As a church, the Community of Christ strives to improve the lives of those who are lonely, vulnerable, oppressed, suffering. This place is dedicated to the uplifting of the human spirit, to the bringing of joy, hope, love and peace. May everyone who enters this building know that they are persons of immeasurable worth, that they are extended unconditional love, and that they are invited to participate in the rising tide of kindness that will emanate from this place.

This edition we have looked at "Becoming" from both a personal perspective and also the opportunities before Community of Christ here in Australia and as an International church body. 

This edition challenges us to examine our individual actions and Community of Christ's global calling to be a people of peace. It invites us to reconsider the enduring principles through the lens of human rights and to choose love as a deliberate act.

This edition we have looked at "Becoming" from both a personal perspective and also the opportunities before Community of Christ here in Australia and as an International church body. 

We hope in these pages you feel a  sense of warmth that comes from witnessing and celebrating some beautiful activities and hear the stories of a people remaining steadfast to the call of Christ's love on their hearts.

 I hope this edition of the Australia Herald showcases World Conference 2023 from a variety of perspectives so you are able to glimpse some of its importance to the church, its members and the world.  

This whole Australia Herald edition is about love that is at the centre of our faithful walk with Christ. It is about having courage to allow it to show up authentically in conversations and actions - Here, Now, Today as Richard Betts says. It is about us expressing it in solidarity with the marginalized and our earth as Steve Veazey shares and as Tyler Marz says it's about uniquely, divinely and authentically expressing God's imprint within us in community.

In this issue a diverse group of writers provide their testimony of the significance for them of Advent and the birth of Jesus and of the relevance of the Christ event for today.  Of course no one testimony can do justice to the Christ event or, for that matter, to the ongoing action of God in the world.

In this edition you may find, like me, you are left with questions that make you focus on the essentials. Are we that nurturing community? Do our weary hearts still hold enough passion and vitality to listen for new ways of being church alongside the next generation? Can we sift through our old dreams, hold space for God’s vision and learn to ask the right questions?

The focus of this issue of Australian Herald is Venture and in various ways challenges us to think about our values, about alternative ways of doing things, and about how we can take action to be different.

Hopefully, reading and reflecting on the content of this issue will assist each of us to appreciate the transforming power of God’s love and forgiveness for everyone born.

Caring for people or the planet mostly means looking for what is right in front of you or listening to your heart and then doing something about what it is saying to you.

Christmas season is here again! Traditionally, most of us look forward to this time as a time of celebration with family and friends, a time of reflecting on happy memories from times past, and a time to remember the birth story of the Lord Jesus Christ. This edition of the Herald includes all of this and much more, including some hints about loneliness, despondency and desolation that exist even in the midst of Christmas cheer.

In this Youth Edition of the Australia Herald, we hear from young people across the Australia Mission on how the pandemic has affected them and also how their passions and careers are nourish their spiritual life. In the Kid’s section of the Herald we focus on ministries to and for kids. It includes some of the ministries that are taking place around Australia.

This edition of the Herald speaks to how the church has listened to the Spirit and evolved over time to both adapt to its surroundings, but also to live its fullest self. We have moved to a new understanding of who we are as a people of faith, choosing to trust in the Spirit’s promptings.

The stories in this edition are about drawing close to God and the change that is possible in our lives and our communities as we hold tight to Jesus, the Peaceful One.

The articles in this edition of the Herald reflect the need for urgency and action. Most of them are selections by the Australia Earth Stewardship Team (AEST).

“In this edition of the Australia Herald, we explore the times in our lives where loss and grief are present. This may well be, at least in my time, one of the most powerful and emotional editions of the Australia Herald. It highlights for me the blessings of community, and how much we can assist our neighbours going through loss or struggle by offering a listening ear and a compassionate heart.” Ben Smith

This is the question I hope you ask yourself as you read through these pages. ‘What is it that engages me in Christ’s mission?' What ignites my passion and that of my community? Is it the welfare of others, or healing or hospitality or wholeness or inclusiveness? Is it about bringing God’s Kingdom to earth? Is it about divine grace and seeing God in everything and everyone? Is it about helping humanity move forward?

Peace & Justice on and for the Earth - “This edition shows us glimpses of what it looks like to move in harmony with the reconciling and restoring purposes of God.”