August 2012

THE UNITING CHCHURCH IN AUSTRALIA QUEENSLAND SYNOD

MORE DEPTH, MORE STORIES AT journeyonline.com.au

Christmas Island Belonging 13th Assembly Day camps Census 2011 Ministry on the frontline Oakey and Roma Life Overfl owing Friendship and beyond Christians spotlighted congregations

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LifeLife ooverflverfl owingowing Celebrating the 13th Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia Mardi Lumsden The 13th Triennial Assembly meeting of During his daily Bible studies, visiting organisations refl ected the Uniting Assembly Standing Committee (ASC), the Uniting Church in Australia, held in theologian Rev Luna Dingayan, a key Church’s determination to cooperate with to prepare a discussion paper on the Adelaide from 15 to 21 July, was another leader of the United Church of Christ churches in Asia, the Pacifi c and Africa as theology of marriage within the Uniting example of the power of people moving in the Philippines, inspired members they pursue fullness of life for all people. Church. This is to be circulated widely together towards a promised goal. to continually seek renewal, the very Assembly members also promised a with responses and recommendations essence of a Protestant church. renewed approach to multicultural and sent to ASC before the 14th Assembly. Almost 300 Uniting Church members cross-cultural ministry. gathered to celebrate Life Overfl owing He warned that it is not an easy task Overall, the 13th Assembly was full of (the Assembly theme) and participate in to follow God’s mission and it required The Assembly was presented with life in abundance. Those present were decision-making and direction setting a willingness to see, hear and act in three proposals discussing marriage. witness to the Uniting Church at its for the Uniting Church for the next three accordance with God’s will. A respectful and articulate discussion best, discussing with grace and respect years. followed and after two days, members diffi cult issues that affect humanity. Prof Kirsteen Kim, 2012 Cato lecturer, agreed to acknowledge the Uniting The continued solidarity with our compared changes in mission practice Church’s current statement on marriage President Rev Prof Andrew Dutney Indigenous brothers and sisters was and theology between the Edinburgh and ask the Doctrine Working Group, strengthened when Assembly members World Missionary Conference in 1910 and and Rev Rronang Garrawurra lead after appropriate consultation across the the prayer vigil on the steps of stopped business to hold a moving the centenary celebration in Edinburgh in church and with ongoing liaison with the prayer vigil of lament for the Stronger 2010. South Australian Parliament, Futures legislation on the steps of South Wednesday 18 July 2012 Australia’s Parliament House. The Professor of Theology and World Christianity at Leeds Trinity University Standing side by side, new Assembly College believes Christians need a global President Rev Prof Andrew Dutney, conversation about mission to learn from Lord Jesus, life giver, and Rev Rronang Garrawurra, the new one another and to discern together the National Chair of the Uniting Aboriginal Holy Spirit among the many spirits in the release us for reckless discipleship so that and Islander Christian Congress, showed world. love and laughter, grace and goodwill, hope the nation it is possible to walk together and helpfulness, faith and fruitfulness, as one people of God. “We are blessed by a spirit that pushes boundaries, sends, interconnects and wisdom and wonder, will bubble up and The vigil was a simple but powerful builds global fellowship,” she said. overfl ow changing us and transforming our gesture that made a marked difference on the rest of the meeting. The participation of more than 50 guests community. from 34 overseas churches and partner Amen JULY 2012

I CAME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE, AND HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY. (John 10:10) 2 OPINION JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU Stories Living abundant lives overfl owing Rev Kaye Ronalds At school she worked hard 84 000 war widows in Sri Lanka and became a good reader who with few options to feed their IT is my great honour to WHILE waiting by the carousel helped the younger children. One families. Many are forced to embark on my fi rst issue of for luggage after our fl ight home day when the Cann River was in turn to prostitution, ironically Journey – done by way of a from Adelaide, with memories of fl ood she slipped off the log used with the soldiers who killed their joyful plunge into the deep the 13th Assembly swirling in my as a bridge. An older boy grabbed husbands. end of the Life Overfl owing at head, I read a text message from her just before she was washed We listened to the Indigenous the 13th Assembly. my sister announcing that my away, saving her life. people of the Northern Territory In these pages, we bring aunt had died. For many years Beth worked who have experienced the impact you many of the inspiring Aunty Beth, a maiden aunt, for her board, cooking the meals of the Intervention strategies, moments and impressive had lived with my parents for on a wood stove for all of the and wondered whether the people from that week in most of my life. Hers was a men on the farm. She joined the Stronger Futures legislation will Th e Bible study leader, Adelaide, and, I hope, a feeling remarkable life. Born in 1920, she CWA and won prizes for her actually address the disadvantage Rev Luna Dingayan from the for some of the love, vitality, was raised by her grandmother needlework. In her early forties in their communities or just United Church of Christ in the and justice we found in because her mother died when she fi nally got treatment for her contribute to low morale, Philippines, urged us to listen to abundance there. she was a fortnight old. She told thyroid condition and eventually resentment and a sense of the cries of God’s people and let All those qualities were me she was fed on a rag dipped went on the pension. injustice. that expression of need direct present daily in the respectful in cow’s milk. A precarious start For the next 50 years she Th ere is a need to help close our mission. and inclusive debate and to life! fi lled her days with knitting, the gaps in education, health and With timely help, many consensus processes for Her grandfather was building crocheting, cooking and helping life expectancy and to reduce the people would be able to lead proposals. a weatherboard and corrugated with the children in the extended overrepresentation of Aboriginal safe, productive and abundant And they were abundantly iron house but it was never family. While there were many and Islander people in prison, lives. My Aunty Beth was given manifest in the move from fi nished because he died when hard times, Beth was loved by a but perhaps a more abundant life a helping hand to make her life words to action in expressing Beth was just 12 months old. network of family and friends, cannot be achieved by legislation. healthy, safe, productive and solidarity with our Indigenous Beth’s father remarried three and was able to have an abundant We heard from Rev Christine abundant. brothers and sisters over the years later but Beth continued to life using busy and helpful hands Senini, former chaplain on Rev Dingayan commented, injustices of Stronger Futures. live with her grandmother and to give care and comfort to the Christmas Island, about naming “For as long as people are denied After a suggestion by Rev uncle on the dairy farm in north- people. and uncovering the sacred in the the fullness of life there will Niall Reid the prayer vigil at east Victoria. During the 13th Assembly lives of those who have fl ed the never be true peace”. South Australian Parliament In childhood her thyroid gland in Adelaide we heard about terror of civil war to risk their Being a follower of Christ was organised overnight, began to malfunction which many people living a precarious lives in boats on treacherous means that we not only get predominantly by impressive meant that she stopped growing existence in risky circumstances. seas. In a recent service on to enjoy abundant life, we young adult member Rads at 1.2 metres. Medication would For example, as a result of the Christmas Island, Tamil and are enlisted to contribute to Sukumar, whose own have helped but they couldn’t fi ghting between Tamil and Sinhalese Christians worshipped making choices that release life appreciative take on Assembly aff ord it. Sinhalese people there are together in the chapel. overfl owing for all people. is on page 9. President-elect Stuart McMillan’s long-standing engagement with Indigenous Where’s the communities will further strengthen commitment to Indigenous Australians. Moderator? New President Rev Prof Andrew Dutney This month Rev Kaye praised the church in his Ronalds will be at many installation address (see events, including: page 7) for its diversity and 4 August Multicultural the value members place on Connections, Ipswich Trinity inclusiveness. Uniting Church. Th e 13th Assembly reaffi rmed the commitment 5 August Central of the church to remote Queensland Presbytery visit, Australia, to Indigenous South Rockhampton Uniting Australians, to multicultural Church. and ecumenical ministry, and to multifaith relations. 8 August Queensland It gave appreciation to the Heads of Churches meeting, often unsung deacons, Wynberg, New Farm. celebrated 120 years of Korean 19 August Silver partnerships in mission, and Anniversary of Oxley-Darra welcomed a statement from 13th Assembly Bible study leader Rev Luna Dingyan, Uniting Church President Rev Prof Andrew Dutney and Uniting Church building. young leaders. Perla Dingyan. Photo by Mardi Lumsden As President Dutney said of the 13th Assembly at its conclusion: “I’d describe it as multilingual, intergenerational, cross- cultural, ecumenical, international, prayerful.” Snap Many impressive Queenslanders were in attendance, with Rev Stu Cameron, South Moreton Presbytery, and Rev Michelle Cook, Calvary Presbytery, that! chosen to sit on the Assembly Standing Committee. Ms SEND us a photo that captures Cook will also serve as one of the Journey theme. Prof Dutney’s two chaplains. Lyndelle Gunton sent this Looking back over the beautiful image in to capture week, I feel privileged to have the Life Overfl owing theme. Th e been witness to such faith Gunton family are currently in action, and to the gifts on a caravanning trip around of so many impressive and Australia, and this is Ellie frankly wonderful people. embracing the setting sun at And turning my gaze ahead, Gantheaume Point, Broome. In there is the privilege of these moments life truly does sharing stories in abundance overfl ow. with Journey readers, my new September theme: education. companions, to look forward to. facebook.com/ twitter.com/ youtube.com/ Subscribe to receive Synchronise stories to Kate Indigo, Editor journeyonline.com.au JourneyOnline journeyonlineuc JourneyTelevision Journey in your inbox your favourite blog reader

Journey is published 11 times a year for the Queensland Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia. Opinions expressed in Journey do not necessarily refl ect those of the editor or the policies of the Uniting Church. Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement; inclusion of advertising material is at the discretion of the publisher. Journey cannot guarantee the publication and/or return of submissions but makes every effort to do so if requested. Director: Mardi Lumsden; Editor: Kate Indigo; Designers: Osker Lau and Holly Jewell; Communications Offi cer/Advertising: Tara Burton; Writer: Dianne Jensen; Production: Uniting Communications; Printing: Horton Media, Narangba; Circulation: 15,500; ISSN: 0817-4466; Contacts: Uniting Communications, the Uniting Church in UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA QUEENSLAND SYNOD Australia Queensland Synod, 60 Bayliss Street Auchenfl ower QLD: GPO Box 674 Brisbane QLD 4001; Phone: (07) 3377 9910; Email: [email protected]; Fax: (07) 3377 9717; Web: www.journeyonline.com.au Closing date for editorial and advertising for September Journey is Monday 13 August. The next issue of Journey will be available on Sunday 2 September. JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU NATIONAL NEWS 3 Christmas Island CHAPLAINCY is never an easy As most Australians were National Director of gig. It is a unique and challenging busy organising Christmas UnitingJustice Australia frontline ministry that throws up celebrations, Ms Senini and the Rev Elenie Poulos accompanied constant surprises to those brave other chaplains on the small Uniting Church President Rev enough to listen to the call. island were preparing to support Alistair Macrae and Rev Lorna Nowhere is this more true a community still coming to Green from the Anglican Diocese than at the Christmas Island terms with the horrifi c tragedy of Perth to Christmas Island just Detention Centre, where Rev that took place on their pristine a few weeks before Christine Malcolm Bottrill, a retired Rocky Point shoreline. concluded her ministry. minister from the Presbytery of At least 50 lives were lost Her observations echoed the North Queensland, is taking over that day, including children. Th e refl ections of Ms Senini. from Rev Christine Senini for the recent tragedies reminded all “Asylum seekers who are next six months. on the island of the fragility of detained are at risk of losing Malcolm’s wife Judy hopes human life and the great risk that hope and having the eff ects of to use her skills as a qualifi ed asylum seekers are prepared to their trauma exacerbated by the teacher to off er additional undertake on their journey to detention experience. Th e asylum support to those in the detention Australia. seekers we spoke to told us of the centre. While the recent tragedies importance of having someone Malcolm began his ministry made headlines across Australia to talk to who understands just a few days before the fi rst of and sparked a fresh round of the signifi cance of their faith, the recent tragedies. vitriolic and devastating political whatever it is, as well as someone Ms Senini provided pastoral discourse, Ms Senini’s focus was who is independent from the care and support for the well and truly on the detainees Detention Centre system,” said detainees and staff for six and the island’s staff and Ms Poulos. months from December 2011. residents. “Th e compassion that She was the fi rst Uniting Church “My chaplaincy,” she chaplains bring to Christmas minister to serve on Christmas explained, “is based on a love Island crosses faith boundaries Island in the joint Anglican– for all people without judgment; and helps people through this Uniting chaplaincy, although I am here for those of all faiths part of their journey as they seek Rev Christine Senini and Rev Malcolm Bottrill at Phosphate Hill Camp on the church has had a presence at or of no faith at all. I am here to a life free from persecution and Christmas Island in June 2012. Photo by Luke Senini immigration detention centres walk alongside and share with violence.” for over 20 years. those experiencing hardship, Both Ms Senini and Mr each of them was Christ himself. This placement is funded Ms Senini’s arrival on grief, anger, anxiety, frustration, Bottrill are living witnesses to the Th is vital role, however, can only through the President’s ‘Care Christmas Island coincided with and to celebrate joy and example of Christ in Matthew continue through the generosity for Christmas Island’ Appeal. the one year anniversary of the signifi cant occasions that we all 25:34–35, as he calls us to behave of people who seek to support Donations may be made at SIEV 221 disaster. have in our lives.” towards strangers as though this important ministry. http://goo.gl/PbXXi

Agencies drive energy effi ciency Four eco-theologians give faith THE Queensland Synod is looking for Group Manager, Audit and Risk, better and smarter ways of reducing its UnitingCare Queensland, Garry Pridham, carbon emissions. said, “Due to the large electricity responses to the carbon price With the recent introduction of the consumption in these facilities, the carbon tax and two pieces of federal Queensland Synod is technically required legislation, the National Greenhouse and to be reported to the Clean Energy REV Dr Clive W Ayre: Th e term climate change adequately will be Energy Reporting Act and the Energy Regulator, but as it is not a large producer “carbon tax” in popular debate is highly borne by the poorest and most Effi ciency Opportunities Act, UnitingCare of emissions it will not be ‘caught’ by the misleading, even mischievous, and vulnerable. Queensland and Wesley Mission Brisbane carbon tax regime and will not have to pay suggests this is primarily about money. Christians cannot avoid this social have been obliged to seek ways to reduce carbon tax. It is about protecting the justice challenge. It derives from the energy consumption and increase energy “However, as we are a large consumer environment for the future. gospel mandate to love our neighbour. effi ciencies. of electricity we will face estimated price Faith itself involves a cost; it has a It cannot be acceptable to argue Yet, as Colleen Geyer, Director of increases of around 10 per cent if, as cross at its heart, and we can’t expect to that we should not lead the way Mission, UnitingCare Queensland and predicted, energy producers pass on their avoid that in responding to the divine globally in making changes because Chair of the UnitingCare Queensland carbon tax costs to consumers. call to care for creation. our actions will make little diff erence. Sustainability Coordination Team, makes “Th is would have a large impact on our Rev Dr Jason John: Th e biggest Th at would not only abrogate our clear, this is a welcome opportunity rather services if we take no action.” disappointment is that the Australian social responsibility (as a relatively rich than a matter of compliance. UnitingCare Queensland has Government has been forced to sell the nation) to do the right thing, but would “We are committed to being established a Sustainability Coordination new carbon price to us on the basis that be a self-interested proposition that environmentally sustainable not because Team to develop a group-wide alignment it won’t cost us anything. demeans our nation. we have to be but because it’s who we are.” of each of the service group’s sustainability We cannot continue under the Miriam Pepper, Uniting Earthweb: She notes that one of the fi ve plans and to identify opportunities for illusion that we can renew God’s Th e Australian Government argues objectives of the joint UnitingCare group-wide initiatives. creation without sacrifi ce. We must that the carbon pricing mechanism Queensland strategic plan is “to “Our aim is to reduce our electricity ensure that it is not the poor, future is the most effi cient way to reduce be fi nancially sustainable and usage without aff ecting our services – generations, and God’s other creatures carbon pollution. However, experiences environmentally responsible” with a UnitingCare Queensland’s priority is who pay, while a few of us reap the internationally with such mechanisms long-term commitment “to developing, to be a leading organisation in person- benefi ts. suggest that they do little to drive a implementing and measuring the centred care while being environmentally Because we encounter in worship signifi cant shift away from fossil fuels. outcomes of our environmental practices.” responsible,” Mr Pridham said. and prayer the one who reminds us that Meanwhile, the mining of coal “Th e Uniting Church has made a Work is underway to measure current life does not consist in the abundance and gas in Australia is expanding at number of statements on the environment energy consumption, with the aim of of possessions, Christians should be at an alarming rate – with detrimental over the years, and these are important identifying opportunities for improving the forefront of the call for repentance, impacts on local communities and foundations for us in the work we do in energy effi ciency, reducing consumption, and the sacrifi cial attitude required to ecologies, farming land and the climate. this area.” and measuring future reductions. serve and protect God’s garden planet. A halt to this expansion, concerted Due to the energy-hungry services Th is major initiative is being Rev Dr Noel Preston AM: Christian investment into energy effi ciency of hospitals and aged-care facilities, coordinated by UnitingCare Queensland focus in the past has been on human and renewable energy, and ultimately UnitingCare Queensland and Wesley on behalf of the Synod, with a working welfare and not on the total natural an economic model that pursues Mission Brisbane account for over 90 party consisting of members from each environment. suffi ciency rather than endless growth per cent of the energy consumed by the UnitingCare service group and Synod Th e brunt of the dangerous are needed for the benefi t of all. Queensland Synod. It is here that the agency. consequences of failing to address search for energy effi ciencies will be concentrated.

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Journey, August 2012 Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association www.pmsa-schools.edu.au A ministry of the Uniting and Presbyterian Churches, providing excellence in education in a Christian and caring environment. 4 INTERNATIONAL NEWS JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU When neighbours become good friends

Dianne Jensen appointed Moderator of the United Church in the Solomon THE ties that bind the Uniting Islands) and their wives as part Church in Australia to our Pacifi c of a leadership development neighbours run deep. program sponsored by Rev Wilfred Kurepitu, Bishop Bernard Siai, Maramas Wendy Siai and Roselyn Kurepitu, Th e Australian Methodist UnitingWorld. and General Secretary of the Queensland Synod Dr Shirley Coulson. Photo by Osker Lau Church began missionary work While in Brisbane, the group in Papua New Guinea (PNG) met with Journey staff and shared congregations. “Th e church is negotiations facilitated by YAP in build capacity at every level. in the nineteenth century and some of their hopes and concerns still a core part of society and Tari. In both the Solomon Islands Th e Solomon Islands, for in the Solomon Islands in 1902. for the future. has an important role in peace and PNG, the importance of the example, is on track to meet two And through the decades which Both new church leaders building,” he said. church as the provider of basic of the Millennium Development followed and the challenges have personal experience of Mr Kurepitu was the services cannot be overestimated. Goals (MDG4: reduce child posed by confl icts, political the devastating confl icts which superintendent minister of the In communities where most mortality and MDG5: improve change and natural disasters, almost tore apart their countries, Honiara circuit in Guadalcanal people have limited access to maternal health), thanks to strong links have been forged and of endemic tribal strife. It is when ethnic tension fi rst broke health, education and transport, mobile clinics, education and between the three national no surprise to fi nd that one of the out in 2002, and took part in the church plays a pivotal basics such as clean water. churches. key roles for the church in both negotiations with rebel forces. role in delivering services and In PNG, amid the political Th e importance of the nations is in reconciliation and In neighbouring PNG, with facilitating local training – much turmoil, the United Church’s relationship was underscored mediation. around 600 000 members of it in partnership with agencies grassroots experience has given during the July visit of Pacifi c “Ninety-fi ve per cent spread across 11 diverse such as UnitingWorld. it access to key government Church leaders Bishop Bernard of Solomon Islanders are regions, the church has been Building capacity within initiatives, such as the newly Siai (Moderator-Elect of the Christian,” said Mr Kurepitu, instrumental in bringing communities and within the formulated 40-year plan for United Church in PNG) and whose denomination counts together warring factions, church is fundamental. development. Rev Wilfred Kurepitu (newly 60 000 people in more than 200 especially in Bougainville “Our biggest problem in PNG Th e cautious, consensual between secessionists and the is the management of resources approach hasn’t stopped these government. and fi nances,” said Mr Siai. Christians from speaking out, Th e Young Ambassadors “We have a vision now, to but when they do speak, they do for Peace (YAP) program has make sure the church becomes a it with the power of combined been conducting peace-building good steward. Training is a key churches such as the National workshops in the Bougainville issue.” Council of Churches. area for more than six years. Both churches have achieved “Together, we can speak In 2008, 32 warring tribes striking results under challenging prophetically to the government came together in the Southern circumstances, working quietly as a voice for the church,” said Mr Highlands to sign permanent but eff ectively with local, national Kurepitu. peace treaties, following lengthy and international partners to Churches step up to Brisbane, Saturday 11 August challenges of HIV/AIDS BERNARD A new report has highlighted the churches within Africa are from people who share their vital role of churches worldwide usually open about the need lives and homes with families at in tackling stigmatising attitudes to use contraception as well as the forefront of the HIV/AIDS toward people living with HIV/ promoting fi delity. epidemic in Zimbabwe. KIRKPATRICK AIDS, and praised prominent “Th ere are huge billboards Matthew Rusike House forms church leaders for shedding light promoting both these approaches part of a caring community Organist for World Youth Day 2008, on previously taboo areas of everywhere within Zimbabwe aiming to respond to the one Director of Music, St Patrick’s Cathedral sexual health. and Zambia, where our church in six children who have been Faith organisations have partners are supporting people orphaned as a result of HIV/ Parramatta sometimes struggled to with HIV/AIDS,” he said. AIDS in Zimbabwe. Director of Music, Good Shepherd communicate eff ectively “Th e philosophy of the Th e children, many of them with communities about the Methodist Church is to raise HIV/AIDS positive themselves, Seminary treatment of HIV/AIDS due to awareness and to work pastorally live with “mamas” who nurture traditional teaching on sexual to support people who have HIV/ them and provide them with will showcase the new Allen organ abstinence before marriage and AIDS. Th e method is to do so a genuine sense of family. Th e installation in the recently renovated contraception, especially in within the community wherever children attend school within the countries with high HIV rates. possible. village and help grow their own church of St Thomas the Apostle, A new report by development “It’s been very eff ective vegetables alongside others from Perth St, Camp Hill, Brisbane. consultants Plurpol, based and transformative not just the local community. in Auckland, New Zealand for families but for whole “Our fi rst priority is to care highlights the signifi cant communities.” for those who suff er,” said Church musicians workshop infl uence of faith leaders and At Matthew Rusike House UnitingWorld National Director 10.00 – 11.00am praises changing attitudes toward on the outskirts of Harare, Kerry Enright. the way such infl uence is being Tasmanian Anthea Maynard “But we are also committed to Recital exerted. is working alongside the alleviating the distress of those In Africa, where the Uniting community nurse to help who suff er because of the stigma 2.00 – 3.00pm Church works with Methodist educate local people about associated with diseases like partners, the infl uence of the the importance of protecting HIV/AIDS. Please phone Jim on 0412 758 651 church is profound. themselves against HIV/AIDS. Th e approach of our church for more information. Geoff Dornan, International Along with her family – partners is to care for people Programs Coordinator for husband Grant, and three within community settings as www.allorgans.com.au UnitingWorld’s Relief and children Abbey, Clare and well as to educate people about Development, said that Bride – Anthea will spend a year the causes of the disease and the mainstream protestant swapping skills and learning best way to avoid it.”

Journey, August 2012 JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU SYNOD NEWS 5

Once projects had the go-ahead, they were swiftly implemented. Dayboro: alive If this sounds like a recipe for chaos, Dr Inglis suggests that it is in fact the opposite. Encouraging diverse opinions and allowing confl ict to rise not only validates and kicking the ideas, faith and intellect of the congregation, it provides the catalyst for critical thinking, he said. Dianne Jensen Dr Inglis was the leader of a Governance may seem to team that brought a new dynamic be unrelated to church growth, “A constantly growing to the organisation, fi rmly rooted but Dr Inglis believes that congregation with increasing in the empowerment of the lay open government and good infl uence in the community” people, and a deep connection communication foster both sounds like the good old days with the local community. inclusiveness and tolerance, key when women wore hats to Determined to prove that elements in engendering a broad church and sermons were their church could not only ownership of mission. published in newspapers. survive but thrive, Dayboro “Belonging and ownership It is in fact the description turned its back on perceived belong together,” he said. of an ordinary Uniting Church wisdom about how churches Once it understood and community which refused to ought to operate. agreed on its mission, the slide gracefully into history. “Much of what we did broke congregation began to engage Dayboro is a rural, urban away from traditional decision- with groups as diverse as fringe community with a making models, and shortened Blue Care, the local school, population of about 3000. the lines of governance and local businesses and service Eleven years ago the Uniting action,” said Dr Inglis, a former organisations, other welfare Church congregation was in academic who drew on his groups, politicians and health decline, and sustained by just a experience in education and care professionals. core of residents. process management. Th ey asked them how the Closure and reallocation of In practice, it meant church could help. resources was advised. beginning with a survey to fi nd Working with these key Dr Paul Inglis, who recently out what people wanted, and players, Dayboro developed a family support and emergency retired as Dayboro community then identifying what was most Dr Paul Inglis, retired community minister at Dayboro Uniting Church. relief ministry linked to the minister, said today the church important. Photo by Dianne Jensen is a “vibrant, engaged Th is was backed up by community network, and congregation that has risen research into the profi le of the initiated its own programs that to the top in community local community. brought people and services into In short, Dr Inglis said the actions … those conducted esteem, is known well beyond Th e congregation became the church facilities. congregation began “reinstating outside its walls. Dayboro its boundaries for its work, primary decision-making unit, Alongside this, the the centrality of the church in Uniting Church has tried to runs programs for all ages, ditching the Church Council and congregation expanded their the life of the community, and its relate to the life of the local and supports its home and introducing a process of “whole children’s ministry and study relevance. community to the fullest extent overseas missions physically and of congregation” facilitation for groups, grew their leadership “For most of the community, a possible, and it has brought great economically proportionally well critical conversations whenever a group and increased their church’s integrity and credibility results,” he said. above the average congregation.” decision needed to be made. preaching team. is established from its visible Stepping outside the comfort zone

Dianne Jensen to those pilgrims who have made to build understanding, trust and “Healing has happened, and school’s third annual cultural their way north since the Uniting friendship between the diff erent people have moved back, but the pilgrimage to the area. PILGRIMAGE is a journey of Church launched AboutFACE groups. scar that it left is still there.” As well as fi shing with discovery; of people, places and (Faith and Cultural Exchange) in A group of eight people An afternoon with a young traditional owners and learning self. the 1980s. from Indooroopilly Uniting girl collecting shells, seaweed about the cultural practices In spite of their remote Th e program is a national Church is currently refl ecting pods, and ripe Simothsi berries and the way of life in the local location on western Cape activity of the Uniting Church in on their pilgrimage in early was a cherished experience community, the students spent York, the residents of Mapoon, Australia, and facilitates urban July, organised through Uniting for Christabel Carvolth from time with local teenagers, Napranum and Weipa (Calvary Christians spending time in Aboriginal and Islander Christian Indooroopilly. including camping and sharing Presbytery) have become hosts Indigenous communities. It aims Congress deacon Rev Michelle “It was, and is, humbling to communion at Eliot Falls in the Cook and youth worker James have been invited and shown Jardine River National Park, Hughes. around, not as tourists, but as about 900km north of Cairns. Assistant in Nursing Michael individuals, part of the church, School chaplain Graham Henley was struck most by the who are invited to develop a Bartley described “a real intensity sense of community that he partnership,” she said. of relationship” that occurs witnessed, “a strong feeling of Ms Cook said, “While the between the groups during the connectedness between everyone congregations know they are two weeks, with the visiting who lived there” both within the part of the whole church, it is students emerging with a sense local area and the church. encouraging and strengthening of hope and possibility for Th e Indooroopilly visitors to have a concrete example of Indigenous people. spent time with the local youth people’s interest and prayers. James Hughes sees benefi ts for group as well as meeting some “Elders in Mapoon were so his young participants as well. of the Elders of Mapoon and excited to have people learn “Th ere is a very strong Napranum to hear their stories, palm weaving, to show them connection (between the two “both the beautiful and painful bush foods and to have an eager groups) that we are young people ones alike”, said Mr Henley audience for their stories.” with a lot of the same issues and Th e legacy of their forced Seven teenagers from Scotch concerns and we can learn from dispossession during the early Oakburn College (a Uniting each other,” he said. 1960s is part of the ongoing story Church school in Launceston) “It really enriches the lives on of Mapoon. recently returned from the both sides.’’

A community rises from ashes individual homes, were torched or demolished. MAPOON’S story is a footnote Th e community achieved Some residents vowed in the history of church national prominence when the to return, and from the late missions, government policies mission was closed and the 1970s, people began coming and Indigenous land rights. inhabitants removed to Bamaga back. Mapoon Presbyterian in 1961–63, following the In 2000, Mapoon was Mission was established on discovery of bauxite deposits formally recognised as a Deed western Cape York in 1891, on Cape York Peninsula and the of Grant in Trust Community following decades of warfare granting of mining leases on with status similar to a shire between cattlemen and land occupied by the Weipa and council. Under this system, a explorers and the traditional Mapoon Missions. locally elected council governs Communion at Mapoon, using coconut and coconut juice. owners: Tjungundji, Yupungatti Most of the buildings, the community. Photo by Michael Henley and Tanikutti. including the church and

Journey, August 2012 6 SYNOD NEWS JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU

leadership of one minister. Th e Community Church at Maclagan Home is where is also part of the cluster, and the ministry is shared by Anglican, Presbyterian and Uniting Church ministers and lay leaders. Olive Frizzell, long-time the heart is member, Oakey: I was confi rmed in the Presbyterian A sense of belonging is worshipping in the Valley is Church at Allora when I was fundamental to our health and that it doesn’t matter if you are 16 years old. I was a member happiness, and this is as true for Catholic or Calothumpian … of the Presbyterian Church in churches as it is for individuals. regardless of who leads worship, Oakey until it joined the Uniting National Church Life Survey we all belong, and we treasure Church 35 years ago. My faith in indicators of healthy churches everyone’s contribution. Anyone God and the love of the church stress the importance of a who saw the working bee in the has enriched my life, and helped warm and consistent welcome, middle of the fl ood this year, me through serious health nurturing worship, and an from this wonderful community problems with my husband over enriching sense of community. that supported me and my family many years. My life has been Journey asked Uniting Church when my husband passed away, full, fi lled by the friendship made members, both long-timers and would understand how precious with other members and caring newcomers, why they belong to belonging is. ministers. their church. Jodie Beitz, new member, Shannon Wessling, new Maranoa Uniting Church Roma: In addition to my faith, member, Oakey: I will never cluster is comprised of six I am drawn to our church in forget the fi rst time I went to the communities in an area Roma by the sheer pleasure of Oakey Uniting Church. I was approximately 200km square. the beautiful and kind-hearted greeted with smiling faces happy Roma is the centre of the region, people who attend the church. to see me. I’m in the place where and hosts a Uniting/Lutheran Th ey have all welcomed me as God wants me to be at this time, congregation. Wallumbilla and part of their community with and I’m glad I listened to God Yuleba are to the east, Mitchell open arms, and renew my faith and made the change. Been here to the west and Injune and in God each and every week, just seven months and counting … Arcadia Valley to the north. Th e by being the people they are and region is experiencing a new living by his word. Th e words understanding of community of our Reverend Linda Hamill because of the impact of coal inspire and assist in motivating Top left: Olive Frizzell, Oakey seam gas. our parish, and provide us all Top right: Jodie Beitz, Roma Gail Price, long-time member, with a sense of belonging. Below: Shannon Wessling and Arcadia Valley: Seems to Oakey Uniting Church cluster Mia, Oakey, at their confi rmation me that “community” and is comprised of the Oakey, and baptism. Photos courtesy of “belonging” are one and the Jondaryan and Goombungee the congregations same. Th e lovely part about congregations under the

Th eological College. Th e Dalveen closes its doors after 57 years Trinity welcomes Dr Aaron Ghiloni curriculum has a distinct focus responding to the ‘challenges and THE small rural church of to toll the beginning and end DR Aaron Ghiloni has joined completing further postgraduate possibilities for the proclamation Dalveen in the Downs Presbytery of the shift at their brickworks, Trinity Th eological College as qualifi cations in Islamic Studies. of the gospel in secular and has closed its doors after 57 years was presented back to the Director of Studies – Mission, He said that as a theological pluralist Australia’. of worship. Dalveen community during the Ministry, and Leadership, and scholar, he is impressed by the “Th us, my classes in areas More than 50 people packed decommissioning service. Director of Field Education. foundational role “scholarly such as leadership, mission into the traditional weatherboard In his address, Pastor Dudley Dr Ghiloni’s work is in interpreters” play in the Uniting studies, and pastoral theology building on 23 June for the Abraham gave thanks to the Christian theology in dialogue Church. will be in dialogue with these fi nal service to remember and people who had started the with the humanities and social “With the Basis of Union, I cultural currents. We will give thanks for fellowship and church, and to those who had sciences. His new book John am heartily ‘open to an informed look at how Christian thought worship during countless Sunday kept it going. Dewey among the Th eologians faith’ and I believe it is crucial is challenged and enhanced services, weddings, baptisms, “We believe we are the church, is a conversation between to ‘learn to sharpen [our] through contact with other faiths confi rmations and funerals. a body of believers going out in educational theory and Christian understanding … by contact with and other disciplines.” Th e establishment of the the community and witnessing doctrine. contemporary thought.’ I applaud Dr Ghiloni has extensive church in 1955 was a community for Christ,” he said. “Let this He teaches the college’s the Queensland Synod’s desire to practical experience in teaching aff air, with land donated by P. not be the end of the life of the popular “Th eology of Religious ‘confess the Lord in fresh words and educational leadership, and Cameron, timber for the polished church, but the beginning of a Pluralism” course. and deeds’ through the Together has been a high school teacher fl oors and walls supplied by new life in the community.” From 2009 to 2011 he on the way, enriching community and administrator, youth and local sawmill owners Cliff and Presbytery Minister, Rev taught on the Abrahamic process. children’s pastoral minister, Stan Pidgeon, and construction Sharon Kirk, and Church Council traditions at Th e University of “I think this is what we and an adult education offi cer by nine local volunteers. Th e members Judy Middleton and Queensland and is currently are emphasising at Trinity (including for the Presbytery historic bell, also donated by the Susan Evans assisted in the of Moreton Rivers). He brings Pidgeons, and originally used decommissioning service. a broad ecumenical outlook to his teaching, having served within the United Methodist Church, the Anglican Church of Australia, and a Pentecostal congregation. Trinity Principal Rev Dr Geoff Th ompson said the college is delighted to have Dr Ghiloni join the faculty. “Together with his brief to expand the college’s engagement with issues of leadership, he is well suited to help foster the college’s mission of producing visionary leaders who have a ‘theologically-formed commitment to the Christian community and discipleship Members of Dalveen Uniting Church, Bev Butler, Pam Mitchell, Allyson Dr Aaron Ghiloni outside Trinity Theological College formation’. ” in Auchenfl ower, Brisbane. Photo by Osker Lau Abraham, Cath Brown and Dulcie Welsh. Photo by Joyce Abraham six great showrooms offering more in lighting ,1'225223,//< $63/(< -,1'$/(( /2*$1 07*5$9$77 52%,1$ ,1'225223,//<&(175$/ +20(0$.(5&,7< +20(0$.(5&,7< /2*$10(*$&(175( +20(0$.(5&(175( 52%,1$683(5&(175( &RRQDQ6WUHHW =LOOPHUH5RDG *RJJV5RDG 3DFLILF+LJKZD\ /RJDQ5RDG 5RELQD7RZQ&HQWUH'ULYH 3KRQH 3KRQH 3KRQH 3KRQH 3KRQH 3KRQH www.lightuponline.com.au your number one^^^SPNO[\WJVTH\ choice for online lighting

Journey - August 2012 JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU 13TH ASSEMBLY 7

ignore, and what they think of any pronouncements that their religion’s offi cial leaders make. People don’t take their religious President’s affi liation as “given”, but choose it. Th is isn’t the orderly transmission of a denominational tradition from one generation to the next. It’s the wonderfully installation dis-orderly creation of tradition by a generation that has no clear memory of a shared origin but a strong sense of belonging together through a shared vision. Th is is post-denominationalism address and it is part and parcel of the Uniting Church’s life and ministry. In his installation address at the Adelaide Th e Basis of Union had envisaged not a unit-ed church Entertainment Centre, new Uniting Church President – complete, packaged, distinct Rev Professor Andrew Dutney praised the church – but a unit-ing church – provisional, a continual work for its diversity and the great value church members in progress, “an interim way of being ‘church’ on the way to the place on its inclusiveness. The following is an excerpt end of denominationalism as a of his installation address. whole.” In 1977, the Uniting Church was formed by people from Newly installed President, Rev Prof Andrew Dutney, shows his sense of I’VE been introducing the introduce their workers and three strong denominational humour and good nature as he chairs the 13th Assembly meeting Uniting Church to people for volunteers to the Uniting Church traditions agreeing to leave their most of my adult life – its history, and its ministry in Australia. denominations behind to be aspects do you most like like most about our church is its vision, values and structures. Or again, as migration patterns together. about the Uniting Church as a inclusiveness. I even wrote a booklet called continue to develop and change And over the last 35 years the denomination? It turns out that our “Introducing the Uniting Church we’re delighted to welcome Uniting Church has continued Th e list of options was fairly congregations know in Australia”. I go to Uniting more and more people from to be formed and reformed long. It mentioned just about and like what lies deepest in their Church agencies to brief boards. Asia, the Pacifi c, Africa and by people from many nations, everything you could think of DNA as Christian communities I go to Uniting Church schools elsewhere into the Uniting cultures and denominations that we’re involved in through and uppermost in the vision to do professional development Church. Th e denominations learning “to forget who they are our agencies. of the mission of God which with teachers. I go to Uniting that they knew and loved in and remember whose they are.” But it turned out that the list the Uniting Church lives to Church councils and committees their home countries generally Every fi ve years, a National was pretty much superfl uous. participate in “that reconciliation to induct new members into the don’t have congregations Church Life Survey is conducted Of the 19 768 Uniting Church and renewal which is the end in nature of the church they’ve been here and so they look to the throughout Australia. attenders who answered view for the whole creation”. elected to lead. Uniting Church for ways to Th is time, the Uniting that question nearly 71 per It is the task of this 13th And I don’t see this need build Christian communities Church took the opportunity cent indicated that the thing Assembly not to shore up a for introductions slowing up appropriate to their needs. And to commission some survey they liked most about the denominational identity, not to any time soon. For one thing, they look for opportunities to questions of its own. While the UCA as a denomination is its protect our brand, but to hear the church’s health, welfare get to understand their new results are still being processed, “inclusiveness of all types of what the congregations we serve and educational agencies are denomination – its vision, its a preliminary report has been people”. Just to compare, the next have said to us through the continuing to grow and employ ministry, and how they can share produced in time for this most commonly chosen option NCLS report and to lift our eyes many people who are committed in it. Assembly. was “provision of community to that horizon of “reconciliation to the agency’s mission but have Religion in Australia is One of the questions included services”, at just under 25 per and renewal ... for the whole no affi liation with the Uniting intensely voluntary. People in the NCLS preliminary report cent. creation” as we attend to our Church. So the agencies are choose a religion for themselves, was this: No, the votes are in. Th e work. looking for opportunities to what parts they’ll adopt or Which of the following message is clear. Th e thing we Resurrection optimism

The following is an excerpt of the address Rev Alistair Macrae, Uniting Church President from 2009 to July 2012, delivered to the 13th Assembly on Monday 16 July 2012.

ALONG with the worldwide Christian of hope”. Not hope for mere institutional Church we are in a time of fundamental survival but for the ultimate victory of transition, with all its challenges and love over hate, peace over violence, hope opportunities. over despair. We should continue to ask what Th ank you, Uniting Church, for Christians have asked in every crisis: entrusting me with this role. Please forgive What is possible, even in the valley of the my mistakes and omissions and any words shadow of death, in this liminal, uncertain or actions that have been unworthy of the space, for those who trust that the church or the gospel. Shepherd God can provide water in the You gave me the privilege of seeing a desert, bring hope out of fear, liberation broad cross-section of this church and I out of paralysis, life out of death? have been blessed with so many glimpses In the early church, and ever since, of God’s Kingdom, God’s new creation, believers confronted by massive barriers in and through the worship, witness and have recalled the mystery of faith which service of this church. While we are a we intone every time we gather at the fl awed church, nevertheless God’s grace table of the Lord: “Christ has died. Christ is so often manifest and I encourage us is risen. Christ will come again!” A crack all to remain committed, faithful and in the wall appears and the light of hope imaginative as we participate with God shines through again. New worlds of until that blessed day when the walls of possibility open up and fi re the hearts, separation will be no more and God of minds and imaginations of believers. our crucifi ed and risen Lord will make all What distinguishes hopefulness from things new. Outgoing President Rev Alistair Macrae passes the stole to new President Rev Prof Andrew mere optimism is the central Christian A full version of both of these speeches Dutney during the installation service at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, claim of resurrection. We are “prisoners is available at http://goo.gl/2yE0R Sunday 15 July 2012

Journey, August 2012 8 13TH ASSEMBLY JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU

Th is statement was as follows. for same-gender relationships Th e Assembly resolved: • to circulate the paper 1. To acknowledge that the widely, and specifi cally to Agreement on marriage current position on marriage UAICC National Committee, is set out in Assembly Minute synods, chairpersons of national 97.31.12 conferences, presbyteries, THE 13th Assembly was Th e comments and concerns Discussion followed the 2. Noting the desire for UAICC regions, Uniting presented with three proposals of the fl oor were noted by the presentation, and though some respectful conversation within Network, the Assembly of discussing marriage on Th ursday Facilitation Group so that they amendments were made, the the diverse community of Confessing Congregations, 19 July. could formulate an amended fl oor of the Assembly reached an the church, and the current congregations, agencies and A respectful and articulate proposal to be presented the agreement to acknowledge the public debate about same- institutions of the Uniting discussion followed as Assembly following day. current position on marriage of gender marriage, to ask the Church, requesting responses to members engaged with the On the afternoon of Friday the Uniting Church in Australia, Doctrine Working Group, after the Working Group by a date to proposers: Rev Avril Hannah- 20 July, the Facilitation Group as per the minutes of the 8th appropriate consultation across be determined by the Standing Jones and Jenny Hayes, Port- presented proposal 71, a new Assembly in 1997, with further the church and with ongoing Committee; and Phillip West Presbytery (proposal proposal which was written work to be done by the Doctrine liaison with the Standing • to summarise responses 31/amended to 64); Rev Lu to combine and amend the Working Group between now Committee: and bring recommendations Senituli and Rev Gwen Fisher, previously presented proposals and the next Assembly. • to prepare a discussion to the Standing Committee by South Moreton Presbytery on marriage and relationships An Interim Record of the paper on the theology of November 2014, to enable the (proposal 43); and Rev Carol (31, 43, 46, 64) according to the decision made by the Assembly marriage within the Uniting Standing Committee to bring a Bennett and Rev Alison Whish comments and concerns of the was printed for members on Church, and explore its report to the 14th Assembly in (proposal 46). Th ursday session. Saturday 21 July. implications for public covenants 2015. Continuing the covenant A NUMBER of proposals to the was acceptable to Australia’s First 13th Assembly related to the Peoples. Uniting Church’s relationship On the fi nal day of business with its Indigenous members. at the 13th Assembly, members One proposal called on church expressed a clear intent to councils, boards and agencies to continue to grow the covenanting uphold the views of the Uniting relationship with the UAICC. Aboriginal Islander Christian Th e 12th Assembly approved Congress (UAICC) as they the revised preamble to the make decisions about proposed Uniting Church in Australia’s changes to the constitution by constitution to recognise the Australian Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait which will go to a referendum. Islander people as the First Th is was in the spirit of the Peoples. covenant relationship the church Th ree years on, the 13th established with its Indigenous Assembly agreed to establish people in 1985, said Rev Tim a working party to evaluate Matton-Johnson, Deputy Chair progress in the covenanting of the UAICC, and would relationship. progress the covenant in positive In moving the proposal, ways. Denise Chapman said it is “When it comes to important important that the covenanting decisions like this for First relationship is deeper than just Peoples, we need to trust the words on paper. people for whom this is a heart “Th is agreement needs to issue.” have an impact on the actions Holly Wright (Riverina of the councils of the church to Presbytery, NSW/ACT) said implement the covenant and Rev Shayne Blackman, UAICC build partnering relationships Administrator, had assured an with the UAICC in its ministry earlier Assembly session that it and mission among Aboriginal did not see this as the church and Torres Strait Islander people giving the UAICC a “blank who are striving for equal cheque”. Mr Blackman said outcomes with non-Aboriginal that the UAICC was a council Australians,’’ she said. of the church and would make “Th ere is a wealth of no decision regarding the evidence that Aboriginal people referendum question wording in Australia are among the UAICC Administrator Rev Shayne Blackman speaking at the 13th Assembly without consulting the Assembly poorest and most marginalised Standing Committee. people and governments have Dean Whitaker, who seconded Th e Assembly also passed Stronger Futures legislative Elenie Poulos, UnitingJustice committed themselves to closing the proposal, said the way a resolution of support for “regime” and ensuring that Australia National Director, had the poverty, health and education covenanting happened between Indigenous people (proposal 63). the Uniting Church will stand also previously told the meeting gaps,’’ she said. the two bodies was not replicated Members resolved to work with the UAICC in the name of that there was a need to raise “Th e Uniting Church has also by any other mainstream church towards 16 actions, many to justice and to support Indigenous awareness of the referendum and committed itself to closing these in Australia, and of that he was do with calling the Australian leaders. work to ensure the fi nal wording gaps.” particularly proud. Government to action on

Meet President-elect Stuart McMillan

ON Th ursday 19 July members the members of the Assembly “My leadership style has been of the 13th Assembly meeting had placed in him. shaped by the Indigenous people in Adelaide, endorsed Stuart “Over the next three years, I I have spent the last 30 years McMillan, the Northern Synod will be doing a lot of listening, with,” he said. Moderator, as President-elect of both to the spirit and to the “So I would want to involve the Uniting Church in Australia. church to prepare myself,” he those people in real ways, and Mr McMillan will be said. also to seek a greater involvement President-elect for the next three He listed his passions as from the multicultural folk in years before he takes up the the covenant relationship, real ways – that is, to invite them presidency in 2015 at the 14th encouraging Indigenous to give leadership.” Assembly in Perth, succeeding leadership, the multicultural Members of the 13th current President, Rev Prof richness of the church being Assembly of the Uniting Church Andrew Dutney, who took up the shared with congregations, in Australia also reappointed role on Sunday 15 July. and the advocacy work of the Rev Terence Corkin as General Mr McMillan said he was agencies UnitingWorld and Secretary of the Assembly until deeply humbled at the great trust UnitingJustice. 31 December 2015. President-elect Stuart McMillan is congratulated by President Rev Prof Andrew Dutney

Journey, August 2012 JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU 13TH ASSEMBLY 9 Putting the Gen-Y into Assembly and the hip into fellowship

Rads Sukumar prayerful discernment and the future leaders of the church. humility, despite our incredible But people applauded. It was CALL me a Church Nerd if you diversity. Th e image of one good to reassure them that the will, but the 13th Assembly, and fl ock following one shepherd church isn’t dying, that there my fi rst, was really cool. Perhaps echoed throughout the whole are young leaders in the church, it was the ridiculous amount of conference, as we dealt with already loving and serving. Th ere food consumed. Perhaps it was issues that many of us diff ered was a lot of love in that Plenary the amazing co- Gen Ys I met on, and as we prayed and sang. Hall. Young leaders Rhanee Lester and Rads Sukumar at the 13th Assembly and befriended. Perhaps it was I loved that nobody’s voice And I loved the way we our Stetson-wearing-President was dismissed as being too experienced true relationship and cheesy-tie-wearing General young, too inexperienced or with members of Congress, passion of the meeting. And it Rads (Radhika) Sukumar is Secretary chairing the meeting too emotional. Indeed, my fear, especially when we all stood was a great honour to take part a 24-year-old Administrative with such grace and humour. But before actually reaching the in solidarity on the steps of in organising that memorable Assistant at Uniting Mission after a week in a 13th Assembly- Assembly, was that the proposal Parliament House, and prayed event. and Education in the NSW/ shaped bubble, I’m quite happily I was to present with Rhanee and sung together (in tune too!) I am extraordinarily grateful ACT Synod. She is seeking to fried. Lester (about the National Young in response to the passing of the for the opportunity to be a part be a candidate for Ministry of A few things really stood Adults Leaders Conference Stronger Futures legislation. Th e of the Pilgrim People, for the the Word. She attended the 2012 “Reconciliation People” prayer vigil was not a planned out for me. I really loved that friendships formed, for the songs 13th Assembly as a youthful lay we were able to discuss and statement) would just be passed part of the Assembly. It simply sung, and for the path walked member deal with complex matters with with a nice pat on the head for arose out of the energy and together.

National Administrator). Th e • Zac Hatfi eld Dodds (NSW/ ordained) Assembly Standing Committee other members chosen for the ACT, lay, under 25) Rev Glenda Blakefi eld Standing Committee are: • Andrew Johnson (NSW/ACT, (Assembly Associate General ON Saturday 21 July, the results under the age of 25 chosen. • Alison Atkinson-Phillips (WA, lay) Secretary), Rev Dr Chris Walker of the previous day’s ballot were Ex-offi cio members of ASC lay) • Jason Kioa (Vic/Tas, ordained) (Th eology and Discipleship announced with 18 members are Rev Alistair Macrae (ex- • Bethany Broadstock (Vic/Tas, • Cheryl Lawson (WA, lay) Consultant) and Synod General chosen to sit on the Assembly President), Rev Prof Andrew lay, under 25) • Craig Mitchell (SA, lay) Secretaries all have observer Standing Committee (ASC) for Dutney (President), Mr • Stu Cameron (Qld, ordained) • Deirdre Palmer (SA, lay) status on the ASC. the next three years. Stuart McMillan (President- • Michelle Cook (Qld, ordained) • Ian Price (SA, ordained) Please pray for the members Members were drawn from elect), Rev Terence Corkin • Emma Davison (NSW/ACT, • Isabel Th omas Dobson (Vic/ of ASC as they take up this every Synod, representing (Assembly General Secretary), lay, under 25) Tas, lay) important role within the life of both the lay and ordained Rev Rronang Garrawurra • Kate Fraser (Northern, • Ian Tozer (WA, ordained) our church. communities and also the youth (UAICC Chairperson), and ordained) • Jan Trengove (SA, lay) of the church, with three people Rev Shayne Blackman (UAICC • Geoff rey Grinton (Vic/Tas, lay) • Jenny Tymms (Northern, Faith in action over Stronger Futures

Futures legislation. more just, inclusive and equal Rev Prof Dutney said that the “Our political leaders must relationships in the Church and Uniting Church believes in a God legislation rise above the election cycle and Australian community.” who seeks the reconciliation of commit funds and resources UAICC Chair Rev Rronang all people. to practical programs that are Garrawurra said: “We are also members of a ALMOST 400 people sang, led by both the President and evidence-based with accountable “Th e Australian Government church that is still ‘Uniting’. prayed and observed a minute’s the Chairperson of the Uniting and transparent processes. has taken away our lands and “We challenge our church, silence on the steps of the South Aboriginal and Islander Christian “Th e programs need to be now our humanity also is taken our government and our nation Australian Parliament to express Congress Chair (UAICC). developed and implemented in away by this new law.” to listen deeply to the knowledge concern at the federal Stronger After the whole crowd had partnership with Indigenous Th e event made Channel and culture of our First Peoples. Futures laws. joined in song, Uniting Church communities rather than Seven’s Adelaide nightly bulletin. “If we are serious about At lunchtime on day fi ve of the President Rev Prof Andrew imposed upon them. Th e Stronger Futures laws pursuing genuine relationships 13th Assembly, members moved Dutney opened the prayer vigil “We have worked in passed at the end of June extend with the First Peoples, we must en masse from their meeting to by declaring: partnership with our Indigenous the policies of the Northern commit to genuine continued the steps of Parliament. “We, the 13th Assembly of brothers and sisters and we have Territory Intervention such as consultation and dialogue. Passers-by stopped and stared the Uniting Church in Australia, listened. We commit ourselves income management by up to 10 “In Christ, we are sisters and and cars beeped their horns at have gathered here today in with the Uniting Church’s more years. Th e Uniting Church brothers, and so we commit the silent procession of people lament and prayer, in response to Aboriginal and Islander Christian has been a vocal opponent of the ourselves to stand alongside each holding Uniting Church banners the Federal Parliament’s Stronger Congress, to developing legislation. other in love and friendship.”

Members of the 13th Assembly gather on the steps of the South Australian Parliament to hold a prayer vigil of lament for the Stronger Futures legislation

Journey, August 2012 1100 13TH ASSEMBLY JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU Economist calls church to act on justice

ON the second last day of He reminded those present prayer vigil on the steps of South business at the 13th Assembly, that big global issues are solved Australia’s Parliament. “It is members were treated to the every day but it was a matter of very hard to get on mainstream eye-opening wit and humour priorities. TV talking about issues of of economist and Executive “We have and we do identify Indigenous disadvantage,” he Director of Th e Australia new problems and we solve them said, “but gee it is easy every Institute, Dr Richard Denniss. with a particular enthusiasm. night to get 30 seconds about the Speaking at a preview of the “But let’s be clear: in the last Hang Seng and the Nikkei-Dow. new UnitingJustice Australia 20 years we have not found “I don’t know anybody who website, the co-author of the will to address Indigenous doesn’t have an economics Affl uenza asked why, in a country disadvantage, we have not found degree who even knows what the as rich as Australia, we can aff ord the money to improve our public Hang Seng is! to tackle so many problems – but education system, we will not “Do you really think that not climate change. invest the money we need to into the people who need to know He pondered why it was that our aged-care system to prepare are tuning in to the Channel 10 Melbourne could subsidise a car for an inevitable demographic News to fi nd out? So what is it race but could no longer aff ord time bomb, and we are told doing there on the news every to subsidise fresh fruit in public repeatedly that we cannot aff ord night? It is telling you that big schools. to tackle climate change. important things, that greater Why Sydney could aff ord to Dr Denniss urged Assembly minds than yours have puzzled host the Olympics but not house members not to leave issues over, are happening in the world. the homeless? of justice up to the world’s “You might think we can “Why does our economy economists. aff ord to spend more on health, generate the outcomes that it “As high priests of fi nance we you might think we can aff ord to does? Why is poverty with us have nothing to contribute to spend more on education, and in times of affl uence? Why can questions of justice.” you might think we might do we aff ord to tackle so many “Th ese are fundamental something sensible like tackle problems, yet we can’t aff ord to questions of justice and equity climate change, but you don’t tackle climate change? Th ese are ... the last people in the country even know what the Hang Seng questions that my profession and that you want thinking about is! So why should we listen to Executive Director of The Australia Institute, Dr Richard Denniss, the political class love to keep to these problems are me and you? calls 13th Assembly members to insist on economic justice themselves. my colleagues. Th ese are not “Th ese are things for you “We can’t possibly imagine questions for economists, yet to demand of your political tackling something like climate economics is used again and leaders, but understand that about anything other than here “Congratulations for taking change because we are busy again to explain the inexplicable.” my colleagues will be standing we are, living in one of the richest the time to stop and think about actually causing that climate He congratulated Assembly between you and them, running countries in the world, telling things that, frankly, people really change with the world’s biggest members for the small amount of interference, talking about the ourselves we can’t aff ord to tackle don’t want you to think about.” mining boom,” he said. media coverage of the Assembly Hang Seng, getting you to think poverty.

SPRINGTIME GARDENS TOUR May 2013 Europe, UK & Chelsea Flower Show

Dutch Bulbfields, French chateaux & England’s magnificent gardens: Yorkshire Moors and Dales, Lake District & Cotswolds.

t
All stops 3 or 4 nights in First Class Hotels t
First Class rail travel, full luggage handling t
Uniting Church in Australia past Presidents Rev Gregor All entrances, many meals Henderson (left) and Dr Jill Tabart, ex-President Rev t
Fully escorted by Mr Stan Klan, Toowoomba UCA Alistair Macrae, current President Rev Prof Andrew Dutney, and past President Rev Prof James Haire at the Departs May 5th 2013 - 20 days - $12,950 13th Assembly in Adelaide.

The kiss of the sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God’s heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth.

What does being a disciple of God in 2013 For a look like to you? Full Colour Young people aged five to 17 are invited to Brochure Call creatively express their ideas on the theme Tour Director Being a Disciple of God in 2013 for the 2013 Synod Calendar Art Competition. Stan Entries close 21 September 2012. For more information and guidelines for entry, visit www.together.ucaqld.com.au/artcompetition The Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod

Journey, August 2012 JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU YOUTH NEWS 1111 Sowing seeds of friendship …

Tara Burton “Not only are we giving these children an opportunity to hear and experience fi rst hand the good news of Jesus Christ, HUNDREDS of school children united but the leaders and helpers gain so much in day camps across the state to relish in from the camp as well. activities and games during the winter “Many of our leaders and helpers do school holidays. not have a committed faith but are willing Holly Jewell, one of the directors of to abide by the Christian ethos of the the Oxley Darra Day Camp and Uniting camp.” Communications graphic designer, Ms Solomon said that this year’s was attended day camp as a child and wanted the wettest day camp she had been to. to continue the tradition for her own kids. “Usually the teams spend hours each “When my son was almost old enough day in their gunyahs (bush huts), but both my kids asked me why they should because of all the rain and mud, time was go. limited outdoors. “I knew that if I wanted my kids to “Th ere was a completely diff erent feel enjoy day camp and more importantly to the camp this year with teams probably have a relationship with God then I bonding in more signifi cant ways. needed to show them that it is important “Th e children had an amazing time,” to be involved.” she said. Ms Jewell noted that due to the success Beth Nicholls also grew up attending of day camps many parents would love day camp and now leads the Go West them to be held more often than once a team at Redlands. year. For the past 14 years, Go West has “Because it’s held annually we can focus taken the gift of day camp to rural areas church members’ attention to it. of Queensland to encourage them in “It’s a big week and it takes a lot of children’s ministry. resources and a lot of people’s time. “It is a great way to connect with the “But that’s something that we community, and to give children and volunteers do happily,” she said. leaders an experience of the bush and Moggill/Karana Downs Day Camp camping that is quite unique. coordinator Catherine Solomon couldn’t “It takes children and leaders out of agree more. their regular environment and through “I am involved with camp as I see the adventure activities, craft, assembly times, seeds being planted. worship and team devotions it develops “God is using us to plant these seeds in their skills and faith,” she said. the campers and in the leadership team. Oxley Darra Day Campers Rory, Morgan, Riley and Sam toast marshmallows with Ms Nicholls said that the memories of “Th is is an eternal investment and this day camp last a lifetime. one of the directors, Holly Jewell. Photo by Mardi Lumsden is why I’m involved in this ministry,” she “Recently we had someone come to said proudly. church because after many years she a cross that her leader had given her many remember the sea of mud, burnt Th e campers aren’t the only ones recognised the need for God in her life. years ago.” marshmallows and sunlight glistening who enjoy day camp – it is also a “She had remembered day camp in the From this years’ camps, the children, through stormy clouds. valuable outreach to teenagers in local midst of her life struggle, when she found team leaders and volunteers will fondly communities.

reorganising it overnight due to But when these young people bogged buses! But what really return to their home churches, … and reaping the rewards impressed me were the 60 or so too often they experience a teenagers and university students faith community nothing like this. Playfulness and passion Paul Clark who were the engine room, the north side of Brisbane. Despite engagement with the theme “All small group leaders, of the camp. have given way to formality the weather, the kids had four you need is [God’s] love”. Here were young people, usually and respect. Th e music and MY wife and I were leaders fabulous fun-fi lled days of Th e directors did an excellent known as the “i” generation, methodology of the message at the recent day camp on the activities, singing, sports and job organising the event, and giving up their holidays to spend have missed a decade or more, four intensive days with primary- and often they are shunted to school kids. It was worth the the margins in Sunday school, price of admission just to witness participation in the service or it. even morning tea selection. Is Th e whole experience did it any wonder they retreat to the make me consider how it is that new and Pentecostal churches, or we as a Uniting Church have fall out completely? often done youth ministry so We can try and run day camp If we can’t see God, how do we know God is there? well, only to have one of the like the Service of the Lord’s Day oldest demographics of any or, more appropriately, we can let Answered by Rev Paul Clark, pushes the balloon out. Th ere universe! Th at leaves plenty denomination, and some of the the lessons learned by our youth are many things in life that of room for God. Th e most Redcliffe Uniting Church, and worst retention rates of our ministers liberate our liturgies. we can’t see, but we know remarkable thing, for me, children’s book author young people. I can only explain I ask you to consider your they exist because we can see is that a man called Jesus it this way. response with all seriousness. or feel what they do. God is walked the earth, saying and WE had balloons in church At youth and children’s events Fabulous children and youth like that. We can’t see God, doing some amazing things. recently. Most people I often see leaders who are very ministry on the fringes of our but we can feel God in our After his life one man wrote, love balloons (except for playful with their faith, who church will only ever produce a lives, and see what God does “Jesus was the visible image the bangs!). Balloons are exemplify a joyful, excited and church with fabulous youth and and has done. Scientists of the invisible God.” If you fantastic. We pump air into passionate relationship with God, children on the fringes. We need tell us that we can detect really want to see God, fi nd them, and they grow! Air, who use the latest technology, them to be at the heart of what less than 20 per cent of the out about Jesus. which we can’t see, somehow language and creative arts in we do. their presentations – and who This year Journey will feature this column of great questions from the mouths of babes. If you Paul Clark is the Chief of Sinners aren’t afraid to move their bodies at Redcliffe Uniting Church. He have heard a great question from a young person, please send it to [email protected] to loud music, as worship. stays young by dyeing his hair.

Journey, August 2012 1122 WHAT’S ON & PRAYER DIARY JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU

5 AUGUST 2pm – 5pm Census 2011: Christians Omega Writer’s Meeting. St Francis College, Milton. Christian authors share support, information, inspiration and prayer. Contact Ruth Bonetti on 3375 1775 or visit www.omegawriters.com/wp. in the spotlight 5 AUGUST 2pm – 4pm “Be thou my vision” afternoon of favourite hymns at Kairos Uniting Church, St Luke’s Hamilton. Dianne Jensen during an interview with Leigh Bring gold coin donation and plate for afternoon tea to share. Contact Paul Bennett on 3262 1790 Hatcher on Th e Open House or [email protected]. “THAT’S me in the corner, radio show. that’s me in the spotlight, losing “It’s not just churches, 5 AUGUST my religion.” it’s volunteer organisations, More and more Australians community groups – there are Please pray for Oakey Uniting Church cluster, “Reaching Out; Making Friends Together with seem to be nodding their heads deep trends going on about how Christ”. Please pray for: in time to the lyrics from the people engage in community • the cluster of Maclagan, Jondaryan, Goombungee and Oakey, as we seek God’s direction 1991 hit song by American together, and express their • the process of the sale of property as we seek to be faithful to God’s call in this area rock band REM, according to belonging.” • Oakey’s newly formed Kids’ Club and the volunteers who share God’s love with the children 2011 Census of Population and Rev Dr Geoff Th ompson, • our seniors as they struggle with the limitations of ageing and failing health Housing data recently released Principal of Trinity Th eological • our younger members who have recently committed their lives to Christ by the Australian Bureau of College, believes that the key • give thanks for the parents who support their kids in their sports. Statistics. issue for Christians is the Th e fi gures show that the fact that participation in the 11 AUGUST 6.30pm – 9pm number of people reporting traditions and practices of the A really cool Christmas dinner at Redcliffe Uniting Church. Great three-course Christmas dinner “No religion” has increased Christian faith is now a minor plus concert of Christmas music. Profi ts in aid of chaplaincy. Bookings essential. $40 pp. Contact signifi cantly, from 18.7 per cent presence in our community. Lesley Brown on 3284 3688 or [email protected]. of the population in 2006 to “Any thinking about the 22.3 per cent in 2011. future of the church must resist 22 – 17 AUGUST Christianity remains the all nostalgia for what the church YASKI snow-skiing adventure, Perisher. A fun time of sharing with like-minded people, encouraging most commonly indicated was,” he said. “We must be each other and enjoying being in the snow. $1052 covers accomm, meals, ski and gear hire, religion, with 61.1 per cent brutally honest with ourselves national park entry, lift passes and ski lessons. Contact Graham Keech on gkeech.loganuc@tpg. of the population reporting about the cultural shifts that com.au or Beth Nicholls on [email protected]. Register at www.cleveland.ucaweb.com.au. affi liation with a Christian have occurred and seek to religion – a decline from 63.9 understand them deeply; 12 – 26 AUGUST 11am – 2pm per cent in 2006. we need to realise that our Th e increase in the number contemporaries by and large see Archival Collection at the Vera Wade Gallery, St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Brisbane City. For of people identifying as having no need for, and no interest in, those fascinated by early Christian witness and the contribution of past members to the history of no religious affi liation follows the faith that we proclaim.” Brisbane. Contact Jenny Ponting on 3221 2400 or [email protected]. on the heels of the vigorous Dr Th ompson suggests “Mark No Religion” campaign that our thinking about the 12 AUGUST run by Th e Atheist Foundation future of the church needs to The Sherwood Uniting Church congregation is in a time of transition. Please pray for: of Australia in the months be “less about whether or not leading up to the Australian we succeed in turning the ship • God’s guidance and discernment by the • the development of evening worship and Census in August 2011. around; less about whether Joint Nominating Committee, Elders and fellowship with young families Ruth Powell, Director of the we can reverse these cultural Church Council • an ongoing support for former prisoners National Church Life Survey, trends; less about whether we • a continuing Year 7 group through Community Bridges. says that the Census data are at a high point or a low reveals more about affi liation point in the cycle of church 17 – 18 AUGUST 8am – 1pm both days than faith. attendance – and more about Garage sale. Wheller Gardens, Uhl Hall, 930 Gympie Rd, Chermside. Pick up great buys of “People don’t affi liate with the kind of community we are preloved clothes, books, household appliances and homewares, crafts, knick-knacks, etc. Contact anything, so the Christian called to be, the kind of people Barbara Wood on 3359 7010 or [email protected]. religion suff ers along with we are called to be.” everything else,” said Dr Powell 18 AUGUST 8am – 12pm Jumble sale. Beachmere Uniting Church, cnr Moreton Tce and Second Ave. Cakes, jams, plants, books, clothing, manchester, craftwork, CDs, DVDs, videos, records, bric-a-brac, etc. Morning teas. Contact John and Marjorie Horchner on 5496 8371 or [email protected]. Thinking out of the box for youth 19 AUGUST in Rosewood Please pray for Iona West Uniting Church. Iona West is a church seeking to minister to various Rev Peter Blauw people in the community by providing a variety of ministries and services. Please pray for: week on the streets building • a replacement minister as Rev Euan McDonald moves to Laidley/Hattonvale at the end of relationships with these kids and September. Please also pray for a new profi le and assembly of the Joint Nominating Committee IN the past 12 months, the their families. To help us build • the various services, traditional Sunday mornings, contemporary Sunday evenings, and a Rosewood community has momentum, the Ipswich City fortnightly family/messy church mid-morning experienced some problems with Council and Younglife organised • our various ministries: Men’s Shed, Kid’s@Play Group, men’s breakfasts, Café Church, Iona youth on the streets late at night the fi rst Rosewood Youth Festival West 4-Ways (formerly Crossroads), RE in the primary school, Camp Eagle, and more causing mischief. Realising that at the local skate park on 6 July. • our various lay leaders and preachers, church councilors and our retired minister in the the police and justice system Th ere were local bands and congregation, Rev Neale Hill, who together will be leading worship, doing pastoral care and were limited in how they could dancers, free food and drinks, coordinating activities for the next few months. help, the pastors of some of the and a craft workshop. Th e kids local churches got together. also had displays of their own with skateboard and bike tricks. 25 AUGUST 2pm – 4.30pm Individually we couldn’t do much, but together we could help Th e dancers taught some of the Gilbert and Sullivan meet ABBA at Bracken Ridge UC. Tickets at the door. Adults $10, Children resource someone to work with “oldies” how to do the “shuffl e”. free. Afternoon tea and stall. Contact Marilyn Linnett on 3269 3282 or [email protected]. the young people. I found out that I was about 40 We invited Younglife years and 40 kilos too late to do it 25 AUGUST 9:30am – 4.30pm Australia, who had a good record but had fun trying! Choral Workshop. Opera Qld Studio, Conservatorium of Music, Southbank, Brisbane. The mentoring youth in Ipswich, to Sometimes we have to think Queensland Choir’s Annual workshop is open to singers with choral experience. Contact partner us in walking with these outside the box to reach out to Ian Orchard on 3351 7662 or [email protected] or visit www.qldchoir.com. kids. We also approached the the community. In this case, Ipswich City Council, police, we have combined resources 26 AUGUST local businesses, the Lions Club between churches and people and sporting organisations in the community to work out Please pray for Laidley Uniting Church: that were keen to fi nd a better solutions to social problems. • for the preparations for our new minister starting the beginning of October solution to social problems in the We have also set up a group • for our busy month of September with our Craft and Quilt Expo and Day Camp community. that has representatives of all • for our Mainly Music leadership team. We run two groups with one leadership team. We have A Younglife youth worker is the stakeholders to formulate an overall attendance of about 30 families, most of whom have no connection with the church now working within the local strategies for building a better • for ways to share a placement with Gatton to grow Hatton Vale, which is growing fast with new high school and one night a community. houses built and more estates opening. We want to connect more with the local community • for the community work done in Laidley through Crisis Care, our op shop, breakfast twice a week at the local school and the “Have a Chat” group that provides a sausage sizzle and a listening ear to people in the main street on Wednesday evenings. 31 AUGUST – 2 SEPTEMBER Sea of Faith in Australia 2012 Conference. Twin Towns Resort, Coolangatta. Shared humanity and the place of religion, faith and meaning as expressions of the human spirit. Contact Peter Robinson on 5577 2142 or [email protected] or visit www.sof-in-australia.org.

1 SEPTEMBER 1:30pm – 4pm The heart of the father with fl orist Robert Manton. Redcliffe Uniting Church. An afternoon of music and fl oral arrangements. Small fl oral arrangements for sale. $10 (school-age children free). Afternoon tea. Contact Elaine Hints on 3284 7935 or [email protected].

From left: Younglife youth worker James Beutell, Baptist Pastor Upload your What’s On entries at www.journeyonline.com.au Will Mogensen and Rev Peter Blauw. Photo courtesy of Peter Blauw

Journey, August 2012 JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU REVIEWS 1133

Good Game: Christianity Leaving Alexandria: A Memoir of Faith and Doubt and the Culture of Sports By Richard Holloway, Text Publishing, 2012, 32.95 By Shirl James Hoffman, Baylor University Press (Waco), 2010, Reviewed by Rodney Eivers RRP $43.95 IN some respects this is a sad Reviewed by Rev Peter Harvey Christians of the day denounced book, as typifi ed by the author a culture of sport, Hoff man then quoting a number of times, SHIRL James Hoff man has journeys through the Middle “For Demas hath forsaken grown up in and around sport Ages and the age of Puritanism me, having loved this present and church, so is well-suited to more modern times. Th e only world” (2 Timothy 4:10). to bringing this academic-style problem for me with this was the Yet the autobiography of critique to the marriage of the more recent the historical period, Richard Holloway (formerly Christian faith and sport. In the more the focus on what Bishop of Edinburgh and Good Game: Christianity and Hoff man seems to see as the only Primate of the Anglican the Culture of Sports, he asks modern culture – America. sports are and can be used Church in Scotland) is a the reader to take a hard look Hoff man analyses modern to build character and penetrating and honest insight at the current state of sport, American evangelical thinking explores using sport as an into one person’s journey in even sport in a supposedly about sport. He asks questions evangelism tool. He concludes the Christian faith. And it Christian context, and see about the connection between by off ering his thoughts on seeks to deal with how the how it might look within a sport and behaviours seen as a transformation of sport institutional Christian faith “truly” Christian context. consistent with the Christian life; within a Christian context for has been challenged over he will continue to have no Th e preface and and the church’s exploitation of Christian institutions. the past century or so and is less an impact on stimulating introduction off er insight players, owners and managers Th e book is interesting and continuing to be challenged, thought. into the author and helpfully who have refrained from such thought-provoking. Th ere are as seen through the eyes of His writing, which he did frame what follows. Th e fi rst behaviours. He also examines many problems in sport, and one man. not begin until nearing 40, fi ve chapters off er a historical the physicality of the majority of Good Game forces the reader Th is honesty extends has proved an inspiration to context for the interaction sports, and the way the human to examine them. I don’t know to another aspect of his his readers for relating the between Christianity and body (which he calls the temple if I agree with the conclusion personality with which I can worldview promulgated by sport. Beginning in ancient of God) is mistreated and abused. Hoff man reaches, but it’s been identify. In acknowledging the Jesus the wandering Jewish Greece and Rome, where the He critiques the idea that a good journey to observe. strongly self-analytical basis sage of some 2000 years ago to his relationships and his to the worldview of this very dealing with events, he speaks diff erent era of our twenty- with admiration and some fi rst century. Ms Georgas said that the envy of those good people Its appeal would be Faith on Film challenge has been gaining (whether caring for people particularly strong for those Screens every Sunday from exposure and recognition for this suff ering from terminal like he (and I) who seek 1.30pm at Hoyts Sunnybank niche genre. HIV/AIDS, or even his own to know what constitutes Cinemas. www.hoyts.com.au “We hope that many people children) who innately and Christianity and what come along to the festival spontaneously express care constitutes morality in this Reviewed by Tara Burton and that through positive and goodwill to others. day and age – and to what recommendation, many more do. Holloway claims that extent there can be a link IN July Hoyts Australia “We hope that the audience towards the end of the this honesty and perhaps a between them. launched the new Faith on exits the cinema with a sense of piece where you could quite tendency to have publicly For Richard Holloway it is Film festival which has been hope for the future,” she said. imagine him as a young Billy. voiced his thinking as it an ongoing journey. screening in cinemas across Th e program for the Faith on “Stephanie Butler also put in developed have got him into I am sure he has a lot to Australia. Film festival is scheduled to run a good performance as Ruth trouble, and led eventually to say to those Uniting Church Hoyts Queensland Area until the end of this year. Some of Bell Graham.” his resigning from his posts in people interested in the Manager Roshon Georgas the many Christian fi lms that will Mr Pohlmann added that the Anglican Church. challenges to the church of said that Faith on Film aims to be featured are Billy: Th e Early the narrative could have Has Christianity a future? twenty-fi rst century ideas and bridge the gap in the market Years, Th e Holy Roller, Faith Like benefi ted from a tighter Has God a future? One struggles. for the Christian fi lm genre. Potatoes (Director’s Cut), Not a structure, and noted that the can follow how Holloway I would recommend “Faith on Film brings Fan and Th e Least Amongst Us. fi lm straddled a number of developed doubt as to Leaving Alexandria as one powerful stories from around First winner of our Faith on genres including biographical whether these two entities man’s thoughtful version of the world to the big screen, Film double-pass giveaways, drama, docudrama and even even belong together. that journey. so that family and friends can David Pohlmann, lecturer at romantic comedy. And in the end it got too Other books by Richard enjoy them together. Christian Heritage College, was To win a double pass to much for him. Th e indications Holloway include Godless “It inspires through the impressed by Armie Hammer’s the Faith on Film screenings are, however, that despite Morality (1999) and Between power of story. portrayal of Billy Graham in keep an eye out on the Uniting (and perhaps because of) the Th e Monster and Th e Saint “Faith on Film is about Billy: Th e Early Years. Church in Queensland loss of his ecclesiastical status (2008). celebrating life”. “Th ere were brief moments Facebook page.

More reviews online at Carrie Underwood Concert www.journeyonline.com.au including: 30 June 2012, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Reviewed by Tara Burton A Spacious Place: Contemplative Vision: Precious Thoughts: ON 30 June, Carrie Contemplating the A Guide to Christian Art Daily Readings from Underwood graced the Brisbane Exhibition and Second Half of Life and Prayer the Correspondence of Convention Centre with an By Alie Stibbe, The Bible By Juliet Benner, IVP Books, Thomas Merton amazing live performance. Reading Fellowship, Abingdon, An Imprint of InterVasity Press, Selected and edited by Fiona Her fi rst ever concert in UK, 2012, RRP $15.95 Downers Grove, Illinois, Gardner, Darton, Longman and Australia was worth the wait. RRP $23.95 Winner of American Idol Todd, London, 2011, RRP $26.95 2005 and several Grammy awards, Carrie Underwood has taken the country world inspiration, as do song titles by storm. Even those without such as “Jesus Takes the a particular interest in country Wheel”. music are captivated by her Unfortunately Carrie was vocals. ill-served by a lack of audience Carrie was supported in enthusiasm and energy. the show by Australian Idol For those seated in middle winner Damien Leith, and the and back the lights became two meshed well together. blinding and distracting at A highlight of the times, giving the impression performance was when the more of a light show than lights dimmed for Temporary a live performance. But Home. Lyrics such as “Th is although the sound was also is my temporary home./it’s a bit poor in certain sections, not where I belong./Windows Carrie’s fantastic supporting and rooms that I’m passin’ band powered through. Books available from … through./Th is is just a stop, Overall, Carrie shone and Many of the titles reviewed in Journey are available from St Paul’s Bookstore in Brisbane city or Christian Supplies on the way to where I’m she has certainly gained at in Milton. Books can usually be ordered from Vision Books at Broadwater Road Uniting Church, Mansfi eld, or may be going./I’m not afraid because least one new fan! available from www.mosaicresources.com.au or www.rainbowbooks.com.au. I know this is my Temporary Here’s hoping she returns Home” reveal her Christian to Australia again soon.

Journey, August 2012 1144 AGENCY NEWS JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU

and Karatha and Roxby Downs and Tom Price as they were being developed, and they had Still serving churches at their heart. Our real fear now is that this use of fl y-in-fl y-out camps, which have no heart – of any variety -- is leaving people on the frontier without a sense of community and connectedness, and also JOURNEY spoke with Rosemary communities into which they disconnecting people at the other Young, National Director of fl y, places such as Karatha in end. Frontier Services, at the 13th Western Australia. J: It seems that how Assembly. A number of the people successfully Frontier Services Journey: Th ere were about involved in that conversation can support these communities 17 people in the discussion are either at the home end, depends on relationships with group, with representatives supporting the families who are managers and HR managers, from every synod, and across left without the partner, or they and if there’s turnover a good Australia. What was the have an experience of mining relationship can be lost. greatest value of the discussion communities in their own RY: Th at’s absolutely true. for you? districts. We are really dependent on a Frontier Services staff celebrate 100 years at the heart of the Rosemary Young: Th e second J: Are these fl y-in-fl y-out person of faith being in a role Outback during the 13th Assembly session was really interesting and mining communities where they can invite us in – or because people had diff erent gaining an emphasis in the unfortunately, a catastrophe. And experiences of fl y-in-fl y-out, work that Frontier Services that is very often what opens RY: Th ey do, yes, they go this year for furthering the which has been a big issue for us. does? the door. Very often and very as part of our Outback Links mission of Frontier Services? We’re supporting RY: In fact, mining unfortunately! program, which connects the RY: Really, we see the communities where people fl ying communities and places where J: Matt Gees from St Marks – voluntary eff ort that‘s available Assembly as an accountability in and fl ying out leave behind development has been happening Mt Gravatt Uniting Church has largely within but also without process. Frontier Services’ work their own communities without have been part of our ministry people from his congregation the church with the needs of is the work of the whole church. resources, and of course then for 60 or 70 years. But the agency who go out somewhere remote families and also communities As an Assembly agency, we can we are trying to also support the was involved in places like Weipa in a working group every year. in remote Australia for all kinds only work together with synods of practical things. But quite and presbyteries, and particularly apart from the practical things with the Uniting Aboriginal and the volunteers do, they just off er Islander Christian Congress. • Th e National Christian friendship and that’s a wonderful, So being here we have the Youth Convention will be held wonderful gift. opportunity to have all of those Assembly wrap in Sydney from 7–10 January J: You must have seen lots of people in one place, to ask 2014, with the theme Yuróra. friendships arise and fl ourish them questions to help them Th e website will be live in over the years. understand how they’re part • Th e Uniting Church’s for the Uniting Church to mid-August. RY: Absolutely. We have more of the life of the agencies and current Ministerial Education “commit itself anew to the • Two books were than a thousand volunteers at any how we’re part of the life of the Committee is to be replaced people of remote Australia” launched. A new “little one time as part of the Outback church. by an Education for Ministry in this centenary year of the green book” edition of Holy Links program, but we guess now So essentially it’s about Working Group, with the new establishment of the Australian Communion revamps the that number would be more than reforming the relationships that body to provide advice on Inland Mission. “little blue book” that has been equalled by the number of people come and go as you cross paths the standards of formation, • Regulations relating to widely used by congregations, who go out just visiting friends over the triennium, and really education and training for the the conduct of appeals will be and includes worship services they made as an Outback Links being accountable to Assembly Ministry of the Word, Ministry reviewed by a task group to for communion. Building volunteer! on behalf of the whole church. of Deacon, Ministry of Pastor be appointed by the Assembly on the Basis is a collection J: Do you have any particular and Ministry of Lay Preacher. Standing Committee. of papers from the UCA goals in coming to Assembly • Th e statement presented • 13th Assembly members Assembly Working Groups to the 13th Assembly, One expressed appreciation for the on Doctrine and Worship Body, Many Members – Living contributions of Queenslanders published between 2000 and Faith and Life Cross-culturally, Rev Dr Paul Walton and Rev 2011. Both are available from prepared by Multicultural and Dr Elizabeth Nolan. Dr Walton www.mediacom.org.au. Uniting Communications team Cross-Cultural Ministry of the served as Convener of the • Perth will host the next Uniting Church in Australia, Assembly Working Group on meeting of the triennial promises a renewed approach to Worship for 15 years. Dr Nolan Assembly of the Uniting multicultural and cross-cultural served as Chairperson of the Church in Australia in 2015. ministry. Assembly Christian Education • Members of the 13th Reference Committee from 2006 For more Assembly news visit Assembly accepted a proposal to 2012. www.assembly2012.uca.org.au

The Uniting Communications team. Left to right: designers Holly Jewell and Osker Lau, editor Kate Indigo, writer Dianne Jensen, director Mardi Lumsden and communications offi cer / advertising manager Tara Burton. Photo by Holly Jewell 2012 CHRISTMAS POSTCARDS

Another way to help invite your community to church this Christmas. The cards feature beautiful design, with your congregation’s A3 poster service and event times. x 10 3000 postcards and 10 posters for only $185 Registrations close Monday 17 September. Visit www.ucaqld.com.au for A6 postcard details and to see artwork. x 3000

Journey, August 2012 JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU LETTERS / FAST NEWS 1155

Find Uniting Church Queensland on Facebook A two-way street Uniting Church Queensland

IT’S hard to realise that the colour makes for a very easy Uniting Church has turned 35! read. What a remarkable journey It is important to for a young Australian church remember that these Uniting which has been changing in Church journals enable two- Facebook comments many ways alongside a world way communication. Just as that is equally changing. staff writers and contributors 35tthh anniversary messages 201122 Calendar feeedback Th roughout those 35 bring the stories to life, years, the respective state perhaps Journey could devote journals have continuously more space to letters. As you It’s the 35th anniversary of the creation of the I’ve loved the diff erent days listed on this year’s brought news of the church can see, I’d rather write a Uniting Church Queensland in Australia. I’m calendar. Th ings like Pentecost, UCA anniversary, and its people. Journey is a letter than be limited to 140 proud every day of this denomination and all it has Lent, etc – that’s great. Also the lectionary welcome item in my inbox characters via a Twitter post! achieved in such a short time. readings. Plus the calendars are a good size to sit on each month, an opportunity Allan Gibson Leannne Hutton my desk and refer to often. However, they’re not big to learn what is happening in enough to really notate on. another Synod. Its fresh, clean Cherrybrook, NSW presentation with plenty of Happy Birthday, Uniting Church. I was there at Mattt Gees your birth – in fact, I was there before you were born as I was friends with your parents at Arana Hills. Billyy DDiehm Spiritual traps of sport Day Camp memoories Happy birthday to the Uniting Church! May God I really enjoyed your recent good or for bad … At its worst continue to bless this wonderful organisation and Th e songs, and making your team area. articles on sport in the last sport has the potential to all the work it does. Rebbeecca Chan edition. I love sport. I love the develop into an … experience Brannddon Strangman competitiveness and engaging of battle rather than play. Day Camp at Lathers Farm at Moggill. Flying in the story of each game, “In our culture, successful fox, trailer rides, bonfi re, billy tea, bus rides back particularly when I am left sport stars and sporting Happy Birthday to the Uniting Church! Th ank you and forth each day, half-cooked sausages on the with that addictive “winning teams are at times idolised. A for letting an old dog practise new tricks! God bless campfi re. So much fun. feeling”. Christian worldview of sport the next 35 years. However, I felt that you in the Australian cultural Richhaard Lance Lynddeelle Gunton held back from presenting context is … somewhat a critical perspective of the ‘counter-cultural’ . We’ve got Christopher Wayne as a special guest place of sport in our Aussie “We encourage parents (right now) at the MR Day Camp at Samford. Kids culture. to adopt a healthy balance in are loving the treat after a wash out week! Two years ago, a family their family life. Unfortunately Whhaat are your NAAIDOC Week plans? left Calvary Christian College many parents have sacrifi ced Peteerr Armstrong for a school with a stronger youth group programs, Tomorrow elders lunch in town, Mapoon NAIDOC sporting program. (How Sunday church and a Christian on Wednesday. My fave memory of day camps was being a leader many people have left the education for the sake of Micheelle Cook church because of sport?) seeing their child attempt to at St David’s Coopers Plains. I think the leaders had So the leadership of the become a professional sports more fun than the kids! And the bonfi re on Sat nite College formed a working star.” for the leaders was pretty good. Linddaa Hanson party to review sport at the In my view, there are many Log in and have your say now! college. Th e working party benefi ts and opportunities critically analysed sport for in sport for the church as an understanding of a healthy outlined in your articles; sport/Christian life balance. however, let us not became Following are some of the naïve: sport has many spiritual statements the working party traps. drafted in a position paper Send your letters to [email protected] or entitled Sport at Calvary Rev Jim Haak Journey GPO Box 674, Brisbane QLD 4001. Christian College. Spiritual Director “Sport has the potential Calvary Christian to be a powerful value-laden College activity which can be used for Please keep letters to a maximum of 250 words. Letters may be edited due to space limitations.

A picture tells a thousand stories Prison chaplains celebrated IF a picture tells a thousand and humbly supports the stories, the one on page 10 of hand of the young woman, ON 22 June, Uniting Church class suburbia, which largely the good news that God can love June Journey in the “Coming representing the church Prison Ministry celebrated 35 constitutes our church. and forgive them. of age” piece is no exception. keeping us all together in the years of ministry by recognising “My father said don’t just Mr Tully concurred. “We must It beautifully demonstrates body of Christ, while a witness the dedication of two long- think that some people keep the hear the call to forgive. Too often unity in action. Pastor stands in the background serving prison chaplains. Mrs law and some break it. We all we hear only the call to punish.” Julia Lennon releases worthy of praise. Pat Imhoff was honoured for her keep it and we all break it.” Sophie Monks’ hand as Th ank you, Journey. 25th anniversary of service and Taking the occasion to she submerges into the Rev George Tully for his 26th acknowledge the dedication of spiritual journey of baptism. Mercy Dunn Emu Park anniversary. Mr Charlie Greer, his colleague Rev Alistair Macrae fi rmly Speaking of the calling in prison ministry, Mr Tully said to prison chaplaincy, Prison that one of the greatest changes Ministry Coordinator Beatriz he has seen in his 26 years is Skippen said, “Whenever we many more professional people serve the needs of prisoners, going to prison. Palm Beach holiday unit, 2 we minister to Christ Jesus. “It is far easier to fi nd yourself CLASSIFIEDS storey, 2 bedroom, short walk to Together, empowered by the in prison than it used to be. Tallebudgera Creek and beach. $400 per week. Ph: Cameron spirit, we can assist spiritual What once was business is now Accommodation All profits support the work of missions 0411 213 130. release and transformation fraud.” for victims of crime, inmates, Mrs Imhoff says a prisoner Providing Christ like care Caloundra, holiday unit, 100m to and families of prisoners. It’s a told her recently, “You don’t Boulder Creek Holiday Centre for grieving families Kings Beach. Fr: $390/wk. 281 Hill Rd, Mothar Mountain, via privilege to be Jesus’ hands and realise how much the chaplains’ Ph: 0427 990 161. Gympie. The ideal place for your feet in the prison.” visits mean to us. You are a Personalised care & support next church or family group camp. Mr Tully said that he has window to the outside world London B & B. Lovely home, Catered accommodation for up to always been very proud of the and when you leave there is a Prepaid Funeral Planning reasonable rates. Ph 0011 100 persons. Self cater available ministry, which is well accepted changed atmosphere in here.” 44 20 8694 6538. rachel@ for small groups. Check www. by the system and prisoners alike. She was inspired to her work brockleybandb.fsnet.co.uk bouldercreek.com.au for more “Th e greatest reward,” he said, by 2 Cor 5:14 (Amp): “for the information or ph 5483 5221. “is knowing that I am where God love of Christ controls and urges has called me.” and impels us” to take the good “I grew up among hard news to the least, the last and the Email your classifi ed advertisements to men and always felt at home lost. among them. I believe very Th e greatest blessing, she said, [email protected] often these types of people have was seeing God’s love at work in been misunderstood in middle- people’s lives: to see tears fl ow at

Journey, August 2012 1166 13TH ASSEMBLY JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU

1. The Welcome to Country led by Stephen Goldsmith, also known as Gadla-Barti, an Indigenous Elder of the local Kaurna people 2. Uniting Church members stand in solidarity with Australia’s First Peoples at the prayer vigil at Adelaide’s Parliament 3. Consensus in action: members enjoy meaningful discussion on proposals 4. President Rev Prof Andrew Dutney at the installation service on Sunday 15 July

5. Assembly members from all walks of live enjoy the unoffi cial Crazy Hat Day 6. UAICC Chairperson Rev Rronang For me, Assembly was a time of being Garrawurra addresses Assembly members proud to belong to the Uniting Church for: • the respectful way hard and not so hard issues can be discussed and the way it is made possible for all voices to be heard • the wisdom and articulation from various leaders • the unsung work being done in politically sensitive contexts such as Christmas Island and West Papua • the developing relationship between Congress and the UCA and the outworking of that at Assembly • the commitment to remote Australia. Highlights were being part of the community, the opportunity to learn through the Cato lecture, the Korean night, the reports of various groups, Australian songs new to me, listening to others, and especially, for me, hearing Aunty Denise share at breakfast the story of how “Th e Lord Be with You” was translated into Kaurna language.

Elaine Rae Executive Offi cer, Synod Schools Commission

Visit the 13th Assembly website www.assembly2012.uca.org.au for: videos photo galleries speeches and sermons proposals and reports

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Journey, August 2012