June 2010
Discipleship matters
Issue 29, No 5 June 2010
buckling up for life-long faith
Preparing for tax-time and supporting UnitingWorld, p. 24
Being the change you want to see discipleship, Plan Be-style, p. 10-12
ISSN 0726-2612
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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 sa.uca.org.au/new-times-home. Articles and advertising do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor. Editor Caryn Rogers p. 8236 4230 e. crogers@sa.uca.org.au
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Finding God in the morning coffee As I trudge around, vowing to go to bed earlier ‘from now on’, an old praise&worship ditty will often materialise melodically in my mind:
Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness... Through gritted teeth with a weary, croaky morning voice, this song begins to emerge from my lips as though to coerce my whole world into this act of praise. After an initial grimace, the familiar tune’s upbeat clap-ability soon woos me to embrace the day – joyfully. This song might not be everyone’s musical cup of tea, and to be honest, it’s not normally mine. And yeah, it might seem a bit cheesy, but it puts me in the frame of mind that I want, no need, to be in before I venture out into the world where everyone else has to deal with me and my morning mood. I like this song because, at a deeper level, it talks about making an effort for God. Of returning to him with a whole
heart. Of rising to the challenges that life throws at you, and saying, ‘my faith will not be defeated.’ It talks about putting on clothes of praise that God gives to us. And it walks us through what we do:
Lift up your voice to God how we do it
Praise with the Spirit and with understanding, and - my favourite – why we do it.
O, magnify the Lord. Discipleship, to me, is a lot about making good, no godly choices, even when we don’t feel like it. Sometimes the garments of praise might seem a little ill-fitting. Sometimes they’re just right. What is constant though is this: God is always worthy of our praise. And so, even with gritted teeth and morning voice, I choose to magnify my Lord – because he deserves it, and as a disciple of his, I actively choose to do what he asks. Yes, I sing and talk to myself,
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When I wake up in the morning, I spring out of bed, fling the blind open with a smile, stretch delightedly upwards and sing out to the world, ‘Good morning!’ Actually, that’s not me. In fact, that’s not someone I generally like to meet early in the morning. No, I am not a morning person. In fact, to embrace hyperbole and bad grammar, I am the most un-morning person you’ll ever meet. I’m a snooze button hitter. A repeat offender usually. After about half an hour of snoozing, occasionally lifting eyelids and self-cajoling, I generally manage to emerge from my cocoon of slumber and drag myself moodily into the day. Leaning over my (oh-sodelightful) morning coffee, forking some breakfast towards my face and attempting to catch up on some homework, I grizzle, gripe and groan to myself about the day ahead.
Caryn Rogers
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he New Testament writers rejoiced as people came to know Jesus Christ - in their mind, that moment began a lifelong journey. The writers desired disciples who were constantly growing into the likeness of Christ, not people who stayed babes in the faith. In the lectionary this month, there are many readings from the Gospel of John. One recurring theme is that God, and Jesus, want to make their home in us. Discipleship is primarily about that relationship.
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Discipleship, after all, is about following Jesus. Growing to maturity as Christians is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit in us but, clearly, we can frustrate or facilitate that work.
Discipleship, for me, is an adventure. I have thoroughly enjoyed being led by the Spirit and have ended up in places that I would not have dreamt up on my own. Following the Spirit has led me to a fullness of life that my own (safer?) choices would never have produced. This sense of adventure has never lessened. So discipleship is responsiveness to the Spirit of God. It is also about discipline. There is no substitute for prayer, studying the scripture and those who write about the scriptures, worship, service and developing the skills that we need for the Call upon our lives. These things help us to know Christ and live like him. Discipleship is also about availability. The scriptures record many stories of surprising people being chosen for critical tasks in the community of faith. They didn’t always have the right qualifications, there was sometimes a trail of personal disasters and fear was ever
present, yet God saw something in them that was right for the task. Their reluctant and delayed obedience did finally achieve the task before them and lead to personal and corporate growth. The community of faith is also critical to discipleship. Many years ago I recall the story of a young man who had handled the enormous National Christian Youth Convention budget with great competence. When he finished this task he approached the leadership of his congregation and offered his skills. They discussed his offer and decided that they could trust him to count the offering. He left that church and went to one where his gifts were valued. Mostly, my experience has been quite different to this. People have very often asked me to do things before I thought that I was ready for them. They supported, encouraged and even cajoled me - their trust led me to places where I had to live by faith; I continue to be truly grateful to these people. My adventure of discipleship continues. I don’t know what my future will be and I rather like it like that. I do know that God will go with me though; that is all I need.
Stewardship and property – oil and water? Barry Atwell, General Manager Resources, Uniting Church SA Congregational property assets are to be valued as Kingdom assets, not as items on a balance sheet. But what happens if just some of the buildings on our balance sheet are not serving the Church effectively anymore simply because of where they are located is it good stewardship to hang on to them? If a building is no longer useful missionally, what options are there? The property itself obviously still has worth and this worth should be considered in a wider, Kingdom context revolving around the concept of ‘property bequests’. The worth of these buildings could be bequested to:
Mission and Service Fund The bequest would be used to finance further implementation of the Uniting Church SA Strategic Plan after the funds committed for this plan run out in 2011. The Strategic Plan is critical to the growth of the Uniting Church in South Australia through conversion growth, new models of mission and ministry, growing leaders and championing justice.
Uniting Foundation The properties at Epworth Parkside and Maylands kickstarted the Uniting Foundation – what a valuable bequest to the life of mission and ministry in the Uniting Church SA by the Glenunga and Maylands congregations!
Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) The former Ingle-Pooraka congregation property is likely to be transferred to Congress for use as their state headquarters. We are looking forward to discovering further ways to support the UAICC as we covenant together as a reconciling church.
If you are a church council member, I would like you to consider whether it’s time to make a property bequest for any of your congregation’s buildings that are no longer missionally effective. If you know of such a property, don’t despair - it might have a higher alternative future use. Consider the seed planted!
Tony Abbott’s historical view promotes disturbing doctrine The Uniting Church in Australia has warned that Tony Abbott’s denial of Australia’s discriminatory past promotes a disturbing and socially divisive doctrine which could erode historical facts of national importance. Uniting Church President Rev Alistair Macrae said the comments made by the Leader of the Opposition revealed a very selective reading of our nation’s history and ignored Australia’s legacy of Indigenous and migrant discrimination. “If Tony Abbott is claiming that Australia has had a fairer, more diverse and more easy-
going past than the ‘black armband view’ of our history then he needs to demonstrate that with facts and not just rhetoric,” said Alistair. National Administrator of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, Rev Shayne Blackman, said Tony Abbott’s view that Aborigines were ‘sometimes’ treated cruelly is a gross understatement of an attempt to rewrite the history books for political gain. “It is a fact that Indigenous Australians were often cruelly treated, forced until relatively recently into hostile places and even massacred. We see
the results of this today in the range of tragic Indigenous socio-economic outcomes in this nation. “If Tony Abbott believes that these tragic events happened only infrequently I challenge him to engage with the broader Indigenous community who are still suffering the lingering effects of our nation’s legacy towards its original inhabitants.” “It is unarguable that Australia has a history of discrimination especially towards Aboriginal people,” Alistair concurred. “It is also a fact that racially based discrimination continues to
overshadow Australia’s long and rich dimension of peaceful and fruitful cultural and linguistic diversity. “While we cannot change the past, we need to accurately describe it in order to work for a more just and equitable future for all Australians.” “In this election year people want leaders who can demonstrate moral fortitude, truth and a commitment to learning from the past to enact policies that will deliver just, equitable and prosperous futures – not attempting to rewrite history for political persuasion,” finished Shayne.
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Stewardship and Property are two areas people would normally see as very unrelated topics. But let me plant a stewardship-seed in your property-thinking. I was trawling through our Presbytery and Synod financial statements the other day, as I do, and I was reminded that the auditors had required us to include in these statements a conservative valuation of the Uniting Church’s SA congregational land and buildings. The figure is sure to shock you – it’s $205 million. Now that’s a BIG number! Now if we assume that 98% of buildings are working well for the Church, the other 2% could provide $4.0 million for other mission purposes. That’s a big number as well. I can hear you saying, ‘Barry, it’s not right to put a monetary value on any of our assets used for ministry and mission – you’re just being mercenary!’ Bear with me - I know it’s not all about numbers.
Take action on gambling Mark Henley and Rev Graham Pitman, Uniting Church SA Churches Gambling Taskforce Dear Prime Minister, I am deeply concerned the number of people with gambling problems across Australia is estimated to be around 150,000. The impacts of problem gambling include suicides, relationship breakdown, bankruptcy, lowered productivity, job losses, depression and crime. Before the last election you said you ‘hated’ pokies and would do something about the harm they cause. Now is the time to take action. I ask you to make a big difference in this area to reduce the suffering caused by problem gambling, and, in particular:
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• set the maximum a gambler can lose on the pokies to $1 per button push; • limit opening hours of pokie areas to between 10am and midnight; • limit the maximum losses on pokies to $120/hr; • ban ATMs in pokie venues; and • introduce an effective and universal system to allow gamblers to set loss and time limits on pokies. I also ask that you continue to prevent online casinos and pokie venues from targeting Australian customers. Signed …….
Australian Christians are being asked to participate in a postcard campaign urging the Prime Minister to take leadership in acting on reducing gambling harm. The Australian Government has recently released* a significant report into gambling in Australia, produced by the Productivity Commission. The report will set out specific and tangible actions that governments can undertake. Many of these measures, however, will be actively campaigned against by the gambling industry. The Victorian and South Australian interchurch heads of Churches gambling taskforces are cooperating to mobilise church and community concern to encourage the Commonwealth and State Governments to take prompt action to reduce gambling harm. Postcard campaigns have proved to be effective in tangibly demonstrating community concern to parliamentarians, which is why we have produced
a postcard focussed on reducing gambling harm. The words on the card are shown in column one. Individuals and groups from South Australian Uniting Church parishes are encouraged to be part of the campaign. It is more effective if groups or parishes can order a number of cards for their whole group or parish. Simply obtain a post card, sign it and post it – the sooner cards are posted, the better. This simple action will lead to a reduction in gambling harm. Please, get involved. Cards and further information are available from Mark Henley; email Mark.Henley@ucwesleyadelaide. org.au (preferred) or phone 0404 067 011. *This government report had not been released by the New Times deadline, but release is anticipated by the time of New Times distribution.
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Uniting Church launches TV ad The Uniting People campaign continues to gain momentum with the launch of a television advertisement. “Our ad presents the church as being about uniting people – about you, me and everyone else working together for a better community,” explains Shannon Short, Communications and Public Relations Manager. “People know that as the Church we’re about God - that’s a given. But we also want them to think – oh, a church that’s about listening, caring and building community …. that’s the kind of church I feel good about. That’s the kind of church I might connect with.
“Faith sharing still happens at an individual and local level. This advertisement is about underpinning grassroots ministry with a broad contemporary message saying, ‘we’re a dynamic, relevant church’.” Coming from measured perceptions and extensive research of the Uniting Church, the aim of the advertisement was to raise the profile of Uniting Church SA - not just to get people into ‘pews’. “We’re hoping it breaks down a little of the stereotype that says ‘church equals judgement and criticism’. “It was very tempting to
Photo: Caryn Rogers “Building on the Uniting People theme, the advertisement positions the church as a relevant contemporary organisation making a positive difference in our community.” The advertisement is a key outcome for the Raising our Profile (KD5) team as part of the implementation of the Uniting Church’s strategic plan. The 45 second advertisement can be seen on Network 10, WIN and Southern Cross. A longer online version can be seen on YouTube and at unitingpeople.org.au
Uniting People campaign wins award Uniting People, the Uniting Church SA’s profile raising campaign, has won an advertising industry award. The ‘Jingle Bells’ radio advertisement has won the audio category at the 33rd Adelaide Advertising & Design Club Awards announced last month. The awards are for the
best advertising, design and digital work produced in the last 12 months in South Australia. Entries are judged by over 50 creative directors and specialists from all over Australia. The advertisement was created by local advertising and creative business, Jamshop, who have been working
with the Uniting Church SA Communications and Public Relations team on the Uniting People campaign. The advertisement aired in December last year. It began with a group of people joyfully singing the carol Jingle Bells. As the song progressed, the voices dwindled to one lonely
woman singing on her own. The commercial concluded: No-one should be alone this Christmas. The advertisement was also a finalist in the national Siren Awards.
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Photo: Shannon Short
produce an advert that lists everything our church offers. But, amongst the clutter of other advertising messages, we needed something with more ‘cut-through’ - to use advertising speak. “People are inundated with advertising – if we want Uniting Church SA to stand out in people’s minds, which we do, our ad needs to stand out from other TV commercials. This is why we enlisted the help of Jamshop and Oasis, two leading South Australian companies, to produce an outstanding advertisement. Jamshop have been extremely creative and innovative with our minimal budget.
Wanted Study Peers For Distance Students Studying Semester 2, 2010 Bachelor of Theology Through Adelaide College of Divinity Beat the tyranny of distance, share experience, resources, learning and encouragement Periodic Face to face support within the South East of SA or Skype for greater distance Possible Topics: Interpreting the Old Testament or Interpreting the New Testament Enquiries to Bruce Collins Ph AH 08 8726 6306 or collbenj@bigpond.com
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Tax act leaves vulnerable hanging Susan Helyar, National Director, UnitingCare Australia The final piece in the Government’s current ambitious reform agenda was put in place with the release of the Henry Tax Review and the Government’s response to that review. UnitingCare Australia contributed several times to this review because taxation is one of the most important tools at our disposal for achieving economic justice and is vital to a flourishing society. Central to an effective tax system is the premise that people contribute, according to their means, to the wellbeing of the whole community. Australia’s tax system needed substantial reform to ensure it supported the Government in fulfilling its responsibility to ensure every citizen has the means to live a decent life and create opportunities for all Australians to belong, contribute and be valued. But despite the broad sweep of recommendations
in Australia’s Future Tax System, the Government has limited its response to introducing a new resources tax which will be used to fund a range of superannuation and company tax concessions and infrastructure improvements. All decisions on personal income tax, personal benefits, pensions, housing, welfare and aged care have been postponed, possibly to be announced during the election campaign. I hope the delay in providing a comprehensive Government response to this once in a generation review is not a sign that the Government has lost momentum following the 18-month-long consultation in the lead up to the release of the review. We must consider how to ensure people living on low incomes, including those on income support, get a better deal out of the tax system; remove anomalies and poverty
traps for people moving from welfare to work; and address the sustainability of social services, including how best to ensure adequacy and certainty of funding. Without considerable reform it will be difficult for services to support the growing needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable people and communities across Australian. Prompt action is needed to address gaps in Australia’s social infrastructure and constraints on achieving better social outcomes. Prompt and collaborative action on these issues will demonstrate the Government is going to deliver fully on its ambitious and absolutely necessary social inclusion agenda. *Original article published online at www.eurekastreet.com.au on 3 May, 2010.
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“Everyone who sees Jesus and follows him is a disciple,” comments Simon. “You can’t be a Christian, ‘knowing’ the Father without, at the same time, being a disciple. “Discipleship is not something we choose to do, like a job in the church. Nor is discipleship something reserved for those who are inclined to ‘that sort of thing’.” The way people heed Oprah’s every word and study Elvis’ dance moves actually offers us some inspiration on how we need to be seeking to study and emulate Christ.
Simon explains, “On a practical note, discipleship happens through engaging with God, hearing the gospel afresh through the reading of Scripture, participating and serving in a worshipping community, through intimate and vulnerable small groups who share and encourage each other in gospel living and in our calling to share in the mission of Jesus.” In essence, a disciple’s whole life is to be about and for Jesus, following him with heart, soul, body and mind. Which is why Simon warns, “Discipleship fails when we think it is all about us! However, when we discover through the Word (ie Jesus) that God is the worker in mission, to us and through us, then discipleship becomes a joy and a privilege.” Jesus also commands us to go and make disciples of other people. If you’re a little daunted by this prospect – maybe you’ve delegated it to the ‘too hard’ basket – Pathways is for you. It’s an assessment tool which enables church leaders to identify their strengths and weaknesses in processes for growing adult disciples. More information on this is available from the strategic plan website – www.strategicplan.sa.uca. org.au. While the task of making disciples is not one to be ignored, often our apprehension comes from the mistaken belief that it’s all up to us. Indeed, the Parable of the Sower tells us that not everyone who hears the Word will grow mature in it and become a strong disciple. So how do we reconcile this with our efforts to obey Jesus and make disciples of others, knowing that sometimes, they may not grow? Simon explains that our obligation extends to obedience and love, and the results belong to God; “We are called to obedience and love. Indeed that is the only obligation we have to each other. We keep the results of our labour in God’s hand because it is ultimately his work. Yes we need wisdom on how to exercise our love but growth, be it ours or someone else’s, is not our responsibility but God’s as explained in the Parable the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26ff).” “We are called and empowered by the love of God to the obedience of faith (which usually means trust in God’s provision in Christ and living that out in practical ways). Yes, we work and we work hard but the results belong to God.” As we explore discipleship in the following pages, why don’t you take some time to reflect on your own commitment to following Jesus. Who do you know more about; Oprah, Elvis or Jesus?
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He was considered one of the greatest crooners the world had ever seen; his silky voice and daring hip thrusts reduced ladies to tears while blokes secretly wished they could be more like him. Elvis still lives on today through numerous impersonators, bringing the memory of ‘The King’ alive for those who wish he still was (or believe he still is). She is an influential person in America and the world, with millions watching her television show, reading her magazines and writing letters exclaiming, ‘you’ve turned my life around!’ Oprah Winfrey sits on set each day facing an adoring audience hanging from every word she has to say. While the audience can never impersonate Oprah they’ll do whatever she says, and buy whatever she recommends. These people, so enamoured by their idols, are more than just diehard fans. They’re disciples. Yes – you can be a disciple of someone other than Jesus! Old Testament prophets had their own disciples, so did John the Baptist. And these days, celebrities have many, many disciples. Essentially, the word ‘disciple’ means ‘pupil’ or ‘learner’. It’s also commonly understood to mean ‘follower’ – but we’re talking a diehard follower, not just a ‘going with the flow’ kind of follower. So what does a Christian disciple look like? What does it mean to be a disciple? Rev Simon Dent, Minister at Clare Uniting Church, is part of the team which looks after the third key direction of the strategic plan – Growing Disciples. He believes we need to shift our mindset from seeing discipleship as something we do, to something that is at the very core of our faith, and our being.
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Be-attitudes from the heart “Plan A has been to treat others like they treat us; Plan Be is to treat others how we would like to be treated,” comments Dave Andrews, in his book Plan Be. “The trouble with an ‘eye-for-an-eye’ policy is that in the end it makes us ‘blind’ – we are no longer able to see - let alone do - the sort of things that make for peace and love and justice.”
The book, and associated resources, help readers engage in a real-world connection to the beatitudes, or be-attitudes as Dave prompts, eliciting action, obedience and a heart for living out God’s love. Dave Andrews was the keynote speaker at the February Presbytery and Synod meeting, a strategic approach made by the Uniting Church SA’s core discipleship team – with the support of Uniting College and the MRN. Plan Be is geared to stimulate social action on a personal, community and global scale in eight short weeks. The Plan Be materials (book, study guide, daily action guide and DVD) are a ‘jumping off’ point for communities to grab hold of the be-attitudes and put them into practice.
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The following three pages are some ways Uniting Churches and agencies are working with or ‘revisiting’ the be-attitudes. Resources can be purchased through the MRN centre in the Uniting Church SA office.
Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Jeremy Brown, CEO for UnitingCare Adelaide East I still remember the first time I read this verse and thought to myself, ‘shouldn’t this be the other way around?’ I thought being blessed meant the opposite. Through the ups and downs of my own life, I’ve come to learn that it is in times of difficulty that we find God.
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As human beings we tend to have a great deal of pride in our own abilities. We like to believe that we are in control, independent and can overcome anything that life throws at us. It’s not until we begin to fail, stumble and fall that our egos are stripped back and we find ourselves in need of rescue. It is at this very humbling point that we are most likely to open our hearts and ask for God to take hold of our lives.
Photo: Jill Freear.
In actual fact, God is with us all of the time. He is there for both the good times and the bad. However, it is when we are poor in spirit and running on empty that we realise we can’t do it on our own. We need to let God into our lives so that we can be renewed. At UnitingCare, we come into contact with people everyday who are ‘poor in spirit.’ We also find ourselves in the same boat at many points throughout the year. For me this verse serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, God is right there by our side. For this we are truly blessed.
Blessed are those that mourn for they will be comforted Rev Judi Hartwig, Westbourne Park Uniting Church silent, mournings with people, the more support for the service we found – and not just from within the church. Advertising executives, composers, photographers and printers all wanted to pitch in to help us. We invited locals to join us for a reflective service, open to all, and also contacted SIDS, the Teddy Love Club and various hospitals to inform them of this safe space to mourn with others who could understand this kind of loss. People were invited to name their child before God, light a candle and reflect - we offered those in attendance the hope that nobody is lost to God. We sat and mourned with those that were mourning, some after many years of suffering. Those who were part of the team putting this together were
blessed by being able to ‘be’ with those who mourn. Beyond the Chrysanthemum is a service held on a Saturday evening one week before Mother’s Day at Westbourne Park Uniting Church.
Blessed are those who hunger (for cake) and thirst (for coffee) for they will be satisfied Martyn Smith, The Difference Coffeehouse Where are the jobs that are easy and satisfying? How about Resort Assessor – swanning around in posh resorts and hotels ‘assessing’ facilities? I do suspect that resort-assessing is actually not all that easy though (living out of a suitcase etc) and probably only moderately satisfying. In fact, I think that perhaps easy and satisfying don’t go together. About 18 months ago I started a process to establish a coffee shop with the purpose of addressing poverty and disadvantage. The journey has been an emotional roller coaster littered with ethical conflicts. I’ve made more mistakes since mid-2008 than in the whole rest of my work life.
Yes, it’s both the most difficult and the most satisfying thing I’ve done. While our small suburban coffee shop is not yet able to support itself, the enterprise is already supporting the long-term growth of communities around the world including in Ethiopia, northern Peru and rural China. In just five months, our customers funded education, health and economic development projects in various countries and provided Christmas lunch for homeless people in Adelaide. And let’s not start on donations for emergency relief! I have found that blessing – deep, enduring happiness – comes through hunger and thirst. It comes from an ongoing and substantial desire. If we
want to be blessed, satisfied, filled - we have to hunger and thirst, for righteousness. We have to desire to be right with God, to live the way He would have us live. Oh, and I think this kind of hunger and thirst is active. It’s not possible to separate the desire from action. Some of us don’t have the desire and some of us don’t do the work. We want satisfaction, without sacrifice. The guaranteed way to be really happy, to be satisfied deep inside, is to really want to be friends with God. And by ‘really want’ I mean the kind of desire that must be acted upon.
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We started the Beyond the Chrysanthemum service because while we were experiencing a ‘baby boom’ in our playgroup, one of ‘our’ mothers suffered a miscarriage. After chats together, we realised how many people had been touched by infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth and infant mortality; so, the idea of this special service began to evolve. We discovered how people felt they had to simply ‘get on with life’ and were generally not given the opportunity to grieve. This was particularly the story of many older women who had held onto their hidden pain for decades. We also began to hear of, and realise, the pain of those who had given children up for adoption. The more we talked about these significant, yet often
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy
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Rev Trevor Whitney, Disabilities Ministries Chaplain Uniting Church SA I found myself sitting next to Agnes as she lay peacefully half asleep in her bed. Agnes was an elderly woman who had lived her life with a significant level of impairment, in a facility that accommodates people with intellectual disability. She had been in the grips of an advanced state of dementia for a number of years. She offered little in terms of verbal communication, but valued company. Agnes was close to death. I sat there for some time stroking her arm, saying little. Eventually I felt it was time to leave, especially as Agnes seemed to be sleeping peacefully. However, as I began to move she lifted her frail arm and gently but decisively took hold of my hand and placed it next to her. I sat with her for
some considerable further time. I was more than humbled. Here I was, a Uniting Church chaplain, a professional carer, there to care for her and yet, through her simple gesture, my professional status melted away. It counted for nothing. I had come to her bearing my experience and expertise, my desire to serve, with some satisfaction, but now I felt stripped bare of all the securities that fed my ego, my sense of worth. I felt vulnerable, wounded, the one who really needed love and care. But at the same time, in Agnes’ gentle clasp, I also felt acceptable. Beneath my layers of pretension, amidst my humanity, I felt redeemed. Blessed are those who receive mercy, for they shall learn mercy.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God Tom Ganderton, UnitingWorld Communications Coordinator Tari is located approximately 1800 metres above sea level in Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Southern Highlands province. The locals live traditional lifestyles with a colourful and vibrant culture. Conflict and unrest between villages and tribes in this region, however, have
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posed a development problem in PNG for decades. Not only does this unrest prevent a peaceful life, it prevents local organisations from addressing development issues such as access to basic health care and education services. More recently, approval for an Exxon Mobil-led, liquefied-natural gas project in the Southern Highlands has created a new source of tension for locals. The project, due to start in 2014 with
a lifespan of over 30 years, will pipe gas through 700 kilometres of pipelines to a storage facility near Port Moresby. Involving an investment of around $15 billion, the deal is expected to double the size of the PNG economy, providing an estimated return of $30 billion. This is the largest deal ever signed in the Pacific. But for the local residents of rural PNG, the outcomes are not so bright and shiny. The deal only includes a 2.8 percent share for local residents and, despite the size of the investment, the operating mine is expected to employ less than 1000 locals. UnitingWorld Associate Director for Peacemaking programs, Ms Joy Balazo, is concerned about the effects the gas deal is having on local communities.
Photo: UnitingWorld.
“This battle of haves versus have-nots is causing significant tension,” commented Joy. “I’ve seen with my own eyes the effect this is having on these communities. “More peacemaking is desperately needed to help prevent a return to violence.” Joy is hopeful that the UnitingWorld Young Ambassadors for Peace (YAP) program can help continue what has already been achieved in Tari and is confident that these workshops will help stem destructive conflict. A new YAP workshop will be established in the nearby town of Como. In the second half of 2010, two additional peacebuilding workshops will be held back to back, to train local community leaders in peaceful conflict resolution.
people in need of the impact this community can offer them - a friendly face and a neighbourly love. Leadership for Life is organised by Earth, the Uniting Church SA’s Mission Resource Network for young adults, and is the major annual development event for young adults within the Uniting Church. Leadership for Life combines worship, bible study and small groups with opportunities to put what is learnt into practice. Last year, attendees learnt from local Adelaide leaders about advocacy, how to get a new justice project off the ground and what choosing non-violence could look like in their daily life. “Three years ago I attended my first conference, with nervous anticipation,” reflects 21-year-old student, Rowan Steele. “I knew only one other person and I wasn’t sure why I was even going to a leadership conference.”
“My nervousness soon subsided. It was the first time I had been able to explore the ‘life’ questions I had in my head with other young Christians. “I have gone to Leadership for Life every year since.” Through the opportunities, skills and experiences Rowan gained at Leadership for Life, he conceived and commenced The J Project. Supported by the Uniting Church SA’s Strategic Plan, The J Project provides practical opportunities for uni students to make a difference while exploring faith and justice issues. Minister at Rosefield, Earth’s ‘home’, Rev Phil Hoffman says that church leaders and members have a role to play in the success of Leadership for Life – even though they don’t attend.
“This is a great opportunity for young adults, but they need to be encouraged to attend and then be supported when they come back to their congregation.” This year’s Leadership for Life will be held 20-22 August at Woodhouse Activity Centre. The theme ‘Bringing It Home’ will focus on local mission opportunities and the main speaker will be Adrian “Age” Greenwood from Victoria. To register, contact Earth Ministry Development Officer Louise Hill at earth@rosefield.org.au or on 8271 9528.
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discipleship
A young face emerges, smiling, from inside a big, green rubbish skip. In hand are some perfectly packaged buns baked that day, vegetables with minor blemishes and a colouringin book. And in the next bin, she finds enough perfectly packaged, unspoilt food to feed herself and 35 friends. At the same time, not too far away, a normally dark and quiet laneway in the inner city is being lit up by the sound and sight of young people dancing. They have just emerged from the backdoor of a local soup kitchen, to take a break and share a moment of joy with some new friends who will be sleeping rough that night. These young people will soon meet up again with their other Leadership for Life friends who shared dinner with a young mother and her baby, or with a retired couple, or an older widow, or any number of other
Faithful discipleship…
discipleship
Rev Angie Griffin
In 1948, Housing Trust homes began to be built on Vermont’s former cow paddocks. Returned servicemen and young families moved into the homes and the neighborhood grew and expanded. Soon, Methodist meetings began in local homes. Vermont Methodist Church opened in 1950, within the Plympton Circuit, after the Methodist Conference purchased land for such a purpose. Citizens of the region settled with their families and responded to the call to ‘build the church’ - both physically and theologically. Adults and children practised ‘being the church’ through worship, Sunday School, sporting and social groups, fellowship, joining in with and creating community. From humble beginnings, the church grew in number and in vibrancy; subsequent development resulted in the current Vermont church building opening in 1965. Congregations such as Vermont are built on a faithfulness and commitment to a way of life forged by the strength of spirit from a post-
60 years ‘young’ war era. This is attested to by the average age of the Vermont congregation: 79.2! As some community members have commented, ‘there must be something in the water around South Plympton,’ but I believe it probably has more to do with the sense of community and the importance of faith in these people’s lives than what’s in the water! Even in their advancing years, Vermont Uniting’s fruits of faithfulness and commitment are revealed in their ongoing ministry to each other, and mission beyond, in the midst of a renewing suburban district.
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Our shared experiences have strengthened our resilience to face and live through the vagaries of social, environmental, physical, emotional and spiritual changes and challenges. UnitingCare’s paper ‘Valuing Ageing and Aged Care’ affirms that, “all people have intrinsic value and older people have…a just claim to be heard…a right to participate in community as fully as they wish…the right to opportunities to enhance their life chances and quality of life.” As the Vermont congregation prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary on Sunday 1 August, we encourage others to honour
the wisdom gained through faithful discipleship; to constantly seek ways of acknowledging our interdependence and to witness to the benefits of faith, hope and love as core essentials of our human existence.
Ethel Cook, Betty Steer, and Val Lucas were members of the original 1950 Vermont Methodist Church congregation and are still attending members of the congregation today.
Discipling modern healers Allan George
Rev Bill Edwards, former Superintendent of Ernabella Mission Over the weekend of Palm Sunday, celebrations were held to mark the restoration and reopening of the Ernabella church. Established as a Presbyterian mission in 1937, church services were held outdoors, until a brush church with spinifex roofing was erected in 1944. In 1952 the large church building, constructed of cement blocks made and laid by local Pitjantjatjara men, was opened. On that day, 20 young people were baptised – the first-fruits of the Ernabella church. From 1 January 1974 the church handed over administration of Ernabella to a local incorporated community, Pukatja. From its beginnings at
Ernabella, the Pitjantjatjara/ Yankunytjatjara church expanded as new settlements, including Fregon, Amata, Mimili and Indulkana, were established in the region. The Pitjantjatjara parish became part of the new Uniting Church in Australia in 1977 and by 1980 approximately 500 adults had been baptised and 25 Elders ordained. By the 1990s the church building was used less frequently as many services were conducted from an outdoor platform. Listed on the State Heritage Sites register in 2001, the building was closed in 2006 because of asbestos. While closed, damage was sustained to windows and doors.
Church and community leaders requested government assistance to restore the building; in 2009 the asbestos was removed and a work party repaired other damage. A large crowd of locals and visitors gathered for the reopening celebrations. All who attended the celebrations found them inspiring with the warmth of fellowships and renewing of friendships. The Pitjantjatjara/ Yankunytjatjara churches need the prayers and support of the wider church as they face the challenge of change. To read more about the Ernabella mission and the opening, head online to sa.uca.org.au/new-times-home
discipleship
An article in April New Times raised questions about the general decline in focus on healing ministry in the local church. To help redress this shortcoming a group of senior ministers, who over the years have engaged in this aspect of ministry, recently gathered for a symposium on the healing ministry. Their shared experience covers more than 60 years of ministry in numerous South Australian parishes. The purpose of the exercise was not a ‘good old days’ lament, but an attempt to gather material from parishes concerning significant initiatives in the exercise of this ministry, both past and present. This was done in the hope that young leaders could learn from the past and be encouraged in their contemporary expression of this biblical mandate ‘to heal the sick’; an act which has become so complex in nature. The collated material includes resources that have influenced and encouraged six past ministers in their parish ministry over the years as well as reports of the significant fruits that emerged from such ministries. Current healing ministries are noted but inconclusive, due to the difficulty in obtaining feedback from busy, present-day pastors. The final symposium reports have resulted in a 22-page document available electronically for any persons wishing to know more about this ministry. To access these reports please email me on acgeorge@adam.com.au. Many other ministers could have been consulted, but our intention was to open up the issue presently. Perhaps from this new report we may gain other ministers’ helpful reflections to add to the paper ad infinitum.
Re-opening of the Ernabella Church
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The Methodist mission of caring Carole Davidson, Board President, Resthaven
discipleship
R
eaching a milestone of 75 years is no mean feat for any organisation. To me the underlying ‘mission’ of Resthaven’s beginning is one element in explaining its long life. While we celebrate 1935 as our birth year, Resthaven’s original vision shaped into being over a three year gestation period. In 1932, the Methodist Conference was held with a back drop of great suffering
as the Depression bit into the Australian economy. Resources had contracted for both the State and Church, unemployment rose and housing was of a poor standard with many living in derelict abodes. Many elderly who had served the church all their lives had no home or family to care for them. The Conference looked to provide hope and help to a dispirited population. Rev CE Schafer brought forward a practical suggestion - the establishment of a home for elderly people to provide ‘security, serenity, and rest in life’s eventide’.
In 1935, the Conference established a Home for Aged Women at Brighton, to be known as Rest Haven. Some 32 years later, when the Westbourne Park site was opened, the Board reinforced its original vision – to serve aged persons in their time of need; to give shelter and comfort; to provide a full and meaningful life with caring Christian love. Resthaven provides older South Australians and their
carers with outstanding care and support. We – as staff, volunteers, residents and clients – value respect, integrity, choice, individuality, independence, belonging, resourcefulness, safety and well-being. Resthaven, after 75 years of service, will continue to provide help for older South Australians in need of care and we, the people of Resthaven, continue to resonate with the mission of our founding fathers.
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Chairing the future Jo Watts, KCO and SAYCO Event Officer In 2006, we, as the executive committee, knew that Josh was preparing for the police force and saw an opportunity – we approached him to be the coordinator of the security team. And so, Officer Scherer officially joined Team SAYCO. After fulfilling this role for two years, Josh expressed that he would like to undertake a more pastoral role; he felt this was where God was leading him. So he created and coordinated the successful SAYCO ‘tribes’ initiative in 2008-2009. As Rev Ruthmary Bond came to the end of her five-year tenure as chairperson, the executive began to pray about which young person we could raise up to fill her shoes. After years of seeing him grow and understand God’s voice for
himself, Josh Scherer was a name that we just couldn’t go past. After having seen a number of young people grow in their leadership skills as they attended the camps, we felt the call to raising leaders was one of the God-given strengths of SAYCO; we were determined to strategically nurture it. That’s why, in 2009, we launched a mentored leadership program. For more information visit www.sa.uca.org.au/goto/sayco, email sayco@sa.uca.org.au or find us on Facebook.
Join us for SAYCO: Our Revolution, 2-4 October 2010.
Josh Scherer, an officer in the police force and member of SAYCO Alumni, has now taken up the mantle of SAYCO Board Chairperson. Photo: Luke Greaves.
discipleship
SAYCO (South Australian Youth Camp Out) is a great place for growing church leaders. This leadership growth is a natural flow-on affect from the nurture and growth of young believers, which is our core business with SAYCO. Our vision is to create an event for young people that encourages them in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; motivating them to action. One of the young leaders who has taken up the leadership challenge is Joshua Scherer, our new board chairperson. Having attended SAYCO for the past 11 years, Josh’s investment with us has changed over time. Coming firstly as a camper, then as a group leader, security coordinator and tribes’ coordinator, Josh has now welcomed his new challenge.
Cornering volunteers Geoff Gill, The Corner Uniting Church The Corner Uniting Church at Warradale has been open to the wider community for two and a half years now and, in that time, has exceeded all expectations in attracting people to it. There are many rewards for being a volunteer as part of the life and mission of our contemporary community church centre, like meeting and working with people who share a servant heart, and the fulfilment of serving our local community. Volunteering is also an ideal opportunity to gain work experience or try our hand at something new. Some of our workers have obtained permanent employment as a result of their skills gained at The Corner. There are many roles available at various times throughout the week with our playgroup, cafe, op shop and more! Please contact Reception at The Corner Uniting Church on 8350 5400 for more information.
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letters to ed Minor differences, major negativity
Staying in touch with NT
I am a member of the Unitarian Church of South Australia which welcomes into its fellowship a range of theists, agnostics and atheists. This superficially strange combination has stood the test of time over hundreds of years – 150 years in South Australia. My purpose for writing is to respond, on behalf of Unitarian atheists, to the letter by A. Jago in your April New Times edition. After criticising atheists for negativity, his letter seemed to overflow with the same sentiment. I mention that there are many atheists on this planet who express love in a multitude of ways including a selfless care for others in need. After discussing our minor differences with a Christian Minister recently, he wisely stated, “I am glad to stand with Unitarians to make the world a better place rather than waste our lives and resources on being adversaries.” I wholeheartedly agree and hope Mr Jago can see the wisdom of this statement.
I am a UCA minister in Tennant Creek (from Adelaide). The New Times has been part of our reading, spiritual, keeping in touch, communication diet for decades. The lovely people in the Frontier Services support group pay for us to have a copy of New Times, but I am sorry that I have to confess, that I hadn’t read it regularly for a while. Your new copy came today and WOW it looks good, tastes good and is good. So thank you and well done. I look forward to the next issue and I will not pass over it for its interstate rivals as I have been.
D Bilney, Campbelltown
Sharing concerns I have just read the letter from T Carter in the May New Times regarding ‘progressive Christianity’ and say a big ‘Amen’ to the sentiments expressed in that letter. All concerned Christians who have noted this distortion of the Christian gospel should pray for all member of the Uniting Church, both ordained and lay who seem to support and promote this apostasy, that they will read and heed the warning given by Paul in his second letter to Timothy, 4:3. JB Phillips translates this into very simple and easy to understand language: “For the time is coming when men will not tolerate wholesome teaching. They will want something to tickle their own fancies and they will collect teachers who will pander to their own desires. They will no longer listen to the truth, but will wander off after man-made fiction.” KR Moore, Coromandel Valley
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Congratulations Congratulations on the new look New Times! I especially liked the Parenting and Childhood theme you used this time. Jesus set us a good example with his care and concern for women and children, at a time when they were considered less important than adult males. It is good to see social justice issues being raised too, as with the Parented by Rebellion article. The old ‘folded’ version was hard to handle - this format is attractive and easy to read. Well done! R Drabsch, Aldgate
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.
Send your letters to: newtimes@sa.uca.org.au or PO Box 2145, Adelaide 5001.
diary notes Indigenous Art Exhibitions celebrating Reconciliation, at The Corner Uniting Church: ‘Choices’ by artist Susan Rankin and ‘Spirit Journey’ by a group of 10 artists. Open until Friday 25 June on Tuesday – Friday, 10.00am to 3.00pm. Saturdays & Sundays 1.00 - 3.00pm. Catalogues $3 with proceeds supporting Suneden Special School. Information: Pauline Shinkfield 8376 2666. Members of Upper Sturt Uniting Church invite any former and current worshippers and interested people to the official opening of the new Sunday School Meeting Room on Sunday 6 June at the church. The church service is at 11am followed by the official opening at 12.15pm. Shared lunch to follow. A plate of food would be appreciated. Enquiries: Barb Evans (08) 8339 1163
Port Broughton Uniting Church celebrates 125 years on Sunday 13 June. Special church service at 10.00am, with Rev Glenn Barnett officiating, followed by a luncheon in Port Broughton Community Hall. Lunch provided by the Church. RSVP Friday 4 June (for catering) to Beryl 8635 2027. The Wellspring Community next meets at Disability SA Chapel (103 Fisher Street, Fullarton) on Wednesday 16 June at 6.30pm, beginning with a shared meal. Speaker: Jonathan Nicholls, Manager, Indigenous Policy and Advocacy at Uniting Care Wesley, Adelaide. He will speak about his primary role in tracking Government commitments to SA’s remote Anangu communities. More info: Brian Ball, brianball@optusnet. com.au 8337 8517.
The congregation of Gladstone Uniting Church invites you to a window rededication service at the church (cnr Cross & High Streets, Gladstone) on Sunday 11 July at 2.00pm. All welcome. Afternoon tea provided. RSVP: 30 June to Dalma Clogg (08) 8662 2042, belvidere6@bigpond.com. Edithburgh Uniting Church will celebrate 100 years of worship in the ‘new’ church with a special service on Sunday 29 August at 9.30am followed by morning tea. A history book of the church will be available for purchase. Contact: Kath 8852 6399 haddownk@internode.on.net or Sandra 8852 6310.
Darwin Memorial Uniting Church celebrates the 50th anniversary of its opening on 24 - 25 July. Past members are welcome to join us for the occasion or send a greeting. Contact darwin. memorial@uniting.com.au.
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positions vacant
contact Russell Baker p. 8361 6822 f. 8361 6833
Uniting jobs go online Searching for a job that will be challenging and fulfilling? Looking for an opportunity to serve in the Uniting Church? The Uniting Church SA has launched a positions vacant website: positionsvacant.sa.uca.org.au “This is an exciting development that will see us profiling opportunities to work within the Uniting Church,” says Karen Granger, the Uniting Church’s Human Resources Manager. “The Uniting Church employs just over 500 people in congregations and the Synod office. We offer a unique working environment. “If we want to be a vital and effective church, then we need to appoint skilled and committed people to our congregational and Synod appointments.” The project is a joint initiative of Human Resources and New Times with positions vacant appearing online and in New Times. “New Times is the church’s primary communications tool,” says Caryn Rogers, Editor of New Times. “It makes sense that we use the web and the paper to profile work and ministry opportunities.” The website will include positions vacant in the Presbytery and Synod Office with congregational positions coming online soon.
New Times’ advertising manager will be retiring at the end of July. For expressions of interest, please contact the Editor Caryn Rogers: newtimes@sa.uca.org.au
There will also be a listing of placements vacant for Ministers of the Word and Deacons.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER - MISSION RESOURCING NETWORK
positionsvacant.sa.uca.org.au
Uniting Church in Australia Presbytery and Synod of South Australia
The site will also provide links to the positions vacant sites for our agencies. Positions Vacant advertised in New Times will appear on the website for free. They will also appear in the Uniting Church SA’s weekly enewsletter, UC Enews. For more information contact Karen Granger on 8236 4278.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER MISSION RESOURCING NETWORK Applications are invited from enthusiastic, exceptionally gifted and highly motivated members of the Uniting Church, either ordained or laypersons, to this senior leadership position within the church. The task embraces the functions of: • leading and managing all matters relating to the Mission Resourcing Network (MRN) • high level leadership across the Presbytery and Synod The successful applicant will have: • a passion for the mission of God through the Uniting Church • exceptional visionary leadership • the ability to build and maximise the potential of a high quality staff team • leadership, management and administrative skills that concentrate on delivering quality service provision that will energise a complex organisation • the capacity to think strategically and manage multiple complex issues at the same time • a passion to see the Uniting Church thrive • disciplined thinking and a capacity to manage change • the ability to create a new level of missional momentum This is an exciting opportunity for a church embracing challenging times. A full information pack and Position Description is available from Tracey Bost, Executive Assistant to the CEO/General Secretary, 8236 4232 or tbost@sa.uca.org.au. Applications close 4pm Wednesday 16 June. Please forward applications to: Rev Dr Graham Humphris, CEO/General Secretary, GPO Box 2145, Adelaide SA 5001 or ghumphris@sa.uca.org.au
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MediaCom Education Inc (An Agency of the Uniting Church in Australia – Synod of South Australia)
MediaCom
Education Inc.
CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER Permanent Part-Time Maximum 4 days per week - 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. MediaCom, a dynamic provider of Christian Education resources, books and periodicals at Keswick, is seeking to appoint a person to accept primary responsibility for our Customer Service activities. Duties include the data entry and processing of orders received by mail, phone and internet. The applicant will need to work to tight deadlines, have accurate keyboard skills and demonstrate a proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. We offer an attractive environment, working with a small, dedicated and professional staff. Strong empathy with Christian values is very important and an active involvement in a local mainline congregation would be very beneficial. A position description can be obtained by phoning Debbie Brown on 08 8371 1399 or by email to admin@mediacom.org.au Written applications, with two (2) references to:
Rev Dr Tony Nancarrow MediaCom Education Inc PO Box 610 UNLEY SA 5061
Applications close Friday, 25 June, 2010.
Pilgrim School students open new facilities Kristen Heath
The Campus is also building a shared Performing Arts Centre using funding from another federal grant. This final chapter will result in over $10 million of capital works conducted on the Aberfoyle Park Primary School Campus. “While these wonderful new buildings may change how the school does things, they won’t change what the school does,” continued Bill. “Pilgrim School is committed to providing an education that supports parents, in producing young men and women, who grow up knowing they are loved by God and can contribute in a constructive way to whatever community they happen to find themselves in.”
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magazine
On Thursday 6 May, Pilgrim School students led an opening ceremony celebrating their new multi-purpose building. The project, completed on time and within budget, incorporates classrooms with dedicated art, science and cooking areas. “The school community was extremely happy with the new building facility and extensions to existing classrooms,” commented Principal Bill Greenslade. “It has only been possible with the assistance of the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution stimulus.” Students have been benefiting, for several weeks now, from the bigger classrooms and specialist areas including Indonesian and Special Education classrooms. While the staff and students at Pilgrim School are thankful that their buildings are completed, they are still aware of the building works continuing on their Campus, shared with School of the Nativity and Thiele Primary School. Both of these schools are undertaking their own BER funded works.
Adares Victorian bushfire work party
magazine
Ken Mableson, Adare Uniting Church The small community of Strathewen, Victoria, about 50 kilometres north of Melbourne, was severely affected in the horrific ‘Black Saturday’ bushfires on 7 February 2009; 25 lives were lost and 52 homes destroyed. Members of Adare Uniting Church Contacts made contact with this region through Whittlesea Uniting Church. A work group was formed of 14 people from the Victor Harbor congregation, who stayed near Strathewen as they helped locals rebuild and restore their properties. The work group split into two parties – fence repair and shed reconstruction. The fencing team removed burnt and rusted fences and built well over one kilometre of new boundary fences on
three properties. The shed group erected a large machinery shed using second hand materials, which required plenty of modifications along the way. All members of the work party team were enriched by this experience and the gratitude of the people assisted in this project was very obvious. There is still much work to be done. It will take years for people who lost everything to get back on their feet and establish themselves as they were before the fires. Another work party may get back to this area later in the year. The Adare group was accommodated at the Whittlesea showgrounds and the old Arthur’s Creek Uniting Church.
Mission Travel is giving away $100,000 Allison Brown Australia’s premier Christian travel agency is giving away $100,000 in grants to Christian organisations, churches and individuals this June. Mission Travel Group cofounder, Lisa Scerri said God had prompted them to help more people live out their God-given dreams, so they’re funding 13 individual grants to help Australians make a difference locally and overseas.
talk
make
laugh discover
walk
cook
create
learn
climb
Grants of $5,000 and $10,000 are available in the following categories - Overseas Experiences, Bible College Scholarship, Compassion Sponsor Child Visit, and Cash Grants. “My husband, Frank and I started Mission Travel Group four years ago as a travel agency that could help facilitate the global movement of God’s people – people with a heart to serve those who are poor, persecuted,
sing
dream hug ride
share
refugees, or in need,” Lisa said. “We want to hear from people and ministries around Australia about what God is calling them to do and how a grant could make that happen. We then have the fun part - funding those dreams and seeing the Kingdom of God extended!” Lisa said Mission Travel’s ethos is to create travel opportunities with heart, as well as an ever-widening community
of Christians sharing their travel adventures and God’s direction for their lives. Further information on all categories and applications can be completed online at www.missiontravel.com.au between 24 May and midnight (EST) 30 June 2010. ‘Giving Back’ applications will be judged by an independent panel, with winners announced at a special event in Melbourne in August 2010.
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Well when I went to church... Book: The Future of Faith What do we make of Father Peter Kennedy taking the catholic parish of St Marys in Brisbane with him into exile over the issue of his right to modify the liturgy to suit the needs of his constituency? What do we make of the ‘Christian alumni’, who have ceased ‘going to church’ but maintain their Christian faith in other ways? What is behind the ‘Emerging Church’ movement?
Author: Harvey Cox Recommended for: thoughtful reflection of the future direction of faith In short: : A welcome, easily readable contribution to understanding and negotiating today’s religious currents, contextualising many of the debates and anxieties within today’s church. RRP: $19.95
Cox proposes that the church has known three epochs: The Age of Faith, in the first three centuries, when the early church was diverse but unified around following the teachings of Jesus; The Age of Belief, from the fourth to the twentieth centuries, during which Christianity became codified and focused on ‘correct doctrine’; The Age of the Spirit, increasingly evident over the last 50 years, as spirituality and the radical practice of faith, within and between religions, has emerged at the cost of dogma. Cox doesn’t hold back on naming significant challenges for the church and those who claim to be its shepherds. Yet Liberals and Evangelicals, Protestants and Catholics, eleven o’clockers and café churchers will all find a generous reception in the pages of this book – he even has some good words to say about the Pope (he has met three)! His even-handedness is reflected by the diversity of those offering their recommendations on the back cover, from Deepak Chopra to Jim Wallis. Harvey Cox is a scholar of Church History. He is also a fine communicator. - Geoff Boyce
A short life, yet well lived
Book: Hearing the Call Across Traditions – Readings on Faith and Service
Book: Thomas Merton: A life in letters
Edited by: Adam Davis
Edited by: William H Shannon and Christine M Bochen
Recommended for: exploring the connection between interfaith spirituality and social justice
Recommended for: those familiar with Merton and who wish to learn more
In short: A diverse collection of writings which explore the call to service and compassion across religions.
In short: Further insight into the life and work of Thomas Merton. RRP: $34.95
RRP: $56.95
As someone from the Christian tradition I’ve always felt a little smug about the church’s teachings on social justice. Surely no one said it better than Jesus in the gospels? This diverse anthology includes the story of the rich young man from Luke, along with the words of famous Christian figures such as Martin Luther King, Dorothy Day and Abraham Lincoln. It also includes the words of the Dalai Lama, Rumi, and Gandhi, quickly clarifying how central the values of service, justice and compassion are across all of the major religious traditions. The book is not an easy read as
the eclectic writings come from so many different genres, religious traditions, cultures and time periods. The book includes helpful questions for reflection on each piece of writing and is a useful resource for interfaith discussion groups. For all Christian readers it is a rich resource that will help us better understand how much we have in common with the world’s other major religions. - Michelle Coram
reviews
The Spirit of Service
Can you belief that in his relatively short life (he died at the age of 53) Thomas Merton wrote and received more than 10 000 letters? Amazing when you consider he was a Trappist monk belonging to a contemplative order of silence and isolation. The book is divided into nine parts, according to topic, with part one consisting of ‘A Life in Letters’. Some will have read his autobiographical The Seven Storey Mountain or The Sign of Jonas and it is probably wise to have some familiarity with Thomas Merton and his writing for his letters to be accessible, although there is a useful introduction about him.
Each correspondent is also given a brief introduction, the group ranging through other priests, Ethel Kennedy, Buddhist Lamas and just ‘Friends’. As a dedicated reviewer, I read every letter, but found it tedious in parts. The book’s strength is in giving insight into his spirituality and his reflections on the current events of the time. - Glenys Badger
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How to transform $1 into as much as $6 As the end of the tax year approaches, now is the smartest time to make a tax deductible donation to the international work of the Relief and Development Unit of UnitingWorld. The Australian Government is currently reforming how the approved overseas projects of fully accredited international development organisations, like the Relief and Development Unit of UnitingWorld, are cofunded. New guidelines of the Australian-NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) allow the Relief and Development Unit to seek an additional Australian Government grant of up to six times the amount donated to the Matching Gift Fund for approved international development projects. UnitingWorld can use donations to the Matching
Gift Fund to access additional funding from the Australian Government for approved development projects. In 2010-11, the fund will assist people involved in the relief and development work of partner churches in South India and Papua New Guinea. The Church of South India is currently working with some of the most marginalised people in India, the Adivasi, by advocating for their human rights. A new three-year project, which commenced earlier this year, will provide 500 children in 12 villages with regular medical checkups. Women are empowered by forming self-help groups. In Vellore, South India, 7575 people in 1969 households across ten villages will receive access to safe drinking water. UnitingWorld and the United Church in Papua New
A local teacher with a child in Kodumulla, South India, who is involved with an Integrated Community Development project that operates in partnership between UnitingWorld and the Church of South India. Photo: UnitingWorld.
Guinea are connecting remote communities surrounding Milne Bay with safe and reliable sources of water. The Uniting Church in Australia has been working with partners in these countries for more than 100 years, which gives UnitingWorld a strong platform in order to collaborate with these trusted partners. UnitingWorld National Director, Rev Dr Kerry Enright, believes that this appeal is an excellent opportunity to support the work of these two partners. “Our trusted partners in India and Papua New Guinea are working towards the sustainable eradication of extreme poverty for some of the world’s most vulnerable people. This appeal represents an excellent opportunity to stand with and support their vitally important work,” said Kerry.
Donations to this appeal can be made: Online: www.unitingworld.org.au Phone: 1800 998 122 Post: UnitingWorld, Reply Paid A2266, South Sydney NSW 1235
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