Rev Susan Pickering
On Sunday 7th December, the West End Uniting Church on the corner of Sussex and Vulture Streets, West End, will be opening the doors at 3pm for a bit of Christmas shopping.
Minister the Rev Suzie Pickering has organized fair trade stalls selling their wares, Amnesty International and Oxfam sharing information, and a small pre-loved stall to have a browse through.
At 6pm the doors will remain open for Christmas Carols, led by the Brisbane Symphonic Band.
“We will be hoping to raise the roof with Christmas cheer,” says Rev Pickering, “as we sing along to our favourite Christmas Carols.”
The event is free and open to all. Tea and coffee will be available throughout for a gold coin donation.
It’s a great opportunity to get together as a community to celebrate and sing.
Celebrating 129 years of service since the official opening on 15 November, 1885
http://www.westendunitingchurch.org.au/
www.facebook.com/pages/West-End-Uniting-Church/753500381326804
WEST END UNITING CHURCH IS A FAIR TRADE FAITH COMMUNITY
More info:
Minister: Rev Susan Pickering
Office Phone: 07 3844 3557
Church Mobile: 0438 141 242
In 2010 the West End Uniting Church hosted a sacred ceremony with Aboriginal Christians where it committed to building partnerships with Aboriginal people and repent from the church’s colonial history. However within weeks of the ceremony the church decided it did not have the resources or energy to fulfill its commitments and un-committed itself. It re-affirmed its non-commitment in 2013.
But now it has the enthusiasm to entertain middle class people and upgrade its real estate? Is this a movement of the holy spirit?
Or can the difference between the church’s incapacity to engage with Aboriginal people and its enthusiasm to entertain upper middle class people be explained by racism in the church?
Perhaps one day the grand roof of the West End Uniting Church will again vibrate in harmony with the Aboriginal ancestors buried beneath its floorboards, as it did in sacred ceremony in 2010 lead by Pastor Rod Minecon and his church’s band, or when Pastor Don Brady lead the singing of his Aboriginal congregation there in the 1960s. But for now it just rattles to the gongs of West End affluence and privilege.