MIDDLTONE METHODIST CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICES 9.30am, 6.30pm Communion service First Sunday of the month Sunday school 8.30am and 10.30am Ladies Church Aid Youth Group Men's Brotherhood Tuesdays 10.00am Wednesdays 7.00pm MINISTER: Rev William Thomas, BA, LTh Tel - HSC - SSCE Studies of Religion - Question 11 - 2009 - Paper 1

Since the 1960s, there have been significant changes in Australia's religious landscape, clearly illustrated by the contrasting church signs of Middleton Methodist Church and Middleton Uniting Church. The Methodist Church's sign from 1965 highlights traditional services, including Sunday worship at 9.30 am and various community activities such as Ladies Church Aid and Youth Group meetings. The focus remains predominantly on the established practices and a single minister, Rev William Thomas, indicating a conventional approach to church activities.

In contrast, the Middleton Uniting Church's sign from 2000 reflects a more diverse and contemporary approach to worship. The inclusion of multiple service times, such as a Sunday School earlier at 10.30 am and a Chinese service at noon, showcases the increasing multiculturalism within the congregation. Additionally, the mention of different linguistic services (Tongan and Chinese) signifies a broader acceptance and integration of diverse cultural backgrounds in religious practices.

These developments suggest a shift from a predominantly homogenous religious practice to one embracing multiculturalism, indicating how Australian society has evolved to include a variety of cultural expressions in the religious sphere. This transformation aligns with the broader social changes seen in Australia since the 1960s, reflecting a departure from rigid traditions toward a more inclusive and representative religious landscape.