“As a result of current physical distancing measures and the need for many volunteers to stay in their homes, the human contact element of our role is marginalised, and our usual services curtailed. While this was initially perplexing, it has made us think more laterally and creatively, so our important ministry for seafarers may continue,” says Captain Ross Nicholls from Mission to Seafarers Brisbane
“It’s been a bit of an adjustment to move from Sanctuary to pews, but this shift helped me to see that something that’s as clear as day to me as a clergyperson, may not be so to a layperson in the pews. This is something I have been thinking much about recently,” says The Rev’d Canon Ron Bundy
The Rev’d Andrew Schmidt reflects on self-help books: “They are the social equivalent of the photo-shopped celebrities that cannot be attained, but still people pay for the privilege of the dream. Just buy the book, follow the trademarked 7-step path to a more fulfilled life, eat this diet to a healthier heart chakra. I could go on”
“The observance of Refugee Week invites us to recall their humanity, to ponder how their humanity might touch ours, and to challenge the narrative that we like to tell ourselves about being a generous country,” says The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt
Archbishop Jeremy has echoed the urgent call of Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners to limit global average surface warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures following his recent visit to Poruma and Masig Islands
“The theme for this year’s Queensland Mental Health Week is ‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’. It aims to raise awareness around mental ill-health, staying connected to others and supporting meaningful conversations,” says Eliza Wilson from Anglicare Southern Queensland
St Andrew’s, South Brisbane Youth Group leader Oscar Delaney has won the 2021 Australasian Religious Press Association Gold Award for ‘Best Young Writer’, with 29 Diocesan community members contributing anglican focus content to two Facebook campaigns that collectively won Bronze in the ‘Best Social Media Campaign’ category
A roundtable hosted by the World Council of Churches and the World Association for Christian Communication released a message on 8 March that addresses the role of media in a world striving for gender equality: “News that represents women and men accurately and fairly strengthens our understanding of our communities”
“When we’re all using the same lectionary readings week to week, it makes complete sense for us as peers to share the workload, the digital and print resources, and our unique gifts. We maintain the identity and needs of our own communities, while also supporting and encouraging them in their faith formation,” says The Rev’d Chris Bate from The Parish of Booval
“I think the Voice will help to engage with complex and systemic issues and will help to ‘close the gap’ that exists in so many ways, particularly in health and life expectancy. Powerfully, this has been suggested and offered to us as a way forward by significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership…and in this there is both grace and gift,” says Bishop Cam Venables