Insights February/March 2017 by Insights Magazine

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FEBRUARY/ MARCH 2017

YURÃ&#x201C;RA IGNITES FAITH NEW BOOK CHRONICLES OUR HISTORY OF ADVOCACY HOW CAN CHRISTIANS DEAL WITH DIVORCE

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W E L C O M E F R O M T H E G E N E R A L S E C R E TA R Y

Obedience is not an option for disciples

REV. JANE FRY ACTING GENERAL SECRETARY The General Secretary is appointed by the Synod to provide leadership to the Church by actively engaging in strategic thinking about the life, direction, vision and mission of the Church.

A LONG TIME AGO now, I first read a book by Eugene Peterson called A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. It’s a book of Peterson’s reflections on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120–134) — songs which pilgrims might have sung on their way to Jerusalem, to the Temple; songs to concentrate the attention and, perhaps, to make the walking a bit easier (especially on the hills). I suspect I bought the book because the title appealed to me. It still does. It comes from German philospher Friedrich Nietzsche: “The essential thing ‘in heaven and earth’ is… that there should be a long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living”. Since I first read that book, I’ve wondered a lot about obedience, particularly in relation to baptism and discipleship, vocation and ordination. These wonderings have been prompted by the particular situations encountered by individuals, Congregations, and ministers. They’ve been nourished and informed by conversations with others and by reflection on my own experience as an ordained minister in a variety of settings. Many clergy were ‘formed’ for discipleship and ministry in a church that no longer exists, in a world that is changing almost faster than

we can blink. A world in which ordained ministers and any sort of dedicated life has become quaint, anachronistic and honestly, either a bit weird or highly suspect. Then again, Christians always have been a bit suspect. Obedience is an extremely unfashionable word. The Hebrew origins of the word include the meanings ‘to hear’ and ‘to listen’ — which opens the possibility that ‘pay attention’ might be as appropriate a translation as ‘do as you’re told’. The commitment that is made in baptism and re-affirmed in ordination is the commitment to pay attention to the world through the lens of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Then it’s to act in the world in ways that lead to life — to the flourishing of creation, to fellowships of reconciliation, to compassion, care and justice for the lost. As I write this, the now former Premier of NSW, Mike Baird, just announced his retirement from politics. This announcement came as something of a shock to his colleagues. Straight away, the commentariat went into action — dissecting, analysing and pontificating — about the reasons he gave for his decision. The reason that resonates most for me is his comment that he entered politics ten years ago because he wanted to ‘make a difference’ and that, while some of his initiatives have been overturned and others

remain unfinished, it is now time to hand the leadership on. Mike Baird is a faithful, Christian man and in this comment, he effectively summarises the task of discipleship for all of us. Our ongoing vocation as disciples and more importantly, as communities of faith is to make a difference in the world. Until ‘the final consummation of all things’, this is never-ending work and it depends on a ‘long obedience in the same direction.’ In any period, this is a costly obedience. In a cultural context in which church is marginal, ministers are suspect and obedience is unfashionable, it’s all too easy to surrender to going with the flow and to stop paying attention to the world through Jesus Christ. But there won’t ever be a time when obedience is optional for disciples. There won’t ever be a time when disciples won’t have to choose, every day, what they give their attention to. There also won’t ever be a time when the disciplines of discipleship aren’t needed to ground the baptismal commitment to make a difference in the world. I fully expect to retire from whatever ministry position I happen to be in when the time comes. I don’t ever expect to be released from the commitments that I’ve made in baptism. i

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14 COVER STORY

Over 800 young people from all over Australia amassed at Stanwell Tops for five days of teaching, worship, creativity, live bands, good food and passion. This is Yuróra 2017!

Contents

REGULARS 3 WELCOME 6

YOUR SAY

8 NEWS 39 DIGITAL MINISTRY 40 MAKING MONEY MATTER

41 LECTIONARY REFLECTIONS 44

BELIEF MATTERS

CULTURE WATCH

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 Ben McEachen PRODUCTION/DESIGN Rana Moawad EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING/ DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES PHONE 02 8267 4304 FAX 02 9264 4487 ADDRESS Insights, PO Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW, 1235 EMAIL insights@nsw.uca.org.au WEB www.insights.uca.org.au Insights is published by the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of New South Wales and the ACT. Articles and advertising content do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or of the Uniting Church. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Australia $38.50 (incl. GST); overseas $50. © 2016. Contents copyright. No material from this publication may be copied, photocopied or transmitted by any means without the permission of the Managing Editor. CIRCULATION: 16,000. ISSN: 1036-7322 Commonwealth of Australia 2016

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

A new year, a new hope

REV. MYUNG HWA PARK MODERATOR The Moderator is elected to give general and pastoral leadership to the Synod, assisting and encouraging expression and fulfilment of faith, and the witness of the Church.

THE WORDS OF GOD ARE A GUIDING LIGHT FOR DISCERNING HEARTS

ON NEW YEAR’S EVE, I went to a midnight service to farewell an old year and to welcome a new year (“Song Ku Young Shin” 送舊迎新) at one of the Korean churches in Sydney. This special service invited people to say goodbye to many things that happened last year — with prayers of confession and thanksgiving — and to enter 2017 with prayerful anticipation of God’s grace. During the service everyone received a bookmark that was beautifully laminated with a scripture verse on one side and words of encouragement on the other. This little token gently reminded us of the importance of God’s word which provides the fuel for our faith journey. The words of God are indeed the source of what we need as we begin a new year: a guiding light for discerning hearts, an accurate compass to point us in the right direction and inexhaustible words of encouragement for fainthearted or lonely souls. The year 2017 will be a special year for us, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia. For the past 40 years, the Uniting Church has been outstanding with courageous acts motivated by a strong sense of justice and peace. We have become an inclusive and welcoming community, working for the rights of Aboriginal people and formally adopting the policy to be a multicultural church. We continue to be a voice for the rights of minorities in our society, participating in the Give Hope campaign

for asylum seekers and refugees, and providing a space for grace and equality for all people. We see God’s image in each other, and our very name — Uniting — constantly reminds us to be open, inclusive, loving and welcoming people who continue their journey until we reach the Promised Land together. We have been strong in our ecumenical relationships and committed to working with other churches for evangelism and witnessing to the presence of God in the 21st century world. We began this year with “Yurora”, a wonderful national gathering of our young people at Stanwell Tops [turn to page 10 for the full story]. What could be more exciting and encouraging than meeting young people who “remember their Creator in the days of their youth!” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) and are passionate about our Uniting Church. It is my earnest prayer that the whole church will give full support to our young people, as they deepen their relationship with Christ Jesus and live as his disciples. In mid January, together with 20 other people from the Uniting Church and the Jewish Board of Deputies, I went to Israel and Palestine for a study tour called “Give Peace a Chance”. This trip was organised to deepen the relationship between the two faith groups who share the “Abrahamic faith” and to facilitate our working together for peace in our deeply divided and much troubled world. We know well that fear does not cast out problems, but love does.

Strengthening relationships with other faith communities is a crucial act, which I hope every Congregation strives to achieve. One of our core values is a commitment to engage in unity with other churches, to bring glory to Christ Jesus the Lord who said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5: 9). As we look ahead, I am almost ecstatic about “Gospel Yarning”, a conference on evangelism which will be held in Sydney between May 15 and 19. “Gospel Yarning” aims to share the Gospel afresh during this year of our 40th anniversary and to re-imagine how we can share the Good News in our changing world. As Christ’s followers in 2017, we too, are included in his last commission to his first disciples: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Let the year 2017 be a year of celebration for the 40th anniversary of the Uniting Church. This year also is the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation movement, and it’s a year for each of us to endeavour in evangelism and faithful discipleship! May God bless us to be a blessing when we obey the voice of the Lord, keep God’s commandments and when we turn to God with all our heart and with all our soul! (Deuteronomy 30:10). i

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LETTERS

Your Say PRESENT-DAY PERILS OF BEING CHRISTIAN

For those of us who are of mature age, it would have been fantasy to think that in Australia, in 2017, it would be dangerous to profess attachment to Christianity and its ideals. Yet that is just what is becoming a reality. Little or no physical violence has so far occurred, but attacks on Christian ideals and values are relentless.

THE RETREAT FROM CHRISTIANITY AND ITS VALUES HAS DEEP IMPLICATIONS FOR THE NATURE OF OUR SOCIETY

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We are now living in an age of rising, militant “Christophobia”, in Christianity’s own homelands. Christianity’s teachings, rituals, icons, and symbols are constantly ridiculed and mocked. If you speak up for Christianity you are likely to be called a bigot. At the same time, criticism of other religions is politically incorrect. Any who venture to look critically and objectively at Islam, for example, are vilified, called “Islamophobic”, and subject to physical threats. If you stand up for the Christian teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman, as Cardinal George Pell and Rev. Fred Nile do, you will be hounded and ridiculed at Mardi Gras. If you set out a reasoned and polite case for this teaching, as Tasmanian Catholic Archbishop Julian Porteous did, you will be dragged before a human rights board. If a group of

Christians seeks to meet to consider a response to a proposed plebiscite on samesex marriage, the venue they choose will be intimidated into cancelling the booking. When the then Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, implied in 2015 that Christians — the minority under greatest threat in Syria — may be given special consideration for asylum in Australia, he was widely condemned. Anthony Fisher, Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, openly advocated special consideration for Syrian Christians. He suffered the same fate. During the past few years, the Victorian government, in effect, banned singing Christmas carols in public schools. The ban forbade “any type of music that glorified God or a particular religious figure or deity”. This was an assault on our cultural heritage and national identity. The ban has since been lifted, but the threat of this sort of action remains. Particularly worrying is the newly invented “identity politics” idea, whereby people are seen not as individuals, but as members of a racial or cultural group. The group is all important and must be preserved. This is a direct challenge to the Christian teaching that all are individuals and are equal in the sight of God, regardless of skin colour or culture.

The retreat from Christianity and its values has deep implications for the nature of our society. At a recent symposium, British commentator Daniel Johnson placed the collapse of confidence in Judeo-Christian values and democratic capitalism as the most serious of the many internal threats to the survival of our Western civilisation. Rod McLeod, Eastwood

THE FUTURE FOR FAITH

David Palmer (‘Your Say’, Insights, October/November) courageously sets out his views and the challenge that many of us have if we are to make sense of our faith when living in the 21st century. David’s views certainly strike many chords with me. Although it may not be so in all cases, I have found many of the Uniting Church Congregations of which I have been a part are, indeed, very inclusive and generally willing to embrace a wide range of theological views. In my view, the only way that Christianity will survive in Western society is if people are able to continue to explore their faith in the most open-ended way possible. Back in 1965, the English theologian Leslie Weatherhead wrote, “No honest mind can exclude doubt, or ignore criticism, or shut its ears against reason.

THANK YOU

Be rewarded for having your say. Every contributor to ‘Your Say’ in this issue receives a copy of the DVD The Light Between Oceans courtesy of EOne Home Entertainment. ‘Your Say’ letters should be sent to: insights@ nswact.uca.org.au or posted to Insights, PO Box A2178, Sydney South NSW 1235. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

And if we do these things we should be left, not with faith, but with a head-in-thesand superstition.” Weatherhead’s views are even more pertinent today when we note the specific challenges to traditional religious views such as in astronomy, with so many far-reaching insights into the origins and immensity of the universe. At the other end of the scale, there are advances in our knowledge of the human genome that reveal an extensive DNA overlap between human beings and other life forms. Along with the many other advances in science, medicine, sociology and psychology, our understanding of how we humans function grows exponentially year-byyear. This surely means that our religious understandings have to be recast too if they are to be meaningful to the widest possible range of people in the future. This doesn’t mean that we lose the essential experience of God that Christians believe we have met in Jesus. But we do need to escape from the limitations of the tradition, the distortions, barriers and boundaries that hold us back, so that we can experience the same God of Jesus — but in terms of what speaks to us now. American philosopher John D. Caputo writes: “Whatever you say God is, God is more. There is no formula with which God can be described.” God

remains a mystery and if we absolutise our God-belief, we lapse into idolatry. But we certainly need to be thinking well beyond the old theistic understanding of God as a supernatural being who dwells outside this world and who can be called on to periodically visit us to assert the divine will, before retreating once again. As David Palmer pleads, we need to be free to continue to explore matters of our faith, our humanity and the mystery of the divine — and where better to do that than in an inclusive, accepting church community. Robert Henderson, Jerrabomberra

THERE IS A WAY TO BE ONE

I doubt there is any other ‘religion’ on earth as divided as much as is that of the Christian church! Literally thousands of denominations, fellowships and sects, are spread throughout this world, all claiming allegiance to the one true God, all claiming to have the absolute truth. Yet, so many of them are incapable of — or unwilling to — relate to “other” Christian groups in case they become contaminated! One would not be overly dogmatic in declaring these “the exclusive clubs!”

and divisions and seek to bridge some gaps which have developed over long and short periods. Yet the increases of separation still continue! For example, the attempts to bring into being a “Uniting Church” in 1977 by joining the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches — with the aim of embracing other denominations into its fold, at a later date. But it has really only established yet another church! Another catalyst to increasing denominaionalism is the modifications to Biblical truths and alterations to doctrinal teachings. All of these are designed to suit the modern dramatic changes in secular behavioural patterns. People, it is imperative — as Biblical Christians — that whilst we might respect one another’s differences and diversities in life generally, when it comes to deciding what church is right for us, we must remain faithful to God and His Word! That Word of Truth must always be our guide and the absolute foundation of our faith. So, to that end, it is still possible that we become one! Ronald James, Wagga Wagga

WE CAN MAKE THE SWITCH

It was encouraging to see the article on UK churches committing to renewable energy in Insights (October/November). UnitingEarth would love to see a large scale shift by churches in Australia, or NSW and the ACT at least. That’s why, as featured in Insights previously, we invited churches to switch to energy providers that do more to help shift our economy to renewable energy. This was an action idea that came out of the “Open Space” sessions at Synod 2016. It’s a simple matter of using the “Green Energy” guide to select a more environmentally responsible provider; telling us when you’ve made the switch; telling your local community, and the energy provider why you did; and inviting others to join you. We would love to see enough Congregations and individual church members take this very simple action, to make it as newsworthy an event as the Synod’s decision to divest was. For more information, visit: unitingearthweb.org.au/ make-the-switch Rev Jason John, UnitingEarth

In previous years, we have seen some feeble attempts to heal some of the breaches

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News SYNOD’S COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE RECOGNISED THE UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA, Synod of New South Wales and the ACT, was recently featured in the Divest Invest Faith-Based Guide, due to the Synod’s commitment and action to ensure a sustainable climate for future generations. Along with a webinar, the guide was released during mid-December by the Australian Environmental Grantmakers Network (AEGN) and the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC). The guide looks at how and why organisations are choosing to divest from fossil fuels, and invest in sustainable energy options. A year on from the “historic” Paris Climate agreement, former UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon is encouraged by the growing number of organisations embracing the divest-invest culture. “It’s clear the transition to a clean energy future is inevitable, beneficial and well underway, and that investors have a key role to play,” said Ban Ki-moon, who ended his tenure as UN Secretary-General at the end of 2016. The main goal of the Paris agreement is to reduce greenhouse emissions to help limit the global temperature rise to just 1.5°C. Such bold moves should ensure the earth’s sustainability. Arabella Advisors released an analysis that found, across 76 countries, 688 institutions and 58,399 individuals have committed to divest from fossil fuels.

This includes faith-based institutions such as the Uniting Church. These make up 23% of institutions that have committed to some sort of divestment. President of Uniting Church in Australia, Stuart McMillian, said that the Church has had a long-standing commitment to protecting the environment. “Christians and all people of faith are called to respect the sacredness of the earth. It is this understanding that shapes our unique contribution to addressing climate change,” said Mr McMillian. As highlighted in the Divest Invest FaithBased Guide, the NSW and ACT Synod Standing Committee has agreed to: • Divest from all stocks that have a greater than 40 per cent net exposure from direct fossil fuel extraction by 19 October, 2014 (This already has been completed) • Divest from all stocks that have a greater than 25 per cent net exposure from direct fossil fuel extraction by 19 October, 2015 (This already has been completed) • Divest from all stocks that have a greater than 10 per cent net exposure from direct fossil fuel extraction by 19 October, 2016 (This is yet to be completed, but portfolios currently have no holdings that would need divestment in phase 3).

THE MODERATOR WITH REV. JOHN THORNTON AND HIS WIFE VERONICA (CENTRE)

WELCOME REV. JOHN THORNTON THE CALL TO SERVE our Synod could not be ignored by a retiree from Taree. Rev. John Thornton recently began as acting Associate Secretary, on a part-time basis. He will remain in the role until Synod meets in September. As many before him have discovered there is no such thing as retirement, especially when years of congregation and mission experience are in demand across the busy life of the Synod (turn to Navigating the Next Steps on page 30). John is currently Chair of the Mid North Coast Presbytery and a facilitator of the Presbytery Chairs Meeting. The latter group builds co-operation right across the Presbyteries in the Synod. It is this specific experience — and more — that he brings to his new role. High on John’s agenda is to visit every Presbytery, particularly those located in the bush. He is a big believer that Presbyteries are a power base for the Church and that Presbyteries working well together will be a great benefit to the whole of the Synod. In his role, John aims to provide Presbyteries with a helping hand, sharing ideas and information and trying to identify new ways of working together. John brings with him a spirit of optimism and would like to think the Church is in a much stronger position than it is sometimes portrayed. All too often it is tempting to take on a belief that the Church is in a period of scarcity but, instead, John believes we have to change our focus to one of abundance. Prior to “retiring”, John was minister for four years at Lismore Uniting Church where he also held the position of Chair of the Far North Coast Presbytery. John will continue to be based in Taree, close to family and grandchildren.

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GOSPEL YARNING CONFERENCE

SHARE YOUR STORIES ABOUT TURNING 40

HOW CAN WE as the Uniting Church learn from each other, to be a Church that serves the Gospel in changing contexts?

UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA is celebrating our 40th Anniversary in 2017!

Gospel Yarning, is a four day conference that will look at intercultural evangelism in the Uniting Church. It will also seeks to affirm the centrality of the Gospel in the year of our 40th Anniversary.

To help celebrate this milestone, we want to hear from you. If you have stories or reflections about your memories or historical moments of the Uniting Church, send them through to us at contactus@nswact. uca.org.au.

Keynote speakers will talk on topics such as: • What do we understand the Gospel to be? •H ow can we learn from each other and discover our calling in the mission of God? •H ow do our churches serve the Gospel in changing contexts? The conference will be held on 15-19 May at the Centre for Ministry, 16 Masons Drive, North Parramatta. The event will include Open Space, plenary and small group sessions. There will be three public events which will include a public celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia on the evening of 19 May. Save the date in your calendars! Conference schedule and registration information will be available shortly.

Stories submitted may be selected to be featured in the June-July issue of Insights. Please keep your stories between 300-500 words. When you submit them, also include an engaging photo of the event or special service, if you are able to.

If you plan to send us your personal reflections, we will need submissions by Friday, 5 May. Events held after this date will be published on our Facebook page. We look forward to reading all your submissions!

CHANGES TO UNITING CHURCH OUT-OF-HOME-CARE SERVICES

OUR SERVICE AGENCIES, Uniting and Wesley Mission, are preparing to make some major changes to how they care for young people in residential out-of-home-care (OOHC). The changes are guided by an independent review commissioned by the Uniting Church in Australia Synod of NSW and the ACT, and overseen by Christine Nixon APM.

evaluating a new therapeutic model the NSW government has already suggested, and considering best practice initiatives both nationally and internationally.

As well as improving residential OOHC, we will continue to work to prevent children entering OOHC in the first place. We know that the best outcomes for children and young people are achieved when they are able to stay with their families. The review, for example, recommends expanding the Uniting New Parent and Infant Network (NEWPIN). NEWPIN is an intensive, WE MUST KEEP therapeutic restoration program for families WORKING TO with young children, and it has a 61 per FIND NE W WAY S cent restoration rate — twice the usual rate TO SUPPORT for children in care.

Residential OOHC is where young people – usually teenagers – who cannot live with their families and for whatever reason cannot be placed in foster care, are cared for in a group home with other young people. Staff work in shifts to provide care and supervision around the clock. But more and more, OOHC providers are seeing young people THE CHANGING with increasingly complicated needs. They N EEDS OF YOUNG require a much higher level of support PEOPLE AND than can be provided in a group home V ULNERABLE setting. With four or five young people FAMILIES living in the one house, it is difficult to meet everyone’s needs. Uniting and Wesley Mission have been leaders in OOHC for generations. They also have continuously innovated to respond to the needs of the young people they are there to serve. That is why Uniting and Wesley Mission will not continue to provide residential care in the current group home model. Between the organisations, there are 24 young people across five group homes. Over the next months, Unting and Wesley Mission will be looking at better options for these young people — and better options for the young people who will come after them. This includes

As the review states, many of the issues that see children and young people end up in OOHC — both residential care and foster care — are the result of intergenerational disadvantage. It is therefore crucial that strategies are found to break this cycle of disadvantage, either by restoring children and young people to families in the first place, or giving young people in residential OOHC the intensive support they need to achieve the best possible outcomes for their future. Doing this is not just morally and socially right, but it simply makes economic sense for society to invest early in effective strategies. We must keep working to find new ways to support the changing needs of young people and vulnerable families. When we lead with our strengths, we can do the greatest service for the people who most need our support.

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Yurora ignites faith

Over 800 young people converged at Stanwell Tops Convention Centre in Sydney’s south for Yuróra on 8-12 January. The National Christian Youth Convention is a national event that celebrates the diversity, passion and multicultural nature of youth in the Uniting Church. Yuróra (meaning ‘passionate’) is about uniting cultures and empowering young people to claim their place as the future of the Church.

Our passionate community of Christ Yuróra was for me a wonderful opportunity to take the pulse of our Church. I cried with joy several times as I sat in the auditorium. Young people were leading the gathered community of Christ, the rich cultural, linguistic and theological diversity that is our Church. We also were joined by representatives from six of our partner Churches in Asia and the Pacific. We praise God together, one in Christ. At Monday night’s rally I preached “That we Might Be One”. Among other things I’m passionate about, I shared this: We are a multicultural Church, with more than 190 migrant Congregations worshipping in 26 languages. My passion is that we become a truly “intercultural” community, one that is transformed by the Spirit into the kind of community I experienced at Yuróra, because the reality of our oneness is lived out among us in love. That was my Yuróra experience — a rich intercultural community that loves Jesus and wants others to know the life-giving, great love of God.

H I G H L I G H T S : DAY 1/2

UCA President, Stuart McMillan DAY ONE BEGAN with volunteer briefings and registration as young people came from all over Australia to Stanwell Tops in Sydney’s south. Throughout the day, attendees were entertained by vibrant music acts like Long Story Short, Jack Vidgen and He Planned Us. On Day Two the program went into overdrive with Community Groups and Bible Studies given by speakers, such as international guest Rev. Dr Julian Hamilton, a Methodist Church of Ireland minister and chaplain. Other Bible Study leaders included Ace Kim, Minister at OneHeart in Eastwood; Anthony Rees, Lecturer in Old Testament/Hebrew at United Theological College; Candice Champion and Rhanee Tsetsakos, UAICC young leaders and Adnyamathanha women from the Northern Flinders Ranges in South Australia, currently living in

Port Augusta; Charissa Suli, minister at Dapto Uniting Church; Christian Students Uniting, a student group that has a presence on several university campuses; David Barrow from Sydney Alliance; and Rev. SweeAnn Koh, Director of the VicTas Synod’s Intercultural Unit.

INSPIRING SESSION

Rev. Dr Julian “Jools” Hamilton’s Bible studies focused on engaging ‘the other’ – what does it mean to embrace the other in a search for transformation? How can culture really be shifted and shaped by young people of faith, to dream God’s dream for the planet? “The people of God in the Hebrew Bible have a serious call,” said Jools. “Blessed to be a blessing. A light to the nations. The world of the people in [the book of] Jeremiah was a mess, not

unlike the place we find ourselves at the moment. By the way, brothers and sisters, if this is a transformative time for you at Yuróra, if things are different because you have been with us this week, that means something will have ended. Scripturally, there’s never an ending without a new beginning.” “If you have a transformative experience this week, try to walk into it knowing that endings with the God we love and know and worship brings new beginnings. It begins and ends with God. “What is your Yuróra? Our infectious passion, our infectious ‘Yuróra’ for life comes from living in God and allowing God to live in us. Are we going to be the people that live like that? We are part of God’s reimagining for His world.”

EXPLORING VOCATION AND WELLBEING

Many informative session were held across the day, which focussed on creativity in ministry, advocacy, mental health and wellbeing. Rohan Pryor from Uniting Church Centre for Theology and Ministry (VIC/ TAS) explored vocation, discernment, discipleship and lay leadership, mission and purpose. He drew on Biblical sources and Uniting Church documents, looking at the Uniting Church discernment process - the Period of Discernment - and the many responses faithful Christians make to God’s invitation and call. Dr Jonathan Freeston (aka “Jono”, “Dr Freezo”) is a former Australian Baseball player and lectures at the University of Sydney CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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CHARLES, 17. ADELAIDE, SA

“In one of the Bible studies, David Barrow said you have to own your spirituality. If you want to find something you have to seek it. That’s why Yuróra is good because there are so many people who can help you. Yuróra is not just spiritually amazing; it’s also amazing as a general experience to relax, have fun and be happy. It’s positive. In relation to my Christian life, I am really passionate about helping other people, as a general motto: you want to help benefit others.”

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Creativity and spirituality Joel McKerrow is a writer, speaker, educator, community arts worker and one of Australia’s most successful internationally touring performance poets. Based out of Melbourne, he is also the front man poet for the band, Joel McKerrow & the Mysterious Few. Will Small is a writer and pastor as well as a facilitator at The Lounge Room, which is a creative space in Gosford run by Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD). This charity collective aims to help young creatives who have been disadvantaged and/or abused. Joel asked people at the workshop on day two to define creativity and spirituality. One of the participants spoke about how creativity was the “manifestation of spirituality”. This way of looking at how faith and creativity become one was even more pronounced when Joel explored this definition. The session showed how by tapping into your creativity, you can go deeper into understanding who you are as a person.

“Spirituality is this inward journey, this movement of faith, this hoping of something that we can’t quite see, but we know that it is there. This is soul work [where] creativity becomes the manifestation of spirituality,” Joel said. “This workshop is not a poetry thing; it’s about getting back in touch with what it means to be human,” said Will. Joel noted how we are taught by our churches to pray in a certain way, but writing and performing is a prayer in itself. “What you do in that moment is enough; you don’t have to try and convert people with that. You don’t have to write about the gospel, about Jesus dying on the cross, in every canvas you paint or song [you create]. Because what you are doing there is enough. It is your connection with God. God loves it. He loves that you finally have a space where you can be yourself,” he said. The session also looked at how distractions or creative blocks affect the level of intimacy we have with God. “The deepest place you will go with your own willingness to go into your stuff (creative projects), probably in some ways is directly related to the deepness you are willing to go in your connection with God,” said Joel. Melissa Stewart

CONTINUED

in Exercise and Sport Science. In addition to his passion for sport, Jono loves using exercise to help people improve their mental and physical health. He thinks the Church has a big role to play in making this happen.

stories of the impacts of climate change in the Pacific, and the various steps being taken to address them.

His session — a practical guide to faith and fitness — focussed on sport and exercise that has been shown to help improve mental and physical health, but many of us struggle to do it enough to enjoy the benefits.

#WECANDO BETTER

Uniting Earth Ministry ran a session on the #Talanoa4Climate campaign. “Talanoa” is a word in several Oceanic languages which means “story, storytelling and conversation”. Attendees at the session heard first-hand

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Participants also were able to share their concerns about climate change.

This interactive session used storytelling to create new conversations about refugees and people seeking asylum. Those who were in this session were encouraged to tell personal stories relating to topics such as opportunity, respect and hospitality. This was before hearing from key speakers, including Dor Akech Achiek, who spoke

about his personal journey of seeking asylum after escaping violence in South Sudan. Dor Akech works for Settlement Services International (SSI) as the Youth Project’s Coordinator. “I’ve spent the entirety of my life running… running from persecution,” explained Dor Akech. “So we kept running. I was able to get an education [in Australia]. Even to the next level where I have my Masters, which I wouldn’t have dreamed of. It’s a matter of looking at [refugees] as people.”

DRUGS: FROM WAR TO…WHERE

Dr Marianne Jauncey is the Director of the Uniting Medically Supervised

Injecting Centre (MSIC) in Kings Cross. She brought stories, experience and expert knowledge to challenge perceptions of illicit drugs and the people who use them. Marianne outlined the benefits of the safe injecting facility and some of the services it offers to clients — including provision of clean injecting equipment and referral to other health services and support. She lamented that, despite its great success, the MSIC is still the only facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Speaking about her clients, Marianne reflected on the stigmas and marginalisation they face in society. It was acknowledged that media

Stay passionate The 2011 Australia’s Got Talent winner, Jack Vidgen, is making a comeback. To kick off 2017, he stepped onto the Yuróra stage for the first time. While he has been out of the spotlight for a few years, most would still remember the bleachblonde-haired 14 year old who belted out an Adele classic that would pave the way to winning the talent show title. The win took Jack on a whirlwind ride around Australia and, eventually, to the USA. However, the pressure and expectation that came with the fame, understandably, took its toll. After a few years out of the spotlight, the now 19 year old is back to performing — but on his own terms. “It’s different but it’s fun, especially now doing more acoustic sets as well,” said Jack at Yuróra. “I want to do it really organically [this time] and not have to feel any pressure, doing what everyone else is telling me to do.”

His acoustic sets at Yuróra showcased his newly acquired guitar skills and his still impressive vocal range. However, it wouldn’t be Yuróra if faith didn’t find its way into the conversation. “Faith has definitely been a big part of my life,” shares Jack. “I can see where God has blessed me and I’d love to keep seeing that.” Jack also participated in a short-term mission to Thailand, which he described as “eye-opening”. And it was this time out to grow as a person — without the pressure of fame — that helped him find his passion for music again. “I definitely lost it completely that’s why I stopped (music). I didn’t want to keep doing what I didn’t enjoy anymore,” he said. This new sense of freedom Jack expressed is transcendent on stage with more relaxed performances at Yuróra. For young musicians who want to make it in the industry Jack has this advice. “Try and stay passionate, I just got burnt out… don’t give in to pressures around you remember why you started in the first place,” he said. Melissa Stewart

coverage often plays a large role in perpetuating these stigmas and portraying drug users as uniformly reckless, dangerous, unstable and damaged. The endorsement of a so-called tough “war on drugs” posture by both sides of Australian politics has further muddied the waters. Some in this session admitted that recent Government TV advertisements about the drug “ice” had seriously influenced their opinions about the drug and its users. Participants were provided with informative handouts to help them better understand the meaning of harm reduction and the benefits of decriminalisation. They

also received the rationale for the April 2016 resolutions of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and ACT to support and advocate for decriminalisation of personal drug use, as well as for greater investment in harm reduction and demand reduction strategies.

STOP THE TRAFFIK

Libby Sorrell has been interested in human rights issues for a long time, having been an active member of Amnesty International for around 30 years and TEAR (Transformation, Empowerment, Advocacy and Relief) Australia for the past twelve. She is a member of Springwood Uniting Church.

The inaugural Stop The Traffik conference she attended in 2007 in Sydney heightened her awareness about how people-trafficking and slavery still occur in most countries of the world (including Australia). After hearing girls as young as four years old are kidnapped to be used as slaves in India and elsewhere, Libby decided to get involved in efforts to address people trafficking. She has been working with Stop The Traffik since 2011. “Particularly church people are fairly well educated about Fair Trade chocolate,” said Libby of one of Stop The Traffik’s most successful awareness campaigns.

TARA, 19. GERRINGONG, NSW

“Bible studies have been pretty good, where you can look at the Bible with other people and get their perspectives. I am passionate about living what you believe, so people can ask questions and understand why you believe it and make a difference/change in one person’s lives. I believe in Jesus, social justice and loving people.”

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H I G H L I G H T S : DAY 3

BIBLE STUDY LEADER David Barrow challenged the way we read and understand the Bible in today’s society. In essence, his goal was to reignite and excite young people’s passion about the Bible. “The word meets the world – and it is political,” said David during his Bible Studies at Yuróra. “A powerful story of refugees, prophets, martyrs, tax men, fishermen, women leaders, slaves, trouble makers… and the Messiah. Gets you passionate about what evangelism, discipleship, organising and action means for us and the Uniting Church in a world run by modern-day Caesars and Herods.” Day Three tackled some big questions with international guest Thomas Jay Oord who blew passionate Yurórans away with his talk of the non-coercive nature of God’s love. His discussion on “The Uncontrolling Love of God” raised how changed when we think about suffering . Singer/songwriter Rachel Collis grappled with the topic of mental illness and the church. She led a gentle discussion on how the language of Christianity can be both helpful and harmful for people

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suffering from mental illness. She shared her own experiences growing up in churches and discussed the role faith has played in her own journey.

CHALLENGING WORLD VIEWS

Micah Australia led two sessions. One of them focused upon how climate change impacts poverty and refugees, and the Christian call to to love our neighbours and the need for a just world. The group also led a simulation game called Resilient, which assisted participants to walk in the shoes of families struggling against grinding poverty. Resilient was a powerful, all-in, experiential event with strong emotional content, led by Ben Thurley, National Coordinator at Micah Australia. CEO of YARN Australia, Warren Roberts facilitated a discussion on culture as an introduction to learning more about Australia’s First Peoples culture and history. Warren Roberts is from the Bundjalung and Thunghutti Nations of the mid north coast and far north coast of NSW. Warren believes if all Australians can reflect, respect, and understand our Australian history by building

relationships between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people through an honest dialogue, we can build the foundations of change for all Australians. Rohan Pryor ran a workshop exploring the role of the Basis of Union for the Uniting Church in Australia, as a guiding landmark and primary lens for faithful discipleship and shared mission.

RECONCILIATION

Scott Darlow is an Australian singer/ songwriter based in Melbourne. His session was an intimate conversation about Indigenous culture in Australia throughout history. Scott is particularly proud of his Aboriginal heritage and is an ambassador for Indigenous culture. He speaks to students about Indigenous culture and challenges them to help facilitate reconciliation and understanding. “The media will tell you that we are all different and there is this huge chasm and we all hate each other but we are actually all just one mob of people living on God’s green earth,” said Scott. “You want to know the meaning of life? Do you want to get rid of third world poverty? Do you want to change the community you live in? Love God and love your neighbour as you love yourself.”

SOPHIE, 19, ROSEHILL, NSW

“I’m more interested in theology. I have more questions now. I am really passionate about seeing young people come together and worship God and just unite in a way that is counter-cultural.”

MEDITATION AND DISCUSSION

A special Meditation workshop was dedicated to learning about how to connect the inner and outer dimensions of contemplation and activism. The workshop, “Meditation: reclaiming the contemplative dimension of life” was led by the Head of the Social Justice Forum, Jon O’Brien. It was a brief introduction to silent contemplative prayer, a practice which can be traced back to Christian leaders in the 4th century. Other sessions included ones led by Christian Students Uniting on the #LoveMakesAWay social action group. They facilitated a discussion on tertiary education, with participants able to meet with Uniting Church chaplains and mission workers. There was also a Christian education workshop on art, music and drama and a workshop led by Bidwill Uniting called “Walk in My Shoes”. Bidwill is a suburb near Mt Druitt that experiences a lot of poverty and disadvantage. At the workshop, particpants were taken on a journey of discovery to understand the marginalisation of the area.

Singing the way to Jesus I heard harmonies floating from one of the rooms and I couldn’t help but follow the music. Inside, on stage, Melbourne trio He Planned Us were singing to an almost full room. The group is made up of sisters Crystal (23) and Celina Talo Mo’unga (21), and their first cousin Shari Talo-Leniu (20). Each of them shared profound stories of how they found their love for Jesus and how they began to build their youth group at the GEN12 Church in Melbourne. The trio had a way of taking us on a journey with them through their preaching, ministry and, of course, music. By the end of their session, I saw others wiping away tears — before I realised my cheeks were wet too. Against popular belief, there are many young people out there who are seeking God — and evangelising. There are young people who want to build relationships with God and their brothers and sisters through Christ. Yuróra is a testament to this. “I guess it was the passion of Christ that really drove us,” said Celina of being part of Yuróra. “Inspired by Christ’s passion for us, saving us, we wanted to be able to live that in 2017. We really have a passion for youth, so this is the perfect event.” Celina’s closing words summed this up by asking the following. “We are all at a bus stop. Some of us are waiting for a bus to go to heaven. Some of us are waiting for a bus to go to hell… If you know how to get to heaven and your friend has no idea, would you stop and say ‘Come with me’ or would you watch them go? “Are you going to watch them go? Or are you going to say, ‘Come with me — Jesus is the way?’” Melissa Stewart

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Interactive interfaith

CHEYANNE, 22 OODNADATTA, SA “My passion is to get to know more about God [and] getting other young people to get involved in worship.”

When I led an interactive interfaith workshop at Yuróra 2017, I was overwhelmed by the positive response from the youthful participants.

Together we explored how our faith shapes our identity and sense of belonging.

Tracing out their hands onto a piece of paper gave participants five opportunities to break down any internalised stereotypes about themselves and others around them. We created a space to acknowledge and break down their own preconceptions and biases. We also played a video of Amina Iro and Hannah Halpern (members of Washington DC’s Youth Slam Poetry Team) at the 2014 Common Ground Awards, where they inspired and entertained. One participant spoke about how she yearns to have a culture as rich and vibrant as her Yuróra counterparts. “Yurora shows us all these amazing cultures with their dance and their song and, then, our ‘white’ culture — it seems like we have nothing.” Those at our session also watched a video of Jamila Lyiscott delivering a poem titled “3 ways to speak English”. They broke off into small group discussion after the video, to think about the barriers of preconceptions and biases which they feel. The whole group was challenged to think about how they overcome these barriers. “Most people look at me and assume that I’m not intelligent; they think all I can talk about is sport,” said one participant. “People look at me and ask: what sport do you play? How long you been playing?” “I love the multiculturalism of Yuróra, but just walking around I see that cultural groups tend to stay together and I find it is difficult to bridge the gap because of my skin colour.” ‘Colour and creed’ came together during our session, with the help of April Robinson, the interfaith network developer in VIC/TAS Synod, and Sahibajot Kaur from the Sikh community. Semisi Kailahi

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H I G H L I G H T S : DAY 4

Through poetry and storytelling, we engaged the group in activities that explain how we falsely build barriers and how we can break them down.

BY DAY FOUR, Yuróra was in full swing! During session breaks, attendees were able to lounge on beanbags, have a picnic at the village green, swim or play tennis. All the while, they were getting to and talk to new people. Bible Study leaders Rhanee Tsetsakos and Candace Champion led the day with their session. Rhanee is an Adnyamathanha woman from the Northern Flinders Ranges in South Australia, currently living in Queensland. Rhanee has relational connections all across Australia with Uniting Church people of many different cultures. Candace also is an Adnyamathanha woman. She lives in Port Augusta and is passionate about highlighting injustices against First Nations People in Australi. Candace comes from a long line of strong, outspoken leaders, within the families and communities she is connected with around Australia. Rhanee and Candace are closely related and, in Adnyamathanha culture, they are sisters of the same ‘moiety’ (Arrarru = North

Wind). Their mothers are sisters and are the daughters of Rev. Denise Champion (first Aboriginal Woman to be ordained as a minister in SA).

CROSSING CULTURES

Australia is home to a diverse community — and this is especially seen in the Christian community. Coming from different cultures and backgrounds, the way we worship may differ but the word of God is constant. This was highlighted at Yuróra with the 2nd Gen Multicultural Festival and Worship Rally. Song, dress and ‘good news’ messages were shared, and everyone was able to see just how vibrant a worship celebration can be. The Worship Rally was led by Chermside Kedron minister Rev. Fa Matagi and musician Scott Darlow.

UNDERSTANDING GENDER / SEXUALITY

This session was a contemporary look at gender (identity and expression), sexuality (biology/orientation) and all in between — including discussing the LGBTIQA+ acronym, and how it intersects with faith. Session was led by

Uniting as one The church is alive! Really, it is – as evidenced by Yuróra 2017 – a wonderful celebration of culture, faith, food, music and the Christ that unites us all. I had the privilege of working with Christian Students Uniting (UCA tertiary ministries at USyd, UTS, UNSW and Macquarie) who hosted a venue at Yuróra, offering worship, community time and Bible studies each morning to some of the attendees. It is entirely coincidental that my husband Adrian works for Christian Students Uniting, and I felt not at all shanghaied into helping out. Damien Stevens, Community Development Worker, Kildonan UnitingCare, Victoria.

We named our community WhoVille, and encouraged our group each day to wrestle with who they are, who they are called to be and, therefore, what their ‘Yuróra’ (‘passion’) is. It was a particular privilege to see attendees get a sense of the university ministry offered by Christian Students Uniting, through the Bible studies.

DUSTY FEET MOB KICK UP THEIR HEELS

Christian Students Uniting also had the opportunity to host some fantastic workshops, including one on faith and fitness by Dr Jonathan Freeston, one with #LoveMakesAWay on refugees and asylum seekers (hosted by Matt Anslow), and a very popular one on mental health by Dr Robyn Goodwin.

The Aboriginal dance group Dusty Feet Mob conducted a dance workshop, as well as performing moving routines which told stories about Aboriginal culture. Other performances on Day Four included Jai Waetford (The X Factor), Scott Darlow and Dismantle the Sky.

DETENTION EXPOSED

Chasing Asylum is a documentary that exposes the impact of Australia’s offshore detention policies and explores how ‘The Lucky Country’ became a place where leaders choose detention over compassion. The film features neverbefore-seen footage from inside Australia’s offshore detention camps, revealing the personal impact of sending refugees to languish in limbo. After the film, a discussion was held about the issues.

The rest of the time, WhoVille was a relaxed space filled with board games and cheap cheese and tomato toasties. One night, we hosted Late Night Trivia. Another night, we hosted a Lip Sync Battle (look it up), which somehow ended with a group interpretive dance rendition of “Let It Go” from Frozen. It was weird. I also had the immense privilege of working with Rev. Fie Marino, Multicultural Consultant for the NSW/ACT Synod, and the excellent worship band from OneHeart, in running the Multicultural Rally on the last evening (“Celebrating Yuróra”). Alongside excellent preaching by Rev. Fa Matangi, the focus of the evening was a corporate act of confession. We acknowledged that “uniting cultures” (the theme of the festival) is much harder than merely existing side by side. This is due to the barriers we place between ourselves and the other, failing to recognise the Image of God in the other and, thus, making the other the enemy. We then confessed before God some of the barriers we place between each other (ethnicity, age, education, gender, mental health, sexuality, geography) and then, liturgically, broke those barriers down, through the smashing of tiles. As a response to this confession, we invited every person to make one commitment of one thing they would do after Yuróra to break down barriers between people; these commitments were laid onto a large cross, creating a beautiful artwork. This moment, for me, was a pivotal moment at Yuróra. After this corporate act of confession and commitment, and the preaching of the Word, everybody got up and danced. It was a profound privilege to look out over the large crowd, and see old and young, male and female, black and white, Jew and Greek, slave and free dancing together in worship and celebration. I realised that I was looking at an embodiment of the Church we long for. Christian Students Uniting also conducted the final worship rally, including preaching and Communion by President-Elect, Dr. Deidre Palmer. Communion too was a profoundly sacred moment. It was an honour to be a small part of the beast that was Yuróra 2017 – but more than that, Yuróra made me believe more that the Church is on its way to making Christ’s prayer a reality: “that they may be one” (John 17:21-22). Radhika Sukumar-White

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Breaking down barriers The air was very humid in the large shed where hundreds gathered for the Yuróra Multicultural Worship Rally. Sweat was dripping from my forehead as I smashed the first tile which represented the breaking down of barriers that hold us back as a Church, due to ethnicity… During the festival, I was talking to a young person who told me that they didn’t realise how multicultural our church was or even what it meant to be a covenanting church — until the Yuróra festival. Such comments are not uncommon when I meet people all over the Synod. As a Church, many of us have built ourselves comfort zones which keep us separated from each other in our enclaves or familiar silos, where everyone is the same as us. Breaking down such barriers (symbolised at our Worship Rally through the smashing of a tile) helped those gathered to realise that together we are better and stronger. Our future destiny lies in what we can do united rather than separate. Silence filled the auditorium as Rev Radhika Sukumar-White smashed the tile — or barrier — that holds us back because of age… During lunch on the second day of Yuróra, a young person from another Synod told me that one of the highlights at Yuróra was listening to stories of what other young people are doing all over the Assembly. They felt that in their local Congregation, they were never given opportunities of leadership, or to organise things such as worship and youth camps. They loved Yuróra, as it was about helping young people find their voice and their passion – and, ultimately, about giving them the courage to

STEPHANIE 20, MELBOURNE, VIC

“To be a Christian in today’s society inherently means to believe in something that is counter-cultural, to believe in something bigger than yourself. Which is actually a fairly unpopular belief and means to be disagreed with. [But] more than that, it means to have a hope for something that is greater than what your present circumstances are. So, it means the privilege of being a light in a pretty dark place.”

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be more active in their local church. Rev. Fa Matangi — one of Yuróra’s wonderful guest speakers — gave a warning to the Church that, as young people, “We are coming!” Five other tiles were broken during our prayers of confessions — they symbolised education, gender, mental health, sexuality and geography. These are just a few of the many barriers holding us back from truly coming together as a Uniting Church. The theme of Yuróra 2017 was Uniting Cultures. This is not just about ethnicity but it represents bringing together the diversity found in theological belief, biblical interpretation, our different lifestyles, the different places and contexts that we come from and many more things. As we celebrate the 40th year of union, Yuróra allowed us to see how diverse our church truly is, and gave us a glimpse of what the next 40 years of union should be like. Fie Marino, Multicultural Consultant, UME

Why Yurora? I humbly believe Yuróra gives us a glimpse of the vibrancy and diversity of our Church. Not in a way that fills quotas or is highly structured. Rather, the Yuróra community offers a true reflection of the Church we were always meant to grow into. After 40 years of wandering as The Uniting Church in Australia, we’ve stumbled onto our identity as the people of God on the way (and we’re pretty amazing). Yuróra is always meant to provide something local Congregations can’t do themselves. Yuróra isn’t a discipleship program or a leadership scheme – it’s a chance to worship alongside international guests as first and second peoples, to learn from teachers and experts and prophets, a chance to trade stories and language and Snapchats, and a time to share chai with your best friend. Was it hard? Yes. Was it easy? No. 22 months ago, the Yuróra 2017 project started. I count it a miracle that the team attracted such talented and passionate young people. I estimate we did as much work in the last three months as we did in the previous 19 months (and we never took it easy).

H I G H L I G H T S : DAY 5

Looking back, I learnt more about myself, my calling and our Church than you could possibly find in books and courses. My family has been patient, forgiving and a constant cheer squad. Thank you.

Rev. Charissa Suli began Day Five with the final part of her Bible study. She is currently serving at Dapto Uniting Church and is also the leader of the Tongan National Conference 2nd Gen Task Group. Charissa is passionate about helping the next generation find their true purpose and to help them experience the love of Christ, espcieally when the world says “You are not good enough to be loved.” Her Bible Study session took youth on a journey to discover, deepen, celebrate and act upon their own personal “Yuróra”.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

Yuróra finished up on Thursday 12 January for three years with a rousing worship

rally led by Christian Students Uniting. The main message was presented by Dr Deidre Palmer, the President-elect of the Uniting Church in Australia (and SA Moderator). As Yuróra finished for 2017, Deidre and Radhika SukumarWhite lead particpants in communion. They encouraged everyone to go out and share their renewed passion with their communities. ”Don’t lose the passion,” encouraged Deidre. “We’re coming to turn the world upside down in God’s love!” The National Christian Youth Convention will next be held in in 2020 – see you there! Adrian Drayton and Melissa Stewart

Thanks also go to Warren Bird and Matt Craig at Uniting Financial Services, Peter Worland, Rick Morrell and Jorge Rebedello at Uniting, and Daniel Andrew and Michael McKertich at Uniting Venues. Our event partners understood partnerships push beyond financial contributions, and the event was richer for their support (and volunteering!). My two Yuróra colleagues who I now call friends, Robert Howie and Liuanga Palu — above award! Also, to the 20 volunteers on the event core team, the four Yuróra ambassadors and the 100-plus volunteers who actually paid for the privilege of staffing the event – I am deeply proud of what we achieved together, and I am in awe of your faithfulness. I’ve been asked many times since Yuróra 2017 launched, ‘Would I do it again?’ — I’m reasonably certain the answer is ‘No’. I’ve been involved with two events of this size, and two is probably enough for me. But neither would I need to — there are amazingly talented young people in our Church who have actual event management, budgeting, risk assessment and communications experience. They will build events and experiences beyond our imagination, if we are willing to recognise and invite them. Working on Yuróra 2017 will remain a deep privilege. I can’t wait to hear stories of young people who have been inspired and challenged by those five days in January. The event may be over, but the journey rolls on. Bradon French, Director

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B O O K R E V I E W S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

Call to action goes on As we celebrate the 40th year of our Church, it is only fitting that a new book has chronicled our history of advocacy in the public space.

HOW GOOD IT IS to have a comprehensive account of the justice heart of the national Uniting Church at one’s fingertips! The next time someone tries to tell you that the Uniting Church “does not know what it believes”, refer them to For a World Reconciled: Justice Statements from the Uniting Church in Australia 1977-2015. They will find strong, clear, and well-researched documents laying out the convictions of our national church about matters of justice (social and ecological). It is true that our church may sometimes appear indecisive, in its reluctance to endorse hard and fast statements of belief based on biblical and theological fundamentalism. But this is due to the UCA embracing diversity, valuing the common ground of wisdom, and remaining open to a wide range of contemporary scholarship. All of the really big issues are complex and do not easily yield black and white answers.

Ex-Moderator REV. DR BRIAN BROWN reviews For A World Reconciled: Jusice Statements from the Uniting Church in Australia 1977-2015, edited by Cynthia Coghill and Elenie Poulos.

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Another source for potential pessimism is the discovery (upon surveying the documents) that our Church has been consistently speaking out on key issues such as the relationship between First and Second Australians (appropriately the most frequently addressed issue), asylum seekers, and ecological justice — with little or no sign of impact on government policy. As former President Dr Jill Tabart puts it, “Clearly we have very little to cross off the wish list in the approaching fortieth year anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia.” She suspects that the Uniting Church is having a diminishing impact on Government policy, and wonders whether this may now be more the time for individual Christians “…to make a difference in advocating for changed policies and in living changed lives that really make a difference to those suffering.” (p 5)

CHANGE HAS COME

However, there are signs that this is already the trend, such as when Helpfully, this compendium individuals involved in groups like of statements is arranged Love Makes a Way occupy the in sections for easy STRONG, offices of MPs, demanding reference. Each section CLEAR, AND justice for asylum seeker has an informative W E L L- R E S E A R C H E D children and their families, introduction by DOCUMENTS and kayakers on Newcastle a scholar of our L AY IN G O U T T HE harbour try to disrupt the Church with a strong CONVICTIONS OF export of coal. For such connection to the O U R N AT I O N A L individuals and groups, the subject. CHURCH key justice documents of our The convictions expressed national Church can provide an throughout For A World important theological underpinning Reconciled are firmly based on for just action in the face of powers who a biblical ethic of the common good have closed their eyes to human suffering, and found in the scriptures in general, and the their ears to the moral argument. prophetic literature in particular. Contrary to the populist view of ‘wishy-washiness’, the OUR WORLD AND US Uniting Church often speaks truth to power The way in which documents are set out with conviction that other denominations lack. in this compendium allows us to trace the development of theological thinking and There are, of course, exceptions. As you trace conviction over the past 40 years. This is recent documents in this compendium about especially clear in the perception of the value sexuality, ministry and marriage, one finds a of the natural environment. According to the frustrating inability to resolve such matters to “Statement to the Nation” (1977): “We are the satisfaction of our entire Church. We end concerned with the basic human rights of up saying that we cannot reach a consensus; future generations and will urge the wise use and that the best we can do is stay open to the of energy, the protection of the environment issues, and try to be respectfully present to and the replenishment of the earth’s resources one another. Even so, this is better than being for their use and enjoyment.” (p 7, emphasis stridently out of tune with the mind of Christ. mine). Eleven years later, though: “We affirm our belief that the natural world is God’s

FOR A WORLD RECONCILED Edited by Cynthia Coghill and Elenie Poulos creation; good in God’s eyes, good in itself, and good in sustaining human life.” (p 9, emphasis mine). In the Resolution of 1991, “The Rights of Nature and the Rights of Future Generations”, these two sets of “rights” are placed alongside each other, implying they are equal. Elenie Poulos, co-editor of For a World Reconciled, writes in the “For the Sake of the Planet” section that “the shifting theological foundations for our ecological care can be seen in these resolutions, as the language moves between the various expressions of a ‘stewardship’ approach (a natural environment given to us by God) and a more recently expressed understanding of the interrelatedness and mutual dependency of humanity and the natural world.” (p 222) The earliest statements in this section deal with the issue of uranium mining, and the concern Australia not retreat

from its stand on nuclear proliferation safeguards. While this issue has faded from public consciousness, it may well have to be revisited given US President Trump’s stated views about rebuilding its nuclear arsenal. The final statement in this section is about climate change, drawing attention to, among other things, Australia’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions through mining and using fossil fuels. This concern is picked up in the “Justice for Peoples in Other Countries” section, in the observed risk of rising sea levels. Everything is connected, especially when it comes to vulnerability of the poor and weak.

DARING TO CARE

It is truly said by individuals who invest a lot of energy caring about big social justice issues that one cannot worry about everything all the time. As a committed collective, though, it is possible, indeed necessary, to be concerned

and active about most things most of the time. For a World Reconciled illustrates the efforts of a Church that has not missed much during the past 40 years. But some might be surprised to find documents on such diverse topics as the manufacture of infant formula, the Armenian genocide, and military aid to the Philippines. Jesus exhorted his followers to take the Gospel to all the world. In his ministry, he showed that this includes not missing the needs of the ‘little ones’. The statements gathered in For a World Reconciled are not just empty words — the call to action is everywhere, from solidarity with Aboriginal People to sanctions against Apartheid South Africa and divestment from fossil fuel companies. A resounding summary of these statements could be: “Christian is as Christian does.” They encapsulate the ethos of the Uniting Church, and cogently describe who we

Available from www.mediacom.org.au RRP: $42.75 are when we are at our best. As our President says in his introduction, “While there have been times when we have failed to do what is right, and failed by not speaking out when we should have done so, we are known in our country and beyond as a church that ‘stands up for justice’.” (p XIV). This compendium is a great gift to teachers and preachers who now have the key justice statements of our church at their fingertips. It will hopefully also provide a resource for other members who want to be informed about what our church has said and is saying about the big common good issues of our day. It has the potential to equip all of us to give an account of our faith. i

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AUTHOR EMILY OLIVIA (LEFT AND ABOVE) READING WITH HER SON

Helping families to fight BEN McEACHEN interviews author Emily Olivia about the access children have to pornography — and why her new book Put A Lid On It: Exposing the Pornography Trap aims to assist parents in navigating the challenging online landscape with their children.

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ARE YOUR KIDS looking at pornography? Maybe. Conservative estimates suggest 140 million people are online right now, looking at pornography. Many of them would be children; the average age of exposure to porn is 11 and, startlingly, 90 per cent of 8-16 year olds are believed to have encountered pornography online. Insights was provided with such shocking statistics by Melbourne mum Emily Olivia. A psychology student and mother of three boys, Emily doesn’t claim to be an expert about how pornography affects children (or how parents could encourage their kids to not view it). But the reason we are tackling such a disturbing topic with Emily is because she was so disturbed by the potential impacts of pornography on children,

she decided to do something about it. “As parents, I think we often want to address the issue – but we don’t know how and we need some support,” explains Emily, who wrote Put a Lid On It: Exposing the Pornography Trap as a resource for parents and their children to use, to sensitively discuss pornography. “I hope my book would be able to do that for parents, because that’s what I needed but just couldn’t find.”

HELP! HELP!

Emily was surprised to discover few other resources out there which intended to assist family units with confronting the live issue of pornography. She began researching the extent of the porn problem with children, and thinking through a biblical

response to it. Also driving the illustrated Put a Lid On It — suitable for children aged six and up — was a personal desire to not repeat what Emily’s husband experienced when his mate showed him pornography. It was the 1980s, he was 11 and his Christian family didn’t really discuss such prickly matters. “He didn’t know what it was,” says Emily. “He didn’t know how to deal with it or what to do with it. “What we wanted for our kids was for them to be able to talk to us, about stuff that came up. And we knew pornography is an issue more so now than it was back then.” Put a Lid On It is not just notable for striving to help parents speak openly, comfortably and appropriately with their children about

against pornography pornography. Emily’s book also is grounded in an ethical approach to relationships and sex that comes from the creator of relationships and sex. “I couldn’t have written the book without a biblical foundation. I couldn’t have written it without God because, especially with these sorts of topics, God has to be a foundation in why we do what we do.”

REAL INTIMACY

Why would God be the answer when trying to encourage children – and adults, of course – to flee from pornography? “I think there is a real spiritual element to sex, to pornography, to relationships,” says Emily about the deeper connections which God has infused within personal intimacy. Books in the Bible, such as

Ephesians, helped Emily to understand God’s design for sex in relationships. In the fifth chapter of Ephesians, God’s design is framed in light of Jesus’s bond with the Christian church. In contrast with such a positive, meaningful model for intimacy, Emily has been disturbed by links between pornography use by men, and domestic violence that some of them commit. Emily has investigated research into this connection and concludes such men have a “distorted”, dangerous view of what is at the foundation of marital relationships. “I think it’s that spiritual nature that is being played with,” confirms Emily, before pointing out the sad future of a society that normalises pornography. “We can look around and see where we are headed

because, at this stage, we are not really applying a biblical filter or foundation to the issue of pornography.” “We’re finding in this research about violence against women that we’re not treating women with respect. A lot of pornography is quite violent and abusive and damaging. If that is left unchecked, that’s where we are headed.

there is no one solution. Instead, from internet filters to having transparent conversations and reading Put a Lid on It together, Emily suggests using as many tools as you can (all under the umbrella of God’s word). “Yes, filtering is great and, yes, this book is great, but we need to use them all together.” i

“And not just women… Husbands, families, relationships in general – how are we treating people?” How are we treating people? Great question. Here’s another one: How are we treating our kids when it comes to this confronting area of sexuality? Emily believes we should be treating our kids to a wide range of support, scrutiny and sensitive discussion. Because

PUT A LID ON IT: EXPOSING THE PORNOGRAPHY TRAPp

Written by Emily Olivia. Available from www.koorong.com RRP: $19.99

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Small church, big step for DIANE JENSON speaks with Rev. Dr Julia Pitman about her new book, Our Principle of Sex Equality and how the Congregational Church led Australia in the ordination of women.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH is often viewed alongside its partner Methodist and Presbyterian churches as the minor member of the triumvirate which came together to form the Uniting Church in Australia in 1977. Yet this small congregation with English Reformist roots led the way in women’s ordination in Australia and played a key role in defining the shape of the Uniting Church. ‘Our Principle of Sex Equality’: The ordination of women in the Congregational Church in Australia, 1927–1977 (Australian Scholarly Publishing 2016) explores the REV. DR JULIA PITMAN historical THERE WAS NO circumstances Q U E S T I O N T H AT behind the GENDER EQUALIT Y ordination of WOULD BE The fact that most Congregations Rev. Winifred F U N DA M EN TA L now have their own church Kiek in 1927 TO THE NEW council owes much to the concern at the Colonel CHURCH of Congregationalism that each Light Gardens Congregation should take responsibility Congregational for its own life.” Church in South Australia. Rev. Dr Julia Julia says there were a number of reasons Pitman’s book sets the stories of 15 female why the Congregational Church led the way on ministers in the context of the establishment this issue — one which nearly 90 years later of Congregationalism in Australia, the women’s continues to divide some Australian churches. suffrage movement in wider society and the “There was no theological barrier to the missionary movement. ordination of women in the Congregational Church. The church was decentralised, its LEADING THE WAY leaders were theologically liberal and they Julia’s research highlights the important were aware of precedents for the ordination of legacy for the Uniting Church of this partner women in Congregationalism in America from congregation grounded in Calvinist doctrine 1853 and Britain from 1917.” and independent polity. “In Australia, the Congregational Church numbered no more than five per cent of the population in the late 19th century and declined thereafter. It was a tiny, decentralised church. Each congregation was autonomous, meaning that the church meeting of members had final authority over church matters,” says Julia. “The Uniting Church has been influenced by the Congregational Church in terms of the local autonomy of each church, its concern for gender equality, and its emphasis on mission.

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SHARE IN ROLES

The Congregational Church saw women’s ordination as part of its response to the call of God to mission in Australia and overseas, says Julia. “The ordination of women arose from the widespread desire, articulated by men and women church leaders alike, that all church members, regardless of distinctive characteristics such as gender, should take responsibility for the life of the church as they were able.”

women “By the 1920s in Australia, there was a small but growing number of theologically educated women who had the sense of calling, educational qualifications and personal capacity to be recognised as ministers in a Protestant church.” As the three denominations moved towards union 50 years later, the Congregational members of the Joint Commission on Church Union had no question that gender equality would be fundamental to the new church. “The ordination of women first in Congregationalism in 1927 carried the symbolic meaning that all offices were open to women including chairman or president of the denomination. In church union negotiations, Congregationalists insisted on women’s ordination in the Uniting Church,” says Julia. The Congregationalists would also leave their stamp upon the Uniting Church’s understanding of itself as a community committed to both inclusion and mission to the wider world, she adds. “The strong support of the Congregational Church for missionaries of the London Missionary Society based in Asia, the Pacific and Africa has had lasting consequences for the geographic profile of the church in these areas and the Uniting Church as a multicultural church.” Rev. Dr Julia Pitman ministers in Mackay in Queensland and is an Adjunct Research Associate at Charles Sturt University. i This interview was first published by Journey Online: journeyonline.com.au

OUR PRINCIPLE OF SEX EQUALITY: THE ORDINATION OF WOMEN IN THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA 1827-1977 Written by Rev. Dr Julia Pitman Available from www.koorong.com RRP: $39.99

FEMALE FOCUS ON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH I ENTHUSIASTICALLY OPENED Rev. Dr Julia Pitman’s ‘Our Principle of Sex Equality’ for two reasons. Firstly, as a Presbyterian minister who became a Minister of the Word in the Uniting Church in 2008, I wanted to explore the roots of the deeply held equality the Uniting Church affords women at all levels. And secondly, my wife is related to one of the 15 pioneering Congregational Church women who were ordained prior to union in 1977. What had the author unearthed about her? On both points, Pitman has delivered. The book traces the history of the ordination of women in the Congregational Church from the earliest days, both overseas and in Australia. It does so with rigour and thoroughness, and the abundance of references (over 650 footnotes) is testimony to the author’s research and scholarship. Those seeking a book that is polemical and partisan will be disappointed: as Rev. Prof Alan Sell notes in the introduction, “There is no hint of the ‘all men are bad’ school of feminism which was in vogue a few decades ago.” Pitman has made extensive use of primary sources in her research — always a good sign — and has not shirked from documenting the views of those pioneering female ordinands, even when those views are not views we may embrace today. The book has necessarily focused on Winifred Kiek, the first and perhaps most influential of those 15 Congregational Church women ordained in Australia prior to 1977. She pioneered the way for women, and not just in her own denomination. She and other women with her charted a course into the peace movement, child and maternal welfare, missions, ecumenism and church union. Pitman’s detail about Kiek and those causes is revelatory. As is necessary, the history of the progression to ordination of women in the Congregational Church overlaps with the life stories of the women who were so ordained. But there are times when Pitman’s book struggles to know if it is biography or history. That said, this is a work that maps a seminal advance in the life of women in an enlightened denomination and hints at the ramifications of that advance for the wider cause of women’s liberation generally. Whether read as history or biography, it is a work that has made good a deficit in a field of Australian church history. As to the question of what the author unearthed about my wife’s relative: I did learn more about my wife’s first cousin once removed, Rev Lillian Hayman. The Pearson (nee Counsell) family tree is now more complete than it was. i Rev. Jim Pearson is minister with Emerald Uniting Church, Queensland. This review was first published by Journey: journeyonline.com.au

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How can Christians deal with divorce?

The end of a marriage is a painful, volatile experience. But as BEN McEACHEN discovers, a supportive course called DivoreCare has helped one Christian woman to heal — and to grow deeper in her relationship with Jesus.

“YOU JUST KNOW that this is not what you do. You just don’t go there.” Leanne Allchin vividly remembers how she felt when, after 27 years of marriage, her husband separated from her. A practicing Christian who believes “marriage is forever”, Leanne strongly felt that divorce “is not what you do”. Yet here was her husband walking away from her — and the Christian faith he had progressively drifted from during their marriage.

“I saw a psychologist early in the piece and she said, ‘Oh, just get divorced and move on.’ It was such a throwaway line; she didn’t really understand the depths of what marriage meant to me. It’s a core part of who I am. That was excruciating and one of the deepest pains I felt.”

individual marriage and where it’s at. But as Leanne maintains, getting married isn’t about getting divorced. It’s about being married and staying married. Right?

HOME TRUTHS ABOUT DIVORCE

The rates of marriage and divorce in Australia have slowed in recent years, but one in three marriages still ends in divorce. In case you need proof that Christians are not immune, just think about those you know or have heard about. Or, maybe, divorce hits closer to home. Maybe, like me, your marriage broke down and was ultimately destroyed.

divorce brings. “The pain was still there, in spite of what I would consider a lot of hard work put into trying to sort through what was going on in my life.” So when a colleague suggested Leanne enquire about a DivorceCare course in Sydney’s Inner West, she did — even though she had never heard of the Bible-based course that aims to support separated or divorced people. Leanne felt her progress at Ramsgate Church had brought her to the point of being more open and responsive to what God might bring, through the DivorceCare course.

DivorceCare was created by an American couple and Like Leanne, I’m just one is divided into individual example of a Christian who sessions. Each session has found themselves on the focuses on one topic relevant moral minefield of divorce. to separation and divorce During two years of separation (from anger and loneliness, to forgiveness and finances). and one year of divorce from Leanne didn’t take the Group members watch a her husband, Leanne was psychologist’s advice. She video that provides advice intentional about seeking didn’t want to be so flippant and insights from experts and support from family, friends, about her marriage. But, sadly, everyday people. After the trained professionals and it still ended in divorce. “I’ve video, group members spend her church. A member at had to reprogram my mind time talking about whatever and heart — all of me — to say, Ramsgate Uniting Church at they feel comfortable sharing the time, Leanne highlights ‘This does happen,’” shares and discussing. how Ramsgate helped her Leanne, who has started reach out more powerfully helping others in similar SHARING THE PAIN situations, through interactive for God during an intense, AND HEALING heartbreaking season. course DivorceCare. Leanne swiftly felt her “The whole thing was about DivorceCare group and what Divorce is a moral minefield just being quiet before God,” the information it covered was for Christians. Leanne’s remembers Leanne about “so specific for the pain, and psychologist represents a view specific sessions which made helping me understand what’s held by plenty of Australians, a huge difference to her at been going on”. but should followers of Jesus Ramsgate. “Meditating on the just dump their vows and “The way I think to describe word of God and allowing him “move on”? There’s no easy is like when you are to have a to speak to you through it.” answers with separation and baby. People talk about how divorce, thanks to the variety But Leanne wasn’t instantly you are going to be a mother of factors involved with each healed of the devastation that but, until you have had the

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YOU JUST KNOW WHERE TO GO AND YOU JUST RETURN TO CHRIST - TO HIS WORD - TO HIS TRUTH AND JUST SIT WITH HIM

baby, you have no idea what it’s like,” explains Leanne. “But once you’ve had the baby, it’s a different world. And then you meet other people who have had a baby and it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, you understand how this is.’” Leanne’s experience with DivorceCare was so beneficial, she has been recommending it to any other person in a similar situation. Plus, she began facilitating a course at Camden Uniting Church last October. Leanne has met all kinds of people through DivorceCare, and has appreciated hearing male and female perspectives on separation and divorce. Whether a person had been recently separated or divorced for a decade, Leanne has seen healing and recovery happen to hurting, angry and confused people. Despite what the name might suggest, DivorceCare doesn’t promote divorce. Far from it; one of its sessions is entirely

about reconciliation. One of the things DivorceCare upholds clearly is marriage, as it strives to support people whose marriage may never be saved. Also clearly upheld by DivorceCare is its Christian framework. But Leanne says that whether someone has given their life to Jesus, or they haven’t, DivorceCare’s mix of material has plenty to offer anyone damaged by the separation/ divorce process. “The content is so strong and solid. It talks about, in very real terms, the anguish and pain and all of the things you are going through. It talks about very practical applications on how to walk through those times. It then uses the Bible’s teachings as part of how you can heal, by understanding who God is and who you are.”

A KEY DIFFERENCE

Leanne still finds it amazing that, through separation and divorce, she came to a

fuller understanding of who God is and who she is — in relation to Him and Jesus. “The transformation for me has been very significant,” says Leanne. “It’s not that I wasn’t a Christian before; it’s just that I am now totally reliant upon God.” Such a dependence indicates the key difference Leanne has discovered, when it comes to how deep someone’s healing can go. “I believe you can heal from divorce well but to heal the whole of you — spirit, soul and body; a holistic healing — I don’t think you can get that without having a relationship with Christ,” Leanne explains. “I mean, gosh, we talk about Christ being the living water. He’s like that — you can just go and drink and drink and drink. If you get a bit wobbly, you just know where the fountain is. You just know where to go and you just return to Christ — to his word, to his truth — and just sit with him. Allow that peace to come back upon you.” i

W H AT T H E B I B L E S AY S ABOUT D I VO R C E

• Genesis 2:15-25 • Deuteronomy 22: 13-21 • Deuteronomy 24:1-4 • Matthew 5:31-32 • Matthew 19:1-12 • Mark 10:1-12 • Luke 16:14-18 • 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 • 1 Corinthians 7:39 • Hebrews 13:4

W H E R E TO GET HELP

If you or someone you know would like more information about DivorceCare, visit www.divorcecare.org To find a DivorceCare course near you, visit www.divorcecare.org/ countries/au

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Navigating the next steps For many Uniting Church ministers, retirement is not an excuse to put their feet up. It’s the next important stage in serving God and the Church, write JONATHAN FOYE and BEN McEACHEN. JOB FOR LIFE. While the 21st century is a time where working Rev. Dr Thorogood has also written several books — “and I’m for one place is becoming increasingly rare, ministers ordained still doing a bit of writing every day”. Without having official in the Uniting Church of Australia see their role differently. responsibility for a Congregation, he appreciates the changed Even when they do reach the age of retirement, these pace of retirement life, and the opportunity to be used in a new faithful men and women don’t believe Christian service is and different way. something to retire from. As Uniting Theological “It’s certainly more leisurely; I have much more time to College sessional lecturer Dr. Clive Pearson myself,” says Rev. Dr Thorogood, whose wife has describes: “Those who are called dementia and is in care. “And that’s good and and ordained are inducted into the gracious and helpful. But the fact is you are still continuing ministry of Jesus Christ. It YOU DON’T GIVE UP called to a ministry — and the ministry is very is a lifelong vocation” — even when FOLLOWING JESUS different. It’s sitting in the pew instead of the someone has “retired”. pulpit, and it’s helping fellow members of WHEN YOU RETIRE According to Dr. Pearson, retirement the Church along the road of faith.” FROM OTHER WORK, can be an opportunity for reflection, SO YOU DON’T GIVE as it frees ministers up from “the FREEDOM TO KEEP IT UP WHEN YOU politics, habits and practices of the FOLLOWING JESUS RETIRE FROM institutional church”. Retirement Rev. Marion Gledhill also enjoys the from an official position might also ORDAINED MINISTRY “freedom” of retirement, even though she allow exploration of new possibilities. is not really sure when she officially retired. A “It is a chance to think through yet again Deacon with the Parramatta Nepean Presbytery, what does it mean to be human; what is the she served as a chaplain at Uniting Care Burnside and meaning and purpose of life; what does it mean also in Intentional Interim Ministry. On this side of retiring, to be a disciple of the cosmic Christ whose second Rev. Gledhill agrees with Rev. Dr Thorogood: ordained ministry coming we await beyond our personal mortality.” is a job for life, but she now has more say over where or how

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE IS, THERE’S STILL A CALL FOR YOU

Rev. Dr Bernard Thorogood will be 90 in July. Yet he continues to happily expect his Christian community to seek his assistance. “Ordination to the ministry is a commitment for life. You may be called upon, even if you are 90, to help serve the church,” says Rev. Dr Thorogood, whose involvement with Pymble Chapel on Sydney’s upper north shore follows a lifetime of working for God’s kingdom internationally. Having been a missionary in Polynesia and the General Secretary of what is now known as Council for World Mission,

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she serves.

“My view of retirement is that the call to ministry is a lifelong call but when you are retired, you have a freedom to the choices about what you do with your life,” says Rev. Gledhill, a member of Eastwood Uniting. “You can use your particular gifts and experience in ways that will be helpful for the Church. You don’t give up following Jesus when you retire from other work, so you don’t give it up when you retire from ordained ministry.” While Rev. Dr Dorothy McCrae-McMahon retired about two decades ago, the former Pitt St Uniting leader and National Director for Mission remains busy and connected with her

community. Continuing to be heavily involved with the South Sydney Herald, a free local newspaper she helped establish, Rev. Dr McCrae-McMahon thinks retirement is a choose your own adventure: “I think we all have to really decide ourselves. Just like in the earlier part of our lives, when we made decisions about what our focus was and what we wanted to study or work in. We’ve got to keep going with that.”

of his peers, Rev. Dr Hirt was basically forced to retire by his serious illness. “Thank God I am (cancer) free now.” He has done “a lot of reflection and talking about vocation.” Rev. Dr Hirt prefers the term “realignment” and was determined to “flunk retirement.” Writing two books and mentoring young adults from his Avalon home, he says retirement also has been a period of “upheaval, realignment, and possibilities”.

“The two keys themes I wanted to live by were that my life would have meaning and purpose. Not just lying around or going on holidays as a retired person; but make my life have meaning and purpose.”

“Your life goes through a lot of emotional and spiritual ups and downs... After standing down I went through, and still am going through, some grieving about not being caught up in that.”

UPHEAVAL AND REINVENTION

Until 2015, Rev. Dr John Hirt was the Uniting Church Chaplain at Sydney University and UTS, as well as the Minister of the Word at Leichhardt Uniting Church. After years of a busy work schedule of between 60 to 90 hours a week, his life changed when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Unlike some

Despite this upheaval, Rev. Dr Hirt has been able to find “new rhythms and new meaning...a new form of discipleship.” “You begin to reinvent yourself, in fact, and to adjust to new ministry possibilities.” i

VOLUNTEERING TO SERVE STUDENTS’ SOULS Reverend Dr Christine Gapes is the Uniting Church Chaplain at Western Sydney University — and she has a clear plan for what she is going to do when she retires:“I’m going to sit in one of the deck chairs positioned in the main area of the Parramatta Campus of Western Sydney University. I’ll scatter picnic rugs and cushions around me and wait for students to sit beside me and share their stories.” “I’ve met many staff and students who are desperate for someone to ‘see’ them, to hear their stories of joy and sadness, or to encourage them in their passion for the world and its inhabitants. They now approach me to share their joys and sadness. It has taken time to develop trust and relationships. So, how could I retire, go away, from all this? Spending one or two days at the university is my retirement project that I am developing. “Young adults in the midst of busy and very hectic lives need this seclusion, this safety of sitting next to a chaplain who will allow their wild and sometimes shy souls to be found. I’m hoping other retired lay and ordained church folk could join me now as volunteer chaplains at the university.” Those interested can get in contact via c.gapes@westernsydney.edu.au

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Testing faith Hollywood superstar Liam Neeson reveals his complex relationship with Christian belief and explains why he will never stop searching for answers. LIAM NEESON’S CAREER is one of the most diverse you’ll find. Never a man to rest on his laurels, he’s kicking off 2017 with two typically intense performances, in dramatic adventure A Monster Calls and belief battle Silence. They prove we’ve by no means seen everything the actor has to offer. For Neeson himself, it’s a journey as much as a job. While both productions are wildly different — the former is a heartwrenching fantasy in which a young boy conjures up a monster to help him cope with his mother’s terminal illness; the latter is director Martin Scorsese’s historical epic focused on the brutal persecution of Jesuit priests in Japan in the 1600s — they prompted Neeson to ask questions about life, death and faith. “You do think about your mortality a lot more as you get older, not to get heavy about it but you do a lot more because you’re a dad,” says the 64-year-old sagely about himself. “I want to be around for them and that’s a concern. Those thoughts start creeping into your head.” His sons — Michael, 21, and Daniel, 20 — know too well the frailty of life following the death of their mother, Natasha Richardson, seven years ago, after she suffered a head injury while skiing in Quebec, Canada. For Neeson, the death of his wife galvanised him to work harder. He was keen not to be seen “wallowing in sadness or depression” by his sons, and he describes feeling drawn to A Monster Calls precisely because it is about “learning to navigate life and facing the fragility of life and death”. “Children can be shielded too much from the serious issues when they are a lot more capable than we give credit,” says Neeson. “They desire the truth but they’re dismissed, always hearing, ‘You wouldn’t understand!’ Of course they understand. They may not process it the same way, but they get it.” In Silence, the Northern Irish star and devout Catholic takes on another familiar topic — faith — in his role as Father

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Ferreira, a Portugese Jesuit priest who commits apostasy (the abandonment of belief) under torture. Starring with Neeson are Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver, as fellow Jesuit missionaries who journey to find their mentor Ferreira in 17th Century Japan — a time when Christianity was banned there.

SCORSESE’S PASSION PROJECT

Based on the 1966 novel of the same name by Shūsaku Endō, Silence is a passion project for veteran director Scorses – he’s been wanting to make the film for more than 25 years. Given he’s waited such a long time, it might not surprise you to learn Scorsese is a very understanding, considerate man — and boss. “He understands actors; he’s an actor’s director,” explains Neeson. “He makes the space where you exist safe and comfortable because he understands that is necessary to deliver your best; that’s what he requires. He gives you all the tools but ultimately, it’s up to us to construct the creation. That’s appreciated but also incredibly daunting because he’s laid it out for you, and all you want to do is get it right for him.” Running at two-and-a-half hours, Silence is visually stunning, thematically challenging and often brutal, as it depicts Japanese officials seeking to combat Christianity among peasants. Those officials tortured the missionaries who preached the gospel, until they relinquished their faith. Neeson’s own relationship with faith is complex. Brought up Catholic in Ballymena, County Antrim – a predominantly Protestant town – he confesses that he has “always doubted” his faith. “At various times in my life,” he admits. “But I don’t believe you can have deep faith without serious misgivings and I think my misgivings, my doubt, will stay with me until the day I die. But I’m proud of always asking questions, and know full well I’ll never learn the answers. That won’t stop me asking.”

In the 1986 British drama The Mission, Neeson played a Spanish Jesuit missionary. During filming, the then 33-year-old Neeson met Father Daniel Berrigan, a Jesuit poet, priest and activist who served as an adviser. The two shared many spiritual discussions, but Neeson says “nothing was resolved”. “The same happened after working on this with Martin,” he says.

DOUBT AND BELIEF

“I read [Richard] Dawkins’ The God Delusion, many books like that. Science journals, learning about the workings of the human brain and what it can do, how the brain can rewire itselfs… the brain can trick itself into believing what another large group are believing. That’s one scientific explanation behind [religious beliefs]. And then I look to my mother, a beautiful woman with a beautiful heart and soul, chastising herself because at 96-years-old she’s not able to walk to Mass. And that precise faith inspires me, it always has.” As an actor too, Neeson maintains an unquenchable thirst. While he has no desire to direct, he does express an ambition to return to the stage, saying it feels like time to “get his feet dirty” again. Indeed, when asked if he would consider retiring, the 64-year-old retorts: “Never! The thing about this job is that you can do it till the day you die. There isn’t a retirement cut-off. Look at [Neeson’s mother-in-law] Vanessa Redgrave. She’s 79. You should see her schedule for the next year. I don’t know where she gets the energy. It’s good to work. I like it and it keeps you young. It keeps you from reality.” For all he has lost in his life and any doubts which those personal tragedies may have brought up, family is one area where Neeson is unyielding – even when it comes to his mother-in-law. “It’s lovely having her around,” he smiles. “I need that; it makes me happy. It’s good for all of us.” i Silence is in cinemas from February 16.

LIAM NEESON IN A SCENE FROM SILENCE

ANDREW GARFIELD’S EXERCISES IN HUMILITY AND SERVICE

EVEN AFTER ALL OF THAT HEART AND SOUL, THAT HUMBLE OFFERING, THAT HUMILITY... SOMEONE IS GOING TO THROW A STONE AND DISMISS IT

To prepare for his Silence role of a young Jesuit priest tasked with finding his missing mentor in 17th Century Japan, actor Andrew Garfield (The Social Network, Hacksaw Ridge) undertook the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. The Exercises are a set of Christian meditations, prayers and mental exercises, written by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, a 16th-century Spanish priest, theologian, and founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Since undertaking the Exercises to prepare for Silence, Garfield has said in interviews that the experience was humbling and helped him connect with God. “Oh my goodness...this, this was enough. If I hadn’t made the film that would’ve been fine. But the one experience that I wouldn’t want to sacrifice, if I had to choose...it would have been going through those Exercises,” Garfield recently told The National Catholic Review. “It brings me so much consolation. It’s such a humbling thing because it shows me that you can devote a year of your life to spiritual transformation, sincerely longing and putting that longing into action, to creating relationship with Christ and with God, You can then lose [18kgs] of weight, sacrifice for your art, pray every day, live celibate for six months, make all these sacrifices in service of God, in service of what you believe God is calling you into. And even after all of that heart and soul, that humble offering... that humility... even after all of that, someone is going to throw a stone and dismiss it. And it’s a huge consolation to know that no matter how hard I work, someone is not going to like me. There is going to be at least one person that says that I’m worthless. It’s wonderful!” ANDREW GARFIELD

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Lion hearts Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel talk unconditional love, adoption, and hope as they discuss their roles in Lion.

TRUE STORIES TURNED into movies often fall into mundane territory. Every now and then, though, a tale comes along with real emotional and inspirational punch. Enter Lion, the incredible real-life story of Saroo Brierley, a boy adopted by an Australian couple (Sue and John Brierley) after being separated at age five from his Indian brother and mother. As an adult, Saroo used Google Earth to find his original family and rediscover his roots.

POWERFUL EXPERIENCE

Australian superstar Nicole Kidman plays Sue Brierley in Lion. On-screen, Sue relates a powerful experience she had when she was a 12-yearold girl escaping the wrath of her drunken father: “I felt this kind of electric shock jolt through me, and there was a little brown-skinned boy across that field,” remembers Sue (Kidman) of the vision. “I couldn’t even tell if it was my eyes playing tricks. And he

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was beside me. Just standing there. I sensed it so strongly…” For 49-year-old Kidman, Lion was particularly poignant, as she herself adopted two children – Conor and Isabella – during her first marriage to Tom Cruise in the early 1990s. She describes an “intrinsic understanding” with the tale, but also insists that the message is an universal one of love and courage. “It’s for all mothers and all children, not just adoptive, but all mothers who feel unconditional love for their children,” she emphasises. “It’s about love. It’s about that bond that starts from the moment you hold that child, whether you’ve adopted them or birthed them. It’s about the power of that bond. It’s about modern-day families, who are made up of so many different components.” “It happened when she was very young,” Kidman recently told The Sydney Morning Herald about the vision to adopt that Sue Brierley

had. “Mine was more just a sensation that I was always going to adopt a child. I always thought one of them would be a brown-skinned child. I always just thought it was my destiny to adopt. I believe in that unconditional love that children deserve and that’s something I haven’t ever had a chance to put on screen.” “This is a hugely emotional, instinctual role for me. So perfect. I knew I had to play Sue. I had to play Saroo’s mother,” gushes Academy Award winner Kidman, who jumped at the chance to star in what is one of 2017’s most talked-about dramas. “Their story seemed unbelievable to me in that, how could any of that have happened?” Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel was equally enthralled with the script. Like Kidman with Sue Brierley, Patel knew he had to play Saroo. “Great roles and films are difficult to come by for any actor. And of course, when you’re a young

Indian dude from London and you don’t fit into certain categories, it’s even more difficult. You also don’t want to play the goofy sidekick or best friend kind of characters anymore,” he says with a wry smile. “This role was something so special – the kind of part every young actor would die to play. When I read Luke Davies’ script, I was a ball of tears by the last page.”

Patel says it would be hard to find someone who isn’t moved by Lion. “I think it will inspire and give hope to people,” he explains. “It’s a story of a young man who experienced a horrific ordeal and found the strength and will to survive. It’s also a very deep love story about mothers and sons and how this young man never gives up hope or belief he will one day find his [birth] mother.”

IDENTITY AND BELONGING

Newcomer Pawar is enchanting as the young Saroo; the heartbreak and fear are palpable as he finds himself separated from his elder brother and stuck on a train hurtling across India. At a time where millions of children globally are displaced by war, and the role that technology and social media have played in alerting us to their plight, Lion feels not only timely but necessary.

The film has been lauded by critics for its stunning cinematography, profound themes of identity and belonging, and the incredible performances of its two leads, who have so far bagged Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. Patel shares the role of Saroo with eight-year-old Sunny Pawar (who plays Saroo as a child). Patel and Pawar melted hearts when they turned up on the Golden Globes red carpet in matching tuxedos.

Having found himself thrust into the spotlight aged only 17, when he was cast in

Danny Boyle’s magnificent Slumdog Millionaire, the now 26-year-old Patel admits the pressure has been daunting at times. But Saroo was a role he finally felt ready for. “I was so new to the filmmaking world that I didn’t feel worthy of all the attention that came with the success of the film,” he says. “I didn’t feel I had earned my way into the business. But I’ve been working hard ever since and as soon as Lion came along I knew that this was my chance — I’d been waiting for precisely this kind of substantial, profound role.” For Kidman, who has been a working actress for 35 years, the film is an enormous point of pride and she used filming on location in Australia as an opportunity to engage her biological children — Sunday, eight and Faith, five — with her homeland. “I love to be part of Australian film,” she grins. “I love to work with Australian actors, Australian crews, Australian locations.

We shot this in Hobart and it was amazing to introduce my daughters to the area and hear them say, ‘This is our favourite place in the world.’ That’s just gorgeous to hear.” “Lion was an ode to Australia, in the spirit of this beautiful Australian couple who adopt this boy in the glow of such adoring love. It’s a love letter to the people and the culture of Australia. I find it hard to explain, and I’m pretty sure I haven’t done a good job of it so far [laughs], but there’s this heart and strength to the Australian people. You see it in Sue and John — Saroo’s adoptive parents. It’s who they are. And I grew up with people like that.” “There’s a rare beauty to this kind of story,” adds Patel about moving Lion. “And I would like to believe that it will resonate with audiences all over the world.” i Lion is in cinemas now.

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P O S I T I O N VAC A N T M I N I ST E R O F T H E WO R D

P O S I T I O N VAC A N T R E M O T E & R U R A L M I N I ST RY D I R E C T O R

PILGRIM UNITING CHURCH CONGREGATION, ADELAIDE

Uniting Mission and Education is seeking a suitable person to fill the new position of Remote and Rural Ministry Director.

Expressions of interest are invited for a Minister of the Word (1.0) to join a diverse ministry team that includes a full-time Deacon and lay leaders. Strategic emphases for this position in a central City congregation: •

creative worship of three Sunday morning and two weekday services

•

pastoral care and faith development of the Congregation

•

public liturgical celebrations, especially a “church for the city” activities

•

relationships with the Chinese (SA) Christian Congregation at Pilgrim

•

Pilgrim’s three year vision and mission priorities(see below)

You will provide advice and encouragement to the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT, presbyteries and congregations in relation to remote and rural ministry, act as team leader and project driver for the Saltbush Project as approved by the Synod 2016, and provide pastoral and missional support and oversight to those involved in rural ministry. This position will initially focus on the Western Region of NSW, ministered to by the UAICC NSW/ACT (Congress), Riverina, Macquarie Darling and New England North West presbyteries, but will expand to include other presbyteries with a rural focus in due course. A full position description and overview of the Saltbush project is available upon request. For further information contact Bronwyn Murphy via e-mail: bronwynm@nswact.uca.org.au.

For more information see www.pilgrim.org.au or contact Rev. Diane Bury for copies of congregation profile and supporting documents.

APPLICATIONS due by 3 March and should be addressed to Duncan Macleod, via acompm@nswact.uca.org.au.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST by 14 March 2017

The position is open to persons ordained in the Uniting Church in Australia.

1ST MARC H - 15TH APRIL

WHAT CAN YOU

LIVE WITHOUT FOR 40 DAYS?

Will you give up something from your daily life and partner with us to change the world?

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The successful applicant must hold or apply for a valid Working With Children Check number.

Facebook • Coffee • Westfield • Procrastination • Sarcasm • Sports Channel • Chocolate

Procrastination • Coffee • Chocolate • Alcohol • Swearing • Ice cream • Favourite Magazine

Please send inquiries and expressions of interest (marked private and confidential) to Rev. Diane Bury, Synod Office, PO Box 2145 Adelaide 5001, dbury@sa.uca.org.au or phone (08) 8236 4254

P O S I T I O N S VAC A N T A S S E M B LY R E S O U R C I N G U N I T & F RO N T I E R S E RV I C E S •Associate General Secretary , Assembly Resourcing Unit •National Consultant (3 positions), Assembly Resourcing Unit •National Director, Frontier Services

The Assembly is the national council of the Uniting Church with responsibility for matters of doctrine, worship, government, discipline, policy and promoting the Church’s mission in the world. We currently have four (4) positions effective July 2017 for the newly-created Assembly Resourcing Unit (ARU), as well as one (1) position for Frontier Services effective March 2017. All incumbents will require outstanding communication skills, along with high attention to detail, project management experience and the ability to multi-task across various projects, multiple entities and a diverse range of stakeholders. A deep understanding of the Uniting Church is essential for success in the ARU roles, whilst fundraising and communications in a church or similar NFP environment is essential to the Frontier Services position. APPICATIONS For more information about each of these positions, please go to our at assembly.uca.org.au/jobs.

PARNJEET’S LIFE HAS SEEN A POSITIVE CHANGE THROUGH FUNDS RAISED BY LENT EVENT. FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE BELOW.

Commit to making real change FROM CHRISTMAS TO the end of January, without fail, my Facebook feed fills up with women bearing lithe bodies and seductive promises. “A new you in seven minutes a day!” (Seven minutes… what? I’m in the shower longer!) “Two months to a new body!” Change, of course, isn’t easy. If it was, everyone would be doing it. The promise of transformation is attractive but the hard work required to get there? The discipline and commitment? Not so much. So, how can real change actually take place? Whether you begin with seven minutes or 70, making change begins with deep conviction and small steps, incorporated into your daily routine. And that’s where spiritual practises can be genuinely helpful. The first glow of your New Years Resolutions may have faded, but Lent is coming up on March 1. School is back, the routines are in place and conditions are ideal to join

others committed to spiritual growth and change within the wider world.

and the opportunity to help overcome poverty and share good news.

life has been completely transformed through her involvement with the project.

Lasting 40 days, Lent echoes the time of God’s people wandering in the wilderness, led by Moses. It reflects Jesus’s 40 days in the desert, where he was totally reliant on God and gathering strength for the challenges ahead. Perhaps Lent’s also a bit reminiscent of the six week program to a ‘new you.’ But its compactness definitely gives us a chance to reflect, renew and create change as we prepare for Easter — new life in Christ through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

This year we’ll send you a reflection, action or video to muse on each day during Lent, as well as ideas about how you can raise the money needed to put fresh water in remote communities in Papua New Guinea, equip young people to share the news of Christ, send PeaceMakers into conflict areas in South Sudan, and help families break the poverty trap in India.

“My own family has been changed by this project, and now we’re changing the community,” she says. “Not only have I trained to become a teacher and am encouraging children and families to understand the value of education, but my daughter has been through the program and, with the support of the church, has excelled in her studies. She’s now working full time as a nurse.”

UnitingWorld invites you to join a movement of people interested in real transformation — change within and change without. When you sign up to Lent Event, you’re committing to set aside some time each day to connect, reflect and act. Your goal? Spiritual growth, awareness of the lives of people living in challenging situations around the world,

More than $3 million and 8000 churches have together combined for Lent Event, to help bring real change to people in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. If you want to be part of it, visit lentevent.com and sign up today. Parnjeet (pictured above) is one of the teachers in a Development Program run by UnitingWorld’s church partner in the Indian city of Amritsar. From the Dalit (untouchable) community within India, her

Funds raised through Lent Event directly support the work of women like Parnjeet and her community. i Cath Taylor

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED IN LENT EVENT?

For more information about Lent Event, go to the website — lentevent.com — where you can learn about projects supported, as well as being able to obtain resources and other useful information.

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A TRADITION OF CHRISTIAN CARE AND CONCERN

Richard & Deborah Spiteri, proprietors

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERALS CONDUCTED THROUGHOUT SYDNEY

MEMBERS OF THE FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION OF NSW

g Ministry in z a m A , in la p Future Cha /chaplains w.airforce.gov.au

web: ww DPS:MAY049-16

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ov.au

lains@defence.g

email: raaf.chap

D I G I TA L M I N I ST RY

Portable faith 9 JANUARY MARKED the tenth anniversary of the introduction of the Apple iPhone. In retrospect, it was a historic moment. The iPhone popularized smart phones and revolutionized the way we communicate and engage with our world. Ten years later, most people walk around with one of these or similar supercomputers in their pockets. Surveys show that approximately 80% of Australians own a smart phone. We use these devices to communicate on email, text, and social media, keep tabs on their health, shop, work and create, capture photo and video, listen to music and podcasts, and more. When you step back, it is amazing just how much these devices have changed our everyday lives. Today, people take some of the important things in their lives with them on their phones when they leave the house. But what about their faith? Do we make faith and faith formation as portable as everything else in our lives? John Roberto, an advocate for using digital technology to help families form and transmit faith, asks “What if we reimagined congregational faith formation as a network of relationships, content, experiences, and resources—in physical places and online spaces? This networked model of faith formation is lifelong…and life-wide—everywhere, anytime learning within a network of mentors, teachers, and peers.” Today, he argues, churches need to find new ways to spiritually nourish our people and transmit faith using the digital devices and networks that have become such an integral part of our lives.

FAITH AT HOME

Inspired by Roberto’s vision, this month our congregation started a new monthly email campaign for young families simply called, “Faith at Home,” with a focus on spiritually supporting parents, suggestions for practicing faith at home, and some bit-sized wisdom. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with reply emails saying “thank you,” and “love this,” from parents and grandparents (who saw it on Facebook!) alike. The response to this simple relatively low-tech (and free) gesture was telling. Parents are longing for encouragement and support that meets them where there are, which, of course, is on their smart phones. “Faith at Home” works because the content is portable. They can read it now or flag it and save it for later. They can read one of the short quotes we included from each blog posts we linked to, or click through and read the entire post. The email also included a short quote we called “simple wisdom” and a couple upcoming church events. We kept it short, simple, and focused on the spiritual needs of our audience rather than overwhelming them with lots of links and information. And it worked! It has encouraged us to consider additional ways we can support the spiritual lives of our families using digital tools and in-person gatherings.

CURATE THEN CREATE

If you are considering this kind of project, remember that you don’t have to create all this content yourself. We didn’t. Just be on the lookout for great resources—videos, podcast episodes, blog posts, quotes—and save them as

you go along. Most of the resources for “Faith at Home” actually came from the list of links I had saved on Facebook over the last couple of months. Simply “curating” good and worthwhile content in this way is a service to your audience, who just doesn’t have the time to sort through the firehouse of information we are exposed to everyday. If you want to create your own content, hey, all the better, but don’t let that be a barrier to getting started.

PORTABLE FAITH

Providing this kind of resource, this portable faith, has an additional benefit beyond simply the content you provide. It helps people make the connection between God and their everyday lives. When they are reading your email as they sit in the carpool line waiting to pick up their kids, they are reminded that God is there even in that most mundane of activities. When they are having a tough day and their kids are pushing them to the limit, they can go back to that blog post of a single dad saying, “If I can do it, you can do it,” and know they are loved, supported, and understood. Short quotes and prayers remind them that you can pray anytime and anywhere.

IT WAS JUST A MEMO

In all of this, I’ve been reminded of the movie “Jerry McGuire,” in which Tom Cruise plays a sports agent, who stays up late into the light and writes a memo, really a visionary manifesto about the way the sports industry should do business. It turns his life upside down, and in his disorientation he mutters again and again, “It was just a memo. It was just memo.” In the same way, we might look at Faith at Home as “just an email,” but in the responses from our families we have seen that its much more than that. It is a glimpse of the future of faith formation in our digitally integrated world. i Pastor Keith Anderson

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M A K I N G M O N E Y M AT T E R

Investing in the future of the Church IT’S BEEN A WHILE since I’ve been to a Youth Convention. After all, I turn 60 this year and my youth is becoming a more distant memory.

WARREN BIRD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UNITING FINANCIAL SERVICES

Therefore, attending a day of Yuróra 2017 in January was a great experience for me. Yes, it was nostalgic, but there was more to it than bringing back pleasant memories of conferences past. There’s something wonderful when a large group of God’s people get together to learn, to worship and to enjoy each other’s company. There were a lot of all these things and more going on among the 800 or so from all over Australia who attended the Uniting Church’s national youth convention at Stanwell Tops early in the New Year.

I was there because Uniting Financial Services (UFS) was one of the major sponsors of the event. That gave me the opportunity to have a minute IF YO UNG of fame at the evening rally A DULT S A RE when UFS was EN C O UR AGED A ND acknowledged. M ORE PA S SI ON ATE But more A B O U T C HRI ST importantly, T HRO U GH B EING it gave me PA RT OF Y URÓR A , a chance to T HEN T HE RE T URN ON participate and T H AT IN V E STMENT I S to get among IMME A SUR A B LE the celebration of the passion that Christ has put into our hearts. (Yuróra means “passionate”.) UFS sponsoring Yuróra was a good way of promoting our role as the financial services arm of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT. But our decision to support the event went well beyond that sort of

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self-interest. Synod was fully behind the success of Yuróra and endorsed its various arms helping out as we could. Normally, UFS doesn’t support ministries directly. We pay a distribution to Synod which then allocates the funds but, in this particular case, it was appropriate for us to provide direct support.

how we go about making the Church’s money matter.

UFS currently invests around $1.3 billion on behalf of the Uniting Church. As I said earlier, we are charged with investing this professionally, prudently, ethically and profitably. In the current investment climate, we are generating a net return of We wished to do so because about $40 million each an important part of our year for the Church. Most mission is to invest the of this is income paid to the Church’s funds “professionally, Congregations, presbyteries, prudently, ethically and Missions, agencies and profitably”. Although there is individuals who place the no immediate financial return funds with us. The rest is from sponsoring Yuróra, split between our distribution we deemed that investing to the Synod, which helps in the future of the Uniting cover the costs of its many Church — through providing ministries, and retained an opportunity for younger earnings which enable us members to experience such to grow our portfolio so that a festival — meets our mission future earnings for the Church objectives very well. If young can also grow. adults are encouraged and Because the vast majority of become more passionate the investments the Church about Christ, the gospel and has with UFS pay interest, our gospel mission through being investment portfolio is also part of Yuróra, then the return mostly in interest-earning on that signficant investment assets – such as fixed income is immeasurable. securities, floating rate notes, While at the event I met commercial loans and Church people from various places loans. In the current low who told me that their interest rate climate, earning a presbyteries had also kicked good return is therefore quite in with some financial a challenge. Please pray for support to help delegates the Board of UFS, me and my get along to Stanwell Tops. It team as we seek to rise to this was heart-warming to hear challenge on your behalf. of others having a similar Whether UFS is going about its attitude, regarding this as normal business of investing an investment in the future for the Church or providing generation of members of the sponsorship for key events Church and Christ’s kingdom. like Yuróra, it’s a privilege to I said that UFS didn’t sponsor be the Executive Director of an Yuróra just for promotional organisation that is focussed purposes, but while I have on making money matter. i your attention I’d like to do a little of that now! Please allow me to give a snapshot of

L E C T I O NA RY R E F L E C T I O N S

February: Salt and light 5 FEBRUARY

12 FEBRUARY

19 FEBRUARY

26 FEBRUARY

“You are the salt of the Earth. You are the light of the world.” This is a well-known teaching of Jesus, but read in the context of the other readings, we might find it a bit of a challenge.

In the readings this week, Paul writes about how he fed the Corinthians with spiritual milk as they were spiritual “infants in Christ,” not ready for “solid food.” Perhaps we are not much different in the Church today. We tend to see things too simply. Like the fledgling nation of Israel, we often see things as either/or. Life and faith are presented as life and prosperity versus death and adversity, blessings versus curses.

“Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.” (Psalm 119:34)

Who is Jesus for you? How have you experienced him in your life? Moses, Peter, James and John had special revelatory experiences of God in person. The disciples walked and lived with Jesus. However, many of us are not lucky enough to be blessed in such a way. So, how do we know Jesus? What is our experience of the Christ, for we are called to share the God in Christ who we know, not just know about.

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY, ISAIAH 58:1-9A (9B-12), PSALM 112:1-9 (10), 1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-12 (13-16), MATTHEW 5:13-20

This week, the Isaiah passage brings up a common theme which echoes through many of the prophets – God says, “You worship me with words, but sin against me in your actions.” Justice, compassion, grace and sacrificial giving are the marks of good worship. But “if salt loses its saltiness, it’s worthless.” If our religion does not shine before others because they see our good works, then we are exhibiting hypocrisy. Here is a challenge to explore our “worship” and see if it leads us towards, and is matched by, love and good deeds. What does it really mean to be spiritual in the light of Christ’s teaching and example? Worth pondering.

SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY, DEUTERONOMY 30:15-20, PSALM 119:1-8, 1 CORINTHIANS 3:1-9, MATTHEW 5:21-37

However, the reality of a mature faith and spirituality is that the life we have in God is full of both good and bad. Faith is there to nourish us, but not in the safety of a spiritual nursery. We are called into the world and we need faith and blessings of God to prosper God’s work, as we deal with harsh realities of life. But the gospel leads us on to the way of the cross; not a fairy-tale happily ever after, but the hard work of following Jesus who teaches us hard truths. These open up hope, peace, joy and love in real and meaningful ways, not just for us, but for the world through sacrificial grace and love.

SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY, LEVITICUS 19:1-2, 9-18 PSALM 119:33-40, 1 CORINTHIANS 3:10-11, 16-23, MATTHEW 5:38-48

How hard it is to follow Jesus and work with him in bringing in the Commonwealth of God? Since the time of Moses, the people of God have struggled to live as commanded, and we still struggle. Two thirds of the way through the second month of a new year, maybe we are being called to revise our resolution list and check that we are on track. Scan through the readings for this week and make a list of all the things that just these passages set before us as things we should be doing as followers of God in Christ, who calls us to, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Now, take that list, get a group of friends in Jesus, and plan out how you are going to do that — and also keep each other accountable for your progress.

TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS, EXODUS 24:12-18, PSALM 2 OR PSALM 99 2 PETER 1:16-21, MATTHEW 17:1-9

We might glory in the “mountain top” experiences, but as we prepare to enter Lent, we perhaps need to be reminded that the power of God in Christ came into the world in the birth of a baby who lived for around 30 years, building understanding and compassion, before embarking on his worldchanging ministry fulfiled through his life, teachings, example — and his suffering, death and resurrection. It is this Christ who taught about knowing the king through serving the poor, imprisoned, naked and hungry, not only in words but in deeds. It is this Jesus, and through fleeting moments of glory, we get to know God is truly with us as we seek to follow and proclaim him. i

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L E C T I O NA RY R E F L E C T I O N S

March: Lent begins 1 MARCH

ASH WEDNESDAY, JOEL 2:1-2, 12-17 OR ISAIAH 58:1-12, PSALM 51:1-17, 2 CORINTHIANS 5:20B–6:10, MATTHEW 6:1-6, 16-21

Lent has begun. Traditionally, this is a time of penitence and fasting as part of a spiritual discipline in preparation for Easter. Lent is a time for reflection and renewal of our commitment to Christ. There is the tradition of giving up luxuries in Lent as a form of fasting. Whilst this is not bad, it may not be ideal. Some might have noticed that this week we have one of the occasional repetition of readings in the lectionary. Once again, we have the reading from Isaiah 58 which we encountered in the first week of February. If we are giving up something, then perhaps it needs to be empty religion and turn back to the full way of God, lived by Jesus to and through the cross. If we are going to take up prayer, the giving of “alms,” and fasting, then Jesus reminds us in the Matthew reading how to make it a true spiritual discipline, not a pretentious act of piety. Lent can be a time when faith and religion, through active spirituality, lead us closer on the way of Jesus, the way of the Cross — if we follow Christ as he teaches us.

5 MARCH

FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT, GENESIS 2:15-17, 3:1-7, PSALM 32, ROMANS 5:12-19, MATTHEW 4:1-11

Lent is a time when we can “take up our cross” and better follow Jesus. This week takes us into reflection on temptation. When we seek to follow God’s call and instruction, then undoubtedly we will face temptation to fall short of what we have been called to be and do.

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Christ himself faced temptation, for temptation always comes when we hold power. With any power to affect change also comes the power of choice. We always have to choose for ourselves, for God has gifted us with free will and cannot and will not choose for us. However, the challenge of choice is whether to choose for our self and make a selffocused or selfish choice, or whether to make a loving choice (which is otherfocused and seeks to work for the best for all). The latter may or may not directly be the immediate best for us. The cross stands before us to help us remember the choice of God in Christ to love us and set out the better way.

12 MARCH

SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT, GENESIS 12:1-4A, PSALM 121, ROMANS 4:1-5, 13-17, JOHN 3:1-17 OR MATTHEW 17:1-9

God is with us. For some it may seem a long time ago that we celebrated Christ as Immanuel — God with us, born as a vulnerable child and laid in a manger. This week we are reminded God so loved the world that Christ was sent, so all who believe may have eternal life. God did not enter the world as Jesus to condemn us, but to save.

who he is and what he offers, but the complication is that accepting who he is and what he offers brings a need for transformation. Conversion to the way of Christ is never a once-off occurrence. That is why we participate in Lent each year, because we need ongoing conversion. Abram accepted God in faith and that faith was accounted as righteousness, but it then sent him on a long journey of transformation. Jesus met a Samaritan woman by a well, and she accepted Jesus, the hard truths he presented and the transformation he offered.

Our help comes from the Lord, and through and by faith we are enriched to live the way Christ lived, on the way of the Cross, overcoming temptation and living by trying to embody love for others (as Christ embodied God’s love for us).

How are we each being transformed or working for transformation this Lent? Who do we, like the Samaritan woman, need to share this with?

19 MARCH

God sees not as we see. God chooses flawed vessels, like David and like us, to be a part of his work in the world. Jesus called real people to ministry as disciples,

THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT, EXODUS 17:1-7, PSALM 95, ROMANS 5:1-11, JOHN 4:5-42

Faith is simple and complicated. It is simply about accepting Jesus for

26 MARCH

FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT, 1 SAMUEL 16:1-13, PSALM 23, EPHESIANS 5:8-14, JOHN 9:1-41

both then in the time of the Scriptures and now as he calls us. Perhaps, the lesson from these readings is to be humble of opinion, for we do not really fully know how God works or why God works in the way he does, through people we would not expect. Perhaps as part of our giving up of things during Lent, we need to give up judging others — for we inevitably get ourselves trapped in our own sin when we try to discern if someone is worthy or not to be a vessel of God’s work. Let us therefore commit to better discernment and trying to see what God has in store for us on the way of the cross, rather than looking to judge others and make pronouncements about their worthiness to God. i The February and March Lectionary Reflections this month have been written by Rev. Jon Humphries, Chaplain at Ravenswood School for Girls

N E W S F RO M U N I T I N G C H U R C H A D U LT F E L LOW S H I P ( U CA F )

Fellowship news WELCOME TO ANOTHER New Year. Greetings from the NSW/ACT Synod Committee who celebrated their Annual Dedication and Communion Service on 8 January. Special guest was Dan McAloon, Relationship Manager of Frontier Services. The Committee is continuing with its project from 2016 “Living Water Come Drink”, focusing on the work of Frontier Services and the volunteer program “Outback Links”. Donations from your groups are to go to Committee Treasurer Geoff Hicks (176 Lawes Street, East Maitland, NSW, 2323). The project raised $11,702 in 2016.

NEW VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS WELCOME

The Stamp Committee has a wonderful band of volunteers who meet at the Synod offices on Tuesday and Friday mornings. New helpers are always welcome. Total raised in 2016 was $25,632. Please continue collecting stamps. Also, you can encourage local businesses to save their stamps for you.

YEARBOOK AND CONNEXION

The 2017 Year Book has been printed and will be distributed this month. Connexion magazine has been looked into, in terms of the cost of producing and posting it. Various suggestions have been

made, with emphasis upon a digital format. Fellowships are still encouraged to share their Rally/Gathering information and other interesting events their church and fellowship groups participate in. Email Janice Willis or Judy and Geoff Hicks.

COMMITTEE CHANGES

UCAF NSW/ACT Synod Committee changed slightly following the December AGM. Proxy persons for country Presbyteries were unchanged. All details are in the 2017 Year Book.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

World Day of Prayer will be held Friday, March 3, in

centres everywhere. The service this year has been provided by the women of the Philippines with the theme: “Am I being unfair to you?” Please try and join in one near you.

GATHERINGS AND RALLIES

Moderator’s Retired Ministry Persons Lunch: 21 March at Turramurra UCA Sydney/Central Coast Picnic Day: 31 March at Woy Woy Canberra Region: 1 April at City Church Canberra Macquarie Darling: 26 April at Grenfell Illawarra: 25 May at Shellharbour

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

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B E L I E F M AT T E R S

Remember to remember MEMORIES ARE VALUABLE. Memories are important. Memories are vital. Did you know that every minute, in my body and your body, about 300 million cells die and disappear? Yeah, that’s a lot of cells. Good thing that new ones also are being generated in us. But the older we get, the less our ageing body is like it was when we were younger. As our old microscopic building blocks are replaced by new ones, it’s almost like we are a totally different person.

people of what he already had done for them (Exodus 20:1), as an unmissable proof of His power, trustworthiness and track record. He also called His people to “be careful that you don’t forget the Lord your God by failing to keep his command – the ordinances and statutes – I am giving you today.” (Deuteronomy 8:11) Not only should those who love and serve God remember what He has done, they should also remember how He has called them to live.

But we can still remember what we used to be like, or remember things we have learned, experienced, felt or considered. If you think about it, so much of who we are is linked with our memories of who we are. What shapes us is greatly linked with our memories of what shapes us.

Memory of God, His deeds and His words are crucial to knowing how best to live for God. And remember too that such a pattern of devoted memory did not stop when Jesus showed up and perfectly lived for God, on earth. Jesus got God’s memory memo and ran with it. Two examples of this are at the Last Supper, and after his resurrection.

Not everyone has a memory like my brother Ryan or my wife Amy. They are like elephants. Not me. I am more like the ever-forgetful Dory from Finding Nemo. But wherever our memory banks are at, no-one is arguing about how much memories help us to be who we are. From what our parents taught us to lessons we had at school, an influential book or stuff our mates told us, we are made of memories which give us meaning.

MEMORY OF GOD, HIS DEEDS AND HIS WORDS ARE CRUCIAL TO KNOWING HOW BEST TO LIVE FOR GOD

This year, there is a lot of remembering going on within The Uniting Church across Australia. The 40th anniversary of the Uniting Church’s formation provides an opportunity to turn our minds to what the past four decades have contained. More than that, the 40th anniversary stirs memories which probably have shaped and led your life. But remembering the part that memory plays in who we are might also cause you and I to remember something else. A key part of being the people God loves us to be has always linked with remembering what it is to be a person that God loves. Flick through the Old Testament and notice how remembrance often shows up, in the turbulent relationship between God’s people and the maker of heaven and earth. Start at the start and see how the neverending promises God made to Adam, Abraham, or Noah were anchored in God never forgetting them. Remember how God delivered the 10 Commandments and the rest of the Mosaic Law? He kicked off by reminding His

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“This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me,” said Jesus to his disciples (Luke 22:19). Using broken bread to represent his soon-to-be broken body, Jesus’s instructions of commemorating his sacrifice for sins became foundational to what we celebrate as Holy Communion.

But as we take the bread – and drink from the cup – are we remembering what it is Jesus wanted us to remember? Or are we just going through the motions, taking for granted the memory of Jesus’s sacrifice for our sins and the ways it should guide who we are?

The “Great Commission” event (recorded in Matthew 28:16-20) has Jesus dispatching his disciples to teach others “to observe everything I have commanded you”. This instruction to teach isn’t like a one-off lesson in how to fix your phone’s microphone or make the best cup of Milo. It’s an ongoing instruction to those with ears to hear and eyes to see The Good News. Such a person is to observe everything Jesus commanded, living their life always in light of that. To observe is to keep. To observe is to remember. As you take time out this year to commemorate 40 years of The Uniting Church, remember to remember the sorts of things God and Jesus want us to keep in mind. Because, you know, memories are critical in shaping who we actually are. i Ben McEachen

C U LT U R E WAT C H

Black cinema illuminates what we should not forget TWO MONTHS AGO I was standing Obesity is now the defining American Hidden Figures is the true story of the on Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, characteristic. It’s also easy to walk African-American women who helped the Alabama, USA, and I was contemplating along the streets of Selma and find United States win the space race. the bloody history contained within one person who will say, “Everything Why are these historical stories and its short metal span. The has changed!” and another cautionary tales being told? Because name might not mean who will reply, “Nothing supporters of African-American rights much to you, unless has.” One thing unites, realise that rehearsing who they are is perhaps you are a though. The exchange just as important as raising education fan of American of a Democratic levels and lowering obesity. There is no history or cinema. black American gain in improving your circumstances if In 2014, the film president for a white you lose your identity in the process – a Selma reminded Republican one lesson Christians should be familiar with. the world of the hasn’t increased the As Jesus put it, “You are the salt of the role the bridge hopes of anyone I earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, played in Africanspoke with. how can it be made salty again?” Octavia Spencer in America’s journey This February, in the Hidden Figures towards political Over the last 80 years, Australian midst of this malaise, freedom. In Selma, Christianity has moved from being Hollywood will release four David Oyelowo played honoured, to tolerated, then ignored and films that deal with AfricanMartin Luther King, the now vilified. Like the African-American American issues and triumphs. Alabama church leader who backed community, we can work for change a 1965 protest march from Selma to Starring Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton, on a political or educational front – the Alabama’s capital, Montgomery. Loving tells the story of Richard and documentaries I am involved with want Mildred Loving, an interracial couple to share how Christianity has benefitted The Edmund Pettus Bridge was both arrested in Virginia in 1958 and the secular world. But we also need to a geographical and psychological sentenced to one year in prison for remember that holding on to who we are barrier. On its far side, state troopers being married. The legal battle to uphold begins with rehearsing our stories. waited. They had been ordered to their union travels to the Supreme use “any means necessary” to stop Veteran church planter Andrew Heard Court which rules that any prohibition of the protestors. Images of the horrible believes the persecution that awaits interracial marriage is unconstitutional. beatings that followed flashed around Australian Christians will begin with the the world, fuelling the campaign that The Birth Of A Nation is based on the pressure to become “people pleasers”, would eventually result in guaranteed 19th century slave rebellion and lead to an increasing silence voting rights for African-Americans. led by African-American about faith. In the face of preacher Nat Turner. He that, we need to hold on But how much actually has changed? becomes responsible to our distinctive history I was recently travelling through for the deaths of – the birth of our America’s southern states working on more than 55 Saviour, Jesus’ death a new documentary series. The city of white people and resurrection, Selma certainly seems different. It’s had but is generally the advance of the several black mayors since King’s time. regarded church through the Montgomery, once a leading centre for as a hero. power of His Spirit. the slave trade, is proud of its newer, Rehearsing our Denzel Washington Denzel Washington enlightened history. stories, to ourselves and Viola Davis and Viola Davis and each other, will in Fences But voting rights haven’t delivered an star in Fences, the keep us from sliding enlightened future. African-Americans fictional story of Troy into sorrow or frustration. are raising their social and economic Maxson, whose life is Like the African-American status, but within a country that warped by the poverty and community, we can look back to be seems to be sinking around them. The discrimination forced on him by blackreminded that things do change. God’s south struggles under twin burdens white relations. Troy tethers his son’s plans may appear to move slowly, but of poverty and hopelessness. Every success, because he cannot believe it’s they too will prove to be irresistible. i third business in Selma’s main street is possible for the boy to rise above the boarded up. Unemployment is rampant. racism that blighted his own dreams. Mark Hadley

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REVIEWS

Entertain me REA D THIS SERMONS PREACHED IN CARING CONGREGATIONS Rev. Dr Les Hewitt became a Uniting Church minister at the inauguration of the Uniting Church in Australia in 1977. His ordained ministry spanned six Congregations before his retirement in 2005. This book contains a selection of Les’ sermons preached over a 50year period in city, suburban and country churches. In the preface Les humbly recognises the many sources and influences on his preaching. By including such detail, his book provides a sort of historical record of the times in which these messages were delivered. He also offers that “if lay people or clergy should find something they consider to be worth reworking in the following pages, then my efforts will have proved to be useful.” Sermons Preached in Caring Congregations includes sermons from a variety of times of the year, from Advent through to Trinity Sunday. Les even offers a suggested sermon for the 40th anniversary of the Church this year. With 22 sermons in all, there is a wealth of wisdom and insight amongst these pages. Adrian Drayton

PRESS PL AY ARRIVAL (M)

BIG SCREEN SILENCE (MA15+)

If there was a film that summed up 2016 in terms of zeitgeist, it has to be the film Arrival.

Jesus warned his followers that they would be persecuted by people who oppose him (John 15:18-24). So, would you continue to be faithful to Jesus, even if you were being tortured and tormented for your beliefs?

Amy Adams is the lead in Arrival, director Denis Villeneuve’s (Sicario) genre-bending sci-fi philosophical thriller. It uses the trappings of an end-of-the-world, alien-space-invasion premise to explore deeper themes of connection and the human condition. Recalling Contact and Interstellar and perhaps even elements of Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odessey, Villeneuve follows his protagonist — linguistic professor Louise Banks (Adams) — from the opening frames of the film, to its mind-bending and satisfying conclusion. This is done for a purpose, as Villeneuve both wants to tell the story through his main character, but also allow the audience to follow the journey with her. He wants us to feel panic as she first enters the strange pod that hovers over the landscape, and elation as she begins to understand the meaning of a (possibly aggressive) alien culture. Adams’ performance is mermerising and viewers have a front row seat to some thought-provoking ideas about the nature of language itself. While covering some big ideas, Villeneuve often drops simple clues in his narrative. So simple in fact that, as a viewer, you may not even realise that they are the crux of the story itself. Adrian Drayton

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From acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, Silence is a powerful, unforgettable summary of the ruthless 17th century campaign in Japan to crush Christianity (true story). As Scorsese deliberately dwells on whether intense opposition will cause Christians to reject their faith, some viewers might find this challenging experience to be too slow, repetitive or theological. But responding like that suggests you are missing the powerful point of Silence: with unswerving dedication, Scorsese wants us to be totally immersed in the hardcore issue of apostasy (abandoning Christian convictions). Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver play Jesuit priets from Portugal who sneak into Japan to search for their mentor (played by Liam Neeson). They and fellow Japanese Christians are hunted by officials who maintain that the way, truth and life of Jesus has absolutely no place in their nation. Helped by great performances — the Japanese cast is superb — and a surprising fixation upon intense Christian material, Silence will easily push your personal buttons about doubt, perseverance and the blurry line between stumbling in faith and rejecting it entirely. Ben McEachen

UnitingRedress

Compassion & care

Redress offered for survivors of sexual abuse within the Uniting Church

Contact

Applying for Redress

To find out more about UnitingRedress:

The Synod of NSW and ACT provides an UnitingRedress interim policy to anyone who has experienced sexual abuse as a child in Uniting Church institutions such as schools.

• Please Call: 1800 713 993 (Mon to Fri 8:30am - 5:00pm) • Email: unitingredress@nswact.uca.org.au • Go to the website: www.nswact.uca.org.au

What is Redress?

There are three areas for redress based on Royal Commission recommendations. 1. Counselling and support. 2. A verbal and/or written response. 3. Financial redress by way of an ex-gratia payment, where eligible, in recognition of the pain and suffering caused as a result of abuse.

Enquiries and applications are confidential and are treated in a timely and sensitive way by our experienced social worker.

Do You Care For People? TRAINING IN PASTORAL CARE If you’re located in a rural area and are looking for training in pastoral care, stay where you are, The Pastoral Counselling Institute will bring their team of training experts to you. The Institute offers training in a number of areas for churches and ministry teams. These include programs on: • Learning How I Listen • Listening to People’s Stories • Qualities of Leadership • Grief and Loss Each of these programs is designed to encourage members of your congregation to increase their skills in pastoral care. And to ensure you’re getting the most from your training, each course can be tailored to suit the needs of your congregation.

COUNSELLING SERVICES The Pastoral Counselling Institute offers a wide range of counselling including: • mental health problems • grief and loss • trauma •behavior change • anger management •marriage • relationship and family issues • sexual orientation and gender identity issues • victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse Our staff have training in both Theology and Psychology and are dedicated to a holistic, sensitive approach to personal, marriage and family issues, regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation. People with a referral from their GP on a Mental Health Care Plan may be able to claim Medicare benefits* (* see Medicare schedule for claimable items – available on request or on the psychology website) http://www.psychology.org.au/medicare/fact_sheet/

If you would like more information on any of the Pastoral Counselling Institute activities please call 9683 3664 or email pciuca@nswact.uca.org.au

www.pastoralcounselling.org

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It’s about you and the future.

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