New Times - June 2006

June 2006

Issue 25, Number 5 PP 565 001/00190 ISSN 0726-2612

Learning about ourselves Jill Freear THE UNITING FOUNDATION has granted funding to enable all Uniting Church SA congregations to take part fully in this year’s NCLS (National Church Life Survey).

NCLS Research director Keith Castle was in SA last month to brief church people on the 2006 survey and the benefits of participating.

“The survey looks at more than just attendance,” he said. “It also considers ways of keeping congregations healthy and vital.

“Participating congregations will receive resources to help them assess and appreciate their core qualities.”

Uniting Church SA mission planner Rev Rob Stoner said the survey will provide data on which congregations can base their forward mission planning.

“We expect that all local Uniting Church congregations will be involved.

“Thanks to a $37,500 Uniting Foundation grant the MRN (Mission Resourcing Network) will be able to assist and coach congregations to ensure they get the most out of survey results.

The NCLS will be carried out in local Uniting Church congregations in November.

See inside for more news on the latest Uniting Foundation grants.

SA Young Achiever Emma Hutchinson has had her leadership skills challenged and strengthened since gaining a Uniting Foundation grant last year. See inside.

inside…

Values and community

2

Sexuality proposals

3

The Foundation helped

5

Judith’s busy life

6

Working with refugees

6

New Times subscriptions

6

Christianity is cool again

7

Dorothy says goodbye

12

National Church Life Survey research director, Keith Castle (right) with NCLS regional coordinator Michael Brady following a briefing in the Uniting Church SA office last month.

Please hand out at your church door

2

NEWS

New Times

New opportunities are opening up NEW opportunities are opening up for the church, Hugh Mackay said in Adelaide.

“The institutional church is having a rough time at the moment,” he said.

“There’s growth in the fundamentalist end of the spectrum, but the church is generally in decline.

“The decline may have bottomed out. We’ll have to wait for the next National Church Life Survey to see what’s happened to church attendance.

“Generally, the number of Australians who attend church reasonably regularly is down to about 15 per cent.

“I think that there’s a huge opportunity for the church – not to be prescriptive about how Australian society should be heading, or about what values we should espouse, but to encourage more genuine debate about who we are, where we’re going and what kind of society we want to become.

“The church can enter the political debate, by all means – particularly at the level of saying, What values does this or that policy express? What values are embedded in industrial relations reform or the Pacific Solution? What’s that saying about the values we actually believe in?

And at the parish and personal level, there’s a huge opportunity for the church to be responsive to the great yearning in our society for more of a sense of community for groups to belong to.

I don’t necessarily mean church-going groups in the first place, but groups associated with parishes.

There’s an opportunity for churches which are better prepared to offer some kind of comfort, friendship and uncritical support for people who are feeling lonely or marginalised or in any other way, for people who are disconnected from the sense of community that we all need to sustain us.

Values, community - they go together Nicholas Kerr

MANY people feel there is a decline in Australia’s values, psychologist, social researcher and writer, Hugh Mackay, said in Adelaide recently.

“There’s also a decline in our sense of being a community,” he said. “The two things are really the same thing.”

Hugh Mackay was a key speaker at a Pilgrim Uniting Church symposium of values.

“There’s not much point talking about what our values are as if they’re disconnected from the way we live,” he said.

“To establish what Australian national values are, we really have to look at the character of Australian society. To discover what people’s values are we have to look at how they live.”

Australians talk about egalitarianism and mateship as Australian values.

“But we have to realise that Australia’s becoming a far less egalitarian place than it used to be,” he said.

“We talk about mateship – but that’s more exclusive than inclusive.

“We talk about mateship as a wonderful virtue in Australian society. In practice it seems to be about putting a sympathetic arm around the shoulder of our mates, the people we know, the people we like.

“Mateship is about the solidarity of likeminded people.

“Mateship hasn’t often been about the rich lending a helping hand to the poor; or about the homeless being given some kind of shelter; or about disadvantaged, marginalised people being brought into a more inclusive, more sympathetic and more supportive environment.

“We talk about the fair go – but it depends on who you are. We’re not giving a fair go to asylum seekers or to minorities in the

Hugh Mackay at Pilgrim Uniting Church, Adelaide community, particularly to Indigenous people.

Until fairly recently we haven’t even given a fair go to women. That’s a fairly recent revolution.”

The strongest single characteristic of contemporary Australian society, he said, is our diversity.

“Out of our diversity, I think, we’re building a new sense of cohesiveness.

“It’s very slow to happen and the breakthrough is when we realise that being diverse is OK. “We don’t have to be homogeneous. We can accept all this richness and complexity in our culture. That can be a great strength for us – as long as we really accept it.

“We need to embrace as values things like curiosity about other people’s values, other people’s cultures, other people’s religious beliefs.

“We don’t need so much tolerance as acceptance of otherness.”

We’ve become more divided

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JUNE 2006

HUGH MACKAY said Australia has become a more economically and culturally divided society in the last 10 or 15 years.

“But there’s no reason to assume that’s the way it has to be,” he said. “Looking again at egalitarianism, within the context of being a more diverse society, is a project we would do well to embark on.”

He said there we should acknowledge two harshly practical things about our values as a society.

“First of all, values spring directly from our personal experience – the communities, families, schools, churches, sporting clubs – that we grow up in.

“In other words our values are shaped by the experience of being connected to other people.

“The quality of those connections really determines the strengths of those values. That’s because values are all about how we take each others’ needs and wellbeing into account.”

Contemporary Australia is suffering a lot of instability and fragmentation of communities – high divorce, a growing number of single parent families, mobility of the population, shrinking households and various social and demographic factors.

“Then there are things like the technology revolution. It’s often seen as bringing people together but it’s actually keeping them apart.

“There’s the growing insecurity in the workplace. All these things make people feel rather less connected.

“The casualty is their sense of clearly defined, shared values.”

‘Work together to stop abuse’ THE UNITING Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) of the Uniting Church has commended the Australian Government’s invitation to State and Territory Governments to work in unity to formulate anti-abuse strategies for the Indigenous community.

UAICC national administrator Rev Shayne Blackman said that the prevalence of Indigenous abuse, in particular of women and children, was in part a direct result of all tiers of Government attempting to address the issue in a disjointed manner and that a framework for a

nationally consistent approach was the only way forward.

“I commend Minister Mal Brough for bringing this grave issue onto the national agenda.

However, I also urge the Minister to display a sound cultural awareness and to work closely with all Indigenous stakeholders on this issue including the Indigenous leadership in the communities and relevant ATSI organizations,” Shayne said.

There is more on the Uniting Church SA website.

NEWS

New Times

3

Final proposals on sexuality and leadership MEMBERS of the Uniting Church’s 11th Assembly will consider eight proposals around the issue of sexuality and leadership when they meet in Brisbane next month.

Assembly announced this after its business committee completed processing proposals.

Assembly will be from July 5 to 11.

The eight proposals offer a range of policy options for the church on people in committed same gender relationships and leadership. The proposals flow from a process which began in July last year.

Assembly General Secretary, Rev Terence Corkin, said a total of 21 proposals were submitted from across the life of the church by the December 31 deadline last year. After negotiation with the proposers, the number coming to the Assembly had been reduced to eight.

“They reflect the diversity of opinion in the church on this matter,” he said. “Some call for a continuation of the current policy of allowing decisions around this aspect of suitability for ministry to be made locally and others ask the church to adopt a single national policy on the issue of persons living in committed same gender relationships exercising leadership in the church.

“In order to be clear about how proposals have been handled, all of the proposals originally submitted are being made available on the Assembly website, along with the list of final proposals.

Each of the final proposals recognises those parties who collaborated to develop it and will be accompanied by a rationale.”

Lill Johnson with Gerry Hodges, Uniting Church coordinating chaplain at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

33 years of voluntary chaplaincy

AFTER 33 YEARS of part-time voluntary chaplaincy at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Lill Johnson has retired. “Lill joined the Uniting Church chaplaincy team in April 1973 and has worked with four different UC chaplains,” Rev Gerry Hodges, Uniting Church coordinating chaplain at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, said.

“She has constantly sought to update her skills, believing one can never stop learning.

Continued on page 10. She completed her last refresher course in

African leader here next month VISIONARY AFRICAN church leader Mvume Dandala will be in Adelaide early next month, before attending the Uniting Church’s 11th Assembly in Brisbane. Rev Dr Dandala, general secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches, immediate past Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church in Southern Africa and past president of the South African Council of Churches.

Rev Dr Dandala is respected worldwide as a peacemaker and passionate advocate for African social justice. He will preach at Brougham Place Uniting Church on Sunday, July 2, at 10am and he will also address an African people’s celebration at Maugham Church at 2.30pm.

He will lead the three part Bible Study program at Assembly in Brisbane.

2004 at St Andrews Hospital. Lill’s unique gifts, her warmth and compassion and her deep expression of faith through the ministry she has offered will be greatly missed.”

Lill will still have some on-going connection to hospital chaplaincy. She will visit any members from her own Prospect Uniting Church congregation who are admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Golf Day raises $5,500 A CHARITY golf day held at the picturesque Mount Osmond Golf Course in April has raised $5,500 for UnitingCare SA. The day was organised by UC Invest as a way of expanding its support and sponsorship of UnitingCare’s annual Pancake Day. Deacon Rev Michaela Tiller, UnitingCare SA general manager, Agencies, was delighted with the results of the day.

“It’s fantastic to receive an extra $5,500 from UC Invest,” she said.

“It will be added to local Pancake Day funds and assist some of the most vulnerable

members of our community.

“Pancake Day funds are still coming in but we have already received more than $50,000.

“Wherever possible this money will be returned to UnitingCare programs in the local community in which the funds were raised.”

UC Invest manager Paul Barnett said the golf day was a great opportunity for church members to mix with staff from the church’s community services arm and business supporters.

“We were thrilled to have golfers from many local UnitingCare agencies as well as players representing our business sponsors,” he said.

JUNE 2006

4

Uniting Foundation

JUNE 2006

NEWS

New Times

5

The Foundation helped ROSEFIELD UNITING Church member Emma Hutchinson has had her leadership skills challenged and strengthened since gaining a Uniting Foundation grant last year.

Emma, who is a senior occupational therapist at the Repatriation General Hospital, was granted $5,000 to travel to Romania where she undertook volunteer work.

She was also responsible for supervising the work of four UniSA occupational therapy students who accompanied her.

Emma said it was an interesting expedition with several unexpected challenges.

“When we arrived in Bucharest we had to abandon our travel plans due to a train strike,” she said.

“The next challenge was discovering that the Rehabilitation Centre where we had arranged to volunteer was closed due to a funding crisis.

“These challenges were actually blessings in disguise.

Emma Hutchinson (centre) flanked by UniSA occupational therapy students Brad Morgan (left) and Rachel Dickenson (right) caring for abandoned babies in a Romanian hospital.

We hired a minibus instead of travelling by train. It was a more comfortable way to travel, with more sightseeing opportunities.

“We were also able to volunteer in a greater variety of places such as in the district hospital, district orphanages

Moderator’s congratulations Moderator, Rev Graham Vawser, has offered congratulations to Archbishop Philip Wilson on his election as president of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

“We are sure that the Lord will bless the work you do in the conference, as you lead the Catholic community in its continuing discussions about the mission of Christ in our nation and world.

We pray that you will always remain deeply aware of the presence of Christ and the comfort of the Holy Spirit in this work, as in all your ministry.”

and in patient’s homes.

“I’m so grateful for the Uniting Foundation funding which helped cover my travel and living expenses.

“The whole experience tested and strengthened both my leadership skills and my faith.

I have become more assertive and more able to teach and lead people through difficult challenges.”

Since Emma’s return In October, she has been awarded the 2005 South Australian Rehabilitation Council’s Award for Innovative Service Delivery for her work in Romania and a South Australian Young Achiever’s award for service to the community.

Emma continues to coordinate the young adult’s Monday Night Church service at Rosefield Uniting Church as well as coordinating the church choir.

PARKIN - WESLEY COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Emma is also happy to talk to church and community groups about her volunteer work in Romania.

JUNE 2006

6

MAGAZINE

New Times

Judith leads a busy life UNLEY UNITING CHURCH council chairperson Judith Eley has recently been recognised for her outstanding service to the community.

Judith was recently given an Australia Day Citizen Award in recognition of her voluntary contribution to Guides SA, Better Hearing Australia and Quota Clubs Australia.

Judith’s extensive community work in her own congregation was also recognised. She is actively involved in pastoral care activities and regularly provides transport to more senior church members.

She is also involved in church property and finance issues and provides much support to a local Uniting Church Korean congregation.

“I’m not the kind of person who enjoys being recognised or being in the spotlight, she said.

“My parents were always actively involved in community service. I’ve just naturally followed in their footsteps.”

Judith works as a clinical nurse for the Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service and spends a lot of her working day visiting mothers and new babies and checking on infants’ hearing.

When she is not working or volunteering she enjoys reading, photography and watching the rainbow lorikeets in her backyard.

Judith Eley – recognised for her community and church work

Seven years of fear and uncertainty Kate Tretheway IT’S THE length of a child’s primary school career. It’s more than twice the length of Jesus earthly ministry. It’s one tenth of the average total lifespan. And for many refugees, seven years is the time that has been spent in refugee camps or immigration detention.

The granting of temporary protection visas to 42 Papuans, Indonesian government protests and subsequent changes to Australia’s immigration legislation have once again thrown issues surrounding refugees and asylum seekers into the spotlight. The question of how we should treat those who arrive on our shores seeking asylum is a hot issue in Australian society.

Many Christians, responding to Jesus’ call to love our neighbours as ourselves, to reach out with compassion to those in need in our world, have become involved in supporting refugees.

Many of our churches have supported Sudanese refugees as they seek to settle into life in Australia. We’ve recently established the Refugee Support Fund to enable other refugees to come to Australia and already $25,000 has been donated to this fund by members of the church. Many of our members are active in the Circle of Friends movement, supporting detainees in Baxter Detention Centre and those who have now been released into the community.

Those of us who have been involved in supporting refugees have frequently found that our lives have been enriched as a result. We have made friends

unexpectedly, experienced the delights of another culture, learned new and delicious ways of cooking, joined in wonderful moments of celebration.

However, many have also experienced difficult times. Imagine what you would be like after seven years of fear and uncertainty, never knowing what could happen to you, wondering if you will be sent back to the place from which you have fled, wondering if you will be stuck in a camp or detention for the rest of your life. Imagine what you would feel like if you’d had control over almost every aspect of your life removed from you, so that you couldn’t even make basic decisions about your daily life. And imagine being thrust suddenly from that into a new and unfamiliar culture, and having to establish a new life.

For those who support refugees IN JUNE, there will be an opportunity for all those in the Uniting Church and beyond who have been supporting refugees to gather together to share our experiences, our joys and our frustrations.

“Cherishing the flame we hold for refugees” will be held at 4pm on Sunday, June 11, at Enfield Uniting Church • Kate Tretheway is the Uniting Church SA’s solidarity and justice officer

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MAGAZINE

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‘Christianity is cool again’ Hope Valley Uniting Church young adults’ pastor and FORGE SA director Tim Hein (pictured) shares his thoughts on evangelism. Tim is one of the keynote speakers at this month’s Presbytery Resourcing day on evangelism.

THE UNITING CHURCH has a wonderful record of active practical mission to society, especially in regards to the poor. However, history demonstrates that an earnest appeal to follow Jesus is most effectively mediated through a church which relevantly embodies and communicates the Gospel message.

The word “relevantly” is crucial.

As Christians, we have a God given mandate to communicate the Gospel to our culture. To do this we must first recognize that there are two parts to any message – the “content” and the “form”.

In order to engage with our culture, we must constantly adapt the “form” and “method” of communicating the gospel, but we must never change the “content”.

In order to appear accommodating we have sometimes diluted the “content” of our gospel and theology.

What we need to do is update our “method” of communicating.

Stepping into many churches is like returning to the 1970s. We frequently rely on a culture, language, worship style, songs, symbols, banners, preaching method and even budget, which is totally out of step with our current wider culture.

We should be confident of our message.

The Gospel changes lives and can transform nations. Jesus Christ is the single most relevant and timely figure today. Far against expectations, Christianity is cool again. Jesus is alive!

The world is waiting for an intelligent, authentic, passionate – even emotional – message of the Gospel. But instead the world finds a cumbersome church, one that is introverted and preoccupied with its own culture, rites and rituals.

In my experience, Uniting Church people are committed and passionate followers of Christ. We should have robust, intelligent theology, and leaders who are Spirit-led, leading churches whose very purpose and mission is to be deeply present in this world.

I believe the future of the Uniting Church must include enthusiastic church planting, and the total abandonment of “Christendom”.

We must cultivate a culture of leadership and innovation. We must encourage an entrepreneurial culture, attracting and raising up courageous, inventive leaders. The church should be the most cutting edge, innovative and relevant organism in the world.

We have a greater mandate than any global business or organisation.

We have eternity in our hearts, and should be praying and discerning what God would have us do in five and 10 years time. We need to be there.

Making evangelism practical and possible UNITING CHURCH people are often scared of evangelism according to Craig Mitchell.

Craig is coordinating a Presbytery of South Australia resourcing day this month which will specifically focus on evangelism.

Craig, a lecturer at Parkin-Wesley College, which is hosting the event, said the broad theme of the day is “Good news in many voices: evangelism in today’s world”.

“The day will consist of worship, teaching, training and resourcing to help better equip church

people with the language, skills, confidence and ideas to spread the good news,” he said.

The keynote speaker is Shirley Osborne. She has been a pioneer mission worker with Concern Australia and is pastor of St Martin’s Community Church in Collingwood, Melbourne.

She will be supported by Tim Hein, Hope Valley Uniting Church’s youth pastor and director of FORGE SA, an interdenominational mission training network.

Workshop topics include evangelism as it relates

to creative arts, young people, other faiths, inner city mission, apologetics, preaching and small groups.

The presbytery resourcing day will be held at Adelaide West Uniting Church and neighbouring Parkin-Wesley College on Saturday, June 17, from 9.15am to 5.30pm.

Presbytery members have been sent registration forms. Further registration forms and information are available on the Uniting Church SA website www.sa.uca.org.au/goto/meetings.

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New Times

‘Da Vinci Code is fractured fiction’ THE DA VINCI CODE is “fractured fiction”, Rev Kim Cain, writes in an article on the Uniting Church SA website. Kim is director of communications for the Victoria and Tasmanian Synod.

“Director Ron Howard, has served us up something as limp as wet lettuce leaf,” he says. “I didn’t mind the book. It was as harmless as it was theologically thin.

“The trouble for the movie is that all the weaknesses of the book are thrown up on the big screen for all of us to see. There is no place to hide.

“An insipid plot, based around a weak – if ingenious – argument; with no character development and with major inconsistencies, makes for a boring movie.

“The Da Vinci code is fiction – even author Dan Brown says so. But because the action is so lumbering – cut by many flashbacks – it becomes fractured fiction.”

JUNE 2006

PEOPLE AND PLACES

New Times

9

On the New Times website THERE is a variety of news stories on the New Times section of the Uniting Church SA website. There is also a guide for people wanting to submit stories – “How to write for New Times”.

Some local stories on the site are:

SE camp out THE annual SEKCO (South East KUCA Camp Out) was a great success. It was held on the Naracoorte High School oval. There were 130 children from Naracoorte and a further 63 from Bordertown, Lucindale, Padthaway, Millicent and Mount Gambier.

This 24-hour event was arguably the best organized and most spiritually rewarding camp out for many years.

The Theme for Camp Out this year was “We’re ALL Invited”. It provided a wonderful opportunity to present the Gospel and encourage campers to develop a personal relationship with Jesus.

– David Hogarth

Breaking bread ABOUT 150 Jews, Moslems, Hindus, Baha’is and Christians joined together in Adelaide at the end of April to share a simple meal and conversation.

The dinner was organised by the ELC (Effective Living Centre) which is an outreach of Christ Church at Wayville. The ELC aims to help all people, regardless of their faith, to live more effective lives.

ELC spokesperson Bob Macintosh said the ecumenical dinner was modelled on the Cordoba event in New York, where 2,000 Jews, Christians and Moslems shared a meal in a Christian cathedral.

Reedy Creek Aboriginal people sing this country. It’s good country near Kingston in the South East of South Australia known as Reedy Creek.

The story began in January, 1889, when18 Methodists came together to praise our Lord.

We have decided to sell our church building.

We are holding a service of celebration of the past, present and future life of the Reedy Creek Uniting Church congregation. We invite anyone who has an interest in our congregation to join us on June 18 at 10.30am and for the following lunch.

– Katherine Lisk

Summertown SUMMERTOWN Uniting Church has experienced several trends over the years.

As the congregation prepares to celebrate the church’s 125th anniversary this month, its minister and some longstanding members have taken time to reminisce about the past and look to the future.

Summertown Uniting Church celebrates 125 years of ministry on Sunday, June 18, with a 9.30am worship service followed by lunch.

On Saturday, June 24, the congregation will hold a fellowship and fun night. Those wishing to attend should contact Summertown secretary Judith Cranwell on 8390 3575.

Anniversary ABOUT 300 people recently gathered in the grounds of the White homestead at Weetunga, Fulham, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the first Christian Chapel in the area.

The chapel, built by early settler John White, cost £97.11.0 and accommodated 120 people.

– Eileen Squire

NationalChristian ChristianYouth Youth Convention Convention (NCYC) TheThe National (NCYC)2009 2009 looking for for aa isislooking

ConventionCoordinator Coordinator Convention (Fulltime, time,Sept Sept 06 06 –– May 09) (Full 09)

Theposition’s position’smain mainpurpose purpose is is to coordinate The coordinatethe the planningand andorganisation organisation of of NCYC NCYC 2009. planning 2009.

ContactKim KimAnderson AndersonatatCECM: CECM: ph: (03) Contact (03) 9852 98527433 7433oror kim.anderson@kew.vic.uca.org.au kim.anderson@kew.vic.uca.org.au th 2006.

Applications Applicationsclose: close:Friday Friday 16 16 June, June, 2006.

Uniting ChurchininAustralia Australia Uniting Church Synod Victoriaand andTasmania Tasmania Synod of Victoria Centre Theologyand andMinistry Ministry Centre for Theology

y r o m Me Do you have concerns about your Memory or the Memory of someone you care for?

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Alzheimer’s Australia SA 27 Conyngham Street, Glenside 5065 Phone (08) 8372 2100 Fax (08) 8338 3390 Email alzsa@alzheimerssa.asn.au Web: alzheimers.org.au ...For more information and to donate online ALZHEIMERS11-2

Ministry Team Leader To work with an enthusiastic lay leadership team in a regional congregation serving a central area of the beautiful Mid North Coast of NSW. • • • • • • •

Growing regional service centre (population 71,000).

Congregation embarked on journey of change.

Growing small group ministry.

Strong community service ministries.

Seeking to grow in evangelism.

Excellent church facilities.

Walk to beach from manse.

An exciting placement for a Minister with vision for creative ministry in both church and community, energy, and delight in worship, with strong leadership and mentoring skills.

For further information, including a congregational profile, contact Rev Janet Dawson, phone (02) 6582 1767 or email mncpresby@tsn.cc.

Applications close 24 July 2006.

PORT MACQUARIE, NSW

Under the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998 it is illegal for prohibited persons to apply and a “Working with Children Check” will be required.

JUNE 2006

10

PEOPLE AND PLACES

THESE fruits and vegetables from Waikerie can be ordered from Almost Organic in June: Naval oranges $4 for 3 kg bag, limes $6.50 a kilo, $3.25 ½ kilo, dried apricots $16.50 a kilo, choc coated fruit $5.50 a tub, butternut pumpkins, small 50c each, medium 80c, large $1, lemons, jacket potatoes 3 kilos for $2.50.

Order forms available online www.sa.uca. org.au/goto/fruit/.

REEDY Creek Uniting Church’s final service will be held on June 18 at 10.30am. Please feel free to join in the celebration of the life and witness of this congregation over many years.

Following the service there will be a luncheon in the Reedy Creek Hall. For more information please contact Karen on 8767 2405.

THE monthly Stillpoint contemplative worship service will be on Sunday, June 18, at 7.45 pm at Nunyara Chapel. For more information contact Ann Siddall, 8234 1199, or Gary Stuckey, 8276 7416.

“FORGE Intensive Two: Radical Discipleship, the Spirit & Sustainability,” will be held from June 22 to 24 at Tabor Adelaide. Speakers will be John Smith, Mike Frost, Alan Hirsch, Shirley Osborn, Debra Hirsch and Tim Hein. For more information, go to www.forge.org.au or contact Tim Hein on 0403 080 080 or 8396 0788.

WILLUNGA Uniting Church youth group will host a cabaret evening at McLaren Vale Uniting Church, Main Road, McLaren Vale, on Saturday, June 24, starting at 7.30pm. Drama by The Subtle Bricks Theatre Co with interval music by Willunga UCA Youth Group Band. Cost, $15, adult, $12, concession.

Contact David or Amanda Wallace, 8557 7020, for information and bookings.

Tickets limited.

HOW can we create healthier communities to support the well-being of young people? A day of seminars with Gene Roehlkepartain, from the Search Institute, examining ways in which churches and schools can provide for the positive development of youth. It will be held on Monday, July 3, from 2pm to 9.30 pm at Immanuel College. Sponsored by Parkin-Wesley College and Lutheran Youth SA. For youth workers, clergy, teachers, youth leaders. Cost $75. Call Craig Mitchell on 8416 8428 for details. Download details from http://parkinwesleycollege. unitingchurch.org.au/.

“TALK so your teenagers will listen.

Listen so your teenagers will talk,” will be held on Tuesday, July 4, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, at the Effective Living Centre, 26 King William Rd, Wayville. Cost, $12/$10. All courses are run by qualified educators. Bookings and prepayment are essential. For booking forms or information phone 8271 0329 or visit www.effectiveliving. org. These seminars are not Christian focused.

A COFFEE and chat evening will be held on Wednesday, July 5, from 7.30pm to 9pm at the home of Judith Purling, 26 Hawkins Ave, Hillcrest.

Please let Judith know if you will be attending. Telephone. 8261 1283.

THE Royal School of Church Music and the National Church Music Association will present an evening of worship and songs from Taize for all denominations on Monday, July 10, at 7.30pm, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Goodwood. The church is on Goodwood Road, between Angus and Clifton Streets. RSCM is an ecumenical organisation with members in all mainstream churches. Supper will be served.

New Times

For more Uniting Church events, visit Uniting Church online www.sa.uca.org.au/” www.sa.uca.org.au and click on “What’s On”.

THE World Council of Churches will invite 25 young people (between the ages of 18 and 30 years) to take part in the stewards program in Geneva, Switzerland. The program starts on August 20 (arrival) and ends on September 8 (departure). Stewards will be part of a unique ecumenical and international community of young people and gain exposure to the WCC’s work. The application deadline is June 15 2006. More info and application form for download, http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/ what/jpc/youth-e.html#stewards THE World Council of Churches will also invite three young adults for the Internship Program which is an opportunity for ecumenical learning and work with the Council in Geneva, Switzerland. The program begins in October 2006 and ends in September 2007. The application deadline is July 15 2006. More info and application form for download: http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/ what/jpc/youth-e.html#interns A RETURNED missionaries’ afternoon will be held at Walkerville Uniting Church, Sunday, July 16, at 3pm.

Speakers include Scott and Rachel Litchfield. To be followed by a shared basket tea. Enquiries to Jill Polkinghorne, phone 8340 2515.

HAVE you heard about SAYCO? It’s a fantastic camp for 12 to 15 year olds to be held in September. Information was sent to group coordinators last week. If

you haven’t seen one, or would like more information, please contact the UC Events office on 8236 4246 or sayco@sa.uca. org.au. You can also visit our website www.uca.org.au/goto/sayco to download the contents of the mailing.

A MINISTRY partner’s luncheon will be held on Friday October 27 at 12 for 12.30pm. Church of the Trinity, 318 Goodwood Road, Clarence Park. Please bring food for a shared meal. Further details will appear in New Times and Together Magazine later in the year.

Contact. Helen Blanksby 8351 4770.

ALDERSGATE Chapel (Felixstow) has a Baldwin Concert Organ (Cinema II) to give away. It was donated to Aldersgate by the Remphrey Family many years ago and was played by Keith Remphrey at many concerts. The family wish the organ to remain within the Uniting Church, either with a congregation or a member of the Uniting Church. Ring Rev Leanne Jenski 0439 845 786.

DID you know that Earth is a young adult’s network for the Uniting Church Earth? Earth organises events such as worship services, retreats and social nights so that young adults (18 to 35yrs) at different churches can meet and support each other. For more information contact Bron (Earth project officer). phone 8271 9528, email earth@rosefield. org.au or visit www.rosefield.org.au.

Final proposals on sexuality and leadership From page 3.

Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide. GPO Box 2145 Adelaide SA 5001 Phone (08) 8236 4260 Fax (08) 8236 4265 Email: newtimes@sa.uca.org.au www.sa.uca.org.au

Telling stories about an innovative, growing church which is proclaiming Jesus Christ and is empowered by the Spirit to transform God’s world.

Who we are: New Times is a monthly tabloid news magazine serving the Uniting Church SA. It is published 11 times a year with a combined January-February issue. New Times is a member of the Australasian Religious Press Association. It has won the Gutenberg award for excellence in religious publication. Its editor has won the same award for excellence in religious communications.

Advertising: To advertise contact Russell Baker, phone 8361 6822, fax 8361 6865, email ribad@bigpond.com New Times accepts advertising in good faith. Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement.

Deadlines and distribution dates: July issue: Closing date for contributions, Tuesday, June 6, distributed, Sunday, July 2. • August issue: Closing date for contributions, Wednesday, July 12, distributed, Sunday, August 6. • September issue: Closing date for contributions, Wednesday, August 9, distributed, Sunday, September 3. • October issue: Closing date for contributions, Wednesday, September 6, distributed, Sunday, October 1. • November issue: Closing date for contributions, Wednesday, October 11, distributed, Sunday, November 5. • December issue: Closing date for contributions, Wednesday, November 8, distributed, Sunday, December 3.

Subscriptions: New Times is distributed free to Uniting Churches in SA. You can also subscribe and have New Times posted to you.

Subscriptions cost $30 if you are within SA, $35 if you are interstate, $40 if you are overseas.

Submitted material: New Times does not take responsibility for returning submitted photographs or other material.

Our partners: Many of our readers support New Times by making a gift to help us keep up with our costs. Gifts can be sent to us at GPO Box 2145, Adelaide, 5001.

Distribution: We are distributed on the first Sunday of each month.

Opinions: Opinions expressed in New Times do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the policies of the Uniting Church.

Editor: Nicholas Kerr. Assistant: Jo Watts.

New Times is designed by Edi Leane and Les Colston of Joie Creative, PO Box 29, Kent Town, SA 5071 and printed by Cadilac, 64 Kinkaid Avenue, North Plymton, SA 5037

Deadline JUNE 2006

JULY 2006 issue: Deadline for contributions, Tuesday, June 6.

The issue will be distributed on Sunday, July 2.

The Business Committee recently finalised the process that will be used when dealing with each proposal.

“The proposals are in three broad areas,” Terence said.

“One set supposes that the church does not need a national policy on this question and supports, in various ways, the current practice of the church. Two other sets of proposals prefer that the church adopt a policy for the whole church – one opposes the ordination of persons in committed same gender relationships and others are in favour of ordination.”

The final list of proposals being submitted to the Assembly is on the 11th Assembly website at http://nat.uca.org.au/11thassembly.

There is also a report from the general secretary which includes the full list of original proposals received.

11

New Times

About your letters 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

‘GROW AND GO’

‘GROW AND GO’ Over the weekend of May 5 to 7 I participated in an excellent learning experience.

The Lay Ministry Services Department of Parkin-Wesley College proposed a shortcourse intensive for those who wanted to learn more about a part of their ministry and to also receive accreditation, if desired.

The event provided country people with the opportunity to participate over a short time rather than travel weekly for a term. Those of us who had shorter to travel were also advantaged by the intensive nature of the schedule.

The course presenters were all well known and experienced. The standard of instruction was excellent.

I encourage all readers to consider participation in future Grow and Go events and , of course, I encourage all those involved in the planning and conduct of Grow and Go to have another one.

Bruce Ind Woodforde CONSCIENCE? Federal MPs are again to be part of an important “conscience vote”. They are to decide whether to vote with or against their conscience.

Howard and Ruddock want a vote against their conscience and be part of child abuse and psychological torture of refugee asylum seekers who will flee terror in their country and may seek refuge in ours.

Amanda Vanstone has lamely attempted to defend her masters.

Suppose they do support the policy of abuse, by sending refugee asylum seekers to camps in third world countries. Howard will not be able to defend their reputation when their children begin to understand the treachery

committed in their name.

Even Howard cannot rewrite the history books of the future!

I have experienced the terror and abuse of detention at Baxter and Villawood and intelligent people would not be fooled by the government propaganda about them.

We would not believe that someone with cancer could be distracted from their worry by being confined to a three, four or even five star hotel!

Multiply by many times the abuse inherent in indefinite detention in Australia, to understand the unspeakable terror of detention without accountability and community compassion.

Allan Nield Whyalla Norrie

WORK WANTED

WANTED TO BUY

EXPERIENCED GARDENER, Roses pruned, I am your spare pair of hands.

Phone 8346 0933.

AUSTRALIAN HYMN BOOK, 3-4 copies of large print (words only), required by the Port Vincent Congregation.

If any one who is no longer using this hymn book and could help out, please ring Janice on 08 8853 7346.

CARPETS LAID, Expert repairs.

0417 872 105 or 8344 4725.

ACCOMMODATION MARION BAY HOLIDAY HOUSE, Sea views, large deck, sleeps 5/6, new home, off peak and pensioner rates.

Phone 0402 088 279.

FOR SALE PULPIT AND COMMUNION TABLE, from the Wiltunga Uniting Church. Both honey coloured with matching symbolic embossments.

Attractive appearance.

Good condition. All offers considered. Contact Ph 8826 2038 or 8826 2073.

‘THEM AND US’ I have just returned from my first trip overseas – backpacking around Israel on my own for three weeks.

When visiting Palestinian controlled Bethlehem, a BBC television crew noted that I looked like a tourist and asked if I had an opinion about the high security walls that have been erected in various parts of the country by the Israeli Army.

I indicated that I felt the very imposing concrete barriers had the unhelpful psychological effect of increasing polarisation and will probably end up hindering rather than aiding the peace process.

Although of secondary relevance, I have the strong feeling that the much higher standard of living enjoyed by the Israelis adds to the “them and us” mentality.

Roger Simpson Vista

Group Life Insurance Agencies Advisers for the Lutheran Group Salary Continuance Plan Dave Shrowder is a member of Golden Grove Lutheran Fellowship

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EIN238133 03/06

BEACONSFIELD I, along with the whole of the nation and many others around the world, followed with interest the events leading up to the rescue of the trapped miners at Beaconsfield.

As someone who had previously ministered in a small gold mining community and who recently visited Beaconsfield while on holiday in Tasmania, I was particularly impressed with the ministry exercised by the UCA Community Minister and the presence of the church throughout the rescue.

It was a true exhibition of a small church relating to its community and responding to the needs of all present in that community during a critical moment in its history.

I want to congratulate them and hope that their example might be an inspiration to other small churches seeking to reach out and minister to their communities.

It would be good to hear more of their story and how they have developed their ministry.

Deacon Bill Harris Hallett Cove

Classifieds

Davzil Pty Ltd, trading as Group Life Insurance Agencies, is a Corporate Authorised Representative (ASIC number 255589) of Elders Trustees Ltd trading as Elders Financial Planning (AFSL 237752). Dave Shrowder (ASIC number 255624) and Andrew Hentschke (ASIC number 255616) are Authorised Representatives of Elders Financial Planning.

JUNE 2006

12

MAGAZINE

New Times

Dorothy says goodbye Jill Freear AFTER 22 years promoting the work of Frontier Services from the Uniting Church SA office, Dorothy Haensel is leaving for a sea change – or actually, make that a hill change.

Dorothy and her husband Frank are moving to Mansfield, 200 kilometres north east of Melbourne, where they have family.

It’ll be a major change of pace for Dorothy, whose days have been filled with church and community speaking engagements and helping in the organisation of fundraising and Frontier Services’ promotions, such as the display in the Old Ram Shed at the Royal Adelaide Show.

Dorothy is leaving her volunteer role with mixed feelings – on the one hand feeling it is the right time to go, on the other, recognising that Frontier Services is in her blood and she will always be an advocate for it.

Dorothy first became actively involved with Frontier Services predecessor, the AIM (Australian Inland Mission), at 19 when she joined the Queensland Council.

She knew AIM founder John Flynn as a child. He was a friend of her parents and grandparents and went to

theological college with her great uncle.

“I’m among the few people who can say that John Flynn was a family friend,” she said.

“I remember him coming to stay at out home; he was a grandfatherly figure to me.

“Flynn was a great talker and could be very one-tracked when he had a new project on his mind.”

Dorothy is looking forward to spending time with her grandchildren and also working on her family history from the new home she and Frank are building in Mansfield.

Frontier Services’ national director Rosemary Young has paid tribute to Dorothy and the extraordinary contribution she has made during her 22 years in the Uniting Church SA office.

“Dorothy has been a fantastic coordinator of volunteers and has overseen many things from the mailing of Frontier News to managing Christmas card sales” she said.

Dorothy’s former assistant in the SA Frontier Services Office, Tony Price, has been appointed interim Frontier Services liaison officer.

Dorothy Haensel has retired after 22 years with Frontier Services

© Copyright 2006 Edi Leane. Artwork not to be reproduced in any way without the written permission by Edi Leane of Joie Creative. All Rights Reserved.

To advertise in New Times: Contact Russell Baker phone 8361 6822, fax 8361 6833, email ribad@bigpond.com

JUNE 2006