New Times - February March 2018

Issue 37, No 1, 2018

The voice of Uniting Church SA

February/ March 2018

A new frontier COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

REMOTE AREA MINISTRY

Filling a need in ageing

Sunny ’ s call to service p. 19

Broadview p. 13

Retreats and open conversations

Contents

with

FEATURES Changes to Australian marriage laws Stop, revive, survive Seeing a need, hearing a call Welcoming kids at KCO

6 11 14-15 24

REGULAR PAGES Moderator ’ s comment Getting to know

presented by Stillpoint & Loyola

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Diary 20

27-29 April at Nunyara 30 April-2 May at Sevenhill The retreat at Nunyara will start on Friday evening and end on Sunday afternoon. Day registrations are available for Saturday and Sunday from 10.30-4.30pm. The retreat at Sevenhill will be from Monday to Wednesday.

Register to Margaret Silf: msilf_adelaide18@internode.on.net

Letters 21 Editor: Catherine Hoffman Editor-in-Chief: Bindy Taylor Advertising: Communications Design: Winaya Kamaputri Print: Graphic Print Group For editorial inquiries: p. (08) 8236 4260 e. newtimes@sa.uca.org.au m. The Editor,

New Times GPO Box 2145

Adelaide SA 5001 For advertising bookings: p. (08) 8236 4230 e. newtimesad@sa.uca.org.au

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

New Times is the voice of Uniting Church SA. Published bi-monthly, February through December, New Times represents the breadth, diversity and vision of Uniting Church members in SA. Articles and advertising do not necessarily reflect the views of the New Times Editorial team.

Print circulation: 9,000 Uniting Church SA Level 2, 212 Pirie St, Adelaide p. (08) 8236 4200 f. 8236 4201 country callers. 1300 766 956

DEADLINE FOR APRIL/ MAY 2018 EDITION:

Friday 16 March Cover details: Rev Sunil “ Sunny ” Kadaparambil is the new Patrol Minister for the Parkin-Sturt Patrol in South Australia.

Sunny wrote a Lent reflection for this edition of New Times ( “ Stop, revive, survive ” , page 11) and is the person profiled in this month ’ s “ Getting to know… ” article (page 19).

Enquiries and further information: Stillpoint: stillpoint@internode.on.net

Loyola: loyola@cis.jesuit.org.au

editorial

The joy of relationship I started off this year reading Unwrapping Joy by Uniting Church SA minister Rev Dr Benji Callen. The book has a unique focus on “ unwrapping Christian joy ” by unpacking different passages from the Gospel and asking the reader to contemplate the biblical meaning of joy.

One biblical reference that resonates with my hopes for 2018 is found in 2 John 1:12: “ I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink.

Instead, I hope to visit and talk with you face-to-face so that our joy may be complete. ” This verse speaks of the joy when friends meet together. I delight in spending time with friends and family, sharing a meal or a glass of wine, and catching up on what is happening in their life. But I find that, in the busyness of everyday life, our physical presence is often replaced by email, texts, instant messenger, Instagram posts and Snapchats.

In 2018, I ’ ve decided to focus on experiencing more joy through relationships – not technology-based ones, but face-to-face, sharing reallife kind of ones.

Something that has been a real source of joy for me recently has been journeying with a new group of friends from Grange Uniting Church.

This group seeks to share the joy of relationship with God to others.

A focus for the Grange community in 2018 is to build and strengthen relationships between the church and the wider community.

The group has organised a BBQ this month as a “ thank-you ” to the clubs and community organisations that use the facilities at Grange Uniting Church. This has been something that has never been done before in the church ’ s known history. This BBQ is one example of how Grange Uniting Church is seeking ways to build and strengthen relationships with people outside their worshipping community. It will be a time of listening for members of Grange, and a way to learn more about how the group might serve others in the local area.

I believe the future of the Uniting Church lies in building relationships.

A kingdom-focussed church makes evangelism a priority. It is possible to still meet the needs and wants of our worshipping community whilst building up passionate disciples who desire to reach people beyond the church walls.

The community BBQ organised by Grange Uniting Church is a first step in moving beyond the walls of the church building. There is a strong sense of joy amongst the community at Grange as they plan for the event and the Holy Sprit shapes its progression.

One of they key ways joy is experienced is through community and building relationships. As Grange Uniting Church looks to bring people together to connect, I also look forward to building real relationships with the joy made available to me through a relationship with Christ.

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Left to right: Bindy Taylor with Elysse Hirschausen and Winaya Kamaputri outside Grange Uniting Church.

Placements News Placements finalised aas of 22 January 2018 Steve Albrecht (MOP) to Western Eyre as of 22 January 2018.

Rev Phil Hoffman as Chaplain to Westminster School as of 23 January 2018.

Rev Matthew Bond to Spicer Uniting Church as of 1 March 2018.

Rev Sunil (Sunny) Kadaparambil as Parkin Sturt Remote Area Ministry Patrol Minister from April 2018 (TBC).

Rev Beth Seaman to Dulwich Rose Park United as of 1 April 2018.

Mark Schultz (Candidate for MOW) to Team Leader, Mission Resourcing, as of 2 April 2018.

Rev Phil Webber to Moonta & Districts (0.8) as of 1 June 2018.

Rev Marty Rosenberg to Strathalbyn & Districts (0.6) as of 1 July 2018.

Vacant placements The following is the list of vacant (or soon to be vacant) approved placements: Profiles available – All Saints Plympton (0.4), Burra (0.7), Glenunga (from 2 April 2018), Marion Warradale (0.7) (from 1 June 2018), Uniting Churches of Tatiara (Bordertown, Mundulla, Buckingham) (0.8), Waikerie, Woodville (from 1 July 2018).

Profiles not yet available - Barossa Congregations, Blackwood (from 1 July 2018), Burnside City (from 1 March 2018), Burnside City (second placement), Maitland & Districts (from 1 June 2018), Malvern and Unley (from 1 June 2018), Mannum (0.3), Sunset Rock (from 7 May 2018), The Grove (0.3), Woodville (from 1 July 2018), and Pastoral Relations & Mission Planning, Region Minister/Chaplaincy Manager (from 1 April 2018, to be advertised).

For more information about any of these placements, to view national placements or to find out more about upcoming services, please visit sa.uca.org.au/pastoral-relations-mission-planning/ placements-vacant-and-finalised

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Discipleship in private and public life Medical waiting rooms are great places to catch up on celebrity news, with their mix of new and outdated gossip magazines. When flicking through their contents, it ’ s common to see a celebrity couple smiling lovingly into each other ’ s eyes in one edition, while a later copy carries the world-shattering news that the marriage is over. In private, the magazine often hints or reveals, their life together was a bit of a battlefield. The public and private lives of celebrities can appear quite different.

But what about the public and private lives of Christians? While Christians can be just as flawed as anyone else in their relationships, the good news is that we are all works in progress, being shaped by the Holy Spirit.

As I move around our churches, I hear stories about ordinary men, women and young people who are acclaimed in their communities because their lives are lived with integrity, in service to the common good. Many people who were honoured with awards on 26 January will be found to be Christian people. These individuals do not do what they do to seek public recognition, but serve their community out of their private commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Such lives of discipleship help grow the kingdom of heaven in local communities.

In the 1999 book How Now Shall We Live?, Chuck Colson wrote: “ We must be the same person in private and in public. ” Discipleship is about being like Jesus and behaving like Jesus – in our public lives and in our private lives. Being a Christian in a local congregation is more than just turning up to church on Sunday.

Discipleship is lived out every day in all our relationships and in our service to the gospel.

My theme as Moderator is “ Grow, Nurture, Flourish ” , and 2018 is the year of “ Nurture ” . This year, everyone who is part of the Uniting Church in South Australia is invited to intentionally nurture their own discipleship. How might you grow more like Jesus in your being and in your behaviour?

Nurturing our inner being is nurturing the life of Christ within us.

Just as Jesus gathered a community of growing disciples around him, we are given our communities of faith as places where our discipleship may be nurtured. These communities become places where we begin to serve the kingdom of heaven, launching into our workplaces, schools and volunteer organisations.

Discipleship is about more than just Sunday worship services – it ’ s about nurturing the life of Christ within your private self and in all that you do in public.

Everyday discipleship Each week, Uniting Church congregations, faith communities and organisations engage with the wider community in a wide variety of ways. Many churches operate seven days a week, within local church buildings and in other locations, offering far more than just Sunday worship services.

The Uniting Church SA Communications team will soon launch “ More than just Sunday ” , a new promotional campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the many ways Uniting Church congregations connect with community. The campaign aligns with Uniting Church SA Moderator Rev Sue Ellis ’ 2018 theme of “ Nurture ” , and will encourage churches to think creatively about new ways they might serve others and engage in everyday discipleship.

Further information about “ More than just Sunday ” and associated promotional resources will be provided in New Times and UC e-News (sa.uca.org.au/uc-e-news) as it becomes available.

Living Water tour – save the date!

Uniting Church SA Moderator Rev Sue Ellis will lead a fourday tour along the Murray River from Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 September. Titled “ Living Water ” , the tour will focus on discipleship and Ngarrindjeri spirituality, and will include a Coorong boat cruise. While the tour is geared toward the “ Baby Boomer ” generation, people of all ages are encouraged to register their interest with Tim Molineux (tmolineux@sa.uca.org.au) by

Rev Sue Ellis

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Friday 13 April. More information will be provided through New Times online as it becomes available.

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CEO/General Secretary transition The December 2017 / January 2018 edition of New Times included the news that Rev Nigel Rogers would be stepping down as CEO/General Secretary of the Uniting Church SA. At their December meeting, Standing Committee passed by consensus the termination of Rev Nigel Rogers as CEO/General Secretary, at his own request, as of 14 January, 2018. Nigel was appointed to the position of Ex-CEO/General Secretary from 15 January to 12 March, 2018.

Standing Committee then discussed the transition and process for appointing a new CEO/General Secretary.

Rev Rob Brown (pictured) was appointed to the position of Interim CEO/General Secretary from Monday 15 January. He will remain in this role until a new CEO/General Secretary commences placement.

Responsibilities related to the CEO/General Secretary role will be delegated from 31 March to 20 May, 2018, when Rob is on leave. Rob is unable to hold both the role of Executive Officer, UnitingCare, and the Interim CEO/General Secretary role. As such, he has stepped down as Executive Officer, UnitingCare SA. A replacement is currently being sought.

Malcolm Wilson will have his contract as Associate General Secretary (Planning and Management) extended for an initial period of six months to help cover this transition period.

Standing Committee agreed that work on the Presbytery and Synod SA strategic plan would not be progressed during the transition period.

In light of the decision, the current 2014-2018 strategic plan was extended until 31 December, 2019.

The Committee also resolved to seek a person to fill the CEO/ General Secretary placement, to begin at a date to be negotiated. A Joint Nominating Committee will be appointed at the February meeting of Standing Committee.

Further information about this process will be provided through New Times and the Uniting Church SA weekly email newsletter, UC e-News (sa.uca.org.au/uc-e-news), as it becomes available.

Mission Resourcing appointments The Mission and Leadership Development (MLD) ministry centre is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Schultz as Team Leader, Mission Resourcing, from Monday 16 April. Mark will direct the work of the Mission Resourcing team, in addition to training local churches and leaders in mission planning. He will conclude his ministry as pastor of Glenunga Uniting Church in order to take on the Team Leader role. An announcement regarding arrangements for Mark ’ s ordination as a Minister of the Word and his induction as Team Leader will be made once details have been finalised. Rev Prof Andrew Dutney, MLD Executive Officer, will continue in the role of Interim Team Leader until Mark begins the placement.

MLD has also welcomed Rev Anne Hewitt. Anne started on Monday 15 January and has taken on a three-month role as Supply Minister. She is assisting the Mission Resourcing team with pastoral support, justice-related projects and other priority tasks.

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Changes to Australian marriage laws On Thursday 7 December in 2017, the House of Representatives passed legislation to amend the marriage act to make same-sex marriages legal in Australia.

The Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017 previously passed through the Senate on Wednesday 29 November, following the outcome of the Marriage Law Postal Survey.

The amendments to the Marriage Act change the words “ man ” and “ woman ” to “ two people ” . The new laws came into effect on Saturday 9 December, meaning couples were able to marry from Tuesday 9 January, with some exceptions.

Under the relevant legislation, ministers of religion may refuse to marry couples in accordance with their rites and ceremonies.

The Assembly General Secretary wrote to all ministers and authorised marriage celebrants of the Uniting Church in Australia to explain what the changes mean for each of them legally. “ Some members of our Church will greet this legislative change with great joy, whilst others will be deeply concerned about what they see as the consequences of the change, ” Stuart said in a pastoral note released on Thursday 7 December. “ We recognise there will be frustration and disappointment for some same-gender* couples who will still be unable to be married in our Church because our policy on marriage remains unchanged. ” Uniting Church ministers are given legal permission to marry under the Rites of the Uniting Church in Australia. These rites will be discussed further at the National Assembly Meeting in July 2018. “ At the 15th Assembly in July 2018 we will consider marriage, including a report being prepared by the Assembly Working Group on Doctrine and recommendations from the Assembly Standing Committee, ” he continued.

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Photo of Parliament House (cropped) courtesy of Yu Tung Brian Chan (flickr.com/photos/hk_brian).

“ During the triennium we have had formal and informal conversations, and we will have further opportunity at the Assembly to discuss marriage in a respectful way. At that time I pray that God will enable us to truly hear one another and most importantly the leading of the Holy Spirit. ” Uniting Church SA Moderator Rev Sue Ellis also released a pastoral note about the change in law on Saturday 9 December. She reiterated that Uniting Church marriage rites still state that marriage is between a man and a woman, and that the topic of marriage would be further discussed at the upcoming Assembly meeting in July 2018. “ The diversity of views on same-gender marriage has been divisive in our Presbytery and Synod, and across the Uniting Church in Australia, ” she said. “ Throughout our long struggle with this topic, the consistent message from the leaders of the Uniting Church is that we continue to keep our conversations respectful, out of love and respect for one another. ” They each urged prayer for those attending the Assembly meeting.

“ During my term as President I have often spoken from Romans 12:5: ‘We belong to one another. ’ The writer of Romans continues speaking about sincere love as ‘Honouring one another above yourselves ’ . In all we say and do, I appeal to you all, let us follow these encouragements to be Christ-like, ” Stuart said. “ Whatever your personal response is to these changes of Australian civil law, the Church ’ s call remains unchanged to be a ‘fellowship of reconciliation ’ . “ We are the body of Christ. Let us be witnesses to the transforming power of God ’ s love in Jesus Christ at work in and amongst us. ” *Same-gender marriage is the term used by the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly, a decision made in response to the difficulties of translating the more common term of same-sex marriage for some Indigenous and CALD communities.

Stuart McMillan ’ s pastoral statement was published as an article on New Times online, and includes a link to Rev Sue Ellis ’ pastoral statement. Read the full statement online at sa.uca.org.au/new-times/uca-pres-marriagelaw-change

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Religious freedom review An independent panel began its review of religious freedoms in Australia on 10 January 2018, and are accepting submissions from the public.

Former Liberal minister Philip Ruddock is the chair of the panel, whose direction is to examine whether Australian law adequately protects the human right to religious freedom.

He is joined by Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher, who was recently appointed the President of the Human Rights Commission, retired Federal Court judge Annabelle Bennett, Constitutional Law Professor Nicholas Aroney, and Father Frank Brennan, a Jesuit priest and human rights lawyer.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the appointment of this panel to review religious freedoms on 22 November, 2017, and its terms of reference on 14 December, 2017.

The review was announced after the results of the Australian marriage law postal survey had been confirmed and before changes to legislation on marriage were made.

While discussions about religious freedoms and marriage were the impetus behind the review, the Prime Minister has asked the panel to conduct a broader review of religious freedoms. He instructed the panel to consider the intersections between the enjoyment of the freedom of religion and other human rights; to have regard to any previous or

ongoing reviews or inquiries that it considers relevant, and to consult as widely as it considers necessary.

Members of the public are welcome to make a submission to the panel. Local Christian leaders recently gathered for a round table discussion about this topic and what submissions might be made.

South Australian Christian leaders from different denominations gathered on Tuesday 16 January to discuss current protections for religious freedom and the opportunities provided by this review. Uniting Church Moderator Rev Sue Ellis was one of the Uniting Church leaders present at the gathering. The group was guided in their discussion by Rick Sarre, Professor of Law and Criminal Justice at the University of South Australia.

The Christian leaders said that they welcome the review and the opportunity it provides to explore religious freedoms in relation to the Australian Constitution, although many felt this review should be part of a longer conversation on this topic. They emphasised the value of religious diversity, and the importance of protecting religious diversity and freedom.

A resource related to the round table discussion is available on the SA Council of Churches website (sacc.asn.au).

Philip Ruddock speaks at the 31st session of the Human Rights Council.

Photo (cropped): UN Geneva (flickr.com/photos/unisgeneva).

The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly has also prepared a discussion paper and submission, which will be available from early February and shared through New Times online (sa.uca.org.au/new-times).

The deadline for submissions to the review is Wednesday 14 February. The panel will report its findings to the Prime Minister by Saturday 31 March, 2018.

To find out more about the review, or to make a submission, please visit pmc.gov.au/ domestic-policy/religious-freedom-review

Brooklyn Park site update Uniting College for Leadership & Theology, Adelaide College of Divinity and the Adelaide Theological Library will soon relocate to the refurbished southern section of the existing building located at Brooklyn Park. The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress will relocate their Ingle Farm head office to the newly refurbished building upon completion.

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The refurbishment project commenced in mid-2017 and is due for completion this February. The Brooklyn Park site will be an integrated Christian community and learning hub with strong connections with Adelaide West Uniting Church.

Emmaus Christian College are in the process of gaining government approvals in order to establish an Early Learning Centre

and primary school on the vacated portion of the Brooklyn Park site.

Further information about the Brooklyn Park refurbishment project will be provided through New Times and UC e-News (sa.uca. org.au/uc-e-news) as it becomes available.

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SUPPORTING HAPPY AND HEALTHY FUTURES. “We are thankful for UC Invest for their generous donation towards Hang it up for Poverty.”

- Clarisse Semler-Hanlon, UCWPA

Invest with someone who invests in your community.

Visit us at ucinvest.com.au or call us on 1300 274 151.

UC Invest (“the Fund”) is an activity of The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (S.A.) ABN 25 068 897 781, the legal entity of the Uniting Church SA. Investment services are provided on behalf of the Uniting Church SA pursuant to ASIC Policy Statement 87 exemptions and APRA Banking Exemption No.1 of 2016 (“The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (S.A.)”). The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, therefore an investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959. All products and investments offered by the Fund are designed for investors who wish to support the charitable purposes of the Uniting Church SA.

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Be full of life “ May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. ” – Ephesians 3:19 This year ’ s, Easter Sunday falls on 1 April – or April Fool ’ s Day. The word “ fool” is one with many negative associations. Although we may not mind falling for a prank or a joke on April Fool ’ s Day, we do not regularly like to be thought of as fools.

There is, however, a difference between being fooled by things of the world and being a fool for Christ. “ Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, ” Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:10. We are often called to be fools for Christ – to be disciples and follow Jesus in ways that might not make sense to the wider world. By nurturing our own discipleship and that of others, we are living our lives to the full.

At Easter, we are reminded of the fullness of life offered through a relationship with Christ and the sacrifice he made for us by dying on the cross. Churches across South Australia will encourage the community to reflect on this message at their services and events over the Easter period.

The Uniting Church SA Easter campaign helps congregations and faith communities to communicate service and event details, to share in the Easter story, and to raise awareness of the Uniting Church in the wider community.

Orders must be placed by Wednesday 28 February.

Postcard design The front of this year ’ s Easter postcard has the words “ Easter 2018: Do not be fooled, be full of life ” . This makes a references to April Fool ’ s Day, but focuses on the fullness of life offered by Christ ’ s sacrifice.

The back of the postcard provides space for Easter service details and dates, and a quote from Ephesians 3:19.

Postcard cost: $82.50 per 1,000 (incl. GST) or $44 (incl. GST) per 500. Costs for orders of fewer than 500 copies can be discussed via email.

Poster design The Easter poster features the same wording as the front of the postcard, and shares similar design features. It includes space to write service details and dates, and is A3 size.

Poster cost: $22 (incl. GST) for 10 (minimum of 10).

Collection The postcards and posters will be available for pick-up from the Uniting Church SA Synod Office (Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide) from Thursday 8 March.

Posters/postcards can be sent via post if required. This will attract an additional cost.

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PowerPoint template A free PowerPoint template with visual elements from the Easter campaign will be available to download online at sa.uca.org.au/postcards Orders must be placed by Wednesday 28 February using the order form online at sa.uca.org.au/postcards For further information, please contact the Communications team on 8236 4237 or email communications@sa.uca.org.au

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Honouring our commitment to child safety The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses into Child Sexual Abuse handed its final report to the Government on Thursday 14 December, 2017.

Since its opening sitting in Melbourne in April 2013, more than 15,000 people within its terms of reference have contacted the Royal Commission. Over 8,000 people spoke with a Commissioner in a private session, most of whom had never been to the police or any other authority to report the abuse. More than 1,300 survivors also provided a written account of their experiences.

At the final sitting, Chief Commissioner Justice Peter McClellan warned that the sexual abuse of children is not just a problem from the past. “ If the problems we have identified are to be adequately addressed, changes must be made. There must be changes in the culture, structure and governance practices of many institutions, ” he said.

The President of the Uniting Church in Australia Stuart McMillan has urged Church members to help ensure the Church ’ s commitments to child safety are honoured as a result of the landmark inquiry. “ We will consider the Final Report carefully, reflect on its findings and recommendations, and implement measures to deliver the best quality of care, service and support for children in our churches, agencies and schools, ” he assured in a pastoral note released to coincide with the final report. “ I would again like to sincerely apologise to all children in our care who suffered sexual abuse in our Church, whether it happened after our foundation in 1977 or before that, in our predecessor Churches. “ We are, and I am, deeply sorry that we did not protect and care in accordance with our Christian values for those children. I again want to acknowledge the impact that it ’ s had in the lives of those young people and their families, and to say that I am truly sorry. ” The Uniting Church in Australia will consider the Royal Commission ’ s final report carefully, reflect on its findings and recommendations, and implement measures to deliver the best quality of care, service and support for children. “ Our Church ’ s commitment is that we will seek to make amends and strive to ensure others will not suffer as they have. Our prayers and a determined focus will be required if we are to build a robust culture of child safety, ” Stuart said.

Collaboration has been occuring across Uniting Church Synods to begin applying the learnings of the Royal Commission through a National Child Safe Policy Framework. The work of implementation will continue to be resourced into the future through the National Royal Commission Task Group and support staff, who will work to incorporate the recommendations of the final report.

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Top to bottom: An image of the Final Report provided through the Royal Commission website; Uniting Church leaders addressing the Commission in March 2017.

The Uniting Church SA offers Safe Church training courses on Called to Care, Code of Ethics and Child Safe Environments – Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect. Courses are held regularly across South Australia for all church leaders. To find out more, please visit the website at sa.uca.org.au/safe-church/training-courses or contact Safe Church on 8236 4268 or email safechurch@sa.uca.org.au Uniting Church President Stuart McMillan ’ s full pastoral statement is available online at sa.uca.org.au/uniting-church-media-releases Prayers for those who have experienced abuse, for the Royal Commission and for the Church are available online at sa.uca.org.au/ new-times/royal-commission-prayers Discussing these issues can raise difficult emotions and past memories.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 551 800), MensLine Australia (1300 789 978) and/or the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467).

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Stop, revive, survive Rev Sunil (Sunny) Kadaparambil

Our homes need revival. Our churches need revival. This nation needs revival.

Some people believe that power can bring revival, or economic upturns or a change of politicians. But, friends, revival is the sovereign work of God. We can only truly revive through God. In our busy, modern world, Lent seems to be losing its importance.

But the Lenten period provides a golden opportunity for revival – a time for us to STOP for a while, to REVIVE, and SURVIVE. It ’ s a time to cleanse our mind of those issues that bombard us daily and can make us feel suffocated.

Looking back over history, we see many instances of people setting aside time to re-charge themselves – physically, mentally and spiritually.

What would this look like for us today? What would it look like for you? Where do we find time to revive, refresh and renew? Life is busy: it can be hard to find the time to ask these questions and to seek revival.

Holidays and weekends are supposed to be times when we can refresh ourselves and re-charge our minds. But it seems we often feel just as worn out on a Monday or returning from holidays as we did before our “ break ” .

The word “ revival ” derives from the Hebrew word “ chayah ” , which means “ return to life ” or “ restore to consciousness ” . Biblically, it means a restoration to life (Genesis 45:27; Judges 15:19), restoration to well-being (Psalms 85:6, Psalm 138:7; Isaiah 57:15, Hosea 6:2; 14:7), rejuvenation or renewal, or to live again (Romans 14:9).

To many people today, the terms “ revive ” and “ revival ” probably bring to mind beauty products, fitness trends, or re-boots of old films or TV shows. But for Christians, revival is a spiritual consciousness or the personal renewal to spiritual life. In other words, it is a heartfelt return of a person to God and His commandments.

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I would like to see the whole world stop or pause the busyness of their everyday lives during Lent and seek Christian revival.

Many of us seek God to ask for help in times of need – when we are seeking something for our church, for family, for ourselves, or for the world. It is rarer to take the time to ask what God is seeking from us.

Revival can take place through persistence in prayer, through repentance of sin, and as David often advises in the Psalms, through the Word of God. The more we seek God and allow God ’ s Word to influence our hearts and minds, the more we are refreshed and renewed. Lent provides an opportunity to focus on the revival of our own spiritual lives and the life of our churches as we prepare for Easter.

This Lent, I encourage you to STOP in your busyness in order to spend time with God and God ’ s Word, and to REVIVE your spiritual life through prayer, so that you might SURVIVE with peace and joy.

Rev Sunil (Sunny) Kadaparambil will start as the new Parkin-Sturt Patrol Minister in April 2018. Read more about Sunny and his ministry on page 19.

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Resourcing churches this Lent With Lent happening so early in 2018, many Uniting Church congregations may be scrambling to prepare their services and other events. New Times has gathered a list of excellent, free resources available to churches this Lent (14 February-29 March).

Engage Together: intergenerational worship ideas for Lent The Engage Together 2018 Lent resource has been created with the aim of encouraging greater participation by people of all ages, and to help foster intentional intergenerational connections across the six Sundays of Lent.

The resource includes: • lectionary-based service outlines with intergenerational ideas for the welcome, call to worship, prayer of confession, music, Bible reading and prayers of the people • additional music resources • an interactive Lent activity and take-home idea • links to other resources for Lent and Easter It is written and produced in partnership across three Uniting Church Synods, and includes input from the Uniting Church SA Intergen team.

The resource is available to download from sa.uca.org.au/ intergen/church-resources/all-age-worship For more information, please contact the Uniting Church SA Intergen team on 8236 4243 or email intergen@sa.uca.org.au

A Lenten Pilgrimage to the Heart: an ecumenical resource The South Australian Council of Churches (SACC) has prepared a 2018 ecumenical Lenten Resource titled “ A Lenten Pilgrimage to the Heart ” , which has the sub-title “ May we always be ready to give up what we cannot keep in order to gain what we cannot lose. ” The resource has been prepared by the SACC Community for Ecumenical Learning.

The SACC hopes that Christians from different traditions will come together in 2018 to reflect on how Lent continues to be meaningful in the midst of today ’ s complexities and challenges.

The SACC resource is available from their website at sacc.asn.au For more information, please call 8215 0300 or email sacc@picknowl.com.au

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Young people from Bridgewater Uniting Church participating in a Water Challenge as part of Lent Event in 2017.

Lent Event Lent Event raises funds to support vital projects for communities in need through the work of UnitingWorld, the Uniting Church ’ s international aid organisation.

In 2018, the focus is on supporting people in the Pacific – through education, addressing violence and inequality for women, overcoming poverty, and helping to prepare or save homes in regions prone to natural disasters. Uniting Church members are asked to start a donation page and give up something for Lent, or to offer support by giving a donation – either to someone raising funds or to Lent Event directly.

In addition to fundraising, Lent Event offers resources for worship services, Lenten Bible studies and weekly videos.

Lent Event resources are available to download from lentevent.com/stories For more information about Lent Event, please visit lentevent.com or call (02) 8267 4267.

Preparing for Easter Uniting Church Moderator Rev Sue Ellis is preparing an intergenerational worship resource for use on Easter Sunday. It will focus on the same theme as the Uniting Church SA Easter campaign – “ Do not be fooled, be full of life ” . More information about this theme is available on page 9.

The Easter resource will be made available on the Uniting Church SA website (sa.uca.org.au) and shared through UC e-News (sa.uca.org.au/uc-e-news).

l eual tduere c rship

Filling a need in ageing Broadview Broadview Uniting Church hopes to expand their existing Community Morning program with the support of a 40th Anniversary Ageing and Wellness Grant.

When Rev Ruthmary Bond began her placement at Broadview Uniting Church in 2017, she was asked to look into the needs of the church and local community. It soon became apparent that many ageing locals were in need of a place to connect with others in a meaningful way. “ There ’ s a big mix of people of all ages and backgrounds in Broadview, but the greatest need I saw was in those in the over 65 age bracket – and to me, ministry is all about meeting the need of where you ’ re put, ” says Ruthmary. “ There are a lot of retirement villages and residential aged care homes in the area, as well as a lot of older people living in their own homes. Many of the residents attended local churches in earlier years, but the recent closure of four churches left many of these people feeling lost and disconnected. ” Some of those people whose churches shut down have since joined Broadview Uniting Church. But many others have struggled to find a place in the local community. “ Seeing the need for community amongst older people in Broadview was the easy part – finding the best way to meet that need was a bit harder, ” Ruthmary says.

After talking with others in the church and community, Ruthmary came across an existing initiative that she felt could be developed to create a welcoming place for local seniors. “ Our Community Morning is run at Broadview Uniting Church weekly on Wednesdays. There are about 20 people who meet at the church for the gathering each week where they play games and share a cuppa. It coincides with the opening hours of Broadview Treasures, our church op shop, which is run by older members of the church, ” she explains. “ It ’ s been operating for years and although it has dwindled recently, there was a real sense of hope within the group, and they expressed a vision of seeing it become something more. ”

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Building on this hope, Broadview Uniting Church developed a proposal for an Ageing and Wellness Grant through the Uniting Church SA Synod. To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Uniting Church in 2017, the Board of Resthaven Incorporated generously donated $250,000 to the SA Synod. These funds are being offered to Uniting Church congregations, faith communities and mission networks as grants to support positive ageing in SA. “ We submitted a grant application, which explained the need in the local area and our hopes for the growth of the Community Morning, ” Ruthmary says. “ We ’ re hoping to offer a variety of activities that seniors in the community can participate in according to their individual abilities and interests. We really want these gatherings to be shaped by the skills and interests of people who come along. We ’ re aiming to create a space of belonging to help enhance each individual ’ s physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing in a holistic way. ” To help grow this project, Broadview asked for funding to cover items such as outdoor furniture, tools and benches, games, morning tea supplies, advertising and the employment of a facilitator/organiser.

Their grant application was accepted. “ This is a really exciting time for our community at Broadview Uniting Church as we seek to connect with ageing people in the local area. ” Applications for the 40th Anniversary Ageing and Wellness Grants close on Friday 30 March. Uniting Church SA congregations, faith communities and mission networks who wish to apply for a grant are encouraged to think creatively about the needs of older members of the community. To find out more, or to apply, please visit sa.uca.org.au/ ageing-grant or contact Julianne Rogers on 8236 4233.

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leadership

Seeing a need, hearing a call Fire season is upon us once again. For those people who live in fire danger areas, every hot day, every period without rain, brings with it the possibility of destruction.

It ’ s been over two years since the catastrophic Pinery bushfire tore through the Lower Mid North and west Barossa regions of South Australia in November 2015. The recovery process has been slow for those who lost homes, whose land was destroyed or whose sense of security was disrupted – and for many, this recovery is still taking place.

The local community has been supported through the recovery process by the Uniting Church SA Relief Fund, Disaster and Recovery Ministries SA, and local churches.

Rev Dr Phil Marshall, the Uniting Church minister for the Plains Community Churches, was one of those who witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of the Pinery fire. Through funding from the Uniting Church SA Relief Fund, Phil was appointed as a Recovery Liaison Pastor (0.2 FTE) for 12 months starting from December 2015. “ I saw a need and heard a call – I felt that I was ‘God ’ s person ’ to give leadership to the local churches ’ contribution through the recovery process. Most of our church members were fire victims themselves, but I was not, so I felt I had to stand up and do something on their behalf, ” Phil explains.

Three churches are included under the Plains Community Churches banner – Hamley Bridge Uniting Church, Owen Community Church and Windsor Uniting Church. These congregations began a number of major projects after the Pinery fire: providing financial support to the 26 families who lost homes, offering 500 Christmas hampers to homes and volunteers, providing garden vouchers, partnering with the Schools Ministry Group to help Christian Pastoral Support Workers begin recovery projects at 10 schools in the area, and much more.

Emma Christian, a member of Hamley Bridge Uniting Church, was appointed in mid-2016 to provide further support for children and families affected by the fires.

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“ Phil, Emma and the Plains Community Churches provided vital support by thinking practically and creatively about how to meet the needs of the community, ” says Wendy Perkins, the Coordinator of Disaster and Recovery Ministries.

This summer, Wendy asks congregations to begin thinking about how they might respond if fire strikes in their area. “ I ’ d like to encourage our congregations to consider how they might serve their community in a time like this. We know that not everyone is able to volunteer or contribute financially, but there are many other ways that support can be offered, ” she says. “ Church facilities are a great resource that can be shared with the community. For example, rather than making a meal, why not provide access to the church kitchen so people can prepare their own food?

Church buildings can also be used to provide a place for quiet reflection or to host activities for children. There are many possibilities. ” Other avenues of support include making a donation to the Uniting Church SA Relief Fund, being trained as a Disaster and Recovery Ministries chaplain or contributing to local community efforts. “ Our church received generous donations of time and money from people across the state and we were able to pass it on to local people, ” says Phil. “ It was so rewarding to give Christian help and hope to people beyond our normal Sunday congregation. ”

c u l t u re

On the Fringe

Members of the Plains Community Churches planting trees in the Pinery region as part of their Greening the Landscape project.

Do you feel called to Disaster & Recovery chaplaincy?

Disaster and Recovery Ministries chaplains provide pastoral and spiritual care for communities who are recovering from disasters, particularly natural disasters such as fires.

Recently, Disaster and Recovery Ministries chaplains were called upon to provide support to employees and families affected by the catastrophic fire at the Thomas Foods International meatworks at Murray Bridge, which began on Wednesday 3 January.

This ecumenical ministry, coordinated by the Uniting Church SA, rostered nearly 30 different chaplains who together provided over 250 hours of assistance to those in need in the aftermath of the fire. The chaplains served as part of a team comprised of SA Government staff, Australian Red Cross volunteers and Thomas Foods International staff.

Disaster and Recovery Ministries encourage those who feel called to chaplaincy in this area to prayerfully consider attending the next two-day training session on Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 March.

For more information about Disaster and Recovery chaplaincy or the upcoming training opportunity, please contact Disaster and Recovery Ministries Coordinator Wendy Perkins on 8236 4284 or email wperkins@sa.uca.org.au Return to Contents

On balmy evenings in February and March, many locals and visitors to Adelaide can be found attending a wide variety of Adelaide Fringe and Adelaide Festival shows. With artists often looking for a venue that can hold a crowd, Uniting Churches have sometimes hosted different shows during the festival season – and this trend is continuing in 2018. The following are some of the Fringe shows being hosted in Uniting Church buildings this year.

Kabaale Alon: Tuesday 20 February to Thursday 15 March at Pilgrim Uniting Church Kabaale Alon is a Ugandan artist who specialises in paintings and batiks made using found materials. His artwork will be available to view at Pilgrim on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the Fringe festival.

Mike McClellan: Friday 23 February, 7.30pm at Church of the Trinity Mike McClellan is a talented singer, songwriter and acoustic guitarist who rose to prominence in the 1970s and 80s.

The Young Folk: Saturday 24 February, 7.30pm at Church of the Trinity Irish band The Young Folk marry traditional acoustic instrumentation, perfect harmonies and contemporary production techniques to create fresh folk music.

Can ’ t Get Enough: Saturday 24 February (6pm) and Sunday 25 February (2.30pm) at Sunset Rock Uniting Church InU will present a selection of acapella arrangements of well-known rock, jazz and pop songs from the 20th century to the present day. InU were formerly known as In Unitate, the Pembroke Old Scholars Choir).

Fringe Church: Sunday 25 February, 10.06am at Church of the Trinity Church of the Trinity and Trinity Sessions present Fringe Church featuring music from Tara Carragher, Snooks La Vie, Courtney Robb, Cosmo Thundercat, The Young Folk and others. Children ’ s activities will be available during the service, and a barbecue will follow. This is a free event, but any funds raised will go towards homeless people in the local community.

50 Ways to Sing Paul Simon: Friday 2 March, 7pm at Church of the Trinity In Good Company are an accapella group featuring 40 voices.

At this Fringe event they will sing original arrangements of many of Paul Simon ’ s hits.

Steve Poltz: Wednesday 7 March, 7.30pm at Church of the Trinity Hailing from Canada and California, Steve Poltz is a prolific songwriter whose work has been featured in films, on TV and in the Billboard Top 100.

Chris While and Julie Matthews with Vincent ’ s Chair: Thursday 15 March, 7.30pm at Church of the Trinity English female-folk duo Chris While and Julie Matthews will present their original songs from their past work and their recent album, Shoulder to Shoulder.

For more information, please visit the Adelaide Fringe website at adelaidefringe.com.au or call the Adelaide Fringe Office on 8100 2000.

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fa i t h

Professing faith For most adults within Uniting Church communities, a large portion of every week is spent working. Yet, for many, vocation and its relationship to faith is something that receives little attention, particularly within the church.

In his book Christianity and Real Life, William Diehl shares his experience of work and the church: In the almost 30 years of my professional career, my church has never once suggested that there be any time of accounting of my on-the-job ministry to others. My church has never once offered to improve those skills which could have made me a better lay minister, nor has it ever asked if I needed any kind of support in what I was doing. There has never been an inquiry into the types of ethical decisions I must face, or whether I seek to communicate my faith to my co-workers… In short, I must conclude that my church really doesn ’ t have the least interest in whether or how I minister in my daily work.

This is, undoubtedly, something that has been experienced by many members of Uniting Church congregations and faith communities.

Rosefield Uniting Church hopes to change that. Through their new Professions of Faith series, they hope to encourage churchgoers to make stronger connections between their faith and their work. “ The Professions of Faith series seeks to provide a forum where people can share the way their faith and work comes together, ” explains Rev Tony Eldridge, the minister at Rosefield Uniting Church. “ A major hope is that people will be able to see their faith and work integrated so there is congruence between what they believe and how they work. ” Two Professions of Faith series are planned for 2018. The first of these will be a series geared towards people studying or working in the fields of business, finance and accounting. It will run across four Tuesday nights between 13 February and 6 March at Rosefield Uniting Church. A second series will be held in August/September 2018 and

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will focus on people working in medicine; future series will seek to focus on law, education and allied health.

Each night will have a speaker followed by time in small groups where participants will be encouraged to explore how their faith supports, enhances and strengthens their work and career, as well as the challenges it can create. People of any age or level of experience are welcome to attend one or all of the sessions in each series. “ When people have been raised and formed in the Christian faith they carry with them innate Christian values. These beliefs and values undoubtedly help lay a foundation for good work practices, but they can run counter values of an organisation, causing an inner conflict, ” Tony says. “ We all have a call to follow Christ and serve in our unique ways.

Over my ministry I have occasionally heard people speak about their work life and faith life at church as very separate arenas – as one person described, ‘when I am at work I am this, and when I am at church that ’ .

Sadly, this is not an uncommon approach to life and faith. “ I believe we have before us the invitation to immerse our whole life into God ’ s love and care – our work included. ” Professions of Faith will provide an opportunity for discussion, exploration, networking, mentoring and encouragement – all geared towards exploring the connections between work and faith. Sessions will include presentations from keynote speakers, small group discussion and supper. “ The series will open up conversations with people about their work, explore how their faith supports and challenges them in their vocation, and develop mentoring opportunities between experienced and young professionals or students, ” says Tony. “ Rosefield Uniting Church sees Professions of Faith as an opportunity to foster conversation and offer support to those in the

Rosefiled Uniting Church minister Rev Tony Eldridge.

wider church and society as they engage with questions of faith in the workplace. ” For more information about Professions of Faith, please visit rosefield.org.au or contact Rev Tony Eldridge on 0418 481 955.

(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.

Professions of Faith – Business, Finance & Accounting What: A series focussed on exploring the challenges and opportunities provided by connecting faith with work in the business, finance and accounting arenas. Each session will be led by a different guest speaker. People may attend the whole series or pick single sessions to attend.

Who: The February/March series of Professions of Faith is geared towards Christians working in business, finance and/or accounting and those who are studying or training in these areas.

Where: Rosefield Uniting Church (2 Carlton Street, Highgate).

Sessions details: •

13 February, 7.30-9pm – Karen Eley, Senior Adviser at FinSec Partners.

•

20 February, 7.30-9pm – Prof Lee Parker, RMIT Distinguished Professor, Accounting.

•

8261 8211 All hours

www.ivanbutlerfunerals.com.au enquiries@ivanbutlerfunerals.com.au 26 OG Road Klemzig SA 5087

27 February, 7.30-9pm – Tim Burrow, CEO of Agribusiness Australia.

•

6 March, 7.30-9pm – Ian Stewart, building construction management and small business.

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AUSTRALIAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

Geoff Lewis General Manager

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fa i t h

Sharing stories from the heart Uniting Aboriginal Islander and Christian Congress members have recounted their experiences of cross-generational trauma – along with stories of hope and healing – at the 2018 National Conference held in Victoria.

More than 130 UAICC members from Australia gathered at Geelong Grammar School from 13-18 January to explore how Congress and the Uniting Church can work towards the healing of First Peoples.

Visiting Canadian keynote speaker Harley Eagle reflected on the impact of trauma among First Nations people in Canada. Harley is a member of the Whitecap Dakota First Nations Reserve in Saskatchewan and implements cultural safety practices at Island Health in British Columbia. “ Colonisation and unresolved trauma and all that pain affects our being and that can add to the way we interact with one another, so the journey of naming trauma and telling stories and speaking about it is not an easy task, ” he said.

During the conference, Congress members were invited to share their own personal stories of post-colonial trauma.

Harley praised Congress members for courageously speaking up about past injustices, saying: “ If you look at the root of the word ‘courage ’ , it ’ s from the French word for ‘heart ’ , so courage is less an act of bravery and valour and more one that comes from your heart. ” Rev Dr Chris Budden, the Congress Interim National Coordinator, believes the effects of colonialism – invasion, loss of land and loss of culture – are passed on across generations.

Reflecting on the Gospel reading of Jesus raising a girl from the dead and healing a sick woman, Chris said Jesus offers hope that healing is possible. “ Christian people like us believe that Jesus actually brings healing and he can break the cycle of trauma.

“ Jesus, by turning aside for this poor woman, was saying that you can ’ t have healing for the wealthy and powerful without understanding that poor people also deserve to be healed. Our own healing always depends on the healing of other people, ” he said. “ We can ’ t separate ourselves and our lives… we must take the risk, start the adventure and trust ourselves that Jesus can, in fact, change our life. ” This article and the breakout box below contain reporting from Crosslight (VicTas Synod), Insights (NSW/ACT Synod) and the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly. Photos taken by Matt Pulford.

New leadership for Congress At the 2018 National Conference, the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress announced they will employ a full time National President and a full time youth worker for the next three years. This will build on the strong work undertaken by young Indigenous church leaders in local communities around the country.

Rev Garry Dronfield, a Bundjalung man in placement at Sylvania Uniting Church in Sydney, was appointed to the new role of National President. The President ’ s role will be supported by a full time Resource Worker, a position that will be filled by Megan O ’ Connell.

Interim National Coordinator Rev Dr Chris Budden will take up a part-time Training Coordinator role as he transitions towards retirement. Outgoing National Chairperson Rev Dennis Corowa is also headed for retirement, but will remain an ex-officio member of the National Executive as Chair of the Qld Regional Committee.

Rev Robert Jetta (WA), Djawat Gondarra (NT), Pastor Tom Sloane (NSW), Gary Lewis (NS), Robert Taylor (SA) and Pastor Mark Kickett (SA) were all elected to the Congress National Executive, and Queenie Speeding (NSW) was elected as the Women ’ s representative. Youth rep positions were also filled.

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g e t t i n g t o k n ow

Sunny ’ s call to service When Rev Sunil “ Sunny ” Kadaparambil first heard God calling him to ministry in India, the idea of serving in remote Australia was something that had never occurred to him. Now, many years later, Sunny finds himself about to begin his second remote area ministry placement as Patrol Minister in the Parkin-Sturt Patrol.

Born in India, Sunny dedicated years of his life to studying philosophy, theology and diaconate ministry, and was ordained into the Catholic Church in 2000. He worked at schools, churches and nursing homes in Mumbai before moving to Australia where he started working in prison ministry in 2008.

Sunny completed ministry training through Trinity College in Queensland, and was inducted into the Uniting Church in 2014. He became the Remote Patrol Minister for the Cunnamulla – Burke and Wills Patrol that year, serving communities across 450,000 square kilometres in the south-west of Queensland. “ It was my childhood dream to become a missionary, and this was the reason I joined Frontier Services as a Patrol Minister in 2014, ” Sunny recalls. “ Jesus was always reaching out to people, and I felt a call to follow his example by reaching out to those families and communities that are often hardest to physically reach. ” Sunny has followed this call from Queensland to South Australia where he will serve as the Patrol Minister for the combined ParkinSturt Patrol from April 2018.

The Parkin-Sturt Patrol covers a large area stretching north to the Queensland and Northern Territory borders, and east of the Stuart Highway, from Port Augusta to Marla in the Far North. Sunny will be taking over this position from Pastor Paul Glazbrook, who concluded his placement in December 2017.

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“ Although I had already been working for three and a half years in the Cunnamulla Patrol, I heard God telling me it was time to move on to ministry in a new location, ” Sunny explains.

Sunny ’ s background in patrol ministry will serve him well as moves to South Australia as he is already aware of the many issues facing those in remote communities – particularly their struggles with drought, isolation and loneliness. “ I aim to offer support to the individuals and families living in remote South Australia – pastoral, moral and practical support. I try to become part of the lives of the people I visit, to truly listen to them and to offer comfort where possible. I have a heart for the outback, an ear to listen to stories, and a mind to comfort others in their struggles, ” he says. “ In the Cunnamulla Patrol, I had several opportunities to witness people who had once moved away from God ’ s love seek a return to God. The Lord has used this time again and again to strengthen and empower my calling to ministry and to enhance my ability to minister effectively in outback communities. “ I hope to continue in this path by serving in the Parkin-Sturt Patrol and am excited to begin forming relationships with people in remote South Australia in 2018. It is my dream to be a patrol minister for a long period of time. ” For more information about Remote Area Ministry and Frontier Services, please visit frontierservices.org or call 1300 787 247.

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diary CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COURSE. Monday 12 to Friday 16 February. Uniting College for Leadership & Theology. Lectured by Deidre Palmer, this topic explores ways in which people grow and are sustained in Christian discipleship. Participants will be encouraged to identify their own gifts and build on the experiences they bring from their own faith. For more information, please contact Sue on 8416 8400 or email college.divinity@flinders.edu.au OLD TIME SONGS OF FAITH. Sunday 18 February, 2pm. Kapunda Uniting Church. This event will feature the Ingle Farm Salvation Army Corp Band, with afternoon tea served in the hall after the concert. Attendees are asked to give a gold coin donation with proceeds going to UnitingCare. For more information, please contact Allan on 0426 682 379.

CHURCH PLANTING COURSE. Monday 19 to Friday 23 February.

Uniting College for Leadership & Theology. This intensive course explores theological and missional principles for various models of church planting, and covers the stages of a church planting process.

The development of key elements such as worship style, evangelism and discipleship strategies are also addressed, as well as practical considerations such as facilities and funding. The course is led

by Graham Humphris, Tim Hein and Christy Capper. For more information, please email college.divinity@flinders.edu.au URBAN MISSION NETWORK GATHERING. Thursday 22 February, 6pm. Clayton Wesley Uniting Church. The February gathering of the Urban Mission Network will have input from guest speaker Brett Manuel, Project Change and Community Project Manager, Department of Premier and Cabinet. Brett is responsible for Fund Your Neighbourhood and is a member of the Better Together executive team. For more information, please contact Susan on 0412 552 703 or email susan@urbannetwork.org.au SEMINARY OF THE 3RD AGE LAUNCH. Thursday 22 February, 7.30pm. Effective Living Centre. Lynn Arnold will launch the Effective Living Centre ’ s Seminary of the 3rd Age seminars at this free event, which will include wine, cheese and information.

Seminars will be conducted by respected theological scholars and leaders, and offers an opportunity to explore questions of faith and spirituality. They will be held on Thursday evenings in March, May, August and October. For more information, visit pcnetsa.org or contact the Effective Living Centre on 8271 0329.

INVIGOR8 CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRY CONFERENCE. Saturday 24 February, 8.30am for a 9am start. Adelaide West Uniting Church. The Invigor8 conference aims to give parents and ministry workers new inspiration, new tools and new perspectives to help invigorate the way people parent and work with children. It will include a smorgasbord of practical tools, resources and ideas, a keynote speaker, workshops, and a free crèche for children from 10 months to 12 years old. The 2018 event will focus on “ Faith in the home ” . For more information, or to register, please visit invigor8conference.weebly.com SERVICE OF CELEBRATION. Sunday 25 February, 7.30pm.

Brougham Place Uniting Church. A service of worship for LGBTI members and friends to celebrate same-sex marriage legislation. All are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact John on 8353 5226 or email maddern21@bigpond.com SAFE CHURCH: CALLED TO CARE ORIENTATION SESSION. Saturday 3 March, 9.30am-12.30pm. Brougham Place Uniting Church. Called to Care promotes and assists the Uniting Church SA with relevant information about ensuring a safe physical, emotional and spiritual environment for all people. The expectation is for members of Church Council and key leaders from congregations to attend these training sessions. For more information, please visit sa.uca.org.au/safe-church/training-courses or call 8236 4248. Please provide your intention to attend via email to calledtocare@sa.uca.org.au

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KCO – VICTOR HARBOR. Saturday 17 to Sunday 18 March. Adare Camp & Caravan Park. KCO is an overnight camp for kids from the age of 7 to those who are in Year 7. In 2018, KCO will focus on the theme “ Welcome: A Place to Belong ” . Read more on page 24. For more information, please visit sa.uca.org.au/kco or contact the KCO Office on 8236 4270.

SAFE CHURCH: CALLED TO CARE ORIENTATION SESSION. Sunday 8 April, 1.30-4.30pm. Salisbury Uniting Church. Called to Care promotes and assists the Uniting Church SA with relevant information about ensuring a safe physical, emotional and spiritual environment for all people. The expectation is for members of Church Council and key leaders from congregations to attend these training sessions. For more information, please visit sa.uca.org.au/ safe-church/training-courses or call 8236 4248. Please provide your intention to attend via email to calledtocare@sa.uca.org.au EASTER SERVICES. All Uniting Church SA congregations and faith communities are invited to email their Easter service details to communications@sa.uca.org.au to be listed on the Uniting Church SA website at sa.uca.org.au/easter Diary events are submitted online and featured on the Uniting Church SA website (sa.uca.org.au), in UC e-News and in New Times (deadline permitting). To submit your event please visit sa.uca.org.au/events/submit-an-event

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letters to the editor

Through prayerful consideration

The following is Rev Nigel Rogers ’ personal statement to the Uniting Church SA regarding the conclusion of his placement as CEO/ General Secretary.

I ’ m contacting you to advise I am concluding my placement as CEO/ General Secretary. This has been a difficult decision and is one that my family and I have prayerfully considered for some time. We have made the decision to return home to Queensland at a time where our immediate family needs our love and support.

Over the past month we have tested this call to confirm this decision through prayer, God ’ s Word and seeking wise counsel from trusted friends. Through this, God has been loud and clear and is making a way where, logically it feels like there shouldn ’ t be a way forward.

Our family has very mixed emotions about this. It has been such a privilege to serve the Presbytery and Synod of SA as CEO/General Secretary. I am thankful for God ’ s leading to this role, the growth it has brought and the dear friends I have made.

My final words need to be a simple but heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you.

Rev Nigel Rogers

classifieds RESTORE your phonographic records or tape 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 MiniDVD video tape & 8mm film to DVD conversion, SA MEDIAWORKS, Kent Town SA Ph: 8362 2251 samediworks@soundtrack.net.au MORIALTA CHARITABLE TRUST FUND Morialta Charitable Trust Fund has been supporting disadvantaged children, young people and their families in South Australia through its annual program of distributions for 40 years.To enable the Fund to continue this support through community organisations in South Australia, Morialta Charitable Trust Fund seeks donations from the public.Donations of $2- and above are tax deductible and can be forwarded to the Morialta Charitable Trust Fund at PO Box 92, Crafers SA 5152.

PIPE ORGANIST REQUIRED - for those who love to sing. At Brighton Uniting Church, we highly value – and thoroughly enjoy – having our pipe organ played during our Sunday worship at 10am. Would you like to join us? We are seeking an organist who is available twice a month on Sundays and who would consider playing for important church events, such as Christmas and Easter. Reimbursement for travel is guaranteed and the rest is by negotiation. For more information, please contact Rev Dianna Muir on 8298 6528.

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How long?

“ Under the breath of the people in the room, comments were made about women in leadership and how it disempowers real authority in men. ” This sentence in Nicole Mugford ’ s report of her experiences at the last Presbytery and Synod meeting (New Times, December 2017/January 2018) struck me like a blow. With all my heart, like the psalmist, I silently cried out, “ How long? ” How long before we realise that some men in leadership disempower real authority in women?

It is not assumed because of gender, but earned by faithfully living as Christ ’ s disciple, and exercising God-given gifts for the sake of God ’ s people. There is no gender tag to the gifts of the Spirit listed in Paul ’ s letters.

Despite the teaching and example of Jesus, there are people in the church who cannot shake off the androcentric nature of the society in which we live. Androcentric thinking is illustrated in this story about Aristotle. He had scientifically noted differences between men and women and concluded (illogically) that women must be inferior to men because they are different from men. It seems not to have occurred to him that using the same logic, he could also have concluded that since women are different to men, they must be superior to men. For thousands of years men have acted out of their androcentric worldview, which they have often re-enforced through their physical strength and violence. The result is that women have been socialised and intimidated into accepting it.

Superiority and inferiority are not words for the followers of Jesus who taught that the first shall be last and the last first. The church is supposed to follow the example of Jesus Christ who showed special compassion and concern for women, recognising that they suffered under the status quo. The epistles name many female leaders in the early church. Women are baptised, appointed as ministers, and later, martyred.

For some time now the UCA Presbytery and Synod of SA has been concentrating on providing appropriate leadership for the church.

While part of our church is still bound by ideas of male authority, there is still a long way to go.

J. Ladner, Wallaroo

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

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reviews

Everything new is old again Book: Protestants: The Radicals who made the Modern World Author: Alec Ryrie Recommended for: people looking for a compelling history of the Protestant Reformation and the development of Protestant Christianity.* In short: A comprehensive, lively book about Protestantism from past to present.

In his book The Shipwrecked Mind, Mark Lilla summarises the last five hundred years in the phrase “ from Luther to Walmart ” . Such a phrase would be a fair description of Alec Ryrie ’ s book, Protestants: The Radicals who made the Modern World, which was published in April 2017. In the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, to read this book is to know that “ everything that is new is old again ” – there are clear lines to show how the present is informed by the past.

Ryrie, an Anglican layman and Professor at Durham University in England, has written a book that all Uniting Church personnel should read, distil and absorb. In so doing, this book would help all Christians, and Protestant Christians in particular, to understand themselves, and therefore make for a wiser Church into the future.

Ryrie defines Protestants as: “ Christians whose religion derives ultimately from Martin Luther ’ s rebellion against the Catholic Church.

They are a tree with many mangled branches but a single trunk. ” This “ I am the vine you are the (many) branches ” image is maintained throughout the book. The primacy of the vine, as being central to Protestant thought, is captured in the myriad of circumstances in which the vine has taken root. The vine has engaged the church and the world because of a particular affair: “ Protestants are lovers. From the beginning, a love affair with God has been at the heart of their faith, ” avers Ryrie.

As with all love affairs, it has been tumultuous – as evidenced in the many examples Ryrie gives from places such as Nicaragua, New England and Norway. It is a riveting story, and Ryrie is comprehensive, astute and unstintingly fair, to the successes and failures alike.

Luther et al were not intending to modernise the world (and introduce shopping centres), but sought to save the world. But in that uniquely Protestant aim, the Reformation introduced three elements that did indeed change the world. These three elements – free inquiry, democracy and apoliticism – are change benchmarks of the last five hundred years and are still alive today.

Free inquiry has haunted and blessed Protestantism, and still today the boundaries are provisional in matters of faith, doctrine and belief.

Everything that ’ s new is old again – read the Basis of Union.

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“ Democracy ” , the second contribution of Protestantism according to Ryrie, is fixed in conscience and woe-be-tide any establishment – religious or otherwise – that tries to stifle the urging of the Spirit within a lover ’ s heart and mind.

Thirdly, apoliticism. This somewhat hidden aspect of Protestant thought remains central to almost all the “ tangled branches ” . To continue the love affair, Protestant Christians basically “ want to be left alone ” to live the Kingdom life. This position has paradoxically many political implications, the very (unintended?) outworking of the “ Protestation ” .

Ryrie is excellent on the question of mood, feelings and the “ taste ” of faith – categories not often identified, but critical to the ordinary Christian life. Time and again these aspects emerge in the lives of lovers, with staggering implications.

If you can ’ t get through the 470 pages of this book, the last chapter on “ The Protestant Future ” will forewarn all of an evangelical heart, assuage anxiety and guide decision-making into the future.

The book is a joy to read, very ironic, informative and comprehensive; the footnotes are a feast in themselves. A helpful glossary is also included.

Rev Dr Murray Earl *At the November 2017 Presbytery and Synod meeting, a proposal passed requesting each member read at least one book on any aspect of the Reformation by the November 2018 meeting, for their and the Synod ’ s mutual benefit. This proposal was submitted by Rev Dr Murray Earl and Rev Andrew Everson.

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Welcoming kids at KCO KCO (Kids Camp Out) has been an important part of discipling young people in the Uniting Church since its establishment 40 years ago. This year, the event will focus on the theme “ Welcome: A Place to Belong ” . “ The 2018 theme comes from the prayers campers shared at last year ’ s KCO, ” explains Melissa Neumann, a member of the Uniting Church SA Intergen team and the Programming Manager of KCO. “ We asked children to think about their hopes for the Uniting Church. There were a lot of suggestions – more chocolate for example – but a common theme was making everyone feel welcome. Campers clearly expressed that they want the Church to be a place that welcomes others and where we can care for others. “ We wanted to build on this idea for the camp this year. We ’ ll be exploring ideas about hospitality and what it means to welcome people of all ages and all cultures. ” The Victor Harbor KCO event will be held at Adare Camp and Caravan Park from Saturday 17 to Sunday 18 March, and is for children aged 7 to those who are in Year 7.

While KCO is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2018, this is not the main focus for the event. “ Celebrating 40 years is exciting for those of us who have been part of the camp for many years during its history, ” says Melissa. “ But for the campers, what matters is the camp they ’ re currently taking part in, not the 40 years that came before it. We want to focus on making this year ’ s camp the best it can be for the kids who attend. ” The 2018 camp will feature elements such as Play (activities run by Uniting Venues ’ Beyond Limits team) and Create (crafts, games and activities), as well as concerts, a festival of cultures, pilgrimage stations, and story times. “ We ’ ve got a lot of great activities lined up to help kids explore their faith, connect with other campers, and learn more about welcome and hospitality. ”

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Campers engaging in fun and faith-building at KCO in 2017.

The Mission Resourcing Intergen team is asking congregations and individuals to prayerfully consider ways that they can support the mountain-top discipleship experience of KCO in 2017.

Support may involve coordinating a group to attend KCO, preparing and leading a craft activity or financially sponsoring a camper. It could also involve volunteering to serve with the welcome, security or worship teams, or joining another congregation as a leader or cook. “ This is such an important and fun event to get involved in – the campers ’ excitement is infectious. There ’ s a real sense that you are making a difference in their lives as you help them to explore their growing faith. ” KCO registrations close on Monday 26 February. Children attend as part of church groups, each with their own Group Coordinator who will provide information about the registration process. Campers who attend churches that aren ’ t sending groups to KCO may be joined to another church group.

For more information about KCO, please visit sa.uca.org.au/kco or contact the KCO Office on 8236 4270 or kco@sa.uca.org.au

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