From the General Secretary

Use of church property for the purposes of same-gender marriage

The Synod Standing Committee has created a policy regarding the use of church property for the purposes of same-gender marriages. A copy of the policy is available on the Synod website.

The policy affirms that each body responsible for property (church councils, Presbytery Standing Committees, school boards, etc.) has the responsibility to determine the use of their property, according to their theological convictions.

The September edition of Journey will provide practical resources to assist congregations in coming to a decision on this matter.

Further, the Assembly has produced an FAQ resource regarding the marriage decision which is now available on the Assembly website.

Rev Heather den Houting
General Secretary, Queensland Synod

From the Moderator

Monday morning prayer

Join us for the Monday morning prayer in August:

Create in me a clean heart, O God; a heart fully alive to you. Amen

"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

Moderator's diary

This week, Moderator Rev David Baker is on leave.

On Friday, David will fly to Mornington Island for the opening and dedication of the Mornington Island church building.

David will then fly to Townsville to join Walk on Country.

Position vacant

Pastoral Care Chaplain

UnitingCare Health has a vacancy for a full-time Pastoral Care Chaplain at St Andrews War Memorial Hospital located in Spring Hill, Brisbane.

This stipended placement provides high quality pastoral and spiritual care services to patients, their carers, families and health care staff as an expression of the mission of the church. The position reports to the Pastoral Care Manager. Please contact Kay Bittner for a copy of the position description.

Applications are to be sent to:
SAWMH
C/- Secretary of Synod Placements Committee
Uniting Church in Australia (QLD Synod)
GPO Box 674
Brisbane, QLD, 4001
or email: placements@ucaqld.com.au

Last date for applications is 19 August, 2018.

Kay Bittner
Chaplaincy Coordinator, UnitingCare Queensland

Ministry agent sought for Maranoa congregations

The Presbytery of The Downs is seeking ordained or lay people to partner and lead with the Maranoa congregations (three based in and around Roma). The placement is currently 0.6.

The congregations are ecumenically active, and have commitment to ministry and sharing faith in their situations. They are looking for someone with community engagement skills, pastoral and worship skills, with the capacity to relate the Gospel to people of all kinds.

The placement is based in Roma and would suit an active couple or individual to express their ministry skills and work with the leadership to sustain current mission initiatives as well as address emerging community needs.

Rev Neil Thorpe
Presbytery Minister, Presbytery of The Downs

Patrol Minister, Cunnamulla Burke and Wills

The Presbytery of The Downs, in partnership with Frontier Services, is seeking a person to minister to remote rural and isolated communities in the Cunnamulla Burke and Wills area in south west Queensland.

If you have a passion for ministry with people in the outback, you will have many opportunities to serve people in the small communities and large properties that are a part of this remote area such as Bedourie, Birdsville, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Quilpie and Wyandra.

Together we will discern a call from God for this ministry as there are both challenges and growth opportunities in what would become a ministry experience of a lifetime.

Rev John Case
Presbytery Secretary, Presbytery of The Downs

Assembly news

New role for past President Stuart McMillan

Stuart McMillan will begin a new role with the National Assembly as Assembly Consultant Covenanting on 1 September 2018. Mr McMillan will provide advice, support and leadership about honouring the church’s covenant with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) to the Assembly and across the councils of the Uniting Church.

“Living out our covenant between First and Second Peoples is a central part of our expression of our Christian faith in the Uniting Church in Australia, and at the Assembly we are committed to taking that seriously,” said Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer in announcing the appointment.

Matt Pulford
Senior Media Officer, Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly

Learning news

Principal's Hour: Week 1 Semester 2

Simon Gomersall kicks off a new series in Semester 2, when the Trinity faculty and a number of guests will unpack key passages from the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel. In this podcast, Simon explores 1 Samuel 1:1-18 which highlights the surprising action of God in surprising people and places. Listen to the podcast here.

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

Pioneer training with Dave Male

Interested in starting something new, or helping your church move into new places?

Rev Canon Dave Male literally wrote the book on topics such as "How to Pioneer (Even if You Haven't a Clue!)" and will offer two one-day training opportunities for prospective or practicing pioneers, and those who support and encourage them in Brisbane on 21 and 22 September, 2018.

The Friday is a masterclass for those supporting pioneers, while Saturday is for prospective and practicing pioneers and those who are curious about the topic.

South Moreton and Moreton Rivers Presbyteries, together with the Synod offer these excellent days to the wider church. Contact Rev Beth Nicholls for more information or register now on the website.

Scott Guyatt
Director – Mission Strategy, Queensland Synod

Reaching out and speaking out

Young men’s mental health initiative

Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation has launched the Headcoach campaign for young men.

One in seven young men aged 16 – 24 experience depression or anxiety each year, with only 13 per cent of them asking for help. Suicide is the leading cause of death for young men in Australia.

Read about the campaign. Seven tips to maintaining a health headspace can be found here.

Calling Indigenous women and girls

The Australian Human Rights Commission’s national conversation Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) is seeking to hear from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls (12–16 years). June Oscar AO, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner is leading this conversation about women and girls’ priorities, challenges and aspirations for themselves, their families and their future. There are many ways to get involved, including this online survey for women.

Youth homelessness on the rise

Mission Australia’s new report reveals this hidden problem. The report is based on the 2017 Youth Survey, and shows that one in six young people have experienced homelessness. Much of this is “hidden homelessness” where people move between temporary accommodations such as couches, garages, cars or share houses. Horrifyingly, one in five of those who had “couch-surfed” had done so before the age of 12! Read more detail from Mission Australia’s publications.

Sue Hutchinson
Research and Policy Officer, Queensland Synod

Church partner news

Seasons of the Spirit early order discount expires soon

Seasons of the Spirit is an international curriculum providing lectionary resources for worship, faith formation and service, linking Sunday worship to small group studies and education material for all ages.

Available in three different formats (print, CD and online), the early discount saves around 15 per cent and this offer expires on 17 August.

See website for more details.

Sandy Craig
COO, MediaCom Education Inc (an agency of South Australia Synod)