Get the appSt Luke's church in Canungra will hold an animal blessing at its 8am service on Sunday, October 4. The service recognises St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and ecology. The church is also preparing to mark St Luke's Day and its 90th anniversary, with activities on October 17 and 18. Children are welcome to attend these events.
Gunmen opened fire inside a Greek Orthodox church during a funeral in Jordan's Karak region, killing at least seven people, according to local authorities. Director of Public Security Major General Abdullah Al-Maaytah said 34 others were injured, and at least 27 were still receiving treatment. The attack reportedly involved between 150 and 200 people inside. King Abdullah vowed the attack would be met with the harshest retaliation. Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya said a terrorist group was responsible, and security services are working to track down the perpetrators.
The Uniting Church in Barwon Heads has created a vacant 1395 square metre battleaxe block at 71 Hitchcock Ave, directly behind its heritage-listed church. The church could receive between $3m and $3.3m from the sale. The proceeds will go back to the local congregation, which is restoring the church and building a new community and event space. The block has mixed use zoning, and listing agent Elissa Holloway says it could suit a private residence, a boutique development or a commercial concept. Expressions of interest close on December 10.
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Get the appMembers of Coffs Harbour Baptist Church spent a week transforming the children's play area at Grafton Baptist Church. The volunteers, including tradespeople, landscaped the grounds, built a sandstone wall, repainted the climbing frame, installed a new slide and added lights. Some stayed at the church, praying and eating breakfast together each day. Pastor Jeff Andrews said the group wanted to bless the local community. Grafton Baptist Church marks its 150th anniversary with a service on Sunday 25 October, open to everyone.
Melbourne-based prophet Gary Morgan is under discipline within his church while independent investigators from GRACE examine allegations against him. US church watcher Mike Winger alleges Morgan used Facebook profiles to deliver claimed words of knowledge and prophecies to congregation members. A couple at Glory City Church in Brisbane said they exposed Morgan by posting a fake profile comment. GRACE is assessing Morgan's ministry organisations, Key 22 Ltd and School of Prophets. Its report will be made public once the investigation is complete.
Plymouth Brethren leader Bruce Hales has appeared before a parliamentary committee examining whether the church mobilised members to campaign in the 2025 federal election. Hales, the church's global head, said he has no authority to direct members and only heard about their campaigning through the media. He said individual members should apologise if they were guilty of intimidating booth workers, but that he had no part in it. The hearing was marked by repeated interruptions and shouting matches between MPs and senators.
The spiritual leader of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church will appear before a parliamentary inquiry over claims that members paid known neo-Nazi associates to intimidate candidates during the 2025 federal election. The church denies any political involvement and says it had no involvement in the election. Committee chair Jerome Laxale has said the church figures must address unanswered questions. Committee member James McGrath has accused the inquiry of being partisan. Former Liberal senator Linda Reynolds has said she is not alleging misconduct, while noting long-serving volunteers felt uncomfortable.
A former Broome bishop, Christopher Alan Saunders, was found guilty of 13 sex offences by a West Australian jury. Prosecutors alleged he lured young Indigenous men to his church-owned house with alcohol and cigarettes paid for with church funds. Saunders denied wrongdoing, and it is not yet known whether he will appeal. Archbishop Timothy Costelloe acknowledged the eight-year delay but said the church let police lead the case to protect the integrity of the justice system. He said the church hoped to soon reopen its own internal legal procedures against Saunders.
The Anglican Diocese of Grafton has permanently removed Patrick Comben from Holy Orders. The decision, finalised on 16 September, follows a review of the initial 2015 defrocking, which was overturned in 2017. The Professional Standards Board found Comben failed to properly address abuse claims, including allegations against clergy, and acted in conflict of interest. The diocese acknowledged survivors' long wait for resolution. Comben, a former Queensland minister and Clarence Valley councillor, served as Grafton diocese registrar from 2004 to 2010.