The Cathedral issue...
The
monthly ...plus all the news from Synod
Anglican Diocese of Bendigo
june/july 2016
issue 120
This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven - Genesis 28:17
Open: St Paul’s Cathedral was officially blessed and renewed in an uplifting service on Sunday 5 June. Full coverage pages 6-9.
The Bishop’s Synod Charge page 3
Parish Administration Act changes passed page 5
Seasonal Suggestions: social media page 13
Clergy Contemplations page 15
The Bishop
writes
In Australia, we have a similar conversation in place. It is also notable that even the most unreligious Prime Ministers of recent years, Bob Hawke and Julia Gillard, had actively religious upbringings.
Dear Friends,
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re you caught up in election fever? My hunch is that most of you aren’t, and perhaps even feel a range of reactions from being bored sick of it all to even frustration and anger with so much rhetoric that means absolutely nothing.
Polls indicate that Australians are increasingly cynical of politics, particularly with the mainline parties and this may be a reason for the growing number of independents, particularly in the Senate. With the federal election upon us it also raises issues about Christianity and politics. There are various streams of understanding about this issue. Some Christians hold the view that ‘politics and religion don’t mix’, ‘keep the two well apart and keep politics, at all costs, out of the Church’. Many a minister or priest has been strongly criticised for voicing what some interpret as a political opinion from the pulpit. In a recent online article for the ABC Religion and Ethics Report, Sydney Anglican priest, Dr Michael Jensen, gives a good illustration of this:
Disentangling the religious and the political is harder than it looks. Tony Blair’s Director of Communications and Strategy, Alistair Campbell famously interrupted an interview with the former British PM to say “we don’t do God”. His successor David Cameron is much happier to refer to God in public, but mainly because his Christianity is offensively tepid.
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As we all know, Australia is a very secular country and this has increasingly meant that the Churches and their views on many community matters are pushed to the edges politically. Our opinions and place in Australian society is increasingly marginalised and ignored. One of the outcomes of this is that certain Christian alliances have been formed to try to give the churches and Christianity a more effective voice in the life of our nation. One such alliance is known as The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL). It has very successfully become quite a lobby group in the portals of power in Canberra and is often quoted in the media as the Christian voice on public issues. However, from my perspective, its views are very right-wing and politically conservative. I think this is in part due to the marginalisation of Christianity in Australian public life. There is almost now a bias or discrimination against Christianity in Australia. Sadly this is reflected in some very stupid actions such as the decision by The City of Moreland in Melbourne to ban Christmas decorations. There is also a tendency to blame Christianity historically for everything that is not right about our nation such as racism, moral conservatism and exclusiveness. This is unfair, but is the mood of our secular liberal society. So as Christians - what should we do? Michael Jensen has two very good suggestions: 1. Christians should continue to speak fearlessly into the public square, not to coerce or command, but to persuade. 2. Christians should encourage governments and the media not to focus so much on what we consider the extreme in religious beliefs.
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Where things go wrong in the whole debate of Christianity and politics is the efforts by many in our current society to try and force religion out of the debate about what constitutes a good society. Religion is part of the fabric of society and on this basis Christianity has a valid role, as any other religion, to make a contribution. In the history of this nation Christianity has played a very significant role. Not always getting it right, but at the same time being part of the fabric and development of Australia and its values. Enjoy the election on 2 July! On a personal note I will be on long service leave from the diocese for July and August and leave you in the good hands of Dean John Roundhill, Archdeacons Michael Hopkins and Greg Harris, and the Registry staff. 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 Chair and Editor: The Revd Andrew Eaton Publishing Editor: Sarah Crutch Consultant: The Revd Dr Charles Sherlock 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 22 July.
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Synod 2016 Bishop tackles issues in Synod Charge Sarah Crutch
B
ishop Andrew addressed a range of current issues relevant to both the diocese and the wider nation in his thirteenth address to the Synod of the Diocese of Bendigo. With the Professional Standards Uniform Act the major legislation under consideration at Synod, Bishop Andrew outlined the need for a consistent approach in response to outcomes from the Royal Commission. “In 2014 the chair of the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Abuse, Justice McClelland, observed that the Anglican professional standards models were confusing too many survivors,” he said. “Instead of there being one straight forward system across the whole of the Anglican Church of Australia, survivors were often confronted with a mishmash of approaches with each diocese doing its own thing.” “He called for a more uniform approach. In Victoria it was decided that we should at least attempt to have a uniform model in this state as a first stage in response to Justice McClelland’s challenge.”
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n a more local level, Bishop Andrew described a number of strategies he has employed to help parishes be more selfsustainable, including: • Sale of surplus property to build up the parish capital base • The establishment of clusters to share in the costs of ministry • A Parish Stewardship Kit • Mission Action Plans • Applications to Trusts • Stronger leadership • Improved diocesan monitoring of the aging balance. • Regular visits to parishes including meeting with parish councils
Strengths:
Anglican Diocese of Bendigo Weaknesses
1. The age profile of the clergy with half the active clergy under the age of 45
1. The challenge to fill vacant parishes and the time it takes
2. The improved financial situation of the diocese
2. The lack of resources to be able to do more
3. The parish aging summary (funds owed to the diocese by parishes) is in a healthy state
3. The declining and aging rural population
4. The Ministry Formation Programme has now produced a steady supply of OLM clergy for the diocese 5. Strong diocesan governance
4. The amount of time and administration required to maintain a safe church 5. The physical condition of many of our church buildings
Health: Bishop Andrew outlined the strengths and weaknesses of the diocese However he also noted a number of challenges with implementing these strategies in a rural diocese, namely: • The variability of the climate and its impact on agriculture • The impact of government policies and poor commodity prices on farmers • Continuing population decline in rural areas • Attracting competent clergy to rural parishes. • The declining condition of church property in rural areas • The growing requirements of compliance and the impact on small parishes • The challenge of having a pool of people with leadership skills in rural areas On the other hand, Bishop Andrew outlined the significant growth being experienced in Bendigo, particularly in Maiden Gully, Epsom, Huntly and Strathfieldsaye and the need for the diocese to respond to this. “These all present challenges in terms of resources and the toll they take on the leadership to get new initiatives established and in a place
where they are a firm foundation for the future of the Church.” “As a diocese we will have to put considerably more intentional support into new initiatives if they are to succeed,” he said.
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e then addressed a range of current issues, including the current proliferation of gambling in Australia, calling on governments to more intentionally regulate the gaming industry. “Sadly it may help governments to fund some of its activities, but on the other hand it leads to much individual misery, destroys families and weakens communities.” Bishop Andrew also urged the political parties to clarify their policies in relation to asylum seekers leading into the upcoming federal election. “My main concern is for those in off shore detention centres and for those in Australia whose future in this land is uncertain. I believe it is time for us to be generous and hospitable,” he said.
Email Sarah Crutch for a copy of Bishop Andrew’s Synod Charge: bishoppa@bendigoanglican.org.au. 3
Synod 2016 Synod resolutions - page 12 Professional Standards Act: Main features
• A system providing clearances for ministry for clergy and significant lay people • A process misconduct
for
dealing
with
• The creation of an office of professional standards, common to all Victorian dioceses, administered through a corporation • The scheme does not at this stage provide a method for redress to those harmed by misconduct The process • Complaints are made to the Professional Standards Committee • The Professional Standards Committee and Director of Professional Standards investigate the complaint • If it is determined to be a matter of substance, the matter is referred to the Board • The Board makes a recommendation to the bishop after hearing evidence about the matter • The bishop must give effect to the recommendation from the Board • Both the complainant respondent can appeal outcome to a Review Board
and the
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.
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Introduction: Chancellor Ian Dallas presents the professional standards bill
Bendigo first to pass professional standards legislation Sarah Crutch
T
he Diocese of Bendigo has been the first Victorian diocese to pass the Professional Standards Uniform Act 2016, which intends to bring consistent legislation across all five Victorian dioceses in regards to the handling of profession standards matters. Described as an exciting and momentous occasion by the Chancellor, Ian Dallas, the legislation has been the important work of a Victorian working group, chaired by Bishop Andrew Curnow. The bill was introduced on Friday night with a detailed explanation by the Chancellor, who outlined the main features of the scheme, including the process through which matters would be handled and to whom the legislation would apply. Bishop Andrew added that the scheme aims to be procedurally just and fair to both complainant and respondent in the process. “The new model is aimed at demonstrating the seriousness with which the Anglican Church in Victoria takes complaints against church workers and volunteers,” he said.
is, in a responsible manner, dealing with complaint,” he added. Following further questions and discussion when Synod resumed on Saturday morning, the bill was put to Synod and passed unanimously. Bishop Andrew welcomed the passing of the Uniform Act. “It was a momentous occasion,” he said. “This Act will guide the diocese for many years to come”. The legislation is in response to outcomes from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse and aims to deal with two primary areas of professional standards; fitness for ministry through clearances, and complaints made about misconduct. The legislation will create a separate corporation to administer an Office of Professional Standards, common to all Victorian dioceses, through which complaints and matters will be handled, independent of dioceses.
“It is about recovering confidence in the community as to how the Church
With Bendigo being the first diocese to adopt the legislation, the establishment of the independent company will not proceed until at least one other diocese has adopted the legislation.
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Synod 2016
Debate: Bishop Andrew presides over Synod at St Mary’s Kangaroo Flat
Parish administration changes passed after debate Sarah Crutch
A
fter much discussion and debate, Synod passed a series of amendments to the Parish Administration Act and a new Council of the Diocese Act. The proposal to introduce a break of three years if a person has served six consecutive years on parish council was debated, with the Revd Canon Dale Barclay (Sunraysia South) moving to delete the relevant section from the Act. He argued that parishes with smaller numbers would lose a significant part of their parish council and struggle to find new members. The Revd Simon Robinson (Ganawarra Cluster) supported the change, feeling that it would encourage other church members to take on leadership roles in parishes, rather than it being left to the same people. The Advocate explained that parishes can seek an exemption from each of the proposed changes by writing to the Diocesan Executive Committee, and following a vote the amendment was defeated. A number of amendments were also made to the Council of the Diocese Act, aimed at improving the effectiveness of the governing body.
Parish Administration Act
Council of the Diocese Act
Key changes introduced:
Key features include:
A three-year term of office for Churchwardens and Parish Councillors
Now a Bishop-in-Council
This will allow for better continuity and oversight of parish governance, as well as a saving of administration to both parishes and the diocese in only needing to submit parish return material every three years, rather than annually. The cycle of elections will also be synchronised with the Synod cycle. Parishes can seek an exemption from the Diocesan Executive Committee if desired.
Membership reduced to 16 people
After consecutive terms of office totalling 6 years an office bearer becomes ineligible for reappointment This will allow office bearers to have a break from their role and encourage other parishioners to take on leadership roles in parishes. Parishes can seek to be exempt by writing to the Diocesan Executive Committee. An age limit of 80 years An office bearer becomes ineligible for reappointment upon reaching the age of 80 years, unless declared eligible by resolution of the Parish Council.
The composition of the Council was amended to be a Bishop-in-Council in line with other Victorian dioceses, where the Council acts as a body giving advice to the bishop
Reducing the size of the membership from 22 to 16 will allow for a group that is more cohesive and better able to make decisions Three year terms introduced Council members will be elected for three year terms, consistent with the Synod cycle, to allow for greater continuity Professional standards requirements Requiring Council members to comply with the professional standards regime Approve General Synod legislation The power to approve General Synod legislation from time to time between sessions of Synod
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St Paul’s Cathedral Renewed
Preside: Dean John Roundhill, Bishop Andrew Curnow and Archbishop Philip Freier lead the renewal service
Spirits soar as Cathedral renewal uplifts and inspires Sarah Crutch
S
t Paul’s Cathedral was blessed and renewed in a service of uplifting singing, celebration and worship, its doors re-opening to the community following a seven year closure.
As a full peal of bells chimed out across the city of Bendigo, the cathedral pews filled with guests from across the diocese, including parish representatives, civic guests, trades people, clergy, visiting deans, diocesan bishops and Cathedral congregation members. In welcoming everyone to the special service of renewal, Bishop Andrew spoke of the nature of cathedrals. “Cathedrals are places that inspire us, lift our spirits, say something by their beauty and call all of us as humans to aspire to the greatest values of humanity,” he said. “This is what a Cathedral is about,” he added. “To bring us all as a community together and acknowledge all the goodness there is in this nation and city.” The service took the congregation on a eucharistic pilgrimage, with 6
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the clerical and lay cathedral canons taking those present through the stages of life in Christ from baptism to the new creation. In his sermon, Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, Archbishop Philip Freier, recognised the work involved in restoring the Cathedral to be a place of worship. “I commend you all for your achievements today and commend your efforts to the wider community.
Cathedral was blessed and renewed to the praise and glory of God. “Be with us now, and bless us as we honour the renewal of this Cathedral to your praise and glory, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Following a fanfare from Girton Grammar School Brass Group, Bishop Andrew and Dean John Roundhill sprinkled water on the furniture and congregation as a sign of the renewal of the Cathedral.
Cathedrals are places that inspire us, lift our spirits, say something by their beauty and call all of us as humans to aspire to the greatest values of humanity
The service culminated with the Primate placing Bishop Andrew in the cathedra, the bishop’s seat, before the
As the final hymn, God gives us a future was proudly sung to conclude the service, there was certainly an inspiring and uplifting spirit that carried throughout those within the magnificently restored Cathedral, now renewed as a place of prayer, beauty and mission.
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Here is a people and a place that you can be confident will share the life giving gospel of Jesus Christ to all without distinction or favour.”
St Paul’s Cathedral Renewed
Celebrate: The lion dancers gather with the Cathedral congregation
Closing the doors, opening the doors David Beagley
I
t should not have been such a surprise to our regular congregation. We had been discussing the building’s problems since 2007 with Heritage Victoria. But when windstorms in late 2008 dislodged brick and concrete fragments, and the Council Surveyor declared the building unsafe, we were still caught by surprise. We started worshipping in the hall in January 2009, thinking it might only be months, or maybe a year before we returned to the Cathedral. Seven years later, finally we can ‘Open the Doors’! Moving from the traditional cathedral into a draughty hall should have been deflating, and for a time it was, but Dean Peta Sherlock challenged us to think about our worship. We had become accustomed to the traditional “nave-sanctuary/clergy up there, congregation down there” format of the Cathedral, and it took a while to look at things differently. The change started a few months later, with Easter in the carpark, the full service with choir, baptism and everything, out in the open in the Coles upper carpark, looking at St Paul’s across the road. It was exhilarating,
novel and just a little scary as it made us look at things so differently.
“What is a Cathedral?” became the title of a number of articles in St Paul’s Peals newsletter over the next few years, as parishioners pondered. Some who had travelled overseas reported on churches they had seen. Sandy Birch wrote of Christchurch’s effort to recover from the earthquake, with their “cardboard cathedral”. In the hall, we were experimenting face this way, face that way, face each other…it was challenging. Through Lent 2011 Dean Peta had us matching our worship space and place with historical liturgies: a Passover supper (c. 55 AD), Hippolytus (200 AD), the BCP (1662 AD), Church of South India (1947) and Australia ‘69. Gradually, and as Dean John Roundhill
Replica: The St Paul’s Cathedral cake took up the challenge, we were able to see the hall as a community space as well as a worship space - the two were the same! We could have a Choir Cabaret on Saturday, and services on Sunday, in the same space and the two could share so much of the full meaning of congregation - all of us together. We could worship in the middle of the Art Show, share breakfast toast and a cuppa after 8am service and have a pop-up op shop. And it was all still St Paul’s! Now St Paul’s congregation has a new challenge. Can we transfer the energy, the innovation, the new ways of understanding, into the new St Paul’s? Will the flexibility that we found in the hall still be there in the Cathedral? It is a challenge, but we are used to that now. 7
St Paul’s Cathedral Renewed
Preach: Archbishop Philip Freier
Renewed: Bishop Andrew sprinkles water over the congregation
Renewal: Archdeacon Michael Hopkins and Lay Canon Judy Hall at the font 8
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Communion: Bishop Andrew Curnow
www.bendigoanglican.org.au
St Paul’s Cathedral Renewed
Welcome: Dean John Roundhill
Joy: Bishop Andrew Curnow and Dean John Roundhill
Community: Canon Heather Blackman, Lay Canon Colin Clark, Soeteepo Kunoo (Karen community) and Revd Ian Howarth 9
Around the Diocese
Fundraising walk in support of Anglicare Victoria
An inspiring idea from Dawn Peters saw parishioners and friends of St Mary’s, Kangaroo Flat holding a 19km fundraising walk for the St Luke’s Region of Anglicare Victoria in Bendigo earlier this year. Twelve adults, one toddler and two dogs participated in the event. A number of rest stops were made along the way including one at St Paul’s Cathedral, where many took the opportunity to have a look at the wonderful restoration. Another stop was at the op shop at St Luke’s White Hills. A very big thank you goes to Dawn for the organisation of the fundraiser, and to all those who walked, supported the walkers and especially who donated. The amazing result meant $1,010 has been donated to the St Luke’s Region of Anglicare Victoria in Bendigo.
Walkers: The group trekked from Kangaroo Flat to White Hills
- Contributed
Confirmation celebrations at Elmore
A wonderful celebration was led by Bishop Andrew at St Peter’s Elmore as Peter Johnson and Luke Taig were confirmed as members of Christ’s church, in our Anglican Tradition. Both boys were eager throughout their training and showed wisdom beyond their years in the understanding and faith. The combined parish service was affirmation for us all of faith, trust and eagerness to serve Christ in our lives. The service was followed by a typical Elmore morning tea. Luke and Peter cut the cake and were each presented with a Bible to use and remind them of this special occasion. Congratulations Luke and Peter! - Ross Craven Confirmed: Peter Johnson, Bishop Andrew, Ross Craven and Luke Taig
Maryborough parishioners combine for pop-up success
Over 30 volunteers from across the Parish of MaryboroughAvoca combined to run a pop-up op-shop in the hall at Christ the King Maryborough over three days in early May. With staff wearing newly minted aprons for the event, patrons flooded through the doors early on opening day and a steady stream continued throughout, keeping our staff busy and buoyant. Donations of new clothes and giftware from local shops meant the quality of products was high and customer satisfaction even higher. The refrain that kept ringing through the hall as we wound down for the weekend – “when are you having the next one?” Considering how much we enjoyed putting this one on, Spring at the latest!
Op-shop: The parish volunteers in their new aprons
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- Andrew Eaton
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www.bendigoanglican.org.au
Around the Parishes
Downton Abbey splendour at South East Bendigo On the evening of the final Downton Abbey screening the ladies of Holy Trinity, South East Bendigo held a social evening to celebrate.
The modern children’s rooms at church were transformed into a Downton era setting, with embroidered tablecloths, big flower arrangements, china cups and saucers for tea. There were the mandatory high tea treats including finger sandwiches, mini quiches and vol-au-vaunts, jelly cakes and a variety of tarts. Tea was served as it should be from silver tea pots. On the stroke of 9pm a toast was given to farewell the characters of Downton before settling in to enjoy the final episode of Downton Abbey. - Greg Harris Farewell: The ladies dressed up for the Downton Abbey screening
Baptism, confirmations, blessings abound!
On Sunday 8 May Bishop Andrew had a busy day in the Parish of Maryborough-Avoca, presiding at two confirmation services in both Maryborough and Moonambel and blessing a window at the newly dedicated St Paul’s Chapel in Maryborough. The confirmations of Aimee Hendrickson in Maryborough, and Bella Henderson and Patricia Murrell (also baptised on the day) in Moonambel were joyous occasions, being the first confirmations in the parish in some years. In Moonambel we overcame a faulty organ and inclement weather to sing unaccompanied, the uplifting Guide me O thou great redeemer closing out a great service. - Andrew Eaton
Confirmed: Patricia Murrell with the Maryborough clergy
Family gathers for window memorial
A large cohort of descendants of Charles and Anna Napier came to be part of the blessing of the window dedicated in their memory. The window was formerly situated at St Paul’s Carisbrook, but has been relocated to St Paul’s Chapel in Maryborough following the sale of the church late last year. The window has been framed and backlit by Maryborough local David Bucknall, also a descendant of Charles and Anna. Bishop Andrew blessed the window following the confirmation service when he visited the parish earlier in May. - Andrew Eaton Blessed: The stain glass window dedicated to the Napiers.
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Book Launch Three Anglican Churches engaging with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds by Monica Short The Bush Church Aid Society, Charles Sturt University and the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo invite you to a launch of the above book at South East Bendigo. Sunday 10 July 2016 following the 11am service over lunch at Holy Trinity, Flora Hill, 14 Keck Street Many thanks to the Diocese of Bendigo for your wonderful support of the recent research project about Anglican Churches engaging with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This project presents 25 people from the diocese’s perceptions about migration and the good news about Church engagements with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
RSVP to Greg Harris: 03 5443 3482 or greg@southeastbendigo.com
Synod has its say - resolutions NATSIAC Sunday and a Reconciliation Action Plan
The Revd Robyn Davis moved that the first Sunday in July be designated NATSIAC Sunday, for parishes to recognise the role of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council in the work of reconciliation. The Revd Andrew Eaton moved that this Synod adopt the first stage of the Diocesan Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and encourage parishes to offer support to the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group as it undertakes the Reflect RAP and develops the Innovate RAP. Andrew explained what work was to come in undertaking the RAP and why meaningful reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders was important work for the church. Sports betting The Revd Canon Dale Barclay (Sunraysia South) moved that this Synod calls on the AFL to stop promoting a culture that normalises the association between supporting an AFL team and sports betting. Dale highlighted the strong presence of sports gambling in the AFL with advertising surrounding the grounds as well as regular TV advertising and links to betting sites through the AFL tipping page. “Gambling can be a high risk activity and it is unwise and unethical to be promoting it on such a large scale and giving the impression that it is normal,” he said. As a result of the Synod resolution Bishop Andrew has written to the CEO of the AFL. Child Safe Standards
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The Revd Canon Heather Marten moved that this Synod determines to comply with the child safe standards in order to be a Child Safe Church as set out in the report of the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse. The standards promote the cultural safety of Aboriginal children, children from a linguistically diverse background and children with a disability. The standards also ensure a range of child safe practices will be in place. These include: a culture of child safety, effective leadership, a child safe policy, a code of conduct, screening processes, reporting processes and strategies to promote the participation and empowerment of children.
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Greater Bendigo growth
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
The Revd Brendan McDonald of the new Common Ground congregation at Maiden Gully called on the diocese to recognise the significant growth in greater Bendigo, particularly in Maiden Gully, Epson, Huntly and Strathfieldsaye and requested the diocese to plan for ministry and mission in these areas. “If we don’t harness the population growth now in establishing centres in outlying suburbs we will miss the opportunity when these outer areas grow in future,” Brendan said. In seconding the motion, Revd Steve Weickhardt (Strathfieldsaye Community Church) added that “we should look at examples from elsewhere in Australia and apply them here to our church growth.”
Albury • Bendigo • Castlemaine Deniliquin • Echuca • Kyneton Maryborough • Swan Hill
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s n o i t s e l sugg
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Social media
ebsites and social media are the methods of communication of our time. No one born in the 21st century in this country would remember a time without mobile phones or the internet, and Facebook and Twitter would be as commonplace for under 30s as newspapers and ABC radio are for older generations. There are more than seven billion people in the world and there are nearly two billion active Facebook pages. That doesn’t include websites, Twitter, Instagram or any of the other social media sites that are in use today. For many people searching for parish details, a parish website or Facebook page would be their first port of call, rather than the white pages as it may once have been. There may be some people in our churches who regard social media with suspicion after hearing negative anecdotes. However, in order to reach the widest possible group of people in our communities, it is well worth considering creating a parish page that is monitored and updated regularly by two or three carefully selected members of the parish. If there is already a parish web site or Facebook page in place, the people who are authorised to comment and update should do so regularly, and in a way that is inviting.
Quick tips: If your parish does not have a webpage, consider a Wordpress site. They are easy to setup and maintain. Be mindful of your own security and ensure that your computer has up to date virus software to avoid hacking.
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ere are some simple tips to help you establish a more user friendly and vibrant media page for your parish:
1. Only allow moderators administration access to the page and ensure that all posts and replies follow Safe Church Guidelines for Electronic Communication (see Safe Church Electronic Communication Guidelines Policy) 2. Ensure that the details on the page are up to date. The service times, addresses and details about the services and activities should be clear. 3. Ask for permission posting photos of parishioners, particularly children. 4. Ask yourself some questions before posting: • Is this my story to share? • Would I want my mum to read this? • Would I want God to read this? • Would I want this on the front page of a newspaper? 5. Remember that you are posting on behalf of your church. This is not the place for personal comments or rants. If you receive negative or nasty comments, respond in a way in which your parish would want. 6. Promote your church by showing the things that you’re already doing. 7. Connect and network with other community groups through your Facebook page.
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Cycling by faith
Feeding Faith
Reaching out without dumbing down Erin Tuineau
O
ne of the biggest challenges that the Church is facing today is reaching out to people who have never had any experience of Christian worship, and trying to connect with individuals who have had a very negative experience of church. In an attempt to draw such people into our worship communities, many Christian leaders have felt the need to ‘dumb down’ their church services. They’ve usually done this in an effort to make worship more appealing to newcomers, and to avoid scaring them off. While these are all very good intentions, there is the risk that dumbing down our worship services will fail to reveal who God is - because God is full-on. There is nothing shallow about God in the person of Jesus Christ. We learn this over and over again in the gospels. Jesus was constantly challenging people with his teachings, and to follow him required people to turn their lives around and upside down. People often struggled to accept what Jesus had to say because it made them feel uncomfortable and left them questioning who they were, or who they had been pretending to be. Marva Dawn, a biblical teacher, has attempted to help church communities avoid the danger of misrepresenting God in their reformed worship services, by writing a book called Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down: a Theology of Worship for This Urgent Time. Dawn says that, “in a society doing all it can to make people cozy, somehow we must convey the truth that God’s Word, rightly read and heard, will shake us up”. This means that if we are going to change our worship services in order to connect with those beyond the church, we need to do so without losing the very essence of who God is.
Eddie Barkla
Stillness and silence
Then Jesus went up on a mountain where he could be alone and pray. Later that evening, he was still there (Matthew 14:23).
H
ow do you make best use of time when life is filled with distractions? What helps our growing in faith and closer relationship with our heavenly Father, getting alone for prayer, being still and listening? As a cyclist I find the solitude and stillness ideal for conversing with the Father about everything and anything on my heart, and hopefully hearing back what’s on God’s heart for the Kingdom. A large percentage of my riding time I am alone. I leave from home early in the morning each weekday and spend the next hour or so conscious of the presence of the Father. This can include committing whom we might meet, and the safely of the ride, to God’s trust. It can mean praying for family needs, or for the motorist who has difficulties sharing the road, or what is ahead at work. There is no limit to the conversation, nor to simply being still and waiting on the Father with all my heart, saying nothing but “your Kingdom come, your will be done”. For a cyclist to have ear plugs to listen to music or the like is unsafe: it affects our ability to be spatially aware of who and what is around us. Being in prayer on the bike makes ideal use of the time, and exercises faith in body and soul. On the rare times I drive a car, I have adopted the same principles. I used to fill driving time with worship CDs, as they were uplifting, and allowed
Cycling: Time for reflection for a zoning out. But I found this to be unsafe in terms of my concentration levels. So I have not had music or any other distraction in a car for some years now, seeking to be still in the Father’s presence. I cannot think of anything that can be compared to knowing our Lord, of being in God’s presence, being open and available, ready to hear God’s voice of reason speaking. Like exercise of the body, the exercise of faith involves practice, and the commitment of time and application. We all have the same number of hours in a day. It is how we use them that grows our faith, trust and hope in Christ Jesus, in whom we have abundant life. Looking forward to seeing you on the road soon God willing.
This is a difficult task for the Church to grapple with, but it is absolutely necessary if our worship services are to remain reflections of Christ’s disturbing and redeeming presence amongst us. 14
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The rich young ruler
clergycontemplations Heather Marten | Ministry Development Officer
Angela Morrissey
T
he Gospels tell the story of a rich, young ruler who wants eternal life and wants to know how to obtain it (Mt 19:16-30, Mk 10:17-31, Lk 18:18-30). He has kept the Commandments that Jesus quotes. However Jesus sees beyond the externals and to the one thing which, for the young ruler, has become an obstacle.
“Sell your possessions and give them all to the poor.” Jesus tells him. The great wealth he has proves to be a stronger attraction, and so he walks away deeply saddened. Jesus responds to his questioning disciples that it’s “easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” The man’s goal was eternal life, but wealth and his strong attachment to it stood in his way. There is no indication that Jesus’ command was for all Christians. The gift of eternal life, or salvation is not to be earned by self-denial or giving one’s material goods, but is to be received by following Jesus and removing what restricts this following. As I walk through the streets of Melbourne, I am saddened to see homeless people begging on the street. Sure, we might all be entitled to Centrelink, but if you don’t have a fixed address, there’s nowhere to send the payments to. Many people simply cannot afford the cost of high rent or mortgages and are therefore forced out onto the street with no friends or family to help. I would encourage all of us who are rich in comparison, to walk the streets of Melbourne and see the way some people are living and perhaps respond to what Jesus might be saying to us too.
I
Seeking a spiritual journey
recently watched the ABC series The Indian Dream Hotel which showed eight British retirees experimenting with the possibility of retirement in Jaipur in northwest India. I must say I found it fascinating. One aspect that intrigued me was the way that all eight, to some degree, used the opportunity to become a different person; a new person. Several mentioned feeling that they had always felt they were spiritual people and became very aware of the spirituality that imbued everyday life in Jaipur. So next we find our retirees in a temple, in an ashram, lighting candles, learning to meditate and exploring their spirituality. It would seem that one of the key factors in the decision to explore spirituality, and this was mentioned frequently in The Indian Dream Hotel, is the constant presence in the local community of compassion and hospitality. The spiritual qualities of compassion and hospitality draw
eastern and new age traditions and today rarely expressed within an organised religious framework. Assuming that the word ‘spirituality’ is a way of speaking of an encounter with God, with the Divine, why is it seemingly not possible to explore spirituality within a Christian context? Is there something in Christianity itself that rejects or discourages such exploration? Or is there something about the way we live our Christianity which is just not very attractive? Are we not as a Christian community infused with the spiritual qualities that might attract people and encourage them to explore Christian faith and spirituality? There’s certainly enough in our Christian tradition to encourage us on a journey
Why wasn’t it possible for them to explore their spirituality within a Christian context in Britain? these eight retirees into a spiritual search for their source. There is something in the very quality of life in this community that draws people in. These eight retirees are straight out of Britain – and for some at least that means nominally the Church of England. Why wasn’t it possible for them to explore their spirituality within a Christian context in Britain? Why is it necessary to go to another very different place and spiritual context in order to do this? Is it easier to go on this journey when one is already in the mindset for journeying and being open to the new? The same questions could be raised in Australia. For many younger and older Australians, spirituality is something which is packaged together at a very personal and private level, drawing on resources from a variety of mostly
towards being alive with the spiritual qualities that might be attractive. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth:
You yourselves are our letter…. known and read by everyone…a letter from Christ written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of the human heart. So how do we, as local church communities, enhance and grow the qualities we know are attractive – caring community, a capacity to forgive, generous hospitality, compassion - for those most at risk of being left behind, the human face of God alive amongst us? It seems to me that the spiritual journey – the journey into Christ, is both personal and communal. It’s also the most exciting journey one can undertake. 15
Where in the world...
is this church ?
If you can name the church and where it’s located, you could be our monthly winner! Send your entries in to the thespirit@bendigoanglican.org. au or post to The Spirit at PO Box 2, Bendigo, VIC , 3552. Last month featured Christ Church Daylesford, correctly identified by Jeanette Seeley from Hepburn Springs.
Registrar inducted at Synod
what’s on events calendar
Ordination 10.30am, 25 June, St Paul’s Cathedral Strategic Planning Workshop 12.30pm, 25 June, St Paul’s Cathedral Bishop Andrew on leave 27 June - 6 September Book Launch at South East Bendigo 10 July at 11am - see page 12 for details Diocesan Convention Friday 16 - Saturday 17 September Safe Church Workshop 15 October, St Mary’s Woodend Safe Church Workshop 5 November, Kerang Baptist Church Got an event coming up? Send the details to thespirit@bendigoanglican.org.au
Licenced: Naomi Fountain was formally licenced as Registrar/General Manager by Bishop Andrew Curnow at the Synod eucharist on Saturday 28 May, having commenced in the role at the beginning of May.
Caring at a time of need
151 McCrae Street Bendigo 12 Victoria Street Eaglehawk
P. 5441 5577
www.williamfarmer.com.au
A tradition that continues...
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