Insights - August 2013 by Insights Magazine

Insights August 2013

uniting in faith UnitingWorld connecting communities for life.

PM VISITS RYDE UC highlighting our multicultural church You Count A National Census of Uniting Church congregations AUG_COVER.indd 1

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St Stephen’s Hymnfest

Music for Coronations Choirs, Brass, Timpani and Organ Music to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II

Sunday 8th September 2013 2:30pm - followed by afternoon tea Donations welcome

St Stephen’s Uniting Church (opp. Parliament House) 197 Macquarie Street, Sydney (02) 9221 1688 www.ssms.org.au

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Welcome from the General Secretary Prayers for the vulnerable

he Royal Commission has begun its work. As we pray for all those involved, the following prayer can be used as part of Sunday Prayers for the People, or used on other appropriate occasions. When collated into one prayer, it is suggested that each petition be followed by: Lord, hear us Lord, hear our prayer A prayer for those who experienced abuse

Rev. Dr Andrew Williams General Secretary

The Uniting Church and its agencies has a strong commitment to ensuring the highest level of safety for children in our care and hopes that the Royal Commission is an opportunity for healing, justice and reconciliation.

Gracious and healing God, We thank you for the many ways that you touch our lives - giving us hope in the midst of despair; comfort and strength to live, when we are at our most vulnerable. Be with all those today who are suffering - living with brokenness and pain. We particularly think of people who were sexually abused as children. May your Spirit be a comforting and healing presence in their lives. May they find peace and nurture within relationships and communities of safety and trust. Open our eyes and give us wisdom to see where we can bring your healing and hope in our relationships, neighbourhoods and communities as your hopeful and compassionate people. Give us courage, insight, power and passion that we might work with you for justice and liberation of all those who are abused and oppressed. A prayer for the Royal Commission

God of wisdom, we pray for those who will serve as Commissioners, that they will deal graciously and fairly with all who appear before them. Grant to them the insight and discernment they will need to properly fulfil their responsibilities and ensure the best possible outcomes from the work they do. insights.uca.org.au

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We ask that the conclusions they reach and the recommendations they make will help those who have been victims of sexual abuse in the past to feel that justice has been done and hope restored. A prayer for those who will appear before the Royal Commission

Gracious God, we pray for all those who will appear before the Commission, whether to give evidence or to be questioned regarding policies and practices. Give them humility and help them to speak openly and honestly about the issues they must address. We pray for a commitment from everyone involved to work together to create safe and nurturing communities of care for the children who need them. A prayer for the perpetrators of abuse

God of grace and forgiveness, we pray for those who have been responsible for the sexual abuse of children. By your Spirit, convict them of the wrong they have done and the pain and grief they have inflicted on those they have abused. Bring them to such a place of sorrow and regret for what they have done that they will repent of their sins, admit their guilt, and seek to live a new life in the strength of your Spirit. A prayer for the church

Holy God, through Jesus your Son, in the power of the Spirit, you brought your church into being. Imbue it in these challenging days with a willingness to courageously and honestly face the mistakes of the past. Help us all to confront and confess our failures that we may continue with integrity to speak out for truth and justice in our nation and boldly declare the salvation promised to all who repent and believe in the good news revealed in Jesus your Son.

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Contents 15 12

23 Cover story It’s surprising that in our digitally connected world, genuine connection feels ever harder to come by. For that reason alone our relationship with 35 global partner churches is a rare gift. UnitingWorld explains why. Cover photo: Thanks to UnitingWorld supporters and our partner the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, Lelei and her friends now enjoy quality early childhood education.

Regulars 5 letters 5 news 10 from the Moderator

26 updates from the General Secretary

Editor Adrian Drayton Design Brooke Lyons Editorial/advertising/ DISTRIBUTION inquiries Insights, PO Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW, 1235 Phone 02 8267 4304 Fax 02 9261 4359 email insights@nsw.uca.org.au web www.insights.uca.org.au 4 Insights July 2013

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27 fellowship news 30 entertain me

Insights is published by the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of New South Wales and the ACT. Articles and advertising content do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or of the Uniting Church. Subscriptions: Australia $38.50 (incl. GST); overseas $50.

30 copied, photocopied or transmitted by any means without the permission of the Editor. Circulation: 19,000. ISSN: 1036-7322 © Commonwealth of Australia 2013

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Insights News July2013

Strength In numberS Why the church needs young people

Syrian tragedy: Working toward reconciliation and peace PerSonal aCtS of Charity: Encouraging voluntary participation

Your say Giving young people a voice

The Rev. Dr Andrew Williams makes a good point [Giving a Voice to the next generation, July]. I am glad that someone recognises the need to give ‘young people’ a voice - but how many churches will LISTEN to it? I have watched too many friends leave the church out of sheer frustration that no one takes them seriously because of their age. I am one of two ‘young people’ left in my church from when I was a child. Our church gives me a voice - I am supported to grow and love and minister to others. What does YOUR church do for its young disciples? Bek Allcroft, Dee Why

A delight The new Insights was a delight. It is good that Synod was able to continue to produce it as it is a valuable communication tool, keeping members of congregations in touch with what is going on around the state and at Synod level. The reports on Synod 2013 have been valuable and especially the information on the finances and property.

Frontier Services Great Outback BBQ As spring arrives, BBQs across the country will fire up for a good cause as the Frontier Services Great Outback BBQ begins in September.

You can host a Great Outback BBQ on the launch weekend of 31 August-1 September or anytime in September or later in spring or summer.

Each Great Outback BBQ event will help Frontier Services go the extra mile for people in the outback by raising money to support its remote ministry and vital community services.

If you can’t host a BBQ, why not hold a Billy Morning Tea like the Singleton Adult Fellowship? Make your event as simple or creative as you like.

Singleton Uniting Church Adult Fellowship will host a Great Outback BBQ-themed morning tea on 8 September to show their support. “We have supported Frontier Services for a long time, including the Patrol Ministry work, and we wanted to do something special this year,” said Mrs Betty Irons, a member of the fellowship. They will host the morning tea after a service at the Singleton Uniting Church for the whole Parish. The morning tea will include damper, Cocky’s Joy, scones and Billy Tea. Holding your own BBQ event is a fantastic way to show your support for remote Australia while having a great time with friends, family, workmates, your church or community group.

Everyone who registers will receive a BBQ Host Pack with recipes, fundraising ideas and other materials to get you started. The Frontier Services National Office team will host a Great Outback BBQ at Bunnings in Ashfield, NSW, on Saturday 14 September from 8am4pm. All our Sydney-based supporters are invited to come down and join us on the day for a sausage sizzle. In the last two years, more than 180 Great Outback BBQs have been held across the country, raising $140,000 to fund vital community services in the most remote areas of Australia. This year, we are hoping to make the Great Outback BBQ our biggest and best yet! Register your event and download resources at www.greatoutbackbbq. com or phone Great Outback BBQ coordinator Charlotte Caress on 1300 787 247.

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room for News Your say more letters That sentence “After adjusting for inflation, our expected income in 2014 is only 35% of that available in 2008” (p12 of June issue) is particularly telling. Having photos of the people behind the reports gives a human face to them. Thank you Rev. Elizabeth Richardson, Eurobodalla NSW

Well received The new format has been well received by so many in congregations, and outside the church. Please extend grateful thanks to all who work tirelessly to produce such an informative and well presented source of information and interest. Grace and peace, Ian Tucker, via email

Help UnitingCare connect

Day of Peace

Help UnitingCare to connect Uniting Church Community Services across the Synod of New South Wales and the ACT and build a picture of our Presbytery activities.

The International Day of Peace on 21 September is a global day of action marked by churches across Australia and the world to promote peace and reduce conflict. By taking action on this day, your voice will join with millions of others.

A perfect example of the type of community service activity that UnitingCare want to hear about is the Oatley Uniting Church knitting group, who over the past nine years have knitted wraps for Wrap With Love, knee rugs for local nursing homes, trauma teddies for Mortdale Fire Station, scarves, beanies and gloves for The Exodus Foundation and Mission Australia. Having knitted over 5,000 items to date, the groups’ focus now is to raise money for rural and remote areas of Australia by knitting and selling items. ”The knitting group meets in my home once a month where we knit or learn how to knit, hear from different folk with their knitting skills and stories, share knitting tips and have lots of fun in the process,” said Linda Pritchard, coordinator of the group. The information you provide on activities will help UnitingCare develop a resource for presbyteries and congregations, provide opportunities to share ideas, put together a detailed list of local church sponsored activities and provide a mailing list of key contacts for Community Service Activities. To download the form and register your activity, go to www. unitingcarenswact.org.au/resources/ unitingcare_and_uniting_church/ community-services/community_ services_activities.

Have “Your Say” by sending letters to us, send us your updates on centenaries or tell us about a local community outreach you are doing. Have Say JustYour email insights@nsw.uca.org.au 6 Insights August 2013

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If you have any questions please contact Jenny Gallagher at jgallagher@unitingcarenswact.org. au or (02) 9376 1421, or Jill Napier at jnapier@unitingcarenswact.org.au or (02) 9376 1452.

Today, almost one-in-four people around the world are affected by conflict. Conflict kills and maims, destroys communities and robs all people of a better future. To join the International Day of Peace register online at www.actforpeace.org. au/peaceday, freecall 1800 025 101 or email info@actforpeace.org.au. Once registered, you will receive a free action kit that includes posters and resources to assist you in holding your own Peace Day event.

Election Statement 2013 UnitingCare Australia has launched Election Statement 2013, calling on all political parties to commit to a fair and just society. Australia goes to the polls on September 7 at a time when the nation is at a crossroads. The gap between rich and poor is growing and demand for social services and supports is increasing. And yet our economy is relatively robust. The Election Statement urges all politicians to seek a decent society, for all, and sets out clear pathways for action. By investing in the things that matter we can build a stable and sustainable society and reduce barriers facing people who are vulnerable and disadvantaged. Australia can afford compassion. Every person has the right to a decent life. We believe we can build a society where people can participate in the world of work and the community as fully as they wish and are able, supported by access to quality social services. Good social policy is good economics, and good politics. First step: make sure colleagues, family and friends exercise their right to vote! Position Statements on key policy insights.uca.org.au

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areas will be released in the lead up to the election. Please go to http://www. unitingcare.org.au/federal-election for further information.

Churches Announce New Leader for NATSIEC An experienced Uniting Church leader was appointed as the National Director for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC) on July 11. “Reverend Ken Sumner brings a wide experience of ministry in the Uniting Church in Australia as he commences with NATSIEC,” said Rev. Tara Curlewis. “NATSIEC is the peak indigenous ecumenical body and Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA). It seeks to provide a forum for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have a voice and take action on matters of faith, mission and evangelism, spirituality and theology and most importantly justice issues.” Ken comes from the Ngarrindjeri people of the Murray River, Coorong and Lakes of South Australia. He brings national experience as the past chairperson of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC). Ken was ordained in the Uniting Church in 1998. He is well recognised for building community and relationships between peoples. “At this time I see strengthening relationships as being important so that the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can be achieved,” said Ken Sumner. “I believe this is a positive step towards the future relationships of the First Australians and the wider Australian community in this multicultural country. Mr Sumner concluded, “Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is necessary for the healing of the people. It is like balm for the sore, brings relief, comfort to the ache and the pain that has been part of our forefathers lives that we have inherited. It is another important step towards healing and true reconciliation.” insights.uca.org.au

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Voting for a Just Society on 7 September Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has called an election for Saturday 7 September 2013 and Uniting Church members in NSW and the ACT are showing themselves ready and willing for ministry in the public square.

forthcoming election and this expands across a wide range of issues,” said Rev. Woolnough.

A number of congregations are holding local candidates’ forums.

Congregations wanting to hold their own election forums are encouraged to use the Assembly resource A Just Society: Your Faith, Your Voice, Your Vote compiled by UnitingJustice with contributions from UnitingCare, UnitingWorld, Frontier Services and other agencies and units.

Gosford Uniting Church’s forum drew out almost 200 people on the Monday night before the election was called to hear the Labor, Liberal and Greens candidates for the seat of Robertson outline their views. After presentations by sitting member Deborah O’Neill (Labor), Liberal candidate Lucy Wicks and Greens candidate Kate da Costa, there was a lively question and answer session that traversed many issues including asylum seekers, funding for local health and education projects, and cost of living pressures.

“The forum was also an historic occasion because the candidates on the platform were all women candidates.”

Themes include recognition and respect for Aboriginal people, justice for asylum seekers and refugees, embracing our diversity and tackling climate change. There are also a number of Hot Issues briefs on subjects like justice in income support and children in immigration detention.

Many of the audience stayed on to talk to the candidates over a cup of tea and a piece of cake. Rev. Greg Woolnough, Minister of the Gosford Uniting Church was Moderator of the forum. “It is the biggest attendance at our forums which have now run over six or more years and shows that there is a real interest in the

The booklet A Just Society is available from the UnitingJustice website http:// www.unitingjustice.org.au/ election2013 or by calling (02) 8267 4204. Insights August 2013 7

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News child relationships in adolescence; and children in separated families are protected from mental health problems.’

Celebrating Peace amid Diversity this Interfaith September Uniting Church congregations around the country will again celebrate the peace and diversity that is a part of God’s creation through interfaith events in September.

Mr King also said that men were becoming more vocal about the importance of their connection with their family, particularly their children. ‘It is a quiet men’s revolution,’ he said.

The month, beginning the first Sunday of September, will include worship, interfaith festivals, scripture studies and more. Interfaith reflections suitable for the International Day of Peace, Social Justice Sunday and other resources for congregational activities will be available on the Assembly’s Relations with Other Faiths website in August. http://www.assembly.uca.org.au/ rof/resources/int-sep For more information please contact dominiquek@nat.uca.org.au.

Newington College celebrates Newington College celebrated 150 years on 16 July. Headmaster Dr David Mulford wrote in a past and present-style issue of The Newingtonian that “The Sesquicentenary honours our founders, acknowledges the past and ongoing superb contribution of so many, and looks to the future with confidence and pride. “The history of Newington is about people and their contribution. Positive relationships are the cornerstone of our success.”

Origin Energy deal for the Uniting Church Small Sites Through combined purchasing power The Uniting Church has a unique opportunity to access recently negotiated discounts for electricity and gas through Origin Energy. For further information, or to download the fact sheet along with the “Understanding your energy agreement” document, go to www.property.unitingresources. org.au/information/energy-savinginitiatives/ If you have any further questions email property@nsw.uca.org.au. 8 Insights August 2013

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A quiet men’s revolution An involved father brings many health and social benefits to both the fathers and their children, according to Andrew King, consultant trainer and program developer in group work, working with men and strengths based practice. He said research shows that, ‘When fathers build strong relationships with their children and others in the family, they are more likely to receive support and caring in return.

Mr King said the change brought by the quiet revolution is seen when men walk hand-in-hand with their children and proudly push the pram, or attend a fathering program because they want to father their children differently to how they were fathered, and they are at their children’s birth. ‘After World War II, 5% of men attended the birth of their child. Today, male partners attend 97-98% of births in industrialised countries’, he said. Andrew King will present on and and lead discussion about current research regarding fathering at Homebush Uniting Church on 25 August at 7pm, as part of the Sunday at 7 program. Enquiries contact Katy Gerner on 0419 449 590 after hours.

‘It also shows that when fathers have early involvement in their child’s life: there is a positive relationship to early educational achievement; there is an association with good parent-

Gloucester Uniting Church centenary weekend Preparations to mark 100 years of the Gloucester Uniting Church with a centenary weekend on October 26 and 27 are well advanced. The Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT, the Rev. Dr Brian Brown, will attend as the special guest. All those with past and present affiliations with the Church (the former Methodist Church) are invited to be part of the celebrations. An invitation list is being prepared by the Church’s Centenary Committee. There will be three separate, but linked, special functions. On Saturday afternoon, October 26,

there will be an exhibition of historical items to commemorate 100 years in the Uniting Church hall, which is the original church building opened in October 1913, that evening an anniversary dinner is planned for the Soldiers Club auditorium. Sunday morning (October 27), a thanksgiving church service will be held in the present-day church, plus the official unveiling of a commemorative plaque in the hall. For more details, and to be included on the invitation list, contact Ray Creek on 02 6558 1576 (or email rlcreek@aapt.net.au) or Colleen McKay on 02 6558 1390 (or email collenmckay1@bigpond.com) insights.uca.org.au

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Sustaining our aged care services Over the past three years UnitingCare Ageing has reduced its carbon emissions per resident bed day by 15%. That reduction reflects a concerted effort to reduce energy usage without affecting the care of our residents. This reduction has come through implementing sustainability actions including greater awareness of environmental issues, sustainability activities such as energy and water conservation and sound waste management. The reduction also is a bonus for clients, UnitingCare managed the installation of a kilowatt Solar Photovoltaic panel systems across 850 Independent Living Units. This has seen a significant reduction in clients’ electricity bills. UnitingCare Ageing has a full time Manager, Environmental Sustainability working with staff to improve sustainability. An Environmental Sustainability Action Plan has been developed for the organisation. It guides the implementation of sustainability through UnitingCare Ageing over the next five years. The Sustainable Living DVD, an e-learning tool, as well as sustainability literature are all part of an education package for UnitingCare staff. These useful materials now available to other aged care providers through Ageing and Community Services webpage. In 2013, UnitingCare was a finalist in the Ageing and Community Services Association NSW ACT State Awards for Excellence – Sustainability. We will continue to care responsibly for our environment as well as save economic resources which are better used in the care of our people.

Busan Calling: 100 days to 10th WCC Assembly A high-level delegation of Korean Church leaders has invited the Uniting Church to share in the spirit at the 10th World Council of Churches (WCC) Assembly in Busan, South Korea from 30 October to 8 November 2013. The delegation which included South Korea’s first female Prime Minister Rev. Dr Chang Sang (pictured front row, second from the right) took part in ecumenical services at United Theological College in North Parramatta, Wesley Uniting Church in Forrest, and St Andrew’s Gardiner Church in Glen Iris. There were also several services involving members of the Korean diaspora in Australia. Senior bishops from Korea’s Methodist and Anglican churches were part of delegation led by Rev. Dr Seong Gi Cho (pictured front row, fifth from the left), the recently retired General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Korea - Korea’s largest Christian denomination. In a meeting with UCA Assembly General Secretary Rev. Terence Corkin in Sydney on 10 July, Dr Cho spoke warmly of his personal memories of the 7th WCC Assembly in Canberra in 1991 and spoke of how initiatives at that Assembly had guided his life in Christ for many years afterwards. Assembly President Rev. Professor Andrew Dutney will lead the Uniting Church delegation to Busan in October. “The ecumenical work of the WCC Assembly is always a highlight for us as we seek to be a truly Uniting Church,” said Rev. Prof. Dutney.

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“Our shared Christian history with Korea started with the early work of Presbyterian missionaries from Australia in the 1890s. Today it has endured and matured to the point that we in the UCA are sustained and nourished by the faith and energy of our Korean diaspora congregations.” The theme of the 10th WCC Assembly “God of life, lead us to justice and peace” was inspired by the diversity of Asian contexts and by a growing sense of urgency to care for life and seek justice. The WCC Assembly meets every seven to eight years. Around 5,000 participants from 249 member churches are expected to attend the Busan Assembly. There is an extensive program of Bible studies, ecumenical workshops, exhibitions and concerts. There will also be excursions available to historical sites in Busan and Kyeong Nam province where Australian missionaries worked. A group of 25 theologians and activists including Dalits, Indigenous Peoples, the WCC’s Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network and the Global Ecumenical Network on Migration has prepared reflections on the Assembly WCC theme from the viewpoint of those struggling against marginalisation, rejection and discrimination. These reflections, program details and other resources for the 10th WCC Assembly are available at http://wcc2013.info/

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From the Moderator’s desk Respect: Part 2

young woman, having fallen in love, sought the advice of an older friend about whether or not she should accept her lover’s proposal of marriage. Her doubts were due to the fact that she had only known her new love for four months.

Rev. Dr Brian Brown Moderator

(You can follow the Moderator on Twitter @BrianBrownUCA)

“Here is what I suggest you do”, said the wise friend. “Watch carefully how he relates to his brother and sister. See how he treats the waitress who makes a mistake with the order. Listen to how he speaks to his mother. Note how he treats the dog and the cat. You can be sure that the level of respect he has for others is the same as he will have for you when the ‘in love’ phase is over.” In my last column I lamented the current public discourse of disrespect for one another. This is often manifested as racism, sexism and other patterns of behaviour that define others in terms of innate characteristics, and belittles them, or worse, on the basis of those characteristics. I referred to the way in which Jesus showed deep respect in his day-to-day encounters with people, especially those at the margins. I then suggested that the way we respect others is indicative of our self-respect.

We set a new and higher standard for our community discourse when we follow Jesus’ example and show respect for one another that is absent in the popular culture. In a story called The Rabbi’s Gift, the rabbi tells the abbott that one of the six monks in his monastery is the Messiah. When the monks are told this, they all begin to value one another’s qualities more, and treat one another with increased respect. Also, on the off-chance that the 10 Insights August 2013

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Messiah is themselves, they start respecting themselves much more. The aura of respect that develops at the monastery draws many to their community, and some take holy orders, thus restoring vitality to the declining order. I invite reflection on how we ourselves might build the vitality of our community of faith by developing our respect for one another. I was very proud of the way that the members of the recent Synod engaged with one another and the process, enabling us to reach consensus on a variety of complex and contentious issues. The Safe Place statement within which we relate to one another when we gather inspires us to respect all present. Developing respect can start with avoiding the pigeonholing of one another into categories that form the basis of our disrespect. While nobody is immune from the blights of racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia and the like, in our Church a particular trap might be to belittle one another on the basis of our different theological positions. Jesus confronted his followers about their petty arguments as to which of them was the greatest or who deserved to sit at his left and his right in the kingdom. In order to encourage respect for the littlest and the least he placed a child in their midst. We set a new and higher standard for our community discourse when we follow Jesus’ example and show respect for one another that is absent in the popular culture.

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Photo courtesy of Siobhan Marren, UnitingJustice.

A Lamentable Lack of Compassion

n Saturday 3 August more than 250 Uniting Church members from across Sydney gathered for a sombre hour-long service of lament at Australia’s harsh policies against asylum seekers. The Moderator of the NSW/ACT Synod Rev. Dr Brian Brown opened the service at Pitt Street Uniting Church by expressing deep concern for the well-being of those fleeing danger and oppression. “We are here to lament their dire plight, especially that, having experienced deep pain and loss at the beginning of their journeys, they are now facing rejection and utter hardship as well at the end of their search for freedom and security,” said Rev. Dr Brown.

that cried out against persecution faced by people fleeing for their lives, at the injustice against fellow human beings, and at the tone of the public debate on asylum seekers. The voices of lament were punctuated by soulful soloist Charissa Suli singing, “Were you there when the boats were turned away? Were you there when those lives were lost at sea? Were you there when the nation turned its face?” to the tune of Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? The Bible reading was the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37), while Tamil congregation leader Rev. Dr John Jegasothy read the Lord’s Prayer in Tamil – the native language of many asylum seekers.

“We are also here to lament the state of our nation’s soul; that the place of the ‘fair go’, that sings of having ‘boundless plains to share’, is now turning away those who most need our welcome, our shelter and our comfort.”

At the end of the service candles were lit from the Christ candle and subsequently around the church, spreading light into darkness, before the Moderator led the congregation out on to the steps of the Church on Pitt Street for a brief public rendition of the liturgy.

Every corner of the historic old Church echoed with haunting voices of lament

Speaking to media after the service Rev. Elenie Poulos, National Director of

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UnitingJustice said that Christians were called to treat every human being with dignity and respect. “Fear driven politics punishes vulnerable people and I hope that with services like today we can begin to embrace a politics of generosity, hope and love.” “This was an important action on behalf of the Uniting Church and its members,” said Rev. Dr John Jegasothy. “For Uniting Church members to come together to lament the dark and growing stain on our nation’s soul is a powerful message.” Similar services of lament were held at Uniting Church congregations across NSW over the weekend of 3-4 August. More services of lament are scheduled in other cities around the country in the weeks ahead. The liturgy written by Rev. Dorothy McRae-McMahon, Rev. Kent Crawford, Justin Whelan and Radhika Sukumar is available for download at http://bit.ly/lament-liturgy

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Jason Yat-sen Li, Labor Candidate for Bennelong, Rev. Dr Brian Brown, Kate Lundy, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd together at Ryde Uniting Church.

Prime Minister puts our multi-cultural church in the spotlight T

he Uniting Church’s multicultural strength and depth of community engagement was on display to the whole nation on 7 August, when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd paid a visit to Sydney’s Ryde Uniting Church. The Prime Minister, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs Senator Kate Lundy, the Labor candidate for Bennelong Jason Yat-sen Li and the entire travelling press corps dropped in on Ryde Uniting’s English-as-a-Second Language class on Day 3 of the 2013 Federal Election campaign. The Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia Synod of NSW and ACT Rev. Dr Brian Brown greeted the Prime Minister on his arrival, and escorted him in to the busy church hall, where Rev. Doekhee Cho was teaching his usual Wednesday morning ESL class for Korean speakers and the Church’s Little Learners playgroup was in full swing. “I thank our friends from the local Uniting Church for making us feel welcome here,” said the Prime Minister. “It is wonderful to see how much you, through the local Uniting Church, are working through our friends in the Korean community and helping our little

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[learner] Korean friends there in so many practical ways.” As he chatted to the class of KoreanAustralians, Mr Rudd showed a good knowledge of the history of the Uniting Church and its predecessor churches and their historic missionary links with Asia. He spoke of the importance of what he called ‘Australia’s multicultural family’ and made the significant announcement that Korean would be made the fifth priority language for study at Australian schools. Mr Rudd also announced $5000 from the Federal Local Multicultural Communities fund to buy furniture for the playgroup children, chairs, tables and computers.

love the neighbour and welcome the stranger were on show to the nation today.” Members of other local Uniting Church congregations who teach ESL on facilities were also present for the visit, as was UnitingWorld’s Manager of Church Partnerships, Asia Rev. Dr Ji Zhang. Rev. Dr Zhang, who recently returned from a visit to Korean church leaders in Seoul, spoke to the Prime Minister in Mandarin and English and talked to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs Senator Kate Lundy about UnitingWorld’s work with churches in the Asia-Pacific region. “I was pleased to be able to discuss with Minister Lundy the importance of building broader church partnerships in Asia and explained our Church’s growing relationship with emerging churches in China, Indonesia and India,” said Rev. Dr Zhang. “Minister Lundy was encouraged to hear of the UCA’s leadership role within the community to develop strong relationships throughout the Asia-Pacific region.”

The Moderator welcomed the Prime Minister’s remarks. “The Prime Minister’s words are a resounding affirmation of our multicultural ethos and our engagement with the community,” said Rev. Dr Brown. “Congregation members in Ryde Uniting Church and elsewhere who volunteer their time to give ESL lessons should take heart that their efforts to

Rev Dr Brian Brown greets Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to Ryde Uniting Church.

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Strengthening UFS for the future Ready for the year ahead The way Uniting Financial Services (UFS) operates has been changing as a result of lessons learned from the GFC. We are ready for impending changes arising from the ongoing regulation by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), and potential increases in regulation by Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) over religious charitable development funds. UFS positive moves in the face of change Late last year we introduced our new Chairperson, Michael Anderson. He and the Board have recruited directors with risk management and credit skills to form a ‘new look’ Credit Committee. Changes to the role of UFS in the Synod UFS has settled into its role within the broader Treasury and Investment Services for the Synod reporting to the General Secretary. The inclusion of UFS as part of the Treasury and Investment Services allows us to maintain a closer formal association with the Church and its entities – guiding and supporting our strategic priority to play our wider role as members of the body

of the church through building deeper partnerships. Strengthening the Treasury and Investment Services Offering Through the past year Executive Director Neil King has talked about a number of important measures introduced to protect our capital position and to position Treasury and Investment Services for a sustainable future. Two areas of key focus include: • Reduced interest rate volatility and balance sheet risk, large sized commercial loans and exposure to the more volatile sectors of commercial property and equities. • Assessed future sustainable distribution levels to balance the need for prudence and predictability. Executive Director Neil King says that Treasury and Investment Services sees itself as part of the greater whole, each with our part to play and valuing the gifts and contributions of all. “We’ve been busy preparing for a strengthened future and we look forward to continuing our work together with our Synod partners. It’s going to be a busy year”.

Research @ UTC = Church

Faith and mission is well informed when it builds upon the best research. The research coming out of the College serves the Church and there is a strong will towards providing this service. At UTC, the faculty are uncovering ways that cultures and groups take up the scriptures and interpret them for life. Alongside our faculty endeavours are the interesting and varied areas of study that are undertaken by our CSU research students. They encompass discussions as diverse as theology and environment, theological issues around coal seam gas, the re-reading of biblical texts, the open communion table, biblical leadership, pastoral care in mental health institutions and more. In all, there are over30 projects on the go at the moment. These research projects are highly valued in the University as well as in the Church. Two CSU researchers, Janice Rees and Steve Wright, supervised by the UTC faculty, have each been awarded grants. CSU has granted each $5000 to provide the time to publish their research once their doctorates have been awarded. Janice Rees Janice Rees has written a PhD thesis examining the relationship between feminist theology and the classical systematic exposition of Christian doctrine - arguing that the discourse of Christian doctrine can provide an explanation of both the goodness of difference and humanity’s inability to navigate otherness. Christian doctrine has its own resources of self-criticism and these resources can be an important part of a feminist response to the complicity of Christian discourse in oppression and abuse. Consequently, the thesis is arranged around the doctrines of creation, fall, and Trinity. Each doctrine is considered in relation to both feminist theology and postmodern theory and a systematic approach is suggested as a means of constructing greater coherency within a feminist and Christian discourse.

Steve Wright Steve Wright is a researcher in the area of systematic theology. For his PhD thesis, he is writing a theology of beauty in conversation with the work of American Lutheran theologian, Robert W. Jenson. In his work, Steve looks at how existing doctrines – such as the doctrine of the Trinity and the doctrine of creation – illuminate our thinking about the beauty of God and the beauty of the world. His PhD research has taken him overseas twice to present papers at conferences and meet with other theologians. He has published a number of journal articles and is editor of a forthcoming collection of essays on theology and metaphysics

Find out more about undertaking Higher Degree Research Contact Rev Dr Jione Havea on 8838 8929 or jioneh@nsw.uca.org.au

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Thanks to our early childhood centres project and partners The Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, hundreds of children in rural communities are getting a strong start to their education

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Connecting in faith

Why UnitingWorld's mission to connect communities for life has new relevance in the 21st century It's surprising that in our digitally connected world, genuine connection feels ever harder to come by. For that reason alone our relationship with 35 global partner churches is a rare gift.

hat does it mean to connect in faith with other communities around the world? It’s a discussion we have frequently at UnitingWorld and one guaranteed to cause animated outbursts throughout our office. It’s at the core of what we do and why we exist as an agency within the Uniting Church. We connect communities. More personally, we connect you, your family and your congregation with our partner churches throughout the world as they create far-reaching change in their own communities. And we’re talking genuine change here – fresh water wells in drought-ridden Zimbabwe, midwifery training schools in war-ravaged South Sudan, building schools in remote Himalayan villages so local children can access education, safe from the risks of child trafficking. UnitingWorld exists so we can all share in these experiences and work together for a fairer world. As the Uniting Church’s agency for international partnerships, we’re your link with 35 established church partnerships. The question is; do Australian congregations need these global connections? And just as importantly, how can we make sure these connections are of value to overseas communities? To Peter Berry of Glenbrook Uniting Church, connection is a mutual, two-way flow. Since connecting with the Church of North India through UnitingWorld three years ago, he believes it has added to the vibrancy of the life of his congregation.

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“A committed overseas connection can help to transform the focus of a congregation. We’ve made lasting friendships and had some uplifting experiences. We have events to raise money to support the Kangra Girls Hostel and sell handicrafts made by Indian village women through our own fairtrade markets. Some of us have visited North India and we’ve hosted people from the Church of North India. We keep in touch and pray for our partners as we join with them in our journey of faith. The connection has added new life to our church and made us feel part of something much bigger.” - Peter Berry Creating connections where everybody benefits Congregations who connect with the Uniting Church’s global partners have a unique opportunity to broaden their experiences and create a more meaningful discipleship but it’s critical these connections add benefit to the local community. Part of UnitingWorld’s role is to guide these connections and provide the means to support local communities through sustainable development projects. These projects are important because they’re our direct response Insights August 2013 15

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When dancers from Park Tongan Congregation in Brisbane joined with Caloundra Uniting Church to fundraise for our early childhood centres in Tonga, their celebration resulted in an impressive $4260. Wagga Wagga also raised over $6,000 for the same project, enabling rural Houma to equip its very first kindergarten.

to the needs identified by overseas partners as they overcome what sometimes seem to be overwhelming injustices – injustices stemming from conflict, discrimination, dictatorships or increasingly, environmental destruction. Carefully managed projects not only create the greatest scale, but help build the long term capacity of local communities. It’s the big difference between short term welfare and sustainable development and it’s a distinctly grassroots, long term approach. Sometimes, our connection with a community stretches back well over 100 years – a heritage each of us within the Uniting Church shares.

stakes are a little higher – they’ve pledged to raise funds to help the Church of North India work with a remote Himalayan village as they build a local school to protect children from the risks of child trafficking.

Thousands of Uniting Church people generously support UnitingWorld as we respond to the needs of our partners. Many of you provide regular, monthly donations so we can develop sustainable solutions and plan with confidence. And this planning is important; our partner the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga’s early learning centres are now changing the lives of many rural children but it takes time to train local teachers, to teach them the skills for including children with disabilities in the classroom and provide ongoing workshops so teachers in remote locations can learn from each other and access information.

“We’re deeply excited about this trip. It will be a great way to continue the friendships we’ve made within the Church of North India, to support local people in their incredible endeavour and to experience a new culture and different journeys of faith. For our younger members in particular, the trip will be life-changing.” - Greg McConnell

Yet long term projects can receive new bursts of life through dedicated congregations. When Wagga Wagga Uniting Church raised $6,000 for our Tongan early learning centres, it equipped rural Houma’s first kindergarten. When I visited this centre earlier this month I was transfixed with the results. Three teachers sat amongst the children, animatedly discussing words used to describe transportation. 15 young children were gaining the early literacy and numeracy skills that could set them up for their future education. For one small community it’s creating a world of difference. For Turramurra Uniting Church the

Whilst the benefits for the local community are clear; Greg McConnell of Turramurra Uniting Church is just as inspired by how the connection will invigorate his own congregation. A group from Turramurra UC are visiting the project in October as part of a UnitingWorld InSolidarity trip and will continue to build on their close ties with the Church of North India.

Take action Equally, we encourage our supporters to pray for our partners and find out through UnitingWorld which issues require advocacy and action. Writing to politicians on behalf of partners who don’t have an Australian vote, choosing fair-trade products, or campaigning with UnitingWorld through movements like Make Poverty History can influence policies and change behaviours. Our prayers and actions have power, and more so when we work together. It’s a similar sentiment to that of Lent Event, where congregations come together to give up everyday items to support our projects and worship through new, partner-inspired texts. Originally the inspirational idea of

All photos courtesy of UnitingWorld.

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Insolidarity Exposure Visit to Durgapur, 2012, Trainee Midwives in South Sudan, Tongan children from early childhood centres.

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Lena and David Reichardt of Epping, Tongan children at play, InSolidarity Exposure visit to Durgapur 2012 - a great chance to visit friends from the Church of North India

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West Epping’s Sarah White, Lent Event ignites meaningful dialogue amongst congregations and helps us walk with our partners. Likewise, all UnitingWorld supporters receive feedback on our projects through quarterly updates and monthly eNews. This shared feedback not only creates a sense of mutual support, but demonstrates the effectiveness of our work together. That’s undeniably a force for good – and an expressive acting out of Christ’s love within the global church.

Volunteer – it’s good for you! Increasingly, we meet with UnitingWorld supporters who want to participate more actively. We’ve set up our Experience Volunteer Placements so people of the Uniting Church can offer their skills and expertise directly to the communities we work with. We have a steady flow of amazing volunteers who work closely with our partners and achieve incredible connections and results. A quick look at our current placements brought up speech therapy in Malaysia, IT in Thailand, English teaching in Mongolia and China, music teaching in India and communications in Zimbabwe. Tradespeople are needed almost everywhere. If you have some time up your sleeve and a thirst for something new, go to http://www.unitingworld.org. au/programs/experience and read up on our current vacancies. An inspiring example of a skilled couple taking this one step further is Lena and David Reichardt of Epping, NSW. They’ve responded to a direct request from the Church of North India for a three-year volunteer placement in the Amritsar Diocese. Lena will provide paediatric and obstetric care at a local hospital whilst David, in response to an urgent request from the local community to understand more about climate change, will provide eco-theological training.

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With support from UnitingWorld, Lena and David hope to set off for the Himalayas this September, providing together we can raise $40,000 in the first year to cover accommodation, expenses and funding for the two projects. For the Reichardts the experience is not solely about offering practical skills but building on deep friendships and learning from each other. In the words of Lena; “It’s about being symbols of solidarity. Whatever we do, our simply being there is the main thing.” To support Lena and David’s placement or find out more about UnitingWorld call us on 1800 998 122 or visit www. unitingworld.org.au Equally, if you’d like to help us and the Church of North India build a new school in the Himalayas and protect local children from the dangers of child trafficking, go to www.unitingworld. org.au/preventchildtrafficking

Attention NSW – we need volunteers! In the lead up to Christmas, UnitingWorld relies on the skills and time of local Sydney volunteers to help us organise gift stalls and send Everything in Common gift catalogues from our Sydney office. If you’d like to help out (and in particular, if you’d like to be our volunteer co-ordinator!) please contact us today on 02 82674267 or email info@unitingworld.org.au to find out more. Thank you – we really appreciate your support! Marnie Frost, UnitingWorld

UnitingWorld Fact File

UnitingWorld is made up of two units – Relief and Development (which is AusAID Accredited and has a strong sustainable development focus) and our Church Connections unit. Church Connections also funds life-giving projects around the world, but has a broader remit, inclusive of discipleship. One of its main focuses is on promoting women’s leadership in the Church throughout the Pacific, for example. Both units work closely with our partner churches throughout Asia, Africa and the Pacific. We listen to the needs of our partner churches and assist them in building the capacity of their local communities. We believe no community is without strength or resources. God exists in our partner communities, but through conflict, climate change, political dictatorships or entrenched discrimination, they are shackled in systems exacerbating poverty and injustice. UnitingWorld works with our partner churches to address these issues and effect sustainable change. For more information about UnitingWorld go to www.unitingworld.org.au.

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Community and sense of purpose Trainee Midwives from the Leer Midwifery Training School, South Sudan.

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Position Vacant West Epping Uniting Church is seeking a Children & Family Ministries Pastor – 38 hours per week A significant opportunity exists for an enthusiastic, mission-focussed person with gifts in children and family work to: ● Work as part of a ministry team to nurture faith, specifically with children and families ● Support and develop leaders and leadership structures that best facilitate the teaching of the Christian faith to children For more information and a full job description, applicants should email: Erica Harrison, Church Council Secretary at ericaharrison@optusnet.com.au Applications close 24 August 2013.

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You Count A National Census of Uniting Church congregations and ministers W

ith your cooperation and goodwill we want to be able to tell the Uniting Church’s story near and far. To do that well we need to know something about every Congregation and Minister, as well as about our national presence. Please take part in our new project to establish a current picture based on national statistics on UCA Congregations and Ministers - because everyone counts in the story of God’s pilgrim people! National Assembly’s Annette Latham is pumped about kicking off the project. “For a start, it’ll be great to finally have answers to the questions I’m routinely asked by leaders of other denominations and our partner churches,” she says. “Questions like: How many UCA Congregations are there? How many Ministers? Because for these and many other important questions about the church nationally the answer is all too often, “We don’t know.” The Assembly last published national statistics in 1994. In that time the UCA insights.uca.org.au

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has undergone dramatic changes. Not only has the UCA reduced numerically, but we’ve become smaller as a proportion of the population and aged noticeably. The UCA has also developed a much more diverse cultural and linguistic profile. It has engaged in extensive innovation in Congregational life and in the organisation of Presbyteries and Synods – sometimes responding to sheer necessity but just as often out of a refreshed missional vision. The role and experience of Ministers has also changed with developments such as the increasing numbers of chaplaincies, the reduced number of rural placements, the increasing number of fractional placements, the diversification of Congregational forms and life, and the increase in the age at which people take up their first placement. Synods and Presbyteries have maintained good records of the life of their Congregations and Faith Communities. Some have gone further, undertaking quite sophisticated surveys to guide their mission planning and

resourcing. But the collection and collation of national statistics is now long overdue. If the Assembly is to play its part in overseeing and resourcing mission it needs to gather the information that will tell us about the Uniting Church as a whole. During August Annette will be distributing two different census forms. One is for Congregations and is to be completed by a church representative. A paper copy will be mailed to the Congregation and an online option offered as well. The other is a brief online census for all Ministers (whether or not they are in placement, including retired Ministers). Synod General Secretaries are collaborating in this project and have provided contact lists in order to distribute the census forms. “With your cooperation and goodwill I want to be able to tell the Uniting Church’s story near and far. To do that well I need to know something about every Congregation and Minister. Please take part because everyone counts in the story of God’s pilgrim people!,” concludes Annette. Rev. Dr Andrew Dutney, President of the Uniting Church National Assembly For more information contact Annette Latham, AnnetteL@nat.uca.org.au Insights August 2013 23

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An update from UME Debunking the myths P

aul writes of his astonishment that people of Galatia “are so quickly deserting the one who called.” He goes on to label them foolish and bewitched. It seems the early church in this region was facing a critical moment – and people were choosing to walk the road moretravelled. Paul yearns to reconnect his audience to the true Gospel of Jesus and God’s mission.

Don’t believe the hype. Young people are here.

If you read enough contemporary, mass-produced Christian literature about Gens Y and Z, you’ll be told they too are “quickly deserting.” They will be labelled apathetic consumers who won’t commit. And it again seems like the church is facing a critical moment. Sadly, it seems our contemporary crisis is motivated more by survival than mission. If that suggestion offends you, I apologise. If that suggestion makes you angry, welcome aboard. “If you have a new world, you need a new church. You have a new world.” (McLaren) As the Next Generations Consultant with Uniting Mission and Education, I have the blessed opportunity to connect with churches and communities around our Synod who are seeking to engage in mission and ministry with-and-alongside children, young people and tertiary students. I thought I’d debunk a few myths based on my travels.

1. Leadership Development

Whilst the desire to develop leadership skills in the next generations is admirable, we must broaden our lens. Sadly our current church structures are overcrowded and dated. It’s no wonder young leaders step up and consequently

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step out. Rather than lament, might we find new ways to bless and support a new generation of nurses, teachers, entrepreneurs and activists.

2. Staffing solutions

As a youth worker, I apologise to my colleagues when I say this. The worst thing in the history of ministry of young people was the advent of youth and children’s workers. Churches have consequently outsourced this ministry to the professionals. I have no doubt that the most significant people in a child’s faith development are their parents and carers. As a church, let’s decentralise our ministries, and see our staff (if we have them) as resources for supporting our ministries, not the other way.

3. Apathy

Recently I’ve spent time with 2nd Gen Tongans at their National Conference, the (10th) School of Discipleship and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Conference National Youth Committee. These are three fairly diverse communities. The overwhelming passion for their church was everywhere, and it was intoxicating. Don’t believe the hype. Young people are here. A recent paper on youth ministry from the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania offered this stinging piece of wisdom as its final recommendation. “It may be that our task is not to restore the lost young people to our church, but to restore our lost church to young people.” I invite you to join UME in taking the first step toward this new restoration. May we continue to boldly value people over property, and dare to uphold flexibility over regulations. Rev. Bradon French, Next Generations Consultant

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Rev. Bradon French New Generation Consultant

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Updates from the General Secretary Information of interest to individuals and congregations

Welcoming new placements

Ordination

The following placements/positions have been confirmed: • T he Rev. Dr Chris Budden began as UAICC – Resource Worker on August 5, 2013.

The Rev. Keun-Il Ko was ordained by Sydney North Presbytery effective June 23, 2013.

• T he Rev. Rob Rutzou begins at Padstow/Panania from October 1, 2013

The Rev. Hannie Hoffman retires, effective June 30, 2013. The Rev. Wes Hartley effective September 30, 2013

In loving memory

Honours

• M r David John Watkins, brother of the Rev. Graeme Watkins, passed away on March 14, 2013.

Mrs Enid Monaghan, Long Jetty resident and until recently President of the Adult Fellowship and Elder at Tuggerah Lake South for 20 years, has received an Order of Australia Medal in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her tireless service to the community. She has a long and distinguished record of volunteer work, both in the local community and further abroad. Mrs Monaghan has been a volunteer at

•M r Roy Gardiner, father of the the Rev. Graeme Gardiner, passed away on June 25, 2013.

A prayer for good health Mr Terry Butler, The Rev. Mark Watt, The Rev. Dr John Hirt, The Rev. Dr Ann Wansbrough

Calling it a day

Burnside, Parramatta Migrant Centre, Parramatta Adult Literacy Program and an advocate for the disabled and those suffering with arthritis, working in branches throughout the Central Coast for Arthritis NSW.

Centenaries and celebrations Miranda Uniting Church (formerly Methodist) in Miranda was opened and dedicated on September 14, 1963. This year they celebrate 50 years of worship and witness on the current site. Celebrations will be held at the morning service on Sunday September 15 at 9.30am followed by morning tea in the hall. All former members of our church are warmly invited to attend this service. For more information please call Judith Street on (02) 9525 1574.

A Family Owned Funeral Service Hamilton Funerals is a boutique family business owned and operated by Adam and Michael Flanagan. Hamilton Funerals’ aim to fulfil the needs of their clients in the most dignified, professional yet personal way.

North Shore 9489 2228 Eastern Suburbs 9326 9707 Northern Beaches 9907 4888

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Fellowship news Stamp of approval The Synod Stamp Committee is a group of volunteers who meet regularly to sort and sell stamps. They welcome all stamp contributions and the amount raised by the group over the last few years is impressive. As at the 31 July 2013, the group has raised $14,821! Money collected supports numerous bodies of the Uniting Church, including Burnside, Frontier Services and local church projects. Grants are given annually and all churches can apply. Please continue to collect and send them your used stamps.

The perfect day for a picnic

Members of the NSW/ACT Uniting Church Adult Fellowship Synod Committee will travel in September to Coonabarabran, Moree, Inverell and Tamworth to visit local congregations and offer support The National Celebration of Uniting and encouragement. The Committee also Church Adult Fellowship (UCAF) in Western provided $1,000 to the Coonabarabran UC Australia is going ahead from 16 - 20 Fire Disaster Relief Group. While away the October 2013. This event is only held group will attend the New England North every three years and is hosted by the West Rally in Tamworth on 12 September current UCAF National Committee. before returning home.

National Celebration

Shine on in WA Denise Secomb recently represented the UCAF at the Anglican Women’s Conference held at Newcastle’s Christ Church Cathedral. The theme for the day was “Shine on us Lord”. Bishop

Administrator, Rev. Dr Stuart, conducted the special service and special guest After a very wet spell, Ku-ring-gai speaker was Ms Pieta Thornton, founder Presbytery welcomed a perfect day for of no profit Victims and Witnesses their annual picnic at Woy Woy. Twenty-two of Crime Court Support. Newcastle fellowshippers from north and south of GrammarSchool music group entertained the Hawkesbury River attended, reflecting guests. the wide area the Presbytery covers. Fellowships represented came from Gosford, Narara, Cherrybrook, Thornleigh, Normanhurst, Tumbi Umbi and Ettalong. Everyone enjoyed fish and chips for lunch and indulged at the local cake shop for morning tea. All enjoyed their train ride and a wonderful day of catching up. The Presbytery’s Annual Get Together will be at Gosford Uniting Church on 29th August with guest Rev. Neville Threlfall speaking on the Church in Papua New Guinea.

A round trip to friends in the country

A first for the women In a first for the group, the Australian Church Women NSW Unit Annual Dedication Service was held in Newcastle. Service was conducted by the State President, Mrs Isobell Hewitt, and special guest speaker was Mrs Katalina Tahaafe Williams who spoke on the multi-cultural Church. All enjoyed the wonderful hospitality.

Did you know? Fellowships engage in many and varied activities as part of their outreach: • In Braidwood, members offered hospitality to the Melba Bungy Jumpers • Gunning Fellowship started the year with just six members. But with a new name, a few prayers, much consideration and planning, it’s a social cornerstone for it’s members . • Crookwell provide afternoon tea in their hall every Friday and have done so for over 60 years.

Dates for your diary • Georges River: 21 August at Engadine UC • Ku-ring-gai: 29 August at Gosford UC • Far North Coast: 5 September at Alstonville UC For more details, please contact Judy Hicks: judyh_rnh@hotmail.com

FUTU

JESU

Telling Our Story

Chris Ian P Brook Blakefi Paul O

We invite feedback on Insights stories and content from you, our readers. We’d like to hear from you about the stories of faith and mission you would like us to tell, what you think of the new-look magazine and its articles and content.

Friday

Chape

Have “Your Say” by sending letters to us, send us your updates on centenaries or tell us about your local community outreach.

Reg www unit Ph (Monda

Just email insights@nsw.uca.org.au to tell us your story. insights.uca.org.au

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Belief matters “I believe...” Living in trust

hen politicians make promises, we don’t really expect them to keep their word. We understand that promises are driven by self-interest, that words are tactics to achieve other aims.

who my father is, I will simply have to take my mother’s word for it. Only by adopting an attitude of trust am I really able to live and flourish as a human being (see Augustine’s Confessions, book 6).

And we’re not just cynical about other people’s promises; we’re cynical about our own words too. In wedding ceremonies, we make solemn promises of lifelong commitment – after signing the prenuptial agreement. Our ability to trust has been eroded by cynicism.

Augustine was writing long before the invention of DNA paternity tests: but his point was that trust is deeply embedded in our relationships with one another. The cloth of any society is woven together by the thread of trust. And it’s the same with God. We don’t need to verify everything before we’re able to believe. The Christian life is an invitation to live in an environment of trust, just as family life is (or ought to be) carried out in an environment of loving trust. As Augustine put it, “Believe first, and then you’ll understand.”

But when we say the Apostles’ Creed, we are reminded that life is founded on trust. In the early church, new believers went naked to the waters of baptism. Just as we come naked into the world, so in baptism we are born into newness of life. And the birth cry of that new life is the threefold “I believe” of the creed – a cry of loving trust and dependence. One of the church’s early thinkers, St Augustine, pointed out that some of the most important things about ourselves are things we have to take on trust. None of us was there to witness the moment of our own conception (and there probably weren’t many eyewitnesses either!) If I want to know

The 3rd Common Dreams Conference will draw together people from Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the world to explore ways that progressive religion, including progressive expressions of other religious traditions besides Christianity, can contribute positively to the common good, so that religion enhances human life rather than diminishes it.

Jesus Christ, God-become-flesh in the midst of creation. I believe in the Holy Spirit, God transfiguring creation from within. This isn’t just doctrine: it’s not just informing us what God is like. It is inviting us to take up a position of basic trust, to live in an environment of trust, to see the whole world as the environment of God’s loving activity. Dr Ben Myers is Lecturer in Systematic Theology at United Theological College

This doesn’t mean Christian belief is irrational, a leap into the dark. The psalmist says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” We are invited to begin living in trust, and to discover from experience how trustworthy God is. The Apostles’ Creed is full of mysterious things. It’s full of things that we can’t observe or verify for ourselves. I believe in God the creator. I believe in

3rd Common Dreams Conference “Midwives of Change: Progressives Shaping Religious Communities” CANBERRA 19 -22nd September 2013 th

To be held at Manning Clark Centre, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia, it will feature major presentations by the renowned scholar, teacher and writer, Professor Marcus Borg, Rev Bruce Sanguin, Rev. David Felten, Dr Val Webb, Dr Margaret Mayman, Dr Greg Jenks, Dr Nigel Leaves, Dr Lorraine Parkinson, Rabbi Aviva Kipen and Prof. Norman Habel among others and much more, including workshops & seminars.

To register online & for more information, including other guest speakers and key event times, visit the website at www.commondreams.org.au For enquiries call (03) 9571 4575 or email info@commondreams.org.au 28 Insights August 2013

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Culture watch

Seven Deadly Sins of Governance

t a recent Synod Standing Committee, Bronwyn Pike from the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania came to help members think through how we might bring our best to serving the broad and complex needs of our Synod. So here we have the Seven Deadly Sins of Governance.

Wrath/anger Impatience & desire for revenge

Are our decisions guided by past grudges and a desire for payback? Are we secretly pleased to see someone get put in their place, or to have their proposals rejected – regardless of what it means for our church? Are our members mature enough, and our processes robust enough to recognise and prevent this from happening?

Greed The desire to possess more than one needs

Do we want to gather more for our area of concern/geographic location at the expense of others? Do we have a duty of care for the whole church or are we building our own empire? Do we know what our corporate vision is and can we prioritise it over defence of territory and personal desires?

Sloth The continual reluctance to work

Have we read our papers and prepared competently for the task at hand? Did we leave it till last minute, hoping to ‘wing it’? Do we accept the church’s nomination to

a committee/council, then consistently allow busyness to prevent proper preparation? Do we leave the hard work to others? Are our meetings well planned, well run, oriented to action and decision?

Pride An over-inflated sense of self importance

Do we think we know it all? Do we think our view is always supported by the wider church? Are we equipped with the right skill set to make good decisions? Do we fall into group-thinking, going along with the majority even when we disagree? Do we question things and show initiative, asking hard questions when necessary?

Lust The intense desire for more - power, control, wealth, status

Do we practice servant leadership? Are we clear about our role, and our legal and moral responsibilities? Is our membership more about fulfilling our need for importance, power and/ or control rather than serving the wider church?

Gluttony Putting your own needs ahead of others. Being consistently self indulgent Can we identify conflicts of interests and listen with respect and open mindedness? Can we stand aside to enable balanced decision making processes? Are we simply sandwich eaters - not pulling our weight but consuming the associated resources. Are we measuring and managing risk

comprehensively e.g., considering the legal, financial, reputational , compliance, and ethical implications and consequences?

Envy Jealousy of another. Wanting to have what another has.

Do we have respect for others and the breadth of skills and experience in the room – even when we disagree? Do we have confidence and respect for the various areas of the church? Can we make decisions without relishing another’s fall? These seven deadly sins can lead us to creating a culture of negativity and pessimism. Gossiping, ‘white-anting’ or conducting ‘car park’ meetings does not model good leadership for our people and is not an adequate response to the Good News Jesus Christ has called us to proclaim. The trouble is we often see other people behaving inappropriately within meetings, but fail to notice poor behaviour in ourselves. Apparently Jesus also observed this phenomena in his day (Luke 6:41-42). Maybe your councils and committees could talk about some strategies to help each member bring their best to each meeting, and hold each other accountable as we seek to avoid the seven deadly sins of governance. Bronwyn Murphy, Lay Ministry, Education, Discipleship, and Rural Ministry, Uniting Mission and Education

Position Vacant Executive Officer, Missionn Resourcing Sa Uniting Church in Australia Presbytery and Synod of South Australia Applications are invited from enthusiastic, exceptionally gifted and highly motivated members of the Uniting Church, either ordained or laypersons, to this senior leadership position within the Church. The task embraces the functions of:

● leading and managing all matters relating to the Mission Resourcing SA Ministry Centre ● high level leadership across the Presbytery and Synod The successful applicant will have: ● a passion for the mission of God through the Uniting Church ● exceptional visionary leadership

insights.uca.org.au

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● the ability to build and maximise the potential of a high quality staff team ● leadership, management and administrative skills that concentrate on delivering quality service that will energise a complex organisation ● the capacity to think strategically and manage multiple complex issues at the same time ● disciplined thinking and a capacity to manage change combined with a pastoral heart ● the ability to continue to increase the level of missional momentum

Description is available from Tracey Bost, Executive Assistant to the CEO/General Secretary, (08) 82364232 or tbost@ sa.uca.org.au. Applications close 4pm Friday 30 August 2013. Please forward applications to: Rev. Dr Graham Humphris, CEO/General Secretary, GPO Box 2145, Adelaide SA 5001 or ghumphris@sa.uca.org.au

This is an exciting opportunity for a church embracing challenging times. A full information pack and Position

Insights August 2013 29

8/9/2013 10:36:08 AM

Entertain me BIG SCREEN

READ THIS PRESS PLAY

The Wolverine (M) Fans have come to embrace Hugh Jackman and his iconic scowling performance as Logan (Wolverine). This latest film directed by James Mangold finds him hiding out in the woods of the Yukon, his best friend a grizzly bear. He runs into Yukio (Rila Fukushima), who has been tracking him and tells him he’s needed in Japan. There, Logan is brought to the dying tycoon Harada, who would like to say goodbye. As we see in a flashback, Logan saved Harada from the Nagasaki atomic bombing. Actually, Harada wants to transfer Logan’s healing powers and immortality to himself. Logan doesn’t like the plan. Having played the iconic role since 2000 Jackman is nothing if not earnest with his veins threatening to burst out of his skin as he scowls with the now ubiquitous super-human grimace, claws bursting out of his hands. But this is about it for light and shade in his performance. He’s either violently threatening to slice enemies in half or bearing the slings and arrows (literally) of his foes. The films theme of immortality would be interesting if it perhaps were fleshed out more in the script. Does Wolverine care that he will outlive everyone in his life? We are given no real reason to ponder his predicament. And if he doesn’t care, why should we?

Goddess (PG) This feel-great musical comedy starring Laura Michelle Kelly as Elspeth and Ronan Keating as her husband James is based on the life of South African born performer Joanna Weinberg who found herself isolated and unfulﬁlled after she and her husband moved to Australia. With James often away tracking whales in the Southern Ocean she’s slowly going mad looking after two loveable but quite difﬁcult children. When James leaves a webcam with her so they can communicate, he is out of range, so she decides to perform her woes as ‘sink songs’ to the world. This be-careful-what-you-wishfor comedy is all about keeping its message entertaining and light which is why its perfect for a Friday night in. Adrian Drayton

Working through the pages I wondered how to recommend such a painful story? Ultimately, this is a must read for anyone who considers themselves a carer or wants to train as such. This book will challenge preconceptions and develop a greater respect and sensitivity for those living with autism and mental disability. Sue Willgoss

SURF THIS

www.textweek.c om

Add to this the fact that the climax of the film is deeply unsatisfying and convoluted and what you have is a film that may satisfy the X-craving, but really adds little to the canon of X-films. Adrian Drayton

Adrian Drayton

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Jaw-dropping ignorance, discrimination, the triumph of love and perseverance, demonstrations of the grace of God by signiﬁcant church members and their local community: these words spring to mind rather than those used in the title.

LISTEN UP

This site features a wide variety of resources for study and liturgy based on the 3-year Revised Common Lectionary cycle. There is a diverse variety of resources for scripture study, reﬂection and liturgy, and these are not purposefully restricted to any particular theological/ideological position. It is a resource heavy site that will be an invaluable resource for worship preparation.

30 Insights August 2013

The War Against Apathy, Heather Anne Bloom

Glorious Ruins, Hillsong Live Released perennially in July, the release of “Glorious Ruins” coincides with the Hillsong Church’s yearly conference in Sydney, Australia. Perhaps the one notable absence in this album is that of Darlene Zschech. For 21 album’s she has been the rudder and lead vocals on these popular albums. Otherwise this album has some melancholic and pensive ballads beﬁtting an album about sacriﬁce for Christ. Adrian Drayton insights.uca.org.au

8/9/2013 10:38:12 AM

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