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DECEMBER 2O17

he next three days were spent travelling to Lira in the north of T Uganda to visit the Deaf Ministries School for deaf and disabled children. This school was only started in 2015 and has already graduated 87 students despite having no classrooms and very few facilities. Currently there are 167 high school aged children attending the school.

The school offers courses in; sewing, carpentry, brick making and construction, cultural studies, and sign. In 2016 two dormitories were built to provide accommodation for the students. Unfortunately, these are unfinished having no floor or wall plastering, and very cramped. Students sleep on bunks three high and side by side with no room in-between!

Our team took gifts of school exercise books, sports equipment, including a AFRICA full set of sports jumpers for a soccer team, pens and coloured pencils, and gifts for each teacher. These were thankfully received. A special school MISSION assembly was conducted which lasted a full day. Over the day each of the team shared a short encouraging message. The team arrived in Kampala, Uganda on Tuesday The students made many presentations June 20th. To their credit it didn’t take long for and we shared lunch together. The team also played football and danced with them to settle into African life and the busyness, the eager students, despite the CONTINUED PAGE 2 PAGE CONTINUED dust and noise of Kampala. exhausting heat!

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FROM THE CHAIRMAN FROM PAGE 1

understanding of holiness. When Back in Kampala the team spent time with the was the last time you heard students at the Emmanuel Bible College. This someone say, “That person is so is the Deaf Ministries International Bible holy, they love and forgive so College which trains pastors for much of much?” Is it possible that we have Africa. A treat for the team was to have one on pursued personal holiness, one signing lessons with some deaf students. excluded relational holiness, and We attended the Saturday night worship find ourselves branded by society as service at Watoto Church in central Kampala. resounding gongs? This was one of 30 services conducted by the As I read Scripture, personal Church over the weekend across Uganda. holiness and love for the other Over 4,000 people attended the Saturday must go hand in hand. Actually night service. On Sunday, we worshipped with personal holiness without love is the deaf Church at the Bible College. The team not holiness at all. It is at best an were invited to share their testimonies and attempt at righteousness with a Jeff Weston was invited to preach. Worshipping with the deaf was a unique dose of selfishness. Does that experience for the team. Experiencing the produce self-righteousness? The Be Holy as I am Holy – enthusiasm and passion of the deaf was rich young ruler tried this same inspirational. is the inescapable approach. He kept all the command from both commands, or so he thought. He Early Monday morning the team flew to Testaments. The genesis had to be told to give up that Kisumu, Kenya. We then travelled by road to which kept his focus on self, so that the town of Oyugis to visit the Emmanuel of our tradition is heavily his eyes could be lifted to see the Christian School for the Deaf. This school influenced by the giver of his riches. His focus on operated by Deaf Ministries International, last holiness movement and riches and self-righteousness had year won the prize for the best school for the kept him from loving the other, deaf in Kenya. It offers education from kinder our churches past and thereby demonstrating that he also to grade 8. present have made much lacked a true love for God - the first It was a joy to see the development of facilities command. And so he walked away. of the pursuit of holiness at the school and to share a full day with the Is it possible for a holiness focus as essential for a “good” children. The team were invited to visit every that includes personal piety but class and share words of encouragement. At a excludes love for the other, to be school assembly, the team distributed knitted ctually the focus of much of nothing more than a focus on self Christianity can be summed hats and teddies to the children. It was a without a true love of God? wonderful day with lots of fun. Aup by the words “right belief and right action.” But if we believe It’s time to embrace whole holiness, Very early on Wednesday morning the team this there is a big hole in our love and perfection together, travelled back to Kisumu and flew to Blantyre, holiness. Even today much energy is perfect love. After all wouldn’t Malawi. We were looked after by Pastor Elton spent on cultivating personal piety; being holy as God is holy translate Mukarangeya and his wife Mary. Pastor Elton is following commands, attending, into imitating God, and therefore the Malawi field director for Deaf Ministries praying, giving, reading Scripture, Christ? What did Paul say? “Follow International. witnessing, and making sure the do God’s example, as dearly loved not’s are avoided. These things are children and walk in the way of Thursday was spent teaching at the DMI Bible College. Lessons are conducted in Pastor all good and are right to be love, just as Christ loved us and Elton’s home and only 25 students at a time pursued, but the area of gave himself up for us, as a fragrant are able to attend. Each of the team was given relationships is a gaping hole in our offering and sacrifice to God” opportunity to share their testimonies and to common understanding of holiness. (Ephesians 5:1-2). That’s perfect give a short encouraging message to students. As a result our holiness often leads love. Jeff Weston was invited to present a one and to us judging rather than embracing So, let us pursue being wholly holy, half hour lesson on forgiveness! The highlight each other. That can’t be right! It’s as God is, and do the walk of love, of the day was distributing new Chichewa like we have excised 1 John 4 and 1 as Christ did, perfectly. language Bibles to the students which had Corinthians 13 from our been purchased by Romaine Park Christian understanding. We have left David Smith Centre. There were many tears as some people invitation, welcome, compassion, CCCAust - Chairman received their very first personal Bible. forgiveness, mercy, grace, real community, the loving of one Friday, we travelled for over 3 hours by road to another as God loves us, out of our Migowi town to visit the DMI Training Centre

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distributed Chichewa Bibles to members of the Church. Sunday evening was spent giving encouragement to Pastor Elton and his family.

Sadly our trip came to an end on Monday when we flew out of Blantyre and home to , arriving in on Wednesday morning.

Our objectives in undertaking this trip were:

• To enable members of our congregation to be exposed to a two-thirds world culture.

• To provide an experience of living within a deaf community and culture.

• To share our faith in creative ways, not using words.

• To assist our mission partners to be accountable for support they have received.

• To evaluate potential development projects which will assist our mission partners to become self-sustaining.

• To be able to make informed recommendations for future support to our Global Connections team.

I believe we clearly achieved all these objectives. The team have been able to share with our home congregation their for Deaf and Disabled people. This is a Saturday the team visited two groups of excitement at all they experienced, and new centre only being established this orphans in local villages out from a challenge to participate in special year. The students are adults who have Blantyre. These children are billeted mission projects that they have not had opportunity to learn a skill in with Christian couples or relatives and identified. the past. They currently conduct classes come together for activities with the in sewing, knitting and crochet, local DMI pastor. We were able to share Benefit/s to persons/community: carpentry, brick making and lunch with one group and afternoon tea • The communities we visited have construction, metal fabrication and with another. At both places, we been encouraged to discover that bicycle repairs. The school has one large distributed soap and moisturizing there is a group of people on the brick classroom which was constructed cream to the children. Chichewa Bibles other side of the world that cares by the students and paid for with funds were also distrusted to the adults. received from making furniture for a about them, and stands with them in On Sunday, we travelled again to government school. their struggles. Migowi to worship with the local DMI It is hoped that in the near future they church. The service was wonderful, but • People appreciated us not coming to will be able to construct another went for over 3 hours. Each of the team do something for them, but to come classroom, and a dormitory for students members were invited to share a short alongside them and encourage them who live in outlying areas. The team had encouraging message and Jeff Weston as they do for themselves. a wonderful time sharing with the was invited to preach. Various groups in • Many on-going relationships have students and learning some new skills the church made presentations in song been established. themselves! A time of worship was and dance. A highlight was a string conducted at which each of the team band using home made instruments. At Jeff Weston shared their testimony. the end of the service the team Romaine Park Christian Centre

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SALT & LIGHT 2018 NATIONAL CONFERENCE

SESSION 2 In light of our cultural legacy, Salt & Light will draw on the messages of our Lord Jesus Christ and disciples to define and illustrate how we should positively respond to current social issues.

Both of these messages will be delivered by Kevin Donnelly who is one of the major writers in the Australian press specialising on these subject matters and others. We are fortunate to have secured his services for the event. Many Christians and For a more comprehensive brief visit: www.fraserinstitute.org/profile/ Churches are asking the Kevin Donnelly kevin-donnelly question “How should we respond to the many social SESSION 3 issues confronting our faith? Salt & Light will next explore how we In response CCCAust is can be effective Christians and deliver pleased to host our on Matthew 5:16. ‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they forthcoming National may see your good deeds and glorify Conference Salt & Light. your Father in heaven.’ Presenting this session will be Ben CCAust extends an invitation to Price. Ben is one of Australia’s leading all to attend what is hoped will impersonators and a committed Cbe a transforming conference Christian. He has appeared at numerous that will revitalise and renew your faith. Christian conferences across the world We would also encourage churches to and specialises in talks on how to be an invite and financially assist those they effective evangelist. believe this conference could be of value to, be they Christian or not. SESSION 4 Ben Price Who needs to hear this The final session is focussed on the message? question, should we defend our faith and how? This session will be presented For this conference to have a greater by David Wilson. David was the CEO of impact, it would serve the movement if Urban Seed and is currently their those that have either no knowledge of Director of Education. He has over forty or a negative impression of Christianity years’ experience assisting the were invited to attend. If you know of homeless, drug addicted and those with someone or a representative of such an mental health issues. agency, please feel free to invite them. Testimonials: SESSION 1 Hear from three individuals whose lives have been changed by coming to faith Salt & Light aims to clarify how and one individual who is positively Christianity shaped the culture of the impacting those of little faith. Western World and how most of the Western World’s values and legal Electives: conventions were founded upon the Twelve electives are being offered tenets of Christianity. David Wilson focused on agencies or programs that

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are making a difference in the lives of those in need, including how to deal EMERGING LEADERS with family violence. Banquet: RETREAT On Saturday evening there will be a banquet. Entertainment: Following the banquet Ben Price will be performing his comedy routine followed by Andy Hillman and band. Church Support: All churches have been mailed a promotional pack which includes a brief on the conference, a number of A3 DL brochures and posters. If you have not received this pack contact Paul Gould at [email protected] When and where: The National Conference will be held from 6pm Friday March 2nd until 2pm Sunday March 4th 2018 at the Adventure Resort, 1775-1801 Philip Are you an Emerging Island Road, Cowes VIC 3922. Leader? Yes. Not sure? Parking: Discover whether you There is adequate parking onsite. are at this retreat, which Transport: explores your Faith Walk Guests flying into Airport, and Faith Talk. can catch Skybus which will transport cross four sessions, Dr Dave them to Southern Cross Station, Benson will explore how Melbourne CBD. A number of buses Atogether we might participate have been booked for Friday to in this far reaching mission of God. transport people from Southern Cross Dr Benson lectures at Malyon College Station to the Adventure Resort. Dr Dave Benson and the Millis Institute on evangelism, Guests arriving by train and others apologetics, worldviews, faith-work seeking transport to the Adventure integration, practical theology and loves and cares for them. Resort are also welcome to use these philosophy. David is passionate about Session 4: Learn how to stay fresh in bus services. On Sunday two buses have pluralistic dialogue and public your calling, especially at times when been booked to transport people to expression of Christian faith in a post- feeling overwhelmed by life. either Southern Cross Station or Christendom context. For further Melbourne Airport. information visit christspieces.org Participants also gain FREE entry to the Salt&Light National Conference. Cost: Sessions 1-2: Explore your Faith Walk, The conference has been heavily especially how you can capitalise on EMERGING LEADERS subsidised, especially to make it your life’s experiences and RETREAT opportunities to impact on the lives affordable for families. With two nights CCCVaT CITY - 5 Francis Street, of family, friends and co-workers. The accommodation, all meals, banquet on Melbourne VIC 3000 sessions demonstrate how to respond Saturday and entertainment and a 12pm Thursday 1 March to 1pm to God’s call and become an effective children’s program included, the adult Friday 2 March 2018. witness for the gospel. fee of $298 represents excellent value To register, visit for money. Session 3: Explores Faith Talk, covers cccaustnationalconference.org.au how we can best communicate our To book: faith in a post-Christendom context, For additional information contact Visit with a view to reaching the lost and Andrew Hodgson at www.cccaustnationalconference.org.au explaining that there is a God that [email protected]

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HANDS & FEET AND NDIS

Are you looking for a way have now placed the control of these funds and the choice of service provider to connect to people in back into the hands of the client or their your community? Do you carer. have a passion for helping The NDIS has opened the door to allow people? If so then Hands other providers such as Hands & Feet to help people through government & Feet have an exciting funding. opportunity to help you One of the aims of Hands & Feet is to do just this through your connect the church to the community. local church. We have been trialling a system in Moree offering base level services to ands & Feet is now recognised by people in Moree through the local the Government as a provider church. This has been very effective Hunder the NDIS (National with the love and Christian ethics Disability Insurance Scheme). The shown through our service, impacting Australian Government has changed those we serve and causing other the way it helps and supports people providers to raise complaints against with disabilities. They used to fund large Hands & Feet. They are concerned that organisations and have them provide they can not compete with Hands & Feet care and resources to those in need but Reuben Torrance if we provide a service that is based on

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love and real care instead of being income driven.

So how does this work and how can your church get involved? CAMP DAVID Hands & Feet is recognised as a NDIS provider and thus allowed to sub contract the provision of services based on us providing appropriate training and following sound process to contractors of our choice. This allows us to use the church family as a resource to provide services to people with disabilities in our communities.

Hands & Feet currently have approval to offer base level services but are developing our systems and seeking accreditation to offer higher level services to people accessing the NDIS support network.

We are looking for churches who would be willing to connect with people in their community and offer assistance to them. Assistance can range from, providing meals, cleaning their house, providing transport to doctor appointments or other services. The individuals providing the services through the church (as employees of the church) will be paid for providing Camp David is run by Over the years, Geoff and Ruth have these services. Lutanda in NSW as a had the privilege of getting to know each one of the campers and have The NDIS is still in roll out mode and will camp for adults with an gone to birthday parties in between not be available in all locations around Australia until the start of Jan 2019, but intellectual disability. the camps. Geoff knows each one of Hands & Feet would love to chat with their positives and quirks. The carers eoff and Ruth Brimley have churches who would be interested in speak very highly of Geoff and Ruth. run this camp for more than providing these services to people in 15 years. Geoff and Ruth love The Board of Lutanda are their community, so we can put in place G the campers deeply as they reflect tremendously appreciative of their the processes to allow you to get the love of Jesus toward them and tell hard work, dedication and love for involved at the right time. them about his even greater love for the Camp David campers that Geoff We have recently appointed Reuben them. They have run 4 camps per year and Ruth have displayed over many, Torrance as our NDIS administrator and every year and are a faithful witness many years. Nelson Green presented he would love to chat with any to their Lord and Saviour. They are a watch each to Geoff and Ruth. The churches wanting to be involved in supported by a group of faithful watches came in a decorative metal providing care to people in their volunteers who give up their time to container and on the inside of each community. come to these camps and have done one was engraved “You are loved. so for many years. Reuben can be contacted on Lutanda 2017”. This brought both [email protected] and Geoff started with CYC in 1981 as Geoff and Ruth to tears. will be able to answer questions that cook on site at what was then Eltham Geoff and Ruth are both very you may have on NDIS and your Park in Mt NSW at the top of delighted that they are handing on churches involvement. the Blue Mountains. Geoff and Ruth lived on site for 12 months whilst they the baton to Reuben Torrance. He is a built their house nearby and worked young man with a passion for those in full time ministry for 14 years. Geoff with a disability. He is a volunteer on and Ruth took on the mantle of Camp Camp Jono (primary to teenage David Directors in 2001. Geoff is an children). He also works in the accomplished musician and provides disability sector and is starting a role For more information, visit the music for the singing and the in Hands & Feet serving those with an www.handsandfeet.com.au famous ‘dressup night’. intellectual disability.

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INCLUDING CHILDREN IN CHILD SAFETY STANDARDS DISCUSSION JENNY WRAIGHT

In response to the ‘Betrayal valued, they are more likely to speak up. of Trust Inquiry’, the Children may like to write their own Victorian Government ‘code of conduct’ outlining how they will treat each other to create a culture introduced compulsory of safety. This could include things like: ‘Child Safety Standards’ for treating everyone with respect, no all organisations that name-calling or bullying, ensuring no- one is left out of group activities, being provide services to children, kind, listening when others are designed to protect children speaking, etc. from all forms of abuse. The area of empowering children includes teaching them how and who he Standards include: developing to approach with a concern if they feel an organisational culture of child unsafe. Placing a photo of the ‘child safe T safety, having a child safe policy person/s’ on the wall, having church and a code of conduct for those leaders visit the children’s area to working with children, and guidelines become familiar and known to the for recruiting and training staff and children, displaying the code of conduct volunteers. and assuring children that it is important to speak up if they feel Standard 7 is: ‘Strategies to promote the Start by explaining that your church unsafe and that their concerns will be participation and empowerment of highly values children and young taken seriously, will all contribute to children’. This is the standard that is people and wants to ensure that they children feeling safe. causing the most disquiet for people – always feel safe and cared for. how do you appropriately engage Encourage them to express their Including parents in discussion and children in a discussion about child opinions – express that they are valued keeping families informed so that there safety and include their contributions in and important members of your is a consistent and cohesive approach policy and practice? community. Explain what the church is to the area of child safety is vital. Parents need to know what is expected The aim of this standard is to give doing to protect and care for them and and to encourage their children to children a voice and acknowledge that that their insight and suggestions are inform them of any concerns. The child their opinion is valid and important and appreciated. safe policy and code of conduct should they are contributing members of your Ask children when they feel safe – be included in ‘welcome packs’ for new organisation. This demonstrates your focusing on the positive will create a families and on your church website – commitment to child safety, provides sense of security and assurance. this demonstrates your commitment to opportunity to check that what you are Discussion points may include places child safety. doing is what children want and they feel safe, people they trust, strengthens communication and God commands us to strengthen the activities that are enjoyable and ways to engagement. weak and care for the young. Jesus make the children’s ministry an shows us how valuable children are to Children’s views can be sought by inclusive and caring place for all. With him: ‘But Jesus said, “Let the children including children in discussions and older children you can also discuss come to me. Don’t stop them! For the decisions about safety – they will have when they feel unsafe and explore what Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those ideas about what makes them feel safe could be done to increase their sense of who are like these children”. And he – and giving them information about safety. Issues could be physical (areas of placed his hands on their heads and what you are doing to ensure their the building where they feel isolated, blessed them.’ (Matthew 19: 14-15) safety. slippery or deteriorated surfaces), emotional (activities or situations that Rather than seeing the Child Safety Talking to children about safety requires make them unsure), psychological Standards as a bureaucratic burden on a degree of skill and sensitivity and an (bullying, belittling), personal our churches, let us see them as an understanding of the developmental (strangers, lack of adult supervision) etc. opportunity to express God’s care and and comprehension level of the age It is important to assure children that fulfil his desire to protect the vulnerable group. We don’t want to frighten they have been heard and that actions and to engage and encourage children, children or give them a sense that will be taken to address their concerns. nurturing them to be contributing and something bad may happen while they confident members of our church are in our care. When children are respected and family and the Kingdom of God.

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LEARNING IN COMMUNITY – MUELLER’S 2020 VISION PAUL VALESE

a time of faith and obedience as 75 Morris Road has been developed by Mueller Community Church, and the challenge for the next 30 lay ahead.

Mueller College started with an e was writing about the In the Assemblies Alert enrolment of less than 100 students and purchase of 48 acres of land in magazine of June 1987, now educates over 1400 students daily. HBrisbane which was to be Situated close to one of Australia’s Vern Heazlewood wrote, developed into a school, aged care fastest growing suburbs, North Lakes, “Humanly speaking, facility, early learning centre and new we are faced with the challenge to church building. the task is daunting and upgrade our facilities to meet the needs appears almost impossible.” It is true that the last 30 years has been of a modern education.

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In 2015, Mueller launched the 2020 the Lacey Sports Centre. The new Sports The entire Senior Precinct is Vision, a five year plan to work through Centre consists of three basketball intentionally designed to promote all teaching and pastoral programs courts, a rock climbing wall, and learning in community. For example, comprehensively. The 2020 Vision is classroom. It has transformed the way glass is used extensively to ensure built around the principles that ‘all we do sport, which is now a facilitator of wherever you are in the building, you students want to learn’ and ‘all students community, with space for parents to always feel part of everyone else. Even a want to belong.’ ‘hang around’ during training. student working individually can see others to ensure connectedness to their All we do is underpinned by the Gospel. The current project is Stage 1 of the peers. Wide verandahs overlooking the The Good News of Jesus informs our new Senior Precinct. Once finished it College lake promotes a connection to teaching and pastoral programs. will consist of 13 classrooms, break out God’s creation. Whether it is the filter to understand spaces, a Film and TV studio, computer history or lens to view the marvels of room and STEM research lab. The Senior As we work towards the completion of creation, Mueller continues to be Precinct is the place where our senior the 2020 Vision, we know our work for unashamedly a Christian school. students will belong. We envisage that the Gospel is never finished. We Sitting alongside the 2020 Vision is a the concept of ‘learning in community’ continue to live our lives in faith and building program to complement all we can come to life as students move in obedience so that our community can do. The first construction program was and around the new building. see Christ lived out at Mueller College.

REFLECTIONS GEORGE MORGAN

“I walked slowly along the burning hot Fremantle dock after alighting from our vessel the Fairsea. We were making a brief stop before heading for Melbourne. I could not believe the heat.”

or four weeks or so we had made our way by sea from FSouthampton after a short stay in London with my aunt and uncle. Past Gibraltar at night, through the Suez Canal (which had reopened after Nasser’s blockade) the Sitmar liner, that brought us to Australia, made its way to Aden, now part of Yemen, where we spent a few hours on land. A dusty Post World War II Migrant Ship History: Fairsea, 1949-1969 place full of exotically dressed people The Fairsea made several journeys to Australia under the International Refugee Organisation (IRO) from 1949 to 1951, and strange buildings, and the only carrying displaced persons affected by World War II. She was later chartered by the Australian Government to place along the way where we were transport assisted immigrants from Britain and also New Zealand. able to leave the ship. The Fairsea holds an important place in the memory of many immigrants to Australia during the post World War II We spent our first night on Australian period. She was the first passenger ship of the famous Sitmar Line and the first non-British ship employed to carry soil in makeshift accommodation next assisted immigrants from Britain to Australia. The Fairsea was a regular sight in Australian waters and made a total of to the Exhibition Buildings in 81 voyages to and from Australia between 1949 and 1969. Melbourne. The next day a train took us to a converted army camp at McFadzean, M. and Churchward, M. (2009) Post World War II Migrant Ship History: Fairsea, 1949-1969 in Museums Victoria Collections

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Broadmeadows which was our hostel the 16th Century to Elizabeth I in her Though probably only for those who ‘home’ for two years. We lived in a box battles with Mary Queen of Scots. are able to cope with cooler climates. style nissen hut and ate our meals at Elizabeth strengthened the castle walls Dad was not able to get local work at what had been the army canteen with with a series of Italianate mounds to Berwick and was spending a lot of time other migrant families. My parents both help defend England in the event that away from the family in the Midlands got jobs; after paying the 10 pounds the Scots took up Mary’s cause. You can and Scotland. He did not see much of a required by the UK authorities my still walk around the Berwick walls future for us in Berwick and convinced parents had very little else. today high above the Tweed River and my mother to make one of the biggest enjoy views of where its estuary meets I was born in Berwick upon Tweed on decisions in their lives. They decided to the North Sea. Berwick Castle, however, the North Sea side of the English border migrate to the other side of the world was demolished to allow for the 1850s with Scotland, which is 3 miles north. with 5 young children aged between 5 railway line for the ‘Flying Scotsman’ as My mother was born there. Her and 12. My dad was 43 and my mum 37. it headed towards Edinburgh just 40 grandfather had been the town mayor Neither again saw their surviving minutes away. but her mother had married ‘beneath parent; mum’s dad had died some years her’ and the wealth of Grandfather This small town with its salmon fishing before, dad’s mum had died when he Logan had largely passed her by. and three bridges across the Tweed, was only 5. My mother had spent all her My father was born in South Wales in one dating from the early 16th century, life in the northeast of England, though the coal mining Merthyr Valley. His remains a place of great interest. she had worked as a nurse at Hexham, a father and brother Dai were coal miners. Grandad Morgan was keen for Dad to avoid silicosis and other ailments common to miners. After a stint selling shoes and being so annoyed at being passed over as manager, Dad ended up in the British army in 1936. He spent time in Karachi, then still part of India, before independence and later in the West Indies, where he was when WWII broke out.

Dad met mum when he was training for Consider Stewards when D-Day at the end of the war, he was your church has funds to part of the Sword landing near Caen on invest and when your 6 June 1944. Berwick had army barracks where my dad stayed. My parents met organisation has need of at a dance – not the place for a good financial support. Baptist girl in those days.

My father had very little interest in Stewards Foundation church. However his father had been a supports Christian keen churchman until my grandmother Community Churches of Morgan died suddenly. After that my grandad Morgan descended into a Australia and related pattern of heavy drinking. So bad was organisations, missionaries he that at one stage my dad and his and other workers. brother Dai were placed in an orphanage for a few years. With the You can trust Stewards. help of a house keeper, Mrs Donnelly, grandad Morgan managed to cope better with his great loss.

My parents married before the end of the war. After Dad was ‘demobbed’ he took up joinery or carpentry as it is now called. My grandmother Henderson owned 3 small houses around a Tel: 02 9547 3110 • 1300 728 227 • Fax: 02 9547 3116 courtyard in the old part of Berwick near Ness Gate. We lived across a small PO Box 230 South Hurstville NSW 2221 court from Granny and would go to her [email protected] place for the weekly bath. www.stewardsfoundation.com.au Berwick was of strategic importance in

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little further south, during the war. We finally left the hostel for a milk bar in continues to bless me. He loved me Communications being what they were Footscray in 1961. My parents leased before any acknowledgement on my and with our lack of resources it meant the shop with a dwelling of sorts at the part. The Brethren or now Community that even a telephone call was a major rear. Mum kept the shop open 364½ Christian Church have had a profound challenge and an expensive event. days from 8am to 8pm each of the 6 role in showing me this. years we were there, the ½ day was I was eight in the April of 1959, the year Christmas day morning. Dad continued My journey includes a commitment at we arrived in Australia. For the first six to work as a carpenter and helped out aged 12 after a gospel service at the months I often dreamt of waking up when he had finished his day job. We Kingsville Hall, part of the Footscray back in Berwick. There were so many lived at the back of the shop which had migrants at the hostel that some of us Brethren Assembly. Clem Clack had only two bedrooms; boys in one and had to be bused to a school in Glenroy encouraged a step of faith which I girls in the other. Mum and Dad slept in from Broadmeadows State. One day I tentatively took. My teenage the small lounge. just did not get on the bus. I could not ambivalence to that commitment cope with the weather and still struggle On our first Sunday in Footscray, as ended at a Christmas camp at Yarra with hot days. I took a long time to arranged by the folk from the Sunday Junction with the assistance of Edgar realise that we were not going back school at the hostel, Joan McKay arrived Schmidt. But it was my time at Christian home. Even today I have a rather hard in her station wagon. She packed all 5 of Union at Melbourne University and my time explaining emotional connection us in and took us to Victoria Hall, as the brother-in-law Peter Horman that were with my home town. When I took my local Brethren Assembly was called, not crucial in giving my faith the modicum wife and three children there in 1985, far away in Seddon. of intellectual rigour that has helped it the first time I had returned, I was survive this post Christian miasma in profoundly affected. A few months after our arrival at Victoria Hall a young slip of a thing arrived back which we live. I often feel like the poet As it happened my siblings and I began with her parents from two years at the Robert Frost: attending a Sunday school held at the Kurrawang Mission near Kalgoorlie, “Two roads diverged in a wood, hostel by people from the nearby . I have known my wife and I took the one less travelled by, Glenroy Brethren Assembly. This was Marilyn since she was 9 and I was 11. truly providential for our family. It was and that has made all the difference.” the start of a journey which ended with When I shared some of my journey at me and all of my four siblings coming to my last CCCAust board meeting I read Now we have left the church with which faith. However, in her late 20s, my oldest from Romans 9 – “Jacob I loved; but Esau I have been associated most of my life. sister tragically gave it all away after a I hated”. Like the unlovable and devious For Marilyn it has been all of her life. I two year stint as a teacher at Hebron in Jacob for some reason God chose to give thanks to God for the way he has South India. love me and he has blessed me and loved me and continues to do so.”

CCCAust Newsletter | E: [email protected] | PO Box 230 South Hurstville NSW 2221 T: 02 9626 0055 Contributing Editors: Ross Bunyon, Dan Proctor, David Smith, Len Smith, Jeff Spencer. If you would like to make any comments or submit material for this newsletter, kindly contact Bradley Scott on the details above. Design and printing: MichaelDesign Bull (02) 4782 1000

12 Connect December 2017