From the Moderator

Monday morning prayer

Join us for the Monday morning prayer in September:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” Matthew 5:9

Lord, give us courage, tenacity, and wisdom to be peacemakers in our fractured world. Amen

Moderator's diary

This Friday, Moderator Rev David Baker will be attending the Child Protection Week 2018 Remembrance Day event held at the Gallery of Modern Art (QAGoMA).

David will attend the funeral service for Jim Gibson on Saturday and guest preaching at Emmanuel College Founders Day service on Sunday.

Vale—Jim Gibson

James Gibson, designer of the Uniting Church in Ausrtalia logo and key lay person in both the Presbyterian and Uniting Churches in Queensland, has died surrounded by his family on 2 September early morning.

James was also an architect and author, organiser and leader, faithful servant of God and man of deep prayer and spiritual insights.

His funeral will be at the Indooroopilly Uniting Church at 10:30 am on Saturday 8 September.

Synod office news

This week on The Scoop

A new ecumenical initiative is bringing young people together on the Sunshine Coast to connect with their faith through music and exciting guest speakers. Journey reports on Activate Sunshine Coast (ASC) and what gives it the “X Factor”.

Ben Rogers
Digital Producer, Queensland Synod

We can help you help those doing it tough

Is your local congregation or community struggling during the worst drought crisis to hit Queensland? Let us know how we can help you by applying for grants of up to $5,000 per congregation. Apply today by completing the disaster relief application form. All grants are from the Queensland Synod Disaster Relief Fund and may be used to assist drought-ravaged communities in your local and surrounding areas.

Alternatively, if you wish to support those in crisis across our state, donate via the Synod website.

Raushen Perera
Chief Fundraising Officer, Queensland Synod

Journey Spring 2018 edition now available

Due to an unforeseen issue with delivery, Journey magazine will be arriving this week at congregations in time for distribution at Sunday's services. This edition we explore the afterlife, review all the latest from the 15th Assembly and provide 12 practical tips for how a congregation can discuss same-gender marriage.

All our features, opinion pieces and news pieces from the Spring 2018 edition are now available on JourneyOnline. You can find them by visiting journeyonline.com.au and searching via the "SPRING2018" tag.

Presbytery and congregation news

Induction Service for Rev Robin Osborne

Please join the Moreton Rivers Presbytery in welcoming Rev Robin Osborne at her Induction Service on 10 September at The Sanctuary, Wheller Gardens (930 Gympie Rd, Chermside) at 2 pm. All welcome.

Please contact the Presbytery office to RSVP.

Kathy Wright
Administration Officer, Queensland Synod

Position vacant

Chaplain – Princess Alexandra and Brisbane Southside Hospitals

This role requires significant pastoral care experience, a willingness to connect with local congregations, the ability to work within an ecumenical, multidisciplinary team framework and to build volunteer capacity. Qualifications in theology and pastoral care are essential. Experience in a similar role will be highly regarded.

To obtain a position description or for further information, contact Rev Keren Seto.

Applications close 14 September 2018 and should be addressed to:
Princess Alexandra Hospital JNC
C/-Secretary of Placements Committee
Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod
GPO Box 674, Brisbane QLD 4001 or placements@ucaqld.com.au

Rev Keren Seto
Executive Officer Synod Chaplaincy Commission, Queensland Synod

Church Administrator

Samford Valley Community Church is seeking a Church Administrator to assist the Lead Pastor with day-to-day operations by planning and managing the effective resourcing of all ministries activities across the life of the church.

The successful applicant will work 45 hours per fortnight paid at Level 3 of the Clerks Private Sector Award. A position description is available via our website,via email or phone 07 3289 2832 during office hours: Monday – Friday 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.

Closing date for applications is Friday 28 September 2018.

Rod Adam
Church Council Chair, Samford Valley Community Church

Learning news

A few more days until Trinity Open Evening

Join us to get a sense of what it’s like to study at Trinity College Queensland. Register now!

You’ll meet with current students, learn about fee-help and listen to sample mini-lectures. If you can’t make it to the open evening, we’re opening our doors the following day from 9 am giving you the chance to attend one of our lectures or listen to a faculty member as they unpack the Bible during Principal’s Hour.

Belinda Hoadley
Executive Assistant and Office Manager, Trinity College Queensland

Reaching out and speaking out

Christians and the Uluru Statement From The Heart

Our government rejected the Uluru Statement From The Heart - Now it is up to each one of us to read, share and make it abundantly clear in our communities that people of faith in Australia support the self-determination of our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

Here is a helpful eight-part study guide for individuals and groups, to help us in “listening to the Statement From The Heart”. Prepared by Anglican Board of Missions for the Anglican Church, it features the art of Glenn Loughrey, proud Wiradjuri man and Anglican priest.

Sue Hutchinson
Research and Policy Officer, Queensland Synod

Other news

Free church pews

At Broadwater Road Uniting Church we are currently replacing our church seating and have available all our existing church pews to give away for free.

The pews are padded on the base and backrest (refer to picture) and come in two sizes. In current usable condition are 45 long pews (2400 mm) and 15 short pews (1500 mm). 

In addition, we have another 40 or so pews in various stages of disrepair.  Please note you will be required to organise pickup from our church in Mansfield, Brisbane. Our new seating is due for arrival mid-October 2018, so removal of existing pews around this time would be desirable.

Please contact the church office on 3849 8548 (Monday–Thursday 9 am to 12 pm) or by email for further information.

Katherine Haigh
Church Office, Broadwater Road Uniting Church