The news site of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland: nourishing and connecting our faith community

Reflections

Tuesday November 26

“I try to put God at the centre of my life”: says Australian emergency medicine physician who recently volunteered in Gaza

“I sought God’s blessing and dealt with the ‘What if?’ scenarios through prayer. I knew that I needed to accept that death was very possible in Gaza. I wrote my will, cleaned my rented unit and gave a friend my car keys before I left — just in case. Because I wasn’t scared of death, I think I was more effective and focussed on my work in Gaza,” says British-Australian emergency medicine physician Mohammed Mustafa

Group of people in front of an outback rectory

Charleville or bust — Waterloo Wanderers travel 900km to see an old friend

“Being sincerely loved and missed by many, 14 parishioners from Anglican Parish of Waterloo Bay — nicknamed “The Waterloo Wanderers” — headed to Charleville to catch up with their dear friend, The Rev’d Jim, in his new environment. We travelled more than 900km in cars and vans over two days, staying overnight in caravan parks and cabins along the way,” says Margaret Carr from The Parish of Waterloo Bay

"Over the course of two hours those who wished, quietly told us personal stories of life under The Act. Without exception they thanked us for listening and most talked of the positive effect of being listened to," says The Very Rev'd Dr Peter Catt (Peter Catt is pictured back, far right, with Aboriginal elders and leaders and The Most Rev'd Dr Mark Coleridge outside the Cherbourg Ration Shed Museum on Monday 18 November 2024 following the community "hearings")

"No wonder the writer of the Gospel according to John talks of the truth setting us free"

“Monday’s event at Cherbourg had originally been organised as part of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry commissioned by the previous Queensland Government and cancelled by the current one. Given that the Inquiry had lined up 20 elders to tell their stories, the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council decided to host the event so that those who had gone through the emotional process of preparing for the hearing could be honoured,” says The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt

Light another candle to remember (forgotten) Sudan this Advent

“The situation in Sudan has worsened considerably this month and yet Sudan remains largely forgotten,” says The Rev’d Rebecca

“I can’t hug all the kids in the hospital. So, I figured a First Nations teddy bear could”

“As a proud Waanyi Garawar and Kaurareg girl, I decided to blend compassion with my First Nations heritage by designing teddy bears for child patients at the Hervey Bay Hospital. A hug can make the biggest difference, but I can’t hug all the kids in the hospital. So, I figured a First Nations teddy bear could,” says Ebony from Fraser Coast Anglican College

2024 Diocesan Synod reflections: further highlights and learnings

Four more faithful clergy and lay people from across our Diocesan Regions share their Synod highlights and learnings with anglican focus readers, including The Rev’d Catherine Govan, Uncle Milton Walit, Margaret Compton and The Rev’d Canon Bruce Boase

Tough Questions: Should Christians celebrate Halloween?

“Some avoid anything to do with Halloween, others join the festivities wholeheartedly, whilst others still, opt for some kind of Christian alternative. With the shops already full of pumpkins, witches’ hats, and skeletons, let us explore the pros and cons of each of these approaches,” says The Rev’d Charlie Lacey from St Andrew’s, Springfield

The God who delights in circles, pregnant bellies and fruit hanging on trees

“Finding ways to do meaning-making is an incredibly important and life-enhancing activity in our society which has a tendency to see things through a utilitarian lens. That is, we look at things in terms of their usefulness to we humans, rather than seeking to appreciate their deeper intrinsic value…,” says The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt

“Burnout is terrible for clergy”

“It took me years to come to terms with what I had experienced. Burnout is terrible for clergy. I found I was unable to be thankful for almost anything. Burnout robbed me of the very essence of my calling. I even felt like a fraud celebrating the Eucharist,” says Bishop John Roundhill

Postie and priest team wins a rally

“The rally reminded me that you can lose touch with people who don’t go to church…I think Christians need to spend time with others who think differently and with people who disagree. The Church is not meant to be a club of people who all think the same and agree — it’s meant to be a voice that proclaims hope and justice,” says Bishop Sarah Plowman

My liturgical organist journey

“It would be remiss of me not to mention how the organist actually has a certain amount of opportunity to express a sense of humour. Examples of this include the time when I heard an improvisation unmistakably including the theme tune to Wallace and Gromit or when the postlude for the Feast of the Assumption was ‘Hooray and up she rises’,” says The Rev’d Dr Gemma Dashwood OAM