New Times - March 2012

March 2012

Easter: Issue 31, No 2 March 2012

death, resurrection & the life everlasting

Changing the journey AboutFACE goes to Queensland pp. 4–5

Easter stories The mourning, the meaning, the magnificence pp. 9–16

Cover pic: ‘Resurrected Jesus’ by Mark Pearse; iStock refs: p. 6–7 GuidoVrola; p. 9 rrodrickbeiler; p. 12–13 theasis; p. 14 mammuth

Pilgrim Uniting Church in the City 12 Flinders Street, Adelaide

Easter 2012 HOLY WEEK 2—5 April (12pm—2pm, Open Church) Reflective readings and prayers will be available.

WEDNESDAY 4 April (6pm Seven Sites, Seven Words) A remembrance of the suffering of Indigenous Australians and the Passion of Jesus.

MAUNDY THURSDAY 5 April 7.30pm Reflective Communion Service GOOD FRIDAY 6 April 8.30am A spiritual journey through Easter 9.30am Commemoration of the Cross in words and music with Pilgrim Choir 11.15am Contemplative Remembrance Service (Taize Style) EASTER DAY 8 April Celebration of Resurrection 6am Sunrise Service followed by a light meal Worship services at 8am, 9.30am and 11am

8261 8211 All hours

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

AUSTRALIAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

Geoff Lewis General Manager

Ph: 8212 3295 • www.pilgrim.org.au

newtimes.sa.uca.org.au Editor Caryn Rogers p. 8236 4230 e. crogers@sa.uca.org.au Advertising Loan Leane p. 8285 2768 m. 0404 089 762 e. advertising.newtimes@sa.uca.org.au Enquiries e. newtimes@sa.uca.org.au

Production Joie Creative

Contents

Printing Graphic Print Group

Moderator’s Comment

4

Circulation 11 000

Taking a faith adventure

5

The sweet taste of slavery

7

An Easter story for children

9

Deadline for April 7 March

The mathematical symbolism of the Cross 10 –11

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

A Cross that preaches

12

Jesus anointed: enacting a story of blessing

13

Celebrating Easter in congregations

14 –15

Email: presbyterysynod@sa.uca.org.au

Facing Easter and mortality

16

regional areas)

Street address: Level 2, 212 Pirie St, Adelaide

Letters to the Editor

21

Fax: (08) 8236 4201

Postal address: GPO Box 2145, Adelaide SA 5001

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

Next issue: Intergenerational

Discipleship

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations...” There is no age limit on this call to action, yet often we only focus our discipleship efforts on the young. What does it mean to go forth and make disciples of all nations – and all ages?

It’s offensive.

This figure is clearly weeping, sweating and oozing. He is quiet. He is bereft. He is meekly accepting his fate. He is a beaten, defeated man.

The first time I saw the painting below, I was offended. I was offended – twice.

One offence was simply a matter of aesthetics; the other was theological.

Here was a great painting, clearly created by experienced artistic hands and a clever intellect. It had an immediate impact, it had gravitas – and then it had gaffer tape over Jesus’ eyes.

Here was one of the most significant theological events, but the soul had been removed. Without eyes, relating to the humanity of this being was incredibly difficult..

The image made me deeply sad.

While I was at first offended by this painting, the striking image haunted

me. There was something about it that I synonymously loved and hated. I was drawn to it and offended by it relentlessly.

I soon realised my offence was not with the painting itself but more with how honest the reality of the image was.

It struck me that the scratched out eyes of Jesus represented a very honest reflection of how we often view the Easter story. We often view Jesus as the sacrifice without remembering that he was a self-sacrifice. We embrace the God-ness of Easter and forget the humanness of Easter.

The Easter event is not just about God on a cross; it is equally, wholly a story of a man on a cross. A man who chose bravery and humility in death, a man who felt pain and didn’t shy away from it, a man who for the love of all humankind tasted the pain of dying, so

that humankind could truly understand what it is to live.

Easter involves the most significant sacrifice that one human being can make for another – the giving up of their life to save others. And the inspiration of the sacrifice was love. Gritty, bloody, painful love.

That is offensive. God’s love is offensive.

And it is that offensiveness that we often struggle to look in the eyes.

Don’t let this painting simply offend you. Rediscover the offence of Easter instead

ed

Painting by Tom Borgas

03

They’ll never believe it!

Rev Rob WIlliams

When I was a boy, a few of my so-called ‘friends’ used to tell me things that although plausible, were simply not true. Until a certain point in my life, I often accepted what they told me as ‘gospel’, resulting in extreme embarrassment for me, and sometimes others, when I acted upon their stories.

The story of Easter has been called ‘the greatest story of all time’, yet it’s also one that has brought ridicule to those who believe it. In 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Paul speaks plainly of the need to understand Easter as far more than a story: If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.....If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all others.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (TNIV)

mod

I’ve heard of the power of the Easter story to change lives again and again.

The very fact that many congregations note an increase in attendance at their times of worship over the Easter period indicates that the story has the power of attraction.

Easter Camps have been a turning point for many. This time away from day to day demands enables reflection on the story and how it impacts within their lives. This has led many to deeper faith and a purpose-filled life centred in the Risen Jesus.

However, I’ve experienced the greatest impact of the Easter story in seeing it lived out – in people’s individual lives and in the life of congregations.

People of different ages and different stages of Christian growth have told me of new directions they have taken in relation to their work, study, relationships and faith development because of their experience with our risen Lord who is guiding their lives day by day.

Some have shared how the Risen Jesus influences their business and family decisions as they pray and expect his response to their prayers.

As they believe the Easter story, young people have shared how they have been guided into study and career paths through their awareness that Jesus is alive and wants to enrich their lives day by day.

Others have developed a strong identification with community needs and justice issues, embodying the life patterns of Jesus as their response to the Easter story.

At its simplest, the Easter story proclaims that Jesus is alive.

Thankfully the Gospel writers have passed this on for all time. Yet I sometimes wonder if there were moments when they may have thought, “They’ll never believe it!”

Let’s move past that thought and tell the story with our words and our actions that, indeed, Jesus is alive, for me and you and everyone.

04

AboutFACE is a genuine, hands-on cross-cultural engagement – right here in Australia. Pilgrim Uniting Church member, Rowan Steele, humbly shares his experiences of jumping into rivers and out of his comfort zone.

Since the 1980s, groups of young people from around Australia have participated in the adventure of AboutFACE (FACE = Faith And Cultural Exchange).

AboutFACE enables real relationships to be built; it is not interventionist “charity” but truly about exchanging faith and culture. In January this year, four young Uniting Church members (including myself) went to Mapoon, a picturesque region nestled in the upper western coast of Cape York, Queensland.

Mapoon is situated in the traditional lands of the Tjungundji people, one hour by dirt road, north of Weipa, home of the largest bauxite (aluminium) mine in the world.

A Presbyterian mission was established in the area at the end of the 19th century, but with mining revenues beckoning, the government closed the mission and moved people hundreds of kilometres north – off of their own land. The people who live in Mapoon could be forgiven for being angered about the loss of their land, or at least apprehensive about white people visiting.

A response of anger was not my experience though. What I encountered was utter graciousness, beginning with a warm and eager welcome by the Senior Elder, Aunty Harriett, which was further affirmed by her hope that more young people would visit with them in the future.

The Uniting Church was fortunate enough to be approached by the UAICC in 1985 to form an ongoing covenanting relationship.

AboutFACE is one of the most important ways which this covenant is nourished.

I’ve grown up in the institution we call the church, and I, like many, have been dissuaded by a history of ruling over rather than raising up; of oppression rather than liberty. The question often asked by many young people is: “I’m a follower of Jesus what good is the church? Why should I be a card-carrying member?”

All leaders should seek out and support their young people to go on this program – it may help them answer these questions.

AboutFACE is certainly an important step on the way to a church I want to be a part of!

There is much more I could say of how this profound experience affected me personally. But it is just my journey, one in which I will continue to grapple with what it means to be a naïve white person.

Comfortingly, I have some gracious Aboriginal friends to walk alongside me.

I encourage you all just to reach out your hand and begin to walk on this journey also.

To find out how your church could build a relationship with UAICC, contact: Denise Champion dchampion@sa.uca.org.au or Ian Dempster idempster@sa.uca.org.au

For Rowan Steele, pictured centre, AboutFACE was an unforgettable experience. Here is the gang in the middle of ‘nowhere’ at the Aurukun turn-off, 97km from Weipa. L-R: Jemma (from Darwin), Nadia (Aurukun), Rowan (Adelaide), Heather (Sydney), Bec (Sydney), Sheila (Aurukun), Veronique (Aurukun).

05

news

Over two weeks we experienced so much: swinging off ropes into a picturesque creek (hopefully free of crocodiles), fishing for Barramundi, learning to cast nets for mullet like experts, playing sport with kids in the street, long muddy drives through pouring rain and driving troopies (large 4WDs) full of kids.

There are a few experiences particularly stand out in my memory. One of these was a trip to a waterhole near Aurukun, one of the strongest communities of the Western Cape region. Guided by three young women and a local elder, we travelled down the only ‘road’ to the community, which was a mud bath when we visited (the Wet Season).

Though it had rained much of the night before, we arrived to find an empty waterhole. It was usually full, even in the Dry Season, but it was simply a gaping hole in the ground.

As we looked into the eyes of the women who had brought us here the pain was evident. They didn’t know who had drained this water or for what reason - perhaps to build a road or mine - but it was clear that those responsible had not merely committed environmental vandalism; they had stolen something from the very soul of these members of the local Aboriginal community. As an environmental engineering graduate, this was an important lesson for me about the special connection that Aboriginal people have with their land.

If I were to create a list of reasons for being involved in “the church”, in particular the Uniting Church, on top of my list would be the relationship we have in the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC).

The sweet taste of slavery Chocolate eggs feature heavily in Easter celebrations, but there is a dark side to the Bunny’s bounty. Louise Heinrich uncovers some realities of the chocolate industry that will leave a bad taste in your mouth.

In my life, Easter means a meal with my family, a contemplative church service, and lots of chocolate (peppermint’s my favourite – if you feel like buying me a gift this year).

news

But my decadent affection for the cocoa bean has been affronted by a new social conscience after learning about the less-than-delicious centre of chocolate production: most Australian chocolate contains some cocoa from West Africa – where there are thousands of trafficked children picking the cocoa beans.

This section of the African continent, encompassing Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, is the source of 70% of the world’s chocolate. US government sources estimate that some 10,000 children are victims of human trafficking or enslavement in Côte d’Ivoire alone.

As well as working in horrific circumstances, many cocoa bean pickers experience other aspects of slavery: torture, cruelty, loss of free will and the shattering of selfhood.

In Modern Slavery, a 2009 documentary on forced labour around the world, Noam Chomsky declared, “A lot of people are responsible, but the question we should be asking is, ‘To what extent are we responsible?’”

“We are held accountable – not just for the things that we do wrong – but also for the situations where we failed to do what is right,” says Carolyn Kitto, Coordinator of Stop the Traffik Australia.

Stop the Traffik is an international organisation dedicated to ending human trafficking around the world, particularly through empowering individuals to combat slavery – personally.

“In his theology of liberation Jurgen Moltmann said, ‘Oppression has two sides: on one side there is the master, on the other side the slave. Oppression destroys humanity on both sides,’” Carolyn quotes.

“To campaign within an industry where there is oppression in the supply chain helps liberate the culture of the company and those who purchase their products,” she extrapolates.

St. David’s Parkdale Uniting Church

Be transformed by oc eans of Chris t’s

Grace, Hope & Belonging

Ministry Placement - Vacancy Expressions of interest are sought for a single full time ministry placement at St. David’s Parkdale Uniting Church. Ministers of the Word and Pastors considered.

A visionary and energetic person, or shared team, is sought to provide leadership to the existing lay teams in the areas of preaching, worship, pastoral care, youth and children’s ministries, and mission to the community.

The people from the three worship services seek to be discipled in faith through solid Biblical instruction so they can confidently live out and share their faith in Christ every day.

St. David’s is situated in Parkdale, a bayside suburb of Melbourne.

Inquiries can be made to the Secretary of the Placements Committee of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania at peter.blackwood@victas.uca.org.au Commencement subject to candidate’s availability.

Closing date: 26 March 2012.

06

But change in the chocolate industry is agonizingly slow.

In 2001, major companies such as Mars and Cadbury signed up to put an end to trafficking by putting one product through accreditation. However, these are only token gestures, and there is a long road ahead. It is up to public pressure from individuals like us to tell the companies what is important to their consumers.

Your taste buds, and the dollars that satisfy them, can make a change in the trafficking trade. You can make sure human trafficking in chocolate production is eradicated by: • Only buying chocolate that has been independently certified

by Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance or UTZ – these organisations ensure fair wages and conditions. These include: Aldi, Alter Eco, Chocolatier Australia, Cocolo, Green & Black’s, Oxfam, Scarborough Fair, Mars (Mars Bar only), Nestlé (four-finger Kit-Kat only) and Cadbury Australia (Dairy Milk range only).

• Writing to your favourite chocolate company to ensure their cocoa is free from child labour.

• Sending a letter to your local member of parliament (some helpful examples can be found online at stopthetraffik.org.au) • Holding an awareness event to share the reality of chocolate production.

This year, all my Easter eggs will be certified, slave-labour free – will yours?

How much is a life worth?

Kevin Bales, president of Free the Slaves, reports that throughout history the average price to buy a slave was the equivalent of US$40,000. This meant that in the past, slaves were a capital purchase. Their ‘owners’ took care of them in order to get return on their money.

Due to the population boom over the last forty years, the price of a life is now very cheap. Today the average cost to buy a person is US$100. This drop in price makes slaves more disposable than previously, bringing with it an unprecedented brutality and disregard for human life.

news 07

Assembly news As July quickly approaches, Assembly preparations are in full swing. As members are registering and making their travel and accommodation plans, committees here in Adelaide are planning ahead to ensure we can provide for the needs of Assembly members and meetings.

Currently, the following committees are looking for specific help: • UnitingWorld Committee are contacting congregations to help with hosting and transport arrangements for some of our guests from Partner Churches who are arriving early or leaving later.

news

•

Congress Committee: some of our members are coming from their National Conference in Alice Springs and will need to be billeted for a couple of nights prior to Assembly.

•

Airport greeters and ushers are needed for Sunday 15 July. Airport greeters are needed to represent us at the airport to greet interstate and overseas guests. Ushers are also needed for the evening service at The Theatre at the Entertainment Centre.

•

Installation of the Assembly President and Opening Service: the Worship Committee will be presenting an exciting and worshipful service to install Rev Prof Andrew Dutney as President and introduce his Assembly theme: ‘Life Overflowing’. We are hoping to fill The Theatre – which holds 2000 people – so please put the date in your church diary and order tickets for your group from Gwenda Kerley in the Synod Office. These free tickets will be available at the end of March.

Please also remember the Assembly in your prayers.

Placements news: Placements finalised since the last edition of New Times: • Rev Judy Knowling (Deacon) to Royal Adelaide Hospital from 1 March 2012 Please join us for the following special services: INDUCTIONS Rev Darren Lovell Burra 25 March 2012 7pm

COMMENCEMENT Anthony Hill (MOP) Resthaven 28 February 2012 2pm at Leabrook

Easter Storytelling Every Easter we encounter the greatest story of all time. For every congregation, for every believer, that story takes a different shape.

An Easter story for children

Melissa Cellier & Mary-Jo Zwar

Jesus’ death and resurrection can be a complex idea to teach children. One way to communicate this is by telling the story creatively, from a child’s perspective. In the next issue we will explore more techniques to help kids understand Easter.

It scared me to see Dad that way.

Normally he’s big and strong, loud and happy. He’s called ‘Peter the Rock’ and ‘the big fisherman’. That night he was shaking and could hardly stand up.

Mum shushed me and sent me back to bed . But I couldn’t sleep. I watched as Dad sat there, and Mum held his hand.

He’d been so excited about coming to Jerusalem with the Master for Passover.

He was sure the Master would do something amazing, so he let the whole family come along. We had that big Passover meal with all his friends and their families. The Master said the usual Passover words and added some of his own, about himself. I wasn’t too sure

about that part. Afterwards Dad and some of the others went off with the Master.

Then Dad was back, crying and muttering. Finally, Dad managed to say that he’d seen the Master get arrested.

He followed the Master and saw him get tried.

‘Who has a trial in the middle of the night?’ I asked, but Mum shushed me again.

Dad was too scared to go out. Some friends came by and whispered that the Master had been taken like a criminal and put to death on a cross. I tried to ask, ’Why, what did he do?’ But I was shushed again.

Over the next couple of days the others came to talk with Dad. They were just as confused and afraid as he was. Over and over they talked about the Master dying.

I wondered what we would do now.

This morning some of the ladies insisted that they would take oils and spices and fix up the Master’s body. They were sure it hadn’t been done properly before the Sabbath.

A while later, Mary rushed back and said, ‘They’ve taken the Master. We don’t know where he is.’

She took Dad and John back to the burial place. I followed them and got there just in time to see Dad squeeze into the tomb-cave. Wow! There’s no way I would have gone in there!

Mary was right. The Master was gone.

All that was left was the cloth they had wrapped around him.

We didn’t notice that Mary stayed by the tomb when we came back. Dad and John reported what they had seen.

Nobody could understand what was happening.

And then . . .

Mary came back again. She had seen Jesus. Alive. Jesus told her he was going to his Father and his God; who is also our Father and our God. Jesus is alive again. Now that is amazing! I wonder what it all means.

09

The mathematical symbolism of the Cross Rev Graham Nicholls Last year I visited my friend Shashi Kumar in Mangalore, India. Shashi had lost his eldest son, Sachin, to leukaemia.

One evening we sat on the seashore, the warm sand between our toes, and watched the sun set over the Arabian Sea. Through the silence that was only broken by the occasional thump of the waves breaking on the shore, Shashi whispered his heartbreak, “Why?”

Easter Storytelling

I don’t think he will ever stop asking God, “Why?” I don’t have any answers to that question. Jesus didn’t either. Instead, when He was confronted by Martha’s “Why?” at the death of her brother Lazarus, Jesus introduced a contradictory idea. “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Up at 5am, on another day, we were walking together along the river bank. In the unbroken darkness, the river was still, reflecting streetlights and trees’ silhouettes.

“How would you explain the symbolism of the cross?” he questioned.

I began by talking about God’s love and forgiveness.

“No, no Graham, you’re answering from what you believe: your faith. I asked you what it symbolises.”

We walked in silence. I tried again.

“You still answer from the point of view of your faith. Some time I will tell you.”

That time came, days later, at a Hospital Chapel in the campus of a famous Catholic Hospital.

There were only two other people in the octagonal-shaped building. All eight walls were glass, giving uninterrupted vistas of the surrounding city and suburbs. Above the windows were panels of coloured glass, and behind the altar was a large wooden cross.

We sat together near the back of the chapel and spoke in whispers that thundered in the silence.

10

“Tell me now what that cross symbolises,” I whispered.

“Not in here. We’ll disturb others who are praying.”

We crept out through the door into the glassed-in walkway and sat on low benches.

“What is the cross made of?”

“A horizontal piece of wood and a vertical piece.”

“You are correct. Mathematically, what does the horizontal piece represent?”

Suddenly, Shashi was taking me into uncharted territory.

“Well I suppose...it’s a minus sign.”

“Correct again.”

“The cross piece is negative and symbolises our lives – every bit of them. The happy and sad, successes and the failures, and the mixture of life’s experiences.”

“And the vertical piece of wood?” he continued.

“You are correct again, Graham. But what happens if God’s coming intersects the negative line of our confused lives?”

“Definitely. Our lives become positive if we invite God into every part of our lives. The trouble is, we would rather try and solve all our problems on our own and keep God at arm’s length. The cross gives us the clue to living every part of life positively. “ Shashi was teaching me that our cross will always remain a symbol unless I invite Jesus into every part of my life.

Perhaps this Easter I’ll let my risen Lord intersect all my negatives, and transform them into life in all its fullness…what about you?

Have a positive Easter.

Graham Nicholls is a Uniting Church minister with unique talents. After playing for SANFL footy team, Norwood Demons, for six seasons in the 1950s, ‘Old Nick’ undertook a career as a professional opera singer. Graham is passionate about supporting projects in India, and has forged many friendships in this process.

Easter Storytelling

“That must be God’s action in helping us with the problems in our lives.”

Mathematically our minus becomes a plus.”

“Well that’s pretty obvious, Shashi.

Pilgrim Uniting Church Childrens Program Palm Sunday 1st April - 4pm to 6pm Activities, Story & Drama Free BBQ Childrens Leader: Jenny Ward Ministers: Rev. Sandy Boyce Rev. Jana Norman Pilgrim Uniting Church Phone: 8212 3295 12 Flinders St, Adelaide SA 5000 www.pilgrim.org.au

11

A Cross that preaches Ruth Gates

Easter Storytelling

In Ruthwell, a tiny parish kirk in the Scottish lowlands, stands an 18 foot stone Anglo-Saxon “preaching Cross” carved with scenes telling the story of the life and passion of Christ. Created a long time ago, about 680 AD, it is the oldest monument of its kind in the British Isles.

Others have existed, but what makes this unique is the later addition, sometime after its composition in the 10th century, of runes from the poem ‘The Dream of the Rood’ - the runes speak in the voice of the Cross which bore Jesus!

The Cross speaks of bearing ‘The Lord of Light-realms’ and of how:

Heard I our dere Lord call, ‘I thirst,’ piteously cried He. Longèd I to ’suage His need Loud was His cry Bewailing forsakenness Abandon’d felt He. From Him flow’d all strengthe Longèd I to uphold Him Heavie and cold his limbs One last time cried He, ‘It is finish’d!’

‘Sorely was I with sorrows harrowed,

From Him His Spirit fled.

Yet humbly I inclined To the hands of his servants

Cruèl was the spere

Striving with might to aid him,

Piercing His dere side

With streals (shafts) was I all wounded.

Water and blood gushing forth.

Down they laid him limb-weary O’er his lifeless head then stood they,

Gentle hands His poor frame

Heavily gazing at Heaven’s Chieftain’

Lift’d down from me As women’s tears outflow’d.

This so moved me when I saw it that I have since looked at the whole Crucifixion scene through the eyes of that humble rough hewn cross as it preaches:

Our dere Lord Jesus Son of our Sire in Heav’n Sore wounded was He. Honour He paid me His poor scourgèd frame I bore Forward hung He in His agonie.

From His bloodied lips Words of forgiveness flow’d Marvelled I at such Grace.

Dark was the skye And eerie the land As weaker grew He.

12

Gone was my sacred Trust Gone was my dere Lord Ended was All.

Jesus anointed: enacting a story of blessing Rev Sarah Agnew is passionate about storytelling. In 2010, the Easter story unfolded within her community, the Esther Project*, in moving and memorable ways.

Lent 2010 was celebrated by the Esther Project in learning of Mary anointing Jesus from John 11 – 12, with the poem Woman with Ointment (Jan Sutch Pickard). We wondered about the various characters in the story, and particularly how Jesus felt receiving her gift. I was challenged to write a companion piece to Pickard’s poem for our Maundy Thursday contemplative worship (see right column).

1. Welcome, traveller.

However you have travelled through Lent, whatever the road through Holy Week has brought for you thus far, you have arrived at this moment in the story of Jesus, a story told for two thousand years.

Here is water for you to wash your hands after your journey.

Here is time for you to refresh, to rest, to prepare for the journey through the coming days, through the story.

2. Welcome, traveller.

Here is a cup for refreshing water or wine.

Here is food to restore your energy.

Take a word from your journey through Lent, your encounters with this story so far, and stick it to your cup.

As you drink and as you eat, please share your words, and share something of the story of your journey, as we travel this road together tonight.

Then we took our seats and entered the story again. Readers were assigned a stanza of a poem, and were each seated in order of the poems around the circle.

Following this, we invited people to share in a ritual of anointing, with essential oils. The bowl was passed from person to person; once anointed, we turned and stood or knelt before the next person, and marked the sign of the cross on their hand or forehead.

As the bowl reached the readers, they stopped and read their stanza, Mary’s perspective interspersed with that of Jesus. Contemplative songs and times of silence carried us through this ritual.

Jesus anointed, anointing On your knees, where you should not be, your hair down, decorum forgotten.

You look up, a brief moment, your eyes flash with intuition, imagination, love.

On your knees, while your sister cries in despair and begs you to stop, your brother stunned, silent, you fill the house with extravagant, fragrant intuition, imagination and love.

On her knees!

He cries for the poor,

After the ritual of anointing I told this part of the Easter story:

though I know more

“He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’ Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed…” LUKE 22:39–41

of this man’s hypocrisy –

Then we knelt and sang: “Stay with me, remain here with me, watching and praying,” while others extinguished the candles and removed bread and wine from the table. The singing became slower and quieter in the growing dark.

We left in silence.

understand

This participation in the story of Jesus’ final week, remembering and enacting the story of extravagant love from Mary to Jesus, of Jesus for God and for humankind, lingered with all who gathered for long after. The story of God in Jesus became part of our story that night, through telling and hearing, enacting and reflecting, singing and praying. And we were never the same again.

Easter Storytelling

This gathering was shaped as an invitation into the story; a re-enactment, collectively embodying the tale as a gathered community. We arranged the seats in a large circle in the Christ Church chapel, with a low coffee table in the centre set with candles, bread and wine.

As people gathered, they encountered two stations in the foyer and to the side in the chapel:

I told the story of John 12:1-3, then we heard ‘Woman with Ointment’ in female voices, followed by a time of silent reflection. I then read John 13:1, 3-5, followed by ‘Jesus Anointed, Anointing’, read by men, who knelt for each stanza as they read, and another time of silent reflection.

than I care to see Judas, my friend, where is your intuition, imagination, love?

On my knees, anointing their feet, praying they will why they are twelve, their call to serve, with intuition, imagination, love.

On my knees in this garden of peace I sigh, I groan deserted and alone, I sweat, I ache, I know these final steps will take all my intuition, imagination, love. © Sarah Agnew 2010

*The Esther Project was a fresh expression of Christian community gathering around encounters with story, life and faith.

13

Lent with a difference Rev Christine Gilbert Traditionally the Season of Lent has been a reflective time for Christians when we consider what it means to follow Jesus with greater intention. Some observe the season by practicing spiritual disciplines. Others let go of a bad habit or take on a new healthy one.

However one decides to observe Lent, the seasons of the church year give us an opportunity to imagine new ways of being – for ourselves as individuals and for the communities of faith of which we are a part.

Easter Storytelling

For the last two years at Brougham Place Uniting Church, Sunday mornings during Lent have been a time to come when you are able and go when you are ready. Each of us is unique with differing experiences,

interests, abilities, and learning styles – we try to honour these differences in the way we do church.

Therefore each Sunday morning in Lent a common theme is engaged in a variety of ways and people are invited to participate in the offering(s) that best encourages their spiritual formation.

In preparation for the season, the worship committee met and read through the chosen lectionary texts for Lent. Two poems by Rev Paul Turley about the Seasons of Lent and Easter from Seasons of the Spirit were companions along the way. As we read and reflected, we began to see how scripture reveals tensions of truth such as beauty and terror, dying to win, and free obedience.

In recognition of the shades of grey that make up our spiritual experience, the theme ‘Engaging in Uncertainties’ began to emerge. A creative worship team then met to brainstorm and plan various offerings around this theme and the weekly subthemes.

Sunday mornings in Lent begin at 8.30am with the practice of a spiritual discipline such as intercessory prayer, labyrinth walking, and hospitality. Then at 9am an adult discipleship time explores the week’s theme with a stimulating presentation and engaging discussion. At the same time, a multi-sensory activity is offered for families which includes such things as art, movement, nature, cooking, and music. Finally, worship begins at 10.00am with communion served each week. A coffee corner is available throughout the morning for conversation, hanging out, or quiet reading.

Even as we engage in uncertainties throughout Lent, we remain certain of one thing: God’s love within us, between us, and for the whole world.

At Brougham Place Uniting, Lent is explored in a multiplicity of ways, including quiet reflection.

14

Take an Easter pilgrimage at Spicer Anne Wilson Spicer Uniting Church in St Peters has been presenting a Passion play, called Easter Sights and Sounds, biennially since 1996.

Easter Storytelling

Using a cast made up mainly of retired parishioners from Spicer and other churches, the church grounds are transformed into Old Jerusalem and pilgrims who visit are able to witness and share in the last week of Jesus’ life (prior to the resurrection). The guided tour takes nearly 60 minutes and the day sessions are generally booked by schools.

(A small number of adults can also join these tours.) Groups of up to 50 people can move through at a time. The times for this year’s performances are: Wed 28, Thurs 29 and Fri 30 March, with sessions every half hour from 9.30am -12.30pm. There are also two Friday evening performances, at 7.30 and 8.00pm.

Cost of tour $5.

Like to experience it first hand? Join the cast as a disciple, market seller or even donkey handler!

All enquiries to Helen, at the church office: 08 8362 3771 At Spicer Uniting Church all attendees join in the Passion narrative.

Pictured is ‘Jesus’ (Norman Johnston) entering Jerusalem as part of the annual Easter Play.

Easter sharing Sue Farrant, Secretary, Walkerville Uniting Church At Walkerville Uniting Church we have developed a local tradition over the past few years for Palm Sunday. We ask members of the congregation to bring donations of clothing (particularly coats and jackets) together with blankets and warm bedding, which are then donated to UnitingCare as they seek to fulfil their winter needs.

In the same way that the people of Jerusalem spread their cloaks and the palm leaves in the path of Jesus – at an appropriate time in the Palm Sunday service, members of the congregation come forward with their donations and spread them across the front of the church.

Here at Walkerville this has become a meaningful and very practical expression of giving on Palm Sunday.

15

Facing Easter and mortality

Easter Storytelling

Rev Dr Peter Ryan, Chaplain at Ashford Hospital Easter in a hospital seems to have a focus of conversation around holidays, hot cross buns and chocolate. What a contrast to those who belong to a faith community, where something additional is being contemplated. An intentional focus through words, music, liturgy, symbol, attitude or action, where people engage the full gamut of experience inherent in the mystery and paradox surrounding death and life.

that has the potential to redirect their life – including facing their mortality!

Of course – it is a story, not always verbalised, but is not mistaken.

People’s responses vary – everything from a gentle acceptance of their journey to death through to a powerful fear, sense of vulnerability, compounded by an experience of the unknown.

The woven elements of this story include:

But is the contrast between hospitals and faith communities as simple as it seems? Never.

In the face of death or profound change, things like failure, weaknesses, and disappointments seem to fall away.

People, relationships, and belonging become elevated.

In fact, the potential for an ‘Easter experience’ is always present in a hospital. At any moment there may be someone being challenged by a diagnosis

Whatever the experience, a common element is often grief arising from the precious connection with the people that matter – who will be left behind.

Do chaplains have a story to tell in such circumstance?

In the face of death or profound change, things like failure, weaknesses, and disappointments seem to fall away. People, relationships, and belonging become elevated.

This person is precious to God; to never diminish or trivialise the grief of another; to meet faith with faith; to listen for God’s voice (for often soul is being nurtured in such a circumstance); to hear meaning and give thanks; to make love known by grace and acceptance.

All of which takes place within a particular ‘environment’, for whatever the experience, or however ‘dark’ the Good Friday may be, there is always the knowledge that there is no death able to overcome life – in this remains new beginning.

Mission Resourcing SA

Contagious relationships

Getting to know...

One of the extraordinary things about the Christian faith is how it spread throughout the known world. It began as such a small band of followers who were persecuted for their faith. Indeed it began with Jesus Christ ‘pitching his tent amongst human beings’. It is worth remembering this given that Easter is one of the biggest camping weekends of the year.

Coffee-loving Jo Lohmeyer is the person behind two of the most loved Uniting Church events: KCO and SAYCO. This Event Officer is a natural encourager, who loves to reflect on life, creativity and expanding horizons.

In his book Movements that change the world (Missional Press 2009), Steve Addison names contagious relationships as one of the key reasons that the Christian faith spread. He quotes Celsus, the second century Greek philosopher, as saying (presumably disparagingly) that the faith was spread, “by wool workers, cobblers, laundry workers and the most illiterate and bucolic yokels.” It spread from house to house within existing relationships. These ordinary people were transformed by their encounter with the risen Christ and the change rubbed off in contagious relationships.

Easter is one of the most significant times in the Christian calendar. Every year I feel the pain of Good Friday and Easter Saturday – it feels to me that for a while the world stops. And then comes the good news of Easter Sunday and the world breathes again.

I wonder whether Easter is also a time for contagious relationships – offering generous, loving hospitality to those who do not yet know Jesus.

Rev Rod Dyson

Date of birth: August 23, 1979 Family: Husband Darren and pet turtle Fred Church: Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church Background: I grew up in Reynella and Marion, but have lived all over Adelaide: in Brighton, Goodwood, Plympton, O’Halloran Hill, Lockleys, Marleston and now in Prospect.

Faith-wise, I have been a Christian all my life.

Career-wise, I studied a Diploma of Business (Hospitality), and have been working for the Synod for 11 years. This has taken me all around the Synod office, as I have worked in Youth, UC Invest, Communications and now with Mission Resourcing SA. Why you wanted this job: I have a passion for encouraging people to live out their God-given potential, and through the events that I run I have the privilege of seeing hearts changed.

Hopes for the role: To create a sense of excellence in KCO and SAYCO so that people from all denominations want to attend.

Favourite food: Chocolate donuts Favourite Bible verse: Psalm 40:3

Godly Play National Conference, Adelaide Melissa Cellier In most religious education children are told what God did. In Godly Play children discover who God is.

Around Australia there is a growing interest in Godly Play. It is more than just storytelling; it’s a whole curriculum that invites learners to connect faith stories with personal experience through the use of simple materials, wondering questions and open-ended responses. It is based on a Montessori method of engaging with Bible stories, parables and liturgical lessons about religious traditions.

Last year the first National Conference, held in Sydney, was booked out. In July 2012 the National Godly Play Conference is being held at our very own Adelaide Hills Uniting Venues SA site, Nunyara. Whether you’ve only heard a bit about Godly Play or have already trained in it there’s something at this Conference for everyone! There are four events happening as part of this Conference.

• Saturday 7: July Expo Day – experience a session, browse resources, talk with trainers (free) • Saturday 7: July Conference Dinner with international Godly Play Guest Speaker ($50) • Sunday 8 – Monday 9 July: Trained Storytellers Gathering (for those previously trained) • Monday 9 – Tuesday 10 July: Core Training to receive internationally accredited Godly Play certificate.

For further information, costs and bookings, visit missionresourcingsa.org.au or contact the Children & Family Ministry Team on 08 8236 4281 or children@sa.uca.org.au

17

Rev Robert Grant Dunning 12 February 1933 - 15 November 2011 Mrs Joy Dunning and Rev Dr Julia Pitman All Saint’s – Plympton, Pilgrim Church – Adelaide, Walkerville, Windsor Gardens and Broadview. In retirement, Grant served in interim ministries at West Richmond/ Torrensville, All Saint’s, Pilgrim, Scots Church, Vermont and Walkerville.

Son of a journalist and a domestic arts teacher, Grant was born in Mount Gambier and educated at Glen Osmond Primary School, Unley High School, Lincoln College, Wesley College and the University of Adelaide where in 1957 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. On 12 April 1958, he married Joy Riggall and the couple enjoyed over fifty years of marriage and ministry together.

After working in the Commonwealth Inspector’s Office for three years Grant, aged 19, as a member of Parkside Methodist Church, became a candidate for ordination in the Methodist Church.

For 42 years, he served in full-time placements at Wudinna, Loxton, Maitland,

From 1977 to 1989, Grant was a member and secretary of the Adelaidebased Uniting Church Assembly Commission on Liturgy. Grant worked hard to ensure the Red (Minister’s) and Blue (Peoples’) editions of Uniting in Worship were published in 1988. Tributes from overseas and interstate recognise Grant’s work as a liturgist of world standing. One of them wrote: ‘Uniting in Worship is Grant’s memorial, and a fine one!’

Grant was a firm believer in church union and in 1972 undertook an exchange ministry with a minister of the United Church of Canada to explore how church union had worked there. He was chairman of the Interim Presbytery of Adelaide North West, then in 1977 first chairman of the Presbytery. He served in many areas of presbytery life, particularly pastoral relations.

Grant served on many Methodist Conference and Uniting Church Synod committees including Lincoln College Council and the South Australian Roman Catholic/Uniting Church Dialogue. He was chaplain to Methodist Ladies College

(now Annesley College) and was active in the Royal School of Church Music, the South Australian Council of Churches, Scouts and Rotary. He was chaplain to the National Committee of Adult Fellowships from 2003 to 2006 when it was based in Adelaide. Grant was chaplain to Synod office staff when they moved into the current building. He was a founder of the Highbury Street Fund, a development fund for migrant church leaders.

Grant was foremost a scholarly preacher and dedicated pastor who had an above-average memory for names.

On his retirement in 1997, Grant said to the Synod: ‘My great hope for the future is that we will give much more attention to evangelism, to grow the Church both numerically and spiritually by bringing people, young and old, to faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Our highest delight is to worship God. Our chief business is to save souls’.

He took great pride in the achievements of his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Joy, children Timothy and Rita, Philippa and Ian, Michael and Pacina, and five grandchildren.

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

18

Communications & Events Coordinator • CBD location • Permanent full time • Opportunity to make a difference Based in the administrative head office of the Uniting Church in Australia, UnitingCare SA liaises with 26 organisations that provide a diverse range of educational and community services across South Australia, being the agencies and schools of the Uniting Church in this state.

The Communications & Events Coordinator is responsible for the administration, coordination and evaluation of various communications and events projects, involving Uniting Church agencies, schools and congregations. Key events include UnitingCare Pancake Day and the UnitingCare Christmas Appeal.

Please visit positionsvacant.sa.uca.org.au for an information pack including the Position Description and selection criteria.

Applications close Monday 19 March 2012. For further enquiries, please contact Human Resources Department on 8236 4234 or email humanresources@sa.uca.org.au.

positions vacant

WEST LAKES SHORE 2 bedroom, renovated independent Unit in a 7 Unit Retirement Village. Lock up garage and private back yard. Maintenance $52.50 pw. Close to shopping centre and public transport. $245,000. Brochure inc. floor plan available. Ring Terry on 8440 2451 or 041 101 8787.

HOLIDAY RENTAL Victor Harbor “BY THE SEA” 3br ground floor apartment on the Esplanade at Encounter Bay with glorious sea views across to Granite and Wright Islands - Relax in cool a/cond comfort and watch the waves roll in – close to restaurants and cafes - $160 pn –(min 3 nights) – Vacancies @ $600 PW , Easter $720. –(self catering) Contact Kerry at Dodd and Page P/L - ph 8554 2029 and ask for “By The Sea” to view “on line” details and photos.

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

positionsvacant.sa.uca.org.au 19

Uniting in song Rev Beatrice Panne

diary Spirit and Place Art Exhibition: Willunga Uniting is exhibiting local visual artists’ expressions of the theme ‘Spirit and Place’ as it relates to Willunga and surrounds. The exhibition will run from the beginning of Lent to Pentecost Sunday 2012. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Jenny Esots, Exhibition Coordinator j.esots@bigpond.com Artists – Invitation to participate: An opportunity to exhibit artwork through painting, sculpture, photography and textiles at Blackwood UC 19-22 April, with the theme of ‘Awakening.’ Entries close 18 March. Application forms from blackwood.unitingchurch.org.au or ring Christa on 8278 8308.

State Mission Fellowship: Tuesday March 27th, 10.30 am Scots Church. The speaker will be Christa Megaw sharing on her exposure trip to North India.

magazine

The Korean Presbyterian Church shared in song to benefit prison ministry.

Wesley Kent Town Uniting church conducted the first ‘Uniting in Song’ event in the second week of advent. Three choirs from migrant congregations gathered with members of Wesley Uniting to sing Christmas songs to one another in their native languages. Apart from the musical purpose, we wanted to collect an offering on behalf of prison ministry in Adelaide.

Principal Chaplain at Yatala Pastor Ian Schneider gave an address, sharing how different Christmas is in Yatala in comparison to our own celebrations. We heard the international choir from Payneham Road singing a cradle song in ancient Scots, before they taught us how to sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem” in Indonesian. The refined sound of the Korean Presbyterian Church ended with the choir leader teaching us how to sing “Silent Night, Holy Night” in Korean.

The Sudanese youth choir based at Modbury, supported by Rev. Tony Goodluck, was lead by Amel Manyon’s drum beat. Sung in Arabic and Dinka, we learnt how to dance, jump and praise God all at the same time. The concert ended with local Christian singer and song writer Jim Packer performing some of his own songs with friend and guitarist Aaron.

Everyone present felt part of the birth of something special - bringing people together to share in worship in each other’s mother tongue, while expressing care for some of the most marginalised people in our society. The joy we all experienced at the end of this time of singing and praying carried on into a scrumptious tea with great conversations and promises to meet again.

‘Uniting in Song’ was not just a catchy title; it became a spirit-filled reality for the entire community.

20

Enfield Uniting Church Bike Project: For over two years now a voluntary group of senior men have been repairing bikes at the Belair bike shed. The bikes are then donated or sold at a low cost to needy families throughout Adelaide.

Over 600 bikes have passed through the shed since it`s inception. The group is in need of a trailer to transport bikes. Size needs to be at least 7 x 5. Ifyou can assist please contact the Church Office on 8344 7857 or Rob on 0414445186 Church Furnishings need a new home: Electronic Organ in working order - Gulbransen Palace - prefer to go to a church. Piano to suit a beginner - donation requested. Lecturn - sloped, wooden 115cm high. Overhead projector & Transparencies of “Praise & Worship” 1-747. Contact Marty Rosenberg 8370 9361, martyr53@bigpond.com Australian Hymn Books: Christ Church, Wayville congregation has many AHB word books and several music books available to donate to any congregation.

Please contact Marian Smith at mk_smith@aapt.net.au or 8338 1376.

Interested in KCO? If you’re interested in coming along – organise your group now! Information available at kco.sa.uca.org.au. You can also contact the UC Events Office on 8236 4246 or kco@sa.uca.org.au.

Prescription glasses: A small group is going to Cambodia in May and would be happy to take any unwanted spectacles for distribution there. Please leave the items at the Synod office for collection by the end of April. For more details please contact Virginia Brookes on 8395 2441 or ginny.brookes@ bigpond.com The Pinnaroo Uniting Church congregation is planning to have Decommissioning Services for the Church buildings at PINNAROO (also 100 years of building) at 10:30am and PARILLA at 2:00pm on Sunday 11th March 2012. A lunch will be held at Pinnaroo between Services. Worship will continue to be held in the Hall.

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

Australia Day 2012 Honours List The Governor-General, Her Excellency Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Chancellor of the Order of Australia, has approved awards announced in the Australia Day 2012 Honours List.

Included in these awards were 439 recipients, who received awards in the general division of the Order of Australia, in recognition of their diverse contributions and service to fellow citizens in Australia and internationally.

There were 13 Uniting Church recipients. You can read the full list of these recipients online at newtimes.sa.uca.org.au

RESPONDING TO MULTICULTURALISM SMELLS GOOD

TOLERANCE: AUTHENTIC OR APPARENT?

Thankfully I missed the ballyhoo caused by a comment that people who come to Australia should have some grounding in our customs and way of life.

Thank you for an interesting New Times (New Times February 2012)

Actually, I fully support the comment.

Road rules are an obvious example of where a little understanding, such as which side of the road to drive or walk on, can prevent injury and death as currently happens.

Having lived through the influx of New Australians after WW2, I am aware that knowledge can be positive for newcomers.

One small example is Australians’ use of the word ‘bastard’ to express friendship, acceptance, etc. New Australians, of course, did not understand this and were deeply offended when called ’bastard’ by a well-meaning Aussie who was simply trying to show friendship.

I also suggest that people first think and speak of our Indigenous people as Australian (after all, they are Australian – not any other nationality) before (if necessary) adding Aboriginal or Indigenous. A small thing but see what a difference it makes.

D. Freeman Port Lincoln

There was, however, no discussion regarding the difference between “Apparent Tolerance” and “Authentic Tolerance”.

Apparent Tolerance is the predominant view in our culture.

As Professor Allen Bloom and others have pointed out, for most people tolerance has come to mean that all opinions are created equal. All opinions are true, and whatever one believes is true for him or her.

However, it is logically impossible that all opinions are true. The laws of physics, nature and mathematics prevent such a view.

Authentic Tolerance is something quite different. It refers not to how we treat opinions, but how we treat people. It means treating people with respect, regardless of their opinions, even if we disagree with them.

Authentic Tolerance recognises and respects honest disagreement, taking the other’s views seriously, without forcing them to hold one’s own position through either coercion or manipulation.

C. Scott Hallett Cove

FURTHER DISCUSSION NEEDED The current discussion about ethical investment raises some important questions about the role and functions of UCInvest. By claiming to be an ethical investment fund, having an “Ethical Investment Policy” and operating in an “ethical environment” (website), what does this mean in practice? How is it decided what is, or is not, an ethical investment? Are both positive and negative criteria used in making such judgements? Are the investments themselves, and not just their proceeds, directed toward the good of society? Does the UCInvest portfolio of investments differ significantly from those of other fund managers? Does UCInvest see a broader role for itself in guiding, educating and encouraging (other than by advertisements in New Times) church members in ethical investment practice?

In an age when a high proportion of church members would be investors of one form or another, responses to these and other questions of financial stewardship would be of real value.

letters to ed

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS The work of Frontier Services – the Uniting Church caring for the many different needs people in remote areas of Australia – is continually changing and becoming needed more often.

This year Frontier Services celebrates 100 years of caring. The SA support team is planning a celebration of this event and would love to hear from anyone past and present involved with Australian Inland mission, Methodist Inland Mission, Warrawee House and Frontier Services who could add to this celebration by sharing experiences of the service. Please also come and join us on July 29th at Adelaide West UC for the Then and Now commemorative afternoon followed by smoko.

If you have information, anecdotes, photos, etc, please contact any of the team members: Mrs Margaret Morey 8332 5249, Rev Bob McIntosh 8373 5848, Rev Norah Norris 8261 6852 , John Duval 8262 3453.

J. Kirkham Woodville West

B. Ward Marden

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

Be topical, be brief, be timely.

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

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

GOD AND SCIENCE SEMINAR Tabor Adelaide Monday 19th March 3pm or 7pm

If you are a school teacher, a pastor or other church leader grappling with issues of Christian faith and science in the school or the church, then the God and Science seminar series is just for you.

For more information about these seminars or to reg ister visit www.taboradelaide.edu.au

An initiative of the Graeme Clark Research Institute at Tabor Adelaide along with John Templeton Foundation

181 Goodwood Rd Millswood SA 5034 tel. 08 8373 8777 fax. 08 8373 1766

21

Every year the Uniting Church calendar highlights stories of encouragement and challenge from within our mission and ministry. We only see a short snippet of those stories in the calendar, so New Times will be sharing a little more with you in each month of the coming year.

A matter of the heart Professor Paul D Murray, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Durham, has accepted an invitation from SA Council of Churches to participate in a series of conversations, lectures and presentations in late July 2012.

Paul is the major proponent of Receptive Ecumenism, which he describes as “a matter of the heart before it is a matter of the head; a matter of falling in love with the experienced presence of God in the people, practices, even structures of another tradition and being impelled thereby to search for ways in which all impediments to closer relationship might be overcome.”

Four members of the Stamp Group at work. Clockwise from left: Bob Badenoch, Al Schammer, Maxine Haines, Maralyn Kessell.

magazine

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Every Monday morning, the Sally Stamp group gather at the Uniting Church SA office, scissors at the ready to cut and sort used stamps. Sold in aid of mission funds, the team’s work predominately funds shipments of used school books to countries around the world via South Pacific School Aid Inc. One of the beneficiaries of this excellent charity, the Child Guidance Centre, will be explored in the April edition of New Times.

Busily attending to their work, the group diligently save, store and sell their valuable findings. Every dollar, every stamp, counts in this business.

The major aim of Paul’s visit is to spend time with people across the Church in SA with a view to assisting in the formation of a new disposition towards one another, for the sake of the life and mission of the Church so that the world may believe.

He will do this through lectures, presentations and conversations. In particular, he will • introduce and explore the basic thinking behind and strategy of Receptive Ecumenism and what is distinctive about it; • explore the regional project in the North East of England on Receptive Ecumenism and the Local Church; • invite reflection on how all of this could apply in participants’ own contexts.

An outline of his public programme for South Australia, together with registration details, is available online at sacc.asn.au or by contacting Jacqui or Geraldine at sacc@picknowl.com.au.

Rarely seen pictures of Christ

Real Presence: In Search of the Earliest Icons Beckett believes that pictures of Christ draw us into His divine presence. This book gives us many early images of Jesus painted between the fourth to seventh centuries. They show various aspects not seen in the later pictures of Christ which became formalised in the art of iconography. The author deliberately omitted definite and indefinite articles from the title of the book in order not to get it confused with the Eucharist.

Some issues are simplified, and Beckett seems not to be fully cognizant with the manner in which early icons were created. The early painters took a text and put it into Author: Sister Wendy Beckett

a picture, while the author joins together different aspects of the gospel accounts.

Recommended for: People seeking a general introduction to icons and for those who are interested in spiritual contemplation.

The text is a useful general introduction to the early images of Christ and to church history, but at points is superficial. I found it fascinating to discover the evidence of these images of Jesus which are narrative-based and free from the later formalised portraits of Christ.

In short: There are pictures painted in the early centuries which have their own spirituality and faith presence.

- Rev Dr Anna Grant-Henderson

Available from: Uniting Church SA Office RRP: $19.15

The devotional traveller

Book: Eichmann’s Jews Author: Doron Rabinovici Recommended for: Political and Military History readers In short: A scholar’s take on the actions of Jewish collaborators with Nazi forces in occupied Austria.

RRP: $29.49

Book: Walking Home: From Eden to Emmaus Author: Margaret Guenther Recommended for: Personal devotional reading In short: A physical exploration of classic Bible stories.

reviews

How to save a life

Available from: Uniting Church SA Office RRP: 24.95

Leading members of the Jewish community collaborated with Nazis in the extermination of fellow Jews. How shall a population reconcile itself to acts of betrayal? Were these leaders acting upon a lesser evil of sacrificing the few to save the culture of many?

Rabinovici entwines pre-war events, holocaust Vienna and the aftermath of judgement.

Morality is not clear cut and it is very difficult to take sides.

I found this a difficult book to read. It is very complex and scholarly in places, while I found the story impenetrable at times. I found myself

getting angry at the injustices inflicted upon men in cattle trucks as well as those of their neighbours.

In the end I gave up on Eichmann’s Jews – it was too taxing upon me as a reader and as a pastor.

- Damien Tann

Walkers see things along the way that those who use transport do not. Guenther has gathered walking stories from the biblical narrative, and has merged the experience of physical exercise with spiritual journey, one step after another.

Each short, readable chapter explores a ‘walking’ story, beginning with Eden and concluding with Emmaus, woven together with Guenther’s gentle wisdom, musings and practical simplicity.

spiritual journey. The pace and gentleness of the text mirrors the unhurried walk to which she invites the reader.

Guenther’s joy of walking, along with her experience as a spiritual director, teacher and priest, is evident in the crafting of this book. It reads like a gentle excursion with a spiritual companion.

- Rev Sandy Boyce (Deac)

I expected more earthy engagement in the way the stories were unpacked, but the author’s focus is on the

23

GPYR MDFT3784_ADP

DEFENCE FORCE CHAPLAINS GO WHERE YOU’RE NEEDED If you have a sense of adventure, enjoy keeping fit and like the idea of developing lasting friendships, then take up this opportunity today. Right now we need Chaplains to provide spiritual ministry and pastoral support, both full-time and part-time. It’s a role that will see you providing vital support to all members of the Australian Defence Force.

To find out more email chaplains@dfr.com.au

TO APPLY CALL 13 19 01 OR VISIT DEFENCEJOBS.GOV.AU