other news

Office partitions and altar rail available

Office partitions (900mm wide x 1500mm high) available for sale. Please make an offer. There is also an altar rail to give away. Both items are pick-up only from Moggill Uniting Church, corner of Moggill Rd and Kangaroo Gully Rd). Please contact: Hugh Johnson on 3202 8608 or 0405 233 332.

Hugh Johnson
Treasurer, Moggill Uniting Church