insights AUGUST/ SEPTEMBER 2016
A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT LITHGOW GROWS IN FRESH EXPRESSIONS YURORA: WHAT’S AHEAD FOR 2017 1
INSIGHTS
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WELCOME FROM THE ACTING GENERAL SECRETARY
How do we take risky steps? REV. JANE FRY ACTING GENERAL SECRETARY The General Secretary is appointed by the Synod to provide leadership to the Church by actively engaging in strategic thinking about the life, direction, vision and mission of the Church
I have a very aged, possibly demented cat. During her whole life, she has taken a cautious approach to thresholds. It’s got worse as she’s aged and now it can take minutes for her to decide whether it’s safe to venture across a threshold, to come in or go out.
an unknown, frequently unsettled, unfamiliar life. (Think of Abraham, Hagar, Moses, all the prophets, the disciples). From the original encounter — Oh, wow! God loves me! How amazingly fantastic! — a cautious question arises: What might this ‘call’ actually mean?
It’s not just doors that bother her – the front gate is also an issue (even though it’s only a gap in the fence; there isn’t actually a gate). To sit on a lap or not to sit on a lap takes ages to decide and there’s always a noisy drama when the lights go out or come on. I’ve been known to be impatient with the interminable reflective process that goes on before decisions are made and sometimes, I confess, I’ve been inclined to get physical and carry her across.
In the early days, there is an enjoyable getting-toknow-you process exploring prayer, scripture, worship, fellowship. In time, the ‘call’ becomes clearer and much more disruptive of any settled plans you might have made for your life, especially those that involve comfort, security and the freedom to mind your own business.
Lately, as I’ve waited for her to make a decision, I’ve been pondering thresholds – what is it that prompts someone to take a risky step from the known to the unknown? In the discipleship journey (which is also the vocational journey), it’s often expressed in terms of ‘call’ much like the scriptural stories of God calling out of a known and settled life and sending into
This often brings on an attempt at negotiation with God (Terribly sorry, I’m really not qualified. Perhaps you mean someone else?). At this point, we discover God’s world is not a democracy — it really is God’s way or the highway. You can spend what seems like an eternity shilly-shallying around on the threshold but, sooner or later, you will have to choose. Go in ... or stay out? The people of God have always struggled with thresholds. A classic example is those 40 years in the
wilderness, because they couldn’t make up their minds to do one thing or the other. Then we come to today. Across the globe, the landscape is changing. The power, privilege, wealth and status of church is questioned and challenged. The accumulated baggage of millenia of Christianity is under review. What will be needed for the next part of the church’s journey? And what is the next part of its journey? A threshold moment if ever there was one. It’s not noticeably different in the Uniting Church. It’s clear that God continues to bother our Church and, from the amount of negotiation going on, it’s also clear that the Church continues to wrestle with ‘call’. The challenging thing, for individual disciples and pilgrim people, is there’s no ‘call’ story along the lines of stay here, be comfortable and secure and I’ll take care of everything for you. While I might pick up an aging cat and carry her across a threshold, collectively we don’t have that option. We have to listen for God’s call (and it’s usually a version of ‘Come, follow me’). We have to choose and we have to take the next step.
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14 COVER STORY The Darling River sustains communities in the Murray Darling Basin, but water projects and demands upstream threaten its flow. This has caused disastrous impact to ecosystems, culture and livelihoods. In response to the struggles of life on the land for Basin communities, the Moderator visited the area to offer pastoral support.
Contents
REGULARS 3 WELCOME 7 LETTERS 9
NEWS
41 LECTIONARY REFLECTIONS 43 FELLOWSHIP NEWS 44
BELIEF MATTERS
45
CULTURE WATCH
46
ENTERTAIN ME
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34
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The Uniting Church in Australia is one of the country’s largest denominations. Our vision is that it will be a fellowship of reconciliation, living God's love, following Jesus Christ and acting for the common good to build a just and compassionate community of faith.
MANAGING EDITOR Adrian Drayton EDITOR Ben McEachen PRODUCTION/DESIGN Rana Moawad EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING/ DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES PHONE 02 8267 4304 FAX 02 9264 4487 ADDRESS Insights, PO Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW, 1235 EMAIL insights@nsw.uca.org.au WEB www.insights.uca.org.au 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. © 2016. Contents copyright. No material from this publication may be copied, photocopied or transmitted by any means without the permission of the Managing Editor. CIRCULATION: 16,000. ISSN: 1036-7322 Commonwealth of Australia 2016
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M O D E R ATO R ’S REFLECTION
Our pastoral care for a broken world “Feed the flock of God; care for it willingly, not grudgingly; not for what you will get out of it but because you are eager to serve the Lord.” (1 Peter 5:2)
REV. MYUNG HWA PARK MODERATOR
The Moderator is elected to give general and pastoral leadership to the Synod, assisting and encouraging expression and fulfilment of faith, and the witness of the Church.
During my recent trip to the USA for study leave, I met many ministry agents referring to themselves as “pastor”. As distinct from the title “pastor”, in the Uniting Church we use “Minister of the Word” to identify a “servant of the Word” . But calling a ministry agent “pastor” carries with it an in-built emphasis upon the pastoral dimension of the role. It also is a reminder of the distinctive function of the church in contrast with secular institutions.
visit a church or two was a demonstration of the Church’s important practice of providing pastoral care. Pooncarie is a small town of around 60 residents. Sitting in a small community forum at Pooncarie Uniting Church with all four of the Congregation members and a few other residents, I not only heard of the concerns of the people and about the stress caused by the water situation. I also witnessed the body of Christ bringing life in its fullness to their community.
In the Basis of Union we read: “The Uniting Church sees in pastoral care, exercised personally on behalf of the Church, an expression of the fact that God always deals personally with people, would have God’s loving care known among people, and would have individual members take upon themselves the form of a servant.” (p 16)
On behalf of the Church, I heard the voice of Jesus saying, “I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). We have but a few disciples in many of our churches especially in the rural areas; few, but faithful. And the abundant life that those faithful few endeavour to bring, benefits their whole communities. The Church’s pastoral care goes far and beyond the walls of our own Congregations, and reaches out past our own backyards.
In June, I took a pastoral visit to offer pastoral support to people experiencing stress and difficulties due to water shortage in the lower Darling River area (for more, turn to p 14). Driving 2000kms to meet a few farmers and to
A week after the terrible shootings in Orlando, Eastwood Uniting held a prayer service for the victims of the homophobic Omar Mateen. This devastating event demonstrates a complex issue that today’s
human society has created. The Orlando shootings and many violent incidents are an unfortunate manifestation of homophobia, immigration debates, racial discrimination, Islamic extremism, gun control and self-absorbed individualistic societies. The Bible repeatedly proclaims the great love of God, fully and wholly shown in Christ and reconciling the whole world to Him. Therefore it is an undeniable call for the church, the body of Christ, to respond with pastoral care for the broken world. Part of God’s mission for us in the 21st century is pastoral care for the families in grief after Orlando, for the LGBTQI people in fear of homophobic people, and for those who are religious extremists (whether Christian or Muslim). The prophetic role of Jesus in caring for people on the margins and in the minority in diverse communities, is never too far from our own reality — called to be the voice for people in need. May I encourage you to exercise your pastoral care for the elderly and the lonely, the abused and people who suffer discrimination, the exploited and the desperate, and also for the neglected environment in this month of the Season of Creation.
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APOLOGY TO REV. DR ANN WANSBROUGH At Synod 2016 the Moderator, on behalf of the Synod of NSW and the ACT, apologised to Ann Wansbrough for the injustices and wrongs caused when the Church terminated Ann’s placement with UnitingCare in 2007. The following is an apology letter from the Moderator to Ann. In 2008, the Synod Minute of Appreciation acknowledged that for 23 years until 2007, you were in placement as senior policy analyst with UnitingCare. You were the Synod’s voice for social justice, fearlessly advocating for Rev. Myung Hwa Park with just social and economic policies Rev. Ann Wansbrough and in the light of the Gospel. Ann, Rev. Dr Andrew Williams you helped craft a unique place for the Uniting Church within the ecumenical movement and the broader Australian community and you supported, nurtured and encouraged a generation of Uniting Church justice staff around the country. The 2008 Synod meeting ordered an independent investigation into the processes that had led to the termination of Ann’s placement. In 2011, the independent panel reported that she had not been treated in accordance with the polity, policies and ethical principles of the church. They identified decisions which were without basis, arbitrary changes in procedures, a lack of procedural fairness, potential conflicts of interest and processes which were flawed. I am confident to say that we have taken these points seriously. In addition, we have established the Governance, Nominations and Remunerations Committee (GNRC) to assist with and ensure best practice in the Synod, its Boards and committees. Words cannot express how truly sorry we, the Synod of NSW and the ACT, are for the anxiety, frustration, deep pain and ill health that you have experienced since 2005. As a Church, we seek to act with fairness, justice and compassion. However, we know that we have failed you and, in doing so, failed ourselves. We have failed you when Synod boards, committees and officers, led processes that did not adhere to the polity, policies and ethical principles of the Uniting Church.
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We have failed you by not recording in the minutes of the 2011 Synod, the reception of the Report of the Independent Panel and acknowledgement of its findings. We have failed you in our untimely implementation of the 2011 Synod resolutions responding to the independent panel’s report and its recommendations. For our failings, we are sorry. We acknowledge that your health, academic and professional reputation has been damaged and that you have been prevented from exercising your ministry with all its gifts and graces, in both the church and the wider community. We are sorry for the way this has also limited you in answering God’s call. Again, I apologise that we through our leaders and process, we as a Synod failed you. We are deeply sorry for the pain we have caused and regret the psychological and spiritual suffering you have experienced. You deserved better — a lot better... and we let you down. We are truly sorry and ask for your forgiveness. Ann, the work of the Uniting Church in this Synod has been weakened without your gifts contributing to our life. I am exploring ways in which there might be an opportunity for you to contribute your ministry, research and wisdom to our understanding of social justice issues within the Australian community as a mentor and advisor to me, during the remainder of my term as Moderator. I hope you will work with me to explore that possibility. Grace and Peace, The Moderator Rev. Myung Hwa Park
Your say on this remarkable, maybe God-given, planet we are rendering unlivable.
EXPORTING CHAOS I was dismayed at Rod McLeod’s letter, ‘The Immorality of Global Climate Alarmism’ (Insights, June/ July). What alarms me is the lack of alarm about what our coal exports and our own emissions are doing. We are the world’s biggest coal exporter; something to be not at all proud of. We are exporting climate chaos. The old trope about denying poor people the benefits of our wonderful coal, is straight from the Tony Abbott book of nonsense. It is the poorest people who suffer most from the climate disruption it brings. And ultimately we may all become extinct, the rich getting in another generation before they too are wiped out
Consider joining 350.org, or another climate action group of people. We alone can do it, but we can’t do it alone. As the Timorese said, in their long, brave struggle... ‘To resist is to win’. This is one fight we must win, if there are to be any others. Stephen Langford OT (Order of Timor) of Pitt St. Uniting Church, Sydney
CLIMATE CHANGE? When I read the letter by Rod McLeod (Insights, June/July) I thought he was talking ‘tongue in cheek’... As a retired environmental chemist, I agree with the majority of scientists on this issue. Look at the polar ice cap and the increasing devastation of weather events. Chris Owens FRACI, CChem, Dubbo
PROVING WE HAVE A CONSENSUS Rod McLeod has, I would suggest, a poor understanding of what is
being claimed when people say there is ‘consensus in the scientific community that burning coal contributes to climate change’. Much of scientific ‘evidence’ is in the form: ‘This is the situation we observe. From our observations and experiments we conclude the most likely explanation is that the situation is caused by/explained by ‘x’. So the scientific consensus on climate change is that a very large majority of scientists concerned for global warming are of the view that the best explanation of the present situation... is that climate change is impacted by the burning of fossil fuel. That is where they believe the weight of observation and research rests. Their suggestion is we act on the basis of that explanation. A hypothesis by its very nature is unproven (and unprovable many times), but is acted on — as the best explanation — until disproven. This is the history of many scientific endeavours. What those who disagree need to do is say why they believe that the explanation/
hypothesis offered by nearly all scientists is inadequate, rather than denying there is a significant consensus. Asserting the consensus is wrong is hardly adequate. Chris Budden, Newcastle
UP IN SMOKE I remember attending a rural ministry conference in North East Victoria in the mid 1980s and we visited a tobacco farm in the Ovens Valley. When the farmer spoke to us, he lashed out at the scientific evidence of the dangers of smoking. He said it was all a load of ‘bulls ....’! Now, the tobacco farms have long gone and the consensus among scientists has been proven correct. So it is a rather dangerous thing to ignore any scientific consensus, as Rod McLeod seems to be doing in the June/July issue of Insights. David Sloane, Corowa
HEAD IN SAND I could not believe the nonsense contained in Rod McLeod’s letter (Insights, June/July). To suggest there is no evidence of global warming and that human
Editor’s Note: Thank you for all your responses to Rod McLeod’s letter (which first appeared in the February/March edition of Insights). We have had a huge response to the issues Rod raised. Letters on this page are edited versions of just some we have received. Full versions of these letters, and any other related letters we subsequently have received, will be published online at www.insights.uca.org.au/category/features/your-say. For the Uniting Church position on climate change and resources for Congregations, visit: www.unitingearthweb.org.au and www.unitingjustice.org.au
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THANK YOU Be rewarded for having your say. Every contributor to ‘Your Say’ in this issue receives the DVD Wide Open Sky from EOne Home Entertainment. ‘Your Say’ letters should be sent to insights@nswact.uca.org.au or posted to Insights, PO Box A2178, Sydney South NSW 1235. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.
activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels, is not a major contributor to that process, defies logical belief.
via a search engine, any professor of climate science would arrange access to them for a serious reader.
There is overwhelming evidence that atmospheric pollution is accelerating global warming at an alarming rate. We must embrace environmentally, safe, clean methods of generating electricity. Otherwise, we will condemn future generations to an everworsening environment. Talk about ‘head in the sand and none so blind’.
However, the papers are not easy to read and evaluate because climate science is specialised and complex unlike, let’s say, Hooke’s Law of Elasticity, where just one graph of stress versus strain sufficed for ‘evidence’. This complexity of climate is why we tend to rely on learned bodies to evaluate and summarise. In Australia this includes the Academy and the CSIRO. Globally, it includes the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Peter Matthews, Wagga Wagga
COMPLEX SCIENCE Your ‘correspondent’ Rod McLeod asks previous ‘correspondents’ to ‘show him the evidence’ that ‘turning coal into electricity is detrimentally affecting the world’s climates’. This evidence is not hard to find. It consists of more than 12,000 papers published in recognised scientific journals. It is all there in the open. Many are referenced in articles available on search engines such as Google. There are also, of course, many summaries (the Science of Climate Change Q&A, from The Australian Academy of Science is very readable). If one cannot find specific papers of interest
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Mr. McLeod’s dismissal of the present learned consensus of scientists reminds me of the doting mother’s comment on her boy in the parade: ‘Look Dad, our Charlie’s the only one in step.’ Bruce Graham, Waitara
UNITING, BUT NOT UCA? Flipping through a locally produced magazine recently, I came across a half page advertisement for Uniting Independent Living. The advertisement gave a welcoming invitation and boasted that ‘Uniting’ is the single largest provider of aged care in NSW and ACT. But I was both disappointed and dismayed that ‘Uniting’
was described as a ‘not-forprofit organisation’. Nowhere in the ad was the Uniting Church mentioned, nor even the word ‘church’ to be found. Since when did this vibrant part of our Division of Social Responsibility cease finding it necessary to identify itself as part of the UCA, and to acknowledge its roots in Christian service, justice and compassion? (Rev) Meredith Williams, Dee Why
RESPONSE FROM UNITING’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Thank you, Rev. Meredith Williams, for taking the time to write about the new advertising campaigns from Uniting. We shared our new brand at the 2016 Synod meeting and launched it publically earlier this year. By now, I hope that all readers are familiar with our new look. Uniting, as the services and advocacy arm of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT, accepts Christ’s invitation, as our Basis of Union calls us to do, to serve humanity and work to create an inclusive, connected and just community. You are right to highlight that sometimes we do not mention Christ’s name in our advertising. Since the
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, faithbased organisations like ours are perceived pejoratively. So, sometimes we are overt with our religious language, sometimes we are not. However, our logo which is always shown, has our Christian foundation at the centre. The symbol of the cross at its heart (the ‘t’), with a person either side of it (each ‘i’) to represent this connection and inclusivity. For Uniting, pursuing inclusiveness has a special significance, which is reflected in the work we do every day with marginalised and vulnerable communities. If you would like to see some examples of our work inspired by Christ, you may enjoy our recent social media film project which can be viewed on the Uniting website (www.uniting.org). It celebrates our clients and staff who carry out Christ’s work every day. I am glad that you are seeing our adverts in market. If we are to carry out Christ’s work, people must know who we are, and what we do. Thank you again for your comments. I appreciate your time in writing them. Peter Worland, Executive Director, Uniting
News YOUNG ADULTS GATHER ON THE GOLD COAST For six days, a diverse group of the Church’s future leaders got to learn from each other.
Youthful enthusiasm withstood continuous sleep deprivation as 130 young Christian leaders from around Australia met on the Gold Coast for the UCA’s National Young Adult Leaders Conference (NYALC).
Participants at the National Young Adult Leaders Conference at Burleigh Heads also learned about life in Indigenous communities. Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Congress leaders Rev. Dennis Corowa and Pastor Ray Minniecon broke down complex issues such as treaty and sovereignty. Young members of Congress travelled from across the country to attend. There were also group sessions for young people facing the challenge of being a Second Generation leader in a multicultural congregation. Many of the young people at NYALC are already leaders in their faith communities. Despite some collective tiredness, spirited dancing and loud singing remained a staple of daily worship.
The greatest display of creative energy was at the NYALC’s talent show with strong lively participation from the audience. There was plenty of food for thought and nourishment for personal growth. There was also lots of room for storytelling and listening in the cafeteria, during jam sessions or on the beach at Burleigh Heads. NYALC provided an important opportunity for some to speak openly and frankly about their struggles with faith and life in general. That this level of sharing was possible says something about the sense of community that was created. While nothing can prepare you for what happens when 130 young people get together, I left leaving encouraged and inspired by those I met. I am truly grateful for my interactions with everybody there. It was loads of fun and like many of those who attended, I look forward to the next time we meet! Semisi Kailahi
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UNITING BEGINS CAMPAIGN TO RE-THINK ILLEGAL DRUG POLICIES “I work with people every day who are trying to manage their dependence and get their lives back on track,” says Dr Jauncey. “Stigma and shame are big issues, and battling drug use convictions serves only to alienate people further.”
A resolution by the Uniting Church Synod of NSW-ACT for a re-think on illegal drugs policy has been endorsed by the head of a Sydney drug facility, the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The Synod’s latest meeting gave the go-ahead for its services and Congregations to call on the NSW and ACT governments for increased investment in harm reduction and demand reduction strategies, as well as for further measures to decriminalise individual possession and use of (but not illegal supply of) small amounts of illegal drugs. Since 2008, Dr Marianne Jauncey has been Medical Director at Uniting’s Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC) in Kings Cross. She fully supports this illegal drugs policy, which marks the first time a major Christian denomination (national or state) had endorsed such a policy. Since the Synod meeting, the Church and its Social Justice Forum (SJF) have received many supportive emails and social media posts on the issue.
Despite MSIC’s perfect record of no fatalities, and an 80 per cent drop in ambulance call-outs in the area, it remains the only facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Our Synod has formed a working group to coordinate the campaign. Convened by the SJF, it includes Dr Jauncey and other experts to ensure a sound evidence base. The group is building alliances with supportive medical, health and community organisations already working in the field. The move for a cautious decriminalisation campaign comes from broad acceptance within the Church of the evidence that making personal drug use a criminal offence has not been effective in reducing it. Worse, the “war on drugs” has increased the risk of preventable deaths, deterred users from seeking treatment for fear of legal consequences, alienated them from their families and ruined job prospects. Prison terms have compounded the damage. Help, when it arrives, often has been too little or too late. But while failed law enforcement measures have swallowed over 70 per cent of the national drug budget,
treatment and harm minimisation strategies, though proven more effective, have received less than 25 per cent. This has led to expert groups like the Criminal Justice Committee of the NSW Bar Association calling for drug addiction to be treated as a public health (not a criminal) issue – with an appropriate funding shift. “If our aim is to respect the inherent dignity of every person, we must reframe the debate,” states Dr Jauncey. Uniting is calling for some difficult conversations and major policy shifts — but feels the time is right and the evidence no longer can be ignored. Endorsing the campaign so far are the Uniting Church Synod of NSW-ACT, Uniting and its Medically Supervised Injecting Centre, the Wayside Chapel, and eight other organisations: the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs; Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine; Australian Drug Foundation; Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League; Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform; Harm Reduction Australia; the Kirby Institute, UNSW; and the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW. Stafford Sanders is Campaigns Coordinator at Uniting. This article was first published in the South Sydney Herald and is sponsored by Uniting, the services and advocay arm of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT www.uniting.org
CELEBRATING 150 YEARS AT CARLINGFORD Nearly one year ago, the Marsden Road Congregation at Carlingford celebrated 150 years since the foundation stone for its church was laid. That service began a year of planning and preparation of celebrations — set to climax this October — to mark the official opening of the “Dundas Wesleyan Methodist Church”, on October 3, 1866. On Saturday, October 8, “Open Church” begins at 11am. Musical items, childrens’ activities, and displays of historical items will be on offer. Then, on October 9, six weeks of special church services will culminate in “Anniversary Sunday” — the big celebration of the 150th anniversary. The theme on the day will be “Saints Alive”, to stir reflection about people, past and present, who have been significant in the church’s life. Past ministers and lay preachers have been invited to participate, but everyone is welcome to attend. The 150th anniversary celebration service on Sunday, October 9, will be followed by a shared lunch.
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RESOURCES FOR UNDERSTANDING In light of Federal Election results, it’s never been more important to improve understanding of our neighbours of a different faith.
INTERFAITH GATHERING PROMOTES HARMONY In late June, people of different faiths gathered at the annual Iftar Dinner (Breaking of the Fast), organised by Uniting Church, Synod of NSW and the ACT, and Affinity Intercultural Foundation. It was a special occasion with tradition, ceremony and food shared among friends from many faiths. As is the Muslim tradition during the month of Ramadan the daily fast was broken at sunset, and guests were called to prayer by Ibrahim Karaisli head of Amity College’s Religion and Values department. Brothers and sisters in interfaith shared a beautifully prepared halal food banquet. Moderator Rev. Myung Hwa Park welcomed guests with “we are a Church that is open and seeks the Spirit. We affirm the spirit in all other people because God created all in God’s image and, in that, we are here to learn to relate, love and share God’s goodness.” Human rights and social justice advocate, Maha Abdo OAM is head of the Muslim Women’s association. She gave a moving keynote speech about interfaith dialogue and engaging heartto-heart in dialogue with each other.
Abdo has worked in interfaith dialogue for the past 30 years, a movement which began as women of all faiths coming together to understand more about each other’s faiths. They sought not to “change one another but to respect each other.” Reflecting on the recent horrific Orlando mass shooting that touched all our hearts, she said: “We need to respect our differences, but I don’t need to compromise my principles.” “My faith and tradition has its principles intact. It doesn’t mean if I respect and love you it is going to damage or undermine my principles; rather, it will enrich them.” As the Orlando shooting occurred during the month of Ramadan, Abdo spoke openly about the division it caused. “It was felt in the month of discipline, so we needed to do something for this group walking in pain.” A media statement was released by the Muslim community, speaking out against the violence and “in support of walking with our brothers and sisters from the LGBTQI community.” Significantly, the LGBTQI community affirmed the Muslim statement.
Abdo works with children and women escaping domestic violence, providing services to all, regardless of religion or culture. Muslim women are providing services to Christian women and are breaking down barriers. According to Abdo, an increase in anti-racism laws has further deteriorated the fabric of our society. “People are fearful of speaking to one another because we need to be politically correct,” said Abdo. “We need to be respectful and mindful of what we say but we cannot supress what we need to say. “We have done ourselves an injustice as people of various faiths. We have created a gap between one another but now we are building bridges to overcome it. “I hope sincerely we are able to come together and allow this relationship to continue, and to take it with us wherever we go.”
Interfaith September, an initiative from the Assembly’s Relations with Other Faiths Working Group, encourages us to reach out to our friends of other faiths and break down barriers. Diversity is a part of God’s creation. Our faith in Christ calls us to live together in peace and love. This requires us to engage with all religious traditions. In Australia, there is much to do to heal divisions caused by ignorance and fear.
To encourage your interfaith journey, the Assembly has produced resources. such as a week-by-week reflection on the gospels, and a Worship Resource to plan sermons and help your Congregation connect with neighbours of other faiths. An easy way to start is to visit a place of worship from another faith. You could also invite someone from another faith to visit your church, or learn more about their beliefs through discussion.
Interfaith September resources are available for download at: bit.ly/29SjnVb Share your stories on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/InterfaithUCA or email us at rof@nat.uca.org.au — We’d love to hear from you.
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Inspiracy 2016 runs between 28-30 October. For more information, and to register for the event, go to www.inspiracy.com.au
NEW FESTIVAL TO INSPIRE Inspiracy is a new festival that will take place in Newcastle in October. The event will give attendees a glimpse of the work of four Uniting Church faith communities which are leading successful community development, faith, justice, and art programs. Inspiracy will feature theologian Rev. Dr. Margaret Mayman, Filipino artist Emmanuel Garibay, Love Makes A Way activist and educator Matt Anslow, and co-founder of The Commons community café, Dr. Miriam Williams. It will take place at Adamstown Uniting Church, Merriweather Uniting Church, and The Commons. One of Inspiracy’s organisers, Rev. Dr. Rod Pattenden, said the festival aimed to inspire attendees and allow them to witness various ministries in their contexts. The festival was the joint idea of several of Newcastle Uniting Church’s faith groups. “It was a conversation between some of us involved in these innovative community development programs in Newcastle,” Rev. Dr Pattenden said.
The Minister of Pitt Street Uniting Church, Rev. Dr. Mayman has been a prominent speaker on public issues such as the treatment of asylum seekers and same sex marriage. An activist against the Marcos regime in his youth, Garibay is responsible for a number of fascinating works such as the painting Christ Entering Manila on Palm Sunday (pictured). The work features multiple, competing depictions of Jesus, some of which differ widely from traditional artistic depictions. According to Rev. Dr. Pattenden, Newcastle is the perfect location for the event. “We’ve got some new models of engagement in the community; we’re concerned with the broader community issues of the common good; and, we’re reinventing mission, in some sense, around concerns for building community development and making the resources of the church available to the wider community.” Dr. Jonathan Foye is a freelance journalist and academic
REDRESS WORKSHOP PROVIDES SKILLS FOR PERSONAL RESPONSE TO SURVIVORS The Blue Knot Foundation conducted a one-day redress workshop in May, providing trauma-informed redress training for the Synod. In The Royal Commission Consultation 2015 Paper, Redress and Civil Litigation, the Commission wrote: “How survivors felt they were treated and whether they were listened to, understood and respected, [was] likely to have a significant impact on whether they consider that they have received justice.” The workshop was organised by Helen Basili, Uniting Redress Social Worker, for
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senior members of Synod staff, school chairs and department heads who may provide a direct personal response to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Also attending were those who will be making decisions regarding redress. Learnings included the quality of the direct personal responses given to survivors, as well as helping to reduce vicarious trauma associated with this work. Blue Knot was known as Adult Survivors of Child Abuse, which significantly contributed to the Royal Commission’s report on redress.
The main principles of trauma-informed practice of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration and empowerment and the components of redress were covered. Feedback from participants in the training was overwhelmingly positive. All agreed that they developed new knowledge and skills, and they would recommend the training: “Strategies can be used in my role day-to-day, not just in a redress situation.” “[The] presentation was clear, calm and sensitively delivered... A rich, authentic learning opportunity.”
“Plenty of relevant, helpful information I can take back to our organisation.” Further trauma-informed training will be held during August: Trauma-informed care and practice in institutional settings Thursday, 11 August, 9am to 4.30pm. Trauma-informed redress Friday, 12 August, 9am to 4.30pm. Recognising and responding to vicarious trauma Thursday, 18 August, 9am to 1pm.
zing Ministry a m A , in la p a h Future C chaplains airforce.gov.au/
web: www.
v.au
ains@defence.go
email: raaf.chapl
DPS:MAY049-16
4th Annual Common Dreams Conference
Progressive Spirituality: New Directions BRISBANE: 16-19 September 2016 Major public addresses by:
Dr Diana Butler Bass (US)
Dr Val Webb (Aus)
Prof Pamela Eisenbaum (US)
Plus other noted Australian & International speakers
To register online & for more information visit the website at www.commondreams.org.au For enquiries or a brochure call (03) 9571 4575 or email info@commondreams.org.au
A river runs through it 14
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Just as a river can sustain and renew life, its absence leaves both the communites that rely on it and the land it sustains in crisis. The Lower Darling River sustains communities in the Murray Darling Basin in south western NSW, but water projects and demands upstream threaten its flow. This has caused disastrous impact on ecosystems, culture and livelihoods. In response to the struggles of life on the land for Basin communities, the Moderator (and Presbytery representatives) visited the area to offer pastoral support. Lisa Sampson, the Synod’s Media Manager, travelled with her...
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“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.� (1 Corinthians 12:26)
An early start, with Louis Smalbil, David Shrimpton, Paul Creek, and Rev. Myung Hwa Park checking the map before leaving Pooncarie
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The Lower Darling Basin is facing crisis. Demands on the river system have caused water shortages. Farming families are at breaking point. Across this vast area of rural New South Wales, the struggle to exist is a daily, unrelenting battle. But for those of us not impacted by these water problems and huge irrigation issues which are largely human-made, how can we show concern or care? At very least, our Church must respond, according to the Rev. Myung Hwa Park, Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT. Recognising the urgent need for a pastoral visit to communities in the Lower Darling, Rev. Park and members of local Presbyteries spent four days travelling 2000kms across the region. They heard firsthand concerns about the ongoing crisis. “When one part is weak the whole body is weak,” says Rev. Park about the importance of extending the Church’s care and attention to people in the Murray Darling Basin. “That is the understanding of the first letter to the Corinthians.If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. [1 Corinthians 12:26] The concerns raised about the water issue are not just general social issues of water but it is the environment — which is God’s creation.” Rev. Park’s visit is the latest UCA mission trip since the
Uniting Church NSW and ACT Synod, Murray Darling Basin Group was formed in 2014. The group was created In response to the struggles of life on the land in this region, and also to the draft Murray Darling Basin Plan (which sets limits on the quantities of water drawn).
Genesis that we have been called to be a faithful steward to God’s creation. So, when nature and God’s creation is damaged or something has happened, then as a faithful steward, we need to understand firstly what is going on and then to find ways in which to respond.”
The Murray Darling Basin Group consists of scientists, farmers, environmentalists, theologians, pastors and educators. It has been taking forward the Church’s aim to be a transforming presence in the troubled area, offering pastoral care and a prophetic voice for the reconciliation and renewal of Creation.
“Because we who take the whole creation as God’s — but something has happened [to it] because of human intervention or human greed — it is our concern that we, as Christians, respond.”
Since the group’s last visit to the Basin in 2015, the water situation has deteriorated. This spurred Rev. Park’s pastoral visit, and she was accompanied on her fourday journey by Paul Creek from the Riverina Presbytery, Louis Smalbil from Macquarie Darling Presbytery and Pastor David Shrimpton, from Broken Hill Flying Patrol. Their epic round-trip began in the Riverina town of Coleambally, and spanned between Menindee Lakes and the junction of the Darling and Murray rivers, at the NSW town of Wentworth.
GO, FIND OUT, AND RESPOND
“When there is something that is abnormal or an unnatural situation, then it is our concern,” states Rev. Park about the Synod’s heart for extending pastoral care and support to the communities of the Murray Darling Basin. “We see in
“When something has happened [to God’s creation] because of human intervention or human greed, then it is our concern that we, as Christians, respond.”
STORAGE SCHEMES, BROKEN STREAMS
The Menindee Lakes lie in northern NSW near Broken Hill. People living downstream are facing a serious water shortage, with the Darling River almost entirely dry between Menindee and Wentworth. Many in this community blame overextraction of water by irrigators upstream, and the Government’s inequitable management of the system. Water flow through the lower Darling River is highly regulated and managed by the NSW Government under the Murray Darling Basin Plan. The naturally occurring chain of Menindee Lakes was modified in the 1950s and 1960s. Weirs and dams, levees and channels were built to improve its storage capacity for the environment, farming, irrigation, recreation, mining, as well as water supply of Broken Hill (and to manage Darling River floods). Before the Menindee Lakes Storage Scheme, the lakes filled naturally during periods
of high rainfall and retreated to form a series of smaller pools. The weir at Menindee Lakes can be filled to 128 per cent of their capacity, forming the main storage for the Darling System. But evaporation rates are high. At times, as is the present situation, the lakes dry out. Almost empty now, the lakes were last full was in 2012. The annual flow in the Darling River also has been reduced dramatically, due to water demands in the upper catchments of the Barwon–Darling river system. Queensland’s Cubbie Station, the largest irrigation property in the Southern Hemisphere, sits at the headwaters of the Murray-Darling river system. Its thirst is unquenchable.
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THE COST OF SELLING WATER
Managing all these water ways is a complex issue with many competing demands. Thousands of kilometres of rivers weave through four states, one territory, and diverse communities damaged by the water management process. Some are near breaking point. Paul Creek has lived all his life in the Riverina. He runs a livestock and grain farm near Lockhart and is our guide for the pastoral visit. Creek explains how people selling their water licenses have put more pressure on the river system. “A lot of the landholders in the Murray Darling Basin originally got a water license with their property so, in times of drought, they had security and could draw water out of the river.” “The irrigators began to complain they weren’t using their water allocations, so they argued they should be given up,” says Paul. “Landowners fought this for a long time because it was their insurance for dry times. “In the 1990s the government separated water from land title which meant people were allowed to sell the water separately from the land. The people who were not using the water decided to sell the licenses and, in return, get money for them. Over the past 30 years this increased the demand on the river. The people who purchased licenses wanted to make sure they used every bit of their allocation.”
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Community groups are trying to tackle the water issues. At Coleambally on the first night of the pastoral visit, we met with the Faith in the Basin Future Reference Committee. This Uniting Church initiative was formed to give hope to local communities through the voice of people under 35 years of age, developing community projects around future and sustainability.
Jacqui Pasquale with Rev. Park
‘HEARTENED’ BY SHARING FAITH
The next day we cross the Hay Plains and follow the Murrumbidgee River to Gol Gol to meet with Jacqui Pasquale, a local Uniting Church member. Distances are vast. Cotton is the main crop on the plains and herds of cattle are spread out across dry, clay soil. Pasquale and her family have farmed along the Darling River for several generations. Their farm is located near the junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers at Wentworth where water is pushed back up the Darling via a weir. However, not far enough for the Pasquale’s farm, which virtually has no water. Water has become a commodity, explains Pasquale. “When
water is seen as an economic resource rather than a living thing, then people respond and behave differently.” Several options have been floated to resolve the crisis situation but it seems no-one in the community can agree. One option is to build a pipeline next to the Darling but locals don’t want to see a pipeline as the only option. Buying back the water licenses from irrigators has also been floated. What is agreed, though, is the water flow must be restored, and a clear process and solution developed that is equitable and sustainable. Pasquale is “heartened” by the Moderator travelling to NSW’s far west to hear from those along the river. “Her warm community-centred approach is valued and appreciated during a time when I and my family felt a little cut adrift and without agency,” says Jacqui. “It’s a very concrete way of reaching out and sharing our faith.”
THE RIVER OF THE PEOPLE
The pastoral visit’s next stop is the remote Bono Station near Menindee, where the Bell family of five have faced one water extreme to another. Two years ago, they were forced to move to another house because the river flooded the homestead. Now, with almost no water in the river, they have invested in the expensive process of drilling bores. It is almost 40 kilometres to Menindee from Bono, over clay pans through mulga and
saltbush country. “Menindee is a small congregation and the small edge of the Presbytery,” says Rev. Park. “But that doesn’t mean they are less important. Because of their ‘weak body’, we need to pay more attention and give more pastoral support.” Uniting Church Congregation members, a councillor and local Aboriginal people meet with the Moderator. The locals are frustrated with the Government’s lack of action about the water crisis. Evelyn Bates is an Aboriginal woman from the Darling River Barkindji tribe and one of the eldest people left in Menindee. Her family comes from the area between Bourke and Wentworth. “To me, the river is the main thing for the people,” says Bates. “The Barkindji people lived all their lives along the river; the kids loved swimming and fishing. Now you can’t ever catch a fish. “There was a water flush once from the lake but it was poison. All the yabbies were crawling out of the river; a lot of fish died. It was terrible. “We’re not asking for a flood. We want our share of the water because everything that was here in Menindee has all gone. Our young people living here have no work. They used to do grape and fruit picking in the orchards but everything has closed down.” The Department of Primary Industries funds delivery of water to people in Menindee because they have been told
not to drink or swim in the water. But the proposed pipeline from Wentworth to Broken Hill is not favoured here, as it will effectively bypass Menindee. Local councillor Margo Muskat has lived in Menindee since the 1960s when there were only dirt roads to Broken Hill and no phones. “I love my community; we are all socially inclusive,” she says. “It doesn’t matter wherever you go, you will always see different generations caring for each other. Years ago, there used to be market gardens, local bread and a butcher. People would camp by the lakes; it was a holiday and recreation area. Now, there is no water to see.”
Yarning with the Menindee Faith Community and elders. Evelyn Bates pictured bottom left. Beryl Carmichael is seated in the centre in the hat and scarf.
“To me the river is the main thing for the people, the Barkindji people lived all their lives along the river, the kids loved swimming and fishing. Now, you can’t ever catch a fish.” Evelyn Bates
The elders recall the floods of the ’50s and ’70s, and how the water storage system seems to have worsened their situation. “We kept arguing with the government to let the locals have control rather than Sydney or Canberra,” says elder of the Ngiyaempaa people Beryl Carmichael. “Much has changed since what was here in the ’60s. Food was freshly harvested and locally grown and there were no chemicals used.”
WHERE TO FROM HERE?
The next stop is an overnight stay with Barb Arnold, owner of Bindara Station in an isolated area on the Darling River between Pooncarie and Menindee, a three-hour drive from Broken Hill. Having sold off the station’s stock, Barb’s main income
Visiting the Bell Family at Bono Station
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Fruit packing with members of Robinvale Congregation
The junction of the Darling and Murray Rivers; a weir at nearby Wentworth regulates water flow is from tourism. She depends on the river for visitor’s recreation and her livelihood. Barb is worried about running out of water in the coming months but “drilling a bore is unaffordable and carting water is expensive.” In another injustice, Barb and others in the district live outside the area where water is paid for in subsidies by the Government. But Bindara is self-sufficient, using solar energy and recycled water. Even fuel is made from recycled fish and chip oil from Pooncarie. Ironically, it’s not local fish, though. The lower Darling provides habitat for many fish species... but they barely survive. The visit nears its end, leaving behind new friends and pondering their future. For Louis Smalbil, “the visit
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has highlighted a greater understanding for the needs of the area, not in just a business sense but in a spiritual sense, as well.” “As to the solution, the general consensus seems to be a need for a buyback by the government to reduce the water allocations and allow more water to get back into the system. It sounds simple to solve — but there are stakeholders involved in all areas who have a resistance towards that.” If life is to continue along this part of the river, one thing is certain: the need for hope and a voice of reason in the major decisions that affect future generations.
CHANGE FLOWS BUT ISSUES REMAIN
In the weeks following the Moderator’s Lower Darling pastoral visit, the NSW Government announced
$350m to fund a 270km pipeline to carry water from the Murray River to Broken Hill. As a result, that regional centre will no longer need to rely upon Menindee Lakes for its main water supply. Not everyone is happy downstream, though. Also, in early July, unexpected rains in the upper catchment suggest flows will head down the Barwon-Darling system to offer some relief. Water releases are expected for the Menindee Lakes system and Lower Darling in mid-July. Welcome news to struggling communities and towns along the river, however, much more needs to be done if there is to be any sense of certainty for their future. Just as the Holy Spirit flows, the water must flow in this parched region to nourish and renew life. Lisa Sampson
THE MODERATOR’S REFLECTION ON VISIT Reflecting on the visit, Rev. Myung Hwa Park says, “We often have a very limited interpretation of the water issue. This trip has helped me to understand this issue as being very much human-made.” “We have heard the cause of the issues and that it is not just about the irrigation farmers or people working with mines and other business and the environmentalists. “[But] there is also a huge element of injustice in this. There has not been enough consultation with the people affected and their voices have not been sufficiently heard. “I encourage people to pray for the anxiety experienced by those in this area and also their uncertainty about the future.”
Bono Station’s Rebel Bell is concerned about water for the family and stock
Early morning campfire at Bindara Station. Louis Smalbil, Paul Creek, David Shrimpton, and station owner Barb Arnold
Menindee Lakes with no water
Churches and individuals can support the people of the Lower Darling by contributing to the Synod Disaster Fund: nswact.uca.org.au/change-theworld/disaster-recovery To register for the annual Murry Darling Basin Tour in September 2016 register here: ucansw.goregister.com.au/ mdbtour2016/info Email inquiries: mdbtour2016@ucansw. goregister.com.au
The weir at Menindee
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Make the switch for creation’s sake Every September, Season of Creation is an annual celebration of the Creator and what He has made. Among other activities, video resources and liturgies, a new campaign aims to encourage our Congregations to switch their energy provider to one investing in renewable energy.
The idea for the new campaign germinated during sessions held at the most recent Synod meeting. According to Uniting Earth Ministry’s Jason John, one of the inspirations for the new campaign was the 2014 Synod meeting’s divestment decision. That move involved the church selling all of its investments in fossil fuels, a decision that then-president Andrew Dutney described as “a pretty mainstream issue in the Uniting Church now.”
increasingly in other countries also, celebrate creation and the Creator.”
As put by a Uniting Church statement issued in August 2014: “Further investment in the extraction of fossil fuels contributes to, and makes it more difficult to address climate change.” The fossil fuels divestment garnered a significant amount of media coverage, including in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Like the Synod’s divestment decision, Mr John hoped the new campaign would become “a newsworthy moment in the mainstream media.”
As part of Season of Creation, the campaign will take place alongside other activities that Congregations can partake in. Uniting Earth’s Dr Miriam Pepper described this annual focus as “a period of four weeks in September where churches in Australia, and
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The renewable energy campaign should have the most significant long-term impact from Season of Creation’s various areas of focus. According to Mr John, it aims to get Congregations and their members to switch to “power companies which didn’t lobby the Government for a watered-down renewable energy target”.
“The Synod made a move, and now Congregations and individuals who don’t have massive investments can still make their support for responsible companies which are working to build our renewable sector,” said Mr John. “We hope it will have the kind of symbolic and sacramental power that the divestment campaign did.” Uniting Earth Ministry has also prepared informal
liturgies for Season of Creation, for use or adaptation by Congregations. Uniting Earth Ministry worked with Project Reconnect to produce video resources for each of the weeks. “The reflective questions which accompany the video sermons are especially suited at a response time during worship, or to a Bible study or discussion group,” Dr Pepper explained. “We also have resources for blessing of animals, the first Sunday in October, which is the closest Sunday to the Francis of Assisi Feast Day.” During the first or second weekend of Season of Creation, your church can be part of praying for our Pacific neighbours. The 350 Pacific organisation invites Christians to pray for the communities of the Pacific, who are impacted by climate change (for more information, visit: 350pacific.org/ prayforourpacific). Dr Jonathan Foye is a freelance journalist and academic
CONNECTING WITH THE CREATOR Ecological concern is fundamentally about how we see ourselves in Creation, in loving relationship with God, with each other and with other kind. It is this love, even more than a sense of duty, which drives us to learn to live better on God’s good Earth. In the Season of Creation, we have a special opportunity to deepen our loving relationships with Creation and its Creator in our worship together. To connect with the source of inspiration for so many of Jesus’s parables. This September, join with me in celebrating this season. Take advantage of the resources available to help us — liturgies, songs, videos, suggestions for practical action, and more. It is my prayer that, moved by this worship and enlivened by the Spirit, we might take further steps for the reconciliation and renewal of the Earth over which God, through Jesus, has reasserted claim. Rev. Myung Hwa Park
SHARE YOUR SEASONS OF CREATION STORIES WITH US We’d love to hear how you participated in Seasons of Creation this year, particularly if you celebrate a “Blessing of the Animals” service. Share your photos of services on the Facebook page at: facebook.com/unitingchurchnswact For more information about Seasons of Creation and its resources, visit the Uniting Earth Ministry Website: unitingearthweb.org.au
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REIMAGINING FAITH FORMATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY WITH JOHN ROBERTO - 23-28 AUGUST 23-25 AUGUST LEARNING INTENSIVE: ENGAGING ALL AGES & GENERATIONS
26-28 AUGUST
An intensive teaching event with John Roberto with a focus on: • How formation and education are changing in today’s mission context • Promising approaches to faith formation • Thinking beyond the gathered congregation • Learning within and across generations
A three day event with John Roberto as keynote speaker, plus electives, a multimedia expo, panel discussion, bootcamp and interest group conversations, resource displays, and a short film festival.
23 AUGUST: 2.00-9.00PM 24 AUGUST: 9.30AM-5.00PM 25 AUGUST: 9.30AM-5.00PM
NATIONAL CONFERENCE: FORMATION AND MISSION IN A DIGITAL WORLD
• • • •
The impact of digital technology in a social world Blended faith formation in a digital world Curating learning experiences Resources and tools for faith formation
26 AUGUST: 2.00-9.00PM 27 AUGUST: 9.30AM-9.00PM 28 AUGUST: 1.00-4.00PM (Sunday morning includes the option of visiting a congregation using digital media in worship or education)
Study Creation and Ecology How does our faith relate to our environment? What are the church’s ecological responsibilities? What is the future of our planet? Uniting Earth Minister Dr Jason John and Uniting Earth Ministry Consultant Dr Miriam Pepper will be leading a five-day intensive course on Creation and Ecology. This course will run from 14 to 18 November at the United Theological College in North Parramatta. This subject reflects on God as creator of heaven and earth, exploring critical questions about the church’s ecological responsibilities in today’s changing world. Creation and Ecology (THL211) is available as an elective in CSU’s Bachelor of Theology, as single subject study or for interest only.
ENROL NOW For more information or to register, contact: Renee Kelly or Jenny Stockton 02 8838 8914 | studenta@nswact.uca.org.au
www.utc.edu.au/courses
F4890
This subject may be studied as an individually assessed subject, for interest or credited towards further study.
UTC is constituted within the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT, and CSU’s School of Theology.
MAIN SPEAKERS • John Roberto LifelongFaith Associates (Connecticut, USA) • Mr Greg Whitby Executive Director of Schools, Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta. CONTRIBUTING SPEAKERS • Dr Mary Hess • Dr Bex Lewis • Rev Dr Lynne Baab • Mr Steve Watt
For registration and accommodation details go to the website at reimaginefaith2016.com or contact Craig Mitchell on craigm@nat.uca.org.au
Ministry leadership in a digital age What’s online activity got to do with sharing the good news of Jesus Christ? Eformation 2016. Insights Managing Editor Adrian Drayton attended this recent missional event in Washington DC.
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Ministry leadership in a digital age EFormation is an ecumenical conference that promotes faith formation, strategic theological thinking about church communication, and digital best practice. All in the name of #Jesus
The conference gathers people from all denominations who are involved in strategic communication wothin their Christian organisations. The conference assists and engages religious practictioners and lay people in conversations, plenaries and boot camp sessions around the question: How can we better connect with and encourage online Christian communities in an everincreasing secular landscape? While the social media universe has, for years and years, showed no signs of shrinking, the church has not been keeping up with the tsunami of information available to spiritual inquirers with no religious allegiance. These days, meeting the needs of those searching for God is unfortunately being answered by Google and Siri, not by cyber-savvy Christians. What has become evident is that people are either “Gutenbergers” or “Googlers”, according to Dr Leonard Sweet. Author of From Tablet to Talk: Where Community is Found and Identity is Formed, Sweet spoke at EFormation about the social gap between people of the printed word (Gutenbergers) and people of the screen (Googlers). To put that division another
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way, so many these days can be classified as either “digital natives” or “digital immigrants”. Churches tend to be filled with “digital immigrants”, those not born in the digital age and who are reluctant to even begin dipping toes into social media and an online networked world. During the EFormation conference, Insights sat down with author and Reverend, Keith Anderson. He has written two books — The Digital Cathedral: Networked Ministry in a Wireless World and Click 2 Save: The Digital Ministry Bible, co-authored with Elizabeth Drescher. Both of these books explore the notion of the Church in the digital space, what it might look like and how churches can be more active online. More importantly, though, Anderson believes that not being on social media — or, at least, exploring how church can reach non-believers online — will further widen the gap between Christianity and the societies around us. Minister at the Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler, Phildelphia, Anderson is trying to bridge the divide between digital immigrants and natives. He is doing ministry in a lot of innovative ways, including working with the New Media Project (founded in 2010).
Anderson is a highly soughtafter speaker and thought leader. It was a great privilege to sit down with him and talk about his ministry and how imperative he believes it is for churches to see the value of online communication. Tell us about your church context. “We are a large suburban church outside of Philadelphia. UDLC is committed to social ministry and outreach, education and faith formation. And increasingly, over the last few years, [we’ve been doing that] out in the community.” How important a part of your ministry has social media been? “Social media has been really important in the way we do our ministry. Being engaged in social media immediately puts you in contact with a whole different audience and range of people — the friends of the members who come to church. Community members that might otherwise never step in the door. So, I think being present in social media has a way of drawing us out beyond our church building, even if we are just sitting at our computer at our desk. In some ways, it’s a safe way to start connecting beyond the church building because, for a lot of people, that can be intimidating and they’re just not quite sure where to start.”
Rev. Keith Anderson’s church Upper Dublin Lutheran community outreach programs include ‘Ashes to Go’ (and, clockwise, from top left) ‘Brewing for the Greater Good’ fundraising, and ‘God on Tap’
Lisa Kimball, Director, Center for the Ministry of Teaching and convenor of EFormation
Rev. Keith Anderson signing copies of his book The Digital Cathedral
Worship EFormation-style
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“Today’s ministry landscape is not made up of just church buildings, but of the array of local and digital gathering places that comprise widely networked 21st century neighbourhoods.”
was a passion of mine when they employed me and saw what I was doing and wanted to do it too. [But] managing expectations about how these ministries develop is important.
How has social media helped develop your thinking about community ministry? “A lot of ministry leaders will say ‘I just don’t have any more time’ to add this sort of communication to my workload or even to do, learn or schedule social media or manage it. What I try to do is think about ways that I can integrate it into the work that I already do.” “For instance, how can digital and social media help me in my preaching preparation, either in the content I consume or the content I create? How does it help me when I teach in confirmation class, in terms of what resources can I draw on that are available to me online? So, it becomes how I synthesise that and re-share it somehow to help others.” How does your Congregation support you in your outreach to the wider community? “My Congregation is really supportive of doing ‘God on Tap’ and ‘Coffee and Conversation’ [two weekly gatherings Anderson facilitates, as well as Sunday services] and being out in the community. In part, [this is] because these were some things I was doing at my last church. They understood it
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Is there an expectation that people coming to mid-week gatherings will come to church? “We have definitely had some people join the church because of these ministries and we are much more connected to our community because of it. We know the store owners, the coffee shop owner, the pub owners, so we are more connected to people in our community.” “It’s not just about people joining the churchl; we did a fundraiser with the brewery [where ‘God on Tap’ meets] to raise money for our local food pantry. So, we are able to find points of collaboration and later this month, I am going to be doing a wedding for the bartenders from the pub. They don’t go to church, they are spiritual but not religious – millennials – and these are people we would love to be connected to and to have in our church. “They may not come to church, but I get to be part of this huge day in their lives.” How has The Digital Cathedral helped to develop your thinking about community in a digital context? “The book really helped me connect the dots in my ministry. There are things that I have done, just out of trial and error and to see what connects and resonates and
what doesn’t. Writing the book was my chance to step back and ask, ‘How does this all fit in terms of finding God in everyday life, or [for] how we think about church in our lives?’, as we often think about church and life as two separate spheres. In bringing them together, what [are] the deeper theological questions involved?” And the great joy of the book was talking to other ministry leaders in lots of different contexts around the country. Asking them what they were seeing and what they were doing, and to find this common thread of being present in local and digital gathering spaces — whether they are new ‘mission’ and they don’t have a building, or they are a traditional church and looking at ways to be present in their community.” What advice would you give to ministry leaders who don’t have time to pursue some form of online communication in their ministry? “As a pastor, my job is to share the gospel, share the love of God in Christ Jesus and I want to do this with as many people as I possibly can. And if I am only doing that inside my church building to the people who are already there, that’s a very small subset of people.” “I understand the church can become our whole world [but] we need to connect with people who haven’t heard the gospel or that have bad preconceptions of what the church is like. We need to be able to be real people, who have real faith and who have passion for it. My passion is to
share my faith in the gospel, so I don’t think that social media and digital ministry is an elective any more for ministry leaders. It’s a real requirement — because ‘living into’ that networked space also helps us to understand and ‘live into’ the networked way people are living their everyday lives.” There are so many demands on both leadership and church Congregations these days. What advice would you give to Congregations about digital ministry? “We have had lots of conversations here at EFormation about connecting with young families and how they are busy; they are programmed; they’re on the go ... [but] this isn’t a problem. Sometimes we can see this busyness as a problem, in terms of how we are doing our [church] programming, but the question is: How do we support them in their networked, digitally integrated, busy lives? How can we place the gospel in their hands, on devices they are increasingly using all the time?” “I hear now that people who are being interviewed about ministry positions, they are being asked about the digital media skills. I think that should be something Congregations should recognise and be looking for in leadership.”
TAKE THE QUIZ Are you a Googler or a Gutenberger? bit.ly/29AvzdV
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Each of these programs is designed to encourage members of your congrega¬tion to increase their skills in pastoral care. And to ensure you’re getting the most from your training, each course can be tailored to suit the needs of your congregation.
world?
rogram
oral Care
North Parramatta
ull year course by weekend intensives
People with a referral from their GP on a Mental Health Care Plan may be able to claim Medicare benefits* (* see Medicare schedule for claimable items – available on request or on the psychology website) http://www.psychology.org.au/medicare/fact_sheet/
www.pastoralcounselling.org If you would like more information on any of the Pastoral Counselling Institute activities, please call on 9683 3664 or email to pciuca@ihug.com.au
Lithgow grows in Just beyond the Blue Mountains, Lithgow is a major regional centre with a rich history, and a tradition as a mining town. Hoskins Memorial Uniting Church is a local institution with its own legacy... and a bold approach to future outreach.
Originally built as a Presbyterian Church, Hoskins Memorial was commissioned by Lithgow’s ironmaster, Charles Hoskins, in tribute to his son Guildford after the latter died in an explosion. The church opened in 1928, two years after Charles’ death, and became part of the Uniting Church in 1977. The Hoskins family’s original vision of the church as a vital part of the wider community remains intact today, with a varied local ministry that has made the church well known. The shape of Lithgow’s ministry has evolved over time, with a bold new direction embraced recently. Hoskins Memorial has started a “Fresh Expressions” ministry, to provide Joshua
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Bleyerveen and his wife Jasmin moved to Lithgow on Easter weekend 2016. in a lay Pastor role. “The church council started talking about this being a good time to reflect on where we are and where we want to go and maybe a time to plan a bit more intentionally about our structures,” explains Reverend Matthew Trounce. According to Rev. Trounce, many locals view the Uniting Church as “the church… in Lithgow”. That’s not just because of Its status as part of Hoskins’ industrial legacy (the church building has received Heritage listing). One of the reasons Hoskins Memorial is so well-known is the Beehive, which runs more than thirty groups — “everything from quilt making… to a ballroom
dancing group.” These goups operate out of the church’s 25 year-old parish centre. Rev. Trounce has been in ministry at Lithgow for the past seven and a half years. He noticed early on that the church “has some absolutely brilliant services and that’s partly because of the inheritance that we’ve got of an incredible church [building]… and grounds and we’re really a communitybased church, really open and known in the community.” “A lot of people I’ve spoken to said, “I moved to town and someone said, ‘Go and check out the Beehive.’” Connecting these varied ministries to the life of the church itself is a challenge Hoskins Memorial has acknowledged, though. “We
fresh expressions had all these [groups] which were kind of running, but the question for the church was… with all these [groups] through the week… how do we help people explore faith, spirituality, discipleship and even Christian community?,” reflects Rev. Trounce about the outreach opportunities due to the Beehive. In order to work out ways to connect these groups with the church, the Congregation hired Mr Bleyerveen. “We said we need someone to help develop further this idea of Christian community for people that are connected to us in these service groups,” explains Rev. Trounce. “It seemed like the next natural step for us. We had set up some fantastic services that were growing... more than we could deal with. “While I think everyone in leadership in the Lithgow parish acknowledges they’re
an end in themselves, if we’re really about the Gospel, Christian community, faith development and discipleship, there’s... another step we were missing.” Rev. Trounce observes that the people who attend groups at the Beehive “don’t most naturally feed into or connect with that 9:30 traditional Congregation.” While he describes the Hoskins Memorial Congregation as traditional and largely elderly, Rev. Trounce loves how it is “very open and welcoming and community-focused”. Bridging the gap, then, between the Beehive and joining the Congregation, is where Mr Bleyerveen comes in. His first priority is exploring new forms of Christian community, discipleship, and faith development. “The idea [is] that the people that we’re going to be working with will be coming from our service
groups, [people] we have already made connections and relationships with,” says Rev Trounce. Norman McFarland agrees. Chairperson of Lithgow’s joint church council, and a lay preacher at Hoskins Memorial, Mr McFarland says the “Fresh Expressions” ministry “is a process that’s going to take a little while”. But foundations have been laid and “new people... are not going to be pew sitters. They’re going to experience our church in new ways.” Future activities being considered include discussion groups and events similar to Ted Talks. Mr McFarland said Mr Bleyerveen “certainly has the ability to start to talk to people where they’re at... not only with younger people.”
Finding new ways to connect Other projects that Hoskins Memorial are exploring include potentially working with UnitingCare Lithgow to build a purpose-built disability facility closer to the church. A feasibility study is underway. The church also partners with Lithgow City Council on joint projects, such as participating in Lithglo, a 2014 event that saw the church building lit up.
Dr Jonathan Foye
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Living is Giving is how we engage with and sustain the mission activities of the Church.
Assisting & equipping First Peoples Last year, sisters Dianne Torrens, Lorraine Roberts and Queenie Speeding welcomed the opportunity to partake in the Living our Values course, which has allowed them to explore their faith further and empowered them to carry out the mission of the Church in their own communities and beyond. The sisters are the first Aboriginal women to have undertaken the course, funded by some of the $15,000 raised through the Aboriginal Women in Leadership Appeal. As Aunty Queenie says, “My one prayer in all of this is that we’re leading the way for others to actually come and say ‘Okay, we can do this too.’”
Education & leadership development A two-week exposure trip to Zimbabwe for young leaders within the Church has been organised this year, in partnership with the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe.
The annual pledge program of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and ACT, Living is Giving asks Congregations to financially support the varied, widespread work of our entire Church. Your generosity through Living is Giving is combined to equip ministries and provide valuable assistance across the Synod.
Ongoing partnerships between NSW Congregations and Tongan Christians have helped to improve the future for Tongan children with school supplies and computers. Following years of vital involvement with Vaotu’u Free Wesleyan Church and the Vaotu’u FWC Primary School, the Bathurst, Perthville and Oberon Congregations recently assisted in the vital education needs of the children — by raising money for computers for students.
Uniting rural & remote communities
Speaking up for justice, fairness & peace
Next generations & new forms of Church
It was a challenging year for many rural communities. Isolation, the difficulty of accessing services, and an uncertain future are part of everyday life for many on the land. When drought, bushfires or severe floods hit, these challenges are additionally magnified.
The Uniting Church’s commitment to social justice and the common good is long-standing, deeply held and wide reaching.
Where two or more are gathered in Christ’s name, He is present. An exciting demonstration of this is sure to be at Yuróra in January, 2017. More than 1000 young people from all over Australia will be coming together to hear about and engage in God’s mission.
Recovery can take years. Chaplains worked alongside emergency relief agencies, to help disasteraffected people and equip local faith leaders in their care of traumatised communities. Patrol ministers provide pastoral support to people in isolated communities and small towns.
The Social Justice Forum encourages and builds capacity of individual Church members, groups and Congregations, to speak out and act for justice in their own spheres of influence on the issues they are most concerned about. As part of our ongoing advocacy work through the Give Hope campaign, the Uniting Church calls for the immediate closure of the Nauru detention centre, and lobbies for asylum seekers, and sanctuary.
There will be a huge range of workshops for them to attend, from praying to poetry to puppetry, and the opportunity to form lifelong friendships. Yuróra is the biggest gathering of young people within the Uniting Church in Australia.
Thank you for your continued support.
Living in a multicultural church The Multicultural Ministry Advisory Group works closely with Rev. Fie Marino, the Multicultural Ministry Consultant, to assist the Synod of NSW and ACT to respond to the multicultural needs of the Church which is integral to our mission work. It is important that meaningful representations of multicultural voices and perspectives and concerns are supported in the various agencies, committees, and councils of the Synod.
With an Advisory Group, an Advocacy Network, a Lay and Ordained Leaders Association and a Multicultural Youth Forum, the Synod’s multicultural ministry is as vibrant and thriving as the many Congregations it supports. Congregations such as Griffith Uniting Church — a Congregation with Anglo, Samoan, Tongan, Niuean, Cook Island, Chinese and Fijian members — an intergenerational cross-cultural community, led by Rev Abera Abera.
To obtain direct debit forms or for more information, contact us: www.nswact.uca.org.au
(02) 8267 4303
Yurรณra 2017 will be a four-day festival of faith, fun and fellowship. Among many other things, it will demonstrate that our Church is rich with passionate, relationship-centred and inspired young people.
Some of the bands performing in Yurรณra 2017: Dusty Feet Mob (above), Slip On Stereo (bottom left) and Darlow (bottom right)
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Come together Y U RÓ R A I S A M U LT I C U LT U R A L C H R I S T I A N YO U T H F E S T I VA L O F WO R D, A RT S A N D C E L E B R AT I O N. “Uniting culture” is the theme and the vision for Yuróra 2017. The biggest gathering of young people within the Uniting Church, the triennial Yuróra festival will be held between January 8 and 12 next year. The festival and its many activities and elements dares to ask two questions: “What is the ‘Uniting culture?’ (who are we, and who do we aspire to be, as the Uniting Church?)”; and, “How do we consider the task of uniting culture and cultures?” The first question recognises the potential impact Yuróra can have on the church, both locally and nationally. This second question creates space for young people, who are both First Peoples of this land (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders) and the multicultural Second Peoples (everyone else), to share their stories, their cultures, their hopes and their gifts. It is not a desire for one culture, rather a deep desire for all cultures to have a voice and be heard. Yuróra grew from the National Christian Youth Convention, which began in 1955. It is
paving the way for a new style of gathering. In early 2014, Yuróra set up home in a North Parramatta precinct. Learning from previous events, Yuróra became a fourday festival allowing young people to design their own experience. Delegates from all around Australia gathered to worship, learn, grow, eat, share and build a community of passionate young people.
STAYING TRUE TO CORE VALUES The experience of Yuróra 2014 encouraged those involved in its organisation, to begin preparing the way to make Yuróra 2017 an even better event. This meant going back to the drawing board, and focusing on what was meant to be at the heart of this event: unity in culture. But Yuróra has remained true to being an uniquely youthdriven event that gathers passionate youth to celebrate the diversity and creativity of the Uniting Church. Yuróra demonstrates the Uniting Church is rich with passionate, relationshipcentred and inspired young people. Their hopes, concerns, joys and worries can be heard through such an event.
Members of Yuróra’s coordination team are the same age as delegates (16–25-years-old). This helps to ensure the program continues to remain relevant and interesting to those attending. With multiculturalism also being at its heart, Yuróra 2017 is introducing a multicultural festival. This will be a genuine culmination of Yuróra’s core values, and its endeavours to uphold them — especially through involvement of a wide variety of cultures (Tongan, Aboriginal, Chinese, Korean and, hopefully, more). Set to grab attention is the recently announced slate of performers who will be at Yuróra 2017. With more than 20 artists on the bill, the four-day festival will feature Melbourne band Darlow, Brisbane’s Slip On Stereo, South Australian dance group Dusty Feet Mob, as well as performance poet Joel McKerrow, Canada’s Tim Neufeld & the Glory Boys, and 2011 Australia’s Got Talent winner Jack Vidgen. Comedy act Pirate Church will also be on deck... and many others!
HALOTI’S STORY Reflecting on my last Yuróra, the moments that had the biggest impact on me were actually the small informal times. Getting to know new young people from all over Australia. My favourite moment was one of the days after all the programs [when] me and a few friends were just mucking around with a guitar and, before we knew it, there was a large group of us gathered, singing songs late into the night. That’s where I felt a strong sense of fellowship and togetherness.
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WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The logo for 2017 was inspired by a drawing by Joyce Waia, a young Indigenous leader from Napranum/ Weipa in Queensland. Waia is Torres Strait Islander and she grew up in a small aboriginal community.
Yuróra means “passionate” and organisers of the four-day festival are grateful for the permission of the elders to use this word. They pay their respect to them and acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which the Yuróra gathering met, (and they also pay respect to past elders as well).
“I’m so proud of what I do and I’m glad to carry on my passion in my community,” explains Waia. In designing the logo for Yuróra, Waia said: “To me, this drawing I’ve done, it’s about me and my youths gathered around our elders, listening to their stories of The Dreamtimes. The yellow dots outside is my elders telling their Dreamtime stories; blue dots is the spirit, faith around us; and, in the middle, the orange is the leaders of the next generations being taught
With all these updates and a strong and united coordination team, Yurora 2017 is bound to be a refreshing and life-changing experience for anyone who attends. Yuróra is a Dharug word from the Burrumattagal peoples — the first people of the land in North Parramatta, where the 2014 festival was held.
UNITING CULTURE, UNITING YOUTH Yuróra i s a confer enc e ma d e for youn g p eop le, by young p eop l e. H owever, we c a n’t do i t a l on e, a n d we’d love you to h el p us g et t h er e! T h er e a r e ma ny way s for you to b e i nvo l ved w i t h i n t h is a ma z ing, c ul t ura l l y u n i f ying event . • W h et h er you h ave teen a g er s or young a dult s f rom yo ur Congrega t ions w h o a re d elega tes — or i f yo u h ave a h ea r t a nd a ca l l i n g to h elp t h es e b ea ut i f ul young a d ult s — i t ’ s th rough your s uppor t t h a t o ur g oal to ma ke Yuróra 2 017 a s uc c es s ca n b e a t t a ined . • P r ayer i s a p ower f ul tool G od h a s g i ven to us , a nd it ca n us e d to s uppor t Yur ór a — even by t hos e w h o a r e un a b l e to a ttend, a nd t h eir C on gr eg a t i ons ! We a ll c a n p r ay for t h e s moot h r unning of Yuró ra , for w is d om to b e p rovi ded to t h os e in l ea der s h i p pos it ions , or
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by three different stories: culture, faith and respect!”
INSPIRED TO SERVE THE GOSPEL
Impressivly, Yuróra 2014’s participants had reflected our Church’s diversity (20 per cent First Peoples, 40 per cent Multicultural, 40 per cent Anglo). These 1000 inspired and energised young people went back to their hometowns, sharing their stories and experiences.
Having been reminded that their stories and perspectives matter, Yuróra’s participants were mobilised. They had been trained and equipped at Yuróra to engage their faith with practical skills, and return to their contexts with a vision to faithfully respond to the gospel imperative.
for deleg ates to encounter God in a way that will c ontinually imp act them (even af ter the conclusion of t he event). God’s g reat b lessing for us is to make miracles hap p en when peop le come tog ether to pr ay. The constant p rayer s we already have had of fered for Yuróra are a b lessing for ever yone who h a s been, still is, and will b e involved in the festival. • O f f and on-site volunteering roles are available, such a s help ing with “Bump In/ Bump Out”, p arking , and f ir s t aid. Other “g eneral” roles are also available,to b e on-hand to help in w h a tever way is necessar y. • B uy ing Yuróra merchandise — s uch as shir ts, hoodies a nd wristbands — not only f ina ncially assists the event; wearing any of the Yur óra g ear in p ublic is also gr eat p ublicity! • Y our sup p or t does not need to only last up until the end of Yuróra 2017. Deleg ates
Many participants went on to pursue theological study, while others connected with local projects (everything from OakTree to ARSC, NAIDOC to online activism). Many participated in other UCA events such as AboutFace, UnitingWorld InSolidarity trips, National Young Adult Leaders Conferences.Significantly, many participants found their place and voice within their local church community. For the delegates, adult volunteers and organising team, Yuróra was a lifechanging experience. And it should be again, in 2017, when more are sent out to transform the world with love, acceptance and grace. Bradon French, UME Next Generation Consultant
returning back from such a g reat event may need g uidance on their return to their local churches. Mentoring these young p eop le in their indiv idua l journeys with God wi ll ensure the imp act of Yurór a is long -lasting . These are only a few of m a ny ways you can help the Yurór a Co-ordination Team, eithe r in the lead-up , during , and a f ter the four-day festival. We woul d be so blessed and encour a g ed by your aid, no matter how simp le or small you believe your actions to be. Make this #Yo ur Yur o r a.
YOUR YURÓRA 2017
To f ind out more about Yuróra :
www.yurora.com
facebook.com/youryurora twitter.com/Yurora17 instagram.com/yurora17
Yuróra 2014 was an exciting event filled with music, fellowship and fun
BEC’S STORY I attended Yuróra 2014 when I was 15 years old, enabling me to be a part of the ‘Babanas’ group for delegates under 16. Through Babanas, I met so many great people whom I still have connections with today! It was a crazy, exciting, adventurous few days and all the people were uniquely amazing; with their own individual personalities, stories, talents and experiences to share. As part of the Babanas program, we had sessions with and heard from people who were extremely passionate about what they do. A particular highlight was when the talented performer, Rachel Collis, shared her story and performed especially for the Babanas group, allowing us to witness passion through her music and talents. Throughout Yuróra, I was immersed into a world of passionate youth and diversified, unified culture. I loved getting to spend time exploring the precint with fun people and partaking in some of the activities, such as the Indigenous dance workshop which was an incredible experience. The main rally was a huge highlight for me — there was an awesome vibe with that many people gathered together. It really makes you feel that you’re a part of something truly great; which you are. I also loved the food; that was a wonderful experience. I’m so keen for Yuróra 17. The new site is fantastic and there is a great line-up and so many exciting opportunities to immerse yourself in. I’m really looking forward to experiencing Yuróra as an adult delegate this time, and creating fun memories with amazing people.
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M A K I N G M O N E Y M AT T E R
Wanted: Windsor’s past treasures
Reverend David Kidd with Councillor Christine Paine and the plaster plaque of the church she found 15 years ago. Picture: Geoff Jones 38
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The church’s communion silverware is said to be more than 100 years old, but could be much older. The wooden cross next to it is made from wood from a demolished church, but which one is unknown. Picture: Geoff Jones
It’s known by some in Windsor as the Disney church on Fitzgerald Street, as it looks a bit like the Disneyland castle. It will celebrate its 140-year history next month with the Governor of NSW David Hurley in attendance — and the church wants your memorabilia to put on show for the day.
DO YOU HAVE ANY MEMORABILIA FROM THE CHURCH THAT YOU CAN SHARE? If you have any memorabilia to offer to the Windsor Uniting Church celebrations, call Rev. Stevenson on 4577 3147.
Secretary of the Church Council Reverend David Kidd said people already come forward with items from the church’s past. “One lady has brought in her wedding dress from her wedding here over 40 years ago,” he said. “We’ve got photos, and a plaster plaque of the church brought in by Councillor Christine Paine. One of her children was married here.” The current church has a long history with Windsor, but it is the third church on the site. “The first Wesleyan prayer meetings were in 1812 in Windsor,” Rev. Kidd said. “These developed into a Congregation when the first Methodist chaplain Samuel Leigh came out to the colony from London in 1815. “He established Congregations in Parramatta, Windsor and Castlereagh, visiting them all on horseback. He started the Windsor Congregation in mid-1816 so it is, in fact, 200 years since our Congregation started as well.” The first church on the site, built 1820, became too small; the second, built in 1838, burnt down in the great Windsor fire of December 1874. The current one was built in 1876. The celebration will be on Sunday, August 28. A special service will be held at 9.30am, followed by a big morning tea. Justine Doherty This article was originally published in the Hawesbury Gazette, www.hawkesburygazette.com.au
LONGSTANDING WITNESS TO FAITH Years ago, Charles Vesley wrote a short history of the ‘historic holy place’, Windsor Uniting Church. He finished on this note: “So the white church has stood there for all these years. Its name has changed, and so have her people. The Congregation has waxed and waned over the years. However, the spirit of her builders is far from gone. As the ancestors of this church have, over the years, slowly passed on to join with that great cloud of witnesses, others have come to take their place.” “Today the church in Windsor may not face a devastating fire, or her livelihood at the mercy of the elements. However, she does face new challenges that come from a variety of places... Yet she stands as a witness to the values and the faith of the ancestors who built her.” Contact Rev. Geoff Stevenson on 02 4577 3147, or David Kidd on 0409 347 194 about the celebrations.
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M A K I N G M O N E Y M AT T E R
Return is great when we surrender all
WARREN BIRD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UNITING FINANCIAL SERVICES
Jesus knew when people were reaching out to him, even if they tried to conceal it. One example is the story of the woman who’d been very ill for many years and reached out for healing. (Mark 5:24-34). She hoped the crowd that was jostling Jesus would hide the fact she’d done a most inappropriate thing by touching the hem of His robe. Only family could do something so intimate but, such was her desperation, she risked it. Not only did Jesus know what she’d done, He took away her shame as well as her illness; He called her ‘daughter’ when He spoke to her.
‘colourful racing identity’ and you have a contemporary idea of what they thought of a chief tax collector back then.
came thinking he was in the box seat to gain spiritual assurance — but he went away dejected instead.
But something miraculous was taking place in Zac’s heart. Knowing the crowd’s thoughts, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, half my goods I give to the poor, and if I’ve defrauded anyone, I’ll make it good four times over.’ He’d been unconditionally welcomed by the Lord Jesus and that drew out a generous response. Jesus declared that ‘today, salvation has come to this house’. Zacchaeus was exactly the sort of lost soul He’d come to redeem.
The contrast with Zacchaeus’s joy is stark.
What a contrast to another rich man that Jesus had met earlier (recorded in Luke 18:18-29). That man, who There’s also a more comical isn’t named, was reputable example in Luke 19:1-10. in society, being described A man named Zacchaeus wanted just a glimpse of Jesus as a ‘ruler’. He didn’t try to hide his interest in what Jesus but, being short, he couldn’t see over the masses. Running had to say, asking, ‘Good ahead, he climbed a sycamore teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ The ever tree, whose low branches perceptive Jesus responded and dense foliage made it by listing the Commandments a popular place for children that address behaviours. The to play hide and seek. Zac young man claimed to have didn’t expect to be seen, but kept all these, which may have as Jesus passed the tree He looked up, said ‘Tag, you’re ‘it’ been true, but Jesus knew this to the little man... then invited wasn’t the real issue. Himself to dinner! ‘One thing you still lack,’ He said. ‘Sell all that you have Zacchaeus, however, was and distribute to the poor. You overjoyed. As a tax collector, will have treasure in heaven. he didn’t have many friends. And come, follow me.’ This Most of the crowd objected was a bridge too far for to the idea of Jesus dining the young man. He had with someone like him. Think
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Another contrast between the stories of the two rich men is that Zacchaeus didn’t give up all his wealth and yet salvation came to his house. Why had the ‘ruler’ been asked to give up all he had? We need to be clear that Jesus didn’t come to add more rules. When He spoke to the young man, Jesus wasn’t giving us an eleventh commandment. He was applying the first commandment – to love the Lord your God with all your heart – to an individual situation. This young man loved his worldly goods rather than God. His response to Jesus’s proposal demonstrated that sad reality. Zacchaeus’s response was perfectly acceptable because it was not only generous, but it came from his renewed heart. He may not initially have been reaching out to Christ, but when He reached out to him, Zacchaeus was set free by his experience of Christ’s grace. He didn’t give all he had away, but he surrendered all he had to Jesus. None of us are called to do any less.
LECTIONARY REFLECTIONS
August: The journey toward Jerusalem
7 AUGUST LUKE 12:32-40 The passages from Luke’s Gospel that we are reading during August and September are all located within the long, extended journey towards Jerusalem that Jesus undertakes with his followers. Together, Jesus and his followers set out from Galilee (Luke 9:51-56). It takes many chapters before they arrive in Jerusalem (19:11, 28, 41-44, 45-46). Many stories fill these chapters. Each story teaches us something about what it means to follow Jesus.
who are travelling with Jesus on the road towards Jerusalem because, once they arrive in the city, things turn out in a most unexpected way! What can you do to be ready for the unexpected and surprising appearance of God in your life?
14 AUGUST LUKE 12:49-56
world to the standard of justice that was proclaimed by the prophets. These fervent words remind those of us who are travelling with Him, that we must be ready to give Him our complete allegiance — and to live as if the justice of God is a reality for everyone we meet.
opponents have been bested in public.
How can we live in a way that commits to the standard of justice at the heart of God?
This passage continues the core values of honour and shame. The guests at the banquet “chose the place of honour” (v 7). That is the expected way for people to behave, in the time of Jesus and also in our own day. Yet Jesus turns this on its head. “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled; those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (v 11)
21 AUGUST LUKE 13:10-17 Jesus’ opponents “were put to shame” (v 17). He lived in a culture in which honour and shame were central values. Honour was something like public reputation or esteem; it was status claimed in the community, and the status that others recognised someone to have. Honour would be jealousy guarded. When honour was challenged, an immediate response was demanded. Jesus’s honour was challenged by the leader of the synagogue: when He cured the woman, he was working on the sabbath (v 14). This was against the law.
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, smiling serenely with blue eyes and lily-white skin … that is exactly what Jesus was NOT like! His gift to the world was not a placid peacefulness. Speaking in dramatic, exaggerated terms, Many of these stories are He warns that He is bringing “hard sayings” which challenge a fiery presence (v 49), that us in our discipleship. Today’s He will divide opinions and passage emphasises the commitments (v 51-52), and importance of being prepared that He will require judgement Jesus’s reply (v 15) was a for the unexpected. to be made and punishment to challenge to the honour of the synagogue leader. So, be exacted (v 57-59). they debate. Jesus wins the It’s an unsettling message: encounter; the synagogue we tend to prefer things Since Jesus proclaims faith ruler has no come-back when they are regular and in the God of Abraham, Isaac to Him. The exchange has predictable. But it’s a most and Jacob, we must surely followed the pattern expected suitable message for those expect that He will hold the in that culture — and Jesus’s
What is the standard of honorable behaviour that is expected of us, as followers of Jesus?
28 AUGUST LUKE 14:1, 7-14
The stories which Jesus told his followers, as they trod the road towards Jerusalem, were intended to disturb them — not placate them. The parables aimed to provoke anxiety and to invite deeper consideration of what was really important. The provocations which Jesus proclaimed were spoken in order to equip His followers for what would lie ahead in Jerusalem: rejection, trauma, and despair. How can we guard against acting in a way that reinforces our sense of superiority, and opens us up to the possibility of surprise and upheaval?
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LECTIONARY REFLECTIONS
September: Faithful followers of Jesus 4 SEPTEMBER LUKE 14:25-33 One of the most common mistakes made about what it means to follow Jesus, is to claim that “family values” are at the heart of the Gospel. This passage refutes that quite explicitly, as Jesus instructs his followers: “You must hate your father and your mother”. (v 26) It might be an overstatement, but it conveys the point: we have a different set of values. Following Jesus means entering into a new relationship of kinship with a new family — of disciples. Those who share with you in being faithful followers of Jesus are the ones who have the first and the ultimate claim on you, as you travel through life. This is counterintuitive; it is different from what we innately expect in contemporary society. What are you most grateful for, among those who share their journey with you as followers of Jesus?
11 SEPTEMBER LUKE 15:1-10 “He welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (v 2) Hospitality was highly-valued in the society in which Jesus lived. Welcoming the visitor, opening your table to others
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and providing a safe place for the traveller; such values were shared across all levels of society. The parables in this week’s passage demonstrate this. They each end with a marvellous celebration, as friends and neighbours gather to celebrate the finding of that which was lost. Yet Jesus pushes beyond sharing table fellowship with “friends and neighbours” (v 5, v 9); He insists on holding places for those who would not normally be part of the celebration. “He welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Now there is a challenge, to our comfortable, respectable dinner parties!! Can you think of someone who could be an unexpected and shocking guest at a party in your house? How else can you show them hospitality?
18 SEPTEMBER LUKE 16:1-13 As Jesus heads to Jerusalem with his disciples, He invites them to consider how their lives might be different, because of their commitment to following in his way. He tells this parable in order to provoke them, perhaps even shock them. It contains very difficult ethical dilemmas. Did the shrewd steward do the right thing, or not? What was
Jesus up to, by telling a tale of such questionable behaviour? Many commentators have despaired of making sense of this parable. But perhaps one thing the steward says may offer an insight as to why he behaved in this way. He acts as he does “so that people will welcome me” (v 4). Patronage in the peasant economy of the day was critical. He needed someone to take care of him when he was out of a job. Did he do the right thing? How would you manage the situation that the manager found himself in?
25 SEPTEMBER LUKE 16:19-31 Often restated are Jesus’s teachings concerning money: “Sell your possessions” (Luke 12:33); “Bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, the lame” (14:21); “Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor” (18:22).
Jesus affirmed “blessed are you who are poor” (Luke 6:20), and set His mission as being “to bring good news to the poor, to let the oppressed go free”. (4:18) The story of Lazarus and the rich man fits into this line of teaching. Jesus does not proclaim a message of prosperity for the rich, but of justice for the poor. Those who travel with Him will be required to hold to this message. When we seek to journey with Jesus, we also are challenged to relegate our possessions into their proper place in life. What does it mean for people in Australia in 2016 to hear what “someone who rose from the dead” has declared about justice for the poor?
These reflections were prepared by the Rev. Dr John Squires from the Mid North Coast Presbytery
N E W S F RO M U N I T I N G C H U R C H A D U LT F E L L OW S H I P ( U C A F )
Fellowship news
TAPA TIMES IN CANBERRA Canberra Presbytery held its 39th Rally at Queanbeyan earlier this year, with more than 50 attending. Three guest speakers, shared during the day of great fellowship. The Presbytery has had a large piece of Tapa for many years. It was on show at the Rally in its new form, folded not cut. It will remain on display at Queanbeyan till the 2017 Rally. GOD’S STRENGTH AND COMMUNITY CARE Illawarra Presbytery held its Fellowship Day at Wollongong Wesley Church with 100 attending. Linda Hurley, wife of the NSW governor, was the special guest. She chose “God is my strength” as her theme, and shared her life story (from childhood, to being the wife of an army officer stationed around the world). Mrs Hurley still acknowledges how God has been her strength despite twists and turns. During the afternoon, Karen Zaini shared her work as the Wollongong Wesley Community Care Co-ordinator. Five days per week, around 70 meals are prepared for homeless and disadvantaged people. Now ten years into the role, Karen told of the highs and lows. As a special request from Mrs Hurley, the offering of almost $1000 went to this very worthy cause.
STORIES OF KAZAKHSTAN AT SAWTELL Mid North Coast Presbytery held its Rally at Sawtell UC and eight churches were represented. Special guest was a teacher who had spent nine years in Kazakhstan and she had many stories to tell. The offering was shared between Frontier Services’ “Outback Links “water project and the speaker. NATIONAL CELEBRATION The UCAF National Celebration in Geelong Conference Centre was attended by 62 national delegates. Over five days, Rev Ross Stanford and Rev David Withers led the Bible Studies. Special guest speakers included Dan McAloon from Frontier Services, Medical Sailing Ministries’ Bob Latimer and Rev Paul Bartlett from UnitingWorld. Electives were held, and there were visits to Queenscliff, as well as Geelong’s Botanic gardens, Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre and the Wool Museum. RALLIES • Hunter Presbytery at Salamander UC, Friday, 19 August • Mid North Coast South at Forster, Wednesday, 15 September • Macquarie Darling at Lithgow, Thursday, 22 September
If you would like to share your fellowship news or have any questions, please contact Judy Hicks on judyh_rnh@hotmail.com
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B E L I E F M AT T E R S
Christians can’t be rich and famous Now that we have your attention… That headline above is incorrect. Of course it is, we hear you think.
bloke how to enter eternal life, he told him to sell all he had, give it to the poor and follow him (Mark 10:17-22).
Of course Christians can be rich and famous. How dare we limit or stifle what a Christian can be.
Even though Jesus loved this rich young bloke for his diligent lifestyle of living by God’s commands (Mark 10:19-21), Jesus still cut to the heart of the matter.
But is that what we really think? Is that what we think the very moment after we hear that a rich and famous person is a Christian? Take this challenge: 22-yearold singing superstar Justin Bieber is a Christian. What do you think of that? Bieber is so rich and famous it’s an understatement to say he’s rich and famous. And he’s been dropping more and more references to his faith during the past few years. From prominently attending one of Hillsong’s churches in New York City to posting “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) to his 64 million followers on Instagram, Bieber professes to be a believer.
Jesus says it’s impossible for rich people to enter the kingdom of heaven. But Jesus didn’t actually say that. What he told his disciples was that it would be super-hard, not impossible (Matthew 19:23). Okay, sure. But straight after that, didn’t Jesus also say it is easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God? Yes, he did (see Matthew 19:24). But he said more than that. When his disciples went on to ask him “Then who can be saved?”, Jesus replied: “With men this is impossible but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:25-26)
SUPER-HARD, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE Why does it even seem like a Christian couldn’t also be rich and famous? What’s the big deal? What’s the issue?
Yes, being able to enter the kingdom of God is so hard for a rich person to do, it’s simpler to thread a humpy animal through a tiny space. But it’s not impossible. All things are possible with God.
Some of us like to think that Christianity is opposed to wealth and celebrity. For example, we might raise how
THE HEART OF THE MATTER For Justin Bieber, entering the kingdom of God is much
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harder than for someone far less wealthy. Like you or me. It’s not harder because there is a different way for the rich and the nowhere-near-as-rich. Whoever you are, you have the same way of entering the kingdom of God. And that same way is Jesus (see John 14:6 — “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”).
Among other things, Christians are called to selflessly give (Matthew 25:35-45; Hebrews 13:16; James 1:27, 2:14-17) and be humble (Matthew 23:12).
But it’s harder for Justin Bieber, or anyone else like him... because they have more to give up. More of the things of our world that we can devote ourselves to, instead of being devoted to the source of all good things (James 1:17 — “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from [God]”).
It’s about your heart. Putting your whole heart into it.
And when fame is added to the account of a wealthy person, there’s another desirable thing of this life that can be costly when it comes to entering eternal life. Entering the kingdom of Heaven (or kingdom of God) means you will be entering into eternal life. When Jesus was asked by a young rich
But what Jesus was hoping the rich young bloke would understand was it’s not just about doing those things.
Handing over the desires of your heart — desires for wealth, fame, success or whatever you crave for yourself — so your heart’s desire is to desire to live for the kingdom of God. Whether you are poor, rich or Justin Bieber, the issue isn’t whether you’re too wealthy or famous to be a Christian. The issue is whether you are prepared to value the kingdom of God more highly than anything else. Ben McEachen
C U LT U R E WAT C H
Bigger than Ben-Hur? Ben-Hur has been remade and will be in cinemas from August 18. Such an announcement may confirm your worst fears or largest gripes against Hollywood. Can’t Hollywood come up with new ideas or, at least, leave classic movies alone?
attention to the Big Story driving Benhur’s big story.
Like me, you might be struggling to understand why we needed a new version of the 1959 epic that won 11 Oscar and made chariot racing part of cinematic folklore.
Wallace hadn’t been terribly interested in Christianity before he had a conversation on a train in 1876. America’s most famous 19th Century atheist, Robert Ingersoll, engaged Wallace in a lengthy discussion about Christianity. Ingersoll knew a lot about the Bible and theology. Wallace did not. He was greatly disturbed by and ashamed at an atheist’s grasp on such important matters. Wallace decided to learn more, “if only for the gratification there might be in having convictions of one kind or another”, he remarked.
But check out the fine print… 2016’s Ben-Hur is the third major production of author Lew Wallace’s source novel, first published in 1880. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is the full title of Wallace’s creative tale about Judah Ben-Hur. A makebelieve Jewish bloke, Ben-Hur’s dramatic life of doublecross, slavery, revenge and redemption takes place at the same time as Jesus’s life. Yes, Wallace deliberately contrasted Judah Ben-Hur with the Son of God. That fine print on the novel’s original title — A Tale of the Christ — does get overlooked or forgotten. Perhaps, with the new version of Ben-Hur at cinemas this month, it’s time we paid more
Also, there’s another incredible yet little-mentioned part of the Ben-Hur tale: Wallace wrote the novel as his own personal pursuit of God and Jesus.
His way of learning more was, well, novel. He decided his Christianity quest would take the form of writing a novel about the life of Jesus. The process of researching and investigating Jesus appealed to him, as a literary and personal expedition. However, he was respectful enough to not invent a new story for Jesus. In his memoir, Wallace admitted that “the Christian world would not tolerate a
novel with Jesus Christ its hero”, because it might be taken as irreverence or lies. “I would be religiously careful that every word He uttered should be a literal quotation from one of [the gospels],” explained Wallace about why every word Jesus says in Ben-Hur is directly taken from the Bible’s King James translation. Film fans and literature lovers often forget that Ben-Hur’s famous story has always contained something much bigger within it. While cinema history can’t forget the chariot scenes and Charlton Heston going up against the Roman Empire (long before Russell Crowe followed a very, very, very similar plot in Gladiator), what we all can fail to remember is… Jesus. But Wallace didn’t. His experience of exploring Jesus’ life, teachings, death and resurrection – from the perspective of a fictional Jewish man – helped him to find a saving relationship with Jesus. “Long before I was through with my book, I became a believer in God and Christ.” Let’s pray that Ben-Hur, the 2016 version, might assist in inspiring such belief in viewers around the world. Ben McEachen
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Entertain me PRESS PLAY WIDE OPEN SKY (G)
PRESS PLAY STRANGER THINGS (PG)
A documentary set in rural New South Wales, Wide Open Sky follows Michelle Leonard, a choir instructor, as she auditions thousands of children for her Moorambilla Voices Regional Choir. As a feel-good family film, it instills a feeling of hope and teaches an invaluable lesson: “In order for children to believe in themselves, they first need someone to believe in them.”
The recent premiere of the Netflix produced series Stranger Things is a throwback and homage to ’80s cinema and clearly has been inspired by the work of seminal filmmakers of that period. It harks back to the sparse scares of science fiction in the decade built on the genre cinema of Spielberg, Cronenberg and Lynch – as well as no small amount of Stephen King.
The documentary crew travels with Michelle as she completes one of her annual trips to rural NSW. Each year, she drives more than 4,000 kilometres to disadvantaged, remote towns. Her goal is to open the minds of children in these areas and, through music, give them hope and ambition. Wide Open Sky also briefly touches on the journey of four children who, with the help of Michelle and her music, learn they are more capable they ever imagined.
Taking place in small-town Indiana, 1983, the setting of Stranger Things is as much its fabric as it is its scenario. The accuracy with which Stranger Things’ writers and creators — The Duffer Brothers — recreate not just the body, but the soul of works such as E.T., The Goonies, The Gate, Scanners and IT, goes beyond any simple observation of visual style.
Wide Open Sky presents the selfless acts of Michelle Leonard and her team, as well as stories of ‘hidden’ country families that have been left behind by modern society. The setting brings a powerful sense of isolation, but Michelle’s optimism and drive cuts through with determination.
The star of Stranger Things — if such an ensemble-heavy show can be said to have a star — is Winona Ryder as Joyce, the single mother of a boy who’s been captured by the titular monster of the series. She’s valiantly trying to raise two kids on her own; all the better to channel Spielberg’s E.T.
PRESS PLAY CLEVERMAN (MA15+)
Welcome to one of the most unique and ambitious TV show created in Australia. Boasting a sizeable budget and some bigger names (Frances O’Connor, Game of Thrones’ Iain Glen), pacy, violent and sturdy Cleverman almost defies easy summary. Set in an alternate version of modern Sydney, this six-part series has society being dangerously divided along racial lines — “white” Australians, First Peoples, and a “sub-human” group called “Hairies”. Dramatic sci-fi Cleverman compels interest yet is often unclear about which sub-plot it is following — there are so many, your attention can be divided and diminished. However, the key player is young indigenous bloke Koen (watchable Hunter Page-Lochard). As Koen resists the responsibility of being the newest version of an ancient “superhero”, he and others intersect amid a vast range of topics. Everything from terrorism to genetic modification, border protection to cultural pride and corporate greed gets a look in.
As the audience, we see the children awakening to the possibilities of life. Overall, after watching Wide Open Sky, we are left with a feeling of positivity. It’s clear that Michelle’s efforts have made an incredible impact.
Stranger Things sees several disparate groups — starting with a typically Spielbergian bunch of excitable nerd kids — variously drawn into a wider, darker world than they’ve ever known before. They are forced to define themselves by how they choose to explore it and overcome its dangers.
As Cleverman has a fair crack at matching the US, UK or Scandinavian productions which dominate our small screens, its loose backdrop is Indigenous spirituality. Some Dreamtime forces fall under the microscope of scientific tests, as if to reflect a common issue people have with life’s supernatural and soulful aspects. Such aspects are undeniable — yet so many demand scientific proof.
Toya Gattas
Adrian Drayton
Ben McEachen
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HEALTHY CHURCHES EXPO 5 November, Centre for Ministry, 16 Masons Drive, North Parramatta
The HEALTHY CHURCHES EXPO is a day designed to assist Churches, whether they are small or large, with a broad range of information, tools and resources to maintain and improve their health.
COST: $20 per person (includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea) TIME: 9am-5.30pm
Topics will include: • • • •
Healthy church governance to assist our Church’s growth and mission Fit for purpose: Steps for calling a new minister Raising and managing church finances Creating a culture of generosity
• • • • • •
Recruit, retain and motivate volunteers Revitalising community engagement in your Church Helping your Church become Work Health and Safety fit? Property workshop Is your Church a Safe Church? How to apply for scholarships and grants
HEALTHY CHURCHES EXPO will empower local congregations to grow in faith and action. “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly” JOHN 10:10
To register your interest and find out more go to www.healthychurches.org.au
Manage your money, your way.
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