ASSEMBLY Update November 2004
http://assembly.uca.org.au/update/monthindex.htm
just a thought notes from the general secretary
Once when I was a minister in a congregation there was a lady who started to attend worship now and again. After a while she stopped coming and when I asked her about it she said that she felt out of place because she did not have good enough clothes to wear. I wonder whether the congregation concerned ever even realised the message that it was sending?
What messages are our congregations sending to the people in our communities? Do we even think about that when we behave in a certain way, or when we make public statements, or when we allow the destructive actions of individuals to go unchecked?
A mission minded church will want to make it as easy as possible for people to come and will not put signs up (physical or metaphorical) that say that only certain types of people may be in relationship with them.
A mission minded church will even be open to the possibility that God has already spoken to these people who are afraid to, or discouraged from joining with us on the pilgrimage of life and faith. Clearly the recent Bible Society research that shows that there is a higher level of traditional Christian belief among the community than the number of people who attend worship says that there is much more that the church can do to be a receiving community. Jesus has more friends than the church does.
A mission minded church will trust God to transform lives and not make a persons maturity of faith a factor in justifying who is welcome in the fellowship of the church. I recall a teacher friend who was sacked by his so called Christian school board because he was seen coming out of the local pub. They must not have read the passages about how the Pharisees criticised Jesus for hanging out with sinners.
The Uniting Church needs to build a church for the future. Such a church has to be a missionary church. That means it will be a church where we have more porous boundaries between the in and the out, dont try and control who God is speaking with, and are open to the surprises that God has in store. It will be a church that finds the confession Jesus is Lord as the heart of what holds it together; which respects the faith experience of others and provides space not only for sharing with each other the scriptures and our differing understandings of God but at the end of the day gives room for the exercise of individual conscience in matters that are not among the essentials of the faith.
Mission Prayer Handbook is here!
Wendie Wilkie Associate General Secretary Mission Prayer Handbook 2005 is now available. It follows the theme of Witness the Glory of God Breaking Down Barriers.
It follows the story of the paralytic man brought to Jesus in Mark ch 2. Reflections, stories and prayers around the theme have been done this year by a group in SA under the coordination of Sandy Boyce. Many of the contributions are done by people who have been volunteers in mission or on short exchange trips. Mission Prayer handbook will be available from MediaCom in SA for $9.50 per copy including postage and handling. Melbourne and Perth Uniting Church bookshops will also stock them.
They make ideal Christmas gifts for friends or your church group as well as for your personal devotions and reflection.
To order contact MediaCom on 1800 811 311 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Farewell and thank you
Rev Terence Corkin, General Secretary
This edition of Update is the last for two senior Assembly staff members.
Our Associate General Secretary, Wendie Wilkie and National Director for Covenanting Peter Lewis are both finishing their work with the Assembly in the next few days.
John Emmett, the National Director of Uniting Education, is finishing his work with the Assembly in December.
To all three of you, I thank you for the role you have played in providing leadership and vision for the Assembly and the National Church. While this short space is not enough to
properly say thank you, I hope I can convey the sincere thanks all of us in the Assembly have for your work and that you will all be sadly missed.
To Wendie, thank you for the leadership and guidance you provided during times of change your commitment to a vibrant, national church and your dedication to the work of the Assembly will be missed by all of us. We wish you all the best in the future.
To Peter, whose gifts and skills over the last eights years have helped the National church to build the covenanting process, thank you. We hope your new role with the Aboriginal Child Care Agency will enable you to continue to express you solidarity with indigenous people.
And finally, to John, thank you for your continued vision. Thanks you for your commitment to Christian Education being part of the mission of the Church in the world and for being able to translate that vision into projects that are accessible to all in the Church.
Covenanting Rev Terence Corkin, General Secretary.
Peter Lewis has accepted a position as Policy Officer for the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency in Melbourne. He will formally conclude his term as National Director at the end of November, but due to annual leave will finish in the office by November 5. Plans are underway to ensure that the work undertaken by Peter will be carried forward in an appropriate way in the days ahead. In particular the project worker who is handling About Face and indigenous relationships around NCYC 2005 has been reappointed to ensure continuity in these areas.
Associate General Secretary
Interviews for this position will take place in Sydney on Tuesday November 2.
It is hoped to have the name of a person to take to the Assembly Standing Committee when it meets from November 12 14. Your prayers for the Nominating Committee and the persons being considered are appreciated.
Appreciation award for Frontier Services
Rosemary Young, National Director, Frontier Services
The National Council of Catholic Priests awarded Frontier Services an appreciation plaque for its continuing work in Outback Australia.
National Director Rosemary Young accepted the award which recognises and celebrates the shared work of Frontier Services and Catholic Rural Priests in providing ministry to remote areas.
The plaque, which is the shape of a flame, reads:
This flame is presented to Uniting Church Frontier Services in appreciation of John Flynn and his successors for their efforts to establish a mantle of safety over the people of Australias Outback. National Council of Catholic Priests, Roma 2004 Staff Changes
Frontier Services is pleased to introduce two new patrol ministers. Rev John Dihm has been appointed to the Parkin Patrol based in Hawker, South Australia.
Rev Graham Brown has been appointed to the Jabiru Patrol in the Northern Territory and will take up his duties in December. Graham previously worked for Frontier Services where be was based in Weipa, Queensland and Queenstown, Tasmania.
Frontier Services expresses appreciation to Wayne Dillion as he is farewelled from his Queensland Cunnamulla Patrol.
Give Someone a Bear Hug
With savings of up to 75% off the rrp, Frontier Services will send a Settler Teddy Bear to a loved one for as little as $12 including postage. For details telephone (02) 8270 1300.
Multicultural Song book All Gods People
Rev Helen Richmond, National Director, Multicultural Ministry As a church that worships in a diversity of languages we are seeking to extend our repertoire of music ensuring we provide a range of songs from our different communities.
In a multicultural church, learning to sing each others songs leads us into a deeper understanding of one another. During 2004, Multicultural Ministry has been gathering songs which we hope to collate into a Uniting Church publication All Gods People.
We are looking for a gifted musician who has time and talents to work with a small team of people helping to pull together this significant project.
If you think you can assist, please contact Rev Helen Richmond at the Assembly office (02) 8267 4224 or by email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Fighting for a better deal Gavin Melvin, Senior Communication Officer
UnitingCare Australia is part of a contingent of Church based service providers that have called on the re-elected Coalition government to make the most of Australias economic stability and prosperity by committing to a National Anti-Poverty Plan within its first 100 days of government. UnitingCare, Anglicare Australia, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Catholic Welfare Australia and the Australian Council of Social Service called on the government and all politicians returning to Canberra to create a well resourced National Anti-Poverty Plan to help the poorest Australians.
Access to and affordability of services such as housing, education, health, and employment is already beyond the reach of many Australians. With two million people living in poverty in Australia, we call on this Government to urgently address this matter. By acting now, we can save ourselves the social and economic costs the poverty will create in the future, said UnitingCare Australia National Director, Lin Hatfield Dodds.
While many Australians have enjoyed the benefits of economic growth and sizeable budget surpluses, sadly for many the economic ship had sailed past them. It would be a national disgrace not to invest surpluses to reduce the number of people living in poverty especially when Australia has the fifth highest level of poverty in the OECD.
Synod meetings welcome partner church leaders
Rev John Barr, Executive Secretary, UIM
Rev Herman Awom and his wife, Jacoba, were guests of the Western Australian Synod from 29 September to 11 October.
Rev Awom led the synod Bible Studies. He is deputy Vice Moderator of our partner church in West Papua, the Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua. Rev Awom is committed to a process of peaceful dialogue in his homeland where indigenous people are struggling for cultural survival.
Rev and Mrs Awom also attended the meeting of the Synod of South Australia. Rev Francisco de Vasconcelos will was a guest during the meeting of the Victorian and Tasmanian Synod from 27 to 29 September. Rev Vasconcelos is the Moderator of the Protestant Church in East Timor. He also stopped over in Darwin to meet with the Northern Synod.
HIV/AIDS threatens West Papua
During his recent visit to West Papua, I discovered that HIV/AIDS is now considered the biggest single threat to indigenous communities. Estimates suggest up to 150,000 people may be affected. Our partner church, the Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua, is setting up an HIV/AIDS education program while mobile clinics are being conducted in remote communities where there are no health and medical facilities available. Ambon recovers Books, both second hand and new, are being sent to Ambon to resource the Christian university library. This library was destroyed in April 2004. Classes continue in whatever buildings remain in Ambon and university faculties are housed in makeshift facilities all over the city.
Many Ambonese students are completing their degrees in neighbouring provinces. Militants have terrorised the community however the Ambonese, both Christian and Muslim, have not been intimidated. The people of Ambon demonstrate remarkable stamina, courage and a great sense of purpose.
UIM is engaged with this community through the Young Ambassadors for Peace program and supports internally displaced people, students via school and university fee relief and Christian education programs.
Bali offers new opportunities and The Protestant Church in Bali is keen to offer opportunities to engage in cross-cultural exposures where Australians have the chance to reflect on urban and rural issues, sustainable development, community health, Gospel and culture and religious pluralism. John Barr and People in Mission Coordinator, Sandy Boyce are finalising a program to commence in 2005.
Bali is recovering after the bomb blasts in October 2002. Partnership and the development of these cross- cultural exposures means a great deal to the Balinese community.
Uniting Church Overseas Aid
Matthew Rusike Benefit Concert
Songs from Around the World Benefit Concert for Matthew Rusike Childrens Home in Zimbabwe.
Friday 19th November 2004, Pitt Street Uniting Church, 264 Pitt Street Sydney.
Call 1800 998 122 for ticket bookings and join others who are committed to making a difference for these children.
Sharing in the life of our partner churches
Rev Bill Fischer, National Director, UIM
My job brings with it many challenges and a heavy workload. However, it also brings with it the blessing of inspiration from sharing with people and our partner churches in the work of International Mission. I would like to share with you just a couple of the things that have inspired me this year and I hope will inspire you as well. The first was in a letter from Bishop Clarence Kapali of the Highlands Region of the United Church in PNG.
He wrote to thank the Uniting Church in Australia for the support that we provided to his region. He spoke of what a difference two of our projects to assist their mission had made for them in their mission for God.
He spoke of the blessings that the Young Ambassadors for Peace program had brought. He said: YAP has come at the time when we had no hope as every effort for prevention of conflict had become ineffective. YAP is saving PNGs next generation .
I was also inspired by the faith and courage shown when the remaining buildings of the Theological College, including the library, were burned down during resurgence in communal conflict in Ambon in April.
The Dean of the College, Dr Eta Henricks said, We will not give up . She went on, Even though we have no building we will continue teaching. Can you help us by sending books to re-establish the library?
Our commitment to remain in relationship in Christ and to provide practical support and prayers, as we are able, is also an inspiration to many people working in Gods mission in the life of our partner churches in Asia, the Pacific and Africa.
In November, two church leaders from the Uniting Church in Australia and others from our partner churches in Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea will spend two weeks in the Solomon Islands participating in a Spiritual Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands .
This is a spiritual equivalent of the Regional Assistance Mission by regional governments to help assist the restoration of law and order and the economy in the Solomon Islands.
The leaders will spend two weeks visiting various regions and congregations of the church, sharing pastoral support, preaching and leading workshops. We hope that these visits will be a source of great encouragement to the people of the United Church in Solomon Islands.
UIM is called to express togetherness in Christ across theological, national and cultural barriers and differences. Our special way of doing this is through relationships with our partner churches. In 2005 we will continue to express our work through
" Regular visits and communication with partner churches
" Providing more opportunities for people from Australia to experience the life of our partner churches through exposure visits.
" To expand the significant peace-building work of YAP by the development of national programs
" To provide additional resources including videos and DVDs that will allow members of the church to gain a greater awareness of the mission and witness of our partner churches. Thank you to all who support the work of UIM as we seek to work together with our partner churches to express Gods mission in the world.
positions vacant . . .
Frontier Services Serving Outback Australia
Are you passionate about Frontier Services? The creation of a Board to provide strategic leadership and governance for Frontier Services has been approved by the Assembly Standing Committee.
If you have:
" a passionate commitment to the mission of Frontier Services
" the ability to understand the mission of Frontier Services
and its operating environment . . . and
" the capacity to promote and represent the work of
Frontier Services
Ask for an Information Package. Contact Lynda Pearson on (02) 8270 1321 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Further enquiries: Rosemary Young on (02) 8270 1320 or [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Expressions of Interest close on 17 December 2004
Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly
National Director, Christian Education
The Christian Education member of the team will have responsibility to support field programs, research and the discipline of Christian Education. The position will be based in Sydney or Canberra, by negotiation and the successful applicant for this position will have:
" tertiary qualifications in education (preferably in Christian Education);
" a sound grasp of the theory of Christian Education and its contribution to the life of the church;
" significant experience in developing and delivering educational programs;
" excellent communication skills, written and oral;
" capacity to work as part of a team of senior national staff;
" commitment to the consultative, inter-conciliar, ecumenical and multicultural ethos of the Uniting Church.
This is a full-time position commencing no later than June 30 2005. It is open to lay and ordained people and is designated as an Assembly placement. Applications are to be submitted in writing and should include a full curriculum vitae, specific comment upon how the applicant addresses the selection criteria and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least two referees. Applicants are also invited to provide a short statement (up to one page) on why they are applying for this position, and what in particular they can bring to the role and the national life of the church.
Applications marked Private and Confidential to Rev Terence Corkin, General Secretary Uniting Church National Assembly PO Box A2266, Sydney South, 1235 All enquiries to the General Secretary: p: (02) 8267 4201, f: (02) 8267 4222 or e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Mission Enabler Presbyterian Church in Aotearoa (NZ)
Due to changes in staffing levels and structures in the Presbyterian Church in Aotearoa / NZ a new position of Mission Enabler has been established.
Applications close November 10.
For further details contact Rev Kerry Enright on [EMAIL PROTECTED] or call
(04) 801 6000.
More details on the position are available on the National Assembly website.
General Secretary Christian Conference of Asia
Nominees or applicants for this position should have good academic qualifications, including vision, commitment and experience in ecumenical coordination and relation with member churches and councils as well as ecumenical partners and agencies.
Requirements for Applications:
" A formal letter of application addressed to moderator of the Search Committee
" A complete curriculum vitae (CV) of the candidate
" Endorsement from his or her Church, and the National Council of Churches, if any, to which his or her Church belongs
" Two references to whom the CCA may write directly
" A medical certificate of good health
For Criteria for CCA General Secretary appointment and Job Description please contact: Prawate Khid-arn, Associate General Secretary for Finance,
CCA. Applications close on
December 31.
Tel: (852) 2691 1068 Fax: (852) 2692 4378 / 2692 3805 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.cca.org.hk
Books for Unitings
The following books are selected by Hugh McGinlay e: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
These new books are available from UCA bookshops and resource centres. For further information on any title, contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
The Original Story God, Israel and the world John Barton and Julia Bowden (DLT)
A new illustrated guide to reading the Old Testament, including introductory chapters on its historical and geographical context, an examination of major theological themes and background information on social life and institutions, methods of study and interpretation.
ISBN 0232524858 $67.95
Powerful Prayers for Your Family
David and Heather Kopp (Waterbrook)
Practical resource for every parent and grandparent who wants children to have a vital, Bible based prayer life; includes key Scriptures, prayers and devotional texts, Bible trivia, prayers for special occasions, etc.
ISBN 1578568536 $26.95
The Intertextual Jesus Scripture in Q
Dale C. Allison
(Trinity Press International) Offers a compelling new interpretation of the Q document with significant implications for the study of the historical Jesus.
ISBN 1563383292 $14.95
Refreshing Water From Ancient Wells The wisdom of women mystics
Mary E. Penrose (Paulist)
Selected passages from Church Mothers both famous and obscure, women of all ages, cultures, and centuries, including: Catherine of Siena, Theresa of Avila, Julian of Norwich, Mechtild of Magdeburg, Dhouda, Aemiliana, Proba, Syncletica, Leoba, Ruhm.
ISBN 0809142244 $29.95
O Radiant Dawn Our longing for the Messiah Jim Krings (Liguori)
Brings to life the ancient mosaic of biblical verses known as the O Antiphons that give voice to the messianic longings of the prophets and wisdom literature; ideal for Advent prayer and rejection in families and congregations and in personal prayer.
ISBN 0764807560 $4.95
Here And Now Living in the Spirit Henri Nouwen (DLT)
Reissue of best selling authors meditations on the things that really mattered to him: joy, suffering, prayer, compassion, family, relationships. I hope and pray that you will discover many connections with your own spiritual journey, even when that journey is very different from my own.
ISBN 0232520925 $29.95
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Dates for your diary
2004 October 31-1 November
Uniting Missions National Conference - Adelaide
November 11-14
Assembly Standing Committee - Sydney
November 15-16
UnitingCare National Reference
Committee meeting - Canberra
November 15-17
Preaching and Teaching in the year of
Matthew - Melbourne
November 19-21
The Christian Unity Working Group
National Conference Melbourne
November 22-23
National Working Group on Doctrine - Sydney
December 2-3
UnitingCare Australia Children, Youth & Family Advisory Committee Meeting - Canberra
2005
17-19 February 05 National Working Group on Worship - Brisbane
20-21 April 05 National Working Group on Missiology - Melbourne
19-21 May 05 National Working Group on Worship - Brisbane
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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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