The
monthly Anglican Diocese of Bendigo
march 2015
issue 108
Welcomed: The Revds Alipate and Erin Tuineau with son Tevita, Bishop Andrew and wardens from Charlton-Donald and Inglewood
New ministry for new North Central Cluster Sarah Crutch
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he Revds Alipate and Erin Tuineau were welcomed into the newly established North Central Cluster comprising the parishes of Charlton-Donald and Inglewood at a service at St Martin’s, Charlton on Sunday 8 February. All centres were represented as Bishop Andrew licensed Alipate and Erin as Assistant Curates for the North Central Cluster. The appointment will see the couple live in the rectory at Charlton and provide ministry across the parishes of Charlton-Donald and Inglewood.
Inside:
Charges dismissed for trespassers page 3
Alipate and Erin, along with their baby son Tevita, come to the diocese from Gladstone in Queensland. As deacons, they will receive assistance from the Revd Malcolm Thomas to provide services across the cluster and supervision from Canon Heather Blackman. They will also join the diocese’s Training in Ministry group to assist their training and formation. In addressing the congregation, Bishop Andrew urged the people of the two parishes to back this new ministry and new cluster. “We are all involved in the ministry of training and support and I hope you will
Central Mallee celebrates new minister page 5
encourage and support Erin and Alipate in every way you can. “My prayer today is that as your two parishes embark on this journey with Erin and Alipate, Heather and Malcolm, God will strengthen you and guide you.” Tim Johns and Robert Dunstan, wardens from Inglewood and Charlton-Donald, welcomed Alipate and Erin, and spoke of looking forward to working with them, and of forming a good relationship between the parishes. Both parishes are excited to have Alipate, Erin and Tevita amongst them and wish them all the best as they commence this new ministry.
Too much chocolate? page 8
Letter to the Editor page 11
The Bishop writes changed so much mainly through the influence of immigration.
Dear Friends,
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he television ratings season has begun, and after little else but sport and reruns in January, February has seen an explosion of new programmes and new seasons of old favourites. Have you looked at Gogglebox, Hiding, Rectify or the new season of My Kitchen Rules (MKR)? I have to admit I am an MKR addict, and this despite being a pretty hopeless cook. Why am I hooked? Is it the contestants, the homes, the different styles of home restaurants, the food, the judges? I think it is combination of all these elements. It’s also interesting that such a programme is being shown during Lent, and comes to a culmination around Easter. There is no intention to relate the programme to these great events of the Christian year: MKR reflects Australia’s obsession with food and the secularisation of our society. Bur despite all this, I love the show! Underlying the success of the show is the strong bond and relationship between the pairs of contestants, and their commitment to home cooking, a flair and knowledge of food and their desire to succeed. MKR reflects much about contemporary Australia: the deep desire for friends, relationships, hospitality and a sense of belonging. It also reflects the cultural diversity of our country and the very rich backgrounds that is found in the wide offering of food that is presented. The current series has people from South Africa, Greece, England, Argentina, and the USA, from town and country, young and older, gay, single, married, friends and lovers, from lawyers to concreters. MKR is a microcosm of Australian society, and shows how in the last fifty years our society has 2
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As I was reflecting on this, I was driving one morning at the end of February and heard an interview on ABC rural radio about 2015 being the 40th anniversary of the arrival of boat people from Vietnam, who were welcomed to Australia. Indeed, the interview was the morning after our Dean and a number of other Christian leaders in Bendigo had a case dismissed against them for trespass.
are just like the Vietnamese folk from 40 years ago, looking for a new life in a democratic and generous nation. MKR shows how much as a nation we have matured. Yet when it comes to asylum seekers at our present time we have gone backwards. Our Lord knew what it was to be a refugee, having to flee with his parents when only weeks old to escape a despotic and cruel leader. As we move through Lent this year let us be conscious of all the good things we enjoy in this country, things
I think it is totally wrong that innocent children are held in detention in our country, and even worse in Nauru. Dean John and the other Christian leaders were arrested in October last year for trespass, after they staged a prayer meeting in the offices of Senator Bridget McKenzie, protesting about Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers, and particularly the detention of children. All of this is in stark contrast to our treatment of the Vietnamese boat people. The person interviewed on ABC came to Australia aged 12, without her parents but accompanied by her siblings, from a refugee camp in Malaysia. She told listeners that she couldn’t have been more welcomed from the moment she stepped onto Australian soil. So why have things changed so much? Why do governments believe the only way to treat asylum seekers is harshly, and deny them basic civil rights? I think it is totally wrong that innocent children are held in detention in our country, and even worse in Nauru. Is Australia’s ‘Stop the boats’ policy something for us as a nation to be proud of? I believe it is not! In Australia there are now thousands of asylum seekers who have been released from detention, but who have no status and have to rely on handouts from welfare agencies to survive. Is this something for a civilised country such as ours to be proud of? There are terrible things happening in the world, and even in our own country. But this does not mean we should punish innocent people, who
march 2015
very much reflected in a programme such as MKR. But at the same time make a renewed commitment to work for those held in detention who long to a part of this nation. Blessings,
Spirit The
Monthly newsmagazine of the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo
Address: The Spirit, PO Box 2, Bendigo 3552 Member, Australian Religious Press Association Telephone: 03 5443 4711 General: thespirit@bendigoanglican.org.au Editor: The Revd Dr Charles Sherlock charlesherlock@gmail.com Committee Chair: The Revd Canon Bryn Jones The Spirit is published in the first week of the month (excluding January). Advertising rates are available from the Editor. All advertisements are accepted at the Editor’s discretion; acceptance does not imply endorsement of the product or service. Contributions are welcome, and will be edited. Email contributions are preferred. Anonymous articles will not be considered for publication. Photographs should be sent in digital form to the general email address above. Full size, ‘raw’ files are necessary. Physical photos are normally not returned. The Anglican Diocese of Bendigo and the Editor are not responsible for opinions expressed by contributors, nor do these necessarily reflect the policy of the diocese. Contributions for the next issue must be submitted by Friday 20 March.
www.bendigoanglican.org.au
Charges dismissed for trespassing church leaders Sarah Crutch
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Exhibition: Parishioners from Maryborough visit the NARA Dreaming exhibition
NARA Dreaming turns a win win win for all!
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Robyn Davis
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n the words of Kev Carmody, “From little things big things grow”. And grow we have.
The ‘Nara Dreaming Exhibition’ is becoming an integral part of Bendigo’s artistic calendar. This year it will be held at ‘Avisford’, 1023 Calder Alternative Highway, Lockwood. It will be launched at 6.30pm on 22 May opened by Councillor Rod Fyffe, and it runs through until Monday 8 June (Queen’s Birthday weekend). This year is the sixth year of a dream come true for a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists and friends, to bring together a cross-cultural exhibition featuring various mediums including painting, photography, performance, sculpture and craft work. Significantly, the exhibition runs through Reconciliation Week, and that is how we see ourselves – ‘Reconciliation in Action’. A diverse group of artists have come together for this exhibition. Our regular Nara Dreaming folk are Robyn Davis (Aboriginal artist), Trina Dalton-Oodges (Aboriginal artist), Bill Whitbread (photographer), Alan Boromeo (artist and sculptor) and Georgina Jackson (jewellery maker). This year they are joined by Bendigo artists Jan Harvey and Pauline
Robinson, Shirl Arlov (artist), Linton Torr (furniture maker) and Colin Wylie (woodwork). So how is it a WIN WIN for everone? By attending the Nara Dreaming Exhibition you can: meet lovely people, learn about Indigenous culture, pick up some great pieces of art or craft, listen to great Australian bush poetry, help a worthy cause, bring a busful of friends and have a wonderful day, book a bush tucker or Devonshire morning tea. Your parish may like to follow the example of Maryborough, and bring a bus for a parish outing. Entry to all events is by donation, which will assist New Horizons Welfare Services (Anglican Diocese of Bendigo). Want to know more? Key contacts are: Anne Conway naradreaming@impulse.net.au, 5441 2430 or 0418 579501 Trina Dalton-Oogjes Trina.Dalton-Oogjes@dhs.vic.gov.au, Robyn Davis robynjdavis@bigpond.com
Michael McCoy digs deep: the spiritual dimensions of gardening
An interview with the Revd Peta Sherlock Sunday 29 March 3pm The Norma Richardson Hall, St Mary’s Woodend $10 /$5 concession (proceeds to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre) Michael McCoy is ‘The Gardenist’: http://thegardenist.com.au
he Bendigo church leaders who were arrested after holding a silent protest in the office of Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie in October of last year have had their charges dismissed in the Bendigo Magistrate’s Court. The group, including Dean John Roundhill, faced the Magistrate on Thursday 19 February and each pleaded guilty to the charge of wilful trespass. The Magistrate acknowledged that there was a breach of the law, but noted that it was hardly a serious one and took into consideration the guilty plead of each person in dismissing each of the charges. “I find you all to be passionate and hold conscientious beliefs…I’m taking into account your good character and find the charge of trespass proven and dismissed,” he said. “We are relieved and delighted,” Dean John Roundhill said. “The Magistrate exercised his discretion acknowledging that we each pleaded guilty, but that they weren’t substantial charges and we were a group of compassionate people.” Each of the members left court without a fine or a record on their criminal history. Reflecting on the impact their actions have had, John Roundhill said, “In October, one of the first questions everyone was asking us was, ‘Why are you doing this, no one cares’. It is clear that a lot of people do care and it is a real issue and the report of the Human Rights Commission has had a political impact”. The group intends to contact Senator Bridget McKenzie again seeking another appointment to discuss with her the issue of children held in detention. “There are still hundreds of children in detention and ‘Love Makes A Way’ will continue taking action until the policies are changed”. 3
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Mothers’ Union presents guest speakers in upcoming events
St Luke’s speaker for Lady Day 2015
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“
Social inclusion is about breaking down barriers and giving people the opportunity to lead fulfilled lives.
“
– Bishop Andrew Curnow AM
Donate to St Luke’s a division of Anglicare Victoria
Donate online www.stlukes.org.au Albury • Bendigo • Castlemaine Deniliquin • Echuca • Kyneton Maryborough • Swan Hill
the 2015 Lady Day afternoon programme will introduce Mrs Denise S m i t h , currently a Family Support Worker with St Luke’s Anglicare. Among her other skills, Denise is a trained facilitator of the ‘Tuning Into Kids’ and ‘Bringing Up Great Kids’ parenting education programmes and is involved with the online ‘Family Inclusion Network Victoria Inc’. All are invited to join MU/Caritas members and friends at this
celebration of the Annunciation, which begins with a service at 11am on Wednesday 25 March at Holy Trinity, Flora Hill. Following a BYO lunch, hear a little from Denise, of the areas covered by her ‘out in the field’ and by the wonderful St Luke’s Anglicare network in the diocese. MU Australia is a partner organisation of Anglicare, and many of our branches and members support their local Anglicare Centres in many ways. Registration is $5 by 11 March, to Assistant Treasurer Barry Rainsford, 5448 3912 or bjrains@bigpond.com. Want to know more? Contact Gail (5456 2444) or Ronda (5461 4576).
Join MU leader for lunch in Maryborough
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attend, and members are also most welcome to come along and meet Doreen, who is in her fifth year in her role on MU’s Australia Council.
Doreen will be in Victoria attending Lady Day celebrations in Maryborough on 26 March as well as in Melbourne on 21 March, and in Ballarat on 25 March. She is staying with Ronda and John Gault before returning home.
Doreen has been very instrumental in effecting an attitudinal change in her community through bringing the ‘CHOOSE RESPECT’ program to Bunbury, and has seen it implemented by Council, schools, and the wider community, supported by MU. In 2014 she introduced an anti-obesity programme to MU.
We are planning a lunch with Doreen on Thursday 26 March at ‘Ripples on the Res’ Restaurant, Ballarat Road, Maryborough from 12:30 pm. Executive members are planning to
Please contact Ronda Gault (5461 4576 jonrongault@westnet.net.au) if you would like to meet Doreen and share lunch at a very pleasant venue in Maryborough on 26 March.
U in Bendigo Diocese is hosting a brief visit by MU Australia’s Social Issues and Action Coordinator, Mrs Doreen Hall, from Bunbury in Western Australia.
The Diocese of Bendigo expects the highest standards of professional service from its Clergy and Lay Ministers.
IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT Please call (free)
1800 135 246
A phone call to the above number will mean that your complaint will be handled by the Director of Professional Standards. The Diocese is a full participant in the Victorian Anglican Provincial Abuse and Harassment Protocol. This is an independent, objective procedure adopted by the Diocese of Bendigo.
34th ANNUAL DIOCESAN CMS AUTUMN WEEKEND Theme: “Joseph: A Model of Faithfulness” Studies in Genesis led by Kevin Pedersen Friday 17 to Sunday 19 April 2015 at Holy Trinity Flora Hill Meet two missionary families from Cambodia & Pakistan Registration forms available from your parish or Barry on 5448 3912
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www.bendigoanglican.org.au
Inducted: Andrew Gall with wife Kareen and his family at the induction service
Licensed: Bishop Andrew presents the Anglican Authorisation for Ministry
Central Mallee celebrates the induction of a new minister Joy Poole
The Revd Andrew Gall was inducted as Minister of the Word into the Central Mallee Cooperative Parish at All Saints’ Ouyen on Thursday 29 January. The parish includes congregations in Ouyen, Walpeup, Underbool and Patchewollock, working as a partnership between the Uniting Church Presbytery of Loddon Mallee, the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo, and the Bush Church Aid Society.
Presbytery Chairperson Mr Max Cooke led the service, acknowledging the first inhabitants of the land and welcoming everyone to the joyful occasion for which the church was comfortably full. The scripture lessons were 2 Corinthians 8:16-24, read by Nita Wandel , and John 21:9-19, read by Merle Pole. The prayers were led by Joan Willsmore.
The Mallee Fowl – a model for Christians Bishop Andrew began his sermon with comments about the Mallee Fowl, a much loved symbol in this area.
“The bird is an example to Christians living out their faith - industrious, abstemious, and thorough, having faith in what it does,” he said. Referring to the scriptures, he asked the Central Mallee congregations to accept their new minister, Andrew, in the same way as Paul asked the Corinthians to accept Titus as a partner in "spreading the good news".
“Jesus, in his post-resurrection meeting with the disciples on the beach, invited them to bring fish and have breakfast - down to earth, offering hospitality, welcoming, no conditions. So should those called to be the church today! Jesus’ instructions to Peter and the others -"feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep" - are also directions for the whole church: • called to be generous, a church that gives and gives and gives; • called to be welcoming; • called to be a pastoral church that looks after people.
Andrew Gall inducted as the new minister
The Revd Gordon Bannon, Presbytery Minister (Pastoral Care) outlined the journey of the Joint Nominating Committee which led to the call of Andrew Gall, who was asked questions relating to faith, doctrine, commitment to the Uniting Church, to Presbytery and to working cooperatively with the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo and Bush Church Aid. Symbols of ministry were brought forward by parishioners for the Chairperson to present to Andrew. These were the Bible, books of prayer, water, the Covenant of Co-operation Document, parish rolls, oil and towel, a Region 18 Country Fire Authority Map Book, bread, wine and grape juice, and finally a group of people
representing the parish. At each presentation, Andrew and the people of the parish made appropriate commitments. After the singing of ‘Be thou my vision’, the Chairperson declared the Revd Andrew Gall to be inducted, and Bishop Andrew presented his authorisation for ministry in the Diocese of Bendigo. The people of the parish promised their support and prayers.
Welcome and challenge
Brief welcomes to Andrew, his wife Kareen and their children, Hannah, David, Caleb and Siobhan were given by the Chairperson of the parish Pastoral and Administration Team, Joy Poole; the Presbytery Chairperson, Max Cooke; the Anglican Deanery, Canon Dale Barclay; Ouyen Inter-Church Council, Lyn Williams; Mildura Rural City Council, Councillor Judy Harris. Andrew made a suitable response. Wendy Brittain, Stephan Trinkle, Liam Vine and Joy Poole provided musical accompaniment for the hymns. Raelene Vine, accompanied on piano by daughter Hannah, sang a solo. The final hymn presented a challenge to all present: "Community of Christ, who make the Cross your own, live out your creed and risk your life for God alone". The Chairperson concluded the service with the blessing. A bountiful supper was enjoyed afterwards before visitors returned to homes all over north-west Victoria. 5
Around the Diocese
Glenda Templer finishes in chaplaincy On 29 January, the Revd Glenda Templer was farewelled from Bendigo’s St John of God hospital after working there as an Anglican denominational hospital chaplain for six and a half years. Through that time Glenda has provided critical pastoral and spiritual care to the sick and dying in times when a person is in most need of emotional and spiritual support. The Diocese commends Glenda on her time as a healthcare chaplain and wishes her well as she moves forward. - Sarah Crutch
Thanks: The St John of God Pastoral Care Team farewell Glenda
End of an era at Maldon
On 1 January 2015 my aunt Margaret Miles (née Bowe) died at 96 years of age. The last in her generation of that line of the Bowe family, she was the second youngest of eleven children of Abraham and Edith Bowe (the youngest being my father John). The Bowe family has had a long history with Holy Trinity Maldon. Brothers John and Abraham were responsible for the original building in 1861, and other family members have added to it over the years. There has never been a long stretch of time since without a Bowe worshipping or being involved with Holy Trinity. My grandfather built a little cottage, close to his parents’ place out on Bell’s Reef Road, to bring up many of my aunts and uncles. They walked or rode a horse to school in Maldon and hitched up the horse and buggy to attend church on Sunday. The hardships they endured were countered well, with fun and a strong sense of family. The Bowe family has been especially proud to be part of Maldon and Holy Trinity and we seem to return here to live or just to visit, as the need arises. - Lesley Bowe
Bowe Family: The Bowe family just before the Second World War
St Luke’s appoints Regional Director Adapted from The Bendigo Advertiser, 7 February 2015
Carolyn Wallace has been appointed Regional Director of St Luke’s Anglicare, the first permanent person in the role since the agency merged with Anglicare Victoria in August 2014. Carolyn is currently the Director of Sustainable Communities at the Mount Alexander Shire, and will take over the positon at the end of March. “It’s an organisation with a great history and a great profile and I’m pleased to be a part of it,” she said. “I’ll be working with staff to make sure we continue to provide great, high quality services and that we’re responsive to the children and families in the region.”
Appointed: Carolyn Wallace
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Bishop Andrew commented, “I’m delighted that Anglicare Victoria have appointed Carolyn to this new position. She is a parishioner at Christ Church Castlemaine and will bring a great deal to this position and on behalf of the diocese I wish her well”. - Sarah Crutch
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www.bendigoanglican.org.au
Farewell Peter Bertram
Around the Parishes
Canon Peter Bertram arrived in the Charlton-Donald Parish on Ash Wednesday 2013. He took up residence in the Charlton rectory and was Acting Priest-inCharge whilst he was here – but determined to see the parish find a full-time minister before he left. To that end he was here for nearly two years, the longest time he has spent as a locum rector! Peter has now returned home after seeing the appointment of two ministers to the parish. He will be remembered for his quick wit, his love of music, his easy going manner and his welcoming smile. He was always very appreciative of anything anybody did for him. In return the people across the parish were truly blessed to have such a man as Peter in their midst. Peter embraced life in Charlton: whatever he did, he did to his utmost. While with us he played bowls, attended Rotary and Probus, learnt the ukulele and played in the brass band. His greatest achievement was his service to the people. He worked for others, never for himself. Charlton-Donald parishioners thank Peter for his work and Christian witness, and we hope he puts his feet up for a while when he gets home.
Farewell: Peter Bertram
- Beth Crutch
Local creativity in new furnishings for Golden Square
A new set of burses and veils for use in holy communion was dedicated on Sunday 11 January at St Mark’s Golden Square, crafted by Diana Smith of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Thelma Ford, a long time member of St Mark’s Guild, left $500 for the Guild to use as it thought best. When it was decided that the Guild would retire in 2013, the gift was passed to Parish Council. Led by Coral Kinross, the retiring Guild requested that the donation be used to replace the existing altar burses and veils, in memory of Thelma.
When Diana Smith presented an Australian wildflower design for the new furnishings, this was eagerly agreed to, and a burse and veil for each season was subsequently produced. We were extremely pleased to have Diana present at the service of blessing and thanksgiving for the new, and to hear her speak on her embroidery ministry. Diana generously donated the $500 to the Cathedral Restoration Appeal. Hand crafted: New burse and veil
We give thanks to God for Thelma, Diana and our retired Guild members. - Coral Kinross
WHAT'S ON
AT CHRIST THE KING MARYBOROUGH
Sunday 22 March 5pm
Evensong - Revd Dr Charles Sherlock on Archbishop Thomas Cranmer
Sunday 26 April 5pm
Evensong - Revd Dr Timothy Gaden on the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta
Wednesday 29 April 7.30pm Slava & Leonard Grigoryan - Classical guitar concert www.maryboroughanglican.com
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Feeding Faith ‘Exploring Easter’ at Tatura Jude Benton
What does Jesus look like?
So often our impressions of Jesus, God, and biblical stories are tied to the art that we have been exposed to. This Easter Season, from Palm Sunday to Easter Day, All Saints’ Tatura is holding its first ‘Exploring Easter’, an inter-active walk though art event which tells the Christian Easter story. All our services during this Holy Week will take place in among the art, using the area that illustrates the appropriate ‘chapter’ of the story. Art is being created by different groups within the Tatura community, including the Girl Guides, local primary schools, the men’s shed and of course All Saints’ parishioners with help from the other churches of the Goulburn River Cluster. One area of community involvement is the knitting of little figurines and hand-puppets which will add an extra feature to each area. ‘Exploring Easter’ has been made possible by a grant through the Greater Shepparton City Council Community Arts Grants. Entry will be free, and refreshments available for a small cost. We would love individuals and groups from across the diocese to come to ‘Exploring Easter’ as a new way to engage in the Easter story in a new way. It will be open daily 10am1pm and 5-7:30pm – but we can have groups by arrangement in the afternoon.
Too much chocolate? Not nearly? John Roundhill
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discovered recently that Australians per capita eat more chocolate at Easter time than any other nation.
Does that surprise you? It certainly did me. Having lived in England where we had Terry’s and Rowntree’s, both based in the cathedral city of York, and Thornton’s just down the road, I grew up with chocolate all through Easter. Well that is not quite right, for the chocolate was a treat, a surprise on Easter Day. Easter Eve was almost as exciting as Christmas Eve, with the hope of beautifully wrapped chocolate eggs to be unwrapped and to be eaten over the next few days. So perhaps the English eat less chocolate at Easter simply because there is still an echo of a wider Easter observance there. (A former diocesan worker has set up The Real Easter Egg at www.realeasteregg.co.uk where the egg does some of the work of telling the story.) Here in Australia, with our more secular observance of Easter, we have many more days to munch our way through our eggs, bars and other chocolate treats. Yet it is curious, I think, that in one of the most secular parts of one of the more secular countries in the world there should be not just a persistence of chocolate eating at Easter, but a veritable feast. No wonder - and this might be a future article - we are also one of the fatter nations on the earth. Australians are the 25th most obese, according to a 2014 report, ahead of nations like the UK, Germany and France. Despite
ABM: The Real Easter Egg the wonderful weather, spacious outdoors and a long and spectacular coast, we are increasingly tubby. But back to Easter time, when we will on average munch our way through $130 of chocolate per capita . What chance is there for the church when competing against a mountain of chocolate? Might this be another sign that inside the secular shell of life in Australia there is something of a faith centre, a centre that still yearns for a story to be told and lived? Might we be less secular than some fear and others hope for? For churches interested in getting hold of a Real Easter Egg, they can be purchased via ABM, http://www. abmission.org/news.php/223/thereal-easter-egg-campaign-australia.
Further information can be found on our dedicated Facebook site ‘Exploring Easter’ or contact the Revd Jude Benton on 5824 1170, or taturaanglican@outlook.com.
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www.bendigoanglican.org.au
‘Can I believe in evolution and still Cycling by faith Lycra-ed in Christ be a Christian?’ Eddie Barkla Simon Robinson
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t was with great interest I read the Dean’s article, ‘Why being very old matters’. I preached on this as it emerged in the lectionary for the Baptism of our Lord. After the service I was asked, ‘can I believe in evolution and still be a Christian?’ Allow me to backtrack a little. Scientific consensus does not scientific fact make. A brief read through the history of scientific discovery will reveal that – what everyone believes today can change overnight. We all have the same evidence to hand in terms of origins. It comes down to a matter of interpreting that evidence. What paradigm best suits the evidence to hand? Who is doing the interpreting and what shapes their worldview? Quite often we are hit over the head by Christdenying ‘scientists’ with an agenda to interpret the evidence in a way that rules God out of the picture before they start looking. And I get that. God scares them, because if God is real, doesn’t it means a change of life? Our civilisation places too much blind faith in the religion that has named itself ‘science’. We have paid for it in human and environmental suffering. Smoking cigarettes is good for you? Asbestos is OK to use? Nuclear power is safe? True science is a voyage of discovery, an insatiable curiosity and an openness to possibilities. Paul writes in Romans 1 that serious and open examination of the created world will lead anyone to the realisation that there is a Creator. Evolution is a theory that comes blinkered and preloaded with a host of agendas – most of them anti-creator. Maybe it’s a reasonable theory – but still a theory. Death is an essential mechanism in the process of evolution. You can’t get from amoeba to the Dean without it. Bloodshed, death and extinction
are necessary for the emergence of yet ever greater organisms. The weak die, the fittest survive – which infers that it is, in fact, a good thing. Otherwise we wouldn’t be here. Does this mechanism fit the character of God as revealed in Jesus? Theologically, the most serious problem for the Christian evolutionist is the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ - the Lord’s final and utter rejection of death. Jesus dies at human hands. God raises him to new and undying life. If we are evolving, and death is good, then why the resurrection? Death is described variously throughout both Old and New Testaments as a curse, an evil, the last enemy to be destroyed. The prayer book has us using these texts at every funeral, and we proclaim the resurrection every Sunday when we gather. Of all human deaths, only Jesus’ could be said to be good – for through it he has liberated us from its sinful impact and from its lasting effects through his resurrection. I’m not sure that this is a salvation issue – I believe our Dean is a great example to us all of prophetic Christian witness following in the footsteps of Jesus. He is willing to put his comfort, reputation and spotless record on the line to speak up for children held in immigration detention. We would all do well to heed his example. However, I challenge any Christian to convincingly reconcile the theory of evolution with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
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veryone who wins the victory will wear white clothes. Their names will not be erased from the book of life, and I will tell my Father and his angels that they are my followers. (Revelation 3:5)
Oh the power of the cleansing blood of Christ Jesus, that washes us white as snow, so that we would be God’s holy people, pure, blameless and spotless! There is a common phrase for the cycling scene: MAMIL - Middle Aged Men In Lycra. I am sure many in the diocese who have seen the Cycling Pioneer Minister rock up in his lycra are left wondering how appropriate is this behaviour and representation of a priest? Having ridden to the venue, most likely a trip of 30-50kms, one needs to be comfortable and aptly dressed. I am as comfortable wearing lycra as some might be as comfortable wearing a clergy collar! In the community where God has placed me to be the Lord’s representative, lycra is the norm. The above has made me ponder on being rightly ‘clothed in Christ’. Christ’s clothing is not something we are to put on and take off as we see fit. Our identity is in Christ Jesus and his goodness alone. It is by God’s grace and gift of faith that we are able to stand before God’s throne. Once clothed, we are clean in the Lord Jesus. But we have the task of ensuring that we keep our clothing clean, without the stains of past sins or new ones. And who in their right mind, after being given such a precious gift, would want to discard it? We can ask ourselves: How comfortable am I in the clothing which the Lord Jesus has given me? Is this the clothing I bound out of bed each morning excited to be in, to walk in my community proud to be known and seen wearing? Do I strive to keep my clothing as spotless it was given to me, claiming its being washed in the blood of Jesus? Like the lycra that stretches to cover all my lumps and bumps, the clothing of Christ Jesus has covered all my sins. How comfortable is each of us in Christ’s clothes? Looking forward to seeing you on the road soon God willing. 9
There’s a word for it
Feeding Faith
‘I am carried’ Coral Crook
Day by day and hour by hour your love for me from Heaven flows like streams of water in the desert living waters flow. You walk beside me gently guiding leading me through every storm everlasting, never changing grace and love divine. These words were written by Geoff Bullock about 1997. Last year, whilst I was away, we sang this hymn, ‘I am carried’, and the pianist also played other compositions by Bullock. This hymn appears on an album called ‘You rescued me’: it gives the feeling of living hope, reveals grace and transforms our life. ‘I am carried in the arms of grace and love divine’ is the final line of the song. Geoff Bullock was raised as a Presbyterian, and became a committed Christian in 1978. His songs, poems and writings attempt to reflect his journey. He plays piano as well as writes songs and was the founder of the Hillsong music team and the annual Hillsong conference. Bullock is no longer with Hillsong after a marriage breakdown and being involved with a married woman. He is aware of our human sinfulness and the wonders of God’s grace. He repudiates some of his earlier material, which seemed to focus on what we do: some of his rewritten early material now focuses on what God does for us. Geoff Bullock has grown in his understanding of God. Mission Praise and Together in Song include some of his rewrites - ‘Lord I come to you’, where we are held close to God and the Holy Spirit leads up ‘in the power of your love’. ‘You rescued me’ expresses how we are rescued, healed, set free, transformed and come closer to God’s image. ‘Oh the mercy of God’ is based on Ephesians 1:3-12: God’s grace rescues us and counts us righteous… all for God’s glory. Interesting.
Congregation
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n the natural world some species are herd animals and some birds go around in flocks. An individual will sometimes buck the trend and become a solitary, so for many birds there is a distinction between aloneness and coming together as a flock at certain times of the year. Thus normally solitary birds will flock together when migrating or breeding. Richard Stamp Within our human species it’s the same. We all know individuals who are ‘loners’ and others who are ‘social animals’. People come together in a variety of ways and for many reasons. The common word for Christians who gather together for public worship is a congregation. The verb to congregate derives from the Latin gregare, ‘to flock together.’ This in turn comes from the noun grex, gregis = a herd or flock (cf segregate, aggregate, egregious, and migrate, immigrant emigrate and secret). In the wild, congregating into large herds or flocks has advantages. It’s good for protection - there’s safety in numbers. It fosters a sense of belonging. It lessens the burden on the individual - tasks can be shared out. So wild geese, when they fly in their V formation, take turns in the lead, where the going is hardest. The herd or flock may be the repository of collective wisdom and it nurtures mutual help and encouragement. These things are also true when humans congregate.
a focussed grouping for a purpose. Thomas Cranmer knew this. In the Book of Common Prayer, in the introduction to Morning and Evening Prayer, he lists some of the reasons for intentional congregating. He is careful to say, ‘when we assemble AND meet together.’ Our flocking is for the purpose of mutual and deliberate meeting together, not simply milling around keeping ourselves to ourselves. And he notes the reasons for doing so. Since we share the fact that we are all sinners, we come together to acknowledge our sins. We also congregate ‘to render thanks for the great benefits we have received from his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul.’ In sum, we intentionally flock together to give thanks, to offer praise, to listen to the Bible and to petition God for the things we need for bodily and spiritual health. These are the reasons for, and the marks of, a Christian congregation. They are protective and mutually helpful. They are the glue that holds us together as Christ’s flock.
To flock together or congregate is an intentional act, to come together not by chance but by desire. It takes a decision to join a congregation. A flock or herd or congregation is not like any old assembly, no haphazard rabble but
Supremely, of course, we congregate to remember and encounter the Lord Jesus in the holy communion, in which we are led, fed and strengthened communally as the body of Christ, the flock of Jesus, who described himself as the ‘good shepherd’ of his flock.
march 2015
www.bendigoanglican.org.au
If you have a chance to hear or sing some of Geoff Bullock’s, songs they are worth the time to reflect on what he has to say. 10
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Letter to the editor The nature of Islam
In the December edition of The Spirit there is a report about a talk by Mr Almir Colan, who explained the nature of Islam. The report is mostly a collection of trivial information, such as the Bible and the Koran sharing characters, the occasional visit of fishermen to Australia’s northern shores etc. He did not address the major issues facing contemporary Islam, as it undergoes a worldwide resurgence. Modern Muslims are wrestling with two inter-connected issues, both relating to the integration of Islamic culture into a modern plural society. The first involves the extent to which Muslims should assimilate into a Western-style culture (with its strengths, weaknesses and contradictions). The second involves a contrast between two competing versions of Islam. Both have Koranic support: the jihadi aim for armed control of society, and the more pietistic personal faith approach. The establishment of ‘caliphates’ in the Middle East and central Africa is viewed by jihadis as the fulfilment of the Koranic vision for Islam. In contrast, those Muslims who wish to honour God in devout service to Allah and their fellow human beings abhor this approach. The contradiction, which stems from the core of Islamic belief, needs to be resolved if Islam is to be credible to the rest of the world. Mr Colan’s presentation thus represents a blatant ‘cherry-picking’ of information, which I believe is disingenuous. It is not an honest or realistic depiction of the state of modern Islam. - Brian Stanmore
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media matters
Detecting and discerning - together
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love detective stories. It is like doing a puzzle, where, under the leadership of a smart person, the pieces finally come together. And it is comforting to know that justice and truth will eventually prevail. Peta Sherlock My favourite at the moment is Lewis. It is set in Oxford, where there is always a tension between ‘town and gown’. Channel Seven on their alsoran channels have made it hard for me to follow this series, never settling into a regular time slot and often showing episodes out of order. Finally my smart husband bought me the set, and when nothing else is on telly we settle down to watch the developing relationship between Robbie Lewis (Kevin Whately) and his lovely Sergeant Hathaway (Laurence Fox).
I watched an old episode of Morse recently, where Morse was the Detective Inspector and a very young smooth-skinned Lewis was his sergeant. It was awful. Morse was just plain rude and treated his offsider as if he had nothing to bring to the partnership, not even half a brain. Lewis was just the whipping boy. Admittedly Morse is now old and, it was of that era where the hero is a rule breaker who despises authority. And in Lewis the top boss is still
continues to try and understand human nature at its worst. Lewis is ‘town’, Hathaway is ‘gown’ but with ‘town’ roots. In one heartbreaking episode we discover he came from the lower classes and will never fit in with the idle rich because “he is not one of us”. On the other hand, Hathaway quickly realises Lewis is highly intelligent and grows in respect for him. Lewis is happy to continue to learn about theology and opera from his younger partner, and occasionally quotes back poetry and Shakespeare he learnt from Morse. In other words, the characters grow and the partnership grows. Well done, Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox. Hathaway is on a learning curve as he learns the difference between policeman and priest. While he understands what is going on at a deathbed, he still works to extract the truth even though his own conscience may suffer. Other characters ask Lewis to care for Hathaway when he has had a particularly nasty physical or emotional experience. Lewis does the blokey thing and offers a pint at the pub. But it is pastoral care. Lewis cares, not as a friend, but as a professional partner. He assumes his
Lewis cares, not as a friend, but as a professional partner. He assumes his junior partner is intelligent enough to work through his own emotional ups and downs. pretty silly, trying week after week to pull Lewis and Hathaway into line, while they push her to the limit and solve the murder. She becomes a caricature and is the weakest point in the writing. While I enjoy watching the possibility of Lewis falling in love with Laura (the Chief Medical Officer), James Hathaway is my favourite character. He studied at Cambridge (the other place), looking to the priesthood. Somehow he became disillusioned, and now as a policeman
junior partner is intelligent enough to work through his own emotional ups and downs, and that it is the partnership that will bring them both through trauma. Because of the shrinking church, it is a shame we no longer have many such partnerships among clergy and church workers. Not that priests and curates were ever much like Lewis and Hathaway, more like Morse. But true, respectful, intelligent, theology-talking team work is still a lovely thing to see. 11
Where in the world...
is this church ?
If you can name the church and the city it is located in, you could be our monthly winner! Send your entries to the thespirit@bendigoanglican.org. au or post to The Spirit at PO Box 2, Bendigo, VIC , 3552. Last month featured the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth. The winner was Jack Carr.
Turning towards Lent Shrove Tuesday in St Arnaud
what’s on events calendar
Installation of the Bishop of Gippsland 10.00 am, Saturday 21 March, Sale Safe Ministry Workshop Saturday 21 March, Bendigo Baptist Church Lady Day Celebration 11.00 am, Wednesday 25 March, Flora Hill Blessing of the Oils Service 11.00 am, Monday 30 March Good Friday Friday 3 April Easter Day Sunday 5 April Clergy Conference Monday 13 - Wednesday 15 April, Mildura Got an event coming up? Send the details to thespirit@bendigoanglican.org.au
Caring at a time of need
Delicious: Harry Wharton and Liam McSwaine enjoying their pancakes The first community pancake evening to be held in St Arnaud for some years saw 30 people (including children) attend Christ Church Old Cathedral hall on Shrove Tuesday, 17 February. A generous variety of both savoury and sweet pancakes saw all enjoy a happy night. The consensus? Let’s do this again next year! - Heather Blackman
151 McCrae Street Bendigo 12 Victoria Street Eaglehawk
P. 5441 5577
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A tradition that continues...
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Founded by the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne in 1948 2015-03BSP
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march 2015
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