Humans of the Uniting Church

What’s your Uniting Church story?

As a child I was taken to church by my mother. I started teaching Sunday School at a very early age and played the pedal organ for church services in my local district.

I went to an all girls’ school where my teachers, all very intelligent women, expected me to achieve at the highest level. Being a woman was never considered a deterrent. Later I studied science at university although few women at this time did so. Teaching was seen as a suitable occupation for a woman so I became a science teacher.

As a lay preacher for many years, what do you think are the gifts women bring to preaching?

I have been a lay preacher in the Uniting Church for 35 years and bring gifts of insight, empathy and counselling so that I can hopefully speak to the needs of the people I preach to. Over the 44 years at Wesley Uniting Church I have acted in most positions in the church, my gender not being an issue.

You started something called Thursday Friendship Group. What inspired you and what impact does it have?

About 15 years ago I took over the leadership of a group for retirees at Wesley Uniting Church. This ‘Thursday Friendship Group' offers friendship, a devotion session, guest speaker and morning tea and lunch. Members of the group come from both Wesley Uniting Church and the wider community. For those who are no longer able to sit through church services, this has become their ‘church’ and I see my involvement as a form of ministry.

What’s one thing you love telling people about the UCA?

The Uniting Church has allowed me to use my gifts, and I appreciate the open acceptance it offers to all people. Jesus assured us that God’s love, care and forgiveness is available to all who seek it and an understanding of the love and needs of all men and women, all different and all made in the likeness of God, flows through the teachings of the Uniting Church.

What’s one thing you’d like to change?

I would like to see more people coming to church again, more children learning of the love of Jesus.

I would like to see more men arranging the Church flowers and more women working the technical sound systems. Today’s Church relies heavily on the work of women, and I would like to see these able people realise they can be involved in the decision making and the up-front running of their Churches.

What’s one thing you would like the rest of the Uniting Church to pray for?

My prayer for the Uniting Church is that it can be a power for good in the community, outreaching and bringing the love and forgiving Grace of God to all people.