Pastoral work

McKay Patrol - The Uniting Church serving outback Queensland.

Traditional activities such as baptisms, weddings and funerals are part of, but not the only part of this role.

However, in addition to the obvious religious significance, such occasions provide invaluable social contact, and opportunities to deal with troubling issues.

The minister is a person who these isolated people can trust to listen to their problems on a confidential basis, and provide constructive responses.

The long history of commitment to the outback by the Uniting Church and its antecedent organizations has grown a level of trust within the people towards the Uniting Church Padre, who they know will treat them with respect, and from whom they will often get the advice and assistance necessary to resolve these problems

Counselling services which many take for granted in the larger communities are largely absent , or unavailable to many in the remotest areas of the country.

Often this shortfall is taken up by the padre who can offer crisis counseling and/or referral and information regarding services available to these people.

An example of this is where the padre has flown people with mental illness to Townsville for necessary treatment.

In this instance the padre walks alongside the person and provides a sounding board to their concerns.

These services are provided to all persons irrespective of their background and financial situation.

For the people of the North West, the arrival of the Patrol Padre has and still is a time to stop and have a cuppa.

It’s a time to be able to share their concerns with someone, who is not in the same boat, but sails the same ocean.