Celebration and goodbyes
Written by QCT / Tanya Richards Wednesday, 23 September 2009 00:50
It is with great regret that QCT has said Goodbye to Tanya Richards, who has promoted the cause of act for peace for over two years. We know that many in QCT's member churches have been inspired by Tanya's passion for global justice, and the way she has linked those concerns to the message of the gospel. We wish Tanya many blessings in her new role.
act for peace will still be raising awareness and support for ecumenical projects in our partner nations, as well as for Indigenous projects, through NATSIEC. So get ready for the Christmas Bowl!
Below you can read Tanya's final newsletter.
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Sunday the 9th August, act for peace and Queensland Churches Together hosted an African Women's Forum, celebrating Christian Women of the 21st Century. It was an exciting day and we had over 40 women sharing, dancing, singing, doing theology and learning about life in Australia.
We started with worship and moved into discussions about health, nutrition, parenting, marriage, relationships and sharing testimonies about the struggle of leaving the Sudan and moving to Australia. We celebrated with singing and dancing in true African style.
It was a rewarding experience and a privilege to share with these women as they told stories of struggle and looked to the future with hope.
Good-bye
It is because of experiences like the one above that it is hard to express the emotion I feel as I prepare to finish my role as act for peace project officer for Queensland Churches Together, on Friday 28th August. I will be moving into another role within the Uniting Church as a Deacon. Although it is with excitement that I take this next step, it also comes after much prayer and struggle. I pray that you will all continue to support the work of act for peace and the Christmas Bowl and that you keep building the peace we are called to build in our own lives and also in the world.
In the last few months life has been busy, visiting many churches, spending time in Timor Leste visiting a project and the day to day office work and planning for Christmas Bowl 2009.
Christmas is not far away and materials will be available soon through the National Council of Churches . Please contact Ed or Jordan on 1800 625 611 or through the website to order materials for your church, school or group for Christmas 2009.
Thank you for your support and prayers in the last two years. Here in Queensland we have raised our giving figures and shown a strong commitment to act for peace and Christmas Bowl. It is through your prayers, support and commitment that lives are being changed and peace is being built in the name of God.
I leave you with this blessing:
Go forth into the world in peace;
Be of good courage;
Hold fast that which is good;
Render to no one evil for evil;
Strengthen the faint- hearted;
Support the weak;
Help the afflicted;
Honour all people;
Love and serve the Lord,
Rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
(taken from Uniting In Worship 2, page 331)
Tanya Richards
(Reproduced from the act for peace August newletter)