SYNOD 2013
THE MAGAZINE OF THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF ADELAIDE
LET’S FULLY WELCOME REFUGEES
INSIDE: A Healing Journey
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THE ANGLICAN GUARDIAN
Published by the Diocese of Adelaide Edited by Katrina McLachlan Phone: (08) 8305 9348 Fax: (08) 8305 9399 Email: communications@adelaide.anglican.com.au www.adelaide.anglican.com.au Layout by Benjamin van Caspel Phone: 0478 082 114 www.caspeldesign.com
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LOOKING BACK David Thornton-Wakeford Looking back, do you see some daft moments when you must have totally lost the plot and had a brain freeze?
Looking back, you can’t change a thing and ‘the benefit of hindsight’ is poor consolation for your mistakes.
Looking back, do you wish you’d had the insight to know you were barking up the wrong tree without a prayer?
Looking back: what’s the point? All you’ll really get at best is a sore neck or at worst a pillar of salt.
Looking back, were you too impatient to see the big picture; driven to distraction with fleeting fancies?
The Guardian is a member of The Australasian Religious Press Association
Ann Nadge is The Guardian’s poetry editor. Submissions of 20 lines or less are welcome. Send to the general editorial email address.
The joy of learning
INVESTIGATOR COLLEGE 2 Glendale Grove, Goolwa. Ph: 8555 5755
ST. PETER’S COLLEGE Hackney Road, St. Peter’s. Ph: 8362 3451
PEDARE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE 2-30 Surrey Farm Drive, Golden Grove. Ph: 8280 1700
ST. PETER’S COLLEGIATE GIRLS’ SCHOOL Stonyfell Road, Stonyfell. Ph: 8334 2200
PULTENEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL 190 South Terrace, Adelaide. Ph: 8216 5555 ST. ANDREW’S SCHOOL 22 Smith Street, Walkerville. Ph: 8168 5555 ST. COLUMBA COLLEGE President Avenue, Andrew’s Farm. Ph: 8254 0600
ANGLICAN SCHOOLS... the right choice Enquiries: Mr. Jim Raw, Anglican Schools Liaison Officer 18 King WIlliam Rd, North Adelaide 5006 Phone: 8305 9349
ST. JOHN’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL 29 Gloucester Avenue, Belair. Ph: 8278 2233
ST. PETER’S WOODLANDS GRAMMAR SCHOOL 39 Partridge Street, Glenelg. Ph: 8295 4317 TRINITY COLLEGE Alexander Avenue, Evanston South. Ph: 8522 0666 WALFORD ANGLICAN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 316 Unley Road, Hyde Park. Ph: 8272 6555 WOODCROFT COLLEGE Bains Road, Morphett Vale. Ph: 8322 2333
contents
WHEN “NO” IS A WORD OF LIBERATION… Archbishop Jeffrey Driver
The Ten Commandments are rarely seen as giving freedom.
The freedom to be satisfied? It sounds like good news for me!
Their sequence of “Thou-shalt-not” statements are usually seen as more about restraint and prohibition, than freedom and the richness of life. Religion then is equated with wowserism and negativity. As one rectory child and also one of our famous historians, Manning Clark put it, church people are regarded as the “life deniers”; people who limit rather than open up the fullness of human living.
It is the same with some of our moral prohibitions. A few weeks ago I was labelled as among the wowsers for calling for reconsideration of a proposed exhibition in the State Gallery. The exhibition was to feature an artist known for his somewhat erotic portrayal of pubescent and early adolescent children. A leading SAPOL officer, acting in a private capacity, had written to the Premier pointing out that the artist’s works has been “unusually popular’’ among a number of paedophiles he had dealt with.
There’s some truth in the critique. It is all too easy for the Church to make pronouncements about the negatives in human life, without pointing to the positives. We can be quick, for instance, to criticise the Australian addiction to material things as superficial and shallow, without pointing out that the commandment “You shall not covet”, actually gives us the freedom to be satisfied with what we have. And that’s a far richer and more radical idea for human living than any guilt inducing “you-shall-not”. A commandment that gives us the freedom to say “enough is actually enough” is good news for stressed families and a planet with ever diminishing and stretched resources.
For me this was not a matter of negative religious moralism. It was about the freedom of our children to grow through major changes in their lives without being prematurely sexualised. It was about letting our children be children; and giving them their best chance to become relationally and sexually integrated adults. There are times when “No” can actually be a word of freedom. The freedom to let our young grow up without exploitation? It sounds like good news to me!
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4. Herman who? Introducing Bible360 6. Synod 2013 8. Our Land Of Refuge 10. Celebrating Community
12 mISSION 12. A Healing Journey 14. Little By Little 16. Hearts In Pilgrimage
18 fOCUS 18. Bishop John Ford 19. Banding Together To Give Hope
20 sCHOOLS 20. Celebrating 150 years 21. Tracing St. Columba’s Footsteps 22. Old Scholars Are Never Out Of Date!
23 cOMMUNITY 23. Holy Trinity Ordinations 24. Local, National & International news 26. God words 27. Books 28. People and Places 30. Advertisements
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Herman who? Introducing Bible360 By Tim Harris
It is ironic that in an age when we have more resources to help us read and understand the Bible than at any other time in history, surveys show that the vast majority of our community have little or no awareness of the Bible. For a range of reasons, this appears to be increasingly true of the church as well. While we affirm the uniqueness and value of the Bible, we need to ask ourselves how much are we actually reading? We may know some of the better known stories, but can we outline its main story line, or know where to locate someone like Esther, or Ruth and Naomi? However, our respect for Scripture needs to go deeper than familiarity with some of the more dramatic or popular stories. The Bible as God’s living Word continues to speak to us today. It provides the foundation of our beliefs and understanding of God’s purposes, and is provided to guide us in this thing we call life. Yet, how are we to make sense of the Bible? It was written and compiled over a thousand year period, dating back some three thousand years. It comes out of a range of cultures that reflect a very different world than our own. It is composed of sixty six books (in our English Bibles) – how do they relate together, and is there a central storyline? Are we to adhere to all laws and instructions, regardless of whether they are in earlier or later parts of Scripture?
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It is at this point that we may introduce “Herman”—or more correctly, the term “hermeneutics” (a great word to drop into conversation to impress your friends). There are some well-established approaches to guide our reading and application of Scripture – something like a box full of tools to assist is in the task of making sense of the Bible. These approaches to interpreting the Bible is what is known as hermeneutics, and this provides a framework for informed and responsible reading of Scripture. There is now a wide range of resources to aid an informed reading of the Bible, starting with a variety of translations, some of which are good for study, others for public reading, and still others that use similar terms from our own culture and times. What is more, the Bible is now available in an amazing range of media: on iPads or tablets, smart phones, lap tops and in audio through CD’s or mp3 formats. You can listen to it as you exercise or drive. Bible360 is an all-new course developed by the Diocese of Brisbane, and now being offered (with some modifications) here in Adelaide. It may be presented as a one day course (usually a Saturday), but it could also be offered one evening a week over four weeks, or for use by a small group. It is highly visual, as well as highlighting the aural and dramatic character of much of the Bible. While it does provide an initial introduction to how we got our Bibles, together
with a guide to differing approaches to translation. A brief “fly-over” overview is also included, but its real strength is in equipping all participants to read the Bible for themselves. Where do we start? Well it helps to know something of the diverse cultures and contexts that are reflected in Scripture. Similarly, an understanding of the shape and movement of the biblical narrative is important, with an awareness of how the Old Testament prepares the way for the coming of Jesus as the fulfilment of many Old Testament promises. Going deeper, we can identify a world “behind” the text, a world of diverse cultures and people. There is a world “within” the text, like looking into a window, in which we can observe drama, events and teachings. And there is a world “in front of” the text, a world we inhabit. Connecting up these worlds prepares the way to discover many treasures within God’s Word. Are we required to keep some laws, but not others? Can we eat bacon, or touch pigskin? Do we need to wear particular forms of clothing? Understanding the context of passages helps distinguish some old covenant stipulations, relevant to Israel at a particular stage of her history. Other laws and instructions are identified with creation, and apply to all times and places. Our care and responsible stewardship of creation is but one example.
And yet other laws are reflected in the teachings of Jesus, with all the authority and wisdom reflected in Christ as the ultimate “Word”. The call to live right and just lives applies to all, together with the love of our neighbour and willingness to offer forgiveness to those who have wronged us—well recognised as profound teaching that radically reshapes our values personally and as a society. Understanding the movement that occurs in Scripture, together with the different forms of passages and genres helps us to hear and respond in ways that honours God and handle his Holy Word with care. Bible360 is the first of a number of planned follow-up units in Christian education. There is a limit to how much teaching we may achieve in our church services, and joining a course such as this not only provides a refresher and deepens our understanding personally, it also is a great thing to do in company. We learn together. It is our hope that every parish considers running Bible360, possibly combining with nearby parishes. The Diocese of Brisbane has had over 80 parishes participate, with 95% of participants saying it met expectations, and 98% saying they would recommend it to a friend—seriously impressive feedback! 93% reported that they intend to read the Bible more as a result, and 92% said they were more excited about the Bible. The goal of Bible360 is not to equip people to excel at Biblical trivia. It is much more profound: it is to hear the God who is not silent continue to speak to us today in and through his Word. People have died for translating the Bible. Others are punished for owning a copy, and some in our world prize just possessing a page or two. Let us not allow the easy availability and our familiarity with parts of Scripture lead to complacency — and instead rediscover an appetite for the greatest book of all!
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2013 SYNOD ADDRESS Archbishop Driver delivered his 2013 President’s Synod Address at the opening service on Friday 18th October at St Peter’s Cathedral. The following report is a reflective summary of some highlights from the Address. We gather at Synod to share our stories in God, to support one another in fellowship and to shape our future together through an honoured process. Synod should never be just a business meeting. It should be a time for the People of God in the presence of God, seeking the way of God and seeking it in a godly way. My prayer is that this triennium of this Synod will take us to the place where relationships of openness and trust will enable us to build that platform for creativity, taking us from recovery to discovery, from rebuilding to renewing and from risk aversion to adventurous missional risk taking together. Currently many conversations and explorations are being held across the Diocese. Through them all, some patterns and themes are emerging: • • • • •
Hope begins in facing truth Congregations need to prayerfully ask the question of their vocation We need to look creatively at our physical assets It is important that we continue to explore partnerships, and The Diocese needs a climate of blessing.
I trust that Synod will be encouraged by some of the developments that are emerging. There is much we can do simply by starting with the dedication and prayer of one or two. Much of what we need for our future can be found as we look to the people we have and as we revisit the spirit of our missional past.
Another Chapter for the Diocese Amongst the very first entities to be incorporated in South Australia was something called the Dean and Chapter of the Diocese of Adelaide Incorporated. It was the primary governance body of our diocese, working with the Bishop, before synods were developed. Even after the synodical system was well established here, the Dean and Chapter continued to have a particular role of advice to the Bishop and involvement in areas such as theological education. It is now time
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The boats keep coming – the debate goes on.
to formally gather up the legacy of Dean and Chapter into other bodies within the life of our diocese. An important part of this will be the establishment of a Cathedral Chapter. The role of a chapter is to facilitate the mission of the cathedral in and through the wider diocese. Ours is the only Australian cathedral without such a body and this Synod will be considering legislation to establish one. It is not a radical change. Nearly all the provisions of the existing Cathedral Ordinance will remain untouched, including the responsibilities and functions of the Cathedral Council. But the establishment of an advisory body from across the Diocese is an important measure to support the mission of our Cathedral and I commend it to Synod.
Aboriginal leadership Ever since I have been on the Standing Committee of General Synod, we have agonised at length on how to provide and sustain effective episcopal ministry to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. There are very limited national resources to draw on and the burden has fallen somewhat unfairly on the Diocese of North Queensland. Presently we do not have an Aboriginal Bishop and despite great good will, dialogue between Standing Committee and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council (NATSIAC) has yet to yield a sustainable way forward. I have been exploring the possibility of the appointment of an Aboriginal Bishop based here in Adelaide. Anglicare SA can find funding for a half-time appointment and I am sure that we could find another half appointment, while every effort is made to bring the appointment to full time. I acknowledge the commitment of the Board of Anglicare SA in being open to this initiative. All of the other Metropolitans have encouraged further exploration of this possibility and I have also been in dialogue with NATSIAC. My view is that, should we make this appointment, it should be seen as a gift to the Province and, if possible, to the wider Church. While there are, without doubt, real needs among the Aboriginal people within our own Diocese, I would hope we could see an appointment as something much more than Adelaide focused.
The recent Federal election saw the debate about asylum seekers descend to the political basement. Both major parties were seeking to outbid each other in measures where elements of basic humanity and many of the facts were set to the side. One party centred its approach on a “no benefit” scheme. Basically this meant ensuring that if people arrived on Australian shores, they were sent to third world accommodation on places like Manus Island for indefinite periods. The claim was that this would destroy the “business plan” of people smugglers. The inhumane logic of this approach, though, was that it involved using the vulnerable victims of people smuggling to discourage its perpetrators. The other main party pointed to deaths at sea and claimed that the only way to stop such tragedies was to “turn back the boats”. No one offered a suggestion as to why the voyage back to places like Indonesia would be less risky, less fraught with the possibilities of tragedy, than continuing it to places like Christmas Island. But then, these policies were espoused as part of an election campaign. We have had the election and it is time to resume a sane conversation on this difficult subject. This would be helped if we could set aside some of the unhelpful language that so often pervades this debate: That asylum seekers are queue jumpers. This language assumes access to orderly processes and “queues”. In the chaotic world of the refugee, this is nonsense.
SYNOD
That they are “illegal arrivals”. No Australian law criminalises the act of arriving in Australia without a valid visa for the purposes of seeking asylum and in fact asylum seekers are permitted to enter without prior authorisation because this right is protected by Article 31 of the 1951 U.N. Refugee Convention. That many of them are really “economic migrants” trying to get in the back door. More than 90 per cent of asylum seekers are shown by our own processes to be genuine refugees. The greater risk of people trying to get through a “back door” as economic migrants rests with people overstaying tourist or student visas. Of course there must be appropriate border control. I know of no-one who suggests that Australia should have an open door policy for limitless numbers; after all at any one time there are more than 40 million displaced persons in the world. But this problem is not going to go away and
even if they are reduced somewhat, the boats will keep coming. This is because they are part of a global phenomenon. For all that we might do here in Australia, this phenomenon needs to be addressed, with the help of global partners, and as close as possible to the place of first refuge. The Federal election campaign is over. Perhaps now we can re-engage in a realistic and sensible conversation that takes account of all these realities. Despite the political rhetoric, the human problem has not gone away.
Introducing Majur – or why our aid budget matters Majur is something around three years old. His actual age is a guess. He was abandoned outside the Diocesan Compound in Bor, South Sudan, as a baby of just a few months. His legs were twisted and he was almost blind. His future was bleak, but the women of the Diocese took him into their care. A group of us met little Majur in Bor last January. Lindy and some of our youth pilgrims have taken him to heart, raising money to bring him to Australia, and enlisting the help of the Dreaming Foundation to provide surgery and give one little boy a chance in life. But there are many thousands more. The infant mortality rate in South Sudan is so high that in some parts of the country children are not recognised as human until past their second week and often not named for months because of the risk that they may not survive. Yet Australia is a country esteemed in South Sudan. This is entirely because of the way Australia opened its arms to its refugee peoples and because of the aid provided to those still in that country. Carefully targeted foreign aid makes a huge difference, not just to individual lives, but to international goodwill across the globe. The Government’s decision to slow the growth of overseas aid towards the goal of a half per cent of gross national income smacks of electoral opportunism. There will always be reasons, or perhaps more accurately excuses, to raid the aid budget in tight times, but our aid budget needs to be immune from such opportunism. Majur and a million like him are counting on it. For these people, and for all of you who share the call of Christ’s ministry within the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide, I give thanks to the God who is able to take what we dare to offer and accomplish abundantly more than we can ask or imagine. (Eph. 3.20)
BUILDING A STRONG FUTURE By Katrina McLachlan The recent laying of the Foundation Stone marks a significant step forward for the new St Barnabas’ Theological College facility in North Adelaide. The historic event has marked the beginning of the final stage of the $1.3 million College development process and has encouraged all those looking forward to the opening of the state-of-the-art facility adjacent to Bishop’s Court in Palmer Place.
“The new facility in North Adelaide is being purpose-built with learning spaces designed for modern learning practices. “There will also be a dedicated chapel space and a garden area for students to gather.” St Barnabas’ offers a range of university courses and degrees from the Charles Sturt University School of Theology and as the College grows, more study options will continue to become available.
Principal of the College, the Rev Dr Matthew Anstey, says there is a true sense of homecoming to the development as the original College was located opposite St Peter’s Cathedral on King William St in 1880.
“The College currently has over 50 students enrolled across a number of degree programs and courses. The faculty also supervises six PhD students and more are expected to enrol next year,” Dr Anstey says.
“Now after many decades the college returns to North Adelaide,” he says.
“The new college also provides an ideal location for an expanded public lecture and seminar program for members of the general public.”
Construction of the College is underway and classes are expected to begin in July next year. Dr Anstey hopes the new location will expand interest in St Barnabas’ with the ease of access and closeness to other theological facilities in the area acting as draw-cards.
St Barnabas’ is continuing to raise money for the construction and fit-out of the College with donations of over $2 being tax-deductible.
“It brings the College into the Anglican Precinct which includes Bishop’s Court, St Peter’s Cathedral, Anglicare-SA Head Office, the Anglican Diocesan Office, St Mark’s College, and across the road the Australian Lutheran College and its outstanding theological library,” Dr Anstey says. A worker puts the finishing touches on the foundation stone.
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OUR LAND OF REFUGE? Picture courtesy of UNHCR
South Australia has a long and rich history of welcoming and assisting those people who have been forced to flee their homeland and refugees and asylum seekers have become an important part of the Adelaide Anglican Diocese, often transforming and enriching our worship with enthusiasm, cultural colour and heritage. As a Diocese we now have many languages in worship and through the asylum seekers and refugees in our midst we are made more aware of the challenges people face beyond our shores but with the “PNG Solution” firmly in place how welcoming is Australia and South Australia to some of the most vulnerable people in the world? The Government’s recent plan to resettle asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea has divided the community. Some people have compared it to John Howard’s hard line on the Tampa which won the 2001 election for the Liberal Party but while it might have
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Katrina McLachlan considers how the concept of welcoming those who need our help and support has lost it’s place in Australia’s asylum seeker policy.
seemed like good politics in an election year it is unlikely to be good policy in the longer term. The majority of asylum seekers picked up by the Tampa and shipped to Nauru were then later granted refugee status and resettled in Australia or New Zealand. The “PNG Solution” ensures that this will not happen and many peole fear what asylum seekers shipped to and processed and eventually resettled in PNG can expect? How can they possibly receive the assistance and services that have been provided to asylum seekers who have eventually settled in Australia? Archbishop Jeffrey Driver, Chair of the Anglican Church’s Refugee Network, has been consistently critical of the PNG Solution describing it as “politically driven, based on popular myth, and inhumane”. “The policy claims to address the risks to people arriving by boat, yet it comes into play only after people have made the
dangerous journey to Australia by boat,” the Archbishop says. “It focuses on people who arrive without visas, yet it does not recognise that in many of the places people flee from, it is dangerous even to be seen approaching Western embassies seeking a visa. “This policy plays to the myth that somehow boat arrivals have “jumped the queue”, but in the disorderly and dangerous world of displaced people there is often simply no queue to jump. People do what they can to save their own lives and the lives of people they love.” “Once refugees have touched Australian territory, whether by land or sea, they come under Australian jurisdiction through the UN Refugee Convention and should have their claims processed within Australian national territory at locations where they have access to a full range of support services.
“The Federal Government’s policy seeks to address the problem of people smugglers by abusing their victims.” The Judaeo-Christian has a long tradition of “welcoming strangers”, “the aliens in our midst”, so the Anglican Church sees the response to asylum seekers and refugees as much more than a matter of pragmatic human concern – it is seen as an imperative of faith. Local churches offer an important entry into community for people who often feel alone and vulnerable. Friendship and support are provided and for people who had belonged to a church in their own land, a sense of familiarity is hugely important. PNG is frequently described as a “failed” or “fragile” state and tourists are warned to exercise a “high degree of caution” because of the high rate of serious crime. And into such a complicated environment, Australia is now sending the world’s most fragile people – refugees. “Australia has international obligations to protect the human rights of all asylum seekers and refugees who arrive in Australia, regardless of how or where they arrive and whether they arrive with or without a visa,” Archbishop Driver says. “As a party to the Refugee Convention, Australia has agreed to ensure that asylum seekers who meet the definition of a refugee are not sent back to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened. This is known as the principle of non-refoulement.” Those trying to settle into a new life in PNG will probably come from Sri Lanka, Iran or another Middle Eastern country. Some will be Muslim: PNG, like Australia, is a predominately Christian country. Most won’t speak English as their first language, nor will they speak one of the more than 800 local languages spoken in PNG. They will need to find somewhere to live, get a job and send their kids to school. Land and jobs are scarce in Papua New Guinea and while PNG might be a developing country it certainly isn’t cheap to live there. In a country where most people grow their own food and make do with what they can, store-bought food and other goods have to be imported and are horrendously expensive.
Can we really expect Papua New Guineans to effectively offer shelter and protection to the world’s most vulnerable people? How can we expect PNG to suddenly find the room to give refugees a house, a job, and a school for their kids to go to? “Support structures throughout the Adelaide Diocese have for a long time encouraged churches to support asylum seekers through programs like the Homestay Program and by providing “homemaker kits”, Archbishop Driver says. “These kits are simple parcels of household goods that help to transform houses into homes. Many of these kits are being made for distribution through Anglicare and they are greatly valued because it is often the little things that make a house a home.” “Parishes also support language education, home-skill training and the provision of programs for young people.” As an agency of the Church, Anglicare is involved with the provision of housing to refugees as well as a range of support programs. A number of Anglican schools also provide special places for students from refugee families. Anglicare SA chief executive officer The Reverend Peter Sandeman says Anglicare’s Refugee Housing Service helps to house and re-settle more than 1,000 newly-arrived humanitarian refugees into South Australia each year. But Anglicare does more than just providing shelter and furniture – it also provides support to new arrivals to adapt and to their new country. “When newly-arrived humanitarian refugees arrive in SA they are usually tired, frightened and disoriented,” Rev’d Sandeman says. “Anglicare provides them sufficient culturally-appropriate and nutritious food to see them through to their first Centrelink payment, we provide orientation to their house and safe use of appliances, assist them to understand the local area and everyday practical issues we might take for granted, such as how to use rubbish and recycling bins and that bartering is not a practice you can use at a supermarket.
and then transition out of Anglicare housing into the ‘real world’ of public or community housing or private rental homes, and on to active and fulfilling lives in South Australia.” Anglican leaders, community agencies and organisations across the country stepped up their criticisms of both major parties’ policies on asylum seekers and refugees leading into the recent Federal Election. St Paul’s Cathedral and the Brotherhood of St Laurence jointly sponsored a sevenmetre banner proclaiming “Let’s Fully Welcome Refugees” attached to one of the Cathedral spires. Five other Australian Anglican cathedrals, including St Peter’s Adelaide, have joined the campaign. Announcing the “Let’s Fully Welcome Refugees” campaign Melbourne Archbishop Philip Freier described the Government’s recent policy responses as “very much at the end of the line”. “I think... when we have regional solutions offered to us, they’re not ones that have the hallmarks of really careful cooperation with our regional partners,” Archbishop Frier says. “We don’t seek to proclaim that there is one solution based on Christian principles but we want to say that the solutions being proposed can also be critiqued on Christian principles.” What will provide a long-term solution to our asylum seeker challenge is the tried and tested Australian approach to migration, affirmed with pride in our national anthem: “For those who’ve come across the seas, we’ve boundless plains to share”. This approach, practised since the pioneer-days, has shown how integration can create a strong, and diverse society. The refugees who are assisted by Australian churches and church agencies want nothing more than to be able to become active contributors to our vibrant nation. This is why St Peter’s, and many other Anglican Cathedrals and dioceses throughout this nation, is saying to our political leaders “Let’s Fully Welcome Refugees!”
“Ultimately we help prepare new arrivals to live safely, integrate into the community
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celebratinG COMMUNITY
Story by Katrina McLachlan, Photography by Bianca De Marchi
‘Community’ is a word that is constantly thrown around these days but there is one quiet spot on South Road that has truly earnt the label of a ‘supportive community’.
The Picket Fence Community Centre was established by St Mary’s Parish in 1993 and celebrated its 20th anniversary on the 8th of August.
The St Mary’s Picket Fence, Project Centre and Community Garden, located next to the church and historic cemetery, are exceptional examples of passionate and flourishing parish and community partnerships.
People’s Warden at St Mary’s and past Picket Fence Co-ordinator Nereda Ozols says the Picket Fence Community Centre aims to be an open, loving and accepting place that promotes quality of life to the benefit of the community. “The Picket Fence came about because we decided to reach out to the local community and to provide for some of its needs instead of looking inwardly and remaining a closed door to the general public,” Nereda says. “The Centre runs multiple programs including emergency assistance, an Op Shop, Food Co-op and various classes and workshops and is open Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays 10am – 2pm.”
Nereda Ozols with MP Patrick Conlon
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More than 100 people attended the recent 20th birthday celebrations that included a worship thanksgiving opened by a Kaurna Elder with words and a didgeridoo playing.
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Tours of the site included the community garden, the metalworking shed, the woodworking shed, the parish hall, the op shop and finally the Picket Fence main community building where meals and other activities are enjoyed. “At each site a community member or volunteer spoke about why they enjoy being there and their hopes for the future of that particular program,” Nereda says. “We were also blessed with a celebratory cake that was cut by Helen Deefholts - the longest serving volunteer of the Picket Fence – who has been with us for 20 years. “It was a great success and a good celebration by people involved with the Picket Fence now and from the past.” The Honourable Patrick Conlon and Anglicare CEO Peter Sandeman were among the distinguished guests at the celebration.
social outreach as part of its mission over the past twenty years, and is delighted to be part of this ongoing commitment. “Quite a few parish members are actively involved in the day to day running of the programs alongside other community volunteers and paid Anglicare staff who together do a sterling job to keep the place active and engaged.” The Memorandum Of Agreement between Anglicare and the Parish is currently being reviewed through the joint Committee of Management and the new agreement will take the form of a Covenant as part of a emphasis across Anglicare SA in moving towards a covenantal relationship with parishes as enduring mission partners within the Diocese, emphasising a shared commitment to local mission. “St Mary’s with Anglicare has already been moving in this direction for some time, thanks to the long term commitment of the Parish of St Mary’s to mission in its local community,” Peter says. Anglicare’s Jill Rivers
“Anglicare SA first became involved in the work of St Mary’s Picket Fence and Project Centre in 2007 at the invitation of the Parish,” Peter Sandeman says. “Since then, significant funding for the programs has been provided to ensure their ongoing viability. “Anglicare recognises and celebrates the faithful commitment of St Mary’s Parish to
“May this continue under God’s Grace, well into the future.” Twenty years on, the Picket Fence, Project Centre and Community Garden continue to be vital to the wellbeing and spirit of the St Mary’s Parish and the local community. But to maintain these services continued funding and regular volunteers are always welcome - they can’t do it alone.
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mISSION
A HeaLING JOURNEY By Katrina McLachlan
Majur Achol Deng is nearly blind and struggles to walk but Emma Riggs and Lindy Driver know a brighter future for him is within their reach. These two remarkable women have spent much of 2013 raising awareness and money to bring Majur to Adelaide so that he can have corrective surgery and the chance of a productive life. Emma and Lindy have travelled to South Sudan a number of times with Archbishop Driver and groups of pilgrims and volunteers. Each time the pair has worked to improve the health and education of locals and on their latest trip in February this year they came across Majur. “We have been travelling to South Sudan over the past six years with the aim of improving the maternal mortality rate, and it was in Bor that we found Majur,” Emma says. “Majur was born with twisted legs, uses a
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walker and is believed to be nearly blind. Because he was dumped at the Bishop’s compound when he was a few months old he has been cared for by Mama Mary – an elderly woman who has lovingly massaged his legs every night to get him to the point he is now. “Mary is an elderly lady, whose family were killed in the war. She does not have an income, and lives in a hut provided by the church. Despite this, she took Majur into her care insisting that Majur was human and could not be left to die on the side of the road. “What is driving us at the moment is that despite everything Mama Mary has done, if we can’t help Majur to be more mobile or learn to complete simple tasks he will not survive,” Emma says. The health sector in South Sudan is fragmented and currently lacks the capacity to provide access to medical assistance. Jonglei State is one of the most underserved states in the country largely because of the
ongoing conflict between villages and the inaccessibility of roads and infrastructure during the wet season. Some of this conflict is actually fuelled by the lack of access to medical resources and personnel. During each visit to Sudan and specifically Jonglei State, Emma and Lindy have been confronted with evidence of some of the worst health statistics in the world, including a maternal mortality rate of 2,030 per 100,000 births. Teenage pregnancies are common and women under the age of 17 frequently die in child birth. Only 66 per cent of pregnancies result in live births and an infant is not regarded as a human until it has survived 15 days because women confronted with the continued losses of their children at birth refuse to acknowledge them any earlier. Similarly, most women will not give their infant a name until they reach 18 months of age.
Despite these statistics, Majur has recently celebrated his second birthday, but Lindy Driver is extremely concerned that due to his harsh living conditions and his disability Majur will struggle to survive.
Lindy Driver and Emma Riggs
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“I have seen sickness and disease riddle rural populations who have no access to medical treatment but we have been drawn to Majur because his tenacity and perseverance are qualities we rarely see in children of his age, especially from a child who receives very little love or affection from the broader community,” Lindy says. “Adelaide is the home of over 5,000 South Sudanese people, most of who come from Bor. These people are part of the Adelaide extended family so it is important for the Diocese to look beyond its boundaries and reach out to the people of South Sudan who need our help. “Mary has given up her a peaceful old age to care for a high maintenance child. She has walked for days at a time to find medical assistance for him. She worries that she is aging and will not be around to care for him so if we can facilitate the relief of even just one of his physical disabilities then we will give him the chance to survive.” The South Sudanese community in Adelaide have rallied together and plan to care for Majur and Mary when visas and travel arrangements can be finalised and the funds needed have been raised. So far more than $8000 has been raised through donations, the Anglican School South Sudan Benefit Concert and a quiz night but more is needed to provide the medical and education support that is so desperately needed in South Sudan. The Dreamin Foundation – a group of medical professionals – has generously agreed to facilitate Majur’s medical treatment while he is in Adelaide. If all goes to plan it is hoped that he and Mary will arrive early next year. “We have been so blessed with the help of many people in the Diocese. Paul Mitchell and Garang Yiyieth have also played pivotal roles getting everything to the point it is at now,” Emma says. “Majur is a beautiful symbol of the desperate need in South Sudan. We are passionate about the cause and will do anything to raise awareness about these important issues. “Anyone who can help us is more than welcome to contact us – what we have achieved so far has been as a result of a true partnership. So many people need to be thanked for helping us find the light in Majur’s future.”
A Very Personal Journey By Emma Riggs You never forget stepping of the plane and crossing the Juba tarmac as quickly as you can to escape the summer heat in South Sudan. When I stepped out of the plane as one of the Archbishop’s Pilgrims in 2009, I remember thinking how little Juba seemed to have given, at the time, it was the capital of the former Southern Sudan. Despite the heat, we hit the ground running in Juba and began what would see me travelling back to South Sudan with Lindy Driver again in 2011 and 2013, with plans to visit as often as I can well in to the future. When I entered the country for the first time in 2009, I came in with the expectation that we would be shown just how little the people had. That we would be overwhelmed at the number of issues the people were facing with access to little to no resources. As we met more leaders and community members, it became quite apparent that the attitude of the people, their willingness to learn and their vision for their community as a whole was what was overwhelming. I began to learn that wealth is not necessarily only defined in financial terms, but that South Sudan was rich in community spirit and passion the people had for the future of their country. I have never experienced such a driven and motivational culture as that displayed by the South Sudanese and I am fortunate that the start of this relationship in 2009 has meant that we have been able to work with the local people in a venture to build and run a medical clinic in Bor, the capital of Jonglei State in South Sudan. In early 2013, Lindy and I had the great pleasure in meeting a two and a half year
old boy, Majur. Majur had been abandoned by his biological parents and was taken in by a courageous woman, Mary, who now cares for him. Majur requires urgent medical treatment and we are currently involved in attempting to obtain a visa for him to come to Australia to be treated. He would not be alive if it were not for the community who took him in, despite the sacrifices they were to make to even feed him. Majur and Mary now have a community that support them in Adelaide, extending not just to the South Sudanese People we proudly call Australians, but to those who attended and donated to his fundraisers and to Dr Paul Patiniott and the Dreamin Foundation of SA who have arranged his medical care should his visa be approved. He is an example of the lives you can change one by one. The Archbishop has now taken many Pilgrims to Africa for young people to see their faith at work in some of the hardest conditions in the world. This experience does not only serve to strengthen your faith, but has also allowed me to be in a position where I can work with a community consisting of some of the most inspiring people I have met. The medical clinic will be the first of its kind in Jonglei State, and it will benefit men, women and children, like Majur, who currently have little to no access to health care. We expect the clinic to receive over 6,000 people a year once it is fully operational, and it serves as a reminder of what you can achieve when you take the time to listen and work together for a community driven goal.
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mISSION
LITTLE BY LITTLE or in Tok Pisin, the trade language of Papua New Guinea, ‘lik lik by lik lik’ By Robert McEwin
David is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture created between 1501 and 1504, by Michelangelo. It is a 5.17 metre marble statue of the biblical hero David. Michelangelo also painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling of some 1,100 sq metres between 1508 and 1512. Today the ceiling is widely believed to be Michelangelo’s crowning achievement in painting. Both the sculpture and the ceiling were long extensive projects achieved by many small steps, little by little. The Bible translation in PNG is also a long extensive project, being achieved by many small steps, little by little. My wife and I were part of a small Wycliffe Associate work team in Port Moresby to support the work of the Bible Translation Association (BTA). This was our fifth time in PNG. Sineina, one of the BTA staff, encouraged us at devotions one morning to think about the many small steps, little by little, that God uses to accomplish his work. BTA members live by faith as all Christians do, but in their situation they have no regular paid job and need to look to God for their daily sustenance. Their vision is for all people
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of PNG to have the Scriptures in their own heart language. The task is huge. There are about 800 languages in PNG but the New Testament or part of it is only in some 200 of the languages. Learning linguistics and then translating the Scriptures into one’s own language it is one big project, accomplished by a series of many small steps, little by little. The Bible dedications that celebrate the completion and release of the Scriptures in a PNG language are very significant events. In our western parlance they are events ‘bigger than Ben Hur’, because of the dedication and many hours of work to fulfil the dream of a “Bible in every Bilum” (the PNG traditional string bag). The idea of work teams is to carry out maintenance jobs that enable the translation work to proceed with the least interruption and distraction as possible. We know that people who are dedicated to a task often do not seem to notice the small practical difficulties that get in their way; they just continue on and work around them. But that takes more energy and their work is hindered.
Peter, the leader of our party, travels regularly to Port Moresby with his wife Yvonne to assist BTA little by little, in a series of small steps. Most of the work done is the small household maintenance type that we are familiar with in Australia. On our arrival we found quite a list of jobs, none of them large but all needing time to assess, to find and obtain the materials (the hard part), and do the job (the easy part).
Together we: •
•
• • • • • •
Found and fixed water leaks from the wet areas of an upper level house and replaced two shower recesses. Designed and built a shelter for the generator that provides backup power when the grid goes down, as it often does. Replaced light fittings, and made an extension cord safe. Repaired the hinges of a steel security door. Repaired or replaced fly screens. Installed 7m of towel rails in the three rooms. Repaired a chainsaw. Re-covered a lounge suite and made cases for the 24 reading glasses that were donated.
All these jobs are small things but added up they make a huge contribution of support to the BTA team. It is a small thing to take the stone out of someone’s shoe, but it makes a big difference to walking. As with prayer the individual prayers of God’s people may seem insignificant by themselves but joined together the results are vast. Things happen
when God’s people stop being distracted from praying and spend time to find out what God is doing. Meanwhile Phyl was able to assist BTA folk to understand the medical issues surrounding typhoid, dengue fever and malaria that some of their people had. It was also quite a challenge for her to be the only ‘white-skin’ in the Port Moresby hospital caring for a sick person. The hospitals in PNG only provide the medical care; all the other patient needs – hygiene, food, laundry, drug collection must be met by the immediate family. This gave us a whole new insight into patient care in PNG. BTA has a clear vision of the task of providing the Scriptures in the heart languages of their fellow countrymen. As each new translation is finished it stands alongside the sculpture of David and the Sistine Chapel Ceiling as a monumental project that has been completed - in lots of small steps, little by little.
asked each of them what he was doing. “I am cutting stones to shape,” replied the first. “I am earning money to feed my family”, said the second man. But the third man answered enthusiastically, “I am building a great cathedral!” It is easy to get bogged down in the details of life that we lose sight of the bigger picture. We are part of God’s big plan which started with the creation of the world. Our part in this plan may seem as insignificant as chipping away at a block of stone but when seen as a whole the cathedral and the plan will resound to God’s praise and glory. Wycliffe Associate work teams provide some of the support, care and encouragement that enable BTA to more easily pursue their goals of Bible translation. Every member of every work team is contributing little by little to the next translation of the New Testament in one of the remaining 600 PNG languages.
During the Middle Ages three men were cutting stones in a quarry for a cathedral that was to be built in the city. A visitor
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HEARTS IN PILGRIMAGE
By Ann Nadge with David Thornton-Wakeford and Dawn Colsey
For the Good Friday three hour vigil at St Columba’s, Hawthorn, in 2012; Archdeacon Paul Mitchell selected readings, poetry and music in response to the Lord’s Prayer. Poetic voices included Denise Levertov (The Thread); Mary Oliver (The Summer Day); Kenneth Crotty (Pain); Rainer Maria Rilke (The Fullness of My Cry); Elizabeth Jennings (Answers) and T.S Elliot (Little Gidding). The experience reminded me of the great capacity of poets to lead us into deeper understanding of our own hearts in pilgrimage. Here I explore this process with David Thornton-Wakeford and Dawn Colsey. 16
On being a poet Ann: Please share about your poetic selves. David: I have always enjoyed writing. Poetry happens when I let go of the more active, logical side of me and allow more perceptive, contemplative and adventurous juices to flow. For me, poetry sets things free. Poetry is unconditional, open to manifold interpretation and limitless response. Like an icon, a poem is a window into the intangible mystery of life and of the divine. Dawn: I love sharing work with fellow poets in writing groups such as Kensington and Norwood Writers, and at Sophia Women Writing. Since Ordination, I give more time to writing on spiritual subjects - that just seems to be a natural flow-on from pastoral work and prayer. Some of my
inspiration comes from my grandchildren, or unexpected moments, it’s rather like taking a photograph with words. Sometimes a poem is “given” from beyond me.
Soul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage Ann: In his poem Prayer, George Herbert writes of;
“Prayer the church’s banquet, angel’s age, God’s breath in man returning to his birth, The soul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage.” To what extent does this description of prayer reflect the experience of writing poetry for you? David: I usually pray before I start to write a poem. For me prayer and poetry are often seamless. The experience of “God’s breath” authenticates the moment. Certainly, the heart is “in pilgrimage”. One becomes the instrument for something that has to be written down, something that has touched the soul. I often feel that I have entered another room when I write a poem; it is a mystical thing. Having often been “distracted with much service” in my life, it is good to “sit at the feet” of God’s holiness and grace and wait awhile. (Luke 10. 41, 42) Dawn: I often make little distinction between a prayer and a poem. A poem may come to me as a prayer, in that it’s addressed to God. Or it may express a yearning about someone or something, an entering deeply into someone’s predicament. For example, I saw a small boy huddling alone at one edge of the school sports field, well away from the rest of his class, who were all obeying the teacher in gymnastics of the sort which terrified me at school. My heart went out to him in a prayer of blessing for him in his alienation. A poem may be praise to God for some natural beauty. It may happen when I have a large period of time for being with God, as on a lengthy retreat. That’s when I do a lot of praying by writing. My focus is very much on the thoughts which God gives me.
The poets must give to us Ann: Denise Levertov, in her poem Making Peace, claims that;
“The poets must give us imagination of peace, to oust the intense, familiar imagination of disaster. Peace, not only the absence of war.” In what ways can poetry challenge readers to think about the world differently? David: Poetry removes us from the confines of immediate action and reaction. It lifts us beyond the merely empirical and pragmatic, opening up a larger picture of the world and life. Imagination is the capacity to make connections between the visible and invisible and catapults us into a world of endless possibilities and hope. We are released from any narrow mindedness or bigotry to see the big picture, God’s picture, of creation and humanity. It is a picture of wholeness, abundant life and boundless opportunity, where peace reigns on earth as it is in heaven. Dawn: A poet can approach a subject from a slant, showing subtly, not telling openly. That can challenge the reader to see differently. The insight may not come readily. As with a worthwhile painting, a poem should be worth revisiting many times and the reader will see new things in it. The poet, too, may find more in the poem than she realized at first was there. That for me is an experience of being “given” something to express which is not just from my own mind - a humbling gift.
From sandy track to Silk Road Ann: Jane Hirshfield writes of the moment when inspiration turns an ordinary experience into a moment of insight, of transcendence for poet and in turn, reader and listener.
“As a sandy track-rut changes when called a Silk Road: it cannot be after turned back from.”
11.1). Consequently, many of our prayers are poems, or flow in poetic motion. This is intentional as they seek to release, not confine, our desires and to lift us from earth to heaven. When we gather for Eucharist (“the church’s banquet”), we begin with that beautiful prayer to the One “to whom all hearts are open, all desires known” whom we seek to “worthily magnify”. Our request is to have our hearts cleansed “by the inspiration of (the) Holy Spirit”. Indeed that very prayer is a liturgical poem, as is much of the liturgy, like the Gloria in Excelsis. In worship, we enter the transcendent, and poetry is the vehicle. And all ground becomes sacred ground. Dawn: As Anglicans, we use poetry every time we meet for worship, in that we sing or say the psalms - rich poetry, expressing such a range of human emotions. So many biblical books are poetic: the Song of Songs, Proverbs, the Colossian Hymn, the beginning of John’s Gospel, the Magnificat. But a contemporary poem can also fit with worship, or lead to worship, because it is the fruit of the poet’s experience, for example of God’s presence, or of grief, or ecstasy, or despair or joy. It may help us to realise we are not alone in a sad experience. I’ve used poetry of my own at the funeral of a woman whom I companioned as priest for two years while she was dying with a brain tumour. It was a pilgrimage for us as she moved nearer to the end of her life, and my poems marked points on the journey. As a priest, I am set in place to enable the prayer life of the church. As a poet, I have the privilege of using the gift of language creatively. I see those roles as closely related. You can find poems by Ann, Dawn and David in previous editions of The Guardian.
In what ways can poetry complement processes of worship and spiritual awareness? David: Again, imagination is the key. Much of our worship is spent in the realm of the invisible and unknowable. Our faith itself ‘is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen’ (Hebrews
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BISHOP JOHN FORD Since December 2010, the clergy and people of the Diocese of The Murray have been engaged in praying for the right appointment of a new Bishop. Last month it was announced that the Bishop’s Election Committee had elected The Right Reverend John Ford, Bishop of Plymouth in the Diocese of Exeter in the Church of England, to be the fourth Bishop of The Murray. The election took place in July 2012 and was subsequently confirmed, as is required, by The Archbishop of Adelaide and the other diocesan bishop of the Province of South Australia, the Bishop of Willochra. Bishop John is married to Bridget and they have three grown up sons and three grandchildren. He has been Bishop of Plymouth in the Church of England since 2005 and before that he was a Residentiary Canon, Diocesan Missioner and a parish priest in Sussex. Bishop John began his ordained ministry in south London where, after a three year curacy, he was vicar of a large suburban parish training curates and lay ministers. The Guardian spoke to the Bishop and got to know him a little bit better…… What hopes do you have for you and the Diocese of the Murray when you take up your appointment? I really hope that we will be a diocese committed to working together in the mission of God and therefore for the unity of all his people. I wish to be a loving pastor of all the people of the diocese and create a way of being the Church which is essentially relational and permits and encourages all to grow in their discipleship and consider how best to use their gifts and talents in the service of the Kingdom. Above all else I hope we can become a growing, serving and worshipping community of brothers and
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sisters devoted to Our Lord and seeking to give him the first place in our lives. How many times have you visited the Diocese? Three in total. I passed through on a sabbatical three or four years ago and then came again after my election last year to find out about the place and its people so that I could prayerfully consider whether I could accept the election. I came again in August to make some final plans for our arrival and to meet various people. So it will be a very new experience and I will be on a steep learning curve. I trust that people will pray for me and for Bridget – for grace to learn and wisdom to discern. What experiences from previous roles will help you flourish in your new role? I have been a bishop for eight years in a Diocese that is both rural and urban. The challenges of rural Devon are different in degree but not so much in character from those of The Murray. De-population, rural poverty, loneliness and feelings of powerlessness, isolation (which in The Murray is compounded by distance) and how to create and be community; and then the challenges that these conditions place upon people of faith and how to be the Church in these changing conditions. All of this I bring with me. However, what is likely to help not only me but all God’s people flourish is regular prayer that we might be conformed to Christ, faithful sacramental worship that assures us of the Father’s love and constant presence and devoted engagement with the Scriptures – these have been and will remain the core of my ministry. Are there any messages you would like to include for those interested in knowing more about you and your approach to pastoral care?
I believe that honesty and truthfulness are central to pastoral care. There are few things more likely to divide than dishonesty and dissembling which lead to factions and exclusive groupings and then things degenerate into grumbling, gossip, suspicion and ultimately fundamental breakdown in relationships that often drives people into vexatious litigation. These unfortunate circumstances are not unknown in the Anglican Communion worldwide and also rather more locally. Pastoral care after the example of the Good Shepherd flows from unconditional love but this must include a proper understanding of what each and every individual is called to become. I believe that each of us is called to love like Christ. What would you like the people of South Australia to know? That I will love them, pray for them and serve them to the best of my ability. I am aware that recent history in the diocese has been less than ideal for the mission of the local church and I ask the whole people of God in the Diocese of The Murray to join together in prayer for me that I might minister amongst you as a true shepherd and guide, faithfully proclaiming the gospel of God and that we might share joyfully in our common calling to be disciples of Our Lord and therefore rejoice in our vocation to worship, prayer and service. Bishop John will be installed as the fourth Bishop of The Murray in Murray Bridge on Friday December 6th and his inaugural celebration of the Holy Eucharist for the diocese will take place on Saturday December 7th. Please pray for Bishop John and Bridget as they prepare to move to Australia later this year and make a new home in Murray Bridge.
BANDING TOGETHER TO GIVE HOPE By Katrina McLachlan Talent and passion was on show in abundance at the recent Anglican Schools South Sudan Benefit Concert. Eleven of our Anglican Schools participated in the spectacular that was held on September 5th at the St Peter’s Girls’ Arts Centre. Just under $4000 was raised to support the Archbishop’s mission to support educational and medical facilities for the children of South Sudan. “After gaining independence following 50 years of civil war, South Sudan struggles to provide barely adequate educational and medical facilities,” the Archbishop said. “Less than four per cent of boys and less than one per cent of girls complete primary school. “It was pleasing to see performances from students of all ages at the concert. Supporting those beyond our shores who desperately need our help is an important part of being a truly pastoral community.” Performances at the concert included drama pieces, choirs, rock bands, guitar ensembles and dance. St Peter’s Girls’ Prefect and Music Captain, Meena De Silva described the atmosphere during the concert as joyful and rapturous. “It was exciting to be singing on stage with such a large group of kids for the grand finale, Raise Your Voices and although I won’t be at Saints next year I hope to participate in more events like this, because it was so very rewarding,” Meena said. Erin McKellar, Prefect and Chapel Captain, loves performing and considered being able to sing and help make a difference for South Sudan to be a privilege.
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“The night was a great success. I am so privileged to be in a school community that comes together to put on a fantastic concert to raise money for such a great cause,” she said.
Amelia, Erin & Meena
Year 9 student, Amelia French says participating in the concert felt like humanity was banding together to help others. “It was easy to relate to the cause as we were helping young women. To me being able to help the people of Sudan means a sign of hope for the communities and it also means that we have changed some young woman’s life.” The Archbishop and Lindy Driver continue to raise awareness of and financial support for South Sudan and gratefully thank all the staff, students and parents that supported the recent Concert.
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SCHOOLS
Celebrating 150 years From St Peter’s Church Day School to St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School By Vivienne Hand, SPW School Archivist
St Peter’s Glenelg Anglican Grammar School and St Peter’s Day School Glenelg 1863— 1863—2013
Celebrating
A reunion and celebration of the School's history including a History Book Launch on
Sunday 17 November 2013 From 2.00pm— 2.00pm— 4.00pm Afternoon tea in the Nutter Thomas Dining Room St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School 39 Partridge Street Glenelg SA 5045 RSVP Wednesday 13 November 2013 Karen Schaumloffel kschaumloffel@spw.sa.edu.au 08 7221 6202
As the School celebrates its 150th birthday in 2013 it can look back on a proud history; on a journey from humble beginnings as the Day School of the Parish of St Peter’s Church Glenelg in 1863 to the large, modern and highly respected, independent Anglican school of today. Prior to the arrival of its first bishop, the early South Australian Church of England parishes were referred to as episcopal and the combined congregations of these as the Protestant Episcopal Communion. Many early episcopal schools were established and St Peter’s Day School is believed to have started life as one of those in premises on Adelaide Road (now Anzac Highway). Canon Field was largely responsible for the School’s ongoing establishment and expansion. He recognised the importance of a purpose built schoolroom and in 1868 the Church acquired the necessary land in Waterloo Street, Glenelg. The School’s name has been changed a number of times. In 1966 it became St Peter’s Glenelg Church of England Grammar School; in 1979 the School became incorporated and in 1981 it adopted the term Anglican in lieu of Church of England; in 1999, when it moved to Partridge Street following the closure of Woodlands, the School was re-named St Peter’s Woodlands Anglican Grammar School Inc. and is now known more simply as SPW. Despite the name changes and the move to its new home in Partridge Street, the School has remained true to its early goal: to provide not only a sound secular but a religious education for its students. As an authorised International Baccalaureate School offering the Primary Years Program (PYP), its curriculum is, of course, a far cry from that of 1863 but Religious Education is still a highly important and visible part
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of the students’ school lives. Research indicates that it is a school which has always provided a caring, nurturing environment in which the students have been, and are, encouraged and supported in their learning. The School’s journey across the years has been characterised by highs and lows. Financial difficulties were frequent and the School faced closure on at least two occasions in the 1960s and early 1970s. However, the vision and determination shown by its community overcame those difficulties and led to the wonderful School we see today. A reunion and celebration of the School’s history will take place on Sunday 17 November from 2.00pm – 4.00pm at St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School, 39 Partridge Street, Glenelg. A highlight of the afternoon will be the launch of a book, An Enchanted Place. The book tells the story of the journey of a small parish day school in 1863 to the large thriving school that St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School is today. All scholars and their families and former staff, past and present, are welcome to attend the celebrations being held in the Nutter Thomas Building.
The spiritual journey With a strong commitment to following the example of St Columba a group of students actually tread on the same ground. From July 7 to 21 twelve Year 10 and 11 students and four staff members embarked on an amazing journey. Daniella Costa shares her experiences... The most important part of our pilgrimage journey, for all 16 of us was about finding ourselves in the world and our place with God; our spiritual journeys. To all of us this trip was very special and a remarkable life changing journey, one that which none of us will ever forget. To me I found that visiting all the significant churches such as Westminster Abbey, York Minster and
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Alec, Daniella and Isabella
Canterbury Cathedral were all not only breathtakingly beautiful, but I looked inside myself and saw how beautiful life itself is, and how extremely gifted I was to be able to see these beautiful places. It touched me on the inside and this is a moment that has not only brought me closer to God but has opened my heart up to the wonders that the world has to offer us.
of us. We all learnt who we are and why but we also saw another part of the world, one which not many people will get the opportunity to see. This trip has shown me spiritually that God is not only always with us in our minds, but also in our prayers and thoughts, constantly even when we don’t know it, he is our guide and that is something truly precious.
Through my spiritual journey, I discovered more than just a great bunch of new people and picturesque landscapes; I discovered who I am in the world and felt a reason for why God created people. He created this world because he sent Jesus to look after people and teach others his ways of life and life valued lessons, but God also sent people to the world with their own unique, individual heart, mind and soul to discover who they are and their purpose of life, because everyone was born to be different.
Our memories of the first pilgrimage have been memorable, life changing and to me it is my precious treasure that will show how far I’ve come in my life so far, and how every moment of life is valuable and that we should never regret words or actions we say or do because we are always forgiven. This incredible journey has changed and shaped me in ways that have not only brought me closer to god but have shown me a new person. As I share my stories, memories and thoughts through my journals, photos and drawings, this is a part of me which will never leave my mind, and these memories are only a snapshot of my journey, it is something that I can never truly explain how life touching my experiences were.
This pilgrimage has shown me who God is and why I am an important part of his world, and if I could go back to the UK to do this all again I would, just like the rest
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SCHOOLS
OLD SCHOLARS ARE NEVER OUT OF DATE!
St Andrew’s old scholars, Lara Jerkovic, Michael Hissey and Karen Rogers, try on school caps from different decades of school uniforms.
By Karin Dunsford, St. Andrew’s Director of Development Ever thought how peculiar it is that so much of what is old becomes new again? TS Elliot expressed it as, “The way up is down, the way forward is the way back”. I thought of this recently when Thomas in Year 4 proudly showed his french knitting. The students at St Andrew’s School have really taken to this “new” skill and many of them now have a huge trail of knitted wool, knotting into a massive tangle. It is quite a delight to see the children enjoying such a pass-time as well as working away at something more complex on their laptops at lunch-time.
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The same applies to the St Andrew’s Past Students’ Association that was new in 1913 but is being re-invented in 2013! This year the community celebrates 100 years since this Association was first formed, when it had 63 years of past students! As with many groups it has had its times of strength and then times when it has lapsed, but now is a time of revival. A group of loyal and enthusiastic past students from Year 7 in 1971 to those graduating on 2007, met in
September to discuss how best to keep that Association relevant to the St Andrew’s of the present.
historic school. There is only one original badge in the School’s possession and naturally it is highly treasured.
Back in 1913 the Old Scholars’ Association, as it was known then, was very active in school life. The members even undertook to build a pavilion for the School that was situated near the cemetery wall. Many performed the manual work and just over 22 pounds was raised by an Old Scholars’ Festival that contributed towards the building expenses. The first reunion, held in the Walkerville Hall on 28 September 1913, was a lively event described as, “in some ways the most important event in the history of the School.” The Association also held special functions in Dove Hall to farewell their fellow old scholars who enlisted for service in World War I – these must have been sombre occasions.
To commemorate the centenary of the very first reunion, a dinner is planned for Friday 22 November and all past students of St Andrew’s are invited to attend. We would love to be able to contact as many as possible. Past students are welcome to contact the School for more information and to be part of the present history of the School. St Andrew’s School Tel: (08) 8168 5587.
The new committee is keen to re-introduced the old scholars’ badge from 100 year ago which will be provided to all members of the Association and to the graduating Year 7 students each year. It will be a significant representation of their connection to this
Above: Enthusiastic old scholars meet with the Principal to plan the first St Andrew’s Reunion Dinner. Deb Dalwood (Principal), Karen Rogers, Goy Tuner, George Demoutzidis, Lara Jerkovic, Michael Hissey, Julia Zisos and Cindy Pitkin.
HOLY TRINITY ORDINATIONS By Brian Dickey
Archbishop Driver conducted an ordination service at Holy Trinity, North Terrace, on Saturday 17 August. Before a joyful congregation that included members of the St George’s, Magill and Trinity Inner South congregations, as well as a large number of diocesan clergy, he ordained Matt Lehmann deacon and the Revd Phil Zamagias priest. The archbishop has explained that, while most ordinations quite rightly should occur in the cathedral, he has from time to time recognised a particular or specialist ministry by conducting an ordination in the faith community where the ministry is to be set, particularly where the ministry is of a pioneering nature. The Revd Paul Harrington, rector of Holy Trinity, preached the occasional sermon, focussing the ordinands’ attention on St
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Paul’s exhortation in 2 Corinthians 4:1, ‘Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart’. Matt Lehmann has been engaged in a variety of ministries at Holy Trinity, culminating in his appointment by Paul Harrington at the beginning of this year to lead the church planting project at Colonel Light Gardens, “Trinity Inner South”. Supported by his wife Grace and with about eighty starters, he has vigorously pastored the group meeting in the RSL Hall. After six months the congregation has more than doubled, and it is supported by a variety of Sunday and weekday activities, including a children’s program, community Bible studies and a women’s weekday meeting. They have established good working relations with
the RSL branch and the members of the existing churches around them, including All Saints, Colonel Light Gardens. Matt will continue his work leading this new congregation under the supervision of Paul Harrington, rector of Holy Trinity. The Revd Phil Zamagias, supported by his wife Leeanne, served with Missionary Aviation Fellowship and the Bible Society as a pilot before joining the team at CMS SA as the Mission Mobiliser. His role is to work with groups in parishes and other organisations interested in supporting missionaries, aiming to lift enthusiasm and understanding, and hence increase prayer and financial support for CMS missionaries. He will be Associate Priest at St George’s, Magill, continuing to serve there as an Honorary Sunday Minister.
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LOCAL, NATIONAL 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches
Providing the ingredients for success
The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches will take place in Busan in the Republic of Korea, from 30 October to 8 November 2013 and the Primate and Archbishop Jeffrey Driver are amongst a party of Australian Church representatives attending.
The 2013 Friends of the Coopers Foundation Celebration was held on Tuesday September 10 and Archbishop Jeffrey Driver was thrilled to receive a donation of $80,000 to support the Archbishop’s Appeal Generate program.
The Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) has the mandate to set the future agenda of the Council, to elect governance officials and to speak publicly on behalf of member churches. Occuring only every seven years, the Assembly is also a unique opportunity for the whole fellowship of member churches to come together in prayer and celebration.
Every year the Coopers Brewery Foundation strives to improve and protect the quality of life of Australians by providing support to charitable organisations with recognised strengths in medical research and health care, in youth education and aged care, and in fostering family and community support, based on Christian values.
The theme of this year’s Assembly is “God of life, lead us to justice and peace” and the program is designed to engage participants in a response to this prayer. This theme covers five dimensions of being the church together in the world today – koinonia (one faith and fellowship in Christ), martyria (witness in the world), diakonia (serving justice and peace), ecumenical formation (for leadership) and inter-religious cooperation (a common context). Along with the WCC member churches, partner organisations and other churches will have a strong presence at the event. This will make the Assembly of the WCC the most diverse Christian gathering of its size in the world and a unique opportunity for the churches to deepen their commitment to visible unity.
By Katrina McLachlan
Since 2006, the Foundation has distributed more than $2million to 120 Australian charities. This year the Coopers Foundation very kindly directed the proceeds of their Golf Day to Anglicare SA’s Generate program. “It is a delight to receive a grant from the Coopers Foundation for what we regard as one of our premier “home brew for the future” programs,” the Archbishop says. “The Generate philosophy of caring is not patronising but actually an empowering
The WCC was established at its 1st Assembly in Amsterdam, Netherlands (1948) and since then assemblies have been in held in Evanston, United States (1954); New Delhi, India (1961); Uppsala, Sweden (1968); Nairobi, Kenya (1975); Vancouver, Canada (1983); Canberra, Australia (1991); Harare, Zimbabwe (1998); and Porto Alegre, Brazil (2006). The Australian delegates to the WCC Assembly in Busan, Korea are: • • • •
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Most Rev’d Dr Phillip Aspinall, Delegate Archdeacon Karen Kime, Delegate Ms Alison Jane Preston, Delegate Most Rev’d Dr Jeffrey Driver, Advisor to Delegation
The Most Rev’d Dr Jeffrey Driver and Dr Tim Cooper
model where people are supported to build their own future. “Anglicare provides some of the ingredients and support for Generate clients to grow their own future while also supporting their families. “Generate is a unique program that works with young people to combat intergenerational employment. It offers marginalised and vulnerable young people and their families a place to come for guidance and workplace skills, helping set the path for a meaningful future. “So in a sense it is a true home brew model of care.” In its 3 short years of operation, more than 100 young people have already gained employment with the support of Anglicare and the Generate program. There’s more work to be done though and as Generate does not receive any government funding the support of the Cooper Foundation will make an enormous difference to the quality of life of young people who are striving for a chance to succeed.
& INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Call for Anglicans to give and pray for Syria The civil war raging in Syria has caused one of the largest humanitarian crises the world has ever known, with more people in need of assistance than even after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. In response, Anglican Overseas Aid has launched the “Syria in Crisis Appeal” to help affected people across the region. “The scale of the crisis is hard to fathom,” Anglican Overseas Aid’s Chief Executive, the Reverend Bob Mitchell said. “Syria has a population of 22 million people – just like Australia. The numbers are constantly growing, but the latest figures show that more than one-third of them – about 7 million people – need urgent humanitarian assistance. More than 4 million people are displaced within Syria itself, and almost 2 million refugees are hosted by nearby countries. “The United Nations says that more than half of those in refugee camps are children. All of them are in urgent need of help with food, water, shelter and more.” The situation in Syria is likely to get worse
as the war enters its third year. Winter is approaching, there is strong evidence that chemical weapons have been used, and despite attempts at a diplomatic resolution to the use of those weapons, the possibility of the United States launching air strikes still looms large. “We’re calling on Australian Anglicans to dig deep to help the people of Syria,” Revd Mitchell said. “But we also ask the Australian Anglican community to be faithful in prayer for the people of Syria and that a peaceful solution will be found. “This civil war is complex and will not end soon, but one thing is for certain – millions of innocent people within Syria and in refugee camps in countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey and countries in North Africa are in urgent need of our help. “Anglican Overseas Aid is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of more than 130 churches and affiliated organisations working in 140 countries on development and emergency response issues,” he said.
“ACT Alliance members have been responding since the crisis began, helping families inside Syria as well as refugees and host communities in Lebanon and Jordan. “Donations to Anglican Overseas Aid’s ‘Syria in Crisis Appeal’ will be directed through the ACT Alliance to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), who will reach more than 100,000 people in urgent need across Syria, including in some of the most severely affected areas.” The IOCC’s work includes the provision of emergency food and water, hygiene kits, education on disease prevention, hygiene and safe use of water, distribution of water filters, provision of bedding and other physical needs, helping people to cope with the emotional stress of the situation (psychosocial support), helping children to continue their education, and providing cash-for-work opportunities. To donate to the Syria in Crisis Appeal, go to www.anglicanoverseasaid.org.au or 1800 249 880. Find out more about the ACT Alliance at: www.actalliance.org
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GOD WORDS “Lord, make us instruments of your peace.” By The Very Rev’d Frank Nelson, Dean of St Peter’s Cathedral I am writing this piece on St Francis’ Day, 4th October 2013. Perhaps because my name is Frank, I have always had an affinity with the prayer. Whether it was actually written by Francis himself is disputed, but I like to think he did. (In fact it appears to be an early 20th century prayer written in French.) It is a prayer I pray regularly, capturing, as it does, something of the heart of Christ. On my 18th birthday, fresh from finishing final school examinations, I embarked on a train with about five hundred other men. It was to be the start of 12 months of compulsory national service for us, and not all would come home alive. As my mother said goodbye to me she handed me a small gift, a book of meditations and prayers based on St Francis’s Prayer by Alan Paton. It seemed a strange sort of gift to give to a young man going off to be trained for war. I read from it every night during those first confusing lonely nights of what was called “basics” (boot camp). Our days were long and busy; filled with gruelling physical exercise, hours of marching, learning to assemble and shoot a rifle, to cover one’s face with camouflage cream, and how to polish floors and make up hospital beds. Ten minutes before lights out, dropping with exhaustion, I would read another chapter. How to make sense of it all? Make me an instrument of your peace, and keep my rifle clean! Slowly the truth sank in. This is an incarnational prayer, it is about living for Christ, as a Christian, in the real world. The
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real world is full of hatred and injury, discord, doubt, despair, darkness and sadness. This is the world into which Jesus was born. His birth too was surrounded by soldiers and refugees and closed doors. Year by year we tell the story of the crucifixion by soldiers – and I was now one of them. Years have gone by and I still use the prayer. I used it when praying in 1976 as young people in Soweto, South Africa, said “enough is enough” and burned their schools in protest against Apartheid. I used it while ministering in Hong Kong in 2001 when we heard the news of the attack on the Twin Towers in New York, and listened to stories of people who had colleagues and relatives in those fiery buildings. I used it in the intervening years as America, with its allies, has sought revenge on Iraq and Afghanistan. I continue to use the prayer as we try to pray intelligently about Syria, Egypt, Sudan and all the other places which need Christ’s instruments of peace. Lord, make us instruments of your peace; where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
BOOKS
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ndent country n the welcome mily return for y had lived…
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n the medicine. e he spent ten g postgraduate opical Medicine, He was the nity Medicine for
Christian Mission
SINGSINGS, SU TU RE S & SORCE RY A nt hony J rA D f orD
as written a book
Working in the Land of the Unexpected
S ING SI N GS S UT URES & SO RCERY
Reviewed by The Rev’d Martin Chittleborough
A 50 ye Ar e x p e r i e nce in pAp UA neW gU ineA
A Do k tA At L A rge i n t h e L AnD of the Unex pecteD
Anthony J r A Df o r D
Singsings, Sutures & Sorcery, by Professor Anthony Radford
Describing the unexpected is no mean feat, but Dr Anthony Radford’s book Singsings Sutures & Sorcery goes a long way to help the reader enter the experience of living and working in PNG over the past fifty years. As someone whose time in PNG paralleled that of the Radfords, I heard again the drums of dancing lines, remembered the taste of roasted pig and the hospitality and friendship of the people, and saw again the mist covered
darkening mountains. I rejoiced in the success of his students, and shared his disappointment in programmes now stopped. I laughed at his anecdotes, and remembered the saying that to live in PNG it helped to be a little bit long long (mad).
he joined in the life and worship of the various denominations as they moved from posting to posting. His observations of expatriate life with spouse and family being transferred from house to house invites further description from Robin.
Possessed by PNG for 50 years, Dr Radford describes his time in three parts. In 1959 he visited the Highlands as a medical student, captivated by first impressions which he recorded in a diary written at the time. In 1963 he returned to live and work there with his wife Robin and his young family, and then after returning to Australia and becoming Foundation Professor of Primary Care and Community Medicine at Flinders University, he visited over the period 1978-2011 as an internationally experienced health consultant.
His last section paints an interesting overview of health services in a developing country. We sense his frustrations, and the knowledge that the people he knew and loved deserve better health care.
He and his family moved easily among the PNG community, the planters, government workers, and the various missionary groups. An Anglican with a wide experience of church life,
He concludes that PNG “has an unpredictable future that cannot be foreseen. Yet we know that the intrinsic qualities of the nation remain.” Published by Mosaic Press, Preston. 2011. RRP $45 from Angus and Robertson, Dymocks, Koorong and online with discount from anthony@radford.id.au or the publisher.
Saint Cyprian’s Church History
Reviewed by Bishop David McCall
A great number of people drive past Saint Cyprian’s Church each day and it is noticed by many of them. Many also walk through the gardens each day and are thankful for them.
to handle. There are many very good photographs including a very fine portfolio of photographs taken by Lucy Cheesman in February 2013.
Saint Cyprian’s Church was established 130 years ago (1883) and has had a fascinating history. Father Ralph Holden has written and published a superb history of Saint Cyprian’s. It is an excellent read and gives a valuable insight into the life of the parish and its people and clergy.
The author skilfully presents many different aspects of the parish life. It was most interesting to learn of the links between Saint Cyprian’s and Saint Barnabas’ College from 1899 to 1921. It was also fascinating to read how the parish became firmly established in the Catholic tradition of the Anglican Church and how this has been maintained since the ‘teens’ of the twentieth century.
It is beautifully produced and a pleasure
Father Ralph Holden and Bishop David McCall
Like many parishes Saint Cyprian’s has had its ups and downs. It has grown considerably during the past decade and much of that is due to Father Holden’s ministry. The book is a valuable addition to the records of Adelaide’s Church life. It retails for $25.00 and is available from the Cathedral Bookshop.
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PEOPLE AND PLACES Semaphore Community Markets Sunday November 3: The usual mix of stalls, food, children’s activities and entertainment with the added bonus of the local schools Music Festival. A showcase of a variety of local school choirs/music programs. First time ever: November 24 – We will be holding a market in conjunction with the Semaphore Street Fair with our usual mix of stalls, food, children’s activities and entertainment. Sunday December 1: The usual mix of stalls, food, children’s activities and entertainment with the added bonus of Christmas carollers, a visit from Santa and great Christmas gift ideas.
St Alban’s St Alban’s Church at Largs Bay was blessed recently to share in the celebration of Margaret and John Workman’s 60th wedding anniversary. Margaret and John are two very loved and longstanding parishioners who met at St Alban’s in their youth and were married in St Alban’s original church in Musgrave Street, Largs Bay on 22 August 1953. They continue to be very active and faithful members of our congregation serving the church and community for over 60 years. Margaret and John celebrated their anniversary with a special morning tea with the congregation and a family luncheon.
St Michael’s Mitcham Grand Bazaar
26th October 8.30am to 3pm Children’s activities, food stalls, produce, plants, handmade wooden toys, cakes, clothes, craft, bric-abrac, books and more! Enter from St Michael’s Road.
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Giving Back Campaign 2013 The Mission Travel “Giving Back Grants” are on again in 2013 and open in October, with judges seeking to award cash grants to Christian individuals or organisations with missional projects. This year, judges are looking for projects which demonstrate outreach and spreading the gospel. There are so few grants programs available to Christians and missional works that Lisa Tarzia (nee Scerri), Director of Mission Travel created the Giving Back Grants out of her own pocket. Very few entries from people or organisations in South Australia were received in 2010 so now is the time to develop an idea. There are 14 grants with applications opening in October. They include: • •
• • • • •
Visit the Holy Land grant specifically for Priests and Ministers A Gap Year Grant for young Christians wishing to undertake missional works following high school Visit your sponsored child Grant Theological/Bible College Scholarship Grant Missional Grant - Open Category Visit Africa Grant Specific Travel Grants
In 2010, grant recipients included Jessie Taylor, who used her grant to make a film about the journey of asylum seekers to Australia. Called Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, the film has been show in churches around the world. Now a human rights lawyer, Jessie has adopted one of the refugee unaccompanied minors, and mobilises her friends to provide material aid as soon as asylum seekers are granted temporary protection visas. “The assistance of Mission Travel and the “Giving Back” grant allowed us to travel to
Indonesia to shoot our film, and was instrumental in the editing and post-production phase,” Jessie says. “The film has been a powerful tool for humanising the refugee issue and bringing the human stories of asylum seekers to screens across Australia and the world.” Mission Travel Group’s Giving Back campaign also has an exciting new category for young people with a missional dream - the Gap Year Grant. Applicants are invited to film a 60 second video explaining how they’d spend the $5,000 after completing high school to develop or express their faith. With over 3,000 entries received in 2010’s Giving Back campaign, Mission Travel’s owner, Lisa Tarzia says many entries are from young evangelists. “Several young people who received grants in the last Giving Back campaign have gone on to be young Christian thought leaders,” Lisa says. “So for the next generation of young Christian leaders, this is an opportunity to commence what God has placed on your heart. “The grant winners last time achieved amazing things with small grants and huge faith. Their sole desires were to spread the gospel, and live out the gospel through projects and Gap Year Applicants should let their passion shine through on their 60 second video, with no prizes for holding back,” she says. Entry details are available at www.missiontravel.com.au. The Giving Back campaign runs between 1 October and 25 October.
Anglican Opportunity Shop Network
ABM Thanksgiving Day The ABM Auxiliary in the Diocese of Adelaide, will celebrate its annual THANKSGIVING DAY on Friday, 8th November, 2013 at the Church of St. Richard of Chichester, Lockleys, beginning with a Sung Eucharist at 11.00am.
Spring Meeting at St Bede’s • 200 Military Road Semaphore • Wednesday 30 October 2013
Following the Eucharist, there will be a short Address which will give news of the 2013 Special Project of the ABM Auxiliary – Christian Education in the Episcopal Church of the Philippines.
• Commencing at 9.30am with the Eucharist led by Ken Bechaz, Parish Priest
The purpose of the Thanksgiving Day is to give thanks and praise for the work and witness of the year, so parish representatives will be bringing with them, their parish’s Thanks Offering which will be collected during the Eucharist. The day will conclude with a Shared Lunch. ABM Christmas Cards and tissue paper will be on sale.
Morning Tea and Meeting to follow then a visit to the crypt and Bede’s Bazaar in Semaphore Road. For catering purposes RSVP to Brenda on 0400 053 527 A network of the Church in Society Ministry Unit, Diocese of Adelaide
Changes at St Bede’s Within the hallowed walls of St Bede’s Anglican Church in Semaphore Fr Kenneth Bechaz was Commissioned as Priest in Charge of the Parish of Semaphore, on Tuesday July 30 at 7.30pm. The Church looked splendid, and positively glowed for the Commissioning Service where Fr Ken was supported by his wife Kerry, her mother Sandra and his son Jacob. More than 120 people, including St Bede parishioners attended the Service. Ecumenical leaders who attended from nearby Churches included Fr Brian Angus from Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and Rev’d Ian Hunter from Semaphore Uniting Church. Archbishop Jeffrey Driver performed the Commissioning, with assistance from The Venerable Christopher Chataway Archdeacon of Adelaide and The Port, and
the Rev’d David Covington-Groth, Area Dean of the Western Suburbs. Representatives from Ian George Court (where Fr Ken had previously ministered) presented the Incumbent-elect to the Archbishop, followed by a Welcome from Church Wardens, Fay Warren and Brenda Beer. Ray Guscott from the Port Adelaide Enfield Council, Stephen Mullighan Labor Candidate for Lee, the Rev’d Ian Hunter from Semaphore Uniting Church, Rev’d David Covington-Groth, Area Dean, and Kelvin Kay a St Bede’s Parish Representative all spoke at the Service. St Bede’s was excited to welcome Fr Ken on July 30 but two days earlier had farewelled Fr Gary Priest who had been in the position of locum Priest for exactly two years. The St Bede’s congregation will desperately miss Fr Gary’s enthusiasm and dedication.
Thank You Father Gary By Roz McGowan Fr Gary’s enthusiasm for everything was so infectious, as was his enthusiasm for managing to get other people involved without them really being aware that they had agreed to assist Gary somehow. I think that our bright shiny St Bede’s Church bears testament to that, following a spring clean by an all- male cleaning team on several occasions. Gary has been a very popular priest in the district, particularly in the area of baptisms and weddings. He has encouraged children in the popular Sunday School with his “Red Brigade” and fostered their active participation in the Communion Service. The “Red Brigade” refers to a group of young churchgoers in their colourful red and yellow T-shirts. Gary got to know many of the traders along Semaphore Rd, and was active in Bede’s Bazaar. He had an eye for good jewellery and crockery (being a former watchmaker by trade) and Bede’s Bazaar benefited from his knowledge about goods which had been donated. About 60 people attended Gary’s last Service with us at 9.30am in St Bede’s, followed by a hearty morning tea in the Hall. A large cake was produced with “Farewell and Happy Birthday Father Gary” written on it. Gary was presented with a cheque from the Parish, which he hopes to put towards a raised garden bed in which to grow his vegetables, and a rainwater tank to water them. Gary and wife Robyn were planning to visit family in Victoria and WA before Gary started some part-time work in St Mary’s. Our best wishes and prayers go with him in his new adventures along the way.
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Awards For Guardian The Guardian won a number of awards at the recent Australasian Religious Press Association Conference. Katrina McLachlan won a Bronze Award for Best Feature (single author) for her piece on David and Marion McCall titled An Eyre Adventure. Brenton Edwards won a Bronze Award for Best Original Photography for his image of the Reverend David Thornton-Wakeford holding a big red, heart balloon. But most pleasing was the Gold Award that Katrina and Brenton won for Best Publication (Small Team). Our Guardian beat dozens of publications from all over Australia and New Zealand to be judged the best produced by a small team of people.
f AITH
my soul loves I found him whom Song of Songs 3.4 there is a new creation If anyone is in Christ, ?” 2 Corinthians 5.17 , why are you weeping John 20.13 “Woman
HOM THE ONE W VES MY SOULryLO Magdalene
Celebrating Ma
akeford By David Thornton-W
I love you, But for what I am when I am with you. I love you Not only for what you have made of yourself, But what you are making of me. I love you, For passing over all my foolish and Weak traits that you can’t help but see. I love you, For drawing out into the light my Beauty that no-one else had looked Quite far enough to find. I love you
at eford is parish priest and David Thornton-Wak Parkside Anglican Church, Centre the St Oswald’s ader of the St Oswald Co-Founder/Le for Spirituality.
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8
HIGH FLYERS
at 70 years young!
INSIDE: Easter Mission... which chocolate will you choose?
When awarding the Gold Award for Best Small Publication the ARPA judges – consisting of media professionals and academics - made the following comment: “A superior quality publication in every respect produced with minimal recompense and much goodwill. The Adelaide Guardian features well written pieces about people of all ages and caters for audiences of all ages. Some articles are challenging while others are inspirational and positive – a palatable mix and a pleasure to read. There is helpful information too about the diocese and its happenings. The layout is clean, spacious and attractive and the use of professional photography is bold and innovative. A remarkable and consistent standard for a small team.”
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Adelaide audiences are set to be shaken to the core when Orphans, by Dennis Kelly, opens at the Bakehouse Theatre in November. Staged by Bluefruit Theatre, it promises to take audiences on a chilling journey into a scarily familiar world, prompting deep reflection on how we exist together within modern society. However, most importantly, it hopes to inspire change across the city.
Not only for what you are,
of the blissful certainty fulfilling relationship, by in real life loved in faithfulness remember that being wanted and We do need to couple who being. I know a born of pain, suffering another human they joke true love is often for over 10 years; ding. In any worthwhile haven’t had sex and it or misunderstan as we was once important will be discovered about it. Sure, it relationship, this is long into a relationship. I am sure that this still is for most people are refined in love. couple, what and matters to that with Mary Magdalene But what really what happened tears of joy, too. In overwhelming it happens to us brings them to and Jesus. Hopefully, saddened abiding love, strength of marriage, I am is the deep and the expereince each other’s say that ip they have in and women who men companionsh meet I is this what when partner. and security. And in love” with their gifted presence a church! they are “no longer have and celebrate as means that they we need to bless about sex. Often this simply d or no longer so hung-up just in - instead of being been hurt or misunderstoo once felt. Too a beautiful vocation Meanwhile, celibacy, physical buzz they feel the of choice; out of OF THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF ADELAIDE strictly a matter think they’ve fallen itself, should be on the many people who to love. Our enforced loneliness learned deeply enforced celibacy, love have never what immoral. are just the icing; other hand, is simply early ‘in-love’ feelings cake: the the is and of haul long Mary Magdalene sustains us for the In celebration of ingredients of abiding and married love, solid, deep, fruitful that most single, celibate, partnered by an unknown other. I also believe reflection a is love, one for the the following debate in the Church ‘I love you’. of our present sexuality when we author entitled issue. Ironically, misses this crucial are talking we marriage, or ip, talk about union abiding companionsh much more about APRIL 2012
key to says, “Love is the Elsewhere, Merton time life. It is at the same the meaning of discovery in Christ and the transformation unity with grow in love and of Christ. As we by Christ…we become those who are loved capable of apprehending more and more something of the and obscurely grasping world, of Christ in the tremendous reality in others…” Christ and Christ in ourselves the essence and Our greatest dignity, is of our humanity, secret most intimate in love. Gabrielle Bossis our capacity to in her God as recorded her dialogue with and reveals a most innocent book, He and I, with divine love: profound communion by my ‘You are astonished The Father says: God’s one explanation: love. There is only simplicity in just believe in all So extravagance. infinitely yourself up to his this love…And give captive by power. Be taken delicate and tender love my grace. Love me with it. love and ask for we would receive the presence of my done and be full of trust…Practise head onTHE my MAGAZINE to divine love has Put your This awakening the Christian love. I am everywhere. to people over me. If only you amazing things since this pleases monk heart. Of course, Merton, a Trappist it is speaking centuries. Thomas gift of God and who understood the lived in the strictest others who died in 1968, me, then, and bring in his Kentucky to you…Come to of monastic conditions flames of your love…don’t such inner would speak of in your heart…fan Enter even forward. hermitage. Yet he go to presence cease sense of God’s stand still. Never about growth and a festive felt into my heart. Reading me of the way I deeper and deeper it a part of your me in words that remind my wife. “Love sails is not enough. Make with passion date my first sufferings. after my on the you are, take my I walk two steps very self. Wherever y are my around the house… It is love. It willed, expected…the steps in the air. Sufferings desired, ground and four made in the - for you’. to say that I am love for my children is consolation… is the reason to say that love image of God is for God is love.” for my existence,
that Mary Magdalene Whether we believe the as the Mary with was the same woman in Luke precious ointment alabaster jar of scholars these days 7 or not (and most who that the woman don’t), I am certain of in the Easter garden met the stranger love in an experience of John 20 had such her life was with Jesus that her encounter cling to She wanted to totally transformed. soul loved, one whom her the – forever him May we and found him. who sought him to capture with her joy. Try too be overcome her wondrous recognition that moment of in her Christ encounter, in your heart. Mary, had passed creation, the old became a new 7 demons we are away (the old included they were); 8.2…whatever informed by Luke we, with our had come. And behold the new and loved with Mary demons, are equally love if this transforming equally gifted with
Adelaide To Be Stirred By Great Drama
The drama begins with a simple, yet intriguingly nightmarish scenario; the peaceful, urban life led by Danny and his pregnant wife, Helen, is thrown into turmoil when Helen’s brother Liam arrives, in dramatic fashion covered in someone else’s blood. The action then builds with almost cinematic suspense and raises pertinent questions about the nature of fear, particularly the threat of the vague, undefined “other”, and the desperate need to feel safe within the family unit. There are some moments of comic relief too, in even the most harrowing of scenes, so audiences will be kept on their toes! Although the play is billed as a psychological thriller, it is set to be far more than just that. Driven by a desire to ensure that the issues explored on stage have lasting resonance with Adelaide audiences, Bluefruit Theatre decided to team up with Time for Kids, a local charity with an outstanding track record. It works tirelessly to support and mentor children from deprived or marginalised backgrounds, many of whom, without its help, could suffer in as Orphans’ Liam and Helen do. Bluefruit Theatre’s director Shona Benson, said, “If the crime described in the play had
really taken place, it would have been all over the news and made every headline. “Debates would have followed, from TV chat shows to school gates, about how we must make our streets safer and the need to protect ourselves. I hope that Orphans can evoke similar emotions and passions as if the horrific event talked of on stage had really happened and, through our partnership with Time for Kids, we can prompt similar discussions about how, together, we can look at ways of making our communities safer for us all. “If this happens, with the great comfort of knowing that no one has been hurt in the process, not only does it give the play great purpose, it demonstrates the huge potential for theatre to make a positive contribution to community issues and everyday lives.” Bluefruit Theatre is more than just a professional theatre group, it is a social enterprise. It believes that theatre should provide great entertainment, fuel important conversations and provide a unique forum for initiating change within society. At this years’ Fringe, Bluefruit Theatre won accolades for its production of Agnes of God, though which it highlighted the wonderful work being done at Adelaide’s Helen Mayo House. Performances between 7 – 23 Nov The Bakehouse Theatre, Angas Street For more details see: www.bakehousetheatre.com
Memorial Lecture 18th October at 7.30pm
Restore your phonographic records or tapes to near original quality & preserve them on CD.
The Lecture is tied to St Luke’s Fest day- 18th OCT 2013
Restore faded 35mm slides to original bright colour & preserve them on DVD.
Lecturer will be Theo Bruisma There will be an opportunity for Love Offering at each event, and books will be on sale.
Ask us about VHS & 8mm film to DVD conversion.
You are asked to bring your friends to these meetings which are open to the public and information about the Order and the meaning of Membership will be available.
SA MEDIAWORKS
Kent Town SA Ph: 8362 2251 samediaworks@soundtrack.net.au www.samediaworks.soundtrack.net.au
Jeffcott Street, North Adelaide Contact Reg Casling 8271 4028
TO ADVERTISE HERE PLEASE CONTACT Loan Leane Phone: (08) 7007 9020 Mobile: 0404 089 762 loan@joiecreative.com.au
Connecting faith, family & friends
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