Faith-based and humanitarian groups internationally are appealing for aid and prayers as response expands in the wake of the devastating earthquake that has struck Syria and Turkey
What would you tell your teenage self if you could go back in time? Peter Dutton from St Bart’s, Toowoomba, Lydia Fairhall from St Francis College, The Rev’d Cameron Freese from The Parish of East Redland and The Rev’d Canon Stewart Perry from The Parish of Robina share their thoughts
“Her fortitude and spiritual determination showed no bounds,” says Archives Researcher Adrian Gibb of missionary nurse Dorothea Tomkins, whose remarkable faith drove her to do extraordinary things in perilous times
A biography writing programme that helps aged care residents reflect on their life story and reconnect with distant memories is the latest pastoral care offering by Anglicare Southern Queensland; and is providing joy for both residents and volunteer biographers alike as opportunities to reminisce transform into written text
“As the Church, we are to be the hands and the feet of Jesus on earth. We are called to reach out and to touch the lives of the untouchables in our society, those who feel excluded from the company of others, and those who are forced to live alone or in poverty,” says The Rev’d Canon Linda McWilliam in this Anti-poverty Week homily
During a consultation entitled “Papuan People Speak Up,” held 10-12 December, director of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission of the Churches on International Affairs Peter Prove offered a message celebrating this show of unity in a time of division
“Since the beginning, God’s wisdom gave us the Sabbath to let people and the earth rest every seventh day or every 49 years. We have not allowed the land to observe a Sabbath, and the earth is struggling to renew. Nowadays, our living pushes the planet beyond its limits and this has led human beings to a lifestyle that is far from peaceful,” says Dr Louk Andrianos from the World Council of Churches
“Anybody who has ever been to church will have noticed that there is quite a lot of singing, but is it essential and could we worship God effectively without it?” asks The Rev’d Charlie Lacey from The Parish of Springfield
“Against the orange-brown dirt, and the grey-greens of acacia foliage, the blue colour of this bird was startling. It was like a little herald about to announce something important and just as it got your attention it moved away…almost inviting you to follow,” says Bishop Cam Venables