About Us
WHO WE ARE
We are a community of people of diverse origins, backgrounds and life experiences who gather to explore and express spirituality within a Christian context through hospitality, worship, discussion, outreach and other endeavours. Not restricted by traditional church dogma or doctrine, we seek to be a 'creative community in action' that embodies faith, inclusiveness, justice and creativity, offering each person the opportunity to search, share and celebrate within a supportive community.
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We are an open and welcoming community. We embrace those who wish to connect or re-connect with a faith community, particularly those alienated from previous church affiliation as well as those marginalised in our society due to their gender, race, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic situation or their physical, mental or emotional status.
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We encourage meaningful engagement and participation according to the goodwill and talents of each individual for the betterment of our church, local, national and global communities.
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We seek to actively offer support to people through our Mission areas of building community, promoting justice through social action, and supporting mental health.
Pastor Raymond Minniecon
Pastor Raymond Minniecon is an Aboriginal Pastor with roots in the Kabi-Kabi and Gurang-Gurang tribes of Queensland and South Sea Islander heritage connected to Ambrym Island. Based in Sydney, he supports members of the Stolen Generations and founded Scarred Tree Ministries in Glebe.
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Having served in the 51st Battalion of the Royal Queensland Regiment, Raymond witnessed the lack of recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans. In 2006, he co-founded the Coloured Digger Project to honor their contributions to the Australian Defence Force, particularly through an ANZAC Day march. The project’s name comes from a WWII poem paying tribute to Indigenous servicemen like Harold West (Murrawarri) and George Leonard (Euahlayi Nation), who served courageously overseas.
AT PADDINGTON UNITING CHURCH, WE SEEK TO BE A CREATIVE COMMUNITY IN ACTION THAT VALUES:
FAITH
We encourage everyone to explore their faith journey through various mediums. We are not bound by rigid dogma or unhelpful doctrine.
INCLUSIVENESS
We welcome everyone regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic situation or their physical, mental or emotional status.
JUSTICE
We acknowledge that we live in a broken world tortured by injustice and human suffering. We are committed to working for justice in our world.
CREATIVITY
We celebrate everyone's unique and creative talents and invite these to be shared with others through our various programs.