New Times - September 2010

September 2010

Championing justice

Issue 29, No 8 September 2010

without casting stones

Unaffordable necessities Everyday groceries at twice the price, p. 13

It’s beginning to look a little like Christmas Frontier Services Christmas Cards 2010, p. 24

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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 October 8 September

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

I have a confession to make. I didn’t write an editorial this month. And no, it’s not because I had writer’s block, the dog ate it or I missed my own deadline. And it’s most definitely not because I don’t have a view on justice and the Church’s role within that.

I have many MANY opinions on the issue of justice and our call to be champions of it.

Honestly, I read the following opinion piece, agreed totally, and thought that I couldn’t say it any better.

Sandy Boyce is this month’s editorial voice (it even rhymes - so it must be right).

The larger questions such as justice and equity, care of the creation and ensuring dignity of human persons are areas of corporate responsibility.

The call for social justice permeates the biblical narrative. The Church, through the activities of its members, has a role to play in raising awareness, advocacy, policy-shaping and challenging assumptions that are inconsistent with the Gospel.

In our society, it means engagement with the democratic process at all sorts of levels to influence decision making.

In the week leading up to the elections, a group of people, including me, organised a public gathering to address three key issues

– climate change, refugees and mental health. The event aimed to inform voters about key issues rather than tell them who to vote for.

The highlight was seeing younger voters taking seriously their responsibility to be involved in influencing the political process.

They asked insightful and searching questions.

The Church is not a bystander in political process and public forums. The central issues for our society need not be left only to ‘professional politicians’.

We have a key role to play in the way our society develops. Through the biblical narrative, Christians can offer a different lens for considering issues in our society.

What does it mean when hospitality is seen not only as kindness extended by an individual, but as a lens for the way we relate to newcomers to our country?

What does it mean when we consider care of creation as the lens for viewing sustainability and the way we use resources?

If a nation is judged on the basis of how it treats its weakest members, the imperative through the life and teachings of Jesus is to be part of the political process to ensure care of all creation, and dignity and justice for all people.

Rev Sandy Boyce (Deac), Pilgrim Uniting Church

The Corner ‘gets up’ for a GetUp political forum, moderated by Senator Nick Xenophon, featuring a panel of experts in fields of concern with representatives from the three major political parties.

People from a wide demographic gathered, including, from left: Rev Wes Howland, Rev Sandy Boyce (Deac), Louise Wigg, Jeff Telfer, Graham Brice and Senator Nick Xenophon.

ed

I remember well my surprise when I learned that Mother Teresa was the subject of sustained criticism. How could this be – such a selfless woman who had devoted the greater part of her life to caring for the poor and dying in the streets of Calcutta?

It turns out the critique was based on the observation that her exemplary care was too particularised, leaving unaddressed the underlying systemic issues that led to the ongoing condition of poverty.

Of course, both need to happen – to comfort the afflicted in a very personal and immediate way, and to afflict the comfortable such that transformation happens.

Let’s get Biblical Rev Rod Dyson

mod

Some years ago, I worked in the Synod office in the area that focused on partnerships with overseas churches, multicultural ministry, refugees and Frontier Services. While these were accepted areas of ministry for the Uniting Church, the title of the section, Partnerships and Justice, sometimes caused consternation.

Some people reacted strongly to the word ‘justice’ in this context. The view was that ‘justice’ meant people getting something they didn’t deserve; ‘if those needing justice only worked a bit harder everything would be OK’.

After one vigorous exchange on the matter, I decided to relate the word ‘justice’ to the Australian concept of a fair go.

As a child, I wanted a fair go. Though I was only a few months old when my parents moved to the town in which I grew up, I was still never really considered a local.

In primary school, I was heavier than some of the other children, so, when two captains were chosen to select sporting teams from the class group, I was always one of the last to be chosen.

I dreaded those times.

While I had some ability to lose weight, I had no power to change where I was born.

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In the same way, a refugee would not normally have any control over whether their country was at war, but fleeing and saving their family is something we would all seek to do if we were in the same situation.

Though Indigenous Australians cannot choose whether they’re born Indigenous or not, they are most unlikely to get a fair go, simply because they are Indigenous Australians.

Very few Christians would dispute the idea that becoming a disciple means a personal and radically transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. In the developed world we often forget, though, that it also means a way of living that brings reconciliation and renewal to the whole creation (Basis of Union, paragraph 3).

Agreeing to the former but not the latter is like the difference between tithing our herbs and neglecting the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faith (Matthew 23.23).

Richard Stearns has written a book called The Hole in our Gospel. He recounts the story of theological students underlining every passage in the bible that dealt with poverty, wealth, justice and oppression (around 2000 verses). Then they went one step further and cut out all of those passages. The book that was left barely held together. In some churches, it’s this hole-y bible that’s preached from.

Many of us struggle to live out God’s clear concern for the poor and marginalised.

May the Holy Spirit bring a wholeness to our faith and life.

Championing Justice is, in fact, a very biblical affair.

Though Indigenous Australians cannot choose whether they’re born Indigenous or not, they are most unlikely to get a fair go, simply because they are Indigenous Australians.

U Need? U Apply

More information and application forms are available from:

Have you ever had something you wish you could tell everybody in Uniting Church SA about? Sometimes it can be a challenge to get your message out there. And what if there are other congregations who would like to get a message to you?

While New Times acts as the voice of Uniting Church SA on a monthly basis, for more immediate information, nothing beats UC E-News to connect you – to me & us & them.

UC E-News is an electronic newsletter that arrives in over 800 inboxes every Wednesday.

In UC E-News, you’ll find information and events from other congregations, the Assembly, the Presbytery and Synod office, ecumenical bodies, books and resources, positions vacant and more.

“It’s now even easier to subscribe to UC E-News,” explains Sarah Urmston, who compiles UC E-News every week.

“We’ve set up an online form where, with the click of a button, you can provide your details, and be subscribed to UC E-News.

“I encourage all Uniting Church members to take a moment to sign up. UC E-news is a great way to be heard by other congregations and stay informed with happenings from around the country.”

To sign up to UC E-News, or for more information, visit presbyterysynod.sa.uca.org.au/publications/uc-e-news

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e. grants@sa.uca.org.au The Board of the Foundation was pleased to advise that the following applications for Funding were approved at its meeting in June 2010:

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Uniting Foundation is a key provider of funding for the future mission and ministry of the Uniting Church in South Australia. Through excellent management of monies during the economic crisis of 2009, Uniting Foundation is pleased to be ‘open for business’ again.

While funds are still somewhat limited, a total sum of $300,000 for this second offer of funding for the year is available to successful applicants.

“We’re really excited about the work that Uniting Churches are seeking funding for,” said Rev Russell Knight, Associate General Secretary and Manager of Uniting Foundation’s board.

“While the monetary limitations will mean us turning away some applicants, we really believe that Uniting Foundation can play an incredibly supportive role within the life of our Church.

“To best capitalise on our ministry ‘assets’ and future directions we will, as a Board, be guided by the Strategic Plan to help us ascertain what will be the most profitable and necessary areas for the funding to be directed into.”

All successful projects for 2010 will focus on fostering conversion growth, and growing and revitalising leaders – two Key Directions of the Uniting Church SA Strategic Plan.

Second Round applications are now being sought for the Board to review in November. The closing date for applications is Friday 29 October 2010. Previous applications will need to be resubmitted and follow the Funding Priorities.

E-connecting you & me & us & them

Our duty to care 40% of Males and 30% of Females don’t tell anyone their whole life about abuse they have experienced. So those who do have made a ‘climb the mountain’ effort to disclose.

Dr Monica Applewhite

As the Uniting Church SA, we have a gospel imperative.

For Duty of Care Officer, Linda Vinall, this imperative is taken very seriously.

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“We’re called to care for the least and the vulnerable,” said Linda.

“Jesus reached out to the outcast, the poor, the children, those who couldn’t speak for themselves. As a church we’re called to advocate for those minorities.

That’s what Jesus lived and commanded.”

Duty of care is a responsibility to ensure safety for those in our care and involves anticipating and avoiding foreseeable harm, or minimising harm when it occurs. It may involve identifying risks, may be simply being careful or may even mean knowing what to do when someone has been harmed.

“There can be both a legal and moral duty of care. We

have legislative requirements but the whole purpose we do this is because of our gospel imperative.”

“We now have aged care and child care registrations.

It’s not just the safety of children – it’s everybody.”

A moral duty of care exists – even if there is not legal duty of care. As disciples of Christ, the members of a church community are called to a level of care for all people especially children and young people - regardless of legal duty.

The initial roll out of the ‘Called to Care’ package in 2005 was an introduction reminding congregations of their obligations and highlighting best practice.

The Child Safe Environments Training (formally known as Mandatory Reporting) helps people to understand their mandate legally, under the legislation on child abuse and neglect.

“The aim of all of this is to create a safer place where people can be free in their ministry to grow, express and explore their faith. We’re trying to create this kind of environment through our work – it’s not designed to hinder, but to release.

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“People often think that we’re ‘wet blankets’. We’re hoping to change people’s perceptions to think of us more like a mother hen! We’re here to guide, and to protect, as required.

“When we ask you to fill out a piece of paper, or come to a training course, we’re doing this so we can show the community, at large, we’re putting their safety as a high priority.”

“We’re here to take away the potential risks, leaving you to explore ministry more fully.”

To find out more head online to resources.sa.uca.org. au/duty-of-care

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Where there is no vision, the people perish Rev Alistair Macrae, President, Uniting Church in Australia What if the old saying is true, that we get the politicians we deserve? What does the state of political discourse in the current federal election reveal about us citizens? We criticise our leaders for their apparent addiction to focus groups without considering that those groups are full of people with faces and names – and they live next door.

But neither should we let our leaders off the hook too lightly. Good leadership does more than merely reflect the opinions and values of the community. It calls us to attend to the core values and vision of our community.

From within the Jewish and Christian traditions there are many examples of courageous visionary leaders – Moses, Esther, King David, St Paul and of course Jesus himself.

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Australians like to think of themselves as generous hearted people, predisposed to giving people a fair go.

Why would leaders not appeal to these values? The debate about asylum seekers is a classic example. The policies of both major parties assume that most of us are fearful and mean-spirited, incapable of empathising with the plight of people seeking sanctuary in this land of abundance. Jews know the biblical admonition to care for the stranger and the sojourner.

Christians will recall that Jesus himself was a refugee.

Our leaders could remind us that the vast majority of our forebears arrived here seeking new life and opportunity, fleeing famine or war. They could remind us that at both solemn and proud civic occasions we sing our national anthem which proclaims ‘we’ve boundless

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plains to share’. They could call us to be who and what we claim to be.

extends to the generations to come and to our non-human neighbours?

What is missing is a particular quality of leadership that in a former time was called ‘statesmanship’, and the Judeo-Christian tradition calls prophetic leadership – leadership that casts a vision that challenges our immediate self-interest by appealing to a sense of the common good.

Wouldn’t it be refreshing if one of our leaders followed through on Kevin Rudd’s early declaration that climate change represents ‘the greatest moral challenge of our day’ and then described a sensible strategy to address it in this corner of the world?

The nagging worry is that Australians have lost the capacity to value the common good unless it immediately benefits them or their inner circle. Our notions of community have collapsed, our horizons of care have closed in. There has been a steady attrition of a shared sense, a common vocabulary, of basic human decency.

We need leaders who will appeal to our better selves, our higher ideals, to expansive goals that might only be achieved through short-term sacrifices. The classic example here is climate change. Why, when there is near consensus that the impacts of human life are threatening life-as-weknow-it on the planet, will no major party call us to change the way we live to ensure a life for those who come after us?

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Where are the leaders, the prophets, who will remind, or convince us, that a society that cares for its most vulnerable will be a happier, safer community for all? The old prophets remind us that the true measure of health of any society is how the most disadvantaged fare.

Indigenous people on almost any social indicator are significantly worse off than non-Aboriginal Australians.

Why not call for a genuine process of partnership with Aboriginal communities across the land to discern what might produce more effective outcomes in different communities, rather than seeking template solutions that ignore the diverse needs of different communities?

The greatness of this country will not be measured merely by traditional economic instruments but in terms of social cohesion and participation in all that this community has to offer.

It is depressing if the current state of politics truly reflects what most of us think and value. Contrary to the current evidence I still believe that the right leadership might still bring forth those dimensions of our national character that will make us proud to be Australian.

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Biblical wisdom tells us that ‘where there is no vision, the people perish’.

If this aspect of leadership is neglected then leaders will inevitably seek lowest common denominator approaches which, in time, diminish any community.

often in the face of strong opposition, to the higher values of justice, peace and compassion. Instead what was happening in the lead up to the election seemed to be an identification of, and capitulation to, our less generous, more self-centred selves.

Aid in Pakistan needed now Edwyn Shiell, Act for Peace Act for Peace’s partners responding to the floods in Pakistan welcome the Australian Government’s $25 million increase to the response effort, though insist the need is much greater and time is running out.

Through Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia, UnitingWorld is asking the Australian public to support the response as a matter of urgency.

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Marvin Parvez, Regional Director of Act for Peace’s Pakistan partner said, “We are running out of time. The

people of Pakistan are being forced further into chronic poverty.

“Cholera and dysentery are spreading, with further rainfall predicted this week.

The massive food, health, shelter, water, education and livelihood needs are continuing to increase.”

Alistair Gee, Executive Director of Act for Peace said, “At 20 million, the number of flood victims requiring humanitarian assistance is almost the same as Australia’s population. We are hoping each Australian will realise that someone just like them needs help.

“The need is not just immediate as the long-term effects of the floods are massive. The destruction to farming communities alone – now with billions of dollars of lost crops – combined with the damage to road, health, education, communication, and community infrastructure across vast stretches of the country is a threat to the core of the entire nation.

“An inadequate response also risks the further opening of space for militant groups who wish to extend their influence within Pakistan’s fragile democracy,” said Alistair.

Act for Peace’s partners in the Action by Churches Together (ACT) Alliance have rushed emergency food and medical assistance to affected communities.

They are currently deploying more than 1,600 tonnes of food aid to 70,000 people in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkwha and Balochistan.

To give to Act for Peace’s Pakistan Floods Appeal go to www.actforpeace.org.au or phone 1800 025 101.

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championing justice Justice comes in all shapes and forms. It applies here, there and everywhere, for young, old, different, indifferent, every skin colour, every language group. It is both lifestyle choices and policy decisions. And where there’s injustice – justice must be championed.

Yes, Uniting Church SA is passionate about the business of justice - in all its forms.

A Grand Plan for grand people

Caryn Rogers

You may recall our communal voice on the concern with aged care last year when we publically asked the question: is access to aged care a right or a privilege?

The overarching theme of our Gopher Justice campaign in 2009 has been continued nationally this year through the Grand Plan as it champions justice for older Australians – that they should be able to choose how and where they want to live, well supported by affordable care, delivered as it is needed.

“I know people in South Australia have been working hard to ensure older people in your communities get a better deal,” comments Susan Helyar, National Director of UnitingCare Australia.

“There are many who are drawing attention to aged care issues through local radio stations and newspapers and calling their local MPs to ensure older people’s needs are understood, and met.

“Whilst we have been clear and persistent in our individual advocacy over many years, we realised that we needed to work together if we were going to get aged care reforms onto the political map.”

Through the Grand Plan, 30,000 people have sent cards of support to their ‘grand people’ and political candidates have received hundreds of cards, in electorates across Australia, calling for a better deal for older people.

The Grand Plan was developed by a coalition of aged care peak bodies and faith-based service providers who wanted to work together to ensure the Government, all Senators and Members of Parliament understood the need for urgent and fundamental reform of services and supports for older people.

“All parties appear to understand the issues but neither of the two major parties have a plan to immediately address the short term issues of funding and capital,” said Klaus Zimmermann, CEO of Eldercare Inc. “Neither of them seem concerned with the large waiting lists and that many people will never get access to an aged care facility,” Klaus continues.

“Aged care providers face a great challenge – today and in the future – to provide sustainable, quality support for all older Australians, with greater individual choice,” said Richard Hearn, Resthaven’s CEO.

“It will take strong political will to make a change for the aged care sector. Labor did not engage with the sector or the community at all in its last term. Only true, meaningful dialogue and engagement will drive real reform,” said Klaus.

“We need to keep telling the Minister for Ageing, the Minister for Health, the Prime Minister and our local MPs and Senators that the community expects good decisions and more investment to be made, now, so that older people are able to get high quality service when they need it, where they want to live,” urges Susan.

“Churchgoers must protest to their local politicians, both state and federal, if they or their loved ones cannot get access to care. Access should be an entitlement for all, not a privilege for some,” finishes Klaus.

With your support we can show politicians that Australians are behind the Grand Plan to ensure: • Aged care is provided when it is needed, rather than rationed; • The system is easy to navigate and lets older people and their families have genuine choices of service types and providers; and • The way we pay for aged care meets the actual cost of the care provided.

The Grand Plan website www.thegrandplan.com.au has information and resources for those wanting to participate in this campaign, seeking a better future for older people who need services and support to live well.

The Productivity Commission is currently undertaking a comprehensive analysis of what Australia needs to do differently to ensure we can meet the care and support needs of older people in Australia, now and in the future.

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Research failing the vulnerable Rev Peter McDonald

championing justice

Imagine your teenager bringing home a questionnaire from school, containing over 40 negatively framed questions about their mental health and wellbeing, like: How many problems do you have? How much trouble do you have with your friends and your parents? How often do you find life isn’t fun anymore?

A parent presented me with a University’s research questionnaire, featuring the above questions, which was administered at their child’s school. The parent was concerned about the harm it might cause his teenager, who had suffered from depression in the past.

This parent contacted the University to discuss what responsibility they had to consider and mitigate against this foreseeable risk.

The University claimed that, as the research was approved by their Ethics

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Committee, there was nothing wrong with the questionnaire.

UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide has had a similar experience in talking to another local University about their research on eight year old children – a questionnaire, done at home, regarding the child’s experience of violence at home.

We also received an ‘it has been ethically approved’ response from the University.

While this kind of research may have been ethically approved by Universities, it has failed to meet standard societal ethics in regards to children.

Childcare research on sexuality (The Advertiser, 18 May 2010) reported that three and four year old children in a childcare centre were questioned about kissing, flirting and sexuality in a research study. Parents were not informed about the

research, and were suitably outraged.

Within a month, Child abuse study on hold after concerns about Aboriginal children and explicit material (The Australian, 2 June 2010) described researchers exposing children to various scenarios involving sex and sexual abuse. Parents were outraged, an enquiry was held and the researchers were found negligent.

Our two local stories are evidence of a larger risk of researchers downplaying the foreseeable harm their research does to the vulnerable.

Rev Peter McDonald is the chair of UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide’s Research Ethics Committee.

Should there be stronger ethical boundaries placed on research?

Head online to register your response at sa.uca.org.au/new-times-home Write into Letters to the Editor: Imagine a world where we wouldn’t need to do this research on poverty and neglect. What would it look like?

What does the kingdom of God look like and where am I in it?

What sort of research draws us all closer to a reconciled world? e. newtimes@sa.uca.org.au m. GPO Box 2145, Adelaide SA 5001

Re-offend or reform Alexandra McGrath, Communications & PR Assistant, Uniting Church SA How comfortable would you feel knowing you, your parents, children or friends were living next to an exoffender?

I find it difficult to fathom the harm some people inflict upon others. If such harm ever impacted me, I would find it very difficult not to adopt a mentality of ‘lock them up and throw away the key’.

But revenge isn’t justice, especially not in the gospel sense, according to Rev Bill Reddin, the Principal Chaplain for Prison Chaplaincy Services SA: “Our gospel is a restorative gospel that screams justice on every page.”

“Only 5% of prisoners are ‘evil’, the rest are fairly reasonable human beings that, once taken away from drugs and negative people influences, are good people who want to change.”

has been much material published on the necessary role rehabilitation plays in preventing re-offending, the Government refuses to contribute additional funds for rehabilitation, deeming the $75,000 cost for incarceration per prisoner to be sufficient.

“When prisoners are first incarcerated, they’re left with strong feelings of loneliness and isolation; they start to seriously doubt their own worth.

This genuine reform is much the objective of Caring for Ex-Offenders (CFEO), a UK based program, supported by Bill and Rev John Clarke of Prison Alpha Australia.

“Drug abuse is an addiction and, like any addiction, is very hard to overcome.

People in prison, by definition, are locked away from society and not allowed to make contact with services that society can normally access.

Designed to decrease the rate of re-offence, churches can involve themselves in this ministry and help to resocialise and empower ex-offenders.

We often look to missions overseas, yet all this time we’ve had one here, on our own doorstep.

“With approximately 80% of prisoners incarcerated because of drug related offences, perhaps we could dramatically reduce the 70% rate of re-offending by providing more drug rehabilitation resources for prisoners.”

Unfortunately, there are a number of factors that severely hinder the extent to which prison chaplains in the state can help.

The biggest hindrance is the South Australian Government. Though there

Re-offending, rehabilitation and reform are contentious issues. Some people will re-offend, yet many won’t – even more with your church’s help.

So, how can churches help? We can increase pressure on the Government to change their thinking about reform. We can also personally do more to create a better, safer society for us all, break the cycle of offending and hopefully prevent future victims through getting involved in prison ministries like CFEO, Prison Alpha or Kairos – amongst many more.

By supporting ex-offenders and giving them the opportunity of a fresh start, we really are following in the footsteps of Jesus and championing justice – even for those to whom we think ‘justice has been served’.

Jesus taught us to love our neighbour, never once specifying to love our neighbour only if they had never committed a sin.

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championing justice

If we believe this, shouldn’t we be working with our prison system to administer this restorative gospel, and dedicate time to rehabilitating offenders?

This is why Bill and other prison chaplains are so relevant. Chaplains build a level of trust with offenders and bridge the gap between prison life and society, serving as an honest face to discuss personal matters, explore faith or simply have a chat.

Working in partnership Geoff Revill On 21 July over 140 people came together to celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal trainees who are gaining skills and ongoing employment with UnitingCare Agencies, through the employment program U Working!

championing justice

Trainees have been employed in traineeships through UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide (UCWPA) and placed with various host employment sites within the UnitingCare network.

“The commitment by host agencies to provide ongoing employment on completion of the traineeships has been a very strong motivating factor for the trainees,” said Colin Graham, the Program Coordinator at UCWPA. “Acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture by the program partners has been another powerful element of the program.”

In addition to formal recognition of

achievement, the celebration included Kaurna cultural acknowledgments; a ‘Welcome to Country’ from Auntie Josie; and Rev Denise Champion, Chairperson of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander and Christian Congress in SA, sharing an Adnyamathanha ‘Creation Story’ about the Sun. Rev Ken Sumner, Covenanting Coordinator for Uniting Church SA, spoke of the importance of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their disproportionately difficult journey to employment.

Moderator Rev Rod Dyson expressed thanks to UCWPA for assisting Uniting Church SA to progress its Indigenous Employment Strategy.

The trainees were then called to the stage, applauded for their achievements and, to illustrate the support provided by program partner organisations, their agency representatives joined them onstage.

Qualifications gained included Certificates lll in Aged Care, Business Administration and Community Services; Certificates lV in Leisure / Lifestyle and Community Mental Health Work. Some of the Aged Care trainees have now commenced training in Enrolled Nursing.

For information about how your organisation might be able to host an employment placement under the program, please contact me: p. (08) 8440 2271 m. 0401 690 974 e. grevill@ucwpa.org.au Geoff Revill is the Manager of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Training for UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide Inc.

Colin Graham (L) and Kaurna Elder Auntie Josie (R), presented a framed ‘Cultural Acknowledgement Statement’ to UCWPA Board Chair Peter Bicknell and CEO Libby Craft.

The U Working! employment program (formerly CareWORKS) will now support training and mentoring services for employment placements in the Aged, Health and other Community Services.

The program is funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

A new way to be church Rev Ken Sumner, Covenanting Coordinator, Uniting Church SA Begin....... start....... commence....... open.......

There’s something refreshing and optimistic about these words, whether they refer to the dawn of a new day, the birth of a child, the prelude of a symphony, or the first kilometres of a family vacation.

Free of problems and full of promise, beginnings stir hope and imaginative visions of the future.

I believe the proposed new Preamble to the Uniting Church’s Constitution is the introduction to a fresh chapter.

This renaissance of the church helps me to dream of

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what kind of church we want our children to grow up in, to live in, to work in and to bring others into; a church that has a place for Aboriginal people, a church that has a place for the new people that come to this country, a church that reflects the Kingdom of God. The Preamble serves as a healing balm to a church and society of First and Second Peoples*.

We want to be liberated from our past, and we know non-Indigenous people need to be liberated too. We want to end blame. We need to end blame and seek forgiveness so that First and Second Peoples, and their offspring, can find

freedom – together – and thus begin a new way to be church.

When I dream of the kind of church I want my children to grow up in, and my grandchildren and greatgrandchildren to be born into, it’s the kind of church that helps society to stand upon firm foundations, the kind of church where society sees Jesus alive and active, the kind of church where society sees love and forgiveness being lived out.

I want to be part of a church where people trust each other and deeply love each other.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us embrace this

God given opportunity together, and focus, as the church, on what unites us and not on what divides us. Let us turn the page together on a fresh chapter in the life of an Australian church, for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people – together!

Right: Rev Ken Sumner with his son, Jordan, at the October 2009 Presbytery and Synod Meeting. *First and Second Peoples refers only to the nature of the Australian First People (Aboriginal) and Second People (non-Aboriginal).

It is a historical comment, not a theological one.

.

Unaffordable necessities Jonathan Nicholls Six years later, little has changed.

During a recent visit to the APY Lands, UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide compared prices of necessary, everyday items in the APY lands with the normal costs here.

Here are some examples: • litre of long-life milk: $1.44 (Adelaide), $3.30 (APY) • tub of margarine: $3.49 (Adelaide), $6.60 (APY) • small packet of breakfast cereal: $2.38 (Adelaide), $5.20 (APY) • kilogram packet of sugar: $3.49 (Adelaide), $8.20 (APY) • packet of 12 sanitary pads: $4.98 (Adelaide), $8.40 (APY) • packet of 20 disposable nappies: $5.99 (Adelaide), $13.10 (APY) • roll-on deodorant: $3.89 (Adelaide), $10.80 (APY) UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide believes these disparities are the flow-on effects of a lack of government action over many years. We believe governments need to provide more support to remote community stores, including subsidising the cost of key items at the point of sale.

In 2009, the South Australian Government acknowledged the importance of viewing remote stores differently to shops located in metropolitan or suburban settings. At that time, the Government wrote that:

making a profit should not be the focus of stores in remote Aboriginal communities unless all fundamental needs are addressed, including: food provision at prices comparable to state capitals or regional centres.

Earlier this year, South Australia’s new Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Hon Grace Portolesi MP, expressed concern at the high prices in a remote community store she had visited. On that occasion, and in subsequent comments, the Minister indicated that solving this longstanding problem is a key priority for her government.

UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide welcomes the Minister’s commitment and will continue to monitor this issue on its Anangu Lands Paper Tracker website www.papertracker.com.au Jonathan Nicholls is the Manager for Indigenous Policy and Advocacy, UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide.

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championing justice

South Australia’s remote Aboriginal communities have long been some of this State’s poorest towns. The price of basic household items sold in these communities is often very high. For example, a packet of disposable nappies that sells for under $6 in Adelaide can cost more than $13 on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. Put simply, many Aboriginal people living in remote communities cannot afford to eat well or maintain a healthy household.

This is not a new problem. In 2004, a State Parliamentary Inquiry reported that poverty in these communities was a ‘major factor’ in the perpetuation of cycles of ill-health and substance abuse.

The Inquiry also noted that the level of poverty was ‘exacerbated by the high cost of basic commodities’ and that most family incomes fell ‘below the minimum amount required to purchase an adequate supply of nutritional food items and other basic commodities’.

The YAP Proc ess

Tell your story – sharing in groups the prejudice they have experienced.

Tomas Ganderton, UnitingWorld Our Christian faith is concerned integrally with serving people who are poor. The people of God are called upon to assist communities in overcoming barriers that create a cycle of poverty, such as injustice and powerlessness.

championing justice

Burning the prejudices – participants write their stories of prejudice on a piece of paper. The facilitator burns the stories one by one as the group holds hands in a circle surrounding the fire.

But in many communities, a barrier to overcoming extreme poverty is often violence and conflict. Without peace, there is no development. Conflict within communities, between communities and often between faiths is a barrier to overcoming poverty.

The small Indonesian island of Ambon is one place where Young Ambassadors for Peace (YAP) is working with local communities to breed a culture of peace and cooperation.

For decades, conflict between and within Muslim and Christian communities has resulted in widespread destruction throughout the island.

YAP has been responding by training local community leaders as peacemakers, empowering them with the required knowledge and skills to prevent destructive violence in Ambon.

Map the conflict – Participants work in groups to identify the issues that their communities face.

Develop an action plan – groups identify their objectives and designate a coordinator in their local community.

In April this year, YAP Ambon reached a milestone when dozens of ‘Rajahs’ – Muslim community leaders – from throughout Ambon came together to participate in UnitingWorld’s Peacemaking program.

Over the eight day workshop, the participants talked about the effect of conflict in their local communities, mapped out the causes and developed an action plan for peaceful ongoing relations.

Joy Balazo is UnitingWorld’s Associate Director for Peacemaking. While she pioneered this workshop with the Uniting Church just over ten years ago, she continues to be excited about these new developments.

“It is heartening to see the transformation that has taken place in these past years. I hope that this workshop will enable more communities to work together to adapt to the issues that they commonly face.”

UnitingWorld is excited at the invitation to work in 100 percent Muslim areas as it reflects the theology behind both our Peacemaking programs and also that of the Uniting Church – involved in peacemaking, loving God and our neighbours and praying for those who are different to us.

Ending the ceremony – participants reflect on what they have experienced in a time of prayer.

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Ambassadors for peace UnitingWorld’s peace programs strive to build a culture of peace and justice in communities in need of conflict resolution.

Young Ambassadors for Peace (YAP) has eight centres throughout Asia in the Pacific, in Indonesia, India, Burma, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.

Each centre is supported by local staff, like James, Onya and Ellen below, who are passionate about sowing the seeds of peace in their local communities and trained to run effective, peace-building workshops.

YAP empowers people to create peace, resolve conflict and build friendships across barriers of conflict and violence, while paving the way for much needed development.

Onya Ely

James Qoloni

Coordinator, YAP Philippines

Volunteer, YAP Ambon

Coordinator, YAP Solomon Islands

Mindanao is a community divided by misunderstanding and fear between Muslims and Christians.

Onya Ely grew up in Asilulu, a small village in Ambon, Indonesia that has been stricken with fear and conflict between Christians and Muslims.

For James Qoloni, YAP Solomon Islands Coordinator, peace work is not easy.

Eruptions of violence have forced hundreds of thousands from their homes and many deaths, including the massacre of 57 people; more than 30 journalists.

Ellen attended YAP’s first peace workshop in the Philippines where she was inspired to spread the message of peace in her community. She saw a real opportunity for Muslim and Christian communities to work together.

Since 2003, YAP has been working to restore peace in this divided community.

As part of this work, Onya participated in a YAP workshop in 2007 and, from this time, has been dedicated to bringing peace to Ambon.

In 2008, she organised a YAP educational forum for over 500 people.

In 2009, Joy Balazo was invited to conduct peace workshops in Onya’s hometown and three Muslim communities. Many acts of reconciliation took place and the movement continues.

“I saw a miracle! Brotherhood and sisterhood among Christians and Muslims is possible. Our YAP generation is planting the seed of PEACE.”

“Peace must come from the soul. We have to work together. No matter who you are or where you are from we have the vision to live together.”

James became committed to peace after he attended YAP’s first ever peace workshop in Canberra in 2001. As the coordinator of YAP in the Solomon Islands, he has been conducting peace workshops and education programs in schools and communities across the country.

In 2008, Joy Balazo and James held their first peace workshop for women only from two of the warring islands.

The workshop brought the women together and began to heal the scars of conflict which began in 1999. The participants left the workshop as friends.

Have you got what it takes?

UnitingWorld needs 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.

Experience placements offer the opportunity to be part of the deep connection between the Uniting Church and our Church Partners overseas.

There will be many new opportunities available for volunteers to spend anything from four weeks to three years working alongside a Church Partner of the Uniting Church in Australia, in Africa, Asia and the Pacific.

To view the full list of opportunities visit www.unitingworld.org.au/participate/experience

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championing justice

Ellen Escobal

Championing a Peaceful Path: Justice in Palestine and Israel

championing justice

Edwyn Shiell, Act for Peace The alarming assault on the Gaza ‘Freedom Flotilla’ which claimed the lives of nine pro-Palestinian Turkish activists and created international uproar, has become a powerful symbol, possibly even a defining moment, in the conflict. The event has been seared in the collective memory of the international community, reminding us that the humanitarian plight of 1.5 million Palestinians living life under blockade in the Gaza Strip is a stark injustice.

Mr Constantine Dabbagh, Executive Secretary of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees in Gaza, said, “we must reduce our dependency on handouts and aid…We are not living in a zoo just to be fed. We are human beings.

We want to live with dignity.”

In the immediate aftermath of the Freedom Flotilla Attacks, Act for Peace co-hosted two prominent Palestinian activists on a visit to Australia. Their message was clear – a full throttled call to action and a challenge to Australian churches to act, because time is running out for the people of Palestine.

On 13 July, members of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA), including the Uniting Church, 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.

Mr Rifat Kassis, Director of Defence for Children International said, “This is the beginning of the momentum where worldwide and here in Australia, people, individuals, communities, churches and governments should say enough is enough and let us turn to a real peace process.”

In solidarity with Palestinian Christians, the NCCA asked its member churches and the wider Australian community to consider a boycott of goods produced

by Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

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These passionate messages moved congregations, politicians and media to think deeply about how they can champion justice for the human faces at the core of an issue which regularly gets put into the ‘too difficult’ desk drawer.

Act for Peace views this boycott measure as a vote of conscience

recognising that the occupation of Palestinian territory is in violation of international law and in breach of the fourth Geneva Convention (Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War). Goods produced in the Israeli settlements that have illegally exploited the environment and resources of Palestinian land owners and producers are illegitimate and warrant a broad boycott action.

This action is not taken in isolation; Act for Peace has drawn inspiration from the Kairos document A Moment of Truth: A word of faith, hope and love from the heart of Palestinian suffering, a call from Palestinian Christians. The document states ‘Our word is a cry of hope, with love, prayer and faith in God. We address it first of all to ourselves and then to all the churches and Christians in the world, asking them to stand against injustice’.

To find more information on the campaign for peace in Palestine/ Israel or a copy of the Kairos Palestine Document for consideration for your church, head to: www.actforpeace.org.au/palestine

Photo: Courtesy of United Nations

Mental health:

stamping out stigma Shannon Short

Nutters. Fruitloops. A screw loose. A few beers short of a six pack.

We’ve all heard the slang and probably laughed along … but mental illness isn’t so funny when you live with it.

It’s easy to put labels on people. It’s a lot harder to wrestle with what it means to be an inclusive and supportive community.

The National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2007 found that one in five Australian adults experience mental illness in any year.

Almost half of the Australian population (45.5%) will experience mental illness at some point in their lifetime.

With confronting statistics like these, why is there still such a stigma associated with mental illness?

“It really is a matter of increasing people’s understanding. People shouldn’t feel embarrassed about seeking help,” says Rev Mark Boyce, Chaplain, Northern Adelaide Mental Health Service. Mark is serving his fourteenth year as a mental health chaplain.

“Our western community puts lots of pressure on people; pressure to be successful, pressure to lead the good life, pressure to have it all, pressure that causes people extreme stress.”

Adam now shares the role of chaplain at the Cramond Clinic at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and minister at Woodville Uniting Church.

“I think the first thing people can do is educate themselves, and take opportunities to speak into conversations and be more proactive in breaking down stereotypes.”

Adam also believes that people need to be more honest when they or their loved ones are experiencing depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.

“We need to remove the masks so people don’t feel so alone.”

Both Mark and Adam believe that the church can play a significant role in creating a safe place where people can experience healing and recovery. Possibilities include support groups for people with mental illness and education and help groups for people caring for others.

“Sometimes people with mental health issues go to churches and well-meaning Christians make promises that God can’t keep and neither can they.”

It really comes down to journeying with people rather than judging them or offering simplistic solutions.

He also believes that the way we ‘do church’ can present a barrier to some.

“We need to let go of perfectionist worship and give people space to be themselves.

“Over-welcoming people can also be an issue.

Sometimes people just want to sit and be.”

“Most people have good intentions. Many are simply frightened. They want to be of help but are worried about doing the wrong thing, so instead they do nothing. Once people lose their fear, they are available to help others.”

Mark runs a training course for people who want to know more about how they can support people with a mental

illness. The course runs over seven 2.5 hours sessions.

Adam offers another course on cross-cultural care which includes mental health issues.

Both are part of the Pastoral Pathways Project. To find out more contact Linda Driver at Uniting College. p. (08) 8416 8420 e. info@unitingcollege.org.au

For more information Mental Illness Fellowship of SA (08) 8378 4100 mifa.org.au/mifsa BeyondBlue beyondblue.org.au Headspace Headspace.org.au Sane sane.org Mind rfv.org.au

“I don’t think the church has really wrestled fully with this justice issue yet,” says Mark.

Rev Adam Tretheway also works as a mental health chaplain. His previous work at Baxter Detention Centre heightened his awareness of post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues.

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Most of us know someone with a mental illness – in our family, our social network, or within our church community.

“Some people are not only dealing with the traumas they have fled, but now also there are the feelings of worthlessness that come from detention. For at least one person, life under constant surveillance from staff and security cameras has led to schizophrenia and paranoia about being watched.”

J is for justice

championing justice

Sarah Urmston and Cindy Chow It can be startling to be reminded that our country is just an island, isolated by vast expanses of ocean (or, if you prefer, “girt by sea”).

Despite our location on the globe, a group of young adults involved in a new justice initiative, the J Project, are proving that we are by no means emotionally detached from our global brothers and sisters.

A recent refugee simulation activity held by the J Project reminded students of this very notion. As part of the evening, a woman who had fled South Africa shared her plight. The entire group was left speechless by her horrifying story.

Participant Madeleine Steele recalls, “It just leaves you speechless when something so real is happening somewhere in the world and we are just oblivious to it.”

Thanks to the J Project, young adults belonging to Generation Y and Z – generations generally typified by their apathy – are shrugging off this stereotype, breaking out of oblivion and taking action to express their faith through justice and advocacy activities.

“J could mean joy, jelly beans or whatever that works for you, however, to us it stands for Justice,” explains Melissa

Brown, the J Project’s Administrative Officer.

Central to all that the J Project does is contemplation from a Christian context.

The group takes time (especially before participating in activities) to meditate, reflect, pray, listen and discuss the issues.

Initially an outcome of National Christian Youth Convention (NCYC), the J Project was made possible due to funding from the sixth key direction of the Uniting Church SA’s Strategic Plan, Championing Justice.

Pilgrim Uniting Church has also played an integral role in supporting the project, providing a base for the Project’s administrative functions.

“Pilgrim Uniting Church has a long standing commitment to justice initiatives, advocacy and social action.

There are many social justice champions at Pilgrim. It is a great opportunity for Pilgrim Church to support and encourage a new generation as they seek ways to integrate their faith and social action,”

comments Rev Sandy Boyce (Deac), Minister at Pilgrim Uniting.

Project Officer Rowan Steele is enthusiastic about the J Project and its potential to ignite the existing passions of young people, saying that the Project is seeing ‘dreams and visions becoming reality’.

Cindy is a UniSA Journalism student and Intern at Pilgrim Uniting Church.

The J Project is a new initiative for and by young adults and in particular, university students. It was formed out of the willingness of young people to express their faith through justice and advocacy opportunities, and to rediscover that, at the core of the life of Jesus was a commitment to justice, peace and mercy.

The J Project seeks to explore this core of Christian faith and to provide opportunities for young adults to bring to life their beliefs, values and faith.

Find out more at www.thejproject.org.au

classifieds EXPERIENCED HANDYMAN Home Maintenance and small jobs only $20 per hour. “Your spare pair hands: Phone 8346 0933.

For Sale 84 plastic chairs @ $100 to collect and a Yamaha double register organ to give away.

Contact person is Frank Jewell Phone: 82481106 For Sale New Caravan with 12 months Reg. Valued at $37,000 Sell price $33,000 o.n.o JURGENS brand ,”TERRA” model,17ft 4, POP-TOP CARAVAN, 4 berth, Air-con, Roll-out awning, Travel blanket (stone protector), Microwave oven, fridge/freezer, On-board 12v battery system, 12v water pump, 4 person crockery set. Caravan has never been used.

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ACCOMMODATION TERTIARY STUDENTS VACANCIES FOR OCT-DEC 2010 VACANCIES FOR 2011 Morialta Uniting Church Students Houses – undergraduate university/TAFE students. Furnished single bedrooms, shared bathrooms, living areas.

Proximity Uni-SA Magill. Easy travel to northern campus and city for Adelaide University and Uni-SA. Provisional applications are invited. Bruce Ind Church Office (8331 9344) Rent $300 monthly.

Parenting expert to visit Adelaide churches Parenting is one of those jobs that doesn’t come with a manual. Parents can prepare for their child’s arrival and plan their upbringing with the help of the myriad of resources available, but sometimes that’s still not enough.

Once they think they’re ready, Murphy’s law will soon ensure that their child, in all their individualistic and non-conforming glory, will turn those plans upside

On 19 September, Elizabeth Grove Uniting Church (cnr Harvey & Fairfield Roads) will host their last ‘Music for the People’ concert at 2pm, featuring the City of Holdfast Bay Concert Band, followed by an afternoon tea. Tickets: $7, available from the door or contact Keith 8287 0288.

The Lobethal Harmony Club will be singing at Dunn Memorial Uniting Church (Mann St, Mt Barker) on Saturday 25 September at 7.30pm. Tickets: $12.

Includes supper.

Contact Bruce & Marlene Kelly 0400 277 004.

If you’ve ever felt like this (or still do!), make sure you make time to see Steve Biddulph when he visits Adelaide this November.

Steve Biddulph is a Uniting Church member and a well-known psychologist, author and speaker. He travels the world speaking to parents and providing them with encouragement

State Mission Fellowship meets on Tuesday, 28 September at Scots Church from 10.30am. Speaker: Rev Sue Langhans - Indonesia.

Come earlier for morning cuppa and stay for lunch $3.

Enquiries 8261 3843 Following the closure of Beaumont Uniting Church and the creation of Burnside City Uniting Church, the former Beaumont pipe organ has been welcomed with excitement by the Holy Evangelist Anglican Church at Goolwa. An informal concert will be held at the Goolwa Anglican Church on 2 October at 2.30pm to celebrate the installation of the organ into its new home.

As part of their ‘Feast for the Spirit and Senses’, Kingscote Uniting Church is hosting the ‘Crossroads’ themed art exhibition on 8 – 10 October. It will open with a ‘Mocktail’ party – glamour, art, music and great food!

On Saturday an art/craft and produce market in

and inspiration. His books, including Secrets of Happy Children, Manhood and Raising Boys are in four million homes.

Steve Biddulph will be speaking at The Corner Uniting Church (3 November), Adelaide West Uniting Church (4 November) and The Journey Uniting Church (5 November TBC), as part of the Uniting People campaign and its focus on parenting.

Tickets will be available soon from VenueTix – but be sure to note these dates in your diaries now, as previous parenting talks by Steve have sold out.

the church grounds will showcase Kangaroo Island products. The weekend winds up with a ‘Blessing of the Artists’ ecumenical service on Sunday morning followed by a ‘Slices of Creativity’ lunch. Enquiries Bev Maxwell 8553 2059 bevcolin1@bigpond.com.

project in Mwandi, Zambia, which helps orphans and vulnerable children.

Excerpts from the minute books will be published in the ‘Together’ magazine as space is available. Lesley Catford, Helen Blanksby, Elizabeth Trigg and Mavis Thomas (former committee members).

There is another ‘Hymn Fest’ planned for Sunday 24 October at The Corner Uniting Church, Warradale, commencing at 1.30pm.

Further details next month.

Kersbrook Uniting Church 160th anniversary service will be on 7 November at 10.00am.

Guest speaker: Mrs Pat Richards. Morning tea follows worship. Further information: Robin Bodycomb 8389 3276.

Further information will be available via UC E-News and New Times.

diary notes

Edithburgh Uniting Church celebrated 100 years of worship in the ‘new’ church on Sunday 29 August. A history of the church, 1874 - 2010, has been published ($12 a copy + $2 postage). More information: Kath 8852 6399 haddownk@internode.on.net or Sandra 8852 6310.

down, leaving parents lost, wondering, “what do I do now?”

your To have ssage t or me n e v e g upcomin email d here, e h s li b pu rg.au a.uca.o s @ y r ia d the iary’ in with ‘D line. subject

After many years of lunches, retreats, and other gatherings, the Ministry Partners Group has disbanded. The final balance of $208 was donated to Fiona Dixon-Thompson’s

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

letters to ed Accepting asylum seekers

positions vacant

We wish to state our support for the acceptance of refugees [boat people] seeking settlement in Australia.

We support the statement of the President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Alistair Macrae, who in part said: “There is nothing to fear in reaching out a helping hand to those in need. In fact, when Australia has acted with decency in the past, we have been repaid many times over.”

Rev Macrae says that the Opposition has abandoned not only Christian values, but basic human decency, and that, “callous and punitive policies such as this, (the deeply disturbing plan to turn back asylum seeker boats) are not the mark of a fair, decent and progressive country.” We consider that an ‘offshore solution’ is an inappropriate way to treat distressed and vulnerable people. We, the undersigned, who are members of the Explorers’ Group from Adare Uniting Church, call on both Government and Opposition to act with compassion within the United Nations Guidelines, and to actively discourage the emotive scare tactics concerning asylum seekers which now seem to predominate.

J. Read (on behalf of 13 signatories), Victor Harbor

positionsvacant.sa.uca.org.au

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.

Value of Church buildings What an incredible amount of brick mortar and land that is being used, unused and only partly used in the Uniting Church.

The question that has to be faced is, are some buildings being kept just for an historic point of view? In the end, realism has to be faced asking who the money comes from for maintenance, repairs, upkeep etc, with the exception of a few historic buildings. I would say that there comes a time that some buildings should go - either pushed down or sold.

After spending 45 years of my life dealing with church buildings, I simply believe that we should adopt a very commercial attitude to buildings. After all, the word of God is not bricks and mortar, it is what goes on inside, a church service can take place in any building or under a tree if need be.

It’s time for a new vision, especially with buildings. If there is $200 million in property, as Barry Atwell noted in June’s New Times, is it being used effectively for God’s work?

R. Dixon-Thompson, Pt Lincoln

gwuc-10x10-outlined.pdf

COMMUNITY OUTREACH MISSION NETWORK “We are passionate about sharing and discovering what Christ is doing in our communities.”

We are seeking someone to fulfil the role of Administrator (10 hrs per week).

Job and person specifications available on request. Applicants should be enthusiastic, gifted and motivated members of the Uniting Church. Applications close 5pm, Friday 1st October, 2010.

Please contact: Coral Cogs Smith Email: cogs@taliskerhouse.com Phone: (08) 8447 6199 Mobile: 0433 389 708 Mailing address: c/o Grange Uniting Church, 5 Beach St, Grange, SA 5022

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New online Christian music community Jane Moad, NCYC

www.ncycmusic.com.au

Caryn and Rob Adamson are two of the co-creators of ncycmusic.com.au, a new online Christian community with a focus on music and worship.

NCYC – At a glance The National Christian Youth Convention is a biennual event of the Uniting Church for young people aged 16-25. This year the event is being held on the Gold Coast, from 29 December 2010 to 4 January 2011.

magazine

A new online Christian community has been launched, with a focus on music and worship - a first for the Uniting Church in Australia.

The site, www.ncycmusic.com.au, allows composers to upload songs, lyrics and chord charts so that National Christian Youth Convention (NCYC) attendees and congregations can browse, listen to and download the music for use in worship services.

The site aims to take a further step in music creation, from the National Assembly’s Songs that Unite competition, by building an online community of composers which includes forums to share music writing ideas and challenges as well as discussing issues relating to music and worship.

Created for ncyc11, the designers behind the site hope it will transcend more than just the National Christian Youth Convention being held at the end of this year.

“Our early ideas were that the site would help to give exposure to all the songs that get submitted for use at NCYC, not just the 12 or so that are selected for use at the event,” said Rob Adamson, co-creator of the site and member of the NCYC music team.

“One of the big things we look for is music that is transferrable so you can take it back to your congregation - no matter how big or small your band is.”

In the past, NCYC attendees could purchase a CD and music books to share the music with their congregation; this site allows people to access all the submitted music for free.

Composers have until 20 September 2010 to submit their MP3 files, chord and lyric charts to the site, to be considered for use in worship at ncyc11. Full details, including copyright and licensing information can be found at

Congratulations, Sir Samson Lyn Leane, UnitingWorld Officer, Uniting Church SA Travelling in 2003 with Rev Samson Lowa near Rabaul in East New Britain, I saw a truck with the name ‘Shoelace’ painted across the top part of its front window. This struck me as very odd, so I asked Samson about it.

“Ah that,” he said with a twinkle in his eye, “that would be because when the first Fijian missionaries came to this area, my wife’s people - the Tolai people - ate them, leaving nothing but their shoelaces!”

world

“You’re kidding,” I said.

He wasn’t. As we continued to travel together, I could only hope that it was safer nowadays!

Samson’s wife, Lady Marama Jessie Lowa, came from the area of New Britain nearer Rabaul. Jessie, far from being a missionaryeater, is well respected for her work among the women of PNG, and has ably represented them overseas when accompanying her husband.

Originally, both Samson and Jessie worked as government teachers on New Ireland, an island further to the east.

The newly knighted Sir Samson Lowa of the United Church of Papua New Guinea is known to many South Australians, who count him as a friend, trusted colleague and an inspiring partner church leader.

He has visited South Australia several times, including a stint at Naracoorte and other local churches in the South East.

Rev Saimon Gaius, a famous leader in PNG, had noticed Samson’s potential and talked to him about entering the ministry. Samson went to Rarongo Theological

College as a mature student.

After graduating, one of his appointments was as Principal of the United Church in Papua New Guinea’s (UCPNG) Gaulim Teachers College. Later he served as the minister of the large Boroko United Church in Port Moresby.

More recently, Samson was voted in as Moderator Elect in the UCPNG in the period 1996-98, becoming Moderator in 1998. The ordination service for this took place in Samson’s Nakanai home village of Galilo, and Jenny Charlesworth was pleased to represent Uniting Church SA at the event.

Samson’s current term as Moderator will conclude in 2012. Well-known for his honesty and integrity, Samson worked hard in his early

days as Moderator with Rev Bill Fisher, former Director of Uniting International Mission (now UnitingWorld) to retrieve the church’s precarious financial footing and strengthen the church’s overall witness in PNG. At one stage, he was approached to become Governor General but declined, in order to stay with the UCPNG. Earlier this year, Sir Samson suffered a stroke, but has recovered steadily.

Our congratulations to both Sir Samson and Lady Jessie.

To read more on the Knighting ceremony of Samson, and our partnership with the Church in PNG, read Close to My Heart – memories of PNG, written by Jenny Charlesworth.

SPIRITUAL RETREAT At McLaren Vale Oct 29-31 “A Retreat guided by the ideas and spirituality of Richard Rohr” Facilitated by Nora Kunzel and Bruce Stocks

At Douglas Scrub Reserve.

Important to Book Early More information, Retreat Flyer and bookings on 08

83402240

0421845091 wisliv@adam.com.au

www.wisdomforliving.net

Moderator of the United Church in PNG and former member of the UnitingWorld Reference Committee, the Right Rev Sir Samson Lowa, is now a Knight of the British Empire (KBE). He was awarded the KBE in recognition of his ongoing service to education, community and the United Church in PNG during the Queen’s Birthday honours earlier this year.

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God meets us through ordinary struggles Book: Imperfect Birds Anne Lamott has never been one to stay within the lines of normality. Converted to Christianity through the writings of Soren Kierkegaard, she has forged ahead as a provoking thinker, an entertaining writer and a believer that life is too short not to be controversial.

Imperfect Birds is Anne Lamott’s foray into story, where she tells of a Bay Area family consisting of an alcoholic, a workaholic, and a child, who thinks she is an adult, addicted to the world of drugs. The book presents a confronting rawness, as it shows life the way it really is; sometimes confusing, sometimes heartbreaking and how God is always there for us.

Author: Anne Lamott Recommended for: parents and the female gender In short: : Imperfect Birds is a subtle demonstration of how God really works in his children away from the fanfare of mainstream Christianity.

One of the interesting complexities of Imperfect Birds for me was that it wasn’t what would be called a ‘feel good’ book, with none of the characters catering to the audience. Each was flawed in their own way and while they had moments of appeal, Lamott manages to create a story which reflects reality rather than building an ideal.

One can tell that much thought and prayer has gone into Imperfect Birds. On the surface it seems like a rather standard dramatic fiction, much like the characters in the story, but if you know what you are looking for, you can see glimpses of God meeting us in our brokenness, and of sociological insights into the beautiful bond between mother and daughter.

Lamott is a true wordsmith. This story is engaging, with captivating sentences painting a story before you.

- Callum Iles

RRP: $25.95

Modern day miracles

Book: Hope in an Age of Despair Author: Albert Nolan Recommended for: thoughtful reflection and comparison In short: An insight into social and global justice over the years.

Book: Life on the Line Author: Al Gibson Recommended for: those who are less doubting than me In short: An insight into the extraordinary life and ministry of Des and Ros Sinclair.

RRP: $24.95

RRP: $19.95

“The Gospel that we preach will not be a Gospel of Jesus Christ unless it takes sides with those who are sinned against: the poor and the oppressed.”

I found this book both useful and engaging, and with the July and August Lectionary, my preaching was directed towards highlighting God’s preference for compassion, rather than sacrifice.

According to Nolan, Yahweh was the God who railed against ‘the powers that be’ to rescue a people group trapped by the system. This is what sets our God apart from all the other gods of ancient Egypt and modern South Africa.

Poverty is a structural problem as

much in today’s world as it was in the days of Israel’s judges and kings. Yet we cannot stop there, and Nolan directs his readers beyond a denunciation of injustice to an annunciation of the hope of a liberated society. Don’t just complain, proclaim.

“The most valuable contribution that a Christian can make in our age of despair is to continue, because of our faith, to act hopefully, and in that way to be an encouragement to those who have lost all hope.”

Brilliant!

- Damien Tann

This is the story of Des Sinclair and his wife Ros. Originally from New Zealand, they have lived in South Africa since forming Life Evangelism International in 1998, a ministry which conducts crusades across Africa. They also pastor Free Life Church in Johannesburg.

A large part of the book details Des’ near death experience in which he saw an extended vision of his future ministry – which has since been fulfilled.

The stories in the book report that he has been hijacked, imprisoned, tortured, beaten and left for dead, yet God supernaturally intervened to preserve his life. Several of the

stories are told to reflect great similarity with those of the New Testament such as Jesus healing the paralysed man and Paul’s escape from prison.

There is some attempt to address why some are healed and others not. Sinclair himself suffers from diabetes but evidently his blood sugar levels are fine when he is conducting major evangelistic crusades.

I would have liked more details and authentication - but maybe I am just sceptical or lack faith.

- Glenys Badger You can read a sample chapter at http://lifeonthelinebook.com

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reviews

Theology for the least

Inspiration from the Outback this Christmas Include the Outback in your Christmas celebrations with a selection of Frontier Services Christmas cards.

On sale now, these cards are a wonderful opportunity to share our passion for the land with friends and family both within Australia and overseas.

This year’s collection has a distinctly Australian feel, with images that reflect the inspiration from the Outback.

Each card includes a biblical verse and Christmas greeting.

Cards are sold in packs of six, either a mixed pack containing one of each design or six of your favourite single design. Each pack costs just $5.50, including GST and postage in Australia.

With the purchase of these cards you will support the work of the Uniting Church Outback agency, Frontier Services. The charity, which grew out of the pioneering spirit of its founder John Flynn (who is featured on the Australian $20 note), 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.

Orders can be placed with Frontier Services by phone on (08) 8227 0822 or by email to enquires@frontierservices.org.

The long awaited history of the first 50 years of Westminster can be yours!

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Jenny Harris

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ORDERS AND ENQUIRIES T: 08 8276 0276 E: ws@westminster.sa.edu.au To download the brochure visit

Jubilee Westminster School

www.westminster.com.au under ‘Quick Links, 1 9 6 1 - 2 0 1 1

Latest News, Announcements’

For more information about the work of Frontier Services or to view the full Christmas card collection online, visit – www.frontierservices.org