The Spirit - March 2014 by Anglican Diocese of Bendigo

MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF BENDIGO www.bendigoanglican.org.au

Issue 98 March 2014

Australia Day awards for local Anglicans

‘Here in this place new light is streaming’

New St Mary’s Kangaroo Flat opened to cheers!

Other Anglicans honoured included Sue Brown (Inglewood), Iris Powell, Bruce Lambert and Neville Pankhurst (Tongala): see further page 3.

The modern $2million building, between High and Church Streets, replaces the historic church, built in 1862, which was demolished after being badly damaged in an arson attack in December 2008.

Inside this issue:

Three hundred and sixty people attended the service, seated throughout the linked church, narthex and hall. Guests included Cr Rod Fyffe representing the Mayor of Greater Bendigo, Bendigo Federal MP Lisa Chesters, leaders of other churches, representatives of business and community organisations, and the Catholic College Choir.

orna Stewart, recipient of Newbridge’s Community Service Award, and Sue Horsley-Wyatt, the Loddon Citizen of the Year, show their certificates.

• Centre-pages: Kangaroo Flat opening celebration • Australian Day Awards • Back page caption comp and all your favourite regulars!

ishop Andrew Curnow led three resounding cheers after he officially opened the new St Mary’s Anglican Church in Kangaroo Flat on Friday 14 February 2014.

After St Mary’s rector, Canon Bryn Jones, rang the old church bell (pictured at right) which fronts the new building, Bishop Andrew knocked on the doors with his pastoral staff and demanded they be opened. He traced the Greek letters Alpha and Omega on the carpet before proceeding indoors to officially open the building, dedicate the donated font, lectern and altar, and unveil a commemorative plaque. Donations and gifts to the new church were too many to list but the Bishop noted that the refurbished altar candle stands at the opening service were originally gifted to St Paul’s Laanecoorie in 1904. continued on pages 6 and 7

ell what a month February was for jobs in Victoria.

Dear Friends, How have you survived the heat? The last days of summer have been far more reasonable. I was in Mildura in the latter part of February after it had received 70mm of rain, and the city and surrounding country looked so refreshed. I was in Mildura for the Annual Clergy Conference, and it was a wonderful gathering of our clergy. Forty attended and we had an excellent programme of speakers: • Bishop Robert Forsyth (Sydney diocese) addressed the future of the Anglican Church of Australia. • Professor Jane Fisher (Professor of Women’s Mental Health at Monash University) spoke on clergy well-being, and • The Rev Julie Woolner from Brisbane was conference chaplain.

As a Church we are hearing a lot of bad news at present. The media are giving us a caning over child abuse scandals and inappropriate behaviour of clergy, numbers attending churches are under severe strain, the challenges seem overwhelming and the answers few. In this sort of situation it is tempting to go into denial and believe that everything is all right, but this is to deny the brutal reality. As Stockdale points out, one has to have a deeply integrated faith that on the one hand believes God will prevail, but at the same time does not deny the circumstances you are in. As Stockdale points out, one has to have a deeply integrated faith that on the one hand believes God will prevail, but at the same time not to deny the circumstances you are in. Do not hold out with false hope. Do not deny the truth.

Bishop Robert began the Conference The same is true for us as people. We with outlining what is called the ‘Stockcan often hope that things will get better, dale Paradox’. It is named after a retired when in fact Admiral Jim The Stockdale Paradox this could Stockdale Retain faith that AND Confront the be a denial who served you will prevail, most brutal facts at the same time of the reality in the US regardless of the of your current we are facNavy in the difficulties reality, whatever ing. Do not Vietnam War they might be. hold onto (see box). false truth! The point Admiral Stockdale was makThis is tough medicine, but Stockdale ing is that in life, and with many of the would argue it is about growing a mature ups and downs one must face, you need and holistic faith, which is the hallmark of to adopt an unwavering faith and combeing a Christian. mitment that ultimately God will prevail. I think his argument is right, but it is At the same time the brutal facts of reality not easy. However, if we look at the exhave to be faced. ample of our Lord, we should never asAdmiral Stockdale was taken prisoner in sume that faith was meant to be easy. the Vietnam War and spent eight years in On Wednesday 5 March Lent begins captivity. “I never lost faith,” he said, “but with Ash Wednesday. I would hope you at the same time I had to deal with the inmight begin the Lenten season reflecting humanity and violence of being a prisoner.” on the ‘Stockdale Paradox’, as it has much Did the experience destroy Stockdale? to teach us about the Christian journey. No, he turned the experience into the See if you can apply it to your own life defining moment of his life. It is a reexperience. markable story, and one from which we With blessings, can learn as a Church and as individuals. There is so much about him that sets an example in a Christ-like way. He suffered, but was not defeated; his faith sustained and strengthened him. 2 The Spirit March 2014

I began the month with writing to the Prime Minister about retaining jobs at SPC in Shepparton, and that was the beginning of the jobs saga. Thankfully it looks as though the package from the Victorian state government will keep SPC and its work force largely intact for the time being. This is a huge relief to many of the communities in the Goulburn Valley and beyond. Sadly the same can’t be said for the Geelong region, with jobs going from Ford, Australia Post, and the Point Henry Alumina plant. “Well,” you may ask, “where it will all end?” The arguments around jobs come down to the complexities of our economy, and its position in the world economy. Successive governments in Australia since the Keating days have argued that Australia must be competitive in an unregulated world economy. This argument assumes that the world economy is a level playing field, and as we know, it is not. Australia may have played by the rules and largely got rid of tariffs, but many countries have not. Protection for industry and agriculture has become an absolute ‘no no’ in our country, while in many other countries, particularly the United States, tariffs and subsidies for all sorts of industries and agriculture reign supreme. The world economy is not a level playing field. Surely Australian governments must start from the position of looking at what is best for this nation in terms of maintaining a healthy, sustainable generous society. In our country there must be balanced policy between industry and government that seeks to work for the common good of all. q Bishop Andrew

Australia Day honours: Inglewood

unday 26 January was a particularly busy morning in Inglewood parish with three parishioners involved in awards at Australia Day ceremonies. So the morning service was shifted to 3pm, with lamingtons served at afternoon tea. Sue Brown was presented with the Loddon Community Service Award for Loddon Shire by Councillor Colleen Condliffe at an 8am breakfast ceremony in Bridgewater. Sue has worked tirelessly in a wide range of organisations and activities. She is a founding member of both the Zonta and View clubs, a committee member of the Chrysanthemum Club, and over time has fostered around 100 children. As an Anglican parishioner she has been priest’s warden, parish council member and fundraiser. She contributed in many ways to flood relief following the 2011 floods. Newbridge, where Lorna Stewart received her Community Service Award, held a lunch time ceremony. Like Sue, Lorna has worked tirelessly on a wide range of activities. She is the local historian and has been involved in the local cemetery trust for many years. Lorna oversaw the refurbishment of St John’s Newbridge church after the 2011 floods, in addition to being treasurer and parish councillor for the parish. In earlier years she and her husband Jack ran the Newbridge General Store. The group award for the Loddon Shire went to the Newbridge CWA, that includes Shirley Heather, another of our parishioners. This is a particularly active CWA branch which, as well as normal creative activities, plays its part in running community events such as the Australia Day and Anzac Day ceremonies. They also have a tuneful choir which entertained the crowd at the ceremony. At our delayed Sunday afternoon service we read about Jesus inviting Andrew and Simon to change their identities from the business of fishing to the business of people. It was a good vantage point to consider our own identity and the way we handle our allegiance. We thought Adam Goodes’ appointment as Australian Citizen of the Year for 2014 was an excellent role model in this context. q Jan Harper

Above: Sue Brown (centre) shows her Loddon Community Service Award certificate to friends from the Inglewood parish, the View and Zonta clubs.

Australia Day honours: Tongala

t James’ Tongala, was well represented in the 2014 Australia Day Awards. Tongala’s Citizen of the year was won by Iris Powell. Two other parishioners, Bruce Lambert and Neville Pankhurst, belong to the Tongala Local and Family History group which was awarded Community Group of the Year.

position of president of the Ladies’ Auxiliary for 20 consecutive years. Under her guidance the Auxiliary has raised many thousands of dollars for the benefit of residents and staff. Iris is a very caring person who makes time to visit people who are unwell or need cheering up, and her baking is much appreciated. St James’ congregation is very pleased for, and proud of, Iris and her well deserved award.

Iris has been a very involved participant at St James’ for over 36 years, and at present is our mission secretary, as well as being a member of the parish council and on its fundraising committee. Iris over the years has been an active and valued member of many community groups including the Mothers’ Club and School Canteen, Football/Netball Club, Tongala Bush Nursing Hospital, CWA, the Opp shop and Meals on Wheels. Her work with the Tongala Aged Care residents is a standout, having held the

e are also glad for the recognition that parishioners Bruce Lambert and Neville Pankhurst, along with the other members of the History group, received for the many hours they have put into researching the history of the Tongala community. All the research, meetings and writing have resulted in a ‘Time Line of the Development of Tongala’ covering 174 years of local history, recorded on two large plaques on public display outside the Tongala Library. This is a great asset for the town and a great achievement for the History group, which has only nine members. The group has worked for over thirty years so that the history of Tongala is available for future generations. It is certainly a worthy winner of the Community group award. Well done Iris, Bruce and Neville! q Dianne Mangan March 2014 The Spirit 3

What’s coming up 7 March

World Day of Prayer

26 March Lady Day (Flora Hill) 30 March Mothering Sunday 31 March Anglican Bishops’ - 4 April meeting (Ballarat) 13-20 April Holy Week 17 April

Consecration of oils and renewal of ministry vows

27 May - 3 June

Week of Prayer for Reconciliation

30-31 May Bendigo Diocesan Synod 1-8 June

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

25 June

MU Winter Gathering

30 June - 4 July

General Synod (Adelaide)

21-25 July MU National Conference (Brisbane) 26-31 July MU Wave of Prayer 9 August

Mary Sumner Day

26 August

MU retreat day

6-9 October Clergy retreat Want a significant event included? Please send dates and place to Sarah Crutch at least six weeks ahead.

The Spirit Monthly newsmagazine (except January) of the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo. Address: The Spirit, PO Box 2, Bendigo 3552 Member, Australasian Religious Press Association Editor: The Revd Dr Charles Sherlock charlesherlock@gmail.com Committee Chair: The Revd 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 submission is preferred. Anonymous articles will not be considered for publication. Photographs should be in digital form, full size: please send the ‘raw’ photo. Physical photographs 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. Next contributions deadline: March 19 4 The Spirit March 2014

Andrew Broad addresses the Australia Day service in the Heritage Machinery Field Days shed at Quambatook on Sunday 26 January.

Creative proclamation in Quambatook

uambatook Cooperating Church is offering some creative ways of bringing the message of Christ to the Quambatook community. On the second Sunday of each month we gather at a community venue for a tea, during which there is a small, but powerful, presentation of Christ’s love. The past two have been held at the swimming pool, with about 30 people attending. As in 2013, a church service was conducted as part of this year’s Heritage

Machinery Field Days. The Sunday being Australia Day gave opportunity for guest speaker Andrew Broad to combine three themes – Australia Day, harvest festival, and machinery and farmers of the past – into his address. A shed kindly provided by the Heritage Machinery Field Days committee was the venue. And we now have a Facebook page – ‘Coop Church’. Please feel free to get in touch by joining our page. Robyn Hosking, Quambatook Cooperating Church

‘Surprise a priest’ games at Echuca

he Revd John Geldart and Marj assisted Christ Church Echuca in parish duties the past three months while rector, Canon Glenis Traill, was on long service leave. We continue to surround Glenis and her family with constant prayer for strength at this time.

a priest with cheezles’. This involves a well-wrapped priest sitting with his face smothered in shaving cream, and then being pelted with cheezles to try and stick them to the shaving cream. (Many adults joined in the loud cheering as cheezles stuck!)

As a ‘thank you’ gesture to John and Marj, we had a ‘Surprise a Priest’ morning after church. A group of very excited children led John, blindfolded, into the narthex, so he could be surprised by their decorations.

There was a state of almost indecent enthusiasm from all children who lined up to chuck their cheezles into the foamy face.

We had balloons, ice-cream and strawberries, chocolate sauce and some very flat cup-cakes (unintentional, but tasty).We had games - a piggy race to eat the watermelon slices: lots of contenders here! We had ‘pin a collar on a priest’ with some creative new designs for clerical wear ... bow-ties and glittery bows. And the big winner of the morning with children and adults alike - ‘pelt

See the photo of Archdeacon John Geldart in living colour on the back page! The winner was the child who threw most cheezles that stuck, but the other children had equal wins as they ate the cheezles which dropped to the floor untouched by foam! Thank God for fun and fellowship across all ages. A great morning. q L Morgan, Echuca churchwarden

MU helps in South Sudan crisis

U has a unique role as one of the few Anglican agencies with a strong presence in South Sudan. The nation will rely on women such as MU’s 53,000 members to restore stable family life.

Mothers’ Union /Caritas Executive members 2014 Left to right: Ross Everitt, Barry Rainsford, Leone Tress, Janet Everitt,Jennifer Warburton, Gwen Nener, Gail Brabazon, Val Coghill, Betty Anderson, JoanHarry, John Gault. Absent: Margaret Hunter, the Revd Linda Osmond, Gwen Proctor. Photo: Ronda Gault.

Beth Hookey to address Lady Day

he Lady Day service for 2014 will be at Holy Trinity Flora Hill at 11am on Wednesday 26 March, with morning tea available from 10.15. MU/ Caritas chaplain the Revd Linda Osmond will lead the service, and Bishop Andrew is joining us. MU branches are encouraged to bring their banners (arriving by 10.45am please!). The Lady Day speaker in the afternoon gathering will be Beth Hookey. An MU member in Melbourne since 1975, Beth served as a Branch and Deanery President, then Prayer Department Convenor, before being appointed Melbourne MU Diocesan President in 1986. Attending MU Worldwide Council in the UK in 1988 was a formative experience, especially hearing the stories of members from the developing world. Archbishop David Penman appointed Beth to Archbishop in Council, and she was invited to represent MU on working groups addressing issues such as domestic violence, HIV/AIDS and multiculturalism. In recognition of MU’s international network, Beth was nominated to the committee of the Archbishop’s Fund, now called Anglican Overseas Aid – Anglicord. In 1990, she visited displaced Karen people along the Thai-Burma border and attended the MU South Pacific Consultation in PNG.

The experience gained through MU resulted in Beth being invited to work with AOAAnglicord after retiring as our MU President in 1992. Managing development projects for over 15 years enabled her to see MU in action during visits to Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and especially the Karen MU in Thailand with whom Beth has worked very closely, and the nursery schools they established with MU Melbourne support.

MU in Bendigo diocese is linked particularly to MU in Juba, Bor and Mundri, where thousands of people have fled fighting, and then fled again. Eye witness Bishop Ruben Akurdit reports that a number of children of people who escaped from Bor to Awerial, and from Awerial to Juba, then to the border with Uganda, died in the first week of January 2014. There have been many horrendous acts of aggression and MU is now stepping in to try to pick up the pieces. q See further on page 8

New MU/Caritas Executive

U/Caritas held their first Executive meeting for the year on 7 February at St Mark’s Golden Square. We planned Lady Day, clarified the key dates in the MU calendar for 2014, and managed to fill some of the vacant positions, welcoming Janet Everitt: Overseas and Northern Outreach Ronda Gault: Education

Beth continues her connections with the Karen people both in Melbourne and in the border camps on the Burma–Thai border. We hope that some of our Karen friends in Bendigo can attend Lady Day and participate in the service and also in the afternoon session with Beth.

Margaret Hunter: Social Responsibility

All are welcome to the day: Registration is $5, lunch is BYO. RSVP to Barry Rainsford (bjrains@bigpond.com) by 10 March would be appreciated. q

We plan to work with other Victorian dioceses later this year in hosting Professor Freda Briggs AO, perhaps Australia’s bestknown expert on child protection. q

John Gault

Betty Anderson and Joan Harry: Diocesan members The important roles of President, Secretary (post 30 June) and Caritas leader remain unfilled.

March 2014 The Spirit 5

‘Here in this place new light is streaming -

New St Mary’s Kangaroo Flat opened Left: Bishop Andrew knocks on the doors to demand entrance. Right: Bishop Andrew dedicates the font. The bishop’s staff is held by the Revd Terry Templer (OLM priest in the parish). Below: Lay Canon Colin Clark, who supervised the building project, with the commemorative plaque.

Clergy engaged in the service: left to right The Revds Fiona Goy (Maldon), Ian Howarth (Kyneton), Richard Stamp (St Mary’s parishioner), Jan Harper (Inglewood), Christine Kimpton (rector when St Mary’s burnt down), Bishop Ron Stone, Dean John Roundhill (St Paul’s Cathedral).

Pew views: St Mary’s people on the new building

ow has St Mary’s congregation reacted to the new building? Parishioner Geoff Young surveyed them soon after the new St Mary’s was used for worship for the first time. Here are some of their responses (taken from the parish magazine, Salt). “Walking through the double doors of the church interior, I didn’t know what to look at first, as the room itself took up such a vast area – so much space – but then my eyes were diverted to the magnificent wooden cross behind the altar. As I looked up, I could see the corners of the cross pointing to the corners of the room and I immediately felt that Christ will truly surround us as we worship.” “It’s fresh. It’s open, spacious and a new beginning. Where do we go from here?” “It’s as though a spaceship has landed about where the old church was. Such a contrast!”

February 2014 6 The Spirit March 2014

“It’s physically very spacious, very inspiring, very practical.”

Here in this place, new light is streaming: now is the darkness vanished away.

“It has come together exceptionally well. People have accepted change better than I ever expected. It’s been God’s blessing.”

See in this place our fears and our dreamings, brought here to you in the light of this day.

“I love it. It feels like we’ve been here for ever.”

Gather us in, and hold us forever. Gather us in and make us your own. Gather us in, all peoples together, fire of your love in our flesh and our bone.

“It’s excellent. We have a blank canvas on which to express our collective essence as a congregation. We will grow into it.” “I am so impressed with the architectural style of the building and the attention that has been paid to creating a multi-functional community centre. It is so pleasing to see that already we have groups coming to share this space with us – it will be wonderful for the community of Kangaroo Flat and beyond.” Geoff Young concluded by writing, “My general feeling is captured in the lyrics of Marty Haugen’s hymn ‘Gather us in’ (Together in Song 474):

Above: the senior choir from Catholic College, which assisted with the singing, as a positive ecumenical contribution. Photos: Allison Niven - more are available on the parsh website

now is the darkness vanished away’

New St Mary’s Kangaroo Flat opened continued from front page Churchwardens June Prior, Dennis Robinson and Elaine Young received the Certificate of Consecration from the Bishop, and the rector made a presentation to the Building Committee chairman Colin Clark, whose voluntary work as project manager saved the parish considerable expense. Speakers praised the work of architect Leigh Cartwright of Hughes Cartwright Bendigo, and builders Walsh & O’Meara. “It’s hard to believe that what we’ve achieved is what we envisaged when we first began to talk with the architects,” said Colin Clark. “I’m very proud to have been part of that achievement. The worship area has a feeling of reverence.” Before and after the service, images of the construction of the building were shown in a photo-point presentation compiled by Allison Niven. St Mark’s Golden Square parishioners joined St Mary’s in providing supper: their help was greatly appreciated. “Our vision is to see the church open and in use by the community from Monday to Friday and not just on weekends,”

said Canon Bryn Jones. “Having said that, the building will be first and foremost a place of worship and the architecture will reflect this.” For the past five years St Mary’s has operated out of the hall, adapted to become a multi-purpose worship space. The new building incorporates the hall, and annexes it onto a 160 seat worship area along with additional meeting rooms, offices, store rooms, toilets and a large kitchen. It is designed to be a welcoming and flexible worship and community centre. The University of the Third Age will occupy a section of the building: meeting rooms, office and kitchen facilities were added to the original plan to accommodate U3A classes and administration. Mount Alexander Funerals has a Bendigo office in the new building. Kangaroo Flat Probus will hold its monthly meetings at St Mary’s from March, and Needles and Threads meets regularly in the hall. With 32 offstreet car-parking spaces, St Mary’s is now better able to accommodate weddings, funerals and major events. q

Relief! Churchwardens Elaine Young and June Prior celebate with rector Bryn Jones.

Above: Dean John Roundhill reads the Certificate of Consecration. Below: Bryn Jones welcomes guests.

Graeme Turpie, parish secretary

Remembrance of the painful past: then rector, the Revd Christine Kimpton, with Bishop Ron Stone outside the old St Mary’s burning. February March 2014 The Spirit 7

Beating around the bush ‘Annie’ Austin MU in South Sudan

he good news is that on 23 January 2014 the South Sudanese rebels and officials signed a ceasefire agreement – the first step towards ending the conflict that has been disrupting and devastating lives since mid-December. In the meantime the situation remains very difficult for the 575,500 people displaced. MU has been able to send an immediate grant of £25,000 to assist with meeting the food and medical needs of displaced families. “With your support and prayers we can do so much,” writes Harriet Baka, MU’s provincial development coordinator in South Sudan. “You have always been with us and part of us, you have never left us and we know you will continue to be with us always. You are truly walking alongside us and supporting us through our difficult times.” Fiona Thomas, MU Communications Manager, has asked that further details not be disclosed: material is available from John Gaunt or www.mothersunion. org/media-centre/news-archive. She has provided several points for prayer: • Praise God for the ceasefire agreements in the conflict, signed at the peace talks in Ethiopia by both sides. • Praise God that MU has been able to make a speedy response to the needs of the Church in South Sudan.

wonder how you reacted to the news of the impending closure of all three car manufacturers in Australia. Did you feel concern for the workers who will lose employment, the loss of skills, and for the hundreds of families who will be affected? My ministry in rural and remote areas of Australia, across four states, has involved much long-distance driving, often averaging 60,000 kilometres per year, and involving many change-overs of cars. Many were the wonderfully reliable Holden, although the Holden was not our first family car or my first parish car. Can you recall the first car you owned or drove? Our first car was a much-loved and many-times owned Austin A40 we called ‘Annie’ Austin. My first four years of ministry were served in NSW in the parish of Junee. The bishop sent me there straight out of theological college - and with the position came a parish bicycle. When I was entrusted with my first parish, of Kameruka in the Bega Valley, neither I nor the parish had a car, and neither had funds for purchasing one. A mechanic who was a friend of the family told us of an old car “needing a bit of work” for which a wrecking firm had offered ten pounds. He suggested we make a higher offer, so we offered eleven pounds and became the proud owners of ‘Annie’ Austin.

• Pray that the news of the ceasefire will be heard across the country, and that those involved in the fighting will hear the message and respond. • Pray for Harriet Baka as she works as part of the UN Women’s initiative ‘peace not war’, and as she represents the women of the Anglican Church on the committee coordinating relief. • Pray for our MU community development coordinators, asking God to bless them as they work for reconciliation in communities and equip members to be the hands of Christ. • Pray for MU members as they live with the issues, and as they demonstrate the love of Christ through their life and witness. q 8 The Spirit March 2014

day, 250 kilometres from home, at 2am, near Orbost, when the ‘big end’ went. A local mechanic got us going, and with no guarantees sent us off back home with “Whatever you do – don’t stop!” Annie got us home, and we eventually sold her for scrap, wheels and tyres, for $25. After her demise there began a long association with many frequently changed Holden cars from 1971 - 2006. Outback roads and driving can be particularly tough on cars as well as on the human body. A motor vehicle used in outback ministry needs to be reliable and strongly made. Corrugated outback roads will always find a faulty component, loosen the exhaust system and shake off odd bolts and nuts. The vehicle needs good airbag protection, good lights and firm brakes, for there are many kangaroos, emus and wild pigs just waiting to test these systems. The vehicle has to be able to handle subsiding floodwaters and long dusty roads, far from towns, where it is best not to be stranded. I pray to God with thanksgiving for those who designed, engineered and assembled the Australian Holden car. I thank God for the safe reliable travel in these cars that enabled us to serve God’s people in the outback, to go to isolated communities, properties and families, to minister there as a sign of God’s love and care, and to express the ministry of our Anglican Church. I think also of my predecessors, and the hardship of their travels to plant the Christian faith in remote places before the availability of reliable cars.

The car was mechanically sound for its age, but the paint-work was poor. So we sanded back the duco and painted the car with grey house paint, getting a bit of gloss by using a cutting compound. There was a unique warmth and smell about Annie – the warmth of the engine that filled the cabin, and the smell of warm oil. Annie had an early form of turning indicators. She served us faithfully and reliably in our remote five-centre parish for over three years until … until a sad

I pray for outback Australians, especially those in need in a time of terrible drought – which someone will travel to them to minister to them. I ask you to join with me in praying for all in the Australian automotive industries, and people in other industries in our state, who are to lose their employment, that they might know the God who “makes all things new”, and find new opportunities opening up. q Bishop Ron

Spot your ministers! The clergy of the diocese at their annual conference, held this year in Mildura.

Change a life. Donate now.

St Luke’s is there to work with people and give them a renewed sense of dignity Andrew Curnow AM and worth.– StBishop Luke’s Board President Donate to St Luke’s Anglicare Donate by phone 03 5440 8140 or email donate@stlukes.org.au Direct deposit via Bendigo Bank: BSB 633 000 ACC 130329535 Back row: Willem Oosthuizen, Archdeacon John Geldart (locum rector), Bp Ron Stone. Front row: Marie Oosthuizen, Malinet Oosthuizen, Clive Hoelter and Tarika Oosthuizen, after the service at Christ Church Echuca on Sunday 16 January.

Albury • Bendigo • Castlemaine Deniliquin • Echuca • Kyneton Maryborough • Swan Hill

Confirmations and receptions in Echuca

unday 16 January was an exciting day for Christ Church Echuca. Three members of the parish were presented to Bishop Ron Stone to confirm their faith. Marlinet Oosthuizen, Tarika Oosthuizen and Clive Hoelter were confirmed by Bishop Ron in a very moving service. They were joined a few minutes later to welcome Marie and Willem (parents of the girls) as they were received into the Anglican Church.

Christ Church was packed, with many present being friends and family of the new communicants. As usual, Anglicans needed no excuse to enjoy the sumptuous morning tea after the service! q Lyn Morgan

March 2014 The Spirit 9

Is it well, is it well with your soul?

t a Christian event I recently attended, a minister spoke of his battle with brain cancer, and asked us to think about whether we had ‘cancer of the soul’. This really made me think. There are doctors who can cure cancer if it is caught in the early stages, but unless you are right with God nothing can cure ‘soul cancer’. For “if your whole body is full of darkness, and if the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:23) Sin is a cancer which eats at us from the inside out - and it is terminal. We cannot cure ourselves. It is only through Christ’s healing that we can be cured of sin and its cancerous effects. Jesus once healed a paralysed man by forgiving his sins and telling him to “get up, take your mat and go home” (Mark 2:9). It got me thinking of my own afflictions. Despite having a build up on my shoe, I walk with a slight limp due to having a curved spine. Hardly comparable to cancer, but many people have afflictions like this. I was called a ‘cripple’ and ‘disabled’ to my face. But at least I didn’t have a crippled soul. I was fortunate to have had good surgeons, to do the best they could with my affliction. But it is through Jesus Christ that I can know I am right with God, and thus assured of eternal life. For it is better to enter life crippled than to have two good feet and to be thrown into hell (cf Mark 9:45). Yet society seems to be obsessed with perfection – in particular, the perfect body. But what is the point of gaining the world at the expense of losing your soul, your very self? (Matthew 16:26) Many people are concerned with the temporary and the now, and are afraid of illness and death. However, what we should be concerned about is our soul health, and the fear of the Lord. “For the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov 1:7). An old hymn asks “is it well, is it well with your soul?” It ends by affirming “it is well, it is well with my soul”. May this be true for us all! q Angela Morrissey 10 The Spirit March 2014

There’s a word for it: ‘miracle’ T he age of miracles is never past.” We say it when some combination of events produces an unexpected result for the better and against the odds. Such things cause us to wonder. To wonder is to question with a sense of awe.

says, “It is God’s world and he can do whatever he likes with it for whomever he chooses in the divine purpose.”

It’s a bit like a watercolour artist who puts down on paper a stroke of strong colour such as blue. Then he puts alongside it a band of yellow. What happens is that, while the colours are still wet, one will bleed into the other in places. What was once a strong edge of demarcation is now a graduated one in which a whole variety of blue, green and yellow areas are seen. It’s a process that watercolourists use, often with surprisingly artistic results.

Our word ‘miracle’ ultimately comes from Latin miraculum = an object of wonder. A miracle is a wonder but ‘wonder’ is only one of the three main words in the Bible which we translate as miracle. The three New Testament words are dunameis [literally powers or acts of power, mighty works], terata meaning wonders, and semeia, signs. When we have faith in Jesus and look at his In the New Testament, preaching The comparison miracles, we acknowland miracle go hand in hand. helps me when I look edge the power of The one strengthens the other. at things which God God over and within seems to be doing, his creation, we are and which are a challenge to my thinking brought to wonder at his mighty works and my believing. We look at things with and we look for what is being pointed our reason and lay alongside our thoughts to ... of what is the miracle a sign? In the a different view - a perspective from our New Testament, preaching and miracle faith. Both our faith and our reason are go hand in hand. The one strengthens fluid. What we get are events and places the other. where one bleeds into the other. A commonly accepted view of miracles is that they are events which go against what we normally see as the way that nature acts. However, St Augustine warns us that we must not say ‘contrary to nature’, but ‘contrary to what is known about nature.’ He could see that the miraculous event may happen according to higher laws as yet but dimly discerned by scientists. Indeed many events which were seen as ‘wonders’ in ancient times we now see as quite usual from our perspective of a more mature understanding of the laws of nature. However, remarkable things do still happen. Christians from around the world attest to the fact that God is at work and they see his hand in, say, a healing or some coming together of events at the right time and place in their lives. The miracles of Jesus, or the miracles we see around us, seem to set up an inevitable clash between our faith and our reason. Our reason wants to say that, “If God, as it were, breaks his own natural laws in order to achieve something, then can such an interfering God be trusted? Has God one law for some and another for others?” On the other hand our faith

Miracle is like that. It is where God is at work on the bleeding edge of human experience, as he was - and is - in Jesus. To put it another way, miracle is where the kingdom of heaven leaks into the kingdoms of this world. q Richard Stamp [dixholt@gmail.com]

Wild Goose Songs and John Bell

ild Goose Songs was the attribution at the bottom of a hymn sung at a service I went to a while back. I enjoyed the hymn, so went looking for information about it. The Iona Community was founded in 1938 by the Revd George MacLeod, and Wild Goose Songs is their publishing house. It is an evangelical organisation with its headquarters in Glasgow, Scotland. The hymn ‘Shout for joy’ (Together in Song 545) was written in 1989 by John L. Bell (1949-) for the Iona Community. Bell is a Church of Scotland minister involved with the renewal of congregational worship. He writes hymns, is a broadcaster for the Community and lectures in religion in the UK, Canada and the USA. When singing ‘Shout for joy’, I felt like it was coming from Psalm 11. I also recalled Psalms 66:1, 95:1 and all of Psalm 98. I could not find if Bell based the hymn on any text in particular. Wherever he received the inspiration, it is thought provoking, insightful and has a deep spiritual significance. What do you think when you read or sing the words? Since writing this article I have heard John Bell speaking on the ABC. Some interesting thoughts were gleaned. I was brought up singing my faith … great hymns join head and heart … hymns exist because they speak to people … music is a vehicle of memory … you may sing a hymn four or five times a year but you hear a sermon once. An interesting writer of hymns is John Bell! q Coral Crook

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media matters

The punching power of what we hear and see

and become a manly overnment leader of a sports team. and counNot enough that he made cils are rightly brilliant field-placements, looking at ways great bowling changes, to curb alcoholand with Darren Lehmfuelled violence, ann as coach insisted on and deaths from one-punch incidents. keeping a winning team together, instead Media wise, there are some interesting deof changing it round so we had no idea velopments. First of all is the decision by who the players were. Clarke has grown most media to stop calling these punches whiskers over his baby face, and learnt to ‘king hits’. Changing our language can swear at the English. He change the way we see the world, and even change Changing our language swore especially graphiour behaviour. ‘King hit’ can change the way we cally when he knew sounds far too grand and see the world ... and act the microphone would pick up how his bowlers manly for the senseless would break !@%# English arms. Parents and cowardly thing it actually is. and teachers, trying to stop playground Words do things. Remember how Italbullying, were grinding their teeth. ian authorities used the language of ‘migrants’ drowning as they tried to cross the Mediterranean last year? There was an outpouring of sympathy for those asylum seekers who died, and even a day of national mourning in Italy for a group of people who never made it to their shores. Australians, led by our Prime Minister and Immigration Minister, now use ‘asylum seekers’ or ‘refugees’ or ‘boat people’ as derogatory terms. So successful has been this practice that during the Italian incident I had arguments with thoughtful friends who reckoned those Mediterranean migrants were not asylum seekers! But what causes the violence of onepunch deaths? It’s no simple matter. Why do young people consider it normal to pre-load with alcohol even before they venture out at night? And ordinary people tell me they simply can’t have fun sober. I ask, ‘Have you ever tried?’ But pack instinct takes over and ‘everyone does it’. Secondly, why do drunk youths want to hit people, rather than just giggle or vomit quietly in a corner? Psychologists will have to tell us whether or not violence lurks just below the surface for many of us. And does the logo on the Australian cricket team’s shirts have anything to do with this violence? In a recent radio interview, Melbourne’s Lord Mayor said “Of course not!” I disagree - but it is not a simple equation. Bear with me. This past summer we have watched Michael Clarke belie his nickname ‘Pup’

Not only did the cricketers have logos on their shirts, they stood in group photos with a glass of beer in every hand. The commercial TV commentators curried favour (or just fulfilled their contracts?) with sponsors by suggesting that the victorious team would celebrate all night long and hard with alcohol. One player quietly denied this, explaining that wives and children would be present and the whole celebration was in fact quite calm. But the commentators went on. When the TV got a shot of former PM Bob Hawke downing a schooner with the crowd cheering him on, they also cheered and talked about what a great bloke he was. It made the nightly news. Forgotten was the fact that Hawke had a problem with alcohol for much of his political life - and I thought he was now a teetotaller.

Remember David Hookes? Good friend of Darren Lehmann. Great cricketer, one punch, head hit pavement, dead. So soon we forget? It’s a long way round to say it, but Yes, the logo for a beer company on the cricketers’ shirts does further the over-consumption of alcohol and violence towards others who are simply minding their own business or trying to bat well for their country. Come on, you blokey commentators, and do your bit to change our attitude to alcohol and violence. q Peta Sherlock March 2014 The Spirit 11

Where’s Andy?

s o

Above: The Revd Stuart Winn, newly ordained priest, on Bishop Andrew’s right after the service, with Alison and Elijah on Stuart’s right and Archdeacon Greg Harris behind.

Celebrating a new priest in Echuca

ith fans trying to move the 40 degree air, Christ Church Echuca prepared for the ordination of the Revd Stuart James Winn as priest. For the occasion a new holy table frontal had been designed, with ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ in large gold letters. Bishop Andrew welcomed the congregation, which included 26 clergy, which had come to share in the service and support Stuart. Many present were from the Echuca Cluster, where Stuart has been ministering since being ordained deacon, working mainly in the centres of Rochester and Lockington. Sue Jackel read the New Testament reading, while the deacon for the service, the Revd Brendon McDonald, read the gospel. Archdeacon Greg Harris was the preacher for the occasion. During the singing of ‘Come, Holy Spirit, Lord of grace’, the priests present gathered with Bishop Andrew for the laying on of hands. With the organ pumping out its sound, and the voices of Christians gathered together in praising God, there was a sense of joyful expectation. No one was disappointed. As Stuart stood beside the Bishop for the Great Thanksgiving, one of Stuart’s young children went and stood beside him. Perhaps there will be more ordinations in the family! At the conclusion of the service, a presentation was made to the newly ordained priest by the Echuca Cluster rector, Canon Glenis Traill. A light lunch followed, provided by the members of the Cluster. A wonderful day of celebration! q Archdeacon John W Geldart

Another caption comp!

rchdeacon John Geldart got into the fun at Echuca, being swathed in shaving cream and pelted with cheezels by enthusiastic children - see story on page 4!

Bishop Andrew is having a break - butSend Jeremy Austin yourAshton, captionsAlf to The Spirit,and PO Box fascinating reading! Fiona Goy still find The Spirit 2 Bendigo 3552 or email charlesherlock@

gmail.com by Thursday 20tree, March. The best In May, Bishop Andrew was at the Burke & Wills judged by Thefig Spirit Curlewis Street, Swan Hill - acaption, huge as Morton Bay . committee, will win one of the Editor’s books. q The first correct answer came from Anjuli McConnell, Kerang - congratulations!

Make mine Bishop’s Finger

he Maldon laughter club - it’s no joke!

Above: Bishop Andrew with Monicah, Shiko and the Revd Andrew Eaton.

And Maryborough!

fter a week of heat-wave conditions, God blessed us on Sunday 9 February with a drop in temperature and a cool breeze as we commenced the induction service for the Revd Andrew Eaton as priest-in-charge in the parish of Maryborough with Avoca. Parishioners, community members, clergy, visitors and family, sitting together as one, joyfully welcomed Andrew and celebrated the beginning of a new ministry.

Canon us with his he Ken skateParker park inspired at the back of the reflection on Christ’s words “Peace ... be parish hall rings out each Saturday still ... do not be afraid.” with peals of laughter. Jenny Parker, ‘laughterologist’, leads and the his group, As we greeted Andrew familywho afguffaw, chortle, titter, giggle and discover ter the service there was excitement in the more waysand of laughing for half air - then for the future. qan hour. Sandra Field, parish deacon.

February caption competition was won by Sarah Fevaleaki (St Margaret’s Mildura).Her entry for Bishop Andrew receiving Roger Cornell’s ‘Bishop’s Finger’ beer was -

Leave your pew for Roger’s brew! Congratulations, Sarah - Charles Sherlock’s book, God on the Inside, is on its way! q

Caring at a time of need

a a The group above are laughing for ‘World McCrae Street Bendigo Laughter Day’,151 6 May, created by Dr Madan 12 Victoria Street Eaglehawk Kataria, founder of Laughter Yoga. The 5577 laughter club P. is 5441 part of Maldon’s Mission www.williamfarmer.com.au Action Plan: Jenny sees this activity as further linking church and community.  Jan Harper

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12 The Spirit March 2014

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