anglican focus

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

Country

Reflections Woman and girl in a hospital with teddy bears featuring Aboriginal designs Reflections

“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

Ebony
Reflections Man in hat holding a camera walking in the Italian countryside Reflections

The mystery of being incarnated

“Above all my sense of being ‘at home’ in particular places reminds me of the importance of honouring the world in which we live and of the importance of caring for Country. Our connection to Country means that an injury we cause to Country will see us injuring ourselves,” says The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt

Saibai elder Aunty Dr Rose Elu loves spending time with young people — she is pictured here with Erub man Aiden Wu (from St John's College within the University of Queensland) celebrating The Coming of the Light at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Fortitude Valley on 1 July 2024
Justice & Advocacy

Keeping the home fires burning — a very long way from home

“I have shared something of my culture here with you — how muiy (fire) gives physical and spiritual strength to my people. I have shared this from the warmth that I have for you in my heart. I encourage you to similarly share with someone this NAIDOC Week something of your culture, speaking from the warmth in your own heart. What keeps your pride in your culture burning?” asks Aunty Dr Rose Elu

Reflections

“Holding my mala (hand), Nguma would guide me”

“Through Nguma’s teaching I have learnt that no matter what trials I face, I can always find joy in my heart through my connection with God, as written in scripture,” says MaMu woman and Christian Phyllis Marsh from WestMAC, who will be speaking at this year’s Provincial Clergy Conference

Video

Beneath the Southern Cross

Check out this gentle, yet powerful, song written and recorded by Peter Branjerdporn about Constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through a Voice

Justice & Advocacy

''Mother Earth''

“I will be giving thanks for the gift that First Nations knowledge has given me by helping me to understand the sense of connection I have to the place in which I was born and lived the first third of my life,” says The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt

Homilies & Addresses

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