Insights Magazine Spring 2019

spring 2019

SYNOD 2019 ISSUE

Setting us free

UNITING FOR

Climate Action

Rookwood General Cemetery, located within Australia’s most iconic cemetery,

now provides cremation services At Rookwood General Cemetery, we have been caring for the communities of Sydney for over 150 years. We do this by providing unique grounds, gardens and niche walls; and we have now launched a cost-effective cremation service.

To complement this service, the All Souls ceremonial venue has been renovated.

With modern facilities and heritage charm, this beautiful venue can be used by all cultures for burial and cremation services.

Cremation prices are $950 for weekday services and $1330 for weekend services, including the use of the All Souls.

For more information on cremation and memorialisation options, contact our office on 02 8575 8100 or info@rookwoodcemetery.com.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

A life-giving story TO SHOW AND TELL

• Think of the significant It’s amazing and, in my work of the Parish Missions experience, quite unusual, among increasing numbers but the enthusiasm that was of socially and economically evident during the recent disadvantaged people; Synod meeting is not only continuing but appears to be • Think of significant building. People are offering community connections to get involved, volunteering made by small and large time and experience to Synod congregations all over the initiatives that have captured Synod their attention and generally This is my off-the-top of my keen to keep the ball rolling. head list – you’ll probably have This is fantastic! your own - and I understand REV. JANE FRY There’s an awful lot of work why some people sometimes going on to translate that GENERAL say that the Uniting Church enthusiasm and the sense SECRETARY ‘punches above its weight’ of hope and direction from given the extent of its public Synod 2019 into collective witness and service. This The General Secretary is action that leads to witness is significant and it appointed by the Synod transformation. By ‘collective frequently attracts attention action’ I’m acknowledging to provide leadership to and approval from the that the Synod meeting is the Church by actively community at large. (By the way, the closest thing we engaging in strategic the most annoying sentence have to a ‘whole thinking about the life, in the world is along the of church’ direction, vision and lines of ‘if I was going decision with mission of the Church. to join a church, I’d COMMUNITIES implications join the Uniting OF DISCIPLES for everyone.

Church’. I hear it A RE AT T H E frequently and it HEART OF There is no makes me want EQUIPPING THE shortage of to grind my teeth!).

CHURCH opportunities The Synod meeting for the church strongly affirmed an to engage with intention to continue to the community in engage with the community transformative ways (as in transformative ways (for per the Synod Mission example, in the commitment to framework): developing a whole-of-church • Think of the faithful witness climate action strategy). This of small congregations all inspiring public witness and over western NSW offering service is offered by disciples ministry in very difficult and congregations who have circumstances – drought, been formed and nourished water shortages (who can by the Word – the Word forget the river of dead heard in scripture, the Word fish?), a contracting rural encountered in Jesus Christ, economy and communities the Word proclaimed in word in transition; and deed in the Church.

• Think of the church’s Communities of disciples ongoing collaborative – congregations and faith partnerships like Sydney communities – are at the heart Alliance (affordable housing of equipping the church to campaign) and the Fair respond to the world’s need Treatment campaign; and this intention is at the heart of the Synod’s ‘Focus

on Growth’ initiative (read about it on page 27). The Synod responded to the presbytery-led proposal with a whole-of-church commitment to growth in discipleship, in relationship, in number and in impact within and through congregations. At the very least, it will require the councils of the church to work together in completely new ways.

When the Moderator began his ministry at Synod 2017, he flagged a commitment to provoking a conversation about formation across the Synod (similar conversations are also occurring in other Synods.) This resulted in a decision to re-shape the current formation process in response to a changed and changing mission and ministry landscape. The formation and equipping of lay leaders is a priority even in a church that was once heavily dependent on ordained ministry.

The enthusiasm and energy that was palpable at the Synod 2019 is a characteristic of a people on the way, a fellowship of people whose own encounter with the risen Christ has been transformative, that continues to be transformative, who have a life-giving story to show and tell and are committed to getting on with it.

Synod 2019 – the Living Church Synod – set significant directions for the next three years and there’s an invitation for all of us in the decisions that were made. Here’s an idea – find a Synod member and chat to them about their experience or, if you are a Synod member, find someone who wasn’t and share your enthusiasm and hope.

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Living Church - Synod 2019

The theme of Synod 2019 was Living Church, because as the General Secretary reiterated in her introductory keynote, “A Living Church dares to live by a different narrative — to make a Jesus-shaped difference in the world.”

REGULARS 3 WELCOME 6

YOUR SAY ONLINE

7 NEWS 32

THE TWO OF US

35 MAKING MONEY MATTER 36

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CULTURE WATCH

41 LECTIONARY REFLECTIONS

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 Jonathan Foye 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. Contents copyright. No material from this publication may be copied, photocopied or transmitted by any means without the permission of the Managing Editor.

CIRCULATION: 15,000. ISSN: 1036-7322 Commonwealth of Australia 2019.

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

We’re supposed to be here O

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.

ne of my favourite film series is Band of Brothers, which chronicles the experiences of a particular US paratrooper company in the Second World War. One episode ends with our heroes having survived a massive failed Allied offensive; they are then sent into what will become the Battle of the Bulge, unsure of what they will face.

As they march, in darkness, into the battle, a young officer remarks on the danger into which they are moving, “Looks like you’ll be surrounded.” Their commander responds, “We’re paratroopers, Lieutenant, we’re supposed to be surrounded.”

The question I am asked most about my role is, “What’s a Moderator?” and it is asked by both members of the community and of our T O O E A S I LY T H E Church.

C H U R C H TA L K S O N LY W I T H I N ITSELF

Keep up with the Moderator by following these hashtags on Facebook and Instagram.

they ask questions of a lot we take for granted. These conversations can also be tough because our lives and culture are tied to our faith, both helpfully and unhelpfully.

When we read Scripture, we encounter the people of God engaging with God in the midst of their lives. God is central to their struggles, to their failure, to their renewal and to the hope they hold, because God acts in justice and hope.

The prophets are in the marketplace, disputing bad trading practices, speaking for the alien, the widow and the orphan, and challenging politicians and the temple.

Jesus exercised his ministry in the middle of the community - Jewish, Samaritan and gentile – offering healing and forgiveness, proclaiming a new reign of God for whoever was thirsty.

The essential answer is that I stand in the middle of things, moderating the relationships within Synod, congregations and presbyteries; within our relationships with other faith traditions and our own; and between the church and the world within which we worship, witness and serve.

The inspired apostles speak with priests and councillors, with slaves and textile merchants and gaolers, offering life, facing punishment and death. Paul argues in the temple and the marketplace, with anyone who was there, and he proclaimed the life and faith he had discovered when Christ discovered him on the Damascus road.

In recent times, we have been engaging in serious conversations within all these relationships. Many of these conversations are difficult because they have painful connections with people we love, or because considering change is unnerving, or because

The marketplace (the Greek word is agora) is where we are supposed to be, engaging with our God and the world around us. The other day I was invited, with an Anglican Bishop and a Uniting Church Minister, to speak at the Parliamentary Inquiry on Reproductive

Health Care. My colleagues and I were asked why we were there, and part of our answer was that this is where we are supposed to be, in conversations about human life and suffering and seeking to discover how God addresses our lives in all their wonder and their messiness.

We are seeking to discern God’s voice in scripture and our worship, and also when we bear witness about those human concerns – our worth, our purpose, our place, our wounds, our relationships, our hope, our healing, our justice – which are also God’s concerns.

We are called to live out our hope, and also justice; we are to call the world to repentance, conscious always of the mercy which has brought us here. Too easily the Church talks only within itself, refining its theology like fine wine that sits valuable and forever untasted. Agoraphobia must never be a mark of our discipleship.

Our theology is founded on the One who was born, executed and raised; Jesus was involved to the full extent of our human lives. It is shaped and forged when we engage our community the way our great cloud of witnesses engaged - in faith and hope. And courage. It is refined by the fire and breath of God’s Spirit.

We’re disciples of Jesus Christ; we’re supposed to be here.

#moderatorinsession #AllOfThisIsUs

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COMMENTS

your say

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ONLINE

WE’VE ROUNDED UP THE BEST COMMENTS THAT YOU’VE LEFT ONLINE. If you would like to leave a comment

on an article or have a viewpoint to share - just go online to www.insights.uca.org.au and leave your comments.

INSIGHTS ONLINE ENGAGING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY: THE ANSWER TO CHURCH IRRELEVANCY I think we also have to accept a peculiar but necessary paradox about the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Jesus would not pass the normal PR test of today. Attracting others to follow is somewhat muted when the one to be followed will be sentenced to the most ignominious death imaginable. What’s more, we are invited to follow him down that path. We must always live with this.

OPINION LIMITING GROWTH AND FAITH IN THE UCA

FACEBOOK POST SYNOD 2019 CLOSES A final wonderful, inspiring, closing worship incorporating a Moderator in full fig, white alb, moderatorial scarf, dancing away enthusiastically with a line-up of gorgeous young women and men.

Only in the Uniting Church?

Shirley Colless

`` tinyurl.com/synod2019close

Christopher Ridings

`` tinyurl.com/churchrelevancy

INSIGHTS ONLINE TRANSFORMING FORMATION The “call of God” raises the issue of what is meant by a “God” who calls. Churches today appear to be dealing with an ambivalent and even a multivalent concept of God. There is a deeper issue here, which involves conflicts between concepts and may be an important factor in the decreasing size of nearly all of the 21st century Christian denomintions. This “cultural conflict” also needs to be seriously investigated.

Thanks for spreading awareness about this issue!

I work for Christians Against Poverty (CAP) and know that we do great work and help many people who have struggled with re-paying Payday loans. If you or someone you know needs debt help please call us on: 1300 227 000.

John Noack

Beth

`` tinyurl.com/ucaformation

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INSIGHTS MAGAZINE PAY DAY LENDING DON’T GET CLEANED OUT

`` tinyurl.com/lendingethics

I am convinced that too many of our processes make growth in faith and number so difficult that our congregations are at breaking point. This is in a context when independent churches, with all their issues, have become refuges for too many of our people who have been burnt by an intransigent polity.

In Newcastle, I would argue that most of the families who left the UCA did not do so because of theology – rather, it is practice and procedure that has been the main catalyst for departure. Now we bemoan the fact that we can’t fill our administrative and oversight committees. The fact that we can’t maintain our overblown administrative structure is not a problem.

INSIGHTS ONLINE KIAMA-JAMBEROO UNITING CHURCH BUILDING TO REOPEN Thanks for posting this story. I stayed around the corner from the church a few years ago. I used to holiday in Kiama as a very young child where my parents booked two rooms at the old Brighton Hotel to fit the family. I love the town and am glad the Church has been given some good repair and restoration work!

Kim Langford

`` tinyurl.com/ucakiama

I am hopeful that, on giving up these committees, people are freer to engage in the stuff of Christian life – worship, witness and service.

The UCA carries the gifts of thoughtful theology and a commitment to justice on behalf of our uniting traditions.

FACEBOOK POST ITS A WRAP FROM THE COMMS TEAM

I pray that we don’t make it harder than it needs to be to share our best to a world that desperately needs a reminder of the grace and salvation of God.

Thanks for the updates and live streaming. I couldn’t get there as I was sick, so I really appreciated your hard efforts with getting the information out. Such a blessing!

Niall McKay

Delia Quigley

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news

Surfing

ARMY VETERAN LYNTTON TONTA WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO TRY A NEW PROGRAM FROM GERRINGONG SURF SCHOOL. INSTRUCTOR RUSTY MORAN, A MEMBER OF GERRINGONG UNITING CHURCH. PICTURE: SYLVIA LIBE, COURTESY OF SOUTH COAST REGISTER

HELPS VETERANS

The new ministry helps veterans living with PTSD by teaching them how to surf.

Content warning: this article contains discussion about trauma and suicide.

While one in three army combat troops are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, less than forty percent seek help.

“Then when we get on the wave, we’ve got about five or ten seconds where we’re fully focused and in the present moment, of just thinking about nothing else but just being on that wave.”

That’s one reason why a surfer and a veteran who met through Gerringong Uniting Church are launching a new ministry that helps veterans learn how to surf.

“I think soldiers are trained the same way. They’re trained to wait patiently, and then burst into action and get a big adrenaline rush. Surfing replicates that and just puts us out in nature and gives us exercise.”

The ministry is part of a growing movement of surfers partnering with veterans to promote the activity.

For veterans suffering from physical and mental trauma, surfing is a sport that helps by giving them a chance to unwind and focus on the water and physical activity.

Along with their families, former professional big wave surfer Rusty Moran and veteran Glenn Kolomeitz are both members of Gerringong Uniting Church.

The two say that they are taking the idea further with clinical oversight and “a massive outreach to veterans and their families.”

YOU COULD JUST SEE THE BEFORE AND AFTER IN THESE BLOKES IT WAS AMAZING

As Mr Kolomeitz recently told Sky News, the idea for the ministry came up when he confided in Mr Moran that he was feeling stressed because the anniversary of one of his friends’ deaths by suicide was approaching.

I was a bit stressed [about the anniversary],” Mr Kolomeitz said.

“I spoke about it Rusty, and Rusty said, I’ve got the answer for you brother.”

“I was sold immediately,” Mr Moran, who owns Gerringong Surf school had heard about similar programs in the United States.

“Surfing puts us into a flow state where we’re waiting for a wave,” Mr Moran said.

“I’ve seen the trauma overseas…I’ve been to too many funerals of mates,” Mr Kolomeitz said.

Surfing, he said, had impacted the lives of veterans who had attended an event the pair hosted.

“You could just see the before and after in these blokes. It was amazing,” he said.

“I’ve just been seeing faces light up from adults who are… in their fifties who have been broken and suicidal, turn to surfing and get a new lease on life,” Mr Moran said.

The two aim to run a clinical trial to “prove beyond doubt that surfing is a modality to heal emotional trauma” and hope to get universities and corporate sponsors on board.

The monthly surf meets are open to any returned soldiers and their families.

Jonathan Foye For more information, contact the Association of Veteran Surfers Sydney. Anyone who is feeling distressed can call Lifeline on 131 114.

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ACT FOR PEACE CALL FOR CHURCHES

to help the world’s poor at Christmas

MICAH AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES VOICES FOR JUSTICE 2019 Micah Australia have announced that their keynote event Voices for Justice will return from 30 November to 3 December 2019.

The event takes place in Canberra. It involves training and lobbying federal parliament to call for more and better aid, to reduce extreme poverty.

It draws together a crosssection of Christians from a variety of denominations, predominantly including young people. The 2018 Voices for Justice event ran from 1 to 4 December 2018.

Sojourners’ Rev. Adam Taylor was the conference’s keynote speaker.

More information, including the event’s guest speakers and schedule, will be announced soon.

Jonathan Foye

Voices for Justice 2019 takes place from 30 November 20 to 3 December 2019. For more information, visit the event’s official website: micahaustralia.org/voices_ for_justice_2019

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IMAGE: JOSHUA PAUL/ACT FOR PEACE

More than 1,300 churches from 15 Act for Peace is calling denominations across Australia took for Christians of all part in 2019. They raised $2.3 million denominations to support to support disaster and conflict affected the 70th anniversary of the communities around the world. annual Christmas Bowl The Christmas Bowl appeal began appeal, which as a simple idea – to place a bowl on the Christmas dinner supports people table and make a donation fleeing conflict to those less fortunate.

O V E R 7 0 M I L L I O N and persecution The first Christmas Bowl PEOPLE HAVE worldwide. raised £1,808 – a large BEEN UPROOTED

sum for a congregation FROM THEIR at the time. Churches The fundraiser HOMES BECAUSE have since raised more launched in Australia OF CONFLICT AND than $100 million through in 1949 to support DISASTER the Christmas Bowl. for refugees after WWII. Over 70 million people Act for Peace is the have been uprooted from their international aid agency of the homes since then because of conflict National Council of Churches in Australia, and disaster. That’s 1 in every 108 It works with local organisations in over people globally currently displaced - the 20 countries across Africa, Asia, the largest number since records began.

Middle East and the Pacific, providing food, shelter, education, healthcare and “Australian churches have been training to help some of the world’s most instrumental in providing care to people during the most urgent crises of our time. vulnerable communities.

It’s unthinkable that 70 years after the Jonathan Foye catastrophic effects of WWII, millions of people around the world are being forced flee their homeland in search of safety. We are calling on Christians of all traditions to respond to this injustice and come together to raise urgently needed REGISTER FOR THE CHRISTMAS BOWL funds to help our brothers and sisters To register your church for the Christmas around the world who are suffering,” said Hannah Montgomery, Act for Peace. Bowl and receive a resource kit visit the official website: actforpeace.org.au/Christmas-Bowl

UTC GIVES THANKS

for the life of Rev Dr Milton Coleman

The Rev. Dr Milton Coleman, who passed away on August 10, made a deep and significant contribution to the Uniting Church through the various ministries he exercised over the years. In addition to his periods of service as congregational minister and as chaplain, Milton was a valued member of the faculty of United Theological College for many years.

PHOTO: ANTON VEUGEN

Milton helped to shape the pastoral approach of a generation of ministers

Milton helped to shape the pastoral approach of a generation of ministers through his contributions as Director of Field Education at the College, and through his leadership as both a supervisor and an educator with the Clinical Pastoral Education Council of NSW. There are many ministers across this Synod who recall him with fondness and exercise the skills that he instilled into them with gratitude.

Milton occupied the neighbouring office to John Squires at the College when John joined the Faculty. John recalls the way that Milton helped him adjust to his new role, guiding him through the Byzantine pathways that meshed theological education, field education, ministerial formation, and commitment to the mission of the church, through the programmes offered at the College. John served as Secretary to the Board of Ministerial Formation while Milton was its Chairperson. This brought the perspectives of biblical scholarship and clinical pastoral education into a fruitful partnership in guiding the candidate formation programme. Milton was firm in his commitment to good scholarship alongside the development of effective professional capacities in ministry candidates.

After his time at UTC, Milton took many of the skills he had developed in ministry in NSW and, before that, in the USA, into ministerial formation for candidates in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand. On returning to NSW, Milton and Patsy made their base in the Mid North Coast Presbytery, where Milton continued his significant contribution to the Uniting Church by chairing the Presbytery Pastoral Relations Committee.

On behalf of the Faculty of United Theological College, both past and present, we honour the Rev. Dr Milton Coleman at the conclusion of his rich and faithful life, and extend our prayerful support to Patsy, Robyn and Anton, Stephen and Nikki, and their extended family.

Peter Walker (Principal, UTC) and John Squires (Former Vice-Principal, UTC)

UFS SUPPORTS MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH REMOVING THE STIGMA OF MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH

The Men’s Long Lunch is an event designed to encourage an open and frank conversation about mental health and mental illness in men.

With only 27.5% of men with symptoms of mental illness accessing professional services, it’s crucial we start destigmatising mental health in men and start talking more frankly about mental health with friends and family for support, and to offer support.

Uniting Financial Services Executive Director Warren Bird said “The Lifeline Macarthur’s Men’s Long Lunch event is a great opportunity to highlight the issues surrounding men’s mental health. UFS has a modest budget for sponsorships and we’re pleased to be able to provide support to this event.”

“Sadly the statistics show that men are three times more likely to suicide than women and twice as likely to die because of drug and alcohol abuse, yet they are less likely to seek assistance than women. Any opportunity to talk about these issues and to reach out to support people in innovative ways can only assist the community view mental illness in a different light and hopefully reduce the byproducts of mental illness such as drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence and the tragic impact of suicide on families.”

Guests will enjoy live music, great food and inspiring speakers.

Guest speakers include Pete Wilson, Erik Horrie and Deputy Commissioner of the Mental Health Commission of NSW, Allan Sparkes.

Book your tickets online at http://bit.ly/menslonglunch

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WHY IS CHRISTIAN STUDENTS UNITING (CSU) JOINING THE GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE? Humanity is at a cross-roads. Recent global studies have described in detail that we have about 10-15 years until the damage we have done to our planet is irreversible. These are not opinions or perspectives to be argued.

These are facts backed up by undeniable evidence.

As overwhelming as the climate crisis is, we have an incredible opportunity to act - as a Church, as a nation and as a global community.

From the Civil Rights Movement in 60s, to the Vietnam War protests, again at Tiananmen Square in China, the Arab Spring and more recently the Indigenous Water Rights protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline in the United States – it has been young leaders throughout modern history, calling on the rest of us to stand up.

The global climate change movement is no different. It is young people – high school and university students who are leading this global call to action.

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LEADERS OF THE CHURCH TODAY

Four years ago, our young people in the Pacific Islander community led the way in the People’s Climate March. And now young people across the Uniting Church are calling on us to act on climate change.

This call is coming from across the church, from city centres, to regional and rural areas, from schools and universities – united under the conviction, “For God so loved the world” (John 3:16).

Two months ago, at the annual School of Discipleship (SOD) conference, 30 young people from across New South Wales and the ACT gathered to discuss organising the Uniting Church for the Climate Strike on Friday 20 September. These students have helped instigate a state-wide and increasingly national campaign that now involves the NSW.ACT Synod, Uniting, Uniting World, numerous Presbyteries and congregations and the UCA National Assembly.

Since SOD 2019, the students have taken part in numerous community

organising trainings, they have worked with Sydney Presbytery to develop a communications strategy and have had lots of meaningful and intentional conversations with UCA members.

At the August meeting of Sydney Presbytery, 15 of these students held an action asking Ministers and Congregational representatives to commit to the strike.

We often talk about the young people in our church as ‘leaders of tomorrow’ or ‘the future of our church’.

Although these statements are true, what they do not capture is the fact that young adults like these, and many others within the diversity of our Church are leading right now. For the sake of God’s creation, they are calling on us to stand with them.

TRANSFORMATION & SABBATH ECONOMICS

Because of the life and witness of Jesus, the Church is (and has to be) about transformation.

Transformation often starts with the individual; however, the Church is called to transform the whole of creation. Jesus presents us with a vision for another way of living. One speaks of the abundance of the Reign of God. God’s abundance, as you will see below, is different to a contemporary economic understanding.

Theologian Ched Myers characterises this vision as “Sabbath Economics”. Myers describes this as the basic struggle of mammon (which is the Greek word used in Luke 16:13 translated as “wealth”) and manna (which refers to the story from Exodus 16 in which God rains down “bread from heaven”).

Exodus tells the story of the Hebrew people wandering the desert, without food or water, surviving off manna from heaven. They were instructed to gather only what they needed – neither too much nor too little.

The idea of “Sabbath Economics” stresses God’s theology of abundance (which carries with it the instruction not to gather too much so others don’t go without). This of course stands in complete contrast to the dominate view of economic excess and accumulation. We are told and many of us seem to believe that “there isn’t enough for everyone”, and so as Walter Bruggerman has said, we set out to “seize our goods and seize our neighbour’s goods”.

How can one really love their neighbour, when they want what their neighbour has?

We see this again in the New Testament when Jesus feeds the 5000. Even the disciples asked, “Rabbi, there isn’t enough to go around?” Again, we are told and shown that there was enough for everyone.

God’s counter-cultural paradigm – God’s model of distribution - goes against the world system and requires us to un-learn most of which we are taught about how the world works.

If the Church is to truly transform the world, what must the Church un-learn?

What does this have to do with climate change?

Responding to climate change is going to require un-learning, rule changing and a move away from the scarcity mindset that so many of us fall victim to and so many politicians reinforce.

This mindset, which creates an often-irrational fear that my success, my wealth, my progress can only exist in competition to my neighbours is a fundamental part of the problem.

We need to un-learn what we understand regarding abundance because the world system view is counter to the abundance of God’s Reign, which tells us there is “enough”.

Perhaps part of this un-learning also extends to how we understand the basic metric of what “enough” even is.

This call to live abundantly in God’s Reign is one that is both macro and micro. This is the stuff of both foreign and personal policy.

This is about beginning to change the way we live practically.

Responding to climate change is going to require un-learning, rule changing and a move away from the scarcity mindset If I truly believe that I am enough, as I am wonderfully made in the image of God, then perhaps I will be content with what I have and the desire for more will have less of a grasp on who I am.

Even as I write this I want to push back on my own words and say that the need to accumulate ‘stuff’ is natural and normal and therefore okay. This is at the heart of what we are called to unlearn, because if our security comes from faith in God, and is grounded in community then we will know abundance.

To understand that there is in fact room at the table for everyone and more than enough for everyone to be satisfied.

And so, when we talk about taking action on climate change, we aren’t simply talking about politicians creating better policy, we have to also be talking about a fundamental personal shift in the way we live and related to the world. This is the Gospel vision; this is what is asked of us as Disciples of Christ.

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JOYCE TANGI (LEFT) AND A GROUP OF CSU STUDENTS MEET AT UTS TO CONTINUE ORGANISING TOWARDS THE SYDNEY - GLOBAL #CLIMATESTRIKE

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And because the Church is perhaps the only institution truly in the “business” of transformation, we have a responsibility to be at the forefront of this movement.

A PACIFIC ISLAND PERSPECTIVE

The hearts of our Pacific Island sisters and brothers have been slowly breaking with every new climate disaster. As a stand-out leader in Auburn Uniting Church and a Field Officer from Pulse, Joyce Tangi has an important perspective on the role of new emerging generational leaders.

“It’s more than an accident or natural disaster, it’s the human consequence of a lack of stewardship for God’s creation. To know that sea levels are rising faster than they should be, that whole networks of community, the entire reality of life for Tongan people on this earth will irreversibly change, is absolutely heart-breaking.

Joyce continues: “It resonates in my core and makes me ask myself: how can we become more “I don’t go back to Tonga as educated much as I want to. My Dad’s about what’s family is from a small island happening to off the main island – you our climate? have to catch a little boat and And then; travel out. I can remember what are we the image of my grandparents, going to do standing at the top of the about it? island, waiting for us. Waking up on a Sunday in Tonga to “To me, that’s the bright early light as a child, why the Climate Strike you’d know that the elders on September 20th is so are already outside, cooking important and inspiring. It’s food in earthen ovens. You’d a movement; it might seem know that the food you would as if it’s just for young people, be eating later that day was but it’s actually for everyone. part of the same land that As the global campaign you’re a part of; was made by slogan says: ‘everyone hands that make and shape the whole community. If the smell of food didn’t wake you up then the sound of roosters crowing and church bells tolling would. Standing in church that morning with your entire family, you’d open a window for the breeze, look out and see everything green and alive. You’d know that you are blessed.

“Now, I hear the stories of stronger and stronger cyclones, typhoons and storms hitting Tonga. In the back of my mind I can envision the huts as they buckle. By the time that I wake up in Sydney I know that those huts are destroyed.

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welcome, everyone needed’.

It reminds me of a scripture verse where Paul tells us that we are all, in fact, one body of Christ – ‘If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.’ (1 Corinth 12: 26).

“A month ago, I went along to a gathering of Christian Students Uniting (CSU) members as they started to put ideas together for how to back home. I could see the participate in passion in their eyes, and I the Climate felt blessed.

Strike. I felt the passion “One of the reasons I love in the room; being part of the Pulse team; inspiring are the opportunities I have energy to to mentor and direct the push for a gifts and talents of young healthy future. leaders, to give them an It made me opportunity be part of the feel alive. solution for change, in a way that only Christian leaders “Sitting in that can.

Our Church is brimming Christian Students Uniting with potential to be part meeting, I felt something of historical change. That that I feel when I work with change looks like our new all emergent leaders: this generation and they all have generation is not just fighting a drive to preserve God’s for themselves, they are creation.” fighting for me, and they

Synod agreed to a proposal to develop a state-wide Climate Action Plan

are fighting for my family

CHRISTIAN STUDENTS UNITING AT PRESBYTERY MEETING ACTION

CHRISTIAN STUDENTS UNITING AT THE SCHOOL OF DISCIPLESHIP

DID YOU KNOW? The National Assembly divested from fossil fuels some years ago. UCA President, Dr. Deidre Palmer was among 150 religious leaders who signed an open letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison urging the Government to recognise the climate crisis as a national emergency and to stop all new coal and gas projects in Australia.

UCA CLIMATE ACTION

Christian Students Uniting groups are joining a strong narrative for climate action within the Uniting Church.

The National Assembly divested from fossil fuels some years ago. UCA President, Dr. Deidre Palmer was among 150 religious leaders who signed an open letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison urging the Government to recognise the climate crisis as a national emergency and to stop all new coal and gas projects in Australia.

Uniting in NSW are proactively working to reduce their carbon emissions and UnitingCare nationally have committed to reducing their carbon footprint by 5% by 2020 (compared to 2017 baseline).

More recently at Living Church – Synod 2019, the NSW.ACT Synod agreed to a proposal to develop a state-wide Climate Action Plan to reduce carbon emissions across all councils and agencies of the Church.

The plan also states that the Church will advocate on a Federal, State and local level for government to fundamentally reduce our national emissions.

These are inspiring examples of institutional transformation.

And there are many climate activists within the church who have been at the forefront of this movement for years, like Jessica Morthorpe and Jason John from Uniting Earth who helped ensure the Climate Action Plan was passed at Synod 2019.

Much and more action is still needed. Without Federal Government buy-in and significant policy shifts, this climate crisis will worsen until the damage is irreversible.

We are talking about a matter of years. And in the meantime, our Pacific and Torres Strait Island sisters and brothers will continue to suffer the consequences of our inaction.

It is clear from media reports coming out of the Pacific Islands Forum that the Morrison Government is still not taking the climate crisis seriously and have no intention to move away from coal or gas to cleaner energy sources. If we want change, we are going to have to collectively demand it.

This is a moment in history that we will (hopefully) look back on and mark as the turning point in the global climate change movement.

Join us and the millions of ordinary people from every corner of the earth on 20 September and demand real climate action. Everyone is welcome. Everyone is needed.

Natalie Martignago, Andrew McCloud Joyce Tangi

What will happen on 20 September?

Christian Students

Uniting (CSU) are organising a prestrike worship at Pitt St Uniting Church from 9.30am. This will be an opportunity to sing and pray before we join the strike.

Following the worship service, we will walk together to the Domain and join the tens of thousands of Sydneysiders in the march.

Registration is essential so we can keep you up-to-date with the campaign and get an idea of numbers.

Please register here:

Bit.ly/ UCAClimateStrike

Join us on 20 September!

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Living Church

SYNOD 2019

Taking place from 5-7 July, the 2019 Synod meeting saw the Uniting Church make a number of bold decisions for our future. The meeting accepted a proposal that will see a new focus on growth, a new taskforce to address climate change, and to begin a process towards changing how the Uniting Church handles ministry agents’ formation in NSW and the ACT. The theme of Synod 2019 was Living Church, because as the General Secretary reiterated in her introductory keynote, “A Living Church dares to live by a different narrative — to make a Jesusshaped difference in the world.”

It is by God’s mercy that we are in this game at all.

We begin with God and all these things come second

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MAKING A 'JESUS-SHAPED' DIFFERENCE

Over three days in July, the desire to make a “Jesus-shaped” difference in the world was articulated through decisions made by members of Synod around growth, a new taskforce to address climate change, and to begin a process towards changing how the Uniting Church handles ministry agents’ formation in NSW and the ACT. Members also caught a glimpse of this through a vision of the wider Uniting Church, including an inspiring multicultural youth-led worship service and electives that introduced members to some of the church’s work. Synod members witnessed the collaborative work being done across the Church in the powerful documentary Half A Million Steps, a powerful film that highlights the need for drug law reform and the problem of a lack of treatment for those who need it.

Inspiring keynotes from Karina Kreminski, Jon Owen, and Joshua Gilbert helped members see a worldview that will help to shape the Church and the principal of United Theological College Rev. Peter Walker unpacked what it meant to be a living church.

The General Secretary encouraged members to take up the challenge “of organising and equipping ourselves to join God’s work in the world – living church, living witness, living hope for the sake of Jesus Christ. We’re all in this together – let’s do it.”

LIVING CHURCH SYNOD 2019 | DAY ONE

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he Living Church – Synod 2019 started, quietly and powerfully, with a moving prayer gathering.

Just over 100 people braved a wintery Sydney morning to gather at beautiful William Mcllrath War Memorial Chapel at Knox Grammar school, the venue for this year’s Synod. The service included prayers and a ‘blessing song’ for the Moderator, Simon Hansford, during which people laid their hands on Rev. Hansford.

Following a prayer gathering, new Synod members were also welcomed with a BBQ breakfast with the Moderator, General Secretary Rev. Jane Fry and the Associate Secretary Rev. Bronwyn Murphy. Of the 350 Synod meeting members, 105 members were attending Synod for the first time.

OPENING WORSHIP

Moderator Simon Hansford welcomed the more than 360 members in an opening worship service. Rev. Hansford reminded members that despite the demands, the issues and the tensions that swirled around the meeting they needed to rely on God. “It is by God’s mercy that we are in this game at all. We begin with God and all these things, these important, these necessary things come second,” Rev. Hansford said.

“It is God who holds us and will continue to do so, the whole story is found in Christ.”

Rev Hansford said. “It is not ours to give but God’s,” he said.

LIVING CHURCH: OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE

The General Secretary, Rev. Jane Fry, gave the opening presentation calling Synod 2019 an opportunity for the church to grow and make real change in the world we live in.

“In the past we have never been able to have a productive debate about growth.

I believe growth is a deliberate decision.

We need to choose to grow,” said Rev. Fry.

BIBLE STUDY

UTC Principal, Rev. Peter Walker’s first Bible Study of Synod 2019 was titled ‘The Purpose of the Living Church – Matthew 28:1-20’.

“Whenever the church’s focus becomes self-concern, how can we make ourselves a living church? We have lost the way.

Whenever the church’s focus becomes the living God, and bearing witness to gospel of Jesus Christ, we become the

living church once more,” said Rev. Walker.

Watch the full Bible Study online: tinyurl.com/day1biblestudy

REDISCOVERING OUR MISSIONAL VOICE

Guest speaker Pastor and CEO of Wayside Chapel, Jon Owen, addressed Synod members on how we can tackle social inequality head on.

“Our former CEO used to say we are not an ICU we are an ‘I see you’ organisation, we don’t try to rescue people, we love people and see their value and call their value out,” he said.

Watch the video of Jon Owen’s keynote: tinyurl.com/jonowensynod19

PRIORITY ADVOCACY ISSUES

Uniting presented the Advocacy Report and Priority Issues Discussion proposal to Synod requesting delegates to consider what social justice issues the Church should prioritize and provide their views on how Uniting could engage the wider church in advocacy.

The proposal and report were presented

by Uniting senior executive, Doug Taylor, Senior Social Justice Specialist, Jon O’Brien, Uniting Social Justice Advocate Alex Hogan, Uniting’s Church Engagement Leader, Mel Pouvalu.

Mr Taylor and the team gave an overview on the current advocacy priorities that include the Fair Treatment campaign which focuses on drug law reform. Other updates included work with asylum seekers, affordable housing, climate action and domestic and family violence.

GROWTH STRATEGY

Synod heard about the Growth Strategy proposal on day one.

“I’ve been in this church for a long time,” Rev. Fry told the Synod meeting. “We struggle to talk about growth.”

The wide ranging proposal aims to facilitate the Uniting Church to grow in a number of ways, “to prioritise, promote, and enable growth in discipleship, in relationship, in number, and in impact.”

It “would seek ways to focus on growing the impact being made by our hundreds of congregations in NSW/ACT in their local communities.

Read more about the Growth Strategy Proposal on page 27.

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LIVING CHURCH SYNOD 2019 | DAY ONE

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR

GREAT CHANGE

REV.JANE FRY OPENING KEYNOTE The Living Church Synod 2019 represents a pivotal opportunity for the church to stop looking backwards, to determine it wants to grow and to seek the unique role God has for the future of the church, the General Secretary of the Synod of NSW and ACT, Jane Fry, said.

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ev. Fry said Synod 2017 had generated a mood of ‘courage and hopeful’ conviction that set a foundation for significant change.

She said this was an acknowledgment that tomorrow’s church may look very different from the church of yesterday or even today.

“Since the last Synod, a number of experiences have demonstrated that we can collaborate effectively, we can work to make real change and we can do this in the interests of a living, growing church,” she said.

“Along the way, there were lots of OMG moments, when the mountain in front of us seemed insurmountable. But along the way as well – and most surprisingly – there have been as many, if not more, moments of blessing when the spirit of Synod 2017 erupted again in words of encouragement and signs of enthusiasm.”

Rev. Fry said this work meant that Synod 2019 comes at a time when a number of longstanding difficulties have been resolved. The process of addressing a ‘structural misalignment’ that had previously led to a reluctance or inability to collaborate across the councils and entities of Synod is underway.

of the delegates 60 people are under the age of 35,” Rev. Fry said.

“Normally Synod is reactive, but today we have the opportunity to discern what God is calling us into for the future. It is why we have new voices at Synod to challenge us.”

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Rev. Fry said the Uniting church’s commitment to inclusive theology and its focus on social justice meant it had a critical role to play in society today.

Today we have the opportunity to discern what God is calling us into for the future

Rev. Fry said Synod speakers included Wayside Chapel’s Jon Owen, who would look at the church’s role among the marginalised in our communities: Joshua Owen who would address both the advocacy and the grass-roots work the church needs to take on Climate Action and author Karina Kreminski who will focus on the church’s mission in the local neighbourhood.

“These provocative voices will address the critical issues of the world and the church’s role in bringing hope and life in our communities. They will provide the context to organise ourselves, to bear “This Synod promises to be very different. witness in a world crying out for good We have had an amazing response with news,” Rev. Fry said.

364 people attending, the biggest ever.

Of these 105 people are new, attending “In the past we have never been able to have a productive debate about growth. a Synod gathering for the first time and

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I believe growth is a deliberate decision.

We need to choose to grow.”

“In a world compromised by climate change, challenged by inequity, insecurity and injustice, a Living Church is hopefully and practically committed to the wellbeing of creation; compassionately dedicated to the flourishing of human beings and human communities; and is creative, disruptive and daring in its witness.

“A Living Church dares to live by a different narrative — to make a Jesus-shaped difference in the world.”

Rev. Fry closed with a challenge to Synod. “Now we need to take up the challenge of organising and equipping ourselves to join God’s work in the world – living church, living witness, living hope for the sake of Jesus Christ. We’re all in this together – let’s do it.”

Watch the full opening keynote: tinyurl.com/janefrykeynote

SYNOD STANDING COMMITTEE SUBMITS REPORT The Synod meeting thanked the outgoing Synod Standing Committee (SSC) for their over the past two years.

The committee was elected at the 2017 Synod meeting.

Standing Committee is often described as the “Synod between Synod meetings” and oversees the church’s business.

General Secretary Jane Fry said that the SSC had acknowledged that there had been some concern about the diversity of the committee. However, she noted that representation of members' backgrounds was no guarantee of representation of thought.

The SSC has also acknowledged more communication with Presbyteries would be needed in future.

“It’s a significant committee in the life of this church,” Rev. Fry said.

“This is the committee that holds our boards to account.”

The previous standing committee was the first under a new format, with a reduced number of members.

The Synod meeting voted by consensus to receive the Standing Committee’s report. Synod members asked questions about the size and function of the SSC. As General Secretary Rev. Fry told the meeting on day one, the NSW and ACT Synod has managed to pay off all of its debt.

Rev. Fry said that the SSC had needed to deal with a number of priorities including the budget situation and the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child sexual abuse.

Members of the outgoing SSC include David Barrow, Rev. Paul Cosier, Sharon Flynn, Olivia Freeman, Sue Graves, Rev. Danielle Hemsworth Smith, Ian Lawrence, Rev. Nicole Fleming, Rev. Dr Susan Phalen, Queenie Speeding, and Jackie Watts. Previous members from this committee included Rev. Salesi Faupula, and Rev. Bomwook Choi.

Co-opted members include Graeme Tolson, and Rev. Robert Griffith.

Moderator Simon Hansford released the standing committee from their commitments.

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LIVING CHURCH SYNOD 2019 | DAY ONE

YOUNG MEMBERS ORIENTATION MORNING

The Pulse team worked in collaboration with David Hay from Uniting and Andrew Mcloud from Sydney Alliance and Sydney Presbytery to run the Young members orientation to Synod. They learnt about what the Synod is and how it works, the consensus decision making process, and how people use power, learning to claim their own. We were blessed by the presence of the General Secretary and the Moderator who encouraged the young people to have a voice and don’t be afraid to have a go. It was a great opportunity to learn together and make the most of their time at Synod.

Karen Mitchel Lambert

HALF A MILLION STEPS PREMIERE AND PANEL DISCUSSION

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On Friday 6 July, the Uniting Church in Australia Synod of NSW and the ACT hosted a special screening and Q&A panel discussion on the documentary ‘Half a Million Steps’ – a powerful film that highlights the problem of a lack of treatment for those who need it.

The open letter penned by the Synod Moderator, Rev. Simon Hansford, calls on the Premier to treat drug addiction as a health issue instead of a criminal issue and increase the health treatment centres in regional and rural Australia.

Afterward there was a panel discussion that included the Moderator, Rev. Simon Hansford, Wayside Chapel’s Rev. Graham Anson, Liz Gal and Uniting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre Medical Director, Dr Marianne Jauncey.

‘Half a Million Steps’ is part of the Fair Treatment campaign led by Uniting and the Uniting Church Synod of NSW and the ACT.

'Half a Million Steps’ documents the journey of 100 walkers who trekked from Dubbo to Sydney in October 2018 carrying a baton that contained a open letter to the NSW government calling for drug law reform.

To find out how you can book a screening of the Half A Million Steps documentary visit fairtreatment.org/walk Watch the panel discussion: tinyurl.com/drugreformpanel

WHAT DOES THE

WORLD NEED FROM THE CHURCH? I

n his keynote on day one of Synod, Pastor Owen said Wayside Mission’s power was its willingness to love and accept people from the streets.

“Our former CEO used to say we are not an ICU we are an ‘I see you’ organisation, we don’t try to rescue people we love people and see their value and call their value out,” he said.

The church becomes incarnate when it is in the community, reaching out to respond to the issues and hurts in the local community, Pastor and CEO of the Wayside Chapel, Jon Owen, said on the first day of the Living Church Synod 2019.

“It was a testament to the transformation that had occurred. Five years prior it was considered the worst street in the “About 15 percent of our staff at Wayside used to live on the streets, we loved them, neighbourhood, police area command cited it as having the highest crime rates. we saw their gifts and we called them out There was high levels of violence, crime, on their gifting.” drugs and child neglect.

Pastor Owen says churches spent too much time building fences to keep people “The transformation was due to a few Christians being incarnate in that out rather than digging deep wells to attract those from around the community. community. For them Sunday capped off what was done during the week in the “In the same way the church becomes community. It was a church that rallied powerful when it is out in the community, around those with mental health issues, standing beside those in need – the spirit those with addictions, those who were becomes active in us when we are in the victims of domestic violence. world.”

“It gave confidence for women to say there Pastor Owen said that ‘a living church’ were no longer putting up with violent had to be always asking itself what does relationships and the men of the church the world need from the church? would come together to confronted violent perpetrators to make it known “I have seen so much life in parish their violence would not be tolerated in missions, it is alive in the heart of the this community.” neighbourhood. And when you see this you simply do not see the doomsday scenario about fears for the future of the church,” he told Synod.

“Instead I see the church involved in great things in the community, perhaps we need to ask ourselves if we are counting the right things – people warming pews on a Sunday is not the right thing to be counting.”

Pastor Owen, a migrant to Australia of SriLankan and Indian heritage, is a qualified social worker and for 20 years was a member of Urban Neighbours of Hope, a religious order dedicated to living and serving amongst the poor.

He told Synod about a neighbourhood work he was involved with in Melbourne.

“A single mum walked into a real estate agent needing a place to rent. The real estate agent said he knew the perfect location for her – it was the street which was at the heart of our neighbourhood mission,” Pastor Owen said.

“We could not speak the language, so the nun told us that every action we took had to show the love of Christ. And that is what we need to do, that is what the church needs to do,” he said.

Paster Owen said every community had issues and every church had to grapple with what they can do in their community to be incarnate.

“The church must be at the heart of the community, meeting those in pain, those in need – it is here that it becomes incarnate. It becomes the living church.”

Watch the video of Jon Owen’s keynote: tinyurl.com/jonowensynod19

Pastor Owen said when he married his wife, Lisa, for their honeymoon they spent time in the House of Dying in Calcutta.

The church must be at the heart of the community it is here that it becomes incarnate It becomes the living church insights

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LIVING CHURCH SYNOD 2019 | DAY TWO

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ay Two of Synod 2019 began with an opening worship led by Rev. Ellie Elia, Rev. Charissa Suli and Rev. Seung Jae Yeon.

BIBLE STUDY

UTC Principal, Rev. Peter Walker’s bible study was titled ‘The Focus of the Living Church – 2 Corinthians 3:1-18’.

“Fighting among yourselves? Remember that your focus is on Christ. Perplexed and driven to despair? Remember your focus is on Christ. Starting to think that church is all about you? Remember that your focus is on Jesus,” Rev. Walker said.

Watch the video of the Bible Study: tinyurl.com/day2biblestudy

AGRICULTURE, INDIGENOUS RIGHTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE PWC Indigenous Consulting Manager and author, Joshua Gilbert, was the guest speaker on Day Two. A Worimi man, Joshua shared his experience as a young Indigenous man alongside agriculture and the environment.

SYNOD CELEBRATES MINISTERS

General Secretary Jane Fry has led NSW and ACT Synod in celebrating a number of ministries. Synod has acknowledged those who have previously served the Uniting Church, started ministry, or joined the Synod. This acknowledgement is a tradition at every Synod meeting.

Rev. Dr. Paul Chalston, Rev. Amelia Koh Butler, Rev. Sarah Agnew, Rev. Dr Rob McFarlane, Rev. Elisabeth Raine, Rev. Dr John Squires and others were acknowledged for moving into the Synod or returning.

Rev. Dr Peter Powell, Rev. Caroline Thornley, Rev. John Barr, and others were acknowledged as retiring from ministry.

Jubilarians (those who have been in ministry for 40 years) and those in ministry longer were also acknowledged, as were those ordained 50 and 60 years ago.

SYNOD CLIMATE ACTION

Uniting Earth’s Jessica Morthorpe and Rev. Jason John tabled a proposal that the Synod develops a Climate Action Strategy to reduce carbon emissions across all levels of the Church. The proposal also calls on the Synod to actively advocate to advocate to the Federal and State Governments to take

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decisive steps to reduce the overall nation’s emissions.

processes appropriate to their unique needs.

Synod attendees heard from Uniting Church school students who sent in video messages on what they hope the Synod does address climate change. Uniting Church schools that sent in messages included Kinross Wolaroi, Knox Grammar, MLC, Newington College, Pymble Ladies College and Ravenswood.

The proposal was passed by consensus on day three of Synod (read the break out on page 24).

One of the messages was from one of Ravenswood’s 2019 Environmental Prefects, “As a school and church it is so important that we help raise awareness for this issue as we are the younger generations and we are the ones who have the power to change the environment around us,” said Meg. Read more about the proposal here: tinyurl.com/ucaclimateproposal

ASSEMBLY REPORTS TO SYNOD

REVIVIFY

Revivify: Many Cultures One in Christ took centre stage in the new Performing Arts Centre at Knox Grammar on the evening of day two of Synod. This was a high energy event that was attended by over 400 people. Jon Owen spoke and the worship really showcased the breadth of talent of Uniting Church young people.

Watch the full Revivify event here: tinyurl.com/watchrevivify

MODERATOR'S TERM EXTENDED

Uniting Church Assembly President Dr Deirdre Palmer and General Secretary Colleen Geyer provided the 2019 Synod meeting with an overview of Assembly’s current activities and focus points.

Dr Palmer indicated that one of her priorities as President was meeting with Uniting Church young people. She mentioned that the upcoming roundtable discussions with young adults was one way she will be doing this. The first takes place at Canberra Wesley Uniting Church on 25 July.

Dr Palmer also reflected on the Free Wesleyan Methodist Church’s national conference in Tonga, which she recently attended.

“Our important connection with this church remains strong,” Dr Palmer said.

The presentation detailed how Circles of Interest works and encouraged members to consider what circles might be best for them. You can find out more about Circles of Interest here.

A CLOSER LOOK AT FORMATION

Moderator Simon Hansford and Associate Secretary Bronwyn Murphy introduced a proposal that would alter the way that Ministry agents undergo formation in NSW/ACT Synod. The proposal would see the Synod work with Presbyteries to come up with formation

Synod decided to extend Moderator Rev. Simon Hansford’s term by three years.

With a three year extension, the Moderator’s term will now finish in 2023.

“I appreciate…the gifts I have received,” Rev. Hansford said. Synod members discussed the matter in a closed session.

Rev. Hansford thanked his wife Fiona, the General Secretary Jane Fry and Associated Secretary Bronwyn Murphy, as well as the staff in the Secretariat.

He said that his term as Moderator would be “part of a wider story.”

Rev. Hansford’s term as Moderator began in 2017. During this time, he has publicly represented the Synod in campaigns such as the Fair Treatment campaign for drug law reform and the Moderator’s drought appeal.

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LIVING CHURCH SYNOD 2019 | DAY TWO

CLIMATE CHANGE:

CHALLENGE FOR CHURCH TO ADVOCATE AND ACT The church must take a leading role on climate change action to build the foundations for future generations but it must also seek to rediscover its relevance in a changing world.

And while advocacy was important, the church also needed to play a deeper, more profound role, particularly in rural communities – being the centre of community action, generosity and connection.

The motion gained the attention of former US President, Al Gore, who asked Joshua to be a part of his Climate Reality Project. His Climate Reality Project video, entitled ‘Australia’s Young Green Farmers’, was viewed in over 75 countries and by over 100 million people.

Mr Gilbert also attended the Paris Climate Change summit.

His ancestral stories, research and his experiences have all shaped his views on Climate Change.

Mr Gilbert said the church had a critical role to play today not only in the advocacy on climate change policy, but to create a better future by being at the centre of agricultural communities that were being profoundly impacted by severe weather events.

This is the charge from Joshua Gilbert, His address on the second day of Synod set the scene for a day of discussion and discernment for the church on its Climate Action Strategy.

“It is easy to advocate but I am not sure that is enough. I struggle with groups Mr Gilbert is a Worimi man who uses Indigenous wisdom and values, alongside that only see advocacy as its role. If we get (progressive) climate policy, knowledge of agriculture and the which I believe we will, these advocacyenvironment to better inform society. He only organisations should become is an author and sought after speaker. redundant, with a future focus on His reflections on agriculture and the engraining sustainability into everyday land are bitter-sweet. His ancestral action,” he said. family – the first recorded birth of his “I believe the church must also play a family was in a cave in Gloucester – suffered the brunt of colonisation with his deeper, more profound role, particularly in rural communities. It must be at father’s ancestors taken from the land the grass-roots providing connection, and sent to an orphanage. Many of his generosity and comfort to weatherpeople were forced off their land or killed stricken communities, while being a so that agricultural practices could start constant during the good times.” on their land.

Mr Gilbert said there has been a shift in Mr Gilbert is previously the Chair of Australian rural communities in which the NSW Young Farmers and led the the church has struggled to maintain NSW Young Farmers’ Council in moving relevance, reflective of a changing one of the first proactive international society across the Nation. agricultural climate change motions at the NSW Farmers Annual Conference “When the community was thriving it was in 2015. rooted in church values. People were more generous, supporting each other

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during hardship and building community during the good years”, he said.

Mr Gilbert said famers tended to harbour optimism in the face of brutal drought or other devastating natural disasters such as flooding. But as the pressures grow this optimism waned, often with disastrous outcomes.

“In rural towns the church needs to be there when people are struggling. It needs to be non-judgemental, a loving and giving centre of the community – connecting people to God.” In many communities the sense of community needs rebuilding. We have lost the ability to connect and engage as a community. We must recover this and the church can play a central role in bringing unity, healing and connection, Mr Gilbert said.

Watch the video of Josh Gilbert's keynote: tinyurl.com/joshgilbertsynod19

SYNOD AGREES TO A CLIMATE ACTION STRATEGY

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he Synod meeting agreed to a proposal to develop a Synod-wide Climate Action Strategy to reduce carbon emissions across all councils and agencies of the Church and to advocate to Federal, State and local governments to take decisive steps to reduce our emissions nationally.

The proposal called for the church to advocate in order to set a national emissions target in line with the best scientific evidence of what is required for climate change to be kept below 1.5oC, the absolute minimum being emissions reductions of 65% of 2005 levels by 2030.

towns impacted by mine closures) and for communities directly impacted by climate change.

Members also asked that resources be made available for churches to take climate action.

On Saturday, the General Secretary of the NSW and ACT Synod, Jane Fry, said as a grandmother she was determined to see the church take decisive action on climate change to give hope to future generations.

and University groups. They expressed concern for their futures and the importance of the church taking a leadership role, as one of the largest churches in Australia.

Ms Rammesmayer spoke about participating in the Schools for Climate Strike and the lack of care and action being taken by the government, “I believe that with the platform the Uniting Church possesses, together we can start the discussion of climate change and bring increasing awareness to a community that is yet to really experience the impacts”.

Rev. Fry introduced the afternoon session of The Living Church – Synod 2019 which focused on how the Mr Tjoelker gave an impassioned call on The proposed action plan also requires Church could develop a Climate Action the Synod to consider supporting the 20 Synod boards, agencies and schools to Strategy. Her introduction included the September climate strike. establish mechanisms to reduce their net voices from Uniting Church schools — emissions.

“I come from a family who is passionate passionate students who implored the about science and climate change. My The proposal will mean the establishment Church to focus it’s attention on, and to stand up for, climate change and to take dad is a professor of environmental of a Climate Action Strategy Task Group science whose major research is on the to oversee development, implementation action as a Church. effects of climate change on Australian and monitoring of the climate change The Climate Action proposal was put ecosystems. I also live in a Uniting Church strategy, for a period of three years. to Synod by Uniting Earth’s Jessica student community, who unanimously Morthorpe and Rev. Dr. Jason John.

Synod heard feedback on the proposal understand the grave threat climate Uniting’s Doug Taylor also spoke to the that included a desire for the church changes poses on the future of our proposal. to ‘listen and respect’ young people environment, and our own lives.” ‘so students can teach us’. There was A group of young people, Bianca “As a representative of young Christians, also a desire for more communications Rammesmayer from Pymble Ladies I remind the Synod that in our materials for churches to help them to College, Shane Slade, Milise Foiakau, generation’s lifetime we will suffer from speak and act.

Nico Tjoelker (President of Christian the devastating impacts of the sin of Students Uniting at Sydney University), Synod members also highlighted the human-caused climate change. We, as and Pacific leaders joined the proposal importance of having regional and rural Christians and as God’s stewards, must movers on stage to speak to the representation on the task group and act now,” he said. proposal and show support, including providing pastoral care for communities Martin Thomas students from Uniting Church schools impacted by industry transition (such as

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LIVING CHURCH SYNOD 2019 | DAY THREE

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he final day of Synod 2019 brought a close to a jam-packed three days that looked at how we can be the Living Church.

KEY DECISIONS

Day three came with key decisions the first deciding to develop and implement a Synod-wide Climate Action Strategy.

The Synod has also agreed to work towards a new formation process and the Synod approved a new Growth Strategy.

BIBLE STUDY

UTC Principal Rev. Peter Walker gave his final Bible Study of Synod 2019 titled, ‘The Identity of the Living Church – Philippians 2:1-13’.

“Our calling is to bear witness to Jesus Christ who, in his own strange way, constitutes, rules, and renews his Church. Then, by his grace, we become the living church,” said Rev. Walker.

Watch the full Bible Study online: tinyurl.com/day3biblestudy

URBAN SPIRITUALITY

Guest speaker, minister and Lecturer in Missional Studies at Morling College, Karina Kreminski, addressed Synod urging congregations to re-engage with the local community as we live out God’s mission in the neighbourhood.

“When we embody the gospel locally, only then will people begin to see the church as a place of refuge, transformation, peace and beauty in our world,” said Dr Kreminski.

Watch the video of Karina Kreminski’s keynote: tinyurl.com/karinasynod19

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HEAR THE STATEMENT FROM THE HEART

The Synod has agreed to a proposal to listen to the 2017 Statement from the Heart made at Uluru and commends the statement to congregations, presbyteries, and agencies.

It urges the NSW and ACT governments to “establish a process of agreement making between those governments and First Nations, and provide a means for truth-telling about the history of Australia’s first peoples.”

It also urges the Federal Government to implement a First Nations Voice to Parliament, enshrined in the constitution so as to “empower First Peoples to have a greater say in policy and legislation which governs their affairs.”

Rev. Dr Amelia Koh Butler and Rev. Dr John Squires spoke to the proposal.

Read more about the Statement From the Heart on page 28.

SALTBUSH

The newly appointed Scattered Community Minister, Rev. Geoff Wellington gave an update on Saltbush, an initiative focused on revitalising rural ministry in small congregations across NSW/ACT Synod.

Rev. Wellington also announced the launch of the new Saltbush website and the upcoming app.

PULSE

Pulse Team Lead Rev. Karen Mitchell Lambert and Pulse Field Worker Joyce Tangi presented a report to Synod on their ongoing mission to grow

vital communities where emerging generations can thrive.

Both began work in the Pulse team at the beginning of the year. In the last six months they have been travelling across the Synod meeting with Presbyteries, culturally diverse communities, UAICC, UCA chaplains and congregations discussing how the Church can assist emerging faith generations.

The Pulse Team will also be employing two additional Field Workers, as Pulse moves into its next phase which includes, developing support networks for discipleship and mission, create resources and support, develop and train leaders.

WORKSHOPS

Synod attendees took part in several practical workshop sessions that were tailored to equip and empower Congregations and Presbytery representatives.

The workshops included: Living Church, Growing Church, Welcoming Church Enabling Mission in Your Context Living Church: Growing Young led by the Pulse Team Advocacy as Mission Together led by Uniting, UME and Sydney Alliance Cultivating Leadership for Mission, Ministry and Discipleship What to Communicate and How- A Synod and Presbytery Perspective Read more about the workshops on page 28.

Our calling is to bear witness to Jesus Christ who in his own strange way constitutes rules and renews his Church NEW STANDING COMMITTEE ELECTED

A new Synod Standing Committee (SSC) has been elected. Four members of the SSC will remain on the committee until 2022: David Barrow, Sharon Flynn, Danielle Hemsworth-Smith, and Ian Lawrence.

The members elected until the 2020 Synod meeting include: Tauafola Anga-aelongi, Irene Bowrie-Johnson, Hayden Charles, Kent Crawford, Greer Dokmanovic, Robert Griffith, Tammy Hollands, and Amonaki (Langi) Suli.

CLOSING WORSHIP

The Living Church – Synod 2019 drew to a close with a powerful and poignant closing celebration.

The celebration was open to the wider church as well as Synod members and saw more than 200 people come together to worship and celebrate God’s leading during Synod 2019.

Watch the full Living Church Closing Celebration event here: tinyurl.com/watchclosingcelebration

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LIVING CHURCH SYNOD 2019 | DAY THREE

ENGAGING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

THE ANSWER TO CHURCH IRRELEVANCY Panic over the ‘death of the church’ in Australia is subsiding and in its place is a humble, sober realisation that it must re-engage with the local community to regain its relevancy, according to Karina Kreminski, a guest speaker on the last day of the Living Church Synod 2019.

She told delegates the church can bring about strong reactions within churches, but it is something we must do. needs to focus on their local community, to focus on their “Our call is missional, we are saved, we neighbourhood and identify are sanctified … so that we can go the small changes that can be out into the world. We are, all of us, made there – and that is how missionaries.” you ‘change the world’.

Dr Kreminski said there was no ‘three “Once we discern what God point strategy’ for churches to follow. ev Dr Kreminski said for many years is doing locally and we connect with his Instead it was about undertaking deep, Spirit there, we will be able to embody there has been a lament about the non-judgemental listening and spending Christ’s love to our neighbours. In failure of the church to grow in the time in the community. an increasingly polarised world we Australian community, amid fears about can begin healing though our daily the death of the church in the Western “It sounds simple but it is very hard to do. interactions with the people who we live world.

And from this God-inspired projects will with and bring change into that space come forward. It will be different projects “When there is this sort of panic, the so that we see the reign of God manifest in Maroubra, from what will emerge for church focuses inwards, it concerns before our eyes. churches in Campbelltown or Oran Park itself with preservation,” she said. “We or Bathurst,” she said.

“When we embody the gospel locally, only can deceive ourselves and believe the then will people begin to see the church church can become relevant again if we And she said this posed a new challenge can only get our marketing strategy right, as a place of refuge, transformation, for denominations and how they would peace and beauty in our world.” if we can tweak our communications or support the projects individual churches make our sermons more relevant.” identified. There were also profound Dr Kreminski said while here message challenges with understanding these may be challenging to some churches it “Unfortunately, the church is simply not new, grass-roots projects against the was a message of hope. in the minds of Australians today, they direction and priorities of denominational don’t wake up on a Sunday morning and welfare and service organisations.

“My message is one of hope. I believe concern themselves with what the local the church has learned this over the church service is offering.

“There are no quick fixes, pop up last 5 years. That there is a humble churches, and strategic solutions acknowledgement that we have become “We are completely irrelevant and but instead we must look at spiritual irrelevant in our communities and we there needs to be a radical shift in our formation where we live this in our own need to take radical action,” she said. approach.” contexts,” she said.

“And when we do this radical things Dr Kreminski is a Lecturer in Missional Watch the video of Karina happen, our language changes, we are Studies at Morling College and a Kreminski’s keynote: challenged about where we put our minister. Her book Urban Spirituality was tinyurl.com/karinasynod19 released in 2018. She spoke on the final resources – our time and money. This day of Synod on God’s Mission in the Neighbourhood.

R

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SYNOD AIMS FOR GROWTH

The 2019 Synod meeting also adopted a proposal to organise the church to prioritise growth.

The wide ranging proposal aims to facilitate the Uniting Church to grow in a number of ways, “to prioritise, promote, and enable growth in discipleship, in relationship, in number, and in impact.”

It “would seek ways to focus on growing the impact being made by our hundreds of congregations in NSW/ACT in their local communities.”

TRANSFORMING FORMATION

The Synod Meeting has agreed by consensus to work towards a new process of formation.

The proposal had five work packages and was introduced by Moderator Simon Hansford and Associate Secretary Bronwyn Murphy on day two of Synod.

United Theological College Principal Peter Walker said that a Bachelor of Ministry program was currently underway, which would be implemented in the new process as an option alongside the Bachelor of Theology. Rev. Walker said it would be available from 2021. “Our community forms us and shapes us for ministry,” Rev. Hansford said.

The proposal acknowledged that the Synod currently has fewer ministry candidates than is needed, currently around 26. Of those, half are Anglo, while 25 percent are Pacifica and Korean. One candidate is Malaysian-Shri Lankan and one South American.

Rev. Hansford said that it would be a mistake to think that the shortage was the result of a “mechanical problem” that could be changed.

Instead, he proposed, the church has a problem with its understanding of minister’s calling, which, he suggested, focused too much on an individual call, and not enough on the shape of diverse congregations.

“The deceit we have held for ourselves is that this is about call,” the Moderator said. “It’s not about call. It’s about call and discipleship.”

“The task of congregations and each and every minister is to remind each other of this task. This is not a structural, mechanical solution. It is cultural.”

The church, the Moderator said, needs to ask itself “How do we create or encourage [communities of discipleship]?”

“How do we hear the call of God, not just for those particular ones but for everyone?”

“We suggest that we have a strong track-record to leverage, coverage in communities right across our territory and state that can legitimise our voice in the public sphere, and an approach to the way we go about things that is warmly received by the wider Australian community.”

We have a strong track-record to leverage coverage in communities that can legitimise our voice in the public sphere

Rev. Hansford said that the proposal aimed at “looking at new ways…that recognise a diverse church.”

“The earlier question is, how do we resource congregations?”

Rev. Hansford said that “New expressions and forms of ministry” had to play a role.

Discernment groups took time to consider the proposal on day three and raised the need for training relevant to a 21st century context and beyond. The proposal was passed by consensus.

The proposal was sent to discernment groups and discussed on the floor of Synod.

Synod members asked questions about the wording of the proposal, the theological underpinning, and how congregations might be supported.

It was introduced on the first day of the Synod meeting by NSW ACT General Secretary Rev. Jane Fry, Georges River Presbytery’s Rev. Tammy Holland, Sydney Presbytery’s Rev. Kent Crawford, Parramatta Nepean Presbytery’s Rev. Dr Rob McFarlane and Geoff Stevenson, and UME’s David Cornford.

Jonathan Foye

Regional formation was recognised by discernment groups as being a need,

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LIVING CHURCH SYNOD 2019 | DAY THREE

HEAR THE

STATEMENT FROM THE HEART

T

he Synod agreed to a proposal to listen to the 2017 Statement from the Heart made at Uluru and commends the statement to congregations, presbyteries, and agencies.

It urges the NSW and ACT governments to “establish a process of agreement making between those governments and First Nations, and provide a means for truth-telling about the history of Australia’s first peoples.”

It also urges the Federal Government to implement a First Nations Voice to Parliament, enshrined in the constitution so as to “empower First Peoples to have a greater say in policy and legislation which governs their affairs.”

Rev. Dr Amelia Koh Butler and Rev. Dr John Squires spoke to the proposal.

Rev. Dr Squires said that the proposal reflected the church’s commitment to telling the truth.

“This truth is confronting and challenging,” he said.

LIVING CHURCH

LIVING CHURCH – GROWING CHURCH

“In the revised Preamble which was adopted a decade ago by the Uniting Church, we sought to tell the truth.”

“Drawing on the voices of Indigenous peoples, we have named the settlement of this continent as a colonising movement, generated by foreign imperialism, manifesting in violent invasion and genocidal massacres, spread from north to south, from east to west, of this continent.”

This truth is confronting and challenging “We must continue to prioritise this commitment to tell the truth.”

Rev. Dr Koh Butler said that their experience working alongside Congress had led both of them to want to introduce the proposal to Synod, which took place during NAIDOC week. She noted that Congress had consulted on the wording of the proposal.

Hayden Charles wanted to speak to the proposal, but needed to leave the Synod meeting early. In a statement he wrote for Rev. Dr Koh Butler to read out, he endorsed the proposal and flagged his support.

“I as a young aboriginal male feel it’s important to work together”.

The session also acknowledged Uniting NSW.ACT’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, which you can read here. [http://bit.ly/UnitingNSWACT-RAP] The proposal passed by consensus.

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POWER ISN’T ALWAYS A DIRTY WORD

The Vital Leadership team presented a worship on the place of power in mission and ministry drawing from Pauls 's letter to Timothy “God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline” 92 Timothy 1:6-7). Using the seven bases of power inspired from John French and Bertram Raven’s work, the attendees reflected power and influence. This workshop was designed to encourage good leadership practice that is selfaware and communally aware of the power in general and in particular as a gift when cultivated for the common good. Ben Gilmore Drawing on NCLS and Australian Community Survey data, and a congregation case study, the group unpacked the concepts of visibility, welcoming and inclusion. Everyone God sends is a gift to us, helping us to change to become the church God is calling us to be and to welcome new people into participation in God’s mission. David Cornford

WHAT TO COMMUNICATE AND HOW

As well as being a "how to" for presbytery communication and strategy the workshop was a launching pad for a series of capacity building opportunities that the Synod and Sydney Presbytery would like to roll out. The first of these is a Comms Network Facebook group which will be a collaborative exercise.

Jonathan Hirt ENABLING MISSION IN YOUR CONTEXT

Part of enabling mission in our context is to be able to understand our contexts using evidence-based, robust analysis and reflection. The NCLS Mission Planning tool, and its Community Social Profile workshop, does just that.

Jorge Rebolledo DOMESTIC & FAMILY VIOLENCE

This workshop offered practical assistance to Congregation and Presbyteries to find resources to help DFV victims. It dealt with common myths related to victims and perpetrators of DFV, laws governing DFV in NSW and Canberra, what research tells us makes people more vulnerable to DFV, strategies to help manage a DFV situation should it come to your location and the Importance of referral services.

It is hoped that in the near future a resource will be created to assist congregations understand and better equip them to deal with victims of violence. Rev. Mel Pouvalu

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION MATTHEW 28: 1-20

SYNOD BIBLE STUDY - DAY 1

WHAT MAKES THE CHURCH A LIVING CHURCH?

maintenance of a message. and fellowship; justice and In the first of three The church’s mission is to reconciliation; worship – yes, daily devotionals at understand that message, to these are all activities of the Synod 2019 focusing church, yet they alone are not live by that message, and to on Matt 28: 1-20, witness to that message, Rev our purpose.

Rev Walker said the Walker said. theme of ‘The Living “What the church is asked to Church” was bulging be, and more than that, what “Some will share with words, with profound and others will share with the church is called to be, is action for mercy and justice. questions: “Questions a witness. To bear witness Whichever is the case, there to the living Lord is what for this Synod, for constitutes the living church,” is a message which informs the Uniting Church all that we are, and all that he said. in Australia, and for we do. We have heard it this mainline Christian Quoting the Basis of Union, morning from Matthew denominations across he said “Through 28. We call that the West.” human witness In this first study, Rev Walker argued there were many vital things that the church did.

“Fostering community?

Absolutely. That is a core activity of the living church.

Our calling to be koinonia: a fellowship of many parts in the one body.

“Agents of justice and mercy?

Undoubtedly. This is the church as the diakonia: ministers of reconciliation, and servants of the world.

This, too, sounds very much like a living church.

“A people who worship?

Always. Yes. We gather to praise and pray, to listen for God’s Word in community, and to share bread and cup in remembrance of Christ’s suffering and to participate in the new creation.”

Yet Rev Walker asked: Are these what make the church the living church? Community

message the in word and Gospel,” he said. action, and TO BEAR Rev Walker in the power WITNESS TO said it was of the Holy THE LIVING a message Spirit, Christ LO RD I S W H AT that began reaches out CONSTITUTES with those to command THE LIVING first astonished people’s CHURCH and courageous attention and witnesses, and awaken faith’. It which we too are now is Christ who reaches called to share in Matthew out; Christ who commands 28:19-20. attention; Christ who awakens faith. Yet in one Rev Walker concluded: of God’s most inexplicable “Whenever the church’s focus manoeuvres, it is people becomes self-concern – How like you and me who bear can we make ourselves a witness to these actions of living church? – we have the living Lord. And those lost the way. Whenever the people, those witnesses, are church’s focus becomes the living church.” the living God, and bearing witness to gospel of Jesus “We cannot lose the language Christ, we become the living of the gospel, for that church once more.” language is our witness.

And that gospel is shared in Watch the full day one words and action.”

Bible Study online: The purpose, which tinyurl.com/day1biblestudy constitutes the church, is the

Read Matthew 28: 1-20 and the study ‘The Purpose of the Living Church’ 1. Without feeling there are right or wrong answers, how would you reply if asked ‘What is your definition of the church?’

2. And how might you reply

if asked, ‘What does the church offer that I cannot find elsewhere?’

3. W hat was your response

to the statement, “The living church is always and only ever identified by the presence of the living Lord”?

4. What are the signs of the

presence of the living Lord in your church community?

5. The Basis of Union speaks

of the importance of the church’s role to bear “human witness in word and action” to the Christ who reaches out through our human witness to awaken faith and call people to discipleship. Are you a ‘word’ person, an ‘action’ person, or both?

What might help you to feel better resourced and supported in your calling to be a witness to the living Lord? Who could you ask for those resources and support?

6. Read the section under

the sub-heading ‘The Purpose of the Church’. Is this a helpful summary of the purpose of the church?

What might be added or removed? Which phrases or insights stood out for you?

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SYNOD BIBLE STUDY - DAY 2

THE FOCUS

OF THE LIVING CHURCH What do we really mean when we speak of the church as a community in which there is unity in our diversity? We are an inclusive church that values diversity.

What does unity in diversity look like?

Rev Walker said that phrase ‘unity in diversity’ was a touchstone and perhaps the touchstone in how the Uniting Church described itself to the world.

Corinthians as ‘colourful racing identities’” he said A fresh group of Christian missionaries had arrived in Corinth and appeared to be undermining Paul’s teaching, he said.

“Second Corinthians is invaluable to us because Paul locates the way forward in unity for that UNITY IS congregation, LO C AT ED I N not in anything REMEMBERING they can do, THE ONE IN or provide, or WHOM THEY solve. Rather, ARE UNITED it is located in remembering the One in whom they are united,” Rev Walker said.

The second devotional looks at Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians to expand on the theme to speak about the focus of the living church.

“Paul faced quite a challenge in Corinth, which is often described as a tremendously licentious city … I suspect the Daily Telegraph would describe some of the

“Fighting among yourselves?

Remember that your focus is on Christ. Perplexed and driven to despair? Remember your focus is on Christ.

Starting to think that church is all about you? Remember that your focus is on Jesus,” Rev Walker said.

He also cited the 15th century theologian named Nicholas of Cusa who

developed an exercise – which required the monks to break their silence and speak to each other – to understand God’s gaze simultaneously rested on all people at all times – a revelation they could not comprehend without speaking to each other.

Rev Walker said sometimes the gaze can feel so generous upon us that we might mistakenly assume we are its sole recipients, or that ours is the only point from which to gain a correct perspective.

“Yet, as we listen with trust to those who see from other perspectives, we begin to attain an even fuller vision of the One whom we believe and know sees us all,” he said.

Rev Walker said Christ is the focus of the living church and unity of the living church is defined by the one upon whom we are all focused (3: 17-18).

Watch the full day two Bible Study online: tinyurl.com/day2biblestudy

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

2 CORINTHIANS 3: 1-18 Read 2 Corinthians 3: 1-18 and the Study ‘The Focus of the Living Church’ 1. If your church community

has experienced times of disunity, by what means have you sought to overcome it? If not, can you bring to mind signs of disunity you have seen in the wider church and ask, again, how have you observed people seeking to overcome the disunity?

2. What ‘treatment’ does Paul provide for disunity in Corinth?

3. Did you find Nicholas of

Cusa’s exercise around the all-seeing gaze a helpful or unhelpful way to reflect on how we deepen our knowledge (vision) of God? Why?

4. Did you find Nicholas’

exercise a helpful or unhelpful way to think about the church as a community in which there is both unity and diversity?

Why?

5. How, and through whom,

has your own knowledge (vision) of God been deepened? Who, or what, has helped make the Invisible visible to you?

6. ‘The unity of the living

church is located in the One upon whom we are all called to focus; the one face upon whom our diversity of faces are fixed.

And it is he, not us, who holds responsibility and authority to form from us an image of himself on earth.’

If Christ has responsibility and authority to form his disciples into an image of himself, what is the role of the church here?

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SYNOD BIBLE STUDY - DAY 3

THE IDENTITY

OF THE LIVING CHURCH Identity is important.

And it is fair to say the Uniting Church has spent a disproportionate amount of its energy on the question of its identity, Rev. Peter Walker has told the final day of The Living Church – Synod 2019.

Rev. Walker, in his third devotions, spoke about the power of identity in his study, “The Identity of the Living Church”.

“Among the more interesting political twists in recent times were the two electoral surprises of 2016: Britain’s vote to leave the European Union (Brexit) and the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. In both cases, the politics of identity was central,” he said.

Rev. Walker said identity was also a powerful and important issue for the church.

“Sometimes our unity is stretched and, when stretched, we begin to

question our identity. I think it would be fair to say the Uniting Church has spent a disproportionate amount of its energy on the question of its identity. How shall this new church be identified? It has, at times, been exhausting,” he said.

He said in writing to the church of Philippi, Paul was tackling a problem of identity and division (Phil: 4: 2-3).

Paul’s response to a practical problem is a big answer.

with this or that person? This or that group?

Rev. Walker said one of the earliest names bestowed upon Jesus was a form of Christian confession: Jesus is Lord. (Romans 10.9; Acts 2.36).

act of humble service. The centre of this hymn is also the centre-point of God’s reconciling grace, poured out for the whole creation.”

Rev. Walker said the purpose, the focus, and the identity of the living church was not about us.

“And that Lordship is not confined to this human realm; “They are all about the living “Paul seems instinctively to Lord; whose gospel is our to this ‘existence’. Christ is have known that all issues purpose, who is the focus Lord of that which exists in the Christian community of our unity and who, when before, that which exists are theological; and that the we allow the same mind now, and that which is to search for a solution to any to be in us – when we are come after. Every knee shall difficulty is always helped by bend, in heaven and on earth minding Christ – becomes the delivery of good theology,” and under the earth – in our identity,” he said. he said. other words, in all times and “Our calling is to bear witness throughout all places – and Paul saves for the Philippians to Jesus Christ who, in his every tongue confess that his best example of good own strange way, constitutes, ‘Jesus Christ is Lord’,” Rev theology delivered to solve rules, and renews [us] as his Walker said. a practical problem in 2:5Church. Then, by his grace, 7a. Are you in conflict and we become the living church.”

“It is vitally important, amid all unwilling to be reconciled? the imagery of glory, to stop Watch the full day three Are you identifying yourself and notice that the central Bible Study online: event in this drama is an tinyurl.com/day3biblestudy

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION PHILIPPIANS 2: 1-11

Read Philippians 2: 1-11 and the study ‘The Identity of the Living Church’ 1. Look again at the section of the study under

the sub-heading ‘Paul’s solution – good theology’. Paul addresses the problems in Corinth and Philippi with reminders of the one who unites Christians – the living Lord. Where is your church community looking for solutions to its problems? And the wider church?

2. The study seeks to broaden our sense of the

phrase ‘Let the same mind be in you’ (Phil 2:5) so that we may grasp Paul’s original intention.

‘Minding’ is a doing thing at least as much as having a particular ‘frame of mind’. Do you find this analogy helpful? If so, which gifts do you bring to the calling of ‘minding Christ’?

3. It is life-giving to know we have a personal

relationship with a God who reaches out to our inner self, yet our identity is vested in something greater than the inner self, or our favoured group. What is your identity? How has your identity been formed - and continues to be formed?

4. “There is no more ‘us or them’. There is not

even ‘us and them’. There is only we, in Him.” Is this achievable or just nice-sounding theology? Give some thought to any biblical passages, characters, or stories that come to mind as you read over this statement.

5. The identity of the living church is found in

our living Lord. How might you, your church community, and the Uniting Church in Australia become more closely identified with Christ?

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T H E T WO O F U S

What Living Church means to us LIZ DABBS

NORMANHURST UNITING CHURCH

At Synod this year we talked to a lot of different people throughout the meeting about some of the things about the Uniting Church that mattered to them. The focus of the Synod was about how we can have more impact in areas that matter to God like social justice, inequity, climate change and community engagement.

In response to the questions we asked about how the Church could grow in impact in the community, value the voices of young people and what as a Church we should focus our attention on, we had some amazing responses: To grow in impact we need to be very outward-looking and going out with a modern message and a message that is relevant to the lives of the people we’re speaking to. It’s very easy to sit on a Sunday and that which is familiar to us, but it doesn’t mean anything to the average person in the street who doesn’t ever come to church.

We must enable young people to

be free to express their faith

If we want to be relevant to young people, the first thing we should do is not go back to our old traditional ways and say ‘in my day this happened…’, but to treat young people with respect, and understand that they have their lives to live and we could be here with some experience of life to encourage and support. But we must enable young people to be free to express their faith and their lives in their own way.

REV. VINNIE RAVETALI

CHAPLAIN, MLC SCHOOL

We should be proud

I feel there is urgency around climate change and asylum seekers and I’m reminded of the saying that ‘whatever we are prepared to walk by and not comment upon, is the standard we have accepted’ and that cuts deeply with me and I think if we collaborate as a Christian church there more within Presbyteries is much action that we and Councils and talk to should be taking. each more I think that would be one of the ways in which we could grow as a Church.

I think one of the things we can do better is to advocate who we are as a Uniting Church. And this is not only to our schools but to the younger generation in whatever, way or form or shape that we can do, both locally within our Congregations and outside our Congregations or in society as a whole, and also to take up opportunities that are already in our Church. For example, in our schools we can demonstrate who we are and who we say we are as the Church.

that we are a Uniting Church!

We should be proud that we are a Uniting Church! We are as a Church already doing a lot of things in the advocacy space. For me personally, it is asylum seekers. I suppose as someone who is from another part of the world, my heart is with asylum seekers.

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LIVING CHURCH

Growing Church

David Cornford, Head of Mission Strategy at Uniting Mission and Education, begins an occasional series of articles exploring the dangerous idea that we might grow.

C

an our churches grow?

This is a good question to ask in the wake of our resolution at Synod 2019 to organise ourselves, to prioritise, promote and enable growth: • in discipleship,

Digging deeper, though, we find that about one third of churches had no newcomers, while about a sixth has more than 10% of their current members being newcomers.

So, some churches are doing a great job at being • actively visible and engaged in their community,

• in relationship, • in number, and • in impact within and through our congregations.

The answer appears to be – well, some of us can. It was a great pleasure to explore this issue with an enthusiastic group at a workshop during our recent Synod meeting.

In 2016, 5% of attenders in NSW ACT Uniting Churches were new to church in the last five years – these are people who did not transfer from another Uniting church, or a church of another denomination. This compares to 8% in 2011, according to the National Church Life Survey.

• effective in welcoming newcomers, and • deliberate at including and enfolding newcomers into the church community.

Sometimes we imagine that the whole idea of someone actually choosing to engage in a church community for the first time, as an expression of their new-found commitment to follow Jesus, is almost impossible. There are so many ways it’s possible to read the zeitgeist of our culture and conclude that Christianity and church is “on the nose”, and not worth promoting and “putting out there.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Religious and Spiritual self perceptions in Australia

Spiritual but not religious

13%

35% Nor religious and non spiritual

26%

26%

Practicing religious and spiritual

Non-Practicing religious and spiritual

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Newcomers to the church

Everyone God sends is a gift to us, helping us to change to become the church God is calling us to be

of churches had more than 10% newcomers of churches had no newcomers

about the types of events that is a gift to us, helping us to However, there are actually might offer an opportunity for some signs of opportunity. change to become the church church members to engage Analysing the results from God is calling us to be. and build community at the the Australian Community As your congregation starts edges of the congregation.

Survey, NCLS Research has Spiritual to prayerfully think about howbut not developed a model of the 13% to the church For these activities to be you can more intentionally religious Australian community in a life-giving part of church welcome, include and relation to religious practice. life leading to growth, they empower new disciples, This suggest while there is a will inevitably be an outletin Australia perhaps the first step is group in the community that of churches had more for the deep passion of the to encourage your current than 10% newcomers is both spiritual and religious congregation to love their members understand their and enact that with religious neighbour and dare to invite mission as “More people, 35% practice (such as attending of churches had no them into participating in the more like Jesus” - which Nor religious and newcomers church or another religious transforming work of Jesus. is quite different to “Morenon spiritual service), there is another People, Just like Us.” group of the same size that One thing’s for sure – is both spiritual and religious welcoming and enfolding but does not express that in newcomers into a engaging in public religious congregation will lead to practice. change. Everyone God sends

Newcomers

So, it might just be the case that there as many people in your community that would be at least open to considering joining in God’s mission through participation in a local church as there are currently doing so. That’s without considering how we might also engage with people less inclined – at the moment – to considering exploring the claims of Jesus.

Engagement and visibility within the community involves more than throwing out a bit of advertising for an event we imagine someone might come to. The graphs below (NCLS, 2016, NSW.ACT Synod) do give some encouragement

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Religious and Spiritual self perceptions

26%

26%

Musical

Events attendersEvent most likely to newcomers to

Musical Event

Public Dinner or Lunch

Picnic

Private Dinner or Lunch

Justice Event

Practicing reli and spiritual

Non-Practicin religious and spiritual

M A K I N G M O N E Y M AT T E R

T

HEADS or TAILS?

here was a funny moment during the recent cricket World Cup in England, in a press conference with the Australian captain, Aaron Finch. Australia were doing well in the competition, everyone felt good about how games were going and there was a light-hearted mood as Finch took questions.

One of the questions came from a 10 year old, Zachary, the son of former player, Brad Haddin.

“Are you going to win a coin toss?” was the probing question from young Zach, prompting raucous laughter from journalists in the room. Finch was on the brink of setting a record for losing the toss at the start of a match, by which the opposing captains determine which team will bat first. Correctly call heads or tails and you get to make that choice.

banned from playing for a year, and stripped of the chance to be leaders when they did return to the team.

They became tails rather than heads in the world of cricket.

There’s a monetary link to this head and tail idea. One of the themes among the blessings in Deuteronomy 28 is that the Israelites would be in a strong financial position and thus able to make plans to do things like feed their livestock so herds could grow, and to build houses and villages. They wouldn’t need to go into debt just to keep themselves alive, but would be in a position to provide funding and support to others. The curse upon disobedience includes financial impoverishment and dependence upon the good will of others.

We have to be careful not to do what many had done

by Jesus’ times and turn these principles into a BE CONTENT IN view that if you were rich you were blessed and ALL FINANCIAL Check out Deuteronomy chapter 28. that must mean you were holy, but if you were C IRC U M STA N C E S There you’ll find a list of the blessings poor then you were cursed and unworthy. That’s that would come upon the nation of not what God meant when he gave them the R E LY I N G F I R S T Israel if, when they entered the promised Law! We should read Deuteronomy 28 not as AND FOREMOST ON land, they kept to the ways of God as a a set of accounting standards, but as a faith GOD TO BE OUR community and as a nation. Most of these and relationship standard. Jesus’ version of that PROVIDER blessings are as you’d expect – the promise chapter is found in John 15. “Abide in me”, Jesus of good weather, good crops, strong families said, “and you will be fruitful.” (vs 5). Then later, “abide and success against enemies. Then at the end in my love, keep my commandments, and your joy will be comes this strange sounding promise: “And the Lord full” (from vs 9 – 11). will make you the head and not the tail.” (vs 13a) It’s great to have enough to help our families, churches and Not what you or I might naturally think when we wish good communities to grow, rather than scratching around to cover things to happen for someone! However, it’s quite a profound costs. I don’t discount that for a moment. Even more important, idea. Being the head and not the tail means that it’s a blessing however, is to learn to be content in all financial circumstances, to be the one setting the direction, rather than the one being relying first and foremost on God to be our provider, not dragged along behind. It means you get to have influence and chasing the false happiness of having more money and more impact, rather than being dictated to. wealth.

Did you know that there’s a bible verse that mentions heads and tails?

The opposite is pronounced in the second half of the chapter, which lists curses that would come on the people if they strayed from God, concluding with the warning that disobedience would mean that the stranger in their land would be the head and they the tail (vs 44).

To continue with a cricket theme, to illustrate what this means, I think of the ‘sandpaper scandal’ that engulfed the Australian team last year. Players like Steve Smith and David Warner had great influence and power in the team as the leaders, but their behaviour on that South African tour – falling well short of accepted standards – meant that they lost all that. They were

The apostle Paul spoke of this in Philippians 4, which provides a great example of someone who is experiencing the blessing of being the head and not the tail. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” he declared (vs 13).

May we declare that too.

Warren Bird Executive Director Uniting Financial Services

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C U LT U R E WATC H

FREEDOM of expression

Following national discussions of religious freedom and freedom of speech, Western lectionaries recently turned the attention of Christians toward the words of St. Paul’s in Galatians 5: For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Paul’s assertion here is, at first glance, rather tautological. Christ set us free for freedom—this seems rather obvious, not unlike if we were to say, “For coming to church we’ve come to church.”

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Why should such a strangely self-evident statement be necessary? Perhaps the problem lies in a misconstrual about what Paul might mean in the first place by “freedom.”

Luckily for us, Paul goes to some lengths in the remainder of Galatians 5 to clarify the distinctive understanding of freedom that Christians ought to have.

This is not an abstract or irrelevant issue. Indeed, the notion of “freedom” has generated often vicious public discussion and commentary, centred around one notorious (former) rugby player. I am interested in the discourse about freedom that is currently playing out in this country, and indeed, in our churches.

Since the time of the Enlightenment period of the 17th and 18th centuries—when the epistemological emphasis began to shift markedly from the community to the individual—the Western understanding of freedom has transformed radically. Charles Taylor has noted the way in which conceptions of political society, anthropology, and morality became preoccupied with the individual in the modern period, contributing to the establishment of an order focused on personal freedom and mutual benefit between free agents.

FREEDOM IN MODERNITY

In short, we began to understand freedom as the ability to take whatever actions we might choose without the interference of others, especially governments. Robert Filmer, the seventeenth century English political philosopher, articulated freedom as: A liberty for everyone to do what he likes, to live as he pleases, and not to be tied by any laws.

John Locke disagreed with Filmer’s definition, noting in Two Treatises on Government (1689) that freedom was constrained by laws of both the natural and political variety.

According to Locke, freedom entails the right of people to,

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follow their own will in all things that the law has not prohibited and … not be subject to the inconstant, uncertain, unknown, and arbitrary wills of others.

Likewise, the utilitarian philosopher John Stuart Mill wrote in On Liberty (1859) that,

The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs…

Though there are nuances in these philosophical treatments of freedom from the period, generally speaking freedom came to be understood as the ability to determine our own lives, to make whatever choices we might want, so long as those choices do not harm others. This is the way we continue to understand freedom in the Western world. When our contemporaries speak of being free, they generally mean what David Bentley Hart describes as “perfect, unconstrained spontaneity of individual will,” a concept that has a history.

Indeed, this is the default notion of freedom at the heart of debates around speech. In many cases, people assume that freedom of speech should mean that we ought to be able to say whatever we want. In other words, I should be able to say whatever I want without interference.

This belief is held, indeed asserted, by many Christians implanting themselves into public debate.

The problem for Christians is that this kind of thinking about freedom is not

remotely Christian. In the scheme of things, it is not even very old.

FREEDOM ACCORDING TO THE ANCIENTS

Many ancient philosopher held a manifestly different view of freedom, one that would become the prevailing Western outlook for centuries until the Enlightenment. For them, freedom was not merely being unrestrained in one’s choices. Aristotle believed defining freedom as doing what one likes is defining it poorly, since always acting according to one’s desires is a kind of slavery.

Aristotle’s understanding of freedom is complex, but he viewed the final cause of a thing— its purpose or goal—as that which provides the intended direction of its existence. For Aristotle, freedom entails not the execution of arbitrary will, but rather the fulfilment of one’s true and essential nature.

it is for freedom that Christ set us free, we can begin to understand what he might have meant.

It is to fulfil our reason for having been created that Christ liberated us. It is to participate in the grand story of God creating and restoring the world that we have been set free.

This is confirmed in Paul’s exposition of freedom in Galatians 5:13–25: For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not destroyed by one another.

It is to participate in the grand story of God creating and restoring the world that we have been set free

For these ancients, freedom was viewed as the ability to fulfil the essential purpose for which one exists. In their minds, freedom was freedom for something. They generally agreed that being free meant realising whatever this purpose is, and that untrained impulses, insofar as they interfere with our living out of virtue, encumber freedom.

There is a vast difference between this kind of thinking about freedom and our own. One with this elder understanding of freedom might ask: Why am I here?

What kind of person am I supposed to be? What is the story of which I am a part, and how do I properly participate in it?

FREEDOM ACCORDING TO ST. PAUL

While I do not expect anyone to embrace this understanding of freedom simply because it was held by eminent ancient philosophers, Christians should attend carefully to it. It was the notion of freedom that was taken for granted by the authors of Scripture. For them, the telos to which freedom is directed is God’s purposes. So, when Paul says that

Walk in spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the spirit, and what the spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.

But if you are led in spirit, you are not subject to the [Mosaic] Law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: whoring, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, rages, rivalries, dissensions, heresies, envies, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

By contrast, the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfmastery. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live in spirit, let us also be aligned with spirit.

Such a text asks us to consider who it is that is really free. Is the person whose life is led by the power of their latest whim really free? Is the person who makes seemingly free choices to satiate their fleeting desires really free?

Who, or what, is really in control in such circumstances?

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On the other hand, was Mother Teresa free? If she was, she probably did not feel that she had much of a choice to live in the way that she did. Or was Jean Vanier, the founder of L’Arche (a movement of people with and without intellectual disabilities living together in community), free? I suspect that, if you were able to procure an unfiltered answer, most of us in liberal democracies would say spending one’s life living in community with people with intellectual disabilities is sacrificing one’s freedom, not expressing it. Paul challenges us to consider the way in which we have become obsessed with protecting our ability to make whatever choices we might want.

When we walk in step with spirit, led by God and not by our own longings, we will experience the true freedom of living into our very reason for existence, displaying the fruit of such true freedom—love, joy, peace, and self-mastery.

According to Paul, a life lived in utter freedom, shaped by love, would probably yield very few choices for us. And we would willingly hand over our choices knowing that we were participating in a story bigger than ourselves, fulfilling the very reason for which we were created.

FREE SPEECH: WHEN IS IT TRULY FREE?

How are our lives, individually and as a community oriented towards participating in this kind of loving self-giving freedom? confronting. Jesus’ interactions with the powerful were not always “nice.”

But note that, even when Jesus was speaking the truth in confronting ways, it was always from a place of love, not self-expression or -assertion, or domination (e.g., Mark 10:21).

In saying all of this, I am not seeking to be critical of those outside of the church while giving those within the church a pat on the back. Paul’s teaching is, after all, aimed at those within the church.

I would suggest that much Christian rhetoric today is driven not by God’s love, but by our fear—our fear of losing our power and privileges, of becoming marginal in society.

To go back to the issue of freedom of speech, it seems many Christians want to enshrine their ability to say whatever they want in the public sphere, especially with regard to LGBTIQ people.

Such fear betrays our lack of trust in a God of whom Scripture reminds us is working all things to their intended point in history, a plan in which we are invited to participate.

I have bad news for them: following Jesus means we do not get to say whatever we want.

If freedom is the fulfilling of our Godgiven purpose of conforming to the image of Jesus and participating in God’s renewal of all creation, then our “freedom of speech” takes a very particular form. Freedom of speech for Christians is speech which contributes to our being formed into the likeness of Jesus, and to our participating in God’s love-filled mission of restoration for the world.

This is not to say that our speech should not be truthful, or at times even

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FREEDOM FOR

In another lectionary reading, we see Jesus, at the height of his popularity, turn his face toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51ff). For him, perfect freedom was expressed in his willingness to head into the midst of conflict, to lovingly confront the powers that had rebelled against God, and to die for the sins of the world.

This kind of freedom is the moment to which all Scripture points, the moment that defines the story of which we are a part.

Jesus’ freedom in his willingness to face suffering for the benefit of his enemies

is contrasted in Luke 9:51–55 with the disciples’ assumption that their opponents should incur retribution by way of fire from heaven (9:54). Perhaps they thought the expression of their freedom meant participating in the punishment of their opponents.

Jesus simply rebukes them—they do not understand his mission.

In Jesus we witness freedom expressed for the reconciliation of the world, even to the point of suffering and death. For followers of this person, the question looms: How are our lives, individually and as a community, oriented towards participating in this kind of loving, self-giving freedom? This is particularly relevant, given certain recent responses by Christians to those with whom they disagree.

Learning to be free is an ongoing process for an entire community—there are no easy answers, only the daily grind of life together forming us into more faithful people. Christians need to unlearn the concept of freedom that we have inherited from modernity. We need to learn a new (or old) kind of freedom, one rooted in serving God and others, and dying to ourselves.

Until then, we may not have the practical and incarnational resources necessary to authoritatively weigh in on debates about freedom of speech, religious freedom, and so forth. In other words, we should take extreme care in how we engage in such public conversations since our witness to true freedom is currently quite weak.

This piece originally appeared on Life Remixed.

Matt Anslow

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

Synod Reflections

John Squires reflects on the Living Church Synod 2019, and what it means to be the Church.

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ynod this year was a rich experience of being the church. In the church, we are young and old, and at every point in between. In the church, we are black, brown, and white; we have round eyes and almond eyes, curly black hair and shiny bald pates, flowing blonde hair and cropped short hair.

Paul as well as medieval and reformed church leaders, focussing us on the Christ who is the unifying centre of our diversity. Pastor Jon Owen spoke of working on the ground with people, in inner city Melbourne and now, in his current role with Wayside Chapel in Sydney.

Around 15 people from the Canberra Region Presbytery attended the three days of Synod this year, in grounds of one of the Uniting Church schools, Knox Grammar, in Wahroonga. We were part of over 300 people who participated in the meeting.

And we listened some more.

Karina Kreminski inspired us to consider “what in the world is God up to?” in our neighbourhood. And Josh Gilbert, a young indigenous farming man, spoke with passion and commitment about how it is possible to have an impact, to make the changes that will enable us to reduce our carbon footprint and move towards a healthier environment for future generations.

During Synod, we worshipped. Each day began with worship, supported by an amazingly-gifted group of musicians, filled with prayers and songs and scripture and silence. Each day ended with worship, with an act of reflection based on doing, not just listening.

At regular points, we were invited to pause, reflect, share, or pray about what we had been considering. In one session, we prepared for prayer by writing words of gratitude on a piece of paper, folding it into the shape of a plane; and then we prayed by sending the plane shooting through the air to the accompaniment of a resounding AMEN! During Synod, we listened. Principal Peter Walker led three studies on scripture, drawing from the letters of

In two sessions, we met in smaller Discernment Groups of about ten people, to give focussed attention to one or two specific matters each day.

Feedback from each group is then collated and fed back, the next day, to the Synod meeting in plenary session.

This is an important part of the way that the Uniting Church attends to business in its councils. Each person’s WE WERE view is important, and INVITED TO Discernment Groups PA U S E , R E F L EC T, provide an opportunity SH A RE OR PR AY for everyone, even A B O U T W H AT the shyest person, WE HAD BEEN to contribute to the making of policy.

CONSIDERING

During Synod, we deliberated. Each day we listened to proposals, deliberated about clauses, discussed action plans, explored and debated and applauded and sighed and waved cards, making decisions about matters of significance within the church and across our society.

This is the business component of Synod, and it is always important to give adequate time to prayerful consideration and thoughtful discussion of the array of proposals presented to the Synod.

One thing that the Uniting Church does well, is advocate. On the first day, we spent a productive time exploring a comprehensive report on what is being done, and considering what might be done, to advocate for the needs and of particular groups in our society. The Uniting Church has been the lead body in seeking fair treatment in relation to illicit drug usage, and very active in the Give Hope campaign for Asylum Seekers and Refugees.

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turnover of senior leadership within the Synod, and changing expectations in society were the motivators for this decision.

The Uniting Church has been involved in the broad community movement to seek better arrangements for Affordable Housing in Sydney, and relentless in pursuing responsible living within our environment and climate change advocacy. There has also been involvement in policy development relating to domestic and family violence, as well as the scourge of poker machine gambling. We were asked to consider what other issues required attention.

In one session, a large group of younger members of the Synod gathered on the stage, along with the Uniting Earth Advocates and the Uniting Director of Mission, Communities and Social Impact.

They made a compelling presentation which convinced the Synod to adopt a Climate Change Strategy Plan. This has multiple elements, each of which needs significant and sustained buy-in from all of us across the Synod.

We adopted another proposal which urges the people across the Synod to Focus on Growth in a wide variety of ways: growth in discipleship and growth in relationships, as well as growth in numbers and in impacts. This is to be a priority for Congregations and Presbyteries in the coming years.

We approved a Renewed Vision for Formation, to engage people across the church in forming leaders in local contexts, discerning those gifted for ministry, and providing deeper Formation all pathways for those candidating for a specified ministry within the church.

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Members of Synod are drawn from all fourteen presbyteries across NSW and the ACT, as well as from the Congress of First Peoples. Not every congregation has a person present at Synod—some have multiple members present. There is always an equal number of ordained and lay people attending, and CALD groups were particularly in evidence throughout the meeting—Korean, Tongan, Fijian, Samoan, Kiribati, and no doubt a number of other ethnicities. It was great to see the substantial number of I T WA S G RE AT younger delegates present.

TO SEE THE Almost one third of the S U B STA N T I A L membership was attending NUMBER OF their first Synod meeting. We well depicted the diversity YOUNGER of people of faith in our D EL EG AT E S contemporary church.

PRESENT

And we enthusiastically supported a set of proposals, shaped around the theme of NAIDOC Week 2019 (Giving Voice, Telling Truth, Talking Treaty) to encourage people across the church to become better aware of how to relate to First Peoples and to advocate with our governments for treaties to be established with First Peoples nations.

During Synod, we learnt and rejoiced.

There were evening events outside the ‘business sessions” during Synod: the screening of the powerful documentary ‘Half a Million Steps’, highlighting the plight of people struggling to access drug treatment as part of the Unitingled Fair Treatment campaign; and a Saturday night festive Revivify Worship Event with music from various cultures and a keynote address from Jon Owen.

During Synod, we made a bunch of regular administrative decisions. People were elected to vacancies on each of the four Synod Boards, as well as a new group of twelve people to serve as members of the Standing Committee of the Synod until the next meeting in 2020.

Synod decided to extend the term of the Moderator, Rev. Simon Hansford, by another three years. With this extension, the Moderator’s term will now finish in 2023. The combination of significant

The meeting ended with a final worship service, featuring lively music, moving prayers, and thoughtful reflection on the three days of this gathering.

Synod meetings always serve an important personal function as well.

After a couple of years interstate for Elizabeth and myself, this meeting offered us both opportunities to catch up with friends and colleagues from many different locations, as well as to meet new people and find out about the challenges and opportunities facing these folk. Those opportunities were greatly appreciated. It also offered opportunity to network in strategic ways about specific matters in our current placements. So that made attending the Synod a most worthwhile, enjoyable, and productive experience.

Rev. Dr John Squires is currently undertaking an Intentional Interim Ministry with Queanbeyan Uniting Church.

This reflection originally appeared on his blog, An Informed Faith johntsquires.com

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

SEPTEMBER

1 SEPTEMBER, LUKE 14:1-14

A banquet. A celebration. A good time for everyone! A table, filled to overflowing with food and drink. All the people who mattered would be there.

An opportunity for networking, hobnobbing, social climbing.

Make sure you grab the best seats, the most strategic seats!

Not so, says Jesus. When you go to such a banquet, don’t expect to get back all sorts of benefits for yourself.

Don’t sit in the best seats.

Don’t go fixated on your own needs. Remember those who never get invited to the table. Remember those who are always outside, uninvited, unwelcome, cast aside.

Remember them, and invite them in, and give them the places that you would earlier have given to the wellconnected, the well-off, the wealthy and the powerful. For that is the Gospel.

8 SEPTEMBER LUKE 14:25-33

Carry the cross. Count the cost. Make your preparations.

Divest your possessions.

Clear words; compelling words; challenging words, indeed! We know these words, from the Gospels that tell of Jesus. That’s what discipleship is, for us all.

Yet: how can we possibly live our lives in faithfulness to these commands, bearing the weight of pressure and demand? Or to be alienated from those nearest to us, disconnected from family members we love?

Jesus speaks of hatred: you can’t be with him unless you hate your family members!

How do you understand this disturbing instruction? Is it

Seeking the lost

hyperbole, exaggeration to get an effect? Or is it a call to get our priorities straight, to give our primary allegiance to the one whom we follow by faith?

Discipleship is always about being disturbed. This story certainly upends our familiar understandings.

15 SEPTEMBER LUKE 15:1-10

Jesus tells two stories with the same point: Seek the lost. For that is the Gospel.

Now, that’s a standard catchcry in certain sections of the church. Seek the lost, to press them to convert. Seek the lost, so that they can gain their eternal salvation. But that’s not what the two stories actually say. They tell of people who go I search of the lost in order to find them, just exactly as they are. Nothing about change; nothing about repentance; nothing about converting. Just, seek and look for and search—and find; and then rejoice, and celebrate, and resume life.

The coin stays the same, whilst it is lost and once it is found. The sheep remains the same, when it is wandering and once it is back with the fold. And remember—there is a third story about lostand-found, told in this same chapter (the lost younger son, who returned home; and the lost older son, who stayed at home). In that story, also, each lost son is valued and celebrated simply for who they are. No requirement of change. Simply, you were lost; now you are found.

That’s the Gospel: seek, and find, and rejoice. No pressure.

No expectation. Just open, welcoming, honest relating.

Seek the lost. And rejoice.

Seek, find and rejoice. No pressure.

No expectation 29 SEPTEMBER LUKE 16:19-31

One way of understanding our Christian faith is that it is LUKE 16:1-13 Many of the stories that Jesus about rewards in heaven for the faithful and righteous. The told are troubling. There flip side of this is the eternal are relatively few tales of judgement that is brought comfort, many more stories upon the unfaithful and of challenge and disturbance. unrighteous. You can probably This one is certainly one of them. The manager is labelled name people who advocate as dishonest. It looks like that, for this understanding. A focus on the rewards of the in our terms. But was he? afterlife and the promise of In ancient Semitic cultures, a place in heaven form part his actions were expected. of the belief system of many Required, in fact. Looking out people, both those who are for your master—the one who “active” within the church gives you a job, the one who as well as “lapsed” in the provides shelter for you—was practice of their faith. expected. Brokering outcomes However: I see this parable on behalf of the one who in a different light. The provided you with food and punchline tag which Luke shelter was a cultural norm. reports invites us to hear He was being shrewd—not this, not as a vision of “what dishonest. The manager did what was expected in terms of life will be like in the afterlife in heaven”, but rather as his cultural context. instruction as to how we are We read this, and squirm. It to live here on earth, in the disturbs us. We value honesty, here-and-now. Repentance ethical behaviour, moral in the present will mean that uprightness. The manager the poor man, Lazarus, will seems to behave in ways be treated entirely differently that are contrary to such from the way that is described expectations. We need to in verses 20-21. Faith doesn’t work at understanding this deliver us a guarantee behaviour in a context quite from God about our eternal different from our own cultural destiny. Faith invites us into setting. And if that is so for costly, relational discipleship— this parable—how much more including caring for those most is it so, for other parts of vulnerable and in need. scripture?

22 SEPTEMBER

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

OCTOBER

6 OCTOBER

Upending Expectations

LUKE 17:5-10

This passage speaks of faith.

Faith is not doctrine or dogma.

Faith is about openness and risk. Faith is an invitation to enter into a relationship of trust; to commit to walking onwards with Jesus, without certainty of the destination or even any guarantee about the nature of the journey.

The dramatic picture of faith that Jesus paints in verse 6 is not to be taken literally; it is a word-picture, evocatively dramatic, inviting us to imagine: what would life be like if we had deep faith?

I envisage a life filled with disturbances, akin to the uprooting of trees and the planting of those trees in the ocean. That is not a normal process. That is a disturbance to the regular flow of things.

lived out their faith in different ways.

Jesus was not perturbed by the apparent differences between the southerners in Judea and those northern Samaritans. Indeed, for many chapters of Luke’s Gospel, he had been travelling amongst the Samaritans (see 9:5162). He told a story which commended a Samaritan, of all people, for his faithful service (10:29-37). And here, he consciously heals a group of lepers which included, amongst their members, a despised Samaritan.

Yet it is that outcast who returns to thank Jesus for his healing powers. Jesus reinforces his surprise by calling this healed man a “foreigner” (in Greek, allogenes; literally, a person Yet alongside this, the parable “from another people”). In the world of Jesus, boundaries of verses 7-10 offers a and barriers are there to be reminder that the journey of breached! Inclusion means faith places demands on us. reaching out beyond barriers, Discipleship which disturbs incorporating outsiders, our life beckons us into ways widening the scope of the of living that bring sets of circle to encompass a greater responsibilities with them. diversity. That’s the Gospel in Like the servants in the story, action. we have work to do as people of faith.

20 OCTOBER

13 OCTOBER LUKE 17:11-19

Now here is a story to unsettle and disturb! The fraught relationship between Judeans and Samaritans in the first century was well known.

Worship in the northern style, based at Shechem, was different from the southern style in Jerusalem. Beliefs were different, too, even though both groups claimed Moses as the key figure in their past. Both had the Ten Commandments, but they

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LUKE 18:1-8

This parable is a story about persistence. Don’t give up! Yet a standard way of interpreting parables is to allegorise them. That means, drawing clear lines of connection between the characters in the story, and people in real life. Classically, the judge who is being disturbed by the widow is equated with God. The persistent widow is equated with faithful people, praying to God. If that is done, then we are provided a most disturbing picture of God.

Inclusion means reaching out beyond barriers Whilst we pray, hopefully and persistently, God appears to be deaf to our pleas, and resents having to attend to our needs.

What about turning this on its head. Why not see the judge as a symbol of human systems, and the woman as a picture of God? The woman puts the requests of God into action. She represents people of faith who are active in seeking justice in this world. Such people regularly find disinterest, resistance, even strenuous opposition, to their pleas. The system remains unmoved by calls for compassion (think refugees and asylum seekers, think Indigenous peoples, think people below the poverty line on an inadequate income).

And, in fact, if we explore the word used to describe the widow, usually translated as “persistent”, we will find that the original Greek is “shameless”. How about that picture of God, as shamelessly persistent in his demands on we human beings? Does that disturb us? shock us?

27 OCTOBER LUKE 18:9-14

Two men. Two actions. Two attitudes: righteousness, and contempt. What a contrast!

One man affirms his absolute certainty about the whole of his life: “I thank God”, he declares, that he is morally upright and scrupulous in his religious observance. The other man shows vulnerability, demonstrating openness to whatever life will bring his way: “God, be merciful..”. One man represents prestigious power and dogmatic assurance. The other man signals risk and an openness to exploration.

The scene ends with a familiar refrain from Jesus, who perpetually upends expectations. The exalted will be humbled and the humble exalted… the first will be last and last first… the greatest will serve and the servant will be lifted up. Jesus learnt about this upheaval from his mother (Luke 1:46-55).

He proclaimed it in his own keynote message (Luke 4:16-20). He lived it in his own actions, as he bent down to heal and knelt to wash feet.

That is the disturbing pathway which is provided through faithful discipleship. As Jesus said, and did, so we are to follow, and live.

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

NOVEMBER

Disturbing Discipleship 3 NOVEMBER LUKE 19:1-10

Is this a story about eternal salvation? Look at verse 9; that clearly identifies salvation as the focus of the story. But is this eternal salvation in the future? What is happening in the present, within this story? Perhaps it is better understood as a story about incarnated hospitality? Notice the action of Zacchaeus in verse 6; he happily welcomed Jesus into his home.

Or perhaps this is more a story about economic responsibility? Look at what Zacchaeus promises in verse 8; he makes a serious and sustained financial commitment, to match his hospitable welcoming of Jesus. So perhaps this scene is telling us that salvation does not come unless behaviours change and relationships are fostered through persistent seeking and gracious hospitality? This is a scene of a life disrupted, of discipleship disturbed.

Salvation is not held off into the promised future; salvation makes a tangible difference, here and now, in the present time: today salvation has come to this house!

10 NOVEMBER LUKE 20:27-38

Debate about the afterlife was common in the time of Jesus. Some scoffed at the idea. Others yearned to experience that reality beyond our current reality.

God rewarded or punished people in this lifetime. There was no “life after death”, so the present was al there is for God to judge people. The Pharisees disagreed, drawing on a particular interpretation

of some prophetic verses to argue that it was, indeed, in the afterlife that God bestowed his blessings or curses on people, in accordance with their faithfulness.

The same attitudes persist today. What will life be like in the “afterlife”? What will we be doing when we are in the mysterious presence of God into eternity? People still wonder. The hypothetical question of the Sadducees was intended to trip Jesus up.

Jesus avoids the trap, jumps over the snare, and focusses on what is most important.

Worry not about God in relation to the dead; focus on the now, on what we do in our lives, on how God is the God of the living.

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will mark the lives of faithful disciples; but this is not a signal of the approaching end, for rather, this is a time to bear witness to your faith (v.12-13). The fundamental quality of faithful discipleship will be endurance (v.19). For Luke, the focus that Jesus offers is not about signs of the approaching end; rather, his concern is for faithful discipleship in our present lives.

24 NOVEMBER LUKE 23:33-43

At the very end of “the Christian year”, we have this story from the end of the earthly lifetime of Jesus. Next week, we start into Advent, the annual preparation for birth festivities. Before that, however, we pause and focus on this image of Jesus:

This scene contains paradox upon paradox. It is a passage set for the Sunday which bears the traditional name of “Christ the King” Sunday, but the image of the ruling anointed one is filled with human frailty and human despair, with political denigration and inhumane mistreatment. The way that Christ brings power and authority to bear into the world, is through submission to acts of insult and injury.

The pattern of authority that we follow is through humble submission and non-violent advocacy, not through any flexing of muscle or imposing of power. That is the disturbing element of discipleship that this last Sunday of the year places before us.

LUKE 21:5-19

We are drawing near to the end of “the Christian year”. It started with Advent, in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. As we draw near to the end of the yearly cycle, we encounter readings focussed on the end of time. How do we know what that time will look like?

Three of the Gospel writers were bold enough to attribute words to Jesus which describe the events leading up to that end of time.

As Luke recounts the words of Jesus concerning these vents, he offers clear markers for us to note. He has Jesus disturb the orientation towards “how soon is the end coming?”

Wars and insurrections do not signal the approaching end; do not get caught into thinking that the end is soon (v9-10).

Times of persecution and trial

The pattern of authority that we follow is through humble submission hanging suspended on a cross, named as a common criminal, gasping desperately for breath, mocked by those charged to ensure that he dies, surrounded by others committed as criminals for their treasonous actions.

The Lectionary Reflections for Spring were prepared

by Rev. John Squires, who is currently undertaking an Intentional Interim Ministry with Queanbeyan Uniting Church.

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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 )

BRING A PLATE

Fellowship news

The recipe and devotion booklet -- Bring a Plate -- prepared for the UCAF Synod Committee has been very well received and has being enjoyed by Church groups all over the State.

RALLIES AND GATHERINGS

Illawarra Presbytery held their day at Albion Park with 70 attending. Mrs Cath Taylor from Uniting World spoke about her travels in Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea. The theme for the day was centred on theological training of women in the Pacific.

In the afternoon David Lester from Triple Care Farm a centre at Robinson owned by Mission Australia which helps young people addicted to drugs and alcohol. Special Certificates were also presented by Rev Noreen Towers to the 80 and 90 year old’s who have faithfully served their Fellowships and Churches over many years. Offering was shared with Uniting World and Triple Care Farm.

A number of Synod Committee members joined Mid North Coast Presbytery at Coffs Harbour for their Rally. Eight Churches were represented and greeted by Rev Myung Hwa Park. Mardi Lumsden from Uniting World spoke at the event. The day featured stories of ‘Women in Ministries in the South Pacific’ highlighting one of the NSW/ACT projects for 2019-2021. In the afternoon Chris Spencer, General Manager of Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance Aboriginal Corporation spoke on events and programs that encouraged “Reconciliation”.

Paramatta-Nepean Presbytery held their Gathering at St Mary's Uniting Church with special speaker Rev. John Dacey from Bidwill Uniting. In the afternoon the St Marys Child Care Director shared how to run a Christian Child Care Centre and honouring other faiths.

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FAITHFUL SERVICE

The Synod Committee continues to honour the 80 and 90 year old’s in Congregations who have faithfully served their Churches.

Please notify Laraine Jones UCAF Secretary as they are being honoured at Rallies.

POWERFUL MOMENTS

Rev. Noreen Towers released another “Powerful Moments” booklet in time for Synod. Called “This is My Story” it featured “Sharing Stories-Sowing Seeds”.

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Packs of Christmas cards have arrived and will be available at Rallies and other functions. They support the work of Frontier Services. There are five designs and will be $9 for a pack of ten cards plus postage. They will be part of sales items and will be available from Judy Hicks (02 4933 3703).

UPDATES

• The Stamp Committee continues to receive donations and total at 14th June was $12,200.

•

National UCAF Chairperson Joan Woodward will be visiting NSW/ACT in August.

FUTURE EVENTS

•

Mid North Coast 11 September at Laurieton.

•

Macquarie Darling 21 September at Orange.

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

“Footsteps of Jesus� Pilgrimage JUNE 5-13, 2020 This special Holy Land pilgrimage traverses the footsteps of Jesus, visiting the town of his youth, the villages where he ministered, the sites of important miracles, and his route to Jerusalem. See where he spent his last days and meet locals through our unique ‘breaking bread’ experiences. Rediscover your faith in this once in a lifetime journey.

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• Be baptized at the authentic site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist • Meander through Nazareth & the Basilica of the Annunciation • View the cave where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary • Meet with local Christians, Moslems and Jews • Take time for prayer at the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus gave His sermon on the Mount • Tour ancient Samaria and visit Jacob’s Well and Mt. Gerizim • Enjoy a lively boat ride on the sparkling Sea of Galilee • Tour the Old City of Jerusalem • Touch the Western Wall • Float in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth • Enjoy a Shabbat dinner with a local Jewish family 8 nights, deluxe, 5-star boutique hotels, most meals including our signature ‘Breaking Bread’ experiences, airport transfers, guide, bus, etc.

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REVIEWS

Entertain me REA D THIS

REA D THIS

GROWING YOUNG

ANGELS: A VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE HISTORY

“All churches are growing old but strategic churches are growing young.” This is the opening line of the growing young website: churchesgrowingyoung.com. Here you can find a wealth of wisdom from research conducted through Fuller Youth Institute.

Our workshop at Synod was a brief introduction to this research and an exploration into the 6 key strategies they have isolated to help churches grow young.

These concepts any church who want young people to be part of their community can benefit from.

The first strategy is keychain leadership, sharing power and handing over power at the right time in the right way.The second is learning and empathising with you people. The third is the importance of keeping Jesus message and life key.

The fourth, having a warm community that cares and welcomes all people. The fifth is prioritise young people everywhere, in all you do, leadership, worship, discipleship and pastoral care. Finally as a church be the best neighbours and give the young people the chance to be the best neighbours too.

A great resource to audit your church and see where you could be doing better

Whilst the book and research targets young people the concepts work well if you want to reach children and families or people from different cultures.

The book is easy to read and could be studied a chapter a month by church councils or leadership teams. Even if you are doing well with young people it is a great resource to audit your church and see where you could be doing better.

Pulse and Camden Theological Library have a number of copies of the book and the website has great resources for congregations. It’s well worth a look.

Karen Mitchell Lambert

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French theologian Jacques Ellul once wrote, in typically contrarian fashion, that the Old Testament idea of angels is more message than messenger, and that speculating about what kind of individuals they are is a distraction from focussing on God’s word. But of course, over the centuries there has been much speculation. Saint Augustine thought angels were beings of pure light. Thomas Aquinas thought they were made of condensed air. As is clear from this, it isn’t easy to describe something without physical existence.

Indeed, the more recent idea of an angel is a guardian angel.

Stanford mentions it only in passing, but in the nineteenth century there was a huge trade in paintings and prints of guardian angels watching over children on rickety bridges or cliff edges, the most famous, almost iconic, images being by Bernhard Plockhorst and Hans Zatzka. To our eyes these might seem sentimental and kitschy (which actually endears them to some collectors), but they express a commonly held belief about the role of angels. Yet this concept of a guardian angel is a tricky one. When children die, are their guardian angels incompetent and negligent?

The earliest Christian art didn’t depict angels with wings. Over the centuries, though, ‘angelology’ has got stronger, and, says Stanford, the concept of hosts of angels was so ingrained in a Western spiritual worldview that their existence was simply not questioned. In the organisation of the cosmos (in Stanford’s image), God was the CEO and angels the middle-management, handling the details.

In the Renaissance, angels were given more character, and got mixed up with the cupids of Greek mythology to create the familiar, comic image of winged toddlers. Probably the most reproduced image of these putti is Raphael’s portraits of two bored-looking cherubs at the bottom of the Sistine Madonna painting seemingly leaning on the altar. These messy-haired scamps are far from Augustine’s beings of pure light.

The contemporary proliferation of images of these cherubs suggests an emotional connection, a longing for something or someone to bridge the personal and divine, to connect God and human beings, close to us, sharing our fears but able to communicate with God. Stanford is sympathetic to such a longing, but, then again, as Saint Paul notes, we already have that figure in Jesus.

Nick Mattiske blogs on books at coburgreviewofbooks.wordpress.com

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