anglican focus

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

First Nations knowledge

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

Archbishop Jeremy Greaves preaching at the Pride Evensong on 22 September 2024
Homilies & Addresses

Pride Evensong sermon and apology — St John’s Cathedral

“For those of you who are members of the LGBTIQA+ community who have stuck with the Church, despite everything, thank you. We need you. We can learn from you. We don’t deserve your love and care, but we still have so far to travel, to be a community that represents the body of Christ in all of its diversity, and we are glad that you are with us on that journey,” said Archbishop Jeremy Greaves in his 2024 Pride Evensong sermon
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

Reflections

"The first Easter I remember"

“As a community, after the Easter Day service we celebrated the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with a big kai kai (feast). People from all over the Torres Strait Islands and Papua New Guinea (which was then still administered by Australia) came via sailing canoes rather than by motor boats, bringing seafood, taro, sweet potato, casava, sago and other traditional foods. We then had traditional dancing with men wearing headdresses made of emu feathers and women wearing grass skirts,” says Uncle Milton Walit from NATSIAC and The Parish of Laidley

Get some soul in your inbox

Thank you for subscribing

By submitting your details above to receive anglican focus communications, you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with the Collection Notice and the Diocese’s Privacy Policy.