New Times - June 2012

Issue 31, No 5 June 2012

June 2012

Happy Anniversary Uniting Church celebrating 35 years of togetherness

Contents FEATURES CommUnity day

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Experiencing God’s beauty

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Water changes everything

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Is aid helping Africa?

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Invest here, plunder there?

14–15

REGULAR PAGES Moderator’s Comment

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Mission Resourcing

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Diary

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Letters to the Editor

19–20

Reviews

22–23

Editor Caryn Rogers p. 8236 4230 e. crogers@sa.uca.org.au Advertising Loan Leane p. 7007 9020 m. 0404 089 762 e. advertising.newtimes@sa.uca.org.au Enquiries e. newtimes@sa.uca.org.au

Production Joie Creative Printing Graphic Print Group Circulation 11 000 Deadline for July June 6

ISSN 0726-2612 New Times is the voice of Uniting Church SA. Published monthly, February through December, New Times represents the breadth, diversity and vision of Uniting Church members in SA. News policies, guides and deadlines appear online at newtimes.sa.uca.org.au. Articles and advertising do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor.

Phone: (08) 8236 4200 1300 766 956 (toll free from

Email: presbyterysynod@sa.uca.org.au

regional areas)

Street address: Level 2, 212 Pirie St, Adelaide

Fax: (08) 8236 4201

Postal address: GPO Box 2145, Adelaide SA 5001

newtimes.sa.uca.org.au Next issue:

Life Overflowing

At the 13th National Assembly this July, Rev Prof Andrew Dutney will be installed as President of the Uniting Church in Australia. The theme for his term in this role will be Life Overflowing. In this issue of New Times we will explore the ideas and theology that undergird this.

[$ilence], sex and [silence] The common modern rhetoric is that money, sex and power are the three most significant challenges to our Christian ethic and largely, as such, we must shun them – or pray for them to come to us as God’s blessings.

While it looms large on every television ad break, I’ve never really cared much for money. Of course that, in itself, is a luxurious non-care to have.

Obviously, I greatly appreciate that the exchange of money for goods has kept me fed, clothed, hygienic and healthy.

I also enjoy roads to drive on, petrol in my car (suffice to say also, having a car) streetlights to stroll under at night, school systems that work, hospitals that are staffed etc etc et al. I am well aware that money does buy many things which I have grown accustomed to.

Many people in the same fortunate situation as I have are a lot more concerned with money than I am though.

A number spend their lives worrying about how to get more money, clipping coupons, poring over receipts, scrimping together five cent pieces owed by a friend – all while they have stable employment, good housing and food on the table. They speak frequently of how poor they are.

Then there are others who splash money around on lavish gifts for themselves, furnishing their houses seasonally and loudly concerned about things like the carbon tax.

There are still others who quietly pick up their pensions or centrelink payments and establish their habitual charity donations before planning out their own living allowance.

That is why New Times has attempted the touchy subject of money this month.

While there are many ways in which to discuss money and/or financial planning it is important that we have a dialogue. And so, there are a number of contrasting articles in the month’s theme of money as we discuss western aid, ethical investing, giving, tithing and more. I hope you find them as provocative as I have.

I can easily tell you the last time I heard Christian concerns about sexuality, but the past times I’ve spoken with other Christians on money or power, I was the one to bring the topic up (except by aid agencies or capital campaigns).

So rather than simply switch off from the voices in this month’s paper, please enter into a dialogue with them. You never know what might come next.

Uniting Church SA’s ethical investment policy On page five of May New Times we explored a little of the conversation around the Uniting Church SAs Ethical Investment Policy (EIP).

You can find a full version of the policy online at: resources.sa.uca.org.au

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ed

In the church, I think we largely praise the last of these three, but often behave like the first while longing to be like the second. I’m not being glib, nor am I making a value judgment. I’m saying that money is a difficult and complex topic which we rarely speak of with any depth or differentiation (and we often speak in generalities).

The bible offers many models of financial planning, examples of good and bad uses of wealth, as well as a plethora of detail on just how well embellished the temples were. Many of these texts have contextual ties though and must be reinvestigated in light of the current era of money’s pressures and powers.

Money, money, money Rev Rob WIlliams

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Stewardship is an attitude. No – stewardship, rather, is a lifestyle. Or maybe it’s both, as one informs and encourages the other.

I’ve seen worship attendances thin out over the Sundays when the three-yearly stewardship program is conducted.

I’ve witnessed people staying away in droves from the external expert who has come to the mid-week meeting to help the congregation focus on stewardship. I’ve seen awkwardness in people receiving their stewardship pack so they can make an informed, prayerful decision concerning their response for ‘Stewardship Sunday’. And I have to admit that at various times in my life, I’ve been in each of these situations.

Many non-Christians have a highly developed sense of looking after resources that are theirs or are present in their community. They are right into responsible planning and management of resources around them. They work for a clean environment, they exercise great care of the property they own, the development of their children and the relationships they have with their friends.

They manage their time well so as to be available to work on the management of these important aspects of their lives.

They also plan well financially for their present and future needs, including the well-being of their families, as well as their financial response to needs presented to them. Many are great philanthropists.

So why does consideration of stewardship present awkwardness for some in the church?

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For the Christian, stewardship grows out of our relationship with God. It acknowledges that everything we have belongs to God. It centres on the responsibility we have in working with God in the management of the resources that have been entrusted to us for God’s glory. In so doing we grow in our relationship with God and with those whose lives are enriched as we exercise such stewardship.

Psalm 24:1 tells us that, “The earth

is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it.” Some find it difficult to acknowledge this.

What of all the hard work I’ve done to get to this point? Surely as a self-made success I’m entitled to use what I’ve become on my terms? Such an attitude fails to take account of the One whose basic resources were used on the road to success, and the joy of achievement in relationship with God is tragically missing.

Some Christians are keen to offer time and talents to God as part of their participation in a stewardship program.

However, in tight financial times, their offer of money is harder to make. I’ve upset some people when they’ve come to me challenging the biblical principal of tithing financially. If everything is God’s, then why stop at tithing? As one bumper sticker declares: Tithe if you love Jesus – any idiot can honk!

When it comes down to it, examining ourselves in our relationship with God will determine our response to God’s invitation to be stewards of all things we have received from God’s hand.

Community Day Launch Bindy Taylor

Strategic Plan forums Malcolm Wilson Over the past five years the Presbytery and Synod has focused on these six key directions for the Presbytery and Synod Ministry Centres:1: Fostering Conversion Growth; 2: Raising Leaders; 3: Growing Disciples; 4: Developing New Models of Church; 5: Raising our Profile; 6: Championing Justice.

We are in the process of discerning the key directions for the Strategic Plan. As part of this review and planning process, a survey was sent to all congregations giving the opportunity to comment on the 2008-2012 Strategic Plan and to offer suggestions for the new plan.

The feedback was then collated and presented at the 2011 Annual Presbytery and Synod meeting held in October as a basis for table group discussion and further comments.

Congregations have another opportunity to contribute to the shaping of the new Strategic Plan, and to achieve this we are providing forums from 7.30-9pm during July 2012 at Keith Uniting Church: Monday 2 July; Enfield Uniting Church: Tuesday 3 July; Pt Augusta Uniting Church: Wednesday 4 July; Burnside City Uniting Church: Thursday 5 July.

Visual Presentation Systems Public Address Church - School - Board Room - Retail Display - Hospitality Data Projection - Plasma - LCD - Projection Screens - Accessories Sale - Installation - Service “TEC - Everything Electronic installed with Excellence” Greg Hallam 0411 550417 - Keith Ellison 0411 556075 Campbelltown: 8365 0377 - Fax: 8365 0677 Web: www.tecsa.com.au

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news

This month, the Uniting Church in Australia will turn 35. This anniversary falls on Friday 22 June, aligning with the June 22-23 Presbytery and Synod meeting at Adelaide West Uniting Church.

This anniversary is particularly special, as it will be the official launch date of the Uniting Church Uniting People ‘CommUnity Day’. CommUnity Day will be a lively celebration of the Uniting Church in South Australia and will be unveiled as an annual event taking place on 22 June every year.

Everyone is welcome to the launch party at 7.15pm on Friday 22 June. The evening event will encompass a pictorial journey of the church from its inception in 1977, moving through the years to the present day and beyond as the plan for CommUnity Day is revealed.

CommUnity Day will be officially launched by Moderator, Rev Rob Williams with a celebratory cake and give-aways for congregations.

After the Friday night launch, congregations will be invited to share authorised photographs of church-based community events throughout July, August and September.

These images will be included in a pictorial billboard to be unveiled on World Community Day, Saturday 3 November, which coincides with the November Presbytery Synod meeting.

This giant billboard will be replicated onto banners which participating congregations can display on their church.

CommUnity Day allows Uniting Churches throughout South Australia to stand up and be noticed, promoting the fabulous work congregations and volunteers continue to provide within the local community.

If you have photographs or video to share from the past 35 years of the Uniting Church in SA, please contact the Communications Unit communications@sa.org.au or (08) 8236 4249.

Since 2008, there have been a significant number of great outcomes across the six key directions. There have also been some disappointing results.

What is biblical preaching?

Rev Tony Eldridge

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Putting together a good sermon is an ongoing learning challenge.

Over the past few months, Rev Tony Eldridge has stepped in to open up a conversation about sermon preparation and presentation in New Times. This article is the final of the four-part series.

To say a sermon is biblically based is more complex than we first think.

Many of us would say we appreciate biblical preaching, but we are also aware we can use the bible to justify any viewpoint. The Evangelical and Reformed streams of the church which makes us the Uniting Church have long valued the use of the Bible as their normal authoritative source. The Reformed tradition generally handles the text in a scholarly fashion while the Evangelical tradition uses the text that might engage the emotions and will. In the Uniting Church we inherit the richness of both traditions and can draw upon these to craft biblical sermons that engage head, heart and will.

A biblical sermon is best understood when it faithfully interprets a passage

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for the current context. It values the text’s original setting, grapples with any complexities and makes it come alive in the present. This may be done in a variety of ways including stepping through the passage drawing out significant points (an expository approach), using the passage to elaborate a theme (as a foundation), using the text to engage us in the story and apply that story to now (a narrative approach). These are just a few of the most used options.

While we value the Bible as a whole, it is important to note that not all biblical passages are useful for preaching the gospel – choices need to made. Numbers 31:32-34 requires far more interpretive effort to hear the gospel than, for example, Romans 8 or the like. The methods we use for making sense of a passage to our time are also critical for not all passages can be read literally and not all are metaphor or symbol. In our interpreting, we make choices of how this might work. Whatever mode of interpretation we use as our governing principle we must continue to ask: how does this cohere with the overall biblical witness?

Now of course another question for preachers: do we use the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) or follow themes and books? I tend to value and use both approaches. The Lectionary helps the local church follow the seasons of the church year and links us with believers all around the world. In addition, the RCL is a discipline that helps expand beyond our favourite themes and books and also provides a huge array of resources. At key times we also have the local context’s particular needs, a crisis or missional foci to take seriously. At these times an exploration of a biblical book, text or a theme based series is helpful. The RCL is a valuable tool but we are not to be enslaved to it or, likewise, be enslaved to our own hobby horses or theme based approaches.

Biblical preaching – what is it? It is complex but it does take seriously the overall biblical witness, faithfulness to the text, careful interpretative tools and making it come alive in the present.

Experiencing God’s beauty in the Tarkine Jessica Goodluck Can you imagine standing next to an 85 metre tall, 400 year old tree, surrounded by ancient ferns, lichens, mosses and all the other undergrowth of a beautiful temperate rainforest?

Well I can. In March, my Dad and I visited the Tarkine wilderness in Tasmania.

Walking beneath the ancient canopy, with leaves falling from the sassafras, giant elms and others; the fresh earthy smell was like nothing I have ever experienced.

We were overwhelmed by the beauty; relaxed, laid back, amazed, awestruck. There was a sense of wonder, a feeling as though we were stepping back in time, perhaps catching something of the wonder of the Garden of Eden.

Seventeen of us, from all around Australia, came together for one purpose: to save the Tarkine.

For two nights and three days we slept in tents and walked in wonder through the forest. If you have never walked in an unspoilt rain-forest, do it while you can – you will never be the same.

The Tarkine wilderness stretches west from Cradle Mountain and Lake St Clair, through mountains and valleys, with meandering rivers and lush rain-forest, to the unspoilt coastline, ancient home of the Tarkiner Aboriginal people.

As we hiked to the Huskisson River one day, it was hard to believe that anyone in their right mind would think of destroying such a beautiful environment for the sake of some short-term, financial profits. More to the point, how could the Tasmanian government even consider approving mining exploration leases in the Tarkine? And yet, there are 56 mining exploration leases. By the time you read this, Environment Minister, Tony Burke, will have responded to applications to ‘fast track’ two massive strip mines.

This is the very reason we were there: to draw attention to the incomparable beauty of the Tarkine and the need for World Heritage listing. This is the home to the world’s largest fresh-water crayfish and a myriad of other wildlife. The plant-life is extraordinary, with living ferns and trees that have been growing there since before Abel Taman sailed by in 1642.

A highlight for me was being able to experience the wilderness with my Dad, and other enthusiastic GetUp members who, like us, are committed to saving the environment for future generations.

Over 50 endangered species of plants and animals call the Tarkine their home.

There are some 260 listed Aboriginal archaeological sites. This place is precious beyond measure.

We are not opposed to mining in and of itself; in fact we enjoy the many benefits derived from mining. However, we do oppose the destruction of irreplaceable rainforest for the purpose of short-term financial gain. Tourism and hiking in the Tarkine can create many more jobs and far greater revenue than the mining industry.

Following our trip and some grass-roots lobbying, Tony Burke has now visited Tassie and he has been inspired by the beauty and serenity of the Tarkine.

We hope that Minister Burke made the right decision. Whatever decision he made, this is far from over. We will continue to do whatever we can, until the Tarkine is World Heritage listed, so that my children and their children, and generations to come will be able to visit this place of peace and beauty with their parents, too.

To find out more about the Tarkine and the campaign to save it, you can go to: Save the Tarkine – youtube.com/watch?v=6IRTUxi9Zj0 Minister Burke visits the Tarkine – youtube.com/watch?v=r7Nl2qNdEOs&feature=relmfu Tarkine National Coalition site: tarkine.org

Jessica Goodluck is the 13 year old daughter of Rev Tony Goodluck. She is currently the co-captain of Pedare Middle School and deeply concerned by environmental destruction.

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Placements news: Placements finalised since the last edition of New Times: • Rev Sean Gilbert as Ministry Practice Coordinator (0.7) at Uniting College from 1 May 2012 • Rev Leanne Jenski as Chaplain at Flinders Medical Centre from 1 August 2012

Please join us for the following special services: Inductions Rev Peter Riggs Playford St Columbus School, Presidents Ave, Andrews Farm 17 June 2012 4.00pm Rev Ruthmary Bond CitySoul 20 May 2012 1.00pm Lunch $5 at 12.30

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Rev Sean Gilbert Uniting College Adelaide West 22 June 2012 6.30pm (TBC) Rev Dr Steve Taylor Uniting College Principal Adelaide West 22 June 2012 6.30pm (TBC)

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Assembly update Gwenda Kerley Assembly is getting ever closer. Members have now received most of the papers to prepare themselves for the business of the Assembly.

As South Australia is the host Synod there is an opportunity for us to share in some of the planned events during this time. Hopefully you have already organised your free ticket for the Opening Service, which includes the Installation of Rev Prof Andrew Dutney as the President of the National Assembly for the next three years.

This event will be held at the Entertainment Centre Port Road Hindmarsh, Sunday 15 July, 7.30pm. If you haven’t ordered your tickets, please order them soon by contacting Gwenda Kerley on 8236 4283 or gkerley@sa.uca.org.au.

Another free public event is the Cato lecture. This will be held on Wednesday 18 July at 7.30pm at the Grand Chancellor Hotel in Hindley Street. It will be delivered by Kirsteen Kim – a Professor of Theology and World Christianity at Leeds Trinity University College UK. She is the author of ‘The Holy Spirit in the World’ and ‘Joining with the Spirit’. Kirsteen has lived and worked in Korea, India and the UK and is a leading missiologist and mission educator.

Other highlights of Assembly will be meeting and sharing with overseas people from our Partner Churches from the Pacific, Philippines, China and other Asian areas. The Bible Study leader will be Rev Luna Dingyan – a key leader of the Church of Christ in the Philippines and President of the Ecumenical Seminary in Baguio.

$$$$ For most, money is a very awkward topic at best, and an ignored one at worst. Churches often struggle to approach this without conversations getting a little heated. Money, money, money - it’s never funny, even in a rich man’s world.

Investing socially Jenny Fleming “Don’t ask what the world needs.

Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” HOWARD THURMAN A sense of belonging and the concrete experience of social networks can bring great benefits to individuals as well as communities.

We all interact with our communities, whether it be within a personal interest group, school committee, church event or a regular meal with friends. These activities, that regularly draw community members together in sustained patterns, are all examples of social investment.

The benefits of social investment are often obvious: happy, healthy community members, confidently making good life choices with due concern for others.

But researchers have also claimed another benefit: improved economic growth, which has been coined as ‘social capital’. Social capital is formed from the collective value of all social networks.

Rev Tony Goodluck, Minister at Modbury and Para Vista Uniting Churches, has seen social capital grow through basketball.

A passionate basketball fan, Tony has coached young basketballers for over 20 years noting the game as a real community-building activity. To better engage parents within this community, Tony decided to host family BBQs during games.

“It was a great opportunity to build relationships with parents,” says Tony.

“Most of the families that attended the BBQs didn’t attend church but I made some strong friendships.”

Through basketball, Tony has been able to help instil self-belief, confidence, a solid skill-set, strong relationships and self-discipline in his players through positive conversations and encouragement.

Some young players from his earlier coaching years, now adults, have continued to be involved in the basketball community and are working as paid coaches and umpires - a testimony that building social capital returns economic gains.

Tony currently coaches Modbury Uniting Church’s Under 16s boys basketball team. Before a recent game,

a member of the opposing team asked to join in their pre-game prayer as his team didn’t pray before matches.

Tony’s team of young men – all Sudanese – agreed readily, showing their high value on community and inclusivity, irrespective of team or skin colour.

Social capital is committed to investing in others through inclusion, friendships and belonging. By encouraging individuals like Tony who are alive with passion, energy and purpose, we can make a social investment with a significant ‘return’ of stronger, healthier communities.

Rev Tony Goodluck and his Under 16s basketball side share a passion for the game and for community.

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Giving, donating and tithing Rev Stu Cameron, Lead Minister, Newlife, Qld I really don’t like talking about money. Like most pastors I like to be liked and I know that as soon as I talk about money there will be some in our church who won’t like me! Rather than speaking too much about money in the church we end up speaking too little, if anything, regarding stewardship. This is a serious omission which stymies the growth of people as disciples and, in turn, the mission of the church.

Over the last few years Newlife has grown steadily, including in its generosity. While we still have a long way to go, through trial and error we have learned some key factors that foster healthy church stewardship. I love alliteration (sorry!) so here are our ‘Four C’s’:

CALL people to biblical stewardship The scriptures are full of principles and insights on how followers of Jesus should steward their financial resources. Jesus often addressed our obsession with material things. Despite a wealth of material, many people in our churches are ignorant of biblical stewardship principles like generosity and tithing. Given this ignorance, and our culture’s obsession with material comfort, it is critical that we teach regularly, practically and systematically on money matters. Perhaps the area converted last in us is our hip-pocket, bank account or property/share portfolio!

In calling people to biblical stewardship we devote at least one Sunday a year to teach the principle of tithing. We aim to teach an extended stewardship series (4-5 weeks) every three years. Teaching biblical stewardship is not an event – it is a continuous process.

COMMUNICATE a vision

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People do not give to a program; they give to a vision. In exploring why people do not give more to their local church, researcher George Barna identified that a key reason is that churches fail to provide a compelling vision for how the money will make a difference in the world. As our church has become more engaged in mission, so too has our giving increased. We all know the biblical warrant that without vision, the people perish. Equally, without a clearly articulated and compelling vision, people will not give – at least not generously. As Lead Minister I must connect the vision of our church – lives and communities changed by the gospel – with people’s giving. When there is spiritual movement in a church, people are more likely to open their hearts, wallets and bank accounts. People will give when they see their money connected with changed lives.

CREATE multiple opportunities Perhaps the most significant learning we have made in recent years is the power of providing multiple giving opportunities. This principle is based on the understanding that people are motivated in different ways to give. In a church context, some people are motivated by bricks and mortar – they love to give to building or major capital programs, while others are inspired to give to special mission projects and others still are faithful, steady contributors to ordinary church operations. At Newlife we have a ‘five-bucket’ approach to stewardship. The five buckets are normal tithes and offerings, local mission through Newlife Care (counseling, emergency relief), overseas mission, church planting and Time to Build – our major capital program.

Our experience of providing multiple giving opportunities, including the use of appeals, has been revolutionary for us as a church in these ways: • Rather than detracting from tithes and offerings (Bucket One), promoting special appeals and other giving opportunities has not seen a ‘dip’ in normal giving.. In a couple of cases, this giving actually increased through the period of the appeal. For example, last year we raised $3.7 million dollars in pledges and gifts for a major expansion of our church facilities. Since then our ‘normal’ giving has increased by 12%.

• Special appeals have uncovered new donors.

• People love to be challenged to meet a target that will stretch the community, especially when it will benefit those outside the church directly. Successful appeals are a shot of faith-adrenaline for the church.

CULTIVATE a generous culture While we have far to go, the thing I celebrate most in our church regarding stewardship is that God is cultivating in us a culture of generosity. A few years ago, a local school chaplain visited our church and shared about her work. A recently retired couple were touched by her sharing and decided to support her ministry, even though she had made no financial appeal. They contacted her employing body and made a $30,000 donation which, six months later, they followed up with another donation of $30,000.

I only found out about the donation when contacted by the employing body. I have never been so thrilled about a donation that did not contribute one cent to our church’s bottom line! I loved telling the story (with their permission, and as they remained anonymous) to the church.

As I see people in our church giving generously, sacrificially and spontaneously, I know that God really is doing something wonderful in our midst. God is helping us along the journey towards excelling in the grace of giving (2 Corinthians 8:7).

And isn’t that how it should be?

With the help of local Unley people, schools and businesses, Small Change for Change has been able to collect more than $17,000 of small change since the charity started in 2010, enabling three clean water wells to be built and maintained in Sierra Leone and Ethiopia.

Shari Reid

Shari is studying Journalism and International Relations at the University of South Australia.

She attends Malvern Uniting Church and is passionate about improving access to clean drinking water in Africa.

Every year millions of dollars in small change is tucked away under couches, in glove boxes or money jars and forgotten about in jeans pockets, sock drawers or old wallets.

The people of Unley and Malvern Uniting Churches have raided their small change stashes and asked their

friends and family to do the same as part of a fundraising initiative called ‘Small Change for Change’. The result has been nothing short of extraordinary.

The idea of Small Change for Change is simple: people take a bottle and fill it up with their small change. The bottles are collected, the change is counted and 100 per cent of money raised goes directly to clean water projects in some of the world’s poorest countries.

“We know that water changes everything,” reflects Small Change for Change spokesman, Haydn Lush. “From health, to education, work, food and the environment, access to clean water dramatically improves the lives of those who live without it.

“Close to one billion people across the world do not have

access to clean water and adequate sanitation – there is a dirty water crisis which is needlessly claiming thousands of lives each day,” he said.

United Nations statistics show that at any one time, half of the hospital beds in the developing world are filled with people suffering from diseases caused by drinking dirty water. Further to this, the World Health Organisation notes that, each day, 5,000 children die from diarrhoea caused by drinking dirty water - a death toll greater than that of AIDS, malaria and measles combined.

While the dirty water crisis is vast, it is also solvable.

“People should be encouraged that their contribution can make a difference - just one bottle filled with change gives one

person access to clean water for 20 years.

“Our small change can create big change,” Haydn concluded.

Let’s face it. Bulky loose change makes your purse heavy and gets lost at the bottom of your handbag or goes through the washing machine and ends up in some drawer somewhere, often never to be seen again. So why not do something with it before it disappears?

To find out more about Small Change for Change or to arrange for a bottle to fill with your small change, visit smallchangeforchange.org.au.

100% of change goes directly toward clean water projects in Africa.

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Water changes everything

Is aid helping Africa?

From civil wars to food crises, is Africa simply a doomed continent? Ann Wawira Njiru says no. There are great initiatives and prospects but who will ‘save’ Africa and how they’ll do it are the big questions. the money is meant for good.

We also know that Westerners ignore the fact that much of that money doesn’t get to us.

Last year, in my home country, Kenya, there was a scandal – when it comes to the government of Kenya there always seems to be one.

Around 4.6 billion shillings (AUD $54.8 million) had disappeared from the Ministry of Education – most of this donated from the UK. Kenyans were outraged. The missing money was earmarked for free primary school education as part of a scheme introduced by the government in 2002 which saw millions of children attend school for the first time.

During this saga, there were calls from the UK government and Kenya’s civilians for the Minister of Education to resign, as the money had disappeared under his watch.

He did not resign. Protesters were arrested and life went on as usual, with the UK continuing to give aid to Kenya and even into the Ministry of Education. Stories like these are endless. While 4.6 billion shillings is a lot of money, if you follow Kenyan news closely, a lot more disappears or goes unaccounted for.

While studying and living in Adelaide for the past two years, I have found that different systems work to make Australia’s economy prosperous. For example, a credible tax system that pools working people’s resources into provisions for everyone – public goods like schools, roads and hospitals. Most people here

have access to these and not because a well-­­meaning NGO or other government came and constructed them, but because of good governance.

This does not happen in the same way in my country.

We pay taxes, but currently my government prioritises paying hefty salaries to members of parliament and getting them new seats in parliament – which costs around 700 million shillings (AUD$8.4 million) per year – instead of building hospitals and equipping the ones that already exist.

The responsibility for these necessary expenditures falls to well-meaning NGOs and Western governments. The Kenyan Prime Minister is the third highest paid government official in the world, earning $427,886 per month – around 240 times more than the country’s GDP per person – all from taxpayers’ money.

Aid mostly depicts Africa and Africans as helpless and desperate. This is far from the truth, in my opinion. Africa is ready for business, innovation, trade and investment and in dire need of better leaders to steer the continent towards prosperity. Already great

innovations are coming out of Africa and this is what the international community should be investing in – creating jobs, not giving handouts.

Africa must wean itself off aid to achieve prosperity and independence in its entirety.

Yes, there are people who are hungry but Africa can feed itself – though it currently lacks the political will to do so. It is a leadership problem, not a wealth problem, and contrary to popular belief, Africa is not poor.

Foreign aid provides bandaid solutions. It absolves governments of so many responsibilities. It prevents governments from coming up with innovative solutions to grow their economies and provide for their people.

Ann Wawira Njiru is the Program Director for Food for Education Trust, Kenya.

Ann grew up in Kenya, and is currently living in Adelaide during the school year to study Nutrition and Food Sciences at Uni SA. A passionate advocate for Africa, she continuously seeks to learn how her country and those surrounding it can keep moving forward.

Ann Wawiru-Njiru is pictured at centre.

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Since many of its countries have achieved independence in the past 60 years, Africa has received trillions of dollars in aid. It is likely that aid was given to help Africa develop and also to partly compensate for the ills of colonisation.

Africa receives around US$50 billion in aid each year – but it would seem that little of it is put to good use. Transparency International estimates that the cost of corruption in Africa is more than US$148 billion a year, which is thought to represent 25% of Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and increases the cost of goods by as much as 20%.

Aid is contentious; it works and it doesn’t work.

If a child is dying from hunger and you give them food, they’ll stop being hungry in that instance.

What ensures that child has food the next day is the tricky part. Aid has been criticised for providing food to the child on and on without end. On many occasions, recipients become dependent on aid, which discourages innovation in finding their own means to survive. And their survival is dependent entirely on an external donor who must come and ‘save’ them.

As an African, foreign aid has never mattered much to me. In fact it doesn’t matter much to Africans on the ground. We know the West gives us money and

Invest here, plunder there?

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Rowan Steele is committed to the Uniting Church because of its love of justice and opportunities to support global societies. Here, he turns his attention to an area he believes we are not showing a just concern for: our investing practices.

As Christians, we have a unique position to offer on the role of money as critical, prophetic witnesses.

In Luke’s gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the dishonest manager to explain to us that we can only serve one master – God or money.

In his sermon, ‘The Use of Money’, John Wesley reflects on this passage, suggesting that money is not necessarily bad as long as we use it to do good. In this endeavour to do good, he specifically warns against gaining money at the expense of our own lives, our physical and mental health or at the expense of our neighbour.

Wesley reflects on specific practices which were known to cause harm in his time, such as dealing with arsenic and occupations which were seen as sinful – gambling,

pawn-broking etc. Today, our ability to cause harm has grown, with pawn-brokers replaced with multi-national money lenders and arsenic with greenhouse pollution. The principle, however, remains the same.

We must closely examine the sources from which we obtain our money. In particular, are the investments we make as a Church harmful to ourselves or our neighbours? In South Australia alone, the Uniting Church is the custodian of many millions of dollars which it invests in activities around the world to generate income for the church’s benefit.

At the last Presbytery and Synod meeting an important resolution was unanimously passed in support of the church and people of West Papua which condemned,

amongst other things, the role of militarisation and largescale mining operations. The paradox is that we, as the Uniting Church, profit from this exploitation.

At the end of 2010, UC Invest had $3.3 million* invested in Rio Tinto, who have been blacklisted by the Norwegian government’s investment fund due to their environmental heavyhandedness in West Papua which has resulted in severe degradation. It is also alleged that Rio Tinto make regular payments to Indonesian security forces which have been linked to serious human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture and rape.

Unfortunately, the disconnect between our words and actions is not limited to West Papua.

Our investment policy states that we will not invest in Uranium mining, yet we invest in the two largest Uranium mines in Australia. Further, while Uniting Church policy aims to, “model ways of living and working that minimise the production of greenhouse gas emissions,”1 we invest almost 50 times more in coal mining companies than clean energy companies.

These examples point to a lack of consideration for the impact of our investment practices. Synonymously, we may be missing an opportunity to be a leader and prophetic voice for the wider community.

In South Australia, our Strategic Plan calls us to conversion growth, raising our profile and championing justice. To do these things successfully, one element *At the end of 2011, this figure was reduced to a holding of approximately $1.7mil.

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is key – integrity. In order to build trust in the community, we must have an untarnished image. In order to speak out on important issues, we must be respected. In order to effectively advocate for the marginalised and oppressed, we cannot be linked to the oppressors.

We cannot separate our vision for the future from our investment decisions.

As I see it, we have two choices for moving forward– either we only invest in companies who reflect our values or we commit resources to actively promote better practices amongst the companies we invest in. Either approach will be challenging and require a greater engagement in the investment process.

But, this integrity is possible and comes with great rewards.

It provides us with the opportunity to better integrate our theology and policy with

our investment decisions; in short, to better practice what we preach. Doing this will allow us “to imagine and live a different abundant life, one that will make the earth healthier and people happier.”2 In 2011, Rowan Steele graduated with Honours in Environmental Engineering and has participated in two cross-cultural experiences within Australia in the past year: AboutFACE (Mapoon) and Stepping Stone (Coorong).

He has seen, firsthand, the devastation that can be caused to indigenous communities through environmental degradation and the potential for improvement if managed correctly.

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Footnotes: 1. Resolution 06.101.02 (a): “For the Sake of the Planet and all its People”, Assembly 2006 2. Sallie McFague (2001) Life Abundant: Rethinking theology and economy for a planet in peril.

34 Lipsett Terrace, Brooklyn Park SA 5032 Phone: 08 8416 8400 Fax: 08 8416 8410 Email: college.divinity@flinders.edu.au Web: www.acd.edu.au

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Justice & jubilee

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Faith impacts the way we deal with finances; we might tithe obediently or be generous towards the person who asks for change. But Louise Heinrich digs deeper to find an economic paradigm highlighted by Ched Meyers that questions the world around us.

Christians must talk about economics commends theologian Ched Meyers, who describes us as ‘addicted’ to the current system, devoted to the accumulation of wealth and a system that normalises inequality.

According to the Californian theologian, there is an alternative: to return to radical Old Testament teachings about money. The Biblical Vision of Sabbath Economics is a collection of Meyers’ articles which detail the Bible’s teachings about economic principles, and how to apply them to our life.

Meyers thinks that churches suppress the socio-cultural context of biblical stories about wealth, adapting them to unconscious political assumption.

He encourages a viewpoint christened ‘Sabbath Economics’, taught in the first five books of the Bible which he refers to by its Jewish title: the Torah. The main three points are:

Abundance Many people suppose starvation and poverty are caused by limited resources.

However, Meyers teaches that God provides for all.

Beyond resting to aid one’s body, the rule of Sabbath is intended to halt the cycle of consumption. Observing the day of rest and relief also teaches us to receive God’s gifts graciously and trust that all seven days will be provided for, despite only six days of human production. The day of rest discourages human nature’s desire to control the world around them.

Jubilee Consciousness In Leviticus, Jubilee is the 49th year during which structures of social inequality are dismantled. Jesus’ teachings echo the sentiment of debtrelease. Meyers understands this to be practical teaching which is still relevant

today. The year of Jubilee was apparently, “intended as a hedge against the inevitable tendency of human societies to concentrate wealth and power in the hands of the few.”

Redistributive Justice Some of us have too much, and others too little. Sharing of resources is Meyer’s recommendation to create equality among all people. The first Christians undertook a communal redistribution of wealth regularly amongst followers, clearly noted in Acts 2:44.

Meyers’ particular reading of the Bible is based in Liberation Theology. Whilst many points are provocative and relevant, it sometimes seems that passages are twisted to fit his ideology. Even so, the valid points remain, and are incredibly challenging. Meyers has provoked the conversation about Jesus and the economic system we are entwined in.

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Godly Play

Getting to know...

USA-born, Mary Jo Zwar is a chiroptophobic* – as many of you would be. She met her husband Alan while teaching English in a school in Papua New Guinea. You can find her, bat-avoiding, amongst pipe-cleaners, puppets and parental paraphernalia as the Children and Family Ministry Resource Coordinator for Mission Resourcing.

Family: Married; two grown daughters, a son-in law and one delightful baby grandson.

Church: Good Shepherd Lutheran, Para Vista Background: I began teaching Sunday school while still in high school under the direction of a wonderful mentor who shaped my whole career.

I completed a Bachelor of Arts at Wittenberg University, Springfield Ohio before teaching Language Arts in a junior high school in a small community on the banks of Lake Erie.

Following this, I went to Papua New Guinea (PNG) as a missionary with the Lutheran Church. After a three year term, I returned to the USA to work, before going back to PNG to work at the same school that had stolen my heart.

My husband, Alan, and I were married and travelled to Australia, where I spent several years as a stay-at-home mum. Then, I felt called to work for the Lutheran Church, first as promotions officer for Overseas Mission, later in curriculum development with Openbook Publishers, before I worked for Mission Resourcing at the Parafield Gardens Resource Centre for Children and Family.

Hopes for the role: That what I do is helpful to people in their mission to and ministry with children.

Favourite food: (Almost) anything somebody else prepares.

Favourite film: Recently saw the film ‘The Lady’ which kept Aung San Suu Kyi near the top of my most admired people list — along with my daughters.

*Fear of bats

The way of Godly Play Kerry Folland, Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church Searching for a new Sunday school curriculum in 2009 led me to discover Godly Play, a method of bible teaching that was far different to what I had experienced. On my return from a Core Training conference in England, Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church (TTGUC) established our Godly Play room.

We have been using this fun, interactive style of teaching at TTGUC for 3 years, and it astounds me to see the changes in our children. Attendance is more regular, kids want to read the Bible more and they are asking more meaningful questions. We have had children as young as three tell the stories back to us. One five year old child who wears glasses and has a disability, in response to hearing the ‘Faces of Easter Story’, said that she saw herself when Jesus touched the blind man’s eyes.

This year, the National Godly Play Conference is being held in Adelaide in July and Core Training is available. International and national trainers will be leading us. There will also be a free expo if you are interested in looking at resources and experiencing a Godly Play classroom for yourself.

I encourage you to register for the conference. Visit missionresourcingsa.org.au and click on the Godly Play Conference link.

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Mission Resourcing SA

I imagine that Luke 6.20b, “blessed are you who are poor for yours is the kingdom of God,” is problematic for some people. It became much less so for me as I encountered the unparalleled joy and liberty of some of the poorest people in the world. In saying this I am not revering poverty but noting the possibility that money and possessions can entrap us.

Stewardship is not so much about our money or anything else we have to give as it is about who we are. That’s why the hip pocket nerve is the last part of us to be converted. If we can in any way loosen a person’s grip on their wallet we will help that person along the path to abundant life.

How we view what we ‘own’ will depend on how we see the Kingdom of God. Is it really about the reconciliation and renewal of the whole creation? Is it about giving ourselves totally to the reign of God that is unfolding around us or do we want to trust things that we can hold in our hands? That’s why faith and giving are inseparable.

God is a sending God and we are all sent people. People give to their passions, they give to the hope of a renewed world, and they give to the possibility of making a genuine difference.

Mary Jo Zwar

The Organ still sounds at Wesley Uniting

diary

Since opening in 1865 as the Jubilee Methodist Church, considerable importance has been given to the musical life of Wesley Uniting Church at Kent Town and in particular to the role of an excellent pipe organ.

The first pipe organ in the church was purchased in 1873 from Hill and Son in England. It was installed high in the organ loft with access to the console from the transept galleries. This organ was removed at the end of the nineteenth century and, after temporary placements elsewhere, is now in the Aberdeen Baptist Church, Geelong, Victoria. A major consideration for its removal was the general consensus

that it was inadequate for accompanying the singing of the congregation at large gatherings.

The present organ was built in 1898 as the replacement for the original instrument. It was built in South Australia

by J E Dodd and Sons and is recognised as one of the finest examples of the local organ builder’s work. In 1964, the Trustees of the church agreed to proceed with a number of additions and alterations to the instrument.

Over twenty five years ago, the Church Council agreed to pursue the augmentation of the organ to become the three manual instrument as originally envisaged and for the project to be led by the

STATE MISSION FELLOWSHIP. Tuesday 26 June, 10.30am at Scots Church. Audrey Swanbury, Coordinator of Volunteers & Training at Goodwill will speak about the business of that organisation. All welcome. Morning tea and lunch available.

SHORT COURSE IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE. “Master Class in Public Ministry: Turning Spirituality Inside Out to Make a Faithful Difference in the World” at Pilgrim Church in June. Popular speaker, preacher, writer, minister at Judson Memorial Church NYC, Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper helps people connect faith and practice. 3 sessions: 14, 16 and 18 June; $66.00 some meals and book. www.masterclassinpublicministry.net CONCERTS @ WESLEY CHURCH KENT TOWN, cnr Fullarton Road and Grenfell Street, Kent Town. Traditional Sunday Services each week at 10am; Minister: Rev Beatrice Panne. Sunday June 17, dedication of Pipe Organ; guest preacher: Rev Barry Hibbert.

Organ Recital, Friday June 29 at 7.30pm, Organist: Dr Calvin Bowman, Director of Music, Wesley Music Centre, Canberra, Senior Lecturer and University Organist, ANU. Tickets at Door $20 and $15 concession Members of Friends of Wesley free entry.

NATIONAL GODLY PLAY CONFERENCE AUSTRALIA. Last year the first National Conference was held in Sydney and was booked out. On 7-10 July 2012 the National Godly Play Conference is being held in the beautiful Adelaide Hills. There are four events happening as part of this Conference. Whether you’ve only heard a bit about Godly Play or have already trained in it there’s something at this Conference for you! Go to http://mrn.sa.uca.org.au/ happenings/godly-play-conference.html for more information and to register.

organist, Dr Mark Symons.

At the same time it was to undergo a restoration program as parts of the organ had not been renovated since it was built over a century earlier although it has always been maintained and fully playable. The condition for the project to proceed was that the work would be commenced once sufficient donations were received specifically for the project and that funds would not come from the regular giving for the work of the church.

A steering committee for the project held discussions with organ builders and organists, the specification for the work was prepared and early in 2009 the project

commenced when David Clarke was the Director of Music. The organ builder Richard Larritt was engaged to do the work and it was completed in May 2012.

To celebrate this achievement, a service of thanksgiving and dedication will be held at 10am on Sunday, 17 June. For other celebrations, please see the ‘Diary’ section on this page.

Paraphrasing a portion of Psalm 150, we “Praise the Lord in his sanctuary with the sound of trumpets, strings and flutes” produced by the pipes of the instrument at Wesley Church.

2012 MID-YEAR MISSION MEETING will be held 2pm Sunday 8 July at Broadview Uniting Church, cnr Galway and Collingrove Aves, Broadview. Speakers will be Enid and Alan Ninnes, returned from Baguio City, Philippines. For bus travellers: take the 208 from King William St heading north, and get off at stop 16 near the corner of Galway and Collingrove Aves. For more information please contact Val Edwards on 8272 5915 or June Heath on 8278 5562.

CODE OF ETHICS - THE ESSENTIALS, 9-11 July 2012.

An introductory level, three-day intensive, introducing the Uniting Church Code of Ethics plus Prevention of Sexual Misconduct training. Required for candidates, pastors and ministers transferring from other denominations. Go online to unitingcollege.org.au/courses/241-code-of-ethics.html for more information and to register. Please note that the Pastoral Relations team offer a refresher in this area for those who have already completed the introductory level Code of Ethics course.

SEEKING BIBLE CHRISTIAN INFORMATION. In my retirement I have adopted a long term project of researching and writing up something of the history and stories of the Bible Christians in South Australia. They were particularly strong in country areas in South Australia until Union in 1900. If congregations or individuals have information about the early days of the Bible Christians in their area or any material at all I would love to hear from them. People can contact me or forward material to me via the following: Rev E.A.(Ted) Curnow, 7 Kelly Dr. Langwarrin 3910 Victoria or refresh@cornishvic.org.au

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

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CONGRATULATIONS NEW ORDINANDS

CONFORMITY VERSUS DIVERSITY?

Congratulations to the 7 newly ordained Reverends, (April New Times). What a fine picture you made, dressed in your robes, albs and stoles, ready to take on the Fourth Century! All except Rev Peter Riggs, who looked like a well-dressed community or business leader of our own era. My prayer is that you will be the forward-thinking, future-oriented oriented leaders our church needs, despite your historically-inspired outfits. Sincerely.

I thought it quite uncanny that two letters in the May edition appeared next to one another, a yearning for conformity versus a yearning for diversity. Both common and reasonable, but what is the subtext? A few thoughts from a sermon may address both of these letters: i) Our great commission (Matthew 27:16-20) is deeply connected with the mission of Christ (Luke 4: 18-20) in the way Christ first gathered then scattered us. The mission thus gives impetus to the commissioning; ii) while working on this sermon I marvelled on the great number of inspirational people who had been disciples for me on my walk. This insight guided me to take 40 days after Easter to thank these people. The variety of their beliefs, from traditional to radical beliefs about Christ translated into acceptance of mine as I grow. When I look at the marvellous Christians I have met over 50 years, the followers who reached me were one with Jesus in mission and relating as they focused on the importance of giving out cups of water (Mark 9: 38-41).

Rev I. (‘no I don’t own an alb’) Dow, Naracoorte PS. Last year I co-presided at communion with another minister who, while preparing, asked my wife, ‘is Ian going to Robe for communion?’ Quick as a flash she replied, ‘No, that’s a bit far away. He’ll probably just stay here in Naracoorte.’

THE MINISTRY OF LAY PREACHING

The Uniting Church today places these gifted lay people alongside the minister as co-workers with God in local congregational life. It is a “Specified Ministry” and highly regarded. So with many members being part of worship leadership teams now-a-days, keep looking to spot the gifted ones, and encourage them to check out the Lay Preachers Handbook. You could be the reason they listen more closely for God’s call on their life.

D Houston, Brighton A PASTORAL FOCUS REQUIRED Your focus on Aged Care, April New Times, is most welcome and appropriate given the number of people in that age group who are in our congregations each week.

I was disappointed to find that Aged Care was presented as beginning when people needed to move into residential care.

This approach overlooks the urgent need for more appropriate models of Aged Care which allow ageing people to remain in and be supported to live in their own homes and retain the high degree of independence which that offers.

Two areas which have been raised for our Synod Strategic Plan are “Strategies for declining and aging congregations” and “Impacting and connecting with our community/community engagement”. I suggest that in taking these up the Synod, Uniting Care and our Aged Care agencies could work together to assist congregations to develop their pastoral care of seniors in their congregations, those in residential care, and those in the wider community.

B. Harris, Yilki

L. McLaughlin, Fullarton DISAPPOINTMENT WITH EIP With respect, I find Barry Atwell’s defence of the Presbytery/ Synod’s Ethical Investment Policy disappointing. In summary, he claims that making decisions about companies in which to invest is extremely subjective and complex.

Yet, other Synods and ethical investment funds seem to find this less so. In selecting companies which make a positive contribution to society and the environment, they are helped by • developing more comprehensive criteria by which to assess companies; • seeking detailed information from the Centre for Australian Ethical Research; and, • belonging to the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia, which also provides a Christian Investors Forum.

I acknowledge the many achievements made with the proceeds from Uniting Church investments.

However, to reduce the claimed complexity in choosing the investments themselves, as well as attract the funds of serious ethical investors, the Church must develop a positive bias towards human and environmental well-being, and seek advice from alternative sources.

B. Ward, Marden Send your letters to: newtimes@sa.uca.org.au or PO Box 2145, Adelaide 5001.

Be topical, be brief, be timely.

Letters over 150 words will be edited; responses to previous letters /articles will be considered within two months of the original item’s publication only.

All letters are published at the editorial team’s discretion.

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letters to ed

I was taken by the ‘Ministry of Lay Preaching’ article, April New Times. I am sure there is not a congregation in our Synod that has not benefited from worship being led by a gifted lay preacher at some time. I am also sure every Lay Ministry team leading their congregations around the State has one in their team, and if they don’t – one of them has begun the coursework provided through Uniting College to equip them. It is a well structured program that can be comfortably completed part-time in a couple of years.

21ST CENTURY EASTER

NEED FOR PROGRESS

O Dear! I am in trouble! I celebrated Easter and I am not even a member of the Progressive Christianity Network – too conservative for me by far. But K. Moore, May New Times, suggests I was hypocritical taking time off from my retirement to celebrate the Easter experience. So now I feel guilty, but isn’t that what the church is good at: making people feel guilty and then controlling their redemption?

What I did celebrate was my personal experience of the Jesus Spirit, not Paul’s – he was probably long-gone anyway when the so-called letter to Timothy exhorted the church to orthodoxy. Nobody owns the life-affirming dynamic which is the gospel. We must interpret our experience of the Jesus Spirit in the context of our 21st century not within a 2000-year old framework.

Is he risen in my life? Indeed! And I intend to celebrate that fact again next year.

I read the letter from K. Moore of Coromandel Valley in the May Edition of New Times, with a sense of sadness and disappointment.

B. Martin, Unley

Rev John Maddern (retired) has written appealing for the return of Presbyteries within the SA Synod (May New Times). It is the role of the Presbytery, among other things, to oversee and discipline Ministers. Methodism regularly asked of each Minister, “Does s/he preach our doctrines?”

Someone who had knowledge of that Minister’s work had to answer “Yes, s/he does.” In the Uniting Church however, no such question is ever asked, even though the answer would be “No” in many cases. For example, some UCA ministers are openly promoting same gender marriage as ‘Christians for gay marriage’. This is in obvious defiance of the Uniting Church’s doctrine and polity on marriage. Because there is no appropriate concern for what is being proclaimed in Uniting churches, a ridiculous and contradictory diversity has evolved that makes sharing a common mission in a presbytery discouraging and meaningless. And that is where Networks come in.

letters to ed

Speaking of Pipe Organs …

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Pipe organs, however, are expensive and outside the reach of many. Is there a cost effective realistic alternative? Yes! You can still enjoy true pipe Johannus Kabinet organ sound with the aid of Exclusive Design modern technology.

The solution is a digital organ.

Sampled from the great organs of Europe and the UK, digital classical organs have found their way into several Adelaide homes – not to mention the University of Adelaide Bonython Hall, Prince Alfred College, St Ignatius Secondary College and the new Burnside City Uniting Church.

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One of the aims of the PCNetSA organisation, is to raise the level of debate on faith and theology, of and within, the Christian Church. In the process many long held beliefs will be discussed and challenged. Much of the theology of the Christian Church needs to be discussed in open forum.

The result may well be, a Church that is seen as credible, honest and relevant to the wider community, who, increasingly find the Church of the 21st Century irrelevant.

T. Price, Modbury NEED FOR NETWORKS

R. James, Morphett Vale JUXTAPOSITION The juxtaposition of J. Maddern’s and K. Moore’s letters in the May New Times is surely providential and somewhat ironic. It is also very disturbing for it underlines the reality of J. Maddern’s concerns in a very substantial way.

The intolerance expressed in the curious paradox that debate of our Christian beliefs is important while asserting that the foundations of Christian belief are not debateable boggles the mind!

Could I suggest to K. Moore that his/her letter would be much more in the spirit of Jesus’ teaching and example if he/she took Jesus’ teaching in Luke 16:19-31 to heart? If the church is to be a sign of heavenly existence it will be by the manner in which we embrace and care for each other and not by the supposed orthodoxy of our beliefs.

J. Winn, Woodcroft

100 years in the heart of Australia

Getting into the history of Frontier Services, Rev John Dihm, Patrol Minister for Parkin takes a test drive of his predecessors’ common mode of transport – a camel.

John Flynn established a pattern of patrol padres and nursing homes in remote areas around our land.

Flynn’s colleague was Deaconess M A Lallo Bett, a qualified nursing sister whom the mission had based at Oodnadatta. She served that township and district, travelling to settlements along the railway line as needed. During Flynn’s time a nursing home was built at Oodnadatta that was both a small hospital and a community centre where social activities and worship services were held.

This pioneering ministry was South Australia’s gift to the nation. From them the Frontier Services that we know today was grown.

The National centenary celebration will be in Melbourne on 26 September 2012, but here in South Australia we will be having our own special celebration on Sunday 29 July, 2pm at Adelaide West Uniting Church.

Over the years, many South Australians have played a part in the story of remote area mission and our celebration on 29 July will remember and honour them. The keynote speaker will be Mrs Jan Trengove, National Chairperson of the Frontier Services Boards. The celebration will be led by Rev Bob Macintosh, a former flying patrol minister. The afternoon will conclude with “smoko” - time to have a yarn over a cuppa and something to eat.

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magazine

Frontier Services is celebrating their century of service, which began with the formation of the Australian Inland Mission, as a national outreach of the Presbyterian Church in September 1912 with ‘One Hundred Years at the Heart of Remote Australia’. This ‘heart’ was a unique style of mission developed here, in remote South Australia.

When the newly ordained John Flynn was appointed to the Smith of Dunesk Mission at Beltana, Flinders Ranges, he founded a unique remote area mission.

This distinctive mission formed the basis for the Australian Inland Mission (AIM) after a report by Rev John Flynn was presented to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Australia.

In his report to the General Assembly, John outlined the style of work he had experienced in the north of our State and recommended the establishment of a nation-wide mission which followed in South Australia’s missional footsteps.

Rev Robert Mitchell, the pioneer of the mission at Beltana which began in 1894, has been described as a combination of padre, counsellor, doctor, dentist and friend, who was warmly received throughout the vast area he served.

The five patrol ministers preceding Flynn, including Rob, had developed a pattern of itinerant ministry that reached out to people in station homesteads, stockmen and isolated workers, miners, prospectors, railway men and the few little families in small settlements. This ministry was built on concern for the social, physical and spiritual needs of settlers “beyond the furthest fences”.

Calling from the margins Rev Nicholas Rundle Movie: Margin Call Screenplay written by: JC Chandor Rating: MA

reviews

Recommended for: adult church groups seeking to explore ethical leadership issues A group of fearful people wait in an upper room. They are brought together with a sense of urgency since a discovery has been made which, if true, will change their lives for ever.

It is night, the doors to the street have been locked some time ago and the stress and the strain are beginning to tell. Suddenly their leader is among them and he confronts one of the group - the one who has raised the questions.

This could be a scene from John’s Gospel but it is the beginning of Margin Call, a movie soon to be released on DVD. With a strong cast, including Jeremy Irons, Kevin Spacey and Demi Moore, the movie is set in New York City as the sub-prime mortgage crisis unfolds in 2008. Most of the scenes take places on the upper floors of a Manhattan tower block where CEO John Tuld, in the previously described scene, arrives at

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midnight by helicopter. A long term manager, made redundant that very morning, is crucial to the emerging strategy of the film, with his revelation further developed by a younger man he was mentoring, head of trading, Sam Rogers. This confident young man wrestles with the moral decision he must make and the implications this will have for the finance sector.

I think Margin Call is a great movie with strong acting, a tight plot and excellent cinematography. It also raises some acute philosophical and ethical questions about how we live and make moral decisions.

In the movie the characters rarely venture to street level.

When they do there are moments of profound truth telling. In one particular scene, two executives travel down in an elevator shared with a cleaning woman. They talk across her, not even acknowledging her existence while she stares straight ahead towards the viewer.

If I place it alongside John’s Gospel, and see this movie through a theological lens, I see it as a profound illustration of the ancient heresy of Gnosticism, a

private elitist spirituality which turns it back on the everyday world and the consequences of decisions on the ordinary people it disdains. This was the challenge for John’s community, as it is for us too, as one’s seeking to proclaim Christ in a messy and unjust world.

I recommend this movie for an adult church group who are keen to explore the ethical implications of leadership as well as for pastors preparing sermons. I would read John’s account of the resurrection and explore the contrast between the ruthless CEO character in Margin Call and the wounded risen Jesus standing before his disciples.

Margin Call is highly recommended, but I will issue a warning around the very strong language which is used. This is a movie rich in symbolism and offers a prophetic dimension of what our world really values.

Rev Nicholas Rundle is Minister in Placement at Christ Church Wayville from February 2012.

As a Senior Mission Australia Chaplain he was researching faith in the corporate workplace in New York in October 2008.

He also serves on a State Government Research Ethics Committee.

The Darwin debate

Intelligent Design Uncensored Demski and Witt attempt to explain Intelligent Design (ID) using arguments pinpointing the shortcomings of Darwinism. The authors reveal that Darwinism is based on Philosophical Materialism and its practical offshoot Methodological Materialism which are flawed theories in themselves.

There is considerable “debate” with analysis of arguments for ID, response by Darwinists with, and rebuttal by, ID advocates.

My own reaction is that any adherent to a complex religious belief such as Christianity already assumes some ideas such as ID. As a person with scientific training and background, I generally subscribe to the view that in science, we look for natural causes for natural events. I also accept Darwinian evolution as a reasonable explanation for complex life.

Authors: William Demski and Jonathon Witt

I find myself in my usual position of being able to see both sides of the argument.

While I accept Darwinism, even if it may be flawed, I also accept the basic thinking put forth by advocates of ID that a close look at our universe leads to the belief that God exists. It is when ID is put forth as a science that I find myself unwilling to fully accept this book.

Recommended for: proponents and opponents of Intelligent Design.

In short: A simple exposition of religious science.

Available from: amazon.com

I doubt this book is going to convince anyone who does not already agree with its basic premise.

RRP: $15.00

- Jon Miller

God in another language

Book: Faith In Politics?

Author: Richard Harries Recommended for: anyone interested in the link between religion and government.

In short: Rediscovering the Christian roots of our political values.

Available from: amazon.com RRP: $36.95

Book: Stepping Out with the Sacred Author: Val Webb Recommended for: those investigating the character of the Divine.

In short: An exploration of God beyond religious paradigms.

Available from: mosaicresources.com.au

Christianity is now just one voice in a marketplace of ideas, but the foundations of our systems of government were influenced by Christian teaching, and the Church retains a responsibility to be an active and distinctive voice.

Reason replaced religion as the driving force of social change during the Enlightenment period, and secular forms of governance have ruled in Europe and America since. Not so, according to Lord Harries, who connects the ideas of democracy, human rights, and liberty, equality and community to the Bible.

I enjoyed Harries’ arguments, yet I found him to be overtly British in his discussion. His

critique of the excesses of religion in American politics struck a chord with me, as did his insistence that religious voices have an ongoing heritage in the governance of western nations. Harries also argues that loving one’s neighbour has an inescapable political dimension.

It can only be people of religious faith who will remind our parliamentarians and policymakers that the basis of human rights is the dignity and value of women and men made in the Creator’s image, and that any affront to that dignity must be challenged.

- Damien Tann

reviews

Trust and obey?

RRP: $33.95

This is a treasure for those who are seeking the Sacred. Some of the chapter headings are Earth as a Sacred Site, Sacred Places, Sacred Things and Symbols and Engaging through Prayer. This book is especially beneficial for people who are looking for an expanded or alternative language to describe their journey towards and engaging with the Divine or the Sacred.

These various academic pursuits bring insight into Webb’s writings. She has the ability to write in a clear, easy to read style. However, don’t be fooled into thinking that this means shallow. Her role as a scientist has made her a painstakingly exacting researcher whilst she plumbs the depths in a simple book.

- Jan McClelland

Webb has had a diverse career, having written nine books (one of which won the General Religion Category of the USA Best Books 2007 Awards), as well as working professionally in the fields of Microbiology, Business, Writing, Art and Religious Studies.

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Aged Care in Focus: Part 3 Ping-pong tables. In-house hairdressers. Libraries, men’s sheds, and chapel services. All meals cooked – and next to no cleaning up! What is life within Aged Care really about? In part three of our Aged Care series, Louise Heinrich explores what to expect within residences.

“There’s a lot of letting go when you move into residential care,” says Gayle McClimont, Coordinating Chaplain at Helping Hand. “For some, it is a relief to relinquish some responsibility. For others, it can be very difficult.”

Brian Bowley (pictured) has always been an obsessive collector – admittedly, downsizing was very hard for him. His room is full to the brim with paintings and sculptures he kept from his house.

“My wife, Janferie, was getting sick, and I was caring for her. She passed in 2006. I can remember saying, ‘I can’t go on.’”

After falling ill and being assessed in hospital by an ACAT, Brian moved into low-care residency, where he has felt incredibly supported by the staff.

As well as carers and nurses, Aged Care residences draw on the expertise of chaplains and pastoral carers, who develop close and meaningful relationships with residents.

Part of her role as Coordinating Chaplain sees Gayle organising one-onone visits.

“We offer to listen to anyone’s struggles, concerns and needs, in order to journey this part of life with them. This means celebrating their life, listening to what they’ve achieved, and encouraging what they can do. It’s nurturing their spirit.”

Gayle believes participating and being social is essential to our value and worth.

“It’s important for older people to be socially active – everybody needs to feel as if they’ve got something to offer.”

“In the Independent Living units, there is a real community. Most people feel it’s very life-giving, as there’s a very social atmosphere, with friends who go out to lunch together, etc.”

Aged Care residences can be a hub for friendships too, with plenty of events and opportunities to do things together.

Brian, however, found it hard to adjust to communal living.

“I try and live out what Jesus said: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

Sometimes a group of older people, any

people really, in one place can be hard.

But I stick to His command, and I am very happy here.”

There is a litany of clubs and activities to take part in at most Aged Care residences. As well as on-site cafes, craft groups and market days, the internet telephone and video calling software Skype is used to keep in touch with faraway friends and relatives.

Under a backdrop of a Norman Lindsay painting of Ulysses’ ship passing sirens, Brian smiles as he considers his weekly schedule.

Camera Club, Art Club, and Gardening is just the beginning. Brian also attends the Westminster Computer Club – in which residents travel to Westminster High School, and students give their time

freely to share computer skills.

“A great thing that I’ve been able to do is create,” Brian says, humbly displaying his collection of paintings.

“I paint abstract, then I take a photo of it, and photoshop it at Westminster.”

Many staff at Aged Care facilities work hard to make engaging with passions accessible to all people. Gayle details the ways in which residents are encouraged to be active and fulfilled.

“There was a lady in her nineties who once worked as a dollmaker, and used to paint. The staff helped her set up a space for her to paint.

“It may be as simple as listening to the choir, but everyone is encouraged to participate in whatever they’re able to do.”