New Times - July 2013 by Synod of SA

Issue 32, No 6, 2013

The voice of Uniting Church SA

July 2013

Love delights in truth and rejoices in honesty and justice

HONEST WITH MYSELF

CARING FOR CREATION

Opening up about

The Dreaming and

mental illness

Reconciliation Week

pp. 10–11

pp. 14–15

Contents

FEATURES Presbytery & Synod meeting summary Pigtails and other truths

6–7 9

Being honest with myself

10–11

Caring for creation

14–15

Exploring partnerships

Contact Lynne on (08) 8291 1040 or 0419 783 816

REGULAR PAGES Moderator’s Comment Getting to know...

4 18–19

Letters to the Editor

Diary

Reviews

Editor: Catherine Hoffman Editor-in-Chief: Bindy Taylor Advertising: Loan Leane Design: Les Colston/Joie Creative Print: Graphic Print Group For editorial inquiries: p. (08) 8236 4249 e. newtimes@sa.uca.org.au m. The Editor,

New Times GPO Box 2145

Adelaide SA 5001

For advertising bookings: p. (08) 7007 9020 e. advertising.newtimes@sa.uca.org.au

newtimes.sa.uca.org.au facebook.com/NewTimesUCA ISSN 0726-2612 New Times is the voice of Uniting Church SA. Published monthly, February through December, New Times represents the breadth, diversity and vision of Uniting Church members in SA. News policies, guides and deadlines appear online at newtimes.sa.uca.org.au. Articles and advertising do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor.

Print circulation: 10,000 Uniting Church SA Level 2, 212 Pirie St, Adelaide p. (08) 8236 4200 f. 8236 4201 country callers. 1300 766 956

August:

Love is learning The Uniting Church in South Australia is connected to many educative areas and institutions, including schools, colleges and tertiary education institutes. In August, a special edition of New Times will focus on the work of these organisations.

DEADLINE FOR AUGUST Wednesday July 10

Shutterstock reference: p.9 unverdorben jr

editorial

Failure is not final I’ve made a few mistakes in my lifetime. Oh, alright – a lot of mistakes. If you ask my parents, I’m certain they’ll be quick to agree that a myriad of bad choices seemed to plague my decision-making abilities throughout my late teens and 20s, and even into the beginning of my 30s. I grew up in the church, stepped away from it throughout my high school years, flirted with it a little as a young adult, and then returned again in my early 30s when my daughter started attending a playgroup at Woodville Uniting Church. While I have always had a sincere love for people and like to think that there is good in everyone, I was leading a mostly selfish life, laced with self-destructive behaviours. My spiritual core was left abandoned and un-nurtured; without a

relationship with God, I was in love with the wrong things and was living a life that I often felt self-conscious about. Fortunately for me, love rejoices with the truth and the reality of redemption – Christ has come to forgive us and give us a new start when we repent. I discovered that love is the grace of God that reaches out to us in Jesus. When we introduce a relationship with God into our lives we are empowered by the Spirit, and have Christ’s truth within us. Love rejoices with the truth that failure is not final.

Bindy Taylor

A fond farewell When flipping through a news-zine like New Times, it can be easy to forget how much work goes in to each edition. Here, we want to give credit to our graphic designer, Les Colston, for his tireless efforts in producing New Times each month. Les has been designing New Times for many years, has won a number of Australasian Religious Press Association (ARPA) Awards, and has witnessed countless changes to both the layout of the publication and the team who produce it. This is the final edition we will produce with Les, due to an in-house designer joining the production team. When I started as New Times Editor in January this year, Les quickly became my rock (at work, anyway). He was incredibly patient and understanding, willing to help me out wherever he could in order to make this transition period easier. It is with sad hearts and much gratitude that Bindy and I wish him goodbye and good luck.

Catherine Hoffman

Bindy Taylor (left) and Catherine Hoffman discuss the upcoming edition through their new office window.

moderator

Relationships 101 I was once in a placement which celebrated around 150 weddings a year. There were two ministers on staff, and another minister from a nearby congregation who assisted with the overwhelming number of weddings conducted. “I was driving past your church on the weekend and...” was the most common opening for wedding enquiries, as the main building was set in a picturesque, leafy neighbourhood that attracted many couples. When it came to working through each marriage service, I found that around 90% of couples (actually, it was usually the bride) chose 1 Corinthians 13 for the main reading. This was sometimes accompanied by a tentative enquiry about the length of the sermon. Somehow, I must have unconsciously transmitted my enthusiasm for this New Testament gem in such a way that I signalled a red light to the couple – “Long sermon ahead!”

In particular, verse 6 always stands out for me: Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (1 Corinthians 13:6 NIV) When I suggested to couples that I focus upon the line “rejoices with the truth,” most couples requested that I instead expound on the other qualities of love contained in the popular chapter. So, what is it about truth that makes some of us wary? If love “rejoices with the truth” – and love certainly seems to occupy centre stage at weddings – why the reluctance to give truth some space as well? It seems to me that love and truth walk together; they go hand-in-hand in our relationships with one another, and each assists the other in developing meaningful and lasting relationships. An unknown author has written, “The worst thing about being lied to is knowing you’re not worth the truth.”

Truthfulness can strengthen and grow relationships. However, truthfulness may need to rely on a relationship being strong enough in love to hear its message and to act upon those murmurings. In this season of Pentecost, as we worship, we have many opportunities to receive truths from the scriptures; truths that can strengthen our relationship with our Lord and with one another. Individually, the issue for us is how we will receive the truths of scripture. Will we receive them in love, as truths from one with whom we have a developing relationship? Will we hear love’s message and willingly act upon it?

Rev Rob Williams

Placements news Placements finalised since the June edition of New Times: Rev Trevor Klar to Woodville Uniting Church from 5 July 2013. Upcoming Special Services: Rev Carol Chambers, Ardrossan on Sunday 14 July at 2.00pm. Rev Trevor Klar, Woodville on Sunday 14 July at 2.00pm. Rev Rob Tann, Kangaroo Island Linked Congregations on Sunday 11 August at 10.30am, to be held at Kingscote. Ordination Service: To be held at Adelaide West Uniting Church on Sunday 25 August at 2.00pm: Robyn Caldicott, Candidate for MOW Lyn Leane, Candidate for Deacon Albert Patrizi, Candidate for Deacon Christine Manning, Candidate for MOW Vacant Placements: Profiles available – Ascot Community (0.8); Bordertown, Buckingham and Mundulla; Colonel Light Gardens; Campbelltown; Goyder Ministry Area; Mallala and Two Wells (0.6); Morialta. Profiles not yet available – Burnside City; Clearview (0.5); Kent Town; Klemzig (0.5); Para Hills (0.3); Port Augusta Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress; Rosefield; Windsor Gardens. For more information on any of these placements, please visit sa.uca.org.au/pastoral-relations/placements-vacant

news

The uncomfortable truth As outlined in the May edition, New Times is publishing a series of articles prepared by Lynne Taylor which summarises data and reflections from the 2011 National Church Life Survey (NCLS). In this article, Lynne filters the results through this edition’s theme, “Love delights in truth.”

Hearing the truth – and telling it – is important, but is not always comfortable. This is certainly the case when reflecting on certain areas of the 2011 National Church Life Survey (NCLS) data. However, it is vital that the truth be told so that the church may move forward thoughtfully and lovingly. Nine “core qualities of church life” are identified in the NCLS – three inspirational, three internal and three outward qualities, all of which are considered as essential in a healthy church life. The results of the survey show that, while the Uniting Church in South Australia clearly employs and addresses some of these areas, others require more work. Uniting Church SA had particularly low scores in categories relating to the core quality of church life, “Vital and nurturing worship.” Only 16% of survey respondents in South Australian Uniting Church congregations said that they always experience inspiration in worship; 21% of respondents stated they always find preaching helpful in their lives. These

numbers are significantly lower when compared to other denominations, and are also slightly lower than those of the Uniting Church nationally. The figures of those who usually (rather than always) experience inspiration and find preaching helpful are significantly better, but they are still lower than the national averages. This discrepancy suggests a lack of consistency in worship services. It seems likely that this inconsistency in worship services and preaching contributes to a growing reluctance among Uniting Church SA attendees in inviting others to church services. It may also partially account for a lack of visitors and newcomers. Encouragingly, a third of Uniting Church SA respondents named “worship services that are nurturing to people’s faith” as a priority to be worked on over the next twelve months. This was also the area most frequently identified as something to be given greater attention, suggesting that we are aware of this issue of inconsistency, and that there is a willingness to work on it.

Given the importance respondents placed on working on this area, how can we best find ways to move forward? The Uniting Church Assembly website features the following statement: “The goal of any worship experience is to help people know the living God, hear God’s Word which was embodied in Jesus Christ, respond in faith and love, and assist them to be part of God’s reconciling and renewing purposes in the world.” How can these aims assist in shaping the worship services we create? As we move forward, these are the questions we must reflect on as a church, taking into account the need for different forms of worship to connect with different groups of people. The National Church Life Survey was undertaken in 2011, with 159 UCSA congregations taking part and over 7,000 individual forms completed.

The Uniting Church and the Royal Commission The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has been in operation for several months. President of the Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly, Rev Prof Andrew Dutney, said he hoped the Royal Commission would be an opportunity for healing, justice and reconciliation: “Child sexual abuse is abhorrent. Our Church has a strong commitment to justice and reconciliation and we are committed to working openly and transparently with the Royal Commission.”

Commission. Rev Allan Thompson has been appointed Executive Officer of the National Engagement and Response Task Group. Rev Rob Brown has been appointed Convenor of the South Australian Task Group. Anyone seeking information about the Royal Commission can contact Rob by phone on 8236 4276 or by email at rbrown@sa.uca.org.au

The Uniting Church has established national and synod task groups to facilitate any responses that are called for by the Royal

news

Reports, reviews and rejoicing At the meeting of the Presbytery and Synod on Friday 21 – Saturday 22 June, attendees discussed a number of proposals, heard about a variety of Uniting Church SA projects and joined together in worship. Here are a few snapshots of items discussed and presented at the meeting. For full reporting from the Presbytery Synod meeting, June 2013, go online to presbyterysynod.sa.uca.org.au and follow the links to the 2013 meetings.

Birthday reflections

Strategic Plan update

The Saturday session of the meeting began with worship and a message from the Uniting Church President, Rev Prof Andrew Dutney, which reflected on the journey of the Uniting Church in Australia – particularly relevant as June 22 marks the 36th anniversary of union. The President discussed the future of the church in terms of pilgrimage, advising people to “lighten their load” and leave aside those things not needed for their spiritual journey. The video can be viewed in full online here: vimeo.com/67779317 Following this video, Lynne Aird continued in a similar vein, asking those present to reflect on Romans 12:1-2 and to look toward the future. “As a church we honour the legacy of the past – but we don’t live there. We live in the present, connecting with communities locally and globally, empowering community that is centred on Jesus and looking towards the future,” Lynne said. The theme of making changes in the present to ensure a better future was one that was also reflected in the opening message of the Friday evening session led by Rev Rob Brown.

The new Strategic Plan, which was finalised at the February 2013 meeting of the Presbytery and Synod, was discussed several times over the course of the June meeting. Rev Tim Hein gave an interim report on the progress of the Strategic Plan Committee, advising that a full report will be available later in the year. At present, the Committee is looking for clarity around discernment, determining what we are being called to do, so that we can steward our direction and abilities. Tim spoke of the need for churches, centres and agencies to dictate the direction that the Strategic Plan should take. The Committee is currently engaging with a number of different groups to further discuss direction and discernment. A survey will be produced, and made available online, which will feature questions focussed on these same issues. Additionally, the Committee has asked approximately 15 individuals from across the church to give more substantial submissions. The Wellspring and Charismata groups have been contacted to assist with prayer in helping to discern what God is calling the Uniting Church SA to do in the coming years. On Friday night, attendees of the meeting were asked to explore Strategic Plan Key Direction 3 in small groups. Responses and ideas were written down by the groups onto sheets of paper that were collected at the end of the night. A similar process occurred with Key Direction 2 on Saturday afternoon. It is hoped that the feedback provided will be helpful in determining how the church implements the Strategic Plan in the coming years.

A Clear Call Conference Rev Ruthmary Bond provided information on a mission and evangelism conference, titled “A Clear Call.” The conference will take place from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 March in 2014 at CBC College in Adelaide CBD, 214 Wakefield Street. For more information contact Ruthmary rbond@sa.uca.org.au or 8236 4200.

news

Inductions On Friday night, Rev Diane Bury and Rev David Buxton were formally inducted into their new roles with the Uniting Church SA Synod office. Sharonne Price introduced Diane, speaking of her pastoral skills and love of the church. Diane has taken on the role of Pastoral Relations Officer, Ministry and Congregations. Rev Beth Seaman welcomed David and spoke of his passion for the rural branches of the church. David is the new Mission Resourcing SA Mission Officer, Rural and Regional.

UCA Relief Fund launch

Assisting youth

The UCA Relief Fund was officially launched by Rev Phil Gardner during the Saturday session. The initial focus will be on funding for mental health chaplaincy and prison ministry. Rev Mark Boyce and Albert Patrizi both shared moving stories regarding their own and others’ spiritual journeys. Albert’s inspirational story has been reported in past editions of New Times; see the November 2012 and March 2013 editions for further details on this, available for viewing online at sa.uca.org.au/newtimes/previous-editions A new ‘Donate’ button has been added to the Uniting Church SA website for anyone wishing to make a donation to this fund or other areas of ministry.

On Saturday, Josh Scherer gave a presentation that focussed on the National Christian Youth Convention (NCYC) which is being relaunched in 2014. The event is held every two years and will take place in North Parramatta, New South Wales next year. Approximately 800 young people between the ages of 16 and 25 are expected to take part in the convention. Next year’s NCYC has been re-labelled as ‘Yurora’ – a Dharug word from the Burrumattagal people, the First Peoples of the land in North Parramatta. Permission has been given by the Elders of the Burrumattagal peoples to use this word, which means ‘passionate.’ The event will be a celebration of the Uniting Church’s cultural diversity, and seeks to mobilise young people to experience Jesus. Josh and Dr Deidre Palmer put forward a proposal, Proposal 7, which asked: “That the presbytery resolve to: INVITE its congregations, faith communities, schools and networks to support young people to attend NCYC.” This proposal was quickly passed by consensus.

Standing Committee review Rev Gregor Henderson and Rev Jenny Tymms were asked to perform a review of the Uniting Church SA Standing Committee. On both the Friday and Saturday sessions of the Presbytery and Synod meeting, Gregor presented their findings and put forth two proposals that stemmed from these. Proposal 5 contained three different points. One of these points was amended and a fourth point was added before the proposal passed by consensus. There was much discussion over Proposal 6, but Moderator Rev Rob Williams eventually declared the proposal lost. Rob reminded attendees that this proposal could be re-worked and re-presented at a later gathering if people were so inclined. For more information on these proposals, please visit presbyterysynod.sa.uca.org.au

Changing Landscapes Rev Paul Turley encouraged everyone to engage with the issues and questions contained within a new booklet of discussion papers distributed at the meeting, titled “Changing Landscapes”, to “prepare ourselves to make some churchchanging decisions at our November gathering.” Paul also outlined a plan for a series of discussion groups on July 19, 20 and 21 at three different metropolitan locations. Rural/regional venues will be identified at a later date. For more information, contact Paul via email paul6756@gmail.com or Diane Bury on 8236 4254.

eGive, it’s up to you. Choosing to financially contribute to your church is a truly personal choice.

UC Invest has a new initiative for 2013.

The UC Invest eGive program makes the practical side of giving easy. You choose how much and how often you wish to contribute – it’s up to you.

For every new sign up to eGive, UC Invest will contribute $20 direct to your congregation*.

We’ve made it simple, safe and secure to give from your bank account or credit card. In fact over 1,500 people in our Uniting Church community are already giving in this way.

*Some conditions apply - offer starts from 1 May 2013. UC Invest is an activity of The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (S.A.) ABN 25 068 897 781, the legal entity of the Uniting Church SA. Investment services are provided on behalf of the Uniting Church SA pursuant to ASIC Policy Statement 87 exemptions and APRA Banking Exemption No. 1 of 2011 (“The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (S.A.)”). Neither UC Invest nor the Uniting Church SA are prudentially supervised by APRA. Investments and contributions lodged with UC Invest will not benefit from the depositor protection provisions of the Banking Act (1959). All products offered by UC Invest are designed for investors who wish to promote the charitable purposes of the Uniting Church SA.

Visit ucinvest.com.au/eGive or call 1300 274 151 to find out more. Your Minister or Treasurer can also provide you with information about giving with eGive.

L ove d e l i g h t s i n t r u t h Truth can be made tricky by differing individual experiences, knowledge and opinions. However, one truth is always certain – the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pigtails and other truths Rev Jonathan Button

We are surrounded by beauty; we see elements of love and truth throughout our world. Even in the middle of what can seem overwhelming lovelessness, hatred and evil, it is very difficult not to find any trace of love and truth at all. Love is in the ‘DNA’ of all people and all things because the God who is love created us in their image, and created every element of the universe, sustaining it moment by moment. However ‘messed up’ love and truth may get, there is no getting rid of them. This means that everyone, and the whole creation, is redeemable. The Bible gives us a beautiful, intimate picture of God’s relationship with His creation – with Father, Son and Holy Spirit making their home in the midst of it, speaking their truth into every fibre and lovingly sustaining it. The rejection of their love and truth in so many places does not diminish or change that love in the least. Instead, it strengthens their passion for their beloved creation. Their passion could even absorb and destroy all hatred and lies in the death of the Son, Jesus, and remain stronger than ever, overflowing in resurrection from the dead, for the Son, for all men, women and children, making the whole creation eternally new. This persistent, passionate presence and action of the love and truth of God, in and for all the creation, is the basis for us to always speak love and truth together into every life situation. It is simply bearing witness to the truth. It is our joyful privilege – even though it involves us, at times, in the suffering, passionate love of God when met by hatred and falsehood.

debauched. Who God is – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in their beautiful communion of other-person-centred love – shows and gives us what love is. Some ideas of what ‘love’ and ‘loving’ are can be seen as quite the opposite when placed alongside the truth of the God who is love. Martin Luther said, “love is the most theological thing” – by which he didn’t mean that love is religious, academic or stodgy, with nothing whatever to do with real life! He meant that love is about real people; it's about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and how they love and relate to one another, to us, and to the world. Love is about how they enable us, real people, to love them, one another, and our world. After all, Luther is the one of whom it was truly said that one of his greatest theological discoveries was to wake up and find a pair of pigtails on the pillow alongside him – those of his beloved Katie! To believe and live this Gospel of the God who is love, is the promise and gift that we may be true lovers of husband or wife, family (biological, church, community, tribal or nation), friends, colleagues, enemies, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and of ourselves. Through this Gospel we may invite and call everyone to be true lovers with us, toward all fellow Australians (Aboriginal, Asian, African, Moslem, Anglo, our poor, asylum seekers and refugees), toward other nations in need, and toward creation itself. ‘Beloved, let us love one another...’ (1John 4:7)

Love delights in the truth, and the Bible also tells us that God is love. Dietrich Bonhoeffer warned us that love is not God – rather, God is love. We cannot reverse the order. Our world is full of limitless human ideas of what ‘love’ is. If we listen to popular songs, whether contemporary or ancient, we know that these notions can range from the profound, to the most trivial and

L ove d e l i g h t s i n t r u t h

Being honest with myself Although almost half of the Australian population (45% according to the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing) will experience a mental illness at some stage in their life, the broad spectrum of these illnesses means that experiences differ greatly from person to person. However, there is a common thread in the stories of many who have been diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder – the need to be honest with oneself and seek help. Here Damien Tann, a Uniting Church member from Whyalla and someone who experiences anxiety, opens up and tells the truth about what living with mental illness has been like for him.

I first experienced anxiety when I was living in England. I was doing the whole ‘Aussie-in-London’ thing, but it had not worked out – I was unable to find work and was living in a Bed and Breakfast because, as an unemployed person, I couldn’t secure a lease. I was bored during the day and pretty much friendless too. I eventually managed to find friends, a house, and a job, but the sadness and distress did not lift. Although my life situation was back to ‘normal,’ my mood had not lifted. I wasn’t suicidal, just helpless, resigned and apathetic even though my life was now ‘back on track.’ This took place through most of 2003. In 2009, I was on the point of suicide, and I returned to Australia where I moved in with my parents in Port Lincoln. My parents had been worried about me in England and were happy to have me with them, although other family members and friends felt I was taking advantage of my parents’ generosity. I went to see a doctor who diagnosed me with moderate depression, moderate anxiety and high stress. I was put on tablets and told to take it easy. He later referred me on to psychology support. It wasn’t until eighteen months later that I told my parents how close I was to suicide in the weeks immediately after my return. In my teen years, I thought that depression was inconsistent with Christianity. If you have faith in God, how can you get so low? Especially low enough to consider suicide? Now I know that circumstances can be very dire, even for believers who regularly and actively participate in church life and ministry. Mental illnesses also have chemical and hormonal causes, and in that way are no different to Christians having diabetes or cancer. I know now that it’s not a failing of faith to have anxiety, and I understand that medication and therapy are important ways of helping people with a mental illness to recover or adapt. After realising these things, I became keen to minister purposefully into the community as a chaplain, or perhaps as a consultant with mission and mental health agencies. I got a job as a Christian Pastoral Support Worker (CPSW) at the local high school and, through research and resourcing for that, I found beyondblue and became a ‘blueVoice’ – part of the organisation’s reference group.

This year, I have been involved in two beyondblue campaigns – “My Name is Anxiety,” which was launched in May, and “Man Therapy.” Both campaigns aim to promote awareness of the prevalence of mental health issues in Australia, to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, and to encourage people experiencing mental health issues to seek appropriate help.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS STILL STIGMA AROUND MENTAL ILLNESS, AND THERE ARE ALSO JUSTICE ISSUES INVOLVED. Unfortunately, there is still stigma around mental illness, and there are also justice issues involved. For example, I found it very hard to get life insurance and income protection because I tick the ‘yes box’ on the mental health question. I had extra hoops to jump through before I could register as a student support officer within my CPSW role for the same reason. There is a fear in society, lessening but still present, that mental illnesses, and the people who experience them, are dangerous and contagious. I have also experienced stigma within church. I have witnessed times, both in sermons and in pastoral care situations, where mental illness is linked solely to spiritual causes – usually a lack of faith, the presence of a demonic possession or the influence of a ‘spirit of infirmity.’ As a church, we must be aware of the spiritual realm – but we must also be aware of the chemistry of the human brain, and of the effects of societal distress and trauma. Spiritual healing is an important part of recovery, but it is only one part of it; prayer has been very important for me, but so have my medications, and the love and understanding of the people around me. I have only recently ‘come out’ as having a mental illness, going public with my condition when I addressed the Eyre Peninsula Uniting Church Adult Fellowship regional celebration in Whyalla. Despite the associated stigma, I have found it liberating that people now know why I act the way I sometimes do – how I can appear both shy and confident, or begin to look agitated without a typical reason.

Damien Tann and fellow Whyalla resident, Les Shearn, recently took part in beyondblue campaign, “My Name is Anxiety.” Photo courtesy of Whyalla News.

My message to readers is: always seek help. Ask your family and friends whether they have noticed anything, talk to medical professionals and ask for assistance. As a Christian speaking to other Christians, I’d also like to say: don’t get down on yourself about your faith. Depression is a lack of serotonin, not a lack of Jesus, and it’s okay to be sick so long as you are seeking to get better. Need someone to talk to? Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 224 636. For more information, visit lifeline.org.au, beyondblue.org.au or mantherapy.org.au

What is the Uniting Church SA doing? Menswatch At the February Presbytery and Synod Meeting, Rev Darren Lovell, minister of Burra and Mannum Uniting Churches, gave a short presentation about the high incidence of male suicide, especially in regional South Australia. He discussed the need for educative programs (specifically the Menswatch program) to equip men to support other males who are having personal difficulties. The Ski for Life event was held earlier this year as a way to raise funds for Menswatch; the event raised enough money to fund three (and a half) programs. Two of these are taking place after the distribution of this edition – on Wednesday 10 July and Wednesday 17 July. If you would like more information, please email menswatch@menshealthsa.com.au or call Bill Stockman on 0417 820 074.

Suicide: it’s no secret Suicide: it’s no secret, an event aimed at dispelling the silence around the issue of suicide, is running again this year. It will be held on World Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday 10 September. Further information will be provided closer to the event date on the website nosecret.org.au

Uniting College for Leadership & Theology

Individuals and small groups The Certificate IV and Diploma in Christian Life & Ministry offer you a wonderful opportunity to study alone or with others. Become empowered as hope-filled, discerning and imaginative disciples. Units include: Engaging in the Christian Life Engaging in the Gospels Understanding the Uniting Church and many more! Contact Nichola for more information. Uniting College for Leadership & Theology is the ministry training and theological education agency of the Uniting Church SA. Uniting College is a member college of the Adelaide College of Divinity (ACD), a registered Higher Education Provider and Registered Training Organisation.

CONTACT: 08 8416 8420 info@unitingcollege.org.au unitingcollege.org.au acd.edu.au

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L ove d e l i g h t s i n t r u t h

Caught in the game Catherine Hoffman

Online sports betting is creating a new generation of problem gamblers. With South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill, recently backing a recommendation from the Independent Gambling Authority to ban all forms of live-odds betting for sports televised in SA, the problem has received more attention. However, more needs to be done to honestly acknowledge the dangers of this type of gambling, particularly online,

and to identify pathways for change. On Wednesday 31 July, an event called “Hooked Online: Could it be you, Sport?” will be held at 7.30pm at the North Adelaide Community Centre (176 Tynte Street, North Adelaide). The evening will feature talks from Independent Senator, Nick Xenophon and Uniting Communities Manager of Advocacy and Communications, Mark Henley, amongst others, and will focus on concerns

regarding online sports betting and what might be done to limit related gambling problems in the future. The event will be hosted by Brougham Place Uniting Church in partnership with Relationships Australia and the South Australian Gambling Taskforce. The event will be held on Wednesday 31 July, 7.30pm at the North Adelaide Community Centre.

Building futures Bindy Taylor

The Northern Suburbs Dinka-Speaking Faith Community (NSDSFC) is one of the Uniting Church’s fastest growing congregations. The rapidly growing community averages around 140 people to its regular Sunday service, and is currently worshipping at St Columba College, Andrews Farm. The people of the NSDSFC are now seeking a church building to call home. The South Sudanese of the NSDSFC are proud of their country, but they now class themselves as Australian, and are proud of belonging to the Uniting Church in South Australia. As ‘new homemakers,’ they want a place of worship to call their own. “We no longer belong to South Sudan; we are a South Australian congregation within the Uniting Church in Australia, led by Rev Amel Manyon,” affirms NSDSFC Council Chairperson, Gai Kur Akuei.

Approximately eight weeks ago, the people that make up the faith community created The Rubbish Bin Project, an endeavour aimed at raising funds for a building of their own. The community sees accomplishing this as a way to cement their future, creating a place where the large number of children and youth that currently attend can continue to worship and grow their faith for many years to come. The fundraiser is seeking to gain money through cash donations. It is hoped that those churches whose worship services have been discontinued might be willing to invest in the future of this thriving congregation. Further details about this will be given as the project develops. For more information, contact Dave Williamson on 8236 4285 or dwilliamson@sa.uca.org.au

NSDSFC kids are getting excited about the possibilities of The Rubbish Bin Project.

L ove d e l i g h t s i n t r u t h

Left, Geoffrey Abdulla, Uncle Nelson and Michael Wanganeen (left to right). Top right, Kaurna Plains school children singing.

Caring for God’s creation Bindy Taylor

Each year from 27 May to 3 June, Australia celebrates National Reconciliation Week. It is both a time of celebration and an opportunity to build on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. The occasion also provides an opportunity to join in on reconciliation conversations which reflect shared histories, contributions and achievements. Kaurna Plains School officiated Reconciliation Week with a special school assembly on Wednesday 29 May with the Moderator of the Uniting Church SA, Rev Rob Williams, in attendance. Students shared inspiring stories of their experiences and hopes for reconciliation in Australia. Their stories were a poignant reminder of how far we still have to go as a nation, not only in terms of cultural sensitivity, but also in recognition of First Australians. Staff and students at the school watched a video depicting the 2008 national apology, which saw the Australian Government formally apologise to those whose lives were touched by past injustices, including the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The apology was the first step in the healing process for those affected, providing acknowledgment of the truth of what occurred in the nation’s history. The next step will be a national referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia’s national constitution.

The school children of Kaurna Plains gathered together to sing to the crowd, some more bashful than others, and Uncle Nelson treated everyone to a story handed down by his Grandmother Olive, titled “The Whale Story.” “The story provides a strong sense of sharing, and this is the strong glue that helps the Aboriginal community to be united, providing a sense of oneness,” Uncle Nelson explains. “We have a responsibility to look after all parts of God’s creation – the land, the water, the air, the plants, the birds and everything that lives in the sea, and whales singing in the ocean deep – and to share what we have been given,” he continues. “It says in Psalm 8, ‘You have put us in charge of your handiwork, placing all under our stewardship.’ The Holy Spirit is giving us this message, this story.” Talented Kaurna Plains Year 8 students, Geoffrey Abdulla and Michael Wanganeen, created illustrations to accompany the story. Covenanting volunteers, Peter and Di Russell, presented the students, the Principal, the Moderator, Denise Champion and Uncle Nelson with a beautifully bound copy of the story. This also became part of a package of resources produced by the Covenanting Committee of Uniting Church SA to support the celebration of Reconciliation Sunday in Uniting Church congregations on Sunday 26 May 2013. Reconciliation Sunday resources can be found by visiting sa.uca.org.au/covenanting

L ove d e l i g h t s i n t r u t h

“Living Deadly, Deadly Living” Bindy Taylor

The above title was the name given to the inaugural Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) Aboriginal Youth camp held in Belair over the June long weekend. Approximately 45 young people, and 20 Elders and other adults attended the event which was held at the beautiful Nunyara site. “The fact we were able to get Aboriginal young people together from Murray Bridge to Oodnadatta was fantastic,” Congress Resource Worker, Ian Dempster commented. “The young people were able to address some real life issues and also got to know each other, exploring their faith and having fun together through storytelling, worship, games and music”. The UAICC greatly appreciates the support of the Uniting Church through the Adult Fellowships appeal in 2011, the Reconciliation Week appeal in 2012 and State Government

contributions for helping this youth camp to be such a great event. The camp has provided a foundation to work upon for planning a second Australia-wide UAICC youth event, the “National Aboriginal and Islander Youth Gathering” (NAIYG). This gathering follows on from an event held in 2010 in Townsville, and will take place from Saturday 28 September – Friday 4 October. Ian Dempster is currently seeking volunteers to help out with NAIYG and can be contacted for further information by email idempster@sa.uca.org.au or mobile 0417 217 320. Top, (back row) Sydney, Jasmine, Mereem, Rachel, Camille, Meagan, Douglas, Anna, Lindsay and Hector; (front row) Tashara, John, Con, Chelsea, Kaitlin. Bottom left, Painted crosses were used in worship services. Bottom right, Rhanee Lester painting a cross.

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Connecting with communities Rev Peter McDonald

n 2012, UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide adopted a new name – Uniting Communities. Since this time, there have been many changes within the agency – the most recent of which has been the closure of the Byron Place day centre. The decision to close this centre was a difficult one, initiated by a review that discovered the building would require a significant amount of work in order to remain open. The cost of the repairs unfortunately made the service financially unsustainable. Two other day centres in the Adelaide CBD were able to pick up existing Byron Place clients. Throughout this process, Uniting Communities staff were onsite at the other two day centres in order to make the transition easier on those transferring. The staff who were involved with the running of Byron Place have been offered ongoing employment in new roles. While the closure has been difficult for those affected, Uniting Communities will continue to provide vital services to

disadvantaged and isolated people. The agency is quick to recognise the vital role that many congregations have played, and continue to play, in supporting their work – and, at this time, they are particularly grateful for the support provided to Byron Place over past years. Uniting Communities, and its forbears UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide and Adelaide Central Mission, have a strong history of providing services and assistance to those in need or crisis. The organisation has offered food assistance, gambling crisis support services, a safe environment for women escaping violence, health services for isolated young mothers and their children, and aged care support. However, it is rare to look upon these services to reflexively ask – what have we learnt from all of this? What about stopping these situations from happening? We need prevention rather than a cure; a fence around the cliff rather than an ambulance at the bottom. With these questions and ideas in mind,

Uniting Communities is looking at ways to change the community as a whole, hoping to nurture an environment that values and respects all community members – a community that recognises every individual is created in the image of God. The name ‘Uniting Communities’ has been chosen as a reflection of this vision for entire community change. A lot more than just a name has altered at Uniting Communities. The organisation hopes to be an agent of change, making communities safer places in which to live. For those interested in taking part, a new project, entitled Faith in Action, is being run by Uniting Communities this year. The project involves community-building workshops that see congregations working alongside the agency. If you would like more information on this, or on anything else related to Uniting Communities, please call 8202 5111 or email enquiries@unitingcommunities.org

A common liturgy R

epresentatives of the Lutheran Church of Australia and the Uniting Church in Australia have created a new liturgy for shared ministry between the two denominations. The liturgy, which was officially launched at a dinner meeting in Horsham on Monday 13 May, was adopted by the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly Standing Committee in March this year. Titled “A Great Prayer of Thanksgiving,” the liturgy marks Dr Vicky step Balabanski willinoffer a responsethe relationship and aRev significant forward developing to the lecture given by Geraldine Brooks dialogue between the two churches.at the annual ecumenical event on 20 June. Shared ministry arrangements between Lutheran and Uniting Churches exist in many locations across Australia, allowing small congregations to join together in worship. Those churches involved in Lutheran-Uniting services will now have a truly ecumenical liturgy, rather than one identified closely with either one or the other denomination.

“The dialogue is seeking a way forward for both churches to share in our traditions and to build relationships across our Christian communities,” said Rev Dr Anna Grant-Henderson, the co-chair of the Lutheran/Uniting Church Dialogue. “There has been strong support for the new liturgy and much healthy debate over what was to be included.” The liturgy, along with an accompanying commentary providing insights and background information, has been released in a booklet specifically aimed at joint congregations. “A Great Prayer of Thanksgiving” is available on the Assembly website at assembly.uca.org.au/unity/resources/item/1379-agreat-prayer-of-thanksgiving

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50 years of faith and fun Michelle Harris & Rev Dr Malcolm McArthur

he chapel at Nunyara Conference Centre has been at the heart of many gatherings over the last 50 years, from school retreats to weddings, from youth camps to weekly worship. On Sunday 16 June, almost 80 people – both past and present users of the chapel – joined together to celebrate its 50th anniversary at Nunyara. Worship was led by Rev Dr Malcolm McArthur and the service was followed by an afternoon tea in the main Nunyara building. Guests were treated to scrumptious scones with jam, as well as a spectacular view of distant Adelaide. The chapel was opened on Sunday 12 May, 1963 by Ken Leal, benefactor and treasurer of the Methodist Department of Christian Education (DCE). The building was designed by Doley and Knowles (of Cheesman, Doley, Brabham and Neighbour) and cost £32,000; in 1966, the chapel was granted an award of merit for its architecture. The DCE Director, Rev Cliff Symons, viewed Nunyara as a centre for leadership training for youth and young leaders – which is something it retains today. During the time the chapel was built, enrolment in Sunday Schools and youth groups was at a peak; numerous youth camps used Nunyara each weekend, often joining

in with worship at the chapel. Today, educational agencies tend to be the major users of the site. Soon after the chapel opened, a local congregation began worshipping there. From 1968-1988, this congregation explored theological and liturgical issues, often with participation from weekend campers. Since 1988, this congregation has continued to meet, although they no longer use the Nunyara Chapel as a base. Under Rev Gary Stuckey’s leadership, the Stillpoint Faith Community currently worship in the chapel once a fortnight. Uniting Venues SA (previously Uniting Church Camps and Conference Centres), of which Nunyara is just one part, is responsible to the Uniting Church SA Synod for the Nunyara campsite. Mark Lee is the General Manager of Uniting Venues; Michelle Harris manages the Nunyara site. Nunyara Chapel was built in 1963 (top); people gathering in the chapel for the 50th anniversary celebrations (bottom left); Uniting Venues General Manager, Mark Lee (left) and Rev Dr Malcolm McArthur (bottom right).

g e t t i n g t o k n ow. . .

Echunga Uniting Church Echunga Uniting Church is a vibrant, outgoing Christcentred church whose stated mission is to worship God, grow as disciples, care for those in need and bring others to faith through Jesus Christ. Erected in 1884, the church building has been a continual presence in the Echunga main street. Its loving restoration by the congregation in the 1980s was watched with interest by the locals, with some lending a hand, and others attracted into the church by the process. In the early 90s, the church purchased the adjacent block of land and built the Wandeen centre, providing extra facilities in which to base its expanding programs. “As soon as you step inside the door you feel right at home” – that's how many members of the congregation at Echunga Uniting Church describe their first worship service experience at the church; this friendly country congregation has a strong sense of family and describes themselves as full of life. Echunga Uniting Church offers a contemporary Sunday morning service for all ages, Sunday kids' church, a monthly youth service, mid-week monthly Messy Church, occasional healing services, and a variety of prayer opportunities. The congregation has a very well-organised pastoral care program, plus home study groups and a craft group. They also hold men’s breakfasts, run a diverse social program, and have great fundraising activities. All of these groups and activities lead to a full church calendar with a spot for everyone. Echunga Uniting Church offers support to many different groups outside the church through its enthusiasm for mission. Their mission team spearheaded the church’s involvement in the processing of knitting used in the packing of Mission World Aid containers. More recently, the congregation packed shoe boxes for Samaritan’s Purse, bringing hope and joy to children in desperate situations around the world. The church supports, and has close links with, a Christian school in Cambodia. The school’s principal and his family originated from the Echunga congregation, and some of the church youth and supporting

adults had a memorable mission trip to visit them in 2012. Locally, a group of church members regularly fill the roster to provide meals for the Hungry No More program in Mt Barker. Support is also given to the Echunga Primary School Chaplain, to local folk in need, and to conducting local ecumenical worship events, including the annual Echunga community carols service. Echunga Uniting Church’s much-loved minister, Rev Lawrie Linggood, has a high profile in the town through his involvement in the Echunga football club, the local primary school and the Country Fire Service. The church’s part-time youth worker, Narelle Pitchford, coordinates an energetic team who share a vision and a passion for communicating God's love to a large, vibrant youth group. This group includes teenagers from several neighbouring Adelaide Hills towns, and due to many attendees coming from un-churched families, this program provides a wonderful opportunity to reach the next generation for Jesus – one of the congregation’s goals. Echunga’s youth services are providing a great catalyst for the growth of faith and leadership in this group. Narelle also coordinates groups, including young people from other local churches, to attend Uniting Church camps each year, enabling churches with small numbers of children to join in the fun. In addition, the church runs programs for primary school-aged kids; Narelle connects with many of the parents of these children in a significant way, too. There are many ways to be involved at Echunga Uniting Church – it is a great place to call home. Left: Echunga Uniting Church Right: Seaside baptism Below: Outdoor Service Morning Tea

g e t t i n g t o k n ow. . .

Eden Hills Uniting Church The vision statement of Eden Hills Uniting Church is as follows: We, the people of God worshipping in the midst of the Eden Hills community, are called to be a loving community of faith so that we can offer a caring and nurturing environment for Christian growth and affirmation, empowering us to reach out to the wider community. The Eden Hills congregation focuses on five different points to ensure they are doing their best to make their vision statement a reality. These points are: 1. Actively participating in small groups for study, reflection and action. 2. Actively building relationships with God, each other and the wider community. 3. Exploring and affirming other worship experiences. 4. Raising the profile of the church in the community. 5. Discovering and exercising our gifts and talents for effective ministry. The first three of these points are demonstrated well by those who attend Eden Hills Uniting Church – faith is explored through small groups, strong relationships are built with God and each other, and there is a great flexibility in the way the congregation worships. The five points are also practiced and integrated within the variety of groups operated by the church. The Eden Hills Men’s Group creates a space for hospitality, welcoming anyone who wishes to come along. The same can be said of Friday Night Church – this monthly service starts at 6pm and allows a space for children to ask tough questions, to experience hospitality and be mentored by older members of the congregation. The Lenten Bible Study and the Tuesday Bible

Study groups both demonstrate hospitality, as they focus on learning, reflecting and applying faith. A craft group is also run through the church, and provides a space for women from the congregation and the wider community to share, listen and learn. The ‘cuppa after church’ provides another space of welcome, listening and acceptance. The Eden Hills congregation is currently striving to put more emphasis on the final two points, making an effort to reach out to community and to exercise gifts that might draw new people to services and events. One of the ways they hope to do this is through their relationship with Eden Hills Primary School. At present, both groups are involved with the Eden Hills Primary School Prayer Group. The prayer group gathers at the church where their prayers, hospitality and commitment are modelled to children during this time spent with God. The school and the church have had recent discussions about connections beyond the prayer group. Working together, they are looking into how they might support each other with regards to the formation of a playgroup or a programme aimed at supporting parents. Both the school and the church community are invested in connecting with and affirming families; although it is still early days, the relationship between the two organisations holds a lot of potential for positive future engagement. Eden Hills Uniting Church holds services every Sunday at 9.30am at 16 Willora Road, Eden Hills.

Left: A special service at Eden Hills. Below: Outside Eden Hills Uniting Church.

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THE CORNER CRAFT GROUP at 93 Oaklands Rd., Warradale is held each Wednesday from 1- 3pm (during school terms). Classes in quilting, a variety of embroideries, card-making, knitting and crocheting or bring your own craft. New members are very welcome; come make new friends and have fun. The watercolour class is full but anyone interested can place their name on a waiting list. For further details contact Lynne on 8296 5150. We invite you to join us for our CHRISTMAS IN JULY LUNCH on Tuesday 9 July at 12pm at The Corner Uniting Church, cnr Oaklands & Diagonal Rds Warradale. Menu - turkey, ham and vegies, with plum pudding & cream, tea & coffee at $20 per person. Lots of fun for all. Please book and pay at Reception by Tuesday 2nd July. Phone 8350 5400. STATE MISSION FELLOWSHIP. Tuesday 23 July at Scots Church. Catchup with Scott and Rachel Litchfield and their work in Cambodia. Come for morning tea at 10am and stay for lunch and fellowship after the meeting. Enquiries to Jill on 8522 6188. ANNIVERSARY. You are cordially invited to share with the members of the Broken Hill Uniting Church at their Celebrations for the 125th Anniversary of Wesley Church (corner Cobalt and Sulphide Streets, Broken Hill, NSW) from Sunday 28 July to Sunday 4 August. Sunday 28 July, 10am worship and lunch, 2pm opening and dedication of Cobalt St building; Tuesday 30 July, 6pm dinner at Dunes Restaurant (bookings essential – see contact number at end); Wednesday 31 July, 7pm anniversary worship service and supper; Saturday 3 August, 12pm family picnic sausage sizzle in Sturt Park; Sunday 4 August, 10am thanksgiving service, 12.30pm ecumenical lunch, 2pm celebratory concert. Contact the Church office on (08) 8087 5317. ANNIVERSARY. Glengowrie Uniting Church, 33 Butler Crescent, Glengowrie, is celebrating their 60th church anniversary on Sunday 28 July at 10am. The guest Preacher is the Moderator, Rev Rob Williams. The Choir will sing Introit and Anthems. After the Service, morning tea will be served and a little entertainment with some interesting memories to share. A light lunch will be available at noon. Please come if you can. Phone Anne on 8294 6089.

GARAGE SALE. The Corner Uniting Church, cnr Oaklands & Diagonal Rds Warradale will be holding a Winter Garage Sale on Saturday 3 August from 9am-1pm. Homemade soup and Devonshire teas from our wonderful cafe. Sausage sizzle, plants, homemade cakes, kids’ corner and great bargains for all. Come and enjoy our friendly atmosphere and fun. WELL SPRING COMMUNITY – All Welcome. Follow in the steps of Veronica Brodie, granddaughter of Lortelare, keeper of the black swans in the Port River, and join us in visiting sacred sites in Port Adelaide. Saturday 17 August, 11am-3pm, shared lunch. Contact Lynona Hawkins on 8278 8370 or Lynona@bigpond.com RED DOVE CAFE – SEEKING HELPERS. The 2013 Royal Adelaide Show is from Friday 6 - Saturday 14 September. If you are interested in volunteering in a busy Christian Cafe at the Show, please contact Mrs Lesley Williams 8261 3843 or ljwilliams36@gmail.com Morning, afternoon and evening shifts are available. Be a part of this fun, dynamic activity of the Uniting Church - raising funds for mission every year since 1951! COMMON DREAMS CONFERENCE. Common Dreams, an alliance of religious progressives in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, will hold their third conference from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 September this year. The conference will follow the theme “Midwives of change: progressives shaping religious communities” and will feature several international guest speakers. The conference will be held at the Manning Clark Centre on the Australian National University campus in Canberra. For more information please visit commondreams.org.au or call +613 9571 4575. To have your upcoming event or message published here, email diary@sa.uca.org.au with ‘Diary’ in the subject line.

letters to the editor Thanks, Mod

Great

The Moderator, Rev Rob Williams and his wife were welcomed to the Opening Dinner of the Women's Christian Temperance Union World Convention.

I just received the latest New Times and I thought this edition was really great. It gave a great series of snapshots of God's mission through the Uniting Church across SA and beyond.

As a member of the Uniting Church it was very significant for me that the Moderator had shown his support, on behalf of the Uniting Churches of SA, for an organisation which, while over 125 years old, is still proclaiming its mission statement of "promoting a drug-free lifestyle and Christian values in the home and community". This has been ongoing since the days when that well-known historical Methodist figure, Elizabeth Webb Nicholls, led the community to value its women and allow women to vote.

I don't envy you in managing the competing interests that no doubt voice their opinion regularly. I think you did more than placate them in this one, I think you told stories around the core values and belief the Uniting Church SA communities hold at a very deep level. The stories were heartfelt, interesting and compelling.

The Convention brought together 200 members from approximately 24 countries around the globe, all facing similar community problems with a hope and a vision for a drug-free world. Thank you, Rev Williams. E. Chandler, Ringwood, Victoria

For what it’s worth, I thought it was great. A. Hogarth, Surrey Downs

Send your letters to: newtimes@sa.uca.org.au or PO Box 2145, Adelaide 5001. Be topical, be brief, be timely. Letters over 150 words will be edited; responses to previous letters /articles will be considered within two months of the original item’s publication only. All letters are published at the editorial team’s discretion.

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Something different Next month’s New Times will be a high-gloss, special 28-page edition, focussing on education through the theme “Love is learning.” The news-zine will explore the work of the eight different Uniting Church SA schools and colleges, as well as Uniting College. Due to space restrictions, some of our usual sections will be excluded from the edition. If you have any queries, please contact New Times Editor, Catherine Hoffman on 8236 4230 or newtimes@sa.uca.org.au

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Lay education over 100 years I

n recent years, the Uniting Church in South Australia has experienced wonderful growth in lay ministries, both in numbers of people finding new ways of serving, and in the variety of gifts that have been developed. Hundreds of people have expanded their knowledge, equipped themselves for service and shared their gifts through different forms of lay ministry. Whether working as chaplains or worship leaders, working in prisons or participating in mission, these people have contributed greatly to the Uniting Church SA. Lay ministry and education in recent years has developed beyond our

imagination and is continuing to grow in new ways. To acknowledge this, a small group of people from the South Australian Synod’s Uniting Church Historical Society have been writing a history of the development of lay education over the past century. While lay ministry and education was limited to lay preachers and Sunday School teachers in the earlier part of the century, the last 50 years has been a time of significant change and growth. The Historical Society has planned a symposium on lay education and the shaping of lay ministry for Friday 30 August at 7.30pm at The Uniting College

Chapel of Reconciliation, located at Uniting College, Brooklyn Park. The event will include input from a number of past and present Uniting Church educators and people with experience in lay ministry, and is open to the general public. The writers of the history of lay education and ministry would like to hear from people who have benefitted from their participation in various courses over the past century, and what they have been led to do as a result of that participation. Please contact Rev Elwyn Penna with your stories or with further queries about the symposium on 8357 2897 or epenna80@tpg.com.au

Pop culture and theology T

he complex relationship between Christian theology and popular culture will be explored by Rev Prof David Wilkinson at the second annual Robert Iles Memorial Trust Lecture this year. The author of God, the Universe and Everything and The Case Against Christ, David is a world-renowned theologian, astrophysicist and cosmologist, and is the Principal of St John’s College, Durham. The free lecture will be held at Burnside City Uniting Church on Wednesday 24 July at 7.30pm. David will speak on the topic of “Christian Apologetics in a Media Dominated Society.” “We are deeply honoured to have secured David Wilkinson presenting the second Robert Iles Memorial Lecture,” Callum Iles commented. “David is a rare theological and scientific mind, and his work in the relationship between science and faith is world-renowned.” The Robert Iles Memorial Trust – established in 2011 after the tragic passing of the Rev Dr Robert Iles to brain cancer – is charged with continuing Robert’s legacy of theology, apologetics and the passionate exploration of contemporary Christian issues. “One of the things my father was most passionate about was equipping Christians from all walks of life to live out and effectively articulate their faith in contemporary culture; to truly learn the meaning of being ‘in the world but not

of the world,’” Callum said. “We are confident David’s insights into this crucial area of Christian understanding will be practical and thoughtprovoking and we warmly invite anyone interested in this topic to come along.” In addition to an annual free lecture, the Trust regularly publishes Robert’s sermons and bible studies at ilesblog.com and has established a Facebook page for people wishing to participate in the Trust’s activities.

Event details at a glance: What: The 2013 Robert Iles Memorial Lecture – “Christian Apologetics in a Media Dominated Society” with Rev Prof David Wilkinson When: Wednesday 24 July, 7.30pm Where: Burnside City Uniting Church, 384 Portrush Road, Tusmore Cost: Free

reviews A fearful scenario Book: Mullahs without mercy: human rights and nuclear weapons Author: Geoffrey Robertson Recommended for: those keeping pace with international peace and conflict In short: This book – written by Australian human rights lawyer, academic and broadcaster, Geoffrey Robertson QC – takes a look into modern history and developments which could soon change the course of history in the Middle East and beyond. Available from: ABC shops and ABC online RRP: $34.99

Dealing with loss Book: When the one you love is gone Author: Rebekah L Miles Recommended for: people who are grieving and those who journey alongside them In short: An honest look at grief and loss through the eyes of someone who has experienced it. Available from: MediaCom RRP: $13.75

At times it brought forth tears, at other times laughter, all the while touching on the most human of experiences – loss. Rebekah Miles has written a moving book that helps to guide the reader through the sometimes twisted, often confounding, journey of grief. Miles writes from a deeply honest place as she shares her own story of grieving for her mother. She includes the ups and downs, the need for comfort and hope, and, throughout it all, makes clear that there is no one ‘way’ to grieve. Miles offers insight into her own journey as well as words of wisdom from others who have gone before, weaving together a true gift to the reader. It is strange, but this is one of those books that I would both give away to someone in need, and also want to remember later in my own grief. For me, it reads a bit like a recipe – one written with a background story and open to personal preference and experience. The author offers guiding stories, thoughts, and advice for those in grief, but ultimately she encourages people to take the journey as it comes. Perhaps this is Miles’ greatest gift, the permission to just ‘be’ in our grief. John Hughes

Fear is a natural response to threat. It is part of our primal instincts. It drives us to protect, to fight, and sometimes to find God. This is a book that deals with some of these issues; a book about human rights and nuclear weapons. Geoffrey Robertson is an objective writer with loads of research on a difficult subject. Here, he delves into the issue of nuclear weapons, focussing on the history of mullahs in Iran over the years since 1979. He evaluates the probability that the successors of the 1979 coup who overthrew the Shah of Persia are determined to use the atomic bomb to achieve their objectives – a bomb that is likely to be ready this year. Robertson’s solution is for the United Nations to declare the development and possession of new nuclear devices a ‘crime against humanity.’ The challenge to the Christian thinker is to ask, what kind of support would we give to that suggestion? What additional perspective can we bring to the problem? This is not a theological book but it invites the deepest of theological comment and is a challenge to us all. The prospect of more than one explosion on populated sites is horrendous and beyond our imagination. Alan Jones

Creating community from wherever you are Book: Walk out walk on Authors: Margaret Wheatley and Deborah Frieze Recommended for: communities interested in exploring fresh ways of becoming more hopeful and healthy In short: A learning journey around the world to meet communities who are creatively working together to find new solutions. Available from: MediaCom or the MRSA bookstore RRP: $24.95

Meg Wheatley and Deborah Frieze have worked with many groups around the world to help them discover creative ways to solve problems and cope with change. In this book we set out on a journey to seven diverse communities around the world who ‘walk out’ from unhelpful practices to ‘walk on,’ taking risks to become more resourceful and hospitable. It affirms leaders as hosts, and communities as places where learning, serving and caring take place. One example provided is a community in Greece who find that, through working together in friendship and trust, they arrive at better solutions than if they waited for intervention from experts. Another story details a community in Brazil who discover the importance of creativity and play. These ideas have relevance for local, national and global situations. Attractively presented with colour photographs, this book is easy to pick up and enjoy. While it is not written from an explicitly Christian viewpoint, it provides inspiration and insight into creating healthy, hopeful and resilient communities. Christa Megaw

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Exploring partnerships Christa Megaw

uring May, a small group of people from the Urban Mission Network in South Australia visited the Philippines to nurture partnerships with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP). Formed in 1948 when five Protestant denominations came together, the UCCP’s ‘united and uniting’ focus is very similar to the ethos of the Uniting Church in Australia. The UCCP is a self-reliant church, determined to continue working towards a transformed church and society – despite being in the midst of human rights violations which continue to occur with concerning regularity. An active partnership between the Uniting Church SA and the UCCP in North Luzon has been developing for more than 20 years. Rev Andrew Tiver, a Uniting Church minister, has been helping to coordinate community development projects in North Luzon’s mountainous areas, supported by money raised through Lent Event. Local op shops

Filipino children at a settlement visited by the Uniting Church SA group.

at St Andrews and Clayton Wesley Uniting Churches have been vital in providing support for the training of pastors and the funding of a feeding program for children in the affected area. During this recent Philippines trip, the Uniting Church SA group explored the possibility of establishing a partnership with the UCCP in Middle Luzon. The Middle Luzon jurisdiction covers approximately 16 million people, including those in the sprawling metropolis of Manila. While visiting this area, the group was introduced to the saying, “Whatever is borrowed is either too tight or too loose” – a comment on how Filipino people have had colonial rulers impose their government, language and religion in the past. The saying remains relevant today, especially as the UCCP considers their understanding of God through the lens of their specific context.

About half of the population of the Philippines live on or below $2 a day, so there are many opportunities for engagement in already-operating community development projects – the visiting group was frequently taken to places where the UCCP is working with community organisations to bring hope to the poor. The group saw shocking situations of need, but witnessed a strong willingness from locals to do whatever possible to bring positive transformation. The Uniting Church in SA will continue to work with the Urban Mission Network, exploring the partnership opportunity with the UCCP in Middle Luzon, hoping to build a relationship based on a love of God and neighbour. For more information on becoming involved with supporting the Philippines partner church, contact Christa Megaw at cmegaw@sa.uca.org.au or 8236 4203.