The
monthly Anglican Diocese of Bendigo
may 2015
issue 110
Inducted: Bishop Andrew presents the Revd George Hemmings as Priest in Charge of Echuca
Echuca welcomes new ministry
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he Revd George Hemmings was inducted into the Parish of Echuca as its new Priest-in-Charge with a well-attended service on Friday 17 April. Clergy from both the Diocese of Bendigo and the Diocese of Melbourne, along with parish representatives from the Parish of Echuca as well as George’s former parish of St Thomas’ Burwood, filled Christ Church Echuca to celebrate the beginning of the new ministry. George grew up in rural Queensland outside of Warwick, but moved to Melbourne in 2000 for study. He trained at Ridley College where he met his wife Sarah and they have three children; Micah
Inside:
Mitiamo church dedicated as chapel page 3
and Joshua (four year old twins), Jacob (two) with a fourth son due in June. George comes to Echuca having been assistant curate in the Parish of St Thomas’ Burwood following his ordination in 2011. There he was responsible for children’s and families ministry as well as to youth and young adults. With Sarah he helped build up a community of young families. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to take up this part to lead, work and worship with and alongside God’s people at Christ Church Echuca,” George said. “I have a genuine feeling that God’s Spirit is stirring and that he is preparing for a new season of great gospel ministry at Christ Church”.
Clergy Conference coverage page 5
Symbols: Ministry symbols are presented
CMS Autumn weekend page 9
There’s a word for it: grave page 10
The Vicar General
writes
As Bishop Andrew is currently overseas, John Roundhill, Vicar General, shares about his recent visit to Christchurch in New Zealand. Dear Friends,
D
ue to a cancelled flight from Queenstown I ended up having an unplanned day in Christchurch last week.
It was a remarkable place to visit. As a curate in northern England I worked at Christ Church, Lancaster. People would often misspell the church’s name and my vicar would retort, “That is the place in New Zealand, we have a space between the two words!” He could have mentioned Christchurch in Dorset England, but in working class northern England, Christchurch in New Zealand was a place to dream of; a seemingly English idyll in a fantasy landscape. That fantasy landscape caught everyone out four years ago when the city was rocked by a number of earthquakes, the most fatal being on 22 February 2011 when 185 people died. Touring the city it was noteworthy that a great number of churches had been terribly affected. One shock was how little work seems to have taken place in the CBD in the four years since the quake. The task for the city council is beyond huge. One person I spoke to tiredly but calmly reminded me that a lot of work
Now the broken cathedral is iconic of the brokenness of the CBD. It stands forlorn and unsupported in the Cathedral Square, the west end gaping open to the elements. It is worth noting that not only has the Anglican Cathedral been terribly broken by the quake, but the statuesque Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament remains closed and its future is also uncertain. Many other churches, as well as other buildings, were destroyed, but perhaps it was my own profession that made me notice this as the number of churches closed was noteworthy. One church that must be on anyone’s must visit list to Christchurch is the Transitional Cathedral, better known as the Cardboard Cathedral. It was built in 2013 and designed by Shigeru Ban who specialises in architecture in disaster zones. It is made with a considerable number of large cardboard tubes which rest on a base of shipping containers. At times I was struck by how these cardboard tubes looked like giant bamboo shoots. It gave the building an organic feel but at other moments I was struck by the idea that the tubes looked like oversized toilet rolls.
In former days Christchurch Cathedral was an icon of this beautiful city. 2
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However, one thing the building lacks, which it might be said that many other churches have, is any sense of hubris. Both of Christchurch’s broken cathedrals were undeniably grand. There is much that can inspire about grandness, but there is something about the Cardboard Cathedral - its humility, modesty and playfulness - that speaks powerfully to our modern world. The idea that our buildings might be modest, playful, and humble, and I would add sustainable, might well be true of our expression of faith. In our post Christian world might a modest, humble and playful faith be resilient against the shocks of rising secularism? Yours,
Spirit The
Monthly newsmagazine of the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo
The building had a surprising playfulness about it, like a primary school modelling project. The Transitional Cathedral is a remarkable worship space and I don’t think the plaudits for the building are simply based on sympathy but
Address: The Spirit, PO Box 2, Bendigo 3552 Member, Australian Religious Press Association Telephone: 03 5443 4711 General: thespirit@bendigoanglican.org.au Editor: Sarah Crutch Consulting Editor: The Rev’d Dr Charles Sherlock 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 29 May.
may 2015
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There is something about the Cardboard Cathedral - its humility, modesty and playfulness - that speaks powerfully to our modern world. has been done below ground, with cables and sewers re-laid. Equally I heard other people saying that issues around insurance have slowed restoration to a snail’s pace.
on a recognition that terrible circumstances have produced a remarkable response.
There’s Life in the Old Girl Yet! Stuart Winn
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n Tuesday, 24 April, the former St Paul’s Mitiamo church, which served the Parish of Lockington (originally the Parish of Milloo) faithfully for nearly 130 years, received a new lease of life as it was dedicated to the glory of God and ongoing Christian ministry in its new home at the Plenty Campus of Ivanhoe Grammar School. Approximately 70 people, including staff, students, alumni, school dignitaries, and former parishioners of St Paul’s packed the church to capacity. Proceedings were presided over by the Primate, Archbishop Phillip Freier, and led by Plenty Campus chaplain, Reverend Warwick Grant. Many of those who had known St Paul’s in her former home were visibly moved and expressed their joy at seeing the wonderful transformation of the building itself that had taken place. In his address, the Archbishop thanked parishioners for releasing
their building to be used for ministry in a new location. The day held a real sense of joy as the Chapel of St Paul, as she is now known, was dedicated to God’s service at Ivanhoe Grammar. It is the hope of both the school and the parish that an ongoing relationship may be maintained as a source of mutual blessing and encouragement. Our prayer is that the Chapel of St Paul may be a place of gospel proclamation in Word and Sacrament, that many lives might be transformed through the ministry conducted there.
MU Lady Day well attended Ronda Gault
M
ore than 100 members of MU/Caritas attended Lady Day on 25 March at Flora Hill, with the highlight of the day the presentation of three 50 year scrolls and badges, and four 60 year scrolls to long serving members. Many of the mothers receiving awards were accompanied by some very proud MU daughters. The service was accompanied with some beautiful music, provided by Peter Monsbourgh on the flute and Campbell McCullough on keyboard. Preaching at the service, Bishop Andrew shared with us some experiences and impressions of his very recent visit to Northern Queensland for Bishops’ Conference, especially his opportunity to attend the church service on the Sunday morning at Yarrabah.
During the afternoon session Denise Smith gave us some insights into the needs of families whom she supports in her role as a Family Support Worker with St Luke’s. She also shared with us her involvement with the Family Inclusion Network Victoria, which enables mothers of children in care to support one another in their efforts to have their children returned to them. Parents have leading roles on the Executive of Family Inclusion Network Victoria which is a self-help support group new to Victoria.
Dedicated: The Revd Stuart Winn (third from right) with the Archbishop and Ivanhoe Grammar representatives
Restored: St Paul’s Mitiamo is now the Chapel of St Paul at Ivanhoe Grammar School’s Plenty Campus
We were most grateful for the Revd Geoff Chittenden stepping in and sharing in presenting the service, and it was lovely to have Revd Linda Osmond with us for a short time. We also thank Ruth and Carol for their contribution to MU‘s special service.
Recognition: MU ladies with their 50 and 60 year presentations Renewed: Parisioners attended the dedication service for their former church 3
The Spirit online! Like an email? If you’d like a full colour pdf of ‘The Spirit’ emailed to you each month, let us know! Just email thespirit@ bendigoanglican.org. au and we’ll add you to our e-mailing list! Read online You can also read ‘The Spirit’ and other diocesan publications on issuu.com. Just search for ‘Anglican Diocese of Bendigo’.
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Social inclusion is about breaking down barriers and giving people the opportunity to lead fulfilled lives.
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Human services: moral will, practical wisdom and ‘doing the right thing’ Andrew Shirres, Practice Development Coach St Luke’s Anglicare, a division of Anglicare Victoria
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he world in which we live in appears beset with an ever increasing range of social problems - high unemployment, substance abuse, family violence, childhood trauma and what feels like an increasing gap between those who ‘have’ and those who don’t. Service networks include local government, not-for-profit and church-based organisations: they are there to help people live independent, meaningful lives that contribute to community well-being. The framework around these services within a local area like Bendigo has been experiencing significant changes over the last 12 months. Workers who operate in this complex environment do so with a range of partner agencies and fellow team members. Most importantly, they do so alongside the people they work with – their ‘clients’, ‘consumers’, or even ‘customers’.
manage to navigate their way through this complexity, and stay focused on the most important stakeholder, the people they work with. How do they do it? How does anyone do it these days? Have we magically found the right mix of services? Not really - this mix is evolving and just as confusing as ever. Have we found the best procedures? Perhaps not. St Luke’s, like so many others, is always trying to minimise bureaucratic procedures: it remains a work in progress. Perhaps the service workers who have greatest success in supporting their clients have found ways of articulating and exercising their ‘moral will’. This
Staff manage to stay focused on the most important stakeholder, the people they work with Those employed to work in this setting can feel pushed and pulled in all directions. Responses to this complexity typically involve everincreasing safety measures: policies, procedures and protocols designed to ensure duty of care is maintained, risk is minimised and our clients stay safe. These measures are important – but a common casualty is confidence, diminishing skills and an over-reliance on decision-making beyond the worker’s own devices. Yet somehow, in spite of all of this, great work still happens. Staff at agencies like St Luke’s in Bendigo
‘practical wisdom’, as Aristotle put it, allows people to make decisions based on what can be considered as ‘doing the right thing’. If workers can make decisions according to values that uphold the client’s right to dignity, self-worth and self-determination, correct procedures will follow. Such workers have recognised that the line between being employed by an organisation like ours, and receiving its services, is very thin. They believe that we all have the right to be listened to, respected, treated fairly and, at all possible times, involved in the important decisions made about us.
Albury • Bendigo • Castlemaine Deniliquin • Echuca • Kyneton Maryborough • Swan Hill
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Bendigo Diocese Cursillo Movement is holding a
Refreshment Weekend Friday 22 - Sunday 24 May for all Cursillista’s The venue is at the beautiful Koolamurt Park Scout Camp in Spring Gully. A great time to catch up with friends you have not seen for a long time for good fun, good food and great fellowship.
Guests: Conference chaplain Bishop Genieve Blackwell with Bishop Andrew
Conflict engages clergy conference Andrew Eaton
C
hristian churches don’t have conflict, do we? We all love one another and lay down our lives for our friends? As much as the ideal might be to live in perfect harmony, we know the reality is that we are all broken in some way and that leads to conflict on occasion. So to better understand how to prevent, manage and resolve conflict in our parishes, the clergy gathered in Mildura for three days in the second week of Easter to learn from an expert in the field, Revd Tim Dyer of The JohnMark Extension. Covering topics such as the ‘Six levels of conflict’, ‘Power dynamics in ministry’, ‘Conflict management in parish ministry’, and the clergy favourite ‘Personal Conflict Engagement Styles’ - our professional development in this area has been exponentially boosted. The general consensus from the clergy was that we’d learned a significant amount in three days that will inform our ministry and influence how we deal with conflict in future. Tim’s teaching has a solid biblical foundation, and he was able to draw
on a diverse range of New and Old Testament passages to better help us see how conflict has been both well and poorly handled in scripture. He also provided the clergy with resources to take back to our parishes, so be on the look-out for some conflict prevention work in your parish! Neatly woven through our three days was a series of addresses by Bishop Genieve Blackwell of the CanberraGoulburn Diocese (but soon to take up ministry in the Diocese of Melbourne). For respite some clergy went wine tasting at Trentham Estate, some browsed the shops and galleries of Mildura, and a few hardy souls explored the Mildura Brewery. Our conference finished with worship in the ANZAC chapel at St Margaret’s Mildura with Bishop Andrew presiding and preaching.
The event is being held and run by our newly formed Servant Community presented by Rev’d Barry Rainsford Please call Leone Tress 0417 585 380 for more information and an application form You are invited to come for all or part of the weekend. De Colores!
Restore Family Counselling
Val Barker BSW, MSW, Grad. Dip. MHS (Child, Family & Adolescent) Bulk billing available 205 View Street, Bendigo 0408068463
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.
Business: Bishop Andrew address the clergy on a range of matters 5
Around the Diocese
Eddington Cottage at Point Lonsdale dedicated The new Eddington Cottage has been officially dedicated by Bishop Andrew in the presence of the Diocesan Executive on Saturday 11 April. Bishop Andrew blessed the new Eddington Cottage and unveiled a wall plaque which acknowledges the generosity of Mrs Caroline Eddington, who donated the original house to the then Diocese of St Arnaud in 1936. The plaque also notes the rebuild of the new house in 2013-2014 and features a single line from her will; ‘A rest home for Church of England clergy’. Bishop Andrew gave significant thanks to John Henry, for his extensive assistance in preparing much of the required legal documentation for the trust, and also to the Registrar, Anne Baker, for her commitment to seeing the project through. It was a great opportunity for members of the Diocesan Executive, who have worked through the business side of the re-build process of the cottage, to see the finished house. - Sarah Crutch Complete: John Henry, Anne Baker, and Bishop Andrew
Bendigo North op shop ready to open
Volunteers have been working enthusiastically to set up the new Anglican Opportunity Shop named the ‘Giving & Living Op Shop’ at 75 Beischer Street, East Bendigo (in shed no. 3). The opening day will be Monday 4 May at 10.00 am with a morning tea and of course shopping with many great bargains to be had. If you like to browse and buy op shop goods, then come along! A range of exceptional second-hand donations have been received and are ready to be purchased. The site also has plenty of off-street parking for customers. The op shop will be open from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm Monday to Friday and 9.00 am - 1.00 pm Saturdays. The shop will be staffed by volunteers and we are still looking for willing hands and warm-spirited people to join our teams. Training is provided, with volunteers rostered on for three hour shifts in either the morning or afternoon. Contact Evelyn Robertson on 0418 303 489 for more details.
Ready: Evelyn Robertson and Leonie Strauch
- Liz Hamilton
God at the movies – exploring aspects of the human condition
Members of the Kyneton-Woodend Cluster convened on six Saturday afternoons in Lent at the home of Peta and Charles Sherlock to engage in guided discussions around the themes of death and dying, of love transcending death, of child-like innocence betrayed and of the flawed nature of our human condition. Six movies formed the basis of our collective reflections on what matters in the living of our lives today. It was interesting to consider how our innate sense of justice tends to prevail in our understanding of how our lives should evolve. Our expectation that, by following wellestablished protocols, nothing bad will happen was challenged. And how we often feel confused and even affronted when life seems unfair.
As Jesus died for our sins, we ask ourselves, who are we to stand in judgement of our fellow humankind, made in God’s image and yet flawed by nature? As we grow to accept that justice does not always prevail in this life, we come to trust more deeply that Jesus gave us peace, hope and love to sustain us all in this crazy world we live in.
Reflect: Films formed the basis of discussions during Lent
- Trudy Shepherd 6
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Around the Parishes
Nyah West community centre opened
Swan Hill parishioners travelled in convoy to the official dedication and opening of the renovations to Nyah West Community Men’s Shed, Op Shop and Drop in Centre on 24 March. Bishop Andrew presented certificates to those who had made a significant contribution to the renovations. The list of volunteers’ work hours, totalling 1,064 hours over the month of renovations, was received with acclamation, with many more hours put into the preparation and final touches. The greatest applause came when Bishop Andrew announced the naming of the new complex the ‘John Dillon Community Centre’. Hilda Coster, the one remaining founder of the original op shop 30 years ago, was also acknowledged. The Op Shop Coordinator, Sylvia Bail, prayed a special prayer for all the volunteers who make this facility such a wonderful community centre.
Photo: Pamela Blackman - Marg Crilly Official: John Dillon and Bishop Andrew open the centre
40th birthday surprise at Inglewood
Although the Revd Alipate Tuineau has only been with the people of the Parish of Inglewood for two months, the parish had made sure they knew of an important upcoming event. Unbeknown to Alipate, the Parish of Inglewood had been informed that his birthday was approaching, and that it was a milestone birthday worthy of celebration. It was therefore without question that at morning tea following the service the parishioners surprised Alipate with a homemade country birthday cake to celebrate the occasion. We hope Alipate enjoyed a special day and we give him our best wishes for his 40th birthday. - Sue Brown
Surprise: Alipate Tuineau celebrates his 40th birthday
Nara Dreaming Art Exhibition 23 May - 8 June
1023 Calder Alternative Highway, Lockwood
Special Parish Deal
$10 per head (group booking) Includes small donation to New Horizons Welfare Services. Choice of devonshire or bush tucker morning/afternoon tea and introduction/discussion on artworks Phone: 0418 579 501
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Ecumenical Swan Hill community Easter worship Easter sunrise in Jan Harper Palm Sunday Maryborough Palm leaves abounded both in the Andrew Eaton
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here was a wonderful ecumenical spirit in the central goldfields, highlighted in Holy Week with a powerful Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, and then a Sunrise Service on Easter Morning.
Swan Hill Church and out at the Nyah West Senior Citizen’s Centre where we had our 5th Sunday Parish Service. Palm leaves formed an arch as we processed into the building to the sound of Murray’s Clarinet. The whole Passion Narrative was read with passion; each member of the congregation taking part.
Members of the Anglican, Uniting, Roman Catholic, Salvation Army, Churches of Christ and Assemblies of God churches of Maryborough gathered to witness to the death and resurrection of Christ, first in Philip’s Gardens on Good Friday, and then Bristol Hill on Sunday.
On Easter morning the service was led by Fr Andrew Eaton, beginning in the pre-dawn darkness and chill, with the liturgy slowly moving into the light as the Resurrection Gospel was read as the sun rose. The Paschal Homily of St John Chrysostom was read, connecting our gathering to 1600 years of Christian tradition. The last stanza is a vibrant and poetic declaration of faith by one of the faith’s great writers:
O death, where is thy sting? O hell, where is thy victory? Christ is Risen, and you, O death, are annihilated! Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is Risen, and life is liberated! Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep To him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen!
The Last Supper A circle of 30 people attended our Maundy Thursday Meal. First course was succulently tender roast lamb with salad and flat bread; second course was flourless orange cake with fruit and cuppa, then optional foot washing followed by the bread and wine. Finally we went into the church and stripped the altar ready for the Good Friday service. Way of the Cross It was a delight to have over 100 people from many different denominations and cultures as well as families on holiday and young and old with us for the Way of the Cross. The readers read superbly and brought the story alive. Following the service we had just enough hot cross buns to share out among everyone, and it was wonderful to get together as a varied and colourful Christian Community. Thank you to church leaders, ‘The Guardian’ newspaper and all the people who helped along the way and back in the kitchen.
Nyah Boat Ramp Easter Dawn Service An Ecumenical Easter Dawn service was once again held at the Nyah Boat Ramp. We gathered in the dark and lit the Christ Candle, and then small candles in glass bowls that gave light to our service sheets while Sylvia Bail gave the reflection about the crosses we carry. Dawn broke as the service continued with birdsong, hymns and communion. Following the service we toasted hot cross buns on the first fire, and enjoyed catching up with people from surrounding areas.
Sunrise: Easter Sunday dawn service 8
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Attendance: Over 100 people gathered at Holy Trinity Flora Hill for the CMS Autumn Weekend
Pakistani flavour to CMS Autumn Weekend
Barry Rainsford
‘J
oseph: a Model of Faithfulness’ was the theme of four Bible studies at the 34th CMS Autumn Weekend held in the Diocese of Bendigo. It was attended by about 100 people at Holy Trinity Flora Hill from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 April 2015.
Steve and Jenny Sonneman, with their children Tim and Elizabeth, have recently returned from 13 years in Pakistan. Following a typical Pakistani dinner and a family fashion parade they told intriguing accounts of unexpected people graduating from Zarephath Bible Seminary to spread the gospel throughout the country. Study leader was the Revd Kevin Pedersen, vicar of Ormond Anglican Church. He had served with his
wife Rosanne in the Parish of South East Bendigo from 1991 to 1997 as assistant minister. The story of Joseph, recorded in the closing chapters of the book of Genesis, is full of excitement and suspense. Could God’s promise that Abraham would be the father of a great nation be fulfilled through such unlikely characters as deceitful Jacob and spoilt Joseph? In spite of numerous crises and predicaments, God had his hand on Joseph and brought him safely through to a position of leadership in Egypt and reconciliation with his brothers. The value of the detailed narrative is that it helps us to understand how God works out his plans with weak people like ourselves in unlikely situations.
Other fascinating talks were given by two missionary couples. Inpa and Vana Eliezer, who have served in Cambodia for the past 17 years, told honest but inspiring stories of individuals in their Celebrating Church slowly learning to forgive and trust, so as to become followers of Christ. Other highlights were the enthusiastic singing, fellowship with old and new participants and the hospitality of the Flora Hill personnel. The sale of new and old books on four different stalls was a bonus for many booklovers. Andrew and Mary Ann Ellis, also from Ormond, ran a children’s program across the weekend. They kept a dozen young children entertained and instructed about the life of Joseph. Our hope and prayer is that they too will become a model of faithfulness.
Guests: Jenny and Steve Sonneman, Inpa and Vana Eliezer, Wei-Han Kuan & Andrew Astley
Study leader: The Revd Kevin Pederson 9
A visit to Mae Salid, Thailand Ronda Gault
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set off with very little idea about where we were heading and what I was going to see.
There were three of us; myself, Beth Hookey and Bev Cottrell. Beth spoke at Lady Day 2014 on her experiences with the Karen in Thailand and named the trip ‘one of encouragement and support’ for the Karen members of MU. We arrived at the village of Mae Salid, travelling to many places from there, each day meeting with an MU group and also visiting the nursery schools which were supported by the MU members. Some MU groups were in the villages and there were three in the camp. We met with these MU groups, sharing our experiences of MU with them and identifying some similar challenges. We learnt how these people with very little work together to raise funds, sometimes by breeding frogs, fish or pigs. One group demonstrated to us their method of making up detergent which is sold widely. We visited Noh Bo Academy which is a secondary boarding school. We spent three days at Noh Bo joining in a range of services including confirmations, first communion and the laying of a foundation stone for a new, larger St Gabriel’s at Noh Bo. We also attended a farewell service for the Rev’d Peter Cook after eight years of supporting the Karen Ministry from his base at Christ Church, Bangkok. We spent time with mission teachers from Australia who had been working at the Academy. We learned the students are taught in English, Karen and Thai with bible studies an important part of each day. We were able to attend the preaching session of Archbishop Stephen Than Myint Oo of Myanmar who, with his wife Nan, MU Provincial President, visited for the weekend’s activities. Archbishop Stephen spoke in English with his words being translated into Karen, which meant we had no trouble understanding him. It was an amazing awareness raising and involving visit to a spectacular area with lovely people of strong faith facing the challenges ahead. 10
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There’s a word for it Grave
Over the Easter weekend, especially on Holy Saturday, I found myself meditating on the words “Where is death’s sting? Where grave, your victory?” (see 1 Corinthians 15:55). Richard Stamp After his crucifixion, Jesus was placed in a grave owned by Joseph of Arimathea. That place is now called the ‘holy sepulchre’. We use the words grave, tomb and sepulchre for places of burial. I want to concentrate on grave. There are two main things that go towards the making of the English word ‘grave’. One is the idea of depth, and the other is heaviness. These are reflected in the three main meanings of the word. It can mean a place in which the dead are buried. It can mean to write or carve, as in engraved or graven. It can mean serious or sad, as in, ‘He had a grave look on his face’. Grave used for the burial of the dead comes from this idea of depth. It derives from an old English word,
Archaeologists, searching for what previous civilizations did and believed, often dig into ancient grave sites to discover what grave-goods were buried with the departed. All over the world it seems to have been a common practice to inter a whole collection of objects to accompany the dead on their journey into the unknown. From the fabulous discoveries in Egyptian tombs, to the terracotta warriors and horses at Xi’an in China or the Viking ship burial at Sutton Hoo in England, the dead were sent on their way with much personal baggage. These objects were placed there because it was felt that they would be needed in the afterlife or, in the case of the first Emperor of China’s terracotta army, to protect him, as the real ones had done during his earthly life. Even today in many places the dead are buried or cremated along with all sorts of objects, including money.
There are two main things that go towards the making of the English word ‘grave’. One is the idea of depth, and the other is heaviness.
graef, ultimately from the Indo European word, ghrebh, meaning to dig, scratch or scrape deeply. The word ‘engrave’ comes from this – the idea of cutting or incising something deeply into the material concerned.
The idea of heaviness is reflected in words with their origin in the Latin gravis, which means weighty, serious, heavy or oppressive. Words such as gravity, gravid and aggravate come from this source. The Greek word for grave is barys, used figuratively to mean suffering, sorrow, sobbing, and could mean “oppressive, burdensome, grave [serious].”
The notably different thing about the grave of Jesus was its emptiness. On the resurrection morning there was the stark fact of an empty tomb. The wonderful centre of all Christian belief is the message, “He is not here: he is risen!” But that emptiness also indicates another truth. There was nothing in that grave except the winding cloth that clothed the corpse of Jesus. There were no grave goods; no earthly treasure, no gold artefacts, no protective devices, shields or miniature armies.
When someone dies and is buried, most folk in their grief feel both these things: depth and heaviness. There is a great depth of sorrow, which cuts deep, and hearts are heavy and burdened with loss.
Christians know that they do not need such wealth or protection to take them through death into God’s heavenly kingdom. All that is needed is a faith in the risen Lord Jesus. Our tombs are empty except for our mortal remains. Our resurrection to life eternal is assured through the risen and ascended Jesus.
may 2015
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Letter to the editor Evolution and the resurrection
In the April issue of The Spirit, Simon Robinson challenged us to convincingly reconcile the theory of evolution with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. This challenge plays straight into the hands of fundamentalist atheists. It says that if you accept evolution you cannot accept Jesus’ resurrection: this does not follow. Any Hubble photograph of any tiny piece of the sky reveals the existence of innumerable galaxies, each holding billions of stars like our sun. A good proportion of our galaxy’s stars have been shown to have planets, and if even a minuscule proportion of these planets are in the ‘goldilocks’ zone and bear liquid water, the universe has billions of planets with the possibility of carrying life. It would be too self-centred of us human beings to imagine that we are the only sentient life form amongst all those billions. When the gospels were written all this was unknown. There are only a few thousand stars visible to the naked eye, and they were supposed by most to be showing us the light of heaven above. It was possible to believe that the earth was created just so that God could create humankind. Now that we know the immensity and the great age of the created universe, and the past geological history of our planet, it resembles stubborn blindness to hold that God created humankind intact in one day, or even in one era. An all-seeing God would know what was going on here on earth (and on every other planet) and would know when we were in need of, and ready for, his intervention in the flesh as the human we call Jesus. Jesus’ submission to crucifixion and his resurrection were part of that intervention. Where does evolution conflict with that? - Michael Grounds
Editor’s note: a booklet by Charles Sherlock, ‘Creation, creationism and Scripture’ is available from Registry for those interested in pursuing this issue.
media matters
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I think I have really retired
his is my last media column. Not because of the Letters to the Editor I have been attracting. That’s good! Keep writing, all you thinkers of Bendigo diocese, but let your free speech be words that build up not break down.
Peta Sherlock I feel I can happily let go because Bishop Andrew seems to be covering media anyway, with My Kitchen Rules and Trevor Chappell on ABC radio! The Dean is writing more in his busy life and always has good and helpful things to say. Other clergy and laity are using their theological skills and time to hone their writing and theologising. This is indeed my heart’s desire, to belong to a church where we talk about things that matter. Three and a half years ago I had a good six months in my retirement house, grieving quite profoundly for my time as Dean of the Cathedral. Then I heard myself say to the Bishop, “I miss the games people play in parishes.” He gave me an odd look and a parish to look after. After six months I realised I did not miss it so much.
the old-timers. In Trentham there is currently a battle between those who want nothing to change and those who reckon everything should change. Sound familiar? I joined the local community choir, and learnt some valuable lessons about how groups can fail to welcome newcomers. “What are we singing at the Christmas concert?” I asked. “The same as last year.” “But I wasn’t here last year.” “We are wearing black and white,” someone helpfully told me. I turned up in black with a white scarf. Everyone else had black bottom and white shirt. At the Christmas breakup, some went round kissing all their friends and looked at me and said awkwardly, “See you next year.” Reminded me of bad Greetings of Peace. The various committees are hilariously like the best and worst of parish councils. “Is this meeting finished?” I ask plaintively at 9.30pm. “Yes, we think so,” they reply, “the chairman is now in the corner packing up his
Retirement goes like this: on the one hand, you are tired and not wanting to be bothered. On the other hand, you think you can do a better job than someone else Retirement goes like this: on the one hand, you are tired and not wanting to be bothered. On the other hand, you think you can do a better job than someone else and say, “I will keep going!” Slowly the first option begins to look the better and you begin to listen to your own preaching that God really is in charge and really does love us No Buts. After another nine months in a parish, I think I have really retired. So began the business of finding my way into contributing to life in a small country town. There are many people like me in Trentham, retired from a profession where they enjoyed running the show. Some try to run the town too, and it doesn’t work. It creates resentment, and not just from
bags.” So I use my old tactic from diocesan committees and ask obvious questions, like “Why are we doing this?” But if you put in some elbow grease along with the questions, you find a way in. I am currently editing the historical society journal and weeding the Neighbourhood Centre garden. Thanks for reading my column over the last three or so years. I do reserve the right to get out my computer when I simply have to say something. Meanwhile, back to retirement.
The Spirit Committee would like to thank Peta for her regular contributions to The Spirit over the past ten years, and for her open and honest look at contemporary matters in today’s world. We wish you all the best as you enjoy your retirement. 11
Where in the world...
is this church ?
If you can name the church and where it is 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 St Peter’s Carapooee, ‘The Pebble Church’, near St Arnaud. Patrick Pigott from View Hill Fellowship was the winner. Well done!
Showing the true colours of Easter
what’s on events calendar
Mental Health First Aid Training Saturday 9 and 16 May, Kangaroo Flat Council of the Diocese Tuesday 12 May, 4.45pm, Golden Square ABM-A Gathering Wednesday 13 May, 11.00am, Swan Hill Induction of The Rev’d Stuart Winn Thursday 14 May, 7.30pm, Rochester
A
Nara Dreaming Exhibition 23 May - 31 May, 10.00am - 4.00pm
s part of Easter worship at St Paul’s Cathedral, the Children’s Church, led by the Rev’d Noel Richards, created a cross made from floral arrangements.
Synod Thursday 28 May, 5.00pm, Flora Hill Synod Friday 29 May, 9.00am, Flora Hill Got an event coming up? Send the details to thespirit@bendigoanglican.org.au
The cross, pictured at right, featured at the front doors of St Paul’s Cathedral in the week following Easter and drew the attention of many onlookers and pedestrians.
Caring at a time of need
151 McCrae Street Bendigo 12 Victoria Street Eaglehawk
The cross provided a wonderful burst of colour and sign of hope to the Bendigo streetscape.
P. 5441 5577
www.williamfarmer.com.au
A tradition that continues...
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@BenetasAgedCare 2015-05BSP
12
Spirit The
may 2015
www.bendigoanglican.org.au