April 2007

Climate debate Moderator©s John Mavor rocks evangelicals prison visit retires again

Page 4 Page 6 Page 11 It is fi nished... NOT

Late in the afternoon, since it was the Day of Preparation (that is, Sabbath eve), Joseph of Arimathea, a highly respected member of the Jewish Council, came. He was one who lived expectantly, on the lookout for the kingdom of God. Working up his courage, he went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate questioned whether he could be dead that soon and called for the captain to verify that he was really dead. Assured by the captain, he gave Joseph the corpse. Having already purchased a linen shroud, Joseph took him down, wrapped him in the shroud, placed him in a tomb that had been cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the opening. (Mark 15:42-46)

Easter refl ections

P.2 Moderator and Editorial P.7 Salvation or cosmic abuse P.8 Easter Art Resurrection doubts P.9 Easter traditions Agony in the garden P.10 The last temptation P.16 Journey asks Living the resurrection From the Editor I guess it will be on television here soon. THE GOSPEL records tell us The documentary The Lost Tomb of Jesus produced by Hollywood that the encounters the disciples fi lm maker James Cameron claims a 2000-year-old tomb found in had with the risen Jesus were life- Jerusalem may hold the remains of Jesus of Nazareth, Mary his changing experiences. mother, Mary Magdalene, said to be his partner, and Judah, said to John, in his Gospel record, be their son, together with other members of his family. describes how the fear that gripped Message from the the disciples was transformed So, as yet another storm has broken out over the story that Christians into joy, and how the doubt that hold so dear, I refl ect on why I never went to see Mel Gibson’s Moderator celebrated movie The Passion of the Christ. engulfed Th omas was converted Rev Dr David Pitman into faith, as Jesus appeared Apparently it was fi lled with excessive violence and, anyway, I knew amongst his followers and restored how the story ended because I’d read the book. their hope and confi dence. But basically, when I go to the movies I don’t want to be depressed, I Th en, as we know, Jesus went want to be entertained and while the resurrection is the denouement, away again. He was no longer wading through the Good Friday stuff is really quite discouraging. with them. Th ere was no more was a new creation. Th e fact that Th e women at the tomb were seeing, touching or face-to-face it survived is a miracle and it’s a told to go and tell the good news Truth be known, I am a simple Protestant who likes the cross to be conversation! miracle that we are here today. that Christ was alive and the risen empty and the story to have a happy ending and Gibson, I fear, is Th e potential for post-Easter A multitude of forces have Jesus commissioned his disciples to essentially a Catholic who likes the crucifi x and wants to dwell on depression was very real. Th ey threatened to tear the church go into the world, sharing the good the sacrifi cial nature of Jesus’ death. might have been excused for asking, apart and destroy it on numerous news and baptising those who I want to be a resurrection Christian not a crucifi xion Christian. “Is there life after Easter?” occasions since Jesus appeared to believe. I long for a story with a happy ending. I want to draw my energy from All kinds of preposterous ideas his disciples on that fi rst Easter John concludes his Gospel the life of Jesus not the death of Jesus. have been advanced in relation Day long ago. record with the statement that to the death and resurrection of Th e church survived during all everything he has written about I want to be inspired by his stories, wisdom and interactions with Jesus. What can’t be denied is the that time because Christ breathed Jesus is motivated by his deep desire sinners, disciples, women and children, not by his gruesome, violent transformation of the disciples from his Spirit into it; because it is to give others the opportunity and painful suffering at the hands of cruel and barbaric torturers. fearful individuals hiding away to hear the story and believe for Come on Pentecost! Lent has gone on long enough and I’m ready in locked rooms, to courageous As followers of themselves that Jesus is the Son of to be uplifted and inspired in John 10:10 discipleship. public witnesses, boldly testifying “ Jesus we are God and Messiah. (John 20:31) to the living presence and power of called to be We live in a society that is fed “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Christ! bearers of good a constant diet of bad news and it Yeah Jesus! Inevitably, there is a strong news and embody is in this very social context that Bruce Mullan element of mystery in the the good news in as followers of Jesus we are called resurrection of Jesus. It is our own lives. to be bearers of good news and not something we can really embody the good news in our own understand. Rather, it is a reality ” lives. Descent from the Cross 1612-14 oil we experience and therefore believe Christ’s church, not ours; and As a good news people we on panel by Peter Paul Rubens. and celebrate! because the grace of Christ is communicate the love and grace of Perhaps Rubens’ best- So to the question, “Is there stronger than any of our human God in both word and action. known painting and a classic of life after Easter?”, the response of foibles and factionalism! We are a resurrection people! Christian art Th e Descent from Christians for 2000 years has been It has survived because of all We are a good news people! the Cross is the centrepiece of a resounding “Yes!” those followers of Jesus who have Let us live who we are in faith, a triptych commissioned by Th e witness of the gospel stories understood that the Christian life hope and love. the Arquebusiers (civic guard) reminds us in a compelling way is not about power, but pilgrimage; for their altar in the Antwerp that the church did not create the not about being served, but serving cathedral. idea or message of Easter. others. Thoughts on Easter A very sensual work in which It was out of the experience of It has survived because there have Jesus’ body is twisted for dramatic Easter that the church was born always been enough Christians who Believing that Jesus was eff ect the 4210mm x 3110 mm because the followers of Jesus have been committed as disciples crucifi ed is easy… it fi ts panel arouses the emotions sensed his continuing presence of Jesus to share the good news of with what we know about through its movement and amongst them and committed his life, death and resurrection with punishment and treatment colour. themselves to live as he had lived, others. of criminals at the time. We Th e body has obviously been Rubens’ portrayal of Jesus is and to pass on to others what he Th e resurrection stories in the can look to history to give us pierced by the spear and death is both tender and loving. had taught them. Gospels contain frequent references similar accounts of a death on apparent in the colour of the fl esh Rubens completed the work at Th e church that grew up around to this ministry of witness. a cross. But the resurrection and the posture of the head. the age of 37. that little group of men and women is another kettle of fi sh! It is a big claim; it is a mystery; and it takes a leap of faith to believe it… I believe it is both an event which happened and mystery which we cannot fully Sign of the Times understand. But living with that mystery has shaped my Journey is published 11 times a year for the Queensland Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia. life. Rev Kaye Ronalds 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 So often we walk with Mary material is at the discretion of the publisher . towards that tomb expecting Journey cannot guarantee the publication and/or return of submissions but makes death and decay. We look out every eff ort to do so if requested. on the suff ering of life. We stare death in the face as Good Editor Bruce Mullan Friday hangs heavily on our Associate editor / advertising Mardi Lumsden hearts. But as Christians we Designer Osker Lau can be encouraged that war, Production: Communications Services Unit Printing: Rural Press (QLD) Printing, Ormiston, that racism, that disease, that Circulation 15,700 suff ering, that death – are not ISSN: 0817-4466 the end words. Rather we can Closing date for editorial and advertising for May Journey is 13 April 2007 have hope that our walk will Next issue of Journey will be available in churches on Sunday, 6 May 2007 take us with Mary to the empty tomb, to the place where we Communications Services Unit Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod will encounter the risen Christ Th is month’s mathematical church sign comes to us from Windsor 60 Bayliss Street Auchenfl ower QLD GPO Box 674 Brisbane QLD 4001 and he will call us by name.” Uniting Church in Brisbane Ph: 07 3377 9910 Email: [email protected] Fax: 07 3377 9796 Web: www.journeyonline.com.au Rev Peter Lockhart Send your Sign of the Times to [email protected].

2 Journey, April 2007 www.journeyonline.com.au Synod meeting: a new venue and big changes By Bruce Mullan of being a Jesus-centred people; to Moderator with the support of a design is to pray and plan for an revamped Finance, Investment and THE NEWLY extended intelligent and eff ective response Property Board. conference facilities at Alexandra to all the opportunities available Th is report will also propose Headland on the Sunshine Coast to us to share the Good News in extending moderatorial will be the venue for the 26th word and action; and to deliver is appointments to six years. meeting of the Queensland Synod to engage in ministry and mission A report from the Th eological in May. with passion and determination. Education Task Group fi rst “Dare to discover, dream, design As Moderator Dr Pitman reports established by the 23rd Synod in and deliver” is the theme chosen by that his visits to congregations have 2002 will be proposing one new Moderator Rev Dr David Pitman been a real source of encouragement integrated institution to incorporate for a gathering which will make to him. both Trinity Th eological College some key decisions about the “Th ere are so many situations and a new learning community to future of Synod leadership and where growth is evident, where all provide educational opportunities theological education for lay and the generations are well represented, including continuing education for ordained people. where the worship is thoroughly lay and specifi ed ministries. Th e Synod will also appoint a prepared and competently led, and Th e Synod will also recognise new General Secretary and elect where there is ample evidence of seven new ordinations, 12 lay the next Moderator who will New conference facilities at Alexandra Park will be the venue for congregations taking their mission workers commissioned, 20 the 26th Synod. Photo by Ian Edgar commence duties when Dr Pitman’s and outreach seriously.” retirements and 14 deaths of term fi nishes in the second half of determination of ministers and of the theme. “To dare is to risk He has also observed close ministers since the 25th Synod. 2008. congregations to be focussed and for God in faith; to discover is to relationships between many Th e new Alexandra Park Dr Pitman says he has observed intentional about those things that discern the mind of Christ for the congregations and UnitingCare facilities have added 360 square “a new spirit alive in our church”. declare the reign of God,” he said. mission and ministry of the church: agencies. metres to the size of the main “It is most apparent in the Dr Pitman explained the choice to dream is to engage all our Synod decisions to be made auditorium. faculties to imagine the possibilities will include the appointment of Th e room can seat 500 but has members to a newly established the fl exibility to be divided into Synod Multi-Cross Cultural two rooms. Living Waters puts it in a tank Committee and a re-established Mission Support Entreprises Finance, Investment and Property Manager Mr Mark Lee said the Board, and the creation of positions new facilities featured high quality for an Associate General Secretary fi ttings and placed Alexandra Park and an Executive Offi cer to the Conference Centre at the top of Synod Schools’ Commission. the industry standard for this kind A report from the Council of facility. of Synod recommends greater “We will open the auditorium separation, realignment and through to the dining room enhancement of the functions allowing all 400 Synod members to of the Finance, Investment be seated at round tables in the one and Property Board (oversight room and provide the very latest function) and the Department for in audiovisual and technological Financial and Property Services support,” Mr Lee said. (service function). It proposes greater emphasis Synod reports will be available on and co-ordination of resources in April from the Synod website and strategic planning through the www.ucaqld.com.au on the Synod Leadership Team and the Synod page. roles of the General Secretary and

Rev Mark Dewar (left) and Church Council Chair Mike Kolln with the new rainwater tank. Photo by Sue Kolln

By Bruce Mullan &IXED IN A BOLD ecological move that sounds like a bad Th e tank currently has almost one metre of water Elizabeth Danes Customer Service Officer pun Living Waters Uniting Church congregation in in it. TERMS Brisbane’s outer south-western suburbs has installed “Th e pump, irrigation system and water to fl ush !5#)3&IXED4ERMISANINVESTMENTWITH mAIRˆITEARNSYOUMONEYWHILEWORKINGFOR a 200,000 litre rainwater tank on their church the toilets in Th e Shack are up and running. Th e THECHURCH property. pump has a water meter on it so that we can easily 2IGHTNOW IFYOUINVESTBETWEEN  Church Council Chairperson Mr Mike Kolln advise the government how much town water we are AND FORlVEYEARSYOULLEARNlVE said the tank will help alleviate Brisbane’s water crisis saving.” PERCENTPERANNUM by using rainwater in the toilets of their short term Mr Kolln said collection of greywater had been 9OUHAVETHEOPTIONTOREINVESTYOUR QUARTERLYINTERESTPAYMENTS SOYOURINTEREST emergency accommodation building, Th e Shack, and investigated but the amount generated by a church COMPOUNDSˆMAKINGYOUREFFECTIVEINTEREST by irrigating the church gardens and lawns. property was small and the cost could not be RATEEVENHIGHER Mr Kolln said Living Waters was an eco-friendly justifi ed. !NDYOURINVESTMENTHELPSPOWEREXCITING congregation and had received a water grant from “Our overall thinking was that by having the tank PROJECTSˆFORCHURCHES CHARITIESAND stage one of the Federal Government Community we would be making a very positive contribution to SCHOOLS Water Grants scheme to help fund the project. reducing our dependence on town water and would 0HONEMEAT5#)3ONOR VISITOURWEBSITEATWWWUCISCOMAUFORAN “We were and still are very concerned about the be good stewards of God’s rain.” APPLICATIONFORMANDINFORMATIONONTHE drought and lack of water,” Mr Kolln said. Signage has been installed to tell people about the LATESTRATES “It did not fi t right with our faith that we were project and, as the church is located in a prominent allowing the rainwater from our large church roof corner position and used by many community groups, area and from Th e Shack to run out into the street. Living Waters Uniting Church believe their initiative To us this was extremely poor stewardship of a will help to increase water conservation awareness in resource supplied by God. the area. 1300 655 653 www.ucis.com.au

www.journeyonline.com.au Journey, April 2007 3 Pancake Day proves fl ipping good fun

CLAYFIELD RESIDENT and cricketing star Michael Kasprowicz exchanged his Queensland Bulls uniform for a chef ’s hat and apron on 20 February to raise thousands for dollars for the disadvantaged in Australia on Pancake Day. He was helped with pancake fl ipping duties by St Andrew’s chaplain Rev Robyn Kidd. At the annual fundraising event at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, Bulls player Kasprowicz, a former patient, was more than happy to help raise funds for those living in poverty by getting in the hospital kitchen and tossing a pancake or two. Th e St Andrew’s event was just one amongst the six hundred Pancake Day events that occurred across Queensland. Th e annual Corporate Breakfast was well attended and included a Photo by Latvian photographer Alexander Abolinsh pancake fl ipping relay. Th e team headed up by Brisbane Lions player Anthony Corrie (last year’s pancake fl ipping champion) proved too strong for the team led by Hockeyroos captain Nikki Hudson, despite a valiant eff ort. Climate debate rocks US evangelicals Th e 2006 Pancake Day raised in excess on $600 000 so hopes are high for that fi gure to increase this year. Mardi Lumsden By Bruce Mullan

A FIRESTORM has broken out “How about the reality of three poor families earn a liveable wage in US evangelical circles after billion of God’s children living on so they can provide for their own prominent Focus on the Family less than $2 per day? retirement expenses.” leader James Dobson and other “I happen to believe that the Cizik says the climate change leaders of the religious right wrote sanctity of life, the health of crisis is not something humankind to the National Association of marriages, and teaching sexual can wait to address. Evangelicals claiming attention to morality to our children are, indeed, “Climate change is real and climate change was a distraction among the great moral issues of human induced. It calls for action from “the great moral issues of our our time. But I believe they are not soon. And we are saying action time”. the only great moral issues, and based upon a biblical view of the Th e letter singled out the “re- Dobson says they are.” world as God’s world,” he said. lentless campaign orchestrated by a Wallis challenged Dobson Cizik said his commitment to single individual” naming National and fellow letter writers to a “real environmental issues came after Association of Evangelicals vice debate on whether climate change he met infl uential, evangelical president of government relations is, indeed, one of the great moral Christian scientist Sir John Richard Cizik. issues of our time”. Houghton, one of the drafters of While acknowledging the Particular criticism in the the Intergovernmental Panel on existence of global warming the letter was directed to Cizik’s Climate Change document. letter writers were not convinced pronouncements on population “I couldn’t shirk, shrug, that there is conclusive evidence control. rationalise or escape my Biblical about why it is happening and “We ask, how is population responsibility to care for the what should be done about it. control going to be achieved if environment. It changed me. Th e letter says the signatories not by promoting abortion, the “I had, as John Wesley would have observed Cizik and others distribution of condoms to the say, a ‘warming of my heart’… “using the global warming young, and, even by infanticide in a conversion to a cause which I controversy to shift the emphasis China and elsewhere? Is this where believe every Christian should be away from the great moral issues Richard Cizik would lead us?” the committed to.” of our time, notably the sanctity letter asked. Cizik then talked to his wife of human life, the integrity of Popular author and speaker Virginia and said, “Ginny, we’re marriage and the teaching of sexual Brian McLaren praised “the gonna have to change some abstinence and morality to our courageous and important work things.” Brisbane Lions player Anthony Corrie shows his winning pancake fl ipping children”. of Christian leaders like Richard “Th e fi rst thing we did was sell form to Hockeyroos captain Nikki Hudson. Photo by Mardi Lumsden Leader of US justice group Cizik” and has hit out at Dobson’s our recreational vehicle. I decided it Sojourners Jim Wallis hit back at claim that nothing good can be just wasn’t a good use of resources. the letter claiming this particular done about overpopulation. And it was a gas guzzler, besides. Shalom developing sports stars statement was the foundation for a “Fortunately, their unanswered So we bought a Prius, a hybrid.” real debate. question can draw attention “God doesn’t intend to ask me WITH SUPPORT from AFL AFL Queensland regional “Is the fact that 30,000 children to some very good answers, ‘Rich, how did I create the Earth?’ Queensland, Shalom Christian manager Richie Lyons supervised will die globally today, and every day, including improving education He won’t ask me that. He’ll say College has offi cially launched its the selection process to fi ll 20 from needless hunger and disease and employment opportunities for ‘Rich, what did you do to protect Academy of Sport program. available positions. a great moral issue for evangelical poor women, improving health care that which I created?’” Th e academy will develop Students were required to pass Christians?” asked Wallis. for poor children [and] helping the skills of young Indigenous various fi tness tests from sprints sportspeople and build students’ to long-distance endurance. self-esteem and competence in Th e Shalom Academy of Sport literacy and numeracy. will off er positions in AFL, rugby Research Notes: Attracting newcomers Shalom Christian College league and basketball. A COUPLE with growing children decides to try were also helpful ways of reconnecting. principal Chris Shirley said Th e fi rst member of the going to a church somewhere at Easter and stay. But Less common entry points were contact through having natural sporting ability Shalom Academy of Sport how often does that happen? church activities, or links through rites of passage, was not enough and students program is Brandon Roughsey A study of church attenders in four countries, such as weddings, funerals and baptisms. would be expected to demonstrate from Mornington Island who has USA, England, Australia and New Zealand, off ers A critical key to attracting newcomers appears to improvement in their studies in been selected for the Queensland substantial information on newcomers to church, be the infl uence and importance of trusted friends order to remain members of the Country AFL team. the National Church Life Survey reports. and relatives. academy. Shalom Christian College is Newcomers come to church because someone People become open to new beliefs through “Th ey have to attend all their a Uniting Church coeducational they trust invited them. For Australians, the most relationships rather than through a process of classes and improve their numeracy school located in Townsville. common catalyst was an invitation from a friend or weighing costs and benefi ts. and literacy levels to maintain Th e school’s student population family member. People are willing to change their habits and try their position in the academy,” of approximately 320 comprises Contact with a minister, proximity to home or a link new religious activities on the recommendation of Mr Shirley told the Townsville entirely Aboriginal and Torres with the local church of their former denomination those they trust. Bulletin. Strait Islander children.

4 Journey, April 2007 www.journeyonline.com.au Law graduate steps up to the challenge TRAINED IN law and informa- by the international mission side of tion technology, a career in the his work. Church was not exactly what young “I had not been exposed to the Queenslander Andrew Johnson international mission work of the had in mind at the conclusion of church but I have discovered the his studies at the University of enormous breadth of work in which Queensland. we participate in South-East Asia After part-time service in the and the Pacifi c. role, Mr Johnson is now full- “I am particularly excited by time as the Queensland Synod’s the Global Walking project we are Justice and International Mission involved in at the moment.” Advocate and is excited about Mr Johnson will continue the taking up the challenge. policy research and advice work he “Working in the role for nearly has been undertaking. two years prior to commencing “Th is research is important for full-time I learnt a great deal about supporting our advocacy work to the church, the community groups both the government and through we work with and many diff erent the media.” justice issues.” Andrew Johnson, Justice and Mr Johnson is particularly International Mission Advocate, interested in working alongside can be contacted by phone on congregations and presbyteries on (07) 3377 9911 or by email at The Queensland Synod’s Justice and International Mission Advocate Andrew Johnson. Photo by Osker Lau social justice issues and is energised [email protected]. Young adults move forward on retreat Uniting Church cares for “WE REALLY were on about retreating in order to advance the traumatised students Kingdom,” Glen Smith from West End said about the Young Adults Retreat at Alex Park Conference THE TRAGIC death of a 14- and students enough once they got Centre in March. year-old student from Coff s back to camp to get them going Retreat organiser and Synod Harbour during an excursion to back home to Coff s just after 5pm,” Young Adult Ministry Coordinator the Glasshouse Mountains at the Mr Armstrong reported. Tom Kerr said 47 participants end of February prompted a quick “Th e young student’s brother from each of the three Brisbane and compassionate response from was actually part of the school Presbyteries and some friends Uniting Church leaders. group as well so everyone was from other churches had been set Th e school group had been pretty traumatised. a challenge to be disciplined in staying at the Margate Uniting “Th e team did well and the working on having a well balanced Church Conference Centre and the staff at Margate and the Synod spiritual diet. Synod offi ce quickly contacted Rev were excellent. Th ey were fl exible, “We enjoyed the good will Peter Armstrong from Redcliff e accommodating and supportive of of the people and we were also Uniting Church who mobilised a all the support people.” reminded that we are called to be local response team. Mr Armstrong was particularly on a mission for God beyond the Mr Armstrong reported complimentary about the work of church,” Mr Kerr said. that between his contacts and Uniting Church Mission Support “It was a retreat, but we were the Police they ended up with Enterprises Manager Mark also on about growing apostles.” Redcliff e Uniting Church Youth Lee who, because they were not Amy Butler from Aspley said, Worker Simon Jockel, two Youth expected back for dinner, saw that “Our Church Council supported Workers from the Redcliff e Area the group was provided with a the young adults from our church Youth Space, Mr Armstrong, McDonald’s feast. attending and kindly off ered to a Police Chaplain, and four “Mark did a great job of seeing refund us for the amount paid to Cameron Todd from Coopers Plains Uniting Church takes a quiet moment Guidance Offi cers from Education that the whole school group was YACMU for our registrations.” to do business with God. Photo by Tom Kerr Queensland at the Margate catered for. Th is enabled them to Mr Kerr said many of the Centre. head home well fed and well cared participants needed a break from For more information on camps, “We were able to help the staff for.” service in their local church to retreats and activities run by the refl ect on their own faith. Youth and Children’s Ministry “Th ey need to be on the Unit (YACMU), visit their website receiving end of ministry and just www.yacmu.com.au SCHOOLS by encouraging our young adults FOR DISCERNING PARENTS to come on retreats like this, the Brisbane Boys’ College Church is being supportive.” Boarding and day school 07 3309 3500 Cameron Todd from St for boys in Prep to Year 12 www.bbc.qld.edu.au David’s Coopers Plains said it was Sunshine Coast Grammar School Advertise in Journey benefi cial to spend the weekend Co-educational day school 07 5445 4444 with likeminded people. Share your news and product Preschool to Year 12 www.scgs.qld.edu.au “I like the fact that many of the information with over 30,000 Moreton Bay Boys’ College people attending were worship Uniting Church goers across (In partnership with Moreton Bay College - a Uniting Church School) Day school for boys 07 3906 9444 leaders or similar in their own Queensland. churches but didn’t have to do from Prep to Year 7 in 2006 www.mbbc.qld.edu.au any work on the weekend for the For rates and information visit Clayfi eld College retreat.” www.journeyonline.com.au Girls: Prep to Year 12 07 3262 0262 Boarding: Girls over 10 years. www.clayfi eld.qld.edu.au Michelle Jenkins from Th e Gap or call Mardi Lumsden said it was the opportunity to rest Boys: Prep to Year 5. on 07 3377 9795. and revive that she appreciated. Somerville House “It was a great opportunity for Advertising and editorial Day and boarding school for girls 07 3248 9200 me to just empty my mind of all deadline for May Journey Preparatory to Year 12 www.somerville.qld.edu.au the daily clutter and allow God to Presbyterian and Methodist Friday, 13 April Schools Association A ministry of the Uniting and Presbyterian Churches, providing excellence speak to me in some new ways.” www.pmsa-schools.edu.au in education in a Christian and caring environment.

www.journeyonline.com.au Journey, April 2007 5 several years Mr Lee was an Supporting a partner in Fiji ideal choice to spend time in the country, meeting with leaders of Moderator sees prison the Methodist Church, including people in the Indian division, a minority but signifi cant part of the from the inside church community. It was an assignment that By Bruce Mullan “Not only would these folk required a degree of diplomacy. benefi t greatly, but we would no Th e Methodist Church was BOTH AFFIRMATION for the longer need to build more and closely related to the ousted work of prison staff and ongoing bigger prisons, and prison staff government and most of the concerns were expressed by the could focus their energy where it military are members of the Moderator of the Queensland primarily needs to be.” Methodist Church. Synod Rev Dr David Pitman and Mr Johnson was particularly “You can understand that Justice and International Mission interested in the diagnosis of there are some diff erences of Consultant Andrew Johnson after mental health issues. opinion, diff erences of stance (and their recent visit to Queensland “Mental illness in prison is diff erences of loyalty) and some prisons. described primarily in terms of risk tensions within the life of the As guests of the Deputy- to staff , other inmates and self- church in this present situation,” Director of Correctional Services harm,” he said. he said. Mr Neil Whittaker, the two person “Th e diagnosis of mental illness Meanwhile, life goes on as delegation visited the Wolston also needs to be seen in terms of normal in Fiji. maximum security prison which seeking to treat and manage mental “People are still going to church, houses 600 male prisoners and illness in order to aid rehabilitation the churches are still functioning. the adjacent Brisbane Women’s and limit re-off ending, not just Unlike in Australia, most people in Correctional Centre which houses minimise risk.” Fiji belong to the church. 270 female prisoners. Dr Pitman was also concerned “Fifty years ago most Fijians Dr Pitman found the staff they about the alarming degree of belonged to the Methodist spoke with were very committed to recidivism in Queensland with Church. Th ere are other churches their roles. 31% of those released returning to now and some thousands belong to “Th e senior personnel of prison within a two years period. those churches, but the Methodist the Department speak with “Th is tells us that there are still Queensland minister Rev Brian Lee. Photo by Bruce Mullan Church is still very strong. considerable passion about their fundamental community issues “You would go to many areas in work and their vision for the future that need to be addressed in a By Meera Atkinson Fiji has a history of coups, Fiji where all are members of the and I was impressed with much of very proactive manner because the with four in the past two decades. Methodist Church. It seems to me what I saw and heard,” he said. chances of prisoners re-off ending WITH ITS idyllic crystalline Religious tension between the that the ministers I talked to and “However it is clear that continue to be signifi cant when the waters, friendly locals, and close ethnic Fijians and Indian Fijians met with are very deliberately not Correctional Services personnel social and economic environment proximity, Fiji has always been a has played a signifi cant role. introducing political things into are to some extent the ‘meat in the to which they return remains the favourite holiday and honeymoon Th e majority of ethnic Fijians their sermons.” sandwich’ between the politicians same. destination for Australians. belong to the Methodist Church Th e person–to–person support on the one hand and the judicial “We spoke with two men who But for one Uniting Church and the majority of Indians are was appreciated and Rev Lee was system on the other. have participated in the sexual member, a recent visit to the Hindu. quick to point out that the Fijian “I was able to affi rm this to off ender’s rehabilitation program. troubled island was for an entirely Th e new National Director of people appreciated that the Uniting the Deputy-Director and prison “Th ey were quite honest about diff erent reason. UIM Rev Kerry Enright pointed Church sent a person and not just staff and also identify a number of the challenges they knew they Retired Queensland Uniting out that the reasons for this most another letter. ongoing concerns, most of which would face at the time of their Church minister Rev Brian Lee recent coup are thought to stem “I think it’s important for they acknowledged as valid.” release.” visited Fiji on behalf of Uniting more from internal Fijian confl ict people to go, not necessarily as Dr Pitman believes there are Th is transition back into the International Mission (UIM) to than racial tension despite the representatives of the Uniting still too many people in prison who community also concerns Mr investigate and report back to fact that coup leaders took power Church, but if Uniting Church would benefi t more if they could be Johnson. the church in Australia on the claiming a religious framework members go there and introduce kept with their families and active “While we were given an situation following the December and inspiration. themselves as Christian brothers in the community while ensuring extensive explanation of the prison 2006 coup. In the midst of this sensitive and sisters who want to share with that the issues that brought them reception process there was limited Since Mr Lee’s visit the situation the purpose of Mr Lee’s people, that’s good. into the judicial system are properly explanation of the process of Methodist Church in Fiji, a visit was to be a “listener”. “And in our prayers we need addressed. transition into the community. partner church of the Uniting “People asked me if I’d preach on to remember to pray for those “Th ose guilty of minor off ences, “Off enders who have been in Church in Australia, has come out Sunday,” he said, but he declined. who in good conscience believe or suff ering from mental illness, prison for extended periods need in opposition to the coup. Having worked in Fiji for that the coup was wrong and that or captive to substance addiction signifi cant help in readjusting to something should be done to bring and not guilty of violent crimes are life in the community.” it to an end, and those who in good amongst those who should be kept A more detailed report of conscience believe that the coup out of the prison system. Th ey need the visit can be read at www.journeonline.com.au. THE UNITING CHUPCHR IN AUSTRALLIA was a good idea and hope that its constructive help, not punishment. aims are accomplished.” QUEENSLAND SYNOD

DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT FOR FINANCIAL AND PROPERTY SERVICES COMMON DREAMS Progressive Religion as a Transforming Agent The Director of the Department for Financial and Property Services (FAPs) will provide leadership for the DepartmentÊs team in providing You are invited to join Keynote Speakers financial, property, insurance and business support for the church including strategic expertise for the financial stewardship of the ChurchÊs resources in alignment with the Queensland SynodÊs BISHOP JOHN SHELBY SPONG Intentional Missional Strategy. The successful applicant will be a member of the Uniting Church & REV STEPHANIE DOWRICK with qualifications, professional skills and experience in financial and business management and demonstrated ability to lead staff and at a gathering of progressive religious and spiritual people from around Australia. maintain networks and relationships with individuals, groups and organisations. SYDNEY - 16th to 19th August, 2007 The position will be based in Brisbane with travel throughout Queensland and interstate as required. Bishop Spong will launch his new book Jesus for the Non-Religious A full information pack is available via the website (http://www. on Thursday, 16th August, 7.30pm at the Pitt St Uniting Church, Sydney. He will also be speaking ucaqld.com.au/career.php) or by contacting Shayne Hearley (07) in Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane as part of a post-conference lecture tour. 3377 9705 or [email protected] Early Bird and Concessional Discounts available. For Program and Registration details: APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY, 27 APRIL 2007. www.commondreams.org.au or phone (02) 9267 3614

6 Journey, April 2007 www.journeyonline.com.au Easter: Is it salvation or cosmic abuse? By Bruce Mullan “substitutionary atonement” this question whether he had become Westminster attended by almost adopted by both sides and, in a theory explains the Easter story a liberal and turned his back on 1,000 people in which Chalke was 2005 statement, Edwards said the INTERPRETING THE mean- by saying that we humans, having truth. asked to publicly respond to his Evangelical Alliance welcomes ing of Easter can be a dangerous broken God’s holy law, are deserving London-based organisation the critics. the fact that Chalke has “affi rmed activity as UK Baptist minister of a penalty which is death, but that Evangelical Alliance published a It was virtually a modern-day [his] willingness to continue and author Steve Chalke found Jesus died in our place, paying the statement which said, “We do not heresy trial and the newspaper creative engagement with penal out when he published Th e Lost penalty and setting us free. believe that penal substitutionary Evangelicals Now also questioned substitutionary atonement, and to Message of Jesus in 2004. People are thus invited to atonement can be rejected… as whether Chalke could be considered work alongside its proponents in Chalke’s book provoked uproar respond in repentance, turn from Steve has persisted in rejecting it. an “Evangelical” any longer, in light the cause of the gospel.” from conservative Evangelicals their sins, and receive forgiveness “While affi rming the many of what he had written. Queensland Vision for Mission when it questioned the theological because they have been pardoned. gifts which Steve has to off er, we Chalke questioned a description Advocate Rev Duncan Macleod understanding of “penal Chalke’s suggestion that the idea urge him, as a much-loved brother of God whose anger against said that since the Apostle Paul substitution” – the idea that God of a vengeful and vindictive God in Christ, to reconsider both the sinners and demand for justice can there have been many doctrinal punished his own son, Jesus, by was at odds with the revelation of substance and style of his recently only be appeased through bringing models developed to explain the sending him to the cross. Jesus Christ in the gospels and led expressed views on this matter.” about the violent death of his Son, death and resurrection of Jesus, Sometimes referred to as former colleagues and friends to Th is followed a debate in claiming it was incompatible with and that penal substitutionary the Christian understanding of the atonement was just one of them. character of God. “Becoming familiar with the Commissioning challenges Edmonton congregation “God says love your enemies depth of meaning in the life, death but then doesn’t love his until he’s and resurrection of Jesus will lead got blood – how can God run on a to more eff ective sharing of faith.” diff erent ethic to the way he’s asked While most Christians see his people to live?” belief in the physical death and Th e use of provocative imagery resurrection of Jesus as essential such as likening God to a “cosmic tenets of the Christian faith, child abuser” shocked many member of the Progressive evangelicals only because, said Spirituality Network (PSN) Chalk, “It is a stark unmasking of and retired minister Rev Ray the violent, pre-Christian thinking Richmond said some understand behind such theology”. “that the resurrection of Jesus was General Director of the a typical act of human imagination; Evangelical Alliance Joel Edwards historical but not factual”. said that the Alliance’s statement “Our apparent intention is of faith implied an acceptance of to build up the numbers of the penal substitution. church with exacting consent to “If anyone looks at clauses three propositions in the clothing of and four of our basis of faith; there previous world-views.” is a very clear implicit relationship Mr Richmond calls for the between Jesus’ work of substitution church to “get out of the resurrection and penal substitution.” box we have built”. Chalke was calling for a bigger So, is Chalke a heretic or view to be had of the cross. “I think just another Christian trying to it is like the emperor’s new clothes determine what the Easter story and when someone stands up and really means? asks questions people get scared.” It seems we are only just Th ere was popular support for beginning to comprehend the Chalke’s book and applause for his complexity of God’s saving work statements during the debate. through the death and resurrection Community Minister Marcia Cowen cuts her celebratory cake with congregation members. An uneasy truce has since been of Jesus Christ. Photo by Peter Blackman FRIENDS, FAMILY and members of the North North Queensland Presbytery Chairperson Rev Bruce Queensland Presbytery joined the Edmonton Cornish spoke of God’s call to Samuel and encouraged all Uniting Church congregation in Cairns at the end those present to hear God’s call on their own lives. of February for a special service to commission Congregation member Val Davies said they welcome Marcia Cowen as a Community Minister. Mrs Cowan’s commissioning and value the confi rmation Trinity Theological College Mrs Cowen has ministered to the Edmonton of her three year appointment. Learning with heart, soul and mind congregation since moving to Cairns with her “It was a day where the power and challenges of the husband John in 1996 taking full leadership commissioning were not confi ned to the congregation’s responsibilities at Edmonton in early 2004. leader,” she said. Bachelor of Theology Study theology at home Study theology at Trinity Theological College through the Brisbane College of Theology Coolamon College www.trinity.qld.edu.au brings high quality, nationally accredited theological education direct to you. A BTh is not just for Undergraduate and post-graduate degrees through the Adelaide College of ministers. Divinity and Flinders University. This program offers accredited subjects for Visit our website http://coolamon.org lay people wanting to or contact us direct develop their skills for coolamon@fl inders.edu.au ministry. 1800 639 385 (free call) For more information A National Agency of the Uniting Church contact the College on 07 3377 9951 or email [email protected]

www.journeyonline.com.au Journey, April 2007 7 a 2000-year-old tomb held the I had a glimpse of the non-human remains of Jesus of Nazareth, Mary creation in agony with Jesus, in a Resurrection doubts keep rising up his mother, Mary Magdalene, said parallel way to the psalmist declaring to be his partner and Judah said that creation off ers God praise.” By Bruce Mullan to be their son, along with other Ms Wheeler said her image members of his family. Agony in the Garden was not meant to be a photo-real THROUGHOUT RECENT day, that Jesus made a number of possibility that Jesus’ death was only a problem for many who see the Biblical scholar Stephen Pfann depiction of what the scene might Christian history debate has raged appearances to people following the apparent. biblical resurrection accounts in the from the University of the Holy “Agony in the Garden” by Rev have looked like. about the historical accuracy of resurrection, and on the convincing Much of the debate comes down Gospel sources as less than adequate Land in Jerusalem was dismissive Geraldine Wheeler is a work which “I aim to express feeling and the biblical resurrection accounts strength of belief in the resurrection to the nature of history and its historical records. of the claims. took some years to develop. theological insight into the story and whether literal belief in the demonstrated by the early disciples. scholarship. Added to this is modern “I don’t think that Christians “I was aware of how several as I would, in a diff erent way, when resurrection of Jesus is essential to Th is way of seeing the historicity Historians seek to establish as scientifi c scepticism about miracles are going to buy into this,” he famous European artists had preaching on the same story.” the Christian faith. of the resurrection is represented by best as possible what happened in which makes believing in the bodily said. “But sceptics, in general, depicted the story of Jesus praying Ms Wheeler has been trying Proponents of the literal eminent British scholar N. T. Wright the past and the accuracy of such resurrection of Jesus a long stretch would like to see something that in the Garden of Gethsemane after to make visual images which resurrection typically cite four who said, “As an historian, I cannot history is usually assessed on the for some people. pokes holes into the story that so the last supper, just before his arrest, complement the telling and “proofs” for the fact that Jesus rose explain the rise of early Christianity basis of the number of eye witness Cynicism towards the biblical many people hold dear.” trial and crucifi xion,” Ms Wheeler interpreting of the biblical story in from the dead after being crucifi ed unless Jesus rose again, leaving an accounts and how independent accounts has been popularised again At the other end of the said. words for over twenty years. and buried in a tomb. empty tomb behind him.” these were. by the recent documentary fi lm Th e spectrum are those who seek “I was also aware of how an artist Her work is primarily print Th ese are based on the accounts However various alternative Academic historians are dubious Lost Tomb of Jesus produced for the proof for the resurrection in like Munch had depicted human making, either linocuts or stencils that the body of Jesus was actually explanations of the resurrection have about any collaboration between Discovery Channel. historic relics such as the Shroud suff ering in ‘Th e Scream’.” on which she paints onto black card dead and buried, that the tomb been proposed including suggestions authors or if the sources are biased Hollywood documentary fi lm of Turin. Ms Wheeler said it was only or paper in gouache, a thick, water- was discovered empty on the third of conspiracy, hallucination and the towards the subject matter. Th is is maker James Cameron claimed Th e Shroud is a single piece of after a trip to Israel in 1993 and based paint. linen cloth which many believe seeing the place thought to have “A major artistic infl uence for me is bloodstained and shows faint been the Garden of Gethsemane, was no doubt the Christian Japanese front and back images of a and observing the gnarled olive printmaker, Sadao Watanabe. person who would appear to have trees there which were well over “I have also been keenly aware been crucifi ed and some look to 1,000 years old that she came to of the rejection of pictures in the Easter art inspires at Albert St it hoping to fi nd evidence for understand how she wished to churches by the Reformed tradition Jesus’ resurrection which can depict Jesus praying in the garden. at the Reformation and for some accommodate the realities of “I had already pictured the centuries following, and have sought scientifi c thought. disciples cocooned in sleep and to understand a role for images, in Former Queensland Moderator ignorance, blind to the way Jesus books and in churches, within this Rev Don Whebell believes the had to take. I could feel how such theological tradition. Easter story is about celebrating agony might be expressed in dance. “Images, as I understand in this the irrational. “When I saw those old olive trees, tradition, are to be ‘read’, rather than “Th e resurrection is a highly with the branches curving upwards, used as a medium for prayer.” irrational reality which always defi es the wisdom of the world,” he said. “And right from the Peter Armstrong is minister at Rev Bruce Johnson ministers beginning the church has Redcliff e and refl ected on the at Broadwater Road Uniting proclaimed that.” Easter story. Church in Wishart and off ers a So most Christians fi nd Jesus put all of his eggs into challenge from the Good Friday themselves sitting comfortably the one basket…the basket story. between the extremes when it of Calvary! By entering the Good Friday only becomes comes to the resurrection story city of Jerusalem as a King he Good Friday for each of us and resonate with the conclusions had provoked the Priests, the as we come to the point of of the Hon Justice Peter W Princes and Pilate. Th ey had to embracing all that Jesus’ death Young, Chief Judge in Equity of take action, an action that Jesus on the cross means for us. It the Supreme Court of New South was expecting and prepared for. becomes Good Friday when Wales and General Editor of the Jesus had put all of his hope and we come to Christ in gratitude Australian Law Journal. faith into the hands of death and and faith, believing that he is “Just as we cannot be absolutely into the hands of God. For Jesus there for us even through the certain of anything, or at least, there was no turning back… It deepest darkness, and knowing almost anything, so we would is at the point of death that Jesus that there is now nothing that not normally let little doubts or said, “It is fi nished!” Whatever can separate us from the love of remote possibilities cloud our happens from here on is in the God our Father. view of what probably happened, hands of God… so we must assess the evidence for Cees Sliedrecht looks over the face of Christ at the front of Albert Street Uniting Chruch, Brisbane. Photo by Mardi Lumsden the resurrection in the same way,” he said. WORSHIPPERS AT Albert Street paintings depicting the Stations of balance, the clothing of the people, Table. Th e second is of the Broadwater Road Minister Shrove Tuesday on the foreheads of worshippers to commemorated on Maundy use of music. During the service Uniting Church in Brisbane city the Cross that are displayed in the what they look like, does one person blessing hands of Christ and Rev Bruce Johnson is one who symbolise repentance and mortality. Th ursday are the washing of the candles are extinguished to leave the have been treated to an even more church. look at another person or do they is placed on the left side of the concluded that the resurrection How Shrove Tuesday is the day before In the Orthodox Church, Lent Disciples’ feet by Jesus, the Last congregation in darkness to await beautiful church than usual with From concept to fi nished artwork turn away or look at Christ?” church. Th e pierced hands of has to be taken on the basis of Lent begins (Ash Wednesday). It begins on a Monday rather than on Supper, the agony of Christ in the the one true light of Easter Sunday. the addition of one member’s Lent the Stations of the Cross paintings Another four paintings are Christ are placed to the right and faith, not just on the basis of is a day of penitence, to clean the Ash Wednesday. Garden of Gethsemane, and the inspired paintings. took four to fi ve months. displayed on Good Friday. Th ese the pierced feet are placed in the proof. soul, and a day of celebration as the betrayal of Christ by Judas. Eggs Around three years ago artist “Th e preparation takes most large black, white and purple rear of the church making the “I decided that despite not we do last chance to feast before Lent. On Lent Up until the death of King James Cees Sliedrecht was asked by the of the time. It is really trying to paintings are stark in contrast to the congregation the body of Christ. understanding all that this Shrove Tuesday early Christians II, the English Monarch would wash Th e act of giving decorated eggs then minister at Albert St, Rev visualise what I am going to do,” ‘Stations’ images and have quite a “I really wanted Christ to mystery contains, I would put my would fi nish all the butter, eggs Lent is the period of time the feet of selected poor people on at the beginning of Spring has been Dr David Pitman, to paint some said Mr Sliedrecht. modern look about them. stand in this day’s society. He is faith in Christ,” he said. “I would and sugar in the house before the between Ash Wednesday and Maundy Th ursday. celebrated for many years prior to works for the church in the lead up “It is quite diffi cult because Th e fi rst is of the face of Christ not a Christ of yesterday, he is a take the little I did understand Easter beginning of lent. Of course, the Easter Saturday. Traditionally Lent Th e word Maundy, used only in Christianity adopting the symbol. to Easter. Th e fi nal product was six you have to think of composition, and is placed at the Communion Christ of now. and live it out.” best thing to make with those is a time of fasting for 40 days (not this context, is generally explained Originally symbols of new life, in “I didn’t want them to look Easter ingredients is pancakes! It also gave including Sundays) to symbolise as derived from the Latin word the Christian tradition eggs also very gruesome. I don’t think that way for the term Mardi Gras (or patience, preparation for Easter and mandatum, which is the fi rst word represent the stone rolled away from is the point. I think the point is Th e name Easter comes from Fat Tuesday). Th ese days Shrove refl ection. In 325, the Council of in the phrase “A new commandment the tomb of Jesus. suff ering, indeed, but it is not a the pagan fi gure called Eastre (or Tuesday is commonly known as Nicaea discussed a 40-day Lenten I give unto you”. Polish folklore tells a story of St John Passion - JS Bach (1685 - 1750) Christ to which you say, ‘yuck, Eostre) who was celebrated as the Pancake Day and in Australia is season of fasting. It is unclear the Virgin Mary giving eggs to the Th roughout history, the but does include text from other often renumbered. He also I don’t want to look at that’. It goddess of spring by the Saxons UnitingCare’s biggest event of the whether its original intent was just Tenebrae soldiers at the cross. She begged celebration of Easter has inspired biblical and non-biblical texts. Bach features music themes, or could be an inviting Christ.” of Northern Europe. Her earthly year raising thousands of dollars for for new Christians preparing for them to be less cruel and as she wept many great works of art and made several revisions to the score motifs, based around the Th e result is an image that symbol was the rabbit, which was charity. Baptism, but it soon encompassed Th e Latin word for shadows, her tears fell on the eggs, spotting music, one of the best known and before producing the fi nal version in number 13 symbolising Jesus truly captures the power and also known as a symbol of fertility. the whole Church. the Tenebrae service was originally them with dots of brilliant color. most performed being JS Bach’s the 1740s, although it is the 1724 and his 12 disciples. After the humbleness of Christ on the Early Christians linked pagan and Ash Wednesday held on Good Friday but is now Decorating and colouring eggs for cantata St John Passion. version that is closest to what is betrayal by Judas, Bach uses the cross. Jewish festivals (Easter being linked Maundy Thursday more commonly held on Maundy Easter was the custom in England Written for Good Friday performed today. number 12 and then after the As an artist Mr Sliedrecht said to Passover) to similar events in the In the Western church, Ash Th ursday. It re-creates the emotional during the Middle Ages. In Royal vespers the St John Passion was Bach was a lover of numerical crucifi xion the number 11 is he had great respect for historical Christian calendar. Th e festival of Wednesday is the fi rst day of Lent Also called Holy Th ursday, aspects of the passion story and households eggs were often covered fi rst performed in 1724. Th e symbolism. Th e work was written used. Th e fugue subject enters religious art. He also appreciated Eastre occurred at the same time and the seventh Wednesday before Maundy Th ursday is the Th ursday is a solemn service of scriptural in gold leaf. text is taken mostly from the in 40 movements (corresponding 10 times to symbolise the 10 having a subject so inspiring. of year as the observance of the Easter. Its name comes from the Old before Easter and commemorates narratives interspersed with time Gospel of John chapters 18-19, to the 40 day of Lent) but is Commandments. “I felt very blessed that I could Shroud of Turin Resurrection of Christ. Testament practice of placing ashes the Last Supper. Th e four events for refl ection often through the do this,” he said. 8 Journey, April 2007 www.journeyonline.com.au www.journeyonline.com.au Journey, April 2007 9 eagerly anticipate the coming deliverance of Israel from its Roman oppressors, as almost The Last Temptation of Christ... ‘satanic utterances’. Jesus’ refusal to submit to this temptation was an absolute The gospel according to Scorsese rejection of the notion of ‘messiah’, and thus of his family, his nation, By Scott Stephens six Oscar nominations for best and ultimately of that God known director for this 1988 fi lm, not least as ‘Yahweh’. IN HIS infamous essay Why I am for his sheer chutzpah and long- Th is implication was perfectly Not a Christian, Bertrand Russell term commitment to this project in captured by Scorsese’s Jesus when remarked that the word Christian the face of intense opposition, but, he cries, “God is not an Israelite!” “does not have quite such a full- as on every other occasion until Th e prophetic path on which blooded meaning now as it had in recently, he missed out. he then embarked was one the times of St. Augustine and St. Drawing inspiration from Nikos of urgent warning: that the Th omas Aquinas. Kazantzakis, Th e Last Temptation of nationalised structures of holiness “In those days, if a man [sic] Christ presented a radically diff erent and insurgence will not lead to said that he was a Christian it was version of the Jesus story than other deliverance but to the destruction known what he meant… Nowadays more sanitised depictions. of Jerusalem itself. it is not quite that,” he said. Played by Willem Dafoe, It was this protest – which Th is comment refl ects the state Scorsese’s Jesus, like all his entailed an altogether diff erent of atrophy in which Christianity protagonists, is a tortured soul conception of God, one that is now fi nds itself: a steady process haunted by a divine vocation that defi ned by mercy but whose dark of being alienated from its own brings with it not enlightenment, purposes include Jesus’ own death essence and growing increasingly but darkness, confusion and – that was burned indelibly into vague and indistinct. oppression. Jesus’ self-understanding. Yet it is one of the strangest Jesus’ experience of God as an His crucifi xion – a form of aspects of our time that shards of expansive, entirely free presence execution reserved exclusively for a lost authenticity can be found in can no more be apprehended by insurgents and rebels against the some of the most anti-Christian of the young Galilean’s marginalised Roman occupation – was the fi nal sources. psyche than it can by the temple in warning that further revolt would Th e off ensive strangeness that Jerusalem. end in national catastrophe. Or, in the Christian message historically Th us, the psycho-spiritual Jesus’ own words, “If they do this embodied is frequently more journey of the fi lm is not toward when the wood is green, what will discernable in sources other than some deep sense of Jesus’ ‘secret happen when it is dry?” the impotent expressions of offi cial identity’ and a clearer realisation At this point, Scorsese is unique Christianity. of who he is and what he must among cinematic depictions of Karl Marx said it best. “Shame do, but rather away from any such Jesus’s life. He accurately connects on you, Christians, both high security. the necessity of Jesus’ crucifi xion and lowly, learned and unlearned, He is plunged into the divine with the impending destruction of shame on you that an anti- void and needs only to be willing to the critical opposition as being the soul’, as the Puritans used to put Jerusalem. Christian had to show you the resign himself to it to fi nd salvation between Jesus’ free spirituality and it), neither was it entirely external. If the ‘last temptation’ of Jesus essence of Christianity in its true and sanity. Judaism’s stale religion. It went to the heart of Jesus’ self- was to succumb to the weight of and unveiled form!” Th is is where the fi lm’s near Th e Last Temptation of Christ understanding. national and familial expectations So perhaps one of the fatal weakness lies. It reduces Jesus’ is undeniably wrong here. In the Take Luke’s account of Jesus’ and thus pull back from the darkness paradoxical tasks given to us is to message to an anti-establishment Gospels, Jesus sets the confl ict temptation in the wilderness. and uncertainty of his vocation, encounter the truth in the likes of spiritualism or even vulgar within Judaism itself, between What is missed in our usual perhaps our temptation this Easter Andres Serrano’s photograph of pantheism, over and against the the holiness code and prophetic readings of this account is that the season is to give in to the security a plastic crucifi x immersed in his rigid formality of Jewish ritual. traditions. expectations and birthright of the of those all-too-familiar portrayals own blood and urine; or buried As Scorsese’s Jesus puts it at But the fi lm in equal measure messiah – condensed into allusions of Jesus, and thus miss the power of deep in the pages of Darwin’s one point in the fi lm, “God is an gets something remarkably right. A to Psalms 2 and 91 – are presented his resurrection. scientifi c notebooks; or even amid immortal spirit who belongs to strong temptation did bedevil Jesus as temptations, and from the devil’s Scott Stephens an author, the moving images of Martin everybody; to the whole world.” his entire life. It was a temptation own mouth, no less! theologian and minister at Scorsese’s Th e Last Temptation of By casting God as an all- as much domestic and familial as it Th e eff ect of this outrageous Chermside Kedron Uniting Christ. embracing life spirit rather than was national and political. assertion is that one is forced to Church is a regular contributor Scorsese received one of his some tribal deity, the fi lm locates And while this temptation reinterpret Mary’s and Zechariah’s to Journey. wasn’t purely internal (an ‘illness of hallowed songs, both of which Church vs. Australian Pope reaffi rms Churches criticise THE UNITING CHUPCHR IN AUSTRALLIA Zimbabwe silence QUEENSLAND SYNOD uranium mine communion bans THE CATHOLIC Commission POPE BENEDICT XVI has SOUTH AFRICAN church MEMBERS OF FINANCE, INVESTMENT for Justice and Peace in Malawi reaffi rmed a strict ruling forbidding leaders have said their government’s has condemned the country’s eucharistic concelebration with silence on human rights violations & PROPERTY BOARD (FIPB) government for granting a mining ministries of non-Roman Catholic in Zimbabwe is aggravating the licence to the Paladin Resources churches, while at the same time situation there following the arrest Company of Australia to start giving priests the go-ahead to and beating of opposition leaders Nominations and expressions of interest from members of the mining uranium. revive Latin as the main language at a Harare prayer rally. Uniting Church are sought for five (5) positions on the newly named Finance, Investment & Property Board (formerly Finance & Th e commission said the used during the church service Th e South African Council Property Board). government granted mining known as the Mass. of Churches, which was at the permission despite calls “Th e celebration and worship forefront of the fi ght against The Board will support and resource the strategic missional from church and civil society of the Eucharist enable us to draw apartheid, condemned the planning of the church by providing a framework for planning, organisations not to let mining go near to God’s love and to persevere detention by Zimbabwean police monitoring, reporting and acting on the stewardship of assets of the Church. The Board exercises oversight in relation to Church ahead. in that love,” Benedict said of church and opposition leaders, investment strategies, audit and risk management and effective Mining opponents argued Th e Pope also restated his strong as well as civil society activists and property and asset management. that an environmental impact opposition to Catholics remarrying, human rights campaigners, who assessment report issued by and also asks priests to refrain were all participating in the public The Board will have a mix of skills including an understanding of the Paladin was unscientifi c and did from celebrating the Mass during prayer meeting on 11 March. Church, governance, finance, investment, property management, audit and risk management. not address health issues including weddings or funerals attended by Th e Rev. Setri Nyomi, general how the company would protect non-practising Catholics. secretary of the 75 million-strong A full information pack is available via the website people working on the mine and “Only in exceptional situations, World Alliance of Reformed (http://www.ucaqld.com.au/career.php) or by contacting Shayne those living in surrounding areas for the sake of their eternal Churches, strongly condemned the Hearley (07) 3377 9705 or [email protected] from radiation. salvation, can individual non- police action. NOMINATIONS / EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (WITH C.V.) “Th ose charged with protecting Catholic Christians be admitted “We are very concerned about CLOSE FRIDAY, 20 APRIL 2007 Malawi citizens, do not want to to the Eucharist, the sacrament of what is happening in Zimbabwe listen to cries from the people,” reconciliation and the anointing of including the arrest of leaders of said the statement. the sick,” said the pontiff . the Student Christian Movement.” 10 Journey, April 2007 www.journeyonline.com.au John Mavor fi nally retires REV JOHN Mavor is fi nally “Everything I’ve done has been retiring at 73 years of age after a built around that.” lifetime of service to the Uniting Mr Henderson said Mr Mavor’s Church in Australia. life in the church has been marked Mr Mavor will wind up his role by “passion for the faith,” and as project offi cer for the Pacifi c with “helping people grow in the faith.” Uniting International Mission in “He’s given terrifi c leadership April to travel with his wife Rae. in pastoral care, in going out of Mr Mavor’s multi-faceted his way to care for people and for career has taken numerous twists congregations that were hurting, and turns. and in holding the church together He has worked extensively in despite diff erences of opinion.” the Pacifi c in Christian education Mr Mavor maintains that for and has served many committees, all he has given the church he has boards, and agencies. received much in return. Mr Mavor served as director of “I’ve had a marvellous life. I’ve Mission and Parish Services for the faced huge challenges and tried to Uniting Church in Queensland, meet them,” he said. then as Moderator from 1988 to “Th ere have been immense 1989 and was the 8th president of rewards. I’ve been to almost every the Uniting Church from 1998 to Pacifi c country you could think of. 2000. I’ve got an international network of Since his fi rst retirement he has friends as a result.” Natalie Denmeade from Garden City Christian Church (left) with Kerry Webber and Ruth Nicols from Bald Hills Uniting Church. Photo by Louise Edwards. spent years working as a voluntary Having recently been given part-time project offi cer with a clear bill of health Mr Mavor Uniting International Mission is planning to step out of active Huge turn-out for children’s ministry expo before taking the helm as Acting ministry and into mentoring up- National Director during the last and-coming ministers. ONE HUNDRED Uniting Church leaders “Churches are recognising the importance of 15 months. He is particularly passionate participated in the Ignite children’s ministry training equipping and training leaders to work with children Assembly General Secretary about his work on the Queensland day held in March. in new ways that are relevant in the changing culture Rev Terence Corkin, describes Synod’s Future of Ministry Task Youth and Children’s Ministry Unit (YACMU) in which our children live. Mr Mavor “as a person who fi lls Group which aims to recruit more Consultant Paul Yarrow said people travelled from “Ignite provided a chance for new leaders to the room with his presence and people for ministry. Atherton, Gladstone, Gayndah, Dalby and some hear from some of the most experienced and skilled personality and his genuine interest “Th is is a tremendous concern,” people even fl ew from Adelaide to be part of the third children’s workers in the nation.” in people.” he says. annual event. UC Conference Centres was a sponsoring partner Uniting Church President Rev “In Queensland this year 20 “With over 700 leaders involved in the day it for Ignite which also provided opportunity for people Gregor Henderson, says he has “a ministers will retire and fi ve will be demonstrates a growing passion and involvement in to look at new ministry resources, entertainers, training huge heart for the gospel, for the ordained. Th at’s a huge challenge working with children,” Mr Yarrow said. programs and ministry organisations on display in the church, for people. for the church.” Expo hall. “He’s a big hearted fellow and a Asked how he envisions his big bloke. days from here on in Mr Mavor The Mary Valley remembers at Easter “His compassion and says he has a garage full of books Rural ministry commitment to people and the and papers and that “my wife has REV IAIN Watt is minister in we will be diff erent. Christians church is second to none.” a clear vision that I’m going to get musters courage the Mary Valley area which has have a wonderful way to face trials, Mr Mavor gave his life to Jesus something done about it”. THE ANNUAL Rural Muster been threatened by the proposed disappointments, suff ering and as a 14 year old teenager in 1948. As Mr Henderson was quick to will take place from 27-29 April at construction of the Traveston even death. “Th e four key passions of my point out John Mavor is “one of the Jondaryan Woolshed. Crossing Dam. “To our community facing such life have been mission, Christian those who will keep going till the Hosted by Oakey and District Almost 12 months from the day things, the truth is always life education, evangelism, and day he dies.” Uniting Church, the muster will when Premier Beattie announced giving and healing. For us Jesus has ecumenical aff airs. place particular focus on assisting almost a thousand homes will have come, he has lived our life and died Lay ministry teams. to be resumed Mr Watt sees hope our death. At Easter we celebrate Coordinator Julie Savage in the Easter story. his victory and the life possible in said the church has taken up the “How do we pass this anniversary his resurrected power. Th is is the challenge of working to support appropriately? We will survive but truth and the truth sets free.” Lay people in rural communities. “Th e main aim of the 2007 Rural Muster is to encourage, inspire, uplift, and equip congregational members of small rural churches in CHAPLAINCY COORDINATOR that ongoing presence,” she said. “Th e Muster will provide Wesley Mission Sydney provides a variety of services to clients participants with resources they and staff within child and family care, mental health, aged care, can adapt for their own setting.” homeless persons, employment programs & disability services. We “Each session will be practical, regard pastoral care as a high priority & integral to the provision of interactive and multi-sensory and will provide resources that multidisciplinary care & support for our residents & clients. participants will be able to take We seek the services of a full time Chaplaincy Coordinator and away and use in their congregations invite Deacons and Ministers of the Word to express interest. The and faith communities.” Chaplaincy Coordinator will be required to coordinate, nurture Guest Presenter and Workshop and develop the team of Chaplains and the volunteers Pastoral Facilitator will be Ivan Hewitt a Care team and serve as a chaplaincy practitioner. part-time Community Minister and lay person with a passion for Preference will be given to applicants who are qualified CPE encouraging people to seek out Supervisors or would be willing to obtain the qualification. their God-given gifts and abilities, For telephone enquiries contact: equipping them for involvement in Mr. Graham Want, Director – Mission, Outreach & Pastoral the local congregation. Ministries: (02) 9263 5452 Th e cost of the conference includes meals, sessions and onsite accommodation. Written Applications to: For more information contact Mrs Meg Herbert Julie Savage on ph 3870 2621 or NSW Synod Associate Secretary (Ministry) email [email protected]. PO Box A2178 Sydney South NSW 1235 By Mardi Lumsden [email protected] Applications close: COB Friday 27th April, 2007 Rev John Mavor AM. Photo courtesy of the Uniting Church Assembly

www.journeyonline.com.au Journey, April 2007 11 Maleny gives WHAT’S ON faith a place March 31, 6.30pm. Wesley Mission Brisbane’s Centenary Dinner LOCAL UNITING Church Dance at Brisbane City Hall. Dinner compered by Australian poet, members provided key support for Rupert McCall and features musical entertainment. Discount for the fi rst National Interfaith Festival tables of 10. For more information call the Public Relations and held at Maleny in March. Fundraising Offi ce on 07 3621 4677 or email [email protected]. Billed the most comprehensive interfaith event to be held in March 31-April 7, 5-8pm. Moogerah Passion play at the Lake Australia an impressive display of Th eatre on the shores of Lake Moogerah, one hour south of Brisbane. religious life, arts and culture was Australia’s only purpose-built passion play amphitheatre. Free. Food showcased at the showgrounds of and drinks available from 4pm. Performances on 31/3, 1/4, 6/4 and one of Queensland’s most beautiful 7/4. Contact Carroll Simons on 5463 5691. hinterland villages. Musicians, artists, priests and April 1, 9am-2.30pm. Wesley Mission Brisbane Centenary Brisbane band Leo Nine. Photo courtesy of www.leo-nine.com.au imams shared rituals, explained celebration at Albert St Uniting Church cnr Albert St and Ann customs and led workshops while St Brisbane. Speaker Rev Dr David Pitman and featuring the John Win the new Leo Nine single dozens of stalls gave people the Stehbens Quartet and young choral trio Amanda, Alexandra and chance to explore faith, sample Nathan. Centenary Concert 1pm with Eternity Gospel Singers, international foods and be Vocal Connection and Greg Hartay-Szabo on the pipe organ. By Mardi Lumsden entertained. Admission by donation. Contact Lyn Burden on 3031 3031 or email Among the various religious [email protected]. BRISBANE BAND Leo Nine aff ecting song, Keep It Coming rises communities participating were 25 continue to push the boundaries and rises to an anthemic ending Uniting Church people who, with April 5-8. Uniting Church Easter Family Venture Camp at of popular music with the release which feels like the shackles of the support of Lutheran, Baptist, Stanthorpe Scout Campsite. Go camping with the whole family at of their new single which is only sadness have been left behind for and Anglican churches, hosted Easter! For more information and to register contact John Horchner available online. something euphoric”. Not bad eh? a “Local Christians” tent and on 5496 8371 or email [email protected] or speak with Th e song Keep It Coming’is now Leo Nine have a long standing assisted in the general running of the Chaplain & Camp Director, Rev John Woodley on 5495 3360 or available as a high quality MP3 church history through members the festival. 0419 025 150. exclusively from leo-nine.com for Caleb James, Simon Jockel, Jeremy Organisers claim that most $1.49. Bennett and Matt Gray. Australians belong to one of the April 5-9. Easter Camp at Alexandra Headland. A camp for high Band member Caleb James said major world religions or their off - school and young adults - a great way to explore the Easter story the band have been releasing music shoots but given recent events and and challenge your faith with speaker Tim Hodgson. Contact Louise online for many years but have issues on the world and national Edwards on 3849 8548 or email [email protected]. found some programs not so user stage, “we think it’s the right time friendly. Thanks to Iron Duke to have an annual National level April 21, 7am-12noon. Gigantic Garage Sale at Paradise Point “We think Digital Rights Records and Leo Nine public event dedicated to building Uniting Church, 126 Paradise Pde, Paradise Point. Furniture, books, Management is too restrictive. If fi ve lucky Journey readers religious harmony.” plants, home-made cakes, new and pre-loved clothing, paintings, someone buys a song from iTunes, can get the MP3 of ‘Keep “We see value in strengthening sausage sizzle, children’s activities and much more! Contact Peter they can’t play it on any MP3 player it Coming’ for free! connections by exploring both Alfredson on 5529 3669 or email [email protected]. apart from the iPod. Th at’s crazy. commonality and the unique So we’ve avoided Digital Rights Simply email your name distinctions between religious April 27-29. Rural Muster at Jondaryan Woolshed, Darling Downs. Management altogether - the and email address to faiths,” organisers said. Focus on lay ministry in congregations without full-time ministers. buyer can do whatever they want [email protected] Woodford Folk Festival CEO Contact Julie Savage on 3870 2621 or email [email protected]. with the song,” he said. Bill Hauritz who is on the Inter- Th e song has been described faith Festival’s Board described the April 29, 12noon-2pm. Th e Barnabas Fellowship meeting at Oxley as an “emotionally engaging and response to the fi rst ever event as Uniting Church Hall. More information contact Ed Smith. “unprecedented”.

May 4-7. Round-About Arts & Crafts show at Bulimba Uniting Church. Contact Wendy on 3399 8657.

May 16. Frontier Services Auxiliary and Th e Gap Day Fellowship musical morning tea at Th e Gap Uniting Church 1050 Waterworks Rd, Th e Gap. Musical program. Contact Jessie Logan on 3278 1868 or Vera Buchley on 3351 3793 for more information.

May 18-23. Queensland Synod meeting at Alexandra Park Conference Centre, Alexandra Headland.

May 26, 2pm. Th anksgiving in fl owers, song and dance at Sandgate Uniting Church, 116 Board Street, Deagon. Demonstration by fl orist Robert Manton with choral music, liturgical dance and afternoon tea. Entry $10. Arrangements for sale. Contact Bobbie Jeays on 3269 6565 or email [email protected].

May 25-27. John L Bell visits Chermside-Kedron Uniting Church. John L Bell is a writer, composer, musician, liturgist and inspiration. Contact Sara Brunt on 3359 9642 or email [email protected].

May 29, 10am. Meeting of retired Ministers, their spouses & widowed members at Th e Gap Uniting Church 1050 Waterworks Road. Morning Tea from 10am, meeting commences at 10.30am folowed by lunch at 12 noon. $13.50/person. Guest speaker Uniting Church President Rev Gregor Henderson speaking on aspects of ‘Living in our Missionary Church’. Enquiries & replies to convenors, Jim and Jill Tame, phone 3891 6462 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

May 31-June 2. Working Group on Worship (Brisbane)

June 8-10. Fijian National Conference (Brisbane)

Want to promote an event? Go to www.journeyonline.com.au and click on ‘What’s On’

12 Journey, April 2007 www.journeyonline.com.au Th ere is a bewildering array of Finding the Deep River scenes and examples drawn upon as Within - A Woman’s Guide he strolls through his subject. Buff y to Recovering Balance and is mixed with Superdude, Frodo, REVIEWS Meaning in Everyday Life Harry Potter, Dr Who, Batman By Abby Seixas and their enemies. Into the Silent Land – Th e Jossey-Bass I would have to argue against Practice of Contemplation him that there is some consistent RRP $35.95 notion of hero or villain. Each, I By Martin Laird would suggest, operates as heroes/ Darton, Longman and Todd When I fi rst picked up Finding heroines for very diff erent reasons RRP $34.95 the Deep River Within I wondered and on diff ering levels of moral if it was going to be another self- strength or ambiguity. Given the need to allocate time help book centred very much on He argues that a hero is for family, work, study, the school the individual self but found to my ultimately defi ned in serving P&C, hobbies, church, and the surprise that it wasn’t. others interests in self-sacrifi ce in World Cup, I have always been Seixas remains focussed as she some form whereas villains gives in bemused by gospel imperatives to encourages women to recover to their need for power. “be still” and “receive peace” and to balance and meaning in their Heroes and Villains He makes connections between hear the “still small voice”… it all lives and she draws on wisdom his themes and related points seemed at odds. from diff erent religious traditions, By Mike Alsford Jesus, a Primer for the made by a range of philosophers And I had never heard of the Curious including Christianity making Darton Longman and Todd and theologians showing a Christian contemplative tradition this book more ‘spiritual’ than RRP $34.95 By John Dickson knowledgeable breadth of – preferring to think, as many do, Blue Bottle Books ‘religious’. familiarity with their work. Th ese that other religions reserved such I was drawn into the very In his book Heroes and Villains Mike include Nietzche, Sartre, Derrida, RRP $3.95 practical nature of the book – the Alsford takes the reader through a Pannenberg and Moltmann. giving of information and then the kaleidoscopic post-modern journey I would have liked a discussion Jesus, a primer for the curious, is a off ering of some exercises to practise skipping across rapid snippets of of the underlying philosophical short booklet or tract written by an the concept being presented. the pop culture comic book, TV notions and theological assumptions Anglican historian to give meaning What Seixas off ers is not new and fi lm heroes and villains. which have been publicly admitted to Christianity mainly for the non- but it does make sense and is a As an affi cionado of Sci Fi and to underlie the works of Tolkien, churched. good, clear reminder of our need to pop culture, I was drawn to this JK Rowling, George Lucas and Each page begins with a slow down in the fast-paced world short book. Anyone who seriously Roddenberry. statement and then develops the of today. tries to deal with the underlying While not an easy read Heroes reasoning for it. As I was reading I found I made themes in these is worth a few and Villains is a thought provoker For example, the fi rst page begins connections to time-honoured points at least. and, while not at all a fan of post- with ‘belief in God is common prayer practices, taking time to Alsford tries to argue that modern rhetoric, this may be a sense’, seemingly taken from the connect to the source of life within examining the archetypal roles of useful discussion starter to bring meaning fi rst posed by John Locke us (which Seixas calls the ‘deep hero and villain helps us to be more theology to the lovers of escapist in the seventeenth century. river’). aware of our own culture’s values culture. Th is is an interesting starting Just some ways of reaching this and our own ethical standards. Robert Brennan is Minister at point for discussion, as it has been place are through doing something Banora Point Uniting Church for many philosophers, and became we love, turning off the internal practices. But I have now heard the standard counter-response to critic and allowing this place to Made for Laughter from this book by American scepticism. remind us of how we are loved, theologian, Associate Professor But the meaning of ‘common making boundaries, being present By Sheila Cassidy Martin Laird OSA. sense’ varied widely among in the present moment and facing Darton, Longman and Todd Th e Oxford University Press philosophers, so using the term what we feel instead of running RRP $39.95 promotes Into the Silent Land as without qualifi cation seems to be away from our emotions. “describing the Christian tradition weak. At the end of the book, Seixas Made for Laughter is primarily of contemplation using a prayer Th e writer’s second statement reminds her readers that accessing the story of a spiritual journey. word to focus the mind, working – the second page – follows the this deep well of life within them It tells of a childhood, a career with the breath to cultivate stillness, question ‘Whose God?” and states will have fl ow-on eff ects in the rest in medicine, imprisonment and the practice of inner vigilance that the God of Christians, by of their lives. and torture in Chile, work in a or awareness”. entering human life, is unarguably Here she very clearly moves hospice and psychotherapy, but it Th e book is small because the the only one to follow. out of the centredness on self is, nonetheless, about one person’s author stays focused on the practice Th e author ignores the fact that (necessary in this instance to spiritual journey in search of the of the prayer word and how to both Jews and Muslims worship teach the practices) to state how will of God. handle the mind games that are the same God. being centred and grounded in the Sheila was born just before found along the way to the stillness He also asserts as his proof ‘deep river’ causes us to be more the outbreak of World War II. of the prayer technique. of the unique claim to God of compassionate and loving towards She was nurtured in the Catholic Some aspects of technique Christianity, the past and current others. Church and has remained within it all her life. Much of her spiritual are repeated several times in the scholarly historical and theological For me this has strong echoes struggle arose from her attraction to the contemplative religious life writing. I wondered if the repeats probing into the life of the historical with being grounded and centred on the one hand, and her deep desire to respond to the needs of the were necessary and decided they Jesus. in God. people around her on the other. Th e result was that she moved between were. After all, the mind does rush Th en follow several short pages I would recommend Finding the two for much of her working life. around from one inhibition to ten showing Jesus as Healer, Teacher the Deep River Within to both men As a young doctor she went to Chile and she was there when distractions! and Judge, using Biblical examples. and women. President Allende was overthrown by a military coup in 1973. Years Th e book is focused, practical Finally Christ as Saviour is the Melanie Perkins is a Minister of of repression followed. (for such a topic), easily understood last point considered, leading to the Word candidate studying at Sheila was caught up in the struggle when she attended to a young and strangely relevant. I found the pivotal statement that this Trinity Theological College man who had been wounded by the police. myself being intrigued by how the Jesus was raised to life as ‘Lord and She was arrested, subjected to torture, and detained until international author ties in the gospel notion of God’. pressure and diplomacy led to her release and deportation. meeting God in the quiet. Th e author’s epilogue, ‘Portrait Sheila resumed her medical career in England and embarked on I found a new understanding of of a Christian’, concludes with a a frenetic schedule of speaking engagements regarding the situation these concepts after all these years. call to faith ‘if all of this is true’. in Chile, but her spiritual quest continued to unsettle her. Th is was And while I have to admit since Jesus, a primer for the curious compounded by the onset of insomnia and depression resulting from reading the book I still haven’t is a fairly traditional look at the her terrible experiences in Chile. tried contemplation yet (typical), basic beliefs of Christianity, and Th rough all this Sheila worked tirelessly to develop Hospice Rev Desmond Tutu says on the considering its brevity, covers the care for the terminally ill and studied to be qualifi ed to practice back cover, “I tried it and it works, main ground. psychotherapy. try it”. However, it doesn’t explore the Made for Laughter is a very honest and inspiring story about a unique I’ll have to come back to this questions likely to be asked by person with a deep desire to be obedient to the will of God, an inbuilt book – something about the today’s curious youth in particular. resistance to conformity, and a passion to care for the suff ering. contemplative tradition as described I felt it fell short of its evocative Once you’ve read it, you’ll want to read her other books: Audacity to by Martin Laird is captivating. title. Believe and Sharing the Darkness. Joan Cook is a member of David Pitman is Moderator of the Queensland Synod of the Michael Hewson is a member Wavell Heights Uniting Church Uniting Church in Australia of The Hills Uniting Church

www.journeyonline.com.au Journey, April 2007 13 1 April: have two full time ministerial Th is was a special appeal that had Central Downs Parish agents to service the area. been made to our congregation. Th e congregations involved John was able to bring to us fi rst Central Downs Parish has two PRAYER DIARY are Ipswich North, Haigslea, hand a picture of the area and the worshipping congregations, Rosewood, Lowood, Fernvale and eff ect that the drought was having. Millmerran and Pittsworth. Both Walloon. Dialogue has now begun Please join us in prayer for the congregations once had other Our prayer is grounded in the instructions that Jesus gave amongst these congregations. We people to whom John ministers, smaller country centres such as us, and in his ongoing example. Prayer opens God’s armoury ask for prayers for the members and that God will send the rain Koorangarra and Norwin. with its superior weapons, able to overcome every obstacle of these congregations, for the that is so desperately needed. Over the past decade these and hindrance. representatives who come together In February, we welcomed Rev worship centres have closed and Th e limitless power of the Cross is basic to the advance of with presbytery to discuss further Gerda Olafsen (out of retirement) so some of our regular worshippers God’s Kingdom. Bring your confi dence in the supremacy of the structure of this move. to oversee our congregation until have to travel up to 25 kilometres the Cross to your prayer life. In February we were able to the fi nalisation of the proposal for for services and meetings. Quite a have a visit from Rev John Case a cluster group ministry. number of our parish members are of the Burke & Wills Patrol. Th e We thank God for the witness of farmers or retired farmers, who are that many will come to know Jesus. more and more families a time of visit followed the donation we had the church in this area and ask that feeling the eff ects of the drought Pray for the young adults’ Bible worship and fellowship that would sent to help in some way the area we might be able to follow where our district and many others are Study that has just begun, that it otherwise not happen. so aff ected by drought. He might lead us in the future. experiencing. will be a source of encouragement Please pray for each of these It has also made it very diffi cult and growth for those attending. strategies, since our aim is to for the church’s once reliable cattle Pray for our minister, Jackson encourage our families in their Tanks prove a clever treat fattening fundraiser to continue. Gill, his wife Victoria, and the living, but most of all in their In Millmerran, Blue Care Elders of the Parish, that the life worship of their Lord and Saviour. By Mardi Lumsden operate from our multifunctional of our congregations will focus on Pray for our Kids of God group, those with the tanks at their houses church building. Th is service is making disciples and releasing the running alongside the morning THE QUEENSLAND Synod can do other things that are more greatly supported by our local gifts of all members for ministry. service; our largest group at the was just one of the many places profi table to them.” committee, made up of several of Pray for the members of the moment is the Prep to grade 5 Clever Tabaziba, Director for the He said the spread of cholera and our Uniting Church members as Adult Fellowship, that their group. Methodist Development and Relief dysentery had also been reduced. well as other denominations and faithful service over many years Pray for our weekly activities: Agency in Zimbabwe, visited on Th e agency fundraises for community members. will continue and that the group intercessory prayer at the church his trip to Australia in March. projects concerned with HIV/ Millmerran First Girls Brigade will continue to be a source of each Th ursday, Bible Study groups, As head of the service arm of the AIDS, environmental protection, unit continues to ‘Seek and Serve’ support and fellowship for the and the Community centre where Methodist church in Zimbabwe, income generating, water and our Lord Jesus Christ within our congregation. the fellowship is grounded in our Mr Tabaziba was interested in sanitation, and food security. community. Th e number of young Pray that God will lead us into faith walk. We walk and work by talking with people from all the “As an implementing agency we girls regularly attending Brigade new ways of being the church in our faith, not by sight. Pray for our Day Synods about the plight of his have got our own problems. We are is encouraging to the dedicated communities, and continue to bless Camp in the June holidays: this is a people and to thank the Uniting operating in a very volatile political leaders and their band of parent our ministries and our witness. huge undertaking and is our main Church’s Lent Event for its situation. helpers. children’s outreach for the year. support of his water tank building “Th e other problem that we face Our congregation provides a 15 April: It has been going non stop for program. is infl ation. Our infl ation when I Sunday school on the third Sunday Moggill over 30 years. Th ere have been almost 650 left, which would have changed for of each month that is supported Please pray that as people come rainwater harvesting tanks built the worse, was 1200%. So it really by our younger families. We are Over the past 30 years the Moggill and join in the activities they will in the north of Zimbabwe by this is a problem when you get funding blessed to have some dedicated RE Congregation and its surrounding be captivated by the spirit of Christ project and Mr Tabaziba said there from outside because prices are teachers in our community and we area has faced many changes. Th e and desire to come to know him in were many benefi ts already being going up every hour. You might give thanks for these loving people area has gone from being a farming an intimate relationship. shown from the tanks. ask for money to build 300 tanks and their skills. community to a very large and Pray with us in our vision for “Walking distances to get clean and you might end up building 100 As in Pittsworth, Religious progressive urban community. No our fellowship to become again the water have been reduced. Now tanks because of infl ation.” Education is done on a co-operative longer do we grow pineapples all centre of community activities, in basis with the other churches. around the church. We are growing order to be productive in bringing Th e town of Pittsworth is homes and families. the seekers into a relationship with growing, with many young families We give thanks and praise for their Lord. and increasing numbers of people resilience in our people, as many Th is is the commission that was working in Toowoomba or at the changes have been addressed as we given to us by our Lord: “Go, share Millmerran power station. Our have moved from the rural aspects with others, encouraging them congregation in the last couple of our worship to a faster-moving to repent then be baptised in the of years has welcomed a number suburban-style worship. name of the Father, Th e Son and of new families, often from other We have chosen to listen to our the Holy Spirit”. church backgrounds. We have a very young married couples and are Th is is our hope for the future active, committed group of young trying a 4.30pm Sunday evening for all Australians. adults who lead PUCY (Pittsworth service and a pot luck dinner to Uniting Church Youth), as well as follow. 22 April: being involved in the worship life Praise God that this has been Ipswich North of the congregation. a success, with quite a few of A number of groups use our our young families choosing to 2007 brings changes to the Ipswich church buildings, including the come at this time as it fi ts in with North area in many ways. “River Older Men’s Network, Blue Care, their lifestyle. Pray that we will Link” is a new shopping area linking AA, and English language classes continue to tailor our services to the North side with the CBD. for a group of Chinese working in our community so that the Gospel New housing estates are taking a local business. Th ese classes are reaches as many as possible. over the farming areas which once organised by the congregation. We are also trying House bordered the area. Director for the Methodist Development and Relief Agency of the We give thanks for the rain that Church services. Th ese are held in a Rev Robert Heathwood has Methodist church in Zimbabwe Clever Tabaziba. Photo by Osker Lau has been received in recent weeks, home on the fi rst Saturday evening retired and Ipswich North is but continue to pray for more to of the month. We commence at seeking a new placement. break the drought in this area. 5.30pm with a BBQ tea, follow Presbytery has suggested that we Pray for our young people, the with a worship time, and close might form a cluster of churches, New Chapel Lifts Spirits children in KUCA and their leaders, by 8pm. Pray that this will give with the proposal being that we WHILST MILLIONS of dollars have been spent on the latest medical technology at Th e Sunshine Coast Private Hospital, the spiritual needs of patients, family and staff have not been forgotten. Th e opening of a Chapel was a welcome addition to the care and support provided for patients, families, staff and all visitors. Hospital Chaplain, Rev Lloyd Beynon said, “Many of the staff and patients have commented already on how much they appreciate the Chapel. Th e Chapel provides a place of quiet and peace in the midst of the busy life of a hospital.” Donations were made to the Chapel by the Uniting Churches at Buderim and Mooloolaba and the Sovereign Order of St John. Th e Chapel was dedicated by Presbytery Minister Rev David Fanning, who emphasised that it was a place where everyone should feel welcome.

14 Journey, April 2007 www.journeyonline.com.au The Uniting Church relies on Luther’s formula Th ank you to all of you who have given years of dedicated service. LETTERS You have earned your retirement. Mr Scott Stephens’ article on “God and Mammon” (March Journey) You will be missed. God bless you proves he has the gift for racy prose. and yours. However, he was perhaps a little rash and uninformed in Living simply Mrs B Pirie condemning Martin Luther’s formula “simul iustus et piccator” as the Gladstone root of all evil in capitalism. As we need to look after the service as I not only give myself Luther’s formula is at the heart of the Presbyterian and environment and our earth anew with it, in Gods service. Editor’s note: Th e Overseas Mission Congregational Churches and is a central plank in the Basis of (February Journey) I would like to I hope fi nancial expediency will Auxiliary has not ended, but has Union. Th e sentence, “Th e whole work of salvation is eff ected by the inform readers of an excellent book never seek to make this part of the joined with the Uniting International sovereign grace of God alone.” [Basis of Union Paragraph 3], was I have just read - Living Simply by worship service redundant. Mission Auxiliary and will continue inserted in the Basis of Union by the demand of the old Presbyterian Murray Sheard. Norma Mulcahy the good work of these people. General Assembly, otherwise there would not have been a Uniting It can be purchased through Gympie Church in 1977. TEAR (Transformation Empow- Money matters Th is sentence distils and re-phrases what is at the heart of erment Advocacy Relief) who Calvinism, Luther’s formula, “simul iustus et piccator” [the Christian work alongside World Vision. I cannot always say that I enjoy believer is simultaneously a saint and a sinner]. Books are $3 and can also be reading Journey. He/she is a saint because they are clothed in all the perfect used in a study of 10 sessions. On However, I must commend righteousness of Jesus Christ in spite of the fact that in themselves the back cover it states: you on the last issue dealing with they remain sinners with a corrupt and sinful nature. ‘Simplicity is a discipline money. It was well presented and Th e Christian ethic which dominates their lives is the powerful practised by many down the ages well balanced. ethic of gratitude; in the gratitude and joy of the forgiveness of sins who seek to follow Jesus’ own Donald McKay and in the enabling power of the Holy Spirit they seek to obey the style of life. To mouth the words Samford Valley commandments of God. of Jesus is religious – to act on them is revolutionary. Th is booklet A job well done Raymond Lindenmayer will challenge you/your group to Manly West confront the accelerating pace To all the members of the Have your say of life, the ecological threat and International Mission Auxiliary. uneven global development. It We are saddened to note the end Letters to the editor may will challenge each member to ask of an era, when the International be edited due to space Is it time? important questions about their Mission Aux conducted its closing limitations. lifestyle.’ meeting in November 2006. Post: Journey GPO Box Is it time for Synod in session Is it time for our Synod to What a wonderful contribution 674 Brisbane 4001 to be about broad visioning and have such a sense of urgency for Ann Bell to Mission over the years 1913 to Email: journey@ucaqld. communication – inspiration and the Good News of Jesus Christ, Yepoon 2006. challenge – celebration and lament to be shared with communities com.au – and that’s it? living without Jesus, that we might Is it time to change the fact actually change what is important that proposals come with such and empower and equip the church Offering plate is still complexity, and the synod leadership to be a sign, witness and foretaste worship expects 300 + people to deal with of God’s life forever? Historically Speaking them, that we might decide things Is it time…I am not sure? So I diff erently? (We shouldn’t have to am waiting…maybe I will end up While I agree with Direct Debiting ask the fl oor of Synod to decide on waiting too long…Please Synod for many things (March editorial), which elements of proposal 6.4.2.1 convince me otherwise. and I do use this method regularly paragraphs a-g should be passed) In Christ I hope. for some payments and donations, Is it time for us to have a shared I would not use it as long as I am mDNA (missional DNA – Vision, Peter Armstrong able to attend worship. Mission, Values, Beliefs) which Redcliffe To me the act of giving my would let us say to the leadership off ering is just as much an act of councils “You know who we are worship as any other part of the and what we are on about…get on and do it…then let us know how The real issues it’s gone!”? Let the SLT or Council of CLASSIFIEDS Synod or the MEB decide the In his book God’s Politics (reviewed model of theological education in Journey last year), the American ACCOMMODATION and empower them to implement author Jim Wallis asks when did THE CATHEDRAL WHICH NEVER WAS the strategies (or whatever area of Jesus become pro-war, pro-rich, Holiday unit, modern, pool. 100m mission and ministry which needs and a selective moralist? As well, from Kings Beach Caloundra from $300/wk. Phone Ray 0427 990 161. It was to have seated 4,000, its Romanesque basilica dominating changing). Sure let us (Synod) he deals with homosexuality and Brisbane’s skyline. Inspired by a cathedral of the same name in know how it’s gone but we trust thinks that this “may not be as Fantastic location for beachfront you to do the job. important as the deeper ethical holiday in charming cottage at Chicago, the Cathedral of the Holy Name had been the vision of Is it time to trust – which, to me, issues of war”. Currumbin Beach, Qld. Vacancies available 2006. Phone 3376 4247. Catholic Archbishop James Duhig. would be an out-fl owing of shared He also makes reference to DNA? Duke Divinity School Professor Bribie Island Holiday Unit. Welsby The long-serving archbishop, known as James the Builder, laid the At the moment we don’t trust Richard B. Hays who wrote, “In Court No. 4, overlooking Bribie foundation stone of the cathedral in 1928. Such was his passion for because we believe we have to the United Methodist Church, we passage, 2 b’rm, LUG, reasonable rates. Frank & Elva Dixon Phone the project, he was prepared to demolish his own residence, the protect / defend / justify our say nothing about the horrifying 07 3264 8080. ‘personal’ position on any number violence in Iraq, while at the same imposing Dara, to ensure the realisation of his vision. of issues. time we exhaust ourselves going London B & B. Easy city access; Is it time to engage and invest round in circles debating issues of lge double room, ensuite, self- For many years, the city held its breath, awaiting word of the (read - wrestle with God and one sexuality.” catering. Reas rates. rachel@ brockleybandb.fsnet.co.uk Ph/Fax: commencement of construction from within the sandstone walls. another) in a shared DNA then Orwellian doublethink is just 001144.2086946538 But in the late nineties, the site was sold for a multi-unit everything works itself out from as apparent among Australian there (not simply, I acknowledge), Christians: indiff erence/acceptance Coolum Beach Qld Holiday – Ren- development. but our behaviour comes out of our of the war in Iraq, the treatment of ovated 3 bedroom brick house, walk DNA. Aborigines and refugees, at least to patrolled beach & shops. Church All that remains of the vision are the architectural drawings for the members discount. Book on-line: It seems to me that less is one million Australians living below http://users.tpg.com.au/coolumb or cathedral that never was. more and to go faster we may the poverty line and questionable call 0418 889657. need to go slower. Is it time that political explanations. Alex Gow Funerals Synod’s timetable refl ects what Let us have vigorous debate A Brisbane-owned family business, established in 1840. is most important – which we about life-challenging issues. Email your classifi ed to had as rhetoric two Synods ago mardi.lumsden@ucaqld.

Phone 3852 1501 0143/D GOW but it never appeared in action/ John Broere com.au behaviour/time tabling. Kuluin

www.journeyonline.com.au Journey, April 2007 15 JOURNEYasks... What does the resurrection mean to you?

Peter Armstrong When God raised Jesus from the dead, he made a statement to the world – in the end, the God who started it all gets the last word. And that word is life – Jesus is alive. We celebrate Jesus’ resurrection for one simple reason: the sin that could destroy us does not carry the day. Jesus forgives us of our sin – personally and globally. By this I mean that in Jesus Christ our personal sin and the sin of the world will not be the ultimate determinant of life. When we look at our lives we see powerful forces. Our mistakes shape who we are. Th e terrible things done against us by others stay with us for way too long. How we were raised, both good and bad, aff ects us. Uncertainty about the future stagnates us. Emptiness drains us. Meaninglessness binds us. Evil overwhelms us. Knowing that someday we will die scares us. Th ese forces seem to be the strongest things in the world. But they are not. God is greater than anything we do; anything done to us; anything we’ve become; and even greater than the death we face. Photo by Bruce Mullan Who is stronger, sin or God? Who lasts longer, death or God? What am I afraid of? When God raised Jesus from the dead, he else wins; sorrow loses; injury ends; sin fails; breath of Queensland air, God is not done God is greater than whatever I fear. put his stamp of victory into this world. death gets trounced. with me because God can’t help but love, Resurrection faith is simple. It is the belief Resurrection faith is also the bedrock On the last day, there is one left standing forgive and give life. that no force we encounter is ever greater of the church. Th e church is completely – and that one is Jesus. than God. grounded in the belief that God wins; no one I have faith that when I breathe my last Peter Armstrong is minister with Redcliffe Uniting Church Congregation.

Jenni Farquhar Rob Brennan

I use the word journey because resurrection Christ there are times when I am stripped What does the resurrection mean to is what I experience after walking through naked of my human limitations. me? In a word it means hope. I don’t Lent and the passion and the waiting. It is a journey of hope because unlike mean hope as in “I hope it will be It is a journey of strength because like Christ I can too easily forget the light - light fi ne (whoops rain) tomorrow”. Christ there are times in my life when I have of hope that sustains me in the darkness of “I hope it will be nice” has for me to walk to the cross. the tomb until I can roll away the stone. as much clout as a piece of soggy It is a journey of vulnerability because like For me the resurrection is a journey asparagus. beyond Easter; a journey of life; a journey If the resurrection promise is to shared. be trusted it has to aff ect more than Th e resurrection is also about relationship what happens later. Let’s face it if – it is relationship. And as soon as I name the you can’t trust Jesus on this, why resurrection as relationship, it is no longer, trust him on anything he promises? “for me”. It is beyond me. It is about “us” and Resurrection hope answers mortal “all”. despair which gives me courage to Photo by Bruce Mullan It is no longer about me experiencing live in the face of my own mortality. the resurrection. It is about witnessing the While very young I was confronted that leaves time to enjoy life’s pleasures. resurrection in others, journeying to the with pointlessness. So much of life seemed And if bad things happen to someone else cross with someone else, standing at the foot temporary and fl eeting. “Why bother – well I’d be glad it wasn’t me. of the cross and weeping at the tomb. doing anything if it won’t last? Why bother But that isn’t the case. Th ere is more to It is about holding onto the light for enduring hardship or the diffi cult? Why risk life and living now because I have hope for someone when they are unable to do so and career, family or even my life for anything?” the future. about helping to roll away stones. If now is all I have, then I can forget the Rather than fearfully consuming a life And in the early light of morning, it’s pious platitudes about helping others and too short and fl eeting, resurrection gives me about having the privilege of standing in the being altruistic. hope to be able to live life now to the full. garden and celebrating new life in Christ. If this is all I have then why shouldn’t I With that hope I can face each new day make my life count for all I want and enjoy? to love, to care, to confront, to weep with the Jenni Farquhar lives in Emerald and Nothing else is logical. grieving and laugh with the rejoicing. is currently a Lay Ministry Worker in So without the resurrection promise I can the Northern Coalfi elds (Dysart and see no reason why I should not be a miserable Rob Brennan is minister at Banora Point Moranbah). just over the NSW border. Photo by Osker Lau selfi sh hedonist in a secure well paying job

16 Journey, April 2007 www.journeyonline.com.au