“I invite you to look at the children in your worship ministry. What are their hobbies and interests? How can you engage them in God’s presence?” asks primary school teacher, mum and kids’ worship ministry leader Penny Howchin from Resource Church St Andrew’s, Springfield
“This sense of freedom that emerged from being encouraged and resourced to give something a go helped change the narrative in our church. It shifted the conversation from ‘struggle’ and ‘decline’ to ‘opportunity’ and ‘possibility’. This narrative shift is the most valuable outcome of our Adapting Ministry in Complex Times pilot participation,” says The Rev’d Rosemary Gardiner
“The purpose of our recent meditation gathering was to create a space for reflection and learning using, as our ‘portal’, three magnificent paintings collectively depicted in the Bible Society’s ‘Christian Book of the Year 2017’, Our Mob, God’s Story, which features over 115 paintings by 65 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from around Australia,” says St Matthew’s, Holland Park parishioner, Randal Dennings
“It wasn’t until I began working in hospital chaplaincy that I realised that, although I was often not heard in my family of origin, I had learned to listen very well and that was a valuable skill for any chaplain or pastoral carer to have – a skill that, in fact, forms the basis of all caring interactions,” says The Rev’d Ann Shepperson, while inviting parishes to host ‘Creating Caring Communities’ courses
New Caboolture parish Youth Ministry Leader to oversee the facilitation and growth of youth and young adult ministry
“This book’s fundamental message is that the nitty-gritty of the economic livelihoods, social activities, cultural expressions and spiritual wellbeing of those living in our rural communities is uniquely intertwined, as folk resiliently pull together through the ups and downs of daily life,” says anglican focus Editor Michelle McDonald in her review of Christine McLean’s book, From Bush Brothers to Mission Area in 130 Years
“GFS has been a strong foundation of faith for many women in our Diocese, some of whom have been ordained. These inspirational women include The Rev’d Kaye Pitman OAM, who is chaplain emeritus, and The Rev’d Canon Cheryl Selvage, who is our current chaplain,” says GFS – An Anglican Ministry Office Administrator, Margaret Humphries, as the 140th anniversary of the first Brisbane branch approaches
“I’m sure my friends on the Thai-Myanmar border didn’t think much of it when they welcomed me into their workplace, their parties and their homes. But all those cups of instant coffee over conversation made a deep impression on me – a kind of justice communion for my soul each week,” says the Justice Unit’s Peter Branjerdporn
In this special joint reflection, three gifted local artists share about their art and their unique contributions to the Cathedral Shop
“The PMC Team reached out to parish clergy across our three Regions over the last week to ask what parishioners can do to support them and other parish leaders as they nurture and care for us during this difficult time. Their responses can be summed up simply via 4 p’s – prayer, Parish Direct, participation, and practical assistance,” says Dr Stephen Harrison, Executive Director of Parishes and other Mission Agencies Commission (PMC)