Welcome

In the New Testament the phrase "the body of Christ" refers to many things.

We first hear about the body of Christ when Mary discovers that she is pregnant. We meet Jesus as flesh and blood in the nativity at Bethlehem and on the cross outside Jerusalem.

The transformed body of Christ is encountered by another Mary in the garden beside the empty tomb and by Thomas in the upper room. One was asked not to hold onto him while the other was invited to touch the wounds with his own hands.

Then the work begun by the incarnate Jesus was handed over to the body of Christ, the church, empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry on God's mission in the world. That body of Christ is nourished for its journey by partaking of the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion.

This series of studies explores how the image of the body of Christ was used to teach the early Christians to live and serve as part of the whole. As the Uniting Church prepares to celebrate 35 years since union, you are invited to gather with other members of the body to explore meeting the challenges of being the many incarnations of Christ in our community today.

The Queensland Synod has embraced the call and vision statement and the values that underpin our work. As I move about our church I can see many expressions of the body of Christ. As you explore the teaching of the church about the body of Christ, think about the church in Queensland. Which parts are rejoicing or suffering or in need of special care and protection? We can achieve so much more for God when we worship, witness and serve together.

I commend the studies to you.

Rev Kaye Ronalds
Moderator, The Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod