Insights Summer 2022/2023 (Christmas Edition)

Star WarsTheology SummerEnterai n me n t G u i ed

FindFeed a Growing HealtyCongr egations

With Love to the World is a quarterly daily devotional guide that provides a reflection on a Bible passage for each day of the year. Bible readings used in WLW are based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Each week, four of the readings come from the lectionary, and the others are chosen to provide context and background. In this way, daily devotions prepare readers for Sunday worship. The resource is primarily intended for daily personal devotional time. Our commentaries take seriously both biblical scholarship and an engagement with the hopes and hurts of everyday living—to nurture and encourage readers in their faith. WLW is also widely used by people preparing to lead worship, and in group Bible study.

REV. JANE FRY GENERAL SECRETARY

The Dangerous Wind

As we contemplate another summer ahead with slight apprehension of what possible crisis may occur, what new imagination is stirring, what courage is being forged for hope-filled witness to the living God? And where is the dangerous wind blowing open musty churches and disrupting its fossilised traditions? From where I sit, there are many, many often very surprising reasons for hope.

Unwrapped from the anxiety of, ‘Will the church survive?’ preoccupations, I hear and see signs of new thinking and new creativity that the Synod’s Future Directions framework is designed to catch and explore but, with or without the Synod or the church, the dangerous wind will blow through hearts and minds bringing change.

hope. They invite us to live more fully into the promise of creation and the adventure of human being in God’s image.

In a recent meeting that I attended reference was made to a Chinese proverb to the effect that crisis is opportunity riding a dangerous wind. ‘Dangerous wind’ seems like a very good epithet for the person that the church knows as the Holy Spirit, third person of the Trinity, occasionally called the Comforter but usually associated with ‘tongues of fire’ and the disruptive birth of the church at Pentecost.

HEAR AND SEE SIGNS OF NEW THINKING AND NEW CREATIVITY

Increasingly it seems that ‘crisis’ characterises our times, whether induced by climate (horrendous fire events, catastrophic floods and mudslides and weather events of unusual intensity), health (the global pandemic), politics (the mad war in Ukraine) or economics (the cost of living crisis, the ever-growing gap between rich and poor people and nations).

The church is not immune – all the Councils of the UCA (from congregation to Assembly) are having to grapple with a range of challenges to which the ‘crisis’ label is frequently applied.

In its very long history, the church has lived through many and varied times of crisis and upheaval. Perhaps that experience can give some perspective and insight for how the church might navigate today’s turbulent times. Like it or not, crisis always brings change and change is not always welcome.

Ben Okri writes that ‘the opportunity to change our destiny depends on the best lessons we take from suffering, not the worst lessons we take from tragedy’. These are not times for a narrowness of heart and

With no such thing as the Basis of Union and without a handy guidebook of Regulations, without even anything resembling a Bible, a disorganized, mostly mystified bunch of disciples used their remnants of memory and experience to share a miraculous story of encounter and relationship with the living God. Person to person to person that story took hold around the world. Along the way, the church was organised and eventually became a global institution, but the institution is not the story. Carried on the dangerous wind of the Spirit, the story always travels person to person, heart to heart, mind to mind, forming new relationships, fostering new imagination and bringing – always – change.

Often enough, this story has called forth amazing courage and extraordinary witness in times of crisis (think of Andre and Magda Trocme and their actions to save Jewish people in World War II. Worth looking up if you don’t know their story).

It's not always easy to grasp the danger and disruption when it comes wrapped up in the Hallmark sentimentality of the Christmas season but, make no mistake, Jesus did say I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly. Have a blessed Christmas!

THE GENERAL SECRETARY IS APPOINTED BY THE SYNOD TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP TO THE CHURCH BY ACTIVELY ENGAGING IN STRATEGIC THINKING ABOUT THE LIFE, DIRECTION, VISION AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH.

I

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.

In te midst of it all, a baby

Tiny and defenceless, the promise and presence of God. In this wondrous moment, in the simple vulnerability of God in the world, hope is asserted. This assertion is not only about Jesus’ birth offering hope for humanity; God’s hope reaches even more profoundly.

The birth of Jesus is how God asserts hope in humanity. In us.

The still, small voice of Jesus spoken into a corner of the Roman Empire rose to become a song which questioned the meaning of Empire and reordered the world. What might the disciples of this Jesus say about advocating to those in power, offering a voice when so many have been unjustly silenced?

REV. SIMON HANSFORD MODERATOR

This single grain of sand in the whirlwind of Caesar’s empire is what transforms everything. This assertion of God that we are worthy of hope and life; God’s hope, God’s gift of life.

Sit with this, for a moment.

Too easily and too often we have been convinced it is our failure which motivates God’s act, as if God is harnessed and haltered by us. Too simply and too loudly we are told that God was so angry at our sinfulness that God’s son is only born to die, making our lives and prayers engagements of fear over love.

What sense does the advent of God make for communities addressing the immediate challenge of floods, or striving for recovery after a season of extraordinary rainfall?

When we are overwhelmed with loss, or chaos, or with grief, the presence of God in the world is found in the starkness of a stable, or even less. Our loss is not airbrushed, or ignored, but God is present in the chaos of our lives. Emmanuel, “God with Us” means precisely that, and never more than when all sems to crumble.

God, exercising extraordinary hope in the birth of Jesus, invites a response from us: to act in hope, in life, as God has acted, and continues to act.

Lend a helping hand

This Christmas we encourage those of you that can lend a helping hand and those that are in need to visit our website: findafeed.uca.org.au where you will find a range of support services and help.

We are too quickly inclined to believe the worst of ourselves and the worst of God.

As God breaks into the world as Jesus, we hear and see – and proclaim – God’s absolute engagement, God’s entire commitment to our lives and to our world.

At the heart of the Christmas event is God’s statement of faith in us. The gift of Jesus for the sake of the world.

What does that mean right now, that God has hope in us?

As I write this piece, the travesty of Russia’s invasion and war continues in Ukraine; while war scars other nations not deemed as newsworthy. What does hope mean as Ukraine fights for its very existence?

As empires which we have trusted, or feared, for these last few centuries topple and seem likely to fall – into disrepair, or despotismthere are echoes of Herod’s violent jealousy as a tiny baby destabilised everything he believed about power.

What sense does the birth of Jesus make as we consider formalising a voice to Parliament for our First Peoples?

God elects to offer life, because God is completely convinced of our value. The truth that God has chosen to become precisely like us is not just a wonder, but the profound assertion of the inherent worth we have to the God of all creation.

Can we believe that at Christmas – and in the astounding wonder which awaits the world at Easter – that we see the best of the living God, because God believes in what is possible for us?

As Mary and Elizabeth sing with prophecy and power, as the angels’ song fills the sky, as shepherds stumble to the light and magi find their way, as Herod’s depredations appal us still, and as we wait for the family’s return from Egypt;

We name a God who is with humanity in all our wonder and all our frailty, and yet declares in the child born where all God’s hope resides –in Jesus and thus, in us.

#moderatorinsession #AllOfThisIsUs

GOD

IS PRESENT IN THE CHAOS OF OUR LIVES. EMMANUEL “GOD WITH US"

your sayONLINE

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

Morisset Uniting Church Runs Over 50s Expo

Morisset is a town on the southern end of Lake Macquarie which is one hour from Hornsby and 45 minutes from Newcastle. Lake Macquarie City Council has designated Morisset as a regional growth area and there is plenty of construction and development. One aspect in this rapid growth is in retirement living villages and there are eight in the surrounding area and another large one in the planning stage.

Morisset Uniting Church has a large group from that demographic so we considered running an over 50s expo.

We had several things in our favour. Our church buildings were constructed around the turn of the 21st century. They are basically two commercial steel framed buildings with a large foyer the width of the building between the two structures.

This allowed us to open up the entire complex to give a free flow of visitors from the foyer through the church hall and then back through the foyer to the church on the other side. Also the building is accessible from ground level without steps and each doorway is double width so with both doors open access is easy for people with walkers and even wheelchairs.

Finally we realised people moving out of full time employment, navigating Centrelink, moving into retirement and accessing goods and services that they had never needed in their life before, are going through some of the biggest changes in their life and are looking for solutions.

We invited local retailers and service providers, who have retirees as a large part of their clientele and volunteer groups, to take a stall and Services Australia and Services NSW sent specialist reps to answer questions and run specific seminars throughout the day. In putting the expo together we had the privilege of speaking to business owners and showing them the local Uniting Church is there to help.

Leading up to the expo, we had several opportunities to build a relationship when they actually were looking forward to come to our venue. Also we got both the local State and Federal MPs to come and we are building a good relationship with them too.

On the day of the expo we had several hundred seniors, their carers and family members walking through the church buildings. While we were looking for a successful event, it was even more important that all participants had a successful day and to business owners that can include networking with others who are in the same industry.

PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH THE BIGGEST CHANGES IN THEIR LIFE AND LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS

Wayside pays tribute to donors

The Sculpture, called ‘The Wings of our Angels,’ is representative of the many generous people who have included Wayside Chapel in their Will and, according to the artist, Joel Adler, the work is evergreen.

“It’s about adding the plaques of the names of people who have made a gift in their Will to Wayside.

“It’s really important that the feathers of the wings are slowly growing over time. So that’s why there’s a lot of empty space in the work. I’m hoping in 20 years’ time we’ll

The sculpture was installed in Wayside’s rooftop garden at its Community Centre in Kings Cross and was officially unveiled in a ceremony at 10:30 am on Wednesday, 12 October.

It is hoped that the installation of this sculpture will inspire more conversations about legacy giving and to encourage people to include Wayside, which supports so many in the community who face major life challenges, in their Will.

Mr Handley said Wayside was part of the fabric of Sydney. “Wayside Chapel is a place of

Wayside Chapel even more special by facilitating the artwork of Joel Adler and Aunty Nancy Long that will be enjoyed by everyone who walks through the doors of Wayside Chapel.”

respite for those who need it most, that gives a loving hand of help to make life easier for many while helping others back on to their feet,” he said.

The sculpture itself was generously funded by Alexander Michael – a renowned designer –in honour of his late husband, Tony White – one of Australia’s most celebrated fine jewelers and an avid art

TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING, THE SCULPTURE PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE AMAZING PEOPLE WHO LEAVE A GIFT IN THEIR WILL TO WAYSIDE.

THE UNVEILING OF THE WINGS OF OUR ANGELS SCULPTURE BY JOEL ADLER AND AUNTY NANCY LONG

IT IS HOPED THAT THE INSTALLATION OF THIS SCULPTURE WILL INSPIRE MORE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT LEGACY GIVING

John Brogden addresses Mental Health at Soul Care 2022

In a wide ranging address, the former Opposition leader directly addressed suicide and stigmas surrounding attempts.

“I’m on a bit of a crusade to talk about, not just lived experience, but living experience,” he said.

“Lived experience suggests your depression has come and gone. In my case, living with depression and suicidal ideation, probably for the rest of my life, this is a living experience.”

Mr Brogden noted that it was significant to be addressing people in the building where Lifeline started.

Rev. Dr Alan Walker received a phone call from someone looking to commit suicide.

The Kings Cross police later called to indicate that the man had followed through on the threat.

“It was at that point that Alan Walker decided to (form) Lifeline,” Mr Brogden said.

The time that Lifeline was formed, he said, was during a time when suicide was heavily stigmatised. Doctors who were at the place of death would often “fib” in order to cover up what had happened.

“That puts it in even greater context than you might consider,” Mr Brogden said.

Rev. Dr Walker also went on to form Lifeline International. Currently, this organisation is working on a worldwide campaign to destigmatise suicide, which remains a crime in around 35 countries.

“For an unsuccessful suicide attempt (in these countries) the punishment is gaol time,” he said.

“Now, don’t look down your nose (at these countries) because we were there 60 years ago. We need to move forward and work with these countries…to try and end this injustice.”

Of the ways to prevent suicide, Mr Brogden mentioned removing the means (such as by putting fences on bridges) and setting up crisis lines.

“If our assessment of that person is that there is a high risk of suicide, we would call an ambulance and police to that person,” he said.

On average, Lifeline Australia answers some 3600 calls from people. According to Mr Brogden, before Australia’s bushfires in 2019 and the pandemic, it was around 2000.

Mr Brogden noted that suicide itself decreased by six percent during 2020 to 2021, but noted that there was a greater demand for Lifeline and more instances of self-harm.

“I’m now convinced that the more people that reach out to us at Lifeline, the better.”

“I would prefer those people reaching out than suffering in silence.”

He said he hoped that one of the good things that could come out of COVID was that people could talk more about mental health.

“We’re there to be used…If people are reaching out to use us, I couldn’t be happier,” he said.

Mr Brogden was previously the State Opposition Leader, the youngest person to ever hold this role.

He was diagnosed with depression in 2006 after an attempt to take his own life. This, he said, was following long-term issues with suicide ideation dating back to when he was 10.

JONATHAN FOYE

If this article has brought issues up for you, help is available. Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

I’M NOW CONVINCED THAT THE MORE PEOPLE THAT REACH OUT TO US AT LIFELINE, THE BETTER

Lithgow to Yamba

NEW BEGINNINGS

While he said he would miss Lithgow, Rev. Trounce said he looked forward to starting his new ministry at Yamba.

“The way that things have worked out…each placement has been a surprise to me,” he said.

Rev. Trounce told Insights that Lithgow Uniting Church had proven to be a, “Very community-focused church with lots of funerals and community groups.”

“Our whole family put down roots here, we raised our family here” he said.

Rev. Trounce has been minister at Lithgow for the past 14 years. “When we first visited, we arrived in September in the middle of spring,” he recalled. “It was like the garden of Eden, it was amazing.

A GREAT TEAM

"There is a great team here.” Rev. Trounce said that the ministry involved a lot of work with the local community, including working with local groups. He also estimated that he would have performed between 800 to 1000 funerals. “That connects you to families,” he said.

“We created partnerships, including with the Lithgow environment group and the Beehive.It’s suffered through COVID but it’s in a rebuilding phase. Those local connections are the strengths and the things I’ll miss.”

“The importance of timing was quite obvious,” he said. “My wife has family history in Yamba. I jokingly told ACOMP years ago that Yamba had come up.”

“Friends doing supply up there suggested my name. We said maybe we should explore it this time. We had one conversation and that felt stronger.”

With their children now grown up, Rev. Trounce said that the time had come to consider the move.

“We met a group of enthusiastic and passionate people about mission,” he recalled.

“They said, “We’re a fairly new church, looking to start our community connections and do think creatively about how we do mission.”

“It’s a blessing to be involved in ministry. To be involved with people in the spiritual stuff of life…is the greatest blessing.”

“I’m so thankful for the experiences I’ve had in my first two placements.”

Rev. Trounce is moving to Yamba in January. He starts as Minister at Yamba Uniting Church on 1 February 2023.

JONATHAN FOYE

Lithgow Uniting Church’s current minister Rev. Matthew Trounce will be making a life changing move next year when he becomes the minister at Yamba on the far north coast

TO BE INVOLVED WITH PEOPLE IN THE SPIRITUAL STUFF OF LIFE IS THE GREATEST BLESSING

Paddington Markets is hosting a Uniting Church stall at their markets on Saturday 10th December and Saturday 17th December. All are warmly welcome to come along to the market!

Christmas 2022 at Paddington Markets and Paddington Uniting Church

The Paddington Markets is a missional initiative of Paddington Uniting Church and encourages faith, justice, inclusiveness and creativity. The heart of the markets is the worshipping community of Paddington Uniting Church. The ministry team, Rev. Danielle Hemsworth-Smith and Rev. Trish Rooney are hosting a series of creative, interactive, reflective and thought-provoking activities for all ages during Advent and Christmas. Every Saturday during Paddington Markets, when you hear the sound of the bell at 11am ringing, why not join us for Holy Communion in the church?

NEWS FROM UNITING CHURCH ADULT FELLOWSHIP (UCAF)

Fellowship news

Hope, Peace, Joy and Love

THIS CHRISTMAS

It is hard to believe another year is almost over and we have been blessed as some Rallies and gatherings have been able to go ahead with great responses from not only fellowships but members of Congregations. With declining Fellowship numbers holding these events for all congregation members is certainly the way forward.

HUNTER PRESBYTERY GATHERING

This year reflect on the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love rather than the hustle and bustle of Christmas. Hope is for many that Christmas is coming soon. Peace, we hold the same peace and hope in our hearts in our anticipation. Joy, there is a sense of joy in our waiting just as there is a sense of joy in what is coming and love. We all know we are loved by God, and we have the same joy, peace and hope in our anticipation as the prophets had.

Remember in our prayers those in our world where it is not a season of joy or excitement and hold in our hearts people where joy is absent, those empty, low in spirit , lost and alone.

The Hunter Presbytery Gathering at Hamilton Uniting Church was a wonderful day. It was a great opportunity to share and connect after the long absence. Special speaker was Rev. Jon Owen from the Wayside Chapel, and his message left a great impact on all. The offering of $960 was given to Wayside Chapel along with $1000 from Bills Café which operates out of Hamilton Uniting Church. Eight members of the NSW and ACT Synod Committee also attended with Rev. Noreen Towers as Chairperson bringing greetings.

PARRAMATTA-NEPEAN PRESBYTERY GATHERING

Paramatta-Nepean Presbytery held its gathering at Grantham Heights. Rev. Noreen Towers led the program and special guest was Rebecca Andrews from Pitt Town Church who spoke on the project, “Building Wells in West Papua. This is making a huge difference to the health and wellbeing of so many in that area. The wells cost $2500 to

install and it was wonderful to be able to give $1100 which was the offering to the group. A musical program from the “Summer Salsa Band” with a theme of “Water” entertained all present.

FLYING PADRE IN BROKEN HILL

The NSW/ACT UCAF project continues to support the Mission and Work of David Shrimpton the Flying Padre stationed in Broken Hill. It is hoped to have a YouTube presentation on this vital work in the outback for congregations to share in the new year.

NORFOLK ISLAND GATHERING

Geoff and Judy Hicks from the UCAF Committee, were able to share greetings with the UC Congregation on Norfolk Island. “Bring a Plate” Cookbooks were also presented to be used in their ministry.

Please continue to save your Stamps for the Stamp Committee.

Appreciation Certificates are still being given to 80, 90, and 100 year olds.

Christmas blessings to all as we await with anticipation the coming of the Christ Child.

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

Margaret Pedler our National UCAF Chairperson sends greetings to all, and enclosed is part of her letter:

REV. DR ROB MCFARLANE

The Presbytery Project

STRENGTHENING OUR CONNECTIONS

We made some big commitments in 2021 across all of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT. As members of Synod, we committed ourselves to five Future Directions: 1. Rural and regional ministry 2. Ministry with people in the first third of their lives 3. Walking together with First Peoples and to the covenant with Congress 4. Stewardship of the earth 5. Working with presbyteries to organise ourselves to promote growth within and through our congregations

This issue, we explore the latter commitment, empowering our presbyteries and working with them to ensure our churches are equipped for the road ahead. Rev. Dr Rob McFarlane explores the presbyteries’ role as the core council of the church for empowering congregations and what the Presbytery Project will mean from 2023 to 2025.

The Presbytery Project

The Presbytery Project draws on a commitment we made when we gathered physically at our 2019 Synod meeting. We committed ourselves to reorganise ourselves for growth in four areas: Discipleship, Relationship, Number, Impact.

The Presbytery Project is deeply grounded in who we are as the Uniting Church. In the Basis of Union, we recognise the centrality of our gathered communities as we affirm “The Congregation is the embodiment in one place of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, worshipping, witnessing and serving as a fellowship of the Spirit in Christ.” Our roots in the Basis are why we can call this particular Future Direction “an ongoing commitment.”

Recognising presbyteries as the core council of the church for empowering congregations, the commitments behind the Presbytery Project provide a oncein-a-generation opportunity to reboot ourselves for growth.

I’ve emphasised the importance of congregations and presbyteries, but it’s important to recognise that none of the five Future Directions commitments sits apart from the others. They all interact. They don’t compete.

As the commitments themselves intersect, so too it’s important to affirm that they are each-and-all everybody’s work. We’re long past the time when we could think that rural ministry or young people or First Peoples or environmental stewardship or discipleship or evangelism was someone else’s “thing”. We can’t just hand any of these commitments to an agency or committee to do while we keep on with business as usual. We affirmed at our 40th anniversary across the whole Uniting Church in Australia in 2017, “All of this is us.”

all of tis

The Synod Standing Committee (SSC) has worked to put people and processes in place to call us all to this work, with a timeline over the 2023 and 2025 Synod meetings. One early piece of work was establishing a Presbytery Project Working Group from among SSC members with strong support from David Rudd, Director of Innovations and Projects in our Synod. The Working Group includes people from across the life of the church.

One of the key places where the work of the Presbytery Project is unfolding is a monthly gathering of presbytery and synod leaders for Conversations that Matter (CTM). This is a loose group, with presbyteries appointing the people most relevant in their context rather than being a gathering of just chairpersons or presbytery ministers. It’s a gathering of staff and office-bearers, lay and ordained, along with the Moderator, General Secretary, Associate Secretary, and other Synod leaders.

The Working Group has led to the creation of a new role across all our presbyteries in NSW & the ACT –Presbytery Relations Minister – a role to which I have been called. Some of this work is with individual presbyteries dealing with immediate and pressing questions.

One way that I articulate our shared work is to help presbyteries be as missional and healthy as possible, on sustainable foundations. Being missional for a presbytery means thinking always how to help congregations be outward-focussed as they find their place in the Missio Dei – the mission of God. This talk of mission may all sound familiar, but the reality is that we have to discover totally new ways of being church for the sake of the world as well as relating to one another in life-giving ways.

The language of “sustainable” has had a lot of robust conversation, with some arguing that it sounds like maintenance of the status quo. However, we have often seen situations where new work begins but then withers for lack of resources, or that valuable work is supported but in such a resourcedependent way that it can’t multiply beyond itself. We are discovering both what it means to travel light, as Jesus sent out his followers, and also how to maximise the benefit of the resources that we have.

There is a history of our Synod and others working to transform presbyteries to be the best that we can be. These reviews and processes were undertaken in good faith by good people. However, often these efforts came to be seen as focussed on structures, especially around numbers: How many presbyteries should we have in a synod? We honour those who have gone before us, and will be informed by the best of the work done in the 2000s and 2010s. We also recognise that we need new ways of discerning to discern new ways of being.

Sometimes people have said that the problem is with our Regulations, that they are “one size fits all”. Perhaps part of the issue is how we have read the Regulations. As we move forward in the Presbytery Project we see the Regulations as describing the work that needs to be done, but not assuming that “the way we do things around here” is the way things need to be done.

SO, WHAT DOES THIS WORK LOOK LIKE? WHAT WILL TURN WORDS INTO ACTION?

BEING MISSIONAL FOR A PRESBYTERY MEANS THINKING ALWAYS HOW TO HELP CONGREGATIONS BE OUTWARDFOCUSSED AS THEY FIND THEIR PLACE IN THE MISSION OF GOD

The PresbyteryProject

The Presbytery Project is all about encouraging creativity and developing options. We don’t know what presbyteries in NSW & the ACT will look like in five years, but we have some sense of the forces that will shape us.

One definite dimension is geography, where we MIGHT think of urban, coastal and western presbyteries as different models.

Another dimension MIGHT be how we think of Synod resourcing of presbyteries, with Synod roles possibly embedded within presbyteries.

I mentioned the Presbytery Project Working Group’s timeline over Synod meetings in September 2023 and April 2025.

For Synod 2023 we will bring the results of conversations in an opening and expanding way: divergence. We are in the process of rolling out workshops and research to map “what is.” Questions include:

• Who is currently doing what with whom to resource our presbyteries and congregations?

• What is needed for a presbytery to be sustainable? Within its own resources or supported more widely?

• What is equity?

As we reflect on what we are hearing from each other we will grow collaboratively towards definite proposals that will come to the full meeting of Synod in April 2025: convergence. Along the journey we will reflect and act, and reflect and act, and reflect and act, and so collaborative proposals will emerge. By April 2025 we may have already done the work that has sometimes seemed impossible, and ask ourselves, “Why do we even need to talk about this?”

Be part of this journey!

REV. DR ROB MCFARLANE PRESBYTERY RELATIONS MINISTER SYNOD OF NSW AND ACT

Engadine Uniting Church trives beyond worship

Engadine Uniting Church is one of many local congregations of the Uniting Church in southern Sydney.

Starting as a Methodist church in the 1950s, Engadine Uniting Church is engaged with 21st-century theological and ethical questions. Located in the Sutherland Shire, the congregation is engaged in progressive theological reflection, social inclusion, justice practices, and peacemaking. The congregation partners with and supports local, state, national and global community organisations as they work together for the common good.

Engadine Uniting Church has taken several steps to change the focus of their ministry over the last years to open their perspective and support the work of a minister in Placement that would look more outwardly into the community for its purpose and mission.

Engadine Uniting Church is a very active congregation. They take action for each of the issues they stand for.

Loraine Holley is the congregation Correspondence Secretary and Sue McKinnon is Church Council Chair at Engadine Uniting Church.

“Holding events is what we do. Over the last two years, we have held a beeswax wrap making workshop to talk about environmental stewardship; ‘Knit for Climate’ bees to create Climate Scarves to present to federal politicians and call for more action on climate; workshops on understanding and managing anxiety in children; a community forum on drug law reform with the NSW Attorney General; we’ve gone in groups to the student climate strikes and interfaith vigils down at Cronulla outside Morrison’s office; online webinars on restorative justice, peacemaking, and tender solidarity during lockdown; annual letter writing workshops with the local chapter of Amnesty; Day of Mourning services every year ahead of 26th January; a Hiroshima Day remembrance gathering; a ‘meet the candidates’ forum

ahead of the local government elections; a volunteer information evening to support a new local food van, and some concerts in the basement for fun and fundraising” they said.

Insights recently attended one of these events, a fundraiser dinner to support UnitingWorld’s project to provide Community Health and Nutrition in Timor-Leste. It was a night full of joy, delicious food, live music and ice cream. A night where everyone could feel a congregation working together towards the same goal: enjoy each other’s company while making a difference.

Nicolas Duran, UnitingWorld’s Donor Relationships Manager, was also invited. He delivered a brief presentation about the project and why their support was vital to success. He told Insights that, “having the support of so many Uniting Church congregations across Australia has been vital to make our initiatives work, succeed and make a real impact in so many people across the countries where UnitingWorld has a presence through their church partners.”

Mr Duran also said that “Engadine UC had supported UnitingWorld since 2000. This congregation started a close relationship with Timor-Leste in 2020. They had the chance to have our colleagues from Bali a couple of times before Covid to share the stories of our Community Health and Nutrition project in Timor-Leste. They have also supported UnitingWolrd by running Everything in Common gift stalls during Christmas, Lent Events and emergency appeals.”

Rev. Paul Bartlett has been the Minister at Engadine Uniting Church since the beginning of 2020. As a retired minister who lived in the area he valued the opportunity to be involved in Engadine’s new missional initiative.

He told Insights that “the congregation has a deep and active interest in climate change, gender equality, Indigenous Treaty, and Truth Telling, a local organisation called Project Youth along

with the overseas work of UnitingWorld,” the international aid and partnerships agency of the Uniting Church.

Rev. Bartlett has served the Uniting Church over the past 38 years as a parish minister, NSW Police Chaplain, working for Frontier Services and with UnitingWorld.

“I commenced my work at UnitingWorld as their Donor Relationships Manager in January 2013,” Rev. Barlett said.

“My interest in the overseas work of our church began for me 51 years ago when hunger fasting and fundraising for Bangladeshi refugees. Having shared a similar fundraising role with another agency of our National Assembly for the previous six years, the move to UnitingWorld seemed a perfect fit with my deep interest in the overseas partner churches of our Uniting Church.”

“Given the events in Timor Leste 20 years ago and their work in child protection and literacy, EUC felt this was something they could support. Since that commitment decision was made in early 2020, our congregation has had the privilege of having Debora and Hindra from the South East Asia Regional Office of UnitingWorld, located in Bali, visit our congregation in person and during COVID on Zoom.”

Engadine Uniting Church congregation is diverse. They all share a common desire to impact the world with God’s love regardless of their different ages, backgrounds, life experiences, and views on theology and politics. They are a fellowship of reconciliation, living God’s love and acting for the common good to build a just and compassionate community.

ANGELA CADENA

IT IS A CONGREGATION WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS THE SAME GOAL

TAE LEE, REV, ALLISON FORREST, AND REV. HEEWON CHANG REV. PAUL BARTLETT WITH UNITINGWORLD’S DONOR RELATIONSHIPS MANAGER, NICOLAS DURAN

A NIGHT FULL OF JOY, DELICIOUS FOOD, LIVE MUSIC AND ICE CREAM 'KNIT FOR CLIMATE’ TO CREATE CLIMATE SCARVES TO PRESENT TO FEDERAL POLITICIANS

Seforosa Carroll named Lecturer in Cross Cultural Ministry and Theology

Rev. Dr Seforosa Carroll will join United Theological College as lecturer in Cross Cultural Ministry and Theology in 2023.

“In 1985 the UCA declared itself a “multicultural church” and has developed several statements since,” Rev. Dr Carroll said.

“I understand the role to be about accompanying the UCA in thinking theologically, and in addition developing and strengthening cross cultural competencies in who we are as a church in a universal sense, and in particular, as the UCA.”

“How do we and what are the tangible practical ways of fully living into that vision?”

According to Rev. Dr Carroll the role consists of two parts: teaching which involves a combination of teaching contextual and systematic theology subjects and involvement in the formation for both lay and ordained ministry through a cross-cultural lens.

Rev. Dr Carroll comes to the role with experience spanning across the church. At the time of writing, she was finishing up as programme executive for Mission and Mission from the Margins for the World Council of Churches.

“The United Theological College has a strong tradition of being at the forefront of advocating cross-cultural and contextual theologies, both at the undergraduate and research levels,” Rev. Dr Caroll said.

“It is a community that brings and holds together people from diverse cultural backgrounds including the host culture. But the teaching of cross cultural ministry and theology cannot be limited to those of linguistically diverse backgrounds but an imperative for all students,” she added.

“At a practical level, this will have implications for how students at UTC understand and practice ministry in the Australian context including that of the diaspora, and theologically, it will be about enabling students to make connections with and understand the implications of theology and its practice within a global ecumenical context.”

“What excites me about this role is that the scope of cross cultural ministry is very broad and there are many intersecting issues and concerns – the challenge is enabling people to make connections between issues and the role of theology and accompanying practices to make transformative changes.”

“I look forward to being part of and working together as a team in academic teaching, involvement in the formation process and developing strategies for living cross culturally as a church.”

Rev. Dr Seforosa Carroll begins at United Theological College on 1 January 2023.

JONATHAN FOYE

THE CHALLENGE IS ENABLING PEOPLE TO MAKE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN ISSUES AND THE ROLE OF THEOLOGY AND ACCOMPANYING PRACTICES TO MAKE TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGES

Schofield Loans Building more sustainable churches

ESTABLISHED IN 1898, SCHOFIELD LOANS WERE CREATED FOLLOWING A BEQUEST FROM THE LATE REV. WILLIAM SCHOFIELD, WHO DIED IN 1878 AND LEFT A SUM OF £22,000 IN HIS WILL TO BE EMPLOYED AS A PERPETUAL LOAN FUND FOR CHURCHES.

Rev. Schofield, originally from Yorkshire, England, took a six-month voyage to Australia in 1814, becoming a minister for the New South Wales and Queensland Conference of the Australian Wesleyan Methodist Church. During his years of service Rev. Schofield acted as a chaplain in Tasmania, Sydney and Melbourne.

After making provision for his immediate relatives, Rev. Schofield left the whole of his property – worth £22,000 – to the church. Further benefactions were added in 1993 when proceeds from the former Presbyterian Church were incorporated. More than 140 years after Rev. Schofield’s passing, congregations within the Uniting Church are still benefiting from funding due to his generous bequest.

HOW CAN A SCHOFIELD LOAN HELP?

A Schofield Loan is a low-interest loan available to Uniting Church organisations for repairs to church buildings and manse properties and for installing solar power.

The funds and associated borrowing will assist congregations in the work with the Synod’s Future Directions strategy.

Your organisation can apply for a loan of up to $50,000 for repairs to church buildings, $25,000 for repairs to manse properties or $15,000 for installing solar power to help cut your energy bills and improve the sustainability of your building. All loans are subject to Synod approval.

Should your organisation wish to borrow more than the amounts on offer, UFS can also discuss whether we can assist with an additional loan at a reduced rate to help you carry out planned repair works.

More information on the terms and conditions of Schofield Loans can be found on the Uniting Financial Services website, or you can contact the UFS Partner Solutions and Support team on 1300 133 673 or via email at: contactus@unitingfinancial.com.au

MAKING THE MOST OF REBATES

For solar installations, your organisation may be eligible for a government rebate and may also receive payment for any excess energy that is fed back to the grid within the National Energy Market. Tariffs vary by state. Find out more at energy.gov.au

LEAVING A LASTING LEGACY

If you are interested in leaving a bequest to the Uniting Church in your estate plan to help our Church organisations as Rev Schofield did, more information can be found here: nswact.uca.org.au/media/1391/uc_bequest_lowres.pdf

Is your church suffering from a leaky roof, worn-out windows or a crumbling façade? Do you need to upgrade a kitchen or bathroom in your church or manse? Is your Church’s technology in need of an upgrade? Is your organisation’s energy bill burning through much-needed funding? If so, you may be able to benefit from a Schofield Loan.

Can Star Wars Inform Theology?

Ben Espinoza is Theology and the Star Wars Universe’s editor and a practical theologian. He told Insights that the book had its basis in another, earlier project.

“There was a call for papers that caught my attention for Theology and the Marvel Universe,” he recalled.

“Being a practical theologian and pop culture nerd, I wanted to contribute something to the book. That didn’t end up working out, but I discovered that the book was part of a larger series that Matthew William Brake had started called Theology and Popular Culture (now Theology, Religion, and Popular Culture).”

“There was a call for manuscript submissions, and I wanted to put something together. I had initially thought about Star Trek or something related to Pixar, but landed on Star Wars.”

James McGrath is Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language & Literature

at Butler University and one of the book’s contributors. His chapter explores the notion of ‘cannon’ and how this has impacted on the franchise.

“Having already explored canon in Star Wars, and developed a card game to explore parallels between canon in the biblical sense and in relation to fandom, this seemed the appropriate topic for me to focus on,” he said.

“In particular I had been struck by the Jedi sacred texts that are in Luke’s possession in The Last Jedi. He considers burning the sacred tree that houses them and Yoda

beats him to it, with some interesting commentary to offer on texts, learning, and other things, including the fact that people esteem texts without necessarily truly embracing or even being familiar with their contents.”

THINKING ABOUT POP CULTURE IN NEW WAYS

Dr Espinoza said that the book has so far been, “Very well-received.”

“I’m receiving emails on a weekly basis from folks saying how much they’ve enjoyed the book,” he said.

“I’m hoping that folks are asking better and deeper questions about the media they consume, the messages these media send, and how we can think about culture in fresh ways.”

Despite its broader themes, Star Wars is not a text that makes for direct Christian analogies. The Force is a nontheistic power that binds the fictional universe together. According to Dr Espinoza, there is still much to draw from.

“That’s an interesting question–there was no lack of folks who wanted to examine the series from a theistic perspective,” he said.

“I had around 50 to 60 chapter proposals but could only accept a handful due to page constraints. But the connections between theism and the Star Wars universe are endless, as you can see in the book.”

“Perhaps a large challenge is that there are some analogous concepts to monotheistic religions, but the analogies aren’t perfect (the Holy Spirit is NOT the

force!). Moreover, I would argue that there are several “Christ figures” throughout the franchise, not just one.”

Dr McGrath observed that there are many themes within the franchise that make for fertile exploration.

“I think the power and popularity of Star Wars is that it sits comfortably at the intersection of many genres. It is sci-fi but also fantasy,” he said.

“It is ultimately a drama about redemption, parenting, heroism, and much more that we can relate to in the real world and yet which fictional stories always seem to help us think about in new ways and with important insights to offer.”

“It made explicit room for religion but in a manner that was more about mystery and the mystical than spelling out the beliefs and dogmas of aliens in detail. It refused to offer a simple story of good vs. evil, showing that the best

and worst characters are all a mixture of both.”

“The book’s chapters and its various authors range across many aspects of the franchise: robots, ethics, nonviolence, dualism, clergy, discipleship, and much more.”

Dr Espinoza said that he hopes the book will prompt wider discussion about faith and popular culture.

“I’m excited to see the reception of the book in the months and years to come, and I’m hoping that we can

start to have more “water cooler” conversations of a theological nature,” he said.

“The Star Wars universe is becoming so deep and so wide, and I’m hopeful that the franchise can continue to be a great conversation partner in the areas of spirituality, faith, justice, and hope.”

JONATHAN FOYE

Theology and the Star Wars Universe is available now: tinyurl.com/starwarstheology

A NEW BOOK DRAWS TOGETHER THE WORLD OF STAR WARS AND THE WORLD OF THEOLOGY.

IT IS ABOUT REDEMPTION, PARENTING, HEROISM, AND MORE THAT WE CAN RELATE TO IN THE REAL WORLD

Gifts of Partnership

Uniting Church in Australia President Rev. Sharon Hollis met with church partners from across Southeast Asia recently. While she was there, she got to see the fruits of UnitingWorld’s work in partnership with local churches and the power that Everything in Common gifts can have.

On the invitation of UnitingWorld, Rev Hollis joined UnitingWorld’s Southeast Asia partners conference in Bali, which brought together partners from Bali, Maluku, Timor-Leste, East Nusa Tenggara (West Timor), Papua and West Papua and Sulawesi.

As well as leading opening worship for the 4-day conference, Rev. Hollis led a session on the Biblical imperative for safeguarding and gave a Uniting Church perspective on how we seek to be a 'safe church'.

It sparked a lively and honest discussion about the historic failings of churches to protect people, as well as the cultural challenges of gender equality that our partners are working to shift in their communities.

The workshop sessions were predominantly led by partners, and Rev Hollis loved to hear more about the work they are doing with the support of UnitingWorld to develop their communities and share the good news.

“It was a joy to be there in person and to meet with overseas partners and hear about the work they’re doing, share their

joys and their sorrows and share in the good news of the gospel together,” said Rev. Hollis.

Conference delegates also got the chance to visit several community development programs run by host partner, Gereja Kristen Protestan di Bali (GKP, the Protestant Christian Church in Bali).

Rev. Hollis met with program participants in rural Bali who were helped to start goat and chicken-breeding businesses and was touched by their stories.

It was remarkable to see how a few simple things like goats and chickens can provide much-needed extra income and transform the lives of our neighbours across the world,” said Rev. Hollis.

“When people have better food security and a sustainable income, they aren’t just healthier but have joy and hope for the future. It fills me with the same.”

WHEN PEOPLE HAVE BETTER FOOD SECURITY AND A SUSTAINABLE INCOME, THEY AREN’T JUST HEALTHIER BUT HAVE JOY AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

CONFERENCE DELEGATES VISITED A LOCAL GKPB CONGREGATION IN RURAL BALI, WHERE THEY SHARED A MEAL AND HEARD ABOUT THE LIVES OF THE SMALL (BUT IMPACTFUL!) LOCAL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY.

THE GIFT OF INCOME AND NUTRITION

Chickens are a mighty source of nutrition and income. Not only do they provide meat and eggs, keeping families healthy and strong, but they can be sold as a form of sustainable income.

“I learned not only how to do chicken farming but also how to sell the chickens and earn an income,” said one participant, Slamet. “I was really happy with this assistance because it really helped my family survive during difficulties we faced.”

It’s filled with Christmas gifts that support Uniting Church partners in the Pacific, Asia and Africa to fight poverty and build hope. These gifts won't be left collecting dust but will transform the lives of those who need it most. Here’s a few of the life-changing gifts you can give this Christmas.

THE GIFT OF A HOPEFUL FUTURE

Children in Timor-Leste suffer some of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world. With this gift, you can provide them with the nutrition supplements and education they need to help them grow and be healthy.

“The children were easy to get sick and developed low body weight,” said one community member. “[UnitingWorld partner] Fusona provided health education for parents and nutritious food for their children, particularly those malnourished and losing body weight. The staff also provided soap to them so they can wash their hands.”

THE GIFT OF SUSTAINABLE INCOME AND NUTRITION

Goats truly do change lives. Not only are they a source of milk and nutrition, they can also be bred and sold to earn a sustainable income. A little goat goes a long way!

For Nengah’s family, getting food on the table was often a struggle. But when her mum received goats and training through this project, they never went hungry and could even afford to send Nengah and her brother to school.

“I feel very happy with the goats,” Nengah said. “They eat a lot!”

Ethical Ministry Refresher | Topic 2023B

Engaging in Ministry

Much has happened during this time not only with our schools having to cope with the challenges of the pandemic, but our schools have also been incorporated as legally separate entities.

The appointment of Rev. Stuart Bollom as Director of Mission –Schools, has been key to a growing growing partnership and collaboration with our schools. We have seven UCA schools across the Synod of NSW and ACT, five in Sydney (MLC, Newington, Ravenswood, PLC and Knox Grammar School), Kinross Wolaroi in Orange and Margaret Jurd College in Newcastle.

On Friday 28 October, Ravenswood Religious Education Department did an

amazing job of hosting RE teachers from our schools for professional development and resource sharing. It was a great day, learning about how meditation in class can deepen young people and children’s experience of God and life.

There was reflection on Future Directions, the Synod’s new strategic direction, one strand of which is focussed on people in their first third of life, the role that Religious Education (RE) teachers within our school plays in the mission and ministry of the Synod.

Other sessions included how to understand and support staff and students who are part of the LGBQTI+ community. There were times of community building, networking and resource sharing. It was a privilege to work with these amazing teachers who have such a passion for young people, seeing them growing in discipleship. Many are of our RE teachers are members of our local Uniting Churches.

On Monday 31 October, the Moderator hosted our schools Student Leadership Day. A gathering of our young student leaders from across the schools, to support and network with them, teach them more about the Uniting Church and explore leadership more deeply.

ALICE SALOMON FROM UNITING ADVOCACY TRAINING STUDENTS

THE MODERATOR, REV. SIMON HANSFORD ADDRESSING THE STUDENTS

One of the sessions on this afternoon was with Alice Salomon from Uniting Advocacy who shared how our faith inspires us as leaders and trained the young leaders in community organising and how who they can connect with in the areas that matter to them, like climate action.

The highlight was watching the relationships grow from strangers to friends by the end of the day. It was also fascinating to watch how quickly students got the hang of consensus decision making, waving their cards around in support.

The goal was that by the end of the day, they would have a couple of projects they could work collaborate on. We look forward to see how this progresses when we catch up again next term.

Finally on Thursday 3 November, the first gathering of schools ministry leaders, strategic Presbytery leaders and Congregational leaders from areas near our schools gathered. Effective ministry begins with listening to each other and understanding each other’s context rather than bringing assumptions and imposing our own ideas.

The group focussed on sharing our ministries, looking for synergies and committing to praying for each other. Some great ideas emerged, with the group determined to continue to meet again early in the New Year. The hope for this conversation is to forge a strong relationship between local congregations and key leadership within the schools, as the group explores ways we can collaborate in worship, witness and service to our communities.

KAREN MITCHELL LAMBERT (PULSE LEAD) WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM REV. STUART BOLLOM DIRECTOR OF MISSION –SCHOOL

STUDENTS DEMONSTRATING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONSENSUS MODEL OF DECISION MAKING

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TEACHERS GATHERING

Walking Together, the inaugural First Nations Theology Conference, featured four keynote speakers. At points challenging, this was a look into the theology of stolen land and what it meant for the Uniting Church to acknowledge the dispossession and role of Indigenous Australians.

One of the keynote speakers, Anne Pattel-Gray, spoke on the topic, “Raising our Tribal Voice.”

Dr Pattel-Gray is Professor of Indigenous Studies and inaugural Head of the School of Indigenous Studies at The University of Divinity.

“The vision of walking together has been a lifelong goal for [indigenous people]

“In the 1980s and 1990s the [Congress] forged a relationship with the Uniting Church...To lead the way in calling for accountability of its churches and the entire nation.”

Dr Pattel-Gray said that Rev. Charles Harris’ vision was more relevant today than it was, as this was founded on the desire for First Nations people to be selfgoverning.

Western biblical interpretation and cultural assumptions had undermined indigenous women, Dr Pattel-Gray said. This, she said, was why it was important to “de-colonise” readings of scripture. She said that first nations people’s experience must form part of the task of theology, such as the stolen generations, the destruction of indigenous people’s lands, and ongoing removal of children. and high incarceration rates.

“The colonial view of God is one that separates the creator spirit from the land. It is not one that Aboriginal people can relate to,” Dr Pattel-Gray said.

Walking Toge ter

ON 22 OCTOBER, OVER 100 PEOPLE GATHERED IN WESLEY MISSION’S CONFERENCE CENTRE TO HEAR FROM FIRST NATIONS THEOLOGIANS.

Dr Pattel-Gray said that the church will need to decolonise biblical readings and theology.

The topic of a potential indigenous voice to parliament was a repeated topic for the the conference. Rev. Pattel-Gray said first nations peoples required a voice to parliament, so as to “secure the same rights, wealth, power, and privilege, that is enjoyed by all other peoples.”

“Aboriginal people have got to be recognised by the constitution,” she said.

“We’re tired of other people talking for us. That’s why we’re going to need to have a voice to parliament.”

“Those steps, and educating people, and bringing people with us, are going to bring us to…a treaty.”

“I think the wonderful thing that churches could be doing in driving the truth commissions is leading by example…and start setting the record straight.”

“If anyone has the resources to pastorally lead [that process] it’s the church.”

“In this journey is our redemption as a nation.”

Dr Pattel-Gray said that the School of Divinity’s School of Indigenous Studies aimed to raise up the next generation of theologians, leaders, and prophets.

PREPARING TO WALK TOGETHER IN ANCIENT LANDS

The second keynote speaker was Naomi Wolfe. Ms Wolfe is a Lecturer of Indigenous Studies at NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community, Australian Catholic University.

She spoke on the theme, ‘Preparing to walk together in ancient lands.’

Ms Wolfe said there was no relationship yet based on honesty and justice.

“When our kids can’t walk the streets… without being attacked by vigilante

gangs…there’s an urgency here,” she said.

“When Aboriginal churches and congregations are closed because of efficiency, and megachurches remain, there’s an urgency.”

“Can we have healing if we don’t acknowledge the pain and causes?”

“Non-indigenous people are suffering also as they won’t acknowledge the ways that the church [has perpetuated colonisation.”

She said that there was a “sickness” as a result.

This sickness came despite the nation having moments of hope for reconciliation, including the year 2000 march for reconciliation and later, the 2008 Parliamentary apology to the stolen generations

After the later, she recalled, never again’ was a popular sentiment. However, children have since been removed from their families in record numbers.

Ms Wolfe said that some hope remained and that indigenous people had resilience and senses of humour that carried them through.

She added that she did not believe reconciliation was a matter of individual guilt.

“I believe in a faith that is renewing, and is redemptive, so all is not lost,” Ms Wolfe said.

According to Ms Wolfe, telling and exploring were necessary for indigenous and non-indigenous people to walk together.

This included churches finding out on whose land they were built.

“It means holding our church communities responsible and asking those hard questions,” she said.

“So often the burden is on aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to facilitate these processes.”

Ms Wolfe suggested it was now time for non-indigenous Australians to shoulder the burden.

IF ANYONE HAS THE RESOURCES TO PASTORALLY LEAD THAT PROCESS IT’S THE CHURCH. IN THIS JOURNEY IS OUR REDEMPTION AS A NATION

“It’s time for your communities to do the work,” she said.

“What might it look like if your agency started the process for decolonisation?”

“As a historian, I want the richness of indigenous history to be shared and acknowledged.”

“There’s a sense of urgency to all this.”

A KAIROS THRESHOLD OF OPPORTUNITY

Rev Dr Garry Deverell is an Anglican priest and lecturer and research fellow in the School of Indigenous Studies at the Melbourne-based University of Divinity.

He presented a wide-ranging address, this time on the theme of how the church might redress inequity between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.

Rev. Dr Deverell pointed out that those who participated in the massacre, frontier conflicts, and genocidal government policies, were overwhelmingly Christian.

“Many of you continue to deploy an imaginative terra nulius regarding our

people by pretending that we don’t exist.”

“How are the churches, cooperatively, to reckon with the legacy of colonialism?”

Rev. Dr Deverell quoted from Philippians 2. According to Rev. Dr Deverell, there was a direct point of comparison between the Philippians passage and the contemporary church, as contemporary non-indigenous Christians benefited from the stealing of others’ land, and that this mirrored the Philippians’ context.

“How do migrant Christians in churches that are still dominated by euro centric theologies, those who have empowered themselves at the expense of indigenous people, let go of that power and reclaim it in a more…health making kind of way?” he asked.

“If you are Christians, it cannot be a matter of whether you return this power, but how,” he said.

Paul, in the context of Corinthians 8, commands Christians in a wealthier church share their resources with a poorer church to redress the imbalance between them.

He indicated that the process might involve treaties on the local level.

“A treaty is a relationship.”

Rev. Dr Deverell presented a challenge to churches to hand land back to traditional owners.

“One way churches came to receive land was the crown took it from us and passed it along to them without fee or compensation.”

At the denominational level, this included making arrangements to hand properties churches were originally given by the crown back.

At the congregational level, he challenged churches to contribute 10 percent of their annual budget to ministries run by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.

AUNTY YVONNE WELDON, METROPOLITAN

LOCAL ABORIGINAL LAND COUNCILWELCOME TO COUNTRY

NATHAN TYSON, THE SYNOD’S DIRECTOR, FIRST PEOPLES STRATEGY AND ENGAGEMENT

REV. DR CHRIS BUDDEN PICTURED WITH NAOMI WATTS, REV. MARK KICKETT, DR ANNE PATTEL-GRAY AND REV. DR GARY DEVERELL

He said it was a part of the concept of “Setting up camp in the Centre.”

“The fruit of these ministries would make for stronger mob,” he said.

“The churches should allow us to set up camp in the centre of your corporate life. The place where decisions are made about ministry and mission.”

This, he said, would also help the church.

“Your churches are in decline because they are seen as being irrelevant and too corrupt,” he said.

“The churches need to get with the program. They need to get with what the spirit is doing in the world. You need us and our theological perspectives.”

“Our theology is really different to yours,” he said.

Rev. Dr Deverell said the church was at a “Kairos threshold of opportunity.”

A NEW BEGINNING FOR CONGRESS

Rev. Mark Kickett is the Interim National Chairperson, Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC). He presented a keynote session devoted to the history of the Congress and what needed to happen in order to better promote its vision.

“The place that the first nations people have in our church is paramount,” he said. Rev. Kickett said that colonialism was, in the words of J. Kehaulani Kauanui from Wesleyan University, “A structure, not an event”

Against this, Indigenous peoples exist, resist, and persist, and second, that settler colonialism is a structure that endures indigeneity, as it holds out against it.”

“It’s really clear that we build who we are on two world wars, especially the first world war.”

“Out of that we have built this larrikin image that defines what it is to be Australian”

He said that Congress now faced a question of, “how serious the relationship between the Congress and the uniting church is.”

HOPE AND EXPECTATION

The event had the subtitle, How can the church embrace indigenous peoples theology in a postcolonial Australia?

THE PLACE THAT THE FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE HAVE IN OUR CHURCH IS PARAMOUNT

Rev. Charles Harris, he recalled, returned from a Christian Conference of Asia gathering in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand in early 1982 with the question “Why couldn’t Aboriginal Christians, like Māori Christians, take control of their own destiny?”

22 to 26 August 1983 was where the Congress was inaugurated. While it was a big event, according to Rev. Kickett, knowledge of the Congress was not widespread.

“There is a blockage somewhere that does not allow the seeds of this relationship to trickle down to the people in the pews,” he said.

Rev. Kickett shared meeting several people who had never heard about the Congress and the Covenant.

Nathan Tyson was the event MC. He acknowledged that the subtitle implied that Australia, “was not there yet” in terms of being a nation that was “post colonialism.”

Moderator Simon Hansford opened the event. He said there was much to the use of “embrace” in the event title.

“It isn’t tolerate, it isn’t endure, it… requires work and time,” Rev. Hansford said.

“There is hope and expectation in this gathering.” Rev. Hansford said he looked forward to, “many more years of this gathering.”

As well as the keynote addresses, there was a performance from the Pymble Ladies College First Nations Students.

JONATHAN FOYE

DR ANNE PATTEL-GRAY

REV. DR GARY DEVERELL

REV. MARK KICKETT GIVING HIS KEYNOTE BUILDING ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE UNITING ABORIGINAL AND ISLANDER CHRISTIAN CONGRESS.

Asexuality and the

Church

WHAT IS ASEXUALITY?

An asexual person typically experiences little to no sexual attraction. This usually means that they do not feel drawn to other people in a sexual way. Asexuality is different to celibacy, because it is not a choice to abstain from sexual activity, but an inherently different experience of sexuality.

Asexuality is a spectrum containing many different identities and nuances. Some people on the asexual spectrum (or acespec people) do experience sexual attraction under specific circumstances, such as once an emotional bond is formed, while others never experience sexual attraction. Still others have fluctuating experiences of sexual attraction.

Some ace-spec people do experience romantic attraction and do engage in romantic relationships. Others are aromantic, meaning they experience little to no romantic attraction.

Within the asexual and aromantic communities, there is an understanding that sexual and romantic attraction are separate experiences that may or may not align. This idea is called the Split Attraction Model, and it enables people within these communities and beyond to communicate about the nuances of their experience. These communities have also expanded the vocabulary of attraction to include experiences such as aesthetic, sensual, and platonic attraction.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE CHURCH?

Olivia* is a young person in the Uniting Church who identifies as demisexual, demiromantic, and bi, meaning that she can only experience sexual and romantic attraction to a person after they have connected on a deep emotional level. She described how “a lot of things that are framed as 'sexual temptation' for Christian young people was never an issue I really faced.”

“As someone who doesn't feel strongly drawn to a relationship… I think it shapes my understanding of faithfulness and who I am called by God to be,” Olivia told Insights. She wishes the

church knew that ace-spec people’s “relationships and life rhythms are… likely to look different from allosexual [nonasexual] members of the church, and that's important to understand.”

Growing up outside of the Uniting Church, she observed, “purity culture presumes that all people experience attraction and want to have sex in the same way, and that can be really disorientating and confusing as a young ace-spec person within the church.”

Olivia told Insights that the language of asexuality and aromanticism is also valuable for people outside of these communities, and that “having a [church] community that does not expect or require [being partnered] to be able to participate meaningfully is a really powerful and beautiful antidote to the rest of the world's expectations.”

Kate is also a young person in the Uniting Church, and she describes her experience as fluctuating between asexual and demisexual. She expressed a feeling of brokenness before she knew about asexuality, and how “this revelation [that asexuality exists] made me even more in wonder at the creativity of God, that he creates us so incredibly different, and all the different forms and levels of love.”

Kate wishes the church knew that “it is very possible to be asexual and still have a partner and children; I do.” She even described that her asexuality makes her marriage “stronger.”

Kate told Insights that the church can support ace-spec people by removing the pressure to have a partner, get married, and have kids. “Also, when someone shares their story, believe them, don't judge them, and don't treat them differently.”

*Name has been changed for anonymity.

GABI CADENHEAD

MISSION WORKER FOR CHRISTIAN STUDENTS UNITING UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

AN OFTEN-INVISIBLE IDENTITY, ASEXUALITY HAS GAINED VISIBILITY OF RECENT YEARS , BUT IT IS STILL A NEW CONCEPT TO MUCH OF THE CHURCH.

WHEN SOMEONE SHARES THEIR STORY, BELIEVE THEM. DON'T JUDGE THEM AND DON'T TREAT THEM DIFFERENTLY

A triplebook launch

Former Moderator Mwung Wa Park introduced the book.

“This book invited many other women, especially women in leadership, to reflect on their own leadership.”

Rev. Park said that she had been treated well by family because they understood that she had cultivated her mother’s womb for a male child.

“I found it quite revealing what I found (more recently).”

This, she said, included a drop off in the number of women who were candidates for ministry, down to around 24 percent in 2021.

Matt Anslow’s book, Fulfilling the Law and the Prophets positions Jesus as a popular prophet within Matthew’s Gospel, and explores the implications of this.

Associate Professor David Neville spoke about the book. Dr Neville was responsible for supervising the PhD dissertation that led to the book.

“With this book, Matt Anslow rectifies what was once a curious discrepancy,” he said.

“The Gospel according to Matthew has been relatively neglected when it comes to New Testament prophecy.”

“Scholars have long said that Luke’s Gospel is prophetic, but now…this must also be said about Matthew’s picture of Jesus.”

He praised the book’s “thorough preparation” and grounding in the Gospel in the book’s opening chapters.

“The heart of this book is the four exegetical chapters, each of which focuses on four passages.”

“A significant contribution to Matthew scholarship…This book is as carefully crafted as it is considered.”

“What is relevant in Matthew’s day, remains so relevant in Matthew Anslow’s day.”

Dr Anslow said the writing and publication of the books had been a major undertaking.

“My project, far from being a pure intellectual curiosity, has

been the result of practical and pastoral concerns,” he said.

He said that a wide range of theological influences had informed him as a Christian.

She said her experience growing up had been a backseat role to male members of the family.

“When I was elected Moderator Elect, someone referred to me as the foreign widow,” Rev. Park said.

“I was grateful to be connected to a biblical figure.”

She said her experiences could be shared across many contexts.

“I was reading Jan’s little but powerful book, I could hardly prevent myself from…cheering the prophetic voice.”

She expressed gratitude to Uniting Church president Rev. Sharon Hollis as well as Rev. Park, who had been the first ordained Asian woman to represent the church as NSW and ACT Moderator.

“The model of servant leadership is the model of Jesus’ leadership, which we need to rediscover.”

“I look forward to the time when more women will (serve) in the Uniting Church and other denominations as ordained leaders.”

Rev. Dr Niall McKay’s book Mark and literary materialism, explores a shift in South African theology.

“I’m a bit of a sojourner on the ecclesial and theological map,” he said.

He said this had led to him developing some critical opinions about various understandings of prophecy.

He said that while prophecy as “speaking truth to power”, such as advocacy on behalf of refugees, was something of a misunderstanding, potentially “seeking a kingdom without the King.”

He said his book aimed to provide a better understanding of prophecy.

“Matthew’s gospel seeks of prophecy more than any other New Testament text.”

“I’m convinced that academic theological pursuit are invaluable to the life of the church, but more so, the life of the church is essential to the academic theological pursuit.”

Feminist perspectives on women and leadership is the subject of Jan Reeve’s new book.

She said that women’s experience of struggles meant that they provided a unique way of being leaders.

“Thankyou for your perseverance over 25 years (of ministry) which you include in this book,” she said.

Rev. Park said she was “most grateful” for the book.

Rev. Reeve said the book had been, “In my mind and heart for many years,” Rev. Reeve said.

“God laid on my heart to record the experience of women in ministry in the Uniting Church.”

“I also wanted to gather some of the experience of the earlier women who were… trailblazers.’

“These women encourage me to write.”

She said that the book was the culmination of many years of writing essays and interviewing women who were in ministry in the Uniting Church.

Emeritus Professor Gerald West, who delivered the 2022 May Macleod Lecture, introduced the book.

He spoke about the shift in theology.

“I think the book has something to offer…not only in terms of literary production, but also literary reception.”

“It comes at a time when de-colonialism (as a focus in theology) is thriving.”

“It also makes a contribution to our reading of Mark.”

“Mark lends itself to a linkage between the ideological and the material…that I think will resonate with our context.”

“My hope would be that this book would make a contribution in the Australian and wider Pacific context.”

“My sense is that Niall is a faithful remnant…within the Australian-Pacific area, which is engaging with liberation theology.”

In a sombre moment, Professor West noted that Albert Nolan, one of the dialogue partners in the book, had passed away the previous night.

On Wednesday, 19 October, three members of the Synod’s Vital Leadership Team launched their books.

THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IS ESSENTIAL TO THE ACADEMIC THEOLOGICAL PURSUIT

Rev. Dr McKay said he had learnt a lot from Professor West.

He also paid tribute to Albert Nolan. “His humble life and faith were in contrast to Albert’s leadership and prophetic work,” Rev. McKay said.

“I’m not sure what reception my book will get or who will read it.”

“If it contributes to a growing hermeneutic that helps (support a life giving) liberative hermeneutic, I will be happy,” he said.

A JOY TO WITNESS

Moderator Simon Hansford also spoke at the event. Rev. Hansford said that it was a gift to be a Moderator between “two fabulous women.”

“A colleague of mine said it is always useful to quote the Basis of Union.”

He quoted a section about the role of scholarship.

“I’m here…to let you know how proud I am and how proud the Synod are of work like this,” Rev. Hansford said.

“The Uniting Church acknowledges that God has never left the Church without faithful and scholarly interpreters of Scripture, or without those who have reflected deeply upon, and acted trustingly in obedience to, God's living Word.”

“In particular the Uniting Church enters into the inheritance of literary, historical and scientific enquiry which has characterised recent centuries, and gives thanks for the knowledge of God's ways with humanity which are open to an informed faith.”

He said it was “an important gift to the church to have people to remind us what discipleship is” and that it was rare for a Moderator to be able to launch three books.

UTC Principal Rev. Peter Walker said that it was a “joy” to witness the launch.

“What a joy it is to acknowledge together years and years of thoughtfulness and scholarship,” Rev. Walker said.

He played tribute to, “The amount of the self that goes into those pages.”

“The Vital Leadership Team is a gem,” he said.

“To have three books launched in the Vital Leadership Team must be some kind of record.”

“Your whole selves are in these works.”

Rev. Dr Walker also thanked Rohan England and Melissa Wang for their roles in organising and running the event.

JONATHAN FOYE

DR MATT ANSLOW’S FULFILLING THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS, REV. JAN REEVE'S FEMINIST PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP, AND DR NIALL MCKAY'S MARK AND LITERARY MATERIALISM WERE ALL LAUNCHED AT THE CENTRE FOR MINISTRY IN NORTH PARRAMATTA

T HE UNITING CHURCH ENTERS INTO THE INHERITANCE OF LITERARY, HISTORICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ENQUIRY

Finding care in a connected community Joy and Ernie

For Joy and Ernie, moving to a retirement community was a practical decision. They wanted peace of mind and to be close to family. But what they discovered, however, was the heartbeat of Alan Walker Village: a close-knit, connected community, caring staff and security. And they’ve never looked back.

MAKING THE MOVE

After almost 50 years in their family home, Joy and Ernie decided it was time to move. While they both loved their family home, Joy says as they got older and their needs changed, they were looking for a simpler way of living.

“Joy wanted security,” says Ernie. “We felt if something happened to either one of us, it’d be better to be part of a community and to feel safe.”

With family nearby, Joy and Ernie knew the area they wanted to move to, but not which retirement village.

“We went to one of those seminars and saw all the different [retirement communities] in this area and talked to the people,” says Joy.

“We rang a few to make appointments, and Alan Walker Village was the only one who got back to us. So, we came and looked here, and this is where we are.”

A FRESH START

Once they decided on Alan Walker Village in Carlingford, Joy and Ernie moved within six months.

“We wanted to do it while we were young enough,” says Joy. “It was explained to us what we had to pay for the unit and the money came out over the years. Our family was happy because it took any worry off them for having to look after us.”

Even though they were new to the area, Joy and Ernie settled in very quickly.

“We were welcomed very warmly,” says Ernie. “We found the staff very good, which made it a lot easier for us.”

IT’S THE PEOPLE

Both Joy and Ernie agree that it’s the people that make Alan Walker Village a great place to live.

“We’ve heard [from] other people that said they wouldn’t go into [a retirement village] because it was cold and not friendly,” says Ernie. “But this place is exactly the opposite.”

Joy agrees, “I’ve made friends with a lot of women with similar interests. We also have family nearby. They come every Friday night for dinner, and we go to their place every Wednesday for afternoon tea.”

JUST LIKE A HOLIDAY

Joy admits she had no idea what living in a retirement village would be like.

“We didn’t come in here to be entertained. We just expected to come in here and live as if we were living in a block of units,” she says.

“The one thing that surprised me was one day, when we were sitting on our balcony having morning tea, I said to my husband, ‘This is like being in a holiday resort. It’s like holidays every day of the year’.”

Ernie says if they could do it again, they would have moved in earlier.

“We probably would have enjoyed it just as much,” he says. “We definitely shouldn’t have left it any longer. Our lives have improved.”

Joy agrees, “Yes, we’re definitely more relaxed. We don’t have to worry about maintenance or painting houses and doing lawns. It’s a much more relaxed lifestyle.”

A PLACE TO CALL HOME

For Joy and Ernie the real benefit of Alan Walker Village is the warmth of the community and the sense of safety they feel living here.

“The atmosphere of the place is very friendly and very welcoming,” Ernie says. “And we found that right from the start.”

Joy agrees, “Everybody helps you if you need it. Everybody always speaks to you. And it’s fantastic the way the staff know everyone’s names – I don’t know how they do it!

“We just like living here. It’s lovely and relaxing. It’s just like living at home.”

FIND OUT MORE

Experience the community and comfort of Alan Walker Village for yourself. Whether you’re ready to make the move or need more information, we’re here to help. To learn more or book a private tour, call 1800 931 107 or visit wesleyretirementliving.org.au. Discover how Wesley Mission can you help you live well at every stage of life at wesleymission.org.au/seniors.

THIS IS LIKE BEING IN A HOLIDAY RESORT IT’S LIKE HOLIDAYS EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

LECTIONARY REFLECTIONS

December

Jesus transforms the human situation

4 DECEMBER: ADVENT 2

Matthew 3:1-12

John the Baptist prepares the way The figure of John the Baptist is unmissable – wild, eccentric to say the least, and certainly not welcome at the average family tea table. If he was a toddler someone might suggest his emotions were dis-regulated by his diet and he needed to calm down and get a good night’s sleep. Yet his prophetic voice is one we cannot ignore.

He reminds us that there is always a place for righteous anger and that sometimes the new and better requires actions of clearing and letting go that can be painful and disturbing to some.

His voice acts as corrective to tendencies in some Christian circles to associate the gospel with niceness or respectability. John was not respectable. But his message was essential.

11 DECEMBER: ADVENT 3

Matthew 11:2-11

Are you the one who is to come? ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for another?’. Somehow it is consoling to realise that even John, whom we acknowledge as the one who points to Jesus as the Messiah, had doubts. For even when we are sure about something as we possibly can be – we’ve done our research, we spent time with someone, we’ve weighed up all the evidence – we can tend to be risk averse. Maybe we should wait.

Maybe the jury is still out. Maybe there is some vital piece of information we are missing. Sometimes indeed it is important to wait. But sometimes we can wait too long, and we miss the transformative opportunity being presented to us. ‘Look’ Jesus says –take in the evidence of your own eyes and have the courage to act.

18 DECEMBER: ADVENT 4

Matthew 1: 18-25

Angel appears to Joseph

At the beginning and heart of Christian marriage and family life is this extraordinary story of the creation of a very atypical family unit. Here indeed is the supreme example of a ‘family

of choice’ – the family God apparently chooses, with much heralding by angels, for their child. This is not a ‘natural’ family, or a family formed according to traditional ‘religious values. It is an extraordinary family, and as such should give courage to all other families that do not fit neatly into customary categories. For those who live within typical expectations it may also give strength to acknowledge hidden differences and to support those who face other hurts and condemnations. Without the courage of both Joseph and Mary in choosing to step outside conventional boundaries, exercising compassion and common sense, the Christian story could not have begun.

25 DECEMBER: CHRISTMAS Luke 2:1-20

Birth of Jesus/shepherds The infant Jesus was ‘wrapped in bands of cloth’ or swaddled. This is such a familiar idea that it is easy to miss its significance. People have swaddled babies for generations. Such swaddling provides protection and helps the child to feel safe and secure. So why does Luke mention it?

Firstly, perhaps as a reference back to King Solomon, ‘in swaddling clothes and with constant care I was nurtured’ (Wisdom7:4). But more importantly as a reference forward to the grave clothes, the linen wrappings that the risen Christ breaks and leaves behind at the resurrection.

At his birth Jesus becomes bound to the human condition to transform it from within. At his death he breaks those bonds for all of us. We too can therefore take comfort and inspiration in the bands put upon us or in those we take upon ourselves to help free the burdens of others.

These Lectionary Reflections have been preprared by Rev. Dr Jo Inkpin and have been edited for length. Find the full versions at www.insights.uca.org.au

AT HIS BIRTH JESUS BECOMES BOUND TO THE HUMAN CONDITION TO TRANSFORM IT FROM WITHIN

January

What are you looking

LECTIONARY REFLECTIONS

1 JANUARY: CHRISTMAS 1

Matthew 2: 13-23

Escape to Egypt, return to Nazareth New Year can be unsettling. It is a time when we look back, perhaps with regret as well as gratitude, as well as looking forward, perhaps with fear as well as hope. It can be a moment of uncertainty as to what the future may hold. This story carries the same tension – backward glances as well as decisive actions that enable transformation and hope. Herod takes us back – back to all the tyrants in history including the Pharaoh who sought the life of Moses. Joseph takes us forward, acting decisively to save his family, taking the risk of a new beginning that ultimately enables a return to Nazareth. But we can be sure that he, Mary, and Jesus did not return to Nazareth unchanged. Their refugee experience shaped and enriched them, and in so doing shapes and enriches us.

6 JANUARY: FEAST OF EPIPHANY

Matthew 2:1-12 Magi meet Herod and bring gifts to Jesus Epiphany means revealing and begins a season in which we reflect upon key moments of divine revelation in the Jesus story. Can we open our eyes, hearts, and lives more fully to these extraordinary things?

We begin with the tale of the Magi, full of symbols expressing the profound significance of Christ’s birth in relation to later events and its ultimate meaning. The Magi themselves represent the world’s wider deep wisdom traditions. The Light of Christ thus shines for all the world and connects with each and every culture and pathway to God. Each of the Magi’s gifts similarly resound with significance: speaking, respectively, of the ultimate power of God’s love (in the gold of a king); of the sacred nature of divine love in human form (in the frankincense of a priest); and of the transforming work of suffering love (in the myrrh of redemptive offering). If such lifegiving wonders are revealed, God’s light also reveals fear and false power-seeking in the figure of Herod. For truth uncovers sin and evil as well as releasing the good and bringing healing. Epiphany hence both celebrates Christ and displays the cost and wisdom needed to respond.

8 JANUARY: BAPTISM

Matthew 3: 13-17

Baptism of Jesus by John

There are some actions in life that change things for ever. They often begin with the smallest of words, ‘yes’ or ‘no’. They are often taken without full understanding of their implications, and we even have a

sense that some things still need working out but we need to do them anyway. John must have been thoroughly confused by Jesus coming to him for baptism – but he consents. It is an act of trust. We too encounter moments when the only response that can enable us to move forward is one of trust.

15 JANUARY: EPIPHANY 2

John1: 29-42

What are you looking for?

Some of us look for relationship, some for success, some for security. Sometimes all such things come disguised as a search for God, for belonging, for homecoming, which is perhaps why the disciples return Jesus’s question with one of their own, ‘where are you staying’. They sense in Jesus a true home, a place to stay and remain – a place where all their longings can be transformed. Exactly what that means will play out differently for each of us, but here at the start of John’s gospel we are offered a key to all that will follow. To ‘come and see’ Christ’s dwelling place is to discover what it is to rest in the love of God and find there all that we seek.

22 JANUARY: EPIPHANY 3

Matthew 4: 12-23

Repent and Follow Jesus only says two things here – ‘repent’ and ‘follow me’. Repentance isn’t over popular as an idea in our context. Too often we hear condemnation in the word. But in reality, it is about a turning point; about those moments when we reassess things and choose a different direction. The gospel makes it all sound very sudden, and it may have been. More often we change slowly. Only when we look back do we recognise the turning points. What are the turning points that you can see in your life today?

29 JANUARY: EPIPHANY 4

Matthew 5: 1-12

Blessed to be a blessing?

A friend from Fiji reminded me of their grandmother’s instruction each day to them as they left the house, ‘go and be a gift’. What a challenging yet encouraging instruction! We may imagine that our giftedness, the blessing we have to offer is something to be achieved by our best efforts. Yet Jesus here teaches that we are most blessed when we are incapable of striving; when we are at the limit of our own resources; when we are poor and persecuted and suffering. Our desolation becomes consolation and the means of transformation for ourselves and others.

Being Salt and Light

LECTIONARY REFLECTIONS

5 FEBRUARY: EPIPHANY 5

Matthew 5: 13-20

Salt and light, fulfilling the law

Jesus is talking about things that are absolutely essential – in small quantities – salt and light. (If you really want to know about salt, read Mark Kurlansky’s Salt: A World History – it will tell you everything!) We do not regard salt very highly, yet in the ancient world it was so precious that our word salary comes from the Latin word sal for salt – for Roman soldiers were paid in salt. We should prize it still, for without consuming salt our bodes cannot function and we die. Likewise light is essential and even a tiny light in a large space makes a difference.

Jesus was paying those listening a great compliment, for he addresses them all – ‘you are all salt’ is the literal translation. So, they – and we- are essential – but possibly not in the big, flashy ways we imagine.

12 FEBRUARY: EPIPHANY 6

Matthew 5: 21-37

Teaching regarding anger, adultery, divorce, oaths

transfigured by sharing in Christ’s light. We are thus lifted up into a mountain view of the Christian life before we begin the journey through Lent, enlivened to continue our pilgrimage even in its struggles.

As we are transfigured we also aid the transfiguration of the world and, like Moses and Elijah before us, act as fellow guides and companions for other pilgrims on the Way.

22 FEBRUARY: ASH WEDNESDAY

Matthew 6.1-6 & 16-21

LIKE JESUS, WE ARE GRADUALLY TRANSFIGURED BY SHARING IN CHRIST’S LIGHT

These verses are among the ‘hard sayings’ of Jesus which might lead us to despair if we did not hold them together in the grace of God and the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit. For how, we might wonder, is it possible for even exceptional holy people, never mind ordinary folk, to keep such demanding standards? How can this sit with the same Jesus who says that ‘my yoke is easy’ and embodies mercy and transformative forgiveness? How is this righteousness less burdensome than that of the Pharisees and others?

Here the standards of righteousness are indeed set high for they relate to God and divine perfection. It is thus crucial to hold them together with the centrality of God’s grace. Jesus is saying that no one can reach God’s standards by their own efforts and that outward achievements of restraint are not enough.

19 FEBRUARY: TRANSFIGURATION

Matthew 17:1-9

Transfiguration

It is not for nothing that the Transfiguration story concludes our Epiphany lectionary for it is in many ways the greatest revelation of the purpose of the coming of the Light of Christ. Indeed Orthodox Christianity has particularly valued it as revealing our ultimate destiny, as, like Jesus, we are gradually

Jesus’ teaching in these verses can seem to sit oddly with public prayers and ceremonies, particularly on this day, and the giving and receiving monetary and other offerings in our worship gatherings. If we are here commanded to pray, give, and fast, in secret, why do we act so differently in our usual common life? As with Jesus’ teaching elsewhere in the Sermon on the Mount, the key point is surely the intent rather than the acts themselves. After all, feeling self-satisfied for hiding away from others and being pious is also not what Jesus had in mind. What Ash Wednesday does is to offer a vital opportunity to let go of all of that and to allow the Holy Spirit to burn away all that keeps us from God, thereby renewing us to rise again.

26 FEBRUARY: LENT 1

Matthew 4:1-11

Temptations in the wilderness

Jesus enters the wilderness only after having received baptism and heard himself named as the beloved of God. This is the pattern many of us recognise from our own journeys of faith – first, the call, and then the doubts. Traditionally the temptations in their fable-like form have been understood to be about rejecting material comfort, power, and idolatry. Yet behind them we can recognise a more fundamental temptation that occurs the moment we perceive, even if only for a moment, that we are the beloved of God. That perception puts everything else in our lives in the shade. We find ourselves no longer the most important player in our own story. The invitation of Lent is to stay a little longer, just as we are, in the loving gaze of God and know ourselves beloved.

REV. DR JO INKPIN

Full versions at www.insights.uca.org.au

Summer Entertainment Guide

CURLEWS ON VULTURE STREET

DARRYL JONES, NEWSOUTH

Australians tend to think of nature and the urban world as mutually exclusive. But take the time to look – there is plenty of wildlife to see. As Darryl Jones says, ‘nature has come to town’. As their ranges diminish elsewhere, animals, perhaps especially birds, find suitable habitat in cities. Formally, this is known as ‘urban ecology’. Overall, it’s not a positive story, but there are pockets of positivity. In Townsville Jones finds 16 different species, and a huge population density in just one suburban street.

The book is not only full of facts about birds in cities; there are stories, interwoven with the larger story of Jones becoming an ‘urban ecologist’. His Honours thesis involved counting urban birds in Wagga, despite a sceptical supervisor who still had the mindset that you don’t find nature in the city. A career as a consultant to bemused and sometimes angry residents began when a woman in a wealthy Brisbane suburb wanted to know why a brush turkey was building a huge mound in her otherwise immaculate garden.

Previously, frequent visitors to urban gardens had been sparrows and blackbirds, the former generalist pioneers, the latter thriving in the suburban garden setting. Recent, larger

and obvious additions have been ibises. Jones recalls a panicked Brisbane council asking for help, which involved spraying the birds with paint using children’s water pistols in order to track their movements. Ibis have a reputation for bindiving, but actually get very little food for the practice. They are also not as maligned as is usually supposed, coming in second in a recent poll of our favourite birds.

Jones also writes about the worlds of magpies, crows and lorikeets. Magpies are both our most loved and most hated urban birds, depending on whether it is breeding season or not, their ferocious behaviour targeted at supposed threats to the nest, from individual people they remember from year to year. Crows congregate in cities, like teenagers, near fast food joints, unlike their less social rural cousins. Lorikeets are apparently scared of the dark, benefitting, counterintuitively, from our tendency to brightly light up places like carparks at night.

NICK MATTISKE

Cautionary Tales by Tim Harford is a Pushkin podcast. Using his background as an economics journalist, Harford spends 35 to 40 minutes examining historical curiosities, weaving narratives together to extract important lessons from which we can all learn. At the heart of these lessons is the exploration of human nature, and the traps we can fall into, despite the supposedly logical systems we have collectively created and surrounded ourselves with.

Spanning back from 2019, and 65 episodes deep, Cautionary Tales can be comedic and, at times, downright horrifying. Just as with traditional fairy tales, he uses a coda, or moral of the story, which can sometimes end up in unexpected places. While often uncomfortable, these tales have important lessons.

From covering an infamous plague village which selflessly sacrificed themselves for the good of others, to a more recent episode that shone the spotlight on the dangers of accepting Halloween treats from strangers, history buffs will enjoy a wide range of anecdotes from many cultures and centuries.

One of the more memorable cautionary tales covers the Chicago heatwave in 1995, an awful occurrence that cut off electricity. The heatwave led to the deaths of over 700 people and hospitalised far more. As Hartford explores, one of the key findings is that connection helped people overcome the heat. Those who had friends and family to check in on them were far more likely to survive. For the church, there is a lesson here in the value of providing people with these points of connection and care.

In an age where misinformation is everywhere, Harford offers a calm and rational approach, providing situations that may bewilder and frighten us into acting irrationally.

For those who enjoy delving further, Hartford’s recent book, The Data Detective: How to Make Sense of Statistics, is an excellent source by which to understand increasingly complex issues. It also aims to encourage people to have conversations about often polarised political debates, and to approach things with a curious mindset.

JONATHAN FOYE

Cautionary Tales is available on Spotify, Audible, and Apple Podcasts.

IN AN AGE WHERE MISINFORMATION IS EVERYWHERE, HARFORD OFFERS A CALM AND RATIONAL APPROACH

AUTHOR DARRYL JONES

PHOTO CREDIT: KINOKUNIYA SYDNEY

POD CASTS

THE IMPERFECTS

Now in its fourth year, The Imperfects was started by Hugh Van Cuylenburg the Director of The Resilience Project as a way of deep diving into what makes us all tick and that we are all in fact imperfect beings. Over the years guests have included celebrities, authors and sporting legends who share, with sometimes brutal honesty, their imperfections and struggles. It’s fascinating and interesting primarily because males are not great about talking with others when they are not okay, but the podcast asks its guests to be vulnerable about all aspects of their lives.

I came to the podcast after listening to Van Cuylenburg’s book Let Go: It’s Time To Let Go of Shame, Expectation and Our Addiction to Social Media. Much of The Resilience Project is about teaching people how to find happiness through gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. Both the podcast and the book, are about understanding the value of connecting with others. We are often not vulnerable enough with our friends and family and sharing this podcast has encouraged me to connect more closely with those around me.

POP CULTURE HAPPY HOUR

This NPR podcast is a daily does of pop culture, served via a variety of guests with reviews of TV, films, music and books. There are daily episodes around this subject matter, so you can dip in and out and the episodes are generally not longer than 25 minutes.

Every week, reviewers choose something to review and guests share what’s making them happy that week. I have often found these recommendations helpful as my music and book recommendations grow from these insightful reviews.

BLUE ROSE PODCAST

This excellent podcast is a deep dive into foreign film gems, cinema classics and contemporary masterpieces. Out every Wednesday, the podcast is from Jonty Cornford who is a music producer and currently works for Uniting Heart and Soul Uniting Church in Woollahra. It’s new, but an excellent way of connecting to film and information about how the film was received and the cultural landscape that it was released into.

ADRIAN DRAYTON

Find Feed this Christmas

This festive period, as floods ravage our state and families fight to keep their head above water with costof-living pressures, we celebrate God’s hope in us. God’s trust in our resilience to overcome.

a

As excitement builds among many Australians for a Christmas without the shackles of COVID, anxiety rises in the stomachs of many more who ask how they will put food on the table and gifts under the tree.

This Christmas we encourage those of you that can lend a helping hand to donate or volunteer and those that are in need, to visit our website at findafeed.uca.org.au, where you will find a range of support services and help.

Maintain your independence with home care assistance

Most of us want to live freely in our own homes, but as we age we may need some extra help. From cleaning and transport to personal care, meal preparation and allied health support, our home care team offer a range of services to help you stay in your preferred surrounds.

Affordable retirement living in a supportive community

At our three independent living villages, you’re not just moving into a new home. You’re joining a caring and connected community of like-minded retirees. Each village offers a variety of activities and amenities including church services and chaplain support. Remain active and social while experiencing a true sense of belonging.

Continue living a fulfilling life in your new home

Experience the benefits of personalised care at one of our three aged care centres located within the relaxing and leafy surrounds of Carlingford, Narrabeen and Sylvania. With the support of our dedicated staff, we can help you reach your health goals and improve the quality of your everyday life.

Contact our friendly team today to discover the various care and accommodation options available to you. wesleymission.org.au/seniors

Wesley Mission is a part of the Uniting

Church in Australia.