The
monthly Anglican Diocese of Bendigo
october 2014
issue 104
Leading: Michelle and Michael Totterdale, Paul Daniels, Sam Gower and Leanne Mow lead the intercessions
New life springing up at Bendigo North
By Suzannah Walsh
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sadness and the connection she feels at St Luke’s. Her husband, Michael, agreed and amongst a few laughs, let the Bishop know that he’s doing a good job. Michael and Michelle were received into the Anglican Communion.
Flickering candles lined the pathway to St Luke’s White Hills on 14 September as members from all three congregations came together for a very special joint service with Bishop Andrew Curnow. That night the parish of Bendigo North celebrated as five of our newest members took the next step on their faith journeys. Each shared their testimony.
After the passing of her mum, Leanne Mow described sensing God calling her back to church, and the blessing of meeting rector Gordon Lingard, who had presided at the funeral. Leanne is a valued member of our 6pm service along with her husband Steve. It was a joy to celebrate her confirmation, with family travelling from far and wide to be there.
Michelle Totterdale became overwhelmed whilst sharing how important being part of community has been for her family during recent times of great joy and great
Sam Gower made the trip back from Geelong in order to be baptised at St Luke’s. In his relaxed and easy-going style, he thanked Gordon for mentoring him and told of how he now starts every
pring has undoubtedly sprung at Bendigo North, with six baptisms, a confirmation and two receptions, and all in the space of three weeks!
Inside:
Diocesan Development Fund to close page 3
Dean dunked in Ice Bucket Challenge page 7
day with Jesus by his side, which gives him a profound sense of purpose. Paul Daniels, who has recently moved to Bendigo from Melbourne, reflected on an experience of God that he had as a child that has being growing within him ever since. With friends from Melbourne and his fiancee there, he confidently stepped into his new identity as a baptised member of Christ, in the Anglican church. The testimonies that night were moving because they were so genuine and heartfelt. God is at work in these people’s lives and in the life of our church. But wait, there’s more! Jacob Alexander, Ryan Tucci, Charlie Gill and Will Scott are also all newly baptised members of Christ and have been equally celebrated and rejoiced over.
Bear’s Lagoon Bush Olympics page 9
Book review: The songs of Jesse Adams page 10
The Bishop writes faithfulness to God. They are accepting of the vagaries of the climate, even when it tests them, and they always have their eye to the western sky looking to see what is on the horizon.
Dear Friends,
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ver the past month I have been struck by the vibrancy of the canola crops. The brilliant yellow fields set against blue skies and green slopes have been magnificent and beautiful, but during most of August and September it has also been very dry across the diocese.
About once a month on ABC regional radio coming out of Bendigo, breakfast announcer Jonathon Ridnell talks to David Johnson, who farms just out of Elmore, about local news and farming conditions. David happens also to be a parishioner at St Peter’s Elmore. In mid-September David was saying that farmers were anxiously awaiting a good early spring downpour to see the crops mature into a good harvest. Well thankfully most areas to the north and east of Bendigo got it in the days
Economically, farming is more complex than ever, but more and more farmers are using technology and the internet to plan, communicate and strategise, and introduce new crops into production. Across many parts of the diocese October is the month for cutting and harvesting hay. This is one of the significant areas of growth in central and northern Victoria, with hay exporters well established at Goornong and Bridgewater and expanding to cater for overseas demand. The drought during the first decade of this century has also brought considerable innovation in the handling and use of water. More and more water is being piped, to address loss through evaporation and better techniques for irrigation. The apple industry at Harcourt is presently seeing a major installation of a piped irrigation scheme to bring much better water security to that industry. However, farming is still dealing with variables over which the farmer has little control. As we approach harvest time this year, spare a thought for our
I am continually impressed by the resilience of our farming communities and their faithfulness to God
before the AFL Grand Final. Some areas reported nearly two inches on the old scale - over 50mm of rain. The prospects for the season look very encouraging with crops ripening.
In the northwest areas of the diocese rainfall has not been so good and after a promising autumn break the season has not been sustained. Suffice it to say, I often wonder, who would want to be a farmer? Farming is for many a way of life and not just a job, but it is a demanding and challenging one, and particularly in Northern Victoria it is highly susceptible to the seasons. More than that, it can be very up and down depending on global economic conditions as well. With all this I am continually impressed by the resilience of our farming communities and their 2
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famers, their families and the many farming districts across this diocese. Here is a prayer to use:
O God, in your never failing providence there is a time to plant and a time to reap. We thank you for the coming of the harvest, for the increase of the earth and the gathering in of its fruits, and for the blessings you have bestowed upon this land. Bless our farmers, their families and local communities at this time. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Blessings,
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comments
his year the Head of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse, Mr Justice Peter McClellan AM, addressed a meeting of the Anglican Bishops of Australia. He told us that one of his major concerns about the Anglican Church of Australia was the diversity of legal arrangements that governed each diocese. The community perception, he said, was that the Anglican Church in this country was one organic denomination, but in fact we are not. We are 23 independent dioceses, each governed by our own arrangements.
Justice McClellan challenged us by saying that this was confusing for survivors of sexual abuse, and that dioceses should move towards more coherent, transparent and accountable legal structures. The five dioceses in Victoria have agreed that the best way for us to achieve this was to individually incorporate as public companies. I’m pleased to announce that our diocese is the first to achieve this and the Bendigo Anglican Diocesan Corporation has been born. Our Diocesan Council will become a Board of Directors and new standards of governance and accountability will be delivered.
Spirit The
Monthly newsmagazine of the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo
Address: The Spirit, PO Box 2, Bendigo 3552 Member, Australian Religious Press Association Telephone: 03 5443 4711 General: thespirit@bendigoanglican.org.au Editor: The Revd Dr Charles Sherlock charlesherlock@gmail.com Committee Chair: The Revd Canon Bryn Jones The Spirit is published in the first week of the month (excluding January). Advertising rates are available from the Editor. All advertisements are accepted at the Editor’s discretion; acceptance does not imply endorsement of the product or service. Contributions are welcome, and will be edited. Email contributions are preferred. Anonymous articles will not be considered for publication. Photographs should be sent in digital form to the general email address above. Full size, ‘raw’ files are necessary. Physical photos are normally not returned. The Anglican Diocese of Bendigo and the Editor are not responsible for opinions expressed by contributors, nor do these necessarily reflect the policy of the diocese. Contributions for the next issue must be submitted by Wednesday 22 October.
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DDF to close Charles Sherlock
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he Diocesan Development Fund (DDF) and Finance Committee has decided that now is the appropriate time to wind up the Fund.
The DDF was created in 1976, initially as ‘The Gifts in Faith Trust’, to provide a way for parishioners to invest funds to benefit both them and the diocese. DDFs have been notable in providing low interest loans to fund parish building projects.
Women of the community: Sue Brown (second from left) pictured with the recipients of the Tribute to Rural Women Award. Photo: Peter Weaving
Bridgewater Anglican honoured for community caring
Adapted from The Bendigo Advertiser, 3 September 2014
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ue Brown, long-time member of Inglewood / Bridgewater parish, was acknowledged recently for her contribution to the community, and her foster parent ministry.
She was one of six women who received the Tribute to Rural Women award, an initiative of the Loddon Bendigo Rural Women’s Network. The award highlights the important role women play in rural and regional communities.
As well as her involvement in the parish, Sue was recognised for her roles with Zonta, the Kooyoora Women’s Network and Women on Farms.
“I love my community, I love people, I love to help ... I guess lots of people need some TLC,’’ she said. Keynote speaker Brigitte Muir told the gathering how she overcame mountains to become the first Australian woman to climb Mount Everest in 1997, and the first Australian to climb the highest mountain on each continent.
I love my community, I love people, I love to help ... I guess lots of people need some TLC
- Sue Brown
Sue and her husband Allan have also been foster parents to more than 100 children, on top of her contribution to the community through various organisations.
“There are many women who climb their own mountains every day,’’ she said. Among those were the six women whose lives were celebrated at the event.
“We are proud that despite challenges such as the GFC and the failure of Banksia Finance, no account holder has lost capital,” said Registrar Anne Baker. “We want to acknowledge depositors’ commitment, and the ministry they have enabled.” The decision to close the DDF was made in conjunction with the Diocesan Executive and the Council of the Diocese, taking into account a range of factors. Government interest in non-bank institutions like the DDF is increasing. Regulators are looking closely at the products we offer, and the DDF’s current exemption from the Banking Act, which allows it to offer ‘at call’ products to parishioners, expires on 31 December 2014. Compliance and processing costs have increased significantly. Were the DDF to continue, new systems would be needed which would be uneconomic for a fund of its size. From 12 September 2014 the DDF has been closed to new accounts and deposits. For ‘at call’ accounts, interest will be calculated as normal up until 17 November 2014, when the full balance will be repaid and the account closed. Term deposits: existing terms will be honoured, but at the end of the term the full balance will be repaid and the account closed. (Earlier repayment at account-holder’s request is possible, with pro-rata interest paid.) Parish and diocesan DDF accounts’ future will be considered at the Council of the Diocese in Novemer with a decision notified to parish wardens and treasurers. Any questions can be directed to the Registry on (03) 5443 4711, or PO Box 2 Bendigo Vic 3552. 3
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 Albury • Bendigo • Castlemaine Deniliquin • Echuca • Kyneton Maryborough • Swan Hill
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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Celebrating pioneers in Swan Hill
All dressed up: Evelyn Mortimer, Jan Harper and Wilma Steel Jan Harper
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n Sunday 21 September Swan Hill parish stepped back in time to attend a 1662 Morning Prayer service at the beautiful little church at Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement. Spring sunshine streamed through the stained glass windows, the ones behind the altar making a perfect backdrop for a seven-branched candlestick.
Many of the congregation wore old style clothing, and the hymns chosen all came from the nineteenth century. A tenor saxophone blended with the undertone of the blower from the old electrified organ, and the small children in attendance were lulled into quiet observance of the unusual (to them) language of the prayers. Revds Jan Harper and Denis Gell presented extracts from the diary of one of the earliest clergymen
in the district, the narrative at one point being punctuated by the whistle of the PS ‘Pyap’ as it rounded Horseshoe Bend! The offering was dedicated to the relief of those suffering in the Middle East. Morning tea was enjoyed at the Settlement teashop while the Old Timers Band played old favourite popular tunes. The Settlement’s historical exhibits are dated up to the Great Depression of 1929, so it truly was a step back into the past to reflect on our forebears and how they survived through natural hardships and economic struggles.
Mother’s Union activity in Swan Hill Jan Harper
Finding MU in Vanuatu
MU active in Swan Hill
When out walking while on holidays in Vanuatu I saw a shed set up with pews as if it were a church. I looked inside and could see a Mothers Union banner, less than a block from where I was staying. I returned later and met Wendy (on the left, a Lay Preacher) and Miriam (President of her MU branch), wearing traditional Vanuatu dress.
Christ Church Swan Hill does not have an official MU group (there is one at Nyah West). But on the third Tuesday of each month 8-10 ladies meet over lunch to discuss ways of carrying out their MU mission. Recently the group held a Blume’s Fashions afternoon tea to raise money for the Fistula Hospital in Hamblin, Ethiopia, as well as a Pleasant Sunday Afternoon to raise funds for chaplaincy in Swan Hill. The Diocesan MU banner has been on display in the church for some months. Some Swan Hill MU ladies were delighted to have a group picture taken before the banner goes back to Bendigo.
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Questions, questions, questions – students quiz priest
Musical: Courtney Dodson plays the pipe organ for her class Andrew Eaton
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ighview College in Maryborough was Australia’s first truly ecumenical Secondary College, co-founded 40 years ago by the Anglican, Uniting, Churches of Christ and Roman Catholic churches. Each year students visit the church buildings of those four denominations. Fr Andrew Eaton welcomed them into Christ the King in September, and was inundated with questions about the worship practice of the church, as well as the building and sacred objects inside. The things that were least known about and of most interest were the pulpit, the font and the pipe organ (who would have thought that!). A few
select students who learn piano were allowed to treat the other students to some organ music, with the most popular tunes being ‘Let it go’ from the movie Frozen, and ’The Entertainer’.
Many of the students showed great enthusiasm for the beauty of the church and the smell of incense, and promised to come back for the blessing of the animals service for St Francis of Assisi in October.
Professor Freda Briggs AO in Bendigo
‘Challenges in child protection’ is the topic Emeritus Professor Freda Briggs AO will address in Bendigo on 3 November.
She will be speaking in the lecture theatre of the Naunton Family Building, Girton Grammar School, Vine Street Bendigo, at 5.00 pm and 7.30 pm. Her visit is sponsored by MU Bendigo. All are welcome to take this opportunity to hear this passionate campaigner, educator and advocate, right here in Bendigo. Please share this information with your communities.
NB: the date for the MU/Caritas AGM in November has been changed because of Freda’s visit. It will now be held on Friday 14 November at St Mark’s Golden Square.
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.
Preacher: Riley Donaldson in the pulpit with Liam Palling and Dylan Jacobs 5
Around the Diocese
Multi-purpose space at Donald dedicated It was great to have Bishop Andrew and his wife Jan attend St George’s Donald on Sunday 14 September for our 10.30am Holy Communion service. After the service, the Bishop dedicated our multi-purpose room, which is being used for Sunday School, men’s group, after church luncheons, cuppas, fellowship and prayer meetings. The multi-purpose room was built by a combination of volunteers, local builder, plumbers and electrician. A second hand kitchen was purchased from Warracknabeal to help cut costs. We would also like to acknowledge the contribution and ideas which Bishop Andrew put into practice. Owing to our old hall being demolished, this room will be a great asset for our congregation in future years. - Robert Dunstan
Dedicated: Bishop Andrew with St George’s Donald parishioners
Good fun and good works - a good mix!
St Paul’s Cathedral parish has been busy recently with activities for outreach, missions - and simply having a good time. Our ‘August Promenade Series’ gave an opportunity for community members to present short music performances. Solo singers, choirs, a guitar ensemble, pianist, harpist and a brass player were all in the mix. A couple of weeks later a group from St Paul’s choir presented ‘Something a little bit bubbly’, a cabaret style show with music, food and laughs. The evening featured works by Gilbert & Sullivan, Instant Sunshine, Flanders & Swann and others. For a number of years St Paul’s has held a mission dinner. This year the Anderson Room was the venue, with another parish providing our meal. This worked well: a ‘win-win’ for us all, with the collection on the night for our three ABM mission projects now well and truly exceeding our target.
Bubbly: Performers from the ‘Something Bubbly’ show
- Diana Smith
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Founded by the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne in 1948 2014-10BSP
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Around the Parishes
Dean gets dunked in Ice Bucket Challenge
It’s the latest viral social media awareness campaign to go around, and thanks to a nomination from the Revd Gordon Lingard, Dean John Roundhill took on the challenge of tipping a bucket of ice cold water over himself to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease Australia. Doing the dunk after a service on 6 September, John commented on how the cathedral restoration is currently focused on stopping water getting in. So he found it appropriate to take part in the challenge of dousing himself in water. After tipping the bucket of ice cold water over himself, wardens Diana Smith and Pam Fittock joined in, each throwing an additional bucket of ice cold water over the Dean. $400 was raised for Motor Neurone Disease Australia, as well as donating to the cathedral restoration appeal. Footage of the Dean taking on the challenge can be viewed on St Paul’s Cathedral Facebook page. - Sarah Crutch
Dunked: Dean John Roundhill takes on the Ice Bucket Challenge
Elmore port and poetry night
Listening to poetry while sipping ‘a drop o’ port’ is a great night out at St Peter’s Elmore late each August. The night has been running annually for the last 12 years. Each year, a sumptuous supper (and I mean sumptuous!) follows the performances. ‘Port and Poetry’ is the brain-child of colourful local identity Max Johnson. Max comperes the programme and rounds off the evening with a poem (or two) himself. This year about 75 people enjoyed the evening’s artists. As well as poetry there are several musical items, all from local and district lads and lasses. It’s good ‘old-fashioned’ entertainment with loads of laughter, complete with door-prizes. We are blessed with a recently refurbished hall complex, thanks to our hard working and generous Ladies’ Guild, a very supportive diocese, and the Bendigo Bank.
Poetic: Max Johnson comperes the evening along with Florrie, Joyce and Graeme
Don’t just enjoy reading this, you’re very welcome to come along next year. - Peter Stanton
Fabulous flowers and food for Tatura All Saints’ Tatura hosted a Fabulous Flowers and Fine Food afternoon on 4 September. Some 125 guests were treated to a sumptuous lunch served by waiters - what a feast it was for all in attendance! The meal was prepared by members of the church. At the conclusion of lunch guests all adjourned to our church for a fabulous flower demonstration by Shepparton florists Diane and Malcolm Blake. A display of beautiful arrangements was produced. The arrangements were then auctioned off at the end of the presentation. We have lots of feedback from a wonderful day and asked - when will the next one take place? - Glenda McLeod Right: Ray Thompson and Robert Cruikshank delivering the flowers 7
Greg McKerlie finishes as Property Manager
Finishing: Greg McKerlie Sarah Crutch
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reg McKerlie concludes his position as Diocesan Property Manager in mid October, after making significant contributions to diocesan resource management.
“Greg has facilitated an enormous amount of work in addressing the diocese’s huge backlog of property matters,” commented Registrar Anne Baker. The position was established in 2008 as a voluntary role, but Greg has worked in a part time paid role at the Registry for the last three years. He contributed to successful outcomes for three major diocesan property projects: • the windup and sale of the Bishop James Camp and Conference Centre • the subdivision, rezone and sale of the All Saints’ Old Cathedral site, and • the rebuilding of Eddington Cottage at Point Lonsdale. “Greg has spent a large amount of his time project managing the restoration of St Paul’s Cathedral Project,” Anne continued. “He remains committed to continuing on this project on a voluntary basis one day per week. “On behalf of the Registry and the diocese, I would like to sincerely thank Greg for his valued experience and expertise on a broad range of property matters,” the Registrar said. “He will remain available to assist parishes with property related work on a charge out basis.”
Sunday markets - light and salt? Rob Costello, Holy Trinity, Flora Hill
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ack in February Bishop Andrew wrote in The Spirit about changes in how our culture sees Sundays. Days were when local gold fields went silent for the day: today’s era sees buzzing Sunday markets and dwindling churches. A postscript noted that Kyneton parish runs a Farmers’ Market. We ran into that soon afterwards - walking in to the beautiful bluestone church with stalls and traders alongside. In Bendigo, too, I’ve noticed Christians actively helping run the Farmers’ Market, fostering community.
That’s one angle - Christians in the mix, helping the wheels turn, adding to the colour and vibrancy of the local town. Adding salt. Good on them, I say. From another angle, I wonder if there is further opportunity here? Can we see it as a move towards an eclectic and pluralist culture, a market place of ideas as well as goods and services? In January I ran into a market:
Very Australia Day. Beach in background, people lining up to get money in the town’s only ATM in the pub. Festival a cross between a farmers’ market and an old time fair with dodgy stalls - maybe that describes us too. The woman running the Ned Kelly coffee stall had done it all her life - tows their trailer as far as Darwin - and said her kids were the fifth generation to do rides and stalls. Felt like a story waiting to be told there. But amid the bright breezy scene, flags fluttering against the ocean backdrop, stalls selling jams and dipping hot wax casts - where is the church? No doubt Christians were present as we were – perhaps quietly helping organize it all. But why no visible and explicit witness in the open air? The tarot card readers were there and doing good business. Surely we have something better for the spiritually curious? An intro booth for the local
Alpha course? A stall saying ‘Need prayer?’ Evangelists offering to introduce seekers to destiny, the real new age inaugurated in Jesus? It being a Sunday, no doubt local people had been in church, but I wondered if perhaps we should be more overt in the market? Could we be light as well as salt? Which seeded questions. What happens in Bendigo? A friend says the Sunday Showgrounds market is perhaps the biggest weekly community gathering. I went and looked, chatted with self published authors amidst the pistachios and garden goods. I watched earnest people disappear into the tarot readers’ tent to have fortunes read. Some friends sometimes hire a stall (only $27 a day) now to start good conversations. Others wander and evangelize, looking for people to pray for. Here is one story:
I saw a young male stall holder and felt God wanted to encourage him about being a good dad. Having no idea if he was a dad, I approached him and gave him the message. He was totally blown away. He got out his phone and showed me a message he had just written to his fiancé about how much he was trying to be a good dad! This young guy, covered in tatts, gave me a hug when I left; he now knows there is a God who loves him. How exciting is God! I like the idea of Christians quietly assisting in events, but we also have the best news to spread. Salt, light and spreading fire. Can we be all three?
Bishop Andrew added, “I want to take this opportunity to thank Greg for all that he has achieved, and his contribution to the well-being of this diocese”. 8
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On your marks: The children prepare for the start of the sack race
Kids’ Friday Club join in for Bear’s Lagoon Bush Olympics Alex Mountjoy
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unday 17 August was no ordinary day in Bears Lagoon. The local KFC (Kids’ Friday Club, not Kentucky Fried Chicken!) were invited to St John’s to help run our church service. The KFC children shared some of the activities they are involved in at their group, and shared with the congregation some of the songs of worship they sing and dance to. In return, Bishop Ron Stone split the church in two groups in a High Jump challenge. To jump progressively higher, each team had to correctly answer his questions. With the Revd Pam Lawry moving the team pegs higher with each correct answer, both teams were playing to win. Only when the Bishop had run out of questions, and Pam could not reach any higher, was the event called a draw.
events including sack, wheelbarrow, three legged and running races. While first, second and third places were awarded with appropriate medals, there was a large box of lollies to congratulate all participants. I think maybe the judges and medal presenters liked the lollies even more than the children did.
The church service was followed by a very nice bring–and-share lunch. As the adults ate and chatted, the congregation invited the children to take part, and compete in the annual ‘Bears Lagoon Bush Olympics’.
With all races run and all medals and lollies gone, one last event treated the KFC children to a tradition taken from the Bears Lagoon Christmas Tree celebrations. It requires a brave volunteer, dressed in a shirt and hat adorned with lollies, to make themselves known to the children and then see how long they can evade capture. With several dozen lollies stapled to his back, the children sure are very interested in catching ‘the lolly man’!
With Bill Twigg leading the events, plenty of helpers were on hand to award finishing medals, man the finishing line and organise the children into appropriate race groups. The children were treated to many exciting
It was a very enjoyable day for everyone present - the biggest attendance we’ve had yet. We appreciate those who helped make the day happen, especially the KFC group for coming to Bears Lagoon.
Lolly man: Darren Welsh
Catch me if you can!
Darren Welsh dressed as the lolly man, wearing a hat and jacket adorned with plenty of lollies. The lolly man was definitely put through his paces as he tried to evade some lolly hungry children! 9
There’s a word for it
Feeding Faith Book review: Peter McKinnon, The Songs of Jesse Adams (Acorn, 2014)
Overshadow
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ustralians know the value of shade. When the sun beats down like a blowtorch it is good to find a shady spot. In hot and often treeless Palestine, good shade was similarly appreciated.
Rob Imberger
Richard Stamp
f you know who to look for, you’ll see Jesus Christ anywhere and everywhere in this impressive debut novel by Melbourne writer, Peter McKinnon.
No wonder that ‘shadow’ imagery should pass easily into biblical writings. Whether it’s God providing a vine to give shade to Jonah’s head (Jonah 4:6) or Isaiah describing those who flee to Egypt to find a shade for refuge (Isaiah 30:2), or the parable of trees giving shade in Judges 9:15, shadow is used as an image for that which protects.
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The clue is in the main character’s name: Jesse Adams’s life and songs make a none-too-subtle allusion to ‘Jesus’, the fulfilment of all ‘Adam’ was created to be. And the biblical reimagining doesn’t stop there. McKinnon’s ambitious task is to import what we know as the Gospels’ stories into 1960s Australia (especially Melbourne) and, save a few jarring adaptations, the risk pays off. The typology is all there: political ringleaders, religious hypocrites, and of course the ragtag bunch of disciples. Jesse’s exchanges with these awestruck-but-flawed friends are the highlight of the book, allowing McKinnon’s poetic retelling of Jesus’ good news to ring out. In a nice hat-tip to Christocentric theology, the novel (like the Gospels) has a cast of thousands - but it’s Jesse who commands attention at every turn. We find ourselves drawn in by each piece of the Jesus story. That we know what comes next somehow doesn’t matter, because the telling is so good. Perhaps too good at times. Some readers (myself included) will be irritated that occasionally McKinnon’s ‘Jesus-reimagining’ verges on ‘Jesus-reinventing’. So the Jesse-Annie thread speculates a little too much on what took place between Jesus and Mary Magdalene (p. 154). But with its short chapters and everchanging scene-scapes, this doesn’t feel like 346 pages; it’s a rollicking good read. If you give The Songs of Jesse Adams to non-Christian friends for Christmas, plan a follow-up chat about the real Jesus Christ: the author has just helped them colour him in some more. 10
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In English we use ‘shadow’ and ‘shades’ in a variety of ways. We say things such as, “She is a shadow of
These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ (Colossians 2:17). What then of ‘overshadow’? It’s a translation of the Greek verb episkiazo - literally, “to cast a shadow upon”. But in Greek literature it is used figuratively, sometimes for the complete opposite, “to envelop in a haze of brilliancy”. ‘Overshadow’ is used to describe only three events in the Bible, and all in Luke’s writings: The first is at the annunciation, when the angel Gabriel tells Mary that “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35).
‘Overshadow’ is used to describe only three events in the Bible, and all in Luke’s writings her former self.” Or, “He cast a long shadow in his life.” There are ‘shades of meaning’, a ‘shade too much’, ‘shady characters’ etc. We get our word shadow from the old English sceadwian, which literally means, “to protect with covering wings”. Many of us have sung that verse from the old hymn, perhaps inspired by Psalm 68:13, From the overshadowing of thy gold and silver wing / Shed on us who to thee sing - holy, heavenly love. ‘Shadow’ especially indicates the protection that comes from God: “whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1), an image taken up by several hymn writers. Isaac Watts used it when he wrote, Under the shadow of thy throne thy saints have dwelt secure. In the New Testament shadow is used to denote something less real and substantial than its heavenly counterpart. Life on earth is a shadow of what will be the case in the future:
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The second is at the transfiguration of Jesus: “a cloud appeared and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud” (Luke 9:34). The third is in Acts, where we’re told that people brought their sick into the streets “so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by” (Acts 5:15). This divine overshadowing is more than God’s protective covering. It intimates what new life in Jesus Christ will bring about. Luke uses this special word to describe the power of God’s Holy Spirit in bringing Jesus to birth, in bringing God’s glory to light, and in bringing God’s healing upon people. ‘Overshadow’ reminds us of the Shekinah in the Old Testament, the cloud of covering that came to rest over the tent of meeting (Exodus 33:711). It was both a symbol of God’s presence and a shading and protective veil to hide its brilliance and strength.
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Seeing God in cranes John Roundhill
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our massive cranes surround the new Bendigo hospital building, lit up at night and almost gracefully elegant during the day. Each has a name: Ben, Maximus, Cranium and Lucy. They really do change our view of the city at the moment. Even as the beauty of spring bursts into view, around almost every street corner, somewhere in your field of view are the elegant cranes. In many churches you may find Bible verses set against a pastoral background. ‘The Lord is my shepherd’ might have a background of rolling hills and gentle sunset. In some churches images are used to decorate service booklets or for powerpoint backgrounds. Often these images too are of nature; a waterfall, soaring clouds or a boat on a lake. There’s something reassuring about these images, but I wonder if they might mislead us into thinking that God is a nature-deity and less the Lord of creation. That might seem a moot point, but if we believe God is at the heart of creativity, then why not have images of powerlines or chemical plants or cranes around a new hospital? When associating visuals with a biblical text – e.g. ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble’ (Psalm 46.1) – why do we rely on images of storms and rough seas? Wouldn’t we be more challenged if the text were placed over an image of a power station? Are we just trying to play safe by using images that are often both anachronistic and anaemic? Are we limiting our view of God by just using pastoral images? The images almost casually used in our publications have a profound impact on us and our understanding of the Lord we worship. We might take immense care in ensuring a biblical text is correctly referenced, but then quickly select an image to associate with it. Yet what we see may speak as persuasively as the words. If you had a photo of the cranes, I wonder what Bible verse you might use to illustrate the image?
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media matters
Christian AND secular
’ve found Church of England Anglicans easier to work with than Aussie Anglicans. I shared notes with some friends currently working in England, and they agreed. Peta Sherlock We don’t have to keep explaining ourselves. Women clergy are assumed to be competent. It is okay to be a believer and have a brain. There is a scholarly corpus of Christian apologetics in their history, despite the cheap shots of the new atheists like Richard Dawkins. In Australia I find it is becoming harder to identify myself as a Christian. Either my faith is regarded as my part-time hobby, like embroidery or gardening, or I detect some suspicion of my motives when joining a neighbourhood committee, as if I were planning to convert people, or worse, abuse them. I am glad the Royal Commission on institutional abuse has funding to run for two more years so that more and more people can tell their stories. Truth will, eventually, set us free. But George Pell made an extraordinary statement to the Commission when he likened the church to a trucking company and its abusive clergy to errant drivers. At least he proved that the Pope does not tell him what to
resource, a bolstering of good behaviour among the masses, or a few more votes from the Christian lobby. Don’t get me wrong. I know some great school chaplains. But does Tony Abbott expect that these chaplains will not talk about God, the very ground of their being? When the PM is asked about his faith and his political views, I would love him to reply, “Of course my faith affects my politics. It affects every aspect of my life.” But, like most Australians, he divorces faith and life, and faith again becomes merely a benign hobby or (for a politician) a cause for suspicion. In the coming State Election, the media will turn to the Christian lobby for ‘the faith view’ on law and order, schools, abortion and gay rights. Let me be quite clear. They do not speak for me! They have no sense of the radical nature of Jesus of Nazareth. They often leave their brains at the church door and broadcast hairy views on matters like science and creation, and take the few Bible verses about homosexuality quite out of context. So I am embarrassed to call myself Christian and again need to explain myself. I am working up to calling Jon Faine on ABC radio mornings in Melbourne. He is highly suspicious, even
I’d love the PM to say, “Of course my faith affects my politics. It affects every aspect of my life.” say, because Francis would never have such a paltry doctrine of the Church. The media has made much of ACCESS Ministries and its anti-gay Biblezines(!) handed out last Christmas. Education has become proselytising or even indoctrination. It is a tragedy that a once great organisation now has such a poor public profile that I would not consider asking my local school principal to start an RE programme. What did John Howard think he was doing when he started the school chaplaincy programme? Perhaps he was looking for a cheap local
belligerent, of Christians who phone in. He calls himself ‘secular’ but the way he uses the term it means ‘antireligious’, though its original meaning (for example in our State Education Act) was ‘non-partisan’. You may soon hear Peta from Trentham call in to say, “Jon, you need to be as suspicious of your religion of secularism, as you are of my faith.” However, I give God thanks for my local congregation who regard involvement with their local community as simply what we all do. Good Christians are good citizens. Faith and life are one.
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Where in the world...
is this church ?
If you can name the church and the city it is located in, you could be our monthly winner! Send your entries in to the thespirit@bendigoanglican.org. au or post to The Spirit at PO Box 2, Bendigo, VIC , 3552. Last month Sarah was at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The winner was Sarah Fevaleaki from Mildura.
Church gets messy!
what’s on events calendar
Cursillo Men’s Weekend 2 - 5 October Clergy Retreat - Rutherford Park 6 - 9 October
Pictured at right is Red Cliffs’ Dale Barclay with some creations from their AFL themed Messy Church.
St John’s Newbridge 150th Service Sunday 12 October, 2.00 pm Emergency Services Annual Service Sunday 12 October, Kangaroo Flat
Caring at a time of need
Final Service at St Stephen’s Emu Creek Sunday 19 October, 2.00pm MU - Dr Freda Briggs speaking Monday 3 November, Girton Grammar 151 McCrae Street Bendigo 12 Victoria Street Eaglehawk
St Mary’s Woodend 150th Service Sunday 9 November, 10.30am
P. 5441 5577
www.williamfarmer.com.au
Got an event coming up? Send the details to thespirit@bendigoanglican.org.au
A tradition that continues...
Sat 18 October – Mon 26 January An Art Gallery of Ballarat Exhibition Creative and engaging Education programs Talks, concerts and family days Exhibition tours Wed to Sun 11.30am Adult $15, Concession $10, Groups (10+) $9 each tickets available online or at the Gallery For more information and to buy tickets go to artgalleryofballarat.com.au or call 5320 5858 The Mother of God and Child (Russia) (detail) late 16th century. Egg tempera, gold leaf and gesso on linen over wood. Private collection, Sydney
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Spirit The
october 2014
www.bendigoanglican.org.au