New Times - May 2006

May 2006

Issue 25, Number 4 PP 565 001/00190 ISSN 0726-2612

3,000 take part in KCO

Deacon, Rev Sue Langhans, of Resthaven, was one of the face painters at KCO, which stands for KUCA (Kids of the Uniting Church in Australia) Camp Out. Sue is pictured, above, creating a tiger’s face for Stacey Hill, of Parafield Gardens. The completed tiger face is at right. See pages 2, 6 and 7.

inside…

Fellowships should boost profile

2

Welfare to Work changes

3

Master of Ministry

3

People are interested in Christ

4

Camps and Conference Centres

5

John Flynn Memorial

9

New Times subscriptions

10

We’re all called to mission

12

Settling in at the start of KCO are, from left, Grantley Mildenhall, Daniel Knox, Riley Jacobs, Lennon Prakash and Andrew Fitzsimmonds.

Please hand out at your church door

2

NEWS

New Times

KCO: It’s ‘pretty awesome’ LEESA STARR, 13, thinks KCO is “pretty awesome”. This year Leesa helped run the KCO radio station.

“This was my 11th KCO,” she said. “I was three when I started – so I’ve been every year for 11 years.

“It’s a great thing. It’s something you look forward to every year.

“When I started as a little kid, I thought it was amazing going to a place where there are so many kids, and the excitement of all the activities, all the people up on stage, going on the radio.”

Two years ago Leesa was junior compere, on stage. “That was one of the best KCO’s I’ve been to,” she said.

Leesa Starr at work at Radio KCO

Kids’ Tent City MORE THAN 1,700 South Australian children created a massive tent city at West Beach last month, when they gathered for the 28th KCO, (Kids of the Uniting Church in Australia Camp Out).

This year the total camp population exceeded 3,000, with many adult volunteers and visitors helping the kids.

It’s a far cry from the first KCO when about 500 attended.

Uniting Church events manager, Linda Driver, said KCO is the largest annual event of its kind in Australia and has become a model for children’s ministry in other states.

“The aim is to provide an opportunity for children from many different backgrounds and faith to experience the wider church family through

fun, worship and learning,” she said.

This year’s theme was “Step! Skip! Stomp!” and campers enjoyed every moment – from swimming at the beach although it was only 19 degrees, to the carnival, craft activities, music, drama, and fire works extravaganza.

The children were also treated to a bedtime story which was read out over the camp’s radio station.

This year more than $6,100 was received in the KCO offering. The money will help country groups and UAICC (Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress) members with KCO travel costs, and help support a girl’s hostel in South India.

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MAY 2006

She can remember her first KCOs. “There used to be three stations on the Saturday night.

Every station had something different.

I remember that.

“I’d move, and there’d be a clown. I’d move again and there’d be, like, a shepherd. I found it really exciting.

“This KCO I was at the radio station pretty well all the time. I’d have a break every now and then after there was a rush of kids.

“The kids want to talk on radio or request a song – and you have to talk to all of them.

It was just so much fun. And the look on the kids’ faces, just at the thought of being on radio – that was great.”

Fellowships urged to boost their profile THE OUT-GOING national president of UCAF, (Uniting Church Adult Fellowships), believes fellowship groups need to lift their profile in the church.

Joan Kelley said that, after touring the country extensively during her three year term, it became evident that fellowship groups hide their achievements.

“In many congregations they’re almost invisible,” she said. “Yet they’re the best educated people in our church about mission and support it passionately with prayers, money and time.

“Some people believe UCAF is nothing more than an elderly women’s group, interested in a cup of tea and a chat. The reality is quite different.

“Today many men and younger people are joining fellowship groups and the amount of voluntary work and time that groups give is breathtaking.

“Synod fellowship committees engage in a huge range of activities – from running a cafeteria at an annual royal show, to supporting multicultural, ethnic and refugee groups, providing financial support for chaplaincy and Frontier Services, organising

bus tours, gatherings and rallies and so on.

“Fellowship groups raise millions of dollars every year and engage in outreach locally, within their Synod and overseas.

“Fellowship groups really are the unsung heroes of our church.”

Joan is urging all fellowship groups to use the Assembly website (http://asembly.uca.org. au/agencies/adultfellowship/) to tell the world about their achievements.

“I’m sad that members don’t see the wonderful potential of this facility and just continue to communicate through their local fellowship magazines,” she said.

Joan is also encouraging unaffiliated fellowship groups to join their UCAF synod committees.

She said any adult church group can be an ‘Adult Fellowship’.

“If these groups affiliate they’ll broaden their horizons by becoming part of a world wide network,” she said.

“They’ll receive publications and information relating not only to the Uniting Church but also to our partner churches overseas.”

UCAF’s national consultation UCAF’s ninth national consultation will be held at the CWA (Country Women’s Association) Kent Town from May 25 to 28.

A consultation dinner will be held at Adelaide West Uniting Church on Thursday, May 25, from 6pm. Assembly General Secretary Terence Corkin will speak about the good things happening in the Uniting Church.

On Saturday, May 27, UCAF members will trave by bus to Warriparinga, the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre, where there will be an Aboriginal welcome, site tour and lunch.

The new UCAF National Committee, led

by Alyson Madsen, will be commissioned at a service at Wesley Church, Kent Town, on

Sunday, May 28, at 10am. Assembly President Dean Drayton will preach.

For further information telephone Joan Kelley on 8179 5639 or email jkelley@internode. on.net – or telephone Betty Ormond on 8337 2272 or email djomond@bigpond.com.

‘An act of moral abandonment’ THE UNITING CHURCH in Australia recently criticised Cabinet’s decision to process asylum seekers offshore and tighten maritime surveillance. The church labelled it an act of moral abandonment and a decline in Australia’s commitment to human rights. The story is on page 11.

NEWS

New Times

3

Anxiety over Welfare to Work changes Jill Freear A UNITING CHURCH agency helping people with disabilities to participate in the workforce, says its clients are watching the new Welfare to Work legislation closely.

UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide’s Employment Access service provides supported and open employment opportunities across South Australia for nearly 425 people at any one time.

Most of them have mental health issues. Manager Mark Waters said the new legislation is causing real anxiety for many clients.

“We’re working with people who experience conditions such as paranoia, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and obsessiveness,” he said. “The uncertainty surrounding this new legislation is not helpful.”

People who are currently receiving the Disability Support Pension (DSP) will continue to receive it. However there will be changes for people with a disability who have claimed income support from May 11, 2005.

These people will be required to undergo a Job Capacity Assessment.

If they can work 15 hours or more a week without support, they are likely to receive Enhanced Newstart or Youth Allowance. Both these payments are less than the DSP.

There will also be increased reporting requirements and mutual obligation placed upon the Enhanced Newstart recipients.

“We’re concerned about the assessment process and whether it will identify people who suffer from episodic mental health issues,” Mark said. “We can work with someone for many months before discovering how they can react when under stress.

“There also need to be processes and services in place to provide training, post placement support and adequate income support to ensure people can make a successful transition into the workplace.

“Another major issue is the stigma against mental illness in the workplace and the community. It’s all very well to have legislation to encourage greater participation in the workforce – but will employers support and accept people with disabilities?

“We’ll be watching the implementation and roll out of the legislation from July 1 with interest.

“At this stage it’s unclear whether the new system will deliver incentives, training support and a safety net for people with disabilities. Without these things I suspect people with disabilities will not be keen to give up their DSP in order to participate more fully in the workforce.”

Pictured outside UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide’s Employment Access service are, from left, Mark Waters (manager), Rachel Hones, Jo Edwards (coordinator, Alberton) Katrina Doherty and Rin Montray (vocational consultant).

Congregations can help Uniting Church SA Disabilities Ministry Chaplain, Rev Trevor Whitney, has applauded the expertise and compassion demonstrated by agencies such as UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide in helping people with disabilities to gain employment.

Trevor said it is also important that congregations model the embracing and justice-seeking love of Christ

Gary’s the first graduate UNITING CHURCH minister Rev Gary Stuckey will be the first person to graduate from the Master of Ministry program at Adelaide College of Divinity through ParkinWesley College.

He will receive his award at the graduation ceremony on May 8.

Gary’s research for the degree was in modern Christian spirituality.

He designed a training program in Christian meditation for church use and then analysed its effectiveness.

Along the way, he coauthored a book with Ann Siddall – Tending the Seed, a six-week study that encourages deeper understanding of God’s love and affirmation. The book is available from Mediacom.

Gary also explored ways of updating the ancient traditions of monasticism for modern times.

Gary said the masters entails four years of study.

“The thing that attracted me to the course is that it enables you to focus on a study area that’s important to you and to look into it in depth,” he said.

by offering practical support and acceptance of such people who are often excluded by society.

“For example, Uniting Church members who are employers could consider employing and supporting a person with a mental health issue.

“And in our congregational ministry we can constantly reflect on how embracing we are of such people in terms of the ministries we exercise and the pastoral relationships we nurture.”

It’s time to renew your subscription see page 10

Rev Gary Stuckey, right, with Dr Peter Trudinger at the Adelaide College of Divinity “You can choose your own main focus area. I chose spirituality. Then you set your own particular topic within that.”

Dr Peter Trudinger, lecturer at Parkin-Wesley College, is head of the program. “Gary’s a fine example of the aims of this master’s program,” Peter said. “His work is practical, of benefit to his ministry, and, what’s more, makes a positive contribution to the Uniting Church and the wider church.”

The Master of Ministry is a four-year part-time degree.

Participants come from a range of denominations, including the Uniting Church, Anglican, Catholic and Church of Christ.

Other Uniting Church people in the program include Sandy Boyce, Sue Ellis, Philip Gardner, Algis Greb, Bruce Grindlay, Rod Mann, Hohaia Matthews, and Coral Smith.

Aged care chaplaincy, ministry and the disabled, evangelisation, mission, and effective asset utilisation are just some of the areas participants are exploring.

MAY 2006

4

COMMENT

People are interested in Christ in the establishment church, “diocesan” church, but the early monastic movement.

The monastic movement was very Christ-centred, very Christological.

“There’s tremendous interest in Christ today,” US church consultant, Tom Bandy, said when he spoke at recent Uniting Church SA meetings. “There’s tremendous hope for the future of the church,” he said. “But we need a different kind of church and a different kind of leadership.” He is speaking here to Nicholas Kerr.

FIRST, the early monastics literally tried to re-enact in their lifestyle the model of Jesus – the life, the death, the suffering, the resurrection, the hope, the new life. They very intentionally sought to model their life on the model of Jesus Christ.

THERE’S tremendous interest in Christ today. We live in a bubbling cauldron of spirituality – but Christianity is really a small potato in that stew. People are very interested in meeting God, and coming face-to-face with God and feeling the touch of the holy. That means they’re interested in incarnation – and that means they’re interested in Christ.

THERE’S tremendous hope for the church. Because there’s interest in Christ means there’s interest in mutual support – in companionship, you might say, in Christ. There’s tremendous interest in healthy relationships, in a purpose-driven life, in purpose-driven mission.

THERE’S tremendous interest in any organisation that will help people discern their gifts and hear a call and become equipped to do whatever it is they’re called to do.

There’s also a lot of interest in personal spiritual growth, personal spiritual mentoring and companionships. There’s a lot of interest in clarity about personal mission, destiny and what it means to lead a spiritual life in the name of Christ.

ALL THIS means there’s a great interest in the organisation of the church, which has a huge history of many different ways of building

MAY 2006

Tom Bandy in Adelaide – Advertiser picture

Christian community. And that diversity is returning again to the life of the church today.

So, this is my basic theme – there’s interest in Christ and there’s hope for the future of the church, but it will take a different kind of church and a different kind of leadership.

WE’RE TALKING about a different kind of church from the one we’ve come to recognise and expect. We need to move from the most common visible, establishment kind of church, with sacred property and sacred people, organised around sacred time that do worship in certain predictable patterns.

The establishment kind of church we’ve come to know has different brand names and denominations. But basically the church is very much the same from place to place.

The church that’s emerging is very different. It’s very contextual, very pragmatic. It will worship in a

wide variety of ways, do mission and organise itself in a wide variety of ways. There’ll be a lot of diversity.

AND THERE’LL be a different kind of church leadership. We’re seeing lay leadership emerging and clergy disappearing. Our clear boundaries between ordered ministry and volunteer ministry are less distinct.

We’re seeing the emergence of the team – or, as I call it, the pilgrim band – as the basic unit of leadership. It’s not just a pastor, not just a board. It’s a team of people, who hold each other accountable to a spiritual discipline and certain core values and bedrock convictions. They cooperate. They work together to adapt and create ministry.

It’s a different kind of leadership – but not necessarily a new kind of leadership.

ONE OF THE clues to what the new church leadership will look like is found in church history – not so much

SECOND, the monastic movement was very missional - much more missional than the established diocesan church. We often think of the monastic movement as retreating into the desert or into a monastic cell. The real reason for doing that was to test yourself, to win a victory of self-discipline over yourself. Then they could go out and do mission in the world.

So much can be attributed to the monastic movement. Hospitals, universities, social services, the birth of the Renaissance and the collapse of feudalism, the establishment of justice for the peasants and for the serfs – all of that can really be attributed to the monastic movement.

THIRD, the monastic movement had a strong sense of accountability – a sense of holding one another in a brotherhood or sisterhood, holding one another accountable for that spiritual discipline.

ALL THESE things are extremely relevant today. We see culture today organising itself around many of those very same principles. We see people organising themselves around a very clear centre of spiritual experience or incarnation. We see them interested in fulfilling their lives and personal mission.

Continued on page 8.

NEWS

New Times

5

They’re moving with the times Jill Freear THE UNITING CHURCH’S two South Australian camps and conference centres are moving with the times. They are renovating and improving facilities, making them an ideal place for church people to relax, reflect and rejuvenate.

The Nunyara Conference Centre at Belair and Adare at Victor Harbor have been Uniting Church Ministry Centres since 1977. Before that they were owned by the Methodist Church.

Adare manager Christopher Wright said a lot of church people who visited Adare in the 1960s still remember the facility as it was at that time.

“The fact is we’ve done a lot of updating since then,” he said. “In the next 12 months we plan to modernise Adare’s bathrooms and double the number of ensuite facilities in the adjoining Bethany Centre.

“We’ve kept Adare’s original layout. Young people love the fact that it looks like a castle, and enjoy the towers and cellar.

“We can also organise group activities such as abseiling, rock climbing, historic tours of Victor Harbor, beach activities and visits to the Whale and Penguin Centres and Greenhill’s Adventure Park.

“We really want to promote Adare as a place for fun, family and fellowship, with the focus on families and creating memory moments for people.”

Adare is used widely by schools, churches and community groups and can accommodate up to 200 people with the use of on-site vans, caravans and tents.

Nunyara offers

accommodation for up to 120 people in a beautiful tranquil environment close to the city.

Nunyara manager Ann Stewart said the centre is an ideal place for both day and residential retreats and conferences and is well used by a variety of groups.

“We get wonderful feedback about our delicious meals and comfortable accommodation and of course our spectacular view. Our five self-contained holiday units are the perfect place for visitors to stay while exploring Adelaide.”

“We see ourselves as a ministry and mission, reaching out in Christian hospitality in an atmosphere of God’s love.

“We have an ideal environment for spiritual renewal. People love our beautiful, glass-walled chapel Above: Nunyara managers Ann and and appreciate our versatile Harry Stewart Right: Part of a meeting spaces.

“We’d encourage churches to Canteen group at Adare rethink the benefits of getting away from the local church tangible value of up to $4 environment and coming million,” he said. to Nunyara for planning, “We want to ensure these community building, fun and facilities are used to run liferelaxation. changing programs for Uniting “We’ve made many Church people. improvements to our facilities “Camping and conferencing and services over the years and are happy to talk to people is a vital part of our future, about how we can meet their particularly in relation to needs.” leadership development for lay and ordained members.

Both Nunyara and Adare offer good facilities and access “We really want to for disabled people and also encourage church leaders to offer 10 per cent discounts to consider using our centres Uniting Church groups. more for programs and The Uniting Church SA’s events.”

General Manager, Resources, For further information Barry Atwell, said it is about our camps and important that the church conference centres logon to retains, maintains and uses its www.nunyara.com.au or call conference centres.

Nunyara on 8278 1673.

“Our conference and Adare can be contacted on camping sites are key 8552 1657. missional assets and have a

MAY 2006

6

KCO IN PICTURES

New Times

It was cool – but the sea at West Beach was as popular as ever. LEFT: Brodie Clarke, Rachael Scarman and Aimee Denton, from Southern Flinders. RIGHT: Tayse Dilena and Grace Edwards, from Aberfoyle.

LEFT: Todd Neindorf, Johnson Noon, Gai Ngor and Kuany Ngor, from Enfield. RIGHT: Thomas Jackson and Sarah Taylor, from Crystal Brook.

Face biscuits were popular. LEFT: Bek Reddin, right, presented a plate of them to Moderator, Rev Graham Vawser, after he had officially opened KCO. RIGHT: Eating biscuits they had made are Kim Saywell, Josh Taylor and Oliver Edwards, from Hills Christian Community School.

MAY 2006

New Times

KCO IN PICTURES

7

Lottie Dickson of Aberfoyle meets a rabbit at KCO.

Ashley Penny and Jacob Russell, from Adare, during the KCO opening.

Among the group from the Port Augusta Congress Faith Community were, from left, Sidney Waye, Claudia Wilton and Hamaisha Dingaman.

Ellen Pudney, of Port Adelaide in the dunking machine.

Ellen Pudney and Megan Sutherland, also from Port Adelaide after their turns in the dunking machine.

Some of the group from the Port Augusta Congress Faith Community at KCO

MAY 2006

8

COMMENT

New Times

People are interested in Christ Continued from page 4 There’s a great interest in overcoming addictions and “subduing the self,” so to speak. There’s a great interest in spiritual disciplines and mutual accountability. This kind of organisational thinking makes the monastic model very appealing. It also drives you even further away from the diocesan model of church.

THE MONASTIC movement also has a good deal to teach us about the importance of the credibility of spiritual leaders in the Church. We live in a time when credibility is more important than professionalism.

That single fact is changing the face of Christian leadership today. But it is also bringing a lot of stress to establishment clergy, establishment denominations and personnel

MAY 2006

Tom Bandy, left, with the Mission Resourcing Network’s Rev Dr Ian Price.

officers. It’s also bringing stress to typical members of the church. Not a lot was expected of them – except that they came to worship and contributed money and served on some committees.

Much more is expected of the church member. They’re expected to become a real disciple of Christ.

This means clergy need skills different from the ones they were originally trained for. For example, most clergy spend a great deal of time preaching.

But many of them have never really been trained in, or experienced, mentoring – and today mentoring is probably more important in growing God’s mission through the church than preaching. That doesn’t mean than teaching is unimportant. It simply means that people are learning in different ways. They’re learning more one-to-one and in small groups. They’re learning more from conversation rather than presentation. So the ability to mentor is one way that the role of clergy is changing.

THE FUTURE of the church really lies more in micro churches than in macro

churches or mega churches.

That’s especially so in Australia.

The mega churches today are beginning to fracture into ever smaller micro units. They have “multi-sites”, church planting and so on.

In an environment like Australia, the future is more likely to be the micro church.

The micro church is highly adaptable to the diverse cultures in Australia. It’s very strong on team and accountability- and these are things very much embraced in all aspects of Australian life, from sport to education.

THE MICRO church can be much more portable and

adaptable than the traditional church or the mega church.

It’s able to change tactics. It can acquire and divest itself of property. It can deploy leaders or re-deploy leaders much more easily than the establishment church.

And in a country like Australia, with your society of rapid change and your cultural diversity, that’s very important to the growth of any organisation – and especially of the church.

US church consultants Tom Bandy and Bill Easum jointly run Easum Bandy Associates.

Their website is www.easumbandy.com.

PEOPLE AND PLACES

New Times

9

John Flynn Memorial celebrations THE REMARKABLE achievements of the man who spread a “mantle of safety” across remote parts of Australia will be remembered this month.

The May 5 to 7 celebrations will be just after this issue of New Times is printed.

The Alice Springs congregation is hosting a weekend of celebrations to mark: • The church’s 50th anniversary.

• The 80th anniversary of adjacent Adelaide House, the first of the nursing hostels designed by Rev John Flynn.

Celebrations will begin on Friday May 5, with a memorial service at Flynn’s grave, 55 years after his death.

This was followed by a welcome ceremony at the church, with tea, coffee and damper.

During the weekend there will be a pilgrimage around significant church sites, a celebration dinner and special church service.

The weekend will wrap up on Sunday night with a “Slides and song” evening, celebrating past eras of the church’s life.

John Flynn dreamed of building an “inland cathedral” at Alice Springs, but was too busy “building people and families” to get around to it.

Five years after his death his friends build a church in his name.

Flynn established a network of patrol padres, flying doctors, nursing hostels and pedal radios across outback and remote areas.

This important work is continued today by Frontier Services.

The present ministers at John Flynn Memorial Church are deacons, Revs Tracy Spencer and Murray Muirhead, from South Australia.

Tracy, who’s been organising the anniversary celebrations, said the event is all about gathering back people who have been involved over the decades, including past ministers and members of the local community.

The couple arrived in Alice Springs in January and each works half time in the congregation.

Murray has also recently been appointed to a part time ministry position in the Pitjantjatjara Lands.

Both are studying local Aboriginal languages to communicate more effectively with Indigenous people.

“We care for a diverse congregation that reflects the local community,” Tracy said.

“At the moment we hold four

John Flynn Memorial congregation members, from left to right, Deacon, Rev Murray Muirhead, Peter Nyaningu, Ron Ros, Grace Darling, visitors, Deacon, Rev Tracy Spencer, Maya Ninan, Bob and Leoni Reid. Peter Nyaningu quarried the stone and made the bricks for the church and Ron Ros played the bagpipes at the opening ceremony.

Sunday services to meet the different needs of families, Indigenous communities and travellers. “ The congregation also extends hospitality to tourists and locals through the Adelaide House museum.

In addition members manage an op shop and support to Indigenous people in the town and in the Pitjanjatjara communities.

For further information about the anniversary celebrations on May 5 to 7, contact the John Flynn Memorial Church, phone 08 8953 1955.

A new face at Peterborough A WELCOME new face to Peterborough is Grant Jewell, interim pastor of the local Uniting Church.

Grant enjoys a very interesting history, having previously been in the Australian Customs Service for 33 years in Border Enforcement, Investigations and Intelligence – eventually rising to the rank of Chief Inspector, in addition to five

years spent in the Courts Administration Office as a sheriff.

For some time in his working life, Pastor Jewell said that he felt God was calling him towards the ministry.

“At the end of the day, I’m doing what God wanted me to do,” Pastor Jewell said.

Pastor Jewell, who has undertaken interim ministries in the South East, York Peninsula and Mid North, said he was invited by the local church council following an interview process.

Pastor Jewell said that he believed that Australian society was founded on three key issues – the rule of law, the rule of the family, and the Christian faith.

A graduate of the Adelaide College of Divinity, Pastor Jewell is married to Lin, who works for an Adelaide surgeon.

The couple have four adult children and three grandchildren, one of whom was a recent visitor to the manse.

“She ran us ragged, but it was a delightful flashback to our early family life while she was visiting us,” Grant said.

Grant hails from Birkenhead. He said he is a staunch Port Power supporter – but has admitted to supporting the Crows in exceptional circumstances!

He is fond of reading, swimming and music.

“I haven’t the gift of music and readily call on musical members of the congregation,” he admitted.

During his ministry, Pastor Jewell hopes to work closely with the church council and link with the community, reaching out to those in need.

He has found the Peterborough community welcoming and supportive.

– Shane Mills

MAY 2006

10

PEOPLE AND PLACES

New Times

Time to renew If you’d like New Times home delivered, it’s time to think about subscribing for the year July 2006 to 2007.

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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.

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THEME of the Presbytery Resourcing Day on Saturday June 17 will be “Good news in many voices: Evangelism in today’s world”. It will be held from 9.15am to 5.30pm at Adelaide West UC and the Adelaide College of Divinity Campus. The day will include a plenary session and electives exploring aspects of faith sharing. Highlights include input from Shirley Osborne (“Care and Communication Concern in Melbourne”), Tim Hein (Hope Valley UC and the Forge Network) and music by the Shine Choir (a contemporary young adult music group). The elective program includes stories from congregations, faith sharing approaches and resources, biblical and theological input, and creative arts. Detailed program will be available in early May. The event will be open to both presbytery members and other people and is being coordinated

by Parkin Wesley College. More info on 8416 8420.

SIMPLY Sharing Week will be held from May14 to 21. The focus for 2006 is on engaging with our neighbors in the Solomon Islands as they rebuild their lives after years of ethnic violence. For information, or to order a copy of the kit, contact the SA Council of Churches, phone 8221 6633 or email sacc@picknowl.com..au.

THE Week of Prayer for Reconciliation and Christian Unity will be held from May 26 to June 4. The normal octave of Prayer for Christian Unity (the eight days concluding with Pentecost) has been expanded to include Sorry Day and the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation. Resources are available at http://www.ncca. org.au/departments/faith_unity/ weekofprayer; printed versions from the SA Council of Churches, phone 8221 6633 or email sacc@ picknowl.com..au.

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Deadline MAY 2006

JUNE 2006 issue: Deadline for contributions, Tuesday, May 9.

The issue will be distributed on Sunday, June 4.

A FIVE day retreat, “Finding the still point”, will be held from June 5 to 9 at Nunyara in the Adelaide Hills. It is being arranged by the Adelaide West UC Spirituality Centre and will be led by Rev Gary Stuckey and Ann Siddall. The event will include prayer, silence, creativity, worship, group work and space to walk and rest. The cost is $300 and registrations are due

by May 24. Brochure available from Ann Siddall on 8234 1199 annsiddall@bigpond.com THE 26th South Australian Prayer Breakfast, will be held on Thursday, September 21, at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Details later.

A LIMITED amount of money is available to assist with Synod approved projects – from St Andrew’s Capital Fund of the Woodville Uniting Church.

Applications will be received up until June 30. Applications should be limited to one A4 page.

Applications to the chairperson, St Andrew’s Capital Fund, Woodville Uniting Church, 44 Woodville Road, Woodville, SA 5011.

THE Friendship Café is open from 11am to 1pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week, from February to November, at St. Andrew’s by the Sea, 92 Jetty Road, Glenelg. If you are visiting Glenelg and looking for a light lunch we invite you to try our café in the hall next to the church. Our menu is low priced.

Enquiries: 8295 1771.

A LAY ministry weekend, “Grow and Go!” will be held from May 5 to 7 at Parkin-Wesley College. Build your church’s leadership through eight in-depth areas of ministry and mission.

Cost is $40 for attendance only (audit) or $85 for credit towards a Certificate or Diploma in Ministry. BYO lunch, morning and afternoon tea provided. More information contact Rosalie Upton on 8416 8427 or p-wcollege@ flinders.edu.au.

A CD Rom version of the ecumenical hymnal “Together in song” (TIS) will be launched (with demonstrations) in Maughan Church, Adelaide, at 7 pm on Tuesday, May 30. It is designed for congregations which project hymns and songs on a wall or screen. Speaker will be Archbishop Jeffrey Driver. Also to be launched is a “companion” to TIS by Wesley Milgate and D’Arcy Wood. This book (and CD Rom) consists of notes on all the psalms, hymns and songs in TIS, plus details of authors and composers. The book will be available at the launch at the discounted price of $44.

AN EARTH worship service will be held at 7.30pm on Friday, May 12, at Spicer Uniting, 44a Fourth Ave, St Peters. Speaker will be Matt Sarre. Don’t miss this opportunity to get together for worship and to hear a great speaker! Supper afterwards on the Parade.

A FORUM, “Lightening the footprint: A positive response to environmental issues,” will be held at Nunyara Dining Room, Belair on Friday May 19. Speakers are Bek Christensen (Galapagos Islands PhD studies) and Rev Brian Polkinghorne (Tanzania).

A pizza meal for $5 a head will be available from 6.30pm. The programme will begin at 7.15pm.

RSVP for catering purposes to Kate Tretheway 0439 600 062 (M), kate@sa.uca.org.au or 8236 4238 (work) if you wish to come for the meal.

Notebook continues on page 11

New Times

PEOPLE AND PLACES

‘An act of moral abandonment’

Classifieds

THE UNITING CHURCH in Australia recently criticised Cabinet’s decision to process asylum seekers offshore and tighten maritime surveillance.

The church labelled it an act of moral abandonment and a decline in Australia’s commitment to human rights.

Uniting Church President, Rev Dr Dean Drayton, said the decision lacked moral courage and showed the Government was willing to allow human decency to drop off the political agenda.

“This decision shows the Government’s commitment to human rights will now run, at best, a poor second to foreign policy considerations,” he said.

“Asylum seekers do not risk their lives and flee their homes for no reason. They flee because they are being persecuted and fearful of such human rights abuses as torture, unlawful imprisonment, kidnapping or death. Many flee because they have already experienced atrocities or have seen family members disappear or be killed.”

Dean Drayton said the Uniting Church was appalled at reports the Government may allow foreign countries to provide advice to Australian officials processing asylum claims because it is counter to the spirit of fair and independent assessment processes laid down by the United Nations Convention on Refugees.

“We are appalled that the Government is willing to take advice from other governments rather than exercise its own moral leadership,” he said.

“What country anywhere in the world would openly admit human rights or other abuses against its citizens if asked to provide advice or a report to Australian Government officials?”

Dean said the Uniting Church was also concerned at the apparent targeting of particular asylum seekers and moves to deny them the right to seek protection in Australia under Australian law.

“Moves to process asylum seekers in offshore centres severely reduces accountability and limits access for NGOs and churches, who currently provide valuable advocacy and welfare services to asylum seekers,” he said. “It will also limit the appeals process available to asylum seekers whose initial claims are rejected.

“The Government has previously used the secondary movement of asylum seekers as the main reason for refusing to process claims onshore.

This has now been proven a farce. Anyone coming directly to Australia, like the recent West Papuan asylum seekers, will now be processed offshore.

Continued from page 10 4:12 GENERATION offers a chance to hear “one of the world’s most influential and successful youth communicators,” Bo Boshers, youth pastor, Willow Creek, Chicago, on Saturday, May 20, at City Edge Church, Wayville Showgrounds, Goodwood Road. Doors open at 7:30pm. Places are limited. Admission free.

ON SUNDAY, June 18, Port Adelaide Uniting Church will celebrate the past 25 years and ongoing ministry of The Cottage Kitchen. There will be a thanksgiving service at the church at

“To deport people offshore and refuse to process them under Australian law is a breach of our International Obligations and potentially a breach of Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that every person has the right to seek asylum in another country.

What the Government is doing is refusing anyone the right to land in Australia, claim asylum in Australia and be processed under Australian law.

“It is a sad day for Australia when its Government shelves our commitment to uphold the basic human rights of all people. The Uniting Church looks forward to the day when the Government re-discovers some moral courage and puts human rights and human decency ahead of political expediency.”

Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) were granted to 42 Papuans who arrived in North Australia by canoe in January. Then, on March 16, a demonstration in Papua’s main city turned ugly and three security personnel were killed.

Police actions have seen at least 73 students arrested while hundreds have fled into the hills and an undisclosed number of civilians have been shot dead.

There are several articles on Papua on the Uniting Church SA website, www.sa.uca.org.au

Church has new pastor THE TEA TREE GULLY Uniting Church has been searching for a new pastor for over a year and is excited about the arrival of Rev Dr Phil Marshall who began work on the Easter weekend.

Dr Marshall said, “Easter is the most important weekend of the Christian faith. It is great to start at such a significant time and share the Easter hope with families in the Gully.”

Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church has specialised in programs for children and youth that are beneficial for the whole family. Dr Marshall will build on this important work in the community.

Originally from South Australia, Dr Marshall has pastored churches in Queensland and NSW. “I have had a broad range of experiences interstate but it is fantastic to be back in SA,” he said.

“Although I have worked interstate, Adelaide has always felt like home.”

10am followed by a procession to The Cottage Kitchen in St Vincent Street where there will be morning tea. Anyone who has been involved or interested in The Cottage Kitchen is invited. The Kitchen will remain open that day until 3pm for those who are involved in other worship but would like to come and catch up. RSVP pauc@chariot.net.au by 16th June.

REV KEITH Smith will deliver a Uniting Church Historical Society lecture, “A 20 year labour of love: Free Presbyterian property negotiations, 1986-2006,” at 2.30pm on Sunday, May 21, at Tusmore Park Uniting Church, 3 Barr Smith Street, Tusmore.

Afternoon tea to follow. More info available from Rev George Potter, phone 8337 1206.

WORK WANTED CARPETS LAID, Expert repairs 0417 872 105 or 8344 4725.

EXPERIENCED HANDYMAN, Friendly versatile service. “your spare pair of handyman hands”.

Phone 8346 0933

ACCOMMODATION MARION BAY HOLIDAY HOUSE, Sea views Large Deck Sleeps 5/6 New home Off Peak and Pensioner rates.

Phone 040 2088 279.

NUNYARA Conference Centre Belair. 15 mins from the city centre. Excellent facilities for residential or day conference for church. School or business. UCA rates available. Information and bookings ph 8278 1673.

11

ADARE CARAVAN PARK - Wattle Drive Victor Harbor. 3 Star rated.

Clean, quiet and shady, close to the beach. Cabins available.

Bookings phone 8552 1657.

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.

WANTED TO BUY LARGE, OLD BOXES OF GLASSWARE. Any stored in cellars etc for over 50 years.

Any type considered.

Cash paid for right glassware.

Please phone 8271 6842.

Elizabeth Grove anniversary THE CITY of Elizabeth celebrated its 50th birthday last year. The Elizabeth South Methodist Church laid its foundation stone in November 1955 and was officially opened in May 1956.

It was an exciting time. The church was built before the roads were made and seemed huge at the time because it was isolated.

The first minister lived in a caravan on the manse site and oversaw the building taking shape.

The first houses were constructed in Elizabeth South and radiated out from there. It was discovered that the church was built on the Elizabeth Grove side of Harvey Road and not Elizabeth South – hence the name had to be changed.

The church hall was used by other denominations and for many other community based events.

It was the first public building in Elizabeth. It is on the Elizabeth Heritage List.

As the Grove Church grew, its mission thrust extended first to Elizabeth Downs and then Elizabeth West with physical, financial and spiritual help, just as Blair

Athol and other churches had helped us establish a Sunday school.

The population has aged, several schools and churches have closed down and many people are now of retirement age, except for the very transitional Housing Trust tenants.

We are in a retirement area, our congregation is a relatively senior one and our services are based around a traditional style.

In 2000 we became lay ministry governed, and are fortunate to be nurtured by Rev Frank Measday. We are a small strong congregation.

On Sunday, May 28, at 11am we will celebrate our 50th anniversary with a service led

by Rev Frank Measday and Jan Trengove.

This will be followed by a shared luncheon.

We hope that past worshippers of our church will attend. Contact numbers for attendance are Raelene Walden, 8255 7353, or Jennifer Thompson, 8252 3929, by Sunday, May 21.

– Raelene Walden

MAY 2006

12

MAGAZINE

New Times

We’re all called to mission…

THE WHOLE church is called to mission, says NCYC 2007 convention manager, Jeremy Burtenshaw.

“NCYC recognises that all people can be agents of change, no matter what age they are,” he said.

Jeremy visited Adelaide recently to promote NCYC. “It’s not a matter of what young people can contribute to the church,” he said.

“It’s about realising that young people are part of a horizon not walked by some of the older people in congregations.

“If the church is to be engaged in whole mission, that must involve the whole People of God. “Young people can minister to young people. They’re able to walk those horizons of mission that other simply can’t.

“When the church is growing older, when it’s confining itself to certain routines, when it’s more caught up in the domestic side of maintaining church life, sometimes the Spirit can be squeezed out.

“NCYC will show up ways in which we didn’t expect God to reveal God’s self.

“That’s part of the importance of having young people in mission.

They are eager to explore new ways.”

Jeremy said NCYC is an opportunity for congregations to send their young people to an event that opens them up to mission and equips them for mission.

“Young people at NCYC will experience community – models of community, ways of nourishing it, ways of leading it,” he said.

“They’ll see the transformation that can take place in community. And they can take that back to their home towns and home congregations.

“We believe that in 20 years time people will look back and say, ‘This was a landmark event. We did see the raising up of a generation of young people seeking to risk the way of Jesus.’

“We’ve put together a list of keynote speakers and Bible study leaders. We believe they’re the right people at the right time, who will speak words that need to be spoken.”

NCYC will be from January 3 to 9, in Perth.

The theme is “Agents of Change”.

And its vision is “God raising up a generation of change agents risking the way of Jesus”.

The NCYC 2007 website is www.agentsofchange.org.au.

NCYC 2007 convention manager, Jeremy Burtenshaw, pictured in Adelaide

© 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

MAY 2006