New Times - November 2013

Issue 36, No 10, 2013

The voice of Uniting Church SA

November 2013

Love is playful full of the joy God brings

MY HOUSE BURNED DOWN

FUN AT THE FAIR

One young man’s reflection

Celebrations

on losing his home to NSW

encourage community

bushfires pp.6-8

pp.14-15

Pilgrim Uniting Church in the City 12 Flinders Street, Adelaide

Contents FEATURES Presbytery & Synod meeting update I’m a Christian & my house just burned down

5 6-8

Spring has sprung at Adelaide West

14-15

A heart for community

18-19

The road to peace

24

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

4 17

Diary 20 Letters to the Editor

20

Reviews 23 Editor: Catherine Hoffman Editor-in-Chief: Bindy Taylor Advertising: Loan Leane Design: David Lombardi 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

December:

Love is aging joyfully Creaking bones and aching joints are things people commonly associate with growing older. But we are all aging, at all stages of life, and there is much to embrace during the entire process. As God’s people, we are encouraged to live as an intergenerational community, learning and sharing with one another in joy and love.

ISLAM AND MULTIFAITH RELATIONS What do we need to know about Islamic approaches to other faiths as we seek to build multi-faith relations and work together for the common good?

Professor JOHN STRAWSON Reader in Law East London University Law School

Panel members will also give Jewish, Christian and Multifaith perspectives.

Tuesday 26 November 2013 7.30pm Cost: $15 or $10 (unwaged) This is a joint activity between PILGRIM, and the RESEARCH UNIT FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIETY, LAW AND RELIGION (RUSSLR)

Pilgrim Uniting Church 12 Flinders Street, Adelaide p:8212 3295 e:office@pilgrim.org.au w:www.pilgrim.org.au

Uniting College for Leadership & Theology

2014

Our biggest year yet!

40 Undergraduate Topics Wherever You Are 11 Intensives 13 Skill-based Certificate & Diploma Distance Topics 14 Adjunct Lecturers 7 Denominations Represented 8 Leadership Formation Days 4 Regional Delivery Options 3 Study Tour Experiences 2 Tasters 1 Big Year Out 1 Fifth Anniversary Celebration Will you join us?

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

DEADLINE FOR DECEMBER

Wednesday 6 November

UCS-CLT-001_Advert_ NOVEMBER v3_2013 NEW TIMES.indd 1

17/10/13 2:14 PM

editorial

An expression of love and joy “Kevin says he hopes that by forging this bond and joining their houses together, he and Clare will begin a dynasty that will conquer the ages” – these were the words of the celebrant who married two of my close friends on a sunny Saturday afternoon recently.

Peals of laughter followed, and the celebrant looked with some surprise at the crowd gathered under the trees in Botanic Park. She quickly realised that Kevin had hoodwinked her into including a joke.

It wasn’t the only one he snuck in either – the vows saw more laughter ripple through the friends and family assembled to witness the event.

The solemn vows these two spoke were important and poignant, but so was the humour and playfulness present, speaking of the deep joy that the pair was feeling.

When thinking about God’s love for us, it can be difficult to think of it as anything but a serious and weighty thing. After all, out of love, God sent his son to die for our sins. This sacrifice is not something to take lightly. But love does not have to be perpetually serious in order to be true.

In Genesis, after the birth of her son Isaac (whose name means ‘he laughs’), Sarah says: “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” (21:6, NIV).

Laughter, when it comes from a place that is pure and of good intention, is a gift from God. It is a gift that is precious, that can be

Cover details

This month’s cover features a young boy and his brother at Adelaide West Uniting Church’s Spring Fair. This particular lad was especially delighted with a model train that had been set up under one of the tents, clapping his hands and pointing in excitement each time the train came towards him.

shared and that can strengthen bonds between people. To me, humour and playfulness, as well as the laughter that often follows, seem to be indicative of a deeper joy.

As I watched the newly married couple over the course of the afternoon and at the evening reception that followed, joy and laughter were persistently entwined – and completely infectious.

Having witnessed the stages their relationship has been through leading up to this day, I was reminded of the oft-quoted verses of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (despite the mismatch between the context of the original passage – Paul reprimanding the Corinthians – and this situation): “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

To this, I would now add – love laughs.

Catherine Hoffman

Introducing our New Times Intern We recently welcomed an intern to our New Times editorial team.

Lisa Birch has completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing along with a Graduate Certificate in the Arts (Creative Writing). Along with interning for us, Lisa works as a primary school relief teacher. She attends Port Adelaide Uniting Church on a semiregular basis (regularity is prevented by distance), and lives with her husband in Kadina. We’re very pleased to have her on board for the next few months!

3

moderator

Love is playful They are Christian communities who expect the Holy Spirit to move creatively among them and through them, birthing joy, hope and wonder!

It gives me great joy to be serving you as Moderator, and I look forward to sharing with you in ministry over the next three years.

I anticipate wonderful conversations, hearing stories of your faith journeys wherever you are in ministry – congregations in rural, regional and urban settings, schools, agencies and other workplaces.

As people of God, we are dealing with challenges in our own individual lives, as well as in the lives of our congregations, schools and agencies. We are able to best respond to these challenges as communities in Christ – working together, sometimes weeping together, playing together and dreaming together.

I pray that together we will fulfil the promise we make when a person is welcomed into God’s covenant community through baptism: “With God’s help we will live out our baptism as a loving community in Christ: nurturing one another in faith, upholding one another in prayer, and encouraging one another in service,” (a response from the UIW baptismal service).

Let us together participate in God’s mission in the world with joy and hope!

Dr Deidre Palmer

unity in C m

g

At the November 2012 Presbytery & Synod meeting, approximately one year ago, Deidre spoke to those assembled after being named Moderator-Elect. At the October/November 2013 Presbytery & Synod meeting, Deidre was installed as Moderator – this will be reported on in the December edition of New Times.

4

pe Ho

Livi n

Co

ist hr

Com

One of the most beautiful psalms in the Bible is Psalm 100. It begins: “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into God’s presence with singing.”

And the noise doesn’t even need to be tuneful – “joyful” is the key!

When I reflect on this month’s New Times theme, “Love is Playful,” joy comes to mind; joy in God, in community and in serving.

Joy in knowing that God delights in us. Charles Melchert, in his book Wise Teaching, reflects that our experience and understanding of God as Wisdom “offers playing, singing, dancing, feasting… as ways of being with God and presents ‘delight’ as a divine-human relation,” (p. 198). God’s delight in us arises from God’s deep love for us. In the presence of such love, it’s no wonder we respond by singing, rejoicing, dancing and playing!

Joy in being an intergenerational community in Christ. One of my warmest memories of preaching was an occasion where it was clear that people in the congregation were not making eye-contact with me – instead they were quite focussed just below the lectern on the carpeted steps that formed the front of the church. At first, I could not see what they were looking at, but then he caught my eye! One of our youngest members had quietly walked up the carpeted steps and was enjoying sitting, rolling and laying down at the front of the church – quite at home in the space.

I have had the joy of being a member of a number of Christian communities where people of all ages feel at home. They are Christian communities who enjoy being together.

m p a s si o n &

The logo that Deidre has chosen for her term as Moderator.

news

Presbytery & Synod meeting update The Annual General Meeting of the Presbytery & Synod of the Uniting Church in South Australia took place from Thursday 31 October to Saturday 2 November at Adelaide West Uniting Church.

The packed schedule included business and reporting, complemented by bible study and reflections led by Dr Ben Myers.

Also included were promotional spots for resources, programs and opportunities for Uniting Church congregations, schools and agencies.

An exciting prequel to the Presbytery & Synod meeting was the installation of Dr Deidre Palmer who took up the position of Moderator and Chairperson, which she will hold for the next three years.

Due to the close proximity of the meeting to the New Times publication date, we are unable to bring you full coverage of the meeting in this edition. Please read the December edition for a summary of the business and opportunities discussed.

Placements News Placements finalised since the October edition of New Times: Rev Cate Baker to Resthaven – Leabrook and Paradise (0.6) from 1 November, 2013 Rev Frances Bartholomeusz (Deacon) to Resthaven – Murray Bridge (0.2) from 1 November, 2013 Rev Matthew Stuart to Defence Force Chaplaincy from 14 January, 2014 Upcoming Special Services: Rev Douglas Monaghan, Campbelltown Uniting Church on Sunday 10 November at 2pm Rev Andrew Robertson, Mount Gambier Uniting Church on Friday 6 December at 6pm Vacant Placements: Profiles available – Bordertown, Buckingham and Mundulla; Burnside City; Coromandel Valley; Dulwich Rose Park United (from 1 March 2014); Goyder Ministry Area; Kent Town (0.7); Mallala and Two Wells (0.6); Morialta; Para Hills (0.4); Port Elliott (0.5); Rosefield; Waikerie.

Profiles not yet available – Aldinga-McLaren Vale Linked Congregations (from 1 January 2014); Clearview (0.5); Klemzig (0.5); Port Augusta Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress; Western Eyre (Cummins, Cornerstone, Lock & Yeelanna); Windsor Gardens (0.5); Whyalla.

For more information on any of these placements, please visit sa.uca.org.au/pastoralrelations/placements-vacant

Return to Contents

A business decision agreed upon by consensus (the raising of orange cards in agreement).

One calling, many expressions In 2014, Western Australia will play host to worship leaders, Sunday school teachers, lay preachers and many more for the National Lay Preachers’ Conference held from Saturday 5 to Monday 7 April.

Next year’s event has been named Mandjar, which is the Noongar word for ‘meeting place’ and is derived from the name of the conference venue, Mandurah. Organised around the theme “One calling, many expressions,” the weekend of music and prayer will focus on ideas to support and encourage volunteers and worship leaders in Uniting Church communities. The conference will celebrate the ministries that lay people are called to, in all their diversity.

Highlights of the event include presentations by four different discussion leaders. Dr Nancy Ault will speak on “Landscape of the Soul,” exploring the idea of everyday mysticism and transformational encounters with God, grounded in Christ.

Emeritus Professor Bill Loader speaks

on “Same-Sex Relations: Listening to First Century Voices,” focussing on what people in the New Testament thought and said about the topic. “What Mission? – What Next?” is the title of Rev Dr Geoffrey Lilburne’s discussion, which will centre on making sense of God’s mission in the world today.

In “Cultivating Inspiration for Preaching,” Rev Dr Ian Tozer will consider the generation of ideas and images as ways to enrich sermons.

Also featured during the conference are sessions that will run parallel to Bill Loader’s discussion, workshops on worship and preaching in languages other than English, a performance by a 12-piece band, and a time of quiet reflection.

Registrations are due by 28 February, 2014. For further information, please contact conference organiser, Doug Burtenshaw on (08) 9525 1917 or 0409 111 073, or by emailing s.d.burtenshaw@wn.com.au

5

news

I’m a Christian and my house just burned down The following article was written by Joel Hollier, a young man who lives in the Blue Mountains in News South Wales.

The text was originally posted on his Facebook page and has been reprinted here with his permission. The accompanying photos were taken by Melinda Kingsland in fire-damaged areas of the Blue Mountains in October this year.

My house just burned down.

There was nothing that anyone could have done to put a halt to the marching wall of flame which devoured so much of the street in which I grew up. The tireless devotion of the ‘firies’ and the unwavering dedication of a legion of volunteers was simply no match for the onslaught which took so many of us off guard and has shaken the very fabric of our community. Beneath the darkening, ash-laden skies, my faithful home filled with all of its treasures breathed one last sigh and resigned itself to the flames. Tonight, the interwoven stories of our community are alarmingly coming together with one accord as the fires rage on and the reality of loss becomes an all too familiar motif. Many a tear will be wept before this darkness has passed and no doubt with each tear will come the resounding question ‘Why?’ Over the past 72 hours I have been forced to come to terms with the immensity of what it means to lose one’s home. Standing in the smouldering rubble of violently twisted metal and blackened walls which only the other day provided such unappreciated security is a sobering reality check, the likes of which one never imagines would happen to them.

The barrage of well-meaning pop grief psychology is a constant reminder that what we have lost is just stuff – my Canon camera is replaceable, as are the library and laptops.

But no amount of reassurance can disguise the fact that that house was full of ‘stuff’ that I loved. Dearly. Childish attempts at art; irreplaceable photos of baby faced siblings; scraps of napkins and pebbles – tokens of past summer holidays; walls which my own hands helped build; gifts from friends and

6

family who have since passed away – the list is endless. Yes, I have my memories, but memories are at best fleeting, and sentimentality is a beautiful part of a reality which I know now will fade away even as the smoke dissipates. For those of us waking up each day having lost everything, it is the transience of memories which brings a lump to the throat and leads us to grieve.

And as though farewelling so much of the past were not enough, the overwhelming task of rebuilding now saps away what little emotional energy we have left. A positive front only goes so far in bouncing from service to service as we gather together the necessities to start afresh, and in all of this I can’t help but recognise that we are the lucky ones – we were insured and are surrounded by a community characterised by love and support. We have dear friends who can’t claim the same.

The trail of destruction has left me, my family and our whole community reeling in shock and asking why on earth such a disaster should occur. Those with a faith in God, myself included, are in many ways facing the necessity to question God’s control over events – we prayed that life and property would be spared, but they weren’t – did God not have the strength to calm the flames?

Or alternatively, we are forced to question God’s goodness, toying with the possibility that the all-powerful creator is at best distantly careless, hearing our prayers but willfully choosing to let them slip by the wayside.

How can I reconcile my loss with an all powerful, all loving father who seeks the best for his people? In my experience, the more I ponder this question, both theoretically

and now more so in practice, the more I am forced to stand in awe of the sheer magnitude of God. The more I study the life, teachings and work of Jesus, the more I am blown away by just how relevant he is to me today in my suffering. You see, if we are working within a framework which asserts that my subjective experiences are the litmus test for God’s power and goodness, then we are bound to be left flailing at the end of a misguided faith journey. If, however, we are open to a greater possibility, then I believe that the reality of God’s presence in our lives becomes more than just a peripheral figure – it becomes the solid foundation on which everything else in our life is built.

Let me explain myself further. During times of disaster, when a piece of positive news is heard – for example a property was spared – a Christian will often automatically (and rightly so) exclaim that God is good.

However, I now can’t help but ponder the implications of this statement. Had that property been taken in the blaze, would that in some way render God ‘less good’?

At what stage do we look at suffering and stop proclaiming that ‘God is good’? If our picture of God is confined to that of a glorified philanthropist who rains good gifts down on his creation, then we run the risk of boxing God in to fit the conception that my comfort is in some way directly proportionate to God’s goodness. While ever the sun shines, we can faithfully say that God is good. But when things take a turn for the worse and the storm clouds are mustering, what happens with our God then? I am more convinced than ever that at the point of scraping the barrel of divine compliments (‘I managed to save

news

my photos, therefore God is good’) we run the risk of watering down our faith, paying pious lip service and potentially little more.

No, I believe that God’s goodness runs far deeper than that. If it is a fundamentally true statement that God is good, as the Bible claims, then his goodness is true no matter what my personal circumstances may be. I may be on the brink of losing all, but God is still good.

What then of God’s power? Why would a good God allow me to go through these past few days if he could have stopped it by a simple command? During his time on earth Jesus demonstrated his power over the forces of nature time after time – calming a raging storm; walking on water; feeding thousands with just a small meal and ultimately defeating death in his resurrection. These ‘miracles’ were attested to by dumbfounded masses, many of who would later give their lives for their adherence to this man’s teachings. In reality, power seems to be the least of God’s worries. If it is true that God designed this world, then it is true that God can control it.

Last night I was reminded of Jesus’ agony as he wept in the garden before his horrific crucifixion. Abandoned by everyone he held dear, the son of God himself was about to taste the bitter cup of suffering and begged that what was to come might pass him by. Jesus did not question his father’s goodness, nor did he question his father’s power.

Indeed, at this point, nothing about God was in question. Rather, there was a complete recognition that this was all part of the plan.

Return to Contents

And so this is where my mind comes to rest – not so much at questions of goodness or of power, but at questions of plan and of purpose. If God does not exist, or if he is a distant deity unconcerned with the world of people, then the events of the past couple of days are nothing less and nothing more than a simple tragedy. If, on the other hand, there is a divine plan and purpose behind all that we see, then the invitation is opened to us to also take on a greater perspective, which recognises both God’s sovereignty over all things and the great plan he has for his creation. It is in this perspective that I have come to find the peace and hope that transcends the parochial materialism that characterises our culture, and have been drawn into a deepened understanding of who God is.

This understanding colours everything that I see in my own self and in those around me, particularly in two ways over the past 72 hours. Already, after such a short time, my family and I have been overwhelmed by the generosity shown by friends, family and complete strangers. We have been offered hospitality as I have never experienced in my life and in this instance I have been both saddened and energised to realise that, as a society, we need moments of loss in order to extract the true humanity which is hidden beneath a veneer of individualism and materialism. The character of God’s generosity is seen so clearly in those created in his image when true need arises, giving them the increasingly rare opportunity to throw off the shackles of a

7

news

consumer-driven society to selflessly consider those around them. Is this not how God asks us to live always? I now see in this tragedy not simply property lost, but more so humanity found as people live out their inbuilt desire to care for the other. Please see this with me and give thanks to God for the opportunity to partake in his good gifts.

The second way that I see this mindset shaping me is in my own personal attitudes. As a broken and feeble human, I am constantly facing the temptation to find my identity and purpose in the fleeting cares of this world. Those of us who have lost all of our physical possessions – whether they be cameras or photos, are now left with a gaping identity crisis as the facade of security is wiped away from our eyes and we realise that what we so often thought of as permanent was nothing more than a smoke screen. For me, this has been a profound experience as I have come to understand more what Jesus said when gave us the loving command to store up treasures in Heaven where moth and rust cannot destroy and where fire has no power.

When our treasures are safely hidden away in eternity then what grasp can the fleeting distractions of this world have on us? Instead we will be free to live life as we are designed to- in deep, authentic relationships with the people around us, acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God. There was nothing that anyone could have done to put a halt to the marching wall of flame which devoured so much of the street in which I grew up. But right now, with my Bible open beside me and my thoughts on the things of God, I am not bitter nor do I feel overwhelmed by the loss behind and the task ahead. Rather, I hope and pray that in all of this God’s will might be done and I look forward to the chance to one day look back on these days and see what God’s plan was all along.

8

Offering prayer and support On Wednesday 23 September, Uniting Church President Rev Prof Andrew Dutney launched a national appeal to support those people facing loss and hardship as the result of bushfires in New South Wales. These fires are the worst that have been experienced in the state in 45 years, resulting in devastating destruction of land and property. There are ten Uniting Church congregations and faith communities in the Blue Mountains area, and several congregation members have lost their homes.

Rev Dr Stephen Robinson, the Uniting Church Assembly’s National Disaster Recovery Officer, has been working hard to coordinate chaplaincy teams to visit all major evacuation and recovery centres in the area.

“The current bushfire emergency is the most serious I’ve experienced in 17 years of involvement in bushfire response,” Stephen says.

Stephen adds that cash donations are vital in assisting workers to meet needs on the ground quickly and efficiently.

“At this time we ask Uniting Church members across the country to pray together and offer their support for all the people affected,” says Andrew.

To donate to the National Disaster Relief Fund, or to find out more, please free call 1800 772 851 or visit assembly.uca.org.au/bushfires

L ove i s p l ay f u l Love is playful. ‘God has a sense of humour – just look at the platypus.’ This familiar phrase is usually expressed in a joking tone, but there does seem to be some truth to it. Our relationships with family, friends and with God teach us that love, although often a serious thing, is also playful.

Celebrating community Across South Australia, over 25 CommUnity Day events were registered and held by Uniting Church congregations over the months of June, July, August, September and October this year. Each event chose to connect with local community in different ways, allowing congregations and individuals to build relationships and to share the message of Christ.

These events provided churches with an opportunity to interact with locals in playful, loving and fulfilling ways.

To celebrate the hard work of the many people involved in these events, the CommUnity Day awards were developed and announced at the October/November Presbytery & Synod meeting, in addition to being detailed here. On the following pages, brief summaries of some of the events held are also featured to inform and inspire.

A family concert featuring the Shine Choir Broadview Uniting Church On the Saturday 8 September, Broadview Uniting Church hosted a family concert featuring the Shine Choir. This choir was formed almost 15 years ago and is currently made up of 10 singers and three musicians who perform traditional hymns and worship music. This free concert was widely advertised in the local community, with approximately 60 people in attendance. The audience were delighted with the musical offering provided by the choir at this successful event.

The Good Life Carers’ Lunch Club Dernancourt Uniting Church Earlier this year, Dernancourt Uniting Church and UnitingCare Wesley Bowden launched a combined initiative named The Good Life Carers’ Lunch Club. This event is run on the second to last Thursday of every month, offering food and entertainment for carers and those they care for. The Thursday 18 July lunch was branded as a CommUnity Day Return to Contents

Dernancourt Uniting Church

event. Attendees were treated to a three course meal and provided information to assist in caring roles.

Mental health seminar Kadina Uniting Church Kadina Uniting Church held a seminar on mental health and depression as their CommUnity Day event. Led by Rev Mark Boyce, the seminar was attended by a number of people from the Kadina congregation and church council. Those present were enthused by Mark’s words, and participated in discussion with lively interest. The congregation has plans to implement some of the discussed ideas in hope of better supporting those experiencing mental distress.

National Tree Planting Day Koolunga Uniting Church Koolunga Uniting Church planned their CommUnity Day event to coincide with National Tree Planting Day on Sunday 28 July this year. The Koolunga community came out in force to plant sugar gums and assist

in fulfilling the vision that the town’s founders had in 1893 of seeing the streets lined with trees. The happy planters worked hard, placing trees in locations determined by the Koolunga Development Association and the Port Pirie Regional Council.

Community volunteers were rewarded with a sausage sizzle after their hard work was done.

Event on the Square Moonta Uniting Church Glorious spring weather welcomed voters on Election Day and, in Moonta, so did a delicious sausage sizzle. Moonta Uniting Church decided to combine with the Manse Committee in running their CommUnity Day celebration, Event on the Square, a sausage sizzle held opposite the Moonta Town Hall on Election Day. Sausages were not the only things on offer – locals were also given goody bags. Children were offered their own special bags full of colouring-in books, tennis balls, bookmarks and more, all donated by the church. Adults received bags with CommUnity Day-branded items.

9

L ove i s p l ay f u l

Sunset Rock Uniting Church

Nuriootpa Uniting Church

Morialta Uniting Church

All bags contained a simple Christian message. Moonta Uniting Church felt that this was a very worthwhile day of outreach and witnessing presence in the local community.

Day dinner as part of the Year of Water Cooperation. Approximately 50 people from the church and wider community attended the event and enjoyed a delectable meal. Sarah Lance of the National Resources Management Board of the Murray Darling Basin Group spoke to those assembled. The funds raised by the event will be divided with one half going towards a UnitingWorld clean water project and the other half to a local community land care group based in Murray Bridge.

Barbeque Lunch Renmark Uniting Church Renmark Uniting Church holds a weekly community lunch on Wednesdays, aiming to provide a safe place for people to talk and support one another. Congregation members from both Renmark Uniting Church and Renmark West Union Church assist this ministry in many ways – from supplying meals to cleaning, giving donations to simply being present at the lunches.

Renmark decided to brand one of these lunches as a CommUnity Day event earlier this year. Using CommUnity Day resources, they were able to garner attention with local groups and press. As a result, many people have become interested in connecting with the regular lunches through supplementary events such as healthy cooking workshops.

The Renmark congregation hopes to nurture these new relationships and see them come to fruition.

The Last Hurrah – a melodrama Morialta Uniting Church Morialta Uniting Church understands the importance of building its community through working together for shared purpose, strengthening relationships, enabling personal growth and having fun. It also recognises the need for reaching out and including people beyond the congregation, for sharing the church’s life and identity with others, and giving a clear message of hospitality.

In these ways, the congregation was able to draw clear connections with the purpose of CommUnity Day. For their event, Morialta decided to stage an original melodrama, The Last Hurrah.

Rehearsed over a six month period and featuring congregation members from the age of nine to over 90, the play was an outstanding vehicle for strengthening relationships with the community. The cast, crew and catering staff of 55 presented two performances, attracting 80 members of the Morialta congregation and 117 outside friends, family and community members. Audience participation was key, and patrons were wonderfully responsive throughout with loud hissing, booing and laughter.

It was a great occasion for all!

Year of Water Cooperation Murray Bridge Uniting Church On Saturday 17 August, Murray Bridge Uniting Church held a CommUnity

10

CommUnity Family Concert Naracoorte Uniting Church Naracoorte Uniting Church’s CommUnity Day event was envisioned and set into motion by their youth group. The CommUnity Family Concert was hosted by Michael Bercroft and highlighted the talents of many.

A supper was provided by the Naracoorte Uniting fellowship group following the show.

Rainbows End market Nuriootpa Uniting Church CommUnity Day offered Nuriootpa Uniting Church an opportunity to create a new event – Rainbows End. This market offered second-hand goods at very low prices, as well as a free morning tea. The enthusiastic helpers had doubted that the event would raise much money but, when the sunny morning melted into afternoon, they were surprised to find that they had made over $100. Although the tally had not been of much concern, the volunteers were delighted at the generosity displayed by those who attended the event.

Where did you get that hat?

Sunset Rock Uniting Church On Monday 29 June, Sunset Rock Uniting Church welcomed approximately 40 elderly girls and guys to their CommUnity Day event. Playing to the day’s theme “Where did you get that hat?” many of the attendees wore colourful headpieces. Those present were treated to an afternoon of entertainment, sharing and singing, followed by a scrumptious afternoon tea. The afternoon was very successful and a joy for all involved.

Two fundraising events Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church celebrated

L ove i s p l ay f u l

Moonta Uniting Church

Koolunga Uniting Church

Vermont Uniting Church

CommUnity Day with two events held in July this year, both raising funds for cancer support. The first event was an evening featuring a delicious supper and Graeme Goodings of Channel 7 News as the guest speaker. The second event was a garage sale, complete with buskers, face painting and a sausage sizzle.

CommUnity Day awards All of the Uniting Church congregations involved in CommUnity Day worked hard to creatively and effectively connect with the wider local community through varied events.

To recognise the effort made by so many people and groups involved, the Uniting Church SA Communications team created the CommUnity Day awards.

Appreciation Awards have been presented to individual volunteers for their outstanding contribution to their congregation’s event.

The recipients of these awards were all nominated either by the minister of the church or the congregation’s CommUnity Day contact person.

There were also three major overall event awards provided to congregations who showed strength in: supporting community partnership, service to the community and innovation in their choice of event. The award recipients were chosen by key Uniting Church SA members who reviewed all of the events. Congregations who excelled in these categories have been provided with a plaque and a MediaCom voucher. ‘Honourable Mentions’ were also appointed across these award categories.

CommUnity Day Appreciation Awards: Christine Schreiber, Peter Trudinger, Jackie Francis, Pauline Overbeeke, Suzi Cousins, Janet Dean-Trotter, Mostyn Krollig, Bill Plush, Elaine Norris-Green, Margaret Harper, Chris and Cam Opie, Mary Thornley, Ron Kelly, Sue Lawry, Danni Freeman, Rebecca Purling, Belinda Tester, Suneden Special School, Renmark Uniting Church, Neta Ladner, Jan Ryder, Naracoorte Uniting Church, Kadina Uniting Church, Leesa Story

Garage sale The Corner Uniting Church The Corner Uniting Church regularly holds garage sales to raise funds for their ministry and mission. On Saturday 21 September this year, the congregation hosted a special CommUnity Day version of the event.

The garage sale featured the usual low-priced variety of donated goods, but was enhanced with CommUnity Day balloons and tattoos, free children’s activities, a barbeque and morning tea. Overall, the congregation enjoyed a lovely day interacting with different members of the local community, and raised money to help run programs for the community to enjoy.

Community lunch Vermont Uniting Church On every third Friday of the month, Vermont Uniting Church hosts a community lunch to promote friendship and connection in the local area.

The congregations decided to brand their Friday 19 July lunch as a CommUnity Day event. They used this opportunity to promote other ministries and groups within the church, helping to forge links between visitors and their local congregation.

Return to Contents

Community Partnership Award: Moonta Uniting Church –Voting Day BBQ Community Partnership Award (Honourable Mention): Adelaide West Uniting Church – Spring Fair Service Award: Koolunga Uniting Church – National Tree Planting Day Service Award (Honourable Mention): Murray Bridge “Year of Water” Dinner Innovation Award: Morialta Uniting Church: The Last Hurrah – a melodrama Innovation Award (Honourable Mention): Nuriootpa Uniting Church – Rainbows End second-hand market

11

A UC Invest investment reaches way UCInvest Investinvestment investmentreaches reachesway way A AUC beyond your hip pocket. It helps beyondyour yourhip hippocket. pocket.It Ithelps helps beyond others by supporting programs that othersbybysupporting supportingprograms programsthat that others benefit all members of our community; benefitallallmembers membersofofour ourcommunity; community; benefit programs like Lifeline and chaplaincy, programslike likeLifeline Lifelineand andchaplaincy, chaplaincy, programs aged care and education facilities and agedcare careand andeducation educationfacilities facilitiesand and aged many, many more. many,many manymore. more. many,

Investing for now and for the future.

Investingfor fornow nowand andfor forthe thefuture. future.

Investing Invest with someone who invests in your community.

Investwith withsomeone someonewho whoinvests investsininyour yourcommunity. community.

Invest Visit us at ucinvest.com.au or call us on 1300 274 151.

Visitususatatucinvest.com.au ucinvest.com.auororcall callususonon1300 1300274 274151.

151.

Visit 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 2013 (“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 Invest is UC an activity of The Uniting Church indepositor Australia Property Trust (S.A.) 25 068 781, the entity ofoffered the Uniting SA. Investment provided on behalf of Uniting Church SAofpursuant to ASIC Policy UC UC Invest iswith an activity of The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (S.A.) ABNABN 897897 781, the legallegal of the Uniting SA. are Investment services are are provided ontobehalf of the Uniting Church SA pursuant to ASIC Policy lodged Invest will not benefit from the protection provisions of25 the068 Banking Act (1959).

Allentity products byChurch UCChurch Invest designed forservices investors who wish promote thethe charitable purposes the Uniting Church SA. Statement 87 exemptions APRA Banking Exemption of 2013 (“The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (S.A.)”).

Neither Invest Uniting Church SA are prudentially supervised

by APRA. Investments contributions Statement 87 exemptions andand APRA Banking Exemption No. No. 1 of12013 (“The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (S.A.)”).

Neither UC UC Invest nor nor the the Uniting Church SA are prudentially supervised

by APRA. Investments andand contributions lodged Invest benefit depositor protection provisions of the Banking (1959).

All products offered

by UC Invest designed for investors to promote charitable purposes of the Uniting Church lodged withwith UC UC Invest will will not not benefit fromfrom the the depositor protection provisions of the Banking Act Act (1959).

All products offered

by UC Invest are are designed for investors whowho wishwish to promote the the charitable purposes of the Uniting Church SA. SA.

L ove i s p l ay f u l

Award-winning children’s event Congratulations to the Playgroup in the Park committee members, as well as the churches, volunteers and agencies that support the event, on receiving a Children’s Week Award.

Presented at Government House Adelaide on Tuesday 22 October, Kathy Blazewicz (Uniting Care Wesley Port Adelaide), Malcolm Rawlings (Henley-Fulham Uniting Church) and Melissa Neumann (Mission Resourcing SA) received the award on behalf of the event committee.

The award was given in recognition of the safe, fun, free space that Playgroup in the Park has created for preschoolers and their families to play together and find out about

local support services. The event has been run annually for eight years by a number of Uniting Church congregations and agencies as part of Children’s Week.

For ideas on how your church can connect with Children’s Week visit sa.uca.org.au/childrenandfamily

Children and parents having fun at Playgroup in the Park.

Left to right, Kathy Blazewicz and Malcolm Rawlings received the Children’s Week award on behalf of the Playgroup in the Park committee.

A faith journey for senior school students Lisa Birch

Vetamorphus is a program for senior high school students, enabling them to complete Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology within a peer group setting.

Delivered through local schools and churches, the program allows students to put Christian discipleship at the heart of their education.

Students who begin their Vetamorphus journey will be engaged in learning through six different ways – ministry practice, retreats, worship, private study, mentoring, and immersion in peer groups. Those students who have completed the program speak especially highly of their experience during the three retreat weekends, which allow them to take some time to reflect on their faith journey.

Private study, including reading the majority of the New Testament and writing responses, is one of the challenges the students face. Those taking part have an opportunity to

put theory into action through a variety of ministry experiences.

The Vetamorphus course can be used in attaining students’ South Australian Certificate of Education, and is worth 30 credits, allowing students to work towards necessary qualifications while exploring faith. For students who are looking to pursue further training in ministry and theology, the course is a great first step and provides some experience in their future vocation – the course is great preparation for voluntary service in local churches or community agencies.

Recently-surveyed students have said they decided to participate in the course because they wanted to experience a year of intentional discipleship. This type of discipleship sees young people grow closer to God, grow in their faith, learn more about theology, read the Bible and serve

in their local church or ministry. Some also enrol in the course upon the recommendation of a sibling or friend who has participated.

In South Australia, three previous participants are now leading a Vetamorphus peer-group.

With 50 schools partaking in the program nationwide, and 1000 past and present students, the Vetamorphus course allows for networking opportunities in a recognised national program.

Teens unable to access Vetamorphus in their school are encouraged to contact the organisation, who can assist them in starting up a peer group or negotiating with them to join a peer group close by. The course is also accessible by Skype.

To find out more about courses in 2014, please contact SA Coordinator Peter Eckermann on 0427 780 004 or peter@vetamorphus.com

Schools running Vetamorphus in South Australia are: Bordertown High School, Cedar Christian College, Concordia Lutheran College, Cornerstone Lutheran College, Endeavour Lutheran College, Glossop High School, Harvest Christian School, Horizon Christian College, Investigator College, Immanuel Lutheran College, Mid North Christian College, Portside Christian College, Reynella East College, St. Martins Lutheran College, Sunrise Christian School, Tatachilla Lutheran College, Tyndale Christian College, Unity Lutheran College and Urrbrae Agricultural High School.

South Australian churches running Vetamorphus are: Aberfoyle Park Lutheran Church, Blackwood Church of Christ and Hindmarsh Island (via Skype).

Return to Contents

13

L ove i s p l ay f u l

Spring has sprung at Adelaide West

Adelaide West Uniting Church (AWUC) went into overdrive to prepare for this year’s Spring Fair on Saturday 19 October.

The organising committee posed three clear aims which were derived from the lengthy event planning process.

Firstly, they wanted the AWUC communities to connect – working together and getting to know one another better.

Secondly, they decided to brand the Fair as a CommUnity Day event in order to connect with the wider community.

And finally, they wanted to raise funds to assist (particularly, but not exclusively) with the AWUC children’s and youth ministries.

After the success of the event, there is little doubt all of these goals were achieved – with some fun in the process!

The day of the Spring Fair dawned bright and sunny, perfect weather for all planning to attend and enjoy the many activities on offer.

From 8am until 3pm, visitors and AWUC members took advantage of the variety of food and fun, quickly discovering that there was something to appeal to every age group and interest. Included amongst these were a bric-a-brac stall, face painting, mini golf, craft,

14

a concert band, a plant sale, high tea, a juice tent, giant checkers and much, much more.

Working in partnership with the City of West Torrens Council, AWUC were proud to present special cooking demonstrations, highlighting the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast. Together celebrity chef Poh Ling Yeow and netball superstar Nat von Bertouch (pictured) shared recipes and tips for a healthy lifestyle, aiming to build awareness around the SA Health OPAL (Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle) program.

Over the course of the day, a real sense of community was created with people of all ages, backgrounds and interests welcome to participate, learn and play. This event seemed to embody the vision of the AWUC congregation – a vision of “Acceptance, Hope and Transformation in Jesus.”

Fete fun Adelaide West were not the only Uniting Church to be taking advantage of fun, sun and community on Saturday 19 October – Dernancourt Uniting Church chose the date to hold their own fete and auction event. The day’s activities began at 9.30am when

the auctioneer’s fast-talking voice could be heard echoing throughout the area. A large variety of stalls and food also drew large crowds as the event progressed. There was something to entertain the whole family, with children given the opportunity to get involved in Messy Church activities in addition to watching a delightful performance provided by Calvin Klown.

Missing the fun?

With so many exciting church fairs, festivals and events at this time of year, it can be hard to keep up. If your church congregation is involved in any exciting event or program that you think other Uniting Church people might want to know about, please let us know! New Times aims to reflect the life of the church, but we need your help to do this accurately. If you would like to tell us what your church is up to, please call 8236 4230 or email newtimes@sa.uca.org.au

L ove i s p l ay f u l

Above photo courtesy of Stories Well Told. Other photos taken by Bindy Taylor.

One of Poh's healthy breakfast recipes: Crispy Ham and Egg Cups (serves 6) Ingredients 6 slices of Riviera Ancient Grain loaf, crusts cut off

Method Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius (fan forced oven).

Light olive oil

Flatten bread with a rolling pin and press into muffin tins.

3 large eggs, lightly whisked 50g smoked ham or lean bacon, diced 2 Tbsp Aussie Farmers Direct Light Cheese, grated 1 Tbsp chives or finely chopped parsley

Lightly brush surface with olive oil and add eggs and ham.

Sprinkle the grated cheese over each cup and bake for about 10-15 minutes or until edges are crispy and egg is cooked through. Garnish with chives or parsley and sprinkle with freshly cracked pepper.

Tip: Mushrooms, baby tomatoes, diced eggplants or spinach are all nutritious and delicious additions.

Return to Contents

15

Visual Presentation Systems Public Address Church - School - Board Room - Retail Display - Hospitality Data Projection - Plasma - LCD - Projection Screens - Accessories Sale - Installation - Service

8261 8211

“TEC - Everything Electronic installed with Excellence” Greg Hallam 0411 550417 - Keith Ellison 0411 556075 Campbelltown: 8365 0377 - Fax: 8365 0677 Web: www.tecsa.com.au

All hours

www.ivanbutlerfunerals.com.au enquiries@ivanbutlerfunerals.com.au 26 OG Road Klemzig SA 5087

AUSTRALIAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

Geoff Lewis General Manager

A clarification In “Open garden for a good cause,” an article published in last month’s New Times, one sentence mistakenly implied that money raised by Sunset Rock Uniting Church’s open garden event would be used to fund trips to Indonesia by congregation members.

In actuality, team members travelling there pay for their own accommodation, flights and meals. All money raised by the event will go directly to Bukit Karmel orphanage and Hohidiai Medical Centre in Indonesia.

16

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

Hallett Cove Uniting Church “To know God and to present the reality of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit” is the vision statement of the congregation at Hallett Cove Uniting Church. Since 1981, the church has worked with various age groups to share the love of God and to present the Gospel message in different ways by helping to fulfil a need within the local community and abroad.

A 9.30am service is currently run each Sunday with about 80 worshippers attending.

The leadership team consists of Pastor Craig Scott and a dedicated team of elders who are passionate about the Gospel and about seeing people come to new life in Christ. “[In addition to our leadership team] we also have a wonderful Church Council that works tirelessly for the Gospel and for the Kingdom of God,” Craig says. “Our passion and focus as a church has always been to see people from our local community, and further afield, come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.”

The church currently sponsors six children in Jakarta, Indonesia as well as financially and

spiritually supporting Rumah Anugarah, an orphanage in this region. A team from the church recently returned from Jakarta, where they visited their sponsor children and the orphanage. Closer to home, the church sponsors a young pastor, his wife and a uni student in the development of their future vocations.

Programs within the Hallett Cove Uniting Church include ‘Music Capers,’ a ministry to young mums with preschool-aged children (ages 0-4) run during the school term, providing an opportunity for them to have fun and make friends through music.

A community bread run, a ministry to a local nursing home and Late Night Coffee & Chat on Sunday nights also take place in the weekly life of the church. On Fridays, a second-hand shop called ‘Second Chances’ attracts the local community for a cuppa and a chat, as well as some good bargains.

“The uniqueness of our church can be summed up in a few words – unconditional, unabashed, authentic love,” says Craig.

“Hallett Cove Uniting Church is a church full of love, which many visitors have commented on.”

The congregation hopes to see many of the people in their community discover God’s love, and they strive together to this purpose.

The unique baptismal pool at Hallett Cove Uniting Church.

Farewell to Tailem Bend Tailem Bend Uniting Church is holding a final service on Sunday 10 November at 1.30pm. The service will see the return of John Blanksby, who was Minister of the Word for the district in the 1980s and 1990s.

An open invite has been sent to past parishioners, asking them to come back one last time for a time of faith, fellowship and food.

First opened in 1927, Tailem Bend has seen a number of generations pass through its doors. Paquita Smith, chairperson of Tailem Bend, shared a special memory from one of the Sunday services, seeing six of her grandchildren and her husband all baptised on the same day.

Mrs Smith’s great-grandson will also be baptised at the final service, making it another special family day.

During the life of the church, fellowship groups ran frequently, with the ladies group meeting both during the day and evening.

The choir, a long-standing ministry of the church, gave their final performance over Christmas in 2007.

After the closure of the church, some members will attend local churches in Tailem Bend and others will travel to Murray Bridge Uniting Church. The Ladies Fellowship Group will continue to meet on a quarterly basis.

Return to Contents

Tailem Bend Uniting Church, formerly a Methodist Church, was established in 1927.

17

magazine

A heart for community– an in-depth look at Willunga Uniting Church The Willunga Uniting Church congregation has recently been exploring a number of ways to connect with community creatively. Minister in Placement, Rev Nicholas Randall, comprehensively details some of the church’s latest outreach activities and the inspiration behind the congregation’s actions.

In dialogue through the arts “Mum, come in and see my church!” These were the words of a young child at the launch of her school’s art exhibition, “Spirit of the Child, for Earth’s Sake.” Held at Willunga Uniting Church’s Bethany Hall, the exhibition was a collection of artwork created by local primary school students from the Galilee Catholic Learning Community from Aldinga.

Early this year, these children were invited to respond to the scriptures with help from their art teacher, focussing on the Psalms – particularly Psalms 8, 104 and 148.

The gifts of God the Creator and Jesus’ mandate to love others, whether God, neighbour, enemy or self, were explored and considered in relation to our responsibility to care for the environment.

Throughout the year, the teacher and I – Rev Nicholas Randall, Minister in Placement at Willunga Uniting – met to discuss the project and scriptural messages.

The exhibition was run throughout the month of September with public access allowed on Saturday mornings. During this time, the children, along with their parents and teachers, were invited to create a visual statement in the church sanctuary, expressing their ideas about the scriptures in a threedimensional form within the ritual worship space. On the final day of the exhibition, the Willunga Quilters presented their collected work and offered a demonstration of their craft. Church pews were draped in these beautiful handmade items, making this special day a fittingly colourful conclusion to the season.

Worship at Willunga incorporated the exhibited artworks throughout September, a

18

month annually set aside for reflection on the scriptures and focussing on the ‘season of creation.’

Through this project, the church and the local community have been able to explore the topics of art and the environment, and find common goals. This is evangelism in the form of dialogue, and gives Willunga attendees the opportunity to share an understanding of Jesus’ teachings and commandments to the wider community – a community which, in most respects, is ‘turned off’ by the idea of church (something that I will expand upon shortly).

Invitations have been extended to a number of local schools, asking them to become a part of this annual celebration.

Another local school, one without a religious background, has already committed to participating in 2014.

The invisible wall Being missional within a community not open to the idea of church is not easy – as many of you will have experienced.

At Willunga, one particular incident was key in shaping our prayers and actions.

Four or five years ago, Willunga Uniting Church screened Al Gore’s wellknown film, An Inconvenient Truth, an event presented by a member of the congregation who also coordinates Landcare in our local area.

The screening was well-attended – many Christians with concern for environmental justice were present, as were a number of non-Christians. Many of the latter, however, could not bring themselves to pass the threshold from the foyer into the church

sanctuary. Instead, these individuals simply stood in the doorway and watched the film from there. Yes, they stood the entire time watching through the door. This single event speaks volumes about the current relationship between the Christian church generally and the wider community.

Over the past three years, the Willunga congregation has set about finding ways to break down the barrier between the church and the community, particularly through the arts, exploring ways of continuing dialogue with the community while keeping our feet grounded in the scriptures.

Willunga Uniting Church and the local community The Willunga Uniting Church has always had a close relationship with the community, and the membership, though small in number, is collectively involved with forty or more voluntary organisations locally and nationally.

Not surprisingly then, there has always been a focus on community involvement with the church – most notably the annual Willunga Christmas Tree Festival, which is in its 12th consecutive year. Beginning every year on the Saturday adjacent to the first Sunday in Advent, this festival has strong support and participation from the local community (further information about this festival can be found at the conclusion of this article).

Building upon these relationships was – and continues to be – one way in which we are able to connect with community, but we have been looking for new ways to do this, too.

magazine

Examples of the artwork recently displayed at Willunga Uniting Church.

Shared values as a starting point Collaborating with the Galilee school on the art project (mentioned at the beginning of this article) provided our congregation with an ideal starting point for mission and connection with the wider community.

The Roman Catholic founders of the school took the papal call for ecological conversion and ideas of custodianship very seriously. Through the Christian faith and strong ecological foundation of the school, the people of Willunga were able to easily discover shared values for the project.

Finding common ground along these ecumenical lines has been a joy, and our engagement next year with a new school promises to be dynamic and life-giving.

Return to Contents

Outreach or resource-based mission?

At the time I was placed with the Willunga congregation, one key mission responsibility – that of ‘intentional outreach’ – was not filled by any member of the congregation.

As our conversation about ministry together developed, we decided that our building facilities themselves could form a basis of outreach into the wider community.

The former church hall, which has been recently renovated and renamed Bethany Hall, has decent natural light during the warmer months. Taking advantage of this, we decided to install a simple picture rail and we have since held three significant exhibitions within the hall. Just by adding this feature, we have seen dialogue and creativity facilitated within this space.

Extending this into the sanctuary itself, and ensuring that it becomes a public gathering space upon occasion, is vital in achieving our goal of helping people to see this sanctuary space as their own – their church in Willunga. This would give us, as Christ’s people, the opportunity to give voice to the understanding that all expressions of life, love, community and beauty come from the one God of love.

The Willunga Christmas Tree Festival will be held from Saturday 30 November to Thursday 5 December. This year the event will focus on the theme “Christmas Around the World.” For more information, please call 8556 2650, email enquiries@willunga. unitingchurchsa.org.au or visit facebook.com/ WillungaChristmasTreeFestival

19

diary diary HISTORICAL SOCIETY FORUM - Methodist Missions: History, development and challenges. The Uniting Church Historical Society has organised a forum on Friday 8 November to discuss the history, trends and challenges facing former Methodist Missions in SA. Speakers will share their insights about changes over the years and the implications this has for today. The forum will be held at the Church of the Trinity, 318 Goodwood Rd, Clarence Park, and will begin at 7.30pm. This is the final meeting of the Society for the year and plans are well advanced for the 2014 program of events. For further information contact Rev Dr Dean Eland on 0419 112 603 or email djeland@bigpond.com MINI-FETE. From 9am to 3pm on Saturday 16 November, Golden Grove Uniting Church will host a mini-fete. Located at the Corner of Crouch and One Tree Hill Roads in Golden Grove, the event will feature plants, books, a sausage sizzle, Devonshire tea, white elephant, pre-loved clothes, bric-a-brac, jewellery, craft and more. Also featured will be a stable scene with nativity costumes for dressing up – a Christmas card photo opportunity, maybe?

For more information, please contact Cath on 0448 509 934.

Another popular favourite HYMN SING will be held at the Mt Barker Uniting Church on Sunday 17 November at 2pm. We would love you to come and join us for a wonderful time of singing some of the great hymns of the past, to the majestic sounds of the magnificent pipe organ, piano and brass quintet. Admission is free with an opportunity to donate to Christian charity during the program. Afternoon tea follows. Enquiries 0427 734 071.

GARAGE SALE. The Corner Uniting Church, corner of Oaklands and Diagonal Roads, Warradale, will be holding a Garage Sale on Saturday 23 November from 9am to 1pm. Scones with jam and cream will be available from our wonderful café, also a sausage sizzle, plant stall, homemade cakes , kids corner, Christmas gifts, and great bargains for all. Come and enjoy our friendly atmosphere and fun.

CHOIR CONCERT. Illumina SA Inc presents Aspects of Love, directed by Deborah Munro. Come and share the love as the choir sings truly beautiful songs from the choral repertoire, including a number of famous songs and timeless spirituals. Sunday 24 November, 2pm at Burnside City Uniting Church, 384 Portrush Road, Tusmore. Tickets $15 at the door or phone Sylvia on 8263 0229.

STATE MISSION FELLOWSHIP. Tuesday 26 November, at Scots Church, is our Thanksgiving Service when we bring our Fellowships gifts for our Fellowships Project, a new building for Gaulim Teachers' Training College in Papua New Guinea. Our speaker is Dr Rosemary Dewerse, Director of Missiology and Post Graduate Studies at the Uniting College for Leadership & Theology. Come for morning tea at 10am, and stay for a light lunch and fellowship after the service. All welcome. Enquiries to Jill on 8522 6188.

STRAWBERRY FAIR. It’s almost time for The Vines’ Strawberry Fair, corner of Reynell Road and Rolton Avenue, Woodcroft, from 5.30pm until dark on Friday 29 November. This has been a traditional community event in the Happy Valley (and now Woodcroft) district for well over 100 years.

Along with the usual food, amusement, craft, white elephant, books and produce stalls you'd expect to find at a Christmas fair, Santa will be making his customary appearance for the children. A great evening for all the family!

Please note: all stalls have been allocated.

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL. Athelstone Uniting Church, Fox Ave, Athelstone. A celebration of the creativity, diversity, excitement and Christmas spirit within the Athelstone community. Friday 29 November, 11am to 9pm (family activities and free BBQ from 5.30pm), Saturday 30 November 11am to 5pm, Sunday 1 December 11am to 4pm. Original Christmas tree displays, Devonshire tea and children's Christmas crafts to be enjoyed. treefest@athelstonechurch.org.au

p o s i t i o n s va c a n t . s a . u c a . o r g . a u 20

classifieds RESTORE your phonographic records or tapes to near original quality & preserve them on CD Restore your faded 35mm slides to bright colour and preserve them on DVD. Ask us about VHS or MiniDV video tape & 8mm film to DVD conversion, SA MEDIAWORKS, Kent Town SA Ph: 8362 2251 samediaworks@soundtrack.net.au MORIALTA UNITING CHURCH STUDENT HOUSES VACANCIES 2014 Undergraduate university/TAFE students from rural/ regional areas. Furnished single bedrooms, shared bathrooms, living areas. Close to UniSA, Magill. Easy travel to city for Adelaide University and UniSA, and to Mawson Lakes Campus. Rent $320 monthly. Anne Ind 83366836 Church Office 83319344. Now is the time for school leavers heading for tertiary studies to apply for accommodation in our Student Houses.

ADVENT TWILIGHT RETREAT. The Australian Christian Meditation Community SA is holding an Advent Twilight Retreat at St Columba’s Church Hall and Gardens 3 Rosevear Street, Hawthorn on Tuesday, 3 December from 6-8pm, with tea, coffee and the bookstall available from 5.30pm. The theme is “Bringing Christ to Birth.”

Entrance is free. Contact person: Bev 0407 392 809.

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

Testimony to Christ

The October edition of New Times gives a comprehensive account of what the Uniting Church, its institutions, agencies and workers are doing, and it is, no doubt, impressive. However, there is little mention of our Lord, of His excellency, sufficiency and activity. The heartwarming love of the Father, the sacrificial grace of our Lord Jesus (not to mention his startling resurrection), and the constant outpouring and grace-gifts of the Holy Spirit, when reported, produce faith in Christ, not just appreciation of and support for the church.

The problem with eclipsing Christ with visions of the church is that when the church or its servants fail, the whole display collapses like a house of cards. But when the grace of our Lord is announced and reported, human and institutional failure cannot destroy the testimony, but may even enhance it. It’s a question of who gets the glory.

R. James, Morphett Vale 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.

magazine

Entries wanted!

Athelstone Uniting Church are looking for entries for their 2013 Christmas Tree Festival (details in the Diary section). The event celebrates the creativity, diversity, excitement and Christmas spirit of the local Athelstone community. If you are interested in entering a tree in the event, either as an individual or a group, you must register by Sunday 17 November. For further information on requirements and how to register, please call Ros on 8336 3396 or Glenda and John on 8337 8492. Email enquiries can be sent to treefest@athelstonechurch.org.au

Some of the creative entries in a past Christmas Tree Festival at Athelstone Uniting Church.

Merriment at the Malvern/Unley Street Party Shari Reid

It’s one of those beautiful, warm Australian December afternoons where the heat of the day sinks away, leaving clear early evening air.

Marlborough Street, just off Unley Road in Malvern, is closed for the annual Malvern and Unley Uniting Church Street Party and the usually serene street is abuzz with excitement.

Kids are frantically running between the carnival games, fairy floss clutched in sticky hands as parents take some time out with a coffee and some kind of wondrous homemade muffin, slice or scone.

A jogger, out on what is probably her regular Sunday run, stops to see what all the commotion is about; smiling at the kids jiggling up and down on the bouncy castle, she heads to the second-hand book stall to snag a bargain.

Return to Contents

The street is packed from curb to curb: a petting zoo, face painting, a Christmas tree display and stunning stalls of handmade craft and jewellery.

Kids emerge, beaming, from the famous hay stack hunt, stashing lolly loot in their pockets and diving in to the hay to recover more treasures.

There’s the smell of a barbecue cooking away, with spicy Indian food, pancakes and buttery popcorn adding to the aroma.

The outdoor stage is graced by a series of talented performers: a choir, dance group, jazz artists and even a pair of (very hopeful) comedians!

These are just some of the things to look forward to at this year’s Malvern and Unley Uniting Church Street Party, to be held on Sunday 1 December, 4-7pm.

“It’s a creative and engaging way for us to connect with our local community and each year we see the crowd getting a little bigger,” says Rev Jonathan Davies, the minister of Malvern and Unley Uniting Churches.

“The best part is chatting with people who live in our neighbourhood, learning a bit about their stories and then sometimes catching up with them in one of our Sunday service – it’s all about being the church outside of the four walls of the church building,” he explains.

Entry and most of the attractions at the Malvern and Unley Uniting Church Street Party are free, and all are welcome to attend.

For more information, please contact the Malvern office on 8271 6817.

21

magazine

Meet the State Mission Fellowship Lisa Birch

Red Dove Cafe helps to raise funds for international mission conducted by the Uniting Church SA State Mission Fellowship.

Within South Australia, the State Mission Fellowship is a vital part of the Uniting Church. The faces of the fellowship, as you may know it, are behind the counter at the Red Dove Cafe, Sally Stamp or the friendly volunteers selling Christmas cards.

The fourth Tuesday of most months during the year is set aside for the State Mission Fellowship, held at Scots Church, North Terrace at 10.30am. During the meeting chaplains, volunteers and returned mission workers motivate and educate listeners with their inspiring stories.

A morning tea and lunch is held, featuring the best sandwiches around for the low price of $5. After the fellowship meetings, members often report back to their congregations and fellowships about the happenings of mission, whether it is about a chaplain in Adelaide working with people with disabilities or an overseas mission worker.

The State Mission Fellowship Committee

meet on a regular basis to help advocate for national and global mission. One way they do this is by fundraising through bequests or organisations such as Red Dove Cafe.

Greeting and Christmas cards are also sold state-wide through the Fellowship, allowing country and city congregation members to buy cards at a reasonable cost. Proceeds go directly to supporting mission, and are given to those seeking financial support or to help with appeals from groups with particular requests. The committee seeks to meet the needs of those in mission where possible, doing so with prayer and support. The Fellowship encourages mission workers, and those have heard their inspirational tales, to share the work of the wider church.

The passionate members of the State Mission Fellowship would like to extend the invitation to all in the Uniting Church to help them in supporting people and projects, both nationally and worldwide.

How can you be involved?

Attend a State Mission Fellowship meeting at Scots Church.

Join the State Mission Fellowship committee.

Help fundraise by collecting stamps, donating clothes to Packing Day or supporting greeting card drives.

Visit the Red Dove Cafe on your trip to the Royal Adelaide Show in 2014 – or volunteer there!

Read Together magazine for all the latest information on national and world mission – many Adult Fellowship groups are subscribed to the publication, but personal subscriptions are also available through the Uniting Church Adult Fellowships for $13 per annum.

Gifts Packing Day: donations of clothes and handicrafts are sent to Central and Northern Australian Aboriginal Communities and Op Shops to be distributed as seen fit.

Stamps: donated stamps from congregations are sold to help pay the shipping cost required to send educational books to schools in the Pacific Island nations.

Financial Aid: Money raised or donated helps support a wide variety of missions.

Prison chaplaincy, Uniting Aboriginal and Island Congress, Uniting World, and Christian colleges and seminaries are just a few of the causes they support.

Supporting young people at NCYC As mentioned in the October edition of New Times, the 2014 National Young Leaders’ Conference (NCYC) will be run in Sydney under the name ‘Yurora.’ The event aims to be a festival of the arts that reflects the multicultural identity of the Uniting Church in Australia.

The Uniting Church in South Australia are hoping to see 50 young delegates between the ages of 16-25 attend the event in 2014.

Total costs, including registration, accommodation, transport and meals, can climb quite high – but we don’t want any of our enthusiastic

22

young people to miss out! If you or your church would like to support Uniting Church SA young people who are financially disadvantaged in attending NCYC in 2014, please visit sa.uca.org.au/youth/events/yurora-ncyc-14 This same website can be used for those looking to join in the event or find out more information.

Alternatively, contact Jo Lohmeyer on 8236 4246 or ncyc@sa.uca.org.au

reviews

Fitting faith with science

A book that becomes a friend Book: The Best of Will Willimon: acting up in Jesus’ name Author: Will Willimon Recommended for: preachers and people thinking about faith In short: Snippets of Willimon’s thought-provoking writings.

Available from: MediaCom RRP: $20.25 Whether or not you agree with Willimon, these snippets send your thoughts flying with ideas, convictions and new ways of seeing. The author, a former bishop, has an ability to wonder about scripture, raise questions, and present it in accessible, easyto-read passages. The book is divided into 10 separate theological topics covering thought and practicalities of the Christian life such as Jesus, the Bible, worship, the Trinity, the Church and much more.

This book could easily be used to spark sermon ideas or discussions for devotions or Bible studies. Willimon’s treatment and thoughts around Good Friday and the meaning of the cross are particularly interesting. Even if a reader doesn’t agree with Willimon’s theology, the book demands a thoughtful response and challenges the underlying assumptions of our faith.

Willimon has a great sense of humour as well as the strength to challenge. Reading this book is kind of like sitting down to a conversation with a trusted friend – a conversation I found myself continually wanting to have in order to explore and think, grow and challenge, serve and love.

Jennifer Hughes

Return to Contents

Gentle spiritual disciplines for a stressed-out world Book: Invitations from God Author: Adele Ahlberg Calhoun Recommended for: those Christians on a journey of transformation using God’s word with spiritual practices and practical engagement

In short: This book presents spiritual practitioners with 11 invitations which God offers to those seeking spiritual development.

Available from: Amazon RRP: $15 Adele Ahlberg Calhoun has been a Christian minister for over 30 years and is currently a co-pastor with her husband, Doug. She is a trained spiritual director and is also a founding member of the Transforming Centre, and continues to enjoy her involvement with that community.

This book outlines some invitations that God extends to all who are open to them.

Some of the invitations, such as rest, wait or weep, could be challenging. It also calls for some practical applications, such as the Invitation to Remember in which the reader is challenged to write their own Exodus story.

Each chapter of the book contains a summary box. These outline an invitation, some relevant scripture and 'road blocks' – the things in us which might derail the process of responding to that invitation. These are followed by practices which might be adopted around that specific invitation.

This very practical manual contains useful insights and will help seekers to learn how to listen to and respond to God’s invitations.

In turn this should lead to wholeness, freedom and transformation.

Jan McClelland

Book: The Language of Science and Faith Author: Karl W Giberson and Francis S Collins Recommended for: those seeking to understand more about the relationship between faith and science In short: This book seeks a harmony in which the insights of both science and faith are respected and taken seriously.

Available from: IVF Books RRP: $27.95 In 2006, Francis Collins wrote The Language of God, a book that describes how his work as a scientist relates to his Christian faith. Having just completed work on the Human Genome Project, the book gave a new insight to many people who wondered how the two parts of his life fitted together. But many readers had additional questions which were unanswered by the first book. Written in collaboration with Karl Gilberson, The Language of Science and Faith seeks to provide answers to some of those questions. The text is organised within a framework of 75 questions, and has an index to help readers find particular topics quickly.

Each chapter outlines and explores a range of answers to these questions, including references to the beliefs of Young Earth creationists, arguments from intelligent design, atheist viewpoints, and theistic evolution proponents. Many issues are controversial, with a variety of deeply-held assertions examined and respectfully explored in regards to what different people think and argue. Some helpful historical details are given about how Christians have responded to these issues over the past centuries. Quotations from a wide variety of sources add to the value of this work.

This is an important book for those with an open mind who want to seriously wrestle with questions about the relationship of modern science with Christian faith. It does not offer easy solutions, but tackles difficult topics with clarity and integrity. It is at once an intelligent and inspiring book!

Rodger Bassham

23

magazine

Bishop Munib Younan visited Adelaide in September this year.

The road to peace Lisa Birch

Rev Prof Andrew Dutney, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, recently met with Bishop Munib Younan as part of the World Week for Peace, an annual observance encouraging an end to the occupation of Palestine though prayer, education and advocacy.

“We ask Uniting Church members to join us in a prayer for peace for the Palestinian people,” says Rev Prof Dutney. “This is an opportunity... for reflection and advocacy for justice and peace in Palestine and Israel.”

Bishop Younan is a Palestinian Christian leader with a passion for helping heal nations in the wake of conflict. He is an advocate for human rights and places great emphasis on the need for peaceful solutions to conflict occurring in the Middle East, wanting Palestinian Christians to be “pro-truth, pro-reconciliation, pro-peace and pro-justice.”

The importance of having faith-based conversations is paramount for Bishop Younan’s strong emphasis on refugees exercising basic human rights. “You can only combat extremism in two ways. The first is through the transformative power of education; the second is by interfaith dialogue.

Interfaith dialogue helps us to find common

24

values around living together in justice and peace.” The Bishop places high importance on peaceful and respectful negotiations to help support nations experiencing conflict.

Bishop Younan has also worked in the development of a statement entitled “Welcoming the Stranger: Affirmations for Faith Leaders” in consultation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The statement reflects his belief that closing borders to refugees denies their human rights, and doubles the issues they are currently facing. The Bishop has first-hand experience with refugees, and tells of visiting the Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan, which runs 100,000 people over capacity. This is mostly due to the conflict within Syria, which he believes can be solved with political decisions, using dialogue.

Visiting Australia for the first time, the Bishop calls for the eradication of discrimination against asylum seekers.

“We advise governments as a global church – you have to accept every human being, regardless of their religious or political affiliation, whether they are female or male, old or young – you must take them,” he states The Bishop seeks to respond to the Liberal Government’s ‘Operation Sovereign Borders’

policy, and says “exclusionary policies will harm Australians before it harms anyone else.”

He reminds Australians of the importance of immigration in forming their nation, and warns that such policies could lead to discrimination.

Bishop Younan was recently awarded the Al-Hussein Decoration for Distinguished Service from the King of Jordan for his work promoting peace between Christians and Muslims in Israel, Palestine and Jordan.

In additional to his advocacy work, the Bishop is also the current President of the Lutheran World Federation which represents more than 70 million Christians worldwide.

Meeting for the first time in September, Bishop Munib Younan and Rev Prof Andrew Dutney spoke about the road to peace for the Palestinian people. The Bishop seeks to deepen the friendship and solidarity between Australian and Palestinian Christians through the 2014 National Minister’s Conference in Jerusalem, held in September next year, which Rev Prof Dutney will also be attending.

The two leaders will also meet at the World Council of Churches Assembly in Busan, Korea in November of this year.

Return to Contents