Assembly Update September 2004
In this edition: UIM Bali Cow project Multicultural Ministry UnitingJustice Preaching & Teaching in the Year of Matthew Books for Unitings Dates for your Diary
Just a thought
The 2004 Federal Election has finally been called. I wonder how interested we will be in this campaign and its results? Hugh Mackay is one of a number of social commentators who believe that, as a nation, we have largely disengaged from politics, politicians and political life. The causes are complex and the problems deeply embedded in the ways our society works. But for many Australians, politics is irrelevant because we are working so hard just to survive. For others, those of us who have more choice about how we live, our energies are directed mostly on our own backyards, literally and figuratively.
As Christians, however, we have a particular responsibility to engage political life. Jesus has called us to transform our world, to overturn systems and structures of oppression, to care for the sick and the underprivileged, and to build a world where Gods valuesgrace, compassion, justice, forgiveness, wholeness, freedom and loveshape our lives at every level.
In a democratic state, we get the politics (and the politicians) we deserve. By re-engaging with political life (and not just at election time) we can work to reshape the meaning of politics.
We can demand and stand up for a more ethically rooted and morally responsible politics.
We can build a politics that offers hope and brings to birth identity, meaning and trust genuine trust that depends on real, meaningful and decent interactions between elected political leaders and the citizens of the state.
We now have a perfect opportunity to remind our candidates for election that they have responsibilities that stretch well beyond a term or two in office we are electing them to help shape our future and secure a just and peaceful world.
Rev Elenie Poulos National Director, UnitingJustice
Uniting International Mission:
From: Lucy Earl, Communications Officer, Uniting Church Overseas Aid
Uniting Church Overseas Aid, the aid and development division of Uniting International Mission, now has available for distribution a video focused on our Bali Cow project.
As a result of the Bali Bombings in 2002, the economy in Bali suffered extensively, and many local farmers are finding it hard to provide for their families. The Bali Cow Fattening Scheme is helping to reduce the level of poverty among local farmers and their families, by providing them with an additional source of income. It is a project operated in partnership with Maha Bhoga Marga (MBM), which is the aid and development agency of our partner church, the Protestant Church in Bali.
The Bali Cow project is supplementing the income of farmers, bringing financial independence and the hope of a more secure future to many families. People from all religious backgrounds are benefiting from this initiative.
The Bali video was taken in early 2004. It is a great resource for groups and congregations, helping to show how the Uniting Church is connecting with communities overseas. The video is free of charge, however any contributions towards mailing and the tape would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me if you are interested in finding out more.
Lucy Earl, Communications Officer Uniting Church Overseas Aid Uniting International Mission 8/222 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Tele: (02) 8267 4265 Web: www.uim.uca.org.au
Multicultural Ministry:
From: Rev Helen Richmond, National Director, Multicultural Ministry
Multicultural Ministry has continued to assist in the development and running of National Conference gatherings in the last twelve months by giving financial and administrative support to their communities. Each conference brings together people from particular migrant communities for consultation and sharing, cultural celebration and reflection.
Since their inception, National Conferences have grown into more than just places for fellowship and sharing. They have become networks that have the ability to bring together migrant and non-migrant congregations and promote harmony and diversity within the church. They provide an avenue to develop leadership, local preachers, young people, and increasingly are providing candidates for ministry.
In recognition of this, the Standing Committee resolved at its last meeting to work with other Councils of the Church to find ways to better consult with National Conferences, particularly when they are making decisions that impact these communities. To aid in this, Multicultural Ministry has developed a list of contacts for all National Conferences. The list is available from the Multicultural Ministry Website.
The Report on the Third National Consultation on Cross-cultural Ministry, Walking Together, which took place at Naamaroo Conference Centre, Sydney in March 2003, is now available.
To order the Walking Together Report ($12 per copy includes postage) and additional multicultural resources, contact Ruth Crispin on (02) 8267 4220 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
UnitingJustice:
From: Rev Elenie Poulos, National Director, UnitingJustice
The Biblical tradition of the Sabbath honours the sacred rhythm of days and seasons as a gift from God, who made the seventh day holy. It acknowledges that the oneness of the world rests in God, not in human endeavour. It provides a chance for nature to rest from human interference; the chance for workers to rest from wage labour; and the chance for citizens to rest from the commerce of buying and selling. Building on that tradition, the Uniting Church shares a vision for a world where community values enhance the quality of life for all citizens alike.
[extract from Building a Sabbath Community, Uniting Church Federal Election 2004 issues papers, Lee Levett-Olson]
Politics and religion do mix. As UnitingJustice we live this every day our mission is to be faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ by pursuing social and ecological justice and peace in Australia and the world. The Uniting Church, since inception, has recognised that our faith places particular demands on us as citizens and responsible members of society.
UnitingJustice is what some would call progressive we hold views that are widespread throughout the church, but at the same time our views are sometimes quite different to those held by others within the Church. The labels often ascribed to those who hold various positions on particular issues are, however, misleading. UnitingJustice may be progressive on some issues, but we are conservative on others, and we are always evangelical as we work to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
In assisting the Assembly in the preparation of resources for the election, we are, however, often guilty of speaking to our own kind, or even of trying to convert others to the Christian justice perspective.
Whilst we believe in the truth and integrity of the positions we take, we also recognise that there are many Christians who participate in politics with truth and integrity, whose faith leads them to focus on different issues, propose different policies, or take different positions.
Christians are not a homogenous bunch we choose to vote for the Nationals, the Liberals, Labor, the Greens, the Christian Democrats, amongst others. Political parties themselves are not homogenous there are people in all these parties who hold positions or put forward policies that you might agree with, then there are others in all of these parties who put forward policies or hold positions that make you recoil in horror!
UnitingJustice commends any Christian initiative which encourages people to take an active role in our democracy, even when the positions are contradictory to the ones we espouse, because we believe that true justice is always dependent upon open, participatory, and accessible political processes. Disagreement over issues is a good thing it is often the resolution of conflict that results in positive social change.
As the Uniting Church and as Christians, we should happily disagree amongst ourselves as part of our contribution toward promoting a robust and healthy democracy.
WORK SNIPPETS . . .
The National Assemblys Federal Election resource, No Security Without Justice, is now reprinting for the second time and will be available again from 8 September. To order copies, please contact UnitingJustice Australia Ph: (02) 8267 4236
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
More detailed issues papers are now available on the Uniting Church Election-web, together with useful links and additional resources. This web page will be updated throughout the election campaign to include Assembly media releases, letter writing actions, and other resources. The website is at http://assembly.uca.org.au/unitingjustice/
resources/election2004/
Dont forget Social Justice Sunday is on 26 September. This years theme is Security at all costs? A Christian reflection on where to draw the line. We still have copies of the kit available if you havent received one yet.
WHATS NEW ON THE WEBSITE:
- media release calling on the Government to follow up on the recent changes to access to visas for refugees who hold Temporary Protection Visas with more substantial reform to address the real problems in our humanitarian program http://nat.uca.org.au/unitingjustice/media/
- our fact sheet on the draft United Nations statement of Norms on the responsibilities of trans-national corporations has been updated.
web: http://nat.uca.org.au/unitingjustice/
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
tel: 02 82674236; mail: PO Box A2266 Sydney South, NSW 1235
Conference:
PREACHING AND TEACHING - IN THE YEAR OF MATTHEW From: Ted Endacott, Uniting Education
The popular "Preaching and Teaching" conferences are on the move. Traditionally these lively learning events have been offered by Uniting Education in a Melbourne location. Ministers and lay preachers have travelled long distances to feast on top-level Biblical scholarship, browse resources and participate in cutting-edge workshops. The aim has been to encourage and enthuse those who preach and teach in the Uniting Church, with a special focus on the lectionary Gospel passages.
In 2004, a number of Synods will work in partnership with Uniting Education (an Assembly Agency) to bring the event to five locations. There will also be a New Zealand version of the conference. Bill Loader, Professor of New Testament at Murdoch University WA, will be living out of a suitcase as he travels from location to location, helping participants find fresh new angles on Matthew's Gospel.
The 2004 Queensland Synod events will be held in Middle Park (Sept 12-15) and in Mackay
(Sept 16-18).
Refer to the Queensland
Synod website www.ucaqld.com.au or contact Christine on (07) 3377 9825, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
The NSW Synod events will be run in October at rural and urban locations. For details, visit www.nsw.uca.org.au or www.elm.nsw.uca.org.au
The Synod of Victoria (Otira) and Uniting Education will hold a Preaching and Teaching event at Glen Waverley, Melbourne 15-17 November 2004.
Program details and registration is via www.unitinged.org.au, or by phoning Katie on (03) 9416 4262.
Books for Unitings:
FRESH WORDS AND DEEDS
The McCaughey papers
Peter Matheson and Christiaan Mostert (eds)
(David Lovell Publishing)
ISBN 1863551069 $35.00
A selection from the writings and addresses of the first President of the Uniting Church recalls his long years of service in the church and community and celebrates his contribution to the formation, structure and theology of the Uniting Church.
LOST IN TRANSLATION?
Anglicans, Controversy and the Bible
Perspectives from the Doctrine Commission of the Anglican Church of Australia
Scott Cowdell and Muriel Porter (eds)
(Desbooks)
ISBN 0949824402 $24.95
Essays from Australian Anglicans explore the Bibles teaching on sexuality and attempt to discover principles that may guide us in how to understand the meaning of texts that currently divide Christians, especially in areas of sexuality.
JESUS IN THE NEW UNIVERSE STORY
Cletus Wessels
(Orbis)
ISBN 1570754659 $49.95
Asks how we can understand the meaning of Jesus Christ in the context of what modern cosmology tells us about the nature of the universe; offers fresh language of faith for our time that retains the underlying reality of the biblical story of Jesus while reinterpreting it through the lens of an 'emerging' universe.
KEY CHRISTIAN BELIEFS
Faith for living
Chris Wright
(Lion)
ISBN 0745926487 $27.95
Written to meet the various national guidelines in force throughout Australia, this full colour text helps students (of all ages!) learn about Christian beliefs in an interesting and enjoyable way, showing their relevance to life.
A RETREAT WITH THE PSALMS
Resources for personal and communal prayer
John C. Endres and Elizabeth Liebert
(Paulist)
ISBN 0809140268 $54.95
Explains the various types of psalms and shows how to pray them in ways that make them more meaningful and vital for contemporary readers, showing five ways to experience the psalms in depth as a mirror of our lives.
Dates for your diary: 2004
September 6 Indonesian Ministers Meeting
September 7-10 Indonesian National Conference - contact Harry Indriato (02) 9834 4646
September 12-15 Preaching and Teaching in the Year of Matthew - Brisbane
September 16-18 Preaching and Teaching in the Year of Matthew - Mackay
September 25-28 New South Wales Synod meeting - Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre (TREC)
September 26 Social Justice Sunday
September 26-29 Victoria & Tasmania Synod meeting
September 27-29 Northern Territory Synod meeting Kormilda College, Darwin
October 1-4 Western Australian Synod meeting Penrose College, Como
October 8-10 Frontier Services Reference Committee Meeting Townsville
October 10 White Sunday A special Childrens Sunday in the Samoan Church
October 10 Fiji National Day A Thanksgiving Service in the Fijian Church
October 11-12 National Working Group on Doctrine
October 14-17 South Australian Synod meeting - The Convention Centre, AAMI Stadium (Football Park), Brebner Drive, West Lakes
October 25 Gospel Day in the Niuean Church
October 26 Tae Anga Evangelia Gospel Day in the Cook Islander Church
October 31-1 November Uniting Missions National Conference
November 11-14 Assembly Standing Committee - Sydney
November 15-16 UnitingCare National Reference Committee meeting
November 15-17 Preaching and Teaching in the year of Matthew - Melbourne
November 19-21 The Christian Unity Working Group National Conference, Melbourne
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