New Times - April 2014

Issue 33, No 3, 2014

The voice of Uniting Church SA

April 2014

Cry out

A SIGN FOR AUSTRALIA

RESPONDING TO THE CRIES

Seeking justice for

The suffering behind

First Peoples

Easter chocolate

pp. 8-9

pp. 12-13

Rediscover the Uniting Church

Contents FEATURES Presbytery and Synod meeting summary A sign for Australia

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20 week course

8-9

Silent violence

10-11

Equipping in our Christian Heritage

Responding to the cries

12-13

Take a fresh look at the Uniting Church through this exciting 20 week course.

Protecting people’s trust

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Explore its rich ethos and rediscover its unique place in Australian society.

REGULAR PAGES Moderator’s Comment Getting to know...

4 18-19

Diary 20 Letters 21 Editor: Catherine Hoffman Editor-in-Chief: Bindy Taylor Advertising: Loan Leane Design: David Lombardi Print: Graphic Print Group For editorial inquiries: p. (08) 8236 4249 e. newtimes@sa.uca.org.au m. The Editor,

New Times GPO Box 2145

Adelaide SA 5001 For advertising bookings: p. (08) 7007 9020 e. advertising.newtimes@sa.uca.org.au

w: newtimes.sa.uca.org.au facebook.com/NewTimesUCA ISSN 0726-2612

This is your invitation to live a creative, adventurous life of faith, characterised by openness, flexibility, hope and joy.

Flexible distance learning.

Enrol now!

Contact Student Services on 8416 8400.

Uniting College is a member of the Adelaide College of Divinity, a Registered Training Organisation and Higher Education Provider.

Pilgrim Uniting Church in the City 12 Flinders Street, Adelaide Easter 2014 HOLY WEEK 14-18 April

(12.00pm—2.00pm, Open Church)

Reflective readings and prayers will be available.

HOLY WEDNESDAY 16 April

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.

7.30pm Encounter with Principalities and Powers A pilgrimage visiting sites in and around Victoria Square, reflecting on Jesus' confrontation with authorities and the realities of power in our world. Meet on Pilgrim forecourt.

Print circulation: 10,000

MAUNDY THURSDAY 17 April 7.30pm

Uniting Church SA Level 2, 212 Pirie St, Adelaide p. (08) 8236 4200 f. 8236 4201 country callers. 1300 766 956

Next issue: All you nations “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy” (Psalm 47:1 NIV). The Uniting Church in South Australia is wonderfully diverse. Congregations across the state provide spiritual homes for people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, as well as offering a variety of worship styles and missional focuses. In May, New Times celebrates the diversity of the Uniting Church and the common bonds that bring us together.

DEADLINE FOR MAY 2014

Wednesday 9 April

Reflective Communion Service

GOOD FRIDAY 18 April 8.30am 9.30am

A spiritual journey through Easter Commemoration of the Cross in words and music with Pilgrim Choir

EASTER SATURDAY 18 April 7.30pm

Quiet meditation on grief and loss in the 'in between' time between death and risen life.

EASTER DAY 20 April

Celebration of Resurrection 6.30am Sunrise Service followed by a light meal (at rear of Church)

Pilgrim Uniting Church 12 Flinders Street, Adelaide p: 8212 3295 e: office@pilgrim.org.au w: pilgrim.org.au

Ministers: Rev Jana Norman & Rev Sandy Boyce Worship services at 8.00am, 9.30am and 11.00am

editorial

Finding justice Justice makes no sense to the evilminded; those who seek God know it inside and out. (Proverbs 28:5 MSG) The world can be a scary, fast-changing place sometimes – one only needs to watch the news to be reminded of this. Almost every article or news bulletin seems to detail pain and suffering somewhere. Sometimes this message of pain is communicated clearly, such as in the footage of the Syrian civil war, which is now shockingly entering its third year. At other times, the message can be smothered, such as in the Russian invasion of Crimea or the conditions on Manus Island. In many situations similar to these, people are calling out for peace, justice and change – a cry that I echo. In others, people’s voices are silenced or forgotten.

The April edition of New Times explores issues where changes are needed. The articles within encompass important topics such as recognition and justice for First Peoples, domestic violence, human trafficking and access to education. These are all situations where people are crying out for justice and peace. They are also situations that I have never had to worry about on a personal level – I have never been excluded due to my cultural background, no one in my home has ever hurled abuse at me, I have never been forced to do hard labour.

So, with my lack of personal experience in these areas, how can I effectively seek change and justice?

Firstly, I believe it is important to gain as thorough an understanding of an issue or event as possible. I’m a bit of a news junkie – my Internet browser history is filled with trips to numerous news websites and my online communications with friends are littered with links to articles I think they might find interesting. I like to gain a clear understanding on current events and issues in order to form opinions on them. This was no different when it came time to edit articles in this edition. For each of the theme articles, I spent quite some time poring over news items, reports, surveys and personal accounts.

This helped me to gain a clear perspective and form opinions.

I also believe that communication is vital in effecting change – whether it is a conversation with a friend, a letter to a politician or even a Facebook post. By communicating our own opinion with others, as well as listening to their thoughts and views, we can help to discover solutions and paths for the future. Before writing this editorial, I had a long discussion with one of my housemates about the issues presented in “Responding to the cries” (pages 12-13 of this edition).

This resulted in her purchasing ethically produced chocolates for her family this Easter. While this small act may not have resulted in a huge change by itself, imagine the potential impact that could be made if everyone who reads this article shares the knowledge with someone else. Consider the potential impact if each of these people then talks to others about the issue or posts about it on Facebook .

However, even with all our knowledge and conversations, it can sometimes be difficult to determine what changes must be made, and even what true peace and justice look like.

When feeling confused about how to address or act upon an issue, it is comforting to know that we can always turn to God to seek guidance and share concerns about injustice.

As you read the articles on the following pages, I encourage you to learn more about each of the issues presented, to enter into conversation with others, contemplate and maybe even change your own actions and, most importantly, to bring these issues to God.

Catherine Hoffman

A new addition This edition of New Times sees the first of a series of articles focussed on the work on the Uniting Church SA ministry centres. These articles will provide brief outlines of Synod centres, starting with UnitingCare – see the article on page 17.

If you have any comments or questions that you would like to direct to ministry centres, please consider sending a letter to New Times - see email and mailing address to the left.

Placements News No placements have been finalised since the March Edition of New Times.

Upcoming Induction/Commissioning Services: Rev Bill Reddin, Port Elliott Uniting Church on Sunday 6 April at 2.30pm Rev Frances Bartholomeusz, Resthaven Murray Bridge on Tuesday 8 April at 2pm Rev Steve Thompson, Morialta Uniting Church on Sunday 18 May at 6pm Vacant Placements: Profiles Available – Aldinga-McLaren Vale Linked Congregations; Bordertown; Buckingham & Mundulla; Bridgewater (0.5); Clare; County Jervois (Arno, Cleve, Coolanie, Cowell & Driver River); Goyder Ministry Area; Mallala & Two Wells (0.6); Rosefield; Waikerie; Western Eyre (Cummins, Cornerstone, Lock & Yeelanna); Yilki (0.3).

Profiles not yet available – Flinders Congregations (Booleroo Centre, Booleroo Whim, Melrose, Murray Town, Wilmington & Wirrabarra); Newland (0.7); Port Augusta Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress; Windsor Gardens (0.5); Whyalla.

To view interstate placements or find out more about the placements listed above, please visit sa.uca.org.au/pastoral-relations/placements-vacant

Cover details

The cover photo shows Rev Rronang Garrawurra and Rev Prof Andrew Dutney (left to right) on the lawns in front of Parliament House as part of a prayer vigil for A Destiny Together. To read more about this vigil, please turn to page 8. Photo courtesy of Uniting Church in Australia Assembly.

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moderator

Cry out To you they cried out and were saved. (Psalm 22:5) To you we cried out and despair was replaced with hope.

To you we cried out – you heard and responded with love and grace.

The Good News of Easter tells of a God who hears us, who gives voice to us and “hears us into speech” (Nelle Morton).

The two on the road to Emmaus in Luke’s Gospel could not contain their story. When they recognised the Risen Lord in the breaking of bread they had to leave immediately, in the middle of the night, and share the amazing news with his followers. I imagine them bursting into the gathering, shouting ‘you won’t believe what we have to share!’

As you have taken time during the Lenten season to listen for God’s voice, what have you heard? And as you have heard God’s word to you, what are you bursting to share with the world?

As you have listened, what are the voices you have heard crying out to God, to the people of God, to the world?

On Tuesday 18 March, over three hundred of us gathered in Canberra for A Destiny Together. During the worship and the forum that followed we heard voices crying out in lament for our history of denying the voice of the First Peoples of our country.

We heard a chorus of solidarity, as we stood together, First and Second Peoples committing to work for reconciliation. We heard the passionate voice of Candace Champion, calling us to support the Recognise campaign – for a referendum that would say ‘yes’ to have our First Peoples recognised in the Australian Constitution.

Early on Friday 7 March, I gathered at a table with 11 other

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Uniting Church women and over 2,000 other South Australians to share in the United Nations International Women’s Day Breakfast.

The voices we heard were crying out for equality and an end to poverty for women, men and children. One of the projects for Lent Event this year has responded to these cries, supporting women in Kiribati with education in business skills and addressing issues they face in their family contexts. These women are being empowered to speak their own word in ways that create healthy communities.

As I write this Moditorial, I am anticipating a different ‘crying out’ as we gather in the Barossa for another KCO (KUCA [Kids of the Uniting Church in Australia] Camp Out) – 1,300 people will be crying out in joyful celebration that we are part of Team Jesus!

God hears us – the silent request for comfort and healing, the passionate shout for justice, the chorus of gratitude for grace and new life. God invites us to give voice to all those who voices are diminished, to give voice to the Spirit’s Song of hope in our world.

The Canberra prayer vigil for A Destiny Together is featured on pages 8 and 9 of this edition of New Times.

The fun and excitement of KCO will be covered in the next edition of New Times, which will be distributed in the first week of May.

Dr Deidre Palmer

news

Reports and resourcing On Friday 14 and Saturday 15 March, members of the Presbytery and Synod gathered for the first meeting of 2014.

This page contains brief summaries of some of the developments discussed and decisions made.

Induction and ordination

CommUnity Days

On the evening of Friday 14 March, Rev Tim Hein was inducted into the role of Director of Christian Education & Discipleship at Uniting College for Leadership & Theology. Rev Dr Steve Taylor introduced Tim and shared his hope that the role would enable discipleship and spiritual vitality across the church.

Shortly afterwards, the Presbytery and Synod resolved to ordain Stephanie Tai as a Minister of the Word. Stephanie’s ordination will take place in May this year.

CommUnity Day has been relaunched as CommUnity Days, enabling congregations to host CommUnity events at anytime throughout the year. There will be a ceremony for CommUnity Days award recipients at the October/November Presbytery and Synod meeting later this year.

To register an event, please visit communitydays.org.au

Standing Committee Report Rev Dr Graham Humphris presented the Standing Committee Report and provided an update on the discussion around staffing in International Mission. Difficult decisions have had to be made, and staffing in this area will be cut by 0.5 after Monday 30 June, 2014. The full Standing Committee meeting minutes are available here: sa.uca.org.au/pres-synod-meetings/2014-presbyteryand-synod-meetings/14-15-march-2014

Joint Nominating Committee Report Rev Dr Ian Price, Convenor of the Joint Nominating Committee, advised that advertisements for the role of CEO/General Secretary were placed in various publications. After an extension of the closing date, a wide range of applications were received and a number of suitable candidates interviewed. The process has not yet been finalised, but a name will most likely be brought to the next Standing Committee meeting in April. The Joint Nominating Committee may need to call a special early meeting of the Presbytery and Synod to keep the process moving forward.

Congregation survey Rev Beth Seaman spoke to the assembled members about the work the Presbytery Strategic Planning Team have been undertaking, particularly focussing on a new annual survey that will be introduced in the coming months. This online survey will explore average worship attendance and will be made available on the Uniting Church SA website and via UC e-news. Those without access to computers will be contacted by the Planning Team.

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Exceptional Circumstances Fund The Moderator spoke briefly about the new Exceptional Circumstances Fund which has been created by the Disaster Recovery Team. This fund will help to support people whose lives have been impacted by disasters, such as bushfires or earthquakes. More information about this fund, including how to donate, will be available in the coming weeks via UC e-news and on the Uniting Church website.

Birthday celebrations Celebrating the fifth birthday of Uniting College for Leadership & Theology, Rev Dr Steve Taylor spoke about the vision behind the educational institution and what they hope to achieve in the future. Highlights included a hope for more blended learning opportunities, which will allow students to study from a distance, and a focus on pioneering leadership. Steve spoke passionately about the need for diversity amongst leaders in order to cater to the ever-evolving needs of local communities and congregations.

Resourcing with Dave Male The Saturday 15 March session of the Presbytery and Synod meeting was a resourcing day. The full day session was led

by Rev Dave Male, a leader in the fields of fresh expressions, pioneer learning and evangelism in the United Kingdom.

Dave is also an established author and has planted a successful new form of church in Huddersfield in the UK. The three different sessions that ran over the course of the resourcing day focussed on evangelism, new styles of church and pioneering leadership. Each of the presentations given at these sessions can be viewed here: sa.uca.org.au/resources/dave-male-atpresbytery-synod-meeting-march-2014

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news

Conference connections What is the connection between The Basis of Union and preaching?

Both are important and there is the opportunity to explore them in ‘back-to-back’ conferences at the Centre for Ministry at North Parramatta this August. “The Basis of Union – catalyst for renewal” is the theme for a conference on the weekend of 22-24 August while a conference on 25-28 August will focus on the theme "Preaching for Transformation.” These national conferences are being jointly organised by the Doctrine working group, Uniting Mission and Education, and the United Theological College.

Every week preaching takes place across the Uniting Church.

We come from traditions that placed a great deal of emphasis on preaching. Preaching is not primarily about information but transformation. It seeks to bring us God’s Word in a way that will change us and enable us to be in line with God’s renewing and reconciling purposes.

Clay Schmit from the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in the United States of America will be the key speaker at the preaching conference. He has interests in the arts as well as preaching and will bring a helpful perspective to the conference.

The conference will also feature a wide variety of workshops led

by Uniting Church leaders and educators from across Australia.

Following the successful conference on The Basis of Union held in Melbourne in 2010, the timing was opportune for another conference exploring this foundational document for the Uniting Church. The focus this time is seeing it not as a historical statement so much as one that has the capacity to be a catalyst for renewal.

The Basis of Union conference has invited speakers from a variety of backgrounds to share their thoughts and enter into discussion with attendees. With the assistance of UnitingWorld, two professors from the Chinese Church will be joining the conference and Alistair Macrae will also lead a panel discussion with younger leaders. The conference will include input from people such as Andrew Dutney, Geoff Thompson, Bec Lindsay, Ji Zhang, Michelle Cook and Ken Sumner, but has a strong focus on providing opportunities to engage with one another.

For further information on these conferences and how to register, please call (02) 8838 8900 or visit the conference websites: ume.nsw.uca.org.au/event/basis-of-union-conference-2014/ ume.nsw.uca.org.au/event/preaching-conference-2014/ Please note, a discount is available for people who attend both conferences.

In conversation with

Dr Harriet Mowat Spirituality and pastoral care

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Discuss passion for spirituality and pastoral care in community settings with eminent, international pastoral theologian, and keynote speaker at this year’s Spiritual Care Australia conference, Dr Harriet Mowat.

Saturday 3 May 9am or 1pm Adelaide College of Divinity Campus $50 (ACD students) $70 (general public) Enquires and bookings to Rev Dr Trevor Whitney on 0403 711 653

AUSTRALIAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

Geoff Lewis General Manager

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news

Funds raised through Lent Event provide support to projects run by overseas partners in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, including those on the island nation of Kiribati (pictured).

Lent Event gets messy Mount Gambier Uniting Church has seen their Messy Church grow significantly over the past three years, attracting families from a wide range of backgrounds. These families recently met on the Saturday before Lent for a special Messy Church, which offered the opportunity to explore the meaning of Lent using UnitingWorld Lent Event resources as a framework.

The ‘mess’ of Mount Gambier’s Messy Church generally comes from activities – and this occasion was no different. Everyone joined together to make Lenten calendars and create memory games based on the Millennium Development Goals – ideas developed through engagement with resources provided by the Uniting Church SA Children and Family Ministry team. Cooking pancakes was a highlight of this Lenten Messy Church, particularly because of the close proximity of Shrove Tuesday. Children and adults were also

Kapelle Singers will perform Handel’s “Messiah” in St. Peter’s Cathedral on April 13th at 2.30pm.

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Young soloists from within the choir, some current vocal students at the Elder Conservatorium will sing the well loved arias accompanied

by Adelaide Symphony Orchestra members.

taught how to crochet, making bags similar to the bilum bags that are so important to the people of West Papua, one of the countries supported through Lent Event fundraising.

After these activities, everyone was invited outside to participate in a team relay game, which involved filling empty buckets using cups of water. The game acted as a reminder that we live in a world where the ability to access clean water is not easy for everyone - the cups used to collect the water were different sizes, and some even had holes in the bottom. There were a few teams who struggled with the task, but the teams who led the challenge by filling their buckets first, went on to assist others – a powerful analogy for those of us living in wealth.

The group gathered together for a more formal worship time inside the church building, singing and listening to a message centred on the riches and redemption offered by God through Jesus. Those present were challenged to consider material riches and the precious gift of eternal life, both in wealthy Australia and developing countries with fewer resources. The Mount Gambier Messy Church hopes to focus on these ideas throughout the Lenten season, coming closer to Jesus and realising the abundance of his love and blessing.

For more information about Lent Event, please call (02) 8267 4267 or visit lentevent.com Easter and Lent resources are available from the Uniting Church SA Children and Family Ministry team. For further information, please call (08) 8236 4281 or visit sa.uca.org.au/cfm/ministry-leaders/resources/ lent-and-easter

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Cry out

To ‘cry out’ is to scream or shout aloud, especially in pain or terror. To ‘cry out’ for something is to demand in an obvious manner. ‘For crying out loud’ is an exclamation of anger or dismay. There are so many people, across the world and in our own backyard, who are crying out in these ways. In April, New Times focuses on justice and God’s constant presence in times of struggle.

A sign for Australia On Tuesday 18 March, on the lawns in front of Parliament House in Canberra, around 300 members of the Uniting Church in Australia gathered for an act of public worship. The vigil was part of A Destiny Together: A Week of Prayer and Fasting for Justice for First Peoples.

It was the Church’s public expression of grief at the racism and injustice suffered by so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders and an expression of hope for reconciliation and justice.

“We have come out today… to show who we are,” said Rev Rronang Garrawurra, Chairperson of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), as he greeted the crowd in his native Yolngu language.

“Now is the time that we have all come… to stand in the presence of our Lord God and show… to everybody that we will stand and walk together,” he continued.

Rronang said UAICC was speaking up to help the rest of the Church speak up for justice, demonstrating that First and Second Peoples could stand together and help one another: “Not to be frightened about any power, any authority that walks on this land – that we will be able to stand strong.”

Church members from all over Australia came to Canberra to participate in what is likely to be remembered as one of the most significant events in the life of the Uniting Church. South Australia was well represented with 27 individuals attending the Canberra vigil. Members travelled from remote

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communities in places like Arnhem Land and the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands and from Australia’s major cities, gathering to pray, pass the peace and share in Holy Communion. Rronang and Assembly President, Rev Prof Andrew Dutney, led the moving service.

Ahead of the service, at the invitation of the UAICC, many people marked their foreheads with clay – an Aboriginal symbol of grief amidst a community gathered together on holy ground. Later, people marked each other with ash. In these ancient symbols, born of the land and in the presence of God, people experienced a new sense of hope – in all our diversity, First and Second Peoples can come to a deeper understanding of each other and stand together working for justice for First Peoples.

After the service, people gathered at Wesley Uniting Church in Canberra to talk together. Through the sharing of stories, new relationships were born. In conversation, a sense of the power of mutual respect and understanding to transform lives filled the space.

Reflecting on the passage in 1 Corinthians 13, Andrew reminded all of God’s command to do just one thing – to love one another.

“The cruel injustice and crushing disadvantage that our members from the First Peoples deal with every day hurts us all,” he said. “So we’ve committed ourselves to the task of working towards justice and reconciliation in the church – through our

Covenant, through the truth-telling of our amended Constitution, and through all the day-to-day, practical loving of one another that they imply.

“In doing that we become a sign to Australia of what God has done in Christ for the whole nation and the whole world.”

The full sermon given by Rev Prof Andrew Dutney can be found online here: assembly. uca.org.au/news/item/1513-president-ssermon-at-parliament-house The May edition of New Times will feature further stories about A Destiny Together, focussing particularly on the experiences of South Australians who attended the Canberra prayer vigil and those who participated in other events throughout the state.

Photos courtesy of Adelaide Congress, Rev Dean Whittaker and the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly.

Cry out

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Cry out

Silent violence Rev Sarah Williamson

“The biggest risk factor for becoming a victim of sexual assault and/or domestic and family violence is being a woman.”

- National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children, Commonwealth of Australia Domestic violence kills one woman a week in Australia – a loss of life caused by the actions of someone with whom the woman was in a relationship. Figures supporting this statement were released in November 2013

by White Ribbon Australia, the world’s largest male-led organisation committed to ending men’s violence against women.

In 2009, VicHealth was commissioned by the Commonwealth Government to undertake a national survey focussed on community attitudes relating to violence against women. The results of this survey were then compared to a similar one undertaken in 1995. While community and individual attitudes towards domestic violence have generally improved, the survey results demonstrated that a significant amount of victim blaming still occurs. More than half of the people surveyed believed that a woman could leave a violent relationship “if she really wanted to.”

Recently, the Moderator and I began working with Uniting Communities on ways to create and promote communities of peace. The emphasis on these communities is on mutuality, respect, an aim to meet each other’s needs and a strong commitment to nonviolence.

Jesus did not tolerate violence or wayward use of power over another. During the course of the Gospel, Jesus offered protection to women being mistreated or seeking refuge, such as the passage in John 8 where he prevents a woman from being stoned.

The Bible frequently demonstrates that Jesus’ message was one of love and redemption, rather than violence and oppression. His own life was an example of how nonviolence can be powerful. These same values are important

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when considering how to deal with violence in our communities.

During our discussions about peaceful communities, we have encountered a number of challenging questions. How is it that we contribute to violence in our community?

How are we complicit? How can our Uniting Church faith communities create an atmosphere of acceptance, love, nurture and peace in its purest form of mutual giving and receiving? How can we hear the voices of those that cry out and support them to safety, health and peace in a way that is life-giving to both parties?

As we grapple with the depths that such discussions take us to, we are acutely aware of times where our church, faith communities, family and friends, as well as ourselves, have failed others. The pain experienced in the personal lives of those around us is often hidden, any anguish or ‘crying out’ kept secret from the outside world.

Domestic violence is one such painful secret – it is not something that is always easily seen and is certainly not something easily talked about. It is an issue that can take many shapes – physical, sexual, psychological, financial, spiritual and emotional abuse are all considered forms of domestic violence.

Put simply, domestic violence is the use of power over another person in one’s home or family against his or her will. This violence is far more likely to be inflicted upon a woman than a man.

Incidents that happen in the home are often left there, kept private and within a family. In the not too distant past, this formed a part of the prevalent ‘mind your own business’ culture of Australia. Attitudes such as this contributed to the permissiveness of domestic violence. But these attitudes have changed in more recent times.

According to the 2009 “National Survey on Community Attitudes to Violence Against Women,” a majority of respondents felt that domestic violence should be addressed

publicly rather than being a private matter to be handled within the home or family.

In Australia today, the prevalent attitude is that everybody has a right to safety.

But there is further work to do, particularly in regards to understanding why women stay in violent relationships – eight out of ten of the 2009 survey respondents agreed that it is hard to understand why women stay in such relationships. Despite these results, victim blaming has reduced significantly in the past twenty years.

These are hurdles we must tackle in order to truly create a culture of peace – whether in individual relationships or society in general.

We must agree that violence is never ‘okay’ or excusable, and that no perceived ‘provocation’ makes it acceptable.

Domestic violence covers a myriad of abuse and is inflicted on women, men and children.

If you are experiencing domestic or family violence, or suspect that someone you know is, please seek help.

1800 RESPECT and Lifeline both offer confidential counseling and crisis support 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Contact 1800 RESPECT, the federal government’s National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line, on 1800 737 732.

Uniting Communities offers a range of support services. For further information on these, please call 8202 5111, email enquiries@ unitingcommunities.org or visit the office at 10 Pitt St, Adelaide, 5000. To access the Uniting Communities Domestic Violence and Aboriginal Family Violence Gateway Service, please call 1800 800 098. Uniting Communities also supports Lifeline.

The Uniting Church SA Pastoral Relations team can be contacted on 8236 4200 or pastoralrelations@sa.uca.org.au To review the full “National Survey on Community Attitudes to Violence Against Women,” please visit vichealth.vic.gov.au

Cry out

A banner made by a group at Uniting Communities.

Providing care

Men, get involved!

Caring in Kadina-Wallaroo

Christian communities and families are not immune to domestic violence.

For this reason, it is important that pastoral care workers and church leaders understand what domestic violence is and how to respond to it.

In November 2010, the Christian Heads of Churches of South Australia launched Domestic Violence: handbook for clergy and pastoral workers. Published

by UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide (now Uniting Communities), the handbook provided a clear introduction to domestic violence and ways to offer support – both immediate and ongoing – to those who have experienced it.

In recent months, Uniting Communities has been reviewing this valuable resource with Rev Sarah Williamson and Dr Deidre Palmer.

New Times will inform readers when the revised handbook is available.

The 2010 version of the handbook can be found online here: faithinaction. net.au/toolbox/guidebooks If your congregation would like to hold a workshop on the topic of domestic violence, please contact Rev Sarah Williamson on 8236 4257 or swilliamson@sa.uca.org.au

In November this year, the Uniting Church in South Australia will take part in White Ribbon Day, a campaign that sees men stand up and say ‘no’ to violence – in our communities, families and homes. Uniting Church SA has supported White Ribbon Day since 2008, providing encouragement to men within our congregations to become ambassadors for this important cause.

If you would like to become an ambassador for White Ribbon day in 2014, please contact Rev Sarah Williamson on 8236 4257 or swilliamson@sa.uca.org.au To find out more about White Ribbon Australia, please visit whiteribbon.org.au

The three Uniting Churches within the Kadina-Wallaroo Parish work in partnership with Uniting Care Wesley Country SA and Families SA in running an Emergency Relocation program. This program helps many families, including a high percentage of women who are escaping violence.

Initially, a church member’s shed was used to store donated goods, and volunteers assisted with their own trailers and vehicles. As the program grew, more private sheds were offered and specialist equipment was purchased through the support of Pancake Day funds. Since then a dedicated storage facility has been opened alongside one of the churches.

The program works by way of receiving referrals through one of the agencies.

The volunteers from the program then pack and deliver household furniture and necessary basic items to assist families who are forced to relocate.

For further information on this program, please contact Rev Sarah Williamson on 8236 4257 or swilliamson@sa.uca.org.au

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Cry out

Responding to the cries Fuzz Kitto

A large majority of Australians are unaware of the extent of human trafficking and its involvement in the production of clothing, food and other items we use or consume on a daily basis. The chocolate industry relies heavily on the labour of trafficked children and young people. Located in West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire is the biggest producer of cocoa in the world and supplies cocoa to big companies such as Mondelēz, which includes Cadbury, Nestle, Hershey and Mars. Young boys from the north of Côte d’Ivoire and from neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso, Ghana and Mali are subjected to forced labour and harsh conditions on cocoa plantations in the south of the country. Yet we rarely contemplate this when indulging in our favourite chocolate bar or treat.

“Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Can we truly say we are living this out if we knowingly consume chocolate made through the suffering of others?

In February 2014, I travelled to Côte d’Ivoire to explore what is happening there in terms of human trafficking and to see whether progress is being made in this area.

I quickly discovered that progress is being made – but Côte d’Ivoire needs our support to capitalise on this.

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Côte d’Ivoire has a troubled history. After achieving independence from the French in 1960, the country struggled through civil war, conflict and civil unrest. After experiencing an economic decline in the 1980s, Côte d’Ivoire came under World Banka/International Monetary Fund adjustment in 1989.

Under this structural adjustment program, the country was required to make a number of changes including deregulating the labour market and eliminating price controls.

The economic impact of this was severe and led to actions such as trafficking people – mostly young boys – to assist with harvesting cocoa and other exports.

During my recent visit to Côte d’Ivoire, I was shown how cocoa is harvested. The cocoa pods are cut from the trunk and branches with a sharp instrument before being broken open to expose the beans. The pulp and seeds are removed and are then laid out for ‘sweating’ and fermentation. The fermented beans are then laid out to dry, allowing time for the non-premium seeds to be picked out. The beans are then bagged. The whole process is incredibly labour intensive and it is shocking to think of the young people who have been trafficked for this purpose.

It has taken a long time for the chocolate industry to begin addressing human trafficking as an issue in the production of cocoa.

In 2002, the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) was formed as a unique partnership between civil society and the chocolate industry. The ICI aims to find sustainable solutions to the problems of child labour, human trafficking and modern forms of slavery in the cocoa supply chain. A number of Christian aid and development groups have been working in Côte d’Ivoire trying to help victims of human trafficking with an aim to eradicate it. Since its establishment in 2007, Stop the Traffik has been campaigning the chocolate industry to put a stop to human trafficking in cocoa production.

Despite these efforts, leaders in Côte d’Ivoire were in denial regarding the extent of human trafficking and child labour in their country until 2011.

After the 2010-2011 Ivorian political crisis, Alassane Ouattara was elected as President of Côte d’Ivoire. His wife, Dominique Ouattara, was appointed head of the National Oversight Committee of Actions Against Child Trafficking, Exploitation and Labour in Côte d’Ivoire in early 2012. This has been a major breakthrough – acknowledging the existence of a problem is the first step to solving it.

Cry out

Chocolate companies are finally beginning to address the problem of human trafficking.

Many of the organisations have recently created ‘cocoa plans,’ which address needs such as education, water and sanitation. These plans do not offer a full solution to the issue of human trafficking in cocoa production, but they are a positive step forward.

The concept of shared responsibility is an important one – we can all take action.

Australia may seem like a long way from West Africa, but our nation’s consumption of chocolate and cocoa ties us to Côte d’Ivoire and the human trafficking taking place there.

As a wealthy nation, we can respond to the poverty that causes human trafficking. As consumers, we can choose to buy chocolate that is certified.

As we explore the message of Jesus and experience God’s love over Easter, we should consider how these relate to our purchasing habits. This Easter, think about the human cost of your chocolate.

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About Stop the Traffik

What can you do this Easter?

Stop the Traffik is a global movement of communities, organisations and individuals aiming to prevent human trafficking around the world.

In Australia, Stop the Traffik is comprised of a coalition of nongovernmental, community and other organisations, including the Uniting Church in Australia. Carolyn and Fuzz Kitto are the Australian National Coordinators of Stop the Traffik.

To find out more about Stop the Traffik, please visit stopthetraffik.org/australia

Buying certified chocolate products is one way that Australian consumers can contribute to change in the production of cocoa.

In March 2014, South Australia’s Haigh’s Chocolates achieved international UTZ certification for their ethically and sustainably farmed cocoa beans.

This includes a zero-tolerance policy towards trafficked child labour.

Look for the Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade and UTZ Certified labels on chocolate products in your supermarket.

These indicate that the cocoa in the products comes from farms with better conditions for workers and reduced risk of child trafficking.

For more information, including a list of certified chocolate products, please visit stopthetraffik.org/campaign/ chocolate/what-you-can-do/235

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Cry out

Young people participating in leadership training with the Methodist Church of Zimbabwe in partnership with UnitingWorld.

From strength to strength Human rights violations, high levels of unemployment and widespread prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are just some of the many issues facing the troubled Republic of Zimbabwe. But there is hope. UnitingWorld’s Cath Taylor explores the opportunities being offered to young people in Zimbabwe through leadership training programs.

“As young people here, we are suffering so much. There are no jobs, the economy is not healthy and we just feel so… helpless.”

Rujeko Gwaza is 22 years old and lives in the Maneingo District of Zimbabwe. Her voice, difficult to distinguish from the happy cacophony of noise behind her, gathers strength on the recording emailed to me from Harare, the Zimbabwean capital city.

“But you know, with God all things are possible. With all these lessons we are learning here – about entrepreneurship, how to keep God first, lessons for all our life – I believe we can give our friends hope.

It requires commitment but I believe we can really help the community in Zimbabwe.”

It’s the first time I’ve heard the voices of the young men and women who, in partnership with UnitingWorld, are undertaking leadership training with the Methodist Church of Zimbabwe. They speak with dignity. They carry a sense of the urgency of their task. More than anything, they communicate the sense that they have cried out to God and have been heard.

“Being part of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe has given me an identity,” says Tapiwa Simba Malarukwa, a young man from the Harare District who is embracing leadership opportunities offered by the church. “I’ve grown to know who I am and what my purpose is in life.

When your family belongs to God, you are here to do God’s business.”

For young Christians growing up in Zimbabwe, ‘God’s business’ embraces all of life. The challenges facing the nation are profound.

Unemployment runs at 80%. An HIV/AIDS epidemic, more vicious in Zimbabwe than almost anywhere else in the world, has left

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thousands of children living alone or with extended family.

The average life expectancy is still only 54 years.

In this context, the question of where God might be found in the midst of so much hardship is surely tempting. A lack of strong political leadership and a general despair about the future has created a deep sense of hopelessness among Zimbabwe’s large youth population.

Yet the faith of these young people is palpable.

“This training is not only about practical information but about keeping God at the front [of our lives],” says Tapiwa. “Yes, we have problems but we can’t just sit back and say we are suffering. We can do something! We are the generation – we can make a difference!”

Leadership training offered through the Methodist Church of Zimbabwe includes Bible study, conflict resolution, employment skills and HIV/AIDS awareness. Trainers are also equipped to return to their districts to teach other young people how to share the good news of Christ as well as practical skills that promote justice, peace and opportunities for income and employment.

“It’s daunting to go back to our communities,” 24 year old Gilbert Zireva acknowledges. “But we have been taught: instead of cursing the darkness, why not light a candle? As leaders we go back to light as many candles as we can, despite the challenges.”

UnitingWorld is looking for individuals and congregations to help provide financial support for young people to continue this transformative leadership training. To find out more about the hope young leaders in Zimbabwe have for their nation and the part Uniting Churches in Australia are playing in this ministry, please visit unitingworld.org.au

magazine

The heart of mission Mandy Harvey

Exploring the topic of mission can be tricky. Different Christians have widely varying ideas of what the term means and encompasses.

In thinking about this, I found myself wondering what God’s own mission might be. As I pondered further, it seemed to me that God’s mission is to transform lives, hearts and minds and, in turn, to transform our world – feeding the hungry, healing the sick, uplifting the impoverished.

Having stumbled upon this idea, I felt a strong desire to be a part of God’s mission of transformation but, in trying to put this into practice, I quickly noticed that my attempts at mission were not as effective as I had hoped. Mission, I realised, did not begin with pointing out all the wrongs of those around me or society at large. It didn’t begin with trying to sort out their ‘messes’ in the name of God. Nor did it have anything to do with finding ways to increase the size of my congregation – something that distracted me for many years.

I was surprised, even annoyed, to find that to take part in this mission I had to first focus on myself and my relationship with God. It has involved taking a hard look at myself and putting solid discipleship structures in my life, helping me to see myself as God does – the good and the bad – so that I can be brought to a place of change. For me, this has meant using tools of contemplative spirituality, particularly spiritual direction, and sharing honestly with close friends.

I find it can be all too easy to blame society at large for the world’s problems, ignoring the painful truth of my own contribution. I have come to realise that effective mission has to begin with each of us as individuals. Coming to this conclusion has been difficult. As Swiss psychotherapist Carl Jung said: “There is no coming to consciousness without pain. People will

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do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own Soul. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.”

Whilst allowing God to show me who I am has been hard, at the same time the most wonderful thing has happened. Yes, I have been forced to confront my imperfections, but I have not been crushed by the weight of my sinfulness. Instead, through this process I am becoming increasingly aware that I am made in the image of the most beautiful and loving God, full of mercy and grace, who adores me despite – perhaps even because of – all my flaws. Coming face-to-face with this all-consuming love can, I believe, help true transformation begin.

Through honestly confronting ourselves and realising the love of God, we are transformed as individuals. As we become healthier and happier in our relationship with God, our relationships with others – friends, family, colleagues – also feel the positive influence. Despite our individualistic society, we all take part in community. Who we are and the way we act can have a vast impact on the communities we are a part of and wider society in general. We need to make sure our influence is a positive one. I believe that this is true Christian mission. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Mandy Harvey, the author of this article, will be leading “Living Inside Out,” an introductory course on contemplative spirituality for everyday life, in August/September 2014.

If you would like to know more about this course or the discipleship practices of contemplative spirituality, contact the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre on 8178 0048 or stillpoint@internode.on.net or visit stillpointsa.org.au

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magazine

Protecting people’s trust A church in a small and vibrant Adelaide suburb likes to leave a visitors book in their welcoming area for newcomers to complete their personal details when they visit the church. The book requests a name, address, phone number and email contact. The church welcoming committee likes to keep the information on hand to invite new people back for special functions and services. However, this seemingly genuine gesture of goodwill has resulted in detrimental consequences for the church. The church has failed to comply with several of the compulsory collection requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles, which state that a person must be told the purpose of collecting information, the information must be stored securely and individuals should be provided with an option not to provide personal information. A good safeguard would have been to provide the visitor with a Privacy Information Brochure at the time their contact details were collected.

The Australian Privacy Act was amended recently with new changes coming into effect on Tuesday 12 March. The laws deal with how personal information (a term that has been newly defined) is kept and how information is handled in congregations and at Presbytery and Synod level. Not only are there legal obligations required of the Uniting Church, but also pastoral obligations in the way fellow congregation members and those who find themselves in vulnerable personal situations are treated.

Every single church is affected by the Privacy Act and there are some simple general principles that need to be followed: • Only collect personal information about people attending your church to get your missional job done • Make sure you have clear consent processes in place prior to collecting information.

• Only release information for reasons that are consistent with why the information is being held.

• Use the information wisely and appropriately – it has been provided to you in trust.

• If in doubt, get consent from the person concerned prior to releasing information.

• Make sure information is being stored securely

and is always up to date.

• Responsibility for keeping only appropriate and accurate personal information on any data base or manual record is a shared arrangement between the person who has provided the information and the congregation retaining it.

Any individual who feels their privacy has been breached has the right to access the Uniting Church SA complaint processes.

To safeguard, inform and equip Uniting Church SA congregations with changes to the Privacy Act, a complete suite of resources will be made available in the coming weeks.

Resources will be available through information brochures, an amended Uniting Church SA Privacy Policy and a revised Policy manual. A copy of the resources will also be published on the sa.uca.org.au website and communicated via UC e-news and UC e-connect.

Assistance can be accessed through the Synod office by contacting Malcolm Wilson, the Associate General Secretary and recently appointed Synod Privacy Officer, on 8236 4206 or by emailing mwilson@sa.uca.org.au Information regarding the 2014 Privacy law reform can be found on the Australian Government website: oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-act/privacy-law-reform

(Morgans A.B.N. 49 010 669 726 A.F.S.L.235410) Participant of ASX Group, A Professional Partner of the Financial Planning Association of Australia.

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Ministry centres

Ministry Centre UnitingCare

Synergy solutions

Having served as the Moderator of the Synod of Tasmania and General Secretary of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, it is no surprise that Rob is adept at being balanced, even-handed and professional. In his current role as Executive Officer of UnitingCare in South Australia, Rob has demonstrated clear-mindedness in the way he has dealt with the complexities of the relationship of UnitingCare organisations with the wider Uniting Church SA. “My vision is that we might help schools, agencies and the hospital [St Andrew’s Private Hospital in Adelaide] do what they do as well as possible as part of the mission and outreach of the Uniting Church,” says Rob, succinctly outlining his objective for the UnitingCare ministry centre.

“It is also about helping them to understand that they are part of the mission of the Church, and helping congregations to understand that they are part of this mission – even when they don’t always agree with how these organisations are operated.”

This relationship between Uniting Church congregations and UnitingCare organisations was a key focus at the October/November Presbytery and Synod meeting in 2013. At that time, it was agreed that the Synod resolve to: 1. REQUEST UnitingCare SA continue its intended dialogue with all agencies and schools with a view to presenting to the 2014 Presbytery and Synod options for maintaining an appropriate expression of that relationship.

2. The dialogue will take into account the expressed value that the church places in the relationship with agencies and schools whilst also giving consideration to risk management.

Since the recent resolution, UnitingCare has participated in ongoing conversation with agencies and schools about their relationship with the church. These discussions have generally followed two trends.

“We have been looking at the constitutions of the smaller agencies, working together to reword them and bring them more in line with the regulations of the Uniting Church,” Rob says.

“The process is different with larger agencies and schools.

Several of these organisations are keen on developing a memorandum of understanding with the Uniting Church, and conversations have centred on what it means for them to be part of the Church.”

In the coming months, UnitingCare will continue to explore this territory with an aim to discussing this further with the Presbytery and Synod later in 2014.

UnitingCare Synergy seeks solutions to some of the common purchasing and contracting requirements of Uniting Church organisations. Jointly funded and managed by representatives from Uniting Church and UnitingCare organisations, Synergy aims to ensure the good stewardship of scarce resources. Drawing on combined expertise from within Uniting Church networks and alternative external group buying networks, Synergy alerts buyers to competitive prices and conditions. Uniting Church SA congregations engaging with Synergy are given the opportunity to save in a number of areas.

At present: • Over 300 church small electricity meters are achieving 14% discount in electricity charges • A church reported a 50% saving in the maintenance of fire extinguishers • Some churches have benefited from free candles for celebrations or memorial services • Church-run cafes or sporting groups can benefit from competitive prices and staff time savings from existing contracts for groceries, milk, bread, fruit and vegetables, meat etc.

UnitingCare organisations participating in Synergy projects recognise there are other tangible benefits arising in addition to the financial benefits realised. Working collaboratively on Synergy projects provides opportunities to share information and expertise, and to build relationships.

UnitingCare Synergy regularly submits information through UC e-news and other communication mechanisms to alert readers of new and ongoing potential savings that churches, agencies and schools can access. To see if there is an opportunity for saving on future purchases, please visit synergy.unitingcare.org.au Alternatively, please call the Synergy office on 8236 4263.

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Connecting with UnitingCare Uniting Church congregations and individuals connect with UnitingCare in a number of ways – including engagement with Synergy, events and volunteering with agencies.

UnitingCare coordinates two annual events, Pancake Day and Operation Santa, which encourage congregations and individuals to get involved for a good cause – supporting UnitingCare agencies. For further information on these events, please visit sa.uca.org.au and follow the links or call 8236 4233.

People wishing to volunteer with a UnitingCare agency or school should contact that organisation directly. If assistance is needed, please contact UnitingCare SA on 8236 4255 or unitingcare@sa.uca.org.au

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g e t t i n g t o k n o w. . .

Macclesfield Uniting Church The past few years have been interesting ones for Macclesfield Uniting Church. In 2011, the congregation faced a big decision about whether or not to close the church doors.

In August 2011, they decided against this and employed Pastor Darryl Stott for 10 hours a week.

Since that time the congregation has seen attendance triple. In the past two years there have been thirteen adult baptisms with confession of faith. Approximately 70 people attend worship each week with a wide range of age groups represented. The style of church service encourages vibrant worship (including gifts of the Holy Spirit), solid Biblical teaching for Christian growth, and excellent

opportunities for personal growth.

Having outgrown the existing Uniting Church building, the Macclesfield congregation now meets in the Macclesfield Catholic Church building at 11am each Sunday. The congregation is eager to obtain their own building to assist with providing facilities for extra activities and programs.

Sunday School is conducted every Sunday morning while the sermon is being given.

Two classes encompass children between the ages of four and 14. Youth and young adults between 15-25 years old are catered to by Next Gen, a weekly Saturday night program. Macclesfield also offers small group fellowships throughout the week,

which are well-attended by people from the congregation.

The programs and activities hosted by the church are expanding as attendee numbers grow. Recently, Macclesfield received a small grant from Australia Post to fund a Men’s Shed. This project will begin in June this year and will be a great form of fellowship and outreach for the congregation.

Macclesfield Uniting Church has a focus on building faith through friendship (as detailed in 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 GNB) and demonstrating love for Jesus through witness for him locally and worldwide.

Mission at Macclesfield Macclesfield Uniting Church is involved in a number of overseas mission projects.

Each of these must fulfil the church’s mission criteria – they must be needful, preach God’s Word and have low administration costs.

Each mission project is presented to a special gathering of the church on Missionary Sunday, which is held on a quarterly basis.

At this event, a speaker details the needs of the project and an offering is given to raise funds to go directly to the mission.

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In 2013, Macclesfield raised more than $1,000 for two different projects aimed at supporting children and young people.

The congregation also supports the work of two Cambodian pastors, Engchy Kin and Channoeurn Un, who have planted eight village churches outside Phnom Penh and distribute food relief for a church in the Phnom Penh slums. Macclesfield also raised over $1,000 to support this work in 2013.

International mission continues to be a

priority for Macclesfield in 2014. A team of six Macclesfield attendees travelled to work in Cambodia for 19 days in January and February this year. The congregation offered strong support to this mission team and over $11,000 was raised to contribute to the trip. The funds were raised primarily through the offerings of the church.

Macclesfield Uniting Church will continue to look for ways to support mission, locally and internationally, in the coming year.

g e t t i n g t o k n o w. . .

Malvern Uniting Church Although Malvern and Unley were originally established as two separate congregations over 100 years ago, they have operated as one for many years.

The Malvern and Unley congregation has an overarching theme that explains who they are as a church – “Up, In, Out.” The first word refers to living lives focussed on worshipping God and gaining a clear understanding of who God is. The second word is the process of change and discipleship as the hearts of those in the congregation are extended away from themselves and towards God. The final word is about turning towards the world, sharing exciting things about Jesus and engaging in the needs of others.

The congregation holds three services – 9.15am at Unley (relaxed traditional), 10.30am at Malvern (traditional with a contemporary edge and an active children’s program) followed by a 6pm evening service at Malvern (creative contemporary). On the fourth Sunday of every month the 6pm service becomes Cafe Church. At these services, guest speakers and musicians are invited to share their experiences and challenge those present. All Sunday services share an after-service gathering over tea and

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(good quality) coffee. Every few months, a community lunch is held after 10.30am worship where those who attend different services are encouraged to come together for fellowship and food.

In addition to the Sunday services, Malvern and Unley hold Connect, a regular event which focuses specifically on children and families and is held at 5.30pm on the first Thursday of every month. The events include approximately 70 people who join together to share an evening meal and engage in themed activities.

The church buildings are host to numerous weddings, funerals and baptisms every year, but the engagement with local community goes beyond the church walls.

The congregation is a growing community that is willing to embody the church and outreach into the neighbourhood. There is a strong focus on being seen outside the church buildings, inviting people to talk about Jesus and to show real love.

Malvern and Unley is involved with numerous community events and activities, including a popular annual street party, which is attended by thousands. The congregation offers chaplaincy to Annesley Junior School

and runs their own charity, Small Change for Change. They operate a week long ‘kids club’ four times a year, in addition to regular men’s events, refugee support, youth and young adults programs and Bible studies. The church also hosts Panda Playgroup, the Malvern Centre for Counselling and a craft group.

On Palm Sunday, 13 April, the congregation will host their EGGSTRAVAGANZA event from 3pm to 5pm. This Easter event will feature children’s crafts and activities, carnival games, face painting, a jumping castle, afternoon tea, entertainment and more.

The work of volunteers is vital in providing support to the many community outreach programs run by Malvern and Unley, as well as providing pastoral care to church members and the community. The leaders of the congregation continue to seek God’s guidance in being disciples of the Word, which is also emphasised in the activities of the church.

Through their strong faith and many activities, inside their church buildings and in the wider community, the congregation at Malvern and Unley Uniting Church is able to live their vision of “Up, In, Out.”

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positions vacant diary

Children, Youth & Family Worker

FASHION PARADE. Dernancourt Friendship & Craft invite you to a fashion parade, Tuesday 8 April, 10.30am to 12 noon, in Dernancourt Uniting Church hall, corner Vingara Drive and Balmoral Road, Dernancourt. New season’s fashions by Christine’s Frocks. Entry: $5 including morning tea. Door prize: $50 voucher for Christine’s Frocks.

0.5 FTE to full-time, negotiable Three year contract, renewable Lay ministry of Pastor appointment

STATE MISSION FELLOWSHIP. Tuesday 22 April, 10.30 am at Scots Church Adelaide. All are welcome to come and hear Velvy Holden speak about addressing domestic violence in refugee families in “From Horror to Hope.” Come early for morning tea and stay for lunch and fellowship. Cost: $5.

Developing mission and ‘fresh expressions’ Resourcing faith development in church and home Resourcing children and youth programs Resourcing all-age worship Building pastoral relationships

Highgate, SA

The METROPOLITAN MALE CHOIR will be performing A Pleasant Sunday Afternoon at Athelstone Uniting Church, 33 Fox Avenue, Athelstone, on Sunday 27 April from 2-4pm. Tickets are $15 with proceeds supporting four young people from the church who are planning a 28-day World Challenge Expedition to Borneo in November 2014. The Expedition includes volunteer work to benefit a local community. For details and tickets please phone Bob on 0422 264 332 or bobhutch@ chariot.net.au or Julie-Ann on 0405388398 or jafindme@gmail.com

A thriving, all-age, inclusive faith community with a commitment to creative, vibrant worship, faith development for all ages and engagement in mission, both locally and overseas.

AN AFTERNOON OF SINGING. The Lobethal Harmony Club will present an afternoon concert in the Dunn Memorial Uniting Church, Mann Street, Mount Barker, on Sunday 4 May at 2pm. For further information, please phone Bruce and Marlene Kelly on 8391 2867 or 0447 276 907.

Rosefield Uniting Church

EYRE PENINSULA FELLOWSHIP CELEBRATIONS. Wednesday 7 May, 9.45am at Cowell Uniting Church with guest speaker Rev Nita West.

Applications close 2 May 2014.

For information about position descriptions and remuneration contact the church office. admin@rosefield.org.au 08 8271 9528

Full Time Minister of the Word Nedlands Uniting Church Western Australia

Staff Advert Feb 2013.indd 1

13/03/2014

WILKS ORATION. Saturday 17 May, 7pm for a 7.45pm start at the Effective Living Centre (ELC), 26 King William Road, Wayville. The ELC is hosting the annual Wilks Oration, which will be given by Uniting Church president, Rev Prof Andrew Dutney. Andrew will be talking on “The Global Ethic in Australia Today” and will be joined by musical trio Juce. Drinks will 1:48 pm be served in the foyer from 7pm. Tickets are $25 or $20 for concession or Friends of ELC. Bookings essential via effectiveliving.org or 8271 0329.

Expressions of Interest are invited from Ministers of the Word within Australia, to fill a vacancy at Nedlands UC (WA).

Nedlands Uniting is a vibrant and growing suburban church located 5kms from the centre of Perth and close to the University of W.A. It is a multi-age, multi-cultural, mission, children and families orientated church.

The successful applicant will have: 1. A passion for the gospel of Christ and the mission of God, balanced with gifts in leadership, preaching, discipleship, evangelism, visioning and pastoral care.

2. The ability to build on and grow a high quality staff and leadership team.

3. Give strong support and guidance to the multicultural, cross cultural, youth, families, students and all ages ministries within the congregation.

4. Keenness to embrace Nedlands Congregation vision “to reach our community and beyond with the love of Christ” 5. Support for a caring ministry, locally through Uniting Aid and overseas through Uniting World 6. Support for the Congregation values by (1) encouraging a close, developing relationship with Christ, (2) Passion for spreading the gospel of Christ. (3) Compassion for others shown in warm acceptance and care. (4) Developing gifts of leadership and service.

(5) Celebrating the diversity of God’s people.

The position is available from September 2014 and expressions of interest are invited, including a ministerial profile should be addressed to the PR&PC Administrator, Amanda Badenhorst via post at the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of WA, GPO Box M952, Perth, WA 6843 or via email to Amanda.badenhorst@wa.uca.org.au. For any further information please contact Amanda Badenhorst on (08) 92609846 in the first instance. Closing date: 14 April 2014

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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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positionsvacant.sa.uca.org .au

letters to the editor

Life-cycle quintet

Cows low, milking time, suckling child bedded in straw; Christmas for the world.

Crumbling chapel walls, ancient walls fret with mem’ry, lead-light saints long gone.

Baskets, bread baskets, bread with two fish and no chips, feeding a full house.

Crowded house, doorway blocked lame man walking away free, thatched roof needs repairs.

Cross-tied, trees takes root, blood and bone delivering everlasting life.

L. Sutton, Kadina 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.

classifieds RESTORE your phonographic records or tapes to near original quality & preserve them on CD Restore your faded 35mm slides to bright colour and preserve them on DVD. Ask us about VHS or MiniDV video tape & 8mm film to DVD conversion, SA MEDIAWORKS, Kent Town SA Ph: 8362 2251 samediaworks@soundtrack.net.au HOLIDAY APARTMENT. “By The Sea” self-catered furnished 3 br ground floor apartment on the Esplanade at Encounter Bay; Victor Harbor. a/c and nicely appointed. Relax with views to Granite and Wright Islands and watch the waves roll in. $170pn (min 2 nights) or $650 p.w.—see Dodd and Page website for photos and more details Ph Kerry @ Dodd and Page 8554 2029 or email kerry@doddand page.com.au PIANOLA Give away steel framed pianola. From Monarch Chicago. Piano fine pianola not working Peter 043 885 808

A destructive weapon

I am a member of the Seaford Uniting/Church of Christ Combined Congregation. I am also a retired academic who spent 30 years of my time at the University of Adelaide lecturing and conducting research on the Earth’s atmosphere.

On 16 February in 2014, the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, addressed a meeting in Jakarta of students, civic leaders and government officials about climate change. In the course of his speech Kerry said that “climate change is perhaps the world’s ‘most fearsome’ destructive weapon,” and that delaying the reduction of emissions from burning fossil fuel risks imperilling the planet.

I fully endorse Kerry’s statement.

A few days ago my attention was drawn to a statement of the World Council of Churches on Climate Change, published in late 2013. [Please email newtimes@sa.uca.org.au if you would like this statement sent to you.] I also fully endorse the WCC statement.

I note that in the February edition of New Times there are quotations on page 9 of two Assembly statements made in 1997 and 2009 relating to the commitment the Uniting Church has to the Earth and its care.

Neither of these two statements emphasise the fact that Climate Change is a ‘global threat’ that requires urgent action. In paragraph 3 of the WCC document it is pointed out that “climate change has lost priority on the public and political agendas.”

A recent scientific paper by the distinguished scientist James Hansen, the first person to alert the world about climate change, stated that we need to cease burning fossil fuel by the mid 2050s if we are to avoid changing forever the benign climate in which homo sapiens have lived for hundreds of thousands of years.

If this dramatic challenge is not achieved, then our great-grandchildren will be faced with a world that we and our predecessors have never lived in.

You may well ask how we are to have sufficient energy, now supplied by fossil fuel? The answer is simple – by harnessing solar energy with a process that was discovered by an Australian physicist/engineer, Professor David Mills, about 10 years ago. In Kogan Creek in Queensland, a Mills-type solar energy system is being built to supplement the existing coal-fired power station and is due to commence operation in 2015. There is no reason why such systems could not be established worldwide.

In the 2014 Australia Day Honours list, David Mills received an award for his pioneering work in this renewable energy area. Sadly, it has had little public exposure mainly due to the vehement opposition of the coal and oil industries.

G. Elford, Seaford

MILESTONE BOOKKEEPING SOLUTIONS Small business bookkeeping available onsite or offsite. Accounts payable/receivable, data entry, payroll, BAS, using MYOB. Contact Kylie: 0411300392 / milestonebookkeeping@hotmail.com Return to Contents

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UC Invest

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reviews

Working with limited vision Book: Evangelisation and social betterment: four decades of Churches of Christ Aborigines Missions in Western Australia Author: Judith Raftery Recommended for: those interested in the history of Christian missions to the Aboriginal people In short: A concise and perceptive account of the Aboriginal missions conducted by the Australian Churches of Christ at Norseman and Carnarvon in Western Australia from the 1940s to the 1980s.

Available from: Australian Churches of Christ Historical Society, PO Box 462, Bayswater, Vic. 3153. It can also be borrowed from the Adelaide Theological Library.

RRP: $15 The missionary work of the Churches of Christ was founded on two assumptions that were widespread at the time among evangelical Christians: that Aboriginal

religion (‘without God’) contained no positive elements and that the only way that Aboriginals would overcome the negative effects of Western colonisation and ‘rise to a worthy place in the Australian community’ was through individual conversion. This was to be achieved through mission stations where the gospel would be preached and Aboriginal children, living in dormitories, were given a basic education.

The public goal of the missionaries was assimilation but their paternalistic policies worked in the opposite direction. Moreover, they found it hard to deal with the new political movements and theology of social justice that emerged in the 1960s. These issues were not unique to the Churches of Christ; they were much the same in missions of other denominations.

Raftery’s study, based upon the archives of the Churches of Christ mission board, examines how the missionaries perceived and publicised their task and the ways that mission policies were adjusted and modified over four decades. In an area where much historical writing is marred by polemical denunciations,

this book provides a balanced assessment.

The author, who was brought up in the Churches of Christ, is a member of the Uniting Church. She has published widely on the attitudes of the South Australian churches to social issues and on government policies on Aboriginal health.

David Hilliard

Fun for a cause Imagine being a child with no parents because they were killed in the war between North and South Sudan. Imagine never knowing how to read or write. Imagine not seeing a future for yourself because you can’t go to school.

Currently, the children of South Sudan are regularly exposed to landmines, violence and deprivation. Maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the world, and approximately 17% of children have lost at least one parent because of the conflict. One million children who are eligible for primary school have no access to education at all. Of those schools that do exist, only 45% have access to clean drinking water.

Young Akuc Deng faced these possibilities every day, as her family fled South Sudan to take refuge in Kenya, and eventually relocate to Australia. Today, she and a group of like-minded individuals are working to provide a brighter future for the children of South Sudan, improve the education and skills of local teachers, and increase community awareness of hygiene and access to medical care.

Panwakema, founded in 2012 to achieve these goals, is a registered charity raising funds to build a school and an orphanage in Warrap, South Sudan. Its members are working closely with the fledgling government in South Sudan to secure the legal rights to land, Return to Contents

obtain appropriate legal standing, and begin the building process.

Panwakema’s first big event for 2014 is a community Market Day and Street Party on Saturday 12 April, 10am2pm. The event will be held at Unley Uniting Church on the corner of Unley Road and Edmund Avenue.

The market will feature over 35 stalls, offering a broad range of products including children’s clothing and accessories, jewellery, homewares, gourmet foods, plants and more, at prices to suit all budgets. For the foodies, there will also be a Devonshire tea room, BBQ, Mexican stall and Macaron Van, among other treats. The first 50 children at the event will receive a free goodie bag with a treasure trail leading around the market. Face painting, a bouncy castle, and free outdoor games will also be available for everyone to enjoy.

All in the Uniting Church are encouraged to come along to the Unley Market Day and Street Party to have fun while supporting a worthy cause.

To find out more about this event, please email panwakema. inc@gmail.com or call Annabel Krantz on 0423 207 800.

Further information about Panwakema can be found online at panwakema.org or facebook.com/panwakema

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magazine

(Left to right): Uniting Church Adult Fellowship present Rev Adam Tretheway with a cheque for Gaulim Teachers College; a sign outside Gaulim; people participating in the life of the College.

Making a difference Adam Tretheway

Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be maintained. James A. Garfield (former US President) Imagine that you are the parent of a school-aged child. What do you want for that child? High on the list for most parents would be a good education. Now imagine that you live in a society where there are not enough qualified teachers. How are your children going to get the education they need if there is no-one to teach them?

This has been the reality facing many families in Papua New Guinea where there is a significant shortage of teachers. The United Church in Papua New Guinea – a partner church of the Uniting Church in South Australia – is helping to address this shortage through its teacher training college, Gaulim Teachers’ College.

Gaulim is situated off the mainland of Papua New Guinea in the North of Rabaul, and began its operations at this site in 1966 before officially opening on August 2, 1967. The college is a United Church primary teacher training institution which promotes Christian values, norms, philosophies, beliefs and actions as part of its ethos. What makes Gaulim unique is its stand to uphold the Biblical principles of faith and trust in God – this was the original vision of the early founders of the college and it is a vision that remains today.

At present there are 31 people on staff, and nearly 90% of the faculty are associated with the United Church of Papua New Guinea. All are eager and inspired to bring about change throughout Papua New Guinea by sharing knowledge and wisdom with students, empowering them to become teachers that will be agents of change and have a profound influence on future generations.

Students at Gaulim are expected to demonstrate ethical behaviour that fosters a socially oriented lifestyle comprising sharing and living together within the context of their local community after they graduate from Gaulim.

Gaulim is well-known for its production of pastor-teacher graduates and has a 100% successful employment rate. Many of the graduates are principals of primary schools throughout Papua New Guinea.

Gaulim is striving to make a difference and meet the local need for teachers – and it is succeeding. However, the college is not always able

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to provide the accommodation, facilities and staff required to accomplish their goals.

Because of their reputation, over 1,000 students apply to enter Gaulim each year. Due to bedding restrictions, not all of these applicants are able to attend the college. Students must often live in confined conditions – there is accommodation for just 380 students, but 100-200 more may often be accommodated on top of this.

There is also a shortage of accommodation for staff members.

This is where the Uniting Church Adult Fellowship (UCAF) is stepping in to offer support to this important teaching institution.

Each year, UCAF raises funds to support either a local, national or global project, aiming to raise around $10,000. In response to the immense need at Gaulim, the feature project for UCAF was focussed on accommodation at the college in 2013. Over the course of the year, Dernancourt Uniting Church, along with many other individuals and congregations, united with UCAF to raise funds, which reached a staggering total of nearly $30,000. This total will go towards necessary staff accommodation, which will help Gaulim to provide the number of staff required to meet the increased demand for teacher training.

Despite its immense need for new and improved facilities, Gaulim Teachers’ College has been making a huge impact in the community – both by providing education and helping others to do the same.

Through the inspiring efforts of UCAF and local congregations, further support has been given to the fantastic work being achieved

by Gaulim and the United Church in Papua New Guinea. Together we are making a difference.

April 4-6...........Weintal Resort, Tanunda June 20-22...........Lyndoch Hill Retreat, Lyndoch Aug 29-31...........Lyndoch Hill Retreat, Lyndoch Oct 31- Nov 2...........Weintal Resort, Tanunda

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