Insights Autumn 2022 (Easter edition) by Insights Magazine

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l a r Ru y l h g u o r o Th

s n o i t c e l f e R

Our

Story Where are our

heroes?

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Connection and Care L

REV. JANE FRY 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.

ately I’ve been remembering two people who were attached to a Uniting Church. Two unrelated individuals, two quite different life stories both of whom ended up separated from their families and effectively alone in the world. Hence, perhaps, their attachment to the church. I use the word ‘attached’ because ‘connected’, ‘included’, ‘befriended’ and other similar words aren’t quite right. I acknowledge that both were quite challenging – one person could be an absolute pest and the other was so trapped in his own grief and sadness that it was hard to get words out of him. There’s more to their stories, of course, I mention them because they were so alone in the world when they died.

we now live. In a book titled ‘The Life of I: The New Culture of Narcissism’, Alice Manne comments "Popular culture, in its relentless embrace of the addictions of consumerism, seduces ordinary people". Individualism, materialism, consumerism are dominant, inescapable threads in our cultural landscape and we’re all, consciously or unconsciously, tangled in them. So tangled perhaps that it’s become increasingly difficult to see or sense what might have been lost along the way and it now takes increasingly powerful wake up calls to remind us that we belong to each other, we need each other and to remind us of the blessing and gift of being connected in community.

As we look back on the last two years of pandemic disruption and restriction and remember what it felt like to be separated from family and community, I’ve been very conscious of the very many people in residential aged care settings who CONNECTION have no family or no family AND CARE FOR contact. For such people, EACH OTHER ARE the community of their FUNDAMENTAL TO particular setting - made OUR WELLBEING up of staff and other I have a – possibly idealistic – residents – is life-giving and expectation that the church should life-saving. The pandemic has ‘get’ this. After all, we live in a story that both revealed and intensified the says it’s not about ‘you’, it’s actually more systemic problems in the way aged care about ‘us’. We have been gathered into is delivered in this country. It bothers me (a community to live differently together, to be lot) that there is so little sign of any intention ‘a fellowship of reconciliation through which to seriously address these issues emanating Christ may work and bear witness to himself’ from those who have responsibility. (Basis of Union par.3) We’ve all learned over the last two years how One of the most profound ways that the vulnerable we are when our ability to connect church witnesses to Jesus Christ is when and care for each other is constrained or it reaches beyond its buildings to offer cut off. Human beings are social animals hospitality and genuine community as a – connection and care for each other are reminder that we are not alone, we are fundamental to our wellbeing, not an optional all in this together; when it provides a nice-to-have. We appear to notice this most caring sanctuary for those who are alone powerfully whenever community comes in this world, so they don’t die alone and together in response to a threat or disaster disconnected from the human family. And, as we experienced in the 2019 bushfire yes, it’s sometimes uncomfortable, painful, disaster and, right now, in the response to and costly. devastating floods in northern NSW. At such times, our dependance on the generosity It's Ash Wednesday in the week that I’m and compassion of others is recognised, writing this – the beginning of Lent when appreciated and celebrated for the enormous we usually talk of giving something up. gift – blessing – that it is. Coffee, chocolate, wine are frequently favourite sacrifices. As we ‘give up’ this It always strikes me that the gift of community Lent, could we also reflect on what we might should be remarked upon as something ‘give to’ forming and fostering a connected, unusual, strange, surprising. I surmise that loving community as a reminder for our this reaction reflects the highly individualized, disconnected, forgetful world? self-absorbed, self-obsessed culture in which

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Thoroughly Rural

Insights talks to Ministry agents in rural areas to share their stories and hopes for the future

REGULARS 3 WELCOME 6

YOUR SAY ONLINE

NEWS

BELIEF MATTERS

PULSE

LECTIONARY REFLECTIONS

ENTERTAIN ME

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 Jonathan Foye PRODUCTION/DESIGN Rana Moawad COVER ART Mary holding Jesus ©2007 Helen Barnes RSJ. From The Cross – An Australian Journey (Strathfield: St Pauls Publications) 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. Contents copyright. No material from this publication may be copied, photocopied or transmitted by any means without the permission of the Managing Editor. CIRCULATION: 12,000. ISSN: 1036-7322 Commonwealth of Australia 2020.

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M O D E R ATO R ’S R E F L E C T I O N

The heart of our faith A

s Western Australia opens itself up to the rest of our country and, thus, to the world, we can reflect on two years of lines drawn on a map, of diseasedriven demarcation, and wonder what has happened.

REV. SIMON HANSFORD MODERATOR THE MODERATOR IS ELECTED TO GIVE PROPHETIC AND PASTORAL LEADERSHIP TO THE SYNOD, ASSISTING AND ENCOURAGING EXPRESSION AND FULFILMENT OF FAITH, AND THE WITNESS OF THE CHURCH.

Keep up with the Moderator by following these hashtags on Facebook and Instagram. #moderatorinsession #AllOfThisIsUs

I have walked the empty offices and shops in Pitt Street, sponsored by sound health policy and amplified by fear. As people trickle back into the city, we all wonder what is next; confidence is yet to return alongside the workers.

the connection for which we long becomes slightly more arbitrary. Someone finds a hairline crack and stamps their boot.

The ash has barely been wiped from our foreheads and we watch our friends trapped in a flooding disaster on our state’s north coast and Russia trampling war into Ukraine. So much invested in finding enemies; people to accuse, or punish, or ignore.

This story is not new; it is as old as sin itself. A colleague speaks of “powers and principalities” which We gather in are invested only in worship and themselves and at concerts THE CRUCIFIED whisper temptations (unmasked!) C H R I S T S I T S AT to power, to the and test the THE HEART OF distractions of distances OUR FAITH bread and circuses. between, They are woven in our not quite culture and use voices sure whether that we know, sometimes to shake hands, even our own. to nod and smile, or to embrace. Fiona and I danced In this season, of all seasons, and clapped and sang with we must be able to proclaim all our might at an outdoor mercy and justice, the performance recently. Part of essential hope we find in our exhilaration was simply to Jesus Christ. be amongst full-faced people elated around us, even with What song of life have we the uncertainty of everything. to sing to which people may want to dance, even with We know the wonder of exhilaration? being together, of contact, of connection. Introverts and Of what hope might we speak extraverts alike have missed that offers an embrace and being in the room, around the not the pointed finger of table, gathered in relationship. accusation and blame? The famished embraces of In a world which seeks to families at the airport echoes accuse others and create in every one of us. enemies, in order to distract In our next breath we watch from responsibility, our as people strive to find discipleship calls us to seek difference, to define and out our enemies in order to divide our communities. forgive them. The credibility Election campaigns always of our proclamation is bring this on, we are told, found in the integrity of our once more. So our faith, or ministry, not in the beauty our identity, or our gender, or of our sanctuaries, or in the our fear become focal points reputations of the past. for political exploitation and

In a recent commercial radio interview about the floods, the journalist was astonished at the work of our Disaster Chaplains, sitting with people in their worst moments. They know that there is no easy solution to be offered, but the integrity of their presence, weeping with those who weep.

The crucified Christ sits at the heart of our faith. Jesus, on the cross, is the marker of difference who embraces all those who are wounded – and those who create the wounds. In his final hours, the actions of Christ are to welcome a criminal and to seek forgiveness for those who nailed him there. Not revenge, but mercy. When a preacher, or a politician, speaks of sin and forgiveness too quickly and too easily, check your wallet. The forgiveness which is found on the cross is not an exchange of contract or a bargain struck. It is never “a form of words”. It is the deliberate, compassionate act of God to restore the creation and all within it, and requires everything of God, even life. It is God with us, in uttermost suffering and injustice. The silence of the tomb echoes the impact of God’s engagement with us. Forgiveness is costly and borne in love. The wonder of Christ’s resurrection is the assurance that the story of death which haunts our world is not the most powerful word spoken. Life is stronger than death’s demarcation. It is God, in Christ, making us entirely whole, and entirely welcome.

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your say ONLINE

WE’VE ROUNDED UP THE BEST COMMENTS THAT YOU’VE LEFT ONLINE. If you would like to leave a comment on an article or have a viewpoint to share - just go online insights.uca.org.au and leave your comments.

A NOVEL IDEA Dear Insights Team

The front cover of this issue is a painting titled “Mary Holding Jesus”, part of a collection of artworks in the book The Cross: An Australian Journey. The 14 paintings in this book, and their accompanying reflections, call to mind the people of our land who share in the cross of Jesus. They also invite us to recognise signs of new life and to celebrate them. The Spirit of God is near to all of us on our spiritual journey.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Helen Barnes, a Sister of St Joseph, grew up in Sunshine, Melbourne Australia. She utilises art, storytelling and clowning to help people discover and express the stories of God's activity in their lives. She completed the paintings in this book while artist-inresidence at St Clement's Monastery, Galong, NSW. The book can be purchased from Amazon: tinyurl.com/ TheCrossHelenBarnes

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Wishing you a well-deserved Christmas break and to thank you for enabling the NSW church to keep up to date with what’s happening in congregations, synod agencies and our moderator Rev Simon Hansford through your various platforms. I look forward to more stories etc in 2022. I can’t resist sharing my little story with you on a novel use for Insights magazines. In December, I went to the Forster Uniting Church to view their nativity display of over 100 sets loaned by members and friends. After a delish Devonshire tea in the hall, on the way out I took a tumble and broke my wrist. One of their members, Deidre, who is a nurse, came to my aid with the first aid box and three copies of the summer edition of Insights which she used to splint my arm for the 37km car ride to the Manning Hospital in Taree. I’m sure the magazines helped to stabilise my arm. The wrist is healing well and the plaster will come off on 6 January. Blessings to you all as we celebrate Christmas 2021 – more than ever. GILLIAN

MEMB ER OF MANNING UC TAR EE

IN RESPONSE TO “HOLLYWOOD’S PRIMER ON CLIMATE DENIAL ILLUSTRATES FIVE MYTHS THAT FUEL REJECTION OF SCIENCE” We watched this last night and we’re not surprised in some ways at the ending. So much happens in this film that mirrors what is happening in our world today and with our own government. Big money dictates and science, well done and peer reviewed science is dismissed by glossy marketing. Well acted and there was never a dull moment. SUE SCOT T

IN RESPONSE TO “TOTALLY CONTROLLING VIEWING” (our review of Total Control on ABC iView)

I haven’t seen the show but these words piqued my interest, “Among other things, Total Control’s writing deserves praise for not settling for lazy stereotypes.” As a viewer, I’ll try not to lazily pigeonhole the characters as dodging or hiding sin but as overcoming it with the justice and mercy as shown by Christ and available to us all. Thanks. CHE RYL PETE RSE N

IN RESPONSE TO “A CREATIVE, ORIGINAL MINISTRY”

It has been an absolute joy for me to follow the inspiring and challenging work of Rev Rod and his team at Adamstown much more than puddings, with the the integration of Last Sunday, our Gospel reminded us of Jesus’s words music and art and social justice into the life and ”Do not be afraid! Come and follow me!” And we did follow worship. What a great team, what an example of following – through the Prime Ministers the Way. Take care, stay safe Apology , the National Press – but keep on challenging and Club, issues around the inspiring. Religious Discrimination Bill. Then this Sunday “Blessings SHIRLEY COLLESS and Woes”. A challenge – and a joy to lead Worship this Sunday! Thank you Gabrielle for your list of resources.

IN RESPONSE TO: “HOW TO AFFIRM LGBTQIA+ PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH”

CHRISTINE SHE PPARD

news

Geoff Thompson

named new Uniting Church Studies Editor

Pilgrim Theological College’s Rev. Dr Geoff Thompson has been named the new Editor of Uniting Church Studies.

ev. Dr Thompson told Insights that the journal he is going to edit is one he has long considered, “one of the best kept secrets in the Uniting Church.”

“Great work by previous editors has already made the journal a treasure of wisdom, scholarship and informed commentary,” he said. “I’m looking forward to building on what’s already been achieved.

published Christian Doctrine: A Guide for the Perplexed. As well as publishing in academic journals, Rev. Dr Thomson has published op-ed pieces in The Guardian, The Conversation, On-line Opinion and ABC Religion and Ethics. He said he was looking forward to raising the profile of the church’s scholars, as well as poets and artists. “I hope, too, to develop one of the journal’s long stated goals, fostering scholarly conversations with other United and Uniting Churches around the world,” Rev. Dr Thompson said.

THE JOURNAL IS A TREASURE OF WISDOM, SCHOLARSHIP AND INFORMED COMMENTARY

“In particular, I hope the journal can become the go-to publication for people within and beyond the UCA to engage the growing body of scholarship about the history, theology and life of the Uniting Church.”

“Whilst there is a vast body of scholarship on theologies that produced the twentieth century church union movement, there’s very little on the sorts of theologies that are emerging as a result "Geoff congratulations on this new chapter of those seems it has not fallen very far from what church was a very strong tree." unions.”

Rev. Dr Thompson is Co-ordinator of Studies in Systematic Theology at Pilgrim Theological College and Associate Professor in the University of Divinity, Melbourne. A Minister of the Word, he spent several years in congregational ministry prior to being called by the Bob Nash church to theological teaching and “Uniting research. Church Studies is He has written extensively on the uniquely placed theology of the Uniting Church, to publish including Disturbing Much, Disturbing Many: Theology Provoked by the Basis of research along those lines.” Union, A Genuinely Theological Church: Ministry and Theology in the Uniting JONATHAN FOYE Church and ‘In his own strange way’: A Past issues of Uniting post-Christendom sort-of Commentary Church Studies are on the Basis of Union.

Reader comment

He has a wider interest in the functions of doctrine in the church, and recently

available via Camden Theological Library.

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A Priest, a Minister and a Pastor walk into a bar... STARTING IN MARCH, THREE CHURCHES IN GLENBROOK WILL TAKE SOME TIME TOGETHER FOR FELLOWSHIP AFTER THEIR SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

rom Sunday, 6 March, Glenbrook’s Uniting, Baptist, and Catholic church congregations will meet to share a bowl of soup, with each church taking turns at hosting.

St Andrew’s Glenbrook Uniting Church minister Rev. Ellie Elia told Insights that the event was the initiative of local Catholic Priest Father Joe.

THE FIRST STEP IS TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES (RE)DISCOVER THE JOY OF WORK ACROSS DENOMINATIONS

“Father Joe from St Finbar’s had the idea – I think it’s a tradition he picked up from his time in Germany.”

“The idea is simply to share a table together , and at the same time to raise funds for vulnerable people.” “Each of our churches will provide soup and bread for the three churches. This will take place after our usual worship services. Some will walk from one church to the other. The Catholics and Baptists are neighbours. It’s a 20 minute walk for us.” According to Rev. Ellia, the three churches hope to collaborate more in future. “The three of us really want to share resources , but we know that the first step is to help our communities (re)discover the joy of work across denominations, so we are starting with table fellowship,” she said. “We have plans for working together throughout the year, especially high season of Advent and Lent. We are thinking about a possible youth focused gathering for Pentecost.” “Our three churches have in face been in relationship for a long time – Father Joe sent me a photo of a plaque I didn’t even know existed.”

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“Somewhere along the way these ecumenical relationships lost steam but the three of us are all reasonably new. We feel we are about to reengage this collaboration and care.” “I think its invaluable to strength these relationships that help us look beyond our own congregations, especially at a challenging time "I remember back in the 1970’s when the after two years Catholic priest and Uniting minister at of COVID. I know Glenbrook used to have ecumenical dinner that people in parties specifically for couples of ‘mixed’ (!) denominational marriages. So great to see the wider Blue ecumenism taking off again - hurray!" Mountains community Kate Prowse responded possibility to my [Facebook] post about what we are doing.”

Reader comment

“I think this ecumenical witness breaks through some of the exclusive and judgemental narratives about the church. I am pleased to be participating in a good new story.” JONATHAN FOYE

Souper Bowl Sunday takes place at 11:30 at: • Glenbrook Baptist Church on Sunday 20 March • St Andrew’s Uniting Church on Sunday 3 April

Niall McKay starts new Synod role Rev. Dr Niall McKay has started a new role as part of the NSW and ACT Synod. Rev. Dr McKay is the new Educator for Life Long Learning within the Vital Leadership Pathways team. “The new role is focused on lifelong learning for ministry,” he said. “It is part of the Vital Leadership Pathways team at UME and I am looking forward to working to collaboratively on education for ministry.”

insights Due to global paper stock shortages, Insights is considering reducing the print run of the magazine. Please contact us on insights@nswact.uca.org.au if you would like to continue receiving printed copies and the number of copies you require. CONNECT ONLINE You can connect with Insights online through: Digital publisher: www.issuu.com/Insightsmagazine (this is also available via an app for your smart phone). Instagram: www.instagram.com/insightsmag Website: www.insights.uca.org.au

LEARNING IS A GIFT THAT CAN MOVE US TO SEE THE WORLD AND OUR CALLING IN NEW WAYS “I regard learning as a gift that can move us to see the world and our calling in new ways. And, while all education is intrinsically worthwhile, I am particularly interested in learning that assists our leaders respond to the challenges of post-Christendom Australia.” “In the UCA we have been slow to embrace change and we have not enabled our leaders to plot new paths for developing discipleship and Christian community.” “I hope that we are starting to do better, and look forward to making a contribution to the recruitment, training and support of ministers and leaders across.” “I look forward to meeting with people across the Synod in the near future and hope to be in your area soon.” For more information, contact Rev. Dr Niall McKay on niallm@nswact.uca.org.au JONATHAN FOYE

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Join us for the

HEALTHY CHURCHES EXPO 2022

SATURDAY

26 MARCH

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER! Centre for Ministry

16 Masons Drive, North Parramatta Virtual and in-person sessions available

The Healthy Churches expo is an opportunity for the NSW and ACT Synod to highlight ways we can equip, support, and empower presbyteries, congregations, and laypeople in areas of discipleship, mission, leadership, and governance. There will be wide range of speakers and engaging sessions on topics including congregation mission planning, governance and risk, the resourcing framework, developing lay leadership, ministry placements, making your congregation visible, plus a new music showcase, chaplaincy zone, panel discussions and more!

Learn more:

tinyurl.com/HCE2022

tinyurl.com/HCE2022rego

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The Synod has recently relaunched our Speak Out service. But what is the Speak Out service? And how and when should a person use it? Synod Risk Manager, Belinda Ritchie, and Synod Operations Director, Daniel Andrew answer some of the most frequently asked questions: What is the Speak Out Service?

Speak Out is a way to confidentially report concerns or issues. There may come a time when we hear, see or experience something that we know is not right, or makes us feel unsafe. It can be challenging to discuss potential wrong doings, but there is help available. You can raise any issues, past or present, or even just voice your concerns, via our ‘Speak-Out’ reporting service. Speak Out is an independent, confidential and secure reporting service. It can be used by anyone about any matter of concern related to the Uniting Church or any of our services. It is a secure and confidential way to report dishonest, unsafe or inappropriate practices, or incidents, even if they happened a long time ago.

Why is it important to voice a concern?

We can only address what we know about. The Bible encourages us to live ‘in the light, just as he is in the light’ (1 John 1:7). It can be very hard to raise things, and it can be worrying to tell someone about something which might get them into trouble. But speaking out can be a very protective thing – allowing intervention to stop wrong-doing, bring out the truth, and help us to behave in ways which better express the love of God.

What kinds of events or situations should be reported?

Where possible, issues or concerns should be dealt with as locally and directly as possible. However you are always welcome to raise issues through the Speak Out service, especially if other methods have not been effective or are not a suitable avenue. Anything which concerns you can be reported; you just need to be genuine and make the report in good faith. The service can used to report child protection concerns, safety issues, financial practices, conflicts, and anything else someone feels should be looked into. They can

also advise you about your responsibility to report criminal matters or child protection concerns.

Who can make a report?

Anyone can make a report. The important thing to us is that we hear about anything we need to respond to – to stop a further wrong occurring, to care for people, and if we can, to make things right.

Is the service anonymous and confidential?

One of the reasons we use an independent service (‘Core Integrity’) is to allow reports to be handled with absolute anonymity if a person wishes. The service allows a person to be contacted (if they wish) via a secure platform, so their email address does not need to be disclosed. What happens with your information is completely up to you. The service will only share information you report with the Synod upon your consent.

What happens to the information provided once a concern is submitted? Does it go back to the Synod?

Only matters which the reporter agrees to share with the Synod are passed on. There are a very limited number of senior staff who are approved to receive and respond to these reports. Depending on what is reported, these staff will investigate and address the matter of concern.

Will the person submitting a concern be updated with outcomes?

Core integrity tracks the resolution of every matter raised, to make sure each are resolved or responded to. Anyone reporting a matter can indicate what sort of feedback they are hoping to receive. It is worth noting though, that sometimes a full report can’t be given to the reporter in order that other responsibilities are met.

For more information go to:

speakout.uca.org.au

What if English isn’t the native language of the person submitting a concern?

Core Integrity understands our diversity. We have had reports come through in languages other than English by working with the reporter to identify what method of interpreting they are comfortable with.

Who can I contact for more information?

There are lots of ways to find out more, and we have a range of new resources available for congregations to advertise this service in their church. The Synod website has useful information and a link through to the service. You can also contact Core Integrity directly, or for a Synod perspective, contact Daniel Andrew, Synod Operations Director, at the Synod Office: daniela@nswact.uca.org.au.

How to submit a concern One of the wonderful things about the Uniting Church is that we span the generations – we have people who are digital natives, but we also have letter-writers and people who like to speak to a real person on the phone! Here are five ways to report a concern: 1. Website: qrs.ly/UCASpeakOut 2. Online Platform via QR Code:

3. Phone: 1800 951 145 4. Email: speakout@coreintegrity.com.au 5. Post: PO Box 895 Darlinghurst NSW 1300

INDEPENDENT AND CONFIDENTIAL HOTLINE

1800 951 145 insights

NEWS FROM UNITING CHURCH A D U LT F E L L O W S H I P ( U C A F )

Fellowship news

Chairperson Margaret Pedler. Ministers from Mudgee, Orange, Lithgow, and Bathurst contributed with many other members of congregations joining in with musical items or sharing life in their churches. Rev. Noreen Towers closed with the blessing. A great initiative and one to be repeated.

DONATING BLANKETS During lockdowns Congregations have used many varied ways to spread joy and hope to others in need. Beanies were sent from NSW/ACT to Frontier Services Bush Chaplain in Oodnadatta Remote Area, blankets have also gone from East Maitland Women’s Shed to Canberra’s Pink Bus.

2022 RALLIES Plans are continuing to go ahead for 2022 Rallies and Gatherings. The first by Illawarra Presbytery is programmed for 26 May at Kiama. Hunter Presbytery postponed their event from March to later in the year.

he NSW/ACT UCAF Committee began the year with its Annual Dedication Service, this time as a Zoom event due to ongoing COVID concerns. Rev. Noreen Towers Chairperson led the service, and we were delighted to have as our special guest the UCAF National Chairperson Margaret Pedler to give the Reflection and lead prayers. We hope to be back face to face at Pitt Street for our April meeting.

The Committee continues to be encouraged with requests for Appreciation Certificates. These are available from Secretary Laraine Jones (laraine.jones@bigpond.com) and are for 80, 90, and 100 year olds who have been active and involved in your Congregation. One recent certificate was for Kathleen Smith OAM of the Grenfell Congregation who turned 100 in January 2022. This marked the 10th 100 year certificate given since the outreach started in 2019.

THE COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO BE ENCOURAGED WITH REQUESTS FO R A PPREC I AT I O N C ERT IFI C AT E S

At our UCAF February meeting the committee was happy to endorse our Project for 2022. It is to support David Shrimpton, Flying Padre based at Broken Hill. This is already supported by the people of the Macquarie-Darling Presbytery and NSW/ ACT Synod. A special article was featured in the Summer edition of Insights.

2022 YEAR BOOK

The 2022 Year Book has been published and has been sent by email to those on distribution lists, often Church Office addresses. Please check. Some hard copies are available. World Day of Prayer featuring England, Wales and Northern Ireland with the Theme, “I know the plans I have for you. I hope you were able to attend a service. Next year is from Taiwan.

CLIMATE CHANGE OUTREACH

CLOSURE SERVICE

A special postcard has been produced by the UCAF National Committee as an outreach dealing with Climate Change. The NSW and ACT UCAF Committee has some on order.

The NSW/ACT Unit of Australian Church Women of which we have been members has had its final Committee meeting. A special closure service will be held on Monday 16 May at St Stephens in Sydney and all are welcome. RSVP details will be available soon.

The “Christmas Inspiration” held midDecember by Zoom was a collaborative effort led by Brian Cowan with support from Sharynne McLeod and Julie Fry from Bathurst. Moderator Rev. Simon Hansford bought greetings as did National UCAF

If you would like to share your fellowship news or have any questions, please contact Judy Hicks: judyh_rnh@hotmail.com

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Future Directions for the People of God on the Way was approved at Synod 2021 to reaffirm The Uniting Church Synod of NSW and ACT as a contemporary, courageous and growing Church. Future Directions renews our commitment to share our hope in the Gospel with the communities of NSW and the ACT through worship, witness and service. This reaffirms the Synod commitment to rural and remote ministry and the ministry of the Saltbush team. Insights asked the Saltbush team to share their stories, experiences, and hope for the future. They paint a picture of a ministry that is challenging, cutting edge, and inspired by their understanding of the early Church.

The Saltbush story Living Discipleship

Eating Together Sharing a meal to revive worship

Genesis Creation and care

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THE SALTBUSH STORY

g n i Liv

p i h s e l p i c s i D I imagine in my head that Jesus was thoroughly rural. After he visited any one of the larger towns, including Jerusalem, he was pleased to be on the road out of those larger towns which were most likely unpleasant places before such things as easy water, sewerage and cooling and when all cooking was done around smoky fires.

s for the village Nazareth, the place where Jesus was more than likely born and raised, I’ve read a historically based narrative description of the place as “Ancient Nazareth rests on the jagged brow of a windy hilltop in lower Galilee there are no roads, no public buildings. The villagers share a single well no matter their occupation or skill, every Nazarean is a farmer, everyone raised their own livestock, everyone plants their own crops. The hillside hamlet of Nazareth is so small, so obscure, that its name does not appear in any ancient Jewish source before

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the third century CE. It is in short, an inconsequential and utterly forgettable place.” This is the village of Jesus of Nazareth! Of course, our world has wholly changed since that time and is now, according to the World Bank, slightly more urban than rural. Within our own Australian context our urban population is way higher, close to 85 per cent of our total population and yet, both geographically and economically, the rural community is ever present and vital. Within the context of our own denomination and Synod, in our most rural Presbyteries, while we have many congregations that are active and missional there are few ministers and

deacons and grounded relational teams to support both Presbyteries and our Christian communities. This is the place of Saltbush. Saltbush is about being a just church, belonging to a broad and diverse community of people and reaffirming the place of diverse, smaller gatherings of Christians exploring life and faith together and living discipleship out within the wider community and world. For me, Saltbush is about reminding us all, urban and rural, Synod and Presbytery, Congregation and individual, that we are a body of Christian people and that no part of that body is like the people of Nazareth, “inconsequential”!

OUR WORK AS THE SALTBUSH TEAM IS TO ENCOURAGE AND CONNECT DIVERSE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES

REV. MARK FAULKNER, REV. TIM JENSEN, REV. PETER OVERTON, AND REV. GEOFF WELLINGTON

Saltbush is a small team of people, supported through the work of the Synod of NSW and ACT, who are in ministry with individuals, groups, congregations and Presbyteries in rural and coastal NSW. At present we have Rev. Mark Faulkner, Rev. Tim Jensen, Rev. Peter Overton and Rev. Geoff Wellington. Although we all have slightly different roles and live all over NSW and the ACT we enjoy working closely as a team and exploring creatively our work alongside others. Our work as the Saltbush team is to encourage and connect diverse Christian communities, irrespective of size or location and shape a movement of change within the church in the reality of the context in which the church finds itself in these times. Fundamentally the Saltbush team believe the only genuine way for change and renewal in the church and in our Christian communities (congregations) comes through knowing who we are as a people in relationship and significantly reshaping ourselves around both our practices of gathering (worship) and going (mission). As part of building this relationship we provide each week a lectionary-based video message (Word around the Bush) and a Saltbush liturgy, which are easy and free to use individually, in groups and in congregations. We hold regular Saltbush Cafés and Saltbush @ Worship evenings where people from around the whole Synod gather online to explore

life and faith together. Three times each year we print, both online and in post, our publication Ruminations with theological and personal exploration of a theme. We have published Talking about Salt – Difficult Conversations for Congregations, which is an opportunity for groups or congregations to discuss deeply who and how they are as a Christian community. We also believe that anything online is only given life when it is in relationship and so we hold Saltbush Scattered Community Gatherings in diverse rural and coastal locations as an opportunity for conversation, connection and creative challenge. We also offer and lead retreats and are always open to the invitation to visit congregations and work alongside Presbyteries. Each of us contribute to the work of the wider church as needed by the Synod, Presbyteries, regions and congregations.

You can explore Saltbush, including finding out what’s coming up, in one great location by simply following this QR code:

Or visit the Saltbush website:

saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au

The future of Saltbush is always intricately tied to the reality of being church in our secular society, the struggle of the institutional church to be vulnerable as a people of God and the way we see change unfolding within and around.

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THE FUTURE OF SALTBUSH IS ALWAYS INTRICATELY TIED TO THE REALITY OF BEING CHURCH IN OUR SECULAR SOCIETY

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THE SALTBUSH SCATTERED COMMUNITY GATHERING IN LISMORE – DECEMBER 2021

As more congregations and Presbyteries simply are unable to sustain the structures we have primarily shaped ourselves, even amongst the fear, there is great opportunity. This is the place of possibility and life to which the Saltbush team are drawn. It is our hope that in continuing to build the missional relationship and remain in ministry beside people we can continue to grow a movement of change and Christian community, that while different is life giving within the wider work of the Uniting Church. Over the past decade or so there has been an increased awareness that large corporate models, economic prioritisation and monochrome socialisation are fundamentally flawed and empty. Trust in the institution has eroded, any belief that an online “community” would satisfy the human need for relationship has declined and as an illustration, for over a decade now, people have been leaving the large, all in one, more than you can eat, shopping malls behind. It could be argued that people have been heading to the smaller, local, genuine, and relational. One question the Saltbush team often ask groups of people is, “What do you think the church will look like in the future?” To this question we find the conversation leads us back to the early church, the smaller, scattered Christian community – a diverse community that simply gathered and lived out their faith within their own wider community.

Today one of the great commentators of missiology, theology and sociology is Rev. Michael Moynagh from the Church of England. In one of his books he ponders the place of the smaller local church as being, since the early church, the place that is faithful to the “integrated nature of reality”. By this he is thinking about the significance of a local community of Christians who are within the reality of the place they live and find themselves. He also says that the local community, the smaller gathered church, are part of the faithful incarnation of Christ within those places; villages, towns and communities. By this he is saying that in and through the local Christian community there can be the very way of Christ within and around. Perhaps, as Michael Moynagh would say, the future of the church is to be found in smaller, diverse gatherings of Christians who simply come together and from that togetherness live out their faith within the reality of the communities in which they find themselves. And for the church as an organisation, this is both difficult and yet an opportunity! As a Saltbush team the time ahead brings the following hopes and challenges: • To grow the diversity of the team.

CLOSURE OF MINISTRY SERVICE FOR REV. PHIL MATTHEWS MOREE, - JULY 2021

• To continue to grow our missional relationship that is formed and founded in the practice of being Christian community. • To establish and nourish new forms of Uniting Christian community within the relationship of the wider body of the church. We are thankful for the support given to each of us and to the team as a whole by individuals, groups, congregations, Presbyteries/Regions and from within the Synod. We are mindful of those we talk with week by month and those we meet along the way. Peace and encouragement to you all. REV. MARK FAULKNE R DIRECTOR OF RUR AL AND REMOTE MINISTRY INITIATIVES

• To provide grounded leadership and new ways of structuring church where Presbyteries and congregations are overburdened.

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Eating

Together

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF RENEWING THE CHURCH AROUND A MEAL?

n 2009, Saint Lydia’s, a Lutheran church in Brooklyn, New York garnered national attention when it began holding a weekly service over dinner. Longing to dispel feelings of isolation often reported among young New Yorkers, founder Emily Scott decided to model her service around the early church practice of having a meal together as Eucharist. This has now become a movement called “Dinner Church”

basements, restaurants, gardens, and art galleries.

Found in urban, suburban, and rural areas, they attract wealthy, middle class, and unhoused neighbours. The intergenerational and multiethnic congregations create engaging dialogue; the meals become a space where diners can disagree and still maintain close relationship.

CENTRAL TO THE PROCESS OF EATING IS ENGAGING IN DIALOGUE AND PROVIDING SPACE TO RESPOND TO THE SCRIPTURE OR SERMON

While every church has its own feel, the concept is the same: connect with others in a language spoken by all—food. the services aim to feel like a dinner party, fostering conversation among men, women, and children who might otherwise never meet.

These churches encompass a range of denominations, both conservative and progressive, and they meet in a variety of settings: in church

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Throughout the evening, they read Scripture, sing, and pray, but most importantly, they eat. Central to the process of eating is engaging in dialogue, providing space to respond to the Scripture or sermon.

This new way of doing church, which Saint Lydia’s fondly coined a “dinner church,” is modelled after the earliest gatherings of Christians as described in Acts 2: “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,” (Acts 2:46).

For the first 300 years, Christianity was done around dinner tables more than any other gathering model. Something very powerful happens when meeting in this manner. By intentionally pulling together a diverse group of people around the shared need to eat, it is impossible to worship without acknowledging the variety of needs and experiences of those around the table.

So, in the season of spring and the challenges over COVID-19 are you open to renewal? Why not open the doors to your churches, halls, homes and playgrounds and expand your table and form community around a meal and a story. You might change the world like the meal did in the first three centuries of the early Church. Perhaps it’s time to welcome the stranger to a place “where everybody knows your name”, where people are met and loved as they are. REV. PETE R OVE RTON

PHOTOS ARE FROM ST LYDIA’S WEBSITE: STLYDIAS.ORG

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enesis 22

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HOW DO WE UNDERSTAND CREATION IN THE BIBLE? DR MICK POPE, PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION SAYS IT IS A MESSAGE OF PRAISE, REPENTANCE AND RENEWAL

While I am a city boy at heart, most of my formative years were spent in country Victoria, the Goulburn Valley. We weren’t famers, but often rented houses on farmland. I woke up to the sound of cows pulling at grass, smelled their dung. I swam in irrigation channels and climbed trees. I watched green grass turn into hay. My attempts at hay bailing were mixed. Life on the land gives you a better sense of the cycle of renewal, although urbanites get a taste with the seasonal dive bombings of magpies.

abundance, together with provision for human and animal consumption. Interestingly, the provision of plants for animal consumption in Gen 1:29–30 points beyond the human ordering of agriculture. Instead, we see divine providential care for all creatures, and that human agricultural activity has appropriate bounds, seen also in the blessing to be fruitful and multiply to both humans and non-humans (Gen 1:28 c.f. v.22). Human use of the planet dominates that of all other creatures. This can be seen of the abrogation of non-human creature’s right to food.

THE BIBLE AND THE NATURAL WORLD

On day four, the sun, moon, and stars are created. These mark out the seasons (v.14), but that doesn’t mean simply the four seasons of the climate. In Leviticus 23, the feasts of the Lord (v.2) include the Sabbath and the seven annual feasts of Passover, Festival of Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Festival of Weeks (Pentecost), Festival of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. Each of these feasts occurs in either spring or autumn and is tied to agricultural activity. In this respect, Genesis 1 points to agricultural festivals.

Growing up and moving away to university was the beginning of a long journey to faith – a spiritual renewal – and beyond to integrating aspects of my life with that. As someone who had always had an interest with nature – now creation – I have tried to understand how the bible tells us how we are to understand our relationship to the natural world. This includes how we harness it for our food. Having a PhD in meteorology means that must involve understanding climate change through a Christian lens. This in turn drove me to a Masters degree in theology, reading Genesis 1–3 and its relationship to other parts of the Pentateuch (first five books of the bible).

WE SEE DIVINE PROVIDENTIAL CARE FOR ALL CREATURES, AND THAT HUMAN AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY HAS APPROPRIATE BOUNDS

To get the maximum value out of Genesis 1, we need to leave the origins wars behind, and try and go back to when it was written. It is then we obtain value for an agricultural setting. The first clue is that the earth is described as a “formless void” in verse 2. The two Hebrew words translated here tohu and bohu, are used elsewhere in an agricultural setting. In Isaiah 34, the rulers of Edom are judged for their hostility to Israel and their land is consequently destroyed. We can see how judgment on Edom’s rulers is central, but that the impacts are felt by the land itself, by laying out verses 11–17 as follows: 11a the land of Edom will be occupied by wild animals 11b the land becomes desolate (tohu) and empty (bohu), unfit for agriculture 12 human rulers will be nothing 13a the land will be full of weeds, signs of agricultural collapse 13b–17 the land will be occupied by wild animals.

You can see how the passage forms a chiasm, named after the Greek letter X. (Chi - C c) The central idea is in the middle, that the rulers of Edom are being judged. The same words used in Genesis 1:2 is paralleled to agricultural collapse.

HOW DOES GENESIS 1 ESTABLISH AGRICULTURE, AND HOW IS IT RELATED TO RENEWAL? On day one, light is created and separated from darkness to form day and night. This is the creation of time. Space is created on day two, by the separation of the waters above from the waters below by the firmament. On the third day, food is created by separating the waters into one place and the dry ground in another where vegetation can grow. From the earth comes forth sprout, plants seeding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit. There is an emphasis on self–perpetuation and

On day five, the blessing to be fruitful and multiply is given to the birds and fish. On day six, food is provided for land animals and humans. Eating plants that yield seed, the command to subdue the earth is best seen as agricultural activity. To have dominion does not mean to dominate, lest this robs animals of their food.

Over the top of all of this is the Sabbath. Eight acts of creation are forced into six days of creation. The pinnacle of the creation account is not – as important as the creation of humans and the granting of dominion is – in v.26–28. Instead, the first creation story ends in Genesis 2:1–3. No command to keep the Sabbath is given, but the seventh day is blessed – the same word used for the procreation of fish, birds, and humans – and declared holy. Sabbath rest is inclusive of all of creation. It marks its weekly renewal.

SABBATH The theme of Sabbath is picked up in the book of Leviticus and is attached to agriculture. Chapter 23 indicates that Sabbath is associated with complete rest, and that several festivals of the Lord are also occasions of complete rest. Sabbath obedience is central to Israelite holiness, a deliberate echo of Genesis 2:3. In Leviticus 19:2–3, holiness is imitative of God, and revering parents and keeping the Sabbath is how it is done. Likewise, keeping the Sabbath reverencing the sanctuary bookends what is known as the Holiness Code in Leviticus (19:30; 26:2). Keeping the Sabbath is not simply religious duty in ways in which we might understand, not playing sport and going to church on Sundays. Thinking back to the days of no Sunday trading brings us closer, the recognition of divine limits on human economic activity. The book of Leviticus also draws out the need for the land to experience rest and renewal. We see this in chapter 25. In the Sabbath year, the land is to observe a Sabbath for the Lord (v.2). There is a sense in which the land is to actively participate in its own rest and renewal. The Israelites had the responsibility to keep Sabbath and permit the land to enjoy this rest (v.4).

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Farmers for Climate Action noted that: “My family has been on properties out in Western Australia for over 100 years. We can say this has well and truly moved beyond natural cyclical patterns. The idea that we could be accused of playing politics by accepting reality is a bitter pill to swallow. The science is clear. Climate change is increasing the severity of extreme weather events that include drought.”

GOD DECLARES ALL THINGS ARE BEING MADE NEW – A NEW SABBATH IS COMING FOR ALL THINGS

Letting the land enjoy rest and renewal in the Sabbath recognises the tight connection between the creation of the world and the creation of Israel. Leviticus stresses the divine ownership of the land over any Israelite claim (Lev 25:23). Creation of the earth by God precedes that of humans just as the Lord has a prior relationship with the land before the arrival of Israel. Humans as the divine image bearers are blessed to multiply, to subdue the land (for agriculture) and have dominion (Gen 1:26–30). Just as the earth and humans were to enjoy the blessings of Sabbath, so the Israelites and the land are to enjoy the Sabbath.

Given the land did not belong to Israel, Israel’s enjoyment of the land is contingent on obedience. Leviticus 26 indicates that seasonal rains and the harvest that follows on from them depended on faithfully following the commandments, particularly those regarding temple and Sabbath (vv. 1–13). The alternative was no rain, poor harvests, and eventually exile. Exile could in turn act as a renewal for the land. While Israel is in exile in the land of its enemies, the land shall enjoy its Sabbaths, making up for the times it did not rest on the Sabbaths of the Israelites (Lev 26:34–35). Failure to care for agricultural lands comes at a cost. Given that Sabbath is an expression of Israel’s holiness, and Sabbath keeping was for humans and the land, caring well for the land was itself an act of holiness. Being a covenant people, Israel knew no abstractions, but its spiritual experiences were tied to daily life, which was agrarian and in community with the other–than– human.

HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO US IN TWENTY FIRST CENTURY AUSTRALIA? While our society has Christian roots, we are far from ancient Israel as a covenant people. Genesis 1 still applies. Dominion is not domination. Sacred time still applies to humans, animals, and the land itself. Christians can still acknowledge that rest and renewal is both divine blessing and human responsibility. With a recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we have evidence beyond any reasonable doubt that the climate is changing, and that humans are responsible. Whether you believe God allows this, or wills this, it comes because of human sin and misrule – a lack of granting the earth rest. In 2018, Verity Morgan-Schmidt is the CEO of

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How then should we respond? Practical theologian Ellen Davis sees Genesis 1 as a liturgical poem of creation. Poems typically have rhythm, and in Genesis 1 this is “God saw … and it was good.” Goodness is a divine perception, and Davis believes that this represents a contemplative strategy for Israel and for us to see the world in the same way. Such contemplation requires use to change our minds, or metanoia, otherwise usually understood as repenent.

THE LOVING PROVISION OF GOD

One more aspect about Genesis 1 is worth noting. Written in an age where other gods fought against each other to bring creation into being. In the Babylonian creation myth, the storm god Marduk conquered the personification of saltwater Tiamat, the many headed dragon. Out of her corpse he formed heaven and earth. Genesis 1 is a response to this. The chaos of the deep (where the Hebrew Tehom is linguistically related to Tiamat) is not a god. Instead, God conquers the forces of chaos to separate heaven and earth. The world around us is not the result of violence, but the loving provision of foods for all creatures. Violence may not characterise creation, but it fills the earth (Gen 6:11) and the Flood reverses the victory of creation – the earth is covered in the deep once more. Quoting that God promised not to repeat act of uncreation is not an argument against sea level rise, where some of, but far from all the earth will be flooded. Chaos is released anytime humans are violent, whether that violence is against each other or the earth. Yet our God is a God of peace, and so peace is coming to all creation. In Revelation 21, God declares all things are being made new – a new Sabbath is coming for all things. We need to practice Sabbath renewal for all things now. This isn’t an inflexible idea. Cows need to be milked on Sunday. I used to write weather forecasts on Sunday. The Sabbath is for doing good (Matt 12:12). The Sabbath was made for us, not vice versa (Mark 2:27). However, our rededication to rest and renewal for all will mean repentance as Davis observes. Read Genesis 1:1–2:3 as a prayer of praise and repentance, and enter into God’s rest. DR MICK POPE PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION

This reflection was first printed in Saltbush’s publication Ruminations and is available online on their website saltbushcommunity.uca.org.au/ruminations

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Elliot ’s

Hidden

A-Gender COURAGE IS EASY TO DEFINE, EASY TO SPOT AND EASY TO APPRECIATE AND EVEN LAUD, BUT SOMETIMES IT’S NOT EASY TO FIND. TO HAVE.

* Warning: This article talks about suicide and self harm

he dictionary defines the word courage as “the ability to do something that frightens one; bravery”, and images of firefighters and soldiers and so on readily spring to mind.

But sometimes just being yourself is the hardest, loneliest and most courageous thing you will ever do because if you don’t fit into society’s norms, hostility, ridicule and even violence await you. And that is very difficult for anyone to confront, much less a young man or woman.

Elliot Nicholas knows this all too well, as do his parents, Geelong-based Uniting Church ministers, Rev. Will and Rev. Amanda Nicholas. Elliot is an impressive young man, the sort of young adult you hope all of your children – especially sons – grow up to be like. But Elliott’s journey to adulthood – he only recently turned 18 – has neither been conventional or easy. Society has a label for people like Elliot: transgender. But it doesn’t have what people like Elliot need most: acceptance. And this makes what is already a deeply difficult journey even more problematic.

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SOCIETY HAS A LABEL FOR PEOPLE LIKE ELLIOT: TRANSGENDER. BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE WHAT PEOPLE LIKE ELLIOT NEED MOST: ACCEPTANCE

AMANDA HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PRESENCE AS ELLIOT NAVIGATED CHANGE

LET’S START AT THE BEGINNING To understand that journey, it is important to start at the beginning. When Elliot was born, his mother, Amanda, admits to great surprise: after all, she was convinced she was going to have a boy.

about five, while for Will, there were more obvious examples. “I have a memory of Elliot at the ‘princess dance’, which was organised by one of our local Pentecostal churches, and all the girls are standing there looking glamorous and Elliot is standing off to one side looking extremely awkward and uncomfortable,” he says.

“I do remember a moment of surprise when Elliot was “So it’s something that we born and the doctor said ‘it’s have been aware of virtually a girl’, because I was sure I all of our lives.” was having a boy,” she recalls. Elliot recalls a childhood “That has always stayed with in which the most fun was me, because I was absolutely certain we were having a boy.” always had doing the things a boy would, rather than For Elliot, though, life as a girl the activities his gender never seemed the right fit; suggested he should be something just didn’t seem doing. natural, a feeling that only “I was always a tomboy and I grew as he got older. would always want to hang “As a kid, I didn’t really out with my brother and his look like a boy or girl, but I male friends,” he says. “It has would look up to my older always been a state of mind.” brother and his friends and I Navigating the rites of preferred that (male) lifestyle childhood can be tough at and version of myself to one the best of times, so imagine that involved wearing a dress Elliot’s life as the feeling that or putting make-up on,” Elliot he had been born the wrong says. gender continued to occupy “I didn’t like anything that his thoughts. made me feel feminine. I Not surprisingly, school in remember at one of my Tasmania was a nightmare. brother’s birthday parties, he had his friends over and “Most of that time it was about it was a really hot day and wearing dresses and going to they were having a great time formals and that kind of stuff playing in the sprinklers with and I was about 14 when I their shirts off and I said realised that I really didn’t like ‘mum, I want to take my shirt this,” Elliot recalls. off and hang out with the “At that stage, I wasn’t going boys’ and she was like ‘no, to come out as transgender you can’t do that because because I didn’t even know you’re a girl’. what that meant and it would “That was when it hit me and just open up a whole can of I was thinking to myself ‘OK I worms that I didn’t want to think something is happening open. here and I’m not quite sure “I was in a rough relationship how to feel about it’. with my parents and I didn’t “I kind of ignored that at such have many friends because a young point in my life, but I would push them away from the ages of 10 to 12, as I didn’t think they would when puberty was happening, respond to me very well my body was telling me it’s because in the past they time to be a woman and I was hadn’t (responded well).” like ‘no’.” For Amanda and her husband, Amanda can recall Elliot Will, it was almost a case of experiencing feelings of joining the dots as they began dysphoria from the age of to become fully aware of what was happening with Elliot.

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“One of the things that we struggled with before Elliot actually came out to us was that we began to become aware of some of the bits and pieces around what was happening with him,” Amanda says. “We didn’t have the full picture, but there were certainly moments and inklings leading up to it where he was trying to make the expression without being so open about it. “What we did was say, ‘it’s OK for you to be open about these things and you don’t have to hide anything’.”

LIFE CHANGES FOR THE BETTER In December 2017, Will and Amanda told the family that ministry changes meant they would be moving to Geelong the following year and, for Elliot, this was the best news possible. Life and school in Tasmania had been difficult and he had been worn down by the constant battle to try and fit in. Geelong, then, meant a new slate and a new beginning, or so Elliot hoped at the time. “I wanted to sound sad about it, but I remember feeling really excited because it represented a fresh start for me,” he recalls. “It was about looking at all the hard things in my life and asking myself how could I make things easier?” At this time, Elliot’s conviction that he had been born the wrong gender only grew and, with that conviction finalised in his mind, it was time to find out exactly what options were open to him. November of 2018 marked a pivotal point in Elliot’s journey as, armed with all of the research he had carried out, he came out to his parents, told them he was the wrong gender and wanted to transition to a male.

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ELLIOT, WILL AND AMANDA WITH ELLIOT’S BROTHER CHARLIE.

“I was 15 at the time and, over those summer holidays, we worked out a strategy to affirm that transition,” Elliot says.

Elliot was growing up by doing this.” Will admits to a great sense of relief when Elliot came out to them.

His journey towards gender affirmation had become too much to bear and, if there was light, it was almost entirely engulfed by darkness and despair.

For Amanda, an experience “For me, that period of time within her own family gave her The world, he thought, was around the emergence of hope that a positive outcome not a place for him any more. dysphoria had been one of could be achieved for Elliot. absolute terror,” he says. “As Elliot recalls his early teenage the male parent, I had a “In terms of the relief, I think years as the darkest of times, child who was into all of the one of the things that helped as doubts and confusion things that I was into, like Elliot was that a couple of about who he truly was, as years before this my youngest getting into the garden and well as ongoing abuse from hiking and fishing, then all of sister had come out as gay fellow students, led to selfa sudden I had this child who at the age of 34,” she says. harm and attempted suicide. was pulling away from me “When Elliot saw how her and I was in terror around the “The worst time was probably family continued to love and between the ages of 13 and possibility of losing him. support her, that helped him 16,” he says. “It started as to feel that it might be OK and “So all of the things that I little things. For example, I we could work this out.” loved about being this child’s would grow my fingernails parent were slowly being But it was a more practical a bit longer and sometimes stripped away. example that Amanda clench my fists and I would remembers as a defining end up with cuts on my palms, “But there was certainly a moment in Elliot’s journey, a so it was doing little subtle sense of relief when Elliot small but symbolic act around things like that every time I came out.” change. got called a name at school or someone picked on me for no As the end of 2021 nears, “At the beginning of 2018, reason. Elliot Nicholas looks forward Elliot decided that he to a future that offers endless wanted to have all of his hair “I didn’t know how to say how possibilities. chopped off and that was a I felt because, at that stage, moment where I had to step I was in a school that was JOURNEY TOWARD aside because I recognised quite binary and it was quite GENDER AFFIRMATION that this was going to be a intimidating for me to say Yet it’s a future that, at one particularly important thing anything.” point, he could not imagine for him,” she recalls. “I didn’t “I would get notes left in and one which seemed quite know why or how, but my locker and anonymous unattainable. there was just a sense that

messages and posts on social media about me, and they started to stack up on each other and I began to believe what they were saying and that I was a waste of space and was stupid and broken, a loser, a weirdo and a freak. “I was told I didn’t deserve to live. It was terrible. I was so cornered and so lost and I felt like I had stumbled into a dark room and lost the key to get out and I’m stuck there.” And so, while his fellow students navigated the more mundane things involved in being a teenager, Elliot had decided his life would progress no further than that. The hatred and abuse towards him and the pain it created had become too much. He wanted out of this world. “I didn’t want to be here anymore and it felt like other people didn’t want me here anymore. I had tried to take my life twice before we moved from Tasmania to Geelong,” Elliot recalls Amanda recalls a time of great despair, as she and Will began to realise the extent of Elliot’s emotional and psychological pain, and how he dealt with that pain by harming himself. Ironically, the very darkest day in 2018 became the catalyst for Elliot’s journey towards the light. On that day, a distressed Elliot told his parents he was once again experiencing suicidal thoughts and wasn’t sure he could make it through the day. “The day when he came to us (and said he couldn’t go on) was probably the hardest point in the journey, but what came next was even harder because it meant I had to switch off all of my training as a Minister and swap seats (to that of a parent),” Will recalls.

“So I said to Elliot, ‘let’s hop in the car and we’ll go to the hospital’, so we went to casualty and told them what was happening and one of the psychiatrists from headspace came in and sat down with us.

Elliot is also a member of Geelong-based gender group GASP, which has been operating since 1996.

And it is people’s perceptions that Elliot knows need to change if progress is going to be made.

“We still live in a society where Under the theme of ‘As you being transgender or gender are … as you want to be’, fluid or non-conforming is GASP is a safe and inclusive space for same-sex attracted, considered alien and strange,” he says. “I really want to get “We were cared for by this transgender, gender diverse, through to people that gender incredible team that I call and intersex young people is not just about male and a cloud of witnesses, but I aged between 12-25 who female, it’s anything and think it’s live, study, everything.” important or work in ELLIOT OVER THE the Geelong to recognise EXCITED BY THE PAST YEAR IS region. this really POSSIBILITIES dark period THIS THRIVING Royal when Elliot Most of all, Elliot is excited YOUNG MAN Children’s reached a about a future that has WHO HAS BEEN Hospital’s point where endless possibilities around Dr Michelle he decided, creating a better world for our INCREDIBLY Telfer ‘I don’t want youth. POSITIVE IN believes to live like can be “I’m really excited because TERMS OF Elliot this’. during my time on the youth a positive INFLUENCING spokesman council one of the things we “It’s important HIS OWN for those like have been heading towards that we with the Geelong Council is him tackling COMMUNITY don’t skip creating a youth-dedicated gender those dark space,” he says. “I see part transition. periods because Elliot’s of that space as consisting “What we have seen with Elliot of different areas that can statement, ‘I don’t want to over the past year is this live like this’, actually has two accommodate different arcs to it and I think it is really thriving young man who has denominations of people.” been incredibly positive in courageous that Elliot has “You might have Aboriginal terms of influencing his own chosen the arc that he has and Torres Strait Islander community,” Michelle told the and pruned the other one.” people, LGBT+ people and ABC’s Australian Story earlier SPEAKING FROM people of different religions, this year. EXPERIENCE as well as international It’s a role and responsibility students (feeling welcome in While Elliot Nicholas isn’t sure Elliot is more than keen to this space). what career path awaits him, take up. he is certain of one thing. “I have always felt there is a “(Making a difference) is why need to advocate for LGBT+ The Newcomb Secondary I have been trying to be as people and their rights, College Year 12 student loud as I possibly can, that’s especially those of children, intends to be a strong voice why I’m talking to you and both worldwide and within for those people often was part of the Australian Australia.” marginalised or left behind in Story episode and am part of society. And, who knows, perhaps a the Geelong youth council,” political career beckons for Elliot says. And not just a voice, but a Elliot. loud and persistent one, as “I am trying to show people he campaigns with heart and “Next year, I plan to have a who might disagree and head for a better deal for the bit of a break, but there will say that ‘all this (gender LGBT+ community. be plenty of campaigning, affirmation) is wrong and you including with the local Labor are being cruel to children’, The 18-year-old is already that (without this) intervention Party, because I’m really making a significant mark my life was terrible, but now it getting behind (what they as a spokesman within is better than it has ever been represent).” his school and the wider because I have had all of ANDREW HUMPHRIES community, as a vice-captain these people supporting me at the college and in his role This piece has been edited and and this program at the Royal the whole article can be found in as Greater Geelong Junior Children’s Hospital in place Crosslight. View the original article Mayor, as part of the city’s here: tinyurl.com/EliotUC for me.” youth council.

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Karen's story

Helping mum find the

perfect home

A NEW HOME IS A MAJOR LIFE CHANGE FOR ANYONE, AND IT CAN BE ESPECIALLY TOUGH FOR SENIORS, WHO MAY BE MOVING OUT OF THE FAMILY HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES. BUT MOVING INTO ALAN WALKER VILLAGE IN CARLINGFORD PROVED TO BE THE BEST CHOICE FOR KAREN AND HER MOTHER, JOY.

aren’s mother, Joy, had lived on her own for many years. But when New South Wales went into lockdown due to COVID-19, the restrictions made it very difficult for Karen to visit Joy, leaving her constantly worried about her mother’s health and safety.

“Her mobility is not that great anymore. When she was in her own home, she’s had a couple of falls,” she explains. “I’d be worried sick about her.” Karen saw firsthand the difficulties of caring for an older parent while juggling work and home responsibilities.

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With her mum living alone and with limited social interaction, Karen knew it was time to help her mum find a home with access to support and care, whenever she needed it.

When Karen suggested to her mum about moving into independent living, Joy was hesitant. “She just wasn’t really aware of what was to offer out there for people,” Karen adds. As a former nurse, Joy was unsure about the quality of care in retirement villages.

But one visit to Alan Walker Village changed all that. With its fresh modern units and the convenience of having help on hand, Karen was excited to find a place that met all of Joy’s needs. “I was really impressed by the cleanliness of the place. The gardens are just lovely and it’s things like that really draw you in, and the friendliness of everybody,” Karen explains. When Joy first arrived at the village, she was greeted by friendly neighbours and some tasty treats. “She’s enjoying the interaction. A couple of ladies dropped off some little cakes for her, which was really sweet,” Karen recalls.

IT WAS THE CARING, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY THAT MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

“The counsellor and the chaplain welcomed her and made her feel a bit more secure.”

“My kids can have a swim in the pool and [are] very, very welcome to use the facilities when we’re visiting mum.” Karen is thrilled to have her mum live close by and she’s especially grateful to share this cherished time with Joy and strengthen their bond even more. “I feel blessed that I’ve got to spend more time with her, to be with her, to just sit and chat and have a cup of tea together.” Now that Karen has found the perfect home for Joy, she hopes that other families will be able to experience the same. When asked what her advice she’d give to people thinking about making the move, Karen said, “Definitely give it a go, and see what [it has] to offer because it

might be very different to what you had first thought.” Joy was initially hesitant about retirement living, but Karen was proud of her mum for finally making the move.

As for Joy, it was the caring, supportive “She was the one who decided – not us. community that made all the difference. At the end of the day, you have to figure out what your priorities are and, and Karen continues by saying how happy what choices you've got and it's worked she is to see her mum settle in and feel for us.” right at home. "We know the move to Alan Walker “She’s got her own space and her two[Village] was the right decision. Life can bedroom apartment which is very nicely be so short, and I feel blessed to have furnished,” she shares. “And it’s just 10 this gift of time with my mum.” minutes away for me to visit her!” What’s more, Karen was pleased to learn that the village is more than happy to welcome family visits.

For more information visit:

wesleymission.org.au/ wesleyretirementliving

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B EBL EI ELFI EM F AT M AT T ETRS E RS

IT IS HARD TO FIND A TRUE HERO OR SUPERHERO ANYMORE. THEY ARE NOW TERRIBLY “HUMAN” WRITES DR KATHERINE GROCOTT

Content Warning: This article contains discussion about sexual assault and spoilers for the television series The 100 and Dexter, movies Cruella, 50 Shades of Grey, and Maleficent, and the musical Wicked.

The 100 is a futuristic teenage dystopian television drama based on a novel series of the same name by author Kass Morgan. The earth has been environmentally destroyed and the last known surviving human outpost is a failing space station, where any criminal offence is dealt the death penalty, being floated out an airlock, unless the offender is under 18. The premise of the show is that 100 teenage offenders are sent back to the planet’s surface, 97 years after the survivors left earth, to determine whether it is inhabitable again.

he main characters consist of a headstrong and resourceful teenage girl Clarke Griffin, who has watched her father be ‘floated’ for trying to speak out about the dying space station, her scientist mother, Dr Abby Griffin, a military trained guard Bellamy Blake, his sister Octavia, best friends Monty Green and Jasper Jordan, engineer Raven Rayes, distinct rebel John Murphy, and politicians Marcus Kane and Thelonious Jaha.

On their return to the planet, the group discover that there are actually other survivors. There are tribes of people, known as Grounders, who have become immune to the toxic radiation. There are Reapers who have been made into cannibals by the Mountain Men, another group of privileged survivors housed in a military bunker. What is interesting about The 100 is that there are no clear heroes. All of the main characters commit murder, acts of violence, are selfish and greedy, or are duplicitous. There is no one main character that shows a consistent level of compassion, care, or self sacrifice. Rather we see the far too oft used phrase ‘I had no choice’ being used to justify all manner of violence and death. Even Clarke, the main character and the leader of the original 100, destroys a military bunker and kills everyone inside. In the final test of humanity, she fails because she commits murder during the trial, excluding her from the experience of eternal transcendence. As a viewer, one is left feeling that there is no one to look up to in this series, no one to aspire to, no one who is a true inspiration.

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This type of anti-hero is not new. Think the tortured Batman in the Christopher Nolan Dark Knight trilogy. The serial killer who only kills other serial killers in Dexter. The misogynistic and violent Christian Grey in 50 Shades of Grey. It is hard to find a true hero or superhero anymore. They are now terribly “human”. We can’t put these heroes on a pedestal. We can’t always emulate their behaviour. We can’t trust that they will always choose the right, noble, or good path anymore. Perhaps that is the point. They are, after all, only human. But nor should we demonise villains. In the age of fractured fairy tales we discover that Maleficent was cruelly treated and betrayed by her beau, resulting in grave mistrust of deceitful humans. In Wicked we learn that the green skinned Elphaba, also known as the Wicked Witch of the West, was born out of wedlock, despised by her father and is wrongly accused of a series of incidents. Cruella was a misunderstood fashion genius whose mother stole her designs and murdered the only woman who ever cared for her. In her powerful examination on sexual violence, What We Talk About When We Talk About Rape, survivor, counsellor, activist, and author Sohaila Abdulali warns about dehumanising perpetrators. It is imperative to prioritise the protection, safety, and healing of victims. It is important to believe and listen to victims. It is essential to allow them to process their experience in their own time. Abdulali also reminds the reader

that rapists are humans, not monsters or animals or some subhuman species. This is an uncomfortable reality. In a TED talk called Our Story of Rape and Reconciliation Thordis Elva asks: “How will we understand what it is in human societies that produces violence if we refuse to recognise the humanity of those who commit it? And how can we empower survivors if we are making them feel ‘less than’?” It is not just rapists who are human. Murderers are human, war criminals are human, thieves are human. All crimes are committed by humans.

So, who should we follow? Who should we look up to? The clichéd Sunday School answer, Jesus, is spot on. In one sense, Jesus is the only one that perfectly encapsulates all that we as humans should be trying to aspire to. Jesus’ compassion for the poor, willingness to challenge those who abuse authority, and demonstration of obedience to God, even to death on a cross, is inspiring. Paul encouraged the Philippians to emulate Christ:

So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having The Bible has a number of human beings who the church often the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do holds to be heroes of the faith, yet who commit all manner of nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count unspeakable acts. others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, The tribes of Israel are somewhat united WE CAN’T PUT but also to the interests of others. Have this and the people have demanded a King like the nations around them. Saul is chosen, THESE HEROES mind among yourselves, which is yours in Jesus, who, though he was in the form is replaced by David who is succeeded ON A PEDESTAL. Christ of God, did not count equality with God a by Solomon. These greats are meant to WE CAN’T thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, be heroes, meant to follow God and lead the nation of Israel into a golden future. ALWAYS EMULATE by taking the form of a servant, being born the likeness of men. And being found in But they all fail. Saul starts well and even THEIR BEHAVIOUR in human form, he humbled himself by becoming prophesies, highlighting God’s hand upon AND WE CAN’T obedient to the point of death, even death him. But he disobeys God and the reign is eventually handed over to David. The TRUST THAT THEY on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted and bestowed on him the name that brave, Goliath killing boy becomes king WILL ALWAYS him is above every name, so that at the name and unites the tribes into a kingdom. He CHOOSE THE of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven is meant to be a Messianic King fathering another Messianic King who will establish RIGHT, NOBLE, and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the God’s Kingdom over all nations and fulfill OR GOOD PATH glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:1-11) the promises made to Abraham (2 Samuel ANYMORE 7) but sees much conflict and war with While this is a noble aim and one that surrounding nations during his rule. He Christians should aim for, there is also the ends up committing adultery with one of his need to remember the impossibility of achieving it. Jesus was soldier’s wives and then plotting his murder. indeed fully human, but he is also fully God, something we can In the books of Kings, the leaders who come after David fail miserably and ultimately run the nation into the ground. Some of David’s last words to Solomon include not only an imperative to follow God and remain faithful, but also a series of political assassinations to help consolidate the kingdom. Solomon is given unapparelled wisdom and knows peace during his reign, but gets distracted by his many foreign wives’ gods. He begins to erect altars and statues to them and his heart slowly turns from God. He amasses wealth, a huge army and a massive slave labour force. Solomon is breaking all the rules that were set out for Kings in Deuteronomy 17:14-20.

never be. We after all are only human…just like the heroes, and, just like the villains in our world and in our stories. As such, heroes and villains can offer us both inspiration and warnings. What we need then, is wisdom and discernment to recognise which behaviours, attitudes and character traits we should be emulating and which ones we need to avoid. When we fail, and we will inevitably fail, we can trust in the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of God who was able to use all those fallible humans of Scripture to continue moving God’s plans forward. DR K ATHE RINE GROCOT T

If this piece brings up issues for you, help is available. The nation is split into two, with Solomon’s son Rehoboam Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. leading Judah in the south and Jeroboam leading Israel in the north. The kingdom did not survive three generations. Out of the forty kings that rule these two kingdoms, only eight, all from the Southern Kingdom, are listed as good according to the criteria for kings (worshipping God alone, removing idolatory, and faithfulness to the covenant). Even these are not all perfect. Not even the prophets could turn the hearts of the kings or the people back to God, and eventually the nations are taken into exile. The expected heroes fail. Their humanness, fallibility and greed result in the total collapse of Israel. Just like in The 100, one suspects that these are not people to be admired or emulated. They are not quite the Sunday School heroes we think they are.

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P U LS E

HAVING A MENTOR HAS POWERFUL BENEFITS.

YOULEAD YOULEAD+ IS THE PULSE YEAR We know that our young leaders LONG LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT are longing for connection, but are PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG ADULTS. also pretty committed in all that they do. As we have journeyed IT HAS BEEN SPECIFICALLY with our young adults in designing DESIGNED TO SUPPORT YOUNG YouLEAD+ we have discovered the LEADERS WHERE-EVER THEY need for flexibility and adaptability. LIVE, MAKING SURE OUR YOUNG he program now runs over two LEADERS IN REGIONAL AND retreats, one in February and the REMOTE COMMUNITIES ARE ABLE other in July and weekly online TO ACCESS RESOURCES AS WELL.

sessions, which young leaders can join in when they are able or when there are units that interest them. We are still learning as to the best ways to support our young leaders, but have worked hard to make it accessible regardless of where young leaders live in the Synod.

It has been so exciting to see the diversity of the Uniting Church come together and learn from each other. Our young leaders come from different cultural backgrounds and different communities, as they share stories and learn together they encourage and support each other as well. A number of the group from our pilot YouLEAD+ two years ago still stay in touch and help each other out on occasion. What we have learnt is the importance of others recognising the gifts in our young leaders and tapping them on the shoulder as an entrance into the program.

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A lot of young adults don’t see themselves as leaders. The value of a mentor or an elder highlighting their gifts can be life changing. My hope is that we can strengthen and broaden this community and in doing so we learn what ministry is like with emerging generations across the Synod and inspire news ways to work together. Currently the Synod fully funds the program as a way to grow our young leaders and for those travelling from regional presbyteries, with a number of presbyteries and scholarships available to help with travel expenses. KAREN MITCHELL-LAMBERT

TEAM LEADER OF PULSE

If you would like more information contact Karen Mitchell – Lambert at the PULSE team: KarenML@nswact.uca.org.au

P U LS E

Online Kids Club Supports regional and remote communities As we light the Online Kids Club candle, we offer hope for our children to grow in the love of Christ and the company of other young Christian disciples, for leaders to grow in understanding of esafety issues that affect this generation, for regional and rural Presbyteries to work together in creative ways, and for the wider Church to articulate a theology of play that may bring new ways of worship and witness into old and sacred places.

uring the pandemic there were up the tech, kept kids safe and a lot of online experiments, but offered hospitality. The hub in with everyone feeling fragile and Wagga now has not only online struggling to connect as communities, kids club for primary school kids working across regions was not realistic, but also other kids space but it did plant a seed! Pulse prioritised to play. small seed funding to research Online Kids Club will continue what was possible and to do some this year experimenting with how experiments exploring what would work best to share the love of God to specifically for regional and Primary Schoolers across remote communities. Kristy the Synod, particularly Morgan from Roseville supporting those in who had success with THE LIGHT OF regional and remote online kids club in DISCIPLESHIP communities. It meets her community was WILL SHINE FOR online Sundays 2 to CHILDREN IN the first to begin the 3pm. R E G I O N A L A N D research and more RURAL AREAS OF recently Rev Yvonne Three years ago, the NSW AND ACT Ghavalas the minister Pulse team embarked at Pilgrim Uniting Church on a consultation across in Wagga Wagga has taken the Synod to discover what the mantle, putting some of that people were doing with Emerging learning into practice. Generations and what they long to do. In a creative collaboration between young mentors from Kinross Wolaroi Uniting Church School, the Riverina and Macquarie Darling Presbyteries, and Pulse, the light of discipleship will shine for children in regional and rural areas of NSW and ACT in a new way. This exciting pilot project aims to establish a safe and authentic online community for children in grades three to six through the gift of technology. It seeks to grow High Schoolers as leaders supported by adults.

Sunday afternoons offered an opportunity for craft and conversation – all from the comfort of kids’ own homes in regional and rural communities. These communities often struggle to create spaces for young people in churches due to limited youth leaders and financial resources. The real surprise was that a couple of congregations decided to host a hub at their church. A couple of adults set

We heard of passionate people who would love to see kids from their community learning more about the gospel but also heard the struggle with lack of leaders and resources to do so in regional and remote communities. Since then Pulse has held in their hearts how we could support those amazing saints who faithfully share the Gospel in their local communities, particularly those scripture teachers who faithfully turn up to serve.

Pulse has three key Emerging Generations Ministry networks across the Synod. Their vision is to support ministry no matter where it is, networking together for learning and resource sharing. Anyone can join. Pulse gathers four times a year, currently online. For more information contact:

KAREN MITCHELL-LAMBERT

Children and Families

TEAM LEADER OF PULSE

PULSE EMERGING GEN MINISTRY NETWORKS

Joyce Tangi

JoyceT@nswact.uca.org.au Youth

Ofa Foiakau If you would like more information about participating in this project, email Rev. Yvonne Ghavalas at YvonneG@nswact.uca.org.au.

MiliseF@nswact.uca.org.au Young Adult

Molk

molk@nswact.uca.org.au

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A NEW SERIES INSPIRING HOPE AND CONFIDENCE In the last few years, none of us has been strangers to unfortunate news. Waking up each day to a new statistic, a new restriction, a new normal – confronted with one almost unbelievable story after another. In response to a deep yearning for more hopeful winds of change, the Mission Enablement Team from Uniting Mission and Education have created the short documentary series – Our Story.

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ur Story is a five-part series, with the first episode available on the UME website from 24 February. It explores the many unique contexts across the NSW and ACT Synod and the way in which these congregations participate in worship, witness, and service – that may just lead you to ask some questions of your own. Each episode captures a congregation as they confront their own frailties, and with growing confidence and hopeful action, endeavour to bring about change

and to live out the mission of God in the community they find themselves in. The UCA congregations profiled in Our Story are from a diverse range of backgrounds and contexts and are framed in a sympathetic light with a personal approach to the storytelling akin to programs such as the ABC’s Australian Story. Subjects are filmed on location in their context and balanced against insightful context and commentary made by wider church members, family, and friends.

MEMBERS OF CONDOBLIN UNITING CHURCH WITH THE CREW FROM THE SIGNAL BOX

The series draws OUR HOPE IS THAT WHAT its focus from the COMES TO LIGHT IN EACH Future Directions proposal accepted STORY ARE FOUR THEMES: by the Synod in DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, April 2021, with INSPIRATION, AND COURAGE all ﬁve episodes to touch on the ﬁve Our hope is that what comes to light in direction-setting each story are four themes: diversity, commitments – Regional and rural inclusion, inspiration, and courage. And ministry, Ministry for people born after that these stories connect with and 1970, Walking together with Australia’s inspire communities to take action, First People, Active stewardship of be courageous, and to try new things. the earth, and Being a contemporary, Underpinning all our intentions is the courageous, and growing church. universal message – “This is what God is doing – join in”.

There is hope and conﬁdence brewing all across the NSW and ACT Synod and these stories are merely the tip of the iceberg. The ﬁrst episode, set in Condobolin Uniting Church, takes a look at a thriving First People’s congregation in a regional context and has a lively children’s ministry. The episode was available to view on the Our Story web page from 24 February at 6pm with the next episode coming on 31 March.

To ﬁnd out more, visit the UME website: tinyurl.com/UMEOurStory

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Disaster

Done Right A SUCCESS STORY FROM TONGA

DISASTER PREPARATION SAVES LIVES. IN THE WAKE OF THE RECENT ERUPTION OF THE HUNGA TONGA HUNGA HA'APAI VOLCANO, OUR FRIENDS IN TONGA OFFER ENCOURAGING AND DEFINITIVE PROOF.

lert to the dangers of their cyclone season, over the past few years Uniting Church partner the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga (FWCT) has been assessing and planning for the worst instead of simply hoping for the best. And the results speak for themselves.

On 15 January 2022, Tonga’s biggest volcanic event in 30 years sent shock waves that were felt as far away as the United States. The explosion created a tsunami, and plumes of smoke and ash that blanketed the country for days. Communication with the outside world was cut when underwater cables suffered damage in the blast. With housing on remote islands destroyed, residents were relocated to the mainland where people were already reeling in the aftermath of widespread destruction: food, water and shelter were stretched. “Uniting Church partners, the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga were ready,” says International Project Manager for UnitingWorld, Aletia Dundas. “The Church’s experience during Cyclone Harold and Gita had shown them the best ways to assist people both practically and psychologically/spiritually.”

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importance of ecological stewardship. The Bible With support provided by studies and preaching UnitingWorld, FWCT had guides were prepared by sourced and stocked in Pacific theologians with advance a large storage facility Uniting Church support and with building materials have been widely so they could used. begin repairs Encouraging to damaged local capacity buildings PLANNING FOR building is within days THE WORST also behind of a natural INSTEAD OF the calls of disaster. The S I M P LY H O P I N G our friends Church had FOR THE BEST in Tonga not also used to collect and an Australian send items directly Government grant to the Pacific, but to to supply water tanks to families without water after provide donations through trusted Non-Government Cyclone Harold. Organisations instead.

PHYSICAL RESPONSES

SPIRITUAL/ PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSES

Back in 2015, the Church saw the need for a network of chaplains to support people after a disaster or crisis. They worked with experts Rev. Dr Stephen Robinson, Rev. Nau Ahosivi and Rev. Alimoni Taumoepeau to run a series of training sessions for their ministers. The Church has also made use of theological resources to educate church members about God’s role in suffering and disaster, the impact of changing climate and the

UnitingWorld and the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga send their heartfelt gratitude to so many Uniting Church members who have supported Disaster Preparation in the past and given generously to this crisis. If you’d still like to give, you can do so through UnitingWorld at: www. unitingworld.org.au/tonga or call 1800 998 122.

CHAPLAINS ARE ON THE GROUND WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED MOST IN TONGA

UnitingWorld has two ways for the Church to learn and grow in 2022 S E V E N D AY S OF SOLI DA RITY is a celebration of L E N T E V E N T is your opportunity to live simply so our global neighbours. Sign up to receive a story each day of God at work through people of faith in places like Tuvalu, Zimbabwe, Papua New Guinea and India. Take part as a congregation and make use of two inspiring videos, an original worship song by Rox McLeod, sermon by Rev Dave Baker (UCA QLD), prayers and ideas for action. Learn, pray, give! Find out more at www.sevendaysofsolidarity.com.au

others can simply live. On your own or alongside other Christians as a team, pledge to give or take something up in solidarity with those who have less. Change lives and raise funds for clean water, education, Christian leadership or disaster response and resilience. Find out more at www.lentevent.com.au

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L E C T I O N A RY R E F L E CT I O NS

MARCH

The

mysteriousness

SUNDAY MARCH 20 ISAIAH 55:1-9

Despite the warm invitational tone in the early verses of this passage, verses 8-9 present a different one. The mysteriousness of God’s ways and how they are beyond human comprehension are exhibited in these verses. When reading this, I am reminded of the frustrations of the biblical sceptics, namely, Job and Qohelet (the protagonist of the book of Ecclesiastes). In their search for wisdom, they find that at the end of the day, most of life’s answers are beyond human comprehension (cf. Job 37:5; Eccl. 11:5). Could there be a sense of frustration heard in verses 8-9? When faced with life’s many difficulties, the question “Why?” is heard from those suffering. Verses 8-9 seem to answer this question, but how much assurance can we claim from these verses? How do these verses provide comfort to those suffering a debilitating disease, or losing a loved one, or undergoing depression and anxiety? The Lord’s ways are high as the heavens (v.9), but what does that say about our own thoughts? Are they meaningless? This is not an indictment on God, but a chance for us to actually pause and reflect on how these words can be applied, because truth be told, the theology is not straight forward. Perhaps one could label these words as a “cop out.” So, what do we do? I have no simple answer, in fact, it is likely that I have no answer at all.

of God’s ways

And that is ok, because sometimes, not having an answer is the most appropriate answer. Just like how Job and Qohelet ponder on the inexplicable nature of life’s hard questions, perhaps this is what verses 8-9 are also teaching us.

It can be emotionally and psychologically crippling and can lead to severe depression. And when this happens, one desires to hear the words of the Lord in verse 9: “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” In the Hebrew, the word “disgrace” is translated in the NRSV from the Hebrew The status quo is that these verses word “herpat” which can also mean reflect the distinction between the divine “taunt” or “shame.” In this Lent season, and human thoughts, which speak to let us think of those who have been God’s superior ways. But according disgraced/taunted/shamed, and seek to our human sceptical nature, these to have their disgrace/ taunt/shame verses might also suggest the author’s rolled away. vexations at the ambivalence of life, that are congruent with our own states of We could begin this within our families, confusion. And during this Lent season, within the institutions we work or are that’s ok, because understanding and educated in, within the church! Let accepting that there are things that are this be an appeal to call out bullying, difficult for humans to comprehend, harassment, bigotry, sexism, misogyny, might just be the assurance that we all racism and other discriminatory need. behaviour.

SUNDAY MARCH 27 JOSHUA 5:9-12

Don’t we all love the feeling of overcoming the final hurdle? Relief and joy are perhaps the most common emotions. These sentiments are associated with reaching that final stage, just as the Israelites experienced joy in finally escaping the encroachment of the Egyptians. But what about Israel’s relief? The relief of never having to deal with a colonial power such as Egypt again. The relief of not being chased, and not looking over their shoulders? For many of us, this sensation of relief is familiar. Especially if one has been part of a toxic environment, or been in a toxic relationship, and coupled with the emotion of having to walk on egg shells.

May this also be a call to social justice: to seek respite for those who have been vilified and victimised due to their marginalised state, the colour of their skin, their race and ethnicity, their gender, and their sexuality. To be allies to anti-racism, LGBTIQA+ rights, Black Lives Matter, indigenous rights, so that we may roll away their disgrace/taunt/ shame!



CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

THE LORD’S WAYS ARE HIGH AS THE HEAVENS BUT WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT OUR OWN THOUGHTS?

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SPEAK OUT WEBSITE

speakout.uca.org.au

Speak Out is an initiative of the Uniting Church Synod of NSW and the ACT

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L E CT I O N A RY R E F L E CT I O NS

APRIL

APRIL 3 ISAIAH 43:16-21

The hope of God

There is great hope in these words by the prophet, as he evokes images of the triumph of God over the Egyptians at sea. Further, the message from the prophet states that like God had provided a way through the sea, God will also provide a way through the wilderness. Yet, what is intriguing here is that God also says “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old” (v.18). Perhaps the statement may be a priori, that is, to show that there is evidence of something greater ahead compared to the past. But how can we forget the former things? How can we not consider the things of old? More starkly, what about those who cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel? I think of my sisters and brothers in Pasifika who because of climate change are not able to see a silver lining. Some, such as those in Tuvalu, might be fully submerged by 2050. Where is hope for them? Yes, Easter is a time that allows us to reflect on the hope of God through the Cross, but might we take this time to think of those whose path towards hope is filled with ambiguity, who would rather think of the old things as a way of dealing with the trauma of the future.

APRIL 10 LUKE 19:28-40

moments later by condemning that same person? One could argue that the only genuine people in this scene were the Pharisees who asked Jesus for his followers to stop with the noise. As we reflect on Palm Sunday, I invite us to consider the genuineness of our words and to be sincere with our speech. It may seem unusual to learn something from the Pharisees here, but then again, sometimes lessons come from places we least expect them!

SEEING THE GOOD IN PEOPLE IS A MATTER OF ATTITUDE

APRIL 24 PSALM 118:14-29

APRIL 17

JOHN 20:1-18 We are all familiar with the scenes of I’ve always found this account of the Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. resurrection story rather amusing. This Can we imagine what Jesus is going competition between Peter and John (the through? How could Jesus even persist other disciple!) betrays a classic contest with this performance knowing all too of male testosterone. One outrunning the well that these same people will also other and therefore arriving to the tomb cry out a later time for his crucifixion? first. Yet, despite the author’s agenda Reading onto verse 41, Luke writes that here, it is difficult to ignore that it was Jesus “wept over [Jerusalem].” Have you ever had to go through a routine/process/ actually Mary Magdalene that arrived first. To add to the amusement, Peter is said to act/performance with someone knowing have seen the linen wrappings, while the that you were going to be betrayed or “other disciple” sees and believes, as if sold out? How about being the one who to suggest that Peter didn’t immediately offers praise but then changes course

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believe or struggles to believe. Despite the two contrasting observations, what Mary observes is far more remarkable: she sees the risen Jesus! Much has been said by NT scholars of women being the first preachers of the Resurrection. Despite the author’s best efforts it is actually Mary that is the true protagonist. Both Peter and John simply head back to their homes. Mary sees and proclaims! Perhaps we are guilty of seeing and not speaking up. This Easter, we are called to be like Mary and proclaim the Gospel of the Risen Lord. At the same time, might we also be challenged by the contrasting examples: to see and speak up like Mary, rather than see and remain silent like the two disciples. In moments of injustice against the oppressed and marginalised, silence always aids the oppressor!

“The stone that the builders rejected has the become the chief cornerstone.” (v.22) In these words, we see that through God’s plans, situations can be reversed for the better. Indeed, the Israelites who had been slaves to Egypt, had now become the chosen nation of God. Jesus, who reuses these words, insinuates the same meaning towards his own ministry – one where he undergoes scorn and rejection, only to die for our sins and rise from the dead for the salvation of the world. These words also speak to the notion of ‘second chances.’ But for our reflection, I want to focus not on the outcome, but the idea of giving someone that second chance. Are we quick to dismiss? Are we hasty on discipline and chastising instead of being compassionate and rehabilitative? Seeing the good in people is a matter of attitude, and perhaps Psalm 118:22 is a call for us to check that attitude. To give people a chance to turn things around, in order to be a chief cornerstone to others. These reflections for March and April were written by REV. DR BRIAN FIU KOLIA . They have been edited for space, but you can read the unedited reflections at: tinyurl.com/Lectionary2022

L E CT I O N A RY R E F L E CT I O NS

M AY

The transforming power of God

MAY 1

ACTS 9: 1-6 (7-20)

Acts chapter 9 is a crucial turning point for the young Christian church that transformed not only a man named Saul, but also the entire Christian church. The transformation that occurred that day in Damascus still challenges the church to be transformed today. The events of Acts 9 tilted the trajectory of the church’s ministry, widening and reorienting its purview to include the Gentiles.

On that day, the life of a man named Saul of Tarsus was unexpectedly and miraculously transformed. Of course, Acts chapter 9 is not the first time Saul appeared in the story of Acts. He was previously seen at the end of chapter 7 at the stoning of the first Christian martyr. We find him “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” (9:1). We see in the following verses the understandable fear and hesitation of the church to engage with Saul (1314, 21, and 26). This is completely understandable given what he had already done. But we also see them heedfully listening to the voice of the Spirit above their fear, carefully responding in obedience by welcoming the infamous Saul of Tarsus into their homes. How can we today, in our setting, live out the mandate of Jesus to “Love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us?” How can we lead and challenge our people to allow their worldview to be shaped by the Spirit and Scripture? How can we put our lives on the same path as the resurrected Jesus?

MAY 8 ACTS 9:36-43

Luke’s accounts of the Acts of the apostles tells the story of the early church. While the book has been called the acts of the apostles, it would not be inaccurate to call it the Acts of God through the apostles for the book records the incredible things that God does in, for, and through the church. Luke researched his gospel to write an orderly account. We can rightly assume that this letter has been meticulously

crafted. As such there are probably dozens if not hundreds of stories which could have been included in the book, but they were excluded making the question, “Why was this account included” a valid question for any pericope. The obvious answer to “Why was this included” is that Peter was the one through whom the Holy Spirit resurrected Tabitha. Healings are amazing, but they pale in comparison to a resurrection!

So why was the relatively unremarkable Dorcas resurrected? We can fall into the trap of treating people as if their value is only found in what we can get out of them. Dorcas stands as a corrective against that. She is a normal person doing normal things, serving God with what she has. We ought to learn that God seeks to bring us new life in the midst of our mundane lives. The seemingly banal parts of our lives could be exactly what God desires from us.

MAY 15 ACTS 11:1-18

to recognise God at work because our generalisations and labels define and alltoo-often specify who is and isn’t “us” or “them,” Christian, orthodox, evangelical, Spirit-filled, liberal or conservative, or whatever else that we use that may end up blocking our view of what God may be doing?

MAY 29 ACTS 16:16-34

As we draw near to Pentecost—our first reading, Acts 16:16-34, leads us to reflect upon the dynamics of the liberating salvation that has come near in Jesus as we find Paul and Silas bearing witness to it in their words, bodies, silence, and celebration in Philippi. Lydia, who after being baptised welcomes Paul and Silas into her home where they stay during their visit.

GOD SEEKS TO BRING US NEW LIFE IN THE MIDST OF OUR MUNDANE LIVES

Us. Them. We use these pronouns to describe (rather ambiguously) the people or group with whom we identify … and others from whom we distinguish ourselves. Sometimes these distinctions are based on perceptions and biases about others that can create separation and cause harm despite our good intentions. Human history is filled with countless examples of conflict between groups and parties that acted on their distrust of “the other”, often through war or various forms of systemic prejudice and oppression. When we encounter this week’s reading, the initial response to Peter upon his return to Jerusalem after his time in Caesarea with Cornelius with the centurion should raise many questions.

Those who receive salvation and step into it, immediately assume a posture of hospitality. What does this tell us about what the working out of salvation looks like for the Christian community? Is extending hospitality to others our first response to the grace we’ve received from God? The Lectionary Reflections have been used by permission from www.aplainaccount.org

What might the questioning by the centurion reveal about “us” and “them” in our contemporary contexts? Do we fail

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FINDING MODERN

REL CS

OVER THE PAST YEAR, LEICHARDT UNITING CHURCH MEMBER AND RELIGION WRITER ROHAN SALMOND HAS CURATED MODERN RELICS A SUBSTACK THAT LOOKS AT SOME OF THE INTRIGUING (AND BIZARRE) WAYS THAT INTERNET CULTURE INTERACTS WITH FAITH.

rom the real estate listing for Mary MacKillop’s house, to the various ways that some American Christians have tried to ‘reclaim’ Halloween, if it’s online (and strange) Modern Relics has covered it.

some kind of metaverse technology, that integration may be inescapable.” Mr Salmond said that one of the challenging aspects of collating Modern Relics is drawing on a broader range of faith traditions, “while keeping the tone right.”

“I spend a lot of time online where I see posts that act as little windows into “The solution to that might be guest entire religious discourses and posts from other people because subcultures, but they tend to I’m not as familiar with Muslim get lost in the churn and or Hindu spaces online, for forgotten,” Mr Salmond example, but for the moment P O P C U LT U R E said. it’s just me, so I have to IS STILL tread carefully,” he said. “There’s very little C U LT U R E space in mainstream or AND SHOULD With internet cultures religious media to talk B E TA KEN spawning so much about stuff like this, so S E R I O U S LY interesting religious-themed that’s what Modern Relics content, Insights asked Mr is for.” Salmond if he thought there was more that churches could be doing in With the sheer amount of content some of these spaces. constantly poured out to the internet, Mr Salmond has a lot to work with. He “Churches can do a lot of good on social shared a few of the upcoming topics he media and other online spaces, but I will be looking at. don’t think it’s compulsory,” he said. “Sci-Fi is always a rich source for religious “I think it’s more important that individual ideas,” he said. Christians engage with social media graciously and intelligently, and to that “I’ve already written about the debate end I think the Uniting Church can do over whether Baby Yoda should be more work on a theology of digital baptised, but there’s a lot of religion to engagement.” unpack in Dune and other texts too.” “I’m also keeping an eye on how churches “What are our underlying beliefs have integrated with Facebook and other about why and how we participate in those spaces? How do you love your platforms during the pandemic. Will they neighbour when your neighbour is a be able to extract themselves again, if semi-anonymous user with an anime girl that’s something they even want to do? avatar? Or maybe it’s a woman named Facebook is explicitly targeting religious Sheryl who comments too much in your groups as customers, and now that local neighbourhood Facebook group? Mark Zuckerberg is beginning to push

It’s not just a matter of marketing and communications, but of evangelism – and the digital landscape is rapidly changing, so having a strong foundation is essential.” “Generally speaking, our conversations about religion are heavily sanitised. Sometimes that’s a good thing – with such a sensitive topic you don’t want to cause offence – but if you’re not careful it can also obscure what’s actually going on in the “town square”, so to speak.” “I’ve worked in church media and now I’m a religion specialist at the ABC, but it would be highly unusual for religion reporting in either of those places to actually reflect the language and themes you encounter when religion, pop culture, and the internet actually intersect.” “An Instagram account like @ineedgodineverymomentofmylife is crass and bewildering. It collates a stream of highly ironic and painfully sincere memes that are difficult to describe, so it’s unlikely to get covered as a legitimate expression of religious practice. But I believe it is legitimate!” “There’s an audience for that content, and it’s using a visual/cultural vocabulary to talk about faith in a way you don’t see in many other places. Pop culture is still culture and should be taken seriously.” JONATHAN FOYE

Check out Modern Relics here:

modernrelics.substack.com

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Encanto E N T E RTA I N M E

Celebrates Colombian Culture

The Madrigal family include a visible mix of Afro Latino, ccomplishing a huge milestone, the 60th film produced Indigenous and mixed-race members – reflective of the by Walt Disney Animation Studios celebrates ethnic diversity of Colombia. Traditional food like the a South American country, Colombia, its arepa with cheese, coffee, ajiaco and corn are also culture, lush forests, gastronomy, colours, ENCANTO delightfully displayed throughout the movie while music and passion. EMBRACES showcasing the fauna and flora as part of the Directed By Byron Howard, Jared Bush and COMPASSION, common thread. Charise Castro Smith, the film tells the C O MM UNI T Y, Encanto gives Colombia the chance to redeem extraordinary story of the Madrigal Family, AND YES its image, making its people proud of their culture a displaced clan on whom a miracle was ENCHANTMENT and diversity, showcasing the magical realism and bestowed in their darkest moment and who the yellow butterflies that the literature Nobel-Price learned to serve and lead their community in Gabriel Garcia Marquez once exhorted. the mountains of Colombia. This family musical exhorts the traditional sounds of Colombia. Encanto’s music composer, the Academy Award nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote eight original songs for the movie, including “Colombia mi Encanto” featuring voices of Latin superstars like Maluma, Sebastián Yatra, and Carlos Vives.

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Encanto is a charming and modest recreation that embraces compassion, community, and yes – enchantment, moving away from the traditional heroes and princesses. ANGE L A CADE NA

Encanto is streaming now on Disney Plus.

Thinking of Studying Theology in 2022? There are courses and subjects that can enrich your faith and expand your passion for ministry. Enrol in subjects of interest or undertake a degree, the choice is yours!

Find out more:

www.utc.edu.au

Moderator's

Flood Appeal Worship Resources to Enable, Empower & Engage

Project Reconnect is a worship resource that is published weekly to help congregations with their worship service. It includes a PDF information sheet with video messages, music resources and discussion starters.

projectreconnect.com.au Connecting people to God, each other and the community

If you or your Church would like to support recovery of communities in disaster-affected areas across the State, the Moderator's Appeal applies these funds where they are most needed. Funds will be required now as flood waters recede and the task of recovery for these communities is crucial. HOW TO DONATE: There are a number of ways you can give to the Moderator’s Flood Appeal. Visit the website to find out how:

tinyurl.com/ModFloodAppeal

A GIFT THAT WILL CARRY THE STORY T

he Uniting Church tells a unique story of inclusiveness, where everyone has a place and everyone is equal. It’s a story of caring for people and fighting for justice. It’s a story of stewardship of God’s creation and embracing multiculturalism through welcoming people from a variety of cultural backgrounds. It’s a story we want to continue for generations to come.

Leaving a bequest or gift in will to the Uniting Church Future Directions is another way to continue that story. Your legacy gift will help provide discipleship and support, building up strong individuals and leaders who will share the life-changing message of Jesus in the world. Your legacy gift will live on and multiply as the Uniting Church story writes new chapters in the lives that are changed.

For more information please email: bequests@nswact.uca.org.au

Insights Autumn 2022 (Easter edition)

Articles inside

BELIEF MATTERS

WELCOME

ENTERTAIN ME

LECTIONARY REFLECTIONS

PULSE