The Spirit - November/December 2015

The

monthly Anglican Diocese of Bendigo

november/december 2015

issue 115

The Gift: This artwork was painted by local artist Robyn Davis of Walkabout Ministries and shows the great promises of God; the promise of grace, understanding and peace on earth in the gift of Christ. The painting is available for purchase with funds going to support Robyn’s Walkabout Ministiry with indigenous people. See page three for information on how to place a bid.

The angel said ‘Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today a saviour has been born - Christ, the Lord…’

- Luke 2: 10-12 Swan Hill’s celebrates 150th anniversary page 3

Four ordained in Church of God pages 4-5

85th anniversary at Lockington page 9

Christmas in the outback page 11

The Bishop writes

Dear Friends,

A

re we coming to the end of another year? What a year it has been! It has been a year for unprecedented violence. Who can ever forget the recent attacks in Paris and Beirut, the barbaric acts of violence we see portrayed on our televisions nightly, and the harrowing pictures of thousands of refugees tramping, often with little children, across back roads and borders of central Europe.

It leaves us all feeling somewhat frightened. Indeed an edition of the ABC program ‘Four Corners’ featured interviews with a 14 and 15 year old asking them about what they thought of a range of issues. I was struck by the high level of anxiety they had about the future and the uncertainty of the world in which we live. We can thank God that we live in Australia and for the privileges we enjoy in this nation, but even I felt some of the anxiety conveyed by those young people in seeing the recent demonstrations in Bendigo about a mosque. There was something quite frightening and intimidating about the demonstrators.

Interestingly the context into which Jesus was born was sadly not all that different. At the time Judea was ruled by a violent dictator Herod, who was kept in power by the might of the Roman Empire. As the Gospel of Matthew records:

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?’

When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief 2

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priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea…’

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.

Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

act of revenge and violence upon the innocent children of Judea.

God knows and understands the cruelty, violence and stupidity of the human race. But he sent his Son as a reminder that the goodness of God prevails and this Christmas we need to celebrate that fact in every way we can.

Our front cover depicts the nativity painted by Robyn Davis. Robyn says: “I wanted this painting to shine with joy. For the viewer to see the great promises of God. To see the colours of the rainbow, the promise of grace and peace on earth. To see the future filled with hope”.

May the blessing of the Christ child be upon you this Christmas.

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Monthly newsmagazine of the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo

As you have read Jesus and his parents were at risk. They fled to Egypt as refugees from the tyranny of Herod, but Herod, on discovering they had gone, unleashed a terrible

Address: The Spirit, PO Box 2, Bendigo 3552 Member, Australian Religious Press Association Telephone: 03 5443 4711 General: thespirit@bendigoanglican.org.au Editor: Sarah Crutch Consulting Editor: The Revd Dr Charles Sherlock Committee Chair: The Revd Canon Bryn Jones The Spirit is published in the first week of the month (excluding January).

Advertising rates are available from the Editor. All advertisements are accepted at the Editor’s discretion; acceptance does not imply endorsement of the product or service.

Contributions are welcome, and will be edited. Email contributions are preferred.

Anonymous articles will not be considered for publication.

Photographs should be sent in digital form to the general email address above. Full size, ‘raw’ files are necessary. Physical photos are normally not returned.

The Anglican Diocese of Bendigo and the Editor are not responsible for opinions expressed by contributors, nor do these necessarily reflect the policy of the diocese.

Contributions for the next issue must be submitted by Friday 22 January 2016.

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Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod.

When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under.

Your words in another person’s hands John Roundhill

I Fellowship: Bishop Andrew, Revd Denis Gell, Neil Buller and Fr Max Bowers

Swan Hill celebrates 150 years of ministry with weekend of fellowship Marg Crilly

A

cross the weekend of 14 and 15 November the Swan Hill Anglican Church celebrated 150 years of ministry with a parish dinner on Saturday night, followed by Sunday worship and a barbeque lunch.

The Sunday service was very uplifting, beginning with Bishop Andrew installing Revd Jan Harper as Rector of the parish, followed by the confirmation of Charlotte Baker, Josephine Wilson and John Strauss.

In his address Bishop Andrew spoke of the history of the church, what confirmation means and the strong people in the Swan Hill congregation who will carry on this wonderful Anglican tradition that has been built.

Ernie Russell and Marg Crilly hosted Saturday evening and shared some history of the church. Even though the first minister wasn’t appointed until 1853, services actually commenced in 1851 and were held in the courthouse until the first Church of England was built in 1865. Interestingly, on 25 November 1890 The Guardian newspaper printed a day early to enable staff to attend the church picnic the next day.

Joan Mellahn also reflected on Mother’s Union and Helen Gell spoke of the wonderful wedding catering which was done after the construction of the function centre in 1983.

Various speakers shared other stories from the life of the church. Father Max Bowers retold a tale about

catching camels for the Christmas pageant, and Jim Mitchell recounted when the vestry was so worried about their financial situation that they couldn’t afford to get hay for the minister’s horse. Others spoke of the wonderful Youth Club and trips to the snow, bowling in Bendigo, dancing and sports outings.

Myrtle Hooper, aged 103, had the honour of cutting the anniversary cake and spoke of her excitement to be attending the anniversary celebrations.

Bishop Andrew Curnow spoke of the wonderful people of Swan Hill who always got the job done. Over the years this has continued with the acquisition and alterations to the Masonic building in Nyah West, to a house, Op Shop and Men’s Shed as well as the church building renewals, and the function centre. All along the way there have been people within this congregation to make things happen, he noted.

There was plenty of time for reflecting on the history of the church with memorabilia displays, videos of past events and a photo presentation. Each attendee received a scroll listing all ministers in chronological order and a history of the church. The evening concluded with Auld Lang Syne.

n the last week or so I have received compliments and criticism for comments I made on the TV program Australian Story regarding the stance that St Paul’s Cathedral has taken on the building of a Mosque in Bendigo.

We don’t have a problem with a Mosque being built.

I am greatly hearted that the compliments have vastly outnumbered the criticisms. What is curious is that really the compliments are in part owed to the producer and editor of the story, Janine Cohen.

I was interviewed and filmed in my home for what must have easily been one and half hours and then filmed again at St Paul’s for another hour. I reckon in all I was on screen for about two minutes of Australian Story. I must have said hundreds of clumsy, silly, even stupid things in that two and a half hours of talking.

I am grateful for what Janine and her colleagues produced, and I believe they represented me honestly.

Yet it was a matter of trust to allow them access to all that material. Trust has to exist in all human conversations for them to work. Trust is the currency of faith. I should not be surprised that for something as complex as a TV program there has to be a significant extension of trust. I am glad that was the case, well done Australian Story.

Cover artwork available for purchase

The Gift

by The Rev’d Robyn Davis Dimensions: 50cm x 60cm Reserve price: $400 Contact Sarah at the Registry Office on 5443 4711 to place a bid Closes 23 December 2015

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Ordained: Erin Tuineau, Alipate Tuineau, Bishop Andrew, Melissa Clark and Neil Fitzgerald

Four ordained in the Church of God

Sarah Crutch

O

ver 200 people congregated at St Mary’s Kangaroo Flat on Sunday 29 November to witness four candidates respond to God’s call to serve in ordained ministry. Melissa Clark and Neil Fitzgerald were ordained as deacons, and Alipate and Erin Tuineau ordained as priests.

People from across the diocese, interstate and overseas filled the church to capacity, with Bishop Andrew commenting on what a joy it is for everyone to gather together in the diocese as the people of God for the ordination service.

“This whole service is about the candidates being called and sent,” Bishop Andrew preached.

“As you come to your ordination, to be sent, to be bearers of the great commandments, to bring Good News in the challenging context in which you will serve, you are to follow in the footsteps of St Paul and St Andrew.”

He urged the candidates that one cannot open the word into people’s lives or open people’s lives to the light of God’s blessing if one does not know the people deeply, intimately and carefully.

“If I’ve had any learning after 43 years of ministry, it is that the greatest 4

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challenge, but the greatest reward, comes in ministry when you really know your people,” he said. “The great challenge in ministry is for you to know the flock in which you serve.”

It was a special celebration for the ordinands, who had many family and friends share in the joy of their ordination. Relatives from Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand travelled to be present for Alipate, while Erin’s family travelled down from Lismore in New South Wales.

Neil’s family came across from South Australia, with Melissa supported by a number of friends and colleagues from congregations in Melbourne and Trinity College.

Both Neil and Melissa will minister in the Central Highlands Cluster amongst the parishes of Kyneton and Woodend while Alipate and Erin will continue serving in the parishes of Inglewood and Charlton-Donald.

Laying on of hands: Alipate Tuineau (above) and Melissa Clark

november/december 2015

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About the ordinands...

Melissa Clark

I have been an Anglican all of my life and it was during my time working with the young Sudanese people in the Parish of Sunshine where I began to discern a call to ordained ministry. After a long time of trying to ignore the very scary idea of being ordained, I took wise counsel from two very trusted clergy friends and took my first steps into theological training. My years at Trinity College have been both challenging and joyful. I have been fortunate to not only learn a great deal but have also realised how much my Anglican identity has formed so much of who I am. I have re-discovered a great love for liturgy that I am hoping to combine with my ministry work with children, and previous studies of developmental psychology, into some sort of further study and research.

My husband Ray and I, and our two children Jasmine and Ryan, are really excited about the new life that we’re all about to embark upon.

Neil Fitzgerald

Although I was interested in ministry during my school years, the airline industry had other plans. I have a diploma in Airline Operations, which has assisted me in my current role as an On-board Manager with Qantas during a career of over 26 years. My work has seen me move about Australia before settling in Woodend in 1998, where I have worshipped at St. Mary’s Woodend and have served on Parish Council twice. I have always been drawn to ministry and an OLM position has enabled me to fulfil this calling whilst working in a challenging industry. I have been a volunteer with the Qantas Special Assistance Team (who look after passengers, crew and family in the event of an accident) since 2000 and this is one area where my two passions work together.

My ordination starts a new chapter in my life. I pray that I will be a good servant and worthy enough to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Erin Tuineau

I have always loved art, and I was passionate about investigating the relationship between art and spirituality. I worked as an art teacher, but felt a calling to be in a more pastoral role, so decided to enrol in a Graduate Diploma in Pastoral Counselling. I worked as a school counsellor but became aware that I wanted to be exploring God with others more openly. I began a Masters in Theology, where I met Alipate and in 2011 we got married and began our journey in life and ministry together. In 2013 we were ordained deacons in Rockhampton and it was in Gladstone that we had our beautiful baby boy, Tevita. This was a time where I experienced a strong sense to explore my calling to be a parish priest so in 2015 we accepted the opportunity to come to the Diocese of Bendigo.

For me it has been a real joy serving the people in Charlton-Donald and Inglewood and I’m very thankful for their open heartedness and their support of my ministry.

Alipate Tuineau

When I was seven years old I remember being at church and the priest asked we children if any of us would like to be a priest when we grew up. I was the only kid that put a hand up and said that I would like to be a priest one day.

Before following this early calling into church ministry I worked for the Westpac Bank of Tonga for seven years while also being a youth group leader. I eventually realised that I didn’t want to work in the bank any longer, and that I wanted to follow God’s calling to become a priest. I moved to Australia in 2003 to study in Canberra, where I also met Erin. We got married and moved to Gladstone in 2013 working as deacons for two years. In 2015 we moved to the Diocese of Bendigo where we could live out our callings to the priesthood more fully.

I have found much joy in my ministry in the Parishes of Inglewood and CharltonDonald. Becoming a priest means a lot to me.

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Around the Diocese

All creatures great and small gather at Woodend

On a sunny spring morning the blessings of the natural world were felt in the spiritual world as the Woodend congregation celebrated the feast of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment, with the blessing of the animals on Sunday 4 October. There were hooves and barking aplenty as the unusual service had hounds howling hymns, a pony processing up the aisle and the day’s readings featured rabbits and emus.

Mother Heather Vander Reest presided with a calm not shared by the chihuahuas or excited toddlers present, giving blessings to pets and their owners. Parishioners shared stories of their four-legged companions, including Whelan the tailless terriercross, rescued by a local animal shelter, and Bob the pony, a survivor of the Kinglake bushfire.

Blessing of the pets: Trudy Shepherd with Wheelan

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november/december 2015

- Matthew Gisborne

www.bendigoanglican.org.au

Around the Parishes

Singing for a country mile

Our little church of St Mary’s and St John’s at Barkly was filled to capacity as we gathered with excitement to take part in our service accompanied by hymns as sung by Johnny Cash.

With the talents of our musicians and the enthusiasm of Fr Andrew Eaton, Barkly, Avoca and Dunolly parishioners and visitors from Navarre sang with joy the hymns - ‘Peace In the Valley’, ‘Were You There?’, ‘He Turned the Water into Wine’, and ‘Just A Closer walk With Thee’.

The final hymn – ‘Daddy sang bass, Mamma sang tenor, me and little brother would join right in there’ – was sung with passion.

As the melodies flowed over the surrounding farmlands and warm fellowship continued afterwards, we all agreed that this is a service to be shared.

- Sandra Field

Musicians: Gary and Jody Driscoll with Mary Marland

‘Family Church Blokes Night’ with barbeque and bonfire

Twenty blokes, a large quantity of various meats, one BBQ, 10 different sauces and an open fire! These were the ingredients of the latest Family Church Blokes Night at South East Bendigo.

Every couple of months the blokes from Family Church meet to encourage each other. The latest evening was at Greg Harris’ place with each of the guys enjoying the chance to put their BBQ skills to the test!

“I’ve often found it amazing how guys will open up when they stand next to each other with a pair of tongs in their hand,” Greg said. “I wanted to use that relaxed atmosphere for some of the blokes that don’t know each other to meet.”

Planning has already begun for 2016 with suggestions of a night at the cricket and footy in the mix.

Blokes night: Socialising around an open fire and barbeque

- Greg Harris

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Change a life.

Donate now.

“

Social inclusion is about breaking down barriers and giving people the opportunity to lead fulfilled lives.

“

– Bishop Andrew Curnow AM

Donate to St Luke’s a division of Anglicare Victoria

Donate online www.stlukes.org.au Albury • Bendigo • Castlemaine Deniliquin • Echuca • Kyneton Maryborough • Swan Hill

Thanks: Ronda Gault, Kerry Ashley of Haven and MU President Gail Brabazon

Haven shares story with Mothers’ Union at Annual Meeting Ronda Gault

K

erry Ashley from housing service Haven recently gave an inspiring and informative address to the Bendigo’s Mothers’ Union/Caritas Annual General Meeting, sharing the challenges and successes of the work done in housing the homeless.

The Spirit online!

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If you’d like a full colour pdf of ‘The Spirit’ emailed to you each month, let us know!

Just email thespirit@ bendigoanglican.org. au and we’ll add you to our e-mailing list!

Haven began 20 years go in the Loddon Mallee Region and now has responsibility for the welfare and housing of the homeless across several areas of Victoria. Kerry explained the conditions under which tenants are housed and monitored for other welfare needs.

She shared with us the story of a mother who asked if they possibly had a rug to make her daughter’s bed warmer within a day of MU delivering a box of rugs to Haven. The rug was produced with an explanation of the love and care with which this rug was made, and the little girl wrapped herself in it with smiles of delight.

Kerry gave some eye opening statistics and recommended checking

the ‘homelessness Australia’ website for more information. Haven manages approximately 2,000 homes with 500 homes allocated for transitional housing for families for a period of up to 18 months after which the aim is to find a permanent home. In 2014, 5,500 people were helped in the Loddon Mallee Region.

Kerry shared so much more with us about future projects and partnerships, a Social Curriculum Project and their ‘Rent Model’. We were left feeling we had much to share with members in our parishes who were not present and ready to channel the practical help from Mothers’ Union to Haven.

Read online You can also read ‘The Spirit’ and other diocesan publications on issuu.com.

Just search for ‘Anglican Diocese of Bendigo’.

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november/december 2015

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Editor retires

Clergy connected to St Mary’s: Revd John South, Revd Stuart Winn, Revd George Hemmings; Bishop Andrew, Revd Glenis Traill and Revd Sue Allen.

St Mary’s Lockington honours past, looks to the future

Charles Sherlock has retired as formal Editor of The Spirit after almost ten years in the role. His skills as a writer and passion for sharing God’s work through The Spirit have contributed greatly to the success of the publication. We sincerely thank him for his valued years of service.

Stuart Winn

P

arishioners of Lockington celebrated the 85th anniversary of the St Mary’s Church building, on Sunday, 4 October. Past parishioners and new friends gathered to celebrate 85 years of God’s goodness in providing a building in which local Anglicans have been able to meet during that period.

Bishop Curnow presided and preached on the day, remembering with fondness being a first-time Rector of the then Parish of Milloo, which included St Mary’s. He came single and left with a wife! He encouraged parishioners to look to the future though it may differ from what has gone before.

A shared lunch was enjoyed as former long-time parishioner and lay leader John Hewlett gave a brief history of St Mary’s and the parish in a thoroughly researched talk. We were reminded of the rich heritage of Christian witness in the region, and in particular of the many who have been sent out from the parish to other places to take up their part in God’s mission.

As with so many churches within our diocese and beyond, Lockington faces many challenges as it looks ahead to its future. The parish leadership has had to think creatively about how best to resource and maintain ministry.

One such initiative has been to trial a new 5pm service time. While it’s early days yet, the signs are that this has been a positive shift. We’ve seen a new energy emerge through this simple change, and have been afforded the opportunity to engage with many who have not recently or ever been to our church.

We’d love you to join us in praying these changes may increase our effectiveness in connecting people with the Lord Jesus and his glorious gospel.

Jeff Westbrook Liberty Adviser M A E W

0408 200 236 PO Box 873, Maiden Gully VIC 3551 jwestbrook@libertynetwork.com.au liberty.com.au/jeff-westbrook

Home Loans Car Loans Commercial Finance Investment Loans Insurance

The Diocese of Bendigo expects the highest standards of professional service from its Clergy and Lay Ministers.

IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT Please call (free)

1800 135 246

A phone call to the above number will mean that your complaint will be handled by the Director of Professional Standards.

The Diocese is a full participant in the Victorian Anglican Provincial Abuse and Harassment Protocol.

This is an independent, objective procedure adopted by the Diocese of Bendigo.

9

Feeding Faith

Hebrews five point plan Angela Morrissey

H

ebrews chapter 13 tells us that “Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (verse 8). Governments come and go and the law of the land changes, but the word of God does not.

I suggest that Hebrews 13 has a fivepoint plan, ways to live by that accord with the kingdom of God – and make life easier for us.

Verse one tells us to “keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.”

It’s important to love each other and to show kindness to all, for by doing so we are bearing witness to Christ.

Verse two tells us to “welcome strangers.” In these times of war, many people need our compassion and help - just look at the outflow of refugees from Syria, Iraq and Sudan. Christians are called to welcome people from different places, and to set a good example of Christian charity.

Verse three tells us to “remember those who are in prison,” and “remember those who are suffering.” Many believers across the globe have been imprisoned for their Christian faith and have suffered greatly. We must remember the persecuted and pray for them.

Verse four tells us that “marriage should be honoured by everyone.” In our prayer book service, the minister declares, “What God has joined together let no one separate.” It’s important that we support marriage and refrain from interfering. Marriages need to be allowed to grow and flourish with our help and not hindrance.

Verse five tells us to keep “free from the love of money,” to be satisfied with what we have. Let’s remember with thanks the great things we have compared to the little others have elsewhere in the world. Better to live a humble life than with riches that do not bring happiness.

Beating around the bush Christmas in the outback

Bishop Ron Stone

“Q

uick! All aboard. We’ve got a window of opportunity. Let’s go!”

It is Christmas Eve in outback Queensland. We had driven 300 kilometres to the airport at Emerald about to fly further outback, across the Drummond Range, for a really tight schedule of Christmas Eve Services.

The Christmas Eve service schedule was a tight one. For it to work we had to be in the air by no later than 4.10 pm for the first service was Alpha at 5.30pm, 168 kms away; the second at Aramac at 7.15pm a further 100 kms on, and the third at Barcaldine at 9.00pm another 70kms – before the direct flight back to Emerald over 307kms, where upon landing we would wish the pilot a “Happy Christmas” around midnight. A 300km drive back to Rockhampton awaited us with a 3.30am arrival. We would be in the cathedral to celebrate the Christmas Day service four hours later.

where big numbers of worshippers would be in attendance.

The three congregations had been without a priest for decades and stipendiary ministry was no longer within their means. Being able to attend a celebration of holy communion was only an occasional experience for them throughout those decades.

If you are blessed with being able to attend a Christmas service, and can even decide, which service, and at what time you will attend, how blessed you are. For many outback Anglicans, or in small centres, for

The three small groups of people at those Christmas Eve services, and their worship, was equally as important as the worship in the large Cathedral I used to miss being in my Cathedral for the midnight Christmass. I missed celebrating it. I missed the magnificent worship space, the wonderful choir, the mighty organ, the many people taking part in the actual service, and the packed congregation. A bishop should be in one’s Cathedral to preside at that service, but I could not allow myself to be because of something I believe about the Church.

logistical and other reasons there may not be a Christmas service, but those congregations matter.

Christmas especially shows us what God is like. God ever seeking to come close to us, so that our life might touch God’s life, which is what Christ’s coming amongst us at his birth means.

A small group of Christians should always be respected as a valid expression of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. The three small groups of people at those Christmas Eve services, and their worship, was equally as important as the worship in the large Cathedral

And, when you come to think about it, this is what happens at the Christmass, and at every service of holy communion. Christ making himself available to us by means of bread and wine. Please remember those Anglicans who will not be able to experience a Christmass locally this year - as you and I will. And may God bless your Christmas and mine.

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Hebrews is a treasured work, giving much encouragement, inspiration and hope to Christians across the centuries.

And it can do the same for us today.

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in

the

mix

Cycling by faith Eddie Barkla

Who dares despise the day of small things? (Zechariah 4:10)

W

e all need a foundation on which to build. In cycling a lot gets taken for granted – after all, it’s only pedalling a bike, and how hard is that? People can launch into cycling with enthusiasm but miss having a foundation to build on. They may often be despisers of “the day of small things”.

Having confidence on a bike is essential to you and others’ safety.

Confidence and control over how the bike handles comes through the feet and bottom. To maintain stability and balance, eliminate shifting weight distribution: the stiller we are, not swaying or moving excessively, the better is stability.

To propel the bike forward the pedals have to be rotated. Smooth pedal action control makes all the difference.

The more feet create a smooth rotation of equal pressure the less bike stability is affected.

For children there are balance bikes without pedals: they learn to keep the bike stable and propel it forward with their legs, laying their foundation of stability before learning to pedal. Such small beginnings are not to be despised.

In our Christian walk, having a sure foundation is critical. As Jesus taught (Matthew 7:24-27), the wise “hear my words and put them into practice”, building their house on rock. Rain, flood and wind may beat against it, but it will not fall. Fools, however, build their house on sand: when rain, flood and winds come their house falls with a great crash.

Hearing and applying the good news of Jesus is to be our foundation in every situation. One word from the Lord is worth a thousand from others.

Do not despise such small beginnings, but build on them.

Looking forward to seeing you on the road soon, God willing.

The nativity scene is also our story: God is with us!

The Revd Dr Don Saines, Trinity College Theological School

I

n December 2006 the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, made a pilgrimage to Bethlehem. His visit, he said, was not “to an ancient and interesting site” or to a museum or theme park. It was to a place and people whose very existence speaks of the freedom of God to set human beings free. That is a truth which remains day after day, year after year, millennium after millennium.

It was that good news that had driven him there. To the people of Bethlehem, facing hardship and exclusion, it is also, he said, the good news

which teaches us not to despair even in the terrible circumstances in which so many of you now live.

The Nativity, the birth of Jesus, is one of the enduring symbols of the life of God in our midst. It speaks to our humanity and the God who embraces that humanity. The birth of a child remains one of the most common and enduring experiences of sheer love, of gift, of hope and celebration of a future.

So the nativity is a reminder of God’s delight in us but also of the

the Church with its concerns for pure doctrine, religious ideology, violence and domination. Inspired by his following of Jesus, Francis knew that Christ, born in a manger, proclaimed that God embraced women and men of very ordinary station, and the creation of which we are a part.

God for Francis was the incarnate one or not God at all; when human compassion is evident then so is the grace of God. Knowing God is with us, as the vulnerability of the nativity scene assures us, then so we can reach out to others, even in our brokenness: to the leper and lame, the disfigured and the lonely, the refugee and to those of different creed or colour, the stranger.

As individuals, communities and nations, we can be bigger and more gracious than we think is possible or desirable. As we read about events surrounding this nativity story we notice the turbulence and the violence of that time; it is as if evil

The nativity is a reminder of God’s delight in us but also of the vulnerability and endurance of a mothers love, of God’s love vulnerability and endurance of a mother’s love, of God’s love. It speaks to our human potential in God, as bearers of the image of God. Celebrating the nativity has not always been a central feature of our Christian storytelling. It was introduced by Francis of Assisi in the 11th Century and increasingly popularized since then. Francis erected a manger and acted out the first Christmas with a cast of characters that included live animals and real people.

For Francis this nativity was a return to the naïve, the natural, the very human face of God. This contrasted to that which Francis had experienced from

were lashing out to do everything it could to stamp out the presence of Life. The nativity scene speaks to our present equally turbulent time, where human love has been so tested, often broken. But it does not have to turn to violent revenge or exclusion.

We could tell our own stories, no doubt, of drought or bushfire, or poor harvest or loss of income or job, or loss of loved ones, or broken relationships. The nativity scene sits in the midst of our stories and puts them within this larger frame of God’s story, the God is with us: Emmanuel.

It calls for us to get on our knees and to allow God to grow in us again; and, then, to open our hearts to others.

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Where in the world...

is this church ?

If you can name the church and the city it is located in, you could be our monthly winner! Send your entries in to thespirit@bendigoanglican.org.au or post to PO Box 2, Bendigo, VIC , 3552.

Last month Sarah was at the Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The winner was Evelyn Mortimer from Swan Hill. Evelyn will take home a Christmas fruit cake donated by the Elmhurst congregation. Congratulations!

what’s on in 2016 events calendar

Registry Office re-opens Monday 4 January at 8.30am Ash Wednesday Wednesday 10 February Service of Oils Monday 21 March Clergy Conference Monday 11 - Wednesday 13 April Synod Friday 27 - Saturday 28 May Diocesan Convention Friday 16 - Saturday 17 September Clergy Retreat Monday 3 - Thursday 6 October Got an event coming up?

Send the details to thespirit@bendigoanglican.org.au

THEOLOGY AT TRINITY

Caring at a time of need

FORMING GOD’S PEOPLE FOR TOMORROW

Founded in 1877, Melbourne’s Trinity College Theological School offers world-class courses in theology.

Whether you’re interested in class-based or online courses, we’d love to welcome you to Trinity!

Located on Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne

T: +61 3 9348 7127 E: tcts@trinity.edu.au www.trinity.edu.au/theology

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Spirit The

november/december 2015

151 McCrae Street Bendigo 12 Victoria Street Eaglehawk

P. 5441 5577

www.williamfarmer.com.au

A tradition that continues...

www.bendigoanglican.org.au