Crosslight February 2016

Crosslight Publication of the year

No. 262 February 2016

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A group of Uniting Church grandmothers from the speak out against children in detention.

It’s time to warm up the frypans, crack a few eggs and start flipping pancakes for UnitingCare.

Frontier Services has been a much loved agency of the Church since Rev John Flynn first proposed the idea of an outback ‘mantle of safety’ in 1912. For more than a century, ‘Patrol padres’ have provided pastoral care to the most far-flung corners of Australia. From horse and buggy to light aircraft, the service has evolved and adapted. Our feature this month speaks to those who work in outback ministry and looks at how the service is adapting again to meet changing needs.

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UCA president Stuart McMillan asks us to rethink the meaning of 26 January.

Staff at Uniting AgeWell reunite a much-loved dog with her owner in time for Christmas

At the start of a new school year, we bring you stories of innovation from some of our schools.

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Synod Snaps brings you images from throughout the Church and beyond.

Regulars Letters - 19

Reviews - 20 Placements - 21 Moderator’s Column - 23

Editorial Welcome to 2016 PENNY MULVEY

WHAT does 2016 hold for you? Are you looking forward to discovering new authors? Being challenged by new ideas?

Perhaps engaging with your local politician around issues of national or local importance? Do you have a trip planned or special anniversary to celebrate?

Perhaps 2016 doesn’t feel like anything much at all. Your life is hard. Health is

Communications & Media Services

UCA Synod Office, 130 Little Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Phone: (03) 9251 5200 Email: crosslight@victas.uca.org.au ISSN 1037 826X

marginal. Family relationships are fraught and even the simple tasks seem to be more and more arduous.

What about your congregation? Does your faith community gather in prayer regularly? Are you excited by the new insights you receive as you share God’s word? What missional activities are you pouring your energies into for this new season?

The Synod of VicTas is undergoing change this year. The much-talked about Major Strategic Review will present its final recommendations to presbyteries and the Synod Standing Committee (SSC) over the next few months. These recommendations are likely to be a major topic for debate at the June Synod meeting at the Box Hill Town Hall.

There is also change afoot for UnitingCare agencies. A project control group has been considering the resolution of the SSC to bring the 25 UnitingCare agencies in Victoria and Tasmania under one single Crosslight is a monthly newspaper produced by the Communications and Media Services unit of The Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.

It is published 11 times a year.

Opinions expressed in Crosslight do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the policies of The Uniting Church.

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Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement.

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Distribution: Crosslight is usually distributed the first Sunday of the month.

board of governance.

Australia goes to the polls for a federal election again this year. Topics such as the economy, our response to asylum seekers, marriage equality and climate change are likely to dominate public engagement.

Over this Christmas holiday period there have been significant issues aired in the media: euthanasia; corruption in sport; ongoing violence against women and the one-punch-kills campaign; international responses to Islamic State; extreme weather.

Statistics demonstrate we are failing the First Peoples of this nation. We hear daily horror stories in relation to refugees in mandatory detention. Mental health issues are eroding family life. Where do we turn?

To what do we give our attention?

In this age of information overload, it is little wonder we become overwhelmed.

How do we look to a new year, which inevitably will bring change?

The moderator writes in his monthly

column that he finds answers when he finally becomes still. “Only then is it possible to be open to God’s mercy and, in turn, trust entirely upon God’s grace.”

To be still, to be open, to trust entirely… how can I let go of all I see and hear and surrender to the stillness that is in Christ Jesus?

May we all, each day, rest in God’s grace.

Circulation: 21,000 (publisher’s figure).

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Deadlines: Advertising and editorial.

Executive Editor - Penny Mulvey Managing Editor - Deb Bennett Design, Digital Illustration and Print Services- Garth Jones Journalist - Ben Grundy Communications Manager - Nigel Tapp Online Content Coordinator - Emmet O’Cuana Communications Officer - Tim Lam P.A to Executive Editor - Lynda Nel Senior Media Officer - Ros Marsden

Please check exact dates on our website <crosslight.org.au>.

Closing date for March– Friday 19 February 2016.

Printing: Rural Press, Ballarat Visit Crosslight online: crosslight.org.au

ucavictas

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News SSC supports new legal structure PENNY MULVEY THE Synod Standing Committee (SSC) has decided to change the legislative structure of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.

In a letter to all congregation councils, presbyteries, the Assembly, other synods and reporting bodies and institutions, general secretary Rev Dr Mark Lawrence outlined the ‘significant decision’ taken by the SSC. Dr Lawrence explained that under the legislative model, by an act of the two state parliaments, the current unincorporated Church will become incorporated.

The letter outlines what led the SSC to make this decision, what the next steps will be, and what impact it will have on the governance of the Vic/Tas Synod.

“Instead of the two Property Trusts of

UCA responds to social housing need BEN GRUNDY THE Uniting Church’s social housing ministry is set to be supported with greater resourcing and expertise in an ambitious plan to strategically coordinate social housing projects from throughout the synod.

UnitingCare network update NIGEL TAPP THE UnitingCare Network Project Control Group (PCG) expects to make some significant announcements relating to the new agency network before the end of this month.

In June last year the Synod Standing Committee (SSC) established the PCG as part of a new strategic direction for the 25 UnitingCare agencies within the network.

The agencies currently operate in metropolitan, rural, regional and remote parts of Victoria and Tasmania, offering a broad range of services and advocacy to support thousands of vulnerable and disadvantaged people.

They have a combined annual budget of about $185 million with services including children, youth and families, emergency relief, financial counselling, housing, alcohol and other drugs, and disability and aged care services.

The new strategic direction will build on existing strengths to better champion the capacity and abilities of the network as a whole. Bringing the agencies together

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Victoria and Tasmania being the legal entities for the synod, the Church itself in each state will be incorporated,” Dr Lawrence wrote in a letter dated 21 January 2016.

“There will no longer be a Property Trust in each state, but the Constitution and Regulations of the Church (appropriately amended to reflect this change) will continue to operate.”

The SSC has been considering the question of incorporation for the last 12 months, largely because of the recommendations of the report to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse - Betrayal of Trust.

One of the report’s many recommendations, which have all been accepted by the state government, seeks to require all nongovernment organisations that receive government funding for child-related services to be incorporated. This is to ensure that the actual institution which is responsible for any child sexual abuse is directly accountable.

Currently the Uniting Church is an unincorporated association of individual members. Its legal status rests with the Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Victoria) and Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Tasmania). These two

statutory corporations were established by Acts of Parliament in Victoria and Tasmania in 1977.

However the Property Trusts are not the bodies that have oversight of the Church’s activities and therefore are not involved in, nor have responsibility for, the Church’s policies and procedures related to child sexual abuse. Hence, the Property Trusts cannot introduce and enforce policies and procedures that would protect children.

One of the questions of concern for the SSC in considering the Church’s legal status was what impact might such a change have on the Church’s inter-conciliar nature and polity.

On the question of change, Dr Lawrence quoted from the report of the Incorporation Working Group, which advised the SSC: “[the Working Group] is not proposing a change to the Basis of Union, our travel document, but assuredly we are suggesting a fundamental change in ‘the vehicle’ we pilgrims are going to travel in!”

The SSC has now appointed a Legislative Incorporation Task Group. The task group will develop a framework for achieving incorporation within Victoria and Tasmania.

The task group will consider topics including state governments’ and Church

engagement; theological and ecclesial principles; how incorporation might impact the governance role of the SSC; and any changes to the UCA’s Constitution and Regulations required to implement this change.

The SSC identified a number of benefits for the Church in becoming incorporated.

In the letter to the various councils of the Church, the first benefit listed was enabling victims of child sexual abuse to more easily seek redress.

The letter states that the SSC is committed to work with the other synods and the Assembly in any matters related to incorporation that will impact on the UCA throughout Australia.

Dr Lawrence acknowledged that “these resolutions are the start of a significant journey within the life of the Church, in response to God’s mission in the world, and the community’s expectations for institutions to provide safe places for all people”.

He reassured the letter recipients that the journey ahead will involve substantial consultation between various councils of the Church, with an outcome designed to bring stronger governance structures and a simpler legal model.

In partnership with a specialist advisory team, the Church will work towards a considered long-term approach for supporting communities most in need of social housing.

The Standing Committee has requested the Property Board to appoint the specialist advisory group to develop the synod-wide social housing strategy.

The initial stage of the project will gain a better understanding of what social housing is currently offered throughout the Church. The project team hopes to speak with congregations that have underutilised property and wish to register interest in future social housing projects.

The Social Housing Strategy project ultimately aims to discern exactly how the Church should continue to enhance

its social housing provision over the next decade.

General Secretary Rev Dr Mark Lawrence said the growing need for social housing presents a potentially significant mission response for the Uniting Church.

“Given the diverse range of Church property, as well as existing expertise in social housing, the UCA is well placed to provide leadership in the provision of equitable social housing,” he said.

Dr Lawrence said a more strategic approach would enable the Church to provide housing security for vulnerable individuals and families, while also ensuring the most effective use of Church properties.

“By drawing on our own varied experience and specialist external expertise, the Church will be able to strategically respond to

emerging and future community needs.”

The advisory team will submit a comprehensive business case to the Property Board and Synod Standing Committee in July 2016.

A broad range of UCA groups, including presbyteries, congregations and agencies, is invited to share their experience and interest in providing social housing.

as a single entity is also seen as offering significant strategic benefits in terms of accessing government funding and giving UnitingCare a stronger advocacy voice within the wider community.

PCG Chair Bob Hodges said the group had worked solidly since its establishment to prepare the ground for the coming changes.

“The PCG sees creating a truly collaborative environment as an important cornerstone of the new structure,” he said.

Uniting AgeWell, Wesley Mission Victoria and Uniting Housing remain outside the scope of the Project as they have different governance structures that already report directly to the synod and its Standing Committee. Nevertheless PCG members meet regularly with these agencies.

As part of the new direction, the SSC decided to establish a new single ‘Agency Board’ that will be responsible for overseeing delivery and support functions for Uniting Church community services throughout Victoria and Tasmania.

Overall governance of the UnitingCare network will move from the Commission for Mission to the new single Agency Board.

It will be a skills-based board and allow the network to work and speak as one unified voice for social advocacy and to share best practice and specialist skills across the organisation.

In August, the PCG began work on refining the details of the new strategic direction and

the process for implementing the changes, which are anticipated to occur during this year.

The PCG has undertaken a regular program of consultation with UnitingCare Board chairs and chief executive officers.

It is continuing to work on an organisation and governance structure to best meet the Uniting Church’s mission, the well known strategic imperatives and the requirements of stakeholders.

It has also undertaken coordination work relating to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as participating agencies gear up to enter the NDIS market. The PCG is leading the response to an independent review of Early Childhood Services (ECS).

The PCG has established a Board Nomination and Remuneration subcommittee – consisting of Mr Hodges and three other members – to develop a process for appointing the new single Agency Board and CEO. It will also determine the remuneration of senior executives in the new structure.

Program director Gerry Mak has held discussions with colleagues in New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland to understand and learn from the process of reform undertaken by UnitingCare in those states.

Mr Hodges said it was not expected that any of the changes envisioned would negatively impact staff that care for clients, although reporting lines will change.

“In fact the aim is to make the work of client-facing staff easier by creating a structure which makes it simpler for them to share ideas and learn from the innovative work currently being undertaken throughout the organisation,” he said.

Mr Hodges said UnitingCare was fortunate to employ many committed and experienced professionals working across a wide range of service streams and this was a key strength of the organisation that should not be underestimated.

“There are many examples of cutting-edge service delivery being offered which is assisting to transform the lives of many of the people UnitingCare supports. Sharing knowledge more widely and more readily throughout UCVT will clearly lead to the development of more innovative solutions which can only benefit the client base as a whole.

“At present the sharing of information is hampered by the existing network which often sees individual services operating in a siloed atmosphere rather than having the opportunity to work together more often and more easily.”

Mr Hodges also paid tribute to the many volunteers who gave of their time weekly to support the work of their local UnitingCare agency. He said they would also see benefits flow from the changes.

For more information please contact Quintin Mansell in Property Services on 03 9251 5940 or Quintin.Mansell@victas.uca.org.au

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News Giving older people a voice REBECCA RYAN

Arthur at work.

Another milestone for Arthur IN 1926, the population of Australia was just over six million people, King George V (the current Queen’s grandfather) was the head of state and Melbourne would go on to defeat Collingwood in the VFL Grand Final. At the beginning of that year, on Sunday 17 January, Arthur Tonkin celebrated his fifth birthday and attended his first church service at Surrey Hills Methodist Centenary Church with his family.

Throughout the next nine decades, Arthur has celebrated most of his major life events in the church building. He and Nancy were married at the church in 1944 and their three children, Thomas, Helen and Ted, were all baptised in the church.

Last month, Arthur celebrated his 95th birthday, which marked 90 years to the day since he first set foot in Surrey Hills UC. While the coincidence of that milestone is remarkable in itself, it is Arthur’s contribution to the church that was recognised by the congregation.

Bryan Long, chairman of the SHUC, described Arthur as a man who has led a life of great faith and great service.

“Arthur has been a lay preacher for more than 70 years, preaching at over 1600 services throughout Victoria,” Bryan said.

“He has been a presbytery representative, chairman of Surrey Hills UC congregation and council, choirmaster, Sunday school teacher

CROSSLIGHT - FEBRUARY 16

and president and vice-president of the local preachers’ association.”

While Arthur’s contribution to the administrative and worship areas of the church has been important, Bryan said it was his leadership of church youth groups in the 1950s and ’60s that have had most impact on him personally.

“Arthur had a profound influence on many young people during that time. He was, and still is, a man of great faith who led by example.

For us at that time he was a living testament to the importance of faith,” Bryan said.

An accomplished artist and singer, Arthur was choirmaster at Surrey Hills UC and still sings with the Melbourne Singers. He is a noted historian and has spoken to numerous groups throughout Victoria on colonial history and paddle steamers. In spite of his busy schedule, Arthur always found time to help others in the wider Surrey Hills community. This contribution was recognised in 2001 when he received the Surrey Hills Citizen of the Year award.

Arthur’s passion for history and his love of the Church have made him an invaluable source of information for church members.

Bryan said this was acknowledged when the congregation “thanked God for Arthur’s remarkable memory which illuminates for us the history of this place over so many years”.

“If one adds to all of his achievements – an unfailing sense of humour, his remarkable memory, his love of his church and his love of people – I would have to say he has led, and continues to lead, a remarkable life,” Bryan said.

UNITING AgeWell is calling for community members in Victoria and Tasmania to get involved in senior service planning to help improve the quality of care and effectiveness of its own services and the aged care system as a whole.

Unlike public health services – which are obligated to have a formal, consumer advisory committee to provide strategic advice to their Board of Directors – this is not a requirement in aged care. But the Uniting AgeWell board thinks differently. The board has established the AgeWell Community Advisory Committee (ACAC) to bring the consumer perspective into its decision making and recommendations.

According to Uniting AgeWell board chair Rev Allan Thompson, the organisation is leading the way by establishing the ACAC as a formal committee of its board.

“While consumer advisory committees operate in hospitals and health care environments, they are unique in aged care.

To my knowledge, Uniting AgeWell is one of the first to establish such a committee,” Mr Thompson said.

“Our community advisory committee will be a true consumer voice driving strategy for quality of care and service delivery. The role of the committee is critically important. It’s a way for us to engage with our clients and the broader community on how we deliver and improve our services and plan for the future.

“We want to hear first-hand the concerns, aspirations and ideas of the community. It’s through these insights we will ensure our services continue to support people to age well and have confidence in the quality of care and services they receive.”

Uniting AgeWell is currently seeking expressions of interest from people who want to work actively with other consumers and in partnership with Uniting AgeWell. The committee will meet quarterly from July.

Committee member selection will aim to achieve a mix of geographic location, age, gender and social and cultural diversity.

According to Mr Thompson, this volunteer role is suited to people who are able to present the perspectives of others, rather than focus on their own issues, and be conscious of the collective impact decisions have on other service users.

“They work as an advisory committee to our board and are essential partners in the delivery of safe, high quality care for everyone.

“People don’t have to be experienced in consumer committee participation. We will provide a comprehensive two-day induction and orientation program as well as free formal training through the Health Issues Centre for appointed members. We will also pay for their transport expenses to attend meetings.

“This is an exciting opportunity for people to get involved and shape the future of senior services,” he said.

Information sessions will be held in Hobart on 19 February and in Kew on 24 February. To find out more or to register, call Nickie Arthur on (03) 9862 0076.

Expressions of interest to join the AgeWell Community Advisory Committee close on 29 February; Download an EOI information pack at unitingagewell.org

Having a say about care and services is important for Uniting AgeWell residents like Douglas Willingham.

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News Grandmothers against detention TIM LAM AUSTRALIAN grandmothers are uniting together with one simple message to the federal government: release all refugee children from detention centres.

Grandmothers Against the Detention of Refugee Children (GADRC) is a growing movement of Australian grandmothers protesting against the government’s treatment of asylum seekers.

Dressed in purple outfits, scarves and sashes, the women are a prominent sight at rallies and public demonstrations.

The group formed in June 2014, when more than 70 grandmothers attended a meeting at St Andrew’s Uniting Church in Fairfield.

Many Uniting Church members are involved in the Grandmothers, including Margaret Oulton and Judith Hampton from Hampton Uniting Church. Ms Oulton became involved with the Grandmothers through Hampton’s justice and international mission group. Led by minister Rev Tim Angus, the group meets once every six weeks to discuss social justice issues.

A topic that concerned many congregation

Flipping for a good cause UNITINGCARE Victoria and Tasmania is calling on locals to support the annual Pancake Day event on Tuesday, 9 February.

Pancake lovers will heat up their frypans to make a difference to people’s lives, with every dollar raised going towards UnitingCare programs to support people living in crisis.

Since 2002, kind-hearted pancake lovers have raised $1.3 million for vital UnitingCare services across the nation.

Events manager Catherine Robertson said bills, school costs and housing pressures are forcing struggling Victorian and Tasmanian families to seek help from UnitingCare agencies.

“The post-Christmas period is one of the busiest for local charities, including UnitingCare, with people urgently seeking financial help,” Ms Robertson said.

“Credit card bills, utility payments, housing costs and school expenses coming all at once are a source of extreme anxiety for families and lead to many seeking help.”

members was the indefinite detention of refugee children. Ms Oulten was a preschool teacher for many years and believes detention centres are no place for children.

“A lot of people in our church are teachers.

I think the issue of children in detention is closer to home for us,” Ms Oulten said.

“We don’t see why these children should be restricted by the government from taking part in the same sort of opportunities our own children have.”

According to the most recent government statistics, 68 children are currently held in Nauru detention centre and 91 children in Australian detention centres.

“Our main goal is to get children out of detention, because some of them have been in there for more than two years. This is just an enormous amount of time. They’re the innocent party,” Ms Oulten said.

While an increasing number of people are active in asylum seeker advocacy, sections of the Australian community remain opposed to refugees.

“To people who say ‘we don’t want these people in our country’, I think ‘well, it’s not really your country, it’s the original Australians’ country’,” Ms Oulten said.

“After all, we’re all migrants. The original owners of the land are the Aborigines.”

The Grandmothers movement continues to grow, with a new group launched in Sydney last year. Membership is not restricted to grandmothers. There are hundreds of participants affectionately called ‘FROGS’ – Friends of Grandmothers.

During December, more than 200

grandmothers and FROGS attended a Christmas Walk in the Melbourne CBD. “They came from all over Victoria and were, as usual, dressed in purple. Most wore purple hats as it was a very hot day,” Ms Oulten said.

“Some of the grandmothers were joined by a small, but vocal, group of grandfathers, a number of whom were wearing new purple shirts.”

In addition to state-wide events like the Christmas Walk, local groups participate in public actions in their community.

The Grandmothers groups are formed based on state electoral boundaries, so the grandmothers can keep in touch with their local politicians.

Margaret is part of the Goldstein group, which covers the Beaumaris, Bentleigh, Brighton, Cheltenham and Sandringham areas. They have demonstrated at Sandringham and Middle Brighton railway stations as well as the Middle Brighton Baths.

Their most recent public action took place outside Bentleigh railway station on 9 December. The women gathered at 7:30am to hand out leaflets to commuters on their way to work. They also held signs protesting against the detention of children and families.

The Goldstein Grandmothers recently wrote an impassioned letter to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, urging him to release all children from immigration detention.

In previous years, Uniting Church congregational groups have been the biggest supporters of the event - making up around 60 per cent of all registrations.

“We can’t thank our devoted church members enough for getting behind this worthy cause,” Ms Robertson said.

“Pancake Day is a fun way to bring the community together while making a real difference to people’s lives.”

There are calls for more church groups and the community to get behind Pancake Day by hosting their own event, or by donating online at www.pancakeday.com.au.

“Every little bit counts,” Ms Robertson said.

“Last year almost $83,000 was raised but we’re hopeful we can reach our target of $100,000.

The more events taking place in Victoria and Tasmania, the more money we can give to people who are suffering from homelessness, abusive relationships, addictions, financial hardships or illness.”

UnitingCare, the largest non-government provider of community services in Australia, reaches all corners of the country and supports more than two million people each year.

“We call on everyone in the community to buy a pancake or three at your local event and get behind this cause.”

POSITION VACANT EXECUTIVE MINISTER

Kippax is a modern, vibrant Uniting Church and one of the ACT’s largest community service agencies. Our community of faith and our community services are deliberately integrated in order to support our ministry focus: empowering, transforming and creating a loving and nurturing community, “where the yeast of love will rise”.

An Executive Minister who is mature in their faith and their ability to manage relationships; able to communicate in inspiring ways; work constructively and positively with a diversity of people in multiple settings; and lead, motivate and challenge the community to live out its call, vision and values will be well suited to Kippax.

As is required by Synod, the applicant must be willing to hold a Working with Vulnerable People card and must have the lawful right to work in Australia.

For enquiries and position documentation please contact: Geoff Wellington, e: presbyterymande@tpg.com.au or ph: (02) 6248 9311, or Jon Freeman, Chair, Kippax Uniting Church Council, e: jon.freeman@outlook.com or 0427 113 073 Applications should be sent to: Synod Associate Secretary - Rev Jane Fry janef@nswact.uca.org.au. Applications Close Friday 26 February 2016

A Grandmothers demonstration

“Prime Minister you, like us, are a grandparent. How can we rest while we know that children, just like our own grandchildren, are imprisoned under our watch?” the letter read.

“We note that you have stated that no child should be in detention. We hope you will match your words with deeds.”

The next state-wide action will be a bus trip to Canberra. If you are interested in joining a local Grandmothers group, contact grandmothersref@gmail.com

Kyneton Uniting Church Pancake Day volunteers

Chaplaincy & Youth Formation Full time position

A unique and exciting opportunity to shape and form young people in a Parish and School setting involving: • Leadership in the faith formation of youth and young adults through worship events and community/social justice activities at St Leonard’s Uniting Church.

• Being part of a ministry team delivering chaplaincy services to St. Leonard’s College through pastoral care and educational opportunities.

A background in teaching and theological formation at a tertiary level will be well received.

Position description available at www.stleonards.org.au Applications: Secretary, St. Leonard’s Church, 2 Wolseley Grove, Brighton VIC 3186 or email contact@stleonards.org.au Initial inquiries can be directed to Rev Kim Cain 0419 373 123

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CROSSLIGHT - FEBRUARY 16

News Not so super MATT PULFORD MORE than 1000 retired Uniting Church ministers have had their retirement incomes slashed by federal government superannuation changes that came into force on 1 January.

Changes to the tax treatment of defined benefit super schemes mean more than 80 per cent of retired members in the UCA Beneficiary Fund are losing thousands of dollars a year, principally because it will now be harder for them to receive the age pension.

The scale of lost income varies, with initial feedback suggesting most losses in the range of $5000 to $8500 and some as high as $10,000 a year.

Retired ministers, and in many cases their widows, are struggling to adjust to their change in circumstances with the Uniting Church Beneficiary Fund fielding reports of financial hardship.

One late minister’s wife describes herself as “being forced into a survival situation again” at the age of 76, while other former ministers are reportedly considering selling out of retirement villages they live in.

The changes are bad news too for ministers in defined benefit schemes who are close to retirement, as they won’t be able to rely on the age pension to top up their income as they might have expected.

As of 30 September last year there were 637 Uniting Church ministers contributing to Beneficiary Fund defined benefit schemes.

Collateral damage Uniting Church ministers are the only clergy in Australia caught up by the changes, which the federal government brought in to improve the fairness and sustainability of the pension system.

“As far as we can tell, we are the only mainstream church that operates a defined

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benefit superannuation scheme for our clergy, so Uniting Church ministers are uniquely affected,” Bruce Binnie, chair of the Assembly’s Employer Committee, said.

“I believe that the effect on Uniting Church ministers is an unintended consequence of the government’s legislation.

“So we are appealing to Social Services Minister Christian Porter to review the legislation and exempt ministers from its effects.”

Advocacy efforts Outgoing Assembly general secretary Rev Terence Corkin wrote to Mr Porter in November last year to ask him to review the legislation in light of the potential for significant reductions in income and quality of life for UCA ministers.

Mr Porter responded just before Christmas but made no commitment to review the legislation.

Bruce Binnie, who is coordinating the Church response, is hoping to win an exemption for retired ministers.

“Members of military superannuation schemes have been exempted from effects of the legislation.

“Given the relatively small number of members in our scheme and their circumstances, I’m hopeful that the minister will be able to find some way of relieving the impost that has been placed on pensioner members of the Beneficiary Fund,” Mr Binnie said.

Uniting Church ministers, or their families impacted by the changes, are urged to contact their local federal Member of Parliament to voice their concerns.

Assembly general secretary Colleen Geyer says the Assembly will continue its dialogue with Mr Porter in the hope of improving the situation for ministers who have been unfairly disadvantaged.

UCA Beneficiary Fund The Beneficiary Fund operates three defined benefit schemes - two that closed to new members in 2004 and another that opened

two years ago.

“The members that are most affected belong to the first two schemes, particularly those with long periods of service and whose pension is based on a ministerial stipend that was much lower at the time,” Mr Binnie said.

Defined benefits schemes are regarded as more generous than regular ‘accumulation’ super schemes. Rather than a lump sum or an annuity limited by contributions, defined benefit members usually get a guaranteed lifetime pension that is a percentage of their final salary. Many older schemes also offer ‘reversionary’ pensions which transfer to a spouse or partner after a member’s death and

to other dependants after their death. With Australians living longer, the cost of the public sector defined benefit schemes has come under particular scrutiny in recent years.

If you are a Beneficiary Fund member experiencing hardship as a result of the federal government superannuation changes, please call the Mercer Super Trust helpline on 1800 682 535 or Centrelink on 132 300.

Copies of correspondence between the Assembly general secretary and Mr Porter are available on the Assembly website at https://assembly.uca.org.au/news/item/1784not-so-super

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News A Multi-Faith Paradise: The Need for Reconciliation in Sri Lanka and Melbourne LARRY MARSHALL SRI LANKA is an enigma. It offers us a wonderful success story of multi-faith harmony at work – Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians – a deeply spiritual people living together, praying together and even sharing sacred spaces and pilgrimage rituals. Temples, mosques and churches can often be seen side-by-side in Colombo.

And yet, the other story of Sri Lanka is one of brutal violence and ethnic warfare over 26 years. The civil war between the majority Sinhalese and the minority Tamils ended in 2009 and the urgent need for healing and reconciliation began in earnest.

Uniting Through Faiths (UTF) is a major project supported by the Commission for Mission of the Uniting Church.

UTF is organising its annual Sri Lankan Multi-Faith Harmony Day on 6 March this year at the Mulgrave Community Hall. All are invited and we hope about 400 Sri Lankans and friends of Sri Lanka will attend this celebration of the faiths and ethnic diversity

Dancers at Harmony Day 2015

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which is at the heart of Sri Lankan culture.

The UCA has a dozen ministers and various congregations with proud Sri Lankan heritage. More than 44,000 Sri Lankans live in Victoria.

There is still much unfinished work that Sri Lankans need to do together to heal the deep wounds of their long war. This is work the CFM and its networks can help with.

The current peace in Sri Lanka is fragile and requires new frameworks and brave honest relationships.

There has not yet been a bridge of reconciliation constructed between the people who suffered on all sides. Trust is easily shattered and very slow to heal. This Harmony Day offers us a chance to say ‘sorry’ to each other and to all who struggle with their pain and grief.

We will begin Harmony Day by celebrating our diversity as Sri Lankans. We will stand in awe of how our various faiths successfully held us and nurtured us through this time of hatred and division. This never became a religious war in Sri Lanka.

A Buddhist, a Muslim and a Christian from a youth movement for Reconciliation and Hope called Sri Lanka Unites (SLU) will join us here in Melbourne. Its stated aim is: To unite the youth of all ethnic and religious groups across Sri Lanka in a movement that promotes reconciliation, creating a peaceful and prosperous nation for future generations

Larry Marshall is a project manager with Uniting Through Faiths CFM. He is a Sri Lankan Burgher who migrated to Australia as a teenager with his family.

Paul and Gillian at Rarongo 1994

Partners in Theological Education LONG-STANDING links between the Uniting Church in Australia and its partner church, the United Church of Papua New Guinea (UCPNG), will soon be renewed.

UnitingWorld volunteer Rev Dr Paul Tonson will return to Papua New Guinea in March to teach for six months at Rarongo Theological College’s School of Theology and Mission (STM).

It is almost 25 years since the Tonson family moved from New Zealand to Rarongo, where he spent three years teaching ministry candidates.

“Our cultural immersion as the one European family in a large Melanesian community was transformative for me, my wife Gillian, and our three children”, Dr Tonson said.

“It led us into the orbit and the ministry of the Uniting Church in Australia.”

Paul’s teaching experience in Papua New Guinea inspired him to move to Melbourne in 1994 to undertake a PhD in Biblical Interpretation (Genesis).

“Because of my doctoral study, I can now return to Papua New Guinea to support their ministry development at a higher level,” he said.

With educational standards increasing, the UCPNG formed the United Church College of Higher Education (UCCoHE) as an umbrella for several tertiary institutions. In

2012, UCCoHE created the STM and initiated a Master of Theology program with three students.

Last year, the program had five first-year master students and one final-year student.

“Until UCPNG has more doctoral scholars, they will depend on expatriates to offer qualified supervision,” Dr Tonson said.

“This is a great time for me to return since the college principal, the moderator and some bishops are former students of mine. It is a privilege to work alongside them.”

Personal links between the UCA and UCPNG are limited, as almost all expatriate personnel departed soon after independence in 1975.

However, many of them continue to support the UCPNG through the Friends of the United Church PNG/SI (Solomon Islands) in Victoria and other states.

In conjunction with the Yarra Yarra Presbytery and UnitingWorld, PNG Friends will host a short commissioning service for Paul at 3pm on Saturday 27 February at St Andrew’s Gardiner UC, corner of Burke and Malvern Rds, Glen Iris.

The key speaker will be Rev Dr Seforosa Carroll from UnitingWorld. Dr Carroll is manager of Church Partnerships in the Pacific. Her experience includes work with the Pacific Island Women’s Advocacy Services and the Association of Oceanian Women Theologians.

“I believe the role of Seforosa in this service and in UnitingWorld reflects the maturity of our partnership structure,” Dr Tonson said.

“It fulfils the vision of ‘two-way traffic’ I had after my first period at Rarongo – that we of the West also need to learn from the wisdom of those who first received the gospel through us.”

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News New home for archives

Teachers at a school receiving a kit to give to students

Sewing for girls THE denial of education is a well-documented issue, particularly for women in developing countries. But sometimes a practical solution that many of us take for granted can be the difference between attending and missing school.

Sisters Wendy Flahive and Gill Trudinger learnt about a program they believed they could support.

A world-wide grassroots organisation, Days for Girls International aims to create a more dignified, free and educated world through access to lasting feminine hygiene solutions.

The organisation highlights that not having sanitary supplies can mean days without school, isolation and the need to use leaves, mattress stuffing, newspaper, corn husks or rocks as substitutes. With access to a kit for three years, a girl will gain back 180 days of school, a woman will go 36 months without interruption to work and women and girls regain their dignity. The issue is seen as an instrumental key to social change for women all over the world.

“When I first heard of this relatively simple aim, I decided it was an important way the East Gippsland community could contribute to the education and support of women,” Wendy said.

“Some of our members are great at sewing and this was a meaningful way to combine fellowship, talent and support for young girls and women overseas.”

East Gippsland Days for Girls registered in February 2015 and was organised by advertising for members in church newsletters and through word-of-mouth. Now, the small

band of women, and supportive men, meet at the church building once a week for two hours to sew sanitary hygiene kits for girls and women in developing countries.

The kits are standardised and need to last up to three years. They must be hygienic, reusable and environmentally friendly. Each kit is made with new material with a special lining of breathable waterproof polyurethane laminate that can only be accessed online. The East Gippsland women work in various roles, with some sewing the shields and the liners and others threading bags and packing the kits.

“We are constantly running out of money due to the cost of the new materials and having to buy an overlocker and a sewing machine,” Wendy said.

“The cost of material alone is about $12 for each kit, but sometimes women donate material or we get new flannelette from the op shops.”

East Gippsland Days for Girls is supported by the Bairnsdale and Johnsonville Uniting Churches in East Gippsland. Some women sew in their own homes and many aren’t church goers, but their dedication to helping girls stay at school during their periods in developing countries is a driving force.

Wendy said everyone in the group has found the experience rewarding.

“It is our contribution to the empowerment of women and girls so they are not ashamed of a natural body function,” she said.

“Women across the world are able to support one another with health and hygiene education in a positive way.”

For more information www.daysforgirls.org or contact Wendy Flahive 0438516322 or Gill Trudinger 0351532644.

POSITION VACANT

MINISTER OF THE WORD – NHULUNBUY

THE new home for the synod Archives Centre, in Malvern East, was officially opened late last year.

The relocated Archives Centre has a wealth of material (research information and historical church artefacts dating back to the early 19th century) now available for researchers and the broader UCA community.

Historical items include parish and congregational histories, original film footage, paintings, prints, century-old photographs, honour boards, church stained glass windows and Rev John Flynn’s original work desk.

Speaking at the opening, long serving volunteer Alison Head gave thanks for the dedication and hard work of all who assisted in the process of relocating the synod’s archive operations.

Ms Head also highlighted volunteers as an essential aspect of preserving Church and broader Australian history for future generations.

“From the very beginning of establishing the archives a lot of the work has been done by our dedicated volunteers,” Ms Head said.

“Volunteers have indexed the Methodist paper The Spectator, which is indexed from 1857 right up to the time of Union.

“They work in the library, assist with the photo collection and really help out with whatever needs doing.”

Ms Head encouraged Church members to take advantage of the various resources available at the Archives Centre and to consider the possibility of volunteering.

“I would encourage Uniting Church people, particularly those interested in Church history, to get involved with this great Uniting Church resource.

“It’s fantastic that we’re now here in our new home with a new archivist.

“But we do still need churches to get involved and new volunteers would be most welcome to join our happy family.”

The Archives Centre, located at 54 Serrell Street Malvern East is now open for visitors on Thursdays from 9.00am – 4.00pm and Fridays by arrangement.

For more information on the Archives Centre or to volunteer phone: 03 9571 5476 (Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays) or email archives@victas.uca.org.au.

Synod Archivist Jennifer Bars, Moderator Dan Wootton and Alison Head at the opening of the new Archives Centre

POSITION VACANT

MINISTER OF THE WORD – LIVING WATER, HUMPTY DOO NT

The Pilgrim Presbytery of Northern Australia is inviting applications from those who may have heard God’s call to serve in this position.

The Pilgrim Presbytery of Northern Australia is inviting applications from those who may have heard God’s call to serve in this position.

Members of the Nhulunbuy Church in the Northern Territory are looking for a Minister of the Word to join with them to share God’s love in this unique corner of Australia. This is a welcoming congregation who is keen to be involved and use their gifts in church and community life. They are looking for ways to grow their ministry beyond the four walls of the Church and to engage more in the region.

Living Water Uniting Church, located in Darwin’s rural area, are seeking a Minister of the Word to join with them in ministry and mission. This is a welcoming congregation who are actively involved in church and community life. Mission activities include school chaplaincy and a very busy Op Shop.

They are looking for ways to grow their ministries and mission, in particular with youth.

This is a half-time position based in Nhulunbuy and an off-site manse and vehicle are provided.

You will be part of a diverse and multi-cultural congregation, with opportunities to share the Love of Jesus with the surrounding rural community.

This position would be an ideal placement for a family looking for a change, a single person keen on adventure, or a minister nearing retirement.

This is a full-time position based in Humpty Doo. The manse is located on the large (1.2 ha) church block.

Applications for this position are sought by 11 March 2016.

Applications for this position are sought by 11 March 2016.

For further information about this position please contact Rev Bruce Slater, Presbytery Chairperson, bruce,slater@ns.uca.org.au or ring 08 8982 3400.

For further information about this position please contact Rev Bruce Slater, Presbytery Chairperson, bruce.slater@ns.uca.org.au or ring 08 8982 3400.

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News Water safety skills for new arrivals Stuart McMillan with Rev Sealin Garlett

President’s Survival Day message UNITING Church President Stuart McMillan called for a national conversation on sovereignty for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in his Survival Day message.

Mr McMillan said 26 January was a time for Australians to reflect on the extraordinary courage and contributions of Aboriginal people.

“I encourage you to celebrate the resilience of our First Peoples, the Indigenous people of this land, who have survived the waves of colonisation which have swept over them,” Mr McMillan said.

Mr McMillan worked with the Indigenous people of Arnhem Land for more than 30 years. During this time, he was adopted into the Gupapuyngu clan of the Yolngu nation and learnt their language.

“Respect for First Peoples is the hallmark

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of a great nation, and it’s now time for us to follow through on our unfinished business with First Peoples,” Mr McMillan said.

“For Christians, Christ’s love compels us to be truth tellers, ministers of reconciliation, daughters and sons of peace, and bearers of light and love.”

In 2010, the Uniting Church recognised First Peoples as the traditional owners and custodians of Australia and acknowledged the Church’s role in their dispossession.

At the 14th Assembly last year, the Uniting Church committed to ongoing discussions about sovereignty and treaty with its partners in the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.

“We stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress in their desire to engage the federal government on their just concerns for a treaty, denied for so long in this land,” Mr McMillan said.

“May God grant us the perseverance to carry forward these important conversations, working together with other Australians with a passion for Indigenous justice.”

Turn to page 18 for the full transcript of the President’s message

A SMALL group of newly arrived Afghan mothers and their children is learning vital water safety skills in Shepparton.

In a program co-funded by Kildonan UnitingCare and the Goulburn Valley Community Fund, the swimming lessons at Aquamoves aim to ensure both mums and children better understand pool etiquette and water safety.

The importance of such a program is underlined by the fact that 39 Victorians died from drowning last financial year. Four of these were children aged under four, the highest number on record for more than a decade. A further 64 near-drownings were reported.

According to Lifesaving Victoria, approximately 20 per cent of drowning deaths in Victoria involves refugees, new arrivals and international students.

Swimming lessons are a part of life for most Australian children. But migrants who originate from land-locked countries often have little exposure to beaches and water safety. Some also come from regions with great political instability, where swimming lessons are simply not a priority.

With the number of migrants to Victoria increasing every year, water safety awareness is more important than ever.

Kildonan UnitingCare chief executive officer Stella Avramopoulos said participants in their swimming program are learning potentially life-saving skills.

“Water confidence and access to swimming lessons are something many of us take for granted in Australia,” she said.

“Many new arrivals, even adults, have never learnt to swim and this can be dangerous particularly in the warmer months.”

Mums have been provided with culturally appropriate swimming costumes to enable them to participate and are joined by the Kildonan multicultural worker who assists with language.

“Making it as easy and comfortable as possible for the women to participate, combined with the expertise of the swimming instructors, has made the experience a really fun and positive one,” Ms Avramopoulos said.

Swimming lessons in Shepparton.

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Profile What you think

UnitingCare Harrison staff, Robyn Morris and Dawn Adamovskis

Sleep out for a cause UNITINGCARE Harrison is again working in partnership with Knox Council for the second annual BIG Sleepover fundraiser on Saturday 5 March at Wally Tew Reserve, Ferntree Gully.

Organisers are inviting families, local businesses, churches, schools and sporting clubs to come together and pitch a tent while raising money to support UnitingCare Harrison.

Sharon Wolstenholme, acting CEO of UnitingCare Harrison, said the demand for housing services has continued to increase, with the agency providing crisis assistance to more than 2800 people in the Knox area.

“Of that total figure, 1590 were families seeking either crisis accommodation or more appropriate accommodation for their

CROSSLIGHT - FEBRUARY 16

THANK you to our readers who took the time over the Christmas/New Year break to fill in our December edition reader survey – both the hardcopy and online versions.

Results from the survey reinforced the balancing act Crosslight must achieve to appeal to such a broad readership. As we attract more online readers, we hope we continue to represent the views of our traditional audience.

As the only communications tool that reaches every member of the UCA Vic/ Tas synod, it is important for Crosslight to appeal to the broadest readership possible.

While no publication can be all things to all people, it was pleasing to note that, from our reader responses, we are getting a lot of things right.

While the variety of responses reflects the diversity of the church, some trends and common themes did emerge. Readers overwhelmingly appreciate the letters page; more than 50 per cent of respondents identified it as their favourite section of the paper. This was closely followed by profile and people stories, and the monthly

editorial.

The survey also highlighted areas where we can improve the publication and best meet the interests of our readers. Again, we found a diversity of opinion. Comments ranged from “a waste of paper” to “an excellent publication”. Some readers included thoughtful examples of where improvements can be made, and we will certainly consider all responses throughout the coming year.

We were impressed by the commitment to volunteering within your local communities. From working in op shops, campaigning for social justice, reading to children and leading church groups, it is clear our readers share a passion for community work. We hope to be able to share more inspirational stories of people living out their faith throughout the year.

Although we have collated the survey results, we are still interested to hear your views. So if you haven’t filled in the survey yet, feel free to send it in soon. And we encourage you to continue to write letters to the editor, or join in the conversations online, about things that matter in your church life.

circumstances,” Ms Wolstenholme said.

“The main reasons families have presented to us, seeking accommodation, have been financial difficulty, unemployment, relationship and family breakdown and domestic violence.

“Across the state in the last financial year homelessness services have been forced to turn away nearly 100 Victorians each day.”

Participants can pitch a tent or roll out a swag and sleep out for a good cause and then take part in the family-friendly Knox Festival.

The Knox Festival runs throughout the entire weekend and includes live music performances, markets, fairground rides, Twilight Cinema, workshops and fireworks.

For more information and to register go to: www.knox.vic.gov.au/bigsleepover.

Donations can also be made directly to UnitingCare Harrison at www.unitingcareharrison.org.au

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Feature

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Feature Patrol Ministries under presbytery oversight RESPONSIBILITY for the operation of two former Frontier Services patrol ministries based in the presbyteries of Gippsland and Tasmania has moved to the presbyteries, with support from the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.

Rev Denis Cousens will remain as the Glamorgan-Midlands Patrol minister and Rev Rowena Harris will take charge of the High Country Patrol Ministry, having previously ministered in the region.

The Snowy River Patrol Ministry, in Victoria, has not received funding from Frontier Services and the synod is considering alternative ministry options for the area it previously covered.

Frontier Services has also indicated that it expects to have funding available next financial year to allow for the resumption of the West Coast Patrol, covering Tasmania’s far North-West and West Coasts, which has been vacant since Rev Gay Loftus concluded her placement in April last year.

The new arrangements came into effect on 1 January. It followed a decision by the Assembly Standing Committee in March last year for Frontier Services to transfer the oversight and management of patrol ministers to synods and presbyteries.

In 2013, Frontier Services began

Mission of mateship NIGEL TAPP REV Dennis Cousens sees the role of a patrol minister as that of a mate to those in the community he serves. A willing pair of hands, a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on if required.

It is very much about the mantle of safety which Rev John Flynn espoused when he established the Inland Mission Service, the forerunner of Frontier Services, more than 100 years ago.

“Flynn spoke about people from inland Australia having access to all the church had to offer, just as it was expected by other (urban dwelling) Australians,” Mr Cousens said.

“It is about being alongside the people in times of joy and times of sadness and not worrying about their denomination or if they are even of faith.

“We are just there establishing relationships because when something happens they know you and will turn to you.”

Mr Cousens’ Glamorgan-Midlands Patrol covers 18,000 square kilometres. It stretches from the central highlands of Tasmania, through the middle of the state to Campbell Town and to the east coast communities of Swansea and Bicheno.

While it accounts for a fair slice of Southern and Eastern Tasmania, it is one of the smallest in Australia in patrol terms.

And the land it covers is very diverse in terms of inhabitants – from old farming families through the midlands to mainland migrants who have chosen to retire near the beaches of the east coast or other small towns dotted along his patch.

“Bothwell, Oatlands, Ross, Campbell Town, Swansea and Bicheno would be the main population hubs and they all attract different types of people,” Mr Cousens explained.

“The east coast is primarily tourism and people who have moved in retirement, while the midlands is very much farming.”

The region is also very different to Mr Cousens’ first patrol ministry, a 160,000 square kilometre stretch based around Cunnamulla, 750 km west of Brisbane in Queensland.

CROSSLIGHT - FEBRUARY 16

experiencing severe financial difficulties.

These difficulties were attributed to an increased commitment to provide aged care services in remote Australia, and were described by assembly secretary Terence Corkin as “increasingly complex and financially risky operations” in his report to last year’s Assembly meeting in Perth.

A series of reviews, followed by organisational restructuring, saw Frontier Services transfer its remote area aged-care facilities and community services to other providers by the end of 2015. Frontier Services remains focused on the provision of pastoral and outreach services throughout remote Australia. Significantly, this heralds an historic collaborative relationship with all Uniting Church synods. In this partnership model, Frontier Services continues to fundraise to provision all patrol ministries, whereas the management and administration of individual patrols rests with the synod where they are located.

In outreach, Frontier Services continues to operate its popular volunteer program Outback Links, a national program with over 1,500 volunteers assisting people in remote areas in many helping capacities.

Outback Links has recently forged a partnership with QANTAS and initiated group trips of tradespeople to help droughtdistressed communities.

Associate general secretary Isabel Thomas Dobson said the patrols were vital ministries which the Vic/Tas synod wanted to see continue. Without the new arrangements being put in place they would have ceased to

operate.

“The patrols certainly do a great job and take the church to places where it is not possible for them to have a full-time minister of their own,” she said.

Ms Thomas Dobson did not rule out the possibility of further patrols being established in the synod in the future, depending on need and available funding.

Grahame Ryan is the acting director of Frontier Services. He said that while the transition was initially a shock for people working with Frontier Services, it puts the ministry on a more sustainable footing.

In an editorial in Frontier News in November last year, Mr Ryan told readers that the example of Rev John Flynn, founder of Frontier Services predecessor Australian Inland Mission, continues to be relevant today.

Mr Ryan wrote about the personal letters, diary entries and correspondence donated to the national library in 1964 by John Flynn’s wife, Jean. He said that within the 22 boxes of papers it is evident that Flynn believed in continuous improvement and change.

“The service he envisaged was to be a framework within which outback communities might structure and coordinate their own canopy of safety,” Mr Ryan wrote.

“It was the right strategy for the people and places and needs of the time … but those circumstances and those communities have changed, and continue to do so with increasing speed.”

In his report to the Presbyterian Assembly in 1912, Flynn’s vision was to establish a “mantle of safety” which would allow people to build sustainable communities despite the hardships of outback life.

Given a pressing need for adequate medical services, Flynn initially focused on setting up nursing posts and hospitals, with sisters travelling by camel, horse, rail and motor tricycle.

The first AIM ‘Patrol Padres’ were dispatched in 1913 to provide pastoral care and counselling services to people on isolated properties, mine sites and road gangs.

Mr Ryan said that Flynn believed in continuous improvement. “The next idea, the next innovation … always canvassing the next issue or problem that needed to be addressed and finding new ways to address them.”

In 1928 Flynn achieved a dream of using aircraft to conquer the vast outback distances with the establishment of the AIM Aerial Medical Service, which later became The Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Mr Ryan said it was this spirit of innovation that continues to inspire staff and volunteers at Frontier Services today.

“Continuous improvement has the capacity to concentrate our faith, thoughts, words and actions towards creating a better and brighter future, by encouraging us to focus on those things we excel at … raising greater support for and national awareness of the importance of the Patrol Ministry tradition.”

That sojourn regularly saw him conduct christenings in the backyard of a local pub, marry people under a waterfall or on a sand hill and celebrate Christmas on the banks of the Warrego River.

The remoteness he experienced in Cunnamulla is illustrated by the fact that from one property to another was often a three-hour drive and a visit to the closest dentist was a 1000 km round trip.

By comparison, Dennis agrees that his current locale could not be described as ‘outback’. But it is rural and many of his

away from the homestead.”

Mr Cousens dreamt of entering remote ministry from his teens. Although it took him four more decades to achieve that dream, he believes the time was right.

“When I was 18 I read a book of my mother’s by Lucy Walker, who wrote outback love stories,” he said.

“I told my mother I was going to be a missionary and have a horse and a bible and go to the outback.”

Mr Cousens is attracted by the diversity of work in a patrol setting, both in terms of the

flock are feeling the prolonged effects of years of drought as well as the loss of many of their youngest and brightest for work and schooling opportunities in larger centres.

The community has also endured the decimation of the region’s economic powerhouse, a forest industry which is now closer to a cottage industry than a primary one.

“Tasmania is remote but not as remote as some other places. The west coast would be the most remote,” he said.

“I often say to people now that if I visit and you are not home you are probably sitting in the mall in Launceston or Hobart having a coffee. In Cunnamulla, you were probably fixing fences on your property about 200 km

people and locale.

“That really is the exciting part about it.

A patrol ministry does not operate like a congregation, even though the congregation is probably happy that they have fulltime ministry in some capacity.

“It is about reaching out to people regardless of their faith or creed to proclaim the love of Christ.

“You are meeting people where they are at.

People will talk and share with you over their kitchen table, aged care room, school or even the pub rather than coming into a church building.

“It is about bringing the church to them rather than expecting them to come to the church.

“That brings an opportunity for people to be able to talk about a faith they did not even know they had. Being able to do that is a wonderful privilege.”

Mr Cousens said it was similar to the approach Jesus adopted throughout his ministry.

He lists the three major issues facing his region at present as the ageing population – both in general terms within communities and also among congregants – drought and high unemployment, which exacerbates the drain of young people.

“Young people leave and do not come back and that means you have people in their 70s and 80s still trying to run properties.

Drought remains quite a big problem although a new irrigation scheme in the Midlands fortunately assists.”

Difficult economic times can also see the abuse of alcohol and other drugs become more prevalent within isolated communities, bringing with it a range of other social ills.

But, he said, the people are resilient and will often find a way to work through their difficulties.

People from the patrol’s communities are clear in their support for the importance of the ministry to their townships.

Swansea congregant Roger Bartlett said Dennis Cousens’ ministry is vital to the local community, not only those from the Uniting Church.

“We would be lost without him,” he said.

“He meets the needs of people and goes out of his way to do that regardless of their denomination.

“Dennis keeps us involved in ministry, even though it is only one service a month.”

For the small and remote township of Bothwell, Kathy Metcalf said having a ministry presence, albeit for one service a month, (there are two services led by lay people) is important in providing a focal point for people who wanted to engage with a minister.

“It helps bring the community together and also keep the church going, as these days it is not easy to get people to come to church. A minister is an important point of contact.”

Mr Cousens feels it is important to encourage individuals in their own ministry skills, be it in leading worship, pastoral care, community involvement, music or poetry.

This has been a focus in his ministry and he firmly believes all are given these fruits to share and not to “bottle up for another day”.

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Feature Outback hospitality FRONTIER Services Great Outback BBQ fundraisers have become a regular feature in the lives of many Uniting Church members.

For country congregations in particular, the barbeques offer a chance to catch up with old friends, enjoy a good meal and support a cause close to their hearts.

On a beautiful spring day in September last year, members of the Southern Mallee Co-operative Parish (Baptist and Uniting Churches from Hopetoun and Rainbow congregations) travelled by bus to O’Sullivan’s Pine Plains Lodge for a parish BBQ and fun day. They were joined by members from Speed and Patchewollock.

Pine Plains Lodge is on the eastern fringe of Wyperfeld National Park, 30 kilometres west of the small Mallee township of Patchewollock.

Elaine Nitschke is the secretary of the Southern Mallee Co-operative Parish. She was one of about 50 people who enjoyed the day.

“Our group ranged from two-year-olds Adelyn and Harry to 90+ year-olds Bill and Muff and all age groups in between,” Ms Nitschke said .

Frontier faithful BEN GRUNDY REV Rowena Harris has a long history of thriving in ministry roles that are positioned to provide pastoral support for those most in need.

Stints as a chaplain in schools, aged-care facilities, hospitals and the prison system have prepared her to adapt to a range of ministry roles. A background in social services has also bolstered Ms Harris’ ability to navigate complex issues.

Most recently Ms Harris has been in placement as a Frontier Services patrol minister throughout the presbytery of Gippsland.

She cites the aftermath of natural disasters, isolation and the tyranny of distance, as key challenges facing rural and remote communities.

Discussing the community response to bushfires, Ms Harris said that just being able to support people, even if only in small ways, is an enormous privilege.

Frequently she notes the trademark ‘can do’ attitude evident in many rural communities.

“I think the resilience and resourcefulness of people in rural communities is really

“Many of us had never been to this oasis in the desert – what a magnificent facility set in the beautiful surrounds of sand ridges featuring pines and the open country dotted with pine, bulloak and stunted Mallee trees.

“We were made very welcome by Adrian, a current proprietor of the lodge. Pastor Paul Noble led worship in this lovely setting and then we shared a BBQ lunch together – not too many flies.”

After lunch it was time to explore around the lodge. This included visits to camels or a walk to the local cemetery. Ms Nitschke said the more energetic members joined in the fun of the infamous ‘snowdrift’.

“A trip to Pine Plains is not complete unless you tackle the Snowdrift – a huge sand hill just made for climbing and sliding down; the view from the top makes the climb worthwhile,” Ms Nitschke said.

“Naturally the kids were out of the bus and up the top in a flash. But they didn’t have it on their own – many others of all ages accepted the challenge and came home with sand in their shoes as well as their undies.

“Many thanks to our patient bus driver Graham who got us out to the snowdrift – he even arranged the odd kangaroo and emus on the way.

“We had a wonderful day of fellowship together sharing in God’s creation.”

inspiring,” she said.

“The first few times I entered bush fire areas, the shock of seeing the sheer devastation made me cry.

“During the fires I asked people around the Church to provide cakes and biscuits that I could take to people in affected regions and to community meetings. So I would never go anywhere empty handed, and I was overwhelmed by the amount of gifts and support I received.”

Ms Harris said this and other seemingly small gestures often open up opportunities to provide informal pastoral support to individuals and families affected by the hardships unique to remote areas.

“A lot of people initially knew me as the church-lady-with-the-cake,” she said.

“People are often much more inclined to talk over cake and a cuppa as opposed to more formal situations.”

Ms Harris says this and other informal aspects of pastoral support are central to ministry in remote communities.

“Chaplaincy has been a great background for these sorts of experiences of really unplanned, unknown situations. Working with people who have limited experience of formal church can be challenging, but it’s ultimately about being a friend and fostering support networks.

“All ministers face some degree of this but it can be quite pronounced in remote communities – it’s not a case of being able to

Wayne Nitschke, Daryn & Pam Clugston, Noel Carra and John Bellinger around the BBQ

say ‘hi I’m from the local church down the road’.”

Ms Harris says the strong community links in rural areas often provide avenues to informally support families and individuals. “‘Loitering with intent’ is something I think is really important. If you hang around long enough you will be accepted without necessarily doing anything in a formalised way. So after a while it’s normal that the Frontier Services minister is at the community meeting or social event.

“In that sort of way ‘church’ per se might not really cross someone’s mind, but questions around values and meaning do all the time – so it opens up those kinds of discussions.”

The day-to-day ministry of patrol ministers tends to be varied. Whether it is dropping in on Church members or attending community meetings, much of their ministry is coupled with travelling huge distances.

“As well as practical considerations, the tyranny of distance, not to mention terrain, is often a challenge for patrol ministers,” Ms Harris said.

“I usually travel between 2000 and 2500 kilometres each month, throughout different areas in the region.”

The ability to bring groups together, Ms Harris says, is another central aspect of remote ministry. This is often all the more important in times of hardship.

“A lot of what I do is encouraging and

supporting networks.

“I am involved with the Victorian Council of Churches and emergency ministries during times of storms and bushfires – and out here these groups are really important.”

Concluding her placement at Orbost, St Andrew’s Uniting Church, late last year, Ms Harris recently began a new placement.

Early this year she began a placement as patrol minister based in Swifts Creek, a small town in the Tambo Valley of East Gippsland.

“There’s a lot of very tiny remote communities out that way so I’m really excited about getting to know people and getting involved with neighbourhood organisations.”

Commenting on the changes to Frontier Services, Ms Harris stressed the importance of remote ministry.

“The fact that the ‘church’ is able to go to people so far out of the way is such a positive thing.

“John Flynn spent time out here and he really promoted that idea of taking the church out to the people – the discussions, prayer, bible study, all out in the middle of nowhere.

“I think the fact that the Church is still doing that and won’t give up trying to serve in these communities is incredibly valuable to rural Australia.”

Rev Rowena Harris

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CROSSLIGHT - FEBRUARY 16

People Kicking goals for the community

Luis Rodriguez with one of his soccer protégés

Family tradition IN December last year, in a moving service at Brunswick Uniting Church, 27-year-old Beth Donnelly was ordained as a minister.

Beth’s father, Andrew, passed away seven weeks before his daughter’s ordination, and was ordained 21 years ago on the same weekend.

Beth studied a Bachelor of Arts majoring in politics and sociology before becoming a youth and children’s worker at Brunswick Uniting Church. After working within the church environment, and a period of discernment, Beth candidated for ministry.

Beth’s mother, Jo, said the ordination was a fitting tribute to the memory of her husband. The service reflected the past few months – a mixture of joy and sadness for the whole Donnelly family.

KILDONAN UnitingCare volunteer Luis Rodriguez has been recognised for his dedication to newly arrived families in Shepparton with a Victorian Multicultural Award for Excellence.

Mr Rodriguez received the award for Meritorious Service to the Community at a ceremony in December last year.

It acknowledges his “outstanding achievements in promoting cultural

diversity and inclusion”.

He has spent many years coaching and mentoring newly-arrived young people in soccer and transporting them to competitions and tournaments. Many of his players are now involved in high-level competitions throughout Australia.

Luis previously co-ordinated the Shepparton Street Soccer Program and Social Soccer Program with his wife – and Kildonan staff member – Elisabeth Dunne.

The programs promoted social inclusion for newly-arrived young people.

He also has a long history of offering newly-arrived families jobs and accommodation at his orchard at Undera.

Many of the men who were first employed

“Beth wore Andrew’s stole, which was made by my mother (Andrew’s mother-in-law and Beth’s grandmother). The moment the stole was placed on her brought the whole congregation to tears - family, friends and colleagues,” Jo said.

The family tradition continued in January when Beth performed her first baptism as the Rev Beth Donnelly. Beth then baptised her nephew, Joshua James Wells.

Beth will take on her first ministry role at the start of the school year as chaplain at The Scots School in Albury. Beth said she is looking forward to working with young people again, and sees the role as a perfect fit.

“The vision of the school is closely aligned with my vision of the Church and ministry,” Beth said.

“I’m excited to be a part of a community that shares the values and sense of justice I have grown up with.”

Beth Donnelly

TICTACs in Bendigo THE words ‘Tic Tac’ are usually associated with pocket-sized boxes of flavoured mints.

But for the children at Weerona Uniting Church in Bendigo, it is a name that reflects their identity and values.

In late 2015, the Weerona Uniting Church kids’ club decided to name themselves ‘TICTAC’. It stands for ‘Totally Inclusive Children Talking About Church’.

Rev Susan Malthouse-Law is minister at Weerona Uniting Church and coordinates TICTAC. When she commenced her placement at Weerona in 2015, she wanted to give the kids’ club a unique name and identity. But finding a suitable name proved more challenging than expected.

“We wanted to come up with a name but we couldn’t reach consensus,” Ms MalthouseLaw said.

TICTAC at their end-of-year celebration.

Best friends reunite A resident at Uniting AgeWell in Forest Hill was reunited with her beloved pet chihuahua just in time for Christmas.

Eighty-eight-year-old June Wright and Saffi (pictured) kept each other company for 14 years until June moved into the Strathdon Community and could no longer look after her ‘bubba’.

Saffi was initially taken in by a neighbour, but after just a few weeks they were unable to care for her and took her to June’s vet to be looked after.

Keen to ensure June could still see her best friend, Strathdon put out a call to staff to provide Saffi with a new home.

Donna Jones, an activity worker at Strathdon’s Mingara Day Therapy Centre, took up the call for action and Saffi joined her family of two cats and a West Highland white terrier.

Understanding the connection between pets CROSSLIGHT - FEBRUARY 16

and their owners, Donna takes Saffi to work with her four days a week so June can spend time with her pet.

“For older people, especially those living alone or in aged care residences, pets provide social interaction and can help lessen loneliness,” Donna said.

“I know how much Saffi means to June.

With my role at the Day Therapy Centre, I am able to bring Saffi in with me so they can still be together during the day.

“The bond between June and Saffi is incredible, it warms my heart every morning when I take Saffi to her and see the reaction between them.”

The pair now spends about four hours a day together, playing and interacting.

“Saffi has settled in very well both at home with my other pets and with the residents at Strathdon,” Donna said.

“Having Saffi at Strathdon not only brightens June’s day; everyone seems to love her.”

Strathdon was fortunate to receive a $1000 grant from Animal Welfare League Australia to help with Saffi’s expenses.

by Mr Rodriguez are now successful business owners in the Shepparton region.

Kildonan CEO Stella Avramopoulos said Luis has made a significant impact on families in the Shepparton region.

“Arriving in a new country and attempting to start a new life can be a daunting experience for many families,” Ms Avramopoulos said.

“Luis has gone above and beyond to make that transition smooth for so many new arrivals and to make them feel like an important part of their new community.

“Luis is a deserving winner of this award and a shining example of Kildonan’s values: respect, integrity, compassion, justice and trust.”

“One of the kids, as a joke, suggested the name ‘Tic Tac’ because it sounded cool.”

After some discussion, ‘Tic Tac’ developed into a fitting acronym that articulates the children’s desire to be an inclusive and welcoming community. The club provides an informal family-orientated environment where children can engage in interactive activities and learn about God. “It’s a chance for the kids to play games and have fun. We also set aside some time for prayer,” Ms Malthouse-Law said.

During the busy Christmas season, Ms Malthouse-Law turned to the newlynamed TICTACs to assist with Christmas decorations. One of the activities the children did was create craft for the church’s Jesse tree (a tree decorated with ornaments that tell the story of the Bible from creation to Jesus’ birth).

There are currently 10 families involved in TICTAC and the group hopes to expand and include more children in 2016.

June and Saffi.

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Profile Uniting Church honours WESLEY College principal Helen Drennen (pictured) was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Australia Day Honours list announced on 26 January.

Dr Drennen, who has been principal at the 150-year-old Uniting Church School since 2003, was recognised for her service to secondary education through leadership roles, to professional bodies and to the community leadership.

She established the Yiramalay/Wesley Studio School in the Kimberley region of Western Australia – in conjunction with the Fitzroy Valley Bunuba Indigenous community – which opened its doors in 2010 and also established the Wesley College Institute for Innovation in Education in 2005.

Dr Drennen was one of 11 Victorians with Uniting Church, or Church agency, connections to be honoured this year. The other 10 were all awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Benalla’s Mrs Winifred Mary Dunnachie, member of the Uniting Church Adult Fellowship and the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union Cookbook committee was recognised for services to the community and to the Uniting Church in Australia.

Standing Committee member, John Diprose, from Caramut, was recognised for his long service to the Church in many roles including as Chair of the Presbytery of Western Victoria and as a member of the Board of Mission and Resourcing and the Standing Committee.

Australia Day honours

Mr Flack receives the Legion of Honour.

A living symbol The Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, praised the efforts all recipients had made to making Australia a better place.

“We are fortunate as a community to have so many outstanding people willing to dedicate themselves to the betterment of our nation,’’ he said.

“For over 40 years these honours have helped to define, encourage and reinforce our national aspirations and ideals by acknowledging exceptional Australians.

“On behalf of all Australians, I thank them for their contributions. They are a source of courage, support and inspiration, and we are a stronger, safer and more caring nation because of them.”

Mr John William Diprose, ‘Yamba’, Caramut, Vic. For service to the community, and to the Uniting Church in Australia.

Mrs Barbara Jean Dorward, Airport West Vic. For service to the community, and to the Uniting Church in Australia.

MEMBER (AM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA Dr Jay Chandra, NSW. For significant service to medicine in the field of ophthalmology as a clinician, and to the international community through eye care programs.

Dr Helen Denise Drennen Wesley College, Melbourne Vic. For significant service to secondary education through leadership roles, to professional bodies, and to the community.

Mr Alan Douglas Hewitt, Hamilton NSW. For significant service to ecumenism and inter-faith dialogue, and to the Uniting Church in Australia.

The Reverend Dr John Allan HIRT, Avalon Beach NSW. For significant service to the Uniting Church in Australia, particularly through theological direction, to youth, and to the community.

Mr Neil Edwin Summerson, Fairfield Gardens Qld. For significant service to the finance, commerce and business sectors, to the arts, and to the community.

MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA Mrs Susan Bartlett Alexander, Gordon NSW. For service to the community, particularly to children’s welfare.

Mr Arthur David Brawn, Killara, NSW. For service to the community, particularly through Rotary.

Mr Alan Dean Brook, East Ivanhoe Vic. For service to youth, and to the community.

Mrs Barbara Lyn Brook, East Ivanhoe, Vic. For service to youth, and to the community.

Ms Chantal Marie-Claudine Denis, Epping, NSW. For service to the community through the Wayside Chapel.

Mrs Winifred Mary Dunnachie, Benalla, Vic. For service to the community, and to the Uniting Church in Australia.

FORMER World War II pilot George Flack denies that he is a hero – but the people of France disagree.

In December last year the 93-year-old was presented with the Legion of Honour, France’s highest military award, for his participation in liberating France from the Germans.

Mr Flack flew more than 40 flights over France, sometimes in horrendous conditions, between 1942 and 1945 to halt the German advance through the country. It was at a time when many pilots were lucky to survive a handful of missions.

But, for Mr Flack it was just a case of doing the job he was assigned.

“I was just doing what I was told … doing my job. I did not think I was doing anything special,” Mr Flack said.

Mr Flack – a resident at Uniting AgeWell’s Strathdevon facility at Latrobe on Tasmania’s North-West Coast – was presented with his medal by France’s Ambassador to Australia, Christophe Lecourtier at a moving ceremony in the Hobart Town Hall (pictured at left).

Planes like those Mr Flack flew in World War II

Mr Lecourtier described Mr Flack as more than just a fighter but a liberator.

“By1944 you were no longer merely a man, but a living symbol of our common values, the spirit of resistance, the spirit of liberty, the spirit of mateship,” he said.

The Australian government also recognised Mr Flack’s achievements.

In a letter of congratulations to Mr Flack, the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Simon Lewis, said the Legion of Honour was one of the world’s most widely recognised honours having been established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.

“The rigorous process in identifying these individuals, especially in countries as far away as Australia, ensures that the recipients are indeed deserving,” Mr Lewis said.

The achievements of Mr Flack, who also received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his service, would never have happened had it not been for a passion to follow in the steps of the aviation pioneers of the turn of the century.

Following the war Mr Flack spent many years working at the Mt Lyell mine on Tasmania’s West Coast.

Mrs Edith Marjorie Fairlie, Kawungan Qld. For service to aged care.

Mr Keith Fredrick Henning, Telopea NSW. For service to the community of Parramatta, and through charitable contributions.

Mr Graeme Lachlan McEwin, Wheelers Hill Vic. For service to the community of Rowville.

Mr David Lister Pratt, Lake Wendouree Vic. For service to the community of Ballarat.

Mrs Joycelyn Beatrice Rieck, Rosewood Qld. For service to aged persons, and to the Uniting Church in Australia.

Mr Gregory Winston Samson, Traralgon, Vic. For service to youth through Scouting, and to the community.

Mr Geoffrey Simpson, Flagstaff Hill, SA. For service to the community, and to the Uniting Church in Australia.

Pastor Linda Elizabeth Sivyer, Manly West Qld. For service to local government, and to the community of Aurukun.

Mr Robert Carl Sleigh, Clapham, SA. For service to the community of South Australia.

Mr Roger Lewis Thompson, Hamilton, Vic. For service to the community of Hamilton, and to the Uniting Church in Australia.

Mrs Marjorie Olive Thornton, Port Elliot, SA. For service to the community of Port Elliot.

Ms Jillian Ruth Wells, East Hawthorn, Vic. For service to medical research and community organisations.

POSITION VACANT PASTORAL ASSOCIATE

Habitat Uniting Church is a vibrant congregation and network of community partners across three sites: Kew, Canterbury and Hawthorn. The congregation seeks to grow in grace, nurture community and make a positive difference in the world. As part of this mission, there is a vision to grow the community life. Habitat is seeking to appoint a pastoral associate who will work as part of a ministry team, eight hours a week. The focus will be on pastoral visiting of the older members of the congregation and community building activities. The applicant must have pastoral care qualifications and experience.

The appointment will be made in accordance with the Uniting Church Ministry Provisions 2016 Level 4.

To enquire call Rev. Joan Wright Howie 0424 670 093 or to request a copy of the Job Description please contact the Habitat Office 9819 2844.

Closing date for applications 1 March

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Back to school South Geelong scholarships

Crossing the bridge

IN the aftermath of South Geelong Uniting Church closing in 2014, congregation members sought to create an ongoing legacy for the church community.

A South Geelong memorial scholarship was soon identified as an apt gesture from the church community in the local area.

Being sold under the Uniting our future program, South Geelong was allocated income replacement funds, some of which will go towards funding the scholarship in perpetuity. The remainder of the funds was put towards various community support initiatives.

Scholarship committee members Joanne Storrar, Rev Bob Ross and Ric Killick, said the scholarship will financially assist students as they transition from primary to secondary school.

“The closure of the church brought with it a strong desire to create a legacy that would permanently express the profound, deep, devoted Christian commitment of 144 years,” Mr Killick said.

Students who excel in a range of criteria including academic aptitude and team spirit will be awarded the scholarships each year.

The memorial scholarship was officially launched at a music event, arranged by Rev Ikani Vaitohi, late last year at the East Geelong Uniting Church.

The musical afternoon included choirs from Bellarine Probus, Victorian Freemasons and the Des Camm jazz band.

More than 250 people attended the event including students from the East Geelong Primary School who were awarded the first round of scholarships.

Members of the scholarship committee presented the certificates and publicly congratulated the students.

Mr Killick said the congregation was glad to have initiated something positive following the closure of the church.

“The closure of the South Geelong church was certainly not considered as an event that could possibly generate any delight or purposeful satisfaction,” he said.

“However, at the launch, when one observed the sheer joy that these scholarships generated, it brought to mind the biblical quote ‘the Lord will direct a guiding path with purpose and meaning to those that never allow their belief to falter’.”

MANY great works of children’s literature include a threshold moment. There is the wardrobe into Narnia, platform 9 ¾ into the wizarding home of Harry Potter and Alice’s rabbit hole into her Wonderland. These passages take children into new worlds full of possibility, challenge and imagination.

The Irish poet John O’Donohue talked about thresholds as “a place where you move into more critical and challenging and worthy fullness… a line which separates two territories of spirit, and … very often how we cross is the key thing.” When we take time to consider our threshold rituals we allow new possibilities to emerge, we leave space to be transformed.

Sarah Lockwood has been through something of a threshold moment herself, as she returns to the role of Synod Schools Project Worker. She said that after some years taken for parental leave she is looking forward to “working with people in Uniting Church schools who sit within a learning culture of vibrancy, flexibility and creativity.”

Sarah said she has noticed many threshold moments throughout the network of Uniting Church Schools.

“In fourth term at Billanook College, Year 8 students take part in a very special tradition called ‘Crossing the Bridge’,” Sarah said.

“Families gather to watch as each student walks across the bridge over the river in the middle of the school campus. The ritual symbolises the transition to the next stage of their schooling journey. This rite of passage acknowledges our human need to mark and celebrate different stages of life within loving communities.”

The UC school network also farewelled two long-serving principals at the end of 2015. Bruce Simons left after 16 years as principal of Hamilton and Alexandra College and Kerry Bolger retired as principal of Cornish College.

Sarah said new principals will be building on the culture of creativity established in these schools.

“We welcome Ms Vicki Steer to Cornish College, Dr Peter Miller to Geelong College and Dr Andrew Hirst to Hamilton and Alexandra College. We hope that within the busyness of their new roles, there will be space for this threshold to be crossed with worthy fullness.”

Aitken College students tackle global politics

These challenges deal with military, political, ethical, environmental and economic issues and include border disputes, land rights, water issues, nuclear meltdowns and inflation.

“I developed EarthCraft, making up pages of rules and scenarios (with handcraft and 3D printing) over a long, busy summer holiday,” Mr Lawless said.

“I pitched it to my school and, even though I was only in my third year at Aitken, they ran with it.

I’m lucky to be at a school that allows teachers to be creative and find new ways to engage young curious minds.”

Mr Lawless won the Hume Graduate Teacher of the Year Award in 2014 and used the prize-money to travel to Austria, where John Hunter was holding a masterclass.

“We watched him run the game with some Austrian students as we learnt about the game and his teaching philosophy,” Mr Lawless said.

“I showed him my game and he was amazed; no-one else he knows had tried to make their own game, they all just used his after training with him.”

Last year, Year 6 Aitken College students began

TIM LAM YEAR 6 students at Aitken College are working to solve the world’s toughest problems through an international political simulation game.

EarthCraft was created by Aitken College’s head of humanities, Ben Lawless. It is loosely based on the World Peace Game developed by internationallyrenowned education expert, John Hunter.

EarthCraft gives students an opportunity to control the world and deal with a number of ‘Earth Challenges’.

Billanook student Emma Puckey

playing EarthCraft one hour every fortnight as part of their geography classes.

They are placed in different teams: six continent teams, the World Bank, the UN, Greenpeace, the hacktivist group Anonymous and ‘the Fates’ (two students who help run the game).

Students can table treaties, announce war and formulate policies. The core mechanism of the game revolves around solving the Earth Challenges while balancing finite resources such as food, energy, steel and cash.

“The students have enjoyed the game immensely.

They’re so engaged they don’t notice when we run over time and start using their recess and lunch – in fact they don’t even mind!” Mr Lawless said.

“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive – they enjoy having freedom to do things their way.

As one student put it ‘Normally the teachers make all the decisions’.”

Mr Lawless said the students have embraced the challenge of solving complex issues that world leaders grapple with.

“The students have been frustrated at times,

learning to negotiate seemingly intractable problems with people they don’t normally interact with,” he said.

“They love negotiating and they like that the game is difficult. They enjoy finding out about problems that can or have existed in the real world. They like that it is a totally different way of having a class.”

EarthCraft attracted the attention of Hume City Council Mayor Helen Patskiatheodorou (at left and below), who visited Aitken College in December to watch students play the game. Ms Patskiatheodorou was impressed with the knowledge and negotiating skills displayed by the students.

Mr Lawless has begun working on another game, Planetology, with other teachers at Aitken College.

“It will be of a similar style but set in an alternate planet and is solely devoted to dealing with earthlike environmental problems,” Mr Lawless said.

Ben Lawless (centre) demonstrates EarthCraft

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Opinion Transcript of President Stuart McMillan’s 2016 Survival Day message

MÄGAYAMIRRI ROM. Greetings to you in the Yolŋu languages of North East Arnhem Land. “May the way of peace and tranquillity, harmony with the whole of creation, be with and within you”.

As Australians across the country pause to mark the anniversary of British settlement, I wanted to share with you some reflections on the 26th of January, a day which many including myself refer to as ‘Survival Day’.

On this day, I encourage you to celebrate the resilience of our First Peoples, the Indigenous people of this land, who have survived the waves of colonisation which have swept over them.

Aboriginal leaders in all walks of life are making extraordinary contributions to our shared life and helping us all to better understand ourselves and our nation.

Across all parts of Australia, cultural practices connecting the First Peoples with this land and creation continue to be life-giving. Ancient languages are spoken and many are now being saved from extinction. These are good reasons for all Australians to give thanks.

Our national day is a good time for those of us who are the Second Peoples to see with new clarity the wonderful heritage that is embodied in the nations and clans of this land’s First Peoples.

I welcome the Australia Day Council’s acknowledgement that our national day should be authentic and mature, a day when we can celebrate and mourn at the same time.

Respect for First Peoples is the hallmark of a great nation, and it’s now time for us to follow through on our unfinished business with First Peoples.

For Christians, Christ’s love compels us to be truth

tellers, ministers of reconciliation, daughters and sons of peace, and bearers of light and love.

In the Uniting Church we recognised First Peoples in our Constitution some years ago. We are now committed to a conversation about what it would mean for us to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as sovereign peoples. We stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress in their desire to engage the Federal Government on their just concerns for a Treaty, denied for so long in this land.

There is much work to do. May God grant us the perseverance to carry forward these important conversations, working together with other Australians with a passion for indigenous justice.

This Survival Day may you hold the warmth of the campfire in your heart.

Reflection God with us at Christmas JULIE PERRIN

SOME of the people who belong to our church live at a special accommodation place down Sydney road. There’s a bit of traffic between the church and the lodge as it’s too far to walk, especially if you have cerebral palsy and the tram is not accessible.

The lodge has about 80 rooms in three storeys of 1970s brick veneer built around a courtyard. This middle area is an outdoor meeting space, the crowd for Christmas Carols gathers here.

I enter from one end of the rectangular marquee, which is essentially a plastic shed for the courtyard. The floor is concrete, all the seats are full. People are perched on or buried in couches, leaning on crutches or sitting further back outside on wooden benches. Some are festive, wearing Santa hats and reindeer ears. Some are just waiting in their worn out old track pants and t-shirts.

A lot of people from local churches have turned up to sing – along with some of the residents who’ve joined the carollers. There’s been no rehearsal, all we have is the 1959 booklet of Christmas Carols, it has a vintage feel.

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When the first song strikes up, something ripples in the air. Randomly we seem to have hit on exactly the right combination of voices to make these carols do their work.

In ‘Silent Night’ there are harmonies, daring little riffs, sweet sopranos and thrumming bass voices– ‘all is calm, all is bright’. I can see a gathering attention in the listeners – shoulders shift, heads are raised, people’s faces soften.

We go through the carol booklet by request.

In ‘Joy to the World’ we sing, ‘Let every heart prepare him room.’

There’s a bloke in the middle of the marquee whose face is a map of tenderness. He stands up and bursts out, “Youse are all great singers!” He says it again and again. We are all smiling and hooting.

From other listeners there’s a secret little turning of the head and a hand tentatively touching the face. It’s as if we have become children again.

‘Oh Holy Night’ gets called for, unashamedly misty-eyed we croon ‘Oh night divine, Oh night divine.’ When we reach number four, ‘Hark the Herald Angels’, another bloke from up the back comes forward, holding his arms straight out and giving the thumbs up.

Singing ‘Once in Royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed’ I look around at unglamorous people perched on crappy old couches.

I am in the company of angels and shepherds. I see the wonder on all of our faces to be in this beauty, this moment.

This is Christmas, God with us.

Carols at the Lodge

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Letters The politics of religion SOCIAL commentators repeatedly state that politics and religion should not mix.

I strongly disagree, as both are about life.

The Uniting Church respects, accepts and supports all religious beliefs, Indigenous peoples, asylum seekers and people of all sexual persuasions.

Most of these groups have little voice in the corridors of power. That the Uniting Church stands up for them is only right.

To me, this is true Christianity.

Kevin P McIntosh Gladstone Park, VIC

Give a Gonski I’M bitterly disappointed that the Turnbull Government decided in late 2015 not to fund the final two years of the Gonski school funding reforms.

For the first time in decades the Gonski reforms had meant that education funding would be based on student need, providing greater opportunity for children from low socio-economic areas to receive the best quality educational opportunities.

The ones with the most to lose from this heartbreaking decision will be disadvantaged students attending under-funded and poorly resourced government schools.

Many of these students will most likely continue to be disadvantaged throughout their lives. They will face high unemployment, low incomes, and not be given the chance to participate fully in the workforce and the economy.

It’s a situation which I find deplorable and immoral, and I ask the Justice and International Mission unit,

as well as all Uniting Church schools and colleges to advocate for these children and young people facing extreme educational and lifelong disadvantage.

Congregations or individual church members who wish to express support for the Gonski funding model can visit www.igiveagonski.com.au, or contact the Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, 107 Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Hilton SA 5033, phone 08 8354 1644, email: Minister@education.gov.au

Robert Van Zetten Via email

If anyone has any information regarding our windows or would like to donate towards the restoration project, they can contact Lorraine Browne at email: saloza@tca-online.com.au or the Church Office at email: uccsm@tca-online.net.au.

These are the most basic acts of welcome and inclusion. If we do not let people know what our churches are doing, we cannot possibly expect people to feel welcome, let alone share in an experience of the incarnate God.

Lorraine Browne Church Historian Camperdown

Rev Cameron McAdam Minister: The Village Church, Mt Eliza

Welcoming the stranger?

Windows to the past CAMPERDOWN Uniting Church is a congregation of the UCA in south west Victoria.

We have recently set up a fundraising appeal for the restoration of the historic stained glass windows which were part of the original church construction dating back to1901. In recent years the deterioration of the windows has become more evident and professional advice received is that the windows need immediate attention or we face losing them forever.

Back in 1901 the final cost, including alterations, repairs and improvements in the old church amounted to over two thousand one hundred pounds, of which one thousand four hundred pounds was raised by subscriptions prior to completion of the building.

A note from Church records on 3rd October 1901 celebrates the opening of the new Presbyterian Church. The building was planned to seat 300 to 400 people. It appears that the price of installation of the windows were all in the contract price.

The Church Council is seeking to undertake the repairs in stages and therefore donations from those people interested will be gratefully received so this important work can begin in the near future.

AT Christmas many of our churches are filled with visitors and those seeking to know more about Christian faith. Perhaps, more than any other time of the year, Christmas is an opportunity to welcome others and engage them with the story of the God of love, the creator of all things, who enters our human condition, not in power, but in vulnerability. As we know, this is the most amazing and wonderful experience and celebration.

However, conversations with family and friends on Christmas Day and the days following have led me to question whether we are the welcoming and hospitable church we claim to be.

In trying to find a Uniting Church to attend on Christmas Day, people I spoke with did what just about anybody does in this current age when they’re seeking information. They googled and looked for the website of their local Uniting Church only to discover there often wasn’t a website or the basic information they sought – on this occasion Christmas service times – wasn’t available.

Another drove past local Uniting Churches to look for advertised Christmas service times, only to discover no times were displayed.

On one occasion a person went to a church, but couldn’t find the entrance. And she wasn’t alone, another man having exactly the same issue and getting in his car and driving away.

62 people own half the world DETAILS of the Oxfam report published in January revealed that just 62 people own as much wealth as the poorer half of the global population.

(Their wealth has jumped by 44 per cent in five years while the wealth of the poorest plunged by 41 per cent.) In Australia, the combined wealth of the richest seven exceeds that of 1.73 million Australian households. Meanwhile, around the world, 22,000 children die each day due to poverty. It seems to me that we have a ‘broken’ economic model underpinned by deregulation, privatisation and financial secrecy and few, least of all our politicians, care.

These statistics are chilling and cause me to ask, as a Christian, what can I do about it? As Marcus Borg once said, the average person should not feel guilty that they are not pulling their weight. What is needed is for the bottom 98 per cent of us need to get as mad as hell about the way the elites of this world are structuring society to their own narrow self-interests.

Don Bartlett Manningham, VIC.

Obituary

Photo courtesy of The Border Mail Albury/Wodonga

Six decades of church and community music honoured: Graham Wesley Stocks OAM 6/5/1928 –17/9/ 2015 GRAHAM Wesley Stocks was born to Rev Wesley and Ruby Stocks in Sydney, the youngest brother of five children, Ken, Gwen, Marcia and Ralph. His great grandfather was Edward King, a Methodist pioneer preacher and circuit

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steward of Morpeth Circuit of the Maitland District.

As Graham’s father was a Methodist minister, the family moved to various locations throughout his childhood – Orange, Wollongong, Camden and finally, in 1945 at the age of 17, to Albury. During those formative years he was exposed to organ, choral and classical music. By the time Graham arrived in Albury he had taught himself to play both piano and organ.

In 1945 Graham became the organist for the Wesley Methodist Church in Olive Street, Albury. He held that position for 32 years, where he had to grapple with major choral works and three regular church services every Sunday. Here the church choir sang numerous oratorios that Graham accompanied over the years , among them ‘Messiah’, ‘Elijah’ and ‘Crucifixion’. It was not long before he was in demand for concert work, solos and accompaniments in the wider community.

Other churches in the region freely called on Graham for advice and practical assistance.

From the 1960s, Graham also provided organ accompaniments for local theatre groups and

school productions – anything from musicals such as Oklahoma and Camelot to Gilbert and Sullivan musicals.

In 1975, the Albury Wodonga Development Corporation asked Graham to form and chair a committee to investigate the need for a Conservatorium of Music in Albury/Wodonga.

Five years later, in January 1981, the Riverina Music Centre was opened. The now-Murray Conservatorium is the direct descendant of that Centre.

After the Uniting Church was formed in 1977, Graham was asked by his friend (Jack Carter, the organist at the Presbyterian Church of St David’s) to take over the position of organist after Jack retired. Graham held this position for 33 years at St David’s Uniting Church, Albury. He spent many hours composing and arranging choral music for the choir, playing for church services, thousands of local/regional weddings, funerals, and the annual Charles Sturt University graduations.

Graham retired from his role as a senior partner chartered accountant with Price Waterhouse in 1985. He commenced giving organ lessons in his home and helping some students to AMus

A level, gave organ lectures at the Murray Conservatorium, and conducted weekly church recitals at St Matthews, Albury.

In 1981 he was a member and chairman of the foundation of the Riverina Murray Institute of Higher Education, which amongst many things led to the establishment of the Charles Sturt University in Albury.

The community expressed its appreciation through a NSW Premier’s Award (1993), a Charles Sturt University honorary degree (1996), an Albury Australia Day Award (1997), and the Medal of the Order of Australia (2006).

At his packed funeral at St David’s Albury, on Friday 25 September 2015, the church filled with music and song, including recordings of his organ playing, and the choir performing his arrangement of ‘Eagle’s Wings’.

Graham is survived by his wife Joan and three children: Rhonda, Mark and Judy, and families including five grand-children.

Compiled by Graham Stocks’ daughters.

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Reviews Ladies in Black REVIEW BY PENNY MULVEY PLAY | LADIES IN BLACK | MELBOURNE THEATRE COMPANY

Inspiring faith REVIEW BY NIGEL TAPP BOOK | HEROES OF THE FAITH | ROLAND ASHBY MANY Christians can readily point to people whose lives have inspired their own faith journey.

And Melbourne author Roland Ashby has gathered the stories of 55 men and women who have inspired the faith of others in his latest book.

Those profiled range from the familiar – such as former US president Abraham Lincoln, South African bishop Desmond Tutu, author CS Lewis, poet John Donne, composer JS Bach, Mother Teresa and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer – to the less well known.

The second category includes monk, writer, poet and prophet Thomas Merton, Melbourne-based Bible scholar Leon Morris (who did much to promote women in ministry), Ethiopian missionary worker Dr Catherine Hamlin, pioneering Aboriginal priest Gumbuli Wurramara and British evangelist John Stott.

While the latter may not enjoy the name recognition of the former their stories are nonetheless inspiring.

In fact, I found the stories of previously unknown heroes of the faith in Australia particularly interesting.

One of the real joys of this book comes in the calibre of people Ashby gathered as profilers, many of whom would be regarded rightly as people who had inspired the faith of others.

This group includes World Vision Australia CEO Tim Costello, the late Bishop Barbara Darling – the first woman to be appointed an Anglican bishop in Victoria and only the second in Australia – and writer Christopher Bantick.

Cleverly, Ashby has managed to keep each profile to a vignette covering closer to a few hundred words than the thousands which can often exist in profiles.

This approach provides a taste of the life and teachings of the profiled party and allows the reader to go away and learn more about the subject and their work should they wish.

Ashby adopted a similar style in his previous book, A faith to live by, which profiled 25 Christian leaders he had interviewed.

In both cases, it works well.

Available from: www.koorong.com

CAST your mind back to the days when going shopping in town meant dressing up – gloves, hat, best suit or dress – and a visit to David Jones, if only to look at the windows.

Ladies in Black, the opening production for the 2016 season of the Melbourne Theatre Company, is a musical romp down memory lane. Set in 1959 Sydney, it was a time when post-war European migrants were known as ‘Continentals’, and a designer frock (on sale) was almost attainable.

Based on Madeleine St John’s 1993 novel The Women in Black, with music and lyrics by Tim Finn, Ladies in Black presents a light-hearted look at post-war Sydney through the lens of a glamorous department store, Goodes.

Lisa (played winsomely by Sarah Morrison) has just finished school and, despite her working class roots, aspires to university and a world of poetry and dreaming.

While she awaits her results, Lisa embarks on her first holiday job – in retail at Goodes.

The audience is transported back to the moment of their first job – working alongside people who seemed so sophisticated and worldly; who didn’t go home to Mum and Dad, but to their husbands, wives or flatmates.

While the musical presents a romantic view of Australian urban life in the 1950s, there are a few hints of brokenness and loss. Deidre Rubenstein’s Miss Jacobs is restrained and dignified and, to her colleagues, a source of idle gossip. The burden of loneliness and grief is not fully explored.

St John had a jaundiced view of Australian men, who are presented as lacking in subtlety, and the audience takes great delight in Finn’s rollicking song ‘He’s A Bastard’, which has a gentle dig at men’s idiosyncrasies.

Director Simon Phillips brings a subtle presentation to a significant moment in Australian history – the awakening of feminism; the cultural and gastronomic impact of refugees; and the entrenched xenophobia.

These themes need little more than a light touch as for most in the audience they are familiar and understood.

This is a musical about women. The 11 performers are engaging and seem to be having a ball. The three biggest problems in need of resolution are: will Lisa be allowed to go to university, will Patty (Lucy Maunder) be able to conceive and will Fay (Naomi Price) find a decent bloke? What is my future? Will I have a family?

Will someone love me? Universal questions for us all.

Ladies in Black, playwright Carolyn Burns, music and lyrics by Tim Finn, Southbank Theatre, The Sumner, 16 January-27 February

Image by Rob Maccoll

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CROSSLIGHT - FEBRUARY 16

Placements CURRENT AND PENDING PLACEMENT VACANCIES AS AT 4 DECEMBER 2015 PRESBYTERY OF GIPPSLAND Koo Wee Rup-Lang Lang-Corinella Lakes Entrance** Presbytery Minister – Mission and Education PRESBYTERY OF LODDON MALLEE Cohuna (0.5)** Dunolly (0.5) (P) Eastern Mallee Rural (Lake Boga, Manangatang, Meatian, Nyah West) (0.5)-Kerang (0.5) (P) Maryborough, Avoca, Bealiba, Moonambel** North Central Living Waters (Birchip, Donald, St Arnaud, Wycheproof) (P) Sunraysia (0.5) and Robinvale (0.5) (P) Strath-Haven Uniting AgeWell Chaplaincy (0.6) (P)** PRESBYTERY OF NORTH EAST VICTORIA Mansfield (0.3) Rutherglen (Rutherglen/Chiltern-Corowa-Howlong) (0.5) Wodonga (St Stephens) PRESBYTERY OF PORT PHILLIP EAST Armadale (0.7) Brighton (Trinity) Brighton Beach (St Leonards) Youth Ministry-Chaplaincy Cheltenham-Mentone Endeavour Hills (0.5) Frankston (High St) Koornang (E)** Narre Warren North (0.5)** Noble Park (St Columbas) (0.5) Presbytery Minister – Mission and Education** Sandringham (0.6) PRESBYTERY OF PORT PHILLIP WEST Bellarine Linked (Drysdale, Portarlington, St Leonards)** Macedon Ranges Partnership – Pastoral Care (P) PRESBYTERY OF TASMANIA PRESBYTERY OF WESTERN VIC PRESBYTERY OF YARRA YARRA Bayswater-Ferntree Gully-Scoresby (p-t)** Diamond Valley (0.8) EACH Mental Health Ministries** Melbourne (St Michaels)** Presbytery Minister – Administration** Ringwood North (additional placement)** Tecoma (0.6)** ** These placements have not yet lodged a profile with the Placements Committee, therefore they are not yet in conversation with any minister. There is no guarantee that the placement will be listed within the next month. (P) These placements are listed as also being suitable for a Pastor under Regulations 2.3.3 (a)(ii). A person may offer to serve the church in an approved placement through a written application to the Synod.

Further information on these vacancies may be obtained from the Secretary of the Placements Committee: Ms Isabel Thomas Dobson.

Email: placements.secretary@victas.uca.org.au Formal expressions of interest should be put in writing to Isabel.

MINISTRY MOVES CALLS AND APPOINTMENTS FINALISED Karen Wall (Lay) called to Royal Melbourne Hospital (0.5) commenced 16 December 2015.

Rowena Harris called to Presbytery of Gippsland; High Country Patrol commenced 1 January 2016.

Anthea Maynard (Lay) called to Presbytery of Tasmania, Presbytery Minister – Leadership Formation (0.5) commenced 1 January 2016.

Denise Savage called to Presbytery of Tasmania, Presbytery Minister – Leadership Formation (0.7) commenced 1 January 2016.

Peter Beale called to Box Hill Uniting AgeWell Chaplaincy (0.5) commencing 1 February 2016 David Howie called to Royal Children’s Hospital Chaplaincy commencing 1 February 2016.

Ray McCluskey called to Monash UC commencing 1 February 2016. Ray was ordained on 19 December 2015.

Veronica Bradley (E) called to Nardoo Loddon Cluster (Boort, Charlton, Powlett Plains, Wedderburn) commencing 1 February 2016. Veronica was ordained on 24 January 2016.

Tina Lyndon Ng called to Glenroy – Pascoe Vale (ReGen) commencing in early February.

CONCLUSION OF PLACEMENT John Tansey (Deacon) to conclude at St Kilda (Chapel St) 24 February 2016 Hung Quoc Ly (OD) concluded at Footscray Community UCA 31 December 2015 Iose Tuigamala concluded at Lara 31 December 2015 Tina Lyndon Ng concluded at Eltham Montmorency 31 December 2015 Ian Davey (OD) to conclude at Heathcote, Toolleen, Tooborac, Emu Plain and Costerfield 31 January 2016

INTER SYNOD TRANSFER Fie Marino (OD) transferred to the Synod of NSW and the ACT as of 31 December 2015.

Ian Parsons transferred to the Synod of South Australia as of 18 January 2016 John Balding transferred to the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania as of 1 December 2015.

RETIREMENTS Joan Wright retired as of 31 December 2015.

CROSSLIGHT - FEBRUARY 16

Notices and Advertisements THE HUB RESUMES FOR 2016 TUESDAY 2 FEBRUARY, 10AM The Hub, at the Glen Waverley Uniting Church, corner Bogong Avenue and Kingsway, resumes on Tuesday 2 February at 10am. The Hub is a welcoming and friendly meeting place for people needing company, a cuppa and a biscuit, to relax in a busy day or to practise speaking in English in an informal setting.

The Hub is open Tuesday and Thursday 10am - 2pm, and Wednesday 10am – 12 noon for people of all ages.

OUT of the DARKNESS 6 -14 February 10am - 5pm Uniting Church Hall Cnr. Hesse & Stokes Sts, Queenscliff ‘Out of the Darkness’ combines paintings, fibres, graphics, photography, sculpture and text.

This powerful and beautiful exhibition encourages us to stand together to reinstate the UN Refugee Convention into Australian law and confirm that we, as a humane and caring society, can shine a light in the darkness.

FREE ENTRY TRANSFORM YOUNG ADULTS CONFERENCE: THE BIBLE, FAITH AND HUMAN SEXUALITY FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19 TO SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21 The conference will be held at Pallotti College in Wesburn. For more information and to register, go to: www.trybooking.com/112063 30TH ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY TO SUNDAY 21 FEBRUARY The Southern Mallee Co-operative Parish, a shared ministry of Baptist and Uniting churches in Hopetoun and Rainbow, NW Victoria, will proudly celebrate 30 years of cooperation over the February weekend.

A dinner will be held in Hopetoun on Saturday evening at 6:30pm and a celebratory worship service in Rainbow on Sunday morning 10:30am, followed by lunch.

Past members and clergy are warmly invited to join us for the weekend.

Contact Elaine Nitschke – P: 03 5395 4265 E: waynenit@activ8.net.au RENEWING LINKS WITH THE UNITED CHURCH PNG SATURDAY 27 FEBRUARY, 3PM On Saturday 27 February at 3pm, the Friends of the United Church of PNG and the Solomon Islands will host a short commissioning service at St Andrews UC, Gardiner for Rev Dr Paul and Gillian Tonson. Paul has been invited to return to Rarongo Theological College near Rabaul to supervise senior students in their new Master of Theology program. He will be leaving mid-March for six months. Rev Dr Seforosa Carroll, Uniting World Manager of Church Partnerships (Pacific) will be the key speaker.

Refreshments will follow. All welcome.

LIVE AT THE CHAPEL SUNDAY, 28 FEBRUARY BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH 57 BROOK STREET, SUNBURY Singer/songwriters Deborah Robertson (accompanied by guitarist Steve Prince) and Kathryn Mary Johnston will be kick-starting the 2016 ‘Live at the Chapel’ series. Doors open at 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start.

CDs will be available for sale on the night and refreshments will be served.

For any queries please call Pastor Frank Rasenberger on 0457 721 435 PLEASANT SUNDAY AFTERNOON SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2016, 2.30PM Camberwell Uniting Church Asylum Seeker Support Group presents The Immanuel Singers, followed by High Tea at 314 Camberwell Road Camberwell (cost $20).

More information at: www.camberwellunitingchurch.com 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF WORSHIP AT FOREST HILL, AND CENTENARY OF DEDICATION OF THE CURRENT CHURCH SUNDAY 6 MARCH 2016, 10AM Forest Hill Uniting Church, 333a Canterbury Road, Forest Hill, 3131.

Thanksgiving service followed by spit roast lunch (cost $20 per person), display of memorabilia and entertainment.

Contact – Glenys Coates (P: 9801 4653 E: glencoates @aol.com) RSVP 6 February 2016.

All donations to The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

For info and group bookings – P: 9560 3580 FINAL SERVICE ST ANDREW’S GARDINER UNITING CHURCH The final service for the above congregation will be held on Sunday 10 April. Further details will be in the March edition of Crosslight. E: standrewsuca@bigpond.com WARRUWI CENTENARY WEDNESDAY 22 JUNE Warruwi community on South Goulburn Island will be celebrating 100 years of Christian mission in 2016. A special day of thanksgiving will be held at Warruwi on 22 June, which will include the launch of the history of Christian work at Warruwi by Rev Dr William Emilsen.

For further information contact Judy Orme (E: ormes2@bigpond.com or P: 0407 828 495).

FREE 30 small Australian Hymn books (Catholic supplement). Collect from Mount Waverley area. Val, P: 9887 7507 or Frances, P: 9802 7412 FREE UNITING IN WORSHIP BOOKS A quantity of AHB and Uniting in Worship Books are available free.

Contact Robyn Shaw P: 03 5345 7282 for details.

LEAD TENANT ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE Ashburton Uniting Church supports a house in Glen Iris for three people with mild intellectual disability with a voluntary lead tenant. The lead tenant’s accommodation is rent-free, and may be suitable for a student or interested person with appropriate background checks seeking positive connections in the community. Contact Rev David Fotheringham P: 9809 1795 E: ashburtonuniting@gmail.com.

CLASSIFIEDS CAPE WOOLAMAI Summerhays Cottage. Sleeps 3. Tranquil garden. Stroll to beach. Discount for UCA members. Ring Doug or Ina 0403 133 710. www.summerhayscottage.com.au SENIORS’ SPECIAL: Enjoy a break in luxury surroundings. Three days and three nights, dinner, bed and breakfast for $450 per couple (including GST).

Jindivick Gardens. (03) 5628 5319.

CALOUNDRA, Sunshine Coast, Queensland: Beachside units, from $300/week, for details, M: 0427 990 161 or E: rayandjean@hotmail.com LORNE: Spacious apartment, breathtaking ocean view, open fire, peaceful, secluded, affordable. P: (03) 5289 2698.

GOLDFIELDS HOLIDAY RENTAL: Fully equipped modern architecturally designed house. Situated in the Forest Resort Creswick, double storey house, four bedrooms, sleeps up to 11 people.

Contact Adam on 0414 725 887.

PSYCHOLOGIST Sue Tansey, BA (Hons), MPsych (Counselling) MAPS Individual and relationship counselling. Bulk billing for clients who have a referral from their GP and have a low income.

St Kilda. P: 0418 537 342.

E: suetansey@yahoo.com GRAMPIANS WORSHIP When visiting The Grampians, join the Pomonal Community Uniting Church congregation for worship each Sunday at 10.00 am WANTED: TOGETHER IN SONG Any unwanted Together in Song booklets would be greatly appreciated by the Dookie Uniting Church congregation. Please contact Beth Stewart on P: 5828 5211 or 0408 546 267 if your congregation has any spare copies available.

WANTED TO BUY Antiques, second hand/retro furniture, bric a brac and collectables. Single items or whole house lots. Genuine buyer – contact Kevin, 0408 969 920.

HOT CROSS BUN MORNING TEA AT THE HUB THURSDAY 17 MARCH, 10AM – 12 NOON Glen Waverley Uniting Church, corner Kingsway and Bogong Avenue.

Come along to The Hub and enjoy a hot cross bun with a cuppa.

Bring your family and friends, all ages welcome.

21

Reflection On the breath of God IN January, after a night camped at Mallacoota Foreshore Reserve, we carried our breakfast to a grassy spot overlooking the inlet. Behind us, a young woman sat at a wooden table, reading. When we walked past her on our way back to our tent, we noticed that she was reading a bible, and Catherine stopped to talk.

The early morning reader had just finished Year 12 at Aitken College, a Uniting Church school. The bible she was reading had ‘Acacia College’ stamped across it.

Acacia College, often shortened to simply ‘Acacia’, continues to be mentioned frequently in Uniting Church circles.

The closure of Acacia College and the subsequent sale of property to repay debt has become a watershed moment for the Vic/Tas Synod. At a recent meeting discussing missional use of property, I noticed that Acacia was mentioned on three separate occasions.

Although I’ve moved on from Acacia College, I still get a twinge in my heart with each mention.

On this Mallacoota morning, my heart was

The grace of God THE piles of new books on my desk and coffee table could be viewed as a minor health and safety risk. If they all toppled onto your foot, they could certainly do some damage. The first few weeks of the year are a good time to make a dent in them. One of the great joys of my role at the CTM and Pilgrim Theological College—one of many joys, it must be said—is that reading new books is a part of my job description.

But, where to start? The collected essays of retired, distinguished New Testament scholar, Leander Keck? The latest massive tome from James D G Dunn or N T Wright? Cambridge classicist Mary Beard’s history of the Roman empire? This is not to mention the stack of novels that sits at home, or the various unread volumes that, having languished too long in a pile, have now been securely placed on a shelf, ready for consultation when needed.

As I look at the pile, the book that claims my attention does so for a number of reasons. Yes, it is strikingly large (650 pages or so), and for those who teach the New Testament, it has secured the status of ‘long-awaited’. It is a work of erudite exegesis; a favourite genre of mine, though, I admit, probably a minority taste. In addition, I have written essays and edited a book on the same theme. But the reason to read John’s Barclay’s, Paul and the Gift (Eerdmans, 2015), above anything else, has to do with the importance of the subject matter. It is a book about grace.

‘Grace’ is one of those words that people commonly use but all too rarely reflect upon. It is, of course, a theological term, the significance of which is central to our understanding of Christian history and thought.

Barclay’s book is a brilliant analysis of the meaning of the term in the context of its earliest Christian usage in the writings of the apostle Paul. In amongst the detailed discussion of Jewish and early Christian

22

warmed to see an Acacia bible still in use.

Acacia College bibles had been given to Aitken College, and Catherine had received her bible from Aitken’s chaplain, Rev

acknowledgment in the front of her bible.

This encounter stayed with me for the rest of the day. I reconnected with the shock and grief of students, staff and families

I became mindful of those of you who grieve the loss of beloved churches, sold to repay debt. Maybe you, like me, have forgotten that everything we do has ripples of influence. Discovering Catherine reading an Acacia bible has reminded me that closing a school or closing a congregation does not stop the ongoing influence of a faithful community.

I am reminded of the words of songwriter Colin Gibson: Nothing is lost on the breath of God Nothing is lost forever God’s breath is love and that love will remain Holding the world forever.

Jeanne Beale. Memories flooded back of receiving donations for the initial purchase of those bibles from generous members of congregations at Mernda, Plenty Valley and Greensborough. I showed Catherine the

during the closing term of the school. I reflected on the unwelcome surprises that life can bring and how, surprisingly, I had grown in strength and resilience as a result of the experience.

Rev Ros McDonald Formerly Chaplain at Acacia College Currently Associated Minister at St James Wattle Park.

texts, three profoundly important points emerge.

First, the language of grace in Paul’s day was a way of talking about the way that people related to each other, specifically through the socially binding mechanism of giving and receiving. Like many words of the New Testament, it is a secular term put to theological use. Its origin in ideas of

fundamentally a way of living as well as a way of believing; a practice as well as a confession.

Second, Barclay steps into the middle of long-standing theological and exegetical squabbles and insists on a fundamental distinction. Divine grace, God’s gift, is unconditioned but not unconditional.

In other words, the grace God offers to

Thirdly, and drawing out the implications of the previous two points, those who believe in grace, who ‘say grace’, and who have received grace, must continually ask themselves what difference it makes to their lives. The writings of the New Testament already start to hint at some of the answers to that question. For Paul, grace is ‘re-enacted’ in communities of gratitude, generosity, welcome, affirmation, reconciliation, and diversity. Our quest to live the life of grace derives from the reality of the ‘free gift’ of God in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:15). Our affirmation of and thanks for God’s ‘indescribable gift’ (2 Corinthians 9:15) compel us to patterns of life that conform to its shape.

In another book from the pile, entitled The Givenness of Things, novelist and theologian Marilynne Robinson explores the ways in which this understanding of grace works itself out in, of all places, the late plays of Shakespeare. Along the way she frames our central question with typical elegance: “How is life to be lived in this fallen world, with all its dangers and temptations, if grace is taken to be the standard of a virtuous life?”

It seems to me that this is a pretty good question to be asking as individuals, churches, communities and societies. In a culture that often tells us that the most important questions facing us relate to growth, success, security, and sustainability – and in a context full of constant pressure to equate importance and identity with values of profit, experience, status, gender, ethnicity, or conformity – we need to work out the implications of our theology of grace. And that working out will take place not just in erudite books on our shelves, but in generous living in our world.

gift-exchange – think back to the exchange of Christmas gifts, or consider the relationship between work and wages as modern examples – reminds us that grace is not an abstract, doctrinal, speculative, or remote concept. In the hands of Paul it becomes a way of talking about God, but it is also a way of talking about human relationships and interactions. Grace is

humanity is in no way dependent on our worthiness. It is given on the basis of what Barclay calls “the definitive enactment of God’s love for the unlovely”: i.e. the death and resurrection of Jesus. However this does not mean that grace is given without any expectations of ‘return’. Those who have received grace are under obligation to show it in their lives.

Rev Dr Sean Winter Academic Dean and Co-ordinator of Studies in New Testament Pilgrim Theological College at the Centre for Theology and Ministry.

CROSSLIGHT - FEBRUARY 16

Moderator’s column Wrestling with the future I’VE just had the longest break I’ve had since becoming moderator. We didn’t go anywhere, just stayed at home during the bushfire season over Christmas/New Year.

It’s dreadfully dry out where we live. I feel sure that stress levels for many farmers must be exceedingly high.

Christmas was celebrated at my mum and dad’s place. My younger brother’s in-laws, who were visiting from Japan, gave me an unusual gift – a solar powered Sumo wrestler. The more light he receives, the more his head and shoulders silently move from side to side. His eyebrows seem to have a permanent frown. At dusk and early morning, when the light is dim, he becomes almost completely still and his eyes seem more meditative.

In the tradition of the movie The Castle I said, “This is going straight to the pool room”. In my case the ‘pool room’ is a very small study (a converted tool shed) with no pool table because it wouldn’t fit. Solar Sumo now sits on the windowsill alongside an old Coke bottle (of The Gods Must be Crazy significance).

During my break, when it wasn’t too hot, I did the usual, beginning to saw up firewood for the winter. I’m not a farmer, but I found myself empathising with the plight of farmers as our dam is as low as I’ve seen it. There must be many for whom the hot sun has a similar effect as light on Solar Sumo, (figuratively) causing the head and shoulders to rock from side to side as thoughts of crop failure are triggered.

The 17th century (lay) Brother Lawrence who ‘practiced the presence of God’ wrote ( with amusing gender specificity) in one of his letters: “Our mind is extremely roving; but as the will is mistress of all our faculties,

she must recall them, and carry them to God as their last end” .

To carry something to God as its ‘last end’ is, in a sense, to toss it out of the ring like a Sumo wrestler. Only then is it possible to still the mind. Brother Lawrence wrote that we are to hold ourselves in prayer before God “like a dumb or paralytic beggar at a rich man’s gate” and if our mind sometimes wanders, we are not to be disquieted much for “trouble and disquiet serve rather to distract the mind than to recollect it”.

One way to recollect the mind easily in

the time of prayer he says, is “not to let it wander too far at other times”. We are to keep it strictly in the presence of God and then it is easier to “recall it from its wanderings”.

Needless to say, my holidays involved quite a deal of mind-full wanderings, including many situations confronting the church.

The Spiritual life can often be impeded by misplaced effort … where we throw the weight of our thoughts around. Perhaps not unlike Solar Sumo, God periodically darkens the mind – in order to give it a

more perfect light.

Being like this doesn’t involve power and strength – it’s more like a kind of descent into our own nothingness, recognising our helplessness, which is a common theme in many of the Psalms.

When I finally become still, it seems overwhelmingly clear that all that is ‘ours’ is nothing and can completely fail us. In other words, we can no longer rely on what we ‘have’ or have ‘had’. Only then is it possible to be open to God’s mercy and, in turn, trust entirely upon God’s grace.

Dan Wootton Moderator

Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God - 12

Eighth Letter: Concerning wandering thoughts in prayer.

Wandering thoughts...

You tell me nothing new: you are not the only one that is troubled with wandering thoughts.

Our mind is extremely roving; but as the will is mistress of all our faculties, she must recall them, and carry them to God, as their last end.

When the mind, for want of being sufficiently reduced by recollection, at our first engaging in devotion, has contracted certain bad habits of wandering and dissipation, they are difficult to overcome, and commonly draw us, even against our wills, to the things of the earth.

...hold yourself in prayer before God...

I believe one remedy for this is, to confess our faults, and to humble ourselves before God. I do not advise you to use multiplicity of words in prayer; many words and long discourses being often the occasions of wandering: hold yourself in prayer before God, like a dumb or paralytic beggar at a rich man’s gate: let it be your business to keep your mind in the presence of the Lord.

If it sometimes wander, and withdraw itself from Him, do not much disquiet yourself for that; trouble and disquiet serve rather to distract the mind, than to re-collect it; the will must bring it back in tranquility; if you persevere in this manner, God will have pity on you.

...set about it seriously and pray for one another.

One way to re-collect the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquillity, is not to let it wander too far at other times: you should keep it strictly in the presence of God; and being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its wanderings.

I have told you already at large, in my former letters, of the advantages we may draw from this practice of the presence of God: let us set about it seriously and pray for one another.

Giving is living Ethical travels in Cambodia MANY Australians love to travel. But how we travel can have an impact on local communities – often in unexpected ways.

The Commission for Mission’s Uniting Journeys program introduces tourists to the joys and challenges of responsible travel. Uniting Church Adult Fellowship (UCAF) Network editor Helen Beeby (pictured) explored the rich and complex history of Cambodia during one of the tours. The tour group visited a range of famous sites, from the iconic 1000-year-old Angkor Wat temple to Pol Pot’s notorious ‘killing fields’.

Ms Beeby, who had never visited Cambodia before, said the tour was “a lifechanging experience”.

“Travelling with Uniting Journeys was incredibly thought-provoking and widens your experience of people and culture,” Ms Beeby said.

“I thoroughly recommend people go on a Uniting Journeys tour.”

Cambodia is a beautiful country, with a remarkable culture and spectacular natural

CROSSLIGHT - FEBRUARY 16

landscapes. But it is also beset by extreme poverty and rising inequality.

An estimated 98 per cent of souvenirs sold in Cambodia are imported and sold by foreign entrepreneurs. This means disadvantaged locals rarely benefit from tourism. Without undertaking prior research, tourists can unintentionally perpetuate systems of injustice.

Uniting Journeys ensures more of the travelling expenditure gets into local hands. It offers participants more than just a sightseeing trip; it is an opportunity to engage with a country’s political and social challenges.

During the tour, ‘conversation partners’ facilitate discussions on how to travel responsibly as participants reflect on the impact they have on the local community.

Travellers are encouraged to minimise their carbon footprint by reducing waste and to be mindful of using scarce local resources such as water, food, equipment and services.

Visit www.responsibletravel.org.au for more tips on how you can travel ethically.

The next Uniting Journeys tour will visit India from 7-21 April and will combine sightseeing with practical support for a health clinics program in Punjab. Contact info@unitingjourneys.com.au for an itinerary.

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Synod Snaps

Hamilton Uniting Church’s bi-monthly fun & games night for people living with a disability. Rev Peter Cook is on guitar.

Surrey Hills Uniting Church congregation members reflected on how the mission of the church is defined and empowered by the gospel through the image of a tree.

Penguin Uniting Church members (left to right): Audrey Hay, Marlene Beswick and Greta Marshall) celebrate their church’s 150th anniversary

““Don’t pack up your camera until you’ve left the location.”

- Joe McNally

The 12 churches from the Macedon Ranges Uniting Church partnership joined together for a combined service at Mount Macedon’s Stanley Park.

A special Christmas event held at Koonung Heights Uniting Church on 20 Dec retold the nativity story. Members of the congregation and the community dressed in costume. Photo by Sue Fenton.

The Ocean Grove Uniting Church held a forum to learn more about Islam (left to right): Fahim Shah, Father Peter Martin & Ocean Grove minister Rev Dr. Jong Soo Park

St Stephen’s Uniting Church in Wodonga celebrated the festive season with a Christmas pageant.

Each month Crosslight showcases images from throughout the Church. Send your images to crosslight@victas.uca.org.au