The Newsletter December 2003
Uniting Church in Australia NSW SYNOD
General Secretary the Rev. Dr Chris Budden
Dear friends and colleagues,
The last year has been a fairly tough one in our community the tragedy of Bali, the harshness and hardship of drought and bushfire, the divisiveness of the pre-emptive strike on Iraq.
In the church this has all been compounded as we struggle with the challenge presented by our churchs decisions about leadership and sexuality. It is not an easy decision to defend among other Christians, it seems to contradict a plain reading of Scripture, and it raises significant questions about leadership, membership and the demands of discipleship.
Each of these things seem to remind us both of the enormous and disturbing change we are facing in both church and community, and the really fraught nature of our life. Mainline churches like ours are already having difficulty surviving In a world that seems to have little time for the church, without new controversies or issues that seem to challenge what people see as church.
I think that for many people this issue and all the changes which we face raises a terribly important and quite scary issue: if things can change as the church is suggesting, how do we know that our faith is true? How do we know that our faith is not simply another thing that is not relevant in a different world?
How do we actually know that God is trustworthy and that there is any sense in faith at all?
This is the struggle in Job. Job had faced enormous loss and pain, enough to lead to terrible despair. Jobs friends came to him and said: Job, you need to accept the fact that you are suffering because of your sin. God is always faithful and trustworthy for those who are righteous, so it has got to be your fault that you are suffering .
Job didnt believe that. He knew he was a good person, and didnt deserve his suffering and he wanted God to tell him what was going on, to go to court with God and argue the case.
The conclusion of Job is crucial. There is no explanation of suffering of good people, but there is a rejection of the simplistic arguments of Jobs friends. The challenge in Job, for him and us, is whether we can trust God even when there is no obvious benefit for us, even when we do not know what is going on or why.
As we head into this Advent season we proclaim an extraordinary message: the God who out of deep love created the universe and all that is within it, who calls human beings to bear Gods image in the world, has so entered the life of Jesus of Nazareth that we recognize the face of God. In Jesus life we catch a glimpse of Gods kingdom, Gods way to wholeness of life. Through his death and resurrection, through his return into the heart of God, we are called to discover our true life in God.
Faith is not certitude, or it would not be faith. Faith is not simply intellectual assent, for it must always be discipleship, following, living with Christ and the Church as a sign of trust in God, and as a forgiven people who can offer peace and forgiveness to the world.
The Basis of Union rightly reminds us that the church is called to be faithful to Jesus Christ the living Word. We will claim the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as faithful witnesses to that Word and will, in our worship and preaching witness to that Word among us.
For me, though, my capacity to believe that God is trustworthy and worth the commitment of my life, does not depend only or even primarily on the Scriptures. They, along with the wisdom of the church, the support of friends, and the witness of Gods world, are important companions on the journey, but my faith is deeply grounded in my experience of the faithfulness of God. I know in my life that God is trustworthy, and I know that Christ is my saviour, companion and friend. I am overwhelmed by the deep love of God that confronts my alienated, broken, disobedient and, at times, faithless life and offers me hope and new beginnings.
I know there is judgment in God, and that God does not simply ignore all that we do. I also know that it is judgment tempered by deep anguish for the separation between us and God, for our failure to take hold of the life that is offered to us; the anguish of a father who runs down the road to welcome a long lost child, who searches for us through incarnation and the earthly life of the Son.
I struggle with the pain of Bali, the tragedy of bushfire and drought, the grief of my church at this time. I wonder what it means to forge new understandings of ministry, sexuality, the way Scriptures are read, or how we relate to a group of people who have been abused, rejected and cut off from Gods grace (as we have other groups at other times). I wonder whether I have understood God rightly, yet seek to be faithful to who and what I know.
What I do want to affirm at this time, what I know to be true as Christmas draws near, is that God IS trustworthy, faithful, and forever near. The rest I can live with.
May you know the One who never leaves you, never deserts you, never lets you go!
Best wishes
Chris Budden
National Working Group on Doctrine under way
The Doctrine Working Group has been reconstituted for the next
triennium. It met in Sydney recently. Issues already on the table
include: Membership in the UCA, "Becoming Disciples", review of
Specified Ministries, apologetics (proclaiming and defending the faith in the twenty-first century), the ongoing discussion about sexuality and the relationship of doctrine to theology and ethics.
We are anxious to identify people who may be able to help us in our task. We would like to establish a data base of people who have special interest or expertise and/or who have done post-graduate studies in particular areas (e.g. the Pauline writings, the sacraments etc). This will help us to call on people as we need them. If you may be willing to be called on from time to time, please contact Rob Bos ([EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ) indicating your contact details and area of expertise.
The Working Group will indicate to Assembly Standing Committee its readiness to offer comments on how papers and proposed policies fit into our Catholic, Reformed and Evangelical tradition, the Basis of Union and previous decisions of the Assembly.
Chris Budden (Convener) and Rob Bos (National Consultant, Theology and Discipleship)
Service of Recognition of an Intern
The National Working Group on Worship commends to Presbyteries the new order for the Recognition of an Intern. It is available for downloading from the Assembly website. Go to http://assembly.uca.org.au/TD, click on "Worship", click on "Orders of Service" and scroll down to the section "Ordering of the Church".
Paul Walton, Convener, National Working Group on Worship and Rob Bos, National Consultant, Theology and Discipleship
Band members needed
We are looking for bright and enthusiastic musicians to join our music team for Sydney Kids Campout 2004. If you are interested please feel free to contact Ashleigh Rendell at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or phone her on 0438618022
Evangelism - the Becoming Disciples process
Many people have asked what is happening about resourcing congregations for evangelism, using the Becoming Disciples process. The steps being taken now are:
* A manual is being drafted to resource congregations. (This will be available through the Assembly website, or by mail). The younger members of the Tenth Assembly are taking a keen interest in this and are offering very helpful suggestions.
* The process will be trialled in 6 congregations in 4 Synods. The manual will then be redrafted, based on their experience.
* A consultation will be held at Hosanna Heights in Adelaide from 17-19 August 2004. Daniel Benedict, from the United Methodist Church and author of "Come to the Waters", has been invited as a keynote speaker.
(Dan is awaiting approval from his denomination.) Daniel has widespread experience in using a very similar process in North America. There will also be practical, experiential workshops. Two people from each Presbytery will be invited initially and then registrations will be opened to whomever wishes to come.
* An ongoing support network (perhaps inter-denominational) will be formed to continue to resource congregations and share learnings.
Rob Bos, National Director, Theology and Discipleship
Body Theology
Lisa Isherwood, Senior Lecturer in Theology at the University College of St Mark and St John, Plymouth, is visiting Australia in January/February 2004.
She will lead an intensive on "Body Theology" at United Theological College (a member institution of Sydney College of Divinity) on Monday 2 February to Friday 6 February with morning and afternoon sessions each day.
Lisa is author, co-author and editor of a range of works including "Introducing Body Theology", "Introducing Feminist Theology", "An A-Z of Feminist Theology".
Enrolment options include bachelor's, graduate and postgraduate levels, audit (statement of Participation) and cross-credit. Those seeking cross-credit must consult their own awarding institutions for permission to enrol in the unit.
Accommodation is available on-site for $40 per night (bed & breakfast).
If you're interested in the intensive, please contact the Registrar, United Theological College on (02)88388914 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] in order to be placed on a mailing list for further information. Please indicate if you are also interested in information about accommodation.
Campout
Time with God - Campout 4 Kids, 13-14 March 04
TIME WITH GOD. All that we do we do with God: everyday we can have fab times with God (eating ice-cream at the beach on a sunny day) or yuck times (when we score badly on a maths test) or sad times (when someone we know is hurt) or fun times (when we watch a great movie). Each and everyone of these is a time with God something we can share with God and experience with God. Jesus when he was a 12 year old chose to spend time with God in the temple learning and speaking about God and with God (Luke 2:41 47). From this we can learn that Time with God can also be worshipful: prayer, meditation, quiet time, a time to listen. It is important to think about how we spend time with God.
At Campout 2004 we are going to spend Time with God in heaps of ways through worship, small group times, celebration, gathering as a community of faith, prayer, singing and fun. So, prepare yourself for some Time with God&
WHO CAN ATTEND? Whilst aimed at children in years 3- 6, CAMPOUT is an experience for the whole family and the congregation of that child/children. All are welcome to attend whether you have a KUCA group, a Sunday School group, an after-school care group or you are a family with children but your church doesnt have KUCA.
For more information on this tenting spectacular contact Meg Everard, Ministry and Mission with Children for the NSW Synod on [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 02 8267 4289.
What will you study next year?
Pastoral Counselling Institute is offering a Certificate IV in Pastoral Counselling.
Subjects include: Intro to Counselling, Communication skills, Developing strategies, Integration of Theology and Psychology,
Modules on Marriage, Family of Origin, Addictions, Abuse, Grief & Sexuality complete the certificate.
Become part of a team bringing a ministry of care to people in a hurting world.
Call: (02) 9683 3664 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.pastoralcounselling.org
Are you interested in social justice?
Building a Culture of Peace, May 8, 2004 Centre for Ministry - watch this space.......
PNG mobile health clinics appeal
In the Milne Bay province of PNG, mobile health clinics are providing a vital health service to remote communities. The clinics are an outreach of the UCAs partner church, the United Church of PNG, and Uniting Church Overseas Aid has made a commitment to support the work of the clinics.
The infant mortality rate in PNG is 10%, however in Milne Bay Province it is as high as 20%. Basic preventable illnesses, such as tetanus and tuberculosis and a lack of immunizations are leaving isolated families open to death and disease. To reach medical help means an expensive four hour trip in a dinghy through open sea, together with several hours on foot in rough terrain. Many families cannot make the trip, leaving children at risk of preventable diseases and women in danger of having to go through life threatening child birth.
With such a large and isolated area to cover, the mobile clinic team needs help to be able to continue its important outreach. Thousands of people receive vital medical care with the work of the mobile clinics.
This month UCOA is running an appeal to raise funds for the mobile clinics. If you would like to know more about the work of the clinics please contact us on: (02) 8267 4265 or email [EMAIL PROTECTED] If you would like to make a donation please call 1800 998 122 with your credit card details or send a cheque to: Uniting Church Overseas Aid , PO Box A2266 Sydney South NSW 1235.
Please help
Children's Ministry needs your assistance.
Please collect the following items from your household/congregation and send into the office prior to March 2004:
? old stockings (clean please)
? egg cartons
? gladwrap rolls, kitchen towel rolls and christmas wrap rolls
? buttons
? brightly coloured wool
These items will be transformed into new craft project at Kids Campout in March 2004 and Expo for Kids in July 2004.
Thank you for your support of Children's Ministry
post: PO Box A2178, Sydney South 1235 visit: Level 10, 222 Pitt Street, Sydney 2000 chat: 02 8267 4289 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Semester 1, 2004
UTC is offering an exciting range of subjects in semester 1, 2004.
Most of the subjects offered can be taken for credit or at audit level (statement of participation only).
Call or email today for your free information package
The Lectionary Gospel for Preaching Evangelism in Theological Perspective Readings in Evangelical Theology Uniting Church Studies Ministry in Australian Society Theology of Youth Ministry (Intensive) Missional Leadership for Growing Congregations (Intensive) Introduction to the Ethos of the UCA Pastoral Care with Youth (Saturdays) Looking into Worship (Saturdays) Religious Themes in Australian Literature (Saturdays) The Leader as Facilitator Introductory Greek & Hebrew Pastoral Care in Marriage Studies in Exodus Educational Ministry Formation and Identity in Pastoral Ministry Discovering Biblical Studies The Ethics of Biblical Interpretation Critical Thinking Studies in Johannine Literature Writing a Parish History The Person and Work of Christ Philosophy for Theology Politics, Power & the Person of Christ Christian Perspectives on Public Policy Practicums: Cross Cultural Ministry Rural Ministry Religious Education Youth or Family Retreats &Camps Mission Church Agency Pastoral Counselling: (taught by PCI) Theories of Personality Basic Pastoral Counselling
For more information & application forms please contact:
The Registrar United Theological College 16 Masons Drive North Parramatta NSW 2151
Moderators mailing address
If you are writing to the Moderator, the Rev Alistair Christie, please use the Synods postal address -
PO Box A2178 SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1235
Share Jesus
Do you want to be part of a mission team? Do you want a mission team to help your congregation? For more information contact Wendy White on 6885 4217.
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Stephen Webb Media Officer Communications Unit NSW Synod, Uniting Church in Australia Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW 1235, Australia email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: +61 2 8267 4308; Mobile: 0423 259 945; Fax: 9267 4716; Web: nsw.uca.org.au/cu/ & insights.uca.org.au/ ------------------ The Communications Unit publishes the monthly magazine Insights, conducts public relations for the NSW Synod of the Uniting Church, and provides a variety of communications services. These include writing, editing, web consultation and development, desktop publishing and graphic design, public relations and advertising. For a consultation or free estimate on your project call the Communications Unit at (02) 8267 4307.
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