Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Queensland
The Synod of Queensland or Queensland Synod is a state council of the Uniting Church in Australia. The word 'synod' also describes the regular meeting (every 18 months) of representatives of the state-wide church known as Synod in Session. The next Synod in Session will be the 35th Synod in 2020.
The Assembly is the national council of the church, headed by the President of the Uniting Church, with a general secretary as chief executive officer. The six geographically-based synods are responsible for overall support and resourcing of the church in their area—especially in community services, mission planning, theological education and other educational services, administration relating to ministers, and property and financial services. The elected head of each synod is the moderator, and a general secretary is usually appointed as the chief executive officer. The moderator is the spiritual head and the main spokesperson for the Uniting Church in Queensland. Moderator Reverend David Baker has held this role since 2014. His term was extended in 2016 to run until the 35th Synod in 2020.[1]
Presbyteries
A synod may relate to a number of presbyteries within its bounds. A presbytery is a council of the Uniting Church which has oversight of congregations, ministry and programs within a region. Ministers of the Word and deacons are responsible to their presbytery, which has the duty of caring for them and ensuring their work is carried out faithfully. Presbytery meetings include ordained ministers, lay pastors and elected lay persons from every congregation.
The Synod of Queensland has eight presbyteries.[2]
- Bremer Brisbane Presbytery [1]
- Calvary Presbytery (the regional body of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) in Queensland)
- Central Queensland Presbytery [2]
- Mary Burnett Presbytery [3]
- Moreton Rivers Presbytery [4]
- North Queensland Presbytery [5]
- South Moreton Presbytery [6]
- The Downs Presbytery [7]
Education
Trinity College Queensland provides theological education for ministers and lay people. Degree courses are accredited by the Australian College of Theology.[3]
Raymont Residential College is a residential college for tertiary students. It is co-located at the Uniting Church Centre in Auchenflower, Brisbane with Trinity College Queensland. Grace College is at the St Lucia campus of the University of Queensland, and caters only for women.
Moderators
| date | name |
|---|---|
| Moderator-elect | Rev Andrew Gunton[4] |
| 2014–present | Rev David Baker[5] |
| 2011–2014 | Rev Kaye Ronalds (first female moderator in Queensland)[6] |
| 2008–2011 | Rev Bruce Johnson[6] |
| 2005-2008 | Rev Dr David Pitman |
| 2002-2005 | Rev Allan Kuchler |
| 1999-2002 | Rev Dr Ray Reddicliffe |
| 1996-1999 | Rev Dr David Pitman |
| 1993-1996 | Rev Don Whebell (first full time moderator in Queensland) |
| 1992-1993 | Rev Cecil Schloss |
| 1991-1992 | Rev Bryan Gilmour |
| 1990-1991 | Dr John Roulston (first lay person to be Moderator of Queensland) |
| 1989-1990 | Rev Don Whebell |
| 1988–1989 | Rev John Mavor[7] |
| 1987-1988 | Rev Ray Thompson |
| 1986-1987 | Rev Barry Dangerfield |
| 1985-1986 | Rev Ray Hunt OBE |
| 1984-1985 | Rev Eric Moore |
| 1983-1984 | Rev Alan Kidd |
| 1982-1983 | Rev Dr Lewis Born |
| 1981-1982 | Rev Dr Douglas Brandon |
| 1980-1981 | Rev Duncan Harrison |
| 1979-1980 | Rev Ronald Elvery |
| 1977–1979 | Rev Prof Rolland Busch |
References
- ^ "32nd Synod: United in purpose and passion". Journey Online. Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ "Presbyteries". Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ "About". Trinity College Queensland. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
- ^ Rogers, Ben (18 May 2019). "34th Synod in Session: Day two – Now is the time to sow". Journey. Queensland Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "The Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod". Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Synod of Queensland". 13th Assembly reports. Uniting Church in Australia. 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
- ^ "John Mavor finally retires". Journey. Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Queensland. 5 April 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2017.