God, it is said, moves in mysterious ways. So, too, it seems , does the Townsville City Council . To reduce the temptation of the Magnetic Island Uniting Church congregation to throw rubbish into the wheelie bins, they have been removed . Why? Supposedly because , as a religious organisation, it does not pay council rates and taxes . Therefore, it is not entitled to the bins , and certainly no weekly visitation and clearance by the all powerful Garbo - not Godot.
While the church may not contribute to the coffers of the civic temple money gatherers , the building is used by a number of worthy community groups. Even the unGodly Magnetic Island branch of the ALP holds its meetings there .
Saint Francis of Assisi himself would have blessed the latest meeting of the ALP in the church as one of the members , a wildlife carer, brought along , nursed and fed a tiny , hairless wallaby joey, its mother a roadkill victim.
News Tip : especially for those in the lost in the wilderness mainland media circles , there is a story here . Does this council bin thinning apply to all churches on the island ? Mainland temples of worship? How many? Etc., etc..
An interesting feature of the Uniting Church on the island is the striking unique baptismal font which incorporates a large clam shell ,in which are assorted shells when not used for dunking .
