My experience navigating the Anglican Church as a Torres Strait Islander person

“I also often invite other Anglicans to see that Torres Strait Islander Christians are Christians in our own way. We seamlessly blend our ancient sovereign ways and knowledges as Traditional Custodians with the wider Church’s ways and knowledges. For example, as part of my baptism as a baby, my mum removed my clothing and nappy and held me up in the sea breeze to be sprayed, to first be blessed, by the malu (ocean). She then took me to the church for the service,” says Aunty Dr Rose Elu

The Voice: from the grassroots and the seashores

“God blesses us through the ocean as the waves and the current go in and out. The ocean is sacred to us. As part of my baptism as a baby, my mum removed my clothing and nappy and held me up in the sea breeze to be sprayed — to first be blessed — by the ocean. She then took me to the church for the service,” says Torres Strait Islander Elder Aunty Dr Rose Elu

Anglican Indigenous Network: Lambeth Conference 2022

“God calls us to respect one another. This, in part at least, involves respecting people’s territories, traditions and protocols; seeking counsel and consent; and, caring for one another. Respect is also about being welcoming and inclusive. When respect is fostered, harmony presides. When respect is denied, harm is caused,” says Aunty Dr Rose Elu in her Lambeth Conference Anglican Indigenous Network address

Buiyaw Thoethupoegay (The Coming of The Light prayer)

On 1 July annually, Torres Strait Islanders celebrate the anniversary of “The Coming of The Light” when the London Missionary Society and Melanesian leaders landed on Erub in 1871, introducing the Bible to the people who lived there. Hear Saibai Elder Aunty Dr Rose Elu share the Buiyaw Thoethupoegay (The Coming of The Light prayer) in Kalaw Kawaw Ya in this special video

Mothering Sunday: 27 March 2022 – St John’s East Malvern (Melbourne)

“I was not the best with sailing growing up, especially given that I am from the sea. I suffered terrible seasickness as a child. Whenever we sailed, I would always stay on deck, close to my father so I felt safe… As we sat around my father while he steered the rudder, he told us that, ‘The rainbow is God’s creation and God made this world in beautiful colours, including his people.’ He then told us not to be judgmental and to always respect, honour and listen to one another. He said that loving others is always the most important thing,” said Aunty Dr Rose Elu during her Mothering Sunday sermon at St John’s East Malvern

Early missionary societies: history, medallions and a banknote

“Dr David Livingstone has long been a hero of mine. In 1841 he was sent as a medical missionary to South Africa by the London Missionary Society. Recently, I was the successful bidder at an online auction for a medallion celebrating the centenary of the London Missionary Society in 1895. It is a beautiful medallion and it motivated me to learn more about the society,” says Dr Peter Lewis

The Coming Of The Light 150th Anniversary interview with Aunty Dr Rose Elu

Hear Aunty Dr Rose Elu share about the history and significance of The Coming Of The Light to the Torres Strait Islander peoples, about the Queensland Museum’s month-long Island Futures exhibition and her 2021 Queensland Senior Australian of the Year Award