New Times - October 2014

Issue 33, No 9, 2014

The voice of Uniting Church SA

October 2014

Home

THE EMIGRATION OF EMANUEL 100 YEARS OF HOME

One minister’s story of

Celebrating home,

finding home in God

life and ministry

pp. 8-9

p. 13

Third Robert Iles Memorial Lecture Marriage in Today’s Society

Contents

Hon. Kevin Andrews MP

FEATURES Presbytery and Synod meeting preview The emigration of Emanuel

6 8-9

A traveller’s home

12

100 years of home

13

Moderator’s comment

4

CEO/General Secretary’s comment

5 18-19

Diary 20 Letters 21 Positions Vacant

7.30 pm · Thursday 9th October · 2014 Burnside City Uniting Church Cnr Portrush Road and Fisher Street, Tusmore Supper

REGULAR PAGES

Getting to know...

Minister for Social Services Commonwealth Government

___________________ The Robert Iles Memorial Trust exists to celebrate and promote the Christian faith within Australian society and engage with the culture of the day and to bring a biblical perspective to contemporary public issues in society and the world.

Sermons and other writings of Robert can be found at www.ilesblog.com

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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

w: 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: 9,750 Uniting Church SA Level 2, 212 Pirie St, Adelaide p. (08) 8236 4200 f. 8236 4201 country callers. 1300 766 956

Next issue: Trust Trust is one of the most important elements in building strong relationships and communities – both earning the trust of others, and learning to trust them. The November edition of New Times will explore stories of trust, detailing times when individuals and communities have had to trust God, themselves and one another.

DEADLINE FOR NOVEMBER 2014

Wednesday 8 October

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Cover details

This month’s cover image features Grace Sando standing in front of Gartrell Memorial Church (Dulwich-Rose Park United). Both Grace and Gartrell will celebrate 100 years in the coming months. Read more about how Grace found a ‘church home’ at Gartrell on page 13.

editorial

Creating a sense of ‘home’ In my life, home is a place of safety, comfort and love. When I’m away from home for extended periods of time, as I was this past month – attending the UnitingWomen conference in Sydney (more on that in the November edition) and Australasian Religious Press Association conference in Canberra (more below) – I frequently anticipate returning to my home space. There’s nothing like sleeping in your own bed or relaxing on your own couch with people you love and trust.

But lately, I have been frequently reminded that ‘home’ isn’t a warm and fuzzy term for everyone.

In recent months, the news has been dominated by stories of homes violated. We see people driven out of their houses and churches in countries, like Syria and Iraq. We hear about people shot in their own home spaces and neighbourhoods, like Reeva Steenkamp and Michael Brown. We read about cases of domestic abuse and violence, and instances of invasive cyber-bullying. We listen to stories of children who have been taken away from their communities. And we know that what we see and hear and read is only the tip of the iceberg.

There are so many others out there whose homes and sense of safety have been destroyed by the actions of loved ones and strangers.

When reflecting on this article, I came to realise that many of the people the Uniting Church seeks to support have had their homes violated in one way or another – refugees and asylum seekers, those who have experienced domestic violence, First Peoples, and others.

Creating safe, loving and understanding spaces for people in need

is a big part of the work done by the Uniting Church through UnitingCare, Synod and Assembly campaigns, the work of congregations and other ventures.

However, I’ve recently been wondering whether we can help to create spaces of understanding and ‘home’ by offering hospitality to those around us in our daily lives, not just through the wider, far-reaching projects of the Church. I’ve started thinking about ways I can offer support and comfort to the friends, acquaintances, family members and strangers in my life. My first ideas have been quite simple – listening to a stranger’s story, offering food or understanding, or even helping someone to carry a heavy item. I wonder if these small things could help someone to feel safer, perhaps even more ‘at home.’

As communities, families and individuals, perhaps extending this kind of hospitality is something you could think about, too.

As Christians, we are in a unique position – we have a God we can turn to for the comfort, love and sense of safety that we can’t always get in our physical home. In reflecting the understanding and peace we find in relationship with God, I believe we can help others to realise the sense of ‘home’ that God can provide.

Catherine Hoffman

New Times awarded The New Times editorial team recently attended the Australasian Religious Press Association (ARPA) Conference and Awards in Canberra. Celebrating 40 years, the conference drew in a wide variety of speakers including Mark Scott, the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Collective Shout activist Melinda Tankard Reist, and author Mark Sayers.

New Times won a gold award in the Best Original Photography category for a photograph taken by Melinda Kingsland. The powerful image depicted the aftermath of the 2013 Blue Mountains bushfires, and was featured on page 7 of the November 2013 edition.

A detailed list of the awards presented, including those given to other Uniting Church publications across Australia, will soon be available on arpanews.org

Melinda Kingsland’s award-winning photograph. Uniting Church communicators from across Australia, including New Times Editor-in-Chief Bindy Taylor (centre row, second from the right) and Editor Catherine Hoffman (back row, second from right).

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moderator

Left: Rev Elenie Poulos and Dr Deidre Palmer on stage at the Uniting Women conference.

Right: Uniting Church women registering for the event.

“We are pilgrims.

Our home is the heart of God.” Do you ever wonder what it would have been like to be there on the Day of Pentecost? In Sydney on Sunday 14 September, I stood with 500 other Uniting Church women and we experienced a ‘Pentecost moment.’ As we worshipped together, the Holy Spirit moved creatively and powerfully among us. We were a diverse group – culturally, in age and in life experience. We spoke different languages and our stories were varied, but as we listened and heard each other we experienced a unity in Christ – a unity that I imagine the gathered community experienced at Pentecost. It was breathtaking!

We had gathered for the UnitingWomen conference. This conference grew from a small group of women in New South Wales who had an idea that such a gathering would be beneficial for those who attended, and for the broader life of our Church and its mission.

The theme of the conference was “Seeking the Deeper Story.”

As women, with openness and vulnerability, shared their stories of faith and struggle, joy and grief, we entered into sacred space; a place of sanctuary, and of being at home with one another.

We listened to God’s word to us through the Gospel of John and the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures. We heard God’s word through story and song, and the witness of women who are embodying the compassion, love and justice of God in their daily lives.

We had conversations about the state of the church locally, nationally and internationally, and talked about the ways we measure our success. In the midst of this vibrant community in Christ, it felt like the rumours of the church’s demise were highly exaggerated!

UnitingWomen was a one-off event, but it gathered together 500 faithful disciples of Christ, all offering their gifts and dreams to one another. Those 500 women are now back in their local communities and homes, having engaged deeply with God, each other and the wider world. They have been refreshed and connected to people across Australia, from Cape York to Adelaide. They are working as chaplains in prisons and schools, teaching, and studying. They are working for government and non-government agencies, running child care programs, nurturing their children, offering leadership in local churches, Presbyteries, Synods and the Assembly.

The youngest participant was a 6-week-old baby (with her mother) and the oldest was 90. Mothers and daughters came together, and one family had three generations attending.

As I reflect on my visits with more than 30 congregations in South Australia, and my participation in a number of Uniting Church gatherings this year – UnitingWomen, National Christian Youth Convention and KCO (KUCA [Kids of the Uniting Church in Australia] Camp Out) – I cannot contain the hope I feel. There is a real sense of anticipation, knowing that the Spirit is at work among us, reforming and renewing our lives, helping us to be reflections of the One who is Light and Hope for the whole world. Thanks be to God!

Dr Deidre Palmer

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ce o / ge n e ral se cre ta r y

Home My family and I are blissfully building a fresh sense of feeling at home after recently moving from Sydney to Adelaide. While we are loving life in South Australia, we certainly have a newfound appreciation for all the elements that go into making home a settled and secure environment. Yet, as Christians, our sense of being at home in a new city is juxtaposed against the already being at home in Christ.

The contrast of being physically home versus spiritually home has strong points of difference in relation to ownership.

The Great Australian dream is couched in home ownership.

This is admirable in many respects. However, when the dream starts to own us, the wonder of home ownership is squeezed out and idealism makes way for the reality of financial constraints. Essentially, we all appreciate that a home is more than bricks and mortar. We feel most at home when we are sharing in robust, dynamic and loving relationships in which we are free to be ourselves. I was reminded of this recently when a very close family friend visited us. Whilst the context was different, the relationship was the same, and that sense of being at home with one another was incredibly evident.

I see this concept of home in the life of Jesus who made the claim that: “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but I, the Son of Man, have no home of my own, not even a place to lay my head” (Matthew 8:20). Jesus was at home in the relational interplay within the community of God from which he made such statements as “The Father and I are one” (John 10:30). The community of God is the most extravagantly rich place for anyone to call home. The splendour of being at home in the community of God is something that many people in the Uniting Church can testify to. It goes far beyond the buildings that we inhabit for worship on Sunday.

There is an extraordinarily liberating hominess about being ourselves in a relationship with God through Christ. In Christ we become unencumbered from all in this world that would seek to own and bind us. This underpins the good news of Jesus Christ in that there is more to life than doggedly surviving the journey to fulfill the dreams that our culture idealises for us.

The freedom of being at home in Christ is also fantastic news for the church. It is in Christ alone that we find the reference point for understanding ownership in our congregations and wider Uniting Church. The truth that Christ rules and renews the church is a constant and vital discovery for the people of God. We will never own the church for that is Christ’s domain. However, the church is continually called into the exciting opportunity to be the community of God, welcoming all people into the transforming freedom of being home in Christ.

Rev Nigel Rogers

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Rev Nigel Rogers participates in the celebration of Playford Uniting Church’s new build on Sunday 14 September.

Placements News Placements finalised since the September edition of New Times: Casey Lau (Candidate for Deacon) to Yilki UC (0.3) from 1 October 2014 Adrian Nippress (MOP) to International Mission Officer (0.5) from 15 September 2014 Rev Alison Whish (Synod of Vic/Tas) to Newland UC (0.6) from 1 November 2014 Upcoming induction services: Casey Lau (Candidate for Deacon), Yilki Uniting Church (0.3) on Sunday 12 October, 2.30pm Graham Ingram (Lay Pastor), Goyder Ministry Area (0.8) on Thursday 16 October, 5.30pm Rev Jock Dunbar, Rosefield Uniting Church on Sunday 19 October, 4.30pm Rev Nigel Rogers, CEO/General Secretary on Wednesday 29 October, 7pm at Adelaide West Uniting Church Ordination service: Sunday 30 November, 1.30pm at Adelaide West Uniting Church. Current ordinands: Karen Paull (Candidate for Deacon), Casey Lau (Candidate for Deacon) and Sherrin Jackman (Candidate for MOW).

Vacant Placements as of Thursday 18 September The following is the current list of vacant (or soon to be vacant) approved placements: Profiles available – Adelaide Korean; Belair (0.5); County Jervois (Arno, Cleve, Coolanie, Cowell & Driver River); Grange; Hallett Cove (from January 2015); Lighthouse Port Pire; Lower Murray Linked Congregations (from January 2015); Port Augusta Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress; Seaton (0.3); Seeds (from January 2015); Waikerie; Whyalla.

Profiles not yet available – Clearview (0.5); South West Fleurieu; Tumby Bay & Districts (0.5); Windsor Gardens (0.5).

For more information on any of these placements, or to view national placements, please visit sa.uca.org.au/pastoral-relations/placements-vacant

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news

Preview of a packed Presbytery and Synod meeting From Wednesday 29 October to Saturday 1 November, attendees of the annual meeting of the Presbytery and Synod of the Uniting Church in South Australia will fill Adelaide West Uniting Church.

Beginning with the induction of Rev Nigel Rogers into the role of General Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer on the Wednesday evening, the meeting boasts a packed and interesting agenda. Among the exciting things taking place are: Bible studies led by Uniting Church President Rev Prof Andrew Dutney, the launch of Denise Champion’s new book, worship led by the Centre for Music, Liturgy and the Arts, a retired ministers’ service, a recognition and celebration of retired ministers and lay preachers, and major reports.

There is also an important opportunity for members of the Uniting Church in South Australia to be appointed to a variety of committees, councils and boards.

Uniting Church SA is currently seeking nominations for representatives to the 14th Triennial Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia, which will take place in Perth between Sunday 12 and Saturday 18 July 2015. South Australia can send up to 34 representatives to attend the Assembly, including the General Secretary and

Moderator who will attend as ex-officio representatives. The remaining number is comprised of ministers and lay people from both urban and rural contexts; at least six representatives sent must be under the age of 35.

The Presbytery and Synod Standing Committee is also seeking nominations to fill several vacancies. These nominations are subject to identified categories, and an appointed Nominating Committee facilitates this process.

Nominations are also sought for other councils and committees such as the Leadership Development Council,

Placements Committee, and Presbytery Strategy and Planning Team.

Rev Nigel Rogers’ induction service will take place at 7pm on Wednesday 29 October.

Registration opens at 9am on Thursday 30 October, prior to the beginning of the meeting at 10am. The meeting will conclude at 4pm on Saturday 1 November.

For more information on the business and agenda, please continue to visit sa.uca.org.au/ pres-synod-meetings for updates.

For additional information on nominations, please visit the above website and follow the links or contact Malcolm Wilson on 8236 4206 or secretariat@sa.uca.org.au

Get involved!

About FACE. From Monday 5 to Sunday 18 January in 2015, the Uniting Church will again run About FACE (Faith and Cultural Exchange). Open to all people over the age of 18, the programme involves spending time living in Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) communities. The event aims to build relationships and understanding, creating an ‘about face’ in the attitudes of the participants. Over the past 30 years, About FACE has seen the lives of many transformed through their participation in the event.

Although applications officially closed on Friday 26 September, the event organisers are graciously allowing late applications.

For more information or to apply, please visit aboutface.org.au or call (03) 9251 5266.

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SURRENDER Adelaide. The SURRENDER Adelaide conference will run again this year on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 October. Held at Burnside City Uniting Church, the conference will focus on exploring Jesus’ call to walk alongside those people who are walking alone.

The conference will feature sessions led by New Zealander Mick Duncan, emerging Christian leader Arda Aghazarian, and urban missionary Jon Owen. The event will also include Bible studies and workshops, and will delve into issues such as contemplation and action, walking alongside Indigenous Christians, non-violent responses, walking alongside people in remote communities, and the Love Makes A Way movement.

For more information about SURRENDER Adelaide, please visit surrender.org.au or call 0414 228 694.

news

Christmas postcard campaign Everyone is welcome at the table.

We all experience Christmas differently – some find cause for celebration, while others take time to reflect.

The celebration of Jesus’ birth makes Christmas a joyful time for many individuals and families across Australia. Gathering together in community with family and friends, the Christmas season provides an opportunity for us to join in fellowship and give thanks to God. But Christmas can also be a difficult time, as we remember loved ones who have passed away or struggle with feelings of loneliness.

For those of us dealing with these issues, Christmas can provide a time for reflection, as we seek to draw on God’s strength and sacrifice.

This year’s Christmas postcard invites all people – whether they find Christmas to be a time of celebration or reflection – to join in community with a local Uniting Church congregation.

The front image of the postcard puts Jesus’ birth right at the centre of Christmas celebrations, while the back has space for service times, dates and locations. The Communications team has come up with a welcoming message for the back of the postcard – congregations can opt to use this or to create their own.

Postcard details Cost: $69 per 1,000 (minimum of 1,000)

Orders close on Wednesday 22 October.

The postcards will be available for collection from Adelaide West Uniting Church during the annual meeting of the Presbytery and Synod, Thursday 30 October to Saturday 1 November. After this date, postcards can be collected from the Synod office, Level 2, 212 Pirie St, Adelaide.

For more information, please visit sa.uca.org.au/postcards or call 8236 4249.

Increasing awareness, encouraging conversation On Friday 19 September, Uniting Church SA Moderator Dr Deidre Palmer hosted a dinner for 20 men from the Uniting Church as part of the Beyond Violence campaign, which launched in March 2014.

The aim of this campaign is to increase conversation and awareness around issues of violence and abuse, which was also the focus of the campaign dinner. The event provided men with a platform to continue conversations around the meaning of life-giving, mutual and egalitarian relationships between women and men.

Attendees heard from a guest speaker, Chris Dolman, who spoke about his work as a counsellor with Uniting Communities. Chris shared some insight into his extensive experience counselling male perpetrators of abuse. After hearing from Chris, the men gathered in small groups to discuss issues surrounding violence and abuse.

During these group discussions, the attendees raised a number of important points and issues. Some people were of the opinion that the church is still responsible for lagging behind in cultural change regarding equality of men and women. Attendees also verbalised their realisation that subtle forms of control were just as dangerous as obvious ones. Others identified the need for society to allow a diversity of relationships, reducing conflict as people are not forced to fit older relationship models.

Individuals were later provided an opportunity to film their

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reflections for a campaign video, which Deidre will launch at the upcoming annual meeting of the Presbytery and Synod.

Rev Peter McDonald closed the meeting by asking the men to think about how God is calling them to act around issues of violence and abuse.

Dr Deidre Palmer will hold three seminars on domestic violence for pastoral workers. The first seminar is scheduled for Monday 25 November, 7-9.30pm (venue to be advised); subsequent workshops will be held in March and June 2015. For more information, please contact Rev Sarah Williamson on 8236 4257 or swilliamson@sa.uca.org.au For more information about the Beyond Violence campaign, please visit beyondviolence.org.au

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home

For many people the word ‘home’ signifies comfort, belonging, welcome, rest. But for those who face hostility at home or are without a home – those seeking asylum in Australia, or the many sleeping on the streets across our country every night – the word may have negative connotations. In this edition, we explore how individuals and communities in the Uniting Church across South Australia make meaning of the word ‘home.’

The emigration of Emanuel This is the story of Rev Dr Emanuel Audisho, an Assyrian follower of Jesus Christ, a bird driven from his nest, but led by God. Emanuel’s tale begins in Iraq, where he was born to a family with a long tradition in the Nestorian Orthodox Church. For many years Emanuel and his family lived comfortably in Iraq. People of different religions – Christians and Jews, together with Shiah and Sunni Muslims – lived side-by-side in relative peace. Even as war raged between Iraq and Iran, Iraqis of different faiths shared some measure of peace, tolerance and prosperity.

As he grew older, Emanuel enjoyed academic success, becoming a teacher and principal of several schools. He also married and welcomed four sons into his life. In 1980, he was appointed principal of the Teacher Training Institute in Duhok, Iraq. While working, Emanuel continued to study, achieving his masters in Arabic Poetry at Mosul (Nineveh) University in 1988.

However, the clouds of war and sectarian strife were tragically closing in upon Emanuel and his family.

“Since 1980, life had increasingly been disrupted by tragic violence, killings and destruction of property, and the disruption of family life had become normal in many parts of the country,” Emanuel explains. “[In 1991,] my friends came to me and advised me to leave [Duhok] because they heard that the militia would be coming to the city, and that there would be big trouble,” says Emanuel. “I sent my wife and four children to another city. The next day my friends came and told me again to go.”

Along with two friends – one Muslim and one Christian – Emanuel left Duhok for Nineveh, which was about one hour’s drive away. After driving along the road for only a few kilometres, the trio came across a section of road barricaded by stones. Cars had been overturned in front of the barricades and machine gun bullets were flying through the air.

“My friends and I became very scared – we could not turn back, so we had to go through this deadly road,” Emanuel recalls. “I felt that I was in ‘the valley of the shadow of death,’ and I saw my life pass before my eyes like in a movie.

“I remembered my brother Noel saying, ‘Only Jesus can save your life and protect you,’ so I cried out to Jesus, and prayed with all my heart, ‘Oh, Lord Jesus, only you can save us!’

“Immediately, I felt a merciful hand surrounding me, lifting me up tenderly. I felt as though I was not in the car, but in another atmosphere, and I didn’t hear the shooting, even when machine guns shot all along the side of my car.

“I encouraged my friends, and told them that Jesus would save us.”

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Emanuel had been driving the car and was the natural target of the gunfire, but although his friends were hit, Emanuel remained untouched by bullets. One of the rear tyres had also been shot.

Emanuel knew it was not safe to stop and continued driving, heading towards the hospital in Nineveh. Eventually, he was forced to pull over as the car would not climb a steep hill. He had to get out of the car and change the tyre.

“My friends were very frightened, but God miraculously helped me change the wheel in less than one minute.

“When we reached the hospital, Nineveh was being bombed by aircraft overhead, and there were no staff or other people to help at the entrance... I carried [my friend], whose legs had been shot, up the two floors to the operating theatre.”

His other friend’s injuries were not as severe and he was able to walk himself to the nurse’s station.

When Emanuel walked back to his car, he was shocked to see the huge number of bullet holes and the pools of blood inside.

“From that time on, I realised that Jesus was my protector and saviour... I sensed joy and peace, with the presence of Jesus around me, and I gave myself anew to him. He made me a new person, and I understood with new clarity the call and the duty to proclaim the message of salvation wherever God wished to send me.”

Although Emanuel had grown up in the traditional Eastern Nestorian Orthodox Church, he had not known Jesus personally until this point of his life.

“Clearly this new faith was a gift from God in a time of need, but it was not just faith for the moment of crisis; [it was] the birth of eternal life in my soul,” says Emanuel. “When new life appears it is always a miracle from God, but all life also comes from a seed. God had used my brother five years before to sow the seed of faith in my heart.”

Emanuel’s brother, Noel, became a believer after migrating to Australia. He returned to Iraq specifically to share the gospel with his relatives. In 1986, Noel had visited Emanuel and spoken words that had a huge impact on his life. The two brothers were sitting in Emanuel’s study at the time, looking over his large collection of books. “[Noel] took out the Bible, set it on my desk and said, ‘Brother, this is the book of life. If you have got this one, you don’t need all the other books,’” Emanuel recalls.

“These words fixed in my mind and my heart at this time, and I started to read the Bible sometimes, and to go to church from time to time, to try and understand what he had said to me... [But] I found that I did not understand what I read in the Bible until the day I came to a

home

Left: Rev Dr Emanuel Audisho (bottom left) with his family. Above: The Assyrian/ Arabic Holiness Church in Perth, Western Australia.

personal relationship with Jesus.”

Leaving his home had been distressing for Emanuel, particularly given the circumstances of his departure, but he made good use of his time in Nineveh. He studied for three years at Mosul (Nineveh) University, and obtained a doctorate in Arabic literature in 1994.

Then, in 1995, Emanuel moved with his family to Baghdad, where he taught in the Teacher Training Institute for two years.

However, the dark clouds pressed in again and Emanuel was forced to move once more – this time to Amman in Jordan.

The move to Jordan was full of mixed emotion. Emanuel was leaving the land of his birth with its entire rich heritage. He was also leaving his family for a time, journeying into an unknown future. He felt like Abraham, a wandering person on the way to another place. But, like Abraham, Emanuel knew that in moving from the familiar to the unfamiliar there was the mysterious presence and leading of God. It was in Amman that Emanuel found a spiritual home, and first felt called to be a minister of the church. But despite the joy he would find there, Emanuel’s arrival in Jordan was not a smooth one. When he first arrived in Amman, he was cold and hungry, and had nowhere to go. However, God quickly provided Emanuel with food for his body and encouragement for his soul as he began to open doors of opportunity. Emanuel began studying and teaching again, eventually achieving a Masters of Biblical Studies at the Jordan Evangelical Theology Seminary.

His call to ministry came in 1999 while he was still studying and teaching. His family had joined him in Jordan, and they were members of an Iraqi refugee congregation in Amman. The pastor of the church obtained a Canadian visa, and asked Emanuel if he would lead the congregation. Emanuel was reluctant – he already felt overwhelmed by his academic responsibilities.

However, after a time of prayer and fasting, Emanuel felt that God was calling him to ministry, asking Emanuel to love and care for his sheep. He agreed to pastor the church, and was ordained as a Minister of the Free Methodist Church in 2000.

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Under the leadership of Emanuel and his family, the Iraqi congregation began to grow. But, in 2003, they felt called to move homes once more – this time to Australia.

Since his arrival, Emanuel has found opportunities for ministry amongst other people newly arrived in Australia. In 2004, he founded the Assyrian/Arabic Holiness Church in Perth, Western Australia, where the congregation is largely made up of people who have emigrated from the Middle East.

After gaining an interest in the Uniting Church in 2006, Emanuel began more study and was ordained as a Minister of the Word in the Uniting Church in Australia in 2009. In the following year, he was inducted as the Multi-Cultural Co-ordinator of the Uniting Church in Western Australia. Emanuel’s ability to speak five languages and his unique history make him ideally suited to this role.

Although he has called many different places ‘home’ during his lifetime, Emanuel believes in looking beyond places on earth as a permanent home. He feels at home wherever God calls him, finding peace in the moving spirit of God. Emanuel has felt God’s peace in times of risk and danger, amidst the agony of a country in suffering and turmoil. He is also acquainted with the peace that is offered by a country like Australia. But he knows there is a higher level of peace which is not limited to place or circumstances or time – it is the gift and the grace of the living God. Rev Dr Emanuel Audisho will visit Adelaide from Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 November. Emanuel will attend a number of events, sharing his story, and speaking on practical ways congregations can become increasingly multicultural and offer hospitality. The details for these events have yet to be determined. For further information, please contact Kemeri Liévano, the Uniting Church SA Multicultural and Crosscultural Mission Officer, on 8236 4285 or klievano@sa.uca.org.au This story was provided by Emanuel Audisho and reconfigured by New Times Editor Catherine Hoffman.

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Invest with someone who invests in your community.

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

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 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.

home

The skyline as the sun sets in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Photo: Martin Boulanger.

Creating home in Cambodia In August and December last year, New Times spoke to Kevin Tutt about his experiences as Headmaster of Prince Alfred College, his love of teaching and travelling, and the life-changing decision he made to move to Cambodia. In May this year, Kevin took on the role of Head of Teaching and Learning at the Cambodian Children’s Fund in Phnom Penh.

In this article, he writes about how he has found ‘home’ in a distant land.

A home is a refuge, a place of love and safety, a place to rest, recover and recuperate, a place to enjoy all that life brings, and a place to share with family and friends. It is a place where you can truly be yourself – it reflects your personality through interior design, art, food, books, music and people.

My townhouse in Adelaide is now rented, and doesn’t feel like home any more.

Instead, home has come with me to my new apartment in Cambodia, which is Khmer-

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style in architecture. In order to make my new place feel like home, I brought some of the items I love with me from Adelaide – my stereo and CDs, Persian rugs, photographs, art work, books, and treasured ornaments.

These have helped me to create a sense of ‘home’ here in Cambodia. I also still feel at home in Australia wherever my family and friends are gathered, places where I feel a sense of welcome and homecoming.

The greatest challenge faced in leaving my home in Adelaide has been leaving friends and family. I was amazed by how comfortable I felt about selling off most items in my home (apart from those I brought with me) – after all, they are only things! I do miss the location of my former home where Hutt Street was my local ‘village’ and all I needed was close at hand.

My new home is in Boeng Kang Keng, an area of Phnom Penh that is frequented by many expatriates working in Cambodia.

Along with good coffee around the corner, there are many restaurants and other facilities

close by, including a gym, swimming pool and supermarket. The house has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, which has allowed many visitors from Australia to stay.

As a Third World country, Cambodia can be a challenging place in which to set up a home – getting wi-fi connected was a military exercise, I use bottle gas for cooking, and electricity is expensive, particularly when the apartment’s air conditioner runs permanently.

However, buying furniture was much simpler.

After showing a photo of the items I required, my furniture was made within weeks.

My apartment in Cambodia is undoubtedly my home. In many ways, it is no different to my home in Adelaide – it is still my refuge, my place to rest and to enjoy the company of new friends.

The Cambodian Children’s Fund provides vital education and nourishment to vulnerable children from some of Cambodia’s poorest communities. To find out more, please visit cambodianchildrensfund.org

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home

Left to right: Pastor Paul Glazbrook (right) is commissioned into the Sturt Patrol; the familiar environment of a shearing shed; Paul with a Frontier Services patrol vehicle.

A traveller’s home When John Williamson famously sang “Give me a home among the gum trees,” he tapped into a sentiment for many Australians who feel most at home when they are surrounded by the wide open spaces of the outback. People in the city take great pride in their homes – the renovated kitchen, the landscaped backyards, the best neighbourhood, the smartest-looking street. But for people in the bush, home has a different meaning. In the outback, a person’s home can stretch for hectares – it is the land, the farm, the animals. Home is the nearby creek, or the mountain ranges; it encompasses the local grocery store, community hall or footy oval located many hours down a dusty track. It is here that you’ll find Frontier Services Patrol Ministers, sharing with people across remote Australia.

Pastor Paul Glazbrook began in the Frontier Services Sturt Patrol in March 2014, and is based in Booleroo, South Australia. Travelling to remote stations and small communities, he provides practical support, pastoral care and spiritual nourishment. In light of this new role, Paul reflects on what ‘home’ means to him.

It was a Sunday morning at a church on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and I was there to share God’s Word. While others were worshipping in song, I drifted to another place, reflecting on recent decisions made and hoping they were the right ones.

My wife and I had resigned from the church we had planted and seen grow over the past 14 years. It wasn’t only our church family and home we were leaving, but our three married children, our six grandchildren and a community we’d been part of for many years.

Our house was rented out, the sheep sold, the farm leased. All the chickens and our much loved little dog were given away. My wife and I were about to embark on a whole new journey, a ‘new frontier’ in ministry, in community and in finding ‘home.’

In beginning this new journey, I have been reminded why I love the outback so much – the shearing shed and farming lifestyle.

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Staying on my grandparents’ farm as a little boy imprinted the sounds of the bush into my mind and spirit. Waking early and jumping into their bed, Grandma would say: ‘listen and lay still, can you hear the magpies singing?’

Then we’d eat breakfast while the ABC news played. Decades later, the sound of an early magpie song or the ABC news soundtrack still reminds me of home.

Since I began in the Sturt Patrol, I have had the opportunity to visit many working shearing sheds, and even lend a hand. On a recent visit to a station outside of Yunta, we got busy with pruning, tractor work, and shearing. Having been a professional sheep shearer, I still love that atmosphere – the smell of the shearing shed alone makes me feel at home.

When people from the bush go to the city, they often feel out of place. People choose to call the outback ‘home’ because they love living there. The salt and blue bush spaced

between the red soil, the vast uninterrupted views, the sound of the silence and the honesty of the folk. This is what makes the outback feel like home.

But, having travelled, I’ve come to understand that there is more to feeling at home than sounds or smells. Perhaps ‘home’ is not in a shearing shed, in the outback, within a coffee shop or listening to the magpies’ song; perhaps ‘home’ is wherever we are in God’s omnipresence. We are always at home in God’s enabling, sustaining grace.

Jesus gives us insight into ‘home’ in John 14:23: “If a person loves me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

Despite being away from our family, our farm and familiar things, and regardless of the circumstances and conditions we may find ourselves in, God is there and any place can be called ‘home.’

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100 years of home Searching for a church to call ‘home,’ is just as difficult as finding a house you can be comfortable in. When trying to find a new church, we often consider the community, the individuals, the style of worship, even the comfort level provided by the pews! Grace Sando has been fortunate to find a home at Gartrell Memorial Church in Rose Park.

In the coming months, both she and the church will celebrate 100 years.

On 8 October 1914, Grace Sando was born in Gayndah, Queensland. One month later, the doors of Gartrell Memorial Church (also known as Dulwich-Rose Park United Parish), where Grace is a regular attendee, opened for worship for the first time.

It was drought that drove the Sando family south a few years after Grace’s birth.

“When we moved to Greenhill Road, I didn’t much like walking to Sunday School [at Gartrell]. I was used to riding my horse everywhere when we lived in the bush,” Grace says.

“At the time, Gartrell started a new church at Tusmore, which at first worshipped in the Burnside Town Hall,” she continues. “That was much more convenient for me, and that’s where I found my personal faith under the care of Rev Mervyn Morris.”

Grace played the violin and, along with her cousins, performed in a quintet, which played for Sunday School anniversaries all over the city. She later married and raised four children.

In 1945, Grace joined the Education Department, and finished her career in 1979 at Magill Special School. For the next 12 years she took on the role of Welfare Officer at Hackney Mission.

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During this time, Grace attended a number of different churches and undertook numerous tasks at each. However, she eventually felt called to return to Gartrell Memorial.

“I moved to Kingsborough [Retirement Village, where she still lives independently] about twenty years ago, and ‘came back’ to Gartrell,” Grace recalls.

Although Grace had little intention of taking on any new responsibilities, she continues to participate in church life.

She is an avid knitter, contributing homemade baby clothes and contributing squares to make rugs for the homeless. She’s also wellknown for cooking delicious lemon spread.

Over the many years since its establishment, Gartrell Memorial Church has provided a church home for many – some who have come and gone, some who have left and returned, and others who have long established themselves in the church community.

On Sunday 16 November, all those who have taken part in the Gartrell community over the past 100 years are invited to celebrate its anniversary. A thanksgiving service will be held at 10am, and will be followed by a special anniversary programme at 1pm. The event will include sharing some of Gartrell’s history, organ music and singing.

The wider Uniting Church has also been invited to take part, and to learn more about the history of Gartrell Memorial Church and its founder, James Gartrell. Historic photographs and records will be displayed in the church hall for visitors to peruse while enjoying refreshments provided after the service.

To find out more about the anniversary service, please call 8331 2075.

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Jubilee celebration of ministers In 1964, sixteen people were ordained into ministry across the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches of South Australia. In the intervening years, much has happened in the lives of these ministers – all have moved into different aspects of ministry and life, some have retired and some have not lived to see this 50th anniversary.

To recognise the contribution each of these men have made to the life of the Uniting Church, a jubilee celebration service will be held at Kent Town (Wesley) Uniting Church on Sunday 9 November at 3pm. Friends, family and Uniting Church members will join together to celebrate the ministry of each of these men over the past 50 years.

The majority of the men being recognised at the anniversary service come from the Methodist tradition – Rev Kelvin Benn, Rev David Clarke, Rev Donald Cope, Rev Ian Hope, Rev Doug Hosking, Rev Alan Jones, Graham Knill, Rev Ken Maher, Rev Barry Oakley, Rev David Pill, Doug Rogers and Rev Dr Geoff Scott. While Rev David Clarke, Rev Ian Hope, Rev Ken Maher and Rev Dr Geoff

Rev Brian Polkinghorne is one of sixteen ministers being recognised at the jubilee celebration service. Brian was ordained into the Congregational Church of South Australia in 1964.

Scott have since passed away, their families and friends have been invited to share in celebrating their vital ministry.

Of the remaining four ministers, Rev Dr Jonathan Barker and Rev Brian Polkinghorne were both ordained in the Congregational Church, and Rev Ray Creevy and Rev Baldwin Van der Linden were ordained in the Presbyterian tradition.

Many of those ordained 50 years ago continue to actively participate in the life of the Uniting Church in South Australia.

The anniversary service will be an opportunity for each of the men and/or

their families to give a brief history of their lives since their ordination. The service will be followed by an afternoon tea, providing attendees with an opportunity to share stories and memories, and to celebrate with one another.

The service is open to everyone in the Uniting Church, with a special invitation extended to family, friends and former congregation members of the ministers being recognised.

For more information, please contact Rev Lindsay Faulkner on 8365 5664 or 0417 537 010, or email nessiefaulkner@bigpond.com

Preaching for Transformation conference The Preaching for Transformation conference was held from Monday 25 to Thursday 28 August at the Centre for Ministry in North Parramatta, New South Wales.

The conference was led by Rev Clay Schmit, a Lutheran author and theologian. Presenting to over 70 people from across the Uniting Church, Clay emphasised the urgency of preaching, and how the Holy Spirit can use the sharing of good news to change people’s lives.

Utilising an engaging conversational approach, Clay drew people into considering how scripture can come alive. He dealt with using appropriate art and performance in preaching and embodying the Word.

In a public lecture on the evening of Wednesday 27, Clay spoke of the five engagements of preaching – engaging the text, context,

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theology, mind and heart of the listener. He pointed out the preacher’s paradox of having to use words to attempt to describe what is ultimately too deep for words.

In addition to Clay’s presentations, the conference included nine electives run over four sessions. These electives covered topics like creativity in preaching, preaching the prophets, reformed preaching for today, and preaching in a multicultural congregation. Worship and music, led by members of the conference’s organising team, were also key elements of the conference.

The conference concluded with a panel discussion, and attendees were left with a heightened awareness of the preaching task.

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Adelaide West Uniting Church will launch their new project at their annual Spring Community Fair on Saturday 18 October.

New project supports environment, road safety Adelaide West Uniting Church is consciously reducing their impact on the environment. Having previously installed rainwater tanks and solar panels, the congregation is now seeking to reduce the number of people commuting by car, both to church and in their daily lives.

With this in mind, a couple of dedicated church members put their heads together and applied to the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure, and Adelaide West was awarded a grant to fund a project named “Shining Light – Ride your bike.”

The project has a very simple and clear aim – to create a culture of road safety in both the Adelaide West congregation and the broader community, and to influence safer use of the road network whilst reducing car kilometres.

Adelaide West has placed importance on not only involving as many of the church, youth and Mainly Music families as possible, but engaging the wider community with the project. The congregation hopes that others join the project, which is also a registered Uniting Church CommUnity Days event.

The new project involves four main points: • Encouraging participants to develop skills to cycle safely by providing cycling workshops. Two workshops are scheduled for Saturday 8 and 15 November, run by Ride-a-Bike Right. These will

be open to anyone who registers, and it is hoped other workshops will run in early 2015.

• Installing new bike racks on the church grounds.

• Providing resources (lights, helmets, locks, etc.) to support cycling commuters on a loan basis from the church office.

• Promoting riding, walking, car-pooling and public transport as an alternative to driving.

A pilot program began on Monday 1 September, and was advertised internally to ensure any bugs are ironed out. A full launch will occur at the Adelaide West Spring Community Fair on Saturday 18 October.

Adelaide West would love for other Uniting Church congregations, communities and individuals to get involved with this project.

For further information on how to participate, please visit awuc.org. au or contact the organisers on shinginglight@awuc.org.au or 8234 1199. The project is supported by the Motor Accident Commission and the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure’s Community Grants funding.

More information about the project will also be available at the Adelaide West Spring Community Fair on Saturday 18 October, 8.30am to 3pm. Further details about the Fair are available in the Diary section (page 20) and an advertisement on page 22.

Basis of Union conference From Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 August, The Basis of Union – Catalyst for Renewal conference was held at the Centre for Ministry in North Parramatta, New South Wales. This conference examined the continuing role of the Basis of Union in the Uniting Church.

Approximately 70 people came to hear from a range of presenters.

The conference was especially enriched by the presence of two Chinese theologians from Nanjing Union Theological Seminary.

Uniting Church President, Rev Prof Andrew Dutney opened the conference by relating the Basis of Union to the recent census

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of the Uniting Church, pointing out the differences between today’s Church and that of the 1970s. Other presenters included Rev Dr Geoff Thompson, Rev Dr Wen Ge, Rev Michelle Cook, Rev Ken Sumner, Rev Dr Ockert Meyer, Rev Dr Ji Zhang, Prof Lin Manhong and Rev Rebecca Lindsay. Each presenter focussed on a different aspect of the Basis of Union or explored how it relates to a variety of modern, cultural issues. The conference concluded with discussion led by a panel of the presenters listed.

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Music copyright for churches – part 1 In this article, Trevor Hayley shares some thoughts on the complex area of music copyright in churches. Trevor has worked in the finance industry for many years. He is a musician, songwriter and copyright officer at The Corner Uniting Church, and has advised on intellectual property and copyright for over 10 years.

What is copyright? It is a protection to the generation of ideas, which are given physical substance by things such as words. Without copyright songs would not be written, new inventions would not be developed, and there would be no innovation. Life would be rather boring. Most countries, including Australia, take the issue of copyright very seriously, and will protect innovation at all costs.

Do churches need to worry? Absolutely!

Many a church has been hit with massive fines for breaching copyright. If you think about a normal service – music photocopying, projection of words, recording of services, projecting of images, etc. – there are many places where an ignorant church can get into hot water.

When does a copyright event take place?

The minute words are typed, pasted off the web, brought from another church’s database – in other words, reproduced and digitally stored, even before the song is projected – a copyright event has taken place. Please ensure, where possible, only one person reproduces words.

Should we sing from books, and avoid the risk? Yes, you could do that as there is no breach of copyright here. However, you would then miss out on a lot of high quality music.

It would also mean you would need to buy a copy of every songbook that you use for every person and musician in the congregation – the outlay would be expensive.

So can we project and copy without risk?

Definitely! Most churches will have licences to cover projection and photocopying, including Christian Copyright Licensing International

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(CCLI) and LicenSing. For an annual subscription of around $1,000 per year, most songs are covered for photocopying and data projection.

What do these licensing bodies do?

Instead of churches having to obtain direct permission from songwriters and publishers, these bodies obtain permission for you. They then pay royalties to copyright owners using the funds from annual church subscriptions, as and when songs are used. These licensing bodies have websites on which used songs are recorded by churches. Recording is done on a weekly basis, and is a very quick process.

If a particular song is not on one of the websites it will not be able to be projected or copied.

What if the song is not listed? One such example, believe it or not, is “The Great Love of God” written by D.T. Niles. In these instances, direct permission needs to be obtained from the copyright owner, which is the Christian Conference of Asia in this example. When I emailed them about “The Great Love of God,” they directed me to D.T. Niles’ son who granted permission to The Corner Uniting Church.

With the internet and email, seeking direct permission can be relatively simple and, in my experience, most writers will allow churches to use their song. When contacting copyright owners, ensure you state which church you are from, how many people are in the congregation, and that you would like to both store and project the song’s words.

What is Public Domain? If a songwriter has not been alive for 50 years, the song becomes Public Domain, and can be projected without any legal ramifications.

However, in some instances, the rights to a song may be purchased before Public Domain commences, thus renewing the copyright.

What about photocopying of music?

There is no such thing as ‘just making a copy’ – this is illegal and should not happen.

Many copyright agencies, including CCLI and LicenSing, have photocopy licences, meaning it is legal to photocopy under these licences.

Please be aware, however, that if the song is not listed on a site, it will then be necessary to obtain permission from the songwriter (to project and store the words) and then the book publisher (to photocopy the music).

What about music books? I wonder how many copies of the Australian Hymn Book are currently sitting in churches, not being used...

Even under licenses, it is necessary for the church to own at least one copy of the book in order to copy from it. At The Corner Uniting Church, we have one each of the Scripture in Song books, Resource Chorus books, God Gives, Seasons of the Spirit, All Together books, NCYC books, Songs for the People of God, Together in Song, Australian Hymn Book and some CDs with music on them. These are kept in the church office for the sole purpose of photocopying.

How do you keep your music copies?

We have a manila folder per song, which is kept in a filing cabinet. It is really easy to access the copies this way. In each folder, we will have 10 copies of music (two full music and eight chord, if applicable), a print of the words as per the data projector (also logged), and direct permission information, if applicable. We have also had stamps made up to stamp each as a licenced copy. There must not be any other photocopies in any other place in your worship complex.

Trevor Hayley will share more helpful copyright tips in the November edition of New Times.

This article contains views based on practical experience, and does not constitute legal advice

by Trevor Hayley, The Corner Uniting Church, New Times, or any person associated with the Uniting Church in Australia. If you are unsure of copyright requirements under law, please consult a legal professional.

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Providing project support As an initiative of the Uniting Church in South Australia, Uniting Foundation is a key provider of funding for projects that are expected to have an impact on the future mission and ministry of the Church.

There were fewer funds available for distribution in 2014 due to the downturn in the share market, the effects of the Global Financial Crisis and tougher economic times. Despite these challenges, the Uniting Foundation Grants Committee has continued to contribute funds to many worthwhile projects across South Australia.

Through careful management provided by the Resources Board, Uniting Foundation has been able to assist with grants for several innovative and creative mission-orientated projects in 2014, each aligning with the Uniting Church SA Strategic Plan. At a meeting in August, the Uniting Foundation Grants Committee approved funding for ten different projects: Balhannah Uniting Church – support for the ‘Linking In’ project, which aims to forge connections and raise the profile of the congregation Ceduna Uniting Church – promotion of the Uniting Church at Oysterfest, a popular annual event in the local community Echunga Uniting Church – continuing support of the congregation’s Children, Youth and Families Worker

Hallett Cove Uniting Church – financial assistance with environmental improvements Hope Valley Uniting Church – establishment of an online communications platform Kalparrin Community – assistance with paid pastoral ministry Mission Resourcing – seed funding for Fresh Expressions Loxton Uniting Church – worship facilities improvements Port Augusta Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress – support for Ninnal Seed Community Trinity Uniting Church (Alberton) – support for the Torchlight Carols event The Uniting Foundation Grants Committee considered a number of other worthwhile applications, many of which could not be supported due to their marginal alignment with the required criteria and the reduced funds available. It is anticipated that more funding will be available for distribution in 2015.

For more information about Uniting Foundation, please visit sa.uca.org.au/uniting-foundation or contact Uniting Church SA Associate General Secretary Malcolm Wilson on 8236 4206.

Bringing joy in Mwandi Robin Dixon-Thompson

Water is one of the things most necessary for the human body to survive. In a recent trip to the United Church in Zambia Mwandi Mission Hospital, I was confronted with a very serious situation – the 60-bed hospital was being supplied with un-sterilised water. This water was making hospital patients grow even sicker than they had been.

I immediately knew I needed to get clean water to the hospital.

I discovered that the hospital had no money to purchase filters, pumps, tanks or treatment systems. The cost for these things would climb to $30,000 (AUD) even with free labour. It was difficult to know where to start in tackling this challenge, but prayer seemed to be a natural choice.

I was quickly amazed by the support companies and individuals provided for the project. Although not all of the people I approached for help were Christian, I am sure that prayer played a huge part and helped make obtaining the necessary items easy. A self-cleaning filter, a large tank with a roof, a pump, a treatment system, a filter cartridge and fittings were among the many items donated to this worthy cause.

Mwandi Mission Hospital now has access to sterilised water for the first time.

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It may not look like much, but Mwandi Mission Hospital’s new water system has changed the lives of many in the community.

Although providing sanitised water seemed an impossible task at first, the support provided by God, by the team of people working on the project, and by the broader, global community made the task achievable. I believe we must lift our visions high in order to go beyond our comfort zones.

For more information about Mwandi Mission Hospital, please visit mwandimission.org

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

Although they no longer meet in the Tailem Bend Uniting Church building (bottom right), the community continues to meet for hymn singing (left) and meals (top right).

Tailem Bend Uniting Church Tailem Bend Uniting Church traces its roots back to 1927 when the foundation stone was laid for a new Methodist church in the area. In later years, other buildings were added to accommodate the needs of the church community, and the church became part of the Lower Murray Uniting Church Congregations. By joining with other Uniting Church congregations in the region, Tailem Bend was able to take advantage of pastoral oversight, support and lay preachers provided

by Murray Bridge Uniting Church.

In recent years, the population in Tailem Bend declined significantly, and many of the aged within the community moved to Murray Bridge. The handful of stalwart members left in the Tailem Bend congregation faced declining health and the church building was in need of repair. In 2012, the congregation made the difficult decision to close the church. The closing service, which was held on 10 November 2013, was attended by approximately 200 people. At the service,

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a grandson of Paquita Smith, one of Tailem Bend’s longest serving leaders, was baptised.

The congregation took this to be a sign of God’s hope for the future.

Upon closing, the remaining members of the congregation had a strong desire and hope that the church might continue to be a house of prayer and worship, providing a sign of God’s hospitality and the message of Jesus Christ in the area. The members were also aware that the building was significant to many of Aboriginal Christians in the area, and it was hoped that the Uniting Church SA Synod would continue a conversation with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) regarding the future of this community. The UAICC have expressed an interest in utilising the church building for mission and ministry for the Indigenous people of the Murray Lands.

The remaining Tailem Bend members chose to form a fellowship in the area. Pastoral support for the fellowship is provided through

Rev Frances Bartholomeusz, the minister of Murray Bridge Uniting Church. Some members of the former congregation now attend Murray Bridge Uniting Church or churches of other denominations in Tailem Bend.

The group meets for a luncheon every two to three months at the local Riverside Hotel.

In a private room, approximately 15 people join together in prayer and a general meeting followed by lunch. A regular hymn-singing afternoon is regularly held on Sundays in the home of Bev and Malcolm Piggot. These events are open to the wider community, and often have an ecumenical element.

The former members of Tailem Bend Uniting Church are still an active Christian community. They aim to continue strengthening friendships and faith, and providing pastoral support for one another and the wider community.

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

Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church Part of the 3D Network, Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church is an evangelical congregation led by Rev Richard Banham, supported by nine elders and five part-time staff members. Approximately 175 people attend across three different Sunday services, each offering a different worship style. A further 30 or so attend monthly, mid-week worship services.

The members of the vibrant community at Tea Tree Gully are involved in many aspects of church life – a women’s fellowship (which celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this year), a men’s group, home groups, and separate monthly prayer meetings for women and men.

For more then 10 years, the overseas mission of Tea Tree Gully has been focussed on 34 Sudanese refugee orphans. The congregation supports these children to live in Arua, Uganda, working with the Arua base of Youth with a Mission (YWAM), an interdenominational, non-profit Christian organisation. Arua YWAM administers the funds to cover the food, housing, medical and education expenses of the Sudanese orphans. Education is a key factor for the future of these young people, coupled with improving their health and providing spiritual guidance through working with local churches. In conjunction with monthly donations, Tea Tree Gully raises funds via scrap-metal collection, cans and bottle recycling, and special events.

The church’s youth and young adult ministry focuses on monthly interest groups, large fundraising events for World Vision, and weekly small groups. GameON, one of the largest console gaming groups in South Australia, meets at the church every month and is open to people of all ages. The church also hosts a movie night called ‘Flicker’ on the last Friday of every month. In August, young people were involved in

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‘Hoops of Hope,’ a basketball marathon where participants shoot 1,000 times from the free-throw line in order to raise funds for World Vision.

The Tea Tree Gully congregation includes a large number of children. Twice weekly during school terms, the church runs Caterpillar Kids Playgroup, which is open to children between the ages of zero and four. The vast majority of playgroup members are from the wider local community, not just those belonging to the Tea Tree Gully congregation.

On Fridays, the church holds a programme titled ‘Your Time,’ which entertains children while their parents go to run errands or perform other tasks that are difficult with young children around.

During Sunday services, young children participate in the Godly Play programme, while older children have their own group. Once a term, Tea Tree Gully holds a service for the whole church family, and members of all ages participate.

In addition to visiting the sick, providing practical help and meals in times of need, and welcoming all who come through our doors, our pastoral care team also run ‘Life Directions’ seminars. Once a term we offer a free seminar on a topic of interest, inviting a presenter qualified to speak on the subject. We have covered topics such as depression, autism, and suicide. These are usually very well-attended, and are another way the congregation has found to connect with the local community.

Through all of these activities and more, Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church aims to live out their vision – “Serving Jesus Christ, Serving Our Community.”

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diary ROUNDABOUT CRAFT FAIR AND EXHIBITION. On Friday 17 and Saturday 18 October, 10am to 4pm, Blackwood Uniting Church (266 Main Rd, Blackwood) will hold a craft fair and exhibition.

Some features include an art and craft exhibition, local traders’ market, raffle, and a community café to provide refreshments and light lunches. For further information, please contact Jacqui on comprog@blackwood.unitingchurchsa.org.au or 8278 2699.

SPRING COMMUNITY FAIR. Adelaide West Uniting Church (312 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Brooklyn Park) will hold their popular Spring Community Fair on Saturday 18 October this year. Running from 8.30am to 3pm, this CommUnity Day event will feature a pancake breakfast, high tea, hot food and full BBQ. Gourmet cakes and coffee, accompanied by café-style continuous entertainment, will run from 10am. Entertainment will be provided by the Henley and Grange Concert Band, Tevi’s School of Dance, Adelaide West Men’s Choir, and Matt in a Hat, with children from Mainly Music and local artists also taking part. Children’s activities, secondhand books, bric-a-brac, plants, cakes, produce, pre-loved clothing and excellent new crafts will be available. Free entry all day. Enquiries should be directed to 8234 1199.

ANNUAL FETE & AUCTION. Dernancourt Uniting Church (cnr Balmoral Rd and Vingara Dr, Dernancourt) will hold their annual fete and auction on Saturday 18 October, 9am to 1pm, with the auction beginning at 9.30am.

Stalls include clothing, craft, white elephant, ‘take home’ food, cakes, plants, books and toys. Activities for children will be available, including a bouncy castle. A variety of food and drink stalls will be on offer. Everyone is welcome to join the fun or to donate goods. For further information, please contact the church office on 8369 0802 or office@dernancourt.unitingchurchsa.org.au ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR. Payneham Road Uniting Church (corner of Portrush and Payneham Rds) on Saturday 18 October, 9am-1pm.

The fair will feature a variety of local and handcrafted gifts, crafts, face painting, morning tea, BBQ, and plants. Parking available off Broad St, Marden. Come and buy your early Christmas gifts!

STATE MISSION FELLOWSHIP will be held on Tuesday 23 October at Scots Church, North Tce. Rev Dr Bill Edwards and Rev Dr Dean Eland will report on the Australian Association for Mission Studies conference, which was held from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 October. This is the fourth Australia-wide conference, with delegates addressing various topics on ‘urban’ and ‘traditional’ mission. Come for morning tea at 10am and stay for lunch – all for $5. For more information, please call 8522 6188.

COMMUNITY MARKET DAY. Para Hills Uniting Church (cnr Liberman Rd and Barcoo St, Para Hills) will host a community market day on Saturday 25 October, 10am to 3pm. A variety of stalls, sausage sizzle, coffee van and children’s entertainment will be available.

130TH ANNIVERSARY. Nairne Uniting Church will celebrate their 130th anniversary at a service titled ‘Down Memory Lane’ on Sunday 26 October at 1.30pm. Afternoon tea will be provided and memorabilia will be displayed in the hall. A pleasant Sunday afternoon programme hosted by the ‘Nazmen’ will be held in the church building.

The event is sure to bring back memories for many. For further information, please call Helen on 8388 6350 or Judy on 8388 6392.

GARDEN PARTY. On Sunday 9 November, a garden party will be held to raise funds for Kairos Prison Ministry. Supported by Bridgewater Uniting Church, the event will run from 1.30pm to 5pm at 49 Sheoak Road, Crafers West. Entry for adults is $10 and includes afternoon tea; children are free. For further information, please contact Naomi on 0423 392 751.

JUBILEE CELEBRATION. Sixteen people were ordained into ministry in the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches of South Australia 50 years ago. To mark this occasion, a jubilee celebration service will be held from 3pm on Sunday 9 November at Kent Town (Wesley) Uniting Church (27 Grenfell St, Kent Town). Several of the ordinands celebrating 50 years will attend the event, while others who have passed on will be recognised. An invitation is extended to the family and friends of all of the ordinands, and to all people in the wider Uniting Church community. For more information about the event, please contact Rev Lindsay Faulkner on 8365 5664 or 0417 537 010, or email nessiefaulkner@bigpond.com WILLUNGA CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL. Entries are being sought for the 2014 Willunga Christmas Tree Festival. Trees should fit the theme of “The Past, Present and Future.” Entries close on Friday 14 November, and the festival will take place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November at Bethany Hall, Willunga Uniting Church. An advent wreath workshop will also be held on Saturday 22 November. Please contact Jenny for an entry form and any further information on 8556 2758 or j.esots@bigpond.com To have your upcoming event or message published here, email diary@sa.uca.org.au with ‘Diary’ in the subject line.

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 HOLIDAY APARTMENT. “By The Sea” self-catered, furnished, 3 br ground floor apartment on the Esplanade at Encounter Bay; Victor Harbor. a/c and nicely appointed. Relax with views to Granite and Wright Islands and watch the waves roll in. $170pn (min 2 nights) or $650 p.w.—see Dodd and Page website for photos and more details Ph Kerry @ Dodd and Page 8554 2029 or email kerry@doddandpage.com.au URANIA UNITING CHURCH CELEBRATES 130 YEARS 26 OCTOBER AT 10.45AM. Inviting all past members and descendants.If you would like to join us for luncheon at the Port Victoria Hotel, please contact Phil on 0412 084 303. Guest speaker Mr Neil Andrew.

WESTBOURNE PARK UNITING CHURCH CRAFT DISPLAY DAY The Westbourne Park Uniting Church Thursday Craft Group is holding its Annual Display Day on Thursday 30 October from 9.30-2.30 pm, at the Westbourne Park Uniting Church, CNR Sussex Terrace and Monmouth Road, Hawthorn. Devonshire tea will be served at 10 am and a light lunch from 12 noon.

Buy your gifts at a variety of stalls and see the beautiful work of those who attend the craft group here throughout the year.

Everyone is invited to bring a friend and come and enjoy the day.

Entry is a gold coin donation. Enquiries: Jo Lane, Craft Group Co-ordinator: 0427 658 720

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letters to the editor

Engaging with the ADF

The exit of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) from recent overseas operations offers the local church an opportunity to care for ADF personnel and their families. As Uniting Church chaplains have served with such military personnel in the field, so the ministry of the whole church is now sought in engaging with defence people in the local community.

My plea is that Uniting Church members will make an extra effort to engage former ADF members, especially those members currently serving and their families, as a natural part of their ordinary Christian living. Operational Uniting Church ADF chaplains also need care, and are available to assist any church in determining how to engage the ‘defence worldview,’ if required.

With the Gallipoli centenary next year (25 April 2015), all Uniting Church communities are reminded to consider this in their 2015 planning. Worship resources will be available from Uniting Church ADF chaplains in 2015.

M.D. Earl, Religious Advisory Committee to the ADF

Not absolved from our obligation

N. Andrew, in his September 2014 letter, is right to say that there is no ready alternative to the harsh measures in place regarding refugees.

However, to bring in the drowning of people at sea is – in a sense – a distraction. Of course no one wants to hear of drownings, and I agree that smugglers cheat their customers.

The fact that we can offer no alternative does not absolve us from our obligation to stand up for basic human rights. It can never be right to use people as a scare tactic as we are doing now. We may be tired of the expression ‘the end does not justify the means,’ but it describes the present situation precisely.

On a related matter, Doctors for Refugees have spoken up on Radio National’s breakfast programme. They say that medical services on Manus Island leave much to be desired, yet we continue the detention of people there.

Perhaps Mr Andrew could persuade the Coalition Government to take in many more registered refugees. This would show good will.

A. Parnis, Glenelg

We will continue

N. Andrew (“No viable alternative, no protest,” September 2014) is wrong, wrong, wrong.

Wrong in stating that the Uniting Church has not offered an alternative policy to children in detention. There have been many statements from the Assembly calling for the release into community detention of children and their families and unaccompanied minors from mainland centres, Christmas Island and Nauru, and the Church has also offered to take all unaccompanied minors into its care (Uniting Justice, August 2014).

Wrong in stating that no alternative policy had been proposed Return to Contents

to deal with asylum seeker issues in general. Prior to the last federal election – Labor had proposed expanding Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Program from 20,000 to 27,000 places contingent upon reaching a regional agreement; the Greens proposed an intake of 30,000 places including an emergency intake of 10,000 UNHCRrecognised refugees from the Asia-Pacific region; only the Coalition proposed to reduce the intake from 20,000 to 13,750 places with no places allocated to people arriving by boat – a policy it has since implemented. Furthermore, in May this year a meeting of thirty experts in migration issues were presented with a comprehensive and independent background paper by Peter Hughes and Arja KeskiNummi, “Beyond Operation Sovereign Borders - a Long-term Asylum Policy for Australia.” N. Andrew, the alternatives are there if you are prepared to look for them.

Finally, N. Andrew, history tells us that you are wrong in claiming that peaceful protest is ineffectual. Surely, your letter is proof to the contrary. And we will continue protesting until children in detention and other asylum seekers receive the justice and care they deserve.

B.P. Ward, Marden

One simple alternative

Anyone seeking an example of a protest with no viable alternatives has only to read the lengthy letter from N. Andrew in the September edition of New Times. The whole letter is spent dismissing the concerns expressed by those who chose to protest current government policies, and some of the alternatives that have been proposed by the many who are concerned for a humanitarian response to refugees and asylum seekers.

There is one simple alternative to reduce the number of children in detention: don’t put them there. Rather, respond to these families by offering them appropriate accommodation while their claims are assessed. Given the number of people who are currently fleeing war-torn countries and others who have been in overcrowded refugee camps for far too long, one alternative that the government could pursue is to increase the number of UNHCR refugees we are taking and offer ways for quicker assessments to occur in other countries.

For some reason, N. Andrew has not heard the many who have already protested, and continue to protest, the pruning of the International Aid Budget. Increased aid to countries currently caring for thousands of refugees would certainly contribute to the wellbeing of those who, from desperation rather than enthusiasm, risk their lives to reach Australia.

B. Harris, Encounter Bay 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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positions vacant

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312 Sir Donald Bradman Drive Brooklyn Park.

Spring Community Fair Saturday 18 October, 8.30am–3pm.

Pancake breakfast, high tea (10am & 1 pm), hot food & full BBQ. Gourmet cakes & coffee with café style continuous entertainment from 10am featuring Henley & Grange Concert Band, Tevi’s School of Dance, Nazareth Catholic Community Secondary Campus, Adelaide West Men’s Choir, Matt in a Hat, children from mainly music & local artists.

Children’s activities, secondhand books, bric-a-brac, plants, cakes, produce, pre-loved clothing & excellent new crafts.

All in air conditioned comfort.

Free entry all day. Enquiries: 8234 1199

Uniting Church in Australia ASSEMBLY

General Secretary

Applications are now invited for the position of General Secretary of the Assembly to succeed the Rev. Terence Corkin when he concludes 15 years of service on 31 December 2015.

The General Secretary is the executive officer of the Assembly and the head of the Assembly staff. The General Secretary is to provide vision and leadership to the Church in its national life, mission and commitment to Christian Unity; to ensure implementation of Assembly policy; and to resource the Assembly and its Standing Committee.

Commitment to the Basis of Union of the Uniting Church, a deep knowledge and love of the Church and its processes, theological ability, pastoral skills and high level communication skills (both verbal and written) are some of the qualities needed.

Intending applicants should first obtain an information package from: Ms Annette Latham Personal Assistant to the President Uniting Church in Australia Assembly PO Box 171 Highbury SA 5089 Tel: (08) 8416 8431 email: annettel@nat.uca.org.au Applications are requested by 31 October, 2014

Seeking delivery information The Communications team is currently reviewing the delivery of New Times. If you are responsible for New Times deliveries for your congregation or faith community, please email the number of copies you require and the most convenient delivery address for your congregation to newtimes@sa.uca.org.au or call 8236 4230.

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

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Order of St Luke the Physician.

Address by Rev Mike Endicott on Wednesday 27/10/2014 at 2.30pm. at Christ Church Hall, Jeffcott Street, North Adelaide.

Free admission, Love Offering.

Contact Reg Casling for other information.

8271 4028.

reviews

Small crowd gathers to raise voice What: Whose Voice? Symposium Where: Pilgrim Uniting Church When: Wednesday 6 August, 7.30-9.30pm Each year, the University of Adelaide and Pilgrim Uniting Church partner in presenting a symposium. This year’s event, titled “Whose Voice?”, was focussed on influencing public discourse for the common good. This topic seemed particularly relevant as many within the Uniting Church are currently trying to influence public thinking on a variety of issues.

The evening event started slowly with keynote speaker Prof Steven D Smith taking an academic approach to the topic of politics and religion.

A Professor of Law at the University of San Diego, with a background in both the Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Steven revealed interesting insights into the connection between politics and Christianity. Exploring the degree to which these two things have been assimilated and separated throughout history and in a Biblical context, Steven believes there are two options for Christians wanting to influence the current political sphere – resistance, continuing to fight for causes and beliefs, or retreat, separating from the political struggle. Whichever method is preferred, Steven emphasised the need to live with faith, hope and love, suggesting that this will be the ultimate contribution that Christianity can make.

The first member of the supporting panel to present was Uniting Church President Rev Prof Andrew Dutney. Always an engaging speaker, Andrew shared his personal experiences of mixing faith and politics, both in his current role as President and prior work.

With admirable honesty, Andrew detailed some of the challenges that he has faced in making political statements as President. He emphasised the importance he places on communicating issues to people within the wider Uniting Church, grounding his statements Biblically, in Christianity or on the Basis of Union.

Geraldine Hawkes, Executive Officer of the South Australian Council of Churches, was the next to speak. In her lilting accent, Geraldine spoke on ideas of the ‘common good,’ compassion and those voices that are silenced or inaudible. Geraldine also focussed on ecumenism, believing that we can more fully reflect the light of Christ when we join together.

The final presenter was passionate advocate Mark Henley. Speaking in more practical terms, and drawing on his own personal experience as a political candidate and welfare advocate, Mark focussed on how Christians can influence politics. Mark believes that Christians need to recognise their capacity to influence others, be bold and listen.

After the presentations, attendees were invited to ask the panel questions. Although the audience was small, there were several passionate individuals who asked blunt, practical questions, which were fielded admirably by the panel members.

Overall, the interesting symposium theme allowed the speakers to focus on a diverse range of topics tailored to their own experiences and interests. While it was disappointing that more people from the wider Uniting Church did not attend the event, I appreciated the variety of insights each of the presenters gave regarding how Christians can influence public discourse.

Catherine Hoffman

Handicap no limit to authentic ministry Book: The Blind Healer Author: Mike Endicott Recommended for: ordinary believers who want to be used to heal others In short: How one man rediscovered a simple ministry in the face of unanswered questions.

Available from: Koorong RRP: $14.99 This is an inspiring commentary from Mike Endicott, a mature-aged Anglican priest who decided to pursue the idea of replicating the healing ministry of Jesus today. This was a task particularly close to his heart given his own unresolved handicap of 20/80 vision.

Questioning his lack of healing from blindness, Mike was led to even bigger questions related to the lack of miraculous healings seen today’s Western church.

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He questioned whether such miracles ceased following the days of the apostles, and wondered whether we could see such signs today.

Mike has long been engaged with questions of healing, and believes that the rational approach to faith issues today tends to make healing ministry too complicated. While he affirms the amazing advancement of medical science, particularly in Western societies, Mike thinks there is an urgent need for ordinary Christians to exercise their mandate to follow the ways of Jesus.

But Mike recognises that we are not the healers. Instead, he believes it is our task to proclaim the kingdom of God among men, to demonstrate the ways of Jesus in our own life and witness, and to leave the results to God. It is easy to accept the idea that Jesus wants

to heal broken people and gather the lost. In this book, Mike suggests that we focus too much on questions about why people have not been healed or why they are ill.

He believes that we need to recover a persistent affirmation of Jesus’ will to heal all people who sincerely reach out in his name to seek mercy.

Allan George Mike will bring his ministry to Adelaide in October and November 2014 - please refer to the advertisement on page 22..

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ministry centres

Uniting Young People In past months, New Times has featured articles exploring the work of Mission Resourcing, a ministry centre of Uniting Church SA. Building on last month’s exploration of the SAYCO (South Australian Youth Camp Out) and KCO (KUCA [Kid’s of the Uniting Church in Australia] Camp Out), this month’s ministry centre article focuses on the broader Uniting Young People team.

In 2014, a review of the Youth and Young Adults, Children’s and Families, and KCO and SAYCO Events teams was undertaken. Under the leadership of the interim Executive Officer of Mission Resourcing, Rev Beth Seaman, the review aimed to maximise resources to better serve local churches in ministering to young people.

Through serious debate and prayer, a new vision and subsequent operating model were recently developed under the name ‘Uniting Young People,’ also uniting the three teams into one. While some of the resources offered by the smaller teams will continue to be available through Uniting Young People (UYP), congregations and faith communities should prepare themselves for some big, exciting changes that are beginning to take place. These changes will mostly be geared towards helping Uniting Church communities to be intentionally intergenerational.

“Under the ‘Uniting Young People’ banner, we are united in our commitment to intergenerational ministry with and by families, and intentional discipleship at all ages,” says Will Hall, the Uniting Young People Team Leader.

“The new model reflects the importance of intergenerational church and our growing understanding of life-long faith formation.”

This model is something that Laura Carson, Interim Children and Family team member, is particularly excited about.

“As a mother of three young children, I am passionate about children being included

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The Uniting Young People team – Mary Jo Zwar (Resource Writer), Laura Carson (Interim Children and Family Ministry), Katrina Levi (Connection and Event Officer), Jo Lohmeyer (KCO & SAYCO Event Officer) and Will Hall (Team Leader; Youth, Young Adults & Families).

and engaged in worship as valuable members of the congregation,” she says.

In the coming months, the UYP team will work to identify a small number of churches that are eager to embody what it means to be intergenerational. The team will then help these communities to implement intergenerational methodology, resourcing and supporting them in their work.

The UYP team will also aim to connect with parents, both directly and through local churches, intending to equip families in their faith at home as well as in the wider community. The team’s goal is to support parents and families in the faith formation of the young people in their home.

“I believe there are many small ways we can move towards intergenerational worship, providing opportunities for all ages to be uplifted, encouraged and resourced in their role as spiritual mentors within the home,” says Laura.

Big changes often bring new challenges, but the members of the Uniting Young People team are eager to meet these as they move forward with their new vision.

“It’s an exciting time for Uniting Young People, as we focus on a new vision and determine new team roles,” Will says.

“We’re all on a learning curve, but we are eager to use our skills and creativity to serve Uniting Church congregations and

communities across South Australia.”

For more information about the Uniting Young People team, please visit sa.uca.org.au/ uyp or call 8236 4239

The Uniting Young People vision statement: “To see the world transformed, as young people come to faith in Christ and become life-long disciples, and as families and congregations become effective missional communities.”

An intergenerational Christmas Mary Jo Zwar, the Uniting Young People Resource Writer, recently created a Christmas service resource encouraging intergenerational ministry.

Drawing on the Uniting Church SA Christmas postcard campaign (page 7), this resource provides basic information on the meaning of all-age worship, how to plan an intergenerational service, ideas for Christmas services, and a Christmas service sample. This detailed resource is well worth a look!

To access the resource, please visit sa.uca.org.au/cfm/ministry-leaders/ all-age-worship/christmas-services

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