Humans of the Uniting Church

What’s your Uniting Church story?

Don and Sylvia: During our married life we worshipped at South Rockhampton Parish and Capricorn Coast Uniting Churches. For the past seven years, we have been part of a Spirit-led, loving and outward-looking church family at Hervey Bay, Burrum Heads and Howard Uniting Churches

In what ways do you volunteer?

Don: I am a member of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Zambia, support team (Port Lincoln) which was well assisted in setup by UnitingWorld.  I have had three placements there since 2011 and write a worldwide newsletter for this project quarterly.

Sylvia: With Don, I have volunteered, pre and post-retirement in Tonga, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Zambia; some church-based and some with NGOs; teaching, student support, finance, pastoral care of staff and anything we could help with. Currently, we are volunteers and advocate for UnitingWorld in the Mary Burnett Presbytery and beyond, such as Carpentaria and NSW, as we feel called.

What enlivens your faith?

Don: Seeing our Creator God at work in the world and His working in the lives of faithful people.

Sylvia: Knowing the Lord is present in everything I see, do and say and forgives me when I get things wrong.  I am strengthened by prayer and Christian Meditation. I lead an ecumenical Christian Meditation group. 

What’s one thing happening in your community that’s really exciting for you?

Don: Thursday morning coffee on the waterfront with a group of 10-12 men, some are non-church – great shared hospitality.

Sylvia: Well, Saturday, 13 May, Hervey Bay Uniting Church had a Market Day where a cooking competition, stalls for craft, plants, food, bric-a-brac and elephants stall brought the community to our church. AND we made about $2000 for UnitingWorld!! Very exciting and great fun.

What's one great thing about being a volunteer?

Don and Sylvia: Being a volunteer opens us up to the needs of others less fortunate than ourselves in a practical, hands-on way. And it’s supported by our prayer life.  There are heaps of things we could do in our small unit – painting the walls, for example – but no time.  This is not a problem but a blessing because we are thankful that at 73 years of age our fairly good health enables us to volunteer.

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

Don and Sylvia: The UCA spreads Christ’s message of love not only in local Church life but widely through its agencies – UnitingWorld, Frontier Services, UnitingCare, UnitingJustice and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. Many Uniting Church folk do not know this.

What’s one thing you’d like to change, or something you hope for?

Don and Sylvia: For Christians to be more open to God’s call outside of church attendance; to open our hearts and reach out in discipleship. Yes, the Great Commission, so let’s not sit on our hands! 
For Christians to know the power of Prayer.

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

Don: Marginalised people, people who don’t feel included or who are put off by the church.
Presenting a stronger face/image of Christian faith in our communities across Australia – and to not be complacent in our faith journey but to speak out.
Communities who have been strong and faithful and now struggling to keep churches going – the impact of Covid, natural disasters and ageing. For Ecumenism, churches working together, in country areas.
Sylvia: To let love and kindness be the barometer, let go of inflammatory issues. Let go and let God.