NewTimes - April 2011

April 2011

This sporting life Issue 30, No 3 April 2011

finding faith on the field

Howzat!

Cullen Bailey’s faith in sport p.9

Playing fair Sports equipment made for good, p. 12

iStock ref: p.10 blyjak; p.18 adamkaz; p.23 clu

Editor

Production

ISSN 0726-2612

Caryn Rogers

Joie Creative

New Times is the voice of Uniting Church SA. Published monthly, February through December, New Times represents the breadth, diversity and vision of Uniting Church members in SA. News policies, guides and deadlines appear online at sa.uca.org.au/new-times-home. Articles and advertising do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor.

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Phone: (08) 8236 4200 1300 766 956 (toll free from regional areas) Fax: (08) 8236 4201 Email: presbyterysynod@sa.uca.org.au Street address: Level 2, 212 Pirie St, Adelaide

sa.uca.org.au/new-times-home Next issue: Women

of faith

Postal address: GPO Box 2145, Adelaide SA 5001

With women pulled in a million different directions, taunted by all forms of media and constantly undermined by their own peers – how are women of faith trying to change a culture?

train. (And to slog my guts out mucking out yards and hauling hay bales. It wasn’t glamorous.)

I continued to read, to think, to dream – and I was a much better athlete for it. Through cognitive processing and planning I understood movement, function and practice.

After a couple of years, people asked me to ride their horses for them. For free. And I competed, relatively successfully, in shows.

I took many falls. I worked long, exhausting hours. And I loved it.

At the age of 18, while working as a horse riding instructor, I came as close to owning a horse as I ever would – my lease horse, Smithie.

After that I went on to study at Bible College, had bills to pay, more limited time and more time pressures. My sport had taken a backseat.

The reality is, I had often been a nasty little girl and a cruel sportsperson, unafraid to stomp on other people to get where I wanted with my sports dreams.

(Never nasty to the horsies of course).

I now had a new priority though: faith, and from that, love. I had a new fascinating read in the Bible, and a new dream of hope for the world. I’d had short-lived

dreams of continuing to compete in equestrian events as some sort of ministry but, if I was going to do the horse thing, I’d need to keep making significant sacrifices to do so. And need more money (which ministry students aren’t known for).

It is a wonderful gift for sports stars who are able to make a living from their sport, and for Christians who are able to express their spirituality through these passions.

To have people, loving their sport while loving others, is a blessing, and a very Australian way to minister.

I miss the ponies, but I still give them a pat from time to time.

ed

I was a passionate sports lover growing up. Well, a passionate lover of one sport – horse riding.

I can hear the scoffers from here – ‘that’s not a sport’, ‘the horse does all the work’ etc etc et al. Trust me I’ve heard them all.

As a sportsperson (yes I will insist on equestrianism as a sport), I gave up a lot to train, and train in a very expensive sport.

I read comprehensively. I studied fastidiously. I dreamed incessantly. There was only one problem. Actually two.

(1) I didn’t have a horse.

(2) My parents weren’t doing anything to change my horselessness.

Cry as I might, and tantrum as I would (oh boy I would), the closest I was getting to my goal was reading, studying and dreaming.

Until my 13th birthday. No longer was the occasional pony ride going to be the only fruition of my sports dreams. On that brilliant day, I received a course of horseriding lessons.

After the first course of lessons (for which I delivered Messenger newspapers to pay for 50% of all expenses), I insisted on a second course, even though I’d fractured my wrist during the first course.

After the second course came another, and another. I dedicated myself. Soon I was giving up my every weekend, and nights, to

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In a past sporting life...

Rev Rob Williams

mod

To look at me now, you’d never believe that I once played basketball three times a week in winter, tennis throughout the summer and was on the school athletics team. Sport played a big part in my life through childhood and young adulthood.

I was engaged most in sport at the time when just about every church youth group was debating the key issues of the day – the Vietnam War, capital punishment and Sunday sport.

More people were drifting from church teams (with their Saturday commitment) to the conflict of whether or not to play sport on Sunday. There are few churches with sporting teams today but this may say more about the lack of young people in our congregations than the outcome of the debate.

In her 2010 Christmas Message, Her Majesty the Queen brought together the Bible and sport. Commenting on the 400th anniversary in 2011 of the King James Version of the Bible, she made the point that the KJV

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was an endeavour to bring harmony amongst King James’ subjects. The Queen said, “In our time, sport is one of the most powerful ways of building community and creating harmony.

“We know that nothing is more satisfying than the feeling of belonging to a group who are dedicated to helping each other,” she said.

It’s interesting to trawl through the Bible and find what it has to say about sport.

What sports are mentioned?

How do faith and sport inform each other or collide?

We find some sports of today mentioned in the Bible which were not so sporting then. Horseback riding was usually associated with war, as was archery and javelin throwing. Fishing, a means of preserving one’s livelihood then, is now also considered to be a sport. Mountain climbing, a sport today, is

associated with Moses who must have been the fittest Israelite of all time. Count how many times he goes up and down the mountain to talk with God! However, the Bible draws from sporting images to inform our faith. To develop in our Christian life we need to go into strict training (1 Cor 9:25). We progress in our Christian life through perseverance (Heb 12:1).

The second letter to Timothy reminds us that we do not receive the winning accolades unless we compete according to the rules (2 Tim 2:5).

So maybe it’s time for the ‘couch potatoes’ among us, physically and spiritually, to get into training.

Uniting Church launches Japan Quake and Tsunami Appeal support them with our prayers and with financial contributions to UnitingWorld’s disaster appeal.

“Australians have consistently demonstrated compassion for those affected by the destructive forces of nature, in the Victorian bushfires, the Queensland and Victorian floods and the earthquake in Christchurch.

“We have an opportunity to express that compassion again for communities recovering from the impact of a ruptured earth and inundated land and now with fears of radio–activity.”

Kerry Enright, National Director, UnitingWorld said, “Our partner, the United Church of Christ in Japan, has facilities that survived the devastation and which sit amid affected communities.

These facilities will be centres of care, providing clean water, distributing necessities and offering shelter and pastoral support.

“The United Church has a remarkable history and is one of Japan’s strongest churches. We can support them as they minister to people in great need.”

Donations can be made to UnitingWorld: w. unitingworld.org.au p. 1800 998 122 m. PO Box A2266 Sydney South 1235 The appeal is also registered for personalised online fundraising: http://japanearthquakeappeal. gofundraise.com.au/ PLEASE NOTE: Japan is a developed country and at present UnitingWorld is unable to offer tax deductions for emergency assistance to developed countries. We are applying for tax deductibility for this appeal to assist our partners in Japan, but as the outcome of our application is uncertain we cannot issue tax deductible receipts at this point in time.

Uniting Church raises over one million dollars for flood victims

Australia’s chance to stop arms sales to dictatorships

The Uniting Church in Australia has raised more than one million dollars in aid of flood victims in Queensland, Victoria, northern New South Wales and Western Australia.

The President’s Appeal was launched by the Assembly of the Uniting Church in immediate response to the flooding that devastated parts of rural Queensland, northern NSW and Brisbane.

Subsequent flooding in Victoria and Western Australia expanded the focus of the appeal, facilitated by Lifeline Australia and the Share Appeal in the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.

The Uniting Church in Australia has a history of responding to disasters, most recently providing immediate and ongoing assistance after the 2009 Victorian Bushfires.

Both Lifeline Community Care and the Share Appeal have not charged an administration fee for the manual processing of the donations and have also covered the cost of printing and posting thank yous and tax invoices.

As violence and unrest in Libya worsens, Act for Peace urges the Australian Government to increase its support for a global Arms Trade Treaty that would help prevent the flow of weapons into conflict zones and countries with poor human rights records.

Australia, as the host of the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), has an opportunity to ensure all Commonwealth Governments support the development of a bullet-proof Arms Trade Treaty.

Alistair Gee, Executive Director of Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia, said, “The fact that many of the weapons used against peacefully demonstrating civilians in Libya have been purchased from countries like the UK indicates just why we need an Arms Trade Treaty.” actforpeace.org.au

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news

The Uniting Church in Australia has launched an emergency appeal in response to the devastating impact of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

UnitingWorld, the relief and development agency of the Uniting Church, will facilitate the appeal.

UnitingWorld is in contact with the leadership of the United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ), assuring them of the Uniting Church’s prayers and concern.

The UCCJ leaders have asked for the financial support of the Uniting Church in Australia to help provide food and water, medical support, safe shelter and pastoral and counselling services.

President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Alistair Macrae, has encouraged those who want to help to support the appeal.

“Our friends in Japan are suffering through a terrible disaster. We can

Temporary communities, lifetime memories The anthemic Australian catchcry, ‘We are one, but we are many’, is taken seriously in Uniting Church circles. In 2011, geography, landscape and demographic failed to deter five very different Uniting Church SA camping and conference centres from coming under the one umbrella brand: Uniting Venues SA. Stretching from Tarooki at Robe through Adare at Victor Harbor, to Nunyara in the Adelaide Hills, across the wheat-belt with Emmaus and

finally to Thuruna on the Eyre Peninsula, Uniting Venues SA covers a lot of territory - but also shares a lot of common ground.

“All of the campsites share the same goal: to see people come to know Jesus in a life transforming way,” reflects Mark Lee, Manager of Uniting Venues SA. “From that strong a central point, it’s easy to commit to practical steps forward.”

The five sites officially came under the banner of Uniting Venues SA in

February 2011, and are busy investigating how sharing an overarching title might help them share business, resources and ideas.

“Uniting Venues SA is more than just one campsite or conference centre, we’re five, and we’re purpose-built across the State to suit your needs – whatever they may be,” said Mark. “Whether you’re heading to the hills, or taking to the beach, we’ve got you covered with five locations across Adelaide and beyond.”

“We’re more than venues

– we’re in the business of building temporary communities, for memories that last a lifetime.”

Next time you’re booking an event, community building experience, conference or camp, why not make Uniting Venues SA your first port of call? Mark will be more than happy to help find a venue to suit your needs.

Contact: Mark Lee p. 8278 1883 e. mlee@sa.uca.org.au w. unitingvenuessa.org.au

news

Pancake Day rained on, not out Despite the wet weather, UnitingCare’s ninth Pancake Day went ahead on Tuesday 8 March with tasty, hot pancakes available for a gold coin donation outside Pilgrim Uniting Church.

Though shrouded in raincoats and balancing umbrellas, volunteers and pancake-lovers braved the weather to eat, and flip, for a great cause: UnitingCare, and its support of marginalised and vulnerable people in South Australia.

Although many of the events planned for the launch were scaled back due to inclement weather, there were still many highlights including:

TV host Keith Conlon, Hilton Executive Chef Dennis Leslie and Year 12 girls from Annesley put their best flips forward for UnitingCare’s Pancake Day 2011.

• Hilton Adelaide’s Executive Chef, Dennis Leslie, and his team of chefs hosted a cooking class for pancake enthusiasts, sharing their tips for the perfect pancake with students from Annesley College participating in the class, and the serving.

• Before sitting in parliament, MP for Adelaide, Rachel Sanderson, took to the blueberry pancake flipping with many a smile.

• 5AA Breakfast Radio Presenter, Keith Conlon, introduced His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR, Governor of South Australia and spruiked pancakes to Adelaide at large. His Excellency and Mrs Liz Scarce stepped up to the hot plates too, flipping (and eating) pancakes beside the Hilton Adelaide chefs.

• Uniting Church Moderator, Rev Rob Williams, demonstrated his pancake cooking skills with flair.

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• The Annesley College Junior School Choir performed two short sets to entertain onlookers.

• Over 50 volunteers from Uniting Churches, UnitingCare Agencies and various businesses flipped for the cause – more than $1,300 was raised on the steps of Pilgrim Uniting Church.

There were 430 plus events held statewide throughout February and March, with a total target of $60,000 in sight.

Funds are already pouring in and will be tallied during April.

Since 2002, over $300,000 has been raised through more than one million pancakes. Now that’s a lot of dough... and batter.

Did you run a Pancake Day? Head online to: sa.pancakeday.com. au to tell us about your event and share your stories. Send in your event photos; you might just win a Fuji Xerox camera!

Keyboard communities uniting our leaders will also be available. The aim is to enhance distance learning; students can learn at their own pace with the benefit of interactivity and multimedia.

“The Community section is where anyone can be involved.

It’s a bit like Facebook – you register and create a profile for yourself.”

As well as providing a space for discussion and encouragement, the groups enable users to upload resources that can be shared with the wider community, such as prayers, songs they’ve written, service orders, photos, sermon material and helpful links.

Initial group topics include preaching from the lectionary,

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fresh expressions, youth ministry and Christian education and discipleship.

“Often lay leaders, ministers, chaplains or youth workers will find themselves trawling the internet for ideas and advice,” comments Craig.

“However it’s easy to get lost or find material that’s

unhelpful or doesn’t quite suit our Australian Uniting Church context.”

If you’re involved in ministry and leadership in the Uniting Church SA, log on to unitingleaders.org.au today to create your profile and see what the buzz is about.

New Beginnings Support UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide and help others to create New Beginnings this Easter.

Please give generously.

For further information about our New Beginnings Easter Appeal or to make a donation please telephone 8202 5111 or go to www.ucwesleyadelaide.org.au

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news

If you’ve ever attended a Presbytery Synod meeting or another occasion where leaders from all over the State are drawn together, you might have noticed something special about those times.

It’s the hum of conversation that flows between likeminded people, creating a melting pot of discussion, innovation, excitement and encouragement as ideas and experiences are shared.

There’s a new way to continue this ‘conversation buzz’ between meetings: Uniting Leaders.

Uniting Leaders, a joint project between the Mission Resourcing Network and Uniting College for Leadership & Development, is a new online resource connecting leaders all over SA and beyond, from Ministers and lay preachers to chaplains, youth workers, ministry leaders and others.

“There are two sections to the Uniting Leaders site: Courses and Community,” explains Craig Mitchell who established the site with Al Brocklehurst.

“Information in the Courses section is for students undertaking accredited courses through the Adelaide College of Divinity.

Occasionally information about non-accredited courses

news

Granting missional wishes Have you ever had a dream project you’d like to see actioned by your church?

Maybe it’s to set up a community garden at your church or a cafe. Perhaps you’d like to start a program to welcome migrants and refugees in your community.

Perhaps your congregation would like to host a guest speaker to run some talks for people new to or exploring Christianity? Or a holiday kids club at Easter or Christmas?

So - what’s stopping you?

If the answer is ‘money’ then read on – because Uniting Foundation has just announced the next round of grant money available to congregations, to kick start their mission dreams.

Uniting Foundation is an initiative of the Uniting Church SA, whose support enables congregations to

overcome budget restrictions and activate their mission and outreach dreams.

Money provided by Uniting Foundation is already hard at work, with over $300,000 allocated in 2010 to projects such as Peterborough Uniting Church’s ‘The Haven’ outreach, the mainly music program at Clare Uniting Church, data projector equipment for the Flinders Parish, Mt Gambier Uniting Church’s Fresh Expression initiative ‘Family Messy Church’, providing subsidies for Global Leadership Summit registrations and more.

Congregations have until 30 June, 2011 to apply for funding.

“While we would love to support every proposal that comes our way, we have to be prudent about where resources are allocated,”

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explains Associate General Secretary Malcolm Wilson.

“Therefore, we ask congregations to demonstrate in their application how this project will significantly increase the missional

effectiveness of the Uniting Church SA as a whole.

“In other words, how will this project assist congregations with the mission to see more people come to know Jesus personally.”

Uniting Foundation Grants 2011 FAQs How much money can I apply for?

There’s no limit – but the entire amount to be distributed is $135,000 – so keep this in mind when making your application.

Is this the only chance for funding this year?

Yes, there will only be one round of funding in 2011.

How and where do I submit my application?

You will need to fill out a form, available from: Malcolm Wilson p. 8236 4206 e. mwilson@sa.uca.org.au w. sa.uca.org.au (then select Uniting Foundation)

this sporting life Sports are so often a part of our lives, but rarely connected with our spirituality. But with more studies proving the interrelatedness of emotional and physical health, it’s not too much of a stretch to consider that sport may also be linked with our spiritual health – that is, if we’re the sporting kind. The next few pages will introduce you to some that are…

Cullen Bailey Sport has a way of bringing people together from all backgrounds… it inspires, devastates and delights.

I love cricket. The battle of wits, the test of nerves and character make cricket and sport more than just entertainment or a hobby. For me, as for many Australians, sport is a passion.

I got my passion for sport from my dad.

Growing up, I watched, played and breathed cricket, and sport in general.

We would make regular pilgrimages to the Adelaide Oval to watch Test and Sheffield Shield Matches which supplemented a packed schedule of our own backyard Test Matches whenever the sun was up.

From the moment Jesus grabbed hold of me as a 15 year old at an Easter Camp, I’ve known there’s more to life than just sport. I feel now more strongly than ever that my purpose is to bring glory to God and as part of this, I want to glorify God by the way I play my sport but also in building relationships and sharing in a relevant way the incredible news of the gospel.

I enjoy and thank God for much of what sport brings to our society but also understand that it should always be a passion, never a purpose. Sport cannot answer the big questions of life and true purpose can only come through Jesus.

Walking onto the Adelaide Oval as a State cricketer for the first time in 2005 was an exciting and daunting experience.

Since then I’ve been very fortunate to play cricket all over the world with and against some great players. I have big dreams of the kind of cricketer I want to be.

People in the cricketing world know I’m a Christian but, to me, that’s only the start.

Elite sport has many ups and downs. Sometimes everything pans out exactly as you plan. Other times you’re stuck out in the sun for seven hours, you can’t get a wicket and some bloke on the hill is heckling you.

Just the other day I was having one of those days. After I dropped a straightforward catch in the slips, someone in the crowd yelled out in a booming voice, “Hey Bailey… you would have taken that catch if it was a Bible.”

Sometimes you can only laugh.

Aberfoyle Uniting Church member, Cullen Bailey plays for the South Australian Redbacks and is pictured here in South Africa at the 2010 Airtel Champions League Twenty20 tournament. Photo courtesy of SACA.

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Rev Angie Griffin (Deac)

this spor ting life

I was in my 40’s when, after a childhood and adulthood of obesity and no sports, I took stock and implemented a number of changes. What had begun as regular long walks and years of gym memberships eventually turned to running.

Almost five years ago I took up the challenge of my first 12km City to Bay fun run. Now I participate in SA Road Runners Club runs and the annual Race 4 Life, City to Bay and Corporate Cup as part of the UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide ‘Runabouts’ Team.

Some shake their heads ‘you’re crazy’, ‘a health nut’, ‘you’ve got to be kidding - give me a break’. Others express amazement, wonder, envy and affirmation.

Apart from being a means of getting and staying fit, I experience running as an incredible feeling of personal achievement, overcoming, freedom, exhilaration and amazement at being one of many with whom I would never have dreamt of joining when I was younger.

Conversations may be short but are always many and varied.

Running requires diligent practice. I train by alternating strengthening and running sessions at 5.30am, five days per week plus a 10km run every Saturday. The world is quiet and seemingly undisturbed at that hour. I revel in the wonder of early mornings – skies, waterways, bird life, trees, gardens, wind, dawn, alone with my own

thoughts and God surrounding me.

The physicality of running reminds me of the wonder of the human body, created to be in movement. Running is a challenge for body and spirit, a mind game - give up, keep going, slow down, speed up, push beyond your limits, strive against that other runner, encourage the one lagging behind. Running is a reminder that I’m alive and doing the best I can to live life well and to the full.

A recent 10km Roadrunners Club event at 6.45am enabled me to participate, achieve a personal best, get home and be ready for 10am. My two congregations always know about these runs.

They become a topic of conversation as they get involved ‘in spirit’ with their ‘running Minister’.

Running events are often on Sunday mornings at 8am - a clash with both of my congregations’ service times.

For the City to Bay, I arrange an alternate preacher or reschedule the time of the service or run and get ready quickly for the usual 10am start.

Running is a reminder that I’m alive and doing the best I can to live life well and to the full.

Rev Angie Griffin (Deac) loves a good run – but that wasn’t always the case.

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Standing up for faith Above: Justin Monaghan is the Director of Christian Surfers SA. For almost 30 years Christian Surfers have been a Christian presence and witness in the Australian surf community, living out the good news that eternal life is a free gift through Jesus.

this spor ting life

For almost 30 years there has been an unlikely band of holy people ministering across the country. Or, more specifically, across the waves of Australia.

When Brett Davis came to faith in the early 1970s, he gave up his life as a surfer to honour God – only to find God giving that life back to him and birthing a new ministry.

By 1983, Christian Surfers Australia was established, with pockets of surfers across the whole of the country. The movement built on the conversation of God already active amongst the surfing community, people regularly coming face to face with a magnificent creation, and creator.

“Surfers are that kind of wild spirit; they don’t want to submit to authority,” comments Justin Monaghan, Regional Coordinator for Christian Surfers SA. “It’s hard for surfers not to be spiritual in some capacity but, like a lot of people, they think of God as institutional and religious.

“That’s where Christian Surfers comes in, giving thanks to the Creator who makes surfing, life and community, possible.”

Justin, an unassuming, easygoing 29 year old, is a natural missionary. As head judge for competitive surfing in South Australia and heavily involved in the beach scene, Justin sees this kind of mission as imperative in communicating the totality of God to young adults.

“The process of young adults thinking about faith is sorted out differently to youth. You can‘t just put on a high-energy program or sit them in rows.

“We’re just a bunch of surfers who are passionate about surfing together and passionate about Jesus. We want to see that coming across to our friends, so we build relationships, we adventure - we follow God out into the waves.

“It’s not about events, it’s about deciding to follow Jesus everyday. We don’t want to not be a nice little culture - we want to add value to the surfing community.

“There’s no cookie cutter setup to this mission, no tick boxes.

All we ask is: are you willing, are you available, do you love surfers and do you want to see these guys go on a journey with Jesus?”

For more information or to support Justin: christiansurfers.org.au

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this spor ting life

Being a good sport and playing fair are ideas that we’re brought up with as children. What Nick Savaidis, founder of Jinta Sports, is concerned with is what ‘playing fair’ looks like when it comes to buying our sporting equipment; Jinta is one of only three fair trade sporting brands, competing in a very lucrative industry.

“If you ask someone whether they oppose the use of child labour, the answer is ‘Of course’!” comments Nick.

“But considering that one of the biggest sporting brands, implicated in child labour two years ago, is still stocking most Australian school sports sheds, the reality would suggest otherwise.

“People are seduced by brands, who the brands are affiliated with and whether it’s cheap. These all blind people to what’s helping to make the product in the first place.”

Nick grew up in the Riverland, and was crazy about soccer – still is. At University though, he learnt about a different side to his beloved sport – the use of child slavery in making the balls. While training a high school soccer team, he used to ask himself whether it was right for children to be playing with balls sourced at the expense of others’ childhoods.

The awareness left a sour taste in Nick’s mouth, one which resulted in him becoming part of the fair trade movement.

“Instead of just looking up to high paid sporting stars, Beckham and the like, we need to be asking the question: where does that money come from?

“I can tell you. It comes from paying developing world workers very little. What we need is sportspeople, sports teachers and suppliers to consider, on a day to day basis, whether what they’re doing may be

leading to the exploitation of others.

“Consumers do have power, money talks – I think it screams if companies think they’re missing out on money.

“The beauty of fair trade is that it eliminates child slavery and puts money back into communities.”

One of Nick’s concerns is that with so many slick brands out there, frequently on sale, and enslaved children so far away, it’s often difficult to put our ‘of course we’re against child labour’ ethos into action.

“We’re calling on all sports clubs, schools - everyone - to buy fair trade balls.

They’re not cheap, but they tend to last a lot longer, and are made better.

“We’ve supplied balls for the National Christian Soccer Association and during the Masters Games last year. There are a lot of clubs happily using them – players are proud to play with them.”

And Nick’s proud to supply them.

Jinta Sport is in the business of making sport fair. They’re invested in fair-trade systems and donate a percentage of all sales towards sports programs with the Warlpiri tribe, Northern Territory.

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Income Statement

2010 ($ ‘000)

2009 ($ ‘000)

Revenue Received

8,601

6,715

28%

Interest Paid to Investors

5,748

5,090

13%

Administration Expenses

609

517

18%

Net Operating Profit

2,244

1,108

Grants to the Uniting Church

1,010

-

Balance Sheet

Change

103% -

2010 ($ ‘000)

2009 ($ ‘000)

121,965

113,433

8%

Personal Investors

46,019

44,052

5%

Congregations

9,442

9,599

-2%

Agencies & Schools

26,009

23,325

12%

Other Investors

31,689

31,087

2%

Other Liabilities

1,936

1,410

37%

115,096

109,472

5%

6,869

3,960

73%

Assets

Change

Liabilities

Total Liabilities Equity

Westbourne Park Uniting Church (WPUC) is contributing significantly to the SA United Church Netball Association, with 40 teams entered in the league.

‘Long time ago’ netballer, Jo Davis, now coordinator for WPUC netball, began at the club when she was seven years old. Now she is a mother, her own kids have also played a part.

Jo’s passion and heart for the teams is evident, yet she attributes the sizeable sporting team mostly to the church’s geographical location.

“We’re situated amongst a number of schools and, around here, parents take a lot of interest in their children and encourage them to play sport,” says Jo. “It might be a different situation elsewhere.”

The Westbourne Park Uniting Club was started in 1950 by a group of girls from nearby Methodist Ladies College (now Annesley). It started with only one team, girls who wanted to keep playing netball after their schooling was finished.

this spor ting life

Today, some of WPUCs 40 teams have third generation players, after years of consistent involvement. With an atmosphere of achievement through friendship and teamwork it’s no wonder girls and young women want to stay involved.

Their encouraging environment doesn’t mean the girls themselves aren’t serious about their sport though.

“We have a vision for our Association as a whole to grow and we work closely with the girls on their skills. A lot of our girls play in the SA Netball Association (where the Thunderbirds recruit from) but they don’t give us up - they enjoy our teams too much.

“We’ve had our issues, ones that are typical for a club our size – bullying, ‘ugly parent’ issues and the like. We put a stop to these kinds of behaviours straight away. We constantly put out positive newsletters and always praise other players and teams.

“In the last two seasons, a lot of our 15-16 year olds have begun to coach teams, taking on personal projects and mentoring younger players. The younger kids love it and, by allowing the 15-16 years olds to take on mentoring, they play with an awareness that the little kids are following their lead.”

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Sport on Sunday?

this spor ting life

Rev Roger Brook I remember watching ‘Chariots of Fire’ and seeing Eric Liddle choose not to run in a particular Olympic event because it was being held on a Sunday. I have heard of Test Cricketers who have made a stand against playing on Sundays - and ended their Test careers.

Sport on Sundays is a contentious issue.

As a teenager, my father allowed me to play sport on Sundays, and now, as a father, I allow my son to play sport on Sundays. I struggle with the decision every week though.

I often wonder if my struggle is because church culture has told me not to play sport on Sundays, or whether it is the still small voice of the Holy Spirit prompting me.

Sunday used to be a day where you didn’t work, couldn’t go to the shops and certainly didn’t get involved in sport. Sunday was a day for worship, and Exodus 20:8-11, “Remember the

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Sabbath day by keeping it holy,” was a key text.

I think that Jesus is saying in Mark 2:27 not to hold onto the Sabbath legalistically, but to hold onto it as a gift from God, “The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.”

As much as having a Sabbath and being involved weekly in corporate worship is centrally important, the way we express that in today’s church is so different.

The expressions and timing of church and worship are very different today – midweek, Saturday night, in a house or out in the open.

The way we express our faith is also very different today. There is a greater emphasis on worshipping God in every area of life, in all that we do.

I believe that as Christians we are to hold tightly to our calling of Matthew 28:19 to, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Being involved in sport on Sundays can be a great opportunity for some of us to do that - our presence in those places is not to be underestimated.

I have seen and heard the testimonies of many Christian sportspeople who choose to compete on Sundays in good conscience.

I think asking ourselves whether we should play sport on Sundays is the wrong question. The question I’d rather ask is, ‘How do I live a life of worship and make the most of every missional opportunity God gives me?

MRN

As I drive home I get a glimpse of the sea. Every day the view is different and, occasionally, I am in awe of the red sun sinking into the sea. The constant change in this view is a gift to me.

Likewise, the fresh expressions of God in our community are a gift. We do not need to worry about whether we are getting our ministry right or not.

We are simply called to journey with God. This is a journey of trust. It is not about being hip or trendy but following Jesus, the source of life and love.

The MRN review last year highlighted the need for us to focus on new missional endeavours. All areas of the life of the MRN are charged with the responsibility of facilitating Fresh Expressions. It’s not just Ruthmary Bond, the Fresh Expressions and Evangelism Officer, working on this aspect but also Solidarity and Justice, Covenanting, Youth, Children – all of us.

As we begin the season of Lent we have the opportunity to practise our attentiveness to this Spirit. The wind of the Spirit certainly blows where it will.

Our call is to sense and allow it to blow us on the journey of abundant life.

The MRN team is diverse in age, experience, interest and skill. We are here to resource you. Head online to see how – missionresourcing.net.au

REV ROD DYSON Executive Officer, MRN

Getting to know...

Spirited Rev Sarah Williamson (Deac), has stepped into the role of Solidarity and Justice Officer for the MRN this year. The compassionate South Australian born 31 year old is hoping to make a real impact for people with her role, particularly with her two key projects: Refugees and Mental Health. And here’s just a little more to know about Sarah the Activist...

Family: Husband, Dave Williamson Beautiful boys, Kaden (age 3) and Jai (age 1) and fourlegged friends Kaibu and Mallie (dogs) Church: We just moved here so no congregational home yet!

Background: I candidated here in SA as a youth work student. I moved to do my training in Sydney and came out as a Deacon.

Dave and I moved to Kingscliff (Tweed Coast) after college where I ministered congregationally. From there, we headed to Wollongong where I worked with youth and families. And now I’m thrilled to be back here again!

Why you wanted this job: Justice and advocating for people who don’t have a voice is at the core of who Jesus was and thus, the core of our faith and ministry. Along with my key projects to work on with the Moderator, I also get to meet those who are already doing so much in areas of justice and support/resource them where possible. It’s a truly exciting and engaging job!

Person you most admire: My Grandmother, Bet. She grew up in tough times, raised four children and continued on to learn and grow more as well as support other people.

Favourite book: Today, it’s a children’s book, ‘Woolbur’ (the non-conformist sheep) by Leslie Helakoski.

Attend to the central things...

Alan Dutton, Rural & Regional Mission Officer for Uniting Church SA, reflects on the recent Rural Ministers Gathering in March with Professor Kim Long.

“Attend to the central things. Telling and retelling the story. Gathering around the table.

Loving each other. Serving the world.... Strip back, rather than adding layers ...”

This was Kim Long, Professor of Worship at Columbia Theological Seminary, speaking to a gathering of 30 plus ministers and pastors gathered at Nunyara from across rural and regional SA. She was addressing ‘Giving Life to Worship’, in the context of rural churches.

“Worship is a journey. It’s not so much ‘going to church’ as ‘flowing through church.’

Gathering. Word. Table. Sending ... It’s the experience that will convict and transform people. Not the intellect... Worship is about forming us to be Christ’s body in the world.”

“Make the table and the font far more central. Make both highly visible. Use them in worship. Speak from them. Make gestures from them.”

Kim shared a number of different approaches to reading and responding to the Scriptures, and to prayer and prayers in worship as part of practically, “making space for an encounter with the transcendent.”

This was a helpful and encouraging morning.

“Small rural churches. These are not places of ‘last gasp’ ministry. Here are seedbeds of hope. Of new patterns emerging. Of fresh life.”

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History project brings back 30 years of memories

magazine

In the early 1970s, a ground-breaking community development project was initiated in Port Adelaide. The ‘Sunday Club’ was run by UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide (UCWPA), known then as Port Adelaide Central Mission.

Thirty years on, former members have gathered to reminisce about the significant impact these programs had on their lives.

In February, former Sunday Club participants and leaders came together to celebrate the history and impact of the Sunday Club. They looked at over 300 historical photographs and were given the opportunity to share their memories through oral history recordings.

“These programs were amongst the first of their type in Australia,” explains Noela Bajjali, UCWPA’s Recordkeeping Coordinator, who helped co-ordinate the gathering.

“They stand as a significant milestone in our positive involvement in improving opportunities for Aboriginal people within the Port Adelaide area.”

Sunday Club began around 1970 as a single program on Sunday mornings for

Aboriginal children. Activities included sport, swimming, cooking, knitting, woodworking, music, camping, picnics and outings.

“On the first day only about six kids showed up but within a few weeks we had more than 80 kids. After a while some of the parents started saying that they wished we could have a Sunday Club for Adults,” explains Peter Bicknell, UCWPA Chairman and former Sunday Club Coordinator.

Before long, Sunday Club had evolved to a range of programs including: • The Saturday Club for pre-school children • An Ethnic Music group, working with Dr Cath Ellis of Adelaide University to preserve Aboriginal Musical heritage.

• Sunday Night Jazz Club • Young Adult Social Committee organising camps and social events • After-school and evening activities for teenagers and young adults • Homework Centres with Aboriginal parents and volunteers acting as tutors

• The Aboriginal Friendship Club for adults with children involved in other parts of the program • A Health Club, primarily for mothers.

Preservation of Aboriginal culture held an important place in the Sunday Club programs with visits to nearby Aboriginal communities at Point Pearce and Point McLeay, involvement in programs to share Aboriginal musical heritage, as well as outings to cultural events.

The programs relied on an army of volunteers drawn from the local community as well as from Adelaide and Flinders Universities.

“Our Historical Collection had a lot of excellent official records but what was missing was testimony from the kids, parents and leaders who made the program so successful,” explains Noela.

“We were able to bring people together to share their recollections.

Many participants described their time in Sunday Club as some of the best times of their lives.”

Thanks to State Government funding, the oral history recordings will join a collection of photographs, historical records and archival film footage to form an exhibition later this year.

A public exhibition about the Sunday Club programs will be held at the Black Diamond Gallery, Port Adelaide from 30 May to 5 June as part of the ‘About time’ Festival of SA History (1 – 31 May) and Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June 2011).

Reminiscing and storytelling were the order of the day as former ‘Sunday Club’ members gathered in February.

A trip to Birdwood they’ll never forget Extract from one of the transcripts from the Sunday Club oral history project.

“I do remember one particular day when we went up to the Birdwood Museum. I’ll always remember this day clearly because we went up to the Hills in a nice old car probably from the 1920s.

“The funny thing when we got to the Birdwood Mill was that … people kept jumping into our car, thinking it was one of the display cars and I remember I kept on telling them ‘Get out, this is the car we came in’.

“It was a great day and - of all the things we ever did - I’ll always remember that day.”

– Eddie Grzybowicz

Look closely - Eddie is pictured on the car roof. © Newspix

Baking up a storm “We had to prepare everything and we all had different jobs to do. We took turns putting the trays in the oven and we had to be aware of safety.

“Once we cooked them we waited for them to cool down, then we ate them – and they were YUMMY!!!”

– Angela Agius

magazine

Left: Angela Agius in the kitchen in the 1970s Sunday Club program.

Below: Angela Bicknell (nee Agius) today.

From little things, big things grow UCWPA’s collaborative partnership with the Aboriginal community continues today with community-focused programs that are guided from within the Aboriginal community. These include: Taikurtinna Wiltarnendi This program, whose Kaurna name means ‘Families Becoming Stronger’, offers a culturally appropriate and sensitive service to Aboriginal families that aims to strengthen family relationships.

Anangu Women in Leadership Program This program seeks to empower Anangu women from the Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands who have moved to the west of Adelaide. It empowers women with information and mentoring support, to help enable them to spread information to their families on topics relating to finance, education, health, safety, wellbeing and maintaining culture.

Kurlakurlando (Indigenous Parenting Support Services) Kurlakurlando, which means Youngest One in Kaurna, offers a culturally appropriate and sensitive service to Aboriginal families with young children, aiming to strengthen family relationships and support access for the families to existing services in the western region.

Anyone interested in learning more about these programs can contact Tricia Conlin on (08) 8440 2240 or Jan Fehlmann on (08) 8440 2293

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magazine

Awarding emerging leaders What do you get when you cross 18 young church leaders with a group of servant hearted mentors and teachers?

The answer in February was the Emerging Leaders Award camp at Longwood in the Adelaide Hills. For four days, invited young leaders were treated to the best teaching the Assembly of Confessing Congregations could offer.

The camp was designed to teach in key areas like spiritual formation, leadership development, teamwork, volunteers, organisation, motivation, public speaking and social skills.

A highlight was the sharing of testimony, as each camper spoke on their personal love for Jesus and was prayed for by a colleague.

Key speaker for the camp was Rev Tim Hein, himself a young church planter and lecturer at Uniting College for Leadership & Theology, where he was recently appointed as Director of Christian Education and Discipleship.

Rev Dr Max Champion, National Chair of ACC, offered some important insights into the role the ACC has in sustaining its member churches in a post-modern culture.

A dedicated team of ministers and lay leaders served the young attendees, leading small groups, managing the camp, providing food and, yes, doing the dishes.

The real joy of this weekend was in the young people themselves, an

amazing gathering of future leaders. From students studying medicine, law, chemistry and microbiology to shearers, creative writers and child protection officers, this was a cohort with serious levels of knowledge and talent.

Added to that was a zeal for the Lord and a passion for his Church that saw each one

immersing themselves in the opportunities given them.

“This is a fabulous group of young leaders, and I’m excited by the thought that our churches will be guided by a new generation of people of such talent and commitment,” glowed Rev Don Purdey, initiator and coordinator of the camp.

There was fun, games and much more to be had at the Assembly of Confessing Congregations SA Emerging Leaders Award gathering for young leaders in February.

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If you thought that after the Fringe and Clipsal were over you’d never leave the house again, think again. It’s time for Malfunction!

Heading into its third year, Mal-function is an annual event hosted by Malvern Uniting Church which is designed to engage the local community and help connect them with Jesus.

“A few years ago the Malvern team was inspired to do a week full of evangelical outreach to the community, in different styles to reach different age groups,” said Sheila Sinclair, Malvern Uniting Church’s children’s pastor.

“Rather than just doing one thing and meeting the needs of a few people, the week is planned around a variety of events to cover every age group.”

Mal-function will run from 3-10 April, kicking off with a carnival for the whole family, with entertainer ‘Dan, Dan the Music Man’ getting the crowd livened up with music, puppetry, dancing, and more.

Throughout the week, there are a range of activities planned, including a women’s breakfast, a family bush dance, a men’s lunch, and a youth evening.

Prior to the event week, volunteers will be doorknocking the surrounding area to find out prayer requests and invite people personally to the events of the week.

“The event is pretty full on but it’s good fun. We’ve made a real effort to balance the activities so no one feels left out.”

The Mal-function opening day carnival coincides with Malvern’s 120th anniversary. All who have been involved with Malvern Uniting Church over the years are welcome.

Head online to Malvern’s website for Mal-function details: malvernuc.com

Good Friday Colette Williams

Once, in the heavenly places, The holiness and goodness of God Blazed against our sin With all its deathly consequences.

And we were found guilty.

But the Father’s heart, With love infinite and relentless, Determined to save us from those consequences, Destroy the separateness, And bring us back to him.

So, in the heavenly places, Love and holiness contended, And a plan of breathtaking scope unfolded.

An exchange was made: holiness for sin forgiveness for condemnation adoption for exclusion eternal life for death.

All free from the faultless Son of God, So that he could present us, faultless, To the Father.

With astonishing intention, Jesus stepped into our grasping and careless world To accomplish in time and space What had been determined in the heavenly places.

It has made all the difference in the world.

Naomi Degai loves soccer; Nancy Wambrauw loves swimming and badminton. They have many hopes and dreams - including forays into the business and banking worlds.

The 21 year old women come from Jayapura, Indonesia where they both study Accounting and Management – and they’re coming to Blackwood Uniting Church this year to improve their English skills.

They will be spending quality time with the church in an English Immersion Program, through partnership with the GKI Church in Papua, Indonesia and in collaboration with Floreat Uniting Church, WA. Last year, Blackwood supported two other students from Papua in an English Immersion Program for three months. Nancy and Naomi will be involved in a similar experience, but one which has been enriched through what was learned in 2010.

Following an induction program to familiarise them with Adelaide and their local area, church members, with some understanding of teaching English as a Foreign Language, will involve them in practical, but structured, English sessions for two days a week. These English sessions will help the women to develop their written and oral language skills through conversation and journaling.

The aim is to build their confidence and independence to live in an English speaking community by developing their skills to interact with others. The development of these skills is done in a practical way with emphasis on listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Currently, Nancy and Naomi are waiting for their Australian Visa applications to be approved, and going through the process of reapplying. Blackwood Uniting are waiting with baited breath, leashed enthusiasm… and a mostly organised program.

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magazine

The death of God’s son Would cleanse us from the sins that separate.

He, innocent, would take the punishment We could not endure.

Holiness and love satisfied.

Union with the Father – at last.

Where are Naomi and Nancy?

There is a ‘Hymn Fest’ at The Corner Uniting Church (cnr Oaklands and Diagonal Roads, Warradale) on Sunday 3 April from 1.30pm – 2.30pm.

A Model Railway Swap Meet and Garage Sale will be held at Vermont Uniting Church (578 Cross Rd, South Plympton) on Saturday 9 April from 9.00am - 1.00pm. All kinds of model railway gear will be available as well as an interesting range of household goods. Sausage sizzle, cool drinks, tea & coffee and scones with jam & cream also available. Enquiries or table bookings: Bill 0427 357 010.

diary notes

Crossways Uniting Church at ’The Corner’ (cnr Diagonal & Oaklands Rds, Warradale) present their Mother’s Day Art Exhibition & Porcelain Display from 1 - 28 May, 2011. Official opening on Sunday 1 May at 11.45am supporting Jon and Lyndell Paschke for missionary work in Vanuatu. Open 1 May from 11.15am to 3.00pm, thereafter then Tuesdays & Fridays 10.00am – 3.00pm and Saturdays 1.00 – 3.00pm. More information: Pauline Shinkfield 8376 2666.

Christian Prison Ministries Forum invites you to the Surviving Outside Conference, which focuses on exoffenders surviving and thriving outside prison. We will be looking at ‘When they come home’ – how families react,

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the significance of employment, housing and financial assistance. Combined with a supporting church, Caring For Ex-Offenders helps make a huge difference with these factors. Saturday 14 May from 9.30am – 4.00pm at St Luke’s (35 Whitmore Square, Adelaide). More information from Dennis on 8522 2828 or go to: http://www. alphafriends.org.au/cfeoconferences.

Organ to give away: Hammond Stage II Rhythm Electric Organ (approx 30 years old). Give away to good home, just need to collect from Karoonda District Uniting Church.

Phone 8578 1098.

The SA Branch of the Order of St Luke the Physician has set their meeting dates for the year. All meetings are open to the public and take place at Christ Church, Jeffcott St, North Adelaide. 9 April, 10.30am Healing Day service.

15 – 16 July: Conference with Rev Dr Harold Taylor. 18 October, 7.30pm: Annual Gray/Hocking Memorial Lecture

by Bishop Peter Ramsden of the Papua/New Guinea Diocese.

To have your upcoming event or message published here, email diary@sa.uca.org.au with ‘Diary’ in the subject line.

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25

reviews

Finding out how to reverse shop – and survive Having been grounded during the national ‘go slow’ month of January I found myself reading all manner of books and magazines. They all kept leading me into the same concept: living with less.

I looked out at my lounge room chairs covered in the debris of old documents, pens, papers, folders and long forgotten projects. I stumbled past overflowing drawers, boxes piled up under benches and under the bed, cupboards that wouldn’t close...

I soon realised that, all around me, many were discovering ‘reverse shopping’. There were entries in annual reports. In glossy magazines. There were books from reformed hoarders (Corinne Grant, Lessons in letting go; Robert Llewellyn, Sold Out – How I survived a year of not shopping).

Jesus was the pioneer spokesperson on acquiring less, to not be anxious about what you eat, drink or clothe yourself with. It is so hard to do in our culture of consumerism and constant mass advertising.

Mukti Mitchell, in her article ‘Big Foot, Little Foot - Sweet No-Things’ (Resurgence Magazine Nov/Dec 2010), describes having been conditioned to go to town, fill bags with pretty things and bring them home in order to feel good. However, she found that when she experimented with filling bags with things from home and taking them into town to give away, it made her feel more satisfied than shopping.

The concept of giving things away, finding them a new owner, getting out from the weight of emotional baggage of possessions led me to examine what I really had.

So I began, slowly, looking at my shelves with tired old books I had somehow inherited, but never used. I donated a good third of them to the local library. Relieved and eager for more, I purged old clothes and items that weren’t ever making a comeback.

One of the best tips I read was to keep a box on standby for all those goods you come across and know you have no use for. Having a box at the

ready means no further delays of ‘I might use that again...’

If shopping makes you feel like you’re having another serve of dessert when you’re already full, shopping in reverse is like someone removing the weight off your back (or your girth).

New Times Book Reviewer, Jenny Esots, shares the dangers that substantial reading can cause: change, for good.

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Marital tune-up?

Book: Let’s Stick Together: The Relationship Book for New Parents Having a baby has been likened, by author Nora Ephron, to throwing a grenade into a marriage.

For many, it’s more like adding stress, sleeplessness and much new learning to an already imperfect relationship. So we need all the help we can get.

Let’s Stick Together is a concise, highly readable book to help couples have good marriages and give their kids the great gift of happy parents.

Author: Harry Benson Available from: Harper One Recommended for: parenting couples who have slipped into some bad habits In short: A snappy little book about small but profound ways to make marriages work better.

RRP: $19.99

Husband, father of six and relationship educator, Harry Benson, breaks marriage down into bite-sized chunks: good and bad habits. Bad habits are the ‘stop signs’ of what not to do: score points, think the worst, opt out and put down. Good habits involve loving your spouse in a way that makes them feel loved. He adopts marriage counsellor Gary Chapman’s ‘love languages’—the idea that we each give and receive love in one or two main ways: time, words, actions, gifts or touch.

While extremely approachable, Benson’s advice could seem painfully simplistic to couples in real trouble. Mere awareness of our habits may not be sufficient for those entrenched in abusive patterns.

Nevertheless, Benson’s commitment to marriage is commendable, as is his suggestion that we can alter our behaviour even if we think the other person is the problem—with powerful results.

For couples who just need a tune-up, Let’s Stick Together will quickly have them seeing where they are going wrong and making changes.

– Lisa Morrison

Breaking negative mindsets

Author: Robert Llewellyn

Book: Live Life Big or Stay in Bed

Available from: amazon.com

In short: A funny look at reducing carbon footprints.

Authors: Heather Puffett and Hazel Pattison Recommended for: inspiring selfconfidence In short: Mentoring readers out of passive mindsets.

RRP: $17.90

RRP: $24.95

Recommended for: anyone wanting to examine their consuming choices

Consumerism, global financial crises and mass advertising have all contributed to our way of life.

In his book, Robert Llewellyn, wellknown for his writing and acting in UK TV program ‘Red Dwarf’, examines his seemingly lifelong consumeristic guilt, and commits to one year without shopping – except for food and medications.

As a well-off TV actor and writer, his friends and family thought he was crazy, but his journey of self examination has proved a popular choice in the UK, Australia and the United States as journalists and writers are increasingly exploring the phenomenon of purging oneself of modern acquisitions.

In Sold Out, Llewellyn feels the pain of giving up, discusses the global impact of capitalism and the anxieties of modern living. He delves into the areas of greed and envy, all done with his trademark humour.

Sold Out asks readers to consider why we buy what we do and the emotional and environmental cost to us all.

– Jenny Esots

This title captured my attention right away, though I was rather expecting to have a fun read in the manner of Barbara Johnson. I was mistaken.

The object is not to amuse, but to chronicle two journeys from passive mindset to self-confidence and leadership. Pattison writes, ‘many mind-sets in which we operate need to be broken in order for us to enter into the freedom that should be ours’. This book is all about breaking those mindsets.

thinking. They move on to tell of the means by which each of them found their way out of it, each to recognise their value as a gifted child of God. With new-found confidence, they formed groups to mentor other women who want to counteract negative mindsets.

Live life big or stay in bed has a helpful appendix which includes resources for conducting mentoring programs.

–Linda Sutton

The authorship is a joint one, with a seamless exchange of the two voices in each chapter. Both authors relate what they once saw as wrong with their negative

27

reviews

Book: Sold Out

Non-shopping survival

Head to the hills or take to the beach with Uniting Venues SA in 2011. unitingvenuessa.org.au

Uniting Venues SA is a ministry of the Uniting Church SA.