New Times - December 2007

No matter what you’re wishing for…

Issue 26, No 11 December 2007 www.sa.uca.org.au/goto/NTdec07

Christmas wishes Making the season meaningful for others

a safe and happy time with family and friends

this Christmas.

UC Invest is an activity of The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (S.A.) ABN: 25 068 897 781. UC Invest and the Uniting Church SA are not supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. Investments lodged with UC Invest are not protected by the provisions of the Banking Act (1959). UC Invest is designed for investors who wish to promote the charitable purposes of the Uniting Church SA.

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We hope you have

inside…

Call for Indigenous treaty 3 • General Secretary continues 4 • New Moderator installed 5 Presbytery and Synod news 6 • ‘The Road to Christmas’ 9 • Advance Australia Fair 11 • Thailand mission 13

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NEWS

New Times

Christmas wishes Moderator Rev Rod Dyson

This year the Christmas pageant was held on November 10. My sense is that over the years the pageant has been moved earlier to allow a longer Christmas shopping season. Even so the season is frenetic and enormous amounts of money are spent. I have always found aspects of this intense season somewhat oppressive.

At this time of year we celebrate the coming of the Christ-child – God coming and ‘pitching his tent’ amongst us. This is such a gentle, lovefilled gift. It has been life transforming for all of us. It is the reason for our existence and the hope of our future. In the light of this gift it is worth pausing and looking at our gift-giving and receiving. How is it that our giving might mirror the gift of Jesus? Let me tell part of my story.

Some years ago one side of our family decided to limit their gift giving. This was not done because we were miserly. It was a response to the excesses of the Christmas season. The first step was that all the adults in the family decided to not give presents to all the other adults. In fact all our names are put in a hat. A random draw of names is carried out. The end result is that every adult only gives to one other adult. We also set the amount that we can spend on the present. This makes the gift of that one present very special.

Last year I decided to go one step further.

Instead of receiving a present I asked that my money be spent on tree planting. When others received a present I received a card with some pictures of trees. Initially it felt a little empty.

After all getting presents is pretty good! Then I reaffirmed that this was my choice and it is what I really wanted.

Many of the toys that were given last year are now broken or are not used. The books have been read. The chocolates have been eaten. My trees are still growing!

Our gift giving really matters. Why not think about some of the options listed below. In all your gift giving may the love of God in Jesus be new and fresh and life giving.

This year Uniting International Mission (UIM) is offering some unique gifts for the armchair shopper. UIM’s ‘Gifts of Love’ catalogue suggests gifts that “give back” by making a real difference to the quality of another person’s life. There are 26 different opportunities to support projects in our Partner Churches.

Give a gift of care, education, peace building, church planting, clean water, nutrition, health, enterprise and new beginnings. Simply choose a project and nominate a gift value – in exchange you’ll receive a gift card to personalize and give to your loved ones. Visit www.uim.uca.org.au/gol or call 02 8267 4269 for a catalogue.

Closer to home you can ‘Rediscover Christmas’ by supporting the UnitingCare Wesley Christmas Hampers and Toys Appeal.

Visit www.ucwesleyadeliade.org.ua or send a donation to Christmas Hampers & Toys 2007, Reply Paid 2534, Adelaide SA 5001. Or you may choose to place a gift under a tree in a Target store – see story on page 7.

UnitingCare Adelaide East based in Clayton Wesley Uniting Church on the Parade is also looking for food and gifts this Christmas to fill Christmas hampers.

Or you may choose to support others overseas by giving to the Christmas Bowl appeal – see story on page 6.

Church’s Christmas advertising campaign “No matter what you’re wishing for this Christmas – you’re welcome at the Uniting Church.”

That’s the Uniting Church SA’s key message to the community this Christmas.

ISSN 0726-2612 Acting editor: Jill Freear, Ph 8236 4230, email newtimes@sa.uca.org.au Advertising: Russell Baker, Ph 8361 6822, email ribad@bigpond.com Circulation: Jo Watts, Ph 8236 4260, email jo@sa.uca.org.au Production: Joie Creative Printer: Cadillac Printing Circulation: 12,000 Distribution: On the first Sunday of the month Editorial deadline for February: 9 January Advertising deadline for February: 11 January New Times is published 11 times a year by the Uniting Church SA Communications Unit.

Articles and advertising content do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or of the Uniting Church.

New Times articles and policies are published on the Uniting Church SA website www.sa.uca.org.au.

Office: Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide. GPO Box 2145 Adelaide, SA 5001.

DECEMBER 2007

“People are bombarded with messages at Christmas time,” says Communications and Public Relations manager Shannon Short.

“Shops invite us to spend lots of money on gifts. Supermarkets encourage us to buy up big on festive food. The church needs to invite people to think about the Christian message behind Christmas.”

More than 50 local Uniting Church congregations will deliver approximately 85,000 Christmas postcards to people in their neighbouring communities this month.

In the week before Christmas advertisements which compliment the campaign theme will be placed in ‘the Advertiser’ and ‘Sunday Mail’.

“None of us – as individual congregations – have the resources to fund our own advertisements,” says Shannon. “Together we can do so much more.

“People who receive a postcard and contemplate it – will get an extra reminder when they see the same image and the message in their newspaper.

“There is a gospel imperative to share the Good News. We have a variety of resources to help congregations to do that on our website at www.sa.uca.org.au/goto/NTforum.

“Congregations are invited to submit their prayers, plays and worship ideas to the forum.”

Congregations may also list their Christmas worship times on the Uniting Church SA website. If you ordered Christmas postcards, your details will be automatically listed. If you didn’t send an email to jo@sa.uca.org.au “Last year, traffic on these pages doubled the normal usage of our website. More than 12,000 individuals visited our site. We had more than 73,000 hits.”

NEWS

New Times

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Treaty to restore Indigenous rights The Uniting Church SA is joining with the church’s Aboriginal arm to campaign for a treaty with the South Australian Government to restore the rights of Indigenous South Australians.

The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) wants a treaty that is consistent with the intentions of the South Australian Letters Patent of 1836.

The Letters Patent guaranteed the rights of “any Aboriginal Natives” and their descendants to lands they “occupied or enjoyed”.

Uniting Church SA Moderator Rev Rod Dyson said Presbytery and Synod members gave their overwhelming support for the treaty proposal.

“The mood of the 400 members from throughout South Australia was to strongly endorse the proposal and stand in solidarity with our Indigenous brothers and sisters,” said Rod. “The Church regards this as an important social justice issue.”

UAICC SA spokesman Rev Ken Sumner said such a treaty will bring healing to Aboriginal people and restore their rights.

“Indigenous people are carrying generations of pain for the wrongs of the past,” said Ken. “We bury our people and they leave this life with broken hearts because of past injustices.

“Our people die with unfinished business. We don’t want to pass this onto our children or grandchildren and neither do you.

“We are overwhelmed by the Church’s support. This is a really significant step.”

The church will establish a working party with members of the UAICC to explore the matter further.

Ken and Victor made impassioned speeches when presenting the proposal to the Presbytery and Synod meeting. You can hear these on the Uniting Church SA website: www.sa.uca.org.au.

Indigenous leaders Victor Wilson (left) and Ken Sumner who were behind the proposal asking the Uniting Church SA to support the UAICC in campaigning for a treaty to restore the rights of Indigenous South Australians.

Treaties with Indigenous people

Image from www.foundingdocs.gov.au

Broadly, a “treaty” is a formal contact or negotiated agreement between countries or other political entities seeking to define their relationship with each other.

In New Zealand the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between representatives of the British Crown and Maori chiefs from around the country.

From the British point of view, the Treaty justified making New Zealand a British colony; it also gave the Maori people the rights of British citizens and the right to ownership of their lands and other properties.

The Treaty of Waitangi was prepared hastily and without legal assistance. Significant differences exist between the Maori and English language versions.

Until the 1970s, the Treaty was generally ignored by both the courts and parliament.

From the late 1960s, Maori people drew attention to breaches of the Treaty.

In 1975 the Waitangi Tribunal was established as a permanent commission of inquiry charged with researching breaches of the Treaty by the Crown or its agents and suggesting means of redress.

To date settlements have consisted of millions of dollars, assets and apologies.

Canada also has Indigenous treaties. The most comprehensive is Treaty Eight, signed by the Indians of North America and the Queen of England in 1899.

The signatories of Treaty Eight agreed to its terms for reasons of peace and friendship - ensuring what they thought would be a partnership.

Treaty Eight encompassed a land mass of approximately 840,000 kilometres and is home to 39 First Nation communities in Northern Alberta, North-western Saskatchewan, North-eastern British Columbia and the Southwest portion of the Northwest Territories.

LOVE TO TRAVEL? LOVE TO DISCOVER NEW PLACES?

The Letters Patent The Letters Patent established the Province of South Australia on February 19, 1836.

The document recognised the rights of “any Aboriginal natives” or their descendants to the lands they “actually occupied or enjoyed”.

During a speech delivered on Proclamation day on December 28, 2006, the SA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Jay Weatherill, referred to the Letters Patent and the Governor’s Proclamation of that day 170 years ago.

The Minister said the Letters Patent “expressly provided for the rights of any Aboriginal people”.

He also said non-Aboriginal South Australians needed to recommit to the promises made to Aboriginal people when South Australia was founded.

DECEMBER 2007

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NEWS

General Secretary to continue

Ex-Moderator Rev Graham Vawser with his wife Dei during the November Presbytery and Synod meeting.

Graham has returned to full-time ministry in his Payneham Rd and Argent congregations.

Ex-Moderator’s report Ex-Moderator Rev Graham Vawser has enjoyed his two year tenure as Moderator and the opportunities it has brought to experience the breadth of the church’s life.

In his report to the November Presbytery and Synod meeting Graham reminded members that under paragraph 18 of the ‘Basis of Union’ we are a people “on the way”.

“From earliest times the people of God have been on the move,” Graham said. “We follow in the path of many pilgrims. In our personal faith, in the life of our congregations and at Presbytery and Synod level, we have no choice, other than to continue to wait upon God’s guidance and direction.

“We must always listen to Christ’s call and trust in the Spirit’s power to make us what God wants us to be.”

Graham also acknowledged the effort of Presbytery and Synod members who work with and for the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander

Christian Congress.

“I have continued to hear the stories of hope, as well as the stories of despair, of achievements, as well as the difficulties, that characterise the Indigenous communities in our state,” said Graham.

“It is sad to acknowledge that there is still an underlying racism in our society; as a church we confess that as members of the wider community, we are complicit in some of that racism.

“At the same time, the church is committed to finding ways in which the covenantal relationship between Indigenous and nonIndigenous people can be developed till we can faithfully affirm with Paul that in Christ there is ‘neither slave nor free … for all … are one in Christ Jesus’.”

The Presbytery and Synod meeting recorded its appreciation for Graham’s outstanding leadership and to his wife Dei for her grace and support.

In a surprise turn of events – the Uniting Church SA’s General Secretary Rev Dr Graham Humphris will continue in the role for the next five years.

In June Graham declared his intention not to continue as General Secretary as he felt called to return to congregational ministry at Aberfoyle Uniting Church.

The position was duly advertised, however during the interview process Graham made a late application for the position.

Jan Trengove, who chaired the Joint Nominating Committee (JNC) considering the placement, said the process was complicated, unusual and at times tricky, but not as complicated as Graham’s journey.

“But we celebrate the fact that God agitated Graham to such an extent that he was forced to put in a late nomination,” said Jan. Graham struggled with the “rightness of his decision” to return to congregational ministry.

He experienced several sleepless nights in which he felt very strongly that God was calling him to continue as General Secretary.

“It was one of the toughest times that I can remember – both emotionally and spiritually – and I was in considerable turmoil,” said Graham.

“All I can say is I felt a deep sense of call to the position which I could not ignore, although it was illogical, anti-commonsense and one which I am sure I will regret on some future occasions.”

Unanimously and with great conviction, the JNC nominated Graham for the position and this was confirmed overwhelmingly by a ballot of Presbytery and Synod members.

Graham will conclude his part-time placement at Aberfoyle Uniting Church and will work full-time as General Secretary from December 1, 2007 to December 31, 2012.

From left are retiring ministers Jim Peacock, Ted Curnow, Don Catford, Dan Aubrey, John Cranmer, Brian Zeitz and John Watt, outside Pilgrim Church before a service celebrating their years of ministry.

A celebration of ministry The retiring ministers who were recognised at the Celebration of Ministry Service at Pilgrim Church last month were Ken Anderson, Dan Aubrey, Don Catford, John Cranmer, Ted Curnow, Stephen Partington, James Peacock, Dean Pearce, John Watt and Brian Zeitz.

The full records of service of the retiring ministers are available on the Uniting Church SA website.

The Service also acknowledged people completing their Period of Discernment including Juleen Villis, Casey Lau, Leanne Osborn, Valmai Crosby, David Kowalick, Michael Dowling and Peter Thacker.

DECEMBER 2007

NEWS

New Times

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Moderator installed

Westbourne Park Uniting Church minister Rev Rod Dyson has been installed as the 16th Moderator of the Presbytery and Synod of South Australia at a service at Maughan Church.

Rod will be the first Uniting Church Moderator in South Australia to serve a three year term.

Rod’s theme during his term is ‘Serving the world for the sake of Christ’ which was also the subject of his sermon during his installation service.

The service closed with Rod encouraging Uniting Church members to be inspired to serve through the example of Jesus’ service to others.

Church dignitaries attending the installation service included UCA President Rev Gregor Henderson and Monsignor David Cappo who represented the heads of Christian Churches in South Australia.

Members of Rod’s Westbourne Park congregation played a large role in the service contributing through music, drama and decorations depicting the Moderator’s theme.

Handover: New Moderator Rev Rod Dyson is handed the Moderator’s cross by Ex-Moderator Rev Graham Vawser.

Standing in solidarity Survey thanks At its major November meeting the SA Synod has expressed its solidarity with the Northern Synod and especially the Northern Regional Council of Congress regarding the Federal Government’s intervention in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.

While the SA Synod supports the Federal Government’s timely intervention in Aboriginal communities, it is deeply concerned that this has occurred without consultation with Indigenous communities.

The Synod is calling on the Federal Government to urgently review its actions and repeal the legislation.

It claims the legislation ignores many of the recommendations of the ‘Little Children are Sacred Report’; removes the permit system that protects remote communities from alcohol and drugs and also enables the Government to compulsorily acquire land and property.

The SA Synod will join the Northern Synod in calling on the Government to enter into a real partnership with Aboriginal people by enacting legislation that upholds human rights, affirms self-determination and builds the capacity of individuals and communities to contribute to solving their own concerns.

Immigration concerns Members of the Synod of South Australia are concerned that the Federal Government has halted African immigration because of a perception that some ethnic groups are not integrating well.

The Synod believes immigration eligibility should be based on the need for humanitarian assistance and not on the basis of a particular ethnic group’s perceived ability to integrate.

Members have affirmed the positive

contribution made by African migrants to the Australian community, including to many local Uniting Church congregations.

The Synod will write to Federal Members of the House of Representatives and Senators within South Australia to convey its concerns.

Members of the Synod meeting also acknowledged the complexity of the issue and will pray for people in Government making difficult immigration decisions.

Thanks to all of our readers who took the tine to respond to the Communications Survey published in last month’s ‘New Times’ and also online on the Uniting Church SA website.

We are still collating responses and will report on the results in the February ‘New Times’.

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MAGAZINE

‘Christmas Bowl’ This year Christian World Service (CWS) will hold its 59th annual Christmas Bowl appeal.

The program is making a real difference to communities in 22 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific, as well as for refugee and Indigenous communities in Australia.

Christmas Bowl provides assistance in emergencies during times of natural disaster or armed conflict, it responds to injustice, helps build peace and security, reduces poverty and supports education, health, water and food security.

Our work is often more than just aid, as we seek to achieve long-term transformative development, working with affected communities mainly on local solutions.

ACT for the Christmas Bowl is the theme this year. ACT stands for Action by Churches Together.

The Christmas Bowl is an opportunity for thousands of Australian churches to act with overseas churches and ecumenical partners working on effective community development.

This year the Christmas Bowl is aiming to set a new record of $2.1m by March and we need your help.

Please act for the Christmas Bowl by making a gift. You may give through your church or online by visiting: www.ncca.org.au/cws/ christmasbowl.

- Alistair Gee, executive director, Christian World Service

Presbytery and Synod news Full reports from the November Presbytery and Synod meeting are available on the Uniting Church SA website: www.sa.uca.org.au.

Church commits to environmental sustainability The Presbytery and Synod has accepted a set of proposals from the Environmental Church Properties Working Group to move towards increased environmental sustainability in all aspects of its property management.

The proposals call on congregations and individuals to be good stewards and look after the planet.

Justice officer Kate Tretheway launched a new resource to help congregations, agencies and schools to increase their energy and water efficiency. The resource is available from Kate or on the website: www.sa.uca.org.au/goto/ environment.

The church will continue to investigate opportunities for purchasing bulk energy including ‘green power’. Energy efficiency advice and audit services will also be provided.

PSMN Review The Presbytery and Synod Mission Network Evaluation Committee has recommended a number of changes to the new PSMN structure including: • the formation of a task group to consider the number and shape of networks.

• a new model for Placements Committee and Pastoral Relations Committee.

• investigating the need for regional pastors.

• ensuring all networks have adequate communication facilities including phone, fax and internet access.

Standing Committee will be asked to appoint a task group to work with all network liaison people to consider the number and shape of networks.

Changes to Standing Committee Presbytery and Synod voted to keep the current membership of Standing Committee until the end of March 2008. After that time the number of representatives will be increased.

The number of paid staff members on the committee will be limited.

Centre for Leadership Development The Presbytery and Synod has endorsed a model for the restructure of Parkin-Wesley College to merge with the proposed Leadership Institute to form the Centre for Leadership Development.

A leadership development council will be appointed for the Centre. Further work will be carried out on restructuring the curriculum and finalising faculty staff.

Parkin Wesley College principal Rev Dr Andrew Dutney will serve as the centre’s interim director next year.

Continued on page 13.

sharing the vision, sensing the presence, in a spirit of openness

A mother and baby from the Plumtree district of Zimbabwe.

Joy flows in villages Christian World Service education and communications officer Kaylea Fearn visited Zimbabwe recently to see how Christmas Bowl funds are supporting a rainwater harvesting program. CWS plans to continue to support the program with $75,000 from this year’s Christmas Bowl. Kaylea saw first hand how the program is improving the lives of villagers in the Plumtree district.

As we ascended the hill into Plumtree, we heard a chorus of female voices and saw a number of women dancing around a rainwater tank. I asked Sipiwe Dewa, our Zimbabwe Council of Churches’ partner, what they were singing about. She translated: “Who’s got it? Who’s got it? We’ve got the tank!”

Despite the laborious nature of tank-building, the women look back at the process fondly. Building a tank gave them fresh water for their families and marketable skills, as well as drawing the community closer together.

As one woman said, “We found out what Jesus really meant when he asked us to love our neighbour. We did not build our own tanks; together we built tanks for everyone”.

Sipiwe Dewa founded the rainwater harvesting program in 1996. She says the village women gain a real sense of empowerment and pride from building the tanks themselves.

Since the tanks were constructed, the villagers are no longer suffering from diarrhoea. This is a remarkable achievement, considering that approximately 3,000 people die each week in Zimbabwe from treatable diseases like dysentery.

Urban and rural water in Zimbabwe is undrinkable and fresh water is one of the most expensive commodities in the country.

“A village with its own source of fresh water, which is not reliant on a Government system, feels much more secure,” Sipiwe explains.

Before the tanks were constructed the women walked for hours each day to find water that wasn’t always clean. The extra hours are now used to plant vegetables or work on other sanitation projects.

Children were missing out on classes at school because they needed to make long treks to help cart water back to the school grounds. Now they race out to the tanks beside the classrooms during breaks to have a quick drink of water.

Life is looking up in Plumtree.

DECEMBER 2007

MAGAZINE

New Times

Surviving a blue Christmas Rev Sue Ellis How can I be merry at Christmas, when my heart is breaking?

That first Christmas when a loved one is not present, can often be one of the hardest to face. So many people dread the Christmas hustle and bustle, when deep in their heart, they may be lamenting past Christmases when all their family were together.

With the death of a husband or a wife, or even a child, and the associated loss of their contribution to family Christmas festivities, Christmas may become more like painful, hard work, rather than a season of joy and celebration. The promise of peace might seem to be only for others.

Recognising that for some, Christmas is not so merry, many churches now offer a reflective Christmas service, often called a ‘Blue Christmas’, for those who are feeling “blue” or somewhat vulnerable.

West Lakes Church began the tradition three years ago.

Invitations are specially sent to those whose loved ones have died in the past year, but the service is really aimed at anyone feeling loss, at a time when everyone else is celebrating. Invitations are also extended generally, through the local press and radio, to people who may feel “blue” because their loved one is overseas working or in military service, or where children or grandchild will be missed because they are with their other household this year. Then there are those who have been retrenched at Christmas, and for whom the season becomes a costly burden, with the New Year offering no prospect for celebrating either. Or perhaps this is the first Christmas after a separation or divorce, or after being diagnosed with a life threatening illness.

A “Blue Christmas” service seeks to help people acknowledge their feelings of grief, over all these sorts of events and through an invitation, to spend time with memories and feelings and draw a word of healing, hope and peace for their Christmas season.

Remembrance candles may be lit as signs of hope.

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What better gift?

There’s no better way to experience joy this Christmas than to give to others who are doing it tough.

As we enter the Christmas season the demands on UnitingCare agencies are increasing significantly.

While Christmas is a time of joy and excitement for most of us, there are a surprising number of people in our local communities who will struggle this Christmas season.

For some the extra pressure on the household budget will take them to breaking point.

For others the emotional expectations of family events will leave them severely depressed or result in family violence. Still others will be unable to cope with the acute loneliness which comes from the absence of family or close friends.

Each year more then 100,000 people assist UnitingCare agencies to meet these increasing needs by donating gifts to the UnitingCare Share Christmas Gift Appeal. More than 1.2 million gifts have been donated nationally in the past 15 years.

I’d strongly encourage church members and others

in the community to support the Christmas Gift Appeal by placing a gift under the Christmas tree located at the front of every Target store.

Gifts are collected by local Uniting Church congregations and UnitingCare agencies and distributed to people in need in the surrounding community.

One of the unique aspects of UnitingCare’s Christmas appeal is the focus on all members of the family. While gifts for

children are a significant part of the appeal, UnitingCare recognises the value of all people and also provides gifts for teenagers, parents and people living alone.

Please give early so that presents can be packaged and distributed in time for Christmas Day. Your help is always welcome and greatly appreciated.

- Rev Michaela Tiller, executive officer UnitingCare SA

West Lakes Church is offering a ‘Blue Christmas’ Service this year on Sunday December 16.

DECEMBER 2007

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MAGAZINE

New Times

Book review ‘The Advent Calendar’ Author: Steven Croft Published by Darton Longman & Todd; RRP $32.95 The Advent Calendar is a Christmas countdown book with a difference. It is divided into each day of Advent, with the standard door for each day.

There the ordinary calendar ends and a magical journey begins as we travel through doors of new perception, following the story of a teenager named Alice and her sloppy Uncle Sam. It begins with an invitation to pick up a calendar. Doors appear at different times of the day via text message and codes are then entered.

New worlds open up from their lounge room which are terrifying and wonderful.

We meet some old faces and become part of the story. The book can be described as a cross between ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ and ‘Sophie’s Choice’.

The book is suitable for ages ten and above. Children will identify with Alice and adults will relate to the themes of a

world on overdrive in the lead up to Christmas.

The book can be read in two ways. Read a chapter a day over Advent or as a novel. As an impatient person I could not wait for a whole day to see what happens next.

This is an adventure fantasy story which embraces an inner journey.

Steven Croft is a well respected author and the book comes with a few bonuses for readers. It is accompanied by an interactive website with quizzes and games which have excellent graphics – www.advent-calendar.co.uk.

The Advent Calendar gives the reader time to absorb their own new beginning and is well worth the journey.

- Jenny Esots, Willunga Uniting Church

Spreading Christmas cheer are from left Judy Barry, Rob and Lila Maschmedt and Keith Smith from Christ Church.

Trolley good fellows Christ Church Uniting Church is getting into the Christmas spirit. Like many other Uniting Church congregations across the state, Christ Church is holding its annual Christmas food drive.

The congregation has collected a shopping trolley full of Christmas goodies which will be donated to UnitingCare Wesley Bowden and redistributed in Christmas hampers to those doing it tough this Christmas.

Passionate about peace If you are passionate about promoting world peace this Christmas, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) is seeking support.

ICAN is challenging all of us to work together to redouble our efforts to work for nuclear disarmament.

The ICAN campaign was launched worldwide this year by the Medical Association for Prevention of War (MAPW). ICAN aims to generate support from people all over the world to demand a Nuclear Weapons Convention.

It also wants an immediate halt to the upgrading, modernising and testing of nuclear weapons, a pledge from nuclear

Cartoon published with permission.

DECEMBER 2007

weapon states that they will not initiate a nuclear exchange and an expansion of nuclear-weapon-free zones around the world.

MAPW believes nuclear weapons are not receiving the attention they deserve as Australia is primarily focused on uranium mining, nuclear power and waste disposal.

However the organisation says nuclear weapons remain a key threat to our earth, health and survival. It claims there are presently 27,000 nuclear weapons in the arsenals of nine countries - enough to destroy the world several times over.

To find out more visit: www.icanw. org or email Amanda Ruler at office@ stpaulsportadelaide.

New Times

MAGAZINE

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‘The Road to Christmas’ What better way of exploring the true meaning of Christmas than actually experiencing life as it would have been in first century Bethlehem?

For the second year running Aberfoyle Uniting Church is holding “The Road to Christmas” – a massive event where the church car park is transformed into an authentic Bethlehem village the weekend before Christmas.

Last year more than 3,000 people from the surrounding community visited “The Road” and experienced life as it would have been at the time of Jesus’ birth.

Visitors were vetted by guards at the high gate entrance and once inside the walled village were greeted by census takers and given local “Bethlehem currency” to spend.

Inside were a range of interactive displays where visitors made unleavened bread, patted sheep and goats, made pottery, learned to weave and make wooden items, rode on ponies and ate figs and other dried fruit at the market.

Many of Aberfoyle’s 1,000-strong congregation were involved in the event last year and the numbers keen to be involved have grown this year.

Church members have built village scene props, others have sewn costumes and baked food, and many more have been and will be acting again as cast members - dressed as beggars, centurions and villagers.

Aberfoyle’s children and families pastor Robin Yang said the nativity scene is the climax of the event. “This is a great evangelistic opportunity and many unchurched people want to hear how God came to earth as baby Jesus.

Photos from last year’s “Road to Christmas”, supplied by Aberfoyle Uniting Church.

“People feel the wonder and awe as they look at a real baby in a manger, complete with hay bales, Mary and Joseph, wise men and shepherds.

“This year the nativity scene will be inside the church hall. Our hope is that people who have never been to church will feel comfortable following the road into the hall to the nativity scene. They will then flow through into the church where they’ll be offered drinks and snacks while listening to Christmas Carols.”

A key aspect is that everything is provided free of charge. “This is our gift to the community,” said Robin.

“This is a great witness in itself.”

This year’s “Road to Christmas” promises to be even bigger and better than last year with the addition of three camels and wise men who will make a pilgrimage along the main road to the church, publicising the event as they go.

The event will be held on December 21 and 22 from 6.30pm to 9pm and on December 23 from 9am to 12 noon.

‘Operation Christmas Child’ For the third year running families at Athelstone Uniting Church have been taking part in “Operation Christmas Child”.

The families fill shoe boxes with gifts and these are distributed by the Samaritan’s Purse charity to children in desperate situations around the world.

Minister Rev Bob Hutchinson said more than 30 boxes were filled this year and they are being sent to children in Cambodia.

Children in the congregation enjoy gathering small toys, stationery items, lollies, toiletries and small articles of clothing to give to young people in less fortunate situations.

“Operation Christmas Child” is an opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on mission project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus Christ.

Pictured from left, Lauren, Joel and Sally from Athelstone Uniting Church with their “Operation Christmas Child” gift boxes destined for children in Cambodia.

DECEMBER 2007

COMMENT

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New Times

Further comment on Spong

Rev Dr Andrew Dutney It was just an observation. Honestly.

When I said that Bishop Spong was “stuck in the theological debates of the 1960s” it wasn’t meant as a criticism.

It was just that from reading his books and hearing him speak I gained the impression that he was addressing the same agenda as his mentor, JAT Robinson, the Bishop of Woolwich, who stimulated an international debate

in 1963 with his book ‘Honest to God’.

Now having re-read ‘Honest To God’ and the contemporary reviews and responses to it, I can only confirm my opinion that the theological themes of Dr Spong’s recent book ‘Jesus for the Non-Religious’ are essentially the same as those of 1963.

And that’s fine. The Rolling Stones still tour, so why shouldn’t the “Honest to God” debate still pull a big crowd of Baby Boomers and their parents too? As a tail-end Boomer myself I have some sympathy for that style of theology – especially the nearer it draws to the likes of Bonhoeffer and Tillich as its authorities. But as one who was introduced to the study of theology in the late 1970s, in Joh Bjelke Peterson’s Queensland, I have much stronger affinities with the political theologies of that era. Jurgen Moltmann, Dorothy Soelle and Sallie McFague spoke my language and I’ll probably always speak theirs. I studied at Queensland University at the same time as Fr Frank Brennan…and it shows.

Like popular music, theology has its styles and fashions. From 1968

onwards “religion-less Christianity” was overtaken by a series of political, liberation, contextual and constructivist theologies – black theology, feminist theology, Indigenous theology, ecological theology etc. Some versions were doctrinally “progressive” and some more “traditional”.

We know there is much that is vibrant, hopeful, encouraging and inspiring about the Uniting Church and we would be delighted if that was conveyed in the broader media.

However, at the very least, a message is being carried that we are a people of hope who play a significant role in the purposes of God for Australia and the world.

the Uniting Church.

But the most striking theological movement was the resurgence of Trinitarian theology. It drew the attention of the scholarly world in the 1980s and became prominent in popular theologies in the 1990s. It continues to energize theology today.

This development is especially striking because it touches every corner of the fractured Christian world – orthodox, catholic, reformed and evangelical.

A few names associated with it are Zizioulas, LaCugna, Volf, Torrance and the brilliant popularizer Baxter Kruger.

Locally Denis Edwards, Patricia Fox, Graham Buxton and even yours truly have found doctrine of the Trinity a rich resource for their work. (References to these examples will be placed on www.parkinwesley.org.au).

In this context Bishop Spong’s blunt rejection of the classical symbols of Incarnation and Trinity is discordant.

Far from having no future, the doctrines of Incarnation and Trinity have gone through a spectacular rebirth in this generation – and it has nothing to do with fundamentalism. It’s a recovery of confidence in the capacity of the Christian tradition to speak afresh in the 21st century.

That’s not to say that Dr Spong doesn’t have something to contribute to the theological conversation of today. Clearly he does. But he can’t control that conversation or dominate it. This is one of the things that makes me uncomfortable with his books. He appears to universalize his position, rejecting out of hand those who don’t see things his way. It’s almost another kind of fundamentalism. Theology is a conversation about God. The best conversationalists know how to listen – especially to those whose accent or dialect is different to theirs. Let’s work on listening to each other. Seriously.

Looking beyond ‘Compass’ Rev Terence Corkin, Assembly General Secretary On Sunday November 11 ABC TV screened a story on its ‘Compass’ program about the Uniting Church in Australia. The program used the UCA’s 30th anniversary as an opportunity to draw attention to differences of opinion that exist within the Church. A number of people have expressed concern that the program did not do justice to the breadth and vitality of the Uniting Church. It is clear that the Church’s strength and vitality was not part of the ‘Compass’ agenda.

This message is conveyed in the ministry of our congregations and agencies across the country. I encourage you to keep sharing the good news and living out the true character of

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One of the positive outcomes from the ‘Compass ‘program may be that we spend time talking together about who we are as a Uniting Church; our core values; our Basis of Union. A useful resource for this purpose is the 30th Anniversary materials that the President prepared, in which he shares his observations about the UCA and what he sees as its defining characteristics.

These are available online at: http:// matrix.nsw.uca.org.au/assembly/ resources/news/uca_30th_anniversary.

Another option is to revisit the DVD sent out before the 11th Assembly on stories of the Uniting Church at mission: ‘Transforming Lives, Transforming Communities’. This was sent to every minister in placement and every congregation.

In the year of our 30th Anniversary, the ‘Compass’ program has served as a timely reminder that we are a wonderfully diverse church; uniquely placed in the Australian community; and that we should celebrate what it means to be part of the Uniting Church.

COMMENT

New Times

11

Advance Australia Fair A recent report shows that more than ten percent of Australians live in poverty. The report from Australia Fair (an initiative of community and church organisations) reveals that 2.2 million people or 11.1 percent of Australia’s population were living below the poverty line in 2005-06.

This is up from 9.8 percent in 2003-04. In the wake of the Australia Fair report UCA President Gregor Henderson has called on political leaders to take poverty more seriously and to help those most in need.

It’s no accident that church agencies are strong supporters of Australia Fair. Christians have always been heavily involved in caring for the poor and in advocating with and for the poor, ever since Jesus proclaimed that his mission was one of bringing good news for the poor, and said “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” It’s from our Christian roots as well as our convict roots and our healthy streak of disrespect for those in power that Australians believe passionately in a fair go, in supporting the underdog, in barracking for those who are down.

It is a sad fact, a scandal even, that at the

very time Australians are enjoying a period of economic prosperity and stability, the latest poverty figures show we have lost the plot in caring for those most disadvantaged among us.

It’s also a sad fact that there’s very little difference between our major political parties on their policies towards poverty and disadvantage.

Surely this is a time for our political leaders to take much more of a lead in sharing the wealth of this country with those who most need a leg-up. And not in ways that are patronising or punitive or heavy-handed, but in ways that are consultative, collaborative and genuinely caring.

On behalf of the churches and people of Australia, I call on the Government and Opposition to take this latest update of rising levels of poverty very seriously. It gives Australia a very poor scorecard. What policies will our political leaders put in place to bring us up the ladder?

We want a more caring society, a more compassionate society, a more just society.

A time of increasing national wealth is a time for advancing Australia Fair.

- Gregor Henderson, UCA President

UCA President Rev Gregor Henderson with two pairs of thongs, the symbol for ‘Australia Fair’ which were worn by thousands of Australians throughout the election campaign to show their support for those living in poverty.

UCA pushes Indigenous rights Prior to last month’s Federal election the Uniting Church in Australia circulated letters for concerned Australians to send to their Federal Government representatives and candidates, expressing concern about the intervention in Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.

The letter writing campaign was an initiative of a task group established in August by the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) in direct response to the intervention. The letters urge politicians to take immediate action to address the rights and responsibilities of Indigenous Australians.

In a joint public letter UAICC national administrator Rev Shayne Blackman and UnitingCare national director

Shayne said. “We encourage people to use the Australia Fair website to lobby members of Parliament by email, letter and talkback radio to advocate for a more just approach than is presently being experienced.

Rev Shayne Blackman

Lin Hatfield Dodds outlined key advocacy issues.

“We strongly urge all Australians to advocate for the rights and responsibilities of Aboriginal people; it is time to vote for a positive future for our Indigenous communities,”

“Your concern will send a strong message to the Government that it is essential for our leaders to uphold the rights of Indigenous people to take responsibility for their own actions and not those imposed upon them.

“Underlying this is the need for long term support for overcoming deep rooted community problems such as alcohol supply, inadequate housing, the high cost of nutritious foods and access to quality education.

“The Government has an unprecedented opportunity to deliver long-term proactive programs to address the root causes of community dysfunction and elicit individuals to take responsibility for their actions.

“Indigenous communities wish to realise their aspirations and vision, but presently there are few means in which to achieve this with the Government’s marginalising approach.

“We call upon the public to embrace this initiative to demonstrate that change can be achieved in a manner which upholds the rights of Indigenous Australians.”

The advocacy Task Group includes Shayne Blackman; Lin Hatfield Dodds; Howard Amery (resource officer, UAICC Northern Region Council) and Rosemary Hudson Miller, (associate general secretary Justice and Mission, Uniting Church WA).

Lin Hatfield Dodds

DECEMBER 2007

12

MAGAZINE

Tribute to Jean

We give thanks for the life and Christian service of Jean Cameron who died on November 11, 2007, at Kalyra Hospital, Belair.

Jean was a committed Christian who used her leadership skills in several country churches while moving about with her bank manager husband Don and their four children.

On coming to the city Jean and Don joined Scots Presbyterian Church. In following years, Jean served as the assistant clerk of the General Assembly and also as the clerk of the Presbytery of Torrens.

In her local church, Jean was one of the first to be ordained as an elder. Trained in business management, Jean served as treasurer and used her skills to invest wisely. She had a keen intellect, informed theological insights and was a questioning thinker.

In the days leading up to the Inauguration, Jean was a valued member of the Joint Planning Committee. Following the formation of the Uniting Church, Jean brought her considerable Presbyterian insights to the life of the Presbytery of Adelaide North West where she served as secretary for five years and then chairperson for two years.

- Grant Dunning

Making a difference every day

New Times

Book Review:

Book Review:

Author: Antonio Buti Published by University of Western Australia Press; PRP $39.95

Authors: John Dickson and Greg Clarke Published by Aquila Press; RRP: $19.95

‘Sir Ronald Wilson: A Matter of Conscience’

‘666 And All That: The Truth About the Future’

‘A Matter of Conscience’ gives depth of insight into Australian legal, political, social and church life through the biography of the late Sir Ronald Wilson in addition to the life of the man himself.

From his childhood in Geraldton, Western Australia, through to his death on July 15, 2005 a few weeks before both admirers and critics. In his 84 birthday, Ronald court, Ronald Wilson has been Wilson’s life is a remarkable described as ‘tenacious and story. forceful’ while being ‘very He first worked as a court fair and playing no tricks’. house filing clerk, then World His prosecution of Darryl War II Spitfire pilot, law Beamish, John Button and graduate, crown prosecutor Eric Cooke (the last man to and solicitor-general in hang in Western Australia) is Western Australia, High Court well documented. But it was Justice, UCA president from the co-chairing with Mick May 1988 for three years, Dodson of the enquiry into the Royal Commissioner, Human forced separation of Aboriginal Rights and Equal Opportunity and Torres Strait Islander commissioner and chancellor children from their families of Murdoch University. The that was to change his life and cover photograph of Ronald involve Ronald Wilson in his Wilson wearing his ‘Walking greatest challenge, passion Together’ shirt symbolises what and controversy. He said the became his passion found in reason the enquiry changed ‘The Bringing Them Home him was because it ‘penetrated Report’. the heart’. ‘The Bringing Them Home Report’ stands as a His term as president of sentinel, still waiting for a the Uniting Church shows a response of walking together leadership of passion, energy in our national life. Read this and commitment while clearly book and make up your own it is his humility, simplicity, mind. down-to-earth style and great sense of humour that - Rev Jenny Swanbury were strengths endearing him Note: On Friday 22 to people. He encouraged July 2005 Jenny attended ecumenism and national Applecross Uniting Church in relationships with leaders of Perth for the Memorial Service other faiths, and a vision of for Sir Ronald Wilson. She reconciliation for the church delivered a message of love and nation. and sympathy for Lady Wilson, Author Antonio Buti from the Uniting Church in does not shy away from the Port Hedland. The father of the controversy surrounding then chairperson of the Port this distinguished lawyer Hedland Congregation was one and advocate. It would be October 2007 New Timestaken of the Stolen Generation impossible to do so. A great 15 x 2 columns size deep from his mother at (15cm seven years strength of the book is the age. plus GST. Cost :of$300 presentation of material from

Online poll

If you are anything like me, your understanding of what the Bible teaches about the End Times and Life After Death have been shaped by a whole range of material. Dipping into my mind, you would find alongside theological texts and commentaries, mass market novels, films and cartoons. And some of the commentaries were not that good either. Recently the phenomenal popularity of the ‘Left Behind’ series has further shaped people’s imaginations surrounding the return of Christ.

Concerned that this material reflects neither the Bible nor the broad stream of Christian teaching, John Dickson and Greg Clarke have written ‘666 and All That’. Written from a conservative Evangelical perspective the writers eschew the more speculative forms of thinking that have grown up in recent decades. Instead they draw on Scripture and historical theology to give us a more helpful perspective.

The book is sane and sensible, written in an accessible conversational style.

You probably will not agree with all their perspectives but that is to be expected when they cover so many topics from the second coming, heaven and hell, life after death and so on. If you don’t know what to think about some of the more speculative accounts of the End Times, or know people who are struggling (or obsessed), then this book will be a helpful xstarting 10cmplace. wide).

- Rev Philip Gardner

Order No. 94305 Charge to Resthaven Incorporated PO Box 327, Unley SA 5061

Christmas wishes

Is it really better to give than receive?

Would you rather your friends and family gave you a gift at Christmas or gave to charity?

Cast your vote and we will report back in the February ‘New Times’.

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DECEMBER 2007

To take part in this poll go to www.sa.uca.org.au/goto/NTpoll

Online forum

Christmas worship ideas

This month’s forum focuses on sharing resources for Christmas worship services. Have you written prayers or plays that could be shared with others? Have you got ideas about how to develop the “All I want for Christmas is” theme in your Christmas services?

To take part in this poll go to www.sa.uca.org.au/goto/NTpoll

NEWS

New Times

13

More from the Presbytery and Synod meeting

From page 6.

Strategic Mapping project Rev Rob Stoner presented a progress report on the Strategic Mapping project, which seeks to deploy resources more strategically in order to embrace future missional opportunities. He stressed again that there is no hidden agenda to close congregations.

More support for rural ministry The church will appoint six rural resource minister placements (or full time equivalents), from January next year.

The rural resource ministers will provide resourcing and mission planning functions on a regional basis to congregations beyond Adelaide.

Rockin’ Revs: From left Andy Hogarth (The Journey Christian Church), Ruthmary Bond (Kensington Park) and Michael Duke (Western Eyre) were all involved in worship.

Call for board members Church members with the appropriate skills are being encouraged to volunteer as a board member on a church agency or school board.

In Memoriam

Celebrating ministry: Moderator Rod Dyson with the band “Seven Fold” at Pilgrim Uniting Church.

The Presbytery and Synod meeting paused for a minute’s silence as a sign of respect to ministers who have died in the past year. Those remembered were Walter Clarke, Donald Fuller, Kenneth Leaver and Philip Potter.

Mission and Service Fund

The focus of the trip was to build the first level of a three storey hospice designed to provide care for mothers in the last stages of AIDS. This building is part of a Christian ministry called “Home of the Open Heart”.

To prepare for the trip, team members met for prayer, cross cultural mission training and brick laying lessons.

The minimum stipend will be increased by seven percent from January 1, 2008. This will further reduce the gap between the South Australian and eastern state Synods. The five percent increase will be paid by congregations and other appointing bodies and two percent will be paid from the 2008 Mission and Service Fund budget.

There are an estimated 580,000 people living with HIV in Thailand. Of those, an estimated 16,000 are children aged 14 and under. (Source: UNAIDS.org ) Chiang Rai, one of the provinces worst hit by the AIDS pandemic in northern Thailand, had no home for HIV positive babies so the “Home of the Open Heart” began in 2000.

Serving the world: Moderator Rod Dyson with a banner depicting the theme during his three year term in office.

2008 Uniting Church SA Calendar

The church has almost $100,000 available for drought assistance. Struggling rural congregations are encouraged to apply for assistance. Families and small church groups affected by the drought will also be encouraged to use Presbytery and Synod accommodation facilities at no cost.

In October, Malcolm Reed and Rev Dr Phil Marshall from Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church joined a team of 16 people on a three week mission trip to Thailand.

The group worked together to support the Australian and Thai Christians working at the orphanage associated with the AIDS hospice.

Stipends

Drought Assistance

Thailand mission

People from four Adelaide churches (Clovercrest Baptist, Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church, Parafield Gardens Uniting Church and Playford Baptist) were involved in the short term mission trip.

The general manager, Resources, Barry Atwell presented the 2008 budget. Next year the church will spend $9.1 million supporting mission and ministry including key new directions such as the strategic plan, rural resource ministers and the commitment to fund a percentage of the increase to minimum stipends.

Networking at lunch: Rev June Ladner from Wallaroo and Craig Mitchell from Parkin-Wesley College.

Rev Dr Phil Marshall and Malcolm Reed from Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church on the building site at Chiang Rai Thailand.

Free Thanksgiving calendars were distributed to all congregations. If you have not received your calendars contact Jo Watts on 8236 4230.

A complimentary power point presentation, suitable for use during stewardship campaigns, is available at: www.sa.uca.org.au/webdata/ resources/files/Stewardship_PowerPoint_2007. pps.

“Home of the Open Heart” assists families affected by HIV/ AIDS, through education, orphan care, community visits leading to income-generation projects and mother/child respite care.

Rural church

Early next year ‘New Times’ will investigate the health of the rural church in SA. If you have a story or a suggestion please email it to jill@sa.uca. org.au.

Pancake Day - February 5, 2008 Uniting Church congregations are encouraged to take part in Pancake Day on February 5 next year.

Frontier Services Sunday and DVD Frontier Services Sunday will be marked on the first Sunday in May each year. If your congregation would like a Frontier Services promotional DVD or a guest speaker, email frontier@sa.uca.org.au.

DECEMBER 2007

14

MAGAZINE

PRESBYTERY AND SYNOD meetings in 2008 will be held on March 28 – 29, June 13 – 14 and October 30 – November 2. Scottish theologian Dr Michael Northcott will be the guest speaker at the March meeting and will focus on the implications of climate change.

David Augsburger, professor of Pastoral Care and Counselling at Fuller Seminary, is the June guest speaker.

A MISSION PICNIC for those interested in missionary outreach will be held in Brougham Place Gardens, opposite Lincoln College on Tuesday January 8, 2008 at 12 noon. Please bring food to share, name tag and folding chair. Enquiries to 8295 7745.

A BLUE CHRISTMAS at West Lakes. Has a loved one died, left home or gone overseas and somehow it doesn’t feel like Christmas? You are welcome at a sensitive candle-lit service on December 16 – offering love, hope and healing. Contact Rev Sue Ellis on 8449 2422.

New Times Ministry Moves

For more Uniting Church events, visit Uniting Church online www.sa.uca.org.au and click on “What’s On”. There is an online form which you can fill out to contribute notices to Notebook.

CAROLS BY THE LAKE on Bartley Terrace, West Lakes Shore on December 9 from 6pm. Rotary BBQ, Father Christmas arrives by dragon boat at 7pm. Carols feature Antonio Villano, Sass-E and more. Contact Rev Sue Ellis on 8449 2422.

A plaque will be unveiled on the former site of ParkinWesley College, Wayville (now The Lodge- Eldercare); on Sunday May 18, 2008 at 3pm. Interested ministers and former College lay residents should send contact details to Rev Kevin Secomb, C/- UCA Historical Society, 44a East Avenue, Black Forest, SA 5045 or email: ucahist@chariot.net. au.

About your letters PRESBYTERY AND SYNOD I was encouraged and uplifted at the annual Presbytery and Synod meeting.

During one session led by Andrew Dutney, the 400 in attendance moved to the centre of the auditorium and sang a response in unison. It was very moving.

At another point during a hearty and healthy discussion about the Basis of Union and a Confession of Christ, one member stepped to the microphone and with grace and passion affirmed the centrality of Christ in the life of our church. This was unanimously and enthusiastically supported.

And here is the heart of our church: that in the great diversity of theological opinions, methods of biblical interpretation, personalities and models of discipleship, we find our unity in the overwhelming love of God, come to us through Jesus the Christ.

May the grace of our Lord that guides and inspires us, continue to give us this unity, which encourages diversity and authentic responses of full and abundant living, serving the world for the sake of Christ.

Amen.

Tony Goodluck Mitcham DECEMBER 2007

Please keep your letters short — about 150 words is ideal.

Longer letters will be cut or rejected.

You’re welcome to email letters to newtimes@sa.uca.org.au or they can be posted to us at GPO Box 2145, Adelaide 5001

NEW TIMES The October ‘New Times’ reflected a broader coverage of church news and ideas and I wish to congratulate you on the quality of that issue.

There is no doubt that the church needs a paper which unifies and informs all of us about the activities of the Uniting Church in SA and relates it to the Australian and world situation.

I wish to express the appreciation of many people on the article about the new Moderator. The church certainly has a period of excitement to look forward to during Rod Dyson’s leadership.

Rev Dr Andrew Dutney has highlighted for many of us the need for a developed education process in which ‘New Times’ could be used to provide theological bibliography and comments on books. He is somewhat critical of Spong and his literature; yet for many this has given impetus to their Christian experience in light of new knowledge of biblical information.

Ian Cox Goolwa

OWEN CHURCH’s 100th anniversary will be celebrated during a 10am service in the Owen Community Church with Moderator Rod Dyson preaching on June 22, 2008. A lunch in the Church hall and a Pleasant Sunday Afternoon in the town hall will follow.

All former Owen residents are welcome to attend and to bring memorabilia. Enquiries to Brian Parker on 8528 6083.

RURAL FINANCIAL COUNSELLING Service SA provides free, confidential financial analysis and referral to other supporting organisations. The service is also keen to build relationships with local church personnel to provide a more comprehensive support service to rural people

suffering through drought, bushfire, flood and other circumstances. RFCSSA may be contacted on 1800 836211.

PODCASTS ARE available from the November Presbytery and Synod Meeting. You can listen to them at www.sa.uca. org.au/goto/pressynod07. They include Andrew Dutney’s Bible Studies which are suitable for small groups or personal reflection.

Be part of an email prayer support group for new Moderator Rev Rod Dyson.

Email Jan Trengove (Rod’s chaplain) and indicate your interest. Jan’s address is: ianandjantrengove@bigpond. com.

‘KUCA News’ goes electronic ‘KUCA News’, a Uniting Church SA-produced resource magazine for adults who work with children, is going electronic from next month, thanks to funding from the Uniting Foundation.

‘KUCA News’ will be delivered to subscribers via email from January, instead of in printed magazine format. This means that the resources will be delivered faster, more efficiently and in full colour.

‘KUCA News’ contains a range of material including worship ideas, stories from the grass roots, Lectionary-based activities, playgroup program ideas, information about disabilities, crafts, reviews, advocacy for children and mission and Social Justice issues.

If you are interested in the new emailed version of KUCA News, contact editor Marnie Agnew at the Uniting Church SA office on 8236 4245 or email:kucanews@sa.uca.org.au.

Below is a craft idea from ‘KUCA News’.

Cuppacino Biscuits Serve with a cuppa to your Christmas visitors, or wrap in cellophane bags to give as a small gift to people at Christmas.

Gary Ferguson will move to Ardrossan from 1.1.08; Karen Filmer to Tintinara from 1.1.08, Anne Hewitt to Resthaven from 1.1.08, Marty and Naomi Rosenberg to Southern Yorke Peninsula from 1.1.08 and Heather Willmott to Kangaroo Island from 1.1.08.

Rev Ian Dow will be inducted at Naracoorte on Friday January 11, 2008.

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Last month’s poll results Do you think your congregation focuses too much on its membership and not enough on providing hospitality to those on the fringes of the church, to strangers and to marginalised people? (Vote as at November 16).

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To vote online in this month’s poll go to www.sa.uca. org.au/goto/ntpoll

New Times

NEWS

Farewell Murdy

Clayton-Wesley Uniting Church Beulah Park, S.A.

Murdoch Gordon Inglis 21.9.29 – 11.11.07 Murdy Inglis passed away in Melbourne last month, aged 78 years. He will be remembered for his faith, dedication, energy and the enthusiastic way he inspired others in serving the church and the community.

Murdy was born in Port Adelaide. The church played an important part in family life. Murdy’s father was an elder and Sunday school superintendent. His mother was a Sunday school teacher and his grandfather started one of the first Sunday schools on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Murdy followed in the family footsteps in church life and work as well as pursuing a passion for football with the Port Adelaide Colts, Semaphore Centrals Amateur League and later Port Adelaide Presbyterian Football Club. He never strayed from the black and white of Port Adelaide and was a keen supporter as well as a talented player. His unstoppable ability to achieve goals in life and his determination to win typified his efforts on and off the field.

Murdy became the recreational convenor for the SA Presbyterian Fellowship and was to meet his wife Ruth at a weekend camp at Glenbarr, Strathalbyn.

Together they had eight children. When people suggested he must be a Catholic because of his large family, Murdy’s wicked sense of humour and penchant for an apt one-liner came to the fore. He frequently quipped that he wasn’t Catholic but merely “a careless Presbyterian”. He also joked that he and Ruth were forced to bring out another new model to keep up with Holden.

Murdy was a great ideas man and avid fundraiser. He was behind a massive number of projects over the years. Some of these included “Carols by Mountain Light” which involved a 200 foot Pine tree and 300 feet of coloured lights; developing the church at Sunset Rock; and being involved in Kiwanis and various projects supporting Autistic children, the handicapped and homeless men.

Murdy transferred to Melbourne with Westpac Insurance Services and worked there for 19 years. He continued to make friends through Kiwanis and the Doncaster Uniting Church. He eventually retired from full-time work, but had trouble stopping with projects continuing to come his way.

Further into retirement Murdy and Ruth moved at Middleton and attended the Goolwa Uniting Church. Murdy states in his memoirs that he was “not looking for work, but pleasure and relaxation”. He spent two days a week on the golf course “getting angry with balls and clubs”. Eventually he called his friend Ian Tanner at the SA Synod office and quickly became involved in Wills, bequests and funeral plans. He was the ideas man behind the Insurance Agency’s ‘Protect and Provide’. He also originated the President’s Table and sold advertising for ‘New Times’ for two years. Former ‘New Times’ editor Nick Kerr said Murdy was very humble. “When he called he’d always start the conversation: ‘It’s only Murd’!”

In Goolwa he fundraised for the “Activity Centre”, raising $23,000 on one “Miracle Sunday”. Murdy also helped raise funds for an operation for a young PNG boy called Donald.

More recently the couple moved to Resthaven at Bellevue Heights and attended Eden Hills Uniting Church.

Murdy touched the lives of many people. To coin a favourite phrase of his – his blood was worth bottling. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.

Murdy is survived by his wife Ruth, eight children and 18 grandchildren.

The Inglis family intend to complete Murdy’s memoirs and would love to hear from anyone with a Murdy story.

Send stories or anecdotes to Andrew Inglis, 15 Rosella Close, Flagstaff Hill, SA 5159.

15

is seeking the services of an Organist/Choir Leader (Pipe organ competence is essential) Enquiries to: Allan Shephard, 8333 0760

Murdy Inglis at the launch of the Uniting Foundation in April 2004.

DECEMBER 2007

16

NEWS

New Times

‘The Corner’ to open after Christmas The Uniting Church SA’s most ambitious building project to date is nearing completion.

The $3.5 million Corner Uniting Church at the intersection of Oaklands and Diagonal Roads at Warradale will open just after Christmas on December 30.

The multi-functional landmark building will become the home of the Oaklands and Wesley Warradale congregation as well as the Fish Gate, and will have a combined total of approximately 300 members.

The new building was designed with community outreach and mission in mind. It features a community café, an Op shop, a sanctuary capable of holding up to 450 people, counselling and meeting rooms and purpose build spaces for children and youth.

Uniting Church SA Insurance and Property manager Dennis Wright said the building is a place to serve and be served.

“It’s been designed to connect with the community,” Dennis said. “It’s a place where people can come to find peace in a stressful life; where they can learn of God’s plan in their life and provide service to others.

Fish Gate lay pastor David Kowalick said his congregation is looking forward to moving into their new home.

“We hope the church will become a natural meeting place where we can provide mission and outreach to the surrounding community,” David said.

The combined congregations will hold a Christmas Service outdoors in nearby Hamilton Park on December 23 at 6.30pm and will invite people from the surrounding community.

It’s planned to hold the first service in the new building on the last day of the year. The Corner Uniting Church will be officially opened in April or May next year.

The building has been financed by a substantial grant from the Uniting Foundation, the sale of church property and two church loans.

From left: Uniting Church SA Insurance and Property manager Dennis Wright, Fish Gate lay pastor David Kowalick and project manager Bev Freeman outside the Corner Uniting Church.

Lin wins award Social justice advocate Lin Hatfield Dodds has been named the ACT’s winner in the Australian of the Year Awards.

Lin will now compete with other State and Territory winners for the title of Australian of the Year, which is announced in January.

Ms Hatfield Dodds is a psychologist with experience in drug rehabilitation, young people at risk, trauma and abuse. She is president of the Australian Council of Social Services and national director of UnitingCare Australia.

She also chairs the ACT Community Inclusion Board and is on the board of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture.

Lin’s expertise is nationally recognised and she is a soughtafter public speaker and media commentator on social justice issues.

She has given expert testimony to inquiries into poverty and disadvantage, community service delivery, taxation and income support, refugee policy and mental health.

She champions the views and interests of those whose voices would otherwise not be heard.

DECEMBER 2007

Indonesian pastor Yusak Setyawan driving the car provided by Ascot Community Uniting Church.

From left are members of Ascot’s Indonesian worshipping community Nicky Siagian (student), Franky Manumpil (Indonesian community coordinator and student), Billy Sumampow (civil engineer) and Ciput Purwianti (student).

A growing ministry Keren DeBoo Ascot Community Uniting Church has a growing ministry with Indonesian people, thanks to the efforts of Rev Yusak Setyawan.

Yusak is a theological lecturer in Central Java. He arrived in Adelaide in March to study for a PhD in Theology at Parkin-Wesley College, (leaving behind his GP wife and two children).

But it turns out God called him here for much more than study.

Yusak had heard about Ascot Community Uniting Church before he arrived here from Uniting Church SA International Mission Officer, Lyn Leane. He couldn’t wait to be involved with the many Indonesian students and permanent Indonesian residents.

“When I arrived in March, I began to explore the opportunities to expand and develop the ministry with the Indonesian people,” Yusak said. “Rev Sue Langhans and Meryl Gemo (coordinator of Ascot’s Multicultural Mission) encouraged me to be involved.

“When I saw the Indonesian community here, especially the Christian people, I felt a deep calling to minister to them.

“I saw that being a foreign student in Australia is not easy. They struggle not only

with faith, but with the new culture and new situations. Many of them are dealing with relationships, as well as homesickness and loneliness.”

Yusak loves visiting Indonesian students and families in Adelaide and the congregation has helped him by providing a car.

“I told Sue that I really needed to visit and take care of my people and she asked how she could help,” Yusak said.

Initially he hoped for a motorcycle and was excited to hear the church wanted to raise funds to buy him a car.

“Once I started getting out and about in the car, the ministry began to expand. More and more Indonesian people came to church and I was able to do more pastoral visits.”

The Indonesian worshipping community has grown from 40 to approximately 90 since Yusak’s arrival.

The Indonesian community is involved in a range of activities including Bible study, a women’s fellowship group and a choir.

The choir recently won an Australia wide UCA Indonesian Choir competition. The choir will sing Christmas Carols at the Glandore Community Centre on December 5.