Uniting Church in Australia NSW SYNOD 222 Pitt Street SYDNEY Telephone - 8267 4300 Email - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
General Secretary - Rev Dr Chris Budden
THE NEWSLETTER JUNE 2004
PARTICULARLY WORTH LOOKING FOR:
New Print Edition - Constitutions & Regulations Working with Children Gods Earth, Our Earth Childrens Expo
Dear friends and colleagues
I am part of a group which has decided that its next conversation will be around the theme: Can we speak about God in Australia? I have also been involved in discussions about our covenant with the Congress, and in writing some resources to encourage the debates about sexuality. Each of these tasks has encouraged me to ponder anew the task of theology to wonder what we think we are doing when we reflect theologically.
Anselm said that Theology is faith seeking understanding . I think that this is really too rational. Denise Ackermann reports that Letty Russell said that she heard Krister Standahl quote a Rabbinic saying that theology is worrying about what God is worrying about when God gets up in the morning . She understands this to mean that God is worrying about the mending of creation.
As Ackermann says in After the Locusts Theology is sustained reflection about what we worry about, what we believe and what we do about what we believe (p. 27). Theology is engaging with Gods pain and Gods delight. It is the doing that puts us and our theological reflection in the thick of things.
I believe that theology seeks to help people locate their life within a narrative or story about God in Christ in a way that brings meaning and hope to their life, and helps to shape their identity and, thus, behaviour. In doing this we reflect on how God relates to our world, and what God calls forth from people and the church.
All of us are involved in theologyin trying to find hope and meaning for our lives in the story of God. Some do this in words and writing, others in liturgy, art, music, story telling or sharing of lifes journey over a BBQ. Some are able to do this with greater awareness of how others have reflected on our faith and tradition, and we should be grateful for this and draw on what they know. But theology can never simply be the task of experts.
All our knowing, including what we know about God, is conditioned by the context in which we know. That is, our theology never occurs in a vacuum, but is always shaped by peoples realities, questions, struggles, bid for power, and the desire to be more important than others.
In The cross in our Context, Douglas John Hall says that the point of discipleship is that we should engage the world. I would suggest that this is also the point of theology, and this means two things at least.
First, engagement implies that we enter into the world in a way that allows us to enter genuinely into the cares and struggles of the world, and yet in that engagement we do not simply reflect the world but represent an alternative
way of being. We are to be in but not of the world.
Second, this engagement means an awareness of the tension that is involved in holding together text and context. By text Hall does not mean simply the Bible but Bible, written tradition, oral tradition, prayer, and the koinonia [fellowship] of living discourse (p. 56). When he speaks of context he reminds us that we must take seriously both the differences that exist because of time, and the differences which exist because of place (not simply in terms of geography or location, but a sense of place or social location).
Here is a struggle for the Church, and the point of what is often a significant failure. The Synod goals recognise that too many of us do not actually engage, as Christians, with the world in which we live. Members of the Uniting Church are very active in serving the community, in volunteering to care for people, but there is less connection between the local congregation and the community. There is less indication that our life is being questioned and shaped by the real needs and struggles of people. We hold to our text and present it on a take it or leave it basis, believing that it will touch each person in some general way.
The other danger is equally real. We can be open to the community, responsive to its demands, be deeply involved in responding to the needs of our time, yet not really engage. We fit in, support good works, and never reflect on what it means to hold to an alternative understanding of what God intends for the world.
We have to take the task of theologymaking sense of life before Godmore seriously. We need to read Scripture, pray, read theology, talk to each other, and deal with the world and our own lives as faith issues.
If we engage with people in their real world, if we listen to the stories, if we stand with people in their struggles, we may get a chance to tell our story and what it suggests about how human life is really meant to be. We may find an opportunity to suggest a different take on what is happening to them, one that provides hope.
WITHIN THE UNITING CHURCH
DONOR LIAISON OFFICER WANTED ? Full Time (35 hours per week) ? Located in Sydney City ? Friendly, flexible team environment
Uniting International Mission (UIM) is responsible for international relationships of the Uniting Church in Australia and work with Partner Churches concentrating in Asia & Pacific.
We are looking for a team player with initiative. This is a busy, hands on position where the major focus will be on managing and maintaining the database. Accuracy and attention to detail is mandatory.
You will be joining a friendly team who are passionate about Gods mission.
Applications close 25 June 2004, unless specified on our website www.uim.uca.org.au.
Please forward all letters of interest addressing the criteria as outlined on the job description to;
Uniting International Mission Jane Gibson Promotions Program Manager PO Box A2266 Sydney South NSW 1235 F: 02 8267 4222 E: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
PASTORAL COUNSELLING INSTITUTE
SEMESTER TWO, 2004 Theories of Counselling, running weekly, starts in July - hurry to book your place!
WHAT WILL YOU BE STUDYING IN 2005? The Pastoral Counselling Institute is offering a Certificate IV in Pastoral Counselling. The Certificate trains people to provide practical visitation in parish, community and hospital settings; to become proficient in effective listening skills and caring; a connection between faith concerns and life problems. The Certificate provides a solid foundation for a ministry of pastoral care by teaching:
? A Biblical understanding of caring ? The nature of helping relationships ? The essence of pastoral counselling ? Models for thinking theologically
Basic counselling skills in class setting and ministry placement The Certificate meets the Presbytery requirements of 15 days continuing education for clergy and is offered in weekly or intensive formats. Call the Institute for details or visit the website www.pastoralcounselling.org for further information.
Pastoral Counselling Institute 16 Masons Drive, North Parramatta 2151 (02) 9683 3664 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
NEW PRINT EDITION OF THE CONSTITUTION & REGULATIONS
The 2004 edition of the Constitution and Regulations will become available from 1 June 2004.
They will be available from the Secretariat Office: Level 9, 222 Pitt Street, Sydney Ph: 8267 4329 email:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
The cost for this publication will be $29.00 including GST plus postage if you would like a copy posted out.
DIRECTOR OF THE YOUTH AND CHILDRENS MINISTRY UNIT (YACMU)
Applications are invited for the position of Director of the Youth and Childrens Ministry Unit (YACMU) within the Queensland Synod.
YACMU is a network for ministry development which exists to equip the UCA for ministry and mission with children, young people and their families.
The aim of the Director is to provide congregations and presbyteries and the Queensland Synod with ministry resources, training and advocacy in ministry with children, youth, early adults and families through the effective management, strategic leadership, team development and visioning of YACMU.
The Director will have excellent communication skills, both oral and written. S/he will be a team player and have a passion for ministry with young people, children and their families and ideally be theologically trained. It is essential that the Director has a good knowledge of the issues facing the Churchs role in Youth, Childrens and Family Ministry, and a vision to encourage local congregations in this mission area.
Applicants will be committed to the ethos of The Uniting Church in Australia, which is an equal opportunity employer.
This full-time position is to commence mid August 2004 and will be based in Brisbane, with travel throughout Queensland required.
For an information pack to apply for the position, please contact Vivienne Rance, (07) 3377 9705 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
APPLICATIONS marked CONFIDENTIAL and addressed to: Rev Jenny Tymms, General Secretary Qld Synod, GPO Box 674, Brisbane Q 4001 CLOSE WEDNESDAY, 30 JUNE 2004.
BECOMING DISCIPLES CONSULTATION
How can congregations be renewed for the important ministry of making disciples of Jesus? Registrations for the Becoming Disciples consultation 17 to 19 August are coming in. Thanks to those who have responded already. Please check the website assembly.uca.org.au/TD and click on "Becoming Disciples". There is a link for registering on-line. For those without internet access, please contact Katie on 02 9416 4262 Mon, Wed, Fri.
Rob Bos, National Consultant, Theology and Discipleship
SUBJECTS AVAILABLE AT UTC SEMESTER 2 2004
IntensivesSemester 2, 2004
Missiology for Local Leaders Monday 26 July, Monday 11Thursday 14 October Intro. To Youth Ministry Monday 12Friday 16 July Supervision in Ministry Thursday 9Friday 10 and Saturday 18 September, Monday 18 October and Monday 1 November UCA Polity (Part 2) and Professional Ethics Monday 12Thursday 15 July
Seminar Week Public spirit: God and Society Monday 16Friday 20 August For more details see E2
ExtensivesSemester 2, 2004
Doing Theology through Expressive Art Monday 19/7, 2/8, 23/8, 13/9, 11/10
Theology of Youth Ministry Monday 19/7, 2/8, Saturday 4 Monday 6 September, 13/9
Developing an Intensive Journal Monday 26/7, 9/8, 6/9, Saturday 9Sunday 10 October, 1/11
The Craft of the Sermon Saturday 24/7, 7/8, 4/9, 18/9, 23/10, 6/11
Spectacular Worship Saturday 31/7, 14/8, 11/9, 16/10, 30/10
Contact the Registrar Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: (02) 8838 8914 http://utc.uca.org.au
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Continuing Education Scholarships
The School of Continuing Education (SCE) has limited but useful scholarship funds to assist those in UCA Specified Ministries in NSW, the ACT and Norfolk Island with their continuing education. There are three funds:
1. The Goodlet Fund provides medium sized grants to assist with a range of learning experiences, such as ministry exchanges, significant overseas conferences and postgraduate student fees.
2. The Postgraduate Theological Education Fund for Women provides medium sized grants to assist women in Specified Ministries to undertake postgraduate theological education. Funding is available for fees and other costs, such as research expenses.
3. The Continuing Education Foundation provides small grants for a range of purposes. The first priority is to support travel and accommodation costs for people based outside of Sydney attending events at the Centre for Ministry, such as Seminar Week, the SCE Intentional Interim Ministry course, ELM Expos and UTC intensive courses. The philosophy that we seek to embody is that it should cost no more for rural people to attend events than for city folk. Funding for other learning opportunities is assessed on the basis of strategic significance for the ministry and mission of the church, especially in fulfilment of the Synods goals (eg leadership development and biblical literacy). Examples of these learning opportunities include attendance at short courses and conferences in NSW or other parts of Australia, or participating in peer learning groups.
Applications close at the end of March and September each year and need to be made on the SCEs scholarship application form. Applicants also have to include their current learning agreement with their application and undertake to make a report on their learning.
Contact Robert McFarlane to discuss your learning goals and to obtain a scholarship application form: 8838 8935 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
WORKING WITH CHILDREN
A SAFE PLACE FOR CHILDREN is now ONLINE&
The Uniting Church in Australia is committed to provide:
? Safe places where people are cared for, nurtured and sustained
? A safe environment for children to encounter God, to develop relationships as part of a community, and to grow in faith
A Safe Place for Children is available in hard copy for a small cost from the NSW Synod and is also available on the Uniting Education website:
http://www.unitinged.org.au/articles/2001-12-04-47.shtml
WORKING WITH CHILDREN and YOUNG PEOPLE
The NSW Commission for Children and Young People have recently updated their regulations for working with Children and Young People.
The Child Protection Legislation Amendment Act 2003: This legislation amends the Commission for Children and Young Persons Act 1998 and the Ombudsman Act 1998 by removing the term 'child abuse', introducing the term 'reportable conduct' and clarifying which employment proceedings must be notified to the NSW Commission for Children and Young People.
Release of new, improved Working With Children Check Guidelines: The Working With Children Check Guidelines have been revised to make the process clearer and to incorporate legislative changes. The new, improved Guidelines must be used from 23 April 2004.
Please note the following:
- If you have volunteers working with children and young people in your local congregation they are required by law to complete a Prohibitive Persons Form (Attachment 4). All volunteers who have done this in the past are still covered by the previous forms. These forms have recently been updated and if you ask any new volunteers to assist in your congregation they will need to sign the updated forms. New forms can be found at: http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/check/resources or http://nsw.uca.org.au/boe/children/safety
? If employing people in your congregation, to work with children and young people, they are still required to have background checks through the Commission. If you are unsure about these regulations then please visit
http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/check/intro.html
INDEMNITY FORMS
There is an expectation that activities and events organised by the Uniting Church will utilise indemnity forms. A template indemnity form and other relevant forms can be found on the NSW Synod website, simply go to: http://nsw.uca.org.au/boe/children/safety
QUESTIONS?
Any additional queries about how this affects your congregation should be directed to Meg Everard, Synod Consultant for Ministry and Mission with Children and Families on:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
GODS EARTH, OUR EARTH CHILDRENS EXPO
A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN
Children of primary school age are invited to attend a fun day, EXPO, at the Centre for Ministry created specifically for them. On the 3rd July 2004, from 10am till 3pm the Centre for Ministry (16 Masons Drive, North Parramatta) will be transformed into a place to explore, experience and engage with the theme: Gods Earth, Our Earth. Through the deep blue sea and into the deep dark rainforest, children will engage in craft activities, games, storytelling and worship,
Cost = $5. Children are to be accompanied by an adult and are to BYO lunch, snacks and drinks. For more information contact Meg on [EMAIL PROTECTED]
The Just War
The NSW Council of Christians and Jews in conjunction with The Catholic Institute Sydney invite you to join Dr Norman Solomon in dialogue with Fr. Gerald Gleeson on The Just War on Monday June 7, 2004 at 7:30 pm to be held at Catholic Institute of Sydney 99 Albert Road Strathfield, NSW 2135.
Dr. Solomon was rabbi to Orthodox Congregations in England, including Hampstead, London. He left London to found and direct the Centre for the Study of Judaism and Jewish-Christian Relations in Birmingham, and from there moved to Oxford as Fellow in Modern Jewish Thought at the Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies. He is a member of Wolfson College, Oxford, and a Past President of the British Association for Jewish Studies. He has published several books, including 'A Very Short introduction to Judaism'. Dr Solomon is currently Scholar in Residence at Mandelbaum College at the University of Sydney. Fr. Gleeson is Professor of Philosophy at the Catholic Institute and whose current field of research includes moral philosophy, philosophical anthropology, and philosophical theology. He is a priest in the Archdiocese of Sydney and has studied at Cambridge and
Leuven Universities. He is also a research associate at the Plunkett Centre for Ethics in Health Care at St Vincents Hospital, Sydney.
Administration Assistant PART-TIME
The National Council of Churches is seeking an Administrative Assistant for 21 hours p/w for a varied and interesting role in its Sydney CBD office.
The successful applicant will have sympathy with Christian beliefs and a positive and personable manner. Good office and computing skills are essential.
Contact John Henderson (02) 9299 2215 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Seminar Week 2004 Public Spirit: God and Society
A joint activity between UTC and the School of Continuing Education. For more details about the program, please contact either Ilona Day (SCE) on 8838 8936 [EMAIL PROTECTED] or Clive Pearson (UTC) on 8838 8932 [EMAIL PROTECTED] For information about financial assistance with travel and accommodation for those in UCA Specified Ministries, please contact Robert McFarlane (SCE) on 8838 8935 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Give a gift with a difference with the 'Gift of Love' Catalogue
Uniting International Mission, a national agency of the Uniting Church, now has a catalogue of projects for different amounts that people, as individuals or groups, can support. For further details please contact:
Promotions Program Manager at any time on (02) 8267 4223
or email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
One Great Sunday of Sharing 2004.
The theme this year is 'In Christ we are reconciled to God and one another'. It is hoped that on the third Sunday of July (or at another suitable time) each congregation can give space to reflect on the theme and celebrate our cultural diversity as a church .
ABOUT PEOPLE
Obituaries
? Mrs Howard, mother of Mr Win Howard, died 6 April 2004
? Mrs Ruth Moore of Northmead, died 13 April 2004
? Mr Bob Rutherford of Newcastle, father of the Rev Bob Rutherford, died 16 April 2004
? Mrs Margaret Gee, mother of the Rev Tim Gee, died 24 April 2004Mr Harold Harris, father of Elva Harris, died 24 April 2004
? Rev Ray Diver of Bomaderry, died 1 May 2004
Mrs Smriti Rekha Das, mother of Mrs Nita Gosh and mother in law of the Rev Manash Gosh, died 7 May 2004 in Calcutta
Reported Illness
? Rev Dr Gordon Moyes ? YW Rob Hanks ? Rev Don Dowling ? Rev Dr Bill Ives
AWARDS
Rev Dr John Braakman of Hurstville has received a PHD from Flinders University on 20 April 2004. Thesis was on "Correlation of Theology and Psychology implications for Pastoral Care"
BIRTHS
Jack, a grandson to Mrs Gill and Mr Jim Mein
Ministerial Retirements
? Rev Ray Richmond, effective 30 June 2004 ? Rev Judy Caldwell, effective 31 August 2004 ? Rev Alan Swain, effective 31 March 2005
other
? Mr Jimmy and Mrs Margaret Blacklocks (UAICC) house was destroyed by fire
PLACEMENTS
Placements Approved
Central West Presbytery Orange Rev Noreen Towers 1 January 2005
Ku-ring-gai Presbytery Gordon YW Jason Street 1 June 2004 Turramurra Rev Dr Peter Svanberg 1 September 2004 (Minister of Another Church)
Parramatta-Nepean Presbytery Blaxland Rev Peter Pereira 1 July 2004 (Limited Placement 70% - see 5(f))
Sydney North Presbytery Crows Nest Rev Michael Barnes 1 July 2004
Other Rural Resource Ministry Rev Kelvin Hodge 1 July 2004 Synod Placement (Limited Placement 3 years)
Interns Placements - Ku-ring-gai Presbytery Upper Central Coast Intern Arthur Maranian 1 May 2004 (Limited Placement 1 year)
Approval to Fill
Canberra Region Presbytery Miranjani UnitingCare Rev Simon Hansford
Far North Coast Presbytery Yamba Rev Tim Jensen
Georges River Presbytery Bexley Rev Kevin Caulton Blakehurst-South Hurstville Rev Graham Brookes
Illawarra Presbytery Shellharbour Rev Andy Carlisle
Ku-ring-gai Presbytery Warnervale Mrs Gill Mein
Mid North Coast Presbytery Macleay River Rev Graham Dempster
Parramatta-Nepean Presbytery Presbytery Youth Worker Mr Ian Lawrence
The Hunter Presbytery Port Hunter Parish Mrs Jenny Mathieson
Other Sydney Presbytery UnitingCare Ageing Mr Peter Bentley
Inter Synod Transfers
Rev Roy Cowin to NSW Synod 1 April 2004
RESIGNATIONS
Rev Wayne Pearce, effective 31 March 2004
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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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