We are all disciples on the way.

Hopefully you will have heard that I was not elected to be Moderator of the Uniting Church Queensland. To be honest I am actually quite happy about that. Rev David Baker who is now our Moderator- Elect will do a great job. He is passionate about the church engaging with mission in different ways and isn’t afraid to challenge traditional thinking/structures.

With regard to my future; as you are aware I have an extension until the end of April 2016. Within the Uniting Church, however, it is possible for a call to another congregation/ministry setting, to arise before that time. This means that, along with Glen leaving, it is very important we continue to deeply engage in the process of prayer and discernment regarding the way God is shaping Logan Uniting and what we need in our Senior Leadership, that Church Council has called us to.

The theme of the recent Synod was “Disciples on the Way” and we heard many stories from individuals and congregations/sections of the church about how they are seeking to follow Jesus and creatively serve others. Over the next few weeks the “Journey” magazine will report more fully on the issues covered.

We also engaged again with the Vision 2020 “Together on the Way – enriching community” that the Synod has adopted. Below you will see the Vision Wheel which is helping to shape the church in Queensland.

 At Logan Uniting we don’t use the language of the Vision 2020 as God led us to a clear understanding of our Purpose and Vision many years ago. Having said that, the “Wheel” is a useful tool for checking how fully we are engaged in the breadth of God’s purposes. Have a look at it and celebrate the way in which we are actively living out God’s call.

PLEASE REMEMBER that Glen, Vikki and Jacob’s farewell will be after the morning service at Springwood on Sunday the 16^th June (only 4 weeks away). We will share in an early BBQ lunch and as part of the morning there will be time for people to share for 2 minutes (only) something of the way in which Glen (or Vikki, Jacob, Zoe) have impacted your life. Please only share ONE THING; that way more people will be able to speak.

We will also be blessing them with a special gift. If you would like to contribute toward this can you please put your donation in an envelope with “gift for Glen” on the front (and put it in the offering bag or hand it in to the office); or if you send money electronically please put “Glen gift” in the reference field.

Another point of prayer is for the Qld Synod meeting from the 24^th to the 28^th May. Tim R, Glen, Jim Haak, Russell Pearce, Libby Stanley and I are reps to the Synod. It will be at this meeting that a decision regarding our next Moderator will take place.

Over the next 2 weeks Church Council has called us as a church to a 2 step process of prayer and discussion regarding the way in which God is shaping us as a church and what we require in our Senior leadership to continue to facilitate this. If you are not in a faith life group you are invited to attend BOTH nights on Wed the 22^nd May and Wed the 29^th May from 7-00pm to participate in this important process.

Church Council has a strong sense that out of this focussed time of prayer and discussion God will make it clear what our next steps, regarding our Senior Leadership model, are. There is a growing sense of excitement with regard to what God is doing now and over the next few years in and through Logan Uniting Church.

Thank you for your participation.

Yours in Christ

Graham Keech