Insights October November 2017 by Insights Magazine

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OCTOBER/ NOVEMBER 2017

Telling Our Story SYNOD 2017

HEALTHY CHURCHES EXPO 4 November, Centre for Ministry, 16 Masons Drive, North Parramatta

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! The HEALTHY CHURCHES EXPO is a day designed to assist Churches, whether they are small or large, with a broad range of information and resources. This year’s roster of sessions will equip churches in all areas, from healthy governance to encouraging intergenerational faith formation beyond the Sunday service.

PLAN TO BRING A GROUP FROM YOUR CHURCH AND REGISTER NOW! COST: $20 per person (includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea) TIME: 9am-4.30pm

Topics will include:

• Healthy Church governance to assist our Church’s growth and mission • Be Seen and Be Known: Synod Communications and website development • Raising and managing church finances • Makes You Wonder: faith sharing through digital ministry • Emerging Generations and a digital approach to discipleship

• Revitalising community engagement in your Church • Healthy discernment and decision making • Encouraging pioneers with fresh expressions of faith • Healthy approaches to risk managment • Healthy environment, healthy congregation • Property workshop • Intergenerational church beyond Sunday

HEALTHY CHURCHES EXPO will empower local congregations to grow in faith and action.

www.healthychurches.org.au

W E L C O M E F R O M T H E G E N E R A L S E C R E TA R Y

Do or do not, there is no...

REV. JANE FRY GENERAL SECRETARY The General Secretary is appointed by the Synod to provide leadership to the Church by actively engaging in strategic thinking about the life, direction, vision and mission of the Church.

FIVE WEEKS BEFORE the • I hope that we’ve stopped actual event, I’m writing a looking for a grand, universal column for the post-Synod plan for everything and edition of Insights. At this realised that the faith moment, I don’t know and witness of ordinary what decisions have been disciples in large and small made, what the ‘mood’ communities in various was, whether the event contexts, is how God has lived up to expectations chosen to work with us. and, importantly, whether For all of us, this is an the meeting fulfilled its extraordinary commission purpose of ‘supporting and and we all need to be encouraging the mission of attentive and responsive the church’. I’m immersed in the world that’s changing in reading reports and around us. We are all in proposals that will be this together. considered at Synod and • I hope that we’ve I am quite excited remembered the at the prospect courage of Jesus’ but I don’t early disciples know what WHEN [DID WE] WE who walked actually BECOME SO TENTATIVE, away from happened. SO INCLINED TO centuries HEDGE OUR BETS AND One of of biblical INOCULATE OURSELVES the things tradition to AGAINST ANY RISK that’s embrace the OF CHANGE? struck me core of the as I’ve read Gospel and tell the documents a new story. It must is how cautious we have seemed as though all are. When it comes to they were rejecting God putting forward new ideas, and the ways that God had or developing proposals always been known. Where we reach for language did their courage come from? like ‘consider’, ‘affirm’, It was recognised by their ‘encourage’, ‘note’ – none of enemies and it came from which cost anyone anything Jesus - …when they saw the at all and I find myself boldness of Peter and John misquoting Yoda: Do. Or do and realised that they were not. There is no…consider, … ordinary …, they were affirm, encourage, note or amazed and recognised any number of other worthy them as companions of waffle words. Jesus…(Acts 4:13). Life with Jesus set them and all Anyone with any responsibility disciples on a path of change for implementing decisions and transformation. could conceivably end up with nothing much to do. I • I hope that we’ve wonder when we became remembered that on this so tentative, so inclined to journey as church we’re hedge our bets and inoculate nourished by Word and ourselves against any risk of Sacrament and that the Spirit change? With that in mind is with us to make sure that and anticipating looking back we don’t lose the way. on Synod 2017:

• I hope that we’ve remembered that new ideas are actually gifts of the Spirit given to keep us on track and that they need space to take root and grow. I hope we’ve learnt that it’s fine to experiment, that failure is simply new information to help shape emerging possibilities and that the church is always God’s ‘work in progress’. • I hope we’ve learnt that ‘inter-conciliar’ depends on cooperative relationships and effective communication, especially when change is on the agenda and I hope that there is a renewed commitment to working together across all the councils of the church. • I hope that everyone with any responsibility recognises that leadership needs to be collaborative to tackle the complex challenges that we face – leaders in the church need to pray together, learn together, imagine together beyond the comfortable enclaves and outside the normal channels – recognising that none of us is fully formed, fully equipped or in any way omni-competent for the responsibilities that we collectively have. If all of those hopes ‘come true’, in whole or in part, I reckon we’ll have made a few courageous commitments to being the Uniting Church in Australia for the future and we will have decided to move beyond considering, affirming, encouraging and noting to actually ‘do’ stuff to help God change the world. Do. Or do not…for God’s sake, let’s get on with it. i

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SYNOD 2017: TELLING OUR STORY

“We are called as a community of God’s people, to give voice to the story that shapes us, and into which our own lives are woven,” said Rev. Hansford. “The service we offer and the worship we celebrate are shaped by our witness, and give form to how we speak of the hope we have.”

Contents REGULARS 3 WELCOME 6

YOUR SAY

7 NEWS 39 DIGITAL MINISTRY 40 MAKING MONEY MATTER

41 LECTIONARY REFLECTIONS 44

BELIEF MATTERS

CULTURE WATCH

ENTERTAIN ME

The Uniting Church in Australia is one of the country’s largest denominations. Our vision is that it will be a fellowship of reconciliation, living God’s love, following Jesus Christ and acting for the common good to build a just and compassionate community of faith.

MANAGING EDITOR Adrian Drayton EDITOR Ben McEachen PRODUCTION/DESIGN Rana Moawad EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING/ DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES PHONE 02 8267 4304 FAX 02 9264 4487 ADDRESS Insights, PO Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW, 1235 EMAIL insights@nsw.uca.org.au WEB www.insights.uca.org.au Insights is published by the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of New South Wales and the ACT. Articles and advertising content do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or of the Uniting Church. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Australia $38.50 (incl. GST); overseas $50. © 2017. Contents copyright. No material from this publication may be copied, photocopied or transmitted by any means without the permission of the Managing Editor. CIRCULATION: 16,000. ISSN: 1036-7322 Commonwealth of Australia 2017.

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M O D E R AT O R ’ S R E F L E C T I O N

The story that lies ahead REV. SIMON HANSFORD MODERATOR The Moderator is elected to give prophetic and pastoral leadership to the Synod, assisting and encouraging expression and fulfilment of faith, and the witness of the Church.

FIONA AND I arrived home from Sydney, on the Thursday evening following the Synod Meeting, to find two ewes standing, quite composed, in the middle of our lawn. They had found their way through the paddock fence and had taken advantage of the garden, which had decidedly more green growth than the paddock from which they had escaped. At four o’clock in the morning, they escaped again, leaving their lambs behind. The lambs were not happy and made their case. Therefore, we happily rose, caringly ushered the ewes to a reconciliation with their abandoned offspring and returned to bed. It wasn’t the gentle return for which we had hoped. It was, however, a reminder that events like our recent Synod occur in the reality of our lives, and that the decisions we make are in the midst of our congregations and our community. So much of what happened at Synod reminded us that we are a church at mission in the world. Our two guest speakers — Joel McKerrow and Hannah Boland — placed our lives squarely amongst everything, reminding us of both God’s grace and our response in hope. We crafted poems on the spot to offer a blessing to someone we value, and watched as the foundations of our faith — relationships with God and those we love — were reshaped by the crises and circumstances of our lives, and by God’s mercy. The gathered Synod affirmed proposals about Pathways and

Pulse, but they will only make sense as we enact them in the life of our Synod. Statements about mission and young people can often be vague and make us feel good, or they can be declarations of intent. As we listen to God’s Spirit to reshape the mission priorities and decision making of our Presbyteries, we are called to be sacrificial, generous, deliberate, but always hopeful about how we engage and grow our mission with young people. Once again, we asserted the vital role of the rural life of church. However, central questions remain. How do we reflect that in our sharing of resources, in our call process, in our formation of ministers both lay and ordained, in our decisions? How is our theology of ministry reflected in a church which has more and more resources harboured in the growing metropolitan areas, which are also in need? Our worship was bookended by the St. Stephen’s pipe organ and the Terrigal Congregation jazz band, and we were generously served by a gifted team throughout our meeting. New songs were written to amplify our faith in Christ in the world in which we live, and they are available to congregations across our Synod. We made a hopeful, challenging decision about the ministry in this Synod of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. We worked hard to listen to each other and resolved a way forward which will take grace and work, prayer and courage — and time.

The reshaping of the Synod Standing Committee may seem to be a mundane piece of news, but we hope it becomes a way of making decisions more effectively. The challenge will be how the prophetic voices will be present alongside those with other gifts of leadership. We had conversations in discernment groups about same sex marriage, asking how we bear witness in our seemingly scattered and somewhat divided communities — caring for those in need, living out justice, healing wounds, speaking prophetically and always offering hospitality. We gave thanks to God for the gracious, pastoral leadership of Rev. Myung Hwa Park. Myung Hwa presented her final report and the Synod then reflected on what a gift she has been to our church. A moment later, it seems, we celebrated the appointment of Rev. Jane Fry as Synod General Secretary, inducting Jane in the final worship event, as our Synod creates a new leadership team. The Uniting Church affirms God’s mission in our community. We worship, witness and serve in our world, not immured in our church buildings. Synod 2017 was hopeful and engaged, and we made decisions in that light. They will only become effective as we discern — together — God’s voice, as we act upon our decisions, and as we seek courage - not safety – for the story that lies ahead. i

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LETTERS

Your Say insights

AUGUST/ SEPTEMBER 2017

THANK YOU

Be rewarded for having your say. Every contributor to ‘Your Say’ in this issue receives a copy of the DVD The Young Messiah, courtesy of Defiant Screen Entertainment.‘Your Say’ letters should be sent to: insights@nswact.uca.org.au or posted to Insights, PO Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW, 1235.

&FAARITHTSUE ISS

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

ALL CULTURES WELCOME IN GOD’S HOUSEHOLD PATHWAYS CHARTS A HOPEFUL FUTURE

REMAIN COMMITTED My experience of the beginnings of the UCA was that it was inevitable. We were holding regular community services in the local hall and as my wife played the piano, we needed to collaborate with the ministers/preacher of whatever denomination. In my youth, the Methodist Church played a big part and young people were in great numbers. There was OK’s, comrades and MYF. Now when I look back at the aging population in our churches I wonder what happened, because most of those older members would have been involved in that youth scene. I have three sons, all confirmed members but practising in other denominations because there is no youth involvement for their families in the UCA. Was the Union to blame for this situation? So from my original experience of the certainty and wonder about the sense of Union, I know that general affluence and the ‘Me’ culture is really to blame. I remain committed to the UCA but without my families. Daryl Lush, Gowrie UCA

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BELOVED MEMORIES OF UNION My UCA journey began in the Merrylands Methodist Church. A church that encouraged it’s youth to be in leadership roles and provided much of my young adult Christian formation. We had information sessions about the proposed coming together of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches. My (Dutch) Grandfather was a Methodist Minister in NSW and in my Dad’s family there were very strong Methodist beginnings in country NSW. I remember that amidst the excitement of the thought of becoming a part of a big new happening in Australia, I felt a sadness that part of who I was would be taken away. I soon realised and was excited that my heritage could never be taken away and was part of forming this new beginning that would be the Uniting Church in Australia. It was a Sunday in July 1971 that we voted to form the Uniting Church in Australia. In 1974, I went to work in the office of what was then called the Integrated Department of Christian Education of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches. The “education” section had already combined. That was

the beginning, for me, of life changing and wonderful experiences. From 1974 to 1998, in different roles, I worked with wonderful people. People who affirmed me, encouraged me, and moved me forward. Strong and ongoing friendships remain. Back to 1977. By working in what became the Uniting Church Synod of NSW offices, I was in the midst of a lot of excitement as the day of Church Union was becoming a reality. Rev. Winston O’Reilly had been appointed by the three churches to be the Executive Officer responsible for coordinating the preparations for Church Union. His office was on our third floor at the old 139 Castlereagh Street building in Sydney. On Wednesday evening, 22nd June 1977, I attended the Inauguration of the Uniting Church in Australia at the Sydney Town Hall. It was a privilege to be part of this special event. Dressed in my best clothes, I seem to remember handing out the Order of Service, on the south side, upstairs. It was a great occasion; solemn though the Service was, there was a feeling of great excitement that we were part of something very significant

that had never happened before. We felt the excitement of Christine Gapes, from our Youth Department, being asked to be the Bible Reader. There was a tremendous sense of excitement and hope during the Service and, as we left the Town Hall, spontaneously the crowd stood still on the steps and sang hymns out of a joy that could not be contained. On the following Saturday evening, a NSW Celebration was held in the Horden Pavilion at the then Sydney Showground. Churches organised bus loads to get us to the Celebration. It was a joyful time and less formal than the Inauguration. Through my youth and adult years, it has been people within the Uniting Church who have formed me, nourished me, challenged me, encouraged me, and moved me on. Forty years is a long time and while memories are good to reflect on, unless we as individuals and as a Church move on, we can never grow or be effective in our reaching out to people within our chosen community. Elva Harris West Epping UCA

News URGENT CALL TO STOP ‘ETHNIC CLEANSING’ OF ROHINGYAS Uniting Church in Australia President Stuart McMillan has urged the Australian Government to take the lead in efforts to end the brutal persecution of Rohingya people in Myanmar. THIS COMES after reports of ongoing systematic burning of Rohingya villages, as well as beatings, gang rape and murders of Rohingya people — including the killing of babies and children. Between August 25 and September 14 alone, there were arson attacks on 62 villages in Northern Rakhine. Those who escaped the fires had to flee through a rain of bullets. “The Australian Government 2must urgently work alongside the international community to halt what is justifiably being described as the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya minority by military forces,” said Mr McMillan. From a population of 1.1 million Rohingya people, more than 410,000 have been driven out of Myanmar and into refugee camps at the Bangladeshi border.

The Rohingya have been described as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. Rohingya are an ethnic Muslim minority in the Buddhist-majority Myanmar. They have been denied citizenship and therefore, state protection. Nobel Prize winner and de facto “leader” of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, has drawn criticism for not strongly condemning this military action against the ethnic minority group. Making public comment during September, Suu Kyi later stated that the Myanmar Government still needs to find out “what the real problems are” and “why this exodus is happening”. Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, said it was clear the violence must stop and the international community must act. As a response to the emergency assistance

ROHINGYA REFUGEES FROM MYANMAR WAITING FOR FOOD AID. CREDIT: HAFIZ JOHARI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

needed in the region, the Australian Government will deliver $5 million in aid. “We are thankful… [and] we encourage the Government to provide this and any further assistance it can to ensure that those fleeing this tragic situation have access to food, shelter and security, for as long as is necessary,” said Mr McMillan of the announcement. Mr McMillan echoed calls from the Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, for the

Government to increase the quota for the accepted arrival of Rohingya refugees into Australia. “Australia must do whatever we can to support those who have fled and who cannot return home,” said Mr McMillan. “I call on Uniting Church members to pray for our Rohingya brothers and sisters who are suffering and mourning the loss of lives.” “May peace prevail and replace the hate and violence.”

HELPING YOU TO MAKE SPACE FOR GRACE Space for Grace is a tool developed over by the Assembly’s Multicultural and CrossCultural Ministry National Reference Committee, based on its approach to making decisions across a diverse group of people.

In his introduction to the booklet, UCA President Stuart McMillan writes: “Being open to difference and grappling with it respectfully is the great and eternal work of reconciliation that continues within the Church and beyond.”

Written by Rev. Dr Amelia Koh-Butler and Rev. Dr Tony Floyd, the Space for Grace guide is an important resource for making decisions in an intercultural context. It has been provided as one of the resources for the Uniting Church’s respectful conversations on marriage.

“No matter how difficult the conversation or how wide the differences are, there is nothing that cannot be resolved if we are prepared to hear one another and leave the space for God’s grace.”

Space for Grace Resources: A guide on how to facilitate a conversation using the Space for Grace process has been published in booklet form here: bit.ly/SpaceForGraceBooklet. More resources for respectful conversations about marriage can be found at: assembly.uca.org.au/marriage

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NEW ASSEMBLY RESOURCING UNIT

UNITING CHURCH COMMUNICATION TEAMS WIN MAJOR AWARDS

THE AUSTRALASIAN Religious Press Association (ARPA) is an ecumenical Christian communication network for Australian and New Zealand publications and their editors, journalists, designers and contributors. Uniting Church publications across Australia are members of ARPA and this year’s annual conference and awards dinner was held in Auckland, New Zealand. This was an opportunity for religious publications to network, share in professional development and be recognised for excellence in journalism and design among peers in the industry. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, REV. LINDSAY CULLEN, REV. DR APWEE TING, REBECCA BEISLER, ROB FLOYD, ANNA CATLIFFE AND DR JI ZHANG.

THE NEW Assembly Resourcing Unit (ARU) met for the first time in early September. The ARU will oversee a number of areas of work within the Assembly, supported by the Working Groups and Reference Committees (which the Assembly has appointed). These include justice, doctrine, worship, Christian unity, multicultural and crosscultural ministry, education, evangelism, discipleship and relations with other faiths. The team is made up of: Rev. Lindsay Cullen and Rev. Dr Apwee Ting as National Consultants. Rev. Charissa Suli will join the team in this capacity from January 2018. Dr Ji Zhang as Assembly Theologian in Residence Rebecca Beisler as Communication and Resources Officer Anna Catliffe as Executive Administration Assistant Rob Floyd as Assembly Associate General Secretary The team will work in a multi-disciplinary way. It will draw on the strengths and experience of team members and wider networks of

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people across the Assembly groups — and beyond — to resource the Church. These resources will range from policy through to very practical, hands-on materials which Congregations and UCA members can use to live out a joyful faith, grow with God, and be a voice for justice. The ARU will also collaborate closely with the work being done in Synods, Presbyteries, Congregations and agencies of the Church, seeking to build upon the strengths already present.

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APR M AY I L 20 16

UCA COMMUNICATIONS STAFF AT THE ARPA AWARDS: PENNY MULVEY (CROSSLIGHT), ADRIAN DRAYTON (INSIGHTS), HEATHER DOWLING DIS E (REVIVE), BINDY TAYLOR (NEW RNING G O DC’S TIMES), CATHERINE HOFFMAN CALL (NEW TIMES), AND MARDI LUMSDEN (JOURNEY).

PRISONE UNITIN R FOR THE G FOR GO THE CO SPEL, GRATE MMON GOOD: FUL FOR GO D’S HOW TO ACHIEVELOVE OUR AIM

“I am delighted to be leading such a gifted and experienced team,” said Rob. “We will be drawing on the amazing riches we have among our people across the UCA, as we share in the important national work of our Church.

Speakers at the Connections and Community conference reflected upon how communicators across denominations can be most effective in their spheres of influence, as story tellers.

“Our Church has a wonderful diversity of people, culturally, linguistically, theologically and geographically. We look forward to working together in God’s mission with them.”

Queensland Synod’s Journey took the silver award in the Best Feature Multiple Authors category for “Prison Break”, which was about the high rates of imprisonment of First Peoples. Journey also won the bronze award for Best New Writer for an article on creationist Ken Ham by Ben Rogers.

The ARU has begun work in a number of areas including the Church’s ongoing response to government policy on refugees and asylum seekers. Also, it is updating the Church’s response to the challenge of climate change.

VicTas Synod Communications publication Crosslight was awarded gold awards for Best Feature Multiple Authors, for Best Review, and the inaugural gold award for Best Social Media Campaign.

The gold award for Best Feature, Single Author went to Uniting Church Synod Western Australia publication, Revive, for “Embracing Weirdness as a Disciple of the Way.” Revive also picked up a bronze award for Best News Story for an article on medicinal cannabis legislation. Our own Insights magazine won a bronze award for Best Cover Magazine for our April/May 2016 edition, and a silver award for Best Design Magazine. Congratulations to Insights designer Rana Moawad!

UME E-SEMINAR

Christ and Creation The annual Uniting Mission and Education (UME) Bible and Ecology e-seminar hopes again to inspire enriching conversations, as theologians from across Australia come together to address ‘Christ and Creation’ on November 20. North Parramatta’s Centre for Ministry will host this event that, last year, attracted more than 100 participants to its inaugural e-seminar.

NOVEMBER 20 | 10:30AM-5:30PM

state will be able to engage with participants in person and online. Uniting Earth’s Rev. Dr Jason John is co-coordinating the e-seminar. He says the online aspect means people living in rural areas also can be part of the e-seminar that will include Q&A sessions, as well as workshops.

What does the reconciliation and renewal of Creation even mean?

“Environmental scientists are challenging us to tell the good news in a Creation story,” says Rev. Dr John as he explains the purpose of the ecology conversation in November. Key aspects of this conversation will be how human activity is threatening the environment, and how we view God in our world. “The idea that God is in control is even further challenged. We have seized control [of the environment], with far more power than we have wisdom.”

In collaboration with Uniting Church colleges, speakers representing each

The e-seminar will try to answer how the good news fits into this narrative.

Speakers will look to answer the following questions: How can we tell the story of Christ in a way, which is good news for the whole of the Creation that God desires to be reconciled and renewed?

“[It’s about asking] what is the connection between the Christ we follow, and the Creation over which God has, according to our Basis of Union, reasserted claim,” says Rev. Dr John. With in-depth discussions and a diverse range of speakers, participants will come away better prepared, and inspired, to answer questions about Christ and Creation. The e-seminar runs from 10:30am to 5:30pm (AEST), November 20. You can be involved in the live conversation at North Parramatta's Centre for Ministry (gold coin donation) or online, via another local hub, or from home.

www.

To register and receive the latest details, go to: unitingearth.org.au/christand-creation-e-seminar

DIVERSE SERVANTS OF UCA COMMISSIONED BY ASSEMBLY Four newly commissioned Assembly leaders were sent out into their ministry at a commissioning service held during September. Rob Floyd, Sureka Goringe, Jannine Jackson and Leo Iosifidis received their charge from President Stuart McMillan at Wesley Mission in Sydney, surrounded by their colleagues, family and friends. Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer presided over the service. After reflecting upon Jesus’s words about the vine and branches in John 15:9-17, Mr McMillan urged the four leaders to continue to grow with God and bear fruits of the Spirit. “It’s God’s love that grows and sustains the fruit in our lives and it’s God’s love that will sustain you in your ministry,” Mr McMillan said. “Each of you has an important and vital leadership role in the Assembly, but

nothing is more important for you to fulfil the role with excellence than your personal faith journey.”

I commit to doing the best I can to spread God’s love and help the people of inland Australia,” Ms Jackson said.

Rob Floyd takes on the role of Associate General Secretary in the Assembly Resourcing Unit. He is looking forward to working across the whole Uniting Church to transform lives and communities. Dr Sureka Goringe will serve as the National Director of UnitingWorld, with a strong commitment to stand alongside our Church partners in the Pacific, Asia and Africa. “In UnitingWorld, you get to hold a relationship on behalf of the Uniting Church, that has so much depth, breadth and history that is so far beyond one person,” Dr Goringe said. Jannine Jackson said she was honoured and humbled to be commissioned as the National Director of Frontier Services. “It is with great humility that

Leo Iosifidis moves into a new role as the Assembly’s National Director of Strategic Finance and Administration. He said he hopes to manage finances to enable the Church to continue God’s work and better serve our community.

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GRASSROOTS PEACEMAKERS WORKING FOR

harmony in Palestine and Israel

STUDY GROUP, IN FRONT OF THE DOME OF THE ROCK ON THE TEMPLE MOUNT/HARAM AL-SHARIF, OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM IMAGES: COURTESY OF URI WINDT

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The Palestinian-Israeli-Arab conflict is one of the most complex and unresolved disputes of the modern age. So, what could you and your Congregation possibly do to get involved with such a complicated international issue, so far away? A delegation from the Synod of NSW and the ACT visited this ongoing war zone earlier this year, to hear from people who live within the Israel/ Palestine conflict. Hoping to learn about the peace process beyond politics, the tour gathered stories, experiences and organisations, which Congregations can engage with and support. IN A FIRST for the Uniting Church in Australia, a study tour of Palestine and Israel included leaders within the UCA, as well as the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) and the Inner West Chavara (a local Sydney Jewish group). The tour consisted of 22 people, 12 Jews and 10 Christians who all are part of the ongoing NSW and ACT Synod interfaith dialogue with the Jewish community in NSW. The aim was to allow Jews and Christians to come together and spend equal time in both Israel and Palestine — offering various points of view, from inside the conflict. The hope was that the group might discern a pro-Palestine, pro-Israel, propeace perspective. The study tour was the result of two years of dialogue between the Relations with Other Faiths (ROF) committee and the Jewish community about the issue of identity, peace, justice, anti-semitism, Islamophobia and the IsraeliPalestinian conflict. The group met with 55 high profile and grassroots speakers including Dr Rami Hamdallah, the Prime Minister of Palestine, and David Keyes, Spokesperson for the Prime Minister of Israel. But far from such political heights, the tour spotlit the role that grassroots programs can play in the peace process for Palestine and Israel. Going beyond media bias or political slogans, the tour heard stories from everyday people. Former Moderator Jim Mein, who is also a member of the ROF Committee, was part

of the tour and highlights one way that Uniting Church Congregations can be a voice for the voiceless in the Palestine/Israel conflict. “Supporting grassroots projects is one way to create a real chance for peace, in the absence of a political solution to the continued occupation of Palestine,” said Mr. Mein. “It’s a practical way Uniting Church Congregations here in Australia could well embrace.” Other UCA tour participants included Moderator Rev. Myung Hwa Park, Congress Chairperson Diane Torrens, the former General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia, Rev. Tara Curlewis, and members of the ROF committe, including Jolyon Bromley, Allan West and Stewart Mills. Other lay people were also part of the tour.

THE HOPE WAS THAT THE GROUP MIGHT DISCERN A PRO-PALESTINE PRO-ISRAEL PRO-PEACE PERSPECTIVE

The most memorable meeting for Stewart Mills was with grassroots initiative, Parents Circle Families Forum (PCFF). Mills and the touring group from Australia met PCFF members Rami Elhanan, a Jewish Israeli man, and Bassam Aramin, a Palestinian man. Rami’s 14-year-old daughter and her friends were killed in a Palestinian suicide bombing. Bassam’s 10-yearold daughter was shot by an Israeli soldier outside her school. Incredibly, tragic losses such as these continue to bring parents from opposite sides of the conflict together to fight for peace.

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TOP: ANZAC MEMORIAL NEAR THE BORDER WITH GAZA. A VERY MOVING CEREMONY WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED, REFLECTING ON THE TRAGEDY OF WAR AND THE DESIRE TO BUILD PEACE FOR THE PEOPLE OF PALESTINE AND ISRAEL. BOTTOM LEFT: ROCKET CASINGS THAT HAD BEEN FIRED FROM GAZA TO ISRAEL (SDEROT POLICE STATION, ISRAEL). BOTTOM RIGHT: SEPARATION WALL ON ROAD TO RAMALLAH.

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Hearing stories such as those shared by Rami and Bassam left an indelible mark on the visiting group. “Both men, instead of choosing revenge to deal with this horror, decided to come together as a way to deal with their losses,” recalls Mills, who also is a member of Balmain Uniting Church. “They don’t want anyone else to experience the pain they have experienced. When you hear their stories, it is remarkable, as is the love they have for each other.” The majority of participants on the study tour describe it as profound, moving and one of the most intense experiences of their lives. Jim Mein agrees and adds that one of the biggest issues “is that the dehumanisation of each ‘other’ by both Palestinians and Israelis is a major obstacle to peace. Because of the status quo of occupation and separation, Palestinians mostly see Israelis as violent and aggressive soldiers or settlers; and Jewish-Israelis mostly see Palestinians as potential terrorists.”

CARING FOR THE BASIC NEEDS OF GAZA Grassroots organisation EcoPeace was co-founded by an IsraeliAustralian, Gidon Bromberg. It is a trilateral organisation working with youth that brings together Jordanian, Palestinian, and Israeli environmentalists, whose main objective is the promotion of cooperative efforts to advance both sustainable regional development and the creation of necessary conditions for lasting peace in the region. EcoPeace has a particular focus on the Jordan Valley and Gaza. Its concern for Gaza is that current conditions will lead to severe humanitarian implications for the two million people living there, and for the broader international community. GIDON BROMBERG SPEAKING ABOUT THE WORK OF ECOPEACE, AT THE JORDAN RIVER.

The commonality between EcoPeace and the Synod’s response to the water crisis in the Murray Darling Basin was observed by Rev. Myung Hwa Park. “Water is a source of life for everyone, care for water has no bounds; it can go beyond religious and cultural differences,” Rev. Park says.

The current water and sanitation crisis in Gaza and its regional implications — and its work in developing trilateral cooperation over the management of the Jordan River — is in need of urgent action. UCA Congregations can support EcoPeace through several ways: Sign the Jordan River Covenant and inform local members of Parliament that this covenant has been signed. Host and/or sponsor Youth Water Ambassadors from Palestine to visit Australia. Lobby the Australian Government to provide greater financial assistance to projects like EcoPeace. www.

For further information see: ecopeaceme.org

“We were told that approximately 70 per cent of each side of the population wants peace. I think the growth of the NGOs in some key areas can contribute to peace. I think peace is going to come from the people.” A step to “rehumanising” the other is for Israelis and Palestinians to meet each other and work together as neighbours, not enemies. “It was inspiring to witness cooperative work by Palestinians and Israelis seeking to change the status quo. Both face misperceptions of each other — and this seems an essential means to build peace,” says Mein. In the absence of a political solution, Mein reveals that “we were heartened to see people working on the ground, Palestinians and Israelis alike, building peace.” i Lisa Sampson

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ALETIA DUNDAS SPEAKING TO THE GROUP IN HEBRON. ALETIA IS THE FORMER POLICY OFFICER OF UNITINGJUSTICE. BETWEEN LAST NOVEMBER AND FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, SHE SERVED AS PART OF THE ECUMENICAL ACCOMPANIMENT PROGRAMME IN PALESTINE AND ISRAEL, A PROJECT OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES. THEY MONITORED HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AND PROVIDED PROTECTIVE ACCOMPANIMENT TO PALESTINIANS WHO WORK NON-VIOLENTLY TO END THE OCCUPATION BY ISRAEL.

WAYS FORWARD FOR PEACE

The group hopes to continue the dialogue with the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and the Inner West Chavara and deepen its content and share their experiences with Uniting Church members and Jewish congregations. Further initiatives in the ROF committee pipeline include: An education campaign with the respective communities of the UCA and NSWJBD/IWC, sharing the experiences, hopes and struggles of the participants. A grassroots program where joint Israel-Palestinian projects are supported. This includes an advocacy campaign with the Australian Government to support such projects. Encourage future joint trips between UCA and NSWJBD/IWC to Palestine and Israel. www.

More about ROF committee : bit.ly/RelationsWithOtherFaiths

The study tour was made possible by ‘Breaking Bread Journeys’ a joint Israeli-Palestinian tour project that builds bridges by “breaking bread”. Co-founders Christina Samara, a Palestinian, and Elisa Moed, an Israeli, along with their expert guides, truly created a unique experience.

UNDERSTANDING THE

Armenian Genocide Released on September on DVD, The Promise is a new drama about an old conflict that many people know very little about. Insights speaks with an Armenian Christian to get his first-hand review of how Hollywood has treated one of his nation’s most horrific periods.

SET AGAINST THE backdrop of the Armenian Genocide which occured for about one decade from 1915, The Promise centres on Armenian student Mikael (Oscar Isaac), Armenian-born Ana (Charlotte Le Bon) and Paris-based American journalist Chris (Christian Bale). Around their affairs of the heart, escalating tensions between the ruling Ottoman Empire and Armenians flare into ethnic cleansing. Chris Zakaryan is an Armenian-born bloke who lives in Sydney and works as a Financial Analyst with Uniting Financial Services. Unlike you and me, when Chris watched The Promise, he knew whether it was fact or fiction. “For us Armenians, we know a lot more, so we can find bits and pieces which are not quite sticking together,” reports Chris about The Promise. “But for someone who doesn’t know anything, I think it was a great introduction to motivate someone to do more research, to find out a bit more.” The deep-seated faith of Armenians is “not touched on in great detail by The Promise,” says Chris. “But it makes it obvious that Armenians are Christians, Turks are Muslim, and there is a clash of religions.” “I think a big part of why it happened is because we were Christians and Armenians; it was clearly on faith grounds. “It was a massive disaster for Armenians; and, not only for Armenians, it was a very sad moment for all of us humans. I think [those events] show the dark side of what we can become if we completely forget who we are and who we are created by. We are created by God and if we forget that, [the Armenian Genocide] shows what we can become.” Given Chris has grown up in a culture that continues to be shaped by the events which The Promise touches on, what is it like for him to be an Armenian Christian? Chris shares that forgiveness is a defining characteristic of his people, while pointing out his personal identity is anchored in

DID YOU KNOW?

something much greater than national pride, tradition or experience. “It’s important not to forget or ignore what happened but I’m very thankful to God that that’s not what defines me. I look at it as something tragic that has happened in our history and we can learn a lot from it. But also, and more so, when I look at the Armenian Genocide, I see the amazing stories of compassion that other nations have showed to Armenia. Also, some miraculous stories of some people who were saved. That’s another piece of evidence for me that even though things happen in life and you can’t eliminate bad things from happening around you, one thing that is constant for me is I know for sure nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ.” “Not life nor death, or even if you think there is a distance between you and God, can separate you from his love. His love is eternal, his plans are great and his arms are open always.” As he helps us better evaluate The Promise and reflects on his own faith and his nation’s history, it could be easy for Chris to dwell in anger or doubt about God’s love in Jesus Christ. But he hasn’t done that and continues not to. “Another thing I have never dwelled in – and I think it’s the same for a lot of Armenians – is hate. The movie has showed that the Armenian response is not hate. In The Promise, Ana says sadly but proudly: ‘Our revenge will be to survive.’ So, it’s not ‘we will do the same as they did to us.’ It’s ‘we will survive and prove to them that nothing can extinguish Armenians. We believe God will always keep us here.’” “The Turkish government wanted us wiped out. They thought they almost succeeded but I wish they could see Armenia now; it’s a thriving and successful country. “I think about Armenia like it’s a ‘great comeback’ and it’s happened, I believe, because God was, is and always will be with us.” i

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 1915-1923 ARMENIA IS ON THE EASTERN FRINGE OF TURKEY AND IT WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY ON THE PLANET TO OFFICIALLY ADOPT CHRISTIANITY AS ITS NATIONAL RELIGION. ARMENIA HAS BEEN A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY SINCE 301 AD. ITS CHRISTIAN ROOTS GO BACK FURTHER, TO MISSION TRIPS BY SOME OF JESUS’S EARLIEST DISCIPLES. NOT EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD OFFICIALLY RECOGNISES THE “ARMENIAN GENOCIDE”, INCLUDING THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT. THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT DOES NOT, BUT NSW AND SA’S STATE PARLIAMENTS DO. ABOUT 1.5 MILLION ARMENIANS WERE KILLED OR DEPORTED. THIS WAS ALMOST HALF OF THE ARMENIAN POPULATION AT THAT TIME.

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UNITING CHURCHES HAVE THE POWER

to shape their future

Key revelations from the 2016 National Church Life Survey (NCLS) data results show the need for more active evangelism by the Uniting Church in Australia and that local Church members want their Congregations to implement innovative faith initiatives. But will that happen? Within the Synod of NSW/ ACT, 10,183 adults and 392 children (eight to 14-yearsold) from 275 local churches completed the most recent NCLS survey (with the support of UME and Uniting). The NCLS survey is conducted every five years, Australiawide and across Christian denominations. The aim is to provide an evidence base to help churches connect with the wider community, as well as diagnose the state of Congregational health. Survey results found that there is a consistent newcomers figure of 22 per cent within UCA Churches. This includes 16 per cent who have transferred from another Uniting Church Congregation or from another denomination, and five per cent who are new to any church. The overall 22 per cent figure challenges the popular rhetoric of declining church numbers in the UCA. NCLS Resource and Research team member Sam Sterland states that despite this consistency, if the UCA

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cannot improve in our capacity to share our faith, then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to imagine the number of newcomers to local Churches will improve in the next five years. This also reflects the findings of the Pathways Pilot Project where people have consistently shared that their greatest challenge is to tell Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story to their friends and neighbours in ways that are respectful and relevant. Crucially, the 2016 NCLS results also included some questions specific to the Uniting Church, including asking respondents to identify the kinds of events they feel most likely to invite friends and neighbours to. While local results might differ, across the board our answers indicated a preference to invite newcomers to share in community meals or musical events. Perhaps most encouraging and challenging, at the same time, are the results related to innovation. Respondents who agreed that their local church is ready to try something

IF WE ARE WILLING TO ALLOW OUR BEHAVIOURS AND PRACTICES TO BE CHALLENGED AND CHANGED AS A RESULT OF WHAT WE LEARN THROUGH NCLS, THE PROCESS OF UNDERTAKING THE SURVEY WILL BE ALL THE MORE WORTHWHILE

new totalled 72 per cent. The proportion who strongly agreed has increased from 12 per cent in 2001 to 18 per cent. Seven out of ten believe their local Church leadership encourages innovation and creative thinking, and eight out of ten (82 per cent) are themselves ready to support new initiatives. At the same time, when asked about priorities for our local Churches, only 15 per cent thought that encouraging new approaches or growing into a larger local church should be a priority. Only 2 per cent thought that starting a new church or mission venture was a priority. Rather, collectively, our priorities lie in worship services which are nurturing (36 per cent), and spiritual growth (29 per cent). This seems to be saying that while we do want to support new initiatives, we are yet to make these activities a priority for our Congregations. Further, we need to also bear in mind that the NCLS results reflect the thinking of the people who are already part

of our Congregations and that we need to also pay attention to people in our communities who have not yet discovered the grace of God for themselves. Perhaps, then, the challenge is to consider how we turn our attention to the “new things” that God is doing in our midst and in our communities and commit to joining in wherever that might take us!

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Another set of questions were about our attitudes to social justice. In NSW/ACT, 79 per cent of us agreed that the Church should be acting on community service, justice or welfare issues, and 32 per cent felt that we could be doing more. Responses also indicated that the UCA could help its members engage more effectively with our communities through support with better understanding of local communities, attracting volunteers and knowing where to start and what to do. This information helps the Social Justice Forum, the Church Engagement Team and Uniting Mission and Education as they continue to develop resources to support

Congregations in their missional engagement.

CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES

The 2016 NCLS results also provided the opportunity for children to respond which, when combined with responses from parents in the main survey, provide important insights.

Overwhelmingly, children responded that the presence of God in their lives is important. They also see Church leaders, parents and other adults in the Church as important examples of what it means to follow Jesus. This is a strong reminder that when children are present within the life of the Congregation, they are learning from everyone, not just those designated as leaders. Wanting to share their faith with children and/or grandchildren wer 52 per cent of responders. The NCLS research also showed that retention rates for young adults are low (though consistent with previous years). Here we find some indication that supporting and equipping parents as they

THE PATHWAYS PILOT PROJECT CREATED A FORUM ACROSS TWO PRESBYTERIES TO SHARE THE CONGREGATIONAL CHALLENGES AND HOPES.

explore faith with children or grandparents (as they explore faith with grandchildren) might be one of our most important priorities. There were more encouraging NCLS results relating to faith, including 72 per cent of us reporting much or some growth in faith related to our participation in our local Church and worship. Sixty seven per cent of us said we usually or always experience inspiration during services while 76 per cent experience a sense of God’s presence, and 71 per cent growth in our understanding of God.

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

Following these types of insights will perhapst provide the most value from the NCLS results, by either building upon identified strengths or stimulating growth and new behaviours in areas that are less strong.

Reinforcing the value of using the survey data in these ways, NCLS Research Director Dr Ruth Powell reveals, “One of the exciting things about studying churches for the last 25 years is that we have learned that churches can shape their futures.” If we are willing to allow our behaviours and practices to be challenged and potentially changed as a result of what we learn through NCLS, the process of undertaking the survey will be all the more worthwhile. The NSW/ACT Synod is currently considering its priorities and directions for the next five to 10 years. The broad 2016 NCLS results not only give insight into some specific areas for immediate action in relation to those particular themes, but a great baseline from which to assess our collective (and local) progress when 2021 NCLS rolls around.

There are a range of people available to help Congregations explore their NCLS results, and the implications for behaviour and practice. You can contact your local Presbytery office, the UME Resourcing team or the Uniting Church Engagement team for assistance. Why not arrange a workshop where groups of Congregations can come together to consider the results together? We would be happy to arrange for someone to assist in facilitating such a gathering. Contact Raymond Joso at UME at raymondj@ nswact.uca.org.au to register your interest. i Kath Merrifield

DID YOUR LOCAL CHURCH MISS OUT? TAKE PART DURING 2017 FOR FREE.

In 2016, UME and Uniting provided funding to enable Congregations to participate for free in the NCLS. While 275 Congregations chose to participate, many did not. But it is not too late if you are quick and sign up before the end of October. If your Congregation did not participate in 2016 NCLS, you can still take advantage of the free offer. You will need to place your order on the 2016 NCLS website (2016ncls.org. au/sign-up) or contact the NCLS Research office (info@ncls.org.au) before the end of October. You will have until the end of the year to return your completed surveys to take advantage of the free offer. In 2018, any local Church can use a National Church Life Survey when it suits them, for a small fee, as a way to reflect on the vitality of local Church life.

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SYNOD 2017

Telling Our Story

Synod last met 18 months ago and so much in the world has changed. Local and international political leadership has had a hand in dividing societies and “loving our neighbour” has never felt more important. During such challenging times, the Uniting Church turned 40 and we are at a crucial point in our life and witness. Beginning with the installation of Rev. Simon Hansford as Moderator at St. Stephen’s Uniting

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Church, Synod met from 30 September to 3 October. The body of Christ had some important discernment work to do and decisions to make. These decisions will create pathways for transformation in the Church into the future, bringing about a renewed energy to the work of being ‘salt and light’ in the communities we serve and the relationships in which we all find ourselves.

Worship

Service

Witnes

a course for the future. Passing on the vision and legacy of the Uniting Church will enable future generations to tell the story of Jesus Christ and witness to the life-changing power of the gospel. This requires the commitment of the whole Church — Congregations and Presbyteries, boards and agencies, disciples and leaders — with God’s help, to chart a course for the future. READ MORE

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Moderator’s installation

THE MODERATOR CALLS FOR CHURCH TO RECLAIM ITS ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY UNITING CHURCH MEMBERS travelled from the far corners of the Synod of NSW and the ACT to celebrate the opening of Synod 2017 and the installation of Rev. Simon Hansford as Moderator, at St Stephen’s Uniting Church.

destruction but God’s love and hope in Jesus Christ. “God is in the midst not because we manage or lead well, but because God is a God of grace.” Rev. Hansford challenged members to consider in the coming days at the Synod meeting. “Are we guardians of the past watching the world go by or are we witnesses of now, of a God who is with us now?”

Ex Moderator Rev. Myung Hwa Park acknowledged the traditional owners of the land and welcomed more than 300 members, friends and special ecumenical visitors, “As we gather, we acknowledge Acting General the traditional Secretary Rev. owners of Jane Fry said, this land “We ask our and we Moderator GOD IS IN THE MIDST NOT recognise to lead and BECAUSE WE MANAGE OR that this encourage LEAD WELL, BUT BECAUSE land is the Church sacred in God’s land.” mission and our witness to Rev. the hope and Hansford love of God; to listen is the 28th and articulate a vision for Moderator of The the future of the Church. The Uniting Church in Australia, Moderator is called to be the Synod of NSW and the ACT. pastor of the people of God He will serve the Church as and to remind us of whom we Moderator until September, serve and who we are called 2020. to be.” In his homily, Rev. Hansford The blessing and laying of spoke of the Church hands on Rev. Hansford was becoming relegated to the conducted by UCA President margins and of a community Stuart McMillan and former being increasingly fractured. Moderators Jim Mein and He spoke of the role of Rev. Niall Reid, Ex Moderator the Church and the need Rev. Park, as well as Rev. Ken to reclaim its place in the Day, Rev. Jane Fry and Rev. community. He said, “In our John Thornton. worst moments, we don’t ask ‘Where is God?’ We know Rev. Hansford said he sees there is God, with us in our his time as Moderator as an weakness and our most opportunity for Uniting Church broken and the story reminds members in NSW and the ACT us that we are not left there, to articulate their experience as Christ is not left there. of God. “It is not simply serving those in need, but “But God’s love and sharing the living hope and forgiveness, justice and hope compassion of Jesus Christ will always have the last word. in whom we find ourselves Not death, not tyrants, not made whole.” i

God is a God of grace

View more photos from the Moderator’s installation in the Facebook gallery: bit.ly/ModeratorsInstallation

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Day One Highlights GATHERING TO PRAY

THE SYNOD GATHERED in prayer for the four days of Synod at the Knox Chapel, in support of both the newly installed Moderator and the members of the Synod. Former Moderator Rev. Myung Hwa Park prayed for the Rev. Simon Hansford and his calling over the next three years. Prayers continued for rural and remote ministry, Indigenous leaders, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Congregations, intergenerational Church, disaster recovery for social justice and mission outreach.

GOD IS PRESENT AND ENGAGING

Moderator Rev. Simon Hansford opened the Synod 2017 meeting with worship. Elder Uncle Harry Walker had travelled from his country in Tabulam and he acknowledged traditional owners of the land. The story of Jacob’s dream in Genesis 28:10-17 was told by Mark Hillis and then the Moderator preached on this Biblical passage. His message emphasised that we are blessed by the story of God. “It is a reminder of a God who is present, and engaging what He and we are a part of,” said Rev. Hansford. “God had his way with Jacob and his descendants to say ‘I am with you.’ God is with us. God is present with us in the journey in which we walk. We bless others through God’s blessing of us. We are blessed by the presence of God to be a blessing. And God will bring us safe home.”

REV. JANE FRY: “WE NEED TO LOOK OUT OF THE WINDSCREEN, NOT THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR”

“I am very excited about this agenda,” announced the Rev. Jane Fry to the members of Synod as the 2017 event got started. “This is a real opportunity to make decisions to promote and encourage the Synod into the future. “Since the last Synod 18 months ago, much has happened in the world. These are times of disruption and change, times of fear and uncertainty in which we’re called into the mission of God as the Uniting Church pilgrim people. We are called to be a fellowship of reconciliation, a body within which the diverse gifts of its members are used for the building up of the whole, and an instrument through which Christ may work and bear witness to himself. Forty years ago that was the vision; it is still a challenging vision.”

WE ARE CALLED INTO THE MISSION OF GOD AS THE UNITING CHURCH

pilgrim people

“Never has there been a time when the work of creating community across diversity has been more acute. Never has there been a time when witnessing and telling a transformative story of creation, humanity and hope has been more important.” It was Rev. Fry’s hope that this Synod didn’t spend time looking back. “We need to look out of the windscreen, not the rear-view mirror. I hope this Synod spends most of the time looking forward. These are conversations that will shape our understanding of what our fellowship of reconciliation might be.” “There will be discernment for our mission priorities for the next 40 years. We will think about how we will resource ourselves and we have a *video that will help us in our process. It brings a message of joy and hope. It is time to map a clear path for our future.” *Watch the Telling Our Story video: vimeo.com/234621223

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CHURCH IS A RELATIONAL ACTIVITY

Pulse

Acting Associate General Secretary John Thornton encouraged the Church to work together and be relational. “I’ve tried to be disruptive and positive and encouraging and, upon reflection, I haven’t been disruptive enough,” explained Rev. Thornton, who has been in the role for nine months.

BEATS NEW PATH

“PULSE MEANS THAT there is a sign of life. Having no pulse doesn’t bear thinking about. Pulse is a way that we have to take the Church forward.” This was Rev. Graham Perry’s — Acting Chair of the Uniting Mission and Education (UME) Board — audacious introduction to Pulse. A whole-of-church movement that recognises the importance of emerging generations within the life of the Church, Pulse seeks to grow vital Christian communities where emerging generations thrive. The aim is to develop a sustainable, vibrant movement where communities are strengthened and effective leadership is developed. UME Next Gen Consultant Bradon French shared how Pulse grew out of Yurora’s legacy. “Yurora has been and gone and was a transformative moment that refuses to remain a memory. Yurora has given us a vision of the Church that we were meant to be. Young people have sought opportunities to contribute and Yurora reminded them to keep passionate about their faith in the life of the Church. Yurora attendees were reminded not to lose their passion. There was a rallying cry to the whole church that young people see themselves moving into their common calling.” Bradon went on to speak about the inititial ideas to start a movement of young people dedicated to building lifesupporting relationships between young people and the Uniting Church. Pulse is the result. A website has been launched (ucapulse.org.au) as a hub for conversation, media, leadership training, opportunities, innovation, mission and discovering how the Uniting Church can be strengthened by an upcoming and emerging generation of entrepreneurs who understand how God can speak into the society in which we live. Liuanga Palu invited members to start imaging what impact this model of leadership could have on Congregations. She spoke about a re-developed formational process that will equip leaders. “This will contribute to transformation and faithful kingdom building in local areas,” says Liuanga. “I invite you to dream with me what this might look like for local Congregations. It will provide robust training and strategic resources to grow their capacity and to establish best practice models for effective ministry.” www.

Read the full story: bit.ly/TellingOurStoryUC17

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“Disconnection is a common disease across the Church. Email is useless for personal relationships. The Church is a relational and interconcilliar body. Have a coffee, relate to one another. Our work is incarnational. I invite you to become flesh more often. Give the younger cohort power to lead. If you are not encouraging people and discipling you are failing.”

TACKLING THE ISSUES: REV. DR ANDREW WILLIAMS

Board Chair of Uniting Financial Service’s Michael Anderson gave a minute of appreciation for Rev. Dr Andrew Williams, former General Secretary. He spoke about Rev. Dr Williams’ willing and open leadership. “From the very beginning of his placement, he faced a Church and Synod in the midst of change with many and often opposing forces advocating the need for immediate action on multiple fronts,” said Michael. “Andrew’s natural inclination was to consult widely. “There were joys and struggles, frustrations and successes and yet Andrew maintained his professionalism, integrity, energy and optimism. He exercised and maintained a calming influence in stabilising and effecting the mission for the common good in his service for the Synod. He was sustained by the sheer grace of God and always discerned prayerfully in his decision making. A lover of rugby, the mild mannered General Secretary

frequently morphed into an enthusiastic, loud spectator and commentator. “Andrew helped the Church transition through a difficult time. Synod is grateful for his commitment and skill as General Secretary.” This is an edited excerpt from Michael Anderson’s speech. The full speech can be found here: bit.ly/ TellingOurStoryUC17

BRINGING HEAVEN AND EARTH TOGETHER IN THE STORY OF GOD AND JACOB

Speakers at Synod this year helped articulate our story through the story of God.

Joel McKerrow led the Bible Studies with performance poetry and his unique style of storytelling. He told his own story in poetry and, in the process, our need to see the divine in one another, bringing heaven and earth together. Joel shared the story of God through his relationship with Jacob in Genesis 28:10-17. In this study about God bringing heaven to earth, Joel enabled members to understand how God can work through the body of Christ. “The gate of heaven opens through each of our lives as we go and share the real authentic stories or where we have met the darkness and in the darkness we have met God. That is where heaven breaks through into this earth. Those are the stories that people will listen to. Not our glorious stories of triumph – people can see through those.”

Heeding the call to God’s mission

have woken up to God’s mission but there are still more to be encouraged.” “I, a foreign widow, was able to serve the Church because of the grace of God and the help of many wonderful people whose support and prayers enabled me to complete my role. “Although the past three years have been like a whirlpool on a roller coaster, I have not been washed away, or tangled by knots or thrown off track, thanks to many great people who held me close in their prayers, sustained me with their knowledge and wisdom, and encouraged me with their friendship and love, helped me with practical assistance, and accepted me with unconditional love.

“But what would be a more affirming and reassuring thing for me to say to you is that I have never lost my smile, and felt renewed and transformed by the very ministry I have carried out over the last three years. Serving the Synod has also enabled me to see a future direction for my next journey, so I give thanks to God in my loudest voice: ‘My God, my life is overflowing with your blessings! Thank you and may God’s Spirit be with you!’”

MANY HAVE WOKEN UP TO GOD’S MISSION BUT THERE ARE STILL FORMER MODERATOR, Rev. Myung Hwa Park gave her outgoing report on the first day of Synod. This was followed by the Rev. Tara Curlewis’s Minute of Appreciation. Here is an excerpt from Rev. Park’s report.

more to be encouraged

“I have wished to see the Church wake up to God’s mission, to be responsive to what’s happening around us and heeding the call to God’s mission. And I have seen that many

Pathways

www.

Read Rev. Myung Hwa Park’s report to Synod in full here: bit.ly/RevParkReport

CHARTING A COURSE FOR THE FUTURE

AFTER MANY MONTHS of consultations across two Presbyteries, the Pathways Team reported about the life of the Church and how it is expressed at the grassroots. Pathways is a planning project seeking to explore how the mission of God is lived out in Congregations and Presbyteries, and to discover how the Synod can empower, resource and support this mission. Pathways is developing processes to enable us to listen deeply, value each other and bring to light the many exciting possibilities for sharing Christ’s story of his deep love in the world. This will then be mapped out in a long-term plan, assisted by Congregations and Presbyteries. Pathways is sitting alongside other concurrent projects in the Synod including Stepping Stones, Saltbush and Pulse (newly endorsed by the Synod). Project consultants Rev. Kath Merrifield and Ms Melanie Dicks presented the Pathways report and findings. Rev. Merrifield explained what Pathways Project discovered and heard across the rural Presbytery, New England North West, and the largest Presbytery by population, Parramatta Nepean. “What we heard was consistent across the Congregations and Presbyteries and there is strength in that. Generally, we

know who we are and who we are called to be. We know we are motivated by our love for God and God’s people, and we are called to be Christ’s hand and feet in the world,” said Rev. Merrifield. “We share a longing to sustain and prosper together as a body of Christ. We seek to connect meaningfully with our communities.” Rev. Geoff Stevenson, Chairperson of Parramatta Nepean Presbytery, shared the Presbytery perspectives of how Pathways played out. “We have been trying to change the conversation and move towards new and renewed models of ministry and mission. Pathways has been a vital tool in the process, opening up some new ways into the future. “Our lack of confidence to share our faith in words in the public domain was evident. We need to engage missionally and to connect with the community. To help us talk about our faith and help us transform a system of belief that follows Jesus into a tumultuous 21st Century world.” Pathways also discovered Congregations could make better use of tools and data already available, including statistics contained in the 2016 National Church and Life Survey. Watch the Pathways video here: vimeo.com/234621170

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Day Two Highlights LUNCH WITH LAUGHS

DAY TWO OF Synod began with an outdoor BBQ and entertainment. Hannah Boland entertained members with her unique brand of humour, while people ate on the forecourt at Knox Grammar School. It was a time for conversations and some down time while members processed the previous day’s decisions and proposals.

CONGREGATIONS CALLED TO BE THE LIGHT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE SUPPORTED BY A RENEWED TEAM

Rev. Rick Morrell, Uniting’s Director of Mission and Chair of the Social Justice Forum, introduced the report. He explained that the Social Justice Forum has been re-formed as part of Uniting, with a broad chaplaincy and pastoral team.

“The renewal of the Social Justice Forum has brought greater professionalism, activism and humility for the team. They have established themselves as a wellcoordinated team ready to go the extra mile for the world they care for,” said Rev. Morell. Jon O’Brien, Head of Social Justice Forum, said, “God calls us not to shelter us from the world, but to embrace its sorrows and embrace its suffering. We want to help and encourage congregations with candle lighting in the area of social justice.” Robyn Harvey from Boronia Park and member of the Social Justice Forum gave a local perspective on social justice activity. One of the areas included hosting seminars by “Creators of Peace” which empower women to be “radical peacemakers.” Another area is supporting “Grandmothers against children in detention.”

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Ms Harvey said that there are still refugee children in unsafe situations and “we can do so much to make our views known as individuals and as a Church; we can write to local MP’s and talk to families.” Overall, the situation for people seeking asylum both in Australia and in offshore detention remains deeply uncertain. Many groups, including the Uniting Church in Australia and the Synod of NSW and the ACT, have continued to call for changes in policy and practice. Rev. Dr Raymond Joso, Sydney Presbytery and UME mission consultant said, “Working for social justice peace and the environment is part of our response to the gospel of Jesus Christ and path to Christian discipleship,” said Rev. Dr Joso. “We have been encouraging action on community issues as an expression of faith.” Initiatives include lending its strong voice to a commitment from the NSW Government to support 8,000 asylum seekers in NSW to access TAFE for free. Find out about the campaigns the Social Justice Forum is working on here: bit.ly/SJF2017

MAKING SPACE FOR GRACE

An important part of Synod was feedback to Assembly in July 2018 around the conversation about marriage equality. Moderator, Rev. Simon Hansford, prefaced Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer’s report on the marriage conversation by setting parameters around respectful conversation. “This is a critically important conversation not simply for the Church, but for the world in which we witness, worship and service. If we enter this

conversation with no desire to listen, but only to speak then what you have to say is better left unsaid,” explained Rev. Hansford. “This is a conversation about how we as a Church seek to be the Church and for many people this is a difficult conversation. “If my role is to be both pastoral and prophetic and that’s what you’ve invited me to be, I want you to remember that our role as the Church is to be the people of God, the people of Jesus Christ. The people inspired by the wind of the Holy Spirit to discern how God is calling us, not just to tie neat bows or to fix the problem or have three-word slogans for

everything, but how we as the Church bear witness to the presence of the living God in the world around us. And bearing witness is about caring, listening, forgiving, encouraging, supporting and blessing, [it’s] offering healing and offering hope. And that’s who we are called to be.”

UAICC PROPOSAL

The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress brought a proposal to have certain powers of a Presbytery which was then transferred to discernment groups. Groups then further discussed how the proposed structure could work.

TOGETHER WE NEED TO MAKE THE MODERATOR Rev. Simon Hansford announced on day two of Synod that Rev. Jane Fry has been officially appointed to the role of General Secretary, a role she has been acting in for the past 12 months. “Thank you for the affirmation and for the confidence that you have placed in me,” said Rev. Fry in her opening statements. “I want you to know that you have not only placed it in me, you’ve placed it in us, because we can’t do Church unless we do it together.” She explained that this is a journey the whole Church can make together to regain the respect of the wider community, in order to continue God’s transformative work in the world. “And we need to do that so that fellowships of reconciliation can be genuine places of sanctuary and hope in a divided and a dividing world, so that the Uniting Church can be a prophetic voice in challenging times.” Rev. Fry reiterated that she had a strong commitment to the life and witness of the Uniting Church in all of its diversity and complexity. But she noted there’s room for improvement in a variety of areas. Rev. Fry believes building momentum for renewal and change is a collective task.

space for the future “We need to stop telling yesterday’s story,” she continued. Perseverance commitment and sacrifice will be needed, and Rev. Fry said she’s up for the challenge.

“I’ve worked in the Secretariat for five years and I understand the size of this office. I understand the complexity of this organisation. I’m cautiously excited about being a midwife of sorts to whatever God is doing among us, but you HOW CAN WE WORK guys will have to do the huffing and puffing. TOGETHER TO MAKE “The big agenda for me, is how can we work SPACE FOR together to make space for God’s future.

God’s future?

“We need to change our language so we are future focussed and hopeful in the way we speak among ourselves and the world that we are in.”

“How can we work together to strengthen and grow the ministry of the Uniting Church that is alive and responsive to the word of God and active in our world.”

The Rev. Jane Fry was officially installed as General Secretary on the last day of Synod (see page 29).

Q&A PANEL WITH JOHN CLEARY ON SUNDAY EVENING Synod gathered for a Q&A-style panel discussion, moderated by broadcaster and former ABC journalist John Cleary. The panel included the Moderator Rev. Simon Hansford, Michael Anderson (Board Chair for Uniting Financial Services), Meredith Yabsley (Board Chair for Uniting Resources), Rev. Graham Perry (Deputy Chair Uniting Mission and Education), and Heather Watson (Chair of Uniting). John Cleary asked questions of them about how the Uniting Church Boards are making space for the future. “Money is a very spiritual topic. It tells us where we are putting our priorities. It is where we express our values very often, as to the ways we look at our money,” said Michael Anderson when asked

about Uniting Financial Services role and responsibility. “We are not here because of the money; we are here because of the mission... One of the roles of UFS is to provide leadership around the protection of the Church’s resources.” The conversation moved from how the Church is dealing with rapid change in society to how it might deal with climate change, social justice and the financial responsibilities of the Boards, in relation to the Church’s structure and viability. In response to a question about the issues facing the Church, there was some spirited conversation. “Often we feel like we are playing catch up all the time,” said Rev. Simon

Hansford. “The whole church, not just the Uniting Church. Often times we ask institutional questions and the Uniting Church is not so much an institution; we are a movement. And we have settled into being an institution.” Looking at the reputation of institutions including the Church in the wider community, Heather Watson explained that institutions are often talked about negatively. “Part of the future will be the reconnection back to local community. Through Uniting activities and those of the Church, one of the things we can do is we can rebuild what it means to be a healthy community in the current context,” said Heather.

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Day Three Highlights

JOEL MCKERROW AND HANNAH BOLAND SHARED INSPIRING AND PERSONAL STORIES OF FAITH

RADICAL INCLUSIVITY

The day began with an inspiring and passionate study from Joel McKerrow, who focussed on the ‘Story of the Spirit’ from the Act’s account of the Pentecost. “Pentecost is about taking down the barriers, not of understanding, but of human connection,” said Joel during the Bible Study. Joel explained that God can and does work through the Spirit and work among us with ‘radical inclusivism’.

GOD IS IN THE DETAILS

Hannah Boland vulnerably shared her faith story with members of Synod. She outlined how at times her health, both mental and physical has had her retreating from God, only to discover he is in the details of her life in a way that she couldn’t possibly imagine.

“We often see it through the individual voice, which As she spoke Hannah has become about speaking truth to people,” visually represented said Joel. “We also have the social voice her journey by which is encapsulated by the justice placing cardboard movement, which is very much part of building blocks, the tradition of the Uniting Church. This WHAT I LOVE ABOUT which was later is about speaking truth to power.” MY STORY IS THAT revealed to be Joel’s closing prayer asked that God THROUGH IT GOD ALSO her image of her would use our tongues to tell the story faith and her life SHOWS YOU THIS IMAGE of God and that the Uniting Church will journey. speak truth to people and the powers “I hate that this that be. is my story. I hate IT’S ABOUT THE GRASSROOTS that I have children that Rev. Jane Fry refocussed members and enabled I don’t get to kiss at night. them to understand that all they are being asked to consider I hate that I am in so much both relational and strategic thinking about the future of pain every day of my life that the Church. all I want to do is curl up in a It’s a grassroots approach, gathering Presbyteries into ball and not leave my room. that conversation and then asking the Synod to help direct “But what I love about this resources that provide the support that we need to be the story is the human, relatable church on the way. side of God that he has “It is about all of us it is never likely to be about them. It is shown me. What I love about about saying who we are and who we want to be in the world,” my story is that through it explained Rev. Fry about the work that Pathways and other God also shows you this projects seek to achieve. image of Himself.”

of Himsel f

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Ms Boland enabled us to see that the fragility of our stories are held in the heart of God.

FUTURE HORIZONS

Heather Watson Board Chair for Uniting began the presentation of the findings from Future Horizons - a wide ranging consultation process on funding. Peter Worland, Executive Director of Uniting explained the purpose of Future Horizons by drawing on Joel McKerrows Bible Study. He talked about “honouring the other and moving alongside the other. Members of Synod, that’s what we’d like you to do now. This is a new page.” Most of the Uniting’s facilities are mainly in the advantaged areas with 70% of congregations in disadvantaged areas. After the consultation process, Uniting will now shift their focus to west and southwestern Sydney and to the most disadvantaged in rural and remote areas. Mr Worland concluded by saying, “We look to this new future with Pathways,

Stepping Stones and the Future Horizons project at Uniting, all of them are connected and interconnected. We would like specific, intentional discussion about how we are going to do this together.” “Today we want to listen to what Synod has to say about how we need to behave differently,” said Mr Worland as he explained in the past there was some disrespect between the services arm of the Church and Congregations and Presbyteries.

RESOURCING MISSION

Meredith Yabsley, Uniting Resources Board Chair reported on the Synod budget and the background for the Stewardship Contribution. Ms Yabsley explained the whole church has consistently spent more than it has earned that is why this budget is in deficit. “All parts of the body need to work together to create movement. Uniting Financial Services,

Uniting, Presbyteries and Congregations all play their part in the body,” she said.

all she had. Sacrificial giving is true for the Church as well,” Ms Yabsley said.

“Living is Giving’ is an important source of income for the Uniting Resources Synod and Assembly, mostly from congregations. is the essential Some congregations are truly generous but others part to make no contribution at all.” providing Ms Yabsley said it begs the question of all essential of us, “What does it mean to be part of a resources member of the Uniting Church in Australia?” to the What rights roles and responsibilities do we ‘body’ TO THIS NEW FUTURE WITH have?” to help PATHWAYS, STEPPING STONES it move. The Stewardship Contribution is a AND FUTURE HORIZONS One of the sustainable budget that “is applied to all aspects of parts of the church, no one is excluded in the resourcing achieving a more equitable load of the cost of mission plan is to Synod,” said Ms Yabsley. generate increased income She further explained that it is a way of looking for real from Synod assets. This generosity for the whole body, the building up of the whole. includes congregational contributions and to apply an “A sustainable Synod budget is not reached in a single step annual Synod contribution or met with a single solution. It takes time. The Stewardship across all parts of Synod, Contribution scheme is but one way. We are looking for real something not seen for nearly generosity across the whole Synod, using the generosity to twenty years. build up the whole.”

We look forward

“Jesus made no comment to his disciples about being compelled by the religious leaders to contribute towards the cost of running the temple but drew the disciples attention to the heart behind the giving… the widow gave

MISSION AND PROPERTY AND THE GROWTH FUND

Rev. John Thornton shared the reports on mission and property and growth fund. He acknowledged the team involved including Suzanne Stanton, David Thornton and Jan Reeve. “This work is one component of resourcing mission in the Synod. They have been working with congregations on mission resources as additional resources for Presbyteries,” said Rev. Thornton.

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Celebration of Ministry A CELEBRATION of ministry was held for ministers of the word, deacons ordained and lay pastors commissioned since the last Synod meeting. It included two jubilarians Rev. James Bishop and Rev. John Whitehead who have served in ordained ministry in the Uniting Church for 60 years. The celebration began with singing and blessings then prayer led by the Moderator, Rev. Simon Hansford who said, “As our call places us within the church, within the people of God and sometimes closer to the edges than in the middle. And sometimes in dangerous and risky places. We celebrate the calls. As we celebrate and acknowledge we might hear our own calls anew.” “Our God we thank you for trust, for the mercy and the justice for the care, the patience and sometimes the impatience, those hands have shown. We thank you. For leadership fallible and wonderful, we thank you. For words spoken that have

sparked the light of hope or courage or challenge… we thank you. And for a bunch of good men and women, we thank you. For the ministry for each and all of us …. We give you thanks through Christ our Lord.” NSW Congress Chairperson Diane Torrens read from 2 Corinthians 4.1-2, 5-15. “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” Rev. Jane Fry gave a minute of appreciation followed by a response from Rev. Anne Ryan. The celebration ended with a blessing, “May the Feet of God Walk With You.”

Walking and talking RAY MINNIECON SPEAKS ABOUT THE GOALS OF CONGRESS

DIANE TORRENS (Aunty Diane), Chair of the Regional Committee paid respects to the Ku-Ring-Gai people and shared greetings from Congress UAICC. Aunty Diane said, “I’ve had the privilege to go on three of the Murray Darling Tour, we did a Bundjalung tour and I’ve had the honour to do a “Welcome to Country” so proudly on the Bundjalung tour with 52 people who came on the tour.”

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RESPECTFULLY TOGETHER

Ray Minniecon, resource worker with Congress, spoke about the work and goals of Congress. First putting things in context he said, “This is 2017 it was 50 years ago you voted to allow Aboriginal people to be counted in the census. And to remove the words Aboriginal so the federal government could take control of indigenous affairs. So we are not very old. We’ve had to fast track ourselves in this thing we call Australia.” “50 years ago our church sadly didn’t exist. Policies existed to exclude us from you and you from us only 51 years ago,” said Mr Minniecon. He said there are wide gaps that the church needs to fill including more Aboriginal theologians to achieve the incredible challenges we face in the community as we seek to build communities. Working with Rev. Ivan Roberts, his friendship, wisdom, love commitment

and passion dealing with many complex issues was acknowledged. What Congress is doing and plans to do, falls into four areas: planting churches alongside or within congregations grow our leaders and; provide scholarship support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Students in study of Theology and Christian Ministry encourage young people to take their rightful place in the church of God, to build culture and skills “We ask you to come along side us. Let’s talk together about the challenges we have,” said Mr Minniecon. Watch and download the video: “Walking on Bundjalung Country” vimeo.com/234617810

Voices from Synod SHANE SLADE ENGADINE UNITING CHURCH

I expected the marriage discussion to be the most challenging, but I was surprised at how thoughtful everyone was in their conversation and how civil the discussion was. Everyone was really careful to respect everyone’s different opinions and actually work together. Really collaborated in their approach, to ask ‘What kind of steps are we going to take beyond the marriage survey?’ and ‘How are we going to care for the people that are grieving?’ and ‘What kind of statement are we going to make as a church?’

JAN REEVE ROSEVILLE UNITING CHURCH

I was really touched by Hannah Boland’s sharing of her story and how vulnerable she made herself. She reflected on her relationship with Jesus and how that had changed through the tough journey she went through. I really appreciated that and I think it was an opportunity to just resonate with how life can be and yet how important God is and how important our faith in Christ is, to get us through.

RICHARD LA’BROOY NORTH RYDE COMMUNITY CHURCH

The most exciting thing to come out of this Synod is the Pulse Project. It gives us an amazing opportunities and really exciting future for children’s, youth and young adults ministry in the life of our Church. The possibilities are endless and it’s seriously exciting.

ADRIAN SUKUMAR-WHITE SYDNEY PRESBYTERY

I really enjoyed participating in the discernment groups at Synod. To be able to take some time to really delve into some of the issues that we’re dealing with and to hear peoples different points of view and to hear the hope of the Church existing in those things.

I find it fascinating to hear all the stories that are being told from across the Synod. There are so many good things that are happening and it reminds us in our Congregations that we need to actually focus on one or two things because you can be overwhelmed with all the fantastic things going on. You start to feel guilty that you’re not doing this or that. It’s made me think to go back to Church Council and say, ‘right guys what are we going to focus on in the next 2 or 3 years!

SNIPPETS

It was the best Synod, so positive and looking to the future. All credit to those who gathered and those who worked so hard to make this happen. There were many green shoots of hope. Wonderful, inspired and full of hope. Peter Overton What awesome leadership we have seen from the young smart women and men of this Synod. Stuart McMillan UCA President The music ministry was mood shaping and inspirited in ways that created a real sense of gathering! Kim Langford

REV. MATA HAVEA HILIAU NORTHERN BEACHES UNITING CHURCH

NICOLA ROBINSON GORDON UNITING CHURCH

SOCIAL

There are some things exciting about Synod 2017, particularly this sense of moving forward with trust and conviction about the future of the Church with the young generation. Developing and mentoring new leadership and looking forward to the future of the Church. I love that there is this beautiful sense of discerning where God is calling us to do ministry particularly in the discernment groups and around the tables. Most importantly our leader the Moderator is so prayerful. I just love that and that’s what following Jesus is about.

Blessings Myung Hwa, your humble faithfulness has been a witness to me of the love of Christ. Thank you. Michael Earl. Go Jane! Excited about what you will continue to bring to the UCA through your leadership. Colleen Geyer, General Secretary Assembly Exciting to hear Janes voice and opinion on what is needed for a viable growing church God is trying to pull his church into the 21 Century. Del Dennis

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Day Four Highlights WALK CLOSER WITH THEE

A JAZZ GOSPEL STYLE of worship kicked off the fourth and last day of a Synod bringing members closer together to celebrate in God’s presence. As the Moderator, Rev. Simon Hansford scattered water, members were reminded of their baptism and call to Christ. “May we worship God who calls us in our baptism, may we maintain a life of witness, of worship of teaching,” said Rev. Hansford. There was toe tapping, singing, even shoulder swinging as members were accompanied by a five-piece jazz orchestra from Terrigal Uniting Church, including a playful trumpet and a sublime saxophone. “As Church we want to walk closer to you. Our praise brings you delight we come to you for in you there is comfort, there is life,” said Rev. Hansford. Emma Parr from Uniting Mission and Education then spoke the story of Great Commission from Matthew 28 and moved members toward the faith we have that God is with us always. Rev. Thresi Mauboy, Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia Northern Synod led the prayer: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. We pray asking that we are always united by your spirit, so that we can heal and understand well. Guide us to live in your will as an act of gratitude for You.” In her sermon Rev. Mauboy said that in the Northern Synod, Aboriginal students are enrolled in Nungalinya Theological College and — “Sometimes we see our brothers and sisters afraid of talking in the community with others...” — she spoke of Eli’s children, about hearing God and respecting God and knowing.

LISTENING AND RESPONDING IS VITAL IN A RELATIONSHIP

wit h God

“Listening and responding is vital in a relationship with God. To receive His message, we must be ready to listen and act,” said Rev. Mauboy. “Sometimes there is conflict because we are imperfect. Don’t lose your head and leave the Church because people are not listening. There is nothing on earth that is more precious to God than His Church. Jesus taught us to become one in unity to serve this Synod. Everyone has their own talent and gifts. We must live to the attitude of respect and learn to except each other in humility.” “The question for us here today is to put God between our self and God, and God will solve the problem. When God called the servant to serve Him, He said ‘I will be with you always’. We forget to pray to ask God to hear our prayer. I challenge you to use what Jesus has already showed us, protect them in the name of you who sent us to serve you,” said Rev. Mauboy.

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INDUCTION OF GENERAL SECRETARY REV. JANE FRY

STRENGTHEN US, REFRESH US, THAT WE MIGHT LIVE YOUR STORY

in Christ

REV. SIMON HANSFORD led the induction asking Rev. Fry to pledge her leadership to the Synod of NSW and the ACT. It was a poignant moment when Rev. Fry’s ministry friends, staff of the Synod and family, handed her the symbols to carry as General Secretary of the Synod. “We welcome you and offer you our friendship and support,” said Peter Andrews. Rev. Hansford prayed for Rev. Fry: “Almighty God in every age you have chosen servants to lead your people, we thank you for Jane who has been called to serve You, may she be a faithful disciple.” Rev. Fry responded to the official declaration of her induction, acknowledging the individuals from the span of her ministry life that have brought her to this place today. She thanked them for their encouragement and she thanked her family.

to work together to heal the hearts and so grow together in Shalom, to be in peace in this world for all grand babies.” Rev. Hansford closed the induction with prayer: “These gifts are beyond us Lord we ask, strengthen us, refresh us that we might live your story in Christ.” The band swung the Synod into action fittingly to the tune of “When the Saints Go Marching In.” This was then followed by communion. i Synod reporting by Adrian Drayton, Lisa Sampson and Melissa Stewart. www.

You will find more reporting on the Insights website at bit.ly/TellingOurStoryUC17

“My family understand the cost of ministry,” Rev. Fry reflected on her appointment.

Telling Our Story, Pathways and Walking on Bundjalung videos presented at the event can be downloaded and viewed at vimeo.com/nswactuca

Rev Fry then shared a poem she had written inspired by Joel McKerrow (from his Bible Study session) for her “grand baby” who is “the best reason for us to find a way to live hopefully

View Galleries of photos on the official Uniting Church Synod of NSW and ACT Facebook page @UnitingChurchNSWACT

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reformation AND THE UNITING CHURCH

REFLECTIONS ON THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REFORMATION

In 1517, priest and theologian Martin Luther nailed his ‘95 Theses’ to the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany. The rest, as they say, is history. Luther’s call for debate on the Chritian faith would lead to the Reformation that shook the very core of European thinking on religion, politics and culture. To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Dr Janice McRandal explores the Uniting Church after 40 years and the Reformation after half a millennium. “It strikes me that this may be one of the differences between youth and age: when we are young, we invent different futures for ourselves; when we are old, we invent different pasts for others.” The Sense of an Ending, Julian Barnes Infatuated as he is with time, the English novelist Julian Barnes frequently reflects on memory, history, narrative, and meaning-making. He draws attention to the muddled truths which spill out in the accounts of ourselves and our histories. I am mindful of this inevitable scrambling as we mark time together as the broad Christian church: 500 years since the 95 Theses and 40 years since the formation of the Uniting Church in Australia. We are registering the passage of time, counting significant moments of the continuous but always

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uncertain march of history. Just what have we gathered to do, though? Invent a future? Invent a past? Perhaps both at once? The Uniting Church is a relatively young ecclesiological experiment, a repetition of the past into an unknowable but hopeful future, an inheritance of the past that won’t let the past remain simply what it was.

time, in response to the call of the pilgrim Jesus who moves in history in “his own strange way”. And so gathering to think about the time of the Uniting Church, we cannot help but think theologically about time itself. About the sense of time we have inherited from the past, and also about the sense of time we are discovering, or creating, or inventing, together.

what is discernibly present. Faith does not see what is coming; it cannot anticipate or calculate what is coming. But it holds itself open to the future with a trust that feels out its way in the dark. “Justification by faith alone” is one of the most famous slogans to emerge from Luther’s famous 95 Theses, and it carries a logic of temporality. At present, we are sinners without any

THE UNITING CHURCH IS DISCOVERING ITSELF EVER ANEW, NOT BECAUSE IT SHUNS THE PAST BUT BECAUSE IT INVITES THE PAST INTO A PILGRIM CADENCE At its best, the Uniting Church is discovering itself ever anew, not because it shuns the past, but because it invites the past into a pilgrim cadence, a way of walking, or perhaps dancing, through

It is in Luther that we find the emergence, or at least reinvigoration, of the category of expectancy in Christian thinking: the idea that faith orients itself to what is coming rather than to

hope of securing our own righteousness. Any future extrapolated from this present is a future in which we remain sinners. What then justifies a hopeful movement through time?

Faith alone does. That is, faith entrusts itself to a future in which we will always have been the beloved children of God, even when we were sinners. There is no rational ground for this trust. It does not grow out of any “natural order of things”. It calls for a naked readiness to be embraced by divine mercy despite everything. For those who live with such readiness, a radical freedom is born, the freedom to love and

serve without the anxiety of securing a future we can see, or that we have earned. Luther puts such expectancy — or faith — to “work” against the kind of metaphysical gestures that attempt to construe the life of faith as

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a process of accumulated merit. Put in terms of temporality, Luther refuses any future extrapolated from any present state of things (or, of the potentiality of those things). This is not without problematic applications, not least of which is Luther’s conception of the two kingdoms — or two temporalities — which fuelled his opposition to the peasant revolts which emerged during his lifetime. Luther found in such revolts a problematic overturning of the law that must, he thought, structure political and economic life in the present evil age. He was unable to hear the Gospel in the peasants’ demands for a new world. But despite its problematic applications, we can say that the Reformation sees a reframing of time along lines of eschatology (the theological study of the final events of history and the ultimate destination for humans). The movement of faith is timed or rhythmed by expectancy. Faith moves by waiting for what it cannot secure or construct and for what it will not possess. Faith works by trusting a future that arrives only as a gift. For the Uniting Church in Australia, from the establishment of the Joint Commission on Church Union and right through to the present day, a clear

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eschatological lens has shaped the Church’s sense of time. I often think of this as a kind of mystical and apophatic eschatology, an eschatology more engaged with the promise of a new, extraordinary reality of divine union rather than with the anticipation of a content-filled future. Our language in the Basis of Union marks such a posture: “The Church lives between the time of Christ’s death and resurrection and the final consummation of all things which Christ will bring; the Church is a pilgrim

This patience is not an abstracted virtue but eminently practical, written into all our forms of governance, even down to our manual for meetings. Whereas worldly eyes might look upon such patience as a form of foolishness, the eyes of faith see the practice of such patience as the dance of a strange, difficult joy. The joy of gathering around what cannot be possessed or lodged in us, the joy of a gift that does not become a possession.

always been eschatology that holds all things together. What would it mean for the Church to resist the temptation of impatience, of knowing itself and a world too quickly? Perhaps we need to think of eschatology as an art: the art of patience, a patient art. As Julian Barnes suggests in his most recent novel, “Art is the whisper of history, heard above the noise of time.” i

WHAT WOULD IT MEAN FOR THE CHURCH TO RESIST THE TEMPTATION OF IMPATIENCE, OF KNOWING ITSELF AND A WORLD TOO QUICKLY? people, always on the way towards a promised goal; here the Church does not have a continuing city but seeks one to come.” (Basis of Union, Paragraph 3) It is a theology of eschatological patience that shapes the Uniting Church’s sense of calling as a pilgrim people, a theology that waits, a theology that suffers its own incompletion. Such incompletion and the apophatic patience that nourishes it is embodied in a commitment to abide together in the most patient ways.

And yet, as we’ve moved toward marking and celebrating our 40 years together, time has come to be marked by urgency in the Uniting Church: a sense of confusion about mission. We seem to have replaced our theology of patience with an ideology of panic. “It has been 40 years so shouldn’t we have some momentum by now?” I am not sure that 40 years should mean what it seems to mean to many in the Uniting Church, because for us it has

This is part of a series exploring the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and the Uniting Church in Australia. This article was first printed in Queensland Synod’s Journey and subsequent parts of this series are available at: journeyonline.com.au/ reformation

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CHANGING THE WAY WE TALK AND CARE ABOUT

dementia

Earlier this year, Professor John Swinton was keynote speaker on disability and dementia at a Uniting, Wesley Mission and UTC pastoral strength conference in Sydney. Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at Scotland’s University of Aberdeen, Swinton has a background in mental health nursing and healthcare chaplaincy. He has published extensively in the areas of ageing, dementia, mental health and illness, as well as the theology of spirituality of disability. Having her own personal story of dementia within her family, Lisa Sampson spoke with Swinton about how more can be done pastorally for people living with dementia.

AUSTRALIANS ARE LIVING LONGER and with that comes the very real possibility of having dementia in the latter years of life. Three in ten people over the age of 85, and almost one in ten people over 65, have dementia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, “Dementia in Australia,” 2015). About 413,106 Australians are living with dementia and 291,163 people providing care, either in the community or in cared accommodation. The economic cost of dementia in Australia this year is expected to be $14.67 billion (Alzheimer’s Australia, “Economic Cost of Dementia, 2016–2056,” 2017). The toll of dementia upon our society is hard to exaggerate, especially upon those living with it or caring for someone who is. While the financial costs related to dementia are huge, even more so are the personal. My father had dementia and died 10 years ago. I have reflected a lot about what he experienced and how it impacted my family. For some time, one of the things I have wondered

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about is whether it is possible to live well with dementia.

an overly negative picture of dementia.”

Swinton says it is possible. But to be able to live well with dementia, all of us need to change the way we think and talk about it. “We must challenge the prevailing assumptions about dementia including the suggestion that dementia is a purely neurological problem affecting the brain.” There are spiritual and emotional dimensions to dementia, according to Swinton, beyond memory loss, behavioural change and diminished ability to perform everyday tasks.

Swinton feels there is a need to present dementia differently, more humanely and in more of a spiritual context. “We can change the narrative from one of loss and sadness to one of trust, hope and love,” he says. One result of such a shift would be bringing greater hope and spirituality to our entire communities, according to Swinton.

Changing the way we think and talk about dementia would require a dramatic shift in the dominant narrative about dementia. As Swinton explains, dementia tends to be presented or considered mainly from a negative perspective. “Even not-for-profit organisations [which are] ‘pro dementia’ feel that they must tell a fear-based story in order to have their message heard and attract funding. The statistics paint

WE CAN CHANGE THE NARRATIVE FROM ONE OF LOSS AND SADNESS TO ONE OF TRUST, HOPE AND LOVE, BRINGING GREATER HOPE AND SPIRITUALITY TO OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITIES

BEYOND A CLINICAL APPROACH

When relating to people with dementia, Swinton points out that most emphasis is usually placed on the loss of their memory. This focus soon extends to loss of their personal identity. This was certainly the case for me when my father died at age 94 from Alzheimer’s (the most common form of dementia). The focus was on the man he once was. During his final years, the long-held fear for him was what the future may hold. Readily available information on the subject

was largely clinical, based on neurology. I found those resources “dehumanising,” as Swinton calls them. The doctor attending my father wrote on his death certificate as the cause of death, “Alzheimer’s.” It was not until that moment, despite the worrying statistics, that I completely accepted that dementia is a cause of death. In fact, dementia is second to heart disease as the leading cause of death in Australia and there no cure yet has been found. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, “Causes of Death,” 2015). My father’s dementia was often discussed in a clinical way, as though he was not part of the conversation. “He doesn’t remember,” would be the impersonal justification. Family members would even remind him that he couldn’t remember which, in hindsight, was particularly unhelpful. Or nurses would say, “He’s not himself

today.” What self? Where had it gone? Who took it? It was as if a grand larceny had occurred with no hope of retrieval. I don’t recall the day my father’s “self” disappeared. The time arrived however when not only didn’t he remember that he didn’t remember, he simply couldn’t remember.

A STORY REMEMBERED

Dementia is a highly stigmatised condition and Swinton observes that someone’s diagnosis with it becomes the filter for their story. For the person with dementia, their universe is reduced to the “size of the disease.” In a sense, the person with dementia ends

up “losing themselves” (loss of identity). I certainly experienced this with my father. I recall it was about the time my father stopped body surfing when he was first diagnosed with dementia, around the age of 84. Friends remained in the dark because of the stigma involved. The gradual loss of his ability to perform everyday activities including catching the bus to the swimming pool, reading the newspaper and following conversations meant an ever diminishing circle of

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activity (although he still had the fitness levels of a 65 year old). He became a “dementia sufferer” and all the implications that went along with that. Swinton says we need to open up a different understanding of dementia, to a “human response.” “Holding onto their own story and having people around them who can sustain that story is fundamentally important,” says Swinton, highlighting that those with dementia must rely upon others to tell their story. My father lost his short term memory and could no longer tell his own story — in his case, a WWII Sunderland pilot, father, husband, business man, Rotarian, etc. Swinton points out that people with dementia often also experience a shrinking community; they forget — and are forgotten. However, our memories live on in many places, says Swinton, with family, or computers with photos. “The question is: ‘Who is going to remember your story?’” Swinton believes we tend to “dehumanise” the person by defining their story in terms of what has been lost, how they used to be or, worse,

that we’d rather remember the way they were. I recall a nurse who, meaning well, said to me, “I glimpsed the man your father was.” It has stuck in my mind all these years later, as it compounded my unequivocal feelings of loss at the time.

HOW CAN WE BECOME MORE DEMENTIA FRIENDLY?

An ordained minister in the Church of Scotland, Swinton believes that Christian leaders can take the lead in trying to reshape how we think, discuss and feel about dementia. He says it is important for those leading churches to “first learn what dementia is and learn what it isn’t — and preach that.” He upholds the potent role played by ministers in helping us challenge and change our attitudes to dementia. “People need knowledge from the pulpit. If you don’t get the knowledge, you can’t create genuinely dementiafriendly communities.” Swinton also encourages finding ways to proclaim the gospel for those who no longer have symbols and words, “in a way that provides spiritual security for them and their family.”

IF YOU THINK OF SPIRITUALITY AS A WAY OF TRYING TO ANSWER THE BIG QUESTIONS — WHO AM I? WHERE DO I COME FROM? WHERE AM I GOING TO? WHY? — THEN IT BECOMES CLEAR THAT SPIRITUALITY IS ALSO CENTRAL TO THE EXPERIENCE OF DEMENTIA

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THE IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL CARE

Spirituality is an area of life not usually acknowledged in people with dementia. Swinton believes it is a grave error to ignore it, considering how intimate and important it is to all of us — including someone with dementia. “If you think of spirituality as a way of trying to answer the big questions — Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going to? Why? — then it becomes clear that spirituality is also central to the experience of dementia.” Swinton emphasises the spiritual role in dementia care as “thinking towards the future, learning to live well in the present. It is the present and the future [not the past] that we tend to care about in the context of memory loss.” Even in the case of advanced dementia, studies have shown that our bodies still contain memories. In light of that, Swinton says it is still possible for a person with dementia to grasp concepts of worship and take sacraments. “Eucharist, hymns and prayer continue to be important in their spiritual life,” reveals Swinton. “While they may not be able to cognate as they may have once, our bodies are formed by the way of our spiritual practices over time. And our practise is www.

always intentional and about something, our relationship with God.”

A POSITIVE PARADIGM

Swinton’s vision for the future is that dementia has a “personality change or that, at least, people begin to perceive it in different ways. It will always have an element of tragedy but it doesn’t have to have the kind of negative image it has now.” “Beginning to think how to draw dementia into positive paradigm is important, part of that is how you create new stories for people.” He encourages heart-to-heart engagement in the spiritual care of people with dementia, as well as doing so gently. “Jesus says ‘I am gentle,’” reminds Swinton, referencing Matthew 11:29 (“… I am gentle and humble in heart...”) Swinton sees dementia as not just “a place of loss and a place of sadness,” but also a meaningful human experience. These are real people who have real hopes, expectations, new possibilities and spiritual desires for the future. “It is a new set of stories that can be told well. Dementia changes your narrative and challenges the assumptions that you are defined by memory.” i

Information about dementia can be found at Alzheimer’s Australia fightdementia.org.au

ASOKA, WITH HER FAMILY, IS PART OF A PROJECT RUN BY UNITINGWORLD’S PARTNER MBM IN BALI

Gifts, Goats and God this Christmas

“YOU GOT ME a what?” Uncle Graham is squinting at your card. Frankly, he’s disappointed. It was socks he wanted. Or a fishing magazine. He also had his eye on a new case for his iPhone. You got him a goat from UnitingWorld’s Everything in Common ethical gift Catalogue. Worthy, but clearly not his favourite. “Well, it’s for a family in Zimbabwe…” you tell him, a little flustered. “They’ll breed the goats and with the money they can get for them at the market, they’ll send their children to school. It’s pretty cool, actually.” Uncle Graham looks skeptical. He doesn’t actually say it, but you can see what he’s thinking: “So you got me nothing. You got them goats, but you got me nothing.” Let’s face it: not everyone loves goats, and not everyone gets the idea that you bought them something for someone else. (And actually, some people genuinely need socks). So here you are, with your anxious thoughts about Christmas consumerism, desire to do something to change the world, and cranky Uncle. What to do… what to do? Look, buy Uncle Graham the socks. Buy your seven year-old niece that unicorn cushion she desperately wants (just go easy on the glitter). But don’t stop there. If you’re really about living out the Christmas message, and not just token goat-gifting, sit down and tell your niece the true story of a gift that transforms lives. Start it with the birth of a child, born in a part of the world where mothers still give birth in fear

of their lives. And tell her what that first life means.

Tell her it means you’re on the side of children everywhere born in the dirt, because they are loved and grow up to do great things. Tell her it means every person matters, even if their beginnings are hidden by hay. Angels sing for people like this. Tell her that’s why you personally wanted someone to gift a goat in your honour this Christmas. Or a beehive. Or school stationary. These gifts give people everywhere the chance to make a life for themselves, using the skills they’ve been given, just the way you and I would. These gifts are love in action, and they’re not just unwrapped at Christmas. Christmas isn’t just about making sure our nearest and dearest have everything they need. Christmas is about being swept up in a powerful gift of love and sharing that as far and wide as we can – the meaning as well as the outcome. If goats are your thing and also Uncle Graham’s – check out our gifts here at www.everythingincommon.com.au

But if the people you know and love won’t appreciate the idea behind a goat, don’t give up.

Simply bypass the giftcards and make your gift directly to UnitingWorld’s work: because you believe that Love was born quite deliberately in the kind of place where today, it’s still desperately needed. Because you believe in a world less hungry and more hopeful. Because this Christmas, we’ll spend $8.9billion on gifts half of us don’t want, while people die for things they don’t have. This is how we honour the Giver, goats or not. Everything in Common is the Uniting Church in Australia’s ethical gift catalogue, changing lives for people who live with less. Your gift of a goat, a beehive or an educational scholarship helps build the world we all long for. You can order gift cards for friends and family, letting them know about the project to which you’ve donated in their honour, at: www.everythingincommon.com.au i Cath Taylor

JUST ONE OF THE KIDS

Three year old Asoka doesn’t look like a goat farmer. But alongside her family, she’s responsible for bringing up goats that are essential to her future. Not only will this trio of kids eventually head off to market and bring in a price that will help Asoka’s family pay for medicine and food, but their manure is being sold on to local coffee bean farmers who are loving the rich coffee they’re harvesting as a result. In this part of rural Bali, far from the usual tourist areas, people struggle to make a living. Childhood illnesses are common; most people don’t own a toilet. UnitingWorld’s partner MBM is working with local people on creative small business ideas and coffee plantations are one of them – if you can’t gift an entire goat this Christmas, gift their by-products and stand by kids like Asoka and their families working hard for a better future. $15 Goats poo for coffee – Everythingincommon.com.au

HANNAH, ZIMBABWE, HAS BEEN PART OF THE MEDRA PROJECT BREEDING GOATS FOR THREE YEARS AND WITH THE PROFITS HAS SENT TWO CHILDREN TO SCHOOL.

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makes you

A TRADITION OF CHRISTIAN CARE AND CONCERN

wonder Richard & Deborah Spiteri, proprietors

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERALS CONDUCTED THROUGHOUT SYDNEY

Resources on faith sharing A lot of gentle exercises that really will help you to find your own voice with your own faith for your own world. • In your own world: because that is where the church meets the world, all those relationships and connections that you make every day. • With your own faith: because your journey is unique and so is the person you are talking to, and it doesn’t work trying to tell anyone what to think or what to say. • Your own voice: because when the words come from your heart and experience, people are powerfully touched. Yes, God has a part for you to play that no one else can.

What is ‘Makes You Wonder’ ? makesyouwonder.org 38

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MEMBERS OF THE FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION OF NSW

D I G I TA L M I N I ST RY

The Digital Reformation THIS YEAR marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, which began when Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 theses on a church door in Germany. As part of my observance of this milestone, I’ve reading Andrew Pettegree’s excellent book, Brand Luther: How an Unheralded Monk Turned his Small Town into a Center of Publishing — Made Himself the Most Famous Man in Europe — and Started the Protestant Reformation. It recounts the early days of the Reformation through the lens of how Luther and others used new printing technologies, particularly the printing press, to invent a unique publishing style. This helped them spread their message and agenda of reform. The book is about how ministry leaders leverage and adapt technologies to share the Gospel. But it was never a given that new printing technologies would spread reform across Germany, and beyond, 500 years ago. Pettegree writes that at the Reformation’s beginning: “It was 60 years since Johannes Gutenberg had announced, to general applause, the success of his experiments printing

with moveable type, but the long-term consequences of this development were still decidedly uncertain. … It was by no means clear how or why printing could serve a great movement of change.” Reminds me of conversations I’ve had with people who question the efficacy of digital social media technologies. “How could such seemingly time-wasting technology, be the vehicle for sharing something so substantial as the Gospel, fostering real Christian community, and making disciples?” In fact, these things are happening all over the internet. But, just as it was for Luther and his fellow reformers, the path there is not a straight line. It is a matter of trial and error, gathering a team of collaborators, and adjusting how we communicate. For example, when Luther began writing, there was only one not-so-good printer in his town. He had to recruit a new and better printer. Only once they began to experience success did others flock. Luther assembled a team to design books and pamphlets which would be eye-catching and encourage people to read them. Finally, what

was most revolutionary about the “brand” created in collaboration was Luther’s unique writing style, which was much clearer, more direct, and written for a more general audience than religious books of his time. These same approaches are essential when using social media in ministry:

GATHER COLLABORATORS

Bring people of different gifts and interests together to work on your digital projects. You need a range of people, from techies to people with artistic and design sensibilities, and content creators.

WRITE FOR YOUR AUDIENCE

This can be a challenge. Like those in Luther’s time, we in the church are accustomed to writing for an internal church audience. We need to become better at working for a broader audience and writing directly, to engage people online already saturated with information.

EXPERIMENT AND EXPERIMENT SOME MORE

The Reformation was not an overnight success. It was a series of trial and errors and it took time for Luther and his collaborators to find their

way, hone their message, and fully realise their “brand.” Be willing to try new things and see what works, or doesn’t. However, it’s important to note one distinctive between the print technology of the Reformation and today’s digital technologies (in what Elizabeth Drescher has called the “Digital Reformation”). Today’s technologies not only enable us to broadcast our ideas and messages but also, and more importantly, to listen and respond to what others are sharing. As Drescher writes, the “Digital Reformation is driven… by the digitally enhanced spiritual practices of ordinary believers with global access to each other and to all manner of religious knowledge previously available to clergy, scholars, and other religious specialists.” Revolutionary. There is much to celebrate on this remarkable Reformation milestone and much inspiration to draw. Let’s not approach this moment as simply a historical curiosity but as an opportunity to recommit ourselves to sharing the Gospel in our time with these new digital tools — to be always reforming. i Pastor Keith Anderson

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NOBEL PEACE PRIZE

resonant values

from home and WE OUGHT TO ONE OF THE excellent BE DRIVEN BY museums in Oslo, Norway, family. The other THE DESIRE TO is the Nobel Peace Centre. recorded text BE A FELLOWSHIP I visited the museum messages O F REC O N C I L I AT I O N while holidaying in Norway between people THROUGH recently and was struck in Syria and WHICH CHRIST by how the values and family or friends WITNESSES TO outcomes that the Peace in refugee camps THE WORLD Prize selection committee just outside the looks for resonate with the values country. A very of the Uniting Church. These create poignant message from controversy much of the time, which is a man to his refugee friend also something very familiar to the UCA! included a picture of the refugee’s home being destroyed by a bomb. It’s a very good museum, with exhibitions

that capture well the purpose of the Peace The next section of the museum is called Prize and the values driving the Nobel the Golden Hall. Here the current Peace Committee in its selection process. Prize recipient is commemorated. At present, this is the Colombian President The first hall hosts temporary exhibitions Juan Manuel Santos. Formerly a minister about peace and conflict issues. The in the Government during a bloody period exhibition I saw was called ‘Detours’, of civil war, he was elected on a promise which focused on refugee issues. It to keep the war going “to take revenge” included photography from conflict for the many deaths. But he secretly regions, with images of conflict as well changed his attitude and began peace as photos of love stories among Syrian talks with guerrilla fighters, even after refugees. The latter offered an overt counter to the “war porn” pictures that the a referendum for peace was rejected. A fragile peace has resulted but there is a Western media focuses on. Some of the long way to go to transition the economy images used absurdist humour to make away from relying on supplying cocaine to a point about living in the midst of such the American and European markets. A tragic circumstances. A third section had more immediate challenge is highlighted pictures taken by children: “Syria is my only home” shares their desires and fears. in the exhibition through a photograph of a man who works as a land mine clearer. Detours also had two sections about listening to people. One traced the diaries The third hall is a somewhat futuristic feeling space called the Nobel Field. of young women who were living and 127 iPads mark the path through this studying overseas when the war in Syria exhibition, each providing interactive broke out. They had a different inner access to information about the 127 conflict to deal with, being physically Nobel laureates. I spent time reading free and safe, yet feeling trapped away

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about two of the Christian ministers who have won the Peace Prize: Dr Martin Luther King whose civil rights activism through nonviolence is well known; and Nathan Soderblom, recognised for his advocacy for Christians to lead the way in seeking policies for peace. Alfred Nobel is honoured in the fourth hall, then the final room acknowledges the controversies that have surrounded many of the Peace Prize awards. These date back to the first time the Red Cross was awarded the Prize, a common retort being that they don’t work for peace, they “just patch up soldiers”. This room shows how the criteria and issues considered have expanded over the years, with human rights becoming prominent in the 1960s and, more recently, work in the climate change area being recognised as a significant peace issue. The Nobel Peace Centre is an excellent museum that challenges visitors to think about values which, I believe, flow directly from the deep inner human recognition that we are made in God’s image and that our purpose on earth is to live that out in love and peace with one another. As our newly installed General Secretary has reminded us often, we ought to be driven by the desire to be a fellowship of reconciliation through which Christ witnesses to the world. Although the Nobel Peace Prize isn’t a Christian Prize, it reflects these values well. If you’re ever in Oslo, I commend an afternoon at the Peace Prize museum. i Warren Bird, Executive Director, Uniting Financial Services

L E C T I O NA RY R E F L E C T I O N S

October: Connecting to God’s love and grace The Greek word for chosen is έκλεκτοί (eclectoi). This is definitely one of the parables which reminds us that parables have many layers. We might start thinking Jesus is challenging the priests and religious leaders about who is in, or out, of the Kingdom of God. Certainly, in the next section of the story, they seem to feel challenged and go away to begin plotting how to trap him.

OCTOBER 1

EX 17:1-7 / PS 78:1-4, 12-16 / PHIL :1-13 / MT 21:23-32

Two themes arise in the New Testament readings this week. In Philippians 2:12, Paul challenges us to work out our own salvation. This fits nicely with Jesus’ challenge to the chief priests and elders in Matthew 21. We need to think about our faith deeply and for ourselves. Christ gifts us our salvation, for it is only in and through him that we receive it, but our salvation is something we have to work out for ourselves. This is not to say we try to work for it or seek to earn it, but we need to find how God’s love and grace connects with us so we might accept it in our hearts and not only our heads. The second theme in the readings is we are not called to work out the salvation of others. If we seek to judge the righteousness or salvation status of others, we are not truly connected to Christ — and we might find ourselves at the back of the queue into the Kingdom of God.

OCTOBER 8

EX 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 / PS 19 / PHIL 3:4B-14 / MT 21:33-46

We cannot take our salvation for granted. We may be saved by faith but, as written in James 2, faith without works is dead. Salvation is granted

by God as a life-giving gift, so it should make a difference in our lives and living. The Gospel of Matthew is full of Jesus teaching about the need to live in accordance with the grace granted to us. Similarly, Paul raises how some can feel a sense of entitlement of the place of the Church in society, and have a perception that they are more righteous than others. What Paul points out is we have work to do. Our work does not earn us our salvation, but our salvation means nothing if it is not lived out in our living the love of God in Christ. What Jesus reminds us of in the parable about the wicked tenants is we have no claim to the Kingdom of God, simply an invitation into it. If we love saviour Christ, then we have to love Christ into the world by living in the radical way that he called us to.

OCTOBER 15

EX 32:1-14 / PS 106:1-6, 19-23 / PHIL 4:1-9 / MT 22:1-14

It is interesting and ironic that we get our word ‘eclectic’ (which means broad and diverse) from the Greek word that means ‘chosen’. Matthew 22:1-14 presents us with a strange parable that ends with the cryptic statement of Jesus that “many are called but few are chosen.”

However, in today’s world we are the religious leaders and we believe ourselves to be ‘chosen.’ So, who might be the prophets for us today? How do we treat God’s prophets? These are big and sometimes tricky questions. We could get all worked up and worried about whether Christ might judge us. Is there a chance that we might get thrown out? Paul reminds us that we don’t need to worry about such things because of the grace of God. However, he reminds us that if we do have worries, to submit them to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving, which is an interesting little twist.

OCTOBER 22

EX 33:12-23 / PS 99 / 1 THES 1:1-10 MT 22:15-22

It is interesting that Moses tries to bargain with God, just as so many people who have followed have tried to do – that is, to try to own the connection with God. Moses wanted him and his people to be different from everyone with a special connection with God. God did reveal Godself to Moses, albeit not showing God’s face. However, God proclaims, “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” This idea

of God is not what we always want from God. Some of the Pharisees were disturbed and offended by the way Jesus was so inclusive, not exclusive, in his religion and wanted to trap Jesus so they could discredit him. We often want God to consider others as outsiders, discrediting their right to a place in the love of God, if they don’t act, speak or believe like us. This is not how Jesus saw things. All are God’s people, but some don’t understand that yet.

OCTOBER 29, 2017

DT 34:1-12 / PS 90:1-6, 13-17 / 1 THES 2:1-8 / MT 22:34-46

The Gospel reading reminds us of the way Jesus interpreted the Torah. For Jesus, it is all about love – loving God with our whole being and loving all others as ourselves. To the call to love God with all one’s heart, soul and might, Jesus adds ‘mind’. The Greek word for ‘mind’ is διανοία (dianoia) and it holds richer meaning than simply our thinking. The two parts of the word hold the meaning ‘dia’ (which is ‘thoroughly, from side-toside’) and ‘noieo’ (which is ‘to use the mind’). So it seems that Jesus added to one of the most important and well-known Jewish Scripture the need to love God with balanced reason and critical thinking. He thoroughly encouraged this through his parables, provocative acts and demonstrated power. i

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L E C T I O NA RY R E F L E C T I O N S

November: Growing in faith and discipleship NOVEMBER 5

JOS 3:7-17 / PS 107:1-7, 33-37 1 THES 2:9-13 / MT 23:1-12

This is the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost. Can you remember back to Pentecost this year? What did you experience? How did you learn to be the Church better? How have you worked to learn and grow in your faith and discipleship in this, the long season of living the way of Jesus? The Gospel reading is another example of Jesus serving it up to the religious elite. If we remember back to Matthew Chapters 5-7, way back in the Season of Epiphany, then we might recall the exacting standards of living that Jesus holds us to. This week, he adds to his teaching about the need to guard against hypocrisy and any sense of self-righteousness. We need to adopt a sense of humility, and to all this, he also sprinkles in some provocative statements about naming teachers, fathers and being called instructors. The way of the cross is not an easy road. The Christ we follow calls us to an all-in commitment, in response to the love and grace of God who calls all to join in working for God’s commonwealth of the common good.

NOVEMBER 12

JOS 24:1-3A, 14-25 / PS 78:1-7 1 / THES 4:13-18 / MT 25:1-13

What a heavy set of readings this week. “You cannot serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your transgressions or your sins, if you turn from God and worship idols or other Gods,” declares Joshua to the tribes of Israel. In the Gospel, Jesus tells the Parable of the Ten Virgins/Maidens. All were invited to meet the bridegroom, but half weren’t prepared and missed the

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bridegroom’s arrival as they sought to make up for their error. However, when they turned up, they had missed the opportunity and were denied entry. “Keep awake, therefore, for you do neither know the day or the hour.” Are we prepared? Might we have fallen asleep to a degree and, therefore, what might we need to awaken? These are weighty questions of faith and discipleship to consider.

NOVEMBER 19

JGS 4:1-7 / PS 123 / 1 THES 5:1-11 / MT 25:14-30

Here we have the Parable of the Talents. What do you think you know about this? It is good to look at it again. Firstly, a talent is a large weight or measure. The master just hands over great wealth to the servants with no instruction. The servants seem to be just expected to know what to do. So they respond in kind, to their understanding of their master. Most of us know how things turn out. Two apply their gifts, skills and strengths to increasing the master’s wealth as a living out of what has been entrusted to them. In fear, one servant buries what was given and can only return it at the end with a justification that speaks of the master in complete contradiction of how

the master has been almost recklessly generous and trusting. Once more, there is weeping and gnashing of teeth for the one who fails. So what should we make of this? God doesn’t so much give us talents to use, but lavishes us with trust and opportunity to use the riches of God to increase them. The talent is the opportunity, but what are the riches? Are they not the good things of the Spirit, love, joy, peace etc.? Are they not grace, forgiveness, compassion? Are they not justice, mercy and reconciliation? Christ went away and in the Spirit, after Pentecost, we have these riches entrusted to us. What have we done with them this season of Pentecost or past liturgical year?

NOVEMBER 26

EZ 34:11-16, 20-24 / PS 100 / EPH 1:15-23 / MT 25:31-46

The liturgical year ends. We celebrate Christ the King, before we return to a season of reflection and a waiting on hope, peace, love and joy as we remember the power of the incarnation of God in Jesus, the Christ. It is fitting at the end of the Church year that we have the parable of the King who sorts people like a shepherd sorts sheep from the goats.

We know and proclaim a salvation by faith and not works. But if taken by itself, this parable of Jesus goes close to contravening such an understanding, because it suggest how we live to be crucial to our salvation. So, at the end of another liturgical year, we might ask ourselves (as we prepare to remember the meaning of the Incarnation) about how we have embodied Christ to the world. How have we allowed the grace and love of God expressed in Jesus to percolate and permeate all that we are and do? How has the Gospel that we have received from the Word of God, who is Jesus, transformed our living. In other words, have we been able to better feed the hungry, serv the thirsty, been hospitable to the stranger, clothed the naked and cared for the sick or those imprisoned? If not, then we need to better connect again with God and God’s love, so we might love as we have been loved and love others as we love ourselves. i Rev. Jon Humpries, Chaplain and Religious Education Teacher at Ravenswood School for Girls, prepared the reflections for October/ November

N E W S F RO M U N I T I N G C H U R C H A D U LT F E L LOW S H I P ( U CA F )

Fellowship news STAMP COMMITTEE Congratulations to the Stamp Committee who achieved their target of $750,500 sales from 1977-2017 (which has enabled them to support so many projects). PARRAMATTA-NEPEAN GATHERING St Andrew’s Glenbrook was the venue with guest speaker Rev Susan Phelan who shared about her role as Chaplain with NSW Disaster Response Chaplaincy Network. Allan Secomb (NSW/ACT UCAF Chairperson) brought greetings. In the afternoon, “Godly Play” was presented by Elaine Alinta and Rev Susan Phelan. The offering collected benefited the “Water Project”. MID-NORTH COAST (SOUTHERN ZONE) RALLY Hosted by Gloucester, with 43 attending. Soloist was Carl Erasmus and guest speaker was Gloria Buttsworth, Australian Co-Ordinator for “Days for Girls” (which benefited from the offering). Gloria shared about the project she was inspired to start in Australia. The afternoon reports from Groups highlighted their variety of activities and service. Allan Secomb brought greetings and congratulations on the wonderful outreach to their communities by UCAF groups in this zone. A great day of fellowship in a picturesque country town. RIVERINA RALLY Rev. Alistair Christie brought greetings from the Synod Committee to the 30 people

from seven Churches gathered at Wesley Wagga Wagga. The programme commenced with morning worship led by Rev. Daniel Yang, Minister of the Korean Church and Chaplain to CSU. Guest speaker was Professor Bruce A. Stevens (Wicking Chair of Ageing and Practical Theology, School of Theology Charles Sturt University; Director of CAPS, based at the Centre for Christianity and Culture, Canberra) who provided opportunities to listen and talk with others and experience what it means to bring our life together. “LIVING WATER – COME DRINK” PROJECT Thank you to those Rallies/ Gatherings and groups who continue to support this UCAF project to supply clean water to Frontier Services Outback Link volunteers, Patrol Padres and others in remote areas.

NORTH PARRAMATTA NAAMAROO | ELANORA With three fantastic locations to choose from, finding the perfect location for your next function is easy! Free use of high quality equipment & WiFi Including lecterns, whiteboards, data projectors, ﬂip-chart stands, DVD players – perfect for school groups & conferences

Onsite catering available Our delicious menu can be customised to suit your needs. A range of dietery requirements can be catered for – just let us know!

Fun activities for all age groups Outdoor and indoor activities available. Our tailor made outdoor eductional program, ‘Rise Above’, is also available on request. Ask us about this today!

Please make cheques out to U.C.A.F. and send to Mr Geoff Hicks, 176 Lawes Street East, Maitland, NSW, 2323.

FINAL GATHERINGS FOR 2017 WERE HELD DURING SEPTEMBER

• The Hunter Presbytery at Toronto with Guest Speaker, Rev Tara Curlewis • Macquarie Darling Presbytery at Gilgandra. • Far North Coast Presbytery at Casino with Guest Speaker Pastor Pablo Nunez. Please forward your contributions for the next edition of “Connexion” to Janice Willis on: janicewillis@tpg.com.au

If you would like to share your fellowship news or have any questions, please contact: Judy Hicks on judyh_rnh@hotmail.com

Call now to book:

1300 138 125 unitingvenues.org service@unitingvenues.org

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B E L I E F M AT T E R S

Music and God’s love

helped heal the pain of my miscarriages *WARNING: The following article contains sensitive content that readers may find distressing. I CAN’T REMEMBER exactly where I was last week when I realised that feeling had gone. That feeling would overwhelm me, especially when I was having a wonderful time with my son. ‘That’ feeling was profound sorrow.

meltdown of my carefully constructed mask, after my son and I moved to a less expensive home. It brought me to a moment where I started writing down a song I thought no one would ever hear. The chorus goes like this, ‘I can’t say one good thing, and I pray ‘cos I can’t think, that the Lord above has you in His arms, He’s holding you close and He’s being your Mum.’

Somewhere amid all of this, I became a born-again Christian. About eight years earlier, I was at the kitchen Everyone I went to church with seemed so ‘happy’ and ‘shiny’. table — and I couldn’t take it anymore. My I wanted to be ‘happy’ and ‘shiny’ but something inside son was enjoying his breakfast cereal but me told me that I needed to start telling it like it was, I was overwhelmed with ‘that’ feeling T H AT C H O R U S with honesty. I started to write: ‘Broke a china cup this when I looked at him. I couldn’t help morning, knocked my knee upon a chair, I looked CHANGED MY thinking, ‘You are such an amazing across the table at your face that wasn’t there.’ That W H O L E L I F E . T H E R E boy! Where is your brother? Where was accurate. That was the truth. W A S H O P E I N T H AT is your sister?’ I had got up to go to CHORUS. I HAD A the sink when I accidentally broke a Although I sing, I didn’t have any keyboard skills R E V E L A T I O N . T H AT M Y cup. The sound of it smashing on the so I started lessons with Yanina, who also was her B A B I E S R E A L LY A R E ground was nerve-shattering. Then I church’s Worship Leader. When I decided to do an knocked my knee on the kitchen chair, album, she gave up lunch hours to help me. The tune WITH JESUS which really hurt. Somehow, I stifled a of ‘He’s Being Your Mum’ came back to me. I told her scream before driving my son to school. I had a song about a miscarriage and that I didn’t really When I got home, I broke down at that same know if it was any good. She insisted that I sing it to her. By kitchen table. the end of it, we were crying our eyes out. It was amazing. It was so healing to cry with this beautiful woman of God. I had been used to maintaining an image. I had been working as a model/actress but, for about a year, I couldn’t stop eating. Yanina wanted me to write a positive ending to the song. This I just stopped caring about keeping up appearances. I did want is what came: ‘I can’t say one good thing. But I’ll pray and I will to get going again and I used to scold myself: ‘Just get up, stop sing because the Lord above has you in His arms. He’s holding stuffing your face with biscuits and chocolate, do some sit you close and He’s being your Mum.’ Somehow that last chorus ups.’ Somehow, ‘scolding’ didn’t work. You see, I’d had some changed the whole song, and my life. There was hope in that miscarriages and trying to just get on with life wasn’t working. chorus. I had a revelation. That my babies really are with Jesus. That one day my son and I will meet the rest of our family. This The first one was very difficult but I thought I could handle it. was a tremendous comfort to me. Once I knew this in my heart I The second one…Oh the second one! Straight after, I was filled could finally, albeit slowly, get on with my life again. with fear, feeling stone cold as I lay on the bed with my partner. Dr Deborah (I’m not a doctor) deduced this meant I was never Women and men have been reacting very strongly to the song. going to be able to have another baby. I was inconsolable. People seem to appreciate its honesty. That the pain of losing your baby or babies is real but Jesus is there to comfort. As it Not long after the miscarriage, we split up. Years went by — says in the scriptures, ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they years! The pain in my heart affected every part of my life. So will be comforted’ (Matthew 5:4). He is true to His word. i many things had happened in my life that I hadn’t dealt with Deborah Robertson is an Australian singer/ but this time I decided I was going to give myself some space songwriter find out more www.facebook.com/ to properly grieve. That inner vow must have triggered an entire deborahrobertsonsinger/

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C U LT U R E WAT C H

You love the past – but can you do more? It is the 40th anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia, but looking back is something most of us already make a habit of doing. Just think about how everyone loves the past when it comes to movies. Historical epics capture our hearts, our minds and our wallets. Mark Hadley outlines three reasons for our emotional and spiritual connection with the past on-screen. Historical films act like rose-tinted time machines, allowing us to revel in a life we would have loved to have lived.

REWRITTEN HISTORY LESSONS

Historical movies also provide us the opportunity to look at things differently. They can transform our perceptions of a period — all the more so if we have no knowledge to re-shape.

THIS YEAR has seen the release of a library of historical pictures, chronicling characters and events both known and unknown. They range from Jackie to Viceroy’s House and Dunkirk. So, it seems we are hooked on stories about the past. Ever wondered why? Well, as a scriptwriter, I can tell you there are at least three clear reasons…

June saw the release of Churchill, a biopic that revealed a largely unknown side of one of the greatest leaders of all time. Brian Cox starred as Winston Churchill during the final days leading up to D-Day. This drama’s rethinking of history came with the surprise that Churchill was vehemently opposed to the historic seaborne invasion.

ROSE-TINTED TIME MACHINES

Firstly, we love movies that sweep us off our feet and take us back to a simpler time. Everyone feels better about life when they’re seeing it in the rear vision mirror. Comfort films like Anne of Green Gables, Little Women and Stand By Me will continue to be watched because they beguile us with a longing for ‘the way things were’ – even if it was a period we have no personal experience of. September saw the release of Victoria and Abdul. Judi Dench stars as the grumpy empress Victoria who, towards the end of her 64 years on the throne, struck up an unlikely friendship with an Indian servant. Victoria And Abdul’s determined friendship in the face of common convention suggests that we do tend to look back in a way that emphasises the characteristics we can most appreciate today.

REGRET AND RELEASE

The third reason we love historical films is because they allow us to feel bad and better at the same time. Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, 12 Years A Slave, The Promise – each provides us with the opportunity to avow that the Holocaust is bad, war is bad, slavery is bad – and we recognise all of that! So, we revel in the outrage and then feel good about ourselves for doing so. The problem with this sort of outrage is that we seldom let our righteous anger catch up with the present. Yet there are plenty of similar atrocities to choose from right now, around our world.

Rewritten history lessons can help us value all the more the gains made by figures who have been overtaken by their own myths, and rehabilitate those who we fail to appreciate. The Christian missionaries sent to ancient Japan, chronicled in February this year by Silence, are not presented as heartless evangelists but those torn by the suffering their Gospel might bring.

As Christians, we might often look on historical films as a safe option for a trip to the cinema. However, our responsibility to our history is not just to be inspired by it, but also to learn from it. The Bible repeatedly describes God’s people as those who don’t just repent of their sins, but also those belonging to the generations who preceded them. Similarly, God remembers every good and bad deed, and acts accordingly. The one question that has relevance as the lights come up on every historical film we watch is, ‘What might God require of me in the light of this?’ i

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REVIEWS

Entertain me REA D THIS

CHANGING LANES, CROSSING CULTURES Shortlisted for 2017’s Australian Christian Book of the Year, Changing Lanes, Crossing Cultures was written by Australian authors for Australian Christians and churches, so that they could see the urgent need of reaching fruitfully across cultures. For me, this book offers a different model of cross-cultural ministry and a good conversation partner in theological and biblical understanding, because I believe the foundation of cross-cultural ministry is the cross of Christ. Each culture (regardless of whether it is a minority or majority group) needs to come before the cross (of Christ) culture, so that it can be transformed into a new cultural identity. Through this book, authors Andrew Schachtel, Choon-Hwa Lim and Michael K Wilson invite us to view crosscultural ministry as a way to reach ethnic minorities in Australia. How they structure each chapter/module is helpful. These begin with a prayer, followed by an introduction, Biblical resources, ideas, summary and, finally, questions. This book shows it is not a journey from a minority cultural group into a majority cultural group. The aim of cross-cultural ministry is not about a majority group reaching a minority group but majority and minority groups standing together equally and working cooperatively to share God’s peaceful kingdom. Rev. Dr Apwee Ting is one of the National Consultants to the Uniting Church in Australia’s Assembly Resourcing Unit.

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PRESS PL AY

BIG SCREEN

THE YOUNG MESSIAH (M)

BLADE RUNNER 2049

Have you spent any time wondering what Jesus was like as a boy? The Young Messiah dedicates itself to having a stab at the Son of God’s childhood, around the turbulent time his earthly family returned from Egyptian exile to their Roman-ruled homeland.

The original Blade Runner, based on Philip K. Dick’s prose Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep has inspired science fiction cinema since its release in 1982. The sequel — 2049 — like it’s predecessor is a visual cacophony, but the films inner workings are a little more problematic.

Based on a novel by Interview with the Vampire author Anne Rice, The Young Messiah is another movie case of an intriguing idea but mediocre results. Child actor Adam Greaves-Neal is cloying and wide-eyed as 7-year-old Jesus, whose mum Mary (Sara Lazzaro) and “dad” Joseph (Vincent Walsh) struggle to work out when to tell their lad just how special he is. Shame we didn’t get to spend more time with that parental angst, instead of being treated to cheesy miracles, boyish confusion, a laughable devil and a slim sub-plot about centurions on the hunt. Recently, Jesus has been trending in movies and TV, from Risen to The Case for Christ, American Gods to Ben-Hur and Last Days in the Desert. Many of these versions of Jesus only vaguely use the biblical accounts of his life. While the gospels don’t contain much about Jesus as a boy, The Young Messiah could have benefitted from employing what is actually known about Jesus, the God-human. Ignoring the recorded aspects of Jesus’ character, knowledge and purpose causes The Young Messiah to feel unsatisfying and incomplete, even during the fleeting moments of entertaining speculation. Ben McEachen

Stereotypical female archetypes abound with women sidelined as either sex workers, computerised compliant home companions, or a one-note henchwoman. The only character who has a hint of depth is sidelined quickly. And perhaps even more troubling is that the most disturbing violence in the film is directed toward women. The world speculated here is a troubling one. It is a dystopian future in which some sort of white supremacy ethic – all tangled up with patriarchal capitalism, male gaze aesthetics, and an explicit endorsement of slavery – has gone seemingly unchallenged by concerns of justice in any form. Director Denis Villeneuve’s last film was Arrival, which was possibly 2016’s best film. It’s main character was a women, and it’s theme of understanding the “other” flipped the often used archetypal alien apocalypse genre on its head. This was a thinking persons’ science fiction film. 2049 is not so much a thinking persons’ sci-fi film as a future that we should hope never comes to pass. Adrian Drayton

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