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The Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod

UNITING NEWS

13 November 2018

Hello 


It is our hope Uniting News continues to help you grow, transition and innovate as the people of God.

Rev Heather den Houting
General Secretary, Queensland Synod

From the Moderator

Monday morning prayer

Join us for the Monday morning prayer in November:

We thank you, Lord for the people who revealed the living presence of your son to us; may your spirit enable us to bear witness to him also. Amen

Moderator's diary

This Wednesday, Moderator Rev David Baker will attend The Lakes Year 12 Valedictory service and supper.

David will also be attending the Speech Night at Somerville House on Thursday and The SCOTS PGC Annual Speech Day on Friday.

Synod office news

Christmas resources available—orders close tomorrow

Congregations and faith communities can customise postcard invitations and posters with their Christmas worship times and contact details.

To order please contact communications@ucaqld.com.au—orders close 5 pm this Wednesday!

The Communications and Marketing team have also produced a number of free resources to help celebrate Christmas:

Ben Tupou
Marketing and Communications Officer, Queensland Synod

Position vacant news

Executive Assistant (Moderator and Associate General Secretary)

We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our Office and Events team at the Queensland Synod office.

Applications are sought for an experienced, highly motivated and well organised Executive Assistant.

Applications close: 16 November 2018. To be considered for this role, please forward your cover letter and resume in WORD format quoting reference number NMEXEA to apply@windsor-group.com.au or contact Nicola Manson on 07 3211 0001.

Kellie Broderick
Manager Office and Events, Queensland Synod

Presbytery and congregation news

Closure of Ministry—Neil Thorpe

This coming presbytery meeting held in Warwick (37 Guy St) from 23–25 November will be Neil's last presbytery meeting with us as Presbytery Minister for The Downs.

A closure of ministry will form part of the Saturday evening communion service commencing at 5 pm. All are welcome to be part of the celebration.

Rev John Case
Presbytery Secretary, The Presbytery of The Downs

Commissioning service for Alisi Manu

Please join the presbytery for the commissioning service for Alisi Manu at Morayfield Uniting Church on 18 November at the 8:30 am service.

Please join us for morning tea after the service.

Kathy Wright
Office Manager, The Presbytery of Moreton Rivers

Reaching out and speaking out

Recycling reboot

This is National Recycling Week, but, any time is a good time to commit to good recycling practices. Ask, what recycling does your congregation do? Every time we recycle correctly, we reduce what goes into land fill, and help the planet.

Check out events near you. Put up this “Golden rules of recycling” poster in your church kitchen, or at home.

When nature calls

World Toilet Day is November 19. Did you know 4.5 billion people don’t have a toilet?

Horrifyingly, 62.5 per cent of the world’s population don’t have access to safe sanitation. This means human waste, on a massive scale, is not being captured or treated, contaminating the water and soil that sustain human life. When nature calls we have to listen and act. Read more about this important issue.

19 November is about taking action. One simple thing you can do is switch to the toilet paper which builds toilets for people who don’t have one. To date, Who Gives a Crap have donated $1.8 million to build toilets. Fantastic work! And the goods they sell are environmentally friendly.

We stand against gender based violence

Raise awareness about gender-based violence and the need to stand in solidarity against rape and violence!

The World Council of Churches has newly published a range of materials for Thursdays in Black. In addition, there are resources for study, prayer and action to assist your congregation or group to reflect on the root causes of violence, our Christian calling for peace and justice, and the need for public solidarity.

Sue Hutchinson
Research and Policy Officer, Queensland Synod

Church partner news

Free Children's Resource for Christmas from Bible Society

It's that time again – time to prepare for another Christmas season, and time to connect with the local community about the story of hope in Christ's birth.

To help make this connection, the Bible Society of Australia is again making their delightful children's book, The Really Good News of Christmas – For Me!, available for free to the wider church.

The book tells the story of Jesus all the way from Creation, and explains just why his birth is 'good news' for everyone! Last year, 1500 churches across the country shared this little free book with their local communities.

The book, along with online resources can be ordered at www.biblesociety.org.au/goodnews or call 1300242537.

Rev Kath Behan
Director – Mission Engagement, Queensland Synod