Insights Summer 2018 by Insights Magazine

insights summer 2018

stories of

honouring the

Christmas

Bowl legacy

h c r a pray, m t l

a e p e r , y b b o

dom wisand

wonder

All I want for

Christmas

Lend a hand to people on the land With all of NSW in drought, your prayers and donations are needed and gratefully received. $• Donate to the Moderator’s Drought Appeal Go to the Synod website: nswact.uca.org.au/about-us/giving

• Pray

Pray for those communities in rural and remote NSW and individuals affected by the drought.

Please note that donations to the Moderator’s Appeal are not tax deductible.

Mobilising Ministry Mobilising Ministry is a Rural and Remote Ministry initiative that supports our rural congregations, shares both leadership and hospitality and embraces the challenge of connecting community over the entire Synod of NSW and the ACT.

Mobilising Ministry hopes to:

yy Initiate partnerships and embrace ongoing relationships with rural congregations; yy Utilise the many skills, gifts, training, expertise and experience of Ministers in a broader setting than presently possible in a typical city/suburban placement; yy Discover together how Christian community can flourish in a rural context; yy Raise the profile of Ministry outside of the city/suburban setting; yy Encourage and resource local lay-leadership, building on existing resources; and yy Enter into worship, hospitality and learning together and begin to tell a newer hope-filled story. If you are a Minister or congregation who would like to know more about the Mobilising Ministry or you are interested in being involved in the initiative please contact:

uc ap ulse.o rg .au Rev. Mark Faulkner fac e b o o k .c o m/ U CAPulse Director of Rural and Remote Ministry Initiatives - Uniting Mission and Education Ph: 0477 720 151 E: saltbush@nswact.uca.org.au tw itte r.c o m/ uc ap ulse instagram.c o m/ uc ap ulse

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

Abundant life IS COMING F

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

or most of the year, Jacarandas are pretty quiet and unassuming trees, but come November – my goodness! – what a glorious, purple, joy-filled Advent shout! They make me laugh out loud. I suspect that the Jacaranda tree on the verge outside the house is already older than I’ll ever be and it’s still shouting at the very top of its voice. They speak to me of promise and prodigality – God’s promise and God’s prodigality. So this is what abundant life looks like.

Communities of faith are the same and can also choose to live into and from this vision of abundance that God sets before us – or they can choose not to engage with it. Admittedly, it’s never a simple choice and it is one that has to be continually made and remade.

frequently dopey disciples until, in the end, his heart is stretched wide enough to include the whole world in God’s embrace. Abundant life – for everyone; the whole creation – flourishing.

My hunch is that if you ask any congregation to name their values, somewhere close to the top of the list What sort of a choice is it? you’ll find the word ‘inclusive’. The pattern of God’s ways with That aspiration is affirmed in human dust-born creatures a number of commitments might offer a few clues. It that the church has made would seem that, from the very over the course of its life. beginning, the choice always It takes the form of a came back to life and commitment to walk with death. This is the Almost choice that propels indigenous people, the inevitably I M A G I N AT I O N S faithful people on commitment to being a Jesus’ words multicultural church, a ARE STRETCHED transformative start to commitment to the mutual AND HEARTS pathways simmer in ministry of women and men. – think of BRE AK OPEN TO my mind It's a commitment to live in Abraham and T H E B R E AT H TA K I N G – ‘I came the ‘messy middle’ as we try Sarah, Hagar, SCOPE OF that they and get our hearts and minds Mary, the might have GOD’S PL AN around what it means to live disciples (there’s life and have lots – look them up). into God’s inclusive vision of it abundantly’. human flourishing. It comes from One thing that these The mistake that we John’s Gospel (10:10) and stories have in common is commonly seem to make is yes, I do know that it’s not that they all describe people that, once we get to the point an Advent reading but an who’ve been asked to stake of faith or commitment, we Easter reading in the year of their lives on possibilities assume that we’ve arrived, Luke. It’s morphed a bit this that they can barely imagine we’ve reached the destination year into ‘I am coming that and to move towards a future and all we now have to do is you might have life and have that they can’t see designed to stay there, keep the doors it abundantly’. Imagine that. by God for God’s purposes. open and wait for other likeAbundant life is coming. That future gets described in many ways: shalom, paradise, minded souls to join us. Jacarandas spend all year kingdom, heaven, wholeness, The thing we forget is that getting ready to surprise the blessedness and, my personal there is no ‘us’ anymore world with their particular favourite, abundant life. or, at the very least, the version of abundant life. sorting responsibility is not Disciples likewise are always These are transformative getting ready, always works journeys, people are changed ours and never has been. The commitment is just in progress with the capacity and firmly held, correct to learn, mature, reflect, opinions have to be left by the the beginning, the heartstretching transformation will change and grow but, unlike wayside as imaginations are never end until God’s vision the Jacarandas, disciples stretched and hearts break have the additional challenge open to the breathtaking scope is realised. of choice. Disciples can of God’s plan. Even Jesus Get ready – abundant life choose whether or not to goes on this journey as his is coming! engage with God’s learning, heart stretches to include growing, changing, flourishing sinners and tax collectors, abundance agenda – or not. Samaritan women and

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The Uniting Church in Australia is one of the country’s largest denominations. Our vision is that it will be a fellowship of reconciliation, living God’s love, following Jesus Christ and acting for the common good to build a just and compassionate community of faith.

MANAGING EDITOR Adrian Drayton EDITOR Jonathan Foye PRODUCTION/DESIGN Rana Moawad EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING/ DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES PHONE 02 8267 4304 FAX 02 9264 4487 ADDRESS Insights, PO Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW, 1235 EMAIL insights@nsw.uca.org.au WEB www.insights.uca.org.au Insights is published by the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of New South Wales and the ACT. Articles and advertising content do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or of the Uniting Church. Contents copyright. No material from this publication may be copied, photocopied or transmitted by any means without the permission of the Managing Editor. CIRCULATION: 15,000. ISSN: 1036-7322 Commonwealth of Australia 2018.

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

God gets in the way O

ne of the pleasant, even hopeful, illusions about Christmas is that everything else takes a back seat.

REV. SIMON HANSFORD MODERATOR The Moderator is elected to give prophetic and pastoral leadership to the Synod, assisting and encouraging expression and fulfilment of faith, and the witness of the Church.

My childhood memories, fuelled by nostalgia, are my mother reading a mixture of Gospel stories and Christmas fantasy to us on Christmas Eve, as everything else was set aside. We had critical rituals for the season, marking it as separate from every other day. Christmas itself was early morning worship, followed by presents and family meals; nothing else intruded.

I imagine that this is an accurate reflection of Christmas for many other people; however, it has had many incarnations since I was a child. People we love have died, others we love have become part of our Christmas community, and we have moved - almost all of us – around the THIS IS WHY state, even around EMMANUEL, the world. As have GOD WITH US, most families. Like I S A B S O L U T E LY many others, I work V I TA L . J E S U S I S over Christmas. IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL

Our Christmas illusion is simply that, and our celebrations need to happen in the midst of everything else.

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

Our imagined Christmas, hermetically sealed from reality, is precisely not what Matthew and Luke are describing, as Mary conceives and Joseph begins to comprehend. The tinsellated version some of us like to tell is nice and neat and tidy, where even the mob of sheep is well behaved. That’s not the story, though.

From the very beginning of Matthew’s Gospel, the shadow of what could happen hovers over Mary’s pregnancy and we witness the reaction of Joseph, then the community, followed by strangers from the East, and then Herod.

The wonder of Luke’s account is far too astonishing to fit neatly anywhere, as a tiny baby is born while the whole Roman empire is counted and angel armies appear in the sky. Jesus appears in the midst of everything - empires and despots and foreign sages, a census of the known world and a family drawn into social chaos and divine intention. The angels rejoice and stock workers are wondrously overwhelmed as God turns up. And the sign of this God, our God, the God of all the ages and all creation, is a baby. Jesus Christ, at risk, among us. This is why Christmas, told as Matthew and Luke tell us, makes sense. This is why Emmanuel, God with us, is absolutely vital. Jesus is in the midst of it all. The humanity of Jesus – that he can be held in human hands – embraces and implicates everyone. This embrace is for communities where drought is crippling, for those struggling with addiction, and for those who will be fearful of violence in their own homes this Christmas. This embrace is for those who are imprisoned, or punished for seeking refuge, and the implication is for our voices to speak and our hands to act.

Jesus’ complete humanity is about all of us. As our church has affirmed a larger understanding of marriage, we declare that our own humanity – gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual, transgender or intersex – is valued in the eyes of God. This is our discipleship to Jesus Christ, compelling us to follow, as an extraordinary community in service to an extraordinary God. And God turns up. Certainly in the joy of a shared meal, as friends are made welcome and strangers become friends. Even more certainly when someone who believes they are not worth God’s attention is reminded, by our invitation and embrace, that God invites shepherds to bear witness, before anyone else, to the birth of Christ. Emmanuel becomes tangible when people spend money in rural communities to support them, and to let them know that are remembered and valued. God is with those who suffer the injustice of violence, in their homes, from government, or from the church. We will not be silent: we will speak and act and pray and proclaim for those who are bound in silence.

The hope and wonder of Christmas, as Jesus breaks into the world, is that God gets in our way. Whether Jesus interferes with our “neat and tidy”, or sits with us in our silence, Emmanuel declares that we are worth all of God’s passionate involvement. God with all of us.

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COMMENTS

your say ONLINE

WE’VE ROUNDED UP THE BEST COMMENTS THAT YOU’VE LEFT ONLINE. If you would like to leave a comment

on an article or have a viewpoint to share - just go online to www.insights.uca.org.au and leave your comments.

IN RESPONSE TO OUR ONLINE STORY NATHANIAL BUZOLICCHRISTIAN, ACTOR AND INSTA INFLUENCER I have followed and supported Nathaniel since 2013 and I have met him several times since this date. He is absolutely amazing. He’s really kind with the people who he meets and so humble. He was and he’s still so inspiring end helpful to me. I recognise him perfectly here. This interview is great and very interesting. Everyday, I’m so so grateful to God to have put Nathaniel on my path. Amelie Morand

 bit.ly/natebuzz

IN RESPONSE TO OUR REVIEW LADIES IN BLACK’ IS ONE OF THE BEST AUSSIE FILMS YET

IN RESPONSE TO THE ARTICLE PRAYER WARRIORS OR KEYBOARD WARRIORS?

Having been a young Lady in Black in Wagga, before I went on to Secondary education, many scenes resonated with me. I’ve recommended it to friends who have almost given up on going to movies.

Excellent article. I agree that a social media presence can enhance ministry in certain contexts and one of those is very clearly Tertiary Chaplaincy, with events, updates on UCA matters and promoting some of the important inter-faith work that students like to know about. It requires thoughtful, intentional and intelligent (and therefore ethical) choices around what is helpful and useful to share.

Diane Grocott

 http://bit.ly/LadiesBlack

IN RESPONSE TO OUR REVIEW WHY DOESN’T GOD USE TIME TRAVEL? If we could go back and change things we would be on a different path. That path could have lead you to dying young and unsaved. If you are alive and following the Lord, the old path I took in the past, with happiness or sorrow, lead me right here where I am now…alive and healthy. Michael Thomas

 bit.ly/GodTimeTravel

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IN RESPONSE TO THE ARTICLE SUKUMARWHITES TO BEGIN NEW MINISTRY AT LEICHARDT That is truly wonderful news, Rads and Adrian! What a wonderful opportunity to serve amongst young people, and young families! You are a great team along with Anna … Leura UC congregation will be keeping you in our hearts and prayers, as I will do daily as well. Peggy Goldsmith

 bit.ly/SukumarWhites

Kim Langford

 bit.ly/

PrayerKeyboardWarriors

news 500,000

STEPS CLOSER TO FAIR TREATMENT The Long Walk to Treatment campaign reached NSW Parliament House on 2 November delivering a message to politicians that the war on drugs is lost and we need drug law reform now. A group of walkers began the campaign trek in Dubbo on October 19. Over 100 walkers participated in the relay-style walk, carrying the letter 500,000 steps over 15 days. The 500,000 steps represents the travel distance it would be for a person in regional New South Wales to reach drug treatment.

and decriminalizes the possession and use of small amounts of illicit drugs. The crowd also heard from former client of MSIC, Liz Gal. Liz shared that she is now nine years in recovery as she explained that she is proof that treatment works.

Former clients of MSIC — Josh and Taz — delivered the letter to parliament on its last leg up Macquarie Street to the TOGETHER Moderator of the Synod of W E C A N C RE AT E NSW and ACT Rev. Simon A SY S T EM T H AT Hansford.

On the steps of St Stephens Uniting Church, the Director of the Uniting Medically PROVIDES FAIR Supervised Rev. Hansford, read the T RE AT M EN T Injecting Centre letter he signed on behalf TO ALL THOSE (MSIC) Dr Marianne of the Uniting Church and I N N E E D Jauncey and Uniting Uniting, before handing it to Church member, the politicians Shayne Mallard Marion McConnell were MLC, Jo Haylen MCA, Kate just some of the speakers Faehrmann MLA and Alex Greenwich on the day to renew calls to treat MLC (pictured above from left to right). drug policy as a health issue and not a criminal one. The letter ended with a call to government to work collaboratively on Marion McConnell lost her son to a drug this crippling social problem, “We want overdose and for the last 26 years she to work constructively and positively with has been a drug law reform advocate. all political leaders in NSW to ensure Her voice was particularly poignant in we can find a better solution to drugs the Uniting Church NSW and ACT Synod and addiction in this State. Together we decision to pass the 2016 resolution can create a system that provides fair that prioritises harm reduction treatment treatment to all those in need.”

Alex Greenwich, member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Sydney since the 2012 responded with a renewed commitment to making the issue a priority. “You do have friends across the road and we are working hard to ensure that those numbers increase in this parliament and the next parliament so that we can see fair treatment for everybody across New South Wales and strong shift to an evidence based, harm minimisation approach,” said Mr Greenwich. The Uniting Church NSW and ACT Synod and Uniting, have spearheaded this campaign which is backed by more than 60 organisations, including the Law Society of NSW, the NSW Bar Association, and the NSW branch of the Health Services Union.

www.

Over 6,000 people have signed a petition supporting the Fair Treatment campaign. You can also draw the line on drug policy and support Long Walk to Treatment at fairtreatment.org/walk

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UNITING PARTNERSHIP TO ADDRESS

HOMELESSNESS ON THE CENTRAL COAST

CALL FOR LOCAL LANDLORDS TO JOIN – AND SAVE MONEY ON LEASING FEES “We want the owners of these 17,000 properties to see that they can solve homelessness on the Central Coast – one family at a time,” said Mr Wilson. This initiative is being promoted to local Uniting Church congregations on the Central Coast to encourage property owners to sign up, and there are plans to promote it in a mailout with local rates notices.

Uniting has joined forces with a Central Coast real estate agency and the social services sector as part of a unique local partnership to help reduce homelessness. Uniting is one of five Specialist Homelessness Service (SHS) providers on the Central Coast and has formed a partnership with Sorensen Real Estate to co-ordinate referrals from all local SHS providers. The unique partnership involves a cost-saving initiative which links landlords with vulnerable people in need of housing. Under the partnership model, landlords who place a tenant who is registered with a local SHS provider will have their usual leasing fee waived. They will also avoid the need for advertising and promotional materials – and their related costs. This provides a saving for participating landlords of around $1,000 or more off the cost of sourcing and signing up tenants. In addition to saving money, landlords can also enjoy both the “feel good” of placing a vulnerable person in stable housing and peace of mind knowing that the tenant will be supported by a SHS provider. Uniting Youth and Homelessness Services in Wyong representative, Tricia Carlson, said that this partnership is a win-win for all involved.

community support services,” said Ms Carlson.

“In understanding the issues faced by struggling tenants and by working with Uniting on the ‘Keeping House’ early To give credit where it is due, the intervention program, property partnership idea was the managers can take a brainwave of Central Coast different approach to help Community Council avoid failed tenancies Executive Officer, Brad which, in turn, saves P R O P E R T Y Wilson, who identified them time and the MANAGERS CAN the number of vacant expense of chasing TA KE A D IFFEREN T local properties when rental arrears,” Ms A P P R O A C H T O reviewing recently Carlson explained. HELP AVOID released Census data. FAILED

“The ‘Keeping House’ “Of the 138,000 TENANCIES program is an early residential dwellings on intervention service, the Coast at the time of the which provides a range of Census, a staggering 17,224 support services to help sustain where unoccupied – that’s one in successful tenancies.” eight. We need to get these properties onto the permanent rental market,” said “Once a potential issue is identified Mr Wilson. by a real estate agent, such as a late payment, they can refer the tenant to Mr Wilson suggests three contributing our Uniting Doorways’ Keeping House factors to this phenomenon – wealthy program and we will work with the tenant Sydney-siders with personal holiday to help them maintain their current residences, the rise of investment holiday homes using new platforms such tenancy,” said Ms Carlson. as AirBnB, and our ageing population.

“Anecdotally it appears that when ageing parents move into nursing homes, or even when they pass away, the idea of making the property available to the rental market doesn’t naturally flow.”

“Specialist Homelessness Services provide more than just a roof over heads. “Whilst Government policy is certainly crucial to addressing homelessness For example, our Uniting Doorways program helps people who are homeless and housing affordability, individuals probably don’t recognise they can play a or at risk of becoming homeless to role too.” find accommodation as well as links to health, education, legal, financial and

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Uniting is involved in several local initiatives working with the real estate industry to help reduce homelessness. The Central Coast team recently coordinated a free half day workshop for real estate agents to provide them with greater awareness to identify issues to help tenants maintain tenancies by referring them to appropriate early intervention services.

The ‘Keeping House’ program began in July 2015 in an effort to reduce homelessness on the Central Coast. Since then, Uniting has assisted more than 80 local households to maintain their tenancies.

COMMISSIONING SERVICE FOR TRACEY BURTON AND ALBERT OLLEY Executive Director of Uniting, Tracey Burton, and Chief Operating Officer for Uniting Resources, Albert Olley, were officially commissioned into their respective roles on 18 October at the Wesley Mission Chapel. Staff of Uniting and the Synod were present at the service to celebrate and welcome them into their roles. Moderator, Rev. Simon Hansford preached on the readings in Mark 10: 35-45 and 46-52. He talked about the risk-taking nature of those in service and that we have to follow Jesus at a cost to ourselves and “that living out the gospel that engages the community has its challenges and costs.” The Moderator said in light of recent initiative like the Fair Treatment Campaign launch at Town Hall, the Church is transforming lives in serving the marginalised and that “service is not the path to greatness, service is greatness.”

SERVICE IS N OT T H E PAT H TO G RE AT N E S S , SERVICE IS G RE AT N E S S

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FAIR TREATMENT CAMPAIGN

launched at Town Hall

The Uniting Church campaign calling on the Australian government to reform drug policy, was officially launched on 12 October by Sir Richard Branson in front of a crowd of 2,000 people at Sydney Town Hall.

air Treatment is a grassroots campaign that seeks the decriminalisation for possession and personal use of small amounts of illicit drugs, as well as investment into harm reduction treatment.

OUR FAITH COMPELS US TO NURTURE, SUPPORT, CARE AND OFFER HOPE AND LIFE FOR EVERYBODY IN OUR SOCIETY

Sir Richard Branson said that we needed to persuade politicians to treat drugs as health problem and not a criminal problem.

The Uniting Church NSW and ACT Synod “The war on drugs has been going on now and Uniting, have spearheaded this for nearly 60 years, as an entrepreneur campaign which is backed by more than and a businessman, if something failed 60 organisations, including the Law so abysmally, we would have closed it Society of NSW, the NSW Bar Association, down 59 years ago,” said Sir Branson. and the NSW branch of the Health The panel agreed that the issue of drugs Services Union. is a health and social issue. In an opening address Uniting Church “Really there is no pathway to harm NSW/ACT Moderator Rev. Simon reduction or to an effective treatment Hansford, said the Fair Treatment without decriminalisation and without campaign is seeking better outcomes ending social stigma and discrimination,” for people affected and action from said Dr Tinasti. policy makes. During the panel discussion three videos “Our faith compels us to nurture, were shared detailing distinct and moving support, care and offer hope and testimonies. The first was of Uniting life for everybody in our society – Church member, Marion McConnell, who especially those who are marginalised has been a drug law reform advocate or disadvantaged, who are often since she lost her son to a drug overdose. those most affected by drug policy,” The next video testimony was from Liz said Rev. Hansford. Gal. Liz is a former client of MSIC, who The launch included a panel discussion is now eight years in recovery and has with Sir Richard Branson, along with rebuilt her life after addiction including Director of the Uniting Medically starting her own business. Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC) The final video shared the story of Dr Marianne Jauncey and Executive Shantell Irwin, who is part of the Uniting Secretary of the Global Commission on Brighter Futures Program. She detailed Drug Policy (GCDP) Dr Khalid Tinasti. the difficulty of seeking treatment, The panel discussion was moderated by particularly in her case where the closest SBS’ Jan Fran (The Feed), who was also treatment centre is 400km away and the the MC. repercussions this has on her recovery

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Photography by Tim Pascoe

and family. Their bravery to tell their stories, and the call for law reform is one that Dr Jauncey urged the audience to not keep silent.

“To not just be interested in it (drug law reform) today…but to stay interested in it because people like Liz and Shantell, don’t get to just go home like the rest of us at the end of the day. So we need you to be interested in it today, and next week and next year,” said Dr Jauncey. It was also announced at the event that Uniting and the Church would organise the Long Walk to Treatment. Beginning on 19 October, a group of advocates walked from Dubbo to Sydney and delivered an open letter to the health minister calling on the government to fund harm reduction treatments and drug policy reform. Dubbo to Sydney is a 500,000 step distance that it may take a person from regional NSW to travel for drug treatment.

www.

Find out how you can get involved and show your support at fairtreatment.org/walk Go to the YouTube Channel bit.ly/FairTreatmentLaunch to watch the stories of Marion McConnell, Shantell Irwin and Liz Gal as well as other videos from the Fair Treatment Campaign

YOU T GE CAN’TONE A N Y ST TO POAT A GO EAS OVERSORE AN YM

Every year about this time, here at UnitingWorld we get calls about goats. And chickens. And piglets. How many, where, are they farmed humanely? And how many bees to a bee hive?

hat’s because people are thinking about sending gifts to loved ones from UnitingWorld’s Everything in Common Gift Catalogue – and not just your ordinary socks and jocks. These gifts give twice – once to people who are passionate about building a better world and are delighted to know they’re being honoured with a truly life changing gift; again to the recipients of an investment that allows them to work their way toward a better future.

When you choose a goat, a piglet, a chicken or school resources for a child from Everything in Common, you’re making a contribution toward the project those items represent. No goats are packed and posted. No piglets are processed. Instead, your money is pooled to provide a family with a goat, training and support so they can build up a flock; use the milk for nutrition; sell the kids at market and send their own kids to school; buy desperately needed food supplies or medicine. It’s a dignified, clever way for dignified, clever people to solve their own problems.

it’s a dignified, clever way for dignified, clever people to solve their own problems And it works. Long term investment, through local churches working with people in their local communities, is the key to real change. It’s hardly surprising considering that at Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the very first locally based change-maker. When we sing the name of the Christ Child, Immanuel, we celebrate God with us: the divine literally alive in all our messy human reality. We celebrate hope growing day by day, inspiring the persistent idea that life can be – will be – different.

UCA President Dr. Deidre Palmer recently returned from time with partners in the Pacific supported by the Uniting Church in Australia through UnitingWorld. She saw firsthand the difference long term change-makers and relationships make within communities. “It’s been wonderful seeing the commitment of churches in Fiji, Bali and Vanuatu to nurturing disciples in the way of Jesus, sustaining people in faith and genuinely being part of the flourishing of their communities – providing clean water, health, education, and addressing poverty,” Dr. Palmer said.

“We share in common the idea that the gospel of Christ is holistic – it addresses our social, economic and cultural needs as well as our deep spiritual and emotional needs.” “It’s been a delight to worship with our brothers and sisters through connections forged with UnitingWorld, and this Christmas I encourage Uniting Church members to give Everything in Common gifts that so richly express our investment in the global church.”

To order your gifts and see local church members from Bowral Uniting renewing their understanding of the global goat gift phenomenon, visit everythingincommon.com.au

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SYNOD 2019 | 4-7July The Great Hall | Knox Grammar School | Wahroonga

What to expect Hear from empowering speakers

Anna Weir, Jon Owen and Karina Kreminski.

Be renewed

by Bible studies and workshops to equip and engage

Hear the ways

God is inspiring, guiding, shaping decisions and empowering the Church

Praise and worship God together

A Living Church is: • Committed Download the Living Church Synod 2019 video for use in meetings from bit.ly/LivingChurch

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to connecting to the spiritually curious and making Christ known to emerging generations • Passionately committed to the wellbeing of humanity and creation • Daring and disruptive because being different and making a difference is a risky enterprise • Authentic about the life, mission and relevance of Christ in this age of “fake news” and social media echo chambers • “Sharpening our understanding of the will and purpose of God by contact with contemporary thought” Basis Of Union

In July we gather as a community, to renew our commitment to being a living church, a church that focuses its energy on the common good through growing healthy churches, developing vital ministry and transformative community engagement. KEY DATES 1 April 2019

Presbytery Nominations to attend Synod 2019

1 May 2019

Presbytery Reports Due *content of Presbytery Reporting to be advised

15 May 2019

Nominations to Synod Standing Committee and Synod Boards

Bringing Jesus’ vision for the world to life – making a difference, Living Church is the work of communities of disciples all over the world.

Anna Weir

Jon Owen

Karina Kreminski

Performer, poet, scriptwriter, essayist and theology student, Anna has been on Australian TV screens since 2011 – most recently in Foxtel’s Picnic At Hanging Rock. An awarded writer and performer Anna is passionate about spiritual revival and restoration within the performing arts industries, and founded the arts collective ‘The Fireplace’ in 2015. She writes regularly on spirituality, creativity, relationships and community, and is currently writing her first book – a memoir on her own experience of metanoia 

Jon Owen began as CEO and Pastor of Wayside Chapel in July 2018, taking over from Rev Graham Long after he announced his retirement from the role of 14 years. Jon has dedicated his life to closing the gap on inequality, both living and working amongst some of the most disadvantaged communities in Sydney and Melbourne. Jon is a qualified social worker and prior to Wayside, he was with Urban Neighbourhoods of Hope, an international not-for-profit organisation specialising in community development and care coordination for families living in poverty 

Karina has worked in the fields of teaching, journalism and has also been a Minister. She currently teaches at Morling College in Sydney and also writes about spirituality, mission, and theology. She loves mentoring young women for leadership and speaks regularly at churches and conferences on neighbourhood and community mission and activism 

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THE LOVE OF CHRIST CAN BE MADE MORE VIVID THROUGH AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN CONCERN, ON CHRISTMAS DAY, THE ONE GREAT DAY OF SHARING. REV. FRANK BYATT FOUNDER OF THE CHRISTMAS BOWL C.1956

CHRISTIANS UNIFIED BEHIND THE

Christmas Bowl legacy It was 1949. Millions of refugees were starving in war-ravaged Europe. And as Frank Byatt, a young minister in Victoria looked at his heavily-laden Christmas dinner table, the contrast between the abundance in Australia and the needs of others around the world could not have been more stark. As a Christian, he felt he had to do something. After all, it was Christmas, the one great day of sharing! So he called on his congregation to “get a bowl to put on your Christmas dinner table as a Bowl of Remembrance and see if you can get everybody round the table to make a generous gift so that you can share your good dinner with hungry children in other lands.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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MAIN IMAGE: AYESHA KHAFUN (23) INSIDE HER SHELTER WHICH IS NEXT TO THE COMMUNITY KITCHEN IN JAMTOLI ROHINGYA REFUGEE CAMP IN COX'S BAZAAR | TOP: LAYLA BEGUM (10) PICTURED LOOKING OUT FROM HER SHELTER IN JAMTOLI ROHINGYA REFUGEE CAMP IN COX'S BAZAAR | LEFT: AYESHA SITS WITH HER TWO SURVIVING CHILDREN INSIDE THEIR SHELTER IN JAMTOLI CAMP. | RIGHT: TWO FRIENDS, NUR AND ASIMA, ON THEIR WAY TO COLLECT WATER. JAMTOLI REFUGEE CAMP CAN BE SEEN BEHIND THEM. RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/ACT FOR PEACE

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hat was the very first Christmas Bowl appeal, and that year £1,808 was raised for refugees - no small sum for a congregation at the time. But Frank didn’t stop there. His mission was to unify Australians and today, 69 years later, thousands of Australian Christians like you still come together each Christmas to share God’s love through the Christmas Bowl. It’s a beautiful legacy – and an incredibly important one. At a time when the world needs God’s love more than ever, Reverend Byatt’s call is as relevant today as it was when the first Christmas Bowl was shared back in 1949. Right now, there are 68.5 million people who have been driven from their homes and loved ones by war or persecution; that is the highest number ever recorded.

earlier this year. My experience in the camp was intense and it felt very challenging to my soul. One of many, this camp sprung up spontaneously as hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled across the border in search of safety last August. It is spread across rough, hilly terrain, creating large infrastructure problems. Building new shelter for families is nearly impossible in the heavy monsoon rains.

We are working with the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus, fulfilling the calling that He gave us

Life in the camp is incredibly hard. I felt around me a sense grief and loss that I haven’t experienced before. Personally I find it troubling and shocking that people in our time experience such violence and trauma. We have an extraordinary crisis on our door step and I continue to feel challenged about how we can reach out as Christ would in this situation. I imagine that Rev. Frank Byatt felt challenged in a similar way in 1949, when he saw the plight of refugees who had fled the horrors of World War II. In 1958 he wrote: In all this, there seems a fundamentally important challenge to the Christian. To know and not to feel a sense of concern –perhaps not to feel a sense of guilt – seems hardly possible for one whose life has been touched by the love of

JANET COUSENS, (RIGHT) CEO OF ACT FOR PEACE AND SHAHIRAH MAJUMDAR FROM CHRISTIAN AID TALK WITH JAMILA. JAMILA AND HER HUSBAND ESCAPED MYANMAR WITH THEIR CHILDREN. LIKE SO MANY OTHER ROHINGYA PEOPLE, JAMILA AND HER FAMILY ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO SURVIVE IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS. RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/ACT FOR PEACE

Among those most in need are hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees forced to flee unimaginable violence in Myanmar last year. I appreciate you have likely already heard about this crisis. The violence that these families experienced is horrific. They witnessed their villages being burned, their wives and daughters raped and family members and neighbours being killed. It is impossible to fully comprehend what these men, women and children have endured, and it is vitally important that we don’t turn our back on those who have already suffered so much. I had the opportunity to visit Jamtoli refugee camp in Bangladesh

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While I was there, I had the privilege of meeting with deeply troubled but highly resilient people. Like Ayesha, a young mother who escaped with her family at night when the Myanmar army attacked their village. Ayesha and her family travelled for days with little food or water to reach Bangladesh and the Jamtoli refugee camp. Conditions were bad. She lost her newborn baby. Despite the trauma of what she’s experienced, Ayesha still faces each day with incredible dignity and resolve. She wants to raise her children with safety and opportunity. And she is working hard to support them on a daily basis.

Christ. In Australia we are living with privilege heaped on privilege – while in so many places many are living in degradation, in poverty and death. The Bowl of Remembrance is an opportunity to demonstrate the quality of our Christian concern. Frank saw the needs around him, and he felt God’s call to respond. He understood that when we work together, we can achieve so much more, and so he asked those around him to respond as well. Frank’s vision and action unified Australians to share the love of God and meet the urgent needs of our brothers and sisters suffering around the world.

As Christians I believe we all have a personal responsibility to learn about who Christ is and to understand how we apply what He tells us in the scriptures in our every day life. In Matthew's Gospel, Christ tells us to feed the hungry, heal the sick and welcome the stranger. That’s exactly what we are doing together as we celebrate the Christmas Bowl. They sound like three very basic statements: feed the hungry, heal the sick and welcome the stranger; but if we act in those ways, and if we meet those three challenges, then Christ is able to do the rest. We are working with the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus, fulfilling the calling that He gave us, and we can walk forward trusting Him, knowing that He is able to do what we are not able to do in this circumstance. If we just take those first steps and reach out with some really practical help.

CHRISTMAS BOWL FOUNDER REV. FRANK BYATT AND HIS FAMILY IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE CHRISTMAS BOWL.

This year as we celebrate the Christmas Bowl, it’s a significant time to stop and think about others less fortunate than ourselves, and to think about what we can give as we come together and celebrate Christ. As we sit down to share our Christmas meals with our families and friends and celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us also pause to be grateful for what we have. Let us remember to share our good blessings with our brothers and sisters in need, and respond to Jesus’ call to love our neighbours. Janet Cousens Chief Executive Officer Act for Peace

Sharing God’s love

THROUGH THE CHRISTMAS BOWL SINCE 1949

In Matthew's Gospel, Christ tells us to feed the hungry, heal the sick and welcome the stranger. That’s exactly what we are doing together as we celebrate Christmas Bowl, which is the Christmas appeal of Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia Last year, churches raised an incredible $2.3 million through the Christmas Bowl. Uniting Church members across the country generously contributed close to $1 million. You can share God’s love through the Christmas Bowl and provide food, shelter and dignity to our brothers and sisters in urgent need around the world actforpeace.org.au/christmasbowl

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PREACHING CHRISTMAS 2018

NOT QUITE BUSINESS AS USUAL

irst up, the fairly usual but hopefully provocative warnings for Christmas preaching! As can quickly be seen, the readings for worship across Christmas have a special intent.

For most Sundays throughout the year it is usual to ask how the readings, read with biblical commentaries, are to be opened up to the faithful within their life situations. We approach the lections through their content and place in the Gospel, with the aid of the best biblical scholars. In effect, we unlock the text.

We are reminded of the care we need now as we release the joy of the incarnation within a frail humanity and from a tarnished church

However, for the Christmas readings it is the feast itself that ‘unlocks’ the readings. This is a bit obvious for the Gospels, which for Luke and Matthew are nativity readings.

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However, it is more germane for hearing the accompanying readings, which are brought into the worship service specifically for their ability to sit alongside the infancy narratives. In this, the commentaries and scholars are not so helpful because the texts have been pressed into service for this particular feast. Yet for the feast of the birth of Christ the intention in the Lectionary is to delve the mystery of the incarnation, and all the texts are put to work for this aim. If this is the case, it might be best to meditate somewhat on the meaning of Christmas to the Australian community.

AN AUSTRALIAN CHRISTMAS

It is little surprise to recognise that our take on the festival is out of sync with most of the English speaking church, as well as the communities spread across Europe. We stretch many of their winter devotions to allow ourselves to be included in them – think Aussie Christmas trees or snow domes with surfing Santas. We develop some local usages to offer a sense of continuity think the use of the colour blue in Advent to represent the summer night sky. We intermingle Australian carols with traditional northern hemisphere songs of faith. We embrace the Christmas crib reflecting herding practices far removed from our own ways of farming – after all how could such a scene not have a faithful working dog? It can be said there is a particular feel to the Australian Christmas celebration. In many ways the focus on the child born to us, enables the feast to be a celebration of the family. Our sense of the holy family of Joseph, Mary and the child Jesus is matched in our Christmas customs of visiting family, presents for all, a languid family long weekend, outdoors as much as possible, enjoying the heat, attempting the surf if nearby.

Christmas is the time of extendedfamily gatherings, children playing in the daylight saving time, memories, phone calls, skyping and family connection. This is not so possible in the northern hemisphere, where the winter weather is far from conducive to the traveling and space required. In some ways, the Australian Christmas has more features in common with the North American celebration of Thanksgiving, which has a very strong family orientation.

in the texts. We should not so readily think that we have grasped the nature of shepherds, the role of magi, the Jewish marriage customs of the era, the politics of the census, the presence of angels or the historical nature of ancient narratives. Here, the commentaries still have a place. The historical hue of the Gospel passages should not lead us to forget that they are, first and foremost, theological narratives. The infancy narratives are deliberate theological

Australian worshippers are only too aware of the politics of immigration, race and religion Our Christmas liturgies reflect something of this, and are often family affairs. All sorts are dragged to attend! With the family comes the heat, the relaxed atmosphere, the excitement of the presents, and the busyness of the season. There is also the incessant advertising and those omnipresent jingles. It is not a season conducive to meditation, yet it is full of graced moments.

BIBLICAL IMPERATIVES

The birth stories are compelling in themselves, and are able to be told and retold effectively. The value of the birth narratives as inviting stories cannot be overestimated. They have a deep human quality, compelling story line, interesting characters, and a certain humility, all carried through at a brisk pace. We also know their ultimate endpoint in the resurrection of Jesus, though narrative wise that is still far off. On this feast we are invited to see into the dilemma of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; birth and the astonishment that it brings. Yet as much as we are familiar with the stories, and have heard often the narratives themselves, there is much that is alien

set pieces that serve to introduce each Gospel and prepare the reader for the great theological themes and moments of revelation to come. Without cutting into the many surprises in each book, they offer the reader hints and keys that allow them to be attentive to the understanding of Jesus the Christ that is being portrayed. It is important that the pieties of the community and our preaching be attentive to this larger theological direction.

OUR TROUBLED CONTEXT TODAY

The different theological thrusts in the readings are proclaimed and heard in our Australian context. While Christmas is a time of family and respite and almost a sense of peace if not joy, the Christian in Australia cannot be mute or deaf to our context. There are many points in the readings that touch on our national and local situation. Given our leadership tussles, which will play out for some time, the infancy narratives are wrought with politics and intrigue. The imperial census itself, the machinations of Herod, the journeying of the Magi, the privileging of the shepherds, the Davidic heritage

of Joseph, the poverty of Mary and Elizabeth all have political undercurrents. Australian worshippers are only too aware of the politics of immigration, race, and religion. The Christmas lectionary choices carry the memory that Joseph and Mary were refugees in Egypt, trying to raise their child as impoverished strangers in a foreign land. The involvement of the church in systemic abuse is not far from our minds and hearts. The massacre of the innocents brutally confronts us with violence against children, and carries to us the current cries of young lives ripped apart by abuse and power. Institutional abuse is embodied in Herod, and is closely related to the need to take an imperial census. Where does this leave the worshipper and the preacher given our Australian context? The credibility of our church and many church and state institutions is under enormous strain. The scrutiny is well deserved, and the level of abuse and cover-up is astounding. Our society is yet to lay bare completely the levels of abuse that occur in families themselves, a salient reminder to us given the way we take up the Christmas season.

THE CHALLENGE TO PREACHERS

For Australians to hear these biblical passages as if they were stories for children is both to turn away from the revelatory nature of the scriptures, and to presume that we can remain inured to the pain and suffering around us. As we prepare our homilies and reflections, we recognise that the effects of abuse are within our community whether held by victims and their families, or by the many professions and persons caught up in the tsunami of wretchedness, dealing with the devastating fallout of lives ruined and often times lost. We are reminded of the care we need now as we release the joy of the incarnation within a frail humanity and from a tarnished church. We are only too aware that the message of Christmas is not confined to reciting childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stories and worthy pieties. Even more so, this year our congregations have a heightened awareness of the biblically inspired need to confront the evils and distortions within our Australian life. Our preaching will require more courage and more humility.

Adapted from a commentary on the readings for the Christmas season by Gerard Moore, Academic Dean of United Theological College, that was published in the West Australian liturgy journal Pastoral Liturgy Vol 49 (2018: 1) 29-30

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want for christmas

Insights asked leadership across Uniting Financial Services, Uniting, Uniting Resources and Uniting Mission and Education to reflect on the year that was and the year that will be. Together they hope that Christmas will be a time of blessing and renewal.

Albert Olley

Chief Operating Officer ~ Uniting Resources Advent, what a great time to reflect on service and what it means for the staff of Uniting Resources to be in service for our church. As I reflect on Mark 10:42-45 I am reminded that Jesus’ model to us was “not to be served but to serve.” Working in a shared service environment, particularly in the church, provides great opportunities to live out the words of Mark to serve our communities. However, we do not strive to be first among anyone but to serve our living church and support those in ministry and mission.

relationships, it might seem like the ‘cart is before the horse’ and at other times like we are walking on the beach hand-inhand celebrating how we together achieve God’s work. Most people who interact with the Uniting Resources team do so through either a property transaction, an insurance claim, are employed in one of the 90+ payrolls we process or are looking for legal guidance on a church matter. These are the housekeeping and hygiene aspects of doing the business of the church that allows mission and ministry to occur. As we wrap up 2018, our desire this Christmas is for people to embrace the acceptance of others and to show respect

we do not strive to be first amongst anyone but to serve our living church

For a shared service to truly serve our communities there needs to be collaboration, communication, shared expectation of the outcome and a shared respect. As one of my team explained: “The success and focus of 2018 was about really taking the time to understand what drives our people and congregations and what our people and congregations need in order to be and feel safe.” Uniting Resources plays a pivotal role in the life of the church across the NSW and ACT Synods, assisting congregations, presbyteries, missions and agencies fulfil their mission and ministries to the communities they serve. This is a relational role. At times in these

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for people’s beliefs and choices. We are all proud of the many committed and engaged people and groups that make up our Church. As a new COO, I have been especially moved by the Synod staff and leadership team who work passionately, enthusiastically and diligently to support the many and varied activities of the church. Looking to 2019, the aspirations of myself and my team include: * Improving the way we facilitate and support mission and ministry across the church through improving efficiency and our responsiveness.

* Building a servant leadership and service culture that focusses on service and, where possible, problem solving. * Equipping and supporting healthy congregations through strong trusted relationships and the gifts and talents of the team. * Participating as part of the whole of church team building vibrant communities. * Celebrating as part of God’s team working as one, without barriers and boundaries, where we allow the gifts of God’s spirit to flow and our church to be the church of reconciliation and renewal. We are excited about continuing to spend time in 2019 with the wider Church community, meeting more people and sharing more stories. As you celebrate Advent and Christmas, may this time of year be a time of reconciliation, renewal and rejuvenation; and may the words from the Angel to the Shepherds in Luke 2: 10 – 11 energise each one of us in service of our Lord as we live out his calling on each of our lives and we are sent in service filled with the holy spirit, “But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.'”

Tara Curlewis

Uniting Mission and Education ~ Interim Executive Director Each year as I approach Christmas, I hope that the Good News of the first Christmas and the message of the angels to a bunch of tired shepherds will be made real in people’s lived experience. Luke’s Gospel (1:13-14) records, “suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’ For the team that makes up Uniting Mission and Education (UME) 2018 has been a year filled with change, uncertainty and also times of joy. We have rejoiced with Bronwyn Murphy, Kath Merrifield, and Bradon French as they answered God’s call into new ministry with wider Synod responsibilities. We saw a refocussing of UME that enabled a closer working relationship with Uniting Resources with the finance teams combining and Kath Tetley, our communications person, being integrated with the Synod Comms team. The Uniting Earth team joined the Uniting Social Justice team. The UME Board with its new chairperson, Michael Anderson, commissioned a major review of the portfolio. For the UME team this has been a time of uncertainty with roles changed and some concluded and new internal teams identified. The growth and mission of the church is important in

our Synod with a focus on Growing Healthy Churches, Developing Vital Leadership (lay and ordained) and Enabling Transformative Community Engagement. Within UME we support the Synod focus with four interrelated teams: * Mission Strategy and Support considers future initiatives and directions and mobilising the ministry of the Pulse Team. * Mission Enablement seeks to develop healthy relationships with presbyteries and support by resourcing in ways that presbyteries find most helpful for congregations. This area initially includes two small teams the first focusing on resourcing mission initiatives and building on the Mission Shaped Ministry Programme embraced by Parramatta Nepean and Sydney Central Coast Presbyteries this year. A second focus is assisting as required in developing a healthy approach to regular Life and Witness Consultations. The Saltbush team sits in this space too. The three western rural presbyteries and gathering the scattered communities is a vital focus. Saltbush includes identifying ways to be a church where resources are scarce, and the distances are great.

* Vital Leadership Team additional leadership having an intentional focus on developing leadership and discipleship across the church. The identification of people to train for ministry remains a significant focus and sits with equipping lay people for the specific areas that God calls them to exercise their gifts. * The United Theological College Team (UTC) this year have travelled to regional areas to hold courses, and intensives. Mid-year we rejoiced as many joined the intensive at the Port Macquarie campus of CSU. 2019 will see the reintroduction of a Principal of UTC. In 2019, I hope that UME will enable people, leaders and congregations to flourish in healthy and exciting ways. That UME can assist in equipping and encouraging growth in discipleship, developing vital leadership, and growing healthy congregations. My hope is that our Uniting Church may participate actively in God’s transformative grace with people in our towns, cities and our neighbours in the world.

2018 has been a year filled with change, uncertainty and times of joy

This Christmas I continue to hope that the joy of the shepherds who rushed to Bethlehem to find the Christ Child will be your experience and the experience of many in our community.

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Tracey Burton

Executive Director ~ Uniting The highlight for me in 2018 is joining Uniting! It has been an absolute privilege to take on the role of leading the organisation, and working with a team of passionate people in both Uniting and the Uniting Church who are so dedicated to making a difference to the vulnerable and disadvantaged. I am very grateful to everyone for the warm welcome, and to the Synod for welcoming me to its leadership team.

Christmas is a time to remember Christ’s love and invitation to serve others

Since joining, I have seen and become a part of the movement to make the world safer, fairer and brighter, one precious person at a time, in both big and little ways. I have been able to discover the depth and breadth of services we offer to people and the way we change the community; it was definitely a surprise to me to see just how much we do. I have also seen the entrenched disadvantage in our society and the work we have ahead of us in 2019 and beyond. In this time of discovery, I have been inspired by the Uniting Church’s capability to tackle big issues, such as drug law reform, that others choose to steer away from. In this I see our foundation brought to life, with Christ inviting us to serve humanity by creating an inclusive, connected and just world. In 2019, I’m looking forward to working with the Presbyteries’ leadership group and Congregations to strengthen our collaboration, particularly in our Future Horizons work with its focus on making a difference for children, young people and families in communities facing hardship. The Royal Commission into Aged Care will also be a key focus for us. This is something that, with the Uniting Church and UnitingCare Australia, we have welcomed. With an aging population, changing expectations of care and changing funding models, the time is right to have a conversation about how we support older Australians to have the life they want, to be physically and emotionally safe, and to be treated with respect and valued for the contribution they make to our communities and society. Christmas is a time to remember Christ’s love and invitation to serve others, and what I want for Christmas personally and professionally is to see more compassion in the world; it is something that is sorely lacking at a global, national and local level. Sometimes it’s easy to forget in our busy lives that a smile, a helping hand, a listening ear can make such a profound and lasting difference to people. I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas.

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Warren Bird

Executive Director ~ Uniting Financial Services My fourth year in this wonderful role as the Executive Director of UFS comes to a close with a great sense of anticipation. Something is stirring within the Uniting Church, in this Synod. There’s a commitment and passion among the leadership team to make sure that all the Boards of the Synod are working to support the Church in a renewed and strengthened focus on proclaiming Christ. It’s exciting to be working with Simon and Jane as the Synod’s appointed leaders. They are people that all Church members can be proud of; followers of Christ who are generous, thoughtful and faithful. I also have a new set of ED colleagues following a turnover of all the other positions this year. We’re all here to serve and to work hard to improve the quality of the service that the Synod’s Boards provide across NSW & ACT. My great hope for 2019 is that a stronger bond of trust can be developed between those of us who work for the Synod and all members of the Church. Out of that bond, I hope that creative, gospel-centred new relationships can be forged. I’m pleased to be able to point to several situations in which I’ve been involved over the past few years where a new sense of being ‘on the same page’ has developed. I’m looking forward to UFS taking another step in that direction in 2019 when our core banking system upgrade project is completed and our partners – investors and borrowers – can enjoy a better experience in their financial dealings with us.

I hope that creative gospel centred new relationships can be forged

I also hope that we can all be better listeners. That we’ll listen to each other better, to understand what we all face, to know how to better serve one another. More important, that we’ll listen to God better, studying the scriptures for the revealed divine mind and prayerfully discerning what it means to be disciples of Christ in today’s rapidly changing world. I hope that we all realise that it’s not about us, it’s about Jesus. It’s not about our pet projects (however vital they may be), it’s about making disciples for Jesus; and it’s not about our institution. It’s about our relationships and our communities. Please pray for us who work for you by working in the Synod. Pray that we’ll be filled with wisdom, with love and with courage. Wishing you every blessing this Christmas and for a New Year full of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

United Theological College

Based at North Parramatta on the accessible and tranquil education hub at the Centre for Ministry, United Theological College offers a range of theological degrees and subjects to explore as part of your life long journey of learning. 99 Bachelor of Theology 99 Graduate Certificate in Theology 99 Graduate Certificate in Ministry 99 Graduate Diploma of Theology 99 Bachelor of Theology (Honours) 99 Master of Theology (Research) 99 Master of Theology 99 Master of Ministry 99 Doctor of Ministry 99 Doctor of Philosophy Your journey of theological learning can start with ONE single subject. Study a subject for enjoyment, faith exploration, career pathway, to support lay or ordained ministry, academic credit or simply an area of interest. 2

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At UTC we have over 40 subjects on offer in 2019 • Practical Theology • Liturgical Theology • Christian Spirituality • Christian Ministry • The Diaconate • Reconciliation • Pastoral Care • Cross Cultural Ministry in Australia • Mission, Evangelism & Apologetics • Homiletics • Christian Education • Introduction to Christian Theology • Being The Church • Jesus the Christ

• The Triune God • Theological Ethics • Interfaith Dialogue • New Testament Greek 1 • Introduction to Old Testament Studies

• Biblical Hebrew • Introduction to New

Testament Studies • Old Testament History & Narrative • Paul & His Letters • New Testament Greek 2 • The Synoptic Gospels • Biblical Hebrew 2 • Johannine Literature • Prophetic Literature

SCHO L AVAIL ARSHIPS ABLE : CA (02) 8 838 8 LL 900

• Early Church History • The European Reformations • Uniting Church Studies • Reflective Practice • Guided Research in Ministry • Theological Hermeneutics • Contemporary Theology in a Global Context

• Contemporary Approaches to Biblical Studies • Advanced Biblical Exegesis • Studies in Liturgy & Worship • Approaches to Enquiry in Ministry • Reflective Practitioner Perspectives in Ministry • Theology Research Project

Applications Open! Call (02) 8838 8900 | email utc@nswact.uca.org.au

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Education Calendar 2019

January

May

14-18

Old Testament Intensive, Port Macquarie

UTC Research Colloquium

17-20

National Young Adult Leaders Conference, Adelaide

21-25

Cross-cultural Ministry in Australia Intensive

L M C Mission Shaped Ministry Lay leadership event – with May McLeod lecture L U

Introduction to UCA Worship

UTC Research Colloquium

February 4-6

Pastoral Strength Conference, UTS (partners with Uniting)

11-15

Deacons Intensive, CFM

12-15

1-2

Living Our Faith – Old Testament 1, Riverina

New Candidates Orientation, CFM

UTC Session 1 Last day of classes

17-20

Women in Ministry Retreat, Kincumber

15–16

Living Our Faith – Old Testament 2, Riverina

21–22

Ethical Ministry Foundations, CFM

15-30

Walking on Country, Central Australia

17-21

Fundamentals Transition Ministry – Work of Congregation

M C

March 1

UTC Opening Service, Inaugural Lecture, Workshops, Research Colloquium

2-3

Kids Camp Out (KCO)

2-3

Living Our Faith – Old Testament 1

UTC Session 1 First day of classes

Mission Shaped Ministry 1

M C

15-16

Talanoa Oceania

18-20

Fundamentals of Transition Ministry – Work of the Leader

23-24

Living Our Faith – Old Testament 2

UTC Research Colloquium

C U

C L

C U

April 8-21

Mid Term Break

15-28

School Holidays, NSW

19-22

Easter

Anzac Day

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(Current as at 21 November 2018)

C U

June

M C F

C U

July 4-7

NSW/ACT Synod Meeting

9-10

UCA Polity Intensive

8-12

New Testament Intro Intensive, Port Macquarie

UTC Session 2 First Day of Classes

Introduction to UCA Worship

UTC Research Colloquium

27-28

Mission Shaped Ministry Weekend

C U

M C

August 3-4

Living Our Faith – Exploring Theology 1

13-14

Ethical Ministry Foundations

17-18

Living Our Faith – Exploring Theology 2

UTC Research Colloquium

26-30

Seminar Week with Thatcher Lecture

26 Aug – Session Break 6 Sep

C M

September 2-5

Phase 3 Debrief Retreat

Mission Shaped Ministry 4

21-22

Introduction to Sacraments 1, Riverina

UTC Research Colloquium

F L

M C

Keep an eye out for these popular theological events and courses in 2019: ● Ethical Ministry Refreshers ● Living Our Values

October 12-13

Introduction to Sacraments 2, Riverina

UTC Session 2 Last Day of Classes UTC Research Colloquium

November

● You Lead Conference ● Understanding the Sacraments ● Presiding at Weddings ● Presiding at Funerals ● Healthy Churches Expo

End of Year Service & Celebrations

Mission Shaped Ministry 5

UTC Come & Explore Open Night

11-13

Fundamentals of Transition Ministry – Work of Leader

18-20

Gospel Yarning Conference

25-29

Mission Evangelism & Apologetics Intensive

U L

M C

CSU Graduation

● And more…

We welcome enquiries: P: (02) 8838 8940

December 9

We have are more great educational short courses, intensives, functions, events and activities being scheduled for 2019, and we invite you to visit our website to explore our latest events as our 2019 Calendar evolves. www.ume.nswact.uca.org.au/event-calendar/

E: utc@nswact.uca.org.au

W: ume.nswact.uca.org.au

KEY L Ideal education or event opportunity for current

or future lay preachers

F For Formation pathways study or learning C Learning opportunities for church and congregation

M Ideal for further Ministerial professional development U United Theological College related content and study

community members Y Youth program or Pulse program events

Sign up to our UME newsletter to ensure that you receive all of the latest event, course and tertiary information visit; ume.nswact.uca.org.au

CFM – The Centre for Ministry.

Note: All events and dates are subject to change.

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Scholarships from UME allow students to learn and grow in mission and discipleship by providing financial support

Could you be eligible for a Scholarship? Speak with a UTC student support staff member today! (02) 8838 8900

9 Uniting Church Members 9 Ministers 9 Candidates 9 Deacons 9 Lay Education students 9 Overseas students 9 Postgraduate students 9 Transformative Pastoral Practice 9 UTC students

umeinfo@nswact.uca.org.au

26 insights ume.nswact.uca.org.au

WHY UNITING CARES

for the aging Sometimes people ask a question with a statement first which is supposed to be the answer. It starts with something like, ‘Aged care is nothing but a business’ (pause) ‘so why is Uniting caring for the aging?’

he simple answer is that the Christian mandate calls the church to meet needs as we see them. Older people experiencing vulnerabilities require a Christian response.

I think there are some assumptions that sit behind the question. These assumptions are based on ideas around ‘charity’. While we treasure the gifts and resources from the congregations that form the foundation of Uniting, we have a responsibility to build a sustainable future. As a not-for-profit, we seek ways to grow revenue. This allows us to allocate resources to additional services, viewing all as ‘my neighbour’ and we don’t choose who is in need. Every aging person deserves a place at the table we share.

UNITING CHANGES LIVES

Uniting has a pastoral responsibility to look after vulnerable people: To be the net that catches and cares for those in transition and we know that aging is a challenging transition. We are living in a time where community care is increasingly outsourced for profit. To leave residential accommodation in the hands of companies who are experienced in running prisons and detention centres may abandon the vulnerable to a profit-driven, costreduction universe and deny them their complete humanity to experience the love of God for all people. The creation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is a direct response to community concern. The Commission’s first task in its Term of Reference is to inquire into: The quality of aged care services provided to Australians, the extent to which those services meet the needs of the people accessing them, the extent of substandard care being provided, including mistreatment and all forms of abuse, the causes of any systemic failures, and any actions that should be taken in response. Uniting have an important role to play in leading change in quality and care models and being an advocate with older people to help governments hear their needs. If we were not in the market, we would not have a voice.

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It is the difference between maintenance and wholeness and Uniting’s consistent theme has been about wholeness. All Uniting homes offer spiritual support through chaplaincy and pastoral care. If we are not in the market, we can’t model services that provide dignity and respect that allows people to age well as part of living well. Our mandate has a bias towards people experiencing socio or economic exclusion. Almost 47% of Uniting’s residential places go to people with limited means and we particularly focus on the marginalised. Rev. Dr Brian Brown1 defines service as: Service: “Actions and programs of support, care, nurture, advocacy and prophetic action as part of the church’s mission and ministry.” To quote Rev. Dr Brown again, “The church serves as an act of gratitude because God first serves us.” Brown’s 2014 paper quotes chapter after chapter of the Old and New Testaments where we are called to serve beyond ritual, customs and celebration. 2 Isaiah (58:3) tells us again what service is and demonstrates that care not only brings relief to those who suffer, but healing for those who exercise compassion. It builds community. A prophetic faith calls us to leave our own comfort zones (and buildings) in order to find God in the faces of others – in the world. In doing so, we change the lives of all that we meet including residents and staff. Uniting changes people’s lives through employment. We have nearly 8600 staff working in our homes and a considerable number are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. We have more than 20 languages spoken by Uniting employees. Their integration into Australian society is largely influenced by their experiences at work. Uniting teams are trained to apply the values of Uniting through all our care for our elderly. In doing so, we change the carer and cared for. In other words, how we care models a wholeness that works towards making the world a just and inclusive place. If we are not in the marketplace – who will change the world of those who serve and are being served?3 To turn our back on caring for the aging because it has become a business makes no more sense than closing the Medical Supervised Injecting Centre because drug dealers make a profit.

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UNITING CHANGES CHURCH

The church’s situation in the world has also changed. As once we were the centre of society – we are now in the margins. The margins are speaking into the church through public debate and community conversations. How do we hear those voices and remain contemporary and open? How do we change with changes? The question of how we be the cutting edge of a movement and what that movement might look like – speak directly into who or what we might be in the future. How we care for the now – speaks towards the future. Loving our neighbour as we would love ourselves translates directly into caring for the elderly as we would care for our own.

A prophetic faith calls us to leave our own comfort zones in order to find God in the faces of others

The Basis of Union, The Statement to the Nation and our faith foundations all substantiate why we are in service but they don’t speak on how inclusiveness and love in action (service) ultimately changes the shape and perception of ‘church’. Rev. Dr Brown said, “movement towards wholeness requires an openness to those who are included being leaven to help the church to rise to enriched heights of service. It is conceivable that the apparent “outsider” can in fact witness by their service to an insular church that at times forgets its call to follow Jesus into the world.”4

He goes on to say, “Movement towards wholeness seeks expansion in engagement with the wider community.” We serve the elderly because we need them as much as they need us. It is in that service we change our lives, the lives of all those who work for us and ultimately the residents, their families and the church. It promotes in the community a different way of being and it promotes in the church, an avenue to be more than burnt offerings but rather a way of freeing God’s love in the community. We don’t embrace diversity because it’s nice – we embrace it because that is the

world we live in and the church can no longer self-reference to who we were. As we ‘practice’ this through service – we mainstream it in the church. Professor Bruce Rumbold said what the elderly are crying out for is care – what the government funds is service. We don’t get to discriminate because someone is rich or poor. As ‘uniting’ in our name indicates action, a people on the move towards a promised goal, Uniting as our service name invites inclusion, change and movement. Rev. Jean Shannon Head of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Practice, Uniting

Rev. Dr Brian Brown’s quotes are from the publication ‘On the way towards wholeness - a developing theology of service for the Uniting Church in Australia’ (NSW/ACT Synod Version).

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Faith

PUBLIC POLICY

PRAY, MARCH, LOBBY, SEE CHANGE, PRAY AND REPEAT. THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S THE UNITING CHURCH SINCE ITS 1977 FORMATION, NEVER SHYING AWAY FROM SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, ENGAGING WITH GOVERNMENTS AND PUBLIC POLICY AS A WAY OF WITNESSING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AND STANDING WITH THE MARGINALISED.

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ne of the ways the Uniting Church engages the community, and does it well, is by challenging society to find a more compassionate way a more life-giving way, one that is underpinned in theology.

The Uniting Church Assembly General Secretary, Colleen Geyer, wrote in For a World Reconciled that justice is “a deep sense of the Church being about God’s work, an example of the incarnation of God in our work.”

detention, as well as the global persecution of Just this year, Melbourne opened its own people seeking asylum. medically supervised injecting room and has already seen similar progress. “So far Uniting Church members have been involved in eight different meetings with MPs These centres are able to reach the most and Senators to discuss this issue. There are marginalised in society that Mr Streeter a number of meetings still being planned,” Ms identifies are often the people that can be Hogan said. affected by drug dependency.

“In order for there to be policy change on this “Treatment works and arresting people who issue, local people from the community need are ill, as well as feeding stigma and being a to be knocking on their MPs door to talk waste of money, is a barrier to treatment. about this.” . “Last year 200,000 Australians weren’t able From advocating for Indigenous Land Rights Along with providing training and education to access the Alcohol or Drug Treatment to calling for end of uranium mining, the for congregations in social justice advocacy, they needed and that is not a situation we social action in the 70s to now is grounded Ms Hogan shares that campaigning for these would accept for any other health condition,” in the sentiments outlined by the 1977 UCA main issues in the lead up to 2019 state said Mr Streeter. ‘Statement to the Nation’. elections has already begun. GOOD POLICY? These sentiments were reiterated in the “[We’re doing this] particularly through In 2016, the Synod passed a resolution Bicentennial Statement (1988), where the community forums across Sydney where that called on governments to invest in first UCA Assembly pledged to: elected representatives will be invited to drug harm reduction strategies and the speak to their policies on this issue and decriminalisation of the use and possession Challenge acquisitiveness and greed… answer questions.” of small amounts of illicit drugs. struggle against all systems and attitudes which set person against person, group “We also work to support the Moderator to “Good drug policy keeps people safe—both against group…identify and challenge speak in the public sphere about particular people who use drugs and people who all social and political structures…which issues – such as his involvement as key faith don’t,” said Mr Streeter. perpetuate and compound poverty and speaker at the 2018 Palm Sunday Rally.” destruction of creation. “The benefits extend to the community—by One of the successes for ‘Give Hope’ taking drug use off the streets, local Insights looked into what lobbying for policy campaign is with the partnership with Sydney residents will be less likely to encounter reform looks like today for the Church and Alliance, have worked to achieve concession discarded drug paraphernalia and more its agencies. transport rates and free TAFE for people likely to get an ambulance quickly for seeking asylum. PROPHETIC MINISTRY medical emergencies.” IN ADVOCACY At every level of the Uniting Church there are “Our work to change Federal policy for people Mr Streeter explained that the Uniting seeking asylum is a much more challenging advocacy team had met with a number committees and groups that have a focus task but we hope to see some positive of stakeholders including police on social issues and how the church can change in policy at the next Federal election,” commissioners and senators who all effectively engage in that space. In particular said Ms Hogan. shared that the moral authority of the the Synod of NSW and the ACT established Uniting Church supporting this campaign, is the Social Justice Forum (SJF) in 2009, to CAMPAIGNING “extremely compelling.” continue the social justice advocacy and the FOR THE COMMON GOOD prophetic ministry within the Synod. One of the significant lobbying successes “The Uniting Church is the only church in the within the Synod in conjunction with the world to publicly campaign on this issue SJF enables congregations and the Church’s agency Uniting is the establishment and in the coming weeks there will be lots community to identify and campaign for of the Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting of opportunities to get involved, sign up issues affecting the community. The main Centre (MSIC) in 2001. and show your support through events in areas of advocacy for SJF are people seeking churches through New South Wales. asylum, affordable housing, drug law reform, A global pioneering move by Uniting and the and environmental advocacy through Uniting Earth ministry team.

SJF Advocacy Officer, Alex Hogan, explains that they also work with social justice committees within presbyteries and congregations. “We try and support, resource and promote these groups and their activities as much as possible,” Ms Hogan said. One of those activities is advocating for a more compassionate response to people seeking asylum, which Ms Hogan said is a continuing concern for the church and the community.

Church, the MSIC is located in the heart of “Problematic drug use affects the most Kings Cross, Sydney and was the first centre marginalised in our society, so this is a of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Since social justice issue at the heart of the then, Canada has followed suit and now has Church’s mission.” 27 injecting room centres across the country. The call for drug law reform continues. Uniting Head of Advocacy Campaigns, Uniting and the Church organised the Long Dominic Streeter, said the Sydney centre Walk for Treatment, where 50 walkers has saved lives and reversed a number of walked from Dubbo to NSW Parliament to overdoses. deliver an open letter to the health minister.

“In 17 years of operation our MSIC in Sydney has reversed nearly 8,000 overdoses, made over 13,000 referrals into treatment, reduced ambulance call out rates in Kings Cross by 80% and reduced publicly discarded needle equipment by half.

From this SJF launched the Give Hope Asylum “So it’s difficult to understand why Australia, Seekers campaign in 2013. The Give Hope having ‘proven concept’ has taken so long to campaign is concerned with how Australia is build on that foundation,” said Mr Streeter. treating people seeking asylum both settling into local communities and in offshore

The open letter, penned by the Moderator, Rev. Simon Hansford, called on the government to fund harm reduction treatments and systematic drug policy change. On October 19 church leaders and community began the 15 day walk to parliament. Pray, march, lobby, see change, pray and repeat.

Melissa Stewart

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L-R: PRESIDENT OF THE UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA, DR DEIDRE PALMER WITH CONFERENCE ATTENDEES. QUEENSLAND SYNOD GENERAL SECRETARY REV HEATHER DEN HOUTING AT THE OPENING OF UNITINGWOMEN 2018. LYN DIEFENBACH WITH THE ARTWORK SHE CREATED WHILST PRESENTING HER KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT UNITINGWOMEN 2018. OLYMPIAN ELOISE WELLINGS ON STAGE PRIOR TO HER KEYNOTE ADDRESS.

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Wonder women

GATHER IN BRISBANE AT UNITINGWOMEN 2018 W ITH MORE TH A N 300 WOMEN FROM ACROSS AUSTR A LI A IN ATTENDA NCE, U NITINGWOMEN 2018 WAS A N OPPORTU NIT Y TO W EAV E STORIES OF W ISDOM A ND WONDER, W RITES JAMES O’CALLAGHAN. Over four days, women of all ages and ethnicities shared their wisdom and formed new connections at the biannual UnitingWomen conference in Brisbane in late September. The event included conversations, keynote speakers, workshops and forums and was hosted by the Queensland Synod and supported by Somerville House. President-elect of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Sharon Hollis, gave the opening address, where she summarised that the conference lets women see the humanity in each other. “And if we encounter each other like that we will weave such a tapestry of faith, such a tapestry of wisdom, such a tapestry of wonder that we will enrich each other, and we will enrich the lives of the Uniting Church,” Rev. Hollis said.

RUN THE RACE SET BEFORE YOU

During the event, keynote speakers Olympian Eloise Wellings and artist Lyn Diefenbach inspired listeners with their stories of the power of faith in times of adversity. After being selected for the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Ms Wellings suffered a stress fracture, the first of many, putting her dream on hold. It was at this low point that she went to church with a friend and heard the Gospel in a new and powerful way. “I heard about Jesus, I heard about a God who cares about the intricate details of our lives,” said Eloise, who is

also the founding Director of the Love Mercy Foundation in Uganda. “God was saying to me, ‘Eloise, because of me you are enough.’”

WHEN BROKENNESS IS MADE WHOLE

Equally inspiring was Lyn Diefenbach’s keynote which invited listeners to explore the joyful and painful memories that make up our lives—to recognise that God can weave our brokenness into wholeness.

The acclaimed artist spoke of the devastation caused by the tragic death of a granddaughter. Ms Diefenbach created an artwork on stage as she spoke, underlining the link between art and spirituality.

Brooke Prentis, Coordinator of the Grasstree Gathering and Aboriginal spokesperson for Common Grace delivered the closing keynote.

It is up to women today to play a key role in weaving a new tapestry for Australia

“God is good. God comes alongside of us in our hurts and he carries us on the wings of the prayers of others, their presence, their actions, so we can become stretcher bearers for others who have walked a similar path,” she said. “We can pick up the broken because we have been broken ourselves.” Attendees also heard of how UnitingWorld is making a difference in the Pacific region through programs like Partnering Women for Change.

JOINING INDIGENOUS WOMEN ON THE JOURNEY

“It is up to women today to play a key role in weaving a new tapestry for Australia. The Australia that I dream of, built on truth, justice, love and hope,” said Ms Prentis, who shared her presentation with community leader and mentor Aunty Jean Phillips. Aunty Jean encouraged those in attendance to join Indigenous Christians on their journey. “From today onwards, you are going to get to know us more and you are going to talk about our history,” she said. “So, I trust that you take up the challenge to walk together, to build a better nation for everyone and we can do that, and God can bless us, and we will see real blessing, we will see real reconciliation.”

SHARING THE STORY

Dr Deidre Palmer delivered the sermon at the closing service, focusing on two key women in the Bible, Joanna and Mary Magdalene. “These wise wonderful women in the scriptures are our sisters of faith,” Dr Palmer said. “Our lives are woven together with theirs, as we hear again the good news declared in the Gospel. In her parting message, Dr Palmer encouraged women to find their voices to share the story of Christ and the wisdom of God. “So that the world may be invited into the wonder of the deep power of God, bringing reconciliation and hope to the whole of God’s creation.” As the conference drew to a close, organisers introduced Moderator of the Northern Synod, Rev. Thresi Mauboy Wohangara and the team who will host the conference in Darwin at the Club Tropical Resort in July 2020.

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The Parramatta-Nepean Presbytery (PNP) was invited to be part of the Pathways pilot program. This invitation coincided with our taking on new leadership in re-shaped roles – a ChairpersonMission Strategist, a Presbytery Ministry Leader and a Co-chair/ Minister of Pastoral Care. Our new team also included the Unitingfunded Church Engagement Leader and our Presbytery Officer. We were given the task of working with the Presbytery’s Vision 2055 (a 50 year vision is available at http://pnp.unitingchurch.org.au/ vision2055.htm) to develop a Presbytery Strategy for implementing the vision. The PNP vision statement is: As a whole Presbytery, to generously share ourselves and mobilise God’s resources to support God’s Mission so that, in 2055 and beyond the Uniting Church has a strategic, vibrant Christ-centred presence in Western Sydney in all its diversity. Much work had already been done to formulate the vision documents and develop ‘Five Big Moves’ that focus our attention on the significant changes that need to happen. Our current task has been the development of a strategy to make the vision come alive and engage the leadership of PNP in the process of transforming our congregations into effective missional communities.

MISSION

transformati

T H RO U G H PAT H WAY S

In the first part of a two-part Pathways feature, Geoff Stevenson, Chairperson of Parramatta Nepean outlines how Pathways has assisted the Presbytery in nurturing and leading the transformation of congregations as missional communities and in the process affirmed their mission strategy. Kath and Melanie are available to answer question or discuss further: KathM@nswact.uca.org.au or 0409 650 118; mdicks@uniting.org or 0407 009 051 or leave a comment on the Pathways feedback page: Part two of this feature is online at: insights.uca.org.au

As we prepared to develop this strategy, the Pathways team, Kath Merrifield and Melanie Dicks, engaged with us and demonstrated how the process they were developing might complement the process we were undertaking. We contributed to the development of a process that would work for PNP and provide the Pathways team with the data that they needed. The Pathways team negotiated with the seven Mission Zone leaders and conducted two consultations. Both consultations provided an opportunity to share broader data and information about our region. We were also able to connect the Pathways feedback with the developing strategy information and processes. In other words, PNP has used the Pathways processes and consultations to help drive our own strategic plan for transformation and mission. As the various questions and issues were raised through the first consultation and fed back into the second consultation, unique presbytery feedback from those in congregations helped to engage with the specific strategy elements we are trying to encourage.

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mission TRANS FORM ATION PATHWAYS ASSISTED

Changing the

The first stage of our process has been to ‘change the conversation.’ This is grounded in the realisation that business as usual is not working and we need to change the fundamental conversation and ethos across our Presbytery. Pathways assisted in this process and embarking on the second stage, which is ‘experimentation’ and the movement to stage three, ‘changing our culture.’ Reorienting congregations to an incarnational model of Church (‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us’) is the essence of PNP’s Mission. This is quite a change for our congregations. The Presbytery is also seeking to build broader collaboration for mission. Some of the feedback that we received indicated that generally in congregations, people are strongly tied to ‘having their own minister’. Their identity is strongly linked to having a paid minister, which is not always possible. Nor does “having a minister” necessarily result in a transformed community, able to embrace new models of mission.

CONVERSATION

ion

HOLDING UNITY IN THE

MIDST OF

diversity

Pathways has demonstrated that we are generally comfortable with acceptance of others and holding our unity in the midst of diversity (even if particular issues exert very strong pressure on this unity). This is about acceptance – we will accept anyone who comes to us but we are not sure what to expect from and for them. We do not always feel sure about how to make disciples and nurture spiritual growth. The latter is about transformation and we have not been adept at nurturing disciples and evangelists. We are far more used to, and comfortable with, waiting in our churches for people to come to us and offer them what we think they will want, to befriend them and bring them into our congregation to do the work of the church. Sadly, fewer people ‘just turn up on Sundays.’ For the leadership of PNP these findings are not new, but are told in different ways and heard from the voices of congregational members. It confirms that the Mission Strategy is more vital now than ever. These insights also assist us to focus on how we might bring transformation to our Presbytery and its congregations – where we need to focus and what strategies are essential.

Pathways in

2019

TELLING

God’s

story

One of the major findings of Pathways is that our members struggle to ‘Tell God’s Story,’ to evangelise in ways that are consistent with the needs of modern people and how the modern world responds to religious and spiritual conversations. There is a lack of confidence and an uncertainty about the forms these conversations should take. These issues are central to the PNP Mission Strategy and reinforce our need to work to help congregations develop strong leadership that has ministerial support and resourcing to help our members share their faith. The other major finding from Pathways was that Uniting Church members understand they want to love and serve the community around us, people who want to hold diversity together in unity and to be able to ask deep questions. This is how we define ourselves and we are comfortable with these descriptors. Pathways has now reported its findings in relation to Stage two of the project to the Synod Standing Committee, Synod Leadership Team and Presbytery leaders. These findings will inform the Synod strategy being developed with Presbytery leaders. During the lead up to the Synod meeting in July 2019, the Pathways team will assist participating congregations and Presbyteries to engage with the findings of Stages one and two and to begin to develop their own responses in terms of their local contexts.

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HOLD THAT THOUGHT CONNECTING FAITH TO EVERYDAY LIFE

Are you a bit tired of viral cat videos, people sharing their shiny photoshopped lives on Instagram and people getting outraged about, well, everything on social media? Hold That Thought wants you to stop, pause and for about 90 seconds listen to what Jesus has to offer you in your everyday life.Above all, Hold That Thought seeks to start honest conversations about a range of everyday topics about spirituality without all the baggage. Are you in? Then Hold That Thought is your weekly go-to for inspiration and thought provoking ways to connect faith to the everyday. Each short film is designed to be a conversation starter. You can even suggest topics you would like covered in the future. Above all, get sharing and join the conversation!

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NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY!

facebook.com/holdthatau

#holdthatau

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

A Life Worth Celebrating T

he world lost another great Christian recently with the death of Eugene Peterson. Although not a household name outside Christian circles like Billy Graham, Peterson had a powerful impact in the church around the world all through his nearly 86 years of life. Widely regarded as “the shepherd’s shepherd,” he will be missed.

His influence extended to the NSW political scene. When teaching at Vancouver’s Regent College in the mid-1990’s Peterson met a young man studying to become an Anglican minister in Sydney. On an essay submitted by that young man about how he thought God was calling him to serve diverse communities through ordained ministry, Peterson wrote in the margin “or maybe in Australian politics.” Mike Baird took that suggestion on board and, in due course, became the Premier of our State. Peterson is best known for his version of the Bible, “The Message”. More a paraphrase than a translation, The Message has opened the scriptures to many through its vibrant, contemporary language. Bono from the band U2 is a fan. So in honour of Dr Peterson, I want to have a look at how The Message renders the Bible’s most famous verse on money. In traditional translations 1 Timothy 6:10 reads as follows: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” Not, as popular memory has it, “the love of money is THE root of ALL evil”. We have the King James Version to thank for that misunderstanding, but most recent translations get it right, removing the inference that every wicked thing can be traced back to money.

Anyway, how did Eugene Peterson render this text? The Message puts it this way:

IT’S WRONG TO REGARD MONEY AS YOUR EQUAL! IT’S MEANT TO BE OUR SERVANT NOT OUR BROTHER

“Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble.” The Message was written to capture the idea that the Bible is a love letter from God to humanity. I think Peterson was onto something when he used “lust for money” instead of the more literal “love of money”. In context, the apostle Paul wasn’t trying to say anything positive about this attitude towards money, so Peterson deliberately uses a word that has more worldly, negative connotations. The Greek word in the text is phileo, a word used of an admiration and affection between equals – such as brotherly love. Peterson captures the idea that it’s wrong to regard money as your equal! It’s meant to be our servant, not our brother, and to “love money” is to give it influence over us that’s inappropriate. It’s fair enough to call that “lust”. The Message’s approach to the second half of the verse is also insightful. It captures the thought that this lust for money brings trouble specifically to the person who does the lusting. “The root of all kinds of evil” is a more general sounding term and, while it’s true that many evils in the world can be traced to someone lusting for money, it’s not really what the apostle Paul is warning Timothy about in these verses. Context is everything, so it’s worth looking at how The Message renders the sequence of verses 9-11: “But, if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some

lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.”

I think Peterson has it wrong by making this only about leaders. It’s really about any Christian who “wants to get rich” (NIV). That’s how I’ll interpret the passage. So the process being described is that when a Christian prioritises getting more money as their life goal, this leads them down a destructive, trouble filled path. It’s a path full of obstacles to their relationship with God and temptations to abandon their moral foundation; it’s a path on which, when they inevitably stumble, they’ll be badly injured, in ways from which it’s almost impossible to heal and that will have devastating implications for the whole of their life. In fact, a near certain end result is that they abandon their faith and lose Christ completely. Eugene Peterson personally didn’t do that. From what I understand, though his books earned lots of money, he lived a simple life and gave much of it away to support young theology students in their studies. He called his focus on following Christ “the long obedience”. In its own way, the path of the long obedience is as difficult as the one that a lust for money leads you down. But the end result is the polar opposite. Peterson apparently was full of joy in his final moments and, as death approached, said “let’s go”. When my time comes, that’s how I want to leave this world too! Warren Bird Executive Director Uniting Financial Services

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

Prayer Warriors OR KEYBOARD WARRIORS?

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Social media offers a lot. The chance for people to exchange articles and ideas, as well as the opportunity to (re)connect with people from nearly all over the globe. For all that can be said in its favour, however, the pitfalls of social media can be easily outlined. Trolls, getting into arguments online, and the fact that anything you post is online forever are some of the more obvious downsides for everyone, but what about those, specifically, who work for the church?

or many Uniting Church ministers, social media is an extension of their ministry, a chance to connect with people, in their own congregation and beyond.

I’ve certainly picked up ideas from other people online. It’s a good forum for sharing, alongside of face to face conversations,” Rev. Dr Squires said.

“I’ve been called to account a couple of times for the posts that I have made— especially when I have expressed a personal opinion in a direct and unsubtle way. I’ve pulled my head in a couple of times in this regard.” Rev. Stanton told Insights that she has put a number of boundaries up with congregation members on social media. “My main social media platform is Facebook and I never initiate Facebook connections with congregation members as I wouldn’t want to pressure them in any way to accept a friend request when they may prefer privacy,” she said.

“I belong to some moderated Facebook groups which provide links to resources “My policy in personal posting is never and discussions about resources for to share anything that I am not happy particular needs and occasions. Craig Mitchell facilitated some of these groups for anyone in my congregation to see and I never comment on anything to do when he was working for the Assembly with particular pastoral situations or and they have continued.” “It can be a place to affirm and life in the congregation on my personal “I have used Facebook as a tool encourage others both when things go Facebook page.” to educate people about well and when they are struggling,” Rev. Rev. Stanton also nominated particular issues that I Stanton said. a number of ways that she have a passion for. I’ve “For the congregation, it can be a way applies due diligence to her IF I CAN’T been criticised for of sharing good news about what is congregation’s Facebook P O S T being on a soapbox, happening in the congregation and page, including only SOMETHING and also for expecting also a means of spiritual encouragement posting general content POSITIVE I to educate in an through calls to prayer and written and photos of major W O N ’ T P O S T environment where prayers shared. Using social media events at a distance. ANYTHING emotions are dominant. to share Internet articles on mission AT A L L That’s a challenge that I “I rarely post photos of and ministry is also valuable in still ponder.” children and never without generating conversation amongst specific permission from their “I have posted lots in past years congregation members.” parents,” she said. “I would only post about the theology of Christmas carols Rev. Dr John Squires is the Principal content that I believe my Church Council and also about the theology of the of the Perth Theological Hall, having would endorse as a whole body, and Trinity. Because of the interest that was previously been based in New South that I think represents the congregation generated by my posts about marriage, Wales. A self-confessed “Facebook as they would wish to be represented in the lead up to the recent Assembly tragic”, he says that the platform has publicly and corporately.” and in the weeks after the decision was been helpful for his ministry. made, I have started a blog, to which I Rev. Dr Squires said that he refrained post reasonably regularly. I am a follower “from posting on certain issues at “The main professional advantage of and reader of the blogs of a number of Facebook for me is that it facilitates certain times.” colleagues and can see the benefits of ongoing contact with friends and “Because of the particular ministry roles this kind of online resource as well.” colleagues in various locations – across that I have had in the past decade, I have Australia, as well as people in Europe, PUTTING UP BOUNDARIES regularly been involved in conversations the UK and the USA.” The Uniting Church NSW and ACT Synod face to face which are “difficult”, has a detailed Social Media Guide that “I use Facebook to post photos and “challenging”, or similar, and I know that I ministers need to adhere to regarding reports of key things that I have been can’t be reporting this online, even when their social media presence. doing in ministry. I know that this is it would feel like a very good release of partly for my own self-ego gratification According to the guide, ministers need to pressure to do so.” but also it is partly to assure colleagues ensure that their social media presence “I have a great supervisor and that’s that there are indeed good things does not undermine their work, that they where this work belongs—in confidential happening in the Uniting Church. I get guard confidential information that they supervision sessions, not on public online good feedback on the latter on a fairly gather through their work, and that they posts! But I need to keep monitoring my regular basis.” only use their private email address for activities and ensuring that I maintain a their personal accounts. A RESOURCING SPACE strong sense of boundaries as to what is For Uniting Church ministers, social appropriate, and what is not.” Keeping these standards in mind, media can provide a practical place to then, is something that Uniting Church Jonathan Foye is Insights’ Editor exchange ministry ideas and resources. ministers need to practice in their online life. “I think it is good that people in one location can know that there are “I am aware of the problems that come good things happening elsewhere, be from a blurring of boundaries in using encouraged by that, and perhaps gain social media,” Rev. Dr Squires said. ideas for their own ministry from that. Rev. Suzanne Stanton is Minister of the Word at St John’s Uniting Church Wahroonga. She says that social media, used positively, can build connections amongst a church community.

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

December

Preparing for Christ 1 DECEMBER LUKE 21.25-36

Advent 1

Is preparing for Christ about preparing for a brilliant cosmic event, where the ground shakes and the seas roar? Or do you think of something happening that is so small it would be easily missed; something as simple as a fig tree that begins to form the tiniest of buds at the beginning of spring? At first glance Jesus seems to suggest in this passage that it could be one or both, but I wonder if this is what he really meant? You see, as someone who lives in the city I regularly feel the ground shake beneath my feet as trucks drive past and planes fly overhead and as someone who has spent many years living near the ocean, I know that it’s roar can become a familiar friend ― a soundtrack for daily life. Christ came into the world in a way that could so easily have been missed and as we begin advent together it is important for each of us to remember that Christ still comes to us in the most ordinary ways. At the beginning and end of each day in the rising and the setting of the sun, in a tear, on the whisper of the wind. And in that is the hope. Where can you find Christ today?

8 DECEMBER MALACHI 3.1-4

Advent 2

Preparing for Christ is hard and I am not just talking about all the thinking and time you need to ensure that you have exactly the right gifts and food for Christmas day.

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I am talking about the way that we need to change ourselves to be fully ready to be the people that Christ wants us to be. As we turn away from the habits of old- selfishness, greed, self-loathing, a lack or excess of humility, failure to love or to accept love, it sometimes feels as if we are literally being stomped on or alternatively going through a furnace and being re-made.

to give gifts, to provide This is what it is to take up your hospitality and opportunities cross and follow Christ. It is restoration and renewal in our hard to become the disciples families. To rejoice because we were made to be, because, all of this is because Christ is before we take that first step coming, and does come into we need to be prepared to our lives every day. re-member who we are, and As we prepare for Christ we whose we are. should always remember What is the hardest thing to rejoice, to give thanks that you find about being a and welcome the peace of disciple of Christ? God which surpasses all of understanding into our 15 DECEMBER hearts. PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7

Advent 3

Right now, I bet you are starting to really worry about what you haven’t done to prepare for Christmas. I know that I am. What are the gifts that you have forgotten to buy? How will you finish the work that needs to be done and do you have enough cups and plates and spoons and seats for everyone that is coming? Whatever it is that is worrying you, Paul’s letter to the Philippians reminds us to rejoice. Paul reminds us that despite the difficulty of our preparations, despite our anxiety about potential challenging family reunions, despite of it all, we should always remember to rejoice. To rejoice that we have the opportunity to do these things,

23 DECEMBER LUKE 1:39-45

Advent 4

I suspect that preparing for the arrival of a first child (and indeed any subsequent children) is scary for all if us. I know it was scary for me, despite the fact that our first little boy was long planned for and my husband and I were both prepared and ready to welcome a child into our lives. I can only begin to imagine what it was like for Mary as she prepared to welcome Jesus. Personally, I have always through the angel Gabriel’s suggestion that she ‘not be afraid’ was a bit unreasonable given the circumstances! I am sure she was an exceptional young woman, but she still must have been pretty terrified.

Imagine her relief when she arrives at Elizabeth’s house, and is greeted with a blessing. ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’ Imagine her joy. Is it little wonder that it is at this moment she breaks out in her now famous song of praise to God?

30 DECEMBER COLOSSIANS 3:12-17

Christmas 1

The time for preparation is over. The Christ Child has come again and now we find ourselves in the space in between. The quiet time between Christmas and New Year when it seems, everything, except the boxing day sales, has ground to a halt. So, what do we do now? Paul’s letter to the Colossians gives us some good advice as we ponder what to do in this in between time. Paul suggests that we take time to ‘clothe ourselves with love’, to forgive one another and to be thankful. And in doing all of this to let the peace of Christ rule our hearts. Take time and space to remember that the peace of the Christ Child lives in you and use this peace to carry you into the New Year.

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

January

The missing parts of the story JANUARY 6

JANUARY 13

Epiphany of the Lord

Baptism of Christ

MATTHEW 2.1-12

We don’t know a lot about the wise men who visited Jesus. We assume there were three because of the three gifts presented to Jesus and we assume they were kings because these gifts were lavish, they were important enough for Herod to notice them and because of the

LUKE 3:15-17, 21-22

If we just read the verses given to us it in the lectionary we could be forgiven for coming away from this text with certain assumptions. If we know the other Gospels well, we assume that John the Baptist baptised Jesus. If we don’t know the story of the other Gospels we

That the Messiah, who John the Baptist felt himself not worthy to tie his shoes, was baptised just as all the other people baptised that day werejust as you and I were, or perhaps will be when you are ready to take that step. Why do you think the lectionary writers left out verses 18-20? What difference does it make to Luke’s story to include them?

We don’t know exactly when they arrived, though we know that it was not likely to be at the same time as the shepherds as our nativity scenes would suggest. We don’t know what happened to them after they left by another road. What we know is that they were there, and in being there they changed many lives. I wonder if their visit to the Christ Child changed their lives? How might the thing you do change the lives of those you encounter this year? How will you allow others to change you?

So what is the story really about? Why wine from water? Why was it the first thing Jesus did in his adult ministry that John chose to include? Why is it important that it is the mother of Jesus who seems to encourage her son’s actions? What other questions might we ask to discover the missing story that we need to know?

JANUARY 27

HOW WILL YOU TA K E E X T R A TIME TO NOTICE GOD IN YOUR STORY?

reference to Kings in Psalm 72, but the text doesn’t actually tell us any of this.

the story than that. The point of the story has much greater depth than a simple slight of hand deception.

PSALM 19

Epiphany 3

Psalm 19 is one of my favourite Psalms and gives me great comfort.

could assume that John simply disappears into the wilderness, once the proclaimed Messiah has come. If we read the missing verses, namely Luke 3:18-20 we discover Luke doesn’t seem to agree with any of these assumptions. In the missing verses, rather than disappearing into obscurity, John the Baptist is thrown in prison, before Jesus is baptised. It is therefore safe to assume that, according to Luke, John didn’t baptise Jesus, nor did he just disappear. According to Luke we don’t know who baptised Jesus. Luke does not say. I wonder if, for Luke, the importance of the story was not who baptised Jesus, but rather that he was baptised.

It reminds me that God speaks often and always, without words but through creation.

JANUARY 20 JOHN 2:1-11

Epiphany 2

One of the most common tricks of a magician is to make things disappear, or to make things appear in place of something else or where there was nothing at all. If we read this story about Jesus, independently of any other stories we could be forgiven for assuming that Jesus was simply a magician, a conjurer who turned water into wine. Like a magician who uses slight of hand or distraction to perform the trick, how did Jesus really turn water into wine? Of course, we know that Jesus did not perform magic. We know that there is more to

I have this idea in my head that when God paints a sunset, He is painting a picture just for me, because even though I know lots of other people see the same cloud or the same sunset, they don’t quite see the things I do, because their feet are not quite on the same piece of earth as mine. And yet I am the first to admit that I often miss God’s words. Though they are there, I am too hurried, or too caught up in what I am doing. As January ends and 2019 begins in earnest I invite you to reflect on how you might choose not to miss the voice of God in your life in the coming weeks and months. How will you take extra time to notice God in your story?

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

February

FEBRUARY 3

Christ ’s call to love

1 COR 13:1-13

There is lots of talk of love and prophecies in the UCA as I write this reflection and I wonder if, by the time you are reading, love will have prevailed, particular prophecies will have come to an end, and clanging tongues will have ceased to hurt people who have already been hurt so much? One of the things I am sure that we all know is that life is lived in fullness when we are in love and loved. I am sure we agree that when people rejoice it is because they have loved, they are currently experiencing love or they expect to love. I am sure we can also agree that when most people are in the depths of sadness and despair it is likely because they have lost love, or have had their trust in those they loved deeply damaged. Love is the thing that has the power to unite us across all difference. May we love, and use it as the path for reconciliation. What and who do you love to love? When have you felt sorrow because you have lost love? Where might you love more and speak less?

FEBRUARY 10

ISAIAH 6.1-8

I have always wanted to preach this text in one of those big gothic style churches with pillars and archways. Should I ever receive this opportunity I would stand in the high pulpit and ask the gathered people to take a look around them, and particularly notice the columns and arches and high ceiling.

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I would then ask them to close their eyes and imagine the church shaking as it fills with smoke.

FEBRUARY 17

FEBRUARY 24

PSALM 1

LUKE 6:27-38

I have recently been part of a leadership course which reminded me that one of the I would ask them to imagine things fundamental to my own seraphs, mythical tetradactylministry is ‘active mindfulness’ like creatures with six wings, -or to put it another way a coming out of the constant and active smoke and flying intentional blindly around awareness of the the ceiling. presence of LOVE IS THE As the Jesus Christ in T H I N G T H AT creatures the world. HAS THE POWER fly so low To my shame that the TO UNITE US I was also gathered ACROSS ALL reminded people DIFFERENCE that this can feel the type of ‘active tiniest clip of mindfulness’ is a wing on their something that I've heads I would ask been neglecting of late. that they imagine a piercing squawking and caterwauling That is not to say that I am coming from their beak like not ‘mindful.’ I do see God mouths crying ‘Holy Holy Holy in everything and everyone. is the Lord of Hosts, the whole I love that about ministry, earth full of his glory.’ because I get to speak about God and Jesus and this I would ask them to imagine constant chatter heightens my in that moment they are awareness of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah and as you sit there one of the creatures gracefully guiding and inspiring the conversation. sweeps down before you and touches your lips with a live coal that burns sharply as it melts your skin. Through the pain you simultaneously feel an immense sense of relief as all of your guilt- all of the heaviness of whatever burden it is you carry- disappears.

And then through the silence you hear the voice of the Lord saying ‘Whom shall I send and who will go for us?’ and you respond ‘Here am I; send me.’ What do you think it felt like to be Isaiah in that moment? Have you ever experienced this type of feeling in the past ? What would your response be? If you were to experience such a feeling in the future how do you think you would respond?

But, perhaps because of this constant conversation, I have forgotten to take time aside of the business of life to simply (as the Psalmist says) ‘delight in the Lord and to meditate on his law.’ I have forgotten to take full advantage of the living water—that special sense of peace that comes through intentional time to just sit and delight in God’s love.

And perhaps in doing so I have not been as fruitful as I could have been. What are the things that provide you with refreshment and renewal through Christ? Are you taking enough time to enable ‘fruitfulness’ through Christ’s living water?

As I read this text, that tells us to do what seems impossiblethat we love our enemies, I am struck by how personal and intimate it is. I mean it would be really easy to love our enemies from afar. It is easy to love people we don’t see. Think about it for a moment. Who haven’t you seen for a a while because, though you love them, you don’t like them very much? Jesus doesn’t make loving enemies that simple. If we really are going to love them we need get close to them, to be in their company, to even touch them. We need to risk the hurt that being with them may cause us. But truth is, it is much harder to hate someone when we know them, and the only way we can truly know someone is to be near them. That is not to say that we suffer their bad treatment of us, the text does not say this. The love that Jesus speaks of is an honest one. Sacrificial love to be sure, but not love that tolerates injustice. That is not what Jesus was about at all. Loving our enemies is more than this. It is love that speaks against injustice and seeks mutual understanding. Because when we know someone, and understand the way they think, it is much easier to love them, and it is much easier for both people to find Christ together. Who have you not spoken to for a while that you love, but don’t really like? What can you do to find the grace to love them as Jesus loves you?

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

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

Christmas Greetings from Rev Noreen Towers NSW/ACT UCAF Chairperson and all the members of the Synod Committee. May you each receive blessings as you share with family and friends and take time out from our busy 2018 to celebrate the true meaning of this special time. A Christmas message has been received from Janet Woodward as National Chairperson. Check it in “Connexion” on the UME website. THINK TANK LOOKS TO FUTURE

The Synod Committee met in October for a “Think Tank” to look at ways in which we can move forward. There is still great enthusiasm and we are encouraged by what Fellowships do. Janet Woodward the UCAF National Chairperson from South Australia joined us for our twoday event. We continue to support the UCAF National Committee, which raises money to train women in ministry in The Pacific Region. Already $2,500 has been received. This project is co-ordinated through Uniting World. Unfortunately, due to costs of our affiliations to the National Committee, ACW, NCW, WFMUCW, PSEWA and others we are re introducing

Fellowship news

the Annual Presbytery Contribution of $50. Contact forms and information updates have been sent. THANKFUL FOR DEDICATION

Sadly, we have received two resignations from the Synod Committee. Denise Secomb has served for 20+ years and has had roles of Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson of the National Committee, Corresponding Member and Sales Convenor. Her husband Alan served on the National Committee, National Corresponding Member, Chairperson for four years and Sales Convenor. We thank them for their dedication, service and the great contribution they have made. RALLIES

Macquarie Darling Presbytery held their last Rally at Mudgee with five centres represented and three members of the Synod Committee. Rev. Greg Smith and Rev Peter Harvey led the morning service with special guest speaker Rev. Bill Loader. The offering went to the Flying Padre at Broken Hill. Hunter Presbytery welcomed the Moderator Rev. Simon Hansford as the special guest at their Rally held at

Morisset UC with 95 attending. His theme centred on “How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a new place” and challenged those there with “How do we know where God is calling us?” Items included singing by the Red Dove Choir. The offering went to the Moderator’s Disaster Relief fund and South Lakes Christian Education. ANNUAL DEDICATION SERVICE

Everyone is invited to the annual UCAF committee Dedication Service to be held Wednesday 13th February on Level 2, 222 Pitt Street Sydney at 1pm. A light lunch will be served prior at 12md.Please RSVP secretary Laraine Jones laraine. jones@bigpond.com STAMP COMMITTEE UPDATE

Stamp Committee latest figures for 2018$19,660 as at 13/11/2018 2019 RALLIES

Macquarie Darling Rally Saturday 30th March at Parkes UC If you would like to share your fellowship news or have any questions, please contact: Judy Hicks on judyh_rnh@hotmail.com

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C U LT U R E WAT C H

What if God wanted to be

YOUR FRIEND ON FACEBOOK ?

What if God was one of us—just like the Joan Osborne song says. If God sent you an unsolicited friend request, would you accept? And would God actually use Facebook, because you know, nobody under 25 is using it these days…

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hile it’s not unusual for a major American network to greenlight a show about how God can intervene in our lives – think Highway to Heaven and Touched by An Angel folks – what’s more interesting is that there seems to be a resurgence of interest in this subject matter. In a sea of police procedural television series about the evils in the world, it is refreshing that we have this counter-cultural idea back on television.

After all Highway to Heaven, 7th Heaven and Touched by an Angel are all over a decade old now and live large on streaming services and boxed sets sitting in our TV cabinets. Don’t they? Maybe it’s just me…

episodes, the concept seemed more suited to a feature film than a series. It may ultimately need to adopt the help a person a week format like its predecessors to actually work. But as the Executive Producer Steven Lilien explained to Deadline.com the long game will be revealed when “Hall’s character and his friends search for the actual guy behind the “god” account (note little ‘g’ god here), which producers hope is a long journey hopefully answered in 200 episodes.” The creators of the show believe we need something to unify us more than ever and that faith and social media have that in common. Both social media and faith have had a tendency to divide us, but what if it was the reverse?

Nothing has shaped our culture in the last few years than social media and the way we “When you think about how people communicate use religion as a tool to divide, at times, with each we wanted to have a about other conversation how we shouldn’t

As reported on Deadline. com with those longrunning viewer favourites, the CBS network was quick to point out there are no angels on God Friended Me, but that it is about “tackling questions of faith, existence and science.” CBS also stated that the show is “hopeful, inspiring” and reminds viewers “we are all in it together and that there are really good people out there doing good things.”

God Friended Me is somewhat of a gamble in an era where television audiences are moving off free-to-air and on to streaming services. The concept is relatively simple: Miles Finer (Brandon Michael Hall) is an outspoken atheist whose life is turned upside down when he receives a friend request on social media from God. Miles unwittingly becomes an agent of change in the lives and destinies of others around him. After repeated pokes by God, Miles’ curiosity takes over, and he accepts the ultimate friend request and follows the signs to Cara Bloom (Violett Beane), an online journalist. Brought together by the mysterious account, the two find themselves investigating God’s friend suggestions and inadvertently helping others in need. Miles is set on getting to the bottom of what he believes is an elaborate hoax, but in the meantime, he’ll play along and – in the process – change his life forever. The set-up of the show is relatively simple, but while watching the first few

let religion divide us—we should let it bring us together,” says Bryan Wynbrandt about some of the thinking behind the show. “We’re fascinated by culture in general. Nothing has really changed or shaped our culture in the last how many years than social media and the way we communicate with each other.”

“We were fascinated by that and the idea that, like religion, in its most general form, [social media] is supposed to be a positive [place]. It’s something hopeful, something that’s supposed to bring people together, but it’s perverted by humanity in a lot of ways. You see it being used to divide us.

So do you have to believe in God to watch the show? Executive Producers Sarah Schecter says, “You might not believe in God, but you probably believe in Instagram. Religion is about trying to make sense of the world and what our purpose is, and social media is also about trying to make sense of the way the world works and understand it. So, weirdly, there’s a lot of similarities between the two. You certainly do not have to have a relationship with God to enjoy the show.” The first episode introduces us to all the characters and sets up the central concept of the show, which is that we are all ultimately connected in some way to each other. But whether that is actually because of God at all may be the central conceit of the show. Is it actually God or is it someone playing god? All these answers will probably play out as the series progresses. Miles and Cara play the roles of super sleuths on a mission (not a mission from God per se) to find out who is behind the enigmatic account. And for every person that is listed under the “Suggested Friends” feature, is the next person that will be impacted by the work of Miles. Or perhaps in the grand scheme of things, they will have an impact on him. At the time of printing Insights had review access to the first three episodes of the series, so we won’t know until more episodes air if God Friended Me is more God’s Not Dead thanw that other great CBS series which went all too quickly — Joan of Arcadia. But for now, it will be interesting to see where the series goes and the reaction it gets. Because network television has a tendency to yank material off the air if it doesn’t get an audience. The show premiered on Channel 7 on 5 November. Adrian Drayton

“Social media is a really interesting metaphor for religion in that way because it started off as a great way for all of us to stay connected. And now it’s become this divisive tool. “So, we thought, let’s smash these two things together because we can say something contemporary about humanity through both of these parallel ideas.”

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REVIEWS

Entertain me REA D THIS

SAINTS: A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION Saints are thought of as exceptional people. Even in a non-religious setting we bestow the name on individuals who are superhumanly generous or stoic. But in the Christian tradition saints are distinctive by bridging heaven and earth. Protestants tend to be uneasy about the tradition of saints, especially when it comes to intercessory prayers to saints. Of course we recognise saints, particularly of the early church, but we also remember St Paul calling all the faithful saints. The original saints were martyrs. Sainthood broadened beyond actual martyrdom to include the symbolic martyrdom of asceticism. At the same time there arose a belief in the miracleworking powers of dead saints and their relics. The cult of saints became like polytheism, with local saints resembling local deities. In the New World, the two become mixed up, as in the Mexican cult of St Death. Such was the growth of saints that in the Middle Ages the church took control with an official system of canonisation. Yarrow begins his book by likening saints to fictional superheroes, but in its original form the idea of sainthood is not exceptionalism but merely the recognition that those who walk beside and before us in the church community can be role models in bringing heaven closer to earth, something that, through the work of the Holy Spirit, each of us can do. Nick Mattiske blogs on books at coburgreviewofbooks.wordpress.com

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BIG SCREEN

FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD (M) Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) is apprehended and held in the Magical Congress of the United States of America in New York. That is until, the darwwk wizard manages to escape to Paris to look for Obscurus, Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller) who had wreaked havoc on New York in the first film. So begins the newest adventure Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Jude Law provides the heart of the film that many may have thought was lacking in the original in his performance as the much loved Dumbledore. Depp delivers a solid performance as the patiently conniving mastermind and does not undermine the storyline or overtake the focus of the film. The whole experience suffers from comparison to the rich character development and magic of the films that were inspired by the book series. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald provides a glimpse into the value of family, but at the heart of the story is the essential need for the love and acceptance. This relationship can come in the form of blood relations, a blended family or through adoption and shows that no price can be put on the importance of parents in the life of a child. Russell Matthews

PRESS PL AY

LADIES IN BLACK (PG) Ladies in Black is based in the rapidly changing culture of Australia during the late 1950s, specifically within the work and experiences of the sales force in the fictional Sydney department store, Goodes, standing in for the iconic David Jones. What two-time Academy Award nominated film director Bruce Beresford has managed to do with this beautiful tale written by Madeleine St John, his former classmate, is deliver a film that is positive and uplifting, while taking on timeless issues of immigration and social equality. The beauty of Madeleine St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story is how it addresses the everchanging social landscape of Australia while maintaining the respect of the previous generations. Ladies in Black is a pleasant surprise. The film celebrates the value of family and the benefit of experiencing new cultures. This film is one of the best Australian films in years. Russell Matthews

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Insights Summer 2018

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Christians unified behind the Christmas Bowl Legacy