December 2006
Issue 25, Number 11
PP 565 001/00190 ISSN 0726-2612
We set up a drought fund
Nicholas Kerr THE UNITING Church in SA is setting up a drought assistance fund to help rural congregations. It made the decision at its annual Presbytery and Synod meeting at Wayville. The church has already allocated $150,000 to help rural congregations. Moderator, Rev Graham Vawser, said the church wanted to send a clear message of support to people affected by the drought. “We recognise that the drought is causing considerable pain and hardship to many who depend on seasonal rainfall for their livelihood,” he said. “We want to offer our support, love and respect to those struggling to make ends meet because of the drought. “The human impact on rural communities of these conditions is beyond description. “We believe the Uniting Church SA community has an opportunity to connect in a unique way with the people and congregations who are in the midst of this situation. “Rural churches and those working with them will be invited to make submissions for help. “We’re encouraging city based congregations to develop partnerships of prayer and support with rural congregations. “The church will set up a drought assistance fund to allow individuals and Uniting Church congregations the opportunity to supplement the funds already provided for drought assistance through the church’s Mission and Service Fund.” Graham said the drought is putting a financial strain on rural congregations and the church’s ministers working with them. “While the financial needs are very real, the greater need is people related. We must also offer support in kind. “There’s a whole range of possibilities here – everything from ‘take a break’ camps to encouraging urban congregations to express their solidarity by journeying with a specific congregation throughout this crisis.” Last month Graham wrote to all Uniting Church congregations appealing for prayers for all those who are suffering because of the drought.
• There are details on how to make donations on page 2.
Deacon, Rev Adam Tretheway, used these props to illustrate his work with asylum seekers during a worship session of the Presbytery and Synod meeting.
inside… Time to be on mission
Strategic plan Moderator-elect
2 3
Meeting at a glance
3 4-5
Concern for David Hicks
6
Multifaith chaplains
7
Christmas Bowl
13
Young people in ministry
13
Two people were ordained during the annual Presbytery and Synod meeting. Rev Shane Kammerman, left, was ordained a Minister of the Word and Rev Sandy Boyce was ordained a Deacon.
Please hand out at your church door
NEWS
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New Times
This is a time to be on mission
Nicholas Kerr
THIS IS a time to be on mission, Rev Gregor Henderson, national President of the Uniting Church, said in Adelaide last month. “The church must get on with being missionary – witnessing to the Good News of Jesus in word and deed in our local congregations,” he said. He was here for the annual Presbytery and Synod meeting. “The situation we’re facing in Australia is so vastly different from the way it was even 20 years ago,” he said. There have been cultural shifts. There’s secularism. There’s an awareness of a multi-faith world and a multicultural Australia. “This isn’t a time to be holding back from seeking to witness to the Good News. It’s a time for finding all sorts of ways to connect with people in our local areas by offering our Christian services. And I mean that in the broadest sense. “There’s a lot of spiritual hunger out there. There are a lot of people in our community, 20 to 30 year olds who have no connection with the Christian faith at all. They’ve never been to Sunday School – yet they have a spiritual hunger. Offering them opportunities for worship and prayer where they can sense the presence of God and the love of God for them in their lives, that’s one important strand.” Gregor sees worship as part of the church’s mission. “I don’t want to divorce worship from mission,” he said. “And it can be the first contact point for congregations and individuals to connect in some way with the local community.” He gave a formula for congregational ministry.
Rev Gregor Henderson pictured at the Adelaide Showground. He was here for the annual Presbytery and Synod meeting. “The older I get, the longer I’m in ministry, the more simply I like to see things,” he said. “And I’ve come to operate now in my parish ministry with a four-part formula which I think works. “First is worship that genuinely allows people to see that God is there with them, caring for them. “Second, there must be a welcoming ethos. That’s a key thing. You still hear of people who attend a new church and nobody speaks to them for three weeks. That’s unbelievable!
Gregor at Port Augusta
At the time this issue of New Times was being finalised Rev Gregor Henderson was visiting Congress at Port Augusta.
Connecting with the community
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“There must be a welcoming ethos that accepts people the way they are. It shouldn’t jump on them, or impose the church or the ethos of that particular congregation on them. It should welcome them as they are, with no strings attached. “Third is some connection with the community. “Fourth, there should be some kind of understanding that we’re part of a world-wide community of the Christian faith – part of the world-wide church, supporting the wider mission of
the church in some way. “Looking out is crucial to our integrity as a church, and to the way newcomers see us. They should realise that we’re Christians with integrity, not just people looking after our own backyard, or our own particular needs, important as they are.” Gregor again stressed the need to be on mission. “I recognise that there are people who are still very concerned about Assembly’s policy on sexuality and leadership,” he said. “And it’s difficult to put that aside and move more into a local mission mode. “I respect that and I understand that. There are deep differences of conviction amongst us in the church. But I also want to say that my experience across the church in the last four months is that most congregations, even those that have been divided on the issue of sexuality and leadership, look as though they’re able to set that aside and say, ‘We can live with a diversity of opinion. We are freed to be able to get on with the way the church should be in the local community’. “I’d obviously want to think there’s integrity – and a measure of humility and sacrifice – in agreeing to stand aside from a concern that’s long standing and deeply held. But that seems to be the general ethos around the church. “There’s something pretty healthy about that. We’re modelling the fact that we can accept our diversity, yet still be effective as local mission people. That’s what I’m hoping the church will do.”
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DECEMBER 2006
“I BELIEVE every congregation needs to have one program, one project, one effort where they seek to connect with their local, non-Christian community – some sort of service project,” Gregor Henderson said. “It might be a food bank for local poor people, or a play group for young mums and dads and their children, or a kids’ club for primary school aged children, or an youth activity for teenagers, or something for the mentally disabled in the community – something that
connects them with some bunch of people in their community. “Through these connections, people are exposed to the Christian faith by the Christians who undertake this service, who give of themselves unselfishly in service. It may take time, but that connection will help bring people into the faith and into the life of the church.”
How to support the SA Drought Assistance Appeal UNITING Church congregations and individuals are encouraged to donate to the Uniting Church SA Drought Assistance Appeal which was launched at the November Presbytery and Synod meeting. • Congregations should make their donations payable to the “Uniting Church SA Drought Assistance Fund”. • All donations should be sent to SA Drought Assistance Appeal, Uniting Church SA, GPO Box 2145, Adelaide, SA 5001. • Individuals who wish to make a tax deductible donation should make donations payable to the “Assembly National Disaster Fund”,
and indicate that their contribution is for the “SA Drought Assistance Appeal”. • Tax deductible donations from individuals will be forwarded to Assembly. Assembly will issue a receipt.
More on the meeting There are detailed reports on many aspects of the meeting of Presbytery and Synod on the synod website, www.sa.uca.org.au
PRESBYTERY AND SYNOD
New Times
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Strategic plan is affirmed LAST MONTH’S meeting of the Presbytery and Synod affirmed the strategic plan. The strategic plan for Presbytery and Synod focuses the church’s life on six key directions – growth/conversion, leadership, discipleship, new models, raising our profile and justice. “The key directions express our understanding of ourselves as part of the Body of Christ,” Moderator, Rev Graham Vawser, said. “We may not expect growth without consciously working for it, and our growth will always be a result of calling people who are without faith into a living relationship with the One who gives life. “All who have themselves experienced the love of Christ are called to be witnesses to that love in all their relationships. “Our focus on leadership acknowledges that God continues to gift people for ministry in its many forms, as the Spirit wills. “As a church we will encourage all with gifts for leadership to grow in their skills, to better serve the Christ and Christ’s people.”
‘Called to be disciples’ Graham said all people in the church are called to be disciples of Christ. “Our personal relationship with God in Christ must be developed through better Biblical knowledge and spiritual maturity and reflection on the relationship between the principles of our faith and the social issues of our time,” he said. “Fresh expressions of church relevant to today’s culture will grow out of these reflections and from the desire to share the experience of Christ’s presence and power. “This will lead to a focus on promotion of Uniting Church congregations and agencies as places where God’s love, comfort, healing, hope and peace can be found.”
‘Wider issues of justice’ Graham said the church will not allow itself to forget the wider issues of justice that face our society and world. “We will continue to identify ways of speaking and acting in Christ’s name on behalf of all marginalised and disadvantaged people, and indeed the creation,” he said. “The strategic plan is the blueprint from which the meetings of the Presbytery and Synod and the Standing Committee will take guidance. The Pastoral Relations Committee, the Mission Resourcing Network, the Resources Board, the Educational Ministries Commission and the UnitingCare Commission will also use the strategic plan as the resource as they set priorities for their work. “It is our hope that each congregation, and the Mission Networks, will also take the principles in the strategic plan as a focus for their planning.”
More calendars are available BECAUSE there has been such a demand for the Uniting Church SA 2007 Thanksgiving Calendar, additional copies have been printed. Please visit the Uniting Church SA office if you would like additional copies for your congregation. Some congregations have already placed a calendar order with the Public Relations and Communications Unit. Other calendars will be distributed on a “first come, first served” basis.
Moderator-elect, Rev Rod Dyson
‘Walking on the water’ Moderator-elect, Rev Rod Dyson, said in his acceptance speech that his congregation at Westbourne Park studied a book by John Ortburg at Pentecost – “If you want to walk on water you’ve got to get out of the boat”. “It follows the story of Peter walking on water toward Jesus,” he said. “For me this position is certainly a step of faith – hearing the call of Jesus and walking where I have never been before. “I have certainly begun looking to Jesus as Peter does. No doubt there will be some rough water where I will call out to Jesus to save me.
I ask your continued prayers and support.” Rod said: “This has been quite a journey, beginning, for me, in March and continuing with the formal process from June until Synod. “People at Synod were saying they were presented with a challenging choice. I am honoured and humbled by the result.” Rod paid tribute to the other candidate, Dr Deidre Palmer. “I acknowledge her many gifts and ways that she has served the church. I ask that we pray for her and her family in the weeks ahead.”
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Academic Scholarships for students entering Year 9, 10, and 11 in 2008 Registrations close Friday 13 April 2007 Examination Saturday 12 May 2007
Registration are to be made on-line only: www.annesley.sa.edu.au
number of Scholarships for entry into the College in 2008
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www.annesley.sa.edu.au DECEMBER 2006
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PRESBYTERY AND SYNOD
The meeting at a glance MODERATOR: Uniting Church SA Moderator, Rev Graham Vawser, told the Presbytery and Synod meeting his experience so far as Moderator has reaffirmed his belief in the church. Graham said he is impressed by the ways in which God is using people in many places. He said he has enjoyed worship in many different forms and has appreciated the ways in which people have brought their own experience into this central act of the church’s life. Graham said many people in our congregations, agencies and schools are committed to showing the love of Jesus, being aware of the needs of others and having compassion for all who are marginalized and vulnerable. He said there are many in our church who are deeply enthusiastic about inviting others to participate in the life of Christ, and many who are eager to serve Jesus. PRESBYTERY and Synod members contributed approximately $800 towards the Uniting Church SA Drought Assistance Appeal. The donation came from a refund for members’ Monday lunches. The lunches were no longer required as the meeting finished earlier than expected on Sunday.
Retiring ministers pictured here with their spouses are, front row, from left, Helen and John Blanksby, Heather and John Maddern, and Peter and Helen Whittington; second row, Tony and Chris Nancarrow, Trevor and Jenny O’Brien, Barry Corbins, and Mary and Bill Plush; back row, David Pill and Jonathan Barker.
NETWORKS: Presbytery Synod Mission Network (PSMN) project officer Kate Tretheway reported on the new PSMN structure. Kate said it has been a year of new learnings, challenges and possibilities, but reported that overall the transition to the new structures had gone smoothly. Three past moderators have been selected to evaluate the new PSMN structure and will report back in 2007. Jan Trengove will chair the evaluation committee. Other past moderators on the group are Rev Neil Michael and Rev Dr Charles Biggs. The committee will consider the resourcing needs of the mission networks and the size and composition of the Standing Committee.
THE BUDGET was passed. Further details are available on the church’s website.
ENVIRONMENT: The Presbytery and Synod has asked the Resources Board to conduct a feasibility and funding options study into making Uniting Church SA properties as close as possible to being self-sustaining, in power and water usage and supply, within current technological and financial limitations. The report will come back to the November 2007 meeting. Churches are encouraged to look at these issues without waiting for the report.
REVIEW: The Synod will ask for a review into the payment of stipends and allowances to Ministers serving in placements that are filled on a less than full-stipended basis. The review will identify principles dealing with stipends and allowances in these situations – and particularly housing, motor vehicles and professional development. The Stipends Committee will consult all stakeholders to develop a policy on the housing allowance in situations
DECEMBER 2006
STIPENDS: The minimum stipend will be increased from $35,531 in 2006 to $37,663 in 2007 for Ministers of the Word, Deacons, Deaconesses, Lay Pastors, Youth Workers and Ministry Interns, (an increase of 6 per cent). The accommodation allowance will be increased by 3.5 per cent to $9,150 per annum, (up from $8,840 in 2006). Other increases include the Long Service Leave Fund (up 6.3 per cent), the Ministers Benefit Fund, (up 11 per cent) and the Professional Development Allowance, (up 9 per cent).
where clergy couples are in different placements. BENEFICIARY FUND: Robert Hoskin from the Uniting Church Beneficiary Fund reported on the challenges in the superannuation industry as the industry has reshaped itself in recent years. The Beneficiary Fund has been granted a Registrable Superannuation Entity (RSE) licence, required under the new licensing regime. The Beneficiary Fund contains more than $348 million. It has consistently performed relatively well, returning 11.9 per cent in 2005. CONGRESS: Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress development officer, Rev Ken Sumner, spoke enthusiastically about the work of Congress at Salisbury and Port Augusta. Ken said Congress has established a new ministry at Murray Bridge, where they have a Sunday school and evening fellowship. Congress has also started a Sunday school at Oodnadatta. Ken thanked Uniting Church people for their support and encouragement. RECONCILIATION: The meeting agreed to establish an annual
Reconciliation Sunday which will be held during Reconciliation Week (May 27 to June 3). INDIGENOUS POVERTY: Justice and Solidarity officer Jenni Price Hughes and Covenanting officer Peter Russell promoted a free CD-ROM which is part of the “Make Poverty History” campaign. The “Make Indigenous Poverty History” resource features Aboriginal Christians from around Australia talking about poverty. It also includes prayer materials and worksheets. PARTNERSHIP: The meeting endorsed a partnership initially established by the former Mount Lofty Presbytery with Iksan/Kunsan Presbytery of the Presbyterian Republic of Korea Church (PROK). The partnership will continue between the PROK and the Presbytery and Synod of South Australia. ARTS AND CULTURE: The meeting agreed to establish a Uniting Church Arts and Cultural Development Group. The body may be eligible for entry on the Register of Cultural Organisations and may have tax deductible status. It will foster the arts within the Uniting Church.
PRESBYTERY AND SYNOD
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The meeting at a glance NCLS: Ruth Powell from the National Church Life Survey played a promotional NCLS DVD to members of the Presbytery and Synod. NCLS has been surveying Australian churches for the past 15 years and is about to carry out its 4th national survey. The Uniting Foundation paid for all Uniting Church SA congregations to take part in the survey during November. Early next year each participating congregation will receive a unique report on its strongest core qualities and also information on attendance trends. The survey will provide vital information for future strategic planning. A post NCLS survey workshop will be held at Adelaide West Uniting Church on April 20 and 21, 2007. FRONTIER SERVICES: Sunday May 6, 2007 will be declared Frontier Services Sunday. Congregations will be encouraged to celebrate Frontier Services that day. Tony Price from Frontier Services said the needs of those living in outback regions are increasingly not being met and that the presence of Frontier Services often makes the difference between hope and despair. WORSHIP, BIBLE STUDY: Worship, Bible study and reflections were a major part of the Presbytery and Synod meeting. Lutheran Church SA-NT president Rev Robert Voigt took two Bible studies on the meeting’s theme, “Be My Witnesses”. CELEBRATION SERVICE: Retiring ministers were recognised and acknowledged at a Celebration of Ministry Service which was held in Concordia College Chapel. Those retiring from ministry include Jonathan Barker, John Blanksby, Barrie Carbins, John Maddern, Gladys Moeller, Tony Nancarrow, Trevor O’Brien, David Pill, Mary Plush, Jan Reynolds and Peter Whittington. Those completing studies in candidature and those completing the Period of Discernment were also acknowledged.
Ruth Powell, of the National Church Life Survey, said the aim of the 2006 survey is to identify signs of hope for the church in Australia. NCLS plans to present its research and analysis in a way that will nurture the life of both the leadership and congregations across Australia. ORDINATIONS: Sandy Boyce was ordained a Deacon and Shane Kammermann a Minister of the Word at an Ordination Service at Concordia College Chapel. An offering taken during the service raised nearly $1,900 to support the training of ministers at the Raronga Theological College in the United Church of Papua New Guinea. WORSHIP ON DVD: DVDs are available of the two worship celebration services held at Concordia College and Robert Voigt’s Bible studies, (cost $5). To place an order, please contact Chris Hutchinson on 8227 0822, mobile 0403 025 830 or chris@sa.uca.org.au. : IN MEMORIAM: Members stood briefly in silence to acknowledge the
following ministers who have passed away since the 2005 Synod meeting – Alfred Wallace Earl, Victor Clarence Hayes, Arthur Marchant Jackson, Lloyd James Kerley, Jeffrey William Miegel, Phillip Richard Sarre and Robert DuRieu Vawser WORSHIP PLANNER: Rev Dr Tony Nancarrow from MediaCom promoted the Uniting Worship Planner, a joint initiative of Assembly and Mediacom. He described the planner as a complete electronic worship preparation resource. Further information is available from MediaCom. NCYC: The next NCYC (National Christian Youth Convention) will be held in Perth in January 2007. The theme is “Agents of Change” and is
about God raising up a new generation of change agents risking the way of Jesus. The 1,200 delegates will engage in community service activities during the convention. EPWORTH: Peter Rumbelow, the last chair of Epworth Building Inc., spoke on a new book, “The History of Epworth Building,” which outlines the role of the building in the life of the Methodist and Uniting Churches. The Epworth Trust continues to support the church and its mission. The book will be available through the Uniting Church SA office. It costs $29.95. SHOW CAFÉ: This year the Red Dove Café raised $41,000 for the work of the Uniting Church SA.
DECEMBER 2006
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COMMENT
‘Deep concern’ for David Hicks THE Presbytery and Synod of South Australia will write to the Government to convey deep concern for the continuing incarceration without trial of David Hicks in Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre.
The rationale to a proposal said David Hicks has been in detention for five years pending trial by a process, which the US Supreme Court has ruled unconstitutional and contrary to the Geneva Conventions.
Last month’s Presbytery and Synod meeting asked the church to write to all federal members of the House of Representatives and Senators within South Australia asking that David Hicks be either tried without further delay or returned to Australia to face any charges which may apply.
In response to this ruling, the rationale said, the US Government has indicated it may establish new military tribunals, which would actually allow for torture to be used. This will again be challenged as unconstitutional and could take until 2008 to resolve.
Plans for 2007 MISSION Resourcing Network team leader Ian Price has announced some of the seminars planned for church members next year. He said they will “move the church forward in creating vibrant communities of faith and discipleship”.
In February the MRN will partner with Brougham Place UC to host the visit of Cairnmillar Institute founder and author Francis Macnab. The focus will be around the themes of his new book, “Don’t Call me Grumpy”. Macnab says the book is for older men, who, “when they hang their boots up at the end of their life would like to say, ‘It was a bloody good ride!’” Macnab will address a breakfast meeting designed for people nearing the end of their working lives or new retirees who want to live life fully and well On March 23 and 24 Iona Community leader Cathy Galloway will visit Adelaide as guest of the Wellspring Community and the MRN’s Spirituality and Effective Living Centres. She will focus on healing and reconciliation, working for peace and justice, and reclaiming the church’s healing ministry. She will explore worship and music from the Iona Community, and various aspects of spirituality. On April 21 and 22, the MRN will offer workshops on processing the National Church Life Survey. This will connect with the resourcing days for presbytery which will highlight “The church’s role in society”. At least four rural schools of ministry will be held during 2007 – at Melrose (March 30 and 31), in the Adelaide Plains region (May 13), at the Tarooki campsite at Robe (May 25 and 26), and in the Mallee Region (August 11 and 12). Gifted musician and song writer John Bell will visit SA in June for a three day worship workshop at Parkin-Wesley College in the chapel. This event will run from Friday, June 22, to Sunday, June 24, and will interest local song leaders and musicians. For further information please contact Heather Bald on 8236 4243.
DECEMBER 2006
NEWS
New Times
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Pictured at Flinders University are, from left, Geoff Boyce (Uniting), Kylie Doherty (Pagan), Ven Thich Thong Phap (Buddhist), Deborah Meyers (Lutheran), Dr Carl Vadivella Belle (Hindu), Maureen Howland (executive secretary, Uniting) and Dr Abul Farooque (Muslim).
Multifaith chaplaincy Jill Freear AN INNOVATIVE model of multifaith chaplaincy is operating at the Religious Centre at Flinders University. Uniting Church chaplain Geoff Boyce is one of the multifaith team, which includes members from a variety of religious and spiritual traditions, including Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu and Pagan members. “We are a community of colleagues, learning what it means to live together,” said Geoff. “Multifaith is about respecting each other, and each other’s religious paths and traditions, including those with no faith or tradition. “We each also have a ministry to our own faith.” Geoff said the need for a Multifaith chaplaincy at Flinders was driven by major international events like 9/11 and the situation in East Timor. “When Australian students got angry with Indonesian students we offered the opportunity for a forum,” Geoff said. “Indonesian students were grateful to be able to express their views. “We’re providing opportunities for relationships that hopefully will develop into
friendships and then dialogue. “In a big international university we have students from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, including those with no faith. “We also have international students who have been sent here by their governments to undertake further study. “People from other faiths who are minority groups here need a lot of support and affirmation. “I’m here to listen, to advocate on their behalf and empower them. “We’re nurturing people’s spirits.” Geoff and a university chaplaincy colleague from New Zealand recently ran a multifaith spirituality workshop at the Conference of European University Chaplains in Bavaria, Germany. “There was incredible interest in our Multifaith model,” Geoff said. “In Europe they barely seem to have begun to explore this issue. “Our model of multifaith chaplaincy is a first in an Australian university, and I’m only aware of one other university in the US that has a similar model. “University chaplains in other places are still largely working inde-
pendently of each other. “I’m grateful that in the Uniting Church our Basis of Union provides a motif of an open-ended journey – that’s very important in my work.” Geoff, a member of the Assembly Task Group on Relations with other Faiths, is pleased the Uniting Church is committed to developing theology in this area. He has just been elected president of the Tertiary Campus Ministry Association, the university chaplains’ professional body, which focuses on professional development and networking.
West Lakes Church Minister Sue Ellis enjoyed some activities with the children who attended Playgroup in the Park. – Photo by Amy Brookman
Playgroup in the Park MORE THAN 2,000 pre-schoolers and their families turned out to a huge “Playgroup in the Park” at Grange Recreation Reserve during Children’s Week. The free event was sponsored by Communities for Children and the City of Charles Sturt and was organised by churches in the western region. Minister for Families and Communities Jay Weatherill opened the event with Peter Bicknell, CEO of UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide. Volunteers from churches and Rotary provided a free sausage sizzle and Devonshire morning teas.
DECEMBER 2006
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MAGAZINE
New Times
Presbytery and Synod in pictures Candles were lit during the opening worship at the annual meeting of Presbytery and Synod at the Adelaide Showground, Wayville. Fire wardens stood by during the service.
People at the Presbytery and Synod meeting were evacuated from the meeting hall on the Saturday when an electrical fault in another hall caused the fire alarm to go off. Duty of care project officer Linda Vinall is pictured with a loud hailer beside a fire engine outside the meeting hall.
These fire fighters were among those who answered the fire alarm.
Hundreds of university students were doing end of year exams at the showgrounds. They were about two hours into their exams when they were evacuated. The exams were rescheduled for later in the month.
The cafĂŠ was popular during breaks in the presbytery-synod meeting.
DECEMBER 2006
New Times
MAGAZINE
9
Presbytery and Synod in pictures Barry was among those who attended the Mission Expo on the Saturday afternoon of the Presbytery and Synod meeting.
Busker Heath Perrott entertained the crowd at the Mission Expo.
This clown supported Rev Ian Price when Ian promoted the Mission Expo at the Presbytery and Synod meeting.
Rev Robert Voigt, SA-NT President of the Lutheran Church, led the Bible study and reflection at the Presbytery and Synod meeting.
This colourful prayer ball was made during the Friday night celebration service. People were asked to write their hopes and dreams for the church on coloured paper. Children then gathered up the “dreams� and attached them to the chicken-wire ball.
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PRESBYTERY AND SYNOD
New Times
New Strategic Plan for Presbytery and Synod Yes, we make a real difference BARRY ATWELL spoke on Key Direction 5, “Promote ways in which the UCA makes a difference in people’s lives”. THE MAIN reason for this key direction emerging during the planning process was the recognition by the Standing Committee and Team Leaders Planning Team that we want the outside world to know that the Uniting Church is a dynamic church – a church with a message and lots of action, a church that is connecting with people’s lives and with what is happening in the local community. This in turn was based on the recognition that, although we have a tradition within the Uniting Church of serving our community without a lot of fanfare, we cannot expect to engage the world of
the 21st Century by keeping our denominational message under a bushel. So what is this key direction all about? It is about spreading the good news to: • People who are currently outside the church who aren’t being given information about what the church is doing and its potential to impact on their lives. • People inside the church so that they have a better understanding of what their church stands for, that is, why is it that they should be proud of their church. It is also about assisting the coming together of people who are outside the church and those who are already part of the church with a conversation something like:
“You go to the local Uniting Church don’t you? Well, about that article I saw in the newspaper the other day – why is that important to your church?” It is a principle similar to the “Jesus. All about life campaign” – it provides a conversation starter. This key direction is not just about media coverage – it is about having a voice in as many places and forums as we need to in order to get our message across that we are dynamic and relevant. This key direction is a recognition that we are in the information age. There is so much information out there competing for people’s attention that we need to be very focussed and strategic about how we get our message through to those who are part of the Church and those who
are yet to be captured by the good news. It is also a recognition that we need to respond to all the negative messages (both in our own heads and in the community) with a positive voice of what God has called us to be in 2006 and beyond. The final point about this key direction is that its success is totally dependent on the other key directions working well – otherwise we would have little to communicate and promote. We need to be actually making a difference in people’s lives through growth/conversion, leadership, discipleship, new models of church and through justice issues before we can promote ourselves as a credible denomination of the Christian church who is making a difference in people’s lives.
Being passionate about justice JENNIFER PRICE HUGHES spoke about justice. IN RESPONSE to feedback from last Presbytery and written responses, a sixth category was added to the strategic plan. This category is “Justice”. After a lengthy process of discussion and collaboration with a large number of people, a vision and five objectives were identified. The vision set forth is to “Develop ways to actively and passionately seek God’s justice”. This is a vision for the whole people of God to respond to Matthew 25 and to care for the least of these. It is to be a Micah 6:8 community where all people, not just a subsection of our churches, respond to the call to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God. The strategic plan is action focussed. Justice is about doing justice not just talking about it. Finding ways to enact our faith DECEMBER 2006
is vital to being a vibrant Christian community. It is about changing internally, to be more just, and it is about changing the world around us to make the world a more just place. • The first of the objectives is to “Actively seek relationships with marginalised people”. For some communities this may be ministry with refugees or asylum seekers, for others ministry with people who are affected by domestic violence, people with mental illness or people of other faith. This will be different in different communities. • The second objective is to “Encourage solidarity with and practical action to support SA Congress and Aboriginal people”. This would include all levels of the Synod and Presbytery as well as local churches, and networks. This recommits us to the covenant between the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.
• “Develop a theological and practical response to environmental issues” is the third objective outlined in the strategic plan.
community organisations such as Make Poverty History, Amnesty International, Council groups, AA and reconciliation groups.
This means developing a clear statement of the biblical obligation to care for God’s creation and may include playing a leadership role in establishing a greenhouse reduction strategy for SA. Such action may include conducting energy audits at all levels of the church and developing action groups within and between congregations to respond to this global and national crisis.
• The final objective of this area of the strategic plan is to “Promote local grass roots interaction between specified international partner churches and UCA in SA”.
• “Develop strategies for a united UCA voice on justice issues” is the fourth objective. It may be developed to include: MAKING public statements on justice issues, such as Aboriginal poverty, asylum seekers, homelessness, employment, and climate change. ENCOURAGING and acknowledging intentional links and presence in
Increasing awareness of partnerships and justice issues is an important part of this. Encouraging joint mission and justice exposure visits to consciously combine both partner church and justice issues in visits to and by partner churches (North Philippines, Thailand, PNG, West Papua) may be one way to develop this objective. This new section of the strategic plan is really exciting. There is a great deal of energy surrounding the justice section as we seek to faithfully respond to God’s call to actively and passionately seek God’s justice.
PRESBYTERY AND SYNOD
New Times
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Setting our strategic directions GRAHAM HUMPHRIS introduced the discussion on the Strategic Plan and spoke about the third objective, “Develop authentic passionate disciples of Christ”. WHILE there are many good news stories of things happening in and through local Uniting Churches and agencies, at the same time, as a church, we face some major issues. These include: • Many of our congregations are declining and/or ageing • Lots of people talk to me about the need to improve the development of leaders • Quite a few of our ministers and leaders are fighting off low morale • There is a chronic shortage of ministers – especially for strategic congregational and school/agency placements. • Our profile in the media tends to focus on our problems rather than the many positive things that are happening. As we move forward it is vital that we address these and other issues that influence our missional effectiveness. And to do this we need to develop some strategic directions and discern the highest priorities that we should focus on. That’s why we’ve been working on this Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan cannot mention everything that we intend to do over
the next few years; rather it’s meant to provide us with an outline of our key directions for the next few years. That doesn’t mean that everything not specifically mentioned in the Strategic Plan will stop – obviously lots of things need to continue to happen – but this plan is meant to give us our priorities.
passionately seek God’s justice.
The Presbytery and Synod, at its August meeting, agreed to commit to the first five key directions. However, since the August meeting, the Team Leaders and Standing Committee have taken note of the feedback received at the August meeting and also comments from a number of other people who wrote to Standing Committee.
You know, in my role as General Secretary. there are lots of things that I have to do that you might put in the “draining and tiring” basket. They are just taxing and unpleasant.
In the light of this feedback, Standing Committee now brings an amended version of the Strategic Plan for further development and, hopefully, approval. The revised key directions are: • Develop a culture of conversion growth. • Develop Ministers and Lay Leaders to lead the church to be the best it can be. • Develop authentic, passionate disciples of Christ. • Develop fresh expressions of church relevant to today’s culture. • Promote ways in which the UCA makes a difference in people’s lives. • Develop ways to actively and
The key change is that there are now six rather than five areas identified as Key Directions for the Strategic Plan with the new direction added being summarised by the words, “Develop ways to actively and passionately seeks God’s justice.”
But I have to say that when I look at things like this Strategic Plan for the next few years I find it quite “refreshing and invigorating.” I just think of our church being effective in reaching out to people who are far away from God with the Good News of the Gospel and in practical acts of compassion. I just think of our church being led by people who are enthusiastic and well trained and who feel supported. I just think of our church being filled with people who are growing disciples, biblically literate, compassionately serving and actively involved in stewardship. I just think of our church being at the forefront of giving permission and taking risks with “new edge” type ministries. I just think of our church having such a positive reputation that people are drawn to local Uniting Churches.
I just think of our church being at the forefront in supporting Indigenous people and working for a healthier environment and a more just world. Well, I think that’s what this plan is about. The Direction is to develop authentic passionate disciples of Christ. I think we’re all aware that we could probably spend many hours discussing exactly what an authentic passionate disciple of Christ is. But in this Key Direction we’re simply saying that we want to provide pathways – and notice that that word is plural, pathways; it’s not a sausage machine concept so that we all turn out the same – we want to provide pathways so that people who come to faith actually grow in their faith. Now, I hope that at least we’d be able to agree that that means: • Growth in biblical literacy and spiritual maturity. • Growth in stewardship of all that God has given us. • Growth in compassion and service. • Growth in involvement in seeking justice in God’s world. And on top of that – I wouldn’t mind seeing people being more passionate – even a bit excited – about their faith too.
A challenging time for ministry IAN PRICE spoke about conversion growth and leadership. CONVERSION growth is identified as one of the strategic directions to distinguish it as a primary response to the great commission. In terms of mission and evangelism, the term is used in a technical sense to mean bringing people who are far away from God into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We specifically want to distinguish conversion growth from other forms of growth in congregations, such as biological growth (where people are born into a congregation) or transference growth (where people move from one church to another – often
creating the appearance of growth when it is really just a movement within our structures). We believe that the key questions for congregations of all types are: • Who is our mission to? • What is the message we are called to proclaim (classically the apologetic of the church)? • What is the process of engagement and faith development we offer? • How do we assimilate people into the life of the church and help them to mature as Christians? The critical factor in conversion growth is about moving beyond waiting for people to come to us, and engaging those God wants us
to contact; and the very process of asking and developing the key questions will move the church forward in its mission and evangelism. It is hard to imagine a more challenging time to be in ministry together. Many of the tried and true ways we go about our corporate and personal faith life no longer appear to work. The mission field in which we work is resistant, intolerant, cynical and, more often than not, disinterested. People, both within congregations and beyond, are looking for leadership that models the way of Jesus, is able to make sense of the confusion of life, enable a holistic spirituality to emerge
that is life sustaining, and enable people to identify their gifts in a shared ministry environment. Within such a challenging picture, the UCA in SA needs to support leaders as they seek to strengthen mission, develop ministries of care and outreach, help with the development of new forms of church and, in many cases, revitalise churches. Whether it is ordained or lay leadership, lay ministry led congregations or large regional congregations, new types of congregations or agencies, the challenges of being in leadership demand a full response by the church to establishing and developing leaders. DECEMBER 2006
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COMMENT
New Times
An ACC national executive member replies THE October issue of New Times carried a statement from the Uniting Church Assembly on the Assembly of Confessing Congregations (ACC) within the Uniting Church in Australia. Rev ROD JAMES, a member of the ACC national executive, has asked for a right of reply. THE ACC locates its character and ethos within the international fellowship of confessing movements. It is stunning that at this moment in the church’s history every mainline Protestant church in the Western world has a confessing movement. For example: • In the United Methodist Church of the USA it is called The Confessing Movement. • In the Presbyterian Church of the USA – New Wineskins. • In the Presbyterian Church of NZ – Presbyterian Affirm.
• In The Church of New Zealand (Anglican) – the Latimer Fellowship. • In the United Church of Canada – National Alliance of Covenanting Congregations. • In the Uniting Church in Australia – EMU, RA and now The Assembly of Confessing Congregations. A very informative and helpful book has been written on the current confessing movements in America by Thomas Oden. It is called “Turning Around the Mainline: How Renewal Movements are Changing the Church”. Oden’s book is an essential primer for the current confessing movement. He distinguishes between a schismatic movement which responds to apostasy by splitting the church, and a confessing movement which commits to remaining while calling the church back to its own confessional statements. Oden gives a lot of helpful information on the objectives and characteristics
of these movements and the thrust of the ACC is consistent with this information. One thing that was acknowledged in the New Times article was that the members of the ACC wish to remain within the Uniting Church and to adhere to the Basis of Union. The Assembly leaders have suggested that the ACC wishes to set up structures which contravene the responsibilities of the councils of the Church. In response to this charge the following can be asserted: 1. The ACC will continue to have robust interaction with the National Assembly over theological and constitutional matters. 2. The ACC affirms the role of the Synods and the many things they do to assist congregations in their life and mission. 3. The ACC wishes to create a network of ACC congregations in each
About your letters
Please keep your letters short — about 150 words is ideal. Longer letters will be cut or rejected. You’re welcome to email letters to newtimes@sa.uca.org.au or they can be posted to us at GPO Box 2145, Adelaide 5001
BE MY WITNESSES THERE was once a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won first prize. A newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned the farmer’s strategy for growing winning corn – he shared his seed corn with his neighbours. “How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbours when they’re competing against you?” the
reporter asked. “Why,” said the farmer, “don’t you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. “If my neighbours grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. “If I’m to grow good corn, I must help my neighbours grow good corn.” Congratulations to the Uniting Church for establishing
y r o Mem Do you have concerns about your Memory or the Memory of someone you care for? Contact
Alzheimer’s Australia SA 27 Conyngham Street, Glenside 5065 Phone (08) 8372 2100 Fax (08) 8338 3390 Email alzsa@alzheimerssa.asn.au Web: alzheimers.org.au ...For more information and to donate online ALZHEIMERS11-2 DECEMBER 2006
a Drought Relief Fund and Appeal. May I encourage all the leaders of our churches to consider donating any pay rise they receive in 2007 directly to the Drought Relief Appeal? In fact, why don’t all of us Uniting Church people donate all pay rises for 2007 to drought relief? We can watch what happens as the pollen of generosity, sacrificial giving, solidarity and compassion is blown by the winds from field to field. Tony Goodluck Mitcham CLIMATE CHANGE I SUSPECT Stephen Watts is partly right – overpopulation may lead to destruction of the planet (New Times, October). I suggest a contributor to climate change is government not governing for the greater good – i.e., being good “stewards” of the world God has given us. It’s generally accepted that the USA contributes up to 25 per cent of world GHG (green house gases), yet its current federal government is slow to recognise there is a climate change issue. In our “global village”, the boys in the increasingly materialistic suburbs of India and China are sending clear indicators of being the key future climate changers, and not necessarily for the better. As one church in a country only second to the USA in GHG emissions per head of population, what is our church’s statement to our Commonwealth government on its “slow acknowledgement” of
state. Because the Synods vary greatly in their structure and ethos the nature of these networks may vary from Synod to Synod. 4. The claim that “those who join the Association (of Confessing Ministry Workers) will somehow be outside the requirements of the Uniting Church in relation to their accountability, oversight and discipline” is simply erroneous. Despite statements to the contrary many people have left the Uniting Church in recent years because they believe that it has departed from the faith of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. The ACC is seeking to make a contribution to the Uniting Church whereby such individuals and congregations can remain within the Church, link up with others nationally and internationally, and “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). – (Rev) Rod James
the climate change issue? Is our Commonwealth being good stewards of the environment in the context of economic growth and social changes? Some big businesses know there is an issue. Their call is for Commonwealth government help regarding “how” to fix it. What is our church’s voice to the Commonwealth on climate change issues? David Bailey West Hindmarsh THE ACC WE ARE writing with reference to the article in the October New Times titled “Proposed Assembly of Confessing Congregations”. Will you please eschew obfuscatory semantics and use basic English to explain to us simple country folk what this is all about? It seems that our church leaders have lost the plot. Those lined up against Christianity must be highly delighted at the waste of time, money and effort and the trauma caused by all the senseless bickering. Our belief is simply that we don’t agree with practising homosexuals to have positions of leadership, responsibility and trust in the Uniting Church. John and Judy Trafford Millicent THE ACC I DO THANK God for His guiding and sustaining reform in His Church over two millennia. Church history attests to a continuous struggle for the Church to keep Jesus’ words out of love for Him (John 14:15), amidst a rebellious world with new and better ideas! Reform to return to His Word in our era in the Western World, will also not be easy. It takes steadfast endurance and courage, motivated by much prayer and the Holy
Spirit’s impression. The Apostle Paul’s charge to Timothy comes loud and clear to Christian leadership today: “Preach the Word, be prepared in and out of season; correct, rebuke, encourage with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine” (2 Tim 4:2,3). Doctrine matters, it is like a backbone to Love. The Assembly of Confessing Congregations is a God-given opportunity for the UCA to find its way out of the messy muddle. Do not miss it! Anneke van de Loo Crafers SIEV X MEMORIAL IN OCTOBER, for a few brief days, a memorial was constructed remembering the largest maritime disaster in our region since World War II – the sinking of the SIEV X with the loss of 353 lives in October 2001. The boat was bringing asylum seekers to safety in Australia. The memorial, in the form of a wavy line of white posts, was constructed on a park in Canberra. It traced a line to the water’s edge, with the oval shape of the boat also depicted. Each small post represented a child who died; each larger post, an adult. The memorial was first thought of in a Launceston Uniting Church congregation. An Australia wide appeal for financial support followed. Due to planning regulations the memorial could only be in place for a few days. Permission will be sought for a permanent memorial, and the memorial will be erected again in October 2007. I encourage congregations to consider participating in this event next year. Andrew Clarke Coordinator MRN Centre for Ministry with Refugees Vale Park Letters continued on page 15
COMMENT
New Times
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‘We’re called to work with the poor’ CHRISTIANS have no choice. They have to work together to help the world’s neediest people. That’s the view of Alistair Gee, director of Christian World Service, the aid and development arm of the National Council of Churches in Australia. “It’s pretty clear that’s what Jesus calls us to do,” he said. “The Gospels are full of references to Jesus’ preference for the poor. “The passage I’m most conscious of is in the Beatitudes. They call us to work with the poor. That’s what God expects of us. Blessed are the poor, the spirit of God is with the poor. Blessed are the meek ... “I think Christ’s actually saying, ‘Blessed are those who get angry about what’s happening in the world and who channel that anger into something constructive.’ “It isn’t just the poor who are blessed. Those who are with the poor are blessed, those whose spirit is with the poor, those who are working with the poor. That’s the message Christ’s giving us.” Alistair said the Spirit anointed
Christ to bring good news to the poor, to let the oppressed go free – and that same Spirit is at work in those who follow Christ. “Christ spoke about God’s incredible generosity in parables, like the Good Samaritan,” he said. “We’re called to be generous, too.” Alistair believes the churches must not only be involved in aid and development. They must be involved in this work together. “There are several ways of looking at this,” he said. “The Scriptures make it quite clear that Christ wants visible unity in the church. “Working together is the most effective way of bringing this about. Absolute poverty and other critical problems can be overcome only by a unified approach. And working together is witnessing to both Christ’s desire for unity and to Christ’s reign of love, justice and peace.” Alistair said the churches can be particularly effective in working with the poor. “For many, many years the church has made clear its desire to be with the poor, to understand them, to
empower people rather than impose solutions on them. “These understandings have been with the churches for a long time. At last they’re being introduced at government level. Governments around the world have committed themselves to the principles the churches have been using for many years. “Australia is one of the countries that endorsed the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness in March, 2005. “The declaration is a ‘roadmap’ for development. It sets out principles on how to improve the quality of aid and
the effectiveness of development work. It commits us to a greater harmony between donor and developing countries. “It’s about fitting aid to developing countries’ priorities, rather than imposing priorities on them. “It’s about working through the developing countries’ own systems.” For Christmas Bowl education resources or to make a contribution to the Christmas Bowl appeal in 2006 contact 1800 025 101 or visit www. christmasbowl.com.au/”
Appeal to support the Christmas Bowl THE CHRISTMAS Bowl is the major overseas aid appeal to Uniting Church members, Uniting Church national President, Rev Gregor Henderson, said in Adelaide last month. “All the money is channelled through the National Council of Churches in Australia’s Christian World Service,” he said. “The money is distributed through Christian bodies, particularly
ecumenical bodies, but also specific denominations, throughout Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East. “The Uniting Church has always been a major supporter of the Christmas Bowl, and I’m sure we’ll continue to be so.” Gregor said Christmas Bowl funds go to emergency relief as well as development projects.
Is God calling young people to ministry? AT A TIME when many ministers are retiring, should the church be prompting people to hear the call to ordained ministry? “Christ is always calling people to follow and to serve,” says Craig Mitchell, lecturer at Parkin-Wesley College, “but we are also a part of that call. One way that God calls people to ministry is through the church.” The “Year of Call” task group is exploring why and how people hear the call to ministry. The task group commissioned the Christian Research Association to undertake an Internet survey to investigate what young adults think about ministry as a vocational option and what their attitudes are towards preparation for ministry. Members of Parkin-Wesley College staff are involved in the task group and the survey process. “We want to test some of the assumptions that the church has about people’s call to ministry,” Craig said. “Many young people have a desire to serve God. Perhaps they don’t feel that they have the gifts to become a minister, or they can’t imagine themselves in that role. They may find the prospect of study
daunting. Or maybe they would rather be starting a new congregation than pastoring an aging one. “These are challenging but vital questions for us.” The online survey, completed by young adults during October and November, is a first step in better understanding young people’s attitudes towards ministry. The survey asked if young people were discouraged from ministry as a vocation because of the moderate levels of pay and high demands of the job. It also asked how important things like low fees, small classes and a liberal or progressive theology are in choosing a Christian learning institution. “Pathways into ministry have been changing for some time,” Craig said. “ParkinWesley has been progressively adapting to respond to this. The new ministry of Pastor may become one such pathway.” Craig said ordained ministry includes a variety of forms of service. “Some people may be attracted to chaplaincy in schools or hospitals, some may share two jobs in order to serve a rural community, others may sense a call to be involved in starting new faith
communities. Perhaps we need to focus on the role of ministry more than on the training process in our call to people.” The task group will analyse the survey findings and then conduct face-to-face discussion groups with young adults. “This is an ongoing process,” Craig said. “Our hope is that in 2007 we will offer congregations some new print
materials and a DVD they can use to explore ministry options with people. But it is up to people locally to be involved in prompting others. If we want people to hear a call, maybe we are the voice of that call.” Nationally the Uniting Church is facing a severe shortage of ministers. About a third of the 150
ministers and deacons in placement in South Australia will either retire or turn 65 in the next six years. On average about two or three students a year are graduating from Parkin Wesley College and looking for placements within the Uniting Church SA. “There are signs of a modest increase in ministry trainees for 2007,” Craig said.
DECEMBER 2006
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NOTEBOOK
New Times and Outreach to the Annual Mission Picnic, to be held in the Brougham Place Gardens opposite Brougham Place Uniting Church at 12 noon on Tuesday, January 9, 2007. Please bring food to share.
For more Uniting Church events, visit Uniting Church online www.sa.uca.org.au and click on “What’s On”. There is also an online form which you can fill out to contribute notices to Notebook. A NEW study, “Serious answers to hard questions,” is an adult faith education program with 10 DVD presentations designed to encourage energetic discussion and sustained reflection. For more information contact Rev Dr Robert Bos, National Consultant, Theology and Discipleship, UCA; email robertbos@optushome.com.au. FINANCIAL Services have given details of Christmas-New Year cheque processing. Cheques and deposits into bank accounts are processed once a week. The last cheque run will be on December 21, 2006. All accounts to be paid and reimbursements must be in by no later than 3pm, Tuesday, December 19. The first cheque run for 2007 will be on January 11. The closing time for this cheque run will be 3pm, Tuesday, January 9, 2007. LENTEN Appeal 2007 will focus on raising $20,000 each for pharmaceutical and medical supplies and equipment for Supiori, Numfor and Biak in West Papua, Indonesia and towards upgrading facilities at the Kimudan Medical Clinic, Niu Eilan, PNG. More information available soon. Contact lyn@sa.uca.org. au or paulene@sa.uca.org.au. THE NATIONAL and World Mission Support Committee invite people interested in Church Mission
TWO MINISTRY intensive courses are available at Parkin-Wesley from February 5 to 23, 2007. “Introduction to Biblical Greek” allows you to step inside the world of the New Testament with new eyes and ears. “Introduction to Pastoral Care” takes you to the heart of pastoral conversation – how to listen and respond to others in distress. For more information call 8416 8420. Suitable for lay people and ministers. ST ANDREW’S Symposium, “Strengthening family resilience, collaborating against crisis and adversity,” will be held on March 6 and 7, 2007, at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Keynote presenters include Dr Froma Walsh and Dr John Rolland, co-directors of the Chicago Center for Family Health. For more details visit www.standrewssymposium.net.au or call Mark Dickens on 8408 2111. IONA Community workshops with leader Kathy Galloway, will be held on March 14 and March 23, 2007 at Nunyara. For more details call Heather Bald 8236 4243, or email heather@sa.uca.org.au. KCO 2007 will be on April 28 and 29. Put these dates in your diary and pray for the KCO ’07 Committee as they prepare for this special event for kids. If you would like to join the KCO mailing list, or to check your details are up to date, please call Alice on 8236 4242 or email kco@sa.uca.org.au. OUT of the Valley ’07, which will feature Louie Giglio, founder of Passion Conferences, will be held from May 17 to 19, 2007 at Edge City Church, Wayville. Call 8396 0788 for more information.
Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide. GPO Box 2145 Adelaide SA 5001 Phone (08) 8236 4260 Fax (08) 8236 4265 Email: newtimes@sa.uca.org.au www.sa.uca.org.au
Telling stories about an innovative, growing church which is proclaiming Jesus Christ and is empowered by the Spirit to transform God’s world. Who we are: New Times is a monthly tabloid news magazine serving the Uniting Church SA. It is published 11 times a year with a combined January-February issue. New Times is a member of the Australasian Religious Press Association. It has won the Gutenberg award for excellence in religious publication. Its editor has won the same award for excellence in religious communications. Advertising: To advertise contact Russell Baker, phone 8361 6822, fax 8361 6865, email ribad@bigpond.com New Times accepts advertising in good faith. Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement. Deadlines and distribution dates: February 2007 issue: Closing date for contributions, Monday, January 8; distributed, Sunday, February 4. • March issue: Closing date for contributions, Wednesday, February 7; distributed, Sunday, March 4. • April issue: Closing date for contributions, Tuesday, March 13; distributed, Sunday, April 8. • May issue: Closing date for contributions, Tuesday, April 10; distributed, Sunday, May 6. • June issue: Closing date for contributions, Tuesday, May 8; distributed, Sunday, June 3. • July issue: Closing date for contributions, Tuesday, June 5; distributed, Sunday, July 1. • August issue: Closing date for contributions, Wednesday, July 11; distributed, Sunday, August 5. • September issue: Closing date for contributions, Wednesday, August 8; distributed, Sunday, September 2. • October issue: Closing date for contributions, Tuesday, September 11; distributed, Sunday, October 7. • November issue: Closing date for contributions, Wednesday, October 10; distributed, Sunday, November 4. • December issue: Closing date for contributions, Wednesday, November 7; distributed, Sunday, December 2. Subscriptions: New Times is distributed free to Uniting Churches in SA. You can also subscribe and have New Times posted to you. Subscriptions cost $30 if you are within SA, $35 if you are interstate, $40 if you are overseas. Submitted material: New Times does not take responsibility for returning submitted photographs or other material. Our partners: Many of our readers support New Times by making a gift to help us keep up with our costs. Gifts can be sent to us at GPO Box 2145, Adelaide, 5001. Distribution: We are distributed on the first Sunday of each month. Opinions: Opinions expressed in New Times do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the policies of the Uniting Church. Editor: Nicholas Kerr. Assistant: Jo Watts. New Times is designed by Edi Leane and Les Colston of Joie Creative, PO Box 29, Kent Town, SA 5071 and printed by Cadilac, 64 Kinkaid Avenue, North Plymton, SA 5037
Deadline DECEMBER 2006
FEBRUARY 2007 issue: Deadline for contributions, Monday, January 8. The issue will be distributed on Sunday, February 4.
PARKIN-Wesley’s 2007 brochure of courses and topics is now available. Call 8416 8420 to get a copy or download from www.parkinwesleycollege. unitingchurch.org.au. The brochure includes information about lay leadership, preparation for ministry and continuing education opportunities. WORSHIP services and Bible studies from the recent Presbytery and Synod meeting are available on DVD for $5. To order, call Chris Hutchinson on 8227 0822, 0403 025 830 or email chris@sa.uca.org. au. MIND Fitness is a workshop designed to give information and encouragement towards actively looking after your mind and memory. For further information call Elizabeth Alvey on 8278 5249 or email elavey@picknowl.com.au. THE SA Sudanese Community Association is now located at 16 King Street, Prospect, phone/fax (08) 8342 5939. Working hours are Monday 9am to 5pm and Wednesday 9am to 5pm. On other days, phone 83542951 and ask for Sudanese caseworker. CONGREGATIONS, faith communities and small groups are encouraged to reflect on and celebrate international Human Rights Day through Uniting Justice internet based resources at http://nat.uca.org. au/unitingjustice/transformingsociety/humanrights/ UNhumanrightsday2006.htm HIGHBURY St Fund applications for theological training for people from non- English speaking backgrounds close soon. Please email Lyn Leane at lyn@sa.uca.org.au for assistance, forms and further information.
New Times Letters continued from page 16. CONSUMERISM I WAS delighted with an email from a student in response to my letter on overpopulation (New Times, August). I wonder if any others were concerned? My comment this time is about the consumer society. Do we as concerned Christians have any policy or broad outlook on this modern scourge of society? It can not obviously come under the heading of doctrine! Think of the massive use of raw materials, energy, water, to produce useless plastic toys for children who already have more than enough! And what of I-Pods and the many electronic gadgets which end up being unused? This consumer society has led Australia to have a negative balance of payments, while China has a trillion dollar surplus! We just can’t afford it. Add climate warming to the equation, and we have a problem. What does the church say? Why do we insist on so much paper posted out when we have email capacity? Can we have a campaign to address some of these issues? And, by the way, the more population the more consumers! Alan Jones Port Elliot
Helping people this Christmas From page 16. UnitingCare agencies also welcome donations of nonperishable food and money to help in preparing food hampers. For details of local UnitingCare agencies call 08 8236 4255 or visit www. sa.unitingcare.org.au. Tax deductible monetary donations can be made at any Commonwealth Bank branch. Money deposited in the “UCW Operation Santa” account will help UnitingCare Wesley agencies buy Christmas hampers and new toys. The UnitingCare Wesley agencies are also running a Christmas appeal in conjunction with local radio station Mix 102.3 on December 6. People will be able to donate nonperishable food, new toys and cash at five different locations throughout Adelaide. Details of drop off locations will be announced in the radio station’s breakfast show. UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide offices and Goodwill Stores are selling special Christmas tree baubles. Sale proceeds will help put food on the table and gifts under the tree for less fortunate families. UnitingCare Wesley fundraising and marketing
committee chairperson, Rev Don Catford, said by working together Uniting Church people and agencies can make Christmas a happy time for all. “For many people who struggle to overcome disadvantage or isolation, these gifts will bring joy and the encouragement of knowing that someone cares,” Don said.
Nativity Procession UNITINGCARE Wesley Adelaide is again welcoming in the festive season with an annual Nativity procession through the city centre. Pipes and Drums of the Royal Caledonian Society (SA) will lead the procession which will include three wise men on camels as well as Mary and Joseph and a baby Jesus. Dernancourt Uniting Church Sunday school children will fill in as angels and shepherds and Adelaide City councillors will act in other supporting roles. A combined city churches choir will sing Christmas carols. The procession will travel from the Parade Ground along North Terrace and Gawler Place arriving at a ‘Bethlehem stable’ under the Gawler Place canopy in Rundle Mall around 11.15 am on Saturday, December 2.
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Classifieds WORK WANTED
Wanted to Buy
EXPERIENCED GARDENER I thank my customers for 2006 and wish them well for 2007. Steve – “Your spare pair of hands” Phone 8346 0933
Antique suitcase or tin trunk full of old toys or models – tin toys – battery-worked toys, Dinky toys etc. Cash payments. Please phone 8271 6842
CARPETS LAID. Expert repairs. 0417 872 105 or 8344 4725
Piano Wanted Small upright, iron frame, overdampers. Stevie@Stirling, 8339 8656, mobile 0411 328 036
ACCOMMODATION MARION BAY HOLIDAY HOUSE Sea views, large deck, sleeps 5/6, new home, off peak and pensioner rates. Phone 0402 088 279.
For Sale 5- Church Pews of various lengths (approx 3 metre). Australian Oak – good condition. Best price:$130 each negotiable. Contact: Christine McCulloch, Salisbury Uniting Church. Phone: 08 8258 0245
Keep the wheels turning UNITING Church Adult Fellowship groups in South Australia are being urged to consider donating funds to Frontier Services to help cover escalating fuel costs. UCAF SA president Cynthia Gifford has launched a “Keep the Wheels Turning” campaign which will run until the end of next year. “At the end of each year, when many Fellowship Groups distribute their funds, they should think about the increasing cost of keeping patrol ministers on the road, serving people in remote communities,” she said. “In the past couple of years we raised funds to fight malaria in West Papua. “This time we’ve opted for a project closer to home. We hope to give a substantial sum to Frontier Services at the end of next year.”
Looking for a place to take your Church, Youth, School or Community group away? Use Venue Finder to enquire of 245 Christian Conference Centres and Camps (with over 23,500 beds nationally). Specify your requirements on the web site and only those centres that meet them will contact you.
www.venuefinder.org.au 1800 009 890
DECEMBER 2006
16
MAGAZINE
New Times
Helping people this Christmas YOUR HELP is needed to enable less fortunate people and families to enjoy a happy Christmas. Local UnitingCare agencies are packing more than 3,500 food hampers and preparing to distribute 13,000 gifts and toys to disadvantaged families this Christmas. UnitingCare SA executive officer, Rev Michaela Tiller, believes more families than ever will struggle to enjoy Christmas this year following the interest rate rise, unexpected job losses and the drought. “It’s clear that the need is greater this year than last year. Demand is likely to be up by at least 10 per cent,” Michaela said. “But I’m confident that South Australians will give generously to meet the increased need.” There are a number of ways Uniting Church members and congregations can join with UnitingCare in supporting the most vulnerable members of our community. UnitingCare agencies need donations of non-perishable food, money and new toys. New toys can be placed under Christmas trees in Target stores. Or “Angel” gift cards can be bought from Target stores. The proceeds will be used to buy gifts for people in need. Continued page 15.
Three wise UnitingCare people preparing to help those in need this Christmas – from left are Revs Don Catford, Michaela Tiller and Peter McDonald
To advertise in New Times: Contact Russell Baker phone 8361 6822 fax 8361 6833 email ribad@bigpond.com
DECEMBER 2006