North Coast Anglican - Summer Edition 2022

North Coast Anglican

'Unfinished Business' Celebrating 30 Years of Women's Ordinations

Archbishop Justin visits flood affected Northern Rivers & surrounds

The Archbishop of Canterbury's Historic First Visit

Excerpts from the Bishop's trip to the 15th Lambeth Conference in the UK

'Reflections on Lambeth' with Bishop Murray

The 2022 MOW Conference, attended by Archdeacon Kay Hart and Canon Angela Dutton

Acknowledging Country

I acknowledge the Bundjalung, Arakwal, Yaegl, Githabul, Gumbayngirr, Dunghutti and Birpai peoples, the traditional custodians of the lands on which the Diocese of Grafton is based. I pay tribute and respect to the elders of these nations and peoples, both past, present and emerging, acknowledge their continuing connection to the land and waters, and thank them for their protection of the mountains, hinterland, waters and coastline since time immemorial.

North Coast Anglican

TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

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The Rev'd Vivian Hoskins, Jan Fryer, Kaytrina Jessup, The Ven. Tiffany Sparks, Anne Weekley

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PO Box 4 Grafton NSW 2460 nca@graftondiocese.org.au

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Yoohoo McPhee - Grafton

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Front Page Image: The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby & Mayor of Lismore Steve Krieg. Back Cover Image: Corcoran Park jetty at sunrise, Grafton

The Baptistry of Grafton Cathedral proudly displays Yaegl artist Frances Belle Parker's painting, which evokes the life-giving capacities of the Clarence River and reminds us that we stand on country that has long been sacred to the Indigenous peoples of this ancient land. In the spirit of Jacaranda Festival, the Cathedral community put together some beautiful flower arrangements for the locals and tourists to enjoy while exploring the city during this time of celebration.

A Letter from the Bishop

Accordingto Luke’s Gospel, the message of the Angel Gabriel to Mary was “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus” (1:31). In her reply, Mary said “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her” (1:38).

The word 'behold' appears over 1000 times in the King James Version, nine times alone in Luke’s account of the birth narrative. 'Behold' often translates the Greek word 'theaomai' which means attentive seeing, visionary seeing or the apprehension of higher realities. It draws our attention to what God is doing. It says, look, the Good News is appearing before your eyes! The word behold invites us into the scene, to participate in, and to witness, this amazing revelation. Sadly in more modern translations of the Bible the word behold has been replaced by more familiar words that we use in everyday language such as look and see. If I witness a stunning sunset I probably won’t say, “Behold, a great sunset!”. I’d be more likely to say, “Check this out!”.

In the NRSV Gabriel doesn’t say “behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy” but rather, “see, I am bringing you good news of great joy” (2:10).

God’s salvation broke into the lives of Mary, Joseph and Elizabeth as recorded in the scriptures. As we encounter these passages in the seasons of Advent and Christmas may we receive them with fresh eyes and ears. After all, we are different people to what we were this time last year – we’ve lived through devastating floods and another year of a global pandemic. What are these passages saying to us now? Advent is a season of waiting, hoping and expectation. Are we ready to behold? What is the reality and deeper meaning that these passages tell? If we truly behold what God is doing we are not just onlookers but participants.

Advent is a season of waiting, hoping and expectation. Are we ready to behold?

Twilight - a beautiful sky of blues and wispy clouds - as the sun sets, over the mighty Clarence River; Goodwood Island, NSW, Australia.

Stamps Turn the Lights On!

By Jackie Draffan.

Astamp has usually served its purpose when it reaches you. It might be worthless, but if you have enough of them it might be possible to sell them by the Kilo! Of course this is one time when “the older the better” may even be true.

Stamps collected from all round the Diocese for the Anglican Board of Mission are sold through the Philatelic Society in Sydney at their twice yearly auctions. Many families donate old stamp albums and these are eagerly sought at auction by treasure hunters hoping for a rare find. Grandma’s old album may help to fuel the generator powering the lights in a College or hospital somewhere in the Pacific.

Ted Luff is a keen-eyed stamp lover living in Port Macquarie after a demanding career managing sheep stations in Victoria. In between visits back to Victoria to help on the farm, Ted devotes a lot of his time to sorting

the stamps and albums donated to ABM. Armed with a magnifying glass and volumes of the Gibbons Stamp Catalogue from the Municipal Library Ted hunts through old albums and piles of loose stamps searching for treasure. Occasionally a special item catches his eye and is neatly packaged separately or with similar items for auction.

Several years ago ABM received a remarkable gift from Dorothy Britten a long time member of the Anglican Church at Kempsey. Dorothy donated many thousands of stamps contained in her Stock Books, to be sold to raise funds for the Anglican Board of Mission.

If you would like to find a new home for some unwanted stamp albums or loose stamps, Janice Peate (0435 513123) at Ballina, or Jackie Draffan (6582 5040) at Port Macquarie, would love to hear from you.

It is a little bit of paper and what’s more it is second hand!

Pictured above, left: ABM volunteer Ted Luff loading Jackie's car boot full of stamps. Right: Dorothy Britten sorting stamp albums for ABM

The first HSC Dance cohort for Bishop Druitt College

Dance at BDC has evolved, with a set of new pathways made available for students, including the option to study Dance at HSC level as well as a host of other classroom and Dance Club experiences. Congratulations to the first HSC Dance cohort at Bishop Druitt College in 2022.

Year 12 HSC Dance student Kate Clerkin said. ‘HSC Dance at BDC with my peers and our teacher, Mrs Johnson, allowed me to explore the creative process of choreography. Creating my Major Study Composition was a fun and insightful component of the syllabus, which allowed me to express my creativity and ideas through dance as an art form.’ Kate also said that she received a greater understanding of the pioneers of dance, which furthered her understanding of how dance was formed and has developed over time. ‘Learning about the different components of dance has allowed me to expand my knowledge.’

Teo Ross is also studying HSC Dance and he said: ‘HSC Dance at BDC gave me an insight into new facets of dance. I have been dancing my whole life, and now after completing my HSC course, I have developed a better understanding of how I am moving my body and what muscles I am using. I am internally aware of structured body movements and apply these concepts to physical movement. This gives me an insight into everything my body is doing whilst I dance.’ Teo also said that coming into HSC dance already being a dancer really broadened his knowledge of dance choreography and dance as an art form.

HSC Dance student Emily Hodges said: ‘The subject of dance hasn’t just taught me about dance, it has helped me through the facility of the Dance Studio, and learning the correct way of doing things to prevent short-term and long-term injuries. I use these learnings in my dance teaching job outside of school.’

‘Not only has it allowed me to highlight something I have worked towards my whole life but it has also given me skills I can put in my career and future.’  HSC Dance at BDC is led by Teacher Hannah Johnson who said: ‘I was really proud of how the students approached the exam. HSC Dance challenged their preconceptions of dance. They had to break down and intellectualise their performance and compositional processes. Whilst challenging for students who have been dancing for a long time, they rose to the challenge and came out of their exams smiling.’

The BDC HSC Dance exam provides students with the opportunity to undertake a study of Dance as an art form. Students study three interrelated components; Performance, Composition and Appreciation. The students have now completed the practical component of the examination. This involved performing their dance works followed by speaking to the examiners about their processes.

‘Through the study of dance students are communicating abstract ideas, embodying concepts, and improvising to test ideas and solve problems. These are all high-order skills. After the examination is over, the skills that students learn, through investigating, doing and making dance are absolutely essential skills for whatever pathway students choose to take in life after school' said Hannah Johnson.

Hannah also said, ‘It is exciting to think of the future of dance at BDC. The HSC Students this year were new to academic dance. With the establishment of our Dance Academy program, new Dance Studio, and curriculum dance from K-12 we are able to start developing these skills from Kindergarten’.

By Bishop Druitt College. Pictured above, from left to right: Teo Ross, Hannah Johnson, Kate Clerkin, Emily Hodges.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Makes Historic First Visit to Ballina & Lismore

By Philippe Coquerand

The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby and his wife Caroline, recently visited homes and businesses still recovering from the devastating and unprecedented Lismore floods in the Diocese of Grafton in February.

Archbishop Welby and Mrs Welby were on a two-week tour of Australia during their historic first visit to Ballina and Lismore, with their trip also including Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns and the Torres Strait Islands. Their visits to Lismore and the Torres Strait’s Thursday Island were about witnessing the devastating effects of climate change and speaking with locals.

The visit marked 72 years since the Archbishop of Canterbury visited the Diocese of Grafton, with the first visit held on 7 November 1950 by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Francis Fisher.

Archbishop Welby arrived in Ballina on Wednesday 12 October. The following day he delivered an open community address on the theme of “Building peace in robust diversity” at Emmanuel Anglican College. The event was attended by over 700 people and raised over $2,500 in donations for the Anglicare North Coast Flood Appeal. The appeal is providing direct and efficient emergency relief support to flood-affected households.

The emcee for the evening was Principal Rob Tobias, with The Reverend Aunty Lenore Parker giving the Welcome to Country and The Venerable Zoe Everingham introducing the Archbishop.

After Archbishop Welby’s lecture on building peace, he and Bishop Murray Harvey participated in a question and answer session. The discussion covered climate change, inter-church politics, the royal corgis and who will win the next Ashes.

Left: Matthew Healy, the owner of Daley Homewares was not expecting the Archibishop of Canterbury to visit on an average Friday morning.

Centre: Archbishop Justin walks through Lismore with Anglicare reps Reverend Christian and Archdeacon Zoe, getting a gauge on just how high the water levels rose during the 2022 floods.

Right: Archbishop Justin during his first home visit with (from left) Tracey Byrne, his wife Caroline Welby, Shannon Breeze, Jenna Breeze and Raelene Breeze in Lismore.

“The Archbishop of Canterbury’s great personal warmth, humility and wisdom rang through as he spoke about building peace in a diverse world,” - EAC Principal Rob Tobias

The Reverend Sally Miller presented Archbishop Welby and Mrs Welby with local art depicting Jacarandas in bloom, local produce and two handcrafted glass crosses made by First Nations priest The Reverend Brenda Yager from The Parish of Byron Bay.

The Reverend Sally managed a cheeky “selfie” with the Archbishop, which the Diocese will send straight to the Pool Room. The Archbishop also spent time chatting and getting photos taken with school representatives.

The Venerable Tiffany Sparks, who closed the formalities in prayer, said that she was moved by the Archbishop’s and Mrs Welby’s attentiveness and kindness.

to reconciliation and peace. “The Archbishop of Canterbury’s great personal warmth, humility and wisdom rang through as he spoke about building peace in a diverse world,” Mr Tobias said.

“Archbishop Justin’s lovely down-to-earth manner really shone through as he joked with the audience and shared a number of funny anecdotes, including a couple about his experiences with the Royal Family. As part of the evening, the Emmanuel College Band performed, and they were simply brilliant. Numerous people, including the Archbishop, were taken aback by the standard of performance and commented on how much they enjoyed the music. It was an honour and privilege to have Archbishop Justin Welby visit our college and he even left a couple gifts, including a signed copy of his latest book The Power of Reconciliation and a signed photo of him in Canterbury Cathedral.”

“Both the Archbishop and Mrs Welby showed genuine interest and excitement at Emmanuel Anglican College and genuine concern and compassion during their visit to Lismore.

“My prayer is that our shared faith and our excitement and appreciation for their visit will be of sustenance in their ministry.”

Principal Rob Tobias said it was an absolute honour to host the Archbishop of Canterbury at the school’s Lindsay Walker Centre.

Mr Tobias reflected on the importance of keeping the lines of communication open, even during conflict, and that empathy and compassion are the true foundations

The next morning, Archbishop Welby and Mrs Welby joined in Morning Prayer with Ordinands Aaron, Ruth and Mandy on retreat at St Mary’s Church in Ballina as they prepared for their ordination the following day. Retreat leader The Venerable Gail Hagon, who also conducted the service, said that she offered to give the Archbishop a blessing.

“When I asked if I might give him a blessing, his face broke out into an enormous smile, he clasped his hands and said ‘I would love it’ and sat back in the chair just waiting to soak it all up,” Archdeacon Emeritus Hagon said. I then asked him if I could use the blessings that my son- and daughter-in-law have used with their boys since they were born, and his response was, ‘I would be honoured’, and he closed his eyes and held out his hands like a child about to receive all the goodies in the sweet shop.

“The ordinands were blown away – it was a special moment indeed for everyone.”

“The Archbishop was very humble, witty, wise, and generous with his time,” Archdeacon Sparks said.

Archbishop Welby and his Chaplain drove with Bishop Harvey from St Mary’s to St Andrew’s Church in Lismore, where they met up with Mrs Welby and their support team. The Archbishop, Mrs Welby and their staff were welcomed with a fantastic morning tea catered by La Baracca Espresso Bar and Trattoria, one of the many businesses recovering from the devasting floods.

Over morning tea, grassroots organisation Resilience Lismore's spokesperson Claire Sowden, shared about the community’s strength of spirit during the floods and in the ongoing recovery. The director of the local parish’s pre-school, Natasha Livock, spoke about how education was affected in the floods. These presentations enabled Archbishop Welby to understand the extent of the damage caused by the floods and how parish volunteers, along with the SES and wider community members, assisted those in need.

This gathering was also attended by Mayor Cr Steve Krieg; Cr Ellie Bird from Resilience Lismore; The Reverend Alan Shaw (Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network Chaplain); Sue Shaw (Anglicare disaster volunteer); The Reverend David Riethmuller (Operation and Connections Manager with NSW Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network); Cr Sharon Cadwallader (Mayor of Ballina); Cr Robert Mustow (Mayor of Richmond Valley Council); Ken Arnett (local RSL Branch Chair); The Venerable Kay Hart; The Venerable Tiffany Sparks; The Venerable Zoe Everingham; The Reverend Grant Sparks; The Reverend Christian Ford and his wife Brenda Ford; Anglicare North Coast representatives Jo Greensill (Acting CEO) and Lesley Grant (Programs Manager); Bishop Murray Harvey; members of Archbishop Welby’s staff, including David Porter (Chief of Staff and Strategy), The Reverend Tosin Oladipo (Chaplain), Chris Cox (Director of Communications), Joanna Alstott (Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff), Amelia Sutcliffe (Executive Assistant to the Chaplain); and, Anne Hywood (General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Australia).

Lismore City News reported that Archbishop Welby was surprised by the extent of the damage. “I mean, just whole streets [were] completely wiped out,” he said.

“And [there were] very, very few people in particular streets who had gone back into their own home at all.”

Archbishop Welby also toured the Lismore CBD where he spoke to various business owners still recovering from the floods eight months on. The tour went from St Andrew’s to Keen Street to Magellan Street to Molesworth Street and back to St Andrew’s before a midday service at St Carthage’s Catholic Cathedral.

Following the CBD walk, Bishop Murray Harvey said that he was impressed by Archbishop Welby’s warmth and spontaneity. “People seemed to really warm to him and they appreciated his personable nature and the fact that he was so interested,” Bishop Harvey said.

“At one point he disappeared into a shop and I said, ‘Hey, I don’t think this visit is on the run sheet of prearranged visits is it?’ His wife Mrs Caroline Welby said, ‘No, he just does that sort of thing.’

“It was just a random visit! The shopkeepers were keen to tell him about their experience and how they’ve worked hard to reopen.”

The Parish of Lismore Rector The Reverend Christian Ford said that he was struck by Archbishop Welby’s compassion. “Their interest, compassion and love shone through in their visit,” The Reverend Ford said.

“Walking down Keen St with the Archbishop took a long time because he would disappear into a shop to speak with the shopkeeper who was slowly recovering or the local who was out shopping.

“He was shocked and surprised by the height of the flood and the devastation he saw, even after more than seven months of recovery. He spoke with Brenda about the possible solutions for Lismore to lessen the impact of flooding in our city. He listened intently to the community groups who worked so hard during the flood period and now in recovery.

“You would hear him remark that we had much to learn in England about this.”

He was impressed by the “intense courage” that he had witnessed, and the “let’s get on with it” attitude.

Archbishop Justin visiting The Cathedral, standing almost as high as the water level that swallowed Mary during the floods.

Archbishop Welby met with Bishop Greg Homeming and Cathedral Administrator Father Bing Monteagudo. A small congregation, including school Chaplains, joined in the service. Both the Archbishop and the Bishop gave brief homilies on ecumenism, friendship and hardship. The Lismore Cathedral was extensively damaged by the floods, with the statue of Mary left waist-high in water.

During the lunch at The Sherwood Hotel, Anglicare representatives Jo Greensill and Lesley Grant shared about the Anglicare North Coast Flood Appeal and how they have been providing much needed community assistance.

Over lunch the Archbishop and Bishop Murray Harvey prayed for The Reverend Christian Ford’s local ministry and for Brenda Ford in her role as Operations Engineering Manager for Rous County Council. After lunch The Reverend Christian Ford introduced the Archbishop and Mrs Welby to parishioners still unable to return to their homes. Among these locals was a family who are living in a caravan in their backyard and a parishioner awaiting a lung transplant who is now living with other parishioners. Parishioner Ray Nickel said he was deeply moved when Archbishop Welby prayed with him.

“I was pleased to let him see what the situation was for not just myself, but [so] he would understand how it is for other people in this town, and how much devastation and loss there was,” Mr Nickel told ABC News.

The Reverend Christian Ford said that the Archbishop Welby’s pastoral approach meant much to locals. “His visit to two flood-impacted homes meant so much to the people he visited,” he said. “I know his time of prayer with Ray was greatly appreciated and a source of blessing for Ray.

“He also visited with Jenna, Shannon and Raelene –Raelene is one of our Mainly Music children and she was so happy to meet him twice in one day, once at preschool and then again in her home.

“She still speaks of meeting him, and her mother Jenna was so excited to meet him, too, and share with him the slow pace of recovery and the challenges they face as a family trying to restore their home.”

Bishop Murray Harvey said that Archbishop Welby’s prayer and conversations with Lismore locals were the highlights of the visit for him. “I will always remember the visit to Lismore, especially walking around the streets and talking to locals and agency representatives and doing two home visits to families who were flooded and who are still living in temporary accommodation,” he said.

“This is why he came and he’s very engaging and interested in people and their stories. The Archbishop, Mrs Welby and the whole team that travelled with him were clearly overwhelmed by the extent of the devastation, and also by the friendliness, tenacity and resilience of the local people. There is a real sense of community in Lismore and he was touched by that.”

Archbishop Welby concluded his tour of Lismore and Ballina with an afternoon tea at St Andrew’s before flying out of Brisbane Airport for Cairns.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual leader of the world’s 85 million Anglicans, which include around 2.5 million Australians.

Image Credits: Anglicare Southern Queensland

If you would still like to donate to the Anglicare North Coast Flood Appeal, please visit:

www.anglicarenorthcoast.org.au/donate/ and then click '2022 Flood Appeal'.

Archbishop Justin also paid a visit to the staff & students of Emmanuel Anglican College in West Ballina.

Transforming Lives

By Sister Helen CSC, September 2022

The surrounds of the bucket were mundane and dark, but the light transformed an ordinary bucket into something extraordinary. It stopped me for a few minutes. I am used to pausing to gaze at a beautiful sunset or listen to the song of a bird, but this was different. A bucket is something we usually appreciate because of its usefulness, rather than its beauty.

Each day we wake up to something new. Our surroundings, physical and mental, may look the same, but time has passed and we are in a fresh place, which has the potential to confront us with the unexpected or unimagined. Sometimes we do not want to be challenged with facing the unknown, and at other times we may be fed up with the dull and ordinary, and wonder what is the point of our life. Whatever we might feel, the certainty that we can hold on to is that each second of each day and night, God is with us regardless of what we are facing or doing. This fact can be affirmed by small

glimpses of God’s love that may unexpectedly appear. These glimpses are not only connected to objects we see, but also found in interruptions to our daily routine that become catalysts able to transform our lives.

In the fascinating story in John’s Gospel chapter 4, a Samaritan woman came with her water jug to collect water from a well. This would have been a regular daily task for her. This day Jesus was resting near the well and, surprisingly for a Jewish man, not only spoke to her but asked her, a Samaritan woman, for a drink of water from the well. She could have ignored him or quickly given him a drink, before re-filling her jar and returning home. Instead, she responded to Jesus by engaging in a lengthy conversation with him concerning his identity and his gift of “living water.”

The visit by the woman to the well was no longer just a job to collect her drinking water for the day, but

A plastic bucket on our veranda may seem a strange illustration for a reflection on life, but what attracted me to it was how the bucket was changed by the sunlight.

Sister

Relationships

began to change her life. In the end she even left her precious water jug behind and hurried back to the city to tell others about this man at the well who could be, and probably was, the longed for Messiah. The lives of the woman and the others she spoke to in the city were eventually transformed by Jesus who, at their invitation, stayed for two days.

We may not have such a dramatic change arising from an interruption to our daily work, but perhaps one that will still transform us and our lives in a small way.

It may be that after we have had our breakfast, we start to do our housework. Will we do it as usual, or begin in a different place to make it more interesting? We start by cleaning the kitchen. Presently someone comes in and comments on how the neat kitchen makes them feel peaceful. The housework, which can be so boring may also give those we live with, and ourselves, pleasure.

Another time we may just have begun work on our computer, when the phone rings. We are asked to drive a neighbour to town for some urgent shopping. When we return to our work, we cannot find a piece of paper we had with some vital information we need. We become anxious and start to blame the interruption. If at this point we can relax, stop, and start to think more clearly, our difficulty may shrink and we no longer want to blame anyone or anything. Then strangely, God seems present, and sometimes, what was missing reappears!

Recently, I conducted my regular monthly Service at an aged care facility. This ministry takes some effort as I try to prepare a Service that will be helpful for the residents.

I take my guitar and we sing a few hymns as well as reading and considering a Bible passage and praying. Then I distribute Holy Communion to those who would like it. Last month, things did not go as usual. The facility was short-staffed because of Covid-19 and only four residents and a staff member came to the Service. I wondered if perhaps I should cancel it, but quickly refused to go along that path.

Soon we began, and somehow a peace seemed to descend. One person slept, another who rarely spoke, joined in singing the first hymn along with a fellow resident, the member of staff and myself. Regardless of one woman calling out at odd times, and a cleaner pushing a noisy machine through the room near the end, God’s presence and peace seemed very real. When I left, I felt that peace in myself and was so grateful for this experience shared with the others who were present.

Everyday life, with its repetitive actions of cooking, eating, drinking, shopping, meeting others, cleaning, working, gardening, sleeping and interruptions, has all the ingredients to transform our lives if we are open to notice God’s glory and love in the unexpected. We may see God in a sunlit bucket, a stranger, a friend’s gratitude, or in a sense of peace. At these times we can be thankful for what we receive, and ask God to use our lives in transforming the lives of others.

Piece submitted by NAME NAME Location

"The question is basic for all believers in God, 'What does it mean to be a person in the image of God?'..."

Helen's Next Reflection - Sneak Peak:

Find Sister Helen's next reflection in the North Coast Anglican digital newsletter.

Why Acknowledgement of Country Is Important To Us

An acknowledgement of country is an important gesture for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which can be done by anyone, Aboriginal or non Aboriginal to recognize the deep connection and history Aboriginal people have with their country and culture.

When we acknowledge country we do so to ask for safe passage while travelling through another country. We ask the spirit of the ancestors to protect us from harm and ensure we stay on the right path and not disturb anything sacred.

By Reverend Aunty Lenore Parker and Susan Parker.

Grafton Diocese's First ‘Governance Conference’

By Archdeacon Tiffany Sparks

Overthe course of the weekend of the 4th and 5th of November, Grafton Diocese held its first ‘Diocesan Governance Conference’ at Opal Cove in Coffs Harbour. This Conference had been in the works for over 2 years but due to COVID had been delayed. The aim of the Conference was to help resource & empower parish leadership as part of a Diocesan commitment to good governance.

It was really heartening to see most parishes represented over the course of the weekend. The Right Reverend Brad Billings who is an Associate Bishop in Melbourne Diocese was our key note speaker for the event. His content was focused on the role, function and purview of the parish council and other key leadership positions. Additional training was offered over the weekend for Grievance Officers, Finance,

There are so many untold stories that need to be told about what has happened to Aboriginal people and their families. Acknowledging country is a small step that we take towards a wider truth telling process that needs to happen across Australia in order to achieve reconciliation for all.

For people that feel uncomfortable about the church acknowledging country, ask yourself why this makes you feel uncomfortable. I invite you to come and have a conversation with me, Rev'd Aunty Lenore Parker, so we can learn together.

New Thinking in Safe Ministry, Risk Management and more. Conferences like this have been designed to be able to professionally develop and support the lay people of the diocese as well as assist clergy in parish governance. We have some extraordinary people in our parishes, and it is our role to ensure that we have appropriate training opportunities in order for people to flourish in the positions that they feel called to. Our hope is that Conferences like this can occur every two to three years to ensure that we are providing consistent and regular education opportunities for new people stepping into key leadership positions.

Thank you to everyone who supported, participated in, organised and lead this Conference. I think as a Diocese we can be proud of the culture that we are continuing to grow.

Pictured above, from left to right: Mr Rob Tobias, Reverend Aunty Lenore Parker and Archdeacon Zoe Everingham. Image Credit: Anglicare Southern Queensland

St Marks Pottsville Community Garden

By Brian Wyver

St Marks Anglican Church Pottsville is a small country church in the Parish of Kingscliff and serving the people of Pottsville, Hastings Point and Cabarita. Kingscliff Parish has two churches with the other being St James at Kingscliff. The Parish prides itself on its involvement in the local community and is very active with a number of non profit community groups. Over the past year St Marks has been developing a Community Garden. This came about by an idea, inspiration, hard work, community involvement and continual improvement:

1. The Idea: The little church at Pottsville has become the hub of the community and members have been looking for more ways to be involved in the community. With the small vacant back yard a Community Garden seemed the ideal choice. We wanted a garden that involved people sharing produce grown amongst themselves with excess being made available to all members of the community.

2. The Inspiration: A visit to Goffery and his team at Maclean Anglican Church who had an established Community Garden gave us inspiration and direction. We were able to see first hand how theirs operated and options that were available us.

3. The hard work: An application to the State Government proved positive with a small grant being given. A garden club was formed. It was decided that this garden would be non profit, shared and with only two rules, to respect

each other and have fun. People donated garden tools and the digging and building commenced.

4. Community involvement: The local Men’s Shed provided park benches, an outdoor work bench and are working on a stall to provide produce to the community. The Pottsville Fruit and Veg and local restaurants have provided for our compost system. People on the Community Service program have built a native garden and are continuing with maintenance, the local sports club and Bunnings have provided extra support and of course local members of the community have helped build the garden and raise the plants.

5. Continual Improvement: On Sunday 14 August Bishop Murray along with our local Reverend Greg March performed the blessing of our garden.

Saturday 1 October saw the opening of the Garden. State member Geoff Provest and Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry attended along with about 70 people who were entertained by the Men’s shed band. It was a great day and attracted local media.

The Garden is a work in progress, with a native bee hive being installed soon. This great project has further opened the door of our wonderful church to the community in which we live. The community has embraced it. Can we be the inspiration for other churches to follow?

The community has embraced it. Can we be the inspiration for other churches to follow?

Around the Diocese

It's been a busy few months 'Around the Diocese'! Submit your photos and stories tonca@graftondiocese.org.au

Ballina's new outdoor sacred space

St Mary's in Ballina has a new outdoor sacred space with a labyrinth, a shady place to sit and a native garden. This space offers us a different way to pray and contemplate in God's presence, and it's also a new way to connect with the wider community. As we were building the labyrinth and planting the garden, lots of passers-by stopped to chat. Our neighbours really 'get' that this is a space for all to use, and that we are inviting them to connect with us and with God. The native garden is part of the Anglican Communion Forest, the worldwide initiative launched at the Lambeth Conference this year.

By Reverend Cathy Ridd

Bishop Murray with members of the Girls Brigade and the Reverend Rosemary Peterson.

Queen Elizabeth II's Service of Thanksgiving

At 10am on the 17th of September, Christ Church Cathedral held a service of Thanksgiving for the life of Queen Elizabeth II. The service was held according to the protocols of the Church of England upon the death of the Queen. Bishop Murray Harvey presided, and local dignitaries were invited to give thanks for the Queens enormous contribution to the Church, the Commonwealth and the world.

Feast of All Saints at Stuarts Point

On Sunday 30 October we celebrated the Feast of All Saints with a combined Nambucca Valley Anglicans fifth-Sunday service at All Saints Church in Stuarts Point. Over sixty people from around the Parish gathered for some boisterous worship and fabulous fellowship. The first picture shows the welcome and the second picture shows Di who won the ice breaker “bingo”. All in all a wonder-full time and, as promised in the poster, the afternoon tea was truly amazing!

By Revd Peter Shayler-Webb

Musical Distinction

By Linda Butler of Christ Church Cathedral Grafton & Written by Claire Aman

It’s the sound of long-time Organist and Director of Music, Robert Eather. Normally invisible at his seat behind the organ, Robert has recently gained international recognition for his musical work. He has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the Guild of Church Musicians. This is high recognition, one that makes us all proud of Robert and grateful for the music he brings.

The Fellowship is awarded to people who have made an exceptional contribution to church music, going above and beyond the expectations of their position. According to Reverend Daniel Dries, Warden of the Guild in Australia, Robert’s extraordinary dedication and commitment to the music programme at Christ Church Cathedral is no longer commonplace in regional Australian cathedrals and churches. The Fellowship recognises the boundless time and energy Robert has devoted to church music. The impeccable organ music, the well-rehearsed choir, the hymn selections: these create moments of great beauty in the Cathedral for people at any stage of a journey. In addition to being a regular treat for the congregation at the twice-weekly services, the music supports all the people who venture in for christenings, weddings or funerals. It’s a bridge, filling a space above the ineffable. Robert makes it so.

And he may not be aware that in this climate of music he creates, people who think they can’t sing, sing.

As well as creating music for church services and directing the Cathedral Choir, Robert spreads musical appreciation wide. He featured in a free concert series playing organ, harpsichord, flute, cello and piano. He performs an annual Jacaranda recital. He plays the organ for civic services held in the Cathedral, gives organ

demonstrations to school students, and accompanies HSC Music students on organ, piano and harpsichord for their exams. He has given workshops in liturgical and church music throughout the Diocese. He’s also an arranger and composer of music for both organ and choir. In 2001 he was commissioned to compose an anthem, I Will Open My Mouth in Parables for organ and choir for the International Festival of Philosophy, Science and Theology. His Fanfare Australia for organ was composed for and performed by Robert at the International Science Festival, at a concert in St Magnus Cathedral, Orkney UK along with a performance of I Will Open My Mouth in Parables. In 2007 he recorded a CD of organ music in the Cathedral.

As well as creating music for church services & directing the Cathedral Choir, Robert spreads musical appreciation wide.

Originally from the Hunter Valley, Robert was 10 years old when he began playing the organ in St Luke’s Church, South Singleton. He went on to study organ with Phillip Matthias (former organist of Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle) and harpsichord with Paul Dyer (currently director of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra) and the late Anthony Jennings at the Newcastle University Conservatorium of Music. Robert also played flute and was keyboardist with the Maitland City Orchestra, performing on harpsichord and organ. He played organ with the Hunter Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for their performances of the Gloria in D by Vivaldi and the Requiem by Andrew Lloyd-Webber.

One of Grafton’s loveliest sounds is the Sunday morning organ music that filters out to the leafy street outside Christ Church Cathedral, swelling as you walk inside.

He's been Organist and Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral, Grafton, since 1999, (becoming in 2017, the longest serving Organist of Grafton Cathedral) while serving as music teacher at Clarence Valley Anglican School.

Based in the United Kingdom, the Guild of Church Musicians is an international fellowship of amateur and professional musicians unified in a common ideal ¬ to offer the best in music to the service of the church. The Guild seeks to raise the standard of church music, acknowledging that all aspects of worship should be the best that we are capable of offering to God.

Founded in 1888 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Guild today has the current Most Revd. and Rt. Hon. the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury and His Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster as patrons. The President is Dame Mary Archer, with a number of Vice Presidents in both the UK and Australia, including Bishop

Port Macquarie Parish Welcomes Dan Berris

By Ms Olivia Sakamoto

Port Macquarie Parish put itself to prayer to discern a fitting person to take on its historically charismatic and beloved St Thomas church family. The commissioning is an important marker for the entire community to recognise that this is our priest and the new rector to say that this is my parish.

St Thomas’ more recently known as Port Anglican welcomes Daniel Berris and his wife Kerry to the post after they felt the call to Port Macquarie despite leading a successful and loving community in the North Lakes, Mango Hill & Griffin region in North Brisbane. It seems a match of love for the Parish and the new rector who is set to utilise his natural ability to draw community and create spaces that foster relationships, support and places of hope and love for all levels of society.

Dan’s heart for a helping and serving community was carefully cultivated with first-hand experience while growing up with his single mum and two sisters. He shared that he didn’t have a lot of money, however his family received help from the church community, and this gave a good impression of what a loving, serving, and relational community can achieve for those with real needs.

Richard Hurford, former Dean of Grafton and former Bishop of Bathurst Diocese. The Warden of the Guild in Australia is the Revd. Dr. Daniel Dries, Rector of Christ Church St Laurence in Sydney.

Although the organization was mainly Anglican since its founding, the Guild now encourages church musicians across all denominations and contexts.

Robert is an unseen presence behind the organ during services. Following the service, he always plays a further piece. After the last notes have sounded – and only then – the congregation will clap their appreciation. Then his hands will appear above the organ in a little wave: modest, droll. The Honorary Fellowship is richly earned.

The scriptures that speak of looking after the poor, the widow and the outcast encapsulates his desires for a church community. ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:40

The sacred part of the commissioning that represents the release and blessing from his Lakes family and the receiving and blessing from the new Port Macquarie family is important to Dan as is the receiving of different symbols from different members of the new parish and the washing of feet that recalls the perfect humility and servant heart of his Lord Jesus Christ.

As the local minister he will be looking at opportunities to help build a resilient faith community that is having fun with the wider community, create places of joy, growth, social, educational and gospel impact & a place where individuals want to invest in this faith community.

Rev'd Dan Berris & Bishop Murray respectively, on the evening of Rev'd Dan's commissioning.

'Unfinished Business'

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood

On the weekend of the 16th – 18th September, Archdeacon Kay Hart and the Rev’d Canon Angela Dutton attended the MOW conference celebrating 30 years of the ordination of women to the Priesthood. The conference was held at Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney.

The programme included a variety of guest speakers that offered a thorough and balanced picture of the story of the ordination of women in Australia from the fledgling stages through to to-day. The presentations also acknowledged the challenges still faced by women in our church today, including indigenous women.

The conference speakers included: Dr Julia Baird who was a co-convenor of Sydney MOW whilst at Sydney University and now hosts ABC’s The Drum; Ms Anne Hywood – General Secretary of General Synod; The Rev’d Canon Professor Dorothy Lee FAHA – Stewart Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity College Theological School; along with a number of presentations of personal stories.

Presentations covered from the history and law through to personal experiences and the impact on the national church. We also looked at the theology surrounding women’s ministry with a focus on women’s leadership in the New Testament and today.

Barriers still exist with some Dioceses still not recognising the full value of the ministry of women. Many dioceses still struggle with accepting and acknowledging women in significant leadership roles. Throughout the national church the harm caused to women is still not recognised or acknowledge in any meaningful manner yet this harm very much exists. Our own Diocese of Grafton is ahead of the curve in many areas of women’s ministry with a significant number of senior positions in the diocese being held by women. We look forward to celebrating the 30th Anniversary of ordination of women to the priesthood in this Diocese in 2023.

We acknowledge and give thanks for the hospitality extended to those in attendance at the conference by the hospitality crew and the parish of Christ Church St Laurence with their incumbent The Rev’d Daniel Dries.

The conference concluded with worship at Christ Church St Laurence on Sunday morning with many ordained attendees robing and processing for the service, including one of the women Bishops. A memorable occasion for us all.

By Archdeacon Kay Hart and Canon Angela Dutton.

Pictured above, left: Rev'd Angela Dutton and Ven Kay Hart proudly attending the MOW 2022 Conference. Right: The conference members processing down one of Sydney CBD's streets.

Rev'd Sally's Homecoming

By Rev'd Sally Miller of Casino Anglican Church

The Commissioning of Reverend Sally, and the Parish of Casino and Bonalbo for their ministry together.

Onthe evening of October 6th people gathered from all over the diocese and beyond to mark the beginning of Reverend Sally Miller’s role as Rector in the parish of Casino and Bonalbo.

This was also something of a homecoming for Sally, with Casino having been the parish of her childhood, and the church where her faith was nurtured, and where many significant milestones were marked.

The whole service had an air of joy and celebration with Archdeacon Tiffany’s sermon only serving to enhance that mood. A vocal ‘flashmob’ highlighting the singing ability of the clergy that gathered!

The service showed the very connected nature of a town like Casino – with the Welcome to Country and wonderful art work by a local indigenous artist being offered by Ms Paula Coghill, an emerging elder and school friend of Sally’s; the Mayor, Mr Rob Mustow sharing his memories of Sally’s grandmother, and representatives from all the

Christian churches in Casino contributing to the hamper of goodies presented to Sally as part of her welcome.

A celebration such as this never just happens, and thanks must go to the Wardens Sue Chapman and Russell Cole for their hard work and oversight, to Janine Whittaker for working to ensure that all things were in order, the caterers who ensured that there was not only the usual spread of cakes and sandwiches, but wine & cheese too!

As was mentioned on the evening but bears repeating, thanks to all those who have for the past few years shared in the care of the parish, taking on locums of varying lengths, with a special thank you to Rev Greg Jenks for his work in the lead up to Sally’s arrival, ensuring a smooth transition from Chaplaincy to Parish Priest.

As a parish we now seek to carry on the work of our forebears, being in the heart of Casino since 1865, we continue to pray for the heart of Casino!

Pictured above: Top - Bishop Murray Harvey, Reverend Sally Miller, Reverend Ron Miller and Mrs Paula Coghill. Below left - Reverend Ron and Archdeacon Tiffany.

By Bishop Murray Harvey

God’s Church for God’s World Excerpts from the 'Reflections on the Lambeth Conference 2022' by

Dr Murray Harvey, Bishop of Grafton

As I reflect on this important gathering in the life of our Communion and begin to share insights and learnings, I am conscious that the theme God’s Church for God’s World was an ambitious one. Yet by exploring and celebrating this theme the gathering equipped the bishops and spouses who attended from around the world to understand one another’s contexts and to begin afresh to work together for our common good to the glory of God.

The conference went for two weeks and the amount of input, celebration and discussion was enormous. The worship was uplifting and was a mix of contemporary and traditional, reflecting the incredible diversity of worship traditions and music from around the globe. As one bishop commented, the Communion may finally have been freed from the Englishness of Anglicanism.

In many ways it will be quite some time before I digest and appreciate the full implications and learnings from Lambeth 2022. What I write here in terms of reflections and sharing of information will inevitably be an inadequate offering, but I feel that it’s important to make a start. I attended the conference together with my wife Leanne. She fully participated in the joint sessions and the spouses’ conference. We plan to make a joint presentation at Diocesan Synod in 2023.

THEME:

The Conference was designed to explore what it means for the Anglican Communion to respond to the needs of the world today. To help us understand our mission in the face of such a diverse and complex world, we explored the main theme through various sub-themes including Mission and Evangelism, Safe Church, Communion, Reconciliation, Environment, Christian Unity, Interfaith Relations and Discipleship. We also explored our ongoing response to a world changed by COVID-19. The Lambeth Conference program was built around a daily rhythm combining prayer, daily worship, Bible Expositions and Bible Study Groups, Plenary/ Keynote addresses from the Archbishop of Canterbury and guest speakers and ‘Lambeth Calls’ discussions.

ANGLICAN IDENTITY:

Personally I found the Call on Anglican Identity to be extremely helpful and encouraging at a time when the Communion seems to be challenged and pulled in different directions on divisive issues. It was helpful to be reminded that:

The Anglican tradition has its roots in a shared history committed to Catholicity, Reform, international mission, & inter-cultural witness. … Governed by Scripture, Anglicans belong to a tradition that seeks faithfulness to God in richly diverse cultures, distinct human experiences, and deep disagreements. In communion with the See of Canterbury, the Anglican Communion has grown into a family of interdependent churches and provinces in over 165 countries.

The newly developed material Being Anglican is now fully available for use together with all the supporting video material. This is for small groups that want to learn more about the Anglican Christian faith. I encourage you to use it for adult Confirmation preparation, further study for LLMs, small group study and for use in Anglican Schools with staff and senior students. Participants can see Anglicans from across the world give testimonies about the experience of being Anglican today, and hear from church leaders and scholars about this, on a dedicated YouTube channel. The main webpage with all the resources is here: www.anglicancommunion.org/theology/theologicaleducation/being-anglican.aspx

OVERALL REFLECTION:

In all, the conference challenged me to view my particular place in Anglicanism in Australia within the landscape of a global Communion. It offered those of us who attended the gift of de-centering ourselves in the face of the spirit-infused diversity of a global body of Christ.

Rather than me offering more reflection here I thought I would quote from Lizzy Flaherty, one of the young adults who worked as a Volunteer Steward at the Conference. It perfectly sums up the experience that Leanne and I had. I quote Lizzy with her permission (@lbflaherty77):

I’ve spent the last three weeks stewarding at the Lambeth Conference, helping out, keeping people safe, and generally trying to keep Bishops out of chaos! The stewards (from 22 countries) were a wonderful bunch of young people: faithful, kind, hilarious! The future of the Anglican Church is bright indeed! Should you have been following the discourse about the Lambeth Conference and the Anglican Communion on social media, you have probably heard a story of division, of anger, polarisation, and potentially even hatred. From our experiences, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Instead we witnessed almost everyone present walking and witnessing together across ideological boundaries, treating each other with love, and acting in the unity to which we are called.

St Cuthbert’s Anglican Parish Celebrates 50 Years in their Church Building & the Confirmation of Lindisfarne College Students

By Revd. Dway Goon Chew, Parish Priest of St Cuthbert’s Anglican Church - Tweed Heads & Written by Yvonne Turner

It is 50 years since the church building, inspired by Canon Dyson, became a reality. A few of the parishioners of 1972 continue to worship in our church & they remember the wonderful celebration of the time.

The church has been in existence for over 100 years with the “new church” beginning a new era in it’s life. Remembering all the happenings over those years would be amazing - all the joy and sadness. An amazing building that means so much to us all. Sunday the 23rd of October was the celebration day. A day where Bishop Murray joined with us to celebrate the sacrament of confirmation to students from Lindisfarne College.

The school choir gave wonderful support to the service leading the congregation in the music. The service was very moving. The Bishop spoke of Christ’s journey and the journey of his followers. How faith is often the first step we take on a journey, often not knowing what the second step is. Faith is an amazing gift to have.

Amy Blinco, Monty Lush, Leo Lush, Art Lush, Zoe Williams and Angus Williams were welcomed and confirmed by the Bishop. It was a very joyous occasion witnessed by family and friends together with the St Cuthbert’s parish family. Following the service two cakes were cut. One for the 50th anniversary and the other for our newly confirmed young people. A very noisy morning tea followed!

The Chaplain at the Lindisfarne College, Rev Constantine Osuchukwu, prepared the students for confirmation. It was obvious that the sacrament was welcomed by all confirmed. Our thanks to our Rector, Reverend Dway Goon Chew, for all he did to make the celebration such a wonderful one.

Pictured: Proud teacher Amy Blinco, The Reverend Dway Goonchew, Bishop Murray Harvey and the Reverend Constantine Oshuchukwu and the Confirmees.

Pictured below, left: Bishop Murray congratulating a newly confirmed student. Right: The celebratory St Cuthbert's Church cake!

20 Years of Outstanding Education at St Columba

By Julie Cooper of St Columba Anglican School

The Anglican Diocese of Grafton stretches from Port Macquarie in the south to Tweed Heads in the north in New South Wales. In the 1980s and 1990s there were 27 parishes, together with four Anglican Schools, Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School at Tweed Heads, Emmanuel Anglican College at Ballina, Clarence Valley Anglican School at Grafton and Bishop Druitt College at Coffs Harbour.

John Barrett was Chair of Committees in the Anglican Diocese of Grafton for Synod and Bishop in Council for a decade in the 1990s. He was aware of the opportunities for mission and ministry within the already established Diocesan Schools.

Education in Port Macquarie began in 1825 at the old historic St Thomas’ (Anglican Church), the fifth oldest in Australia and ceased in 1865, following the NSW Public Education Act.

Under the supervision of the Rev. Thomas Hassall (Rev. Samuel Marsden’s son-in-law) a Church School was established by May 1825. It was reported to the Archdeacon of the Colony, Thomas Hobbes Scott, that Gamaliel Farrell was schoolmaster with fifty-six pupils.

When St Thomas’ Church was opened in 1828 the school moved into the nave of the church and later into the old surgeon’s dispensary (now The Chapel) when it ceased to be used by the government medical officer. With the establishment of the Port Macquarie Public School in 1867 and the withdrawal of State Aid, the Episcopal School closed down after forty years of service to the community.

Later St Thomas’ Church also pioneered and conducted a pre-school Kindergarten from 1950 to 1973, once again in the old dispensary until the new parish hall was built in 1961. This school closed down after twenty-three years of service to all denominations because departmental requirements would have rendered the building unsuitable for use by church organisations.

In 1999, John Barrett had discussions with the then Anglican Bishop of Grafton, Right Reverend Phillip Huggins, and proposed the establishment of an Anglican School in Port Macquarie.

A public meeting was organised to gauge support for the proposal. The rest is history. St Columba Anglican School opened in late January 2002, with 76 students from Kindergarten to Year 7.

Rev Canon Dr John Barrett OAM went on to become the Foundation Chair of Council, a position in which he served until his retirement in 2018.

Over the past twenty years, St Columba Anglican School has grown to almost 1200 students from Kindergarten to Year 12, and is unapologetic in its desire to offer its students the very best education possible. "We aim to offer every student the very best educational experience – as good or better than any other school in the region or the state."

Left to right: Dr Gordon Burch, Mrs Heather Norton and the Reverend Canon Dr John Barrett

Left to right: Reverend Dr Murray Harvey, The Reverend Jon Cornish, Mrs Heather Norton, Mr Terry Muldoon and Mr Allan Guihot

Choosing To Be A Light To The World

By Jan Fryer

It takes courage, commitment and resourcefulness, which 24 year old Tom Delaney must have, as he lives and works in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, which is the capital of India’s most populous state. Tom grew up in Delhi with his Christian family and takes his faith seriously. He believes Matthew 25:40-46 “Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me".

He has chosen this narrow path because he believes that making Jesus his first priority is crucial and he felt the pull to this path. His says this choice may require sacrifice, but there is also great rewards. He has a holistic approach to his Godly work. He is working with ‘Servants to Asia's Urban Poor’. He says he is trying to bring “the kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven” by dealing with the material, mental, social and spiritual transformation of the Indian people.

Ballina Parish were fortunate to hear Tom's story whilst he was in Australia. For an example of material transformation, Tom told the story of Kusuma. She is a mother of four and contracted TB meningitis. She had severe headaches, vomiting & lost an incredible amount of weight. With help from Tom she was admitted to hospital and has made a miraculous recovery over 18 months.

The Servant’s to Asia’s Urban Poor have also begun subsidising the costs of getting gas connected to transit away from burning wood and it’s consequent lung effects on people like Kusuma. Tom said God has given us an intellect wants us to reach our mental potential. India has a very high percentage of illiterate people.

The Indian NGO Thomas works for is providing literacy classes for children and adults in the slums. Sofia, an adult who has learned to read and write, says this has greatly improved her self confidence. Social problems are also rife in India, including domestic violence, underage marriage and alcohol abuse. These ways of living can be a challenge.

When Tehsin, 15, was offered for an arranged marriage it was only the threat of calling the police that prevented the illegal union. Spiritual transformation is also difficult for those becoming Christian as they are often persecuted for their faith. Tom gave the example of Jhunu, a mother of three whose husband was killed for his faith.

WHAT DOES HIS WORK HAVE TO DO WITH YOU AND ME?

We too can look for the ‘least’ among our communities such as flood victims, the homeless, the addicted, refugees, the disabled and those with poor mental health. We can support them by reading and learning, praying and giving with our time and money. If we are following Jesus, he will lead the way for us, the often narrow way. Tom’s final comment was to remember the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few (Luke 10:2) God often calls the unlikeliest of people. People like Moses who was tongue tied, David who was an adulterer, Jonah who was reluctant, Peter who denied Jesus and Thomas who doubted.

ARE YOU WILLING TO GO WHERE GOD LEADS

YOU? If you would like to know more Google ‘Servant’s to Asia’s Urban Poor’ or email Tom at thomas.delaney1729@gmail.com and join his email list. Prayers are appreciated.

The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Would you be prepared to pack up your goods and chattels and head off to a third world country as God’s missionary?

Pictured above, from left to right: Cathy, Tom, Oscar and Mark Delaney on one of their missionary trips.

Ministry Leadership Today

By Anne Weekley

The 'Licensed Lay Ministers Conference' & 'Clergy Ministry School' were held in Grafton on 10th – 11th September & in Ballina on the 12th – 14th of September

Agroup of LLMs and clergy from across the Diocese were blessed to sit under the ministry of Bishop Stephen Pickard and Dr Carlos Raimundo. Bishop Stephen expounded Scripture to develop our concept of ministry, while Dr Carlos used practical, tactile ways of helping us make pictures of what we are like and how we can move forward in ministry.

The sessions covered three interconnected aspects of who we are and how we operate, helping us to consider how we can embrace working as a team and how we can grow in Christ, keeping in mind Romans 12:3-5:3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.

MINISTRY

As members of one body, we are called to work collaboratively. Our calling is to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, avoiding the misuse of power in autocratic or manipulative behavior or in unhealthy submissiveness. Intuitively we know we are members one of another, creatures of one God, and our hearts are restless until we find life in God and in each other. Dr Carlos challenged us to make a picture of the body of Christ, the Church.

SELF

Who am I in this ministry? I am a person bearing the image of God, whose image can be enhanced in us as we grow in grace. However, we are created for one

another, to live in relation to others – in community. The image of God expands and deepens as the ministering community pursues love, compassion, care and justice, peace, freedom and truth. In this way we, as persons and communities, grow into our destiny in God. We learn to say to others: the image of God is in you, you are beautiful. Dr Carlos asked us to consider changing habits by thinking on the good times in our lives. God created us to become closer to Jesus, but because of pain & suffering we have become something different. We can cling to who we are in Christ, like Velcro. Then we can allow the pain to slide off, like Teflon.

PERSONAL GROWTH

Collaborative ministry requires spiritual maturity. We are to be always learning, getting new depth in our calling, challenged to move from the known to the unknown; to continually renew our minds; and to awaken the image of God in us and in others.

Questions to continue pondering:

• What does it mean to be a person in the image of God?

• What activates and awakens the Image of God in (a) oneself and (b) others?

• How can the ministry I exercise activate the image of God in others, the church and society?

• What can I do to enable me to do this better?

• What impact can this have personally, in families, in work and in the Church?

• What does the journey of self-dispossession look like so far for me?

Pictured below, left: Dr Carlos Raimundo delivery lesson in Ministry School. Right: Ministry School attendees Rev Simon, Rev Lyndon, Rev Sally, Rev Ruth and Rev Ron.

October 2022 Ordinations

By Archdeacon

On the 15th of October, Bishop Murray Harvey ordained the Reverend Aaron Coates to the priesthood, and Amanda Larkin and Ruth Pobjoy to the transitional Diaconate.

MEET REVEREND AARON COATES

To serve God and to serve others is the most fulfilling of all human experiences. Being encouraged to sit back and reflect upon my life reminds me of how truly blessed I am. Especially when it comes to the blessing and fulfilment that is to be found in serving God and others.

From an early age, I grew up in the Anglican Church and combined with growing up in a military family, I was inspired by the idea of serving God and serving others.

When I became an adult, it then became my time to serve when I enlisted in the Royal Australian Army. It was here and during my service overseas that I truly experienced the fulfilling worth of being able to serve both friends and strangers alike.

Then God called me to serve others on a much larger scale. In the beginning, there was a considerable amount of negotiation between God and I. (It wasn’t that much of a negotiation, God was always going to win).

I thought that I wasn’t good enough, let alone being capable of achieving what was required academically. But God showed me how wrong I was, and how all things are possible through God’s grace and to God’s glory.

Today I stand proudly with my family, who I love and cherish very much. Today I stand with my friends who

have blessed me immensely with their presence in my life. Today I begin another chapter in service to God and to others and the blessing of fulfilment that it eternally brings.

To all that have been part of this truly blessed journey. Know that I love you and am truly grateful that you have shared this journey with me.

MEET AMANDA LARKIN

Mandy grew up in Sydney and gave her life to Jesus when she was 12 years old. In her late teens she drifted away from God but an invitation to church in early 2018 resulted in her recommitting her life to Jesus.

She has spent the last few years in formation training first at St Thomas’ in Port Macquarie and most recently at St Matthews in Wauchope. Mandy is currently working as an accountant and completing her theology degree online with St Mark’s Theological College in Canberra.

She will move into a stipendiary position to continue her training in the future.

Tiffany Sparks & Biographies by Aaron Coates, Amanda Larkin & Ruth Pobjoy. Image Credits: David Ford.

MEET RUTH POBJOY

In reflection I can see God’s unerring guidance toward Ordination and ministry in the Orara Valley. I am married to Stan with three adult, married children and God has blessed us with five grandchildren. Stan and I have had our own business since 1981. Motor racing has been a large part of this, drag racing motorcycles and both drag racing and Hillclimbing cars. This has brought us into contact with people from all walks of life. My experience of racing cars was both exhilarating and confidence building.

Moving to Nana Glen in 1999 we began attending St. Peter’s Nana Glen. Here God called me to roles in Licensed Lay Ministry, Parish Council, Synod Representation and Special Religious Education in our local Primary Schools. My ministry education has included Special Religious Education; Education for Ministry; a Bachelor of Theology and Anglicare Disaster Recovery courses. In this time, I have also completed a Certificate lll in Children’s Services and related training. This has assisted in the ministry outreach to the children of our local area and is an important part of our continuing church fellowship. With God’s leading, I look forward to a future of united fellowship across the generations of our local community.

I give thanks to God for the way my faith and dependence on God has grown through my many experiences in the Orara Valley. I am grateful for the Ministers who have been part of my spiritual journey. I have valued the wisdom they have shared and their support.

In the power of the Holy Spirit, I seek to walk humbly with God. Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and serving the communities across the Orara Valley in ways that will bring praise and glory to God.

Pictured above, Left: (from left to right) Reverend Ruth Pobjoy, Retreat leader and preacher Archdeacon Emeritus Gail Hagon, Bishop Murray Harvey, Reverend Amanda Larkin, Archdeacon Tiffany Sparks and Reverend Aaron Coates. Centre: Bishop Murray, with Ruth Pobjoy & Amanda Larkin. Right: A group photo of the Diocese celebrating the Ordinations. Below (from top to bottom): Aaron Coates, Amanda Larkin & Ruth Pobjoy.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of all our hearts be acceptable to you O Lord our God Psalm 19:14