You gave a cheeky shout out to your mum and dad during the Opening Worship service. How proud were they to see their son installed as Moderator?
Oh, mum and dad were certainly very proud. One of my treasured possessions is a cross that my mum carved out of wood for me. While they are not closely associated with the ...
About 200 members of the Uniting Church gathered at Box Hill Town Hall last month for Synod 2022.
The three-day meeting, plus Opening Worship on June 30 which saw Denise Liersch hand over the Moderator reins to David Fotheringham, was a hive of activity. Reports were tabled and resolutions were passed, the most significant being the Church’s response to Tasmania’s ...
Day 3 was largely devoted to working through proposals still outstanding and hear from the Facilitation Group, which reported on feedback from working groups in relation to a discussion following Friday night’s presentation on “Arising, Journeying and Moving Forward”.
Rev Ian Ferguson and Rev Jay Robinson (who later was given a Minute of Appreciation for her work as Nominations Committee ...
The major item on today’s agenda was considering a response to Tasmania’s End-Of-Life Choices (Voluntary Assisted Dying) legislation.
Members moved into a number of working groups on Day 1 to work through the proposal and provide feedback to the Facilitation Group, which were reported on, followed by plenary discussion, and voted upon.
Feedback saw slight adjustments to language and acknowledging ...
The first in-person Synod Meeting since 2019 got under way at Box Hill Town Hall today, with those present relishing a return to face-to-face engagement.
Day one opened with a welcome from new Moderator David Fotheringham, who was installed at last night’s Opening Worship at Wesley Place.
The day’s devotions were led by Rev Jinseon Park and Rev Samisi Tauali’l, ...
A changing of the guard took place in Melbourne last night, with Rev David Fotheringham installed as Synod of Victoria and Tasmania Moderator.
Last night’s Opening Worship service at Wesley Church in central Melbourne also farewelled Denise Liersch at the conclusion of her three-year term as Moderator, and officially opened the 16th Synod Meeting.
By Andrew Humphries
When Rev Denise Liersch passes the baton to incoming Moderator Rev David Fotheringham tomorrow night, it will bring to a close a most eventful three years as the Synod’s spiritual leader.
When Denise took over from Sharon Hollis in 2019, she expected the role would be busy enough, with one or two challenges to face along the ...
By John Evans
Here is a pandemic conundrum: when did the Uniting Church in Australia begin?
“OK,” I hear you say, “there is a trap here”. And you would probably be right. Don’t we year in year out celebrate the anniversary of the formation of the Uniting Church on June 22, 1977? Some of us can even remember the occasion itself; and some may have actually been there ...
By Rev Ian Turnnidge
Architecture tells a story. The iconic building that is St John’s UC at Cowes is one of the few of architectural significance here.
Designed by Paul Archibald, its distinctive copper roof represents a ship’s keel, which is appropriate, given St John was a fisherman and we live by the sea.
By Andrew Humphries
Ask Lockwood Uniting Church member Sue Bewsell what the building means to the community and her reply is a simple one-word answer.
“Love,” is Sue’s quick reply as she sums up what the Lockwood South church building has represented to the community since its construction in 1872.
As we learn to live with COVID-19 and reconnect with those dear to us, this winter brings an opportunity to share hearty meals with family and friends.
But winter also brings a world of worry for many people unable to put food on their table.
One program in Ballarat is addressing that issue and helping to fill bellies and keep ...
Jenny Byrnes retired recently, 42 years after she was ordained in the Uniting Church. Before her retirement, Jenny sat down for a chat with Stephen Acott.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Queensland, in Toowoomba, but I was only there a week before my parents moved down to Melbourne. My father worked for a bank so ...