THE ACT CONNECTION: Our Ministries in Canberra, Tuggeranong and Gungahlin
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BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE STATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES AND THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY THE ACT CONNECTION: Our ministries in Canberra, Tuggeranong and Gungahlin NATIONAL REDRESS SCHEME: FROM THE BIBLE: PCNSW/ACT opts in Peter Barnes continues with Elijah FREEDOM OF RELIGION: PLUS: Book reviews, interviews, Special report from John McClean news from our churches and more “GLORIFYING AND ENJOYING GOD AS CHRIST-LIKE COMMUNITIES TRANSFORMING OUR NEIGHBOURHOODS, OUR NATION AND OUR WORLD.” MAY - JUNE 2019 EDITORIAL NEWS Bi-monthly magazine of The Presbyterian Church in the State of New South Wales and PCNSW opts in to National Redress Scheme the Australian Capital Territory. Editorial WITH JEOF FALLS PUBLISHER: THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (New South Wales) Property Trust EDITOR IN CHIEF: JEOFFREY FALLS [email protected] Welcome to this edition of the As the apostle Paul wrote in Ro- EDITOR/JOURNALIST: KAREN FORMAN Pulse magazine. mans, “So then, each of us will 0437 591 581 give an account of ourselves to [email protected] As you will read on page three, God” (Romans 14:12). Let us our church, like all churches do so graciously and joyously PROOF READER (HON): and other faith-based institu- in the Lord. BETTY THOMPSON tions across Australia, is held accountable by government for the In this edition, apart from our As part of its commitment to respond to the recommen- “Children are now taught and empowered from a young age CIRCULATION: quality and integrity of services pro- regular communications from our dations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Child to come forward. Schools and churches now listen. Schools SUZANNE JENSEN vided to aged people in our care. We are various General Assembly committees Sexual Abuse, the Federal Government has established the and church staff and volunteers are taught what to look out for. (02) 9690 9311 also held accountable for not keeping all and news from our churches and min- National Redress Scheme which commenced on July 1 last Over-familiarity, favouritism, and inappropriate relationships [email protected] children in our care safe from abuse. istries, we are bringing to our readers a year and will run for 10 years. are being identified and reported.” story on the ministry of our Churches in DESIGN: On behalf of the Trustees and our Church the Australian Capital Territory. Conduct Protocol Unit (CPU) Director, Jon Flood, said the BEN DAVIS With reference to the Royal Commission’s Final Information Update as a whole, I can assure all members at- in December 2017, during the Royal Commission’s five-year inquiry: Church was committed to understand and apply the lessons of www.benrdavis.com tending our churches; all staff and stu- [email protected] Some readers may not realise that the the Royal Commission. dents in our schools; all staff and custom- Presbyterian churches and facilities in the • nearly 17,000 people contacted the Commission within its Terms ers in aged care; and parents of all children PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION: Australian Capital Territory come under of Reference; “In particular, we have implemented strategies aimed at creat- SIGNS PUBLISHING in our care in some way, that we do not the same governance accountability of • nearly 8000 individuals made submissions in private sessions; ing child safe churches, schools and ministry activities involving seek to abrogate this accountability in any the General Assembly as do all churches • over 1300 individuals provided written accounts; and children and ensuring that children are able to express concerns Registered by Australia Post way. We are called to be accountable for and facilities in New South Wales. • the Royal Commission referred over 2500 matters to police. about safety and disclose harm,’’ he said. PP2455550/00020 our past decisions and current actions in Of the 58.1 per cent of survivors who said that the abuse took an Australian society that is becoming When visiting Canberra, we encourage Mr Falls and Mr Flood are members of the NSW Child Safety The Pulse is an internal publication of the place in an institution managed by a religious organisation, 2.8 increasingly sceptical and less trusting of our readers to visit St Andrew’s Pres- Standing Committee for Survivor and Faith Groups, which is a Presbyterian Church of Australia in New per cent said they experienced abuse in a ‘Presbyterian or Re- Churches than in the past. byterian Church in Forrest, or one of NSW State government committee that is developing require- South Wales and the Australian Capital Ter- formed’ religious institution (from 40 separate religious institu- ments and recommendations for implementing Child Safe Stan- ritory. We do not accept paid advertising. its preaching places in Belconnen or Like the Church as a whole, every per- tions using this nomenclature). dards in support of the work of the Office of Children’s Guardian. The Pulse is a forum for sharing ideas and Weston Creek, or New Life Presbyterian son is called to be accountable to oth- encouraging outreach to our local commu- in Gungahlin or Tuggeranong Presbyte- nities, our nation, and the world. ers in some way. Husbands and wives This equates to about 130 survivors across Australia, from 40 If you have been sexually abused in any way or know someone rian Church. are accountable to be faithful to each separate institutions. who has, they encourage you to seek help. Contact Jon Flood on GENERAL MANAGER: other. Children are called to be ac- 02 9690 9333, to have a confidential discussion. David Campbell at St Andrew’s, Russell JEOFFREY FALLS countable in their obedience to parents. This is not to suggest that a greater number of survivors may not Smidt at Gungahlin and Peter Gobbo at Employees are called to be accountable eventually make a claim through the National Redress Scheme Tuggeranong are busy bringing the word STATE MODERATOR: to their employers. Church members as many survivors may not have made a private submission or ROYAL COMMISSION INTO AGED CARE of the Lord to the people of the Austra- KAMAL WEERAKOON are called to help other believers to submitted a written report. QUALITY AND SAFETY lian Capital Territory and growing the be accountable for their behaviours. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was 168 Chalmers St Church in their own distinctive ways. PCNSW/ACT General Manager, Jeof Falls, confirmed “the Pres- established on October 8 last year and commenced public hear- Surry Hills NSW 2010 Having a relationship with the Lord Je- byterian Church in New South Wales and the Australian Capital PO Box 2196 St Andrew’s Canberra is a more tradi- ings in February. An interim report is due in October 2019 with sus Christ doesn’t insulate the Church Territory was working through the process of opting-in to the a final report due by April 2020. Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 or any of its institutions from being held tional congregation, based out of the National Redress Scheme. Phone: 1300 773 774 architecturally impressive St Andrew's appropriately accountable for their ac- Presbyterian Aged Care (New South Wales) and St Andrew’s Fax: (02) 9310 2148 Church in the city. Gungahlin is focused tions and behaviours. In fact it heightens “Institutions have two years to opt-in to the Scheme, and we are Village (Canberra) have responded to the Royal Commission's Email: [email protected] on growing its premises and ministering www.pcnsw.org.au our obligation even more. hoping that for us in New South Wales and the ACT this will be request for information sent to all aged care providers. to a population that comprises many finalised over the next few months,’’ he said. The views and opinions expressed in The Both corporately and individually, the diplomats and Australian Defence per- The Chief Executive Officer of Presbyterian Aged Care, Paul Presbyterian Pulse do not necessarily rep- Bible contains many passages about sonnel who come and go with their fam- Mr Falls said survivors of historical sexual abuse could also ap- Sadler, has welcomed the Royal Commission as an opportunity resent those of the Presbyterian Church of the importance of accountability in our ilies. Tuggeranong is a growing ministry proach the Church directly for redress and could be assured for older people and families to express their concerns and sug- Australia in the State of NSW (Church) and walk with God, including: and is praying for a permanent home in that they will be dealt with in a sensitive and compassionate way. gestions for improvement. the Church is not responsible for the ac- the south of Canberra. curacy, currency or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement or other information 1. We are accountable for every word “The Church acknowledges and accepts the extraordinary “Serving our aged residents and home care clients is a privilege contained therein. we speak; We would like to thank the three min- amount of trust granted to us by those who attend our schools, for the Church, and a wonderful ministry opportunity to share 2. We are accountable for how we live isters for giving our Editor Karen their churches and ministries, by their families, and by the wider Christ through our Chaplains and Christian staff,’’ he said. COVER: St Andrew's Church Canberra min- our lives; time when she went to visit and ask that community,’’ he said. isters David Campbell and Robert McMullen 3. We are accountable to keep our chil- our readers pray for their ministries. who with their Gungahlin and Tuggeranong Should you or a family member have any concerns about the colleagues are sharing God's Word in the dren safe; and “We cannot change what happened to those abused, but we quality of care or safety provided by any Presbyterian Aged Care ACT.