The Uniting Church in Australia
of South Australia
Cover details:
Photo: Taken by Max Howland, Chairperson. Lay Preacher's Conference.
Editor: Bridget Ransome
Advertising: Engagement Team
Design: Alex Gatley
Print: Graphic Print Group
The Engagement team at the Synod office is pleased to bring you the final issue of New Times for 2023.
There is much to read in this issue, especially as we draw near to the Voice Referendum and also the Christmas season across the church.
You will see that the Moderator’s Christmas theme is included and is based on Hope, Joy and Love, and we will soon be providing a range of resources for congregations as you prepare and plan your worship services for this important time of year.
We have also been reviewing New Times, in relation to frequency of publication, design, content etc. and in 2024 we will move from the current 5 issues per year to 4. These will be produced on a seasonal and quarterly basis, with the first issue being published as the ‘Summer’ magazine, due just prior to Easter 2024. This decision has been made for a number of reasons, including the on-going cost of paper; the reduction on a regular basis of subscriptions, as congregations merge or close; and the way in which people now access information and articles.
For editorial enquiries:
Phone: (08) 8236 4249
Email: engagement@sa.uca.org.au
Mail: The Editor, New Times GPO Box 2145 Adelaide SA 5001
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Print circulation: 6,000
Email: engagement@sa.uca.org.au
Synod of South Australia
Level 2, 212 Pirie St, Adelaide
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In case you are not aware, each time we publish New Times we also provide a digital version online, as a flipbook, located on the Synod website at this link: https:// sa.uca.org.au/new-times/new-times-print-edition/ We are hoping to give the magazine a refresh as we move into 2024, and are looking to incorporate some new regular columns to the format.
Stay tuned!
Bridget Ransome Executive Officer EngagementRecently I have been travelling around the Eyre Penisula meeting with ministers, congregations and local community groups. As I have met with farmers and those living in the various townships, many of the conversations have reflected their future hopes.
For those with crops needing rain and respite from a drying north wind, there is hope for a ‘good finish’ and a ‘profitable harvest.’ I have seen the hope and vitality within Tumby Bay’s ‘Song and Play’ group being run by the congregation.
In Port Lincoln, ‘Young at Heart’ is bringing preschoolers and residents from local Aged Care together for an afternoon of shared activities and inspiration. The church is connecting with many age groups in the community, and there is a hope that God’s joyful presence will be experienced by those who participate.
At the same time, I have had many conversations across the breadth of the church, regarding the upcoming Referendum. Each of these moments have also reflected diverse opinions and ‘hopes’ regarding the future of our nation.
As, with my theme ‘Joyfully Serious and Seriously Joyful – Living in Christ,’ I want to encourage our church to embrace the hope we have ‘living in Christ.’ As the Apostle Paul writes, ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 15:13). Paul consistently connects hope with the love and joy of God which is a work of the Holy Spirit. He encourages us to be ‘joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer’ (Romans 12:12).
At the time of this edition of New Times being published, it will be less than 100 days until Christmas. In preparing for and celebrating the birth of Jesus as ‘Immanuel – God with us,’ may we recognise God’s embrace of hope, joy, love and peace whatever our future holds.
Blessings,
Peter Morel Moderator
I want to encourage our church to embrace the hope we have ‘living in Christ.’ As the Apostle Paul writes, ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’.
Since his installation as Moderator at this year’s Synod meeting, Rev Peter Morel has been out and about across the church.
On 31st August he was pleased to conduct the commissioning service for Pastor Rebekah Brown and Pastor Lynton Willcocks as the new Chaplains at Central Adelaide Local Health Network (Royal Adelaide Hospital). We thank them both for their gifts and skills and we pray for them as they carry out the important work of chaplaincy in our community.
During September he visited the Eyre Peninsula preaching at both Whyalla and Ceduna and at Tumby Bay he enjoyed amazing hospitality, thanks to all for a great spread!
1. Moderator Peter Morel, Pastor Rebekah Brown, Pastor Lynton Willcocks
2. Pastor Lynton Willcocks, Pastor Rebekah Brown, Moderator Peter Morel, Wendy Prior
3. Moderator Peter Morel, Christine Harradine, Gladys Fleming, Sue Eaton, Peggy Darling
Just recently the Moderator also attended the New South Wales Synod meeting from 15th-17th September which commenced with the Installation Service for their new Moderator Rev Mata Havea Hiliau and the New South Wales Synod Meeting followed the service.
5. Moderator Peter Morel with Moderator Rev Mata Havea Hiliau
6. Moderator Peter Morel with President Rev Sharon Hollis
7. NSW Synod Meeting
In the 1990s to the late 2000s, a frequent visitor to our shores was American Church consultant Kennon Callahan. Responding to the lack of confidence and hope he experienced in the church at the time he would often repeat the rhetorical flourish, ‘We are an Easter people – a people of the resurrection.’ In one of his last visits, fairly late in the year, he changed the refrain to ‘We are the Christmas people – a people of the incarnation.’ That got me thinking and as a result I did a sermon series – we are an Advent People.
I won’t repeat the whole series in this article, and I don’t know what our congregation thought of the series, but I at least was helped. Using the familiar themes that we use for the Advent wreath we asked ourselves, ‘What does it mean to be a people of Hope? A people of peace? A people of Joy and Love?’ A community – not just individuals. A community – embodying the good news. That is, when you come to worship, attend a meeting, watch us wrestling with an issue, attend a Bible Study Group, a prayer meeting or a working bee, would you get a sense that the stories and values of Advent were permeating our life together.
There are many people who understandably predict the demise of the church in our time. The statistics are not encouraging overall. All sorts of reasons are found – some out of our hands – like the growth of secularisation – and others blamed on decisions we have made –we are too conversative or not conversative enough and so on.
Conversations often start with ‘if only’ and then we mention our favourite regret. I believe it would help if we all showed a bit of compassion to ourselves. In the Western World we have seen both a centuries long change in our understanding of the world and a sudden and precipitous change in the last part of the twentieth century that continues on apace. Those changes have brought about significant improvements in health and well-being for many of us, but by no means all, and they have also made it difficult for communities to have a sense of the presence of God in our midst. Hence the sense that we are living in a ‘secular age.’
The temptation of the moment is to rush to answers. To chase after the latest program or project. (I know – I have done enough of that myself!) I am reminded of a passage by David Steindl-Rast where he says that we discover hope when we die to our hopes. That is, we have many false hopes, false promises, that draw us away from encounter with God. When we let go of those hopes we discover God as a bedrock beneath them, a genuinely deep source of hope. The other insight I find helpful is from Rowan Williams who writes ‘Only a Church that is learning patience can proclaim hope effectively.’ It relates well I think to Steindl-Rast’s insight, the temptation is to chase after solutions, to blame others, to cling to our preferences, alternatively we can patiently follow Christian practices that draw us deeper into relationship with God, one another and service to the world. The practices that empower to be honest about ourselves, compassionate to others and trust in the renewing, life changing power of God. No quick fixes or easy answers but rather a patient, deeply wrought hope in the God who comes to us in Jesus.
... we have many false hopes, false promises, that draw us away from encounter with God. When we let go of those hopes we discover God as a bedrock beneath them, a genuinely deep source of hope.
In the August – September 2023 New Times, Rev Dr Tim Hein wrote a foundational piece entitled ‘What is Mission?’ This article builds on those foundations.
Jesus’ mission was to live out the truth that ‘The kingdom of heaven/God has come near,’ (Matthew 10:7, Mark 1:15, Luke 10:9). Kingdom is a way of organising, managing and being a society and a community. The kingdom of God/heaven was Jesus' term for the divinely infused, God-activated, true nature of the world.
Jesus partied with sinners, healed the sick, and welcomed the broken, the poor and the outcast because it was his nature to do so. It is in the nature, the DNA of the church to do the same.
In the Basis of Union mission appears twice. Baptism initiates us into Christ’s life and mission in the world. Holy Communion
strengthens us for our participation in the mission of Christ in the world.
Is mission a verb or an adjective? Does mission describe an activity we undertake, or does it express something of who we are?
This is not semantics. If mission is something we do then our emphasis will be on programs, systems, structures, and techniques. If mission is something that expresses who we are, our emphasis will be on community, culture, and relationships.
If mission is an adjective, we will certainly do things not because it is our duty but because it is our joy; not because it is our given task but because it is our given nature.
What can that look like?
Taperoo-Lefevre UnitingCare opens its doors each week and welcomes and distributes food and other essentials to everyone in need without qualification. They are living in the kingdom.
Meanwhile, on 23rd August 2023, the Hon Nat Cook MP, Minister for Human Services launched a shower and laundry facility at Mount Barker Uniting Church. The Minister had contributed nearly $15,000 to the building of a $40,000 project. The night before the launch there were 5 groups of people sleeping rough in tents or their cars in the safe haven of the Mount Barker church car park.
The Mount Barker congregation lives out faith and action with its catch cry of ‘Hungry No More.’ They offer a program where everyone is welcome. On Sunday evenings their service is Alive@5 followed by T@6 for friends in the community.
Word and deed going unconditionally hand in hand as the mission of living in the kingdom, the world as Jesus proclaimed it and lived it!
If mission is something we do then our emphasis will be on programs, systems, structures, and techniques. If mission is something that expresses who we are, our emphasis will be on community, culture, and relationships.
The 2023 National Conference for lay preachers and ministry leaders was the first ‘in-person’ conference held for six years, and provided a much-needed source of inspiration, knowledge and networking for lay preachers. The 55 or so participants and presenters were hosted by the Queensland Synod in their offices in Auchenflower, near the Brisbane CBD.
The conference created a space that was invitational, sacred, confessional, tactile, communal, kinaesthetic (moving), educational and intergenerational. There was space to share resources and experiences over meals, a dinner excursion to the Regatta Hotel, and more formal settings. There were dynamic and challenging preachers which included
I feIt called to attend but didn’t really know why until I was part of the session hosted by Rev Alexandra Sangster. Here was a preacher not afraid to preach on care of our creation and re-imagine the worship space so that the whole room opened up.
Another session that stayed with me was given by Rev Paul Clark entitled ‘Preaching beyond the choir.’ Rev Clark implored us not to quote the Bible, but to quote life! Jesus didn’t quote scripture, he created it. We were on our way to learning more about creating compelling reflections and worship. My thanks to all the organisers who brought this eclectic program together.
My big takeaway from the conference was ‘listening.’ Listening for God, and listening to other people’s stories. It was a privilege to engage with the speakers and with other preachers and leaders from all around Australia, to hear their stories and voices, and to share meals and experiences. In particular, the sessions and discussions on First Nations people and the climate crisis were really moving and spoke to the need for Jesus’ love and compassion to be preached with both words and actions.
Assembly President Rev Sharon Hollis brought us a paper on the subject of witnessing to God in daily life; we are also extremely grateful for her expression of support for Lay Preaching in attending for the whole conference.
‘When worship does not flow into mission, it becomes an ecclesiastical indulgence,’ Bernard Cribbin, quoted by Immediate Past President Deidre Palmer, also present for the whole conference.
A session on the Code of Ethics reminded us of the example of the life of Christ that is the fundamental basis for all our codes of conduct and similar documents.
The ribbons are inspired by SA Lay Preacher Helen Baker: as the several colours of light emerging from a prism begin as a single beam of white light, so the range of responses and messages brought by the cohort of Lay Preachers all have their origin in the one Light of Christ.
Levon Kardashian, Rev Alexandra Sangster, composer Rev David MacGregor and many more.
Susy Plein, Marion-Warradale
When I take people walking on Country the first stop is Willochra. As we approach Willochra, skeletons of big red river gums stand out in the landscape in the distance.
These trees stand as monuments that tell a story. They are a reminder to us of the consequences of not listening to our creator's voice.
They tell us of a time when they flourished and grew, and they tell us about change that happened because someone acted hastily without having the right conversations and without thinking how one decision could result in irreversible damage to the environment.
A pub was built in the early settler days; and as was the design of houses built in the outback, they would build cellars to keep food and wines cool.
However, the site of the pub was on the path of a dry creek bed. The creek would flood regularly after seasonal rains. This would result in loss of food and expensive wines, and other private property.
A decision was made to change the direction of the natural water course by making a ‘man-made’ channel. This new channel was dug about 300 metres from the original creek bed; there is now a bridge that allows vehicles to cross. The decisions that were made changed the natural flow. This was the desired outcome for the publicans but not for the stately river red gums. Seasons of being denied life giving water have resulted in them being stripped bare with no sign of life.
What can we learn from this story?
It is a story that brings both wisdom and warning. It is about being brave enough to have the right conversations before making decisions.
To have these conversations are empowering and right. The Voice to Parliament will give the First Peoples of this land a voice. It will give successive Parliaments elected by the Australian people advice on matters that will affect First Nations’ Peoples.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart has voiced the need for a Voice to Parliament. This is a very generous gift to this nation. We have an opportunity to be the generation that is brave enough to change the course of history.
A vote ‘Yes’ is the key to Closing the Gap. And better care of Country. God’s voice to us all.
Rev Dr
video,
choice' is available to view at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XEcm_jm8lo
voice
The Voice to Parliament will give the First Peoples of this land a voice. It will give successive Parliaments elected by the Australian people advice on matters that will affect First Nations’ Peoples.
Apart from a handful of bigots, the millions of Australians who will cast a vote at next month's Referendum will all share a common goal. All are motivated by a common desire to ‘Close the Gap.’
Whether Christians or none believers, almost all want the discrepancies in health outcomes and educational opportunities for Indigenous Australians to be eliminated. Few if any, can tolerate the disproportionate level of incarceration or the rising proportion of suicide attempts and mental health problems that are obviously of national concern.
Significantly, it seems almost all voters are comfortable with the opportunity the Referendum offers to recognise the original Australians in the Constitution. This recognition is welcome.
It is the proposition of a Constitutionally guaranteed ‘Voice’ that runs the real risk of separating our Nation in a totally counterproductive way. A divisive proposal that is demonstrably unnecessary.
It is mischievous nonsense to suggest that our Indigenous sisters and brothers do not have a ‘Voice’ in the promotion and management of national decisions that directly or indirectly affect them.
Thanks to a forgiving electorate, I served as a Federal Parliamentarian for 21 years. For
a part of that time I served on the Aboriginal Affairs Committee under the Chairmanship of Hon Gerry Hand who later became the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. In that role and at the behest of Aboriginal leaders, I have tramped through the Asbestos tailings at Wittenoom mine in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, solely with the intent of organising a clean-up of the site or initiating action to protect the remaining residents as requested by the local Indigenous community.
In a parallel activity I was fortunate to Chair the committee charged with the responsibility of assessing a cleanup of the Maralinga Nuclear Test site and meeting the understandable request of the local Aboriginal Indigenous community to return to their tribal home land.
While not all targets were met, this action was much more successful than anticipated (or reported). Local opinion was paramount in our decision-making and as far as humanly possible these proposals were actioned. In both instances the directly impacted communities were heard and as the record shows, their requests had a huge influence on our decisions.
On a more personal note, I was fortunate to have the communities at Point Pearce (Yorke Peninsula) and Gerrard (Berri) within the boundaries of my electorate of Wakefield. In common with all other Federal MPs I was keen to keep in regular contact.
At the insistence of the Gerrard community a yabby farm was built. The tax payer input was almost $500,000. An identical facility for breeding crayfish was established at Point Pearce (as it was then known) for a similar activity at a similar cost. Both ultimately failed.
In both instances, State and Federal Governments offered every assistance, sadly all to no avail. It wasn't the absence of a ‘Voice’ that led to the demise of these commercial projects. It was simply that well intentioned advice was either ignored or dismissed as 'patronising.’
Much more important was meeting the educational and health needs in these places. At Point Pearce a modern community health facility was established but needed to be protected against vandalism. The school was staffed by
Significantly, it seems almost all voters are comfortable with the opportunity the Referendum offers to recognise the original Australians in the Constitution. This recognition is welcome.
Education Department personnel with as many local community people involved as possible. All in response to the requests of the local Indigenous Council.
At Gerrard, the students were expected to attend the local Winkie Primary School. Of her own volition the Education Department Principal supplied breakfast to encourage attendance.
Both the Berri and Yorke Peninsula Local Government bodies have been active in listening to these communities.
As I look back over 79 years of my life I can see a great deal to celebrate in our relationships with the original Australians. Many have rightly benefitted from the policies of successive Governments. The simple fact that 11 Federal Parliamentary members can claim Indigenous heritage is evidence that an effective ‘Voice’ already exists. ‘One Australia’ is closer than ever to being a reality.
It would be a great pity to now move to divide our Nation.
For almost 60 years the Federal Parliament has maintained a joint committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. As I have mentioned, I was part of it. Its principal role is to be a ‘Voice.’ It has always consulted widely.
In addition there has long been an exclusively Government funded Aboriginal lobbying committee which has been regularly upgraded at the request of
Indigenous people. This ‘Voice’ culminated in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) which collapsed after allegations of corruption and subsequent litigation involving it's Chair. ATSIC was replaced by another ‘Voice,’ namely, The National Indigenous Council (NIC). Simply put, there has always been a Government funded lobby group structured to speak on behalf of all Aboriginal people. The sobering and uncomfortable question is, ‘How would the Parliament have managed to effectively maintain a meaningful relationship with Aboriginal Australians, if ATSIC had been enshrined in the Constitution?’
It is difficult (impossible) to recall any action taken by any Australian Parliament in the last 40 years which has either intentionally or accidentally disadvantaged Aboriginal Australians. If we are to have a ‘Voice’ it could easily be legislated for and come in to effect without controversy. No Government
has (or would) seek to negate such legislation. The electorate would not allow it.
If Prime Minister Albanese is truly committed to the intentions of the October 14th Referendum and the instigation of a ‘Voice’ he would simply legislate for this building block. There is little opposition to such a proposal.
None of the preceding is meant to gloss over the reality of Indigenous disadvantage. On the contrary, it is intended to hasten reconciliation by advancing a legislative change which Australians can all embrace.
Neil Andrew is a former Australian politician. He served in the House of Representatives for over 20 years from 1983 to 2004 representing the Division of Wakefield in South Australia for the Liberal Party. He became the 24th Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1998, a position he held until 2004.
The simple fact that 11 Federal Parliamentary members can claim Indigenous heritage is evidence that an effective ‘Voice’ already exists.
It would be a great pity to now move to divide our Nation.
I have been actively involved in the Uniting Church for most of my adult life and began more formal leadership in my local congregation at Tarlee in 2004, when I was approached to preach once per quarter. The congregation moved to be led by a Lay Ministry Team in 2009, and I found myself leading more often, detecting a ‘heart burst’ when I shared God’s Word.
In 2015 I began to seek a deeper understanding of my faith, and after nearly two years of wondering, I began studying in 2018 at Uniting College for Leadership & Theology (UCLT). In my first semester, during separate conversations with two experienced ministry leaders, it was suggested that I might be experiencing a ‘call,’ and it was suggested I consider a Period of Discernment. With Jan Trengove as my mentor, I completed this in mid-2019, during a time of deep personal upheaval.
I had discerned a call to ministry that would take me from my country home to a metropolitan context; a call where I was led
to leave behind all that had gone before and trust that God would provide all I needed; a call that became stronger as I leaned into God’s arms.
As I moved through the formal processes of Formation, I learned that patience was the key – this was happening in God’s time, not mine. When I was finally affirmed to be ordained by the Presbytery of Southern SA (PoSSA) in July 2023, it was the culmination of five years of deep prayer and contemplation.
I have been blessed to lead three congregations as their Supply Pastor (Hare Street Kurralta Park, Christ Church Wayville, and Pilgrim Uniting Church) before being called to serve in placement at Noarlunga Uniting Church. I am thankful for all who have nurtured me in this journey, and particularly value the training and formation received from UCLT.
This has been a transformative experience for me but is still only the beginning of my journey.
... a call where I was led to leave behind all that had gone before and trust that God would provide all I needed; a call that became stronger as I leaned into God’s arms.Rev Nola Gibbons with Rev Cheryl Wilson
Jenny is one of UnitingSA’s amazing NDIS clients in Whyalla, South Australia.
Jenny, 58, doesn’t let anything life throws at her get in her way and shows passion, resilience and so much heart in everything she does. She is legally blind and deaf, but with the help of her hearing aids she can hear well.
Jenny relies solely on the guidance of her support workers and her walking frame when out in the community. She loves to keep fit, and she keeps her support workers active as well. Her favourite saying to her support workers is, ‘Are you ready to get energised?’
Jenny loves a challenge and will give anything a try and was excited to recently participate in Whyalla’s famous cuttlefish tour. With the help of her community support workers guiding her down a rocky path to the water, Jenny was able to navigate her way across a narrow ladder and onto the boat, and was able to fulfil her dream of going on a boat for the first time.
UnitingSAs NDIS client Suzanne loves the movies. When UnitingSA purchased tickets to see ‘Mrs Harris Goes to Paris,’ Suzanne was so excited.
It was the first time she had been out to the movies in 20 years! Suzanne said she was overwhelmed and became quite teary. It reminded her of how much she had been through. She was finally able to be out doing something she had not done in so long, with a support worker by her side, enjoying snacks and the experience.
She loved experiencing the motion of the ocean as it swayed the boat, the smell of the sea, and the wind blowing in her hair. Jenny was not only proud of herself, but she also showed so much gratitude towards her support workers for helping make this amazing dream into a reality.
We thank Jenny for always bringing good energy and a great vibe along with her.
Jessie Mitchell, Community Support WorkerAs the Uniting Church in SA Disability Royal Commission Synod Task Group reflects upon the findings of the Disability Royal Commission, it is important to highlight the wonderful connection and work with people with disabilities that is occurring through our services.Support worker Jessie with Jenny
Adam and Matthew, who had been longterm residents at the St Andrews Men’s Shelter in Port Pirie developed a strong friendship during their stay.
As individuals, they encountered various obstacles in securing housing such as financial constraints, a lack of rental history, limited suitable property options, and limited resources in terms of money, confidence and contacts. Despite this, by joining forces and securing housing together, they were able to significantly reduce any barriers.
Their idea was discussed with the Country North Homelessness Alliance, and eventually, Matthew was offered a 2-bedroom property where the two friends received the green light to move in together. It has now been nearly a year since they began their shared living arrangement, prompting us to enquire about their experiences with moving out, moving in, and moving on:
How has the past year in your shared house been for you?
‘It has been good. We had no issues adapting to the property from the shelter. At the start, I was working, so I had no money issues.
When the work stopped, it was good to be living with someone as the financial pressure wasn’t as bad. I have gone from Youth Allowance to Job Seeker now, so that has helped,’ said Adam.
What has been the biggest challenge in settling into your new home?
‘Filling the space that we had. There was a lot more room,’ said Adam.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of this experience?
‘Having your own space and learning from each other,’ said Adam.
‘Living with someone that you already lived with because you know each other already,’ said Matthew.
What advice would you give to someone experiencing homelessness and staying in the shelter?
‘Support each other,’ said Adam. ‘Persist,’ said Matthew.
Do you have a favorite quote or saying?
‘Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get,’ said Adam. (As quoted from the movie Forrest Gump.)
In February 2023, Uniting Country SA celebrated its White Ribbon Workplace accreditation, reflecting their dedication to fostering a workplace that champions respectful, safe, and inclusive practices.
The White Ribbon program, an internationally recognised movement against gendered violence, aligns perfectly with the belief that we all have a pivotal role in driving cultural change to combat violence, both within and beyond our workplaces.
Uniting Country SAs Senior Leadership Team demonstrated its commitment by endorsing a White Ribbon Business Plan. The Chief Executive, serving as the Chairperson of the White Ribbon Committee, was invited by White Ribbon Australia to contribute to a 4-part video resource series.
The organisation takes immense pride in being one of the few in regional Australia to achieve White Ribbon accreditation. Their commitment to the prevention of all forms of domestic and family violence is absolute and unwavering
A young expectant mother approached Uniting Country SA services seeking help to reintegrate her older child into school.
The child's attendance had declined, and she felt isolated due to her partner's recent passing and her own impending childbirth. The Advancing Families and Communities team established a cultural connection, swiftly arranging mental health support and grief counselling for the older child.
They addressed the school attendance issue, facilitated a new enrolment, secured an education scholarship, helped establish routines, and aided funding applications for necessities like an air conditioner. The mother's well-being has improved, her older children attend school regularly, and she is now engaged in a supportive playgroup.
Left to Right: Hayley Broadfoot, Donna Slade, Anna Cornish, Suzanne Clark, Ian Darling, Tom Geyer, Kylie Crouch, Rachel OsbornSouth Australian Church Basketball brings girls and women together to play basketball in a community that supports them, despite declining participation rates. Helen Grear of Seeds Uniting Basketball explains that connections are formed off the court in addition to the on-court basketball action provided by the Community Competition and Club throughout the week.
‘The big aim for Seeds Uniting Church Basketball is inclusion and fun. We attempt to include all abilities and foster friendship as all players grow in skill, confidence, and sportsmanship,’ said Helen.
‘Having a women's competition is a great place for women to gather, and share fun, skills, grit, passion and positive team sportChurch Basketball is a place for community.’
Tristan Prentice manages and coaches women's teams in the community competition, including the South Australian Church Stars Women's Program, which had only one team before the pandemic. It was necessary to regrow both participation and culture.
‘I decided to pause playing for the men’s team, for the club to focus on the mission of the women’s program – I desired to champion for us to have more women involved in coaching, playing, managing and participating at all areas across church basketball, said Tristan.
‘Our women's community competition has NBL1 players and old scholar teams and offers a pathway to our representative club, you see women involved in both or one or the other for seasons of their lives.
‘We care and provide a supportive, adaptive environment while still upholding our club values from the Bible verse 1 Timothy 4:8. As a result, many women who have come through this pathway who had expressed a lost desire to play basketball, have been rejuvenated not only on-court but in their purpose, lives, and families. We now have a team back in Division Three and multiple teams in Division Four with room to grow more junior girls, women’s youth and senior women’s families.’
South Australian Church Basketball Association is inviting interested women to come and play for Churches, Schools and community groups to participate in a longstanding organisation that values community, faith and basketball. Commencing in 1950 and continuing today - SA Church Basketball has a rich history and an exciting future ahead playing a role in South Australia’s Basketball Female Participation Strategy.
Ways to get involved include introductory basketball programs and camps, the opportunity to become an official and playing juniors or seniors in the SA Church Basketball Community competition. The competition has multiple venue locations across metropolitan Adelaide on Saturday afternoons and Tuesday nights. There is also the opportunity to become a player or coach for SA Church Basketball’s district club, the Stars, who participate in the Basketball SA district competition.
SA Church Basketball is about ‘more than basketball’ and encourages the spirit of community and teamwork. For more information and to get involved, visit www.sachurchbasketball.com.au
The 2022 FIBA, 2023 FIBA Asia and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cups have shown the rise in Women’s participation in sports is in the spotlight right now!
Having a women's competition is a great place for women to gather, and share fun, skills, grit, passion and positive team sport - Church Basketball is a place for community.
If someone told you that they had joined the board of an organisation whose parent organisation is half the size it was two decades ago, you might wonder why. And if they told you that the organisation was in religious publishing and the book trade, you might even question their sanity!
Newspapers can’t make money, publishers, especially religious publishers, are going to the wall at a rate of knots, and with the rapid development of social media and artificial intelligence, no-one can predict what publishing will look like next year, let alone the next decade. And don’t get me started on the future of the institutional church!
So, why on earth did I say yes to joining the board of MediaCom Education?
MediaCom has been creatively responding to the spiritual reading and worship and education resource needs of the Australian Church and Australian Christians for decades. It has helped a distinctive Australian religious voice get out into the world, and it was crucial to the development and growth of the innovative Season of the Spirit™ lectionary-based, intergenerational worship and Christian education resource.
But that was then. This is now. Now, we are in a different media culture. Now, we are a different church. We need to think differently and creatively about how we resource – the living out of the always eternal – and still extraordinary truth that God makes God’s home with us and in us.
Can MediaCom create home-grown resources that help the weekly lectionary texts come alive in worship and other settings? Is there an opportunity to seek out, support, and publish distinctly 21stcentury Australian voices of faith, writing music, theology, poetry, fiction and more? Can we harness the technologies of electronic publishing, print-on-demand, AI and social media to disseminate what we gather? Can MediaCom develop thicker and stronger links with our Synod, other Synods, and the Assembly?
We don’t know. But we are having a red-hot go at it!
What we do know is that all of us in the Church need words and images – in our hands and on our screens that inspire us, delight us, challenge us, stretch us, and sing to us. We constantly need to be reminded of the true nature of the world; the kingdom of God, Jesus called it. The true world is so surprising, so counter-cultural, so ridiculously welcoming and forgiving that, if we don’t remind ourselves of its startling and revolutionary reality, we will find ourselves living as if it is not true.
We desperately need this. And we need outfits like MediaCom.
So, I’m off to a board meeting! mediacomeducation.org.au
What we do know is that all of us in the Church need words and images – in our hands and on our screens that inspire us, delight us, challenge us, stretch us, and sing to us.
By Mark Lee, Group Manager, Uniting Venues SA
In today's digital age, it's more important than ever to provide students and young learners with opportunities to connect with nature, build essential life skills, and foster a sense of environmental stewardship. Beyond Limits Outdoor Education base camps are the answer to this pressing need. These immersive, experiential learning environments offer a unique blend of adventure, education, and personal growth that can transform the lives of participants. We will explore the incredible benefits of outdoor education base camps and why they are the ultimate choice for educators, schools, and youth organisations.
Imagine a place where students step out of their comfort zones, immerse themselves in nature, and learn valuable life skills in an environment far removed from the classroom. Base camps offer precisely that experience. These camps serve as a platform for students to explore, discover, and learn while surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the outdoors.
Base camps provide a hands-on approach to learning. Students engage in activities such as hiking, camping, rock climbing, wildlife observation, and more. These experiences are not only fun but also teach critical problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership skills. Connecting with the natural world fosters a deep sense of environmental responsibility. Students learn about ecosystems, conservation, and sustainability through first-hand experiences, leading to a greater appreciation for our planet and a commitment to preserving it.
Base camps challenge students to step out of their comfort zone, build confidence, resilience, and self-reliance. Facing nature's challenges, participants discover untapped strengths and develop a growth mindset that will serve them throughout their lives. Collaborative activities at base camps promote teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution. These skills are invaluable in both academic and real-world settings, helping students thrive
in any environment. Spending time outdoors encourages physical fitness, and a healthy lifestyle and students are introduced to the joys of physical activity, to help reduce the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle.
While there are other outdoor education base camps available, Beyond Limits base camps stand out for several compelling reasons. Our team of highly trained facilitators bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to each program, ensuring a safe and educational
experience for all participants. We tailor our base camp programs to meet the specific needs and goals of each group, which provides a personalised and memorable experience. Participant safety is our top priority. We adhere to the highest safety standards and continuously update our protocols to provide a secure environment. Beyond Limits is committed to sustainable and eco-friendly practices, minimising our impact on the environment and teaching participants the importance of conservation. Our programs create lasting memories, fostering personal growth and development that participants will carry with them throughout their lives.
Beyond Limits base camps are more than just a trend; they represent a transformative educational experience that empowers individuals, builds life skills, and fosters a deep connection with the natural world. For educators, schools, youth organisations, and individuals seeking adventure and personal growth, base camps offer an unparalleled opportunity for learning and self-discovery.
uvsa.org.au
Base camps challenge students to step out of their comfort zone, build confidence, resilience, and self-reliance.
The youth project was known as 'About FACE' (Faith and Culture Exchange), with the aim being to provide delegates with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the life, culture, and faith of neighbouring countries. For one month, groups of delegates lived with member church groups in Fiji, Indonesia, Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati, the Philippines, Thailand, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea.
After their overseas experiences (Phase 1), the Australian delegates spent one year raising funds (Phase 2) to bring 115 young people
In January 1984, 220 young Uniting Church members from across Australia, visited Southeast Asian and Pacific Island countries as part of the Uniting Church in Australia's Youth Project for the 1980s.
from the countries they had visited to come to Australia to experience Australian faith and culture first-hand (Phase 3).
These visitors spent one month in Australia, during which they had the opportunity to visit Australian churches in small groups, and participate in various cultural and faith-related activities. The whole project culminated with almost all delegates attending National Christian Youth Convention (NCYC) in Adelaide, in January 1985.
There are many faith stories that came out of this project and as it is 40 years since the original ‘About FACE’ trip overseas, there will be a reunion held in Adelaide on Sunday, January 14th, 2024. One of the aims of the reunion will be to share stories since the 1984 exchange, especially where delegates were particularly inspired to enter longterm missionary work, either within Australia or overseas.
If you participated in this project, please contact Debbie Bishop for more details of the reunion. email: aboutface84reunion@gmail.com
What will ministry and mission be like two or three decades from now? How can we prepare for it?
We are all aware that ministry and mission today looks very different than it did only two or three decades ago. There are many factors and trends at play as we peer into the future: an increasingly secular society in which the Christian faith is less well known and understood; a society that nevertheless longs for spiritual wisdom; a denominational landscape which matters less to people and where the mainline churches are no longer mainline; a society grappling with burdens of inequitable wealth distribution, climate change and pressures around migration and refugees.
Our Christian witness in word and deed will need to be authentic, imaginative, robust and fit for purpose – continuing to be built upon the one Lord, Jesus Christ.
Uniting College is developing new educational opportunities, both accredited and non-accredited, to equip people for ministry and mission in this coming decade and beyond.
Key among those is a Bachelor of Ministry with new units shaped for ministry beyond the gathered congregations. This is our new BMin with a Social Work Pathway. On completion of this bachelor degree in Ministry, students can move directly into a two year Master of Social Work at Flinders University, so that in five years, they forge a career path that enables them to work in church or secular organisations, bringing their deep understanding of the Christian faith to bear in their professional employment as Social Workers or related caring professions.
This will mean that trained lay people and also candidates will be able to offer ministry as, or in parallel with being, a social worker
or professional counsellor. Country regions and remote areas will benefit from this, as well as church organisations who are seeking motivated young people for their positions.
Uniting College is also beginning a new partnership with Arrow Leadership, which offers leadership programs designed to nurture the character and capabilities of Christian leaders. This will enable young people to enroll in an undergraduate Certificate and benefit from the formational and educational opportunities of this program, and also to build this into further ministry studies at a Diploma or Bachelor level.
For the professional development of those who already have a degree, we offer Graduate Certificate/Diploma/Masters awards through the University of Divinity, including a new Leadership award which is designed for both professionals in secular positions and ministry agents. We will have a Professional Supervision cohort in SA in 2024. For those interested in learning fresh strategies and skills that are key to church revitalisation and renewal, there is also a three unit Graduate Certificate with that focus on offer from 2024.
A new Doctor of Professional Practice award (DPP) is now on offer, taking the place of the Doctor of Ministry. The DPP gives professionals the opportunity to investigate best practice in their own area of work, building on the foundation of the Christian faith. This doctorate is of interest to ministers and all those in organisations who wish to gain skills and recognition in their own fields.
Uniting College offers many opportunities to delve deeper into understanding our identity, call and location in God’s world. We are finding new avenues to equip Christian leaders to proclaim the Good News in word and deed in 2030 and beyond.
By Rev Dr Sean Gilbert, Director, Pastoral Theology and Ministry Practice, Uniting College for Leadership & Theology
Much of my teaching revolves around spiritual formation in working relation to the practice of Christian ministry. Of late I have been conscious that most of my literary resources are drawn from the white, western tradition with a male predominance. Increasingly that has troubled me. It is not representative of the world in which I/we live.
Cindy S Lee’s ‘Our Unforming: De-Westernizing Spiritual Formation,’ has not only shone a light on my own biases but offers meaningful ways forward via the wisdoms of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) practitioners and writers. Lee is a spiritual director who lives and works in Los Angeles and is an adjunct lecturer at Fuller Seminary. Significantly, she is an Asian American woman schooled in western theology who has recently awoken to the veracity of her own eastern practices and readings of reality.
Specifically, Lee challenges western assumption about time, progress, communication, certainty (knowledge), prayer, the individual and even what constitutes the Christian faith. She writes, ‘The spiritual life is always transforming. In this way, spirituality should reflect the multiplicity of layered human experiences of God. Our collective soul as a church will atrophy if one culture or tradition holds the power and control over what is taught and practiced in the Church. When we are limited by a Western vocabulary, we limit God.’
This is a timely book and a very accessible read. It is challenging yet in an invitational way. For by encouraging communal postures within the realms of spiritual formation, in contrast to fixations on personal beliefs and growth, Lee is suggesting more expansive, soulful, and just ways of being church.
The spiritual life is always transforming. In this way, spirituality should reflect the multiplicity of layered human experiences of God.
Each year the Uniting Church in South Australia provides congregations and individuals with lectionary readings and important dates related to the life of the church within its annual Calendar publication.
The 2024 Calendar is currently being prepared and is well advanced in design and content. The inspiration for the 2024 Calendar is a focus on food and hospitality across the church which brings us together in celebration and a sense of community.
All congregations and organisations wishing to order printed calendars can do so by placing their orders between the dates of 23rd October 2023 and 13th November 2023 (inclusive). Printed calendars will be priced at $8 each (however all orders received after the early bird ordering period – from 13th November 2023 onwards – will be priced at $12 each).
Calendars can be picked up from the Synod office (Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide) from Monday, 20th November 2023 onwards. They may also be posted at an additional cost for postage and handling.
Orders must be placed using the Calendar order form which will be available via this link: https://ucasa.org.au/calendars/
Please note, orders must be paid for by a credit or debit card, as we do not have the capacity to issue invoices.
For more information or if you have any questions or queries please send them through via email only to the Engagement team at engagement@sa.uca.org.au
Postcards are a great way to inform congregations and your wider local communities about Christmas service times. The Uniting Church Synod of South Australia’s Engagement Ministry Centre has designed a postcard for your use across the Christmas and New Year period.
Also on offer are a range of resources to encourage congregations to build relationships with their immediate community and to provide a place of welcome where all can share in the companionship of the season. Postcards and accompanying posters can be ordered from the Engagement Ministry Centre and can be sent directly to your congregation from the printer or can be picked up from the Synod office on Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide. There will also be a set of free, downloadable PowerPoint and social media graphics for congregational use available on the Synod website at this link:
https://sa.uca.org.au/christmas-2023/
acknowledge and celebrate the following who were ordained on 18th October 1963:
Rev Ion Gaskill
Rev Neale Michael
Rev Neville Stewart
Rev Geoff Bridge
Correction
In the August/September issue of New Times page 14 Celebration of Ministry, we incorrectly listed the Recognition of Lay Preachers for Doug Warmington, Margaret Pope and Wes Bray as 20 years when this should have been 50 years service. We acknowledge their commitment and service to the Uniting Church and congratulate them on 50 years of committed service as Lay Preachers.
The independent schools associated with the Uniting Church Synod of SA provide education for around 6,000 students from Early Learning to Year 12. They offer a variety of learning environments, world-class facilities and high academic standards.
Students are valued and cared for, and faith diversity is respected. The story, values and practices of the Christian faith are expressed with integrity to nurture young lives for sound learning, faith, compassion and service.
Morialta Charitable Trust Fund has been supporting disadvantaged children, young people and their families in South Australia through its annual program of distributions for 40 years. To enable the Fund to continue this support through community organisations in South Australia, Morialta Charitable Trust Fund seeks donations from the public. Donations of $2 and above are tax deductible and can be forwarded to the Morialta Charitable Trust Fund at PO Box 92, Crafers SA 5152
On Sunday, 22nd October at 2.00 pm, Semaphore Uniting Church will be hosting organ music, choral work and community singing. Guest organist is Graham Bell, Woodville Concert Choir. Afternoon tea will follow the performance.
Tickets $10 each, enquiries to: helen8691@aapt.net.au some tickets available at the door.
https://events.humanitix.com/organ-celebration
Placements finalised as at 13th September 2023
Rev Craig Bossie (0.2) at Lefevre UC from 1 August 2023
The following is the list of vacant (or soon to be vacant) approved placements:
Generate Presbytery
Ceduna UC (0.6)
Clare UC
Naracoorte UC
Seeds UC (Associate Pastor) (0.8)
Sunset Rock UC (0.5)
Presbytery of Southern SA
Blackwood UC
Church of the Trinity UC
Glengowrie UC (0.5)
St Andrew's by the Sea UC (Glenelg)
Wimala Presbytery
Athelstone UC (0.8)
Kimba UC (0.5)
Generate Presbytery
Port Augusta UC (0.5)
Presbytery of Southern SA
Vermont Fijian UC
South West Fleurieu (0.4-0.5)
Wimala Presbytery
Berri UC / Barmera UC
Barossa Congregations (0.7)
Morialta UC
West Lakes United
For more information about placements, please visit sa.uca.org.au
Deadline for the New Times Summer edition 2024: Friday, 19th January 2024
ISSN 0726-2612
New Times is the voice of Uniting Church in SA. Published bi-monthly, February through November, New Times represents the breadth, diversity and vision of Uniting Church members in South Australia. Articles and advertising do not necessarily reflect the views of the New Times Editorial team.
