NewTimes - October 2010 by Synod of SA

October 2010

Doing life together

Issue 29, No 9 October 2010

urban, suburban & beyond

Christmas = you & us & them & Jesus Christmas Postcards 2010, p. 24

Partnering churches for life Forming friends cross-culturally, p.15

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2010 09 New Times.indd 1

Past, present, future

23/08/2010 11:15:12 AM iStock ref: cover anneleven; p.6 himbeertoni

ISSN 0726-2612 New Times is the voice of Uniting Church SA. Published monthly, February through December, New Times represents the breadth, diversity and vision of Uniting Church members in SA. News policies, guides and deadlines appear online at sa.uca.org.au/ new-times-home. Articles and advertising do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor. Phone: (08) 8236 4200 1300 766 956 (toll free from regional areas) Fax: (08) 8236 4201 Email: presbyterysynod@sa.uca.org.au Street address: Level 2, 212 Pirie St, Adelaide Postal address: GPO Box 2145, Adelaide SA 5001

Editor Caryn Rogers p. 8236 4230 e. crogers@sa.uca.org.au Advertising Loan Leane p. 8285 2768 m. 0404 089 762 e. advertising.newtimes@sa.uca.org.au Enquiries and Book Reviews Alex McGrath p. 8236 4242 e. amcgrath@sa.uca.org.au

Production Joie Creative Printing Graphic Print Group Circulation 11 500 Deadline for November 13 October

sa.uca.org.au/new-times-home

People can be jerks. You may not be familiar with my colloquial usage of the term ‘jerk’, but you’re definitely familiar with the people the term indicates. It’s the driver bearing down, honking their horn and hollering as they duck ‘n’ weave through heavy traffic. It’s the queuing customer, huffing and puffing, staring dramatically at their watch and craning their neck to gain a clearer glare-line towards the harried service provider. It’s the football fan, abusing and demeaning members of their own team and the opposing one – in front of somebody else’s young children. It’s the know-it-all who isn’t sure whether you’re aware how much more they know-it-all than you do, and proceed to inform you thusly out of the bounty of their superior knowledge.

You’ve met these jerks. You know these jerks. And you’ve likely been one (or more) of these jerks. I know I’ve been one. On more than one occasion. I’m not proud of it, but I’m certainly aware of it. Without I’m-a-jerk epiphanies, I can’t change because I don’t realise I need to - I will always be the one who is right and continue merrily down the path of jerk-dom, at other’s expense. A lot of the time, we hide our selfishnesses in order to paint a better picture of ourselves - but when the surface is scratched enough, the jerk below is revealed. As I try to do life with others, I’m all too aware that part of my life is selfish, sinful and jerk-like. It’s not something I’m proud of, but I’m not perfect. And I won’t pretend to be. We don’t just do life together for the good stuff; we do life together to become better people. As Proverbs puts it, “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another.” (27.17) We tread on toes, we bear each other up, we listen, we laugh, we cry, we fight, we support, we cajole. We take the masks off, and take each other as we are, and we become better people for it. We do LIFE together, in all its fullness. The good, the bad and the jerky.

Caryn Rogers

It’s the person at the funeral who asks family members how they feel about the deceased’s ‘unsaved soul’.

Doing Life together Rev Rod Dyson

mod

As I write, the decision of Pastor Terry Jones in a small church in Florida to burn a holy book on 9/11 is being portrayed to us as world news. There have already been protests in a number of overseas countries in response to this threat. Though the burning has not occurred it shows that we do interact with the global community at the level of controversy and disaster. We know about people and issues – at least until something more newsworthy arises. We don’t determine what issues are presented

in the media and many of us continue to ask why good news is hardly ever reported. What a change this is from only a few decades ago when people didn’t travel much from their home community. Doing life together was something we did with those immediately around us and at least in smaller communities most things were known about most people. Now we may not know our neighbours unless they persistently don’t mow their verge or their dog keeps us awake at night. In the context of our

rapidly changing world what does it mean for the Uniting Church and how we do life together? We are a state-wide, national and international church, through our overseas partnerships.

Doing life together is always a choice Doing life together is always a choice. The Gospel of John says, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling amongst us (1.14a).” In Jesus Christ, God has sought us out, wanting to be in healthy, reconciled relationships with us all.

Clearly, God also wants reconciliation between individuals, tribal groups and nations. God has set the example for us and invites us to do life meaningfully together. Of course we don’t have the ability to relate to the whole world but I believe that we all need meaningful relationships with people from a variety of places. That is the richness of life. There is also a gospel imperative to relate to the wider community. How can we be salt and light when we are hidden away? It is in the context of respectful relationships that we can share the love of Jesus Christ. I wonder how different it would have been if Pastor Terry Jones had gone to the local Islamic community to sit down and talk to the Imam, to embrace that community within the circle of love. Doing life together is not only common sense but at the heart of who God is.

Farewell Rod, welcome Rob As outgoing moderator, this will be Rod’s last moditorial with New Times. Rod will be taking up a new position as Executive Officer for the Mission Resourcing Network, and New Times is looking forward to staying in touch with him in his new role. Next month, incoming moderator, Rev Rob Williams, will join the New Times team for the regular mod spot on page four.

Navigating parental roads Sarah Urmston who are intentional about how they raise their children, giving the time and energy needed so they can understand the vulnerabilities of their children at different ages and stages, and be ready to give the support they need.” Steve identifies the different issues faced by boys and girls, such as the need for boys to have role models, and the vulnerability of girls to those who exploit their insecurities at a young age to increase their profit margins. For boys, Steve’s view is clear: “Boys depend, much more than we realised, on role models, and have to be actively taught to be good men. Masculinity isn’t something you are born with, and it doesn’t arrive at 21.” When it comes to protecting girls, it’s about your purchasing power and choices. “We have to decide not to buy those magazines, not to leave TV on all the time, not to go shopping as a recreation. But we also have to put more women into the lives of girls.” Steve will be in Adelaide to speak at three parenting seminars in November this year as part of the Uniting People campaign’s focus on parenting.

Acclaimed author and psychologist, Steve Biddulph, will be speaking in Uniting Churches on parenting and raising children as part of the Uniting People parenting campaign this November.

Parenting seminars Tues 2 November - The Secret of Happy Children 7.30pm at The Journey Uniting Church in partnership with Pedare Christian College Wed 3 November – The Secret of Happy Children 7.30pm at The Corner Uniting Church Thurs 4 November – Raising Boys 7.30pm at Adelaide West Uniting Church Tickets are $30/$20 concession from Venuetix. Full details of the seminars are available online at unitingpeople.org.au or from Sarah Urmston surmston@sa.uca.org.au, 8236 4260.

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“Parents love their children, and want to do their best, but often lack a roadmap.” These words, from parenting expert Steve Biddulph would resonate with many parents today, perhaps even you. Steve Biddulph knows a thing or two about parenting and navigating the road of raising children. Named as Australian Father of the Year in 2000, Steve is a psychologist, speaker and the renowned author of Raising Boys, Secret of Happy Children and, more recently, The New Manhood. Steve empathises with parents, commenting, “Their deepest impulses and feelings can get swamped by the cultural messages - hurry up, buy more stuff, be busy when what children actually need is parents who are slowed down, able to notice small signs and able to share in laughter and affection, rather than speeding to an appointment or fretting about the future. “It’s not possible for a child to be more relaxed than their parents - they are like corks bobbing on the waves of our ups and downs. So we as parents have to calm down,” he explains. “Children need parents

Hanging up your gloves Sharonne Price, Executive Officer Pastoral Relations, Uniting Church SA Whenever passionate human beings live, work, and yes, worship together, there will be conflict. Conflict is as natural and normal as friendship and it is intrinsic to growth and change. The trouble is, most of us don’t like it much because we’re familiar with its destructive side. It doesn’t have to be this way though – conflict can be a gift instead of a curse.

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But it takes a lot of our ‘thinking self’ controlling our ‘feeling self’, and often, a change in the type of language we use, and no I’m not talking about swear words! (though that would be a good place to start if that’s an issue at play). Firstly, we need to see the issue, concern or difference as a problem to solve rather than something personal. An issue is rarely about ‘you’ and ‘me’ even though it might feel that way. If we stay away from the assumptions of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, ‘good’

and ‘bad’, ‘fault’ and ‘victim’, ‘acceptance’ and ‘rejection’, we are likely to find surprising solutions. Secondly, conflict is most suitably resolved close to its source. The maxim is ‘solve it by describing and resolving it naturally, normally, neutrally and mutually’. I would add ‘make it sooner rather than later!’ Thirdly, the key to resolving an argument is to find common ground. In a Christian fellowship it is not hard to discover the many values and beliefs, hopes and dreams that we have in common. Finally, we need to watch our language. As soon as we find ourselves using ‘should’, ‘me’ and ‘you’ more often than ‘maybe’, ‘us’, ‘we’, ‘together’, ‘our’ , and ‘both’, we drift into winning and losing, and right and wrong. It takes us further into conflict. Conflict is part of the richness of diversity and the wonder of human

relationships. May it serve the gospel well in your community! On Wed 27 Oct, the Pastoral Relations team will be hosting seminars on Responsible Governing Leadership, Healthy Faith

Communities and Child Safe Environments. For further details, download the brochure from http://presbyterysynod.sa.uca. org.au/pastoral-relations/webelong-together-seminars.html or contact Gill Morel on gmorel@sa.uca.org.au.

Twentieth anniversary Christa Megaw We are looking forward to the arrival of 11 people from the PROK-Iksan and Gunsan Presbyteries in the last week of October as we commemorate the 20th year of our partnership with the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK-Iksan and Gunsan Presbyteries).

to be developed for a further six years.

Our strong relationship will be celebrated on the Thursday night session of our Presbytery and Synod meeting in October by signing a new agreement, together, committing our partnership

With a number of projects active in North Korea, a particular emphasis of our renewed partnership will be in praying and working towards the building of reconciliation in Korea. For South Koreans, this

Within the scope of this partnership we will be encouraging youth exchanges, church-to-church relationships between lay and ordained people, professional development for members of our Presbyteries and retreats for ministers.

means a desire for unification with North Korea and working to alleviate the suffering in that country. As the Uniting Church here is focussed on our covenant and reconciliation with Indigenous people, the Korean visit will include some time being spent with people from the Congress church at Salisbury. This partnership was first begun by the Mt Lofty Presbytery and taken over by the Presbytery of South Australia.

The next meeting for the Presbytery and Synod of South Australia will be held this month from Wed 27 to Sat 30 Oct at Adelaide West Uniting Church. There will be pre-seminar sessions offered on the Wednesday and the new Moderator, Rev Rob Williams, will be installed at 7pm. Formal business starts at 10am on Thursday 28 Oct. New Times will report on the outcomes of this meeting in subsequent editions.

Giveaway, to good Uniting Church

Jo Watts, KCO and SAYCO Event Officer October means month two of spring. October means the AFL is over for another year. October also means... it’s SAYCO time. Hundreds of teenagers will be unleashed on Mt Barker for this year’s South Australian Youth Camp Out (SAYCO), 2-4 October at Cornerstone College. This year’s theme, Our Revolution, will focus on what it means to be a radical generation, with minds for mission, and hearts for justice. The program is packed with worship sessions led by local band Westborn and featuring speaker, singer and author Amy Stephens, from the USA. And of course there’ll be carnival excitement, leadership workshops, night life activities, small group discussions and tribal ‘warfare’. Exhausting just reading it, isn’t it? Churches. Get ready to hear young people making some noise about the issues on their hearts as they begin to explore what the term revolution really means. Our vision is to offer an event for 12-15 year olds that encourages them in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; motivating them to action. For more information, visit sayco.sa.uca.org.au or find us on Facebook.

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If your Uniting Church wants to save a computer from the technological version of death row – we’d love to hear from you. The Computer Redeployment Program is just one way that Uniting Church SA’s Resources team is supporting congregations and faith communities. “In a corporate environment, we need to keep our systems under warranty,” said Marc Furmage, IT&T Manager at Uniting Church SA. “At the end of the three year warranty period, computers are still very useful and have excellent life in them. “The Computer Redeployment Program exists to help us get rid of good computers without throwing them on the tip.

It’s also a way we can give something back. “There’s no catch. Any church, faith community or Mission Network that contributes to the Mission and Service fund can get a great computer - for free.” New computers are periodically available. If you’re looking to upgrade your church’s ageing, or even non-existent computer systems, why not take advantage of the Computer Redeployment System. You can save a computer from going to the tip – today. To apply for a computer, head online to download a PDF form: resources.sa.uca. org.au/finance/computerredeployment For further information, contact Marc Furmage on 8236 4293.

We want a revolution!

Team Uniting cleans up at ARPA awards Uniting Church Communications teams across Australia picked up a combined 14 awards at the recent Australasian Religious Press Association (ARPA) awards held in early September in Hobart. The ARPA awards are judged by leading professional journalists and awarded each year for excellence in religious journalism and publishing. The awards won are as follows: Uniting Church SA, New Times Silver: Best Headline ‘It’s church, Jim, but not as we know it’ Highly Commended: Best News Release ‘Desperate being turned away’ (Aged Care campaign) Highly Commended: Best website ‘Online Prayer Room prayer.sa.uca.org.au’ Uniting Church Vic/Tas, Crosslight Bronze Award: Best original photograph ‘Smile for the Camera’ Bronze Award: Best feature (single author) ‘Beyond the brochures: A pilgrim’s regress in the Holy Land’

Uniting Church Qld, Journey Gold Award: Best feature (multiple authors) ‘Corruption Re-opened’. Gold Award: Item or feature that shows the most originality ‘Easter for Gen Y’ Bronze Award: Best layout Uniting Church WA, Revive Bronze Award: Best ecumenical story ‘Breaking down barriers: it’s time to listen’ Wesley Mission, Impact Gold award: Best Headline ‘Till debt do us part’ Gold award: Best News Release ‘Paying the price: school bullying leaves adults out in the cold’ Silver award: Best Layout Congratulations to all on their commitment to excellence in religious journalism.

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Uniting Church NSW, Insights Silver Award: Best website ‘Insights – nsw.uca.org.au’ Uniting Church in Australia Assembly, The Transit Lounge Bronze Award: Best electronic publication ‘thetransitlounge.com.au’ Uniting Church WA, Revive Bronze Award: Best ecumenical story ‘Breaking down barriers: it’s time to listen’

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The Communications teams of the Uniting Church in Australia had a highly successful year at the Australasian Religious Press Awards. Pictured from left are Amy Goodhew (Assembly), Alison Atkinson-Phillips (WA), Graeme Cole (Wesley Mission), Caryn Rogers (SA), Deb Bennett (Vic/Tas) and Marjorie Lewis-Jones (NSW/ACT).

doing life together Doing life together – it’s like being family, and it’s at the core of who we are as a Church. But doing life together means doing peace together & doing conflict together & doing grief together & doing joy together & so on. It’s the highs, the lows & the everything in between. That’s what it means to be a family, and that’s what it means to be a family of God’s people.

Uniting People in word & deed Shannon Short Uniting Church. Uniting People. These four words offer a simple message which underpins the Uniting Church SA’s profile raising and community engagement campaign. These four words succinctly articulate our desire for a better world. I never cease to be amazed by the depth and diversity of the Uniting Church’s ministry. People uniting together to share the love of God in tangible ways: the op shop volunteer who has a gift for listening; the

youth worker who nurtures kids in their faith; the Lifeline counsellor on the sleepless night shift. But have you ever tried to explain our Church to someone who doesn’t belong or believe? When we began to plan our campaign with the help of local advertising firm, Jamshop, they quickly recognised that the Uniting Church is full of people living out their faith in remarkable ways. We’re about Jesus & local congregations & multicultural ministry & support for

refugees & dynamic worship & care for the elderly & outback ministry & chaplaincy in schools & faith sharing & justice & hope & so much more. Jamshop encouraged us to turn the well-worn phrase “practise what you preach” on its head, and called on us to “preach what we practise.” Faith sharing still happens at an individual and local level. Uniting People is about underpinning grassroots ministry with a broad contemporary message saying, ‘we’re a dynamic, relevant church’.”

That’s why our campaign boils down to being ‘uniting people’ and being the ‘&’ in our community; the ‘glue’ that holds our society together. It’s a simple message, from a not-so-simple organisation. Find out more at unitingpeople.org.au

Meningie Uniting Church proudly displayed the ‘Uniting People’ banner as part of the Uniting Church SA’s Strategic ‘Raising our Profile’ campaign in May.

Uniting People. Three Ways. Want to be involved? Here are three simple ways: 1. Put up a banner . We have free 4.3 metre banners to put up in prominent locations at congregations or agencies. 2. Play our TV ad If you haven’t done so already, play our advertisement in your church. It’s also ideal to play as part of any community events or seminars you are hosting. 3. Uniting People resources You can download our free ‘100 ways to spend quality time with your kids’ booklet or pick up our Uniting People fridge magnets to give away to local families. ‘100 ways to celebrate Christmas’ will also be available in December. Uniting People brochures and calendars will be distributed at the Synod meeting later this month. The Uniting People website (unitingpeople. org.au) offers further information and resources for getting involved.

Immersed in community

doing life together

Jenny Harris, Frontier Services

Being a staff member of Frontier Services is more than a job - it’s a lifestyle. As members become immersed in their role, they soon become immersed in the communities they are serving. Frontier Services Patrol Ministry provides a crucial link between urban services and remote communities. The mobility required of the 24 Patrol Ministers who maintain this link is hard to comprehend until you actually map out the scope of their ministry placement. Take Rev John Dihm (pictured) for example. Based in Hawker, in the Central Flinders Ranges region, John provides pastoral care to people spread across half of South Australia. He shares a great empathy with the people in his care, and makes himself available to be here, there and everywhere as needed. One morning, he was five hours north of Adelaide conducting a baptism on a

remote station. By afternoon, he was at the Royal Adelaide Show presenting prizes for the wood chopping competition that is sponsored by Frontier Services. Of course, there are life’s milestones to share in the formal duties of a minister - weddings, baptisms and funerals - but the majority of a Patrol Minister’s day is spent listening, counselling and providing practical support. Driving the long roads, with dust billowing behind and the paddocks bare of stock, John readily understands the weight on pastoral families’ shoulders and carries the burden of these pressures with them. Challenges can be many and varied but helping to find solutions or lessen burdens is very much part of a day’s work. It’s not all doom and gloom - far from it. Sharing in people’s joys and triumphs brings balance and much satisfaction. And when the rains come, John is there

revelling in the mud and sharing in his communities’ fresh hope and optimism. South Australia is a large tapestry of remote communities. John’s patch is known as the Parkin Patrol. John’s colleagues in the south and west of the state are

Jenny Swanbury, ministering in the Sturt Patrol, and Wali Fejo, providing support from a different perspective in the Mobile Aboriginal Patrol. Frontier Services holds a unique place in remote Australia, attracting the admiration of many.

Frontier Services at a glance Frontier Services is an agency of the Uniting Church in Australia, established to continue the unified work of the Australian Inland Mission, the Methodist Inland Mission, and the inland mission of the Congregational Union, and works with people across 85% of the continent, including Aboriginal communities, isolated properties and mining sites. Frontier Services is the major provider of aged and disabled care, health, family and community services, and pastoral support in the remote areas that are Australia’s most challenging environments. Go online to www.frontierservices.org for more information about the work of Frontier Services.

Lyn Leane spent nine years living in Nepal and has experienced firsthand the trials and triumphs of cross-cultural work. The potential of partnerships got under her skin when she was in her twenties and she hasn’t been able to shake this special kind of adventuring spirit since. How do you ‘do life together’ when you live a long way from one another and have many cultural and language differences that need to be understood?

A fourth area, and one of the most engaging areas of UnitingWorld’s ministry, is the peacebuilding initiatives of Young Ambassadors for Peace, affectionately known as YAP. Since it began in 2001, YAP has assisted many communities in places such as Indonesia, PNG, Bougainville, the Solomon Islands and the Philippines to take the necessary first steps toward building a culture of peace.

Many South Australians have seen the growth of microfinance for village women in PNG, which was initiated by Ruth Sellick in 2008. This work continues to build on previous work in Bougainville and will commence in the far south of New Ireland this year. Microfinance initiatives are also beginning in Papua, with a pilot project expanding a successful fish-farming project near Jayapura. This project, run

by a Papuan minister, will endeavour to enhance the local economy.

differences, while helping us to grow in trust and respect.

Such practical, grassroots expressions of our common identity in Christ addresses real needs and assists us as we explore and grow in mutual understanding of each other, our similarities and

Given our geographical proximity to these regions and our strong commitment to partnership, we’re looking forward to ‘doing life together’ for a long time yet.

Passing the peace YAP’s peace-building programmes are coordinated by Joy Balazo, who will be in South Australia from 19-24 October to share about recent developments in our overseas neighbourhood. She will explain the main approaches that peace-building and mediation workshops take as well as how we can be further informed and involved in YAP. Further details will be announced in UC E-News.

doing life together

UnitingWorld’s answer to that has always been to build friendship and trust (church solidarity), by placing Australians in partner churches on assignment (experience) and responding to requests for support with economic, health and other societal needs (relief and development).

Increasingly, this is taking the form of microfinance initiatives, with the particular goal of generating income for local people.

UnitingWorld’s team in South Australia, Christa Megaw and Lyn Leane, share a great love for making friends between and beyond Australian borders.

In Papua New Guinea and Papua, Indonesia (eastern and western ends, respectively, of the same island to our north) one of the main ways we engage with our partner churches is via relief and development, a major plank of Uniting World’s ministry overseas.

doing life together

Alexandra McGrath Every year, the hustle and bustle of the Royal Adelaide Show arrives and every year an amazing group of volunteers gather from across the state to give a great deal of their time serving in the Red Dove Cafe. When I arrived, I was pleased to see a long line of people waiting, ready to consume the carefully created Red Dove delights. Friendly volunteers greeted me with warm smiles, the aroma of home cooking lingered and homemade desserts filled display cases. From the moment I walked in, I felt like I was in the middle of my Nanna’s kitchen – a wonderful place to be. It was obvious from the moment I stepped in to relieve the morning shift on the front counter that customers, particularly Show staff, loved the quality, home-style food and friendly smiles that the Red Dove Cafe offered generously. It was evident that much time, work and care was dedicated to the Red Dove Cafe, before, during and following the Show. Staffed solely by around 200 volunteers and funded by food donations from local businesses and monetary donations from Adult

Fellowships and individuals, the Cafe trades throughout all nine days of the Show from 7.30am – 8pm. It opens early each day as well as additional days before and after the Show, specifically to serve food for Show workers. I was amazed at the number of volunteers that had given their time in this way for more than 10 years; some for even 30! Quietly spoken Rae Cranwell, Red Dove Cafe’s Convenor, celebrated her 18th year this year. Rae was one of three remarkable women who worked from 6am-10pm (at least) for the entire duration of the show. ‘‘Despite the long hours, the result for the community at the end is worth it,’’ Rae was quick to reiterate, firmly putting the emphasis back on the team and the outcomes they were all working so hard for. The Red Dove Cafe celebrated its 59th year at the Royal Adelaide Show this year. Last year the Cafe donated its $45,000 profit to outreach ventures, rural missions, prison ministry and UnitingCare agencies. This year they’re hoping to better their already astounding record.

I am in awe at the selfless, generous and hard working nature of all the volunteers I worked with. They really bring alive the idea of doing life together - I am proud to be doing life with them. While I may have been a first time Red Dove volunteer, it certainly won’t be my last. For the record though, I could probably live without seeing another scone with jam and cream in my lifetime! Red Dove Cafe volunteer of 30 years shows newcomer Alexandra McGrath, Communications & PR Assistant at Uniting Church SA, the ropes at this year’s Royal Adelaide Show.

Life under occupation Bek Christensen

“We cannot say we will do anything tomorrow, because we do not know what will be tomorrow.” WEST BANK VILLAGER

the time, and a continued international presence in Yanoun, that its people have been able to return, yet must continue to persevere through harassment from settlers. The prolonged nature of the conflict and doubts surrounding peace negotiations mean there is long-term uncertainty for Palestinians. This year, the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA), agreed to advocate for an end to

the occupation of Palestine through a freely and peacefully negotiated solution, in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions. It is difficult to know how to respond to the conflict in Israel and Palestine but the need for a response is obvious. And the time for such a response is now. For more information on EAPPI, visit: www.eappi.org or join the facebook group: http://bit.ly/eappi-facebook

Join the buy-cott The NCCA has asked member churches to consider joining the boycott of goods produced in illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (see New Times, September 2010). This is one part of a broader Boycott Divestment Sanctions campaign led by Palestinian civil society as a nonviolent resistance to the occupation. Joining the boycott movement is a meaningful way that people around the world can be involved in promoting a just peace for Israel and Palestine. For more information on making a response, head to www.actforpeace.org.au/palestine

doing life together

Circumstances can change quickly in the West Bank and Gaza because of Israel’s military occupation - it permeates every aspect of Palestinian life. In the West Bank, Israel exercises control over movement, access to water, administrative affairs, and socalled security matters. They can set up temporary checkpoints on previously unobstructed roads. They can demolish houses with little notice. They can greatly inhibit the lives of Palestinians. And they can turn a blind eye to the behaviour of Israeli settlers in occupied Palestine. Israeli settlements greatly affect Palestinian life, settlements which are a violation of the fourth Geneva Convention - Protection of

Civilian Persons in Time of War. Yanoun, a Palestinian village, is surrounded by the outposts of one Israeli settlement; some outposts are as close as 400 metres. This village has lost most of its lands since the establishment of the settlement, a loss which has decimated the community’s primarily agricultural income. Israeli settlers have used violence, harassment, and vandalism to intimidate Palestinians and illegally annex more land from them. Between 1996 and 2002, Israeli settlers destroyed olive trees and property, mutilated sheep, and personally attacked the Yanoun people, including children. At the height of the harassment campaign in October 2002, almost everyone in Yanoun fled in fear for their lives. It’s only due to a significant, international response at

Bek Christensen, pictured here in Yanoun, is serving as an Ecumenical Accompanier with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) until October 2010. EAPPI is a program of the World Council of Churches.

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16/09/10 4:32 PM

There when you need Andrew Clarke We’ve seen our fair share of crises here in South Australia in recent years. In many parts of the state, services such as the Country Fire Service, State Emergency Services and the Red Cross rely on volunteer assistance in times of need or impending crises. In South Australia, pastoral care is a critical part of any disaster response, one that is coordinated by government services but provided by volunteers. Coordinated by the Uniting Church, Post Disaster Pastoral Ministry is an ecumenical endeavour which works through more than 60 Interchurch Councils in country and metropolitan areas. When needed, teams of volunteers have: • doorknocked flooded homes and provided assistance • helped in the provision and coordination of an evacuation centre on Kangaroo Island after major fires • provided support to people in recovery centres after fires and wind storms

• participated in memorial services after major incidents like the aeroplane crash near Whyalla and the 2005 Wanilla fires on Eyre Peninsula

doing life together

• assisted the Red Cross in contacting frail aged people during major heat waves Many clergy act as chaplains to some of these services, as well as to police and ambulance services – see the two stories below to hear more. The importance of this contribution to the whole community should not be underestimated. Post Disaster Pastoral Support is an important service that is offered to people in need - at a time when they are most vulnerable. This kind of ministry is evidence of church members voluntarily taking their charge to ‘love their neighbour’ very seriously.

Why I got involved with Bordertown SES

Loitering with intent

While ministering at Tumby Bay I met Jim and Peggy Darling. Both were involved in the Uniting Church and the State Emergency Service. One day, their daughter encouraged me to consider helping SES within the community. After observing the SES meetings over a three month period, I decided to officially join and began participating in the fortnightly training on Thursday evenings. I learnt about knots, climbing ladders and rescuing people off a roof. We participated in search and rescue exercises and travelled to callouts on the side of the road. One nighttime callout was a fatality, near the outskirts of Tumby Bay. The deceased young person was known to those who attended the scene - it really shook up both the SES and the CFS teams. I found myself deliberately going up to people and asking how they were coping. In early 2004, after moving to Bordertown, I felt led to join the local Bordertown SES and continue training; further first aid courses followed and I learned to cut trapped people out of cars . Why did I join the SES? I like helping people and building relationships. I like using my God given gifts and abilities. Through SES I have gotten to know a lot of people and made numerous connections to the wider community. Has anyone joined our church? No. Has anyone surrendered their life to Christ? No. But relationships of trust have been built. God’s love and care has been demonstrated. Praise God for the opportunities he gives us.

Working in the secular world, it’s not always easy to preach the gospel. Often words aren’t used but through actions and standing with an individual through their grief, loss or trauma they come to know a glimpse of the Church in action. My work with the South Australian Police is both a joy and a challenge. They’re a suspicious lot with a unique culture. Chaplains are appointed to workplace areas and become known through their visits as they wander through the workplace and ‘loiter with intent.’ Through the relationships that are formed, staff actively seek the chaplain to discuss spiritual, religious, relationship or life issues. We meet people at their point of need – whatever that may be. At times we feel like a triage nurse with people coming to us asking for advice or directions of where to go to get help and support for issues. We may not be who they need at that moment but we certainly can point them in the right direction. Of course, Chaplains are involved with the traditional weddings, funerals, hospital visits and baptisms. Blessings are also given at graduation services. The opportunity for prayer arises at various departmental functions and services as well as when staff face hardship, illness or death. You need to be creative in how you engage with staff that may or may not know about Jesus and the Church. Thinking on your feet, a listening ear, non-judgemental pastoral care, working across the denominations and faiths all make the call to chaplaincy the unique experience it is. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Rev Dianna Bartlett

Rev Andrew Diprose Dianna is the Senior Chaplain to the South Australia Police.

Lifeblood of the church Max Howland

Which Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) organisation has 16,500 members across Australia, 3000 of them in South Australia? Which Uniting Church organisation has a tradition going back over a century of ordinary members raising funds for local and wider mission?

now most are mixed groups, and all under the banner of Uniting Church Adult Fellowship (UCAF).

Fellowship members are ‘just’ ordinary church people – who do extraordinary things for God through their church. Once they were Women’s Guilds and Men’s Fellowships;

It’s Adult Fellowships who organise and support Packing Days (212 cartons of goods this year), knit beanies and rugs for missions in need of them as well as collecting

Adult Fellowship members gather at several regional centres each year to build community and support each other in their life and mission. We have heard reports from people working in all manner of service and community work in many different parts of the world. The annual Fellowships Day is to be held on Wed 20 Oct at The Corner Uniting

Church, Warradale. Special guests will be Joy Balazo, from UnitingWorld, and UCAF National Chairperson Rev Alistair Christie.

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doing life together

It’s Adult Fellowships the lifeblood of the church, as declared by Gregor Henderson, former President of the UCA Assembly.

Fellowships have a long tradition of active involvement in local churches (indeed, it was once observed that in the early days the men built a church and the women furnished it!) and in support of wider mission. Cultural norms may have changed, but the focus on helping people remains constant.

used stamps. Red Dove Café (see story on p. 16) is operated by National and World Mission Support, a subcommittee of UCAF. The Frontier Services support team is also a subcommittee of UCAF.

contact

Craig 0434 031 344

Too many clothes? Clothes you haven’t worn in years? Clothes you’ve out grown?

Christmas e-card

Competition

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Draw or write “what would be your ideal Christmas Day” Winning entries will be used in our Christmas Appeal campaign and our UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide Christmas e-card Every entry will receive a prize Winning entries will receive a book voucher and the grand prize winner will have their entry mounted on canvas. For competition entry forms Call 1800 247 365 or log on to www.ucwesleyadelaide.org.au

Take your clean, pre-loved clothing to a GOODWILL Store* GOODWILL Collection Bin or Telephone 8202 5070 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm *see page 233 of the Adelaide White Pages for store locations

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Bev Maxwell Traditionally agriculture and nature-based tourism have been the mainstay of Kangaroo Island’s (KI) industries and employment. Over the last 20 years, activities have diversified though, attracting people who are interested in the arts, food, and wine. This has led to an increased number of art galleries as well as the increasing popularity of events like the October ‘Art Feast’ and the development of farmers’ markets. Many of the people who are involved in these ventures hold a belief in God and would see themselves as Christians, but aren’t particularly interested in what they see the Church offering.

doing life together

Kingscote Uniting Church supported by the Kangaroo Island Link Congregation decided to participate in the KI Art Feast as a way of reaching, not preaching.

While Feast for the Spirit and Senses is being held on Uniting Church premises, there are four other churches participating and individual Christians from other groups. As a registered ‘Art Feast’ event, Church members are working alongside proprietors of other venues and businesses in promotional and organisational activities. People of all ages have embraced the idea of the ‘Spirit Feast’ with some of the community’s oldest members being very supportive and offering assistance. Community connections are being made and excitement for the event is running high – and it hasn’t even started yet! Why don’t you come over to KI and celebrate with us? For more details of this ‘joyous celebration of God’s gift of creativity’ check the Events section Uniting Church website www.sa.uca.org.au or contact Bev Maxwell, bevcolin1@bigpond.com or 8553 2059.

Held over the weekend of 8-10 October the ‘Feast for the Spirit and Senses’ includes: • a children’s craft workshop • an art exhibition with a ‘Mocktail’ party opening • a market showcasing crafts, produce and food, together with an ‘Oasis’ quiet space

• an ecumenical ‘Blessing of the Artists’ service and • ‘a slice of creativity’ lunch to wind up the weekend. From the idea’s inception, we wanted this to be an openly ecumenical event, enter into community partnerships rather than be a ‘holy huddle’, and attempt to engage people of all ages, from all walks of life. We need to look at ways of engaging with our community if churches are to thrive – not just trying to bridge the gulf between the Church and the community but demonstrating that the Church is community.

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It’s all hands on deck at Kangaroo Island Uniting Church as members of a far-reaching community get ready to hold their first ‘Feast for the Spirit and Senses’ as part of KI’s burgeoning Arts scene.

letters to ed Saddened and surprised I was saddened, but also very surprised, to read Rev McDonald’s article, ‘Research failing the vulnerable’ Sept, New Times. A sound research ethics protocol is designed to protect the vulnerable and to guide the researcher in producing data of high quality. However, I also know that any ethics protocol is only as strong as the quality of its administration and supervision in the field. In addition to the university’s ethics procedures, if research is carried out in other institutions, such as schools or hospitals, the researcher must also comply with the ethics procedure of each institution. In the cases mentioned by McDonald, it is not clear why university ethics approval has been singled out for criticism, as in each case I would expect that the regulator of the school, childcare centre or community would also have scrutinised and approved the research before allowing the researcher access. What is needed is an honest and open discussion about the responsibilities of everyone involved in the research process.

Send your letters to: newtimes@sa.uca.org.au or PO Box 2145, Adelaide 5001.

Be topical, be brief, be timely. Letters over 150 words will be edited; responses to previous letters /articles will be considered within two months of the original item’s publication only. All letters are published at the editorial team’s discretion.

Network of support In June the National Uniting Network of Gay, Lesbian, friends and families gathered in Melbourne for the long weekend. We prayed, worshipped, socialised, created community and studied scripture. The highlight of our time together was the celebration of a Sacred Union ceremony in which four couples were able to affirm their love and commitment to each other before God and in the presence of family and friends. This not only reflected the reality of life but offered the opportunity to recognise same-sex relationships, strengthen all families, and embody Christian community. We affirmed again that as members of the Uniting Network we are on a journey and we invite the whole church to commit to walking alongside us with courage and perseverance as we strive towards a renewed community in which the love of Christ is demonstrated for all. L Jenski, Blackwood

J Whitten Christie Downs

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UnitingCare Wesley proudly supported by

Experience UnitingWorld UnitingWorld has released a full list of their 2011 voluntary Experience opportunities online. Nearly 100 international new placement opportunities are now available, covering a range of skills and qualifications including education, theology, community development, administration and more. ”We need inquisitive people who want to learn more about other cultures and are genuinely passionate about mutual learning, sharing, giving and experiencing great change in the process,” says Kathy Pereira, UnitingWorld’s

diary notes Living Well in a Complex Age – four lectures by Rev Dr Matthew Anstey (Principal, St Barnabas Theological College) at St Elizabeth’s Anglican Church (12 Dwyer Rd, Oaklands Park). Lectures are on Tuesday evenings, beginning on 5 October, from 7.30pm. $10 per lecture or $30 for all four. Enquiries: Marion Giles (08) 8377 2204, mgiles@chariot.net.au.

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Associate Director for Experience programs. “It’s an opportunity to literally bring our church-tochurch partnerships to life.” UnitingWorld is now accepting applications from suitably qualified candidates to spend anywhere from four weeks to several years working alongside a Church Partner of the Uniting Church in Australia, in Asia, the Pacific, or parts of Africa. Visit www.unitingworld.org. au/participate/experience to view a full list of Experience opportunities for 2011, or contact UnitingWorld on 02 8267 4267 or info@unitingworld.org.au.

Spring Community Fair on Saturday 16 October at Adelaide West Uniting Church from 9am - 3pm. Pancake & coffee breakfast, usual stalls, children’s activities, full BBQ, gourmet cakes & coffee with café style entertainment from 10am. All in air conditioned comfort. Free entry all day. Adelaide West Uniting Church 312 Sir Donald Bradman Drive Brooklyn Park. Enquiries 8234 1199.

The Corner Uniting Church’s Community Fun Day will be held on Saturday 30 October from 9.30am 3pm. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy fun and fellowship. There will be lots of stalls, children’s activities,

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Ruth Sellick, a UnitingWorld Experience volunteer from Pilgrim Uniting Church, travels to PNG several times each year to train local women in small business management, enabling them to more easily generate an income. What volunteer experience might be awaiting you? UnitingWorld is the international partnerships agency of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA).

cafe and free jumping castle. Enquiries: The Corner (08) 8350 5400. Resthaven Mitcham (48 Smith-Dorrien Street, Mitcham) celebrate their 75th Anniversary with an Open Day and Fete on Sunday, 7 November 2010 from 12 noon - 3.00pm. Join in the fun - games for young and old, live entertainment, bric-a-brac, craft and white elephant stalls, and much more! All welcome. Enquiries: (08) 8217 0639. Broadview Uniting Church (cnr Galway & Collingrove Ave) invites you to their mission event on Sunday 24 October at 3.30pm. Speaker: Ms Joy

WANTED TO BUY Australian Aboriginal New Guinea and Pacific Tribal items WANTED Weapons, boomerangs, artefacts, masks, bowls, carvings, figures, ALSO DOT paintings, BARK paintings, watercolours by Aboriginal artists. Phone Tony Bond (08) 8363 1351 or 0401 008 488

Balazo, (Associate Director for Peacemaking at UnitingWorld) who works through Young Ambassadors for Peace. There will be a two course meal at the end. Cost $15. Enquiries and booking: (08) 8261 3843.

To have your upcoming even t or message published her e, email diary@sa.uca. org.au with ‘Diary’ in the subject line.

MARRIED COUPLES Take 'time out' at a GTIM retreat weekend to focus just on one another. Dates for 2010: 13-15 Aug, Oceanview Motel, Pt Noarlunga 5-7 Nov, Weintal Resort, Tanunda

Enquiries, phone 8331 7061 See also www.gtimsa.org

Thy will be done

Kingdom Come: The local church as a catalyst for social change This challenging and inspiring book invites Christians to see how they can become visible signs of God’s kingdom within their local community. In outlining this vision, Malcolm Duncan asserts, “It is not wishful thinking to imagine a different future for local churches - it is vital!” This manifesto for social transformation, based on many experiences from around the UK, make this a practical and encouraging book.

Author: Malcolm Duncan Available from: Rainbow Book Agencies Recommended for: local congregations who want to engage further with their community In short: : An inspiring and practical approach to mission designed to assist local churches in serving as a kingdom within the community.

The early chapters offer an overview of the challenge facing Christians today - the rise of modernity, the emergence of a multicultural society with a variety of religious options, and an aggressive atheism, which has significantly changed the way many now view the world. Duncan also notes the rise of globalisation and the influence of climate change, as factors that greatly affect the way people understand themselves and the world in which they live. Duncan faces these issues with honesty, clearly wanting Christians to hear and address these challenges openly. The final three chapters are undoubtedly the heart of the book. They are all helpful, and filled with concrete examples of different ways that churches have begun to reach out to their local areas. The 10 pages of ‘An A-Z of Getting Involved in the Community’ show there are many exciting and creative possibilities. This is an excellent book - theologically sound, practically based and written in a clear and helpful style.

- Rodger Bassham

RRP: $16.95

reviews

The Heavenly Mob Book: China’s Christian Martyrs Author: Paul Hattaway Available from: Rainbow Book Agencies Recommended for: those with an interest in mission, both past, present and in the future In short: Brother Yun had a fifteen hundred year heritage.

Developing effective leaders for a healthy, missional church

RRP: $34.95

Like his earlier book The Heavenly Man, Paul Hattaway’s China’s Christian Martyrs tells the stories of individual men and women who put the gospel before their own comfort. There are Chinese of 58 races, and Westerners of three continents, individual names and faces within the great cloud of witnesses that began with a dozen Nestorians in 635AD and continues with millions today. Three quarters of the book is taken up by the twentieth century, almost half by the Boxer massacres. Several of the stories are of arrogance and interference,

the consequence of outsiders favouring their own ways over indigenous ways. Most of the stories are of otherwise ordinary foreign Christians sharing the good news of grace with groups occasionally unwilling to listen. This book is fast-moving, engaging, easy to read, and lends itself to using a story or two as an aid to meditation. The take-home message is that Christ is coming with grace for another beloved ancient people, and he is doing it from the inside. Maoist China doesn’t stand a chance. - Damien Tann

34 Lipsett Terrace, Brooklyn Park SA 5032 P: 08 8416 8420 E info@unitingcollege.org.au W: www.unitingcollege.org.au

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magazine

Christmas = you & us & them & Jesus Christmas - it’s more than a day. It really is a season that, for many of us, starts in November and ends some time in January. The Advent services, hamper distributions, the last-minute or month-long shopping ‘adventures’, end-of-year functions, Carols by Candlelight and much, much, more. The funny thing is, the pre and post-Christmas festivities often seem to be more of a celebration than the actual day. That’s why we’re getting into the seasonal spirit this year by launching ‘100 ways to celebrate Christmas’ as part of our annual Christmas postcard campaign. The ‘100 ways’ booklet is a follow-up to the ‘100 ways to spend quality time with your kids’ downloadable booklet, created in May as part of the Uniting People campaign. “It’s this time of year that a lot of people start planning their ‘perfect’ Christmas,” comments Shannon Short, Communications & Public Relations Manager, Uniting Church SA. “This obviously maximises the stress and inhibits the celebration.” “With ‘100 ways to spend quality time with your kids’ we wanted to acknowledge how much the ‘little stuff’ matters in the grand scheme of things, like hugs, dreams, playing and more. “We wanted the Christmas ‘100 ways’ to follow suit and help people enjoy the little and large things about Christmas togetherness – rather than having an immaculate Christmas table at the expense of their loved ones! “Launching the second ‘100 ways’ through the postcard campaign was our way of bringing Uniting Churches closer to people’s everyday lives again, at a time of year when they’re more open to thinking about what their local church might have to offer.” Thanks to Uniting Churches across South Australia, the Christmas Postcard campaigns have had a great impact throughout the state for the past six years, with an average of 80–90,000 postcards reaching South Australian homes. Ordering your postcards Contact: Sarah Urmston p. 8236 4260 e. surmston@sa.uca.org.au w. visit sa.uca.org.au/goto/christmas10

talk

make

laugh discover

walk

cook

create

learn

climb

sing

dream hug ride

100 ways to celebrate Christmas

The Uniting Church SA Christmas card campaign is a great, cost-effective way for Uniting Churches to connect with their local communities. The front is pictured here; the reverse offers five simple ways to celebrate Christmas, including ‘celebrate with us’, and points to our Christmas website – christmas.unitingpeople.org.au – for another 95 ideas on how to celebrate Christmas.

How do you celebrate Christmas? Contribute your ideas for the ‘100 ways to celebrate Christmas’ booklet for a chance to win a book from MediaCom Education Inc. Entries close Tues 19 Oct. The winner will be published in November’s New Times. Entries must be in writing: Post: 100 ways to celebrate Christmas competition Attention: Sarah Urmston GPO Box 2145 ADELAIDE SA 5001 Fax: (08) 8236 4265 Email: surmston@sa.uca.org.au

fly read

listen play

for 100 ways to spend quality time with your kids

unitingpeople.org.au

Life moves fast. Treasure the moment.

Uniting Church. Uniting People.