Restoring hope through education in Uganda

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Chancellor The Melbourne Anglican Michael Shand retires page 6 TMay 2020, No 591 MA ‘Transformative’ gift from Melbourne Anglicans for fire recovery Donors to the Melbourne by this expression of solidarity from Anglican Foundation have raised within the Province of Victoria, tens of thousands of dollars for amid many other donations and emergency relief funds in the acts of human kindness that have Anglican Dioceses of Gippsland and been received. Thank you generous Wangaratta after the devastating Melbournians!” summer fire season. The fires in the Diocese of “The gift of the Melbourne Wangaratta devastated small com- Anglican Foundation and its munities in the Corryong and the supporters has been transformative Alpine regions. in shaping our ministry to bushfire- “These areas were heavily ravaged east Gippsland,” said Bishop impacted economically as both of Gippsland Richard Treloar. “It [regions] depend on tourists for enables us to provide sustained and economic survival,” Bishop of widespread relief directly to affected Wangaratta Clarence Bester said. households and businesses, working “We would like to express our with local parishes to help individu- thanks to all donors who gave to the Dr Richard Treloar, Bishop of Gippsland, with the als and their communities rebuild Melbourne Anglican Foundation.” Revd Jude Benton from the Croajingolong Parish, lives and hope. at fire-affected Croajingolong National Park in “The Diocese is greatly moved Read full story on page 10. East Gippsland in mid-January.

SA’s Archbishop Smith COVID-19: Have a ‘big vision’, says Archbishop Freier the new Primate by Stephen Cauchi “We need to be not just by Mark Brolly looking at the present day Archbishop Philip troubles and tribulations rchbishop Geoff- Freier has urged Anglicans but have a strong vision for rey Smith of Adelaide to have a “big vision” to the future – how ministry is Ais Australia’s new serve others despite the going to be active and vital. Anglican Primate. many difficulties imposed “Who knows what oppor- He succeeds Melbourne’s on Church and society by tunities are being opened for Archbishop Philip Freier, the COVID-19 pandemic. us personally in our life to go whose resignation took effect He made his comments deeper in our discipleship?” on 31 March after Dr Freier had as April marked the first The pandemic was a served almost six years in the full month in the new chance “to show the character post. reality of social distancing, of what it means to be born The new Primate took office with church life now mostly into the life of God, to … immediately following an elec- Archbishop Geoffrey Smith. taking the form of Zoom endure the tribulations of the tronic ballot by the Primatial meetings and phone calls. world for a day but with the Board of Electors that was held Ms Anne Hywood, the “Let’s have a big vision knowledge of eternal glory”. over a 24-hour period from General Secretary of General as we emerge from Archbishop Freier said 4pm on Monday 6 April. Synod, confirmed Archbishop this COVID-19 crisis,” the Diocese of Melbourne He is to serve an initial six- Archbishop Freier said in a year term. Continued on page 10 video message on 22 April. Continued on page 4

PLUS: Staying active and hopeful on climate (pp5, 15); hospital chaplains and COVID-19 (p3) The archbishop writes TMA We can shape a better society out of crisis have commented in this of our society, we will face hard column on a previous occa- choices that balance living a I sion about the work of the “We need to be decent life with other govern- Australian Government in ment spending priorities. reconstruction after the Second prepared for and I feel confident that we World War. It was about having can shape a better society out a bigger vision for Australian shape the society of this crisis. We all need to society when the war ended of the future.” have flexibility in our think- and, in its way, giving a pathway ing and active imaginations as that made all of the wartime we contemplate these things. sacrifice worthwhile. The lan- Christians should feel confident guage used during the present higher level of social network- few months ago. The future is to contribute from our biblical COVID-19 pandemic resonates ing and free expression of certain to have many disconti- understanding of justice and with some of the language used opinion. The present times have nuities with our pre-COVID-19 the value of the human person in those distant days. We have shown us that many institutions experience. We need to be and human family. As a church, much in common with those in Australia and internationally prepared for and to shape the we have shown some promis- wartime years – we don’t know are more brittle than previously society of the future. ing signs of adaptation as we when our crisis will end or the thought. Newspapers in rural The doubling of Centrelink provide pastoral care and lead damage that will be left. We do and regional Australia are benefits for the period of the worship. We have learned new know that, unlike the cessation ceasing publication, and we crisis is one such marker about ways of using electronic media of military hostilities, the end of may well see greater concentra- the future. It is commend- in ministry that will undoubt- the COVD-19 crisis is unlikely tion of media in the same way able that there have also been edly be valuable for our future. to be as clear or decisive. that we seem likely to return fresh investments to provide Keep praying for wisdom On the way through the to a monopoly in Australian stronger pathways into train- in dealing with the COVID-19 COVID-19 pandemic there domestic air travel. ing and employment for the pandemic. We know that the have been many changes to The scale of financial unemployed. The community international scale of devasta- the way we live our lives and, response from government at and welfare sectors in Australia tion is not yet known and as a result, the kind of society every level is unprecedented. have long recognised that the that our apparent success in we have. It has been a time of The intention of ensuring, as level of benefits for the unem- Australia is not the experience anxiety and uncertainty. The far as possible, the integrity of ployed are too low and have had of many others elsewhere. early results demonstrate that institutions and the well-being their value further eroded over Grace and peace in Christ the preventative measures have of citizens is laudable. The long- time. It is inconceivable that Jesus, been effective. Along with the term effect of these measures is JobSeeker and other Centrelink restriction of personal freedom unknown but I am persuaded benefits can be halved to the and the limited use of coercive that we will not return to the pre-COVID-19 levels after six police powers, there has been a “normal” as we knew it only a months. As in many other areas

www.media.anglican.com.au Christianity, climate in focus Clergy Moves Appointments: The Melbourne Anglican by Chris Shearer HANSON, The Revd Mark, appointed Priest-in- TMA Charge, St Stephen, Warrandyte, effective 16 April 2020 HITCHCOCK, The Revd Jordan Roy, appointed Priest- The Melbourne Christ, creation and the climate is in-Charge, St Matthew, Prahran, effective 22 April 2020 Anglican the theme of this month’s episode of the POWYS, The Revd Dr David James, appointed ISSN 1324-5724 Incumbent (from Priest-in-Charge), St John, Bentleigh, new diocesan podcast Angles on Science, effective 23 April 2020 Interim Manager (TMA and Online) Faith and Culture. Host the Revd Dr Permission to Officiate: – Emma Halgren HARROWER, The Right Revd John Douglas, [email protected] Chris Mulherin is joined by Archbishop appointed Permission to Officiate as Priest, of Melbourne Dr Philip Freier, zoologist and ecologist at Diocese of Melbourne, date yet to be confirmed TMA Journalist – Mark Brolly La Trobe University Professor Michael Clarke, creation TROUSE, The Revd Philip Gregory, appointed [email protected] Permission to Officiate as Priest, Diocese of Melbourne, TMA Journalist – Stephen Cauchi care advocate at Interserve Australia Katherine Shields, and effective 31 May 2020 [email protected] environmental scientist and senior advisor at the World Resignations: Digital Journalist – Chris Shearer HARROWER, The Right Revd John Douglas, [email protected] Nuclear Association Ian Hore-Lacy. Bishop assisting the Primate, effective 31 March 2020 Chris and the guests discuss what Christians might Retirements: Advertising broadly describe as “creation care”, the concept of responsible MOORE, The Revd David, Priest-in-Charge to the [email protected] Parish of Christ Church Kensington, effective Subscription Enquiries dominion, the social justice imperative of looking after the 5 July 2020 [email protected] planet, and working out what these could look like in the Obituaries: Design & Layout – Ivan Smith COHEN, The Revd Vernon Leslie, 28 March 2020 [email protected] future. This is the second episode of Angles, which is a April 2020 Clergy Moves Corrections Communications Assistant collaboration between the Diocese of Melbourne and Apologies to: – Jessica Meegama Christians in Science and Technology (ISCAST). LANGMEAD, The Venerable Howard, incorrect name. Published by: You can listen to it by searching for Angles on Science, Faith and Anglican Media Melbourne 209 Flinders Lane Melbourne VIC 3000 Culture on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your podcatcher of Clergy Moves is compiled by the Registry Office. Correspondence should go to ph 9653 4269 choice, or find it directly at https://angles.buzzsprout.com/ [email protected] www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au

2 • The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au TMA AROUND MELBOURNE Hospital chaplains have ‘never been so crucial’ by Muriel Porter of Christ to people in practical ways,” Chris said. he Revd Chris Morris The role of hospital chap- is facing some significant lains has never been so crucial, Tchallenges as chaplain to explains the Revd Stephen the Alfred Hospital during the Delbridge, the coordinator of pandemic crisis, not least of Anglican Health Chaplains. In which has been the loss of his this crisis, only chaplains cur- beard! Now that he has to don rently based in hospitals are the requisite personal protective able to minister to the sick. equipment, his substantial beard Parish clergy who would simply would no longer fit its normally visit parishioners in confines, so it has had to go. hospital are now denied access. But his beard has been the In these tough new condi- least of the issues he is facing. tions, the Anglican chaplains As he told TMA, the situation are keeping in touch with Zoom in the hospital is changing meetings. “We are a very strong daily. New directives come out Chaplain the Revd Chris Morris, who has shaved his beard to fit network, and are supporting the protective gear needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. all the time, and the hospital each other,” Stephen said. has an eerie feeling, as elective pastoral care from the chaplain, of their close contact with the Archbishop Philip Freier has surgery patients and anyone but also companionship, Chris patient, the only pastoral sup- been unswerving in his support not critically ill is moved out to said. And staff also need more port Chris could provide was for the work of hospital chap- make way for a dreaded influx of pastoral care than normal, given through phone calls. Although lains, Stephen said. “He has COVID-19 patients. the stressful situation. this was not ideal, he found it been our greatest champion.” “We are planning for the Care of COVID-19 patients was greatly appreciated. The current situation is worst but hoping for the best,” is particularly challenging, he Hospital chaplaincy was not surely demonstrating just he said. “At the moment, it is the said, citing the example of a a ministry Chris ever expected, how critical their role is and calm before the storm.” patient who died. until he did his pre-ordination the need for prayerful and With patients confined to “It was quite a touching Clinical Pastoral Education financial support. Donations their rooms and allowed only experience,” he said. “The six training at the Alfred. When can be made through the chap- one visitor a day and that for medical staff with me found the opportunity came up to laincy fund of the Melbourne only a brief period of time, it very moving, and were very take on the role of chaplain Anglican Foundation. patients are feeling very isolated thankful.” three years ago, he applied. and even claustrophobic. They With the patient’s family “I do this work for the love Visit www.melbourneanglican.org. need not just spiritual and members in isolation because of Christ, and to bring the love au/melbourne-anglican-foundation/ Bishop retires again but his helping hand knows no rest by Mark Brolly the Primacy should be full-time Barney Zwartz and the General and probably based in Canberra. Secretary of the General Synod, Bishop John Harrower has “I think the Anglican Church Ms Anne Hywood, as difficult retired again, this time as desperately needs a full-time issues such as child sexual abuse Bishop Assisting the Primate person in that role,” Bishop and same-sex marriage tested now that Adelaide’s Archbishop Harrower said. “Philip could the Church. Geoff Smith has succeeded have contributed so much more He said the Archbishop’s Melbourne’s Dr Philip Freier in if he had have had the time. regular TMA column was a the national role. “When you have something very good monthly discipline Bishop Harrower, who in 2015 like a Royal Commission [into “because it brought from the retired after 15 years as Bishop of Institutional Responses to Child man the contribution that we Tasmania, formally finishes his Sexual Abuse] come along, you Bishop John Harrower. all wanted and needed for both role with Archbishop Freier in realise that our lack of a national the Church and society”. July but has started long-service structure is a grave weakness. things and would not always Bishop Harrower also praised leave after “hand-over” duties “Australian society is agree on everything but that Archbishop Freier for his “reas- on primatial matters. demanding more. Look at the was part of the richness of our suring and particularly comfort- Yet, even now, he is not Royal Commission’s report on relationship.” ing voice” in 2016 when police quite finished: he is to help the the Anglican Church.” He praised Archbishop Freier thwarted plans for a Christmas Archbishop with some pastoral He described his time assist- for his keen intellect, saying he bomb attack at Flinders Street matters on a voluntary basis ing Archbishop Freier as “a very has “a fine Christian mind”. Station, Federation Square and until mid-2021. satisfying relationship for both But the role assisting the St Paul’s Cathedral. But four-and-a-half years o f u s”. Primate was bigger than he had Bishop Harrower is looking in what was meant to be a “We knew each other well anticipated and he spoke warmly forward to spending time with half-time role in the Primate’s and had great confidence in of working with Dr Freier and his wife Gayelene, their two office has convinced him that each other. We would discuss people such as his media adviser sons and three grandchildren. www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 • 3 AROUND MELBOURNE TMA Hope, and a meal, in the midst of suffering by Rachael Lopez “We are hearing so many heartbreaking stories of job ts doors may have losses, poverty and fear,” Dr closed, but St Peter’s Eastern Kempster said. Through its IHill is busier than ever. The chaplaincy program to RMIT inner-city parish normally has University, St Peter’s has dis- thousands of people walking covered Australia’s new poor. past each day due to its proximity There are many students who to Parliament Station, and now it used to rely on casual work is working with the Parliament to survive but are now jobless House kitchens to deliver hun- and not eligible for Centrelink dreds of pre-packaged meals support. every day to people in need dur- “One young woman who ing the coronavirus pandemic. comes to pick up meals told The church’s coffee cart Volunteers pick up meals to distribute to vulnerable people. us that she is in a flat with Heaven at the Hill recently five other students. When the expanded from coffee to cater- at the Hill. She volunteers full- restrictions broke, all six lost ing, giving valuable job training time as its Operations Manager, their jobs in one day,” he said. for those wanting to enter the “Meal overseeing the full-time barista He also spoke about a man hospitality industry. distribution as well as volunteers. She was who came to pick up food. “‘I While the coffee cart is still eager to take on this next chal- have never been out of work in open, staff and volunteers are has grown lenge and is now supervising 13 40 years,’ the man told us, ‘but now also busy preparing and volunteers, including students last week, in one day, my wife packing nutritious cooked from 60 to 350 from four universities. and I both lost our jobs. We meals, as well as packs of staples meals per day.” Since the program started don’t have much in the way of such as eggs, bread and milk, on 26 March, meal distribution savings. I don’t know what we after the Vicar, the Revd Dr has grown from 60 to 350 meals are going to do. These meals are Hugh Kempster – who is also Hill could help distribute meals per day, and more than 7000 a life saver! Thank you!’” Chaplain to State Parliament to people in need during this meals have been distributed. – was asked by the President pandemic. Volunteer drivers are going as To give to St Peter’s Eastern Hill of the Legislative Council, Mr It is Dr Ree Boddé who is the far as Corio and Sunbury to Charitable Foundation, visit Shaun Leane, if Heaven at the driving force behind Heaven deliver meals. https://spehcf.com.au/donations COVID-19: Have a ‘big vision’, says Archbishop Freier – from page 1 endured much financial JobKeeper and other schemes ing to the virus in two days. In hardship during the 1890s are continued then that’s when all, 56 people, including 22 staff, depression but showed “great that financial support runs out.” have been infected there. determination” and started Mr Spackman said churches Anglicare Sydney CEO Mr many new churches. had shown “amazing resource- Grant Millard said the outbreak “What’s the future look fulness” to continue worship- had been “unprecedented and like that we’re being called to ping and in some cases churches traumatic”. embrace with hope and with had grown as a result of people “We were warned on the courage?” attending online services. weekend to expect a number CEO of the Melbourne Churches had also shown of very difficult days this week Anglican Diocesan Corporation, innovative ways of encouraging with residents passing, so we do Ken Spackman, said the finan- giving. “We’ve had one example anticipate more deaths,” he said. cial impact of church closures of somebody going around on a • Anglican Indigenous was not yet fully understood. Archbishop Philip Freier. bicycle to collect the envelopes leaders from around the But the Diocese was “pretty every week,” he said. worldwide Communion have quietly confident” of receiv- The Diocese is bracing for also expressed concern for the ing the Federal Government’s “We need to … a possible surge of COVID-19 health of Indigenous peoples JobKeeper allowance for its cases as Australia prepares to from the COVID-19 pandemic. 750 staff. It was also applying have a strong enter winter and the peak of the A Zoom meeting of the for other Federal and State vision for the flu season. global Anglican Indigenous Government grants, he said. • As this issue of TMA Network (AIN) in late March “One of the big risks for the future …” was being finalised, the ABC concluded that governments Diocese generally is the length reported that the number of were not taking into account of time that churches might be deaths from COVID-19 at the extra needs of Indigenous closed under the current regime,” “If we see continuing restric- Newmarch House aged care communities, particularly he said. “The longer it goes on, tions beyond, say, September facility in NSW, operated by older and at-risk people, the in many cases, the worse the then I think that’s going to be a Anglicare Sydney, had reached Anglican Communion News financial position becomes. real problem because unless the 12, with five residents succumb- Service reported. 4 • The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au TMA AROUND MELBOURNE ARRCC goes online to remain vigilant on climate by Tim Kroenert tancing restrictions were rolled massive disruption to “business out, and suddenly ARRCC was, as usual” that social distancing t all happened very like most of us, having to rethink laws have entailed can skew the quickly. As 2020 dawned, what this year was going to look data when it comes to the cur- Imembers of ARRCC — the like. Robert Dawlings, who has rent state of the climate. In fact, multi-faith activist group the attended St Philip’s Collingwood ARRCC is convinced that now Australian Religious Response to for more than 20 years, had more than ever is a time to be Climate Change — were steeling only recently taken responsibil- vigilant when it comes to these themselves for a big year. The ity for coordinating ARRCC issues. next Schools Strike 4 Climate Melbourne meetings when “There is evidence that, at was due to take place on 15 May, everything changed – though, as least temporarily, the arrival of with ARRCC planning to throw he tells TMA, the differences are COVID-19 has cut greenhouse its full weight behind the protest more in form than in substance. gas emissions,” ARRCC head marches. In Melbourne, this “We’re writing to councils Thea Ormerod said in a message would have included a multi- to say please don’t work with ARRCC head Thea Ormerod. to the group’s mailing list. faith service to be held prior to any Adani subcontractor,” he “Given that so many people the main speeches. says. “We’re about to do an found unexpected blessings in are suffering, this is not the way Meanwhile, ARRCC was online campaign against Marsh being forced to find new ways we want emissions to go down. continuing to support efforts to because their AGM is in May, so to connect. Furthermore, a crisis that hap- disrupt the Queensland Adani we expect to do a lot of emailing “We’re getting more people pens to cut emissions should mine. Early this year, Melbourne and social media along with the to our online meetings than we not be confused with an actual members gathered in front of Stop Adani network. The school had attending in person,” says strategy for cutting emissions. the offices of Marsh insurance strikers are planning to go totally Robert. “We’re actually holding The fight for that must continue.” brokers – mooted as a major online, so we’re now planning an more meetings in the lead-up target of action this year – sing- online multi-faith service before to the climate strike, which we For more information on how to ing hymns with customised the online speeches. So that’s wouldn’t have been able to do if attend the multi-faith nationwide environmental lyrics: “Amazing how our public interaction has people had to travel.” online service and Schools Strike 4 grace!” they sang, “How sweet changed.” There’s no question that Climate on 15 May, visit the sound / When we can truly Like many social and com- these are times of high anxiety, www.arrcc.org.au say, / How we’ll rejoice and earth munity groups, ARRCC has and that for many people issues be glad / That coal is dead today.” embraced online video confer- like climate change have, under- See articles on page 2 and 15. Just weeks later, COVID-19 encing for its meetings – and, standably, slipped down the list began to rear its head; social dis- like many such groups, has of priorities. Additionally, the Tim Kroenert is a Melbourne writer. Anglicare Victoria launches appeal to help during coronavirus As a result of COVID-19 and Anglicare Victoria’s emergency “We have had to find new the help of our supporters.” its economic impact across relief centres, the bigger issue ways of sourcing food for emer- Mr Hadkiss said that on the community, demand for has been sourcing food to keep gency relief efforts as a result of the plus side, Anglicans are emergency relief such up with the demand. the challenges with the supply a big-hearted and generous as food and other “Emergency relief is of some items and the need to community, and those who essentials is coming an incredibly important ensure appropriate hygiene and feel financially secure are keen with some extra chal- part of our business at social distancing at all times. to help others who are out of lenges. And that’s why Anglicare Victoria, and “Many of our amazing work and wondering how they Anglicare Victoria is even more so right now volunteers are of an age where are going to get by. running a fundraising with many people doing they are at higher risk for appeal to help those in it tough during the coronavirus, and this has meant To assist Anglicare Victoria’s work need. COVID-19 pandemic,” says doing things very differently to during this time, please visit https:// While social distancing and Tom Hadkiss, head of Anglicare how we have in the past. Like www.anglicarevic.org.au/donation/. regularly disinfecting surfaces Victoria’s Diocesan parish many industries, we are actively For more information call were minor adjustments for partnerships. embracing new solutions with 1800 809 722.

STREAMING SERVICES facebook.com/StPaulsCathedralMelbourne at St Paul’s Cathedral youtube.com/c/StPaulsCathedralMelbourne Sundays Weekdays www.cathedral.org.au 8am BCP Eucharist with Sermon 12.15pm Lunchtime Eucharist 10am Sung Eucharist with Hymns, (Tuesday & Thursday) all-age Bible Talk and Sermon 5.10pm Sung Evening Prayer 2pm Mandarin Eucharist 華語崇拜 (Wednesday & Friday) www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 • 5 AROUND MELBOURNE TMA Chancellor Michael Shand retires, former Justice Clyde Croft his successor by Mark Brolly bishop of Melbourne, the late more time, at least two full days Bishop David Shand, Mr Shand’s a week – often more than that – he Chancellor, Mr term as Chancellor was marked pointing in my view to the need Michael Shand QC, has by significant changes, many of for the diocese to have senior Tretired after nearly 13 them flowing in whole or in part legal counsel on staff in one years as the chief legal officer of from child sexual abuse inquir- capacity or other”. the Melbourne diocese. ies in Victoria and nationally in Mr Shand has practised as Mr Shand, a familiar figure the past decade. a barrister at the Victorian Bar sitting next to the Archbishop In a Facebook post on 31 since 1980, was appointed a at diocesan synod meetings, March, Mr Shand wrote: “It’s Queen’s Counsel in 1997 and retired on 31 March and at the been a privilege to have advised has chaired the Victorian Bar same time ceased to hold the the Archbishop over so many Council. He was made a Member office of Chancellor to the years and to have had the oppor- Michael Shand, QC. of the Order of Australia last Primate. Archbishop Philip tunity to develop a wide range of year for significant service to the Freier’s resignation as Primate significant Church legislation ...” Anglican Trust Corporation. Anglican Church of Australia, also took effect that day. He cited legislation support- Mr Shand told TMA that he and to the legal profession. Mr Shand, who is to continue ing child safety, professional hoped one “enduring stand-out” The new Chancellor, former his practice at the Bar, became standards for clergy and lay of his time as Chancellor would Justice Croft, retired from the Chancellor in July 2007, seven people, incorporation of the be the creation of Kooyoora Ltd. Supreme Court last year. Like months after Dr Freier took Melbourne Anglican Diocesan “Kooyoora has lived up to Mr Shand, he was awarded an office. He is a former Chancellor Corporation, the creation of the its promise and much more,” AM last year. of Ballarat diocese. independent Kooyoora Ltd to he said. “It has a dedicated Among other roles in the He has been succeeded as manage complaints and clear- multi-skilled professional staff Church, he has been a member Chancellor by former Supreme ances, and separate contempo- embracing psychology, the law, of the Appellate Tribunal – its Court Justice Clyde Croft, who rary governance acts for the police enforcement and redress.” highest court – since 2014 and was Deputy Chancellor. Archbishop-in-Council, St Paul’s He said his role as Chancellor Chancellor of the Wangaratta The son of a former assistant Cathedral and the Melbourne “seemed to take up more and diocese since 2010. For churches, there are opportunities to be found in current crisis by Ken Morgan malising phase requires contact brief piece-to-camera every few with constituents: personal, days and posting it on YouTube. The COVID-19 crisis is the frequent and brief contact. It Zoom or Google Hangouts can most disruptive phenomenon reassures and calms your con- be used to set up a regular “chat” our society has experienced stituents that things are okay. session with no agenda other since WWII. For the church, Most churches are now than to touch base. social distancing laws have order of the day. There will be trying to ensure connection to necessitated rapid adaptation. complaints and criticisms, and their congregations. This usu- 3. Mobilise A crisis requires different these are best ignored. ally means drawing a sociogram Move to goal-directed action in leadership to more predictable mapping out who’s connected light of new realities. times. While the actual tactics 2. Normalise to whom, and mobilising small Rather than “waiting it out”, adopted in response to the sud- This phase requires leader- group leaders and pastoral car- churches will do well to identify den challenge will be unique ship that is both decisive and ers to intentionally build and opportunities created by the to each church and denomi- inclusive. maintain connection. crisis. A chance to build some national structure, effective The normalising phase The impulse may be to send neighbourhood co-operation, leadership in a crisis follows an requires broadening involve- a comprehensive weekly mail, provide contact and help to identifiable, three-phase pattern. ment of constituents to the loaded with information about isolated people, find a way to greatest possible extent. The what’s going on and where to serve people in essential services. 1. Stabilise temptation for the leader is to get resources. It’s better to send Churches are good at providing This phase requires directive and hunker with their key people and a very brief note with one topic food and solace. This is our decisive leadership. confine responsibilities to this every few days. opportunity to shine if we can By this time, most churches small group. Involvement fosters A church Facebook page spot the opportunities. have attained some stability, commitment, so getting as many can be a useful place for people making choices about how ser- congregation members involved to connect. Short, light posts Ken Morgan is Head of Parish vices will be offered by distance, in maintaining the church’s are best. Longer pieces can be Mission and Resourcing (Acting) for and how parish council will meet. modified operations serves to posted on a blog. the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne. This is not the time for preserve and build commitment Congregation members will perfection. “Good enough” at a time when there’s a risk of want to see their leader’s face Read the full version of this article decisions that give some degree people disengaging. and hear their voice. This can at http://tma.melbourneanglican.org. of stability and certainty are the Most importantly, the nor- be achieved by creating a very au/outreach 6 • The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au TMA TRANSFORMING LIVES Ministry of restoring hope through education by Muriel Porter

ack in March, before lockdown restrictions Bwere imposed here, a visitor from Uganda offered a welcome reality check. The founder of a remarkable project that is rebuilding the Uganda project, which also lives of vulnerable and abused works in the area of providing women in Uganda, Alice Achan’s safe birth and maternal health, story – recounted in a newly- a critical issue in Uganda. If published book, The School young girls give birth in their vil- of Restoration – is a story of lages, either with no assistance immense resilience and courage. or only traditional assistance, “We need to look outwards,” both they and their babies can Alice told TMA. “We need to Alice Achan with her co-author, Sydney journalist and die, Alice explained. They can keep things in perspective.” philanthropist Philippa Tyndale, who has supported Alice also become infected with HIV, and her work for many years. Photo Nikki Denholm, Exposure Alice’s visit to Australia, to which is rampant in the country. launch her new book, had to for her life when her village was midwives, nurses and primary The maternal health project be cut short because of the pan- attacked. She spent five years school teachers; a few going to also relies on donations, with demic crisis. Nevertheless, she on the run from the Lord’s university to become account- just $15 providing a safe birthing found time to speak to TMA by Resistance Army, the violent ants, social workers, educators kit, and $50 a full safe birth. telephone from Sydney before rebels who have impacted and administrators. Girls in Donating, Alice said, can be her urgent return home. Uganda and other African coun- the vocational stream have a means for Australians, whose The Pader Girls Academy, the tries since the mid-1980s. become seamstresses, bakers lives are so blessed, to bless school she founded in Northern Decades of conflict and pov- and hairdressers. somebody they don’t know. Uganda – known as the “school erty have destroyed the family But poverty continues to “This is a ministry, reaching out of restoration” – has 250 stu- and society networks that had threaten numbers of the girls, to the needy. This is restoring dents across its two campuses. protected young women. With who can be at the school only hope, and a life that has been Girls rescued from poverty the networks broken, young while their scholarships con- stolen.” Such a ministry con- and exploitation as sex workers girls are often married off as tinue. If the scholarship runs out nects directly with the Gospel learn a variety of vocational and young as 14. Unable to sustain before their four-year course is of Jesus, by reaching out to the academic skills to equip them the relationship, they run away finished, the girls have to leave, poor and needy, said Alice, who to lead a safe, independent life. and end up on the streets, where often with no alternative but is a devout Christian from an More than 1,000 girls have been commercial sex puts them in to go back to their dangerous Anglican upbringing. educated at the school since great danger. Those able to come lifestyle. Funding for more Alice founded it in 2008. to the school often turn up with scholarships is really needed, To donate, visit The 47-year-old had herself babies in tow. Alice said. At $300 a year, which https://ccfpader.org/donate/ experienced great suffering in The school offers academic includes boarding fees, they are the turmoil of the civil conflict and vocational training for girls good value for money. The School of Restoration, co-written in her country. As a 13-year-old, whose education has been dis- The school is part of the by Alice Achan and Australian protecting two young family rupted. Those in the academic broader CCF (Christian journalist Philippa Tyndale, is members, she was forced to flee stream have gone on to become Children’s Fund) Northern published by Allen & Unwin.

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Please donate now. bsl.org.au/donate Donations of $2 or more to the Brotherhood of St. Laurence may be tax deductible. © 2020 Brotherhood of St. Laurence. ARBN 100 042 822 ABN 24 603 467 024 www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 • 7 AROUND MELBOURNE TMA The bones of Eanswythe: a reminder of a shared story by Chris Lancaster faith tradition at Folkestone Revd W.H. Edwardes was the from the mid-seventh century first priest of the new parish It’s not often that the bones to the present day.” at Altona; he had begun his of your parish patron saint are There is another strand of ordained ministry 40 years in the news. But that was the that living tradition here in earlier in Folkestone, and case in early March, when Melbourne. In the 1920s the so suggested that this new the parish of St Mary and church on the other side St Eanswythe, in Folkestone, of the world might also be Kent, announced the outcome dedicated to St Eanswythe. of fresh analysis of bones As far as we know, it is the discovered over a century ago only St Eanswythe’s Church in the church. University analysed the outside Kent. Eanswythe was a Kentish bones with the latest available Over the years, various princess, granddaughter of the technology. parishioners from Altona first English king to convert Everything added up. have made a point of visiting to Christianity, and she is The bones, about half of a the church in Folkestone thought to have founded one skeleton, came from one when in the UK, and we of the first women’s monastic person, probably female, have a processional cross that communities in England in probably aged between 17 was given by that parish of around AD 660. She died not and 20. There were no signs St Mary and St Eanswythe. long afterwards, in her late of malnutrition, suggesting The connection was renewed teens or early twenties, and a person of high status. when some of those involved her memory is honoured as Radiocarbon dating placed in the Finding Eanswythe the patron saint of the town of them with high likelihood in project contacted us to pass Folkestone. the mid-seventh century. on this news of Eanswythe’s In 1885, workers renovat- Dr Andrew Richardson, bones. ing the parish church found of the Canterbury And so we are left to within the walls a lead box Archaeological Trust, said wonder at the fruit that is still containing human remains. It these results were highly emerging from the short life seemed plausible, if not likely, significant. “It now looks and even shorter ministry of that they were the bones of probable that we have the this remarkable young woman Eanswythe herself: hidden only surviving remains of a from the seventh century, safely away at the Reformation member of the Kentish royal as her story and her bones when so many saints’ relics family, and one of the earliest connect Christians from both were destroyed, and then Anglo-Saxon saints … The sides of the world. forgotten. In January this year, project represents a wonderful funded by a National Lottery conjunction not only of The Revd Chris Lancaster is Vicar of grant, a team of experts from archaeology and history, but St Eanswythe’s Altona with Canterbury Christ Church also of a continuous living Hourahane. Mark Photos: St Clement’s Altona Meadows War memories from an Anglican parishioner by Stephen Cauchi get through the war and then adapt to life in Australia Jan Vis, an Anglican after he emigrated from the parishioner who joined the Netherlands in 1952. Dutch resistance against the During the war he joined Nazis, has contributed to the the Dutch underground new book Blood, Toil, Tears resistance, which meant and Sweat: Remembering the churchgoing was not feasible. Pakenham District’s WW2 “But I was boarding with Service Personnel 1939-1945. people who were of my The book was written by same faith so we always had historian Patrick Ferry to evening prayers and Bible Jan Vis. Photo: Stewart Chambers, Pakenham Gazette. mark the 75th anniversary reading,” he said. “I never of the war’s end and is being doubted my faith.” Jannetje to Australia. book, he is one of a “handful” published by the Berwick- After the war, Mr Vis Five years ago, he joined of surviving World War 2 Pakenham Historical Society joined the Dutch Army in the St James’ and became an Pakenham veterans. and Pakenham RSL. Netherlands East Indies (now Anglican for the first time. Mr Vis, who worships Indonesia) until 1948. He Mr Vis has been active Read the full story at at St James’ Pakenham, told returned home and then in with Pakenham RSL for tma.melbourneanglican.org.au/ TMA his faith helped him 1952 emigrated with his wife many years. According to the news 8 • The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au TMA ACROSS AUSTRALIA Foodbanks ‘overwhelmed’ by pandemic by Stephen Cauchi their stock so we weren’t able helped a bit and also the super- to order enough basics – food markets have been a bit more oodbanks, including staples like pasta and pasta stocked as well,” he said. those run by churches, are sauce and cereal (and) rice. “Foodbank Victoria has Funder intense pressure “We weren’t able to order as managed to source some more as the coronavirus pandemic much and so we had to try and stuff so we are not in the posi- drives job losses, wage cuts and source stuff locally.” tion that we were in a few weeks food hoarding. Mr Barclay said he was ago. At St Mark’s Anglican forced to go to Mildura, 15 “So the pressure’s off a little church in the Sunraysia town kilometres away, to buy staples bit but longer-term, not sure of Red Cliffs, demand for food- for the foodbank. But because how it’s going to go.” bank supplies soared in March supermarkets have restrictions Both the foodbank, and and April, according to the on how many staples could be the parish of Sunraysia South church’s pastor, the Revd Dale bought, that meant visiting where St Mark’s is located, are Barclay. three or four supermarkets to supported by the Bush Church In March, the foodbank source enough stock. Aid Society. helped 300 people – five times Toilet paper, of course, was The Society gave the food- as many as it did the previous in demand. “I’ve gone into bank a grant so it could source March, he said. Demand for Mildura at what I thought were The Revd Dale Barclay. the extra food, said Mr Barclay. April is also way up on the the right times to purchase Fittingly, the society was previous year. toilet paper and so we have pro- “All of the food comes in formed by Anglicans during the The foodbank sources its vided a fair bit of toilet paper as there and we unpack it and sort Spanish flu pandemic a century stock from Foodbank Victoria well,” he said. it out and put it in boxes and ago. It was designed to help in Melbourne, he said. But “Every (foodbank) box has a take it across to the shop.” meet the spiritual and material in early March, Foodbank couple of rolls.” Things have improved needs of remote Australians. Victoria was “overwhelmed”. The foodbank is ordering slightly but the future is uncer- It currently partners with “Foodbank Victoria was so much food the church hall tain, he said. Anglican dioceses around inundated about a month ago. has been turned into a pantry, “The money coming in from Australia and other Christian They had a huge demand on he said. the Government’s probably organisations. Church agencies welcome JobKeeper changes Anglicare Australia and and losses. Before this announce- The changes were UnitingCare Australia have ment, thousands of workers were announced by the Federal welcomed changes to the looking at being stood down. Government on 24 April. Federal Government’s JobKeeper “These staff are trained in UnitingCare Australia scheme that will open it up to key areas, like childcare and dis- National Director Claerwen more charities. ability, which are at the centre Little said the changes would “This announcement is good of Australia’s workforce. They help thousands of people access news for thousands of charities will be critical to restarting the vital community services. across Australia – and for their economy and recovering from “As the coronavirus crisis staff,” said Anglicare Australia this downturn. unfolds, we continue to see Executive Director Kasy “These changes mean that we more people reaching for our Kasy Chambers from Anglicare. Chambers. can keep more of those staff on, services, many for the first “Charities run differently play our part in restarting the time. The changes announced important support, particularly from businesses. Our budgets economy, and keep serving our today will help the UnitingCare to those most vulnerable in our are not just about simple profits communities.” network keep on providing this communities,” she said.

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POLICE CHILD PROTECTION KOOYOORA PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS 000 1300 360 391 1800 135 246 www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 • 9 ACROSS AUSTRALIA TMA ‘Humbling’ generosity after devastating fires by Nicola Templeton in Wangaratta devastated small communities such as Walwa, onors to the Cudgewa and Corryong, 218km Melbourne Anglican from the City of Wangaratta. DFoundation have raised They then stretched south- tens of thousands of dollars west into the Alpine region to for the emergency relief funds Harrietville, Bright, Myrtleford, in the Anglican Dioceses of Carboor and Whorouly. Gippsland and Wangaratta after Starting on 30 December, the the devastating summer fire fires burned continuously for season. Clergy from both dio- two weeks. ceses thanked donors for their Fire in north-east Victoria at New Year. Photo: Aaron Wallace “The Corryong area is the generosity after MAF was able farthest outlying area of the to distribute just under $70,000, In Gippsland the funds were “Trauma experienced can Diocese, about 85km from the which was raised in January and used in the immediate aftermath manifest itself in so many ways closest parish. It’s only a small February, to the two dioceses. to provide a voucher system for and is not immediately apparent. community and the major “Fire can sweep through an groceries and fuel, and support So many people will say ‘I’m OK’, concern was how we would be area in such [a] short time and pastoral care and services by but when you spend a length of able to respond given the need,” leave a legacy of destruction, locums in remote communities. time with them, you discover Bishop of Wangaratta Clarence both physically and emotion- Coordinator for the often they are not. We have been Bester said. “These areas were ally,” Registrar of the Gippsland Gippsland Diocese Bushfire able to respond to needs by link- heavily impacted economically Diocese Richard Connelly said. Recovery, the Revd Cathy ing people to services and grants as both [regions] depend on “The whole East Gippsland Turnbull, said 60 per cent of the or providing direct help through tourists for economic survival. region has been devastated. How MAF donation had now been the Diocesan Emergency Relief “We would like to express the community can be expected distributed. Fu n d .” our thanks to all donors who to support their church at this “We have a number of In Wangaratta, $27,000 was gave to the Melbourne Anglican time is so reduced given people’s requests from clergy for those used to repair and fence prop- Foundation,” he said. personal need for recovery. We who have their home but lost erties damaged by fire, hold have been continually over- everything, including their community-building events, If you would like to support whelmed by the generosity of income. To be able to provide subsidise fuel costs for four bushfire recovery in Gippsland or so many people. The simple act immediate financial support Victorian Council of Churches Wangaratta, please visit https:// of one person being generous to helps people materially and emergency personnel, support a www.melbourneanglican.org.au/ strangers in fire-affected towns reminds them that they don’t counselling service and appoint melbourne-anglican-foundation/ is so humbling. The generosity have to do it all on their own.” two part-time coordinators of the Melbourne Anglican She said a key concern now to enable Anglican ministry Nicola Templeton is Director of Foundation has been greatly was for people’s mental health in affected areas throughout Development and Communications, appreciated.” following this summer’s horror. January and February. The fires Melbourne Anglican Foundation. SA’s Archbishop Smith the new Primate – continued from p1 Smith’s election in a letter to his installation as Archbishop on 19 restrictions were imposed “That meeting has now been General Synod members, writ- 28 April that year, Archbishop – in which it is understood that postponed until 2021. Attention ing that he had received the Smith was an Assistant Bishop Archbishop Smith fell only one will now turn to the Appellate requisite majorities in each and General Manager and vote short in the House of Clergy Tribunal who will make a rul- house of bishops, clergy and Registrar of the Diocese of in four of the seven ballots held ing on the Wangaratta and laity “and has accepted this Brisbane. then. Bishop Richard Condie of Newcastle dioceses’ decision to office in writing”. Ordained a deacon for the Tasmania was the last remaining approve a blessing of persons in Archbishop Smith, who cele- Diocese of Grafton in 1982 and contender. a same-sex marriage.” brated his 60th birthday last year, priested the following year, The vote last month is Archbishop Freier told the Anglican Communion Archbishop Smith’s other roles believed to have been 31-11 for announced last November that News Service: “I am very con- have included being Rector of Archbishop Smith, with clear he would step down as Primate scious of the enormous privilege Taraka in Papua New Guinea, majorities in all houses. before his term was due to we the church have in sharing first Vicar of the Parochial Sydney Anglican priest and expire and would not seek the mission of Christ, and the District of Sawtell-Bonville blogger the Revd David Ould re-election but that he would importance of unity in that in NSW, National Director of wrote on davidould.net that continue as the Archbishop of task. My prayer is that our unity the Anglican Board of Mission Archbishop Smith’s election Melbourne, a role he has held might be strengthened to better – Australia and Bishop of the “follows a decision to abstain by since 2006. enable the witness and work of Southern Region of the Brisbane a number of those clergy who Brisbane’s Archbishop Phillip the church in the world.” diocese. had previously voted for Bishop Aspinall, who was Primate from He became the 10th Bishop Last month’s ballot follows a Condie of Tasmania”. 2005-14, was acting Primate and fifth Archbishop of deadlock at the first meeting of “The new Primate’s first task in the brief period between Dr Adelaide and Metropolitan of the Board of Electors in Sydney was to have been chairing the Freier’s resignation taking effect South Australia in 2017. Before on 14 March – before COVID- General Synod,” Mr Ould wrote. and Archbishop Smith’s election. 10 • The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au TMA WIDER WORLD Melanesian church acts as Cyclone Harold hits he Diocese of as members of the Health Vanuatu and New Cluster Emergency Medical TCaledonia in the Anglican Team to provide COVID-19 Church of Melanesia activated awareness and spiritual encour- its Emergency Operations agement to affected communi- Centre in response to Cyclone ties and people living with Harold, which caused severe disabilities. devastation across the Solomon “I call on all partners of Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga The Red Cross described the tional efforts to offer relief – and the Anglican Church and the last month. situation as “catastrophic”. Australia became embroiled in Anglican Community at large A Good Friday message The Category 5 Cyclone a controversy with China over to assist us in this time of great from Bishop James Tama of came as many countries in the delays in delivering humanitar- need so that we may rebuild, we the Diocese of Central Vanuatu Pacific Islands were on strict ian relief due to a RAAF C-17 may build back our communi- and New Caledonia announced lockdown due to COVID-19. aircraft being unable to land ties and we may resume the that the Emergency Operations Most Pacific Island nations because a Chinese plane was mission of the church,” he said. Centre had been activated. had been praised for their early on the tarmac. “The trees and gardens may In Vanuatu, nearly 160,000 response to the pandemic, with Bishop Tama said the be destroyed, but our spirit people needed assistance. The many remaining virus-free. diocese already had working remains intact. Our homes land was stripped of crops and It was feared that Vanuatu’s parties clearing the debris and families may be struggling homes, leaving thousands in efforts to keep COVID-19 out throughout each parish, and but our faith and our Church need of shelter, water and food. would delay the usual interna- that clergy were being deployed remain standing.” [with ACNS] Anglicans worldwide celebrate a dispersed and digital Easter Dear Advertiser, by Mark Brolly “There needs to be a resur- Kanishka Raffel led the rection of our common life, Thank you for advertising with TMA (TheEaster Melbourne Sunday Anglican) service. from St Archbishop Justin Welby something that links to the We have received your artwork, andAndrew’s have checked Cathedral, it as carefullywhich was as of Canterbury celebrated Holy old, but is different and more possible. However, to be completely certain,telecast please nationally check that on the 9 adGEM. below Communion on Easter Sunday beautiful.” has reproduced as you expected. If not, pleaseDr Davies call Bryce said: immediately “Our God on (03) 9653 4219. from the kitchen of his flat In the US, Presiding Bishop is not socially distant. He longs at Lambeth Palace due to the Michael Curry of The Episcopal 9 Artwork opened in compatibleto program hear our and prayers visually andchecked answer coronavirus pandemic. Church pre-recorded his Easter them ... He will not abandon us.” Artwork placed in InDesign and preflighted (fonts, graphics etc.) The service, recorded on the sermon from Washington 9 Dean Raffel said the pan- Archbishop’s iPad, was part of National Cathedral for inclu- 9 PDF created from InDesign CS4demic (this PDF had will caused be placed a re-evalua in TMA) - the Church of England’s first sion in the live stream of the PDF preflighted (checked againsttion PDF of X/1alife bystandard) many people. national digital service for Cathedral’s Easter Sunday wor- 9 “In the Western world, we Easter Sunday. ship service. 9 PDF test-printed on PostScript haveprinter slowly persuaded our- “Even in the dark days of this Bishop Curry likened the 9 PDF Emailed to client for approvalselves that only what can be Easter we can feed on hope,” circumstances of Easter 2020 Archbishop Welby at Easter. seen, only what can be touched Archbishop Welby said. “We with that experienced by the is real – but the coronavirus has can dream of what our country women who went to Jesus’ look like it,” he said. brought to light again that this and our world will look like tomb on the first Easter Day. In Sydney, Archbishop world is not a sufficient expla- after the pandemic. “It was Easter, but it didn’t Glenn Davies and Dean nation of itself or of us.”

For an Anglican Approach

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§ Selwyn & Geoff Allen offer personal, dependable service with 50 years combined This month’s Prayer Diary can be found at experience. § All areas, any time http://www.melbourneanglican. § Secure pre-arranged & pre-paid funerals org.au/spiritual-resources/ Accredited Member Geoff Selwyn Allen Allen www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 • 11 VIEWPOINT TMA Faith can help us lay our ghosts to rest by Andrew Sloane remember. Bitterness at the ways I had to care for him. Twice-daily t’s been a long time chest physio, rather than playing since I worked in clinical with my friends. Alisdair felt the Imedicine, but like all doctors, sting of my resentment until the I have memories of hard deci- day of his untimely death. I can’t sions. Taking a young woman change that. off a ventilator, knowing she I have found that ghosts like would die – but also knowing these are very hard to lay to rest. that keeping her on it was just It’s been the resources of faith drawing out her dying, not help- that have given me freedom ing her to live. from my guilt. But the haunting images For there is turning, and from Italy and Spain, and now there is grace. We can acknowl- New York, are different. These edge our failure – and acknowl- aren’t pictures of doctors mak- edge it as a moral failure. Mine ing decisions about withdrawing was not just a human failing, but or withholding futile treatment. a character flaw, a wrong done These are scenes of doctors run out of options. Like the fronting. Sometimes I should to a vulnerable boy, my brother. choosing between people, all of young woman I treated long be blamed. I have done things Turning to face it in truth – the whom might benefit, but only ago in ICU, there will be no I should regret; there is true as old word is confession – brings one of whom can be treated. The good choice left, be it for us or well as false guilt. I should have it to light. And my experience others will probably die. someone we love. Tragedy is known better – there were facts has been that most ghosts flee How do we deal with such inevitable. We are frail, finite, that could have shed new light the light. And such turning choices? Many of us are going opens us to the possibility of to have to work that out in this grace – another old word. An time of coronavirus. Doctors, “The story of Jesus is, in many unmerited favour, a release from nurses, but also politicians, a burden we otherwise need to economists, and employers face ways, a tragic one. But it’s one bear, and bear alone. I know that looming, excruciating choices. release. Do I lay off this worker, know- that enables us to face the Mine came from an old, old ing she’ll struggle to pay the prospect of tragedy with courage.” story that tells of a man who rent? Do I close the schools, bore a burden for us, and bears knowing that hospital workers it with us, and invites us to and transport drivers won’t be freedom. Not a freedom from able to go to work? How much mortal creatures. Bracing, but and made a better decision tragedy – the story of Jesus is, in money can we spend to prop up true. Surely now’s the time to possible. I should have done many ways, a tragic one. But it’s a hibernating economy? remember that? better – my decision was tainted one that enables us to face the These aren’t wrong or The second is that we need by prejudice, or self-interest, or prospect of tragedy with cour- immoral decisions. They are to learn to mourn. To name laziness. And nothing I can do age. We can mourn the past – at forced decisions in extreme the ghosts of forced decisions can change that. These are the times loud and long – but not circumstances. But I don’t think and associated guilt, regret, and ghosts that are hardest to lay to despair. For we know a grace that we’re well-equipped to live second-guessing. We weep for rest. with the power to lay old ghosts with the spectre of these choices those we could not save. We I have some of my own. My finally to rest. – to bury these ghosts, let alone raise our voices with those who brother’s ghost is one of them. live with them haunting our don’t know how they’re going to When we were growing up, Dr Andrew Sloane is a senior memory. look after the kids. And when he suffered a traumatic brain lecturer in Old Testament and Now might be the time to we do, we might find that we injury. He lost memory, and his Christian Thought at Morling College, learn some lessons on how to are not alone, and nor are they. razor-sharp intelligence. His Sydney, and an associate of the lay our ghosts to rest. Good grief, while painful, can lungs were never the same. He Centre for Public Christianity. The first lesson is a simple achieve that. required so much care. And I reality check. Death will come The third lesson might be resented it, and him. Impatience This article was first published in for us all, sooner or later. We’ll the most unfamiliar and con- at his slowness to learn, or even The Canberra Times on 11 April, 2020. Find more opinion pieces at tma.melbourneanglican.org.au/opinion

“Suddenly, with the coronavirus spreading across the world, governments have been forced to intervene in the economy and the lives of communities in ways they never imagined. One revelation is that the health of our economy depends upon the well-being of the community. This, of course, has always been central to Christian faith.” The Revd Dr Ray Cleary on how the prevailing economic thinking is being challenged by the COVID-19 crisis.

12 • The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au TMA VIEWPOINT Looking for answers in a coronavirus world Oxford mathematics professor John Lennox, Third, there is the panthe- whose latest book ‘Where Is God in a istic worldview, which merges Coronavirus World?’ was released last month, the concepts of God and the world into one impersonal reflects on where a Christian worldview entity. may fit in helping to make sense of the I am also well aware that coronavirus crisis and its unsettling effects. there are people who take a sceptical or agnostic perspec- tive. But no one is sceptical hen life seems contains the thinking and expe- or agnostic about everything, predictable and rience that each of us brings to and so deep down most peo- Wunder control, it is bear on the big questions about ple fit somewhere into one easy to put off asking the big life, death and the meaning of of the three worldviews just questions, or to be satisfied existence. We all have such a mentioned. with simplistic answers. But life framework, however much or I fit into this picture, too. is not that way right now – not little we have thought about it. Professor John Lennox. I have a worldview. I am a for any of us. It is not surpris- James Sire, in a very helpful Christian, and I shall there- ing that, whatever your faith or book entitled The Universe Next in his image. (Notice that I said fore try to make clear why I belief system, the big questions Door, points out that there are “families” of worldviews: there think that Christianity has of life are breaking through essentially only three major are crucial variants within each something to say about the to the surface, demanding families category, as any Jew, Christian issue of natural disasters like attention. of world- or Muslim who takes their holy coronavirus – something that Coronavirus views. book seriously will tell you.) is not to be found elsewhere. confronts us all Perhaps you will agree with with the problem me, and perhaps not. But of pain and suffer- I hope you will end this ing. This, for most “Christians are able book understanding why of us, is one of life’s Christians are able to speak hardest problems. to speak confidently confidently about hope and Experience rightly to feel a sense of peace, even makes us suspicious about hope and in a world of uncertainty in of simplistic “answers” to feel a sense which death has suddenly and facile attempts to loomed closer. come to terms with it. of peace, even What I want to try to John Lennox is an Emeritus Professor do here, then, is to avoid in a world of of Mathematics at the University those kinds of “answers”, uncertainty ...” of Oxford and Emeritus Fellow in and to think with you, as Mathematics and the Philosophy of honestly as I can, through Science at Green Templeton College. some of the ideas that He is also an Associate Fellow of the have helped me to wrestle Said Business School and an Adjunct with these difficult questions First, there is the theistic Second, there is the polar Lecturer for The Oxford Centre for as coronavirus has begun to worldview, held by the three opposite of the theistic Christian Apologetics. change everything. Abrahamic religions – Judaism, approach – the atheistic Our attitude to these deep Christianity and Islam. This worldview, which holds that Where Is God in a Coronavirus issues is influenced by our teaches that there is a God who this universe (or multiverse) World? is available in paperback and worldview – the framework, created and upholds the world is all that there is; there is no for digital download from built up over the years, which and who created human beings supernatural dimension. www.thegoodbook.com.au/

PLEASE REPORT ABUSE CALL 1800 135 246

The Anglican Diocese of We are deeply distressed that there The Diocese of Melbourne is committed to doing all that is possible Melbourne does not tolerate have been occasions when abuse and to ensure that abuse does not occur. All complaints of abuse are abuse, harassment or other misconduct have occurred in our taken very seriously and we do all we can to lessen harm. We offer misconduct within our communities. Kooyoora Ltd is respect, pastoral care and ongoing long-term support to anyone communities. If any person has independent of the Diocese and receives who makes a complaint. concerns about the behaviour of a and manages complaints about abuse church worker, past or present, and misconduct by members of the they can contact Kooyoora Ltd. clergy and church workers. You can contact Kooyoora Ltd by calling 1800 135 246 For further information: www.kooyoora.org.au www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 • 13 THEOLOGY TMA The Revd Andrew Judd is Associate Lecturer in Old Testament at Ridley College

Law of Moses from another time but for all time erhaps it is time for (18:26), child sacrifice (20:2) Christians to admit that and blasphemy (24:16). Like Pthe Law of Moses is an overheard marriage vows, I embarrassing irrelevance, and may admire the first covenant stop reading it altogether in but I am not a party to its church. stipulations. That’s what some popular Torah is precious and rel- preachers are saying – echo- evant to me, not as regulations, ing no doubt the unspoken but as revelation. It reveals position of many around the the contours of our world’s world (many congregations moral landscape and the would baulk at the thought of character of the God we wor- a sermon series on Numbers). ship. Some of these principles It’s also a grave error. The are urgently needed in today’s ancient church rightly con- political discussions. Exodus demned Marcion’s hubris in and Deuteronomy are full of exempting Christians from positive obligations to care Moses’ instruction. It is his- for the poor and the stateless. torically naïve and spiritually Leviticus teaches respect for lethal to try holding on to Jesus’ others (Leviticus 19:3) espe- teaching while jettisoning the cially the disabled (19:14). It Bible he preached from. Love demands that rich and poor, thy neighbour, surely the most foreigner and native-born, be famous of Jesus’ teachings, is of irrelevant, nor allegorise it Article 7 establishes that treated consistently by the legal course straight out of Leviticus into cute otherworldliness. all the laws are relevant, but system (19:15, 34). Compare 19:18! Indeed, it’s hard to think But we don’t observe every not relevant in the same ways. Moses to the Akkadian Law of of a New Testament ethic that cultic provision either, as if The ceremonial laws were only Eshnunna, or the Babylonian isn’t built on Torah. such reconstructionism were ever a shadow of what Jesus Law of Hammurabi: it is strik- Thankfully, it is also an error even possible after the temple’s has now accomplished on our ing in its ancient near eastern which our Anglican heritage destruction. behalf. Moses prohibited pork; context how idiosyncratically provides a bulwark against. the Bible insists that all lives Article 7 concludes: are equally value – regardless Although the law given from “We do not live as Iron Age of sex or social status. God by Moses, as touching Theologians quibble with ceremonies and rites, do not Israelites; nevertheless the the article’s simple sketch. bind Christian men, nor the world we live in has the same Things are, of course, more civil precepts thereof ought fiddly when you get down to of necessity to be received basic moral realities baked details. Is the law against adul- in any commonwealth; tery moral, civil or spiritual? yet notwithstanding, no into it from the beginning.” Few of us would doubt the Christian man whatsoever enduring virtue of fidelity, but is free from the obedience of adultery is also a ceremonial the commandments which Instead, Anglicans reckon Jesus declared all foods clean issue (making the man unclean, are called moral. seriously with our historical (Matthew 15:11). The urgent Lev 19:20), and a civil concern This paragraph, introduced continuities and discontinui- necessity of holiness when God (as regards the appropriate in 1563, is a unique among ties. The God who demanded is in our midst hasn’t changed punishment: Lev 20:29). Torah the reformation documents. holiness from Sinai is the same (1 Corinthians 5). never entertains the modern Our English forebears took God who we meet in Jesus The civil laws were bind- fiction that the moral, ceremo- Scripture especially seriously. Christ and who dwells in our ing upon those living in the nial and civil aspects of life can Its threefold division into moral, midst since Pentecost. We do Kingdom of Israel, but the be compartmentalised. civil and ceremonial goes back not live as Iron Age Israelites; church is not the state. Even Yet, as thumbnail sketches at least until Origen; arguably nevertheless the world we live if I lived in Moses’ day, as a go, the article’s threefold divi- to the Jews’ post-exilic reckon- in has the same basic moral Gentile I wouldn’t have been sion remains a precious gift of ing with the destruction of the realities baked into it from the expected, or invited, to obey our tradition. To be Anglican state and temple. beginning: God is still holy, every law. In Leviticus only is to recognise the enduring Tutored by Article 7, broken promises still destroy three commands are explicitly brilliance of the Law, and Anglicans cannot reject Torah relationships, and human lives addressed to foreigners: those stubbornly continue to sit at – the instruction of Moses – as are still intrinsically valuable. regarding sexual immorality the feet of Moses. 14 • The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au TMA FAITH / SCIENCE Seeking hope in a time of eco-anxiety Bron Reichardt Chu is an astrophysics PhD of joy with my fellow-astrophys- candidate and one of the organisers of this icists. And my friends at church year’s Conference on Science and Christianity aren’t particularly interested in the latest Gaussian function that (COSAC) scheduled for July at Queen’s I’ve fitted to an emission line College. TMA asked Bron to tell us some from one of my galaxies! So, for of her perspective on the future and the me and others like me, COSAC 2020 provides a much-needed challenges it holds for young people. opportunity to share, with like-

OVID-19. You’re probably a little bit sick Cof reading about it by ing results from science telling now. And living through it. I us that humans have a great and know I am. I sit at the same table damaging impact on the habitats for breakfast, lunch, dinner and of animals and plants, and even work. I see the same five people on our climate itself. We also see in my house every day. The slow-moving bureaucracy and undercurrents of our discus- politicians who don’t seem to sions on how to keep the kitchen be listening. We know that we clean, like a flooded river which will have to live with the possibly appears to be calmly flowing drastic consequences of previous along, are gradually increasing generations’ decisions. And we in danger. Staying at home, such feel helpless to change anything. a simple and necessary thing, is You know that feeling of sitting putting a strain on all of us. It’s at home in isolation, powerless also changing the way that we to stop your friends and loved view our world and interact with ones from getting sick with people. coronavirus? Many of us feel What does the future hold PhD student. My friends at uni minded people, our excitement the same for our climate and our for humanity? How long will we don’t understand my faith. I feel about science and the way that future. There’s now even a name stay stuck inside? Will the world that I have even less chances our faith informs that excitement. for this – eco-anxiety. be different when we all emerge? to talk about the interaction This year’s conference is Sure: as Christians we still What part can we, as Christians, between my everyday work and titled “COSAC 2020: A Hopeful have certain hope that Christ will play in the world’s future? my faith since the “live and let Future?” We are focusing on return one day and bring with Social distancing has meant live” push for diversity within how technology will be used by him a new creation. But until that, maybe like you, I am now workplaces. Sadly, I often feel humanity in the future, how we then, surely we should be doing working from home. All of my that I’m allowed to be a Christian will deal with climate change, a better job of taking care of the meetings have moved online, as long as I don’t bring my faith and what role faith plays. “Why Earth God created and gave to and I am remotely accessing the in to work with me. Within this us to take care of? How are you tools I need to do my research. climate, conferences like COSAC looking after and appreciating I have four other housemates 2020 are particularly important, the creation God’s put you in? working from home as well. giving us the unique space and “To those of What do you think its future Four of us are doing PhDs in opportunity to explore how sci- us growing is? At COSAC 2020 we will be Astrophysics. We are developing ence and Christianity interact considering how to deal with new ways of communicating and coexist. up in the 21st eco-anxiety, and how as people during our enforced isolation, I love studying Astrophysics. of faith we can be better looking and technology is becoming I research the wavelength signa- century, it’s after our planet. even further enmeshed into tures of chemical interactions COSAC 2020’s other focus our everyday lives. How will on an atomic level which enable not necessarily this year is how technology is this technology continue to be me to trace the movements of clear that our shaping and changing our future. used in our future? This is one gas into and out of galaxies on What do you think about techno- of the themes of COSAC 2020, a scales larger than our brains can future on Earth logical advances that enable deaf conference I’ve been involved in comprehend. I find it so cool that people to hear, or blind people to organising. I get to study how God has made is full of hope.” see? Pretty great, right? What if COSAC 2020 brings together galaxies work! Every time I find we extend that to extra-human two of my favourite topics – sci- out something new it’s like I’m hearing, or seeing more than the ence and Christianity. Both affect getting to piece together a part the question mark?” I hear you visible spectrum? Anyone could the way I live in and view my of the puzzle of God’s design. ask. Well, to those of us growing become a superhero! How do world, but it’s really rare that I get And it reminds me that God is up in the 21st century, it’s not nec- you feel about self-driving cars? to talk about both with the same a super-creative, detail-loving essarily clear that our future on What if the Artificial Intelligence group of people. My friends at and ultra-powerful God. But Earth is full of hope. Especially (AI) that we develop to drive church don’t understand my day- these days it doesn’t feel socially as scientists, or people interested to-day work as an Astrophysics acceptable to share this source in science. We see the convinc- Continued on page 16 www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 • 15 BOOKS TMA Humour, honesty as life/death questions faced Bless You Heart Attack for Jesus’ famous words: ful emotion and a God-centred Being in My Life: Wrestling “When the Spirit of feeling intellect, in order that joy, with Death, Health, Self truth comes, he will hope and compassion may be & Spirit, by Bruce Wilson guide you into all more evident in his life. In addi- (Coventry Press, 2019) truth.” He calls this tion, there is a new openness to his “little story” and visionary experiences, dreams reviewed by Bishop he tells it “like it is”. and a deeper prayer life. This Graeme Rutherford Alongside of this could be off-putting for some “little story” he sets readers, yet Bruce is well aware ruce Wilson is a for- what he calls the “big of the dangers of “nutty” and mer bishop of the story” of the Bible shallow piety. BAnglican Diocese of which he sums up From the opening sentence, Bathurst and this book is a in three questions: the book is punctuated with gripping account of the trials “Where ultimately do humour. I found myself alter- and suffering he endured from we come from? How nating between laughter and a heart attack in April 2008, should we behave and feelings of deep empathy. The just prior to my own retirement why? Where does it humour begins with the open- from episcopal ministry in the all end up, us too?” ing sentence when he says of same year. Until reading the Having myself the female nurse who was giv- book I was completely unaware written a book ing him a full body shave: “She of what had happened to Bruce. entitled A Little shaved my scrotum: for God’s Having read one of his Book about A Big sake, why?” Thereafter, the de- earlier books, Reasons of the Story, my reading hairing of that very private part Heart, he was someone I had becomes an important theme. a great deal of respect for. So, He says: “Like the Biblical I picked up the book with “He says that facing death patriarch Jacob’s brother Esau, eager anticipation. When I I am a hairy man. Open heart started, I couldn’t put it down! and dying, ‘God questions surgery plus stripped me of my I don’t think I have ever read became gut questions identity.” a book so quickly. It was just Despite all his suffering, what I needed in the current not mind questions.’” Bruce’s trust is anchored in lockdown! some words of St Paul which In the absence of his own became a regular mantra for doctor, Bruce’s excruciatingly exhausted, drained and pace immediately accelerated! him in facing the tsunami of painful condition was misdi- diminished. However, though the book is cardiac rehabilitation. They agnosed as pleurisy. When his Throughout the book profoundly biblical it is not could well become ours in the doctor returned, some three he quotes some of his own merely academic. face of the current global tsu- weeks later, tests indicated reflections on his physical and Academic abilities in terms nami of COVID-19: that in fact, he had undergone mental diminishment from of psychology, theology and “If we live, we live to the Lord, a heart attack. After further journal entries he kept. Putting philosophy are most certainly and if we die, we die to the tests in a Sydney hospital, it things down on paper became evident throughout. Yet more Lord; so then, whether we became evident that there was an important strategy for him. important than wrestling with live or whether we die, we a hole in the wall of the heart There is no glossing over the purely academic theories, God are the Lord’s” (Rom. 14:8). only held together by blood murkiness. His honesty and was at work reintegrating clots. Immediate surgery was use of intensely raw language Bruce’s mind and his feelings. Graeme Rutherford was an assistant required. The surgeon could is refreshing. Through the He says that facing death and bishop in the Diocese of Newcastle. only offer assurance in terms experience of pain, loss, grief dying, “God questions became He retired in 2008 and is the author of a 50-50 chance of survival. and hurting, he comes to true gut questions not mind ques- of A Little Book about A Big Story Hallelujah! Bruce survived, self-knowledge. He is aware tions.” He aspires to be someone – God’s grand plan from creation to though today he often feels of a new appreciation of who has a God-centred thought- new creation. Hope in a time of eco-anxiety – Continued from page 15 them becomes self-aware? Social media is becoming truly from this time how to better face-to-face conference is cancelled, Could it? There are ethical con- social and is a lifeline to those face our future. We are socially the online event will continue. More siderations to all of these issues, of us craving interaction with distanced no more! details can be found at the ISCAST and as Christians we should people outside our own little website: www.ISCAST.org or from think about how living out our home-islands. And, if the world COSAC 2020 is the 12th Conference ISCAST Executive Director, faith will inform our attitudes has not returned to normal by on Science and Christianity Rev. Dr Chris Mulherin: to the future. July, technology will enable us organised by ISCAST–Christians [email protected] But it’s not all doom and to run a virtual conference – in Science and Technology. It is gloom! Even in the midst of which has the bonus of being scheduled to be held at Queen’s Read the full version of this article the craziness that is COVID- better than air travel for the College in Melbourne from 10 to at http://tma.melbourneanglican.org. 19, we can see good things. environment. We can learn 12 July as well as online. If the au/opinion 16 • The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au TMA BOOKS Bonhoeffer’s steadying hand needed now, too Journeying with Bonhoeffer: Each chapter of this small a difficult theologian to under- Six Steps on the Path of book calls on us to pray for stand, for in different passages Discipleship, by Katherine Firth spiritual focus. It begins with a he appears sometimes more and Andreas Loewe (Morning prayer composed by Bonhoeffer Lutheran, sometimes more Star Publishing, 2019) and includes an excerpt from Reformed (he did after all min- his series of lectures to students ister in the Evangelical Church reviewed by Rhys Bezzant in the Pomeranian seminary of the Old Prussian Union now published as The Cost of which combined both Protestant ime is short. Discipleship. The authors then theological traditions!), yet the Eternity is long”: provide readings from Luke and authors navigate these waters “Twords written commentary on the meaning of wisely. I can see that their choice by Bonhoeffer in his book Jesus’s words in their original of words is careful, theologically Discipleship. They are stark and context. There is nothing rushed nuanced, and pastorally sensitive, urgent, and give us a sense of about these reflections, but all appropriate in a devotional Bonhoeffer’s mood as he tries to rather, befitting their gravitas, guide like this one. Occasional shake the German church out of they unravel the text and implic- pictures of Bonhoeffer or his its apathy and compromise dur- itly unravel the complexity of the letters added immediacy to our ing the horror years of the Nazi life of our soul at the same time. reading, which after all contrib- dictatorship. A further section on the utes to the goal of challenging As we discover in this intersection of Bonhoeffer’s our comfortable discipleship. series of six studies written story and the application of “Bonhoeffer Though I write this review by Katherine Firth and Dean the Gospel’s story make for not under an oppressive govern- of Melbourne Andreas Loewe, rich resources in our own walk reflected deeply ment but under conditions of calls to obedience such as this of obedient discipleship. The crisis in Australia, as we come are beautifully grounded in chapter ends with questions and personally to terms with a virus that is the life and teaching of Jesus in for individual or group discus- on the words undoing common assumptions Luke’s Gospel, and elsewhere sion, another prayer to help us about the stability of life, I felt too in the New Testament, for appropriate the lesson, with of Christ during Bonhoeffer’s guidance in my Bonhoeffer reflected deeply notes for further reading. The reactions and anxieties. More and personally on the words of whole book is introduced by a his ministry …” often than we care to admit, life Christ during his ministry lead- chapter outlining the biography has been difficult for brothers ing the seminary in Finkenwalde of Bonhoeffer which is short yet and sisters in Christ in the 21st as well as in his imprisonment. never shallow. as well great insight into the century. We need Bonhoeffer’s Jesus Christ himself taught his I greatly appreciated in this leading themes of the Scriptures, steadying hand even though close disciples and those on the book the authors’ inside under- which are importantly the first he frequently felt confused and fringe that the Kingdom of God standing of German history and paragraphs in each chapter. ready to fall. But grace is like had come close, so his listeners culture, with occasional autobio- These are not reflections on that: made perfect in weakness. faced a pressing decision with graphical asides, like Andreas’s Bonhoeffer with token parallels eternal consequences. Reading mother’s involvement in con- to the Scriptures, but quite the The Revd Canon Dr Rhys Bezzant Bonhoeffer is bracing as he temporary German political contrary. The use of translations is Senior Lecturer at Ridley meditates on the equally bracing concerns. Several well-known of the original German was College, Visiting Fellow of Yale words of Jesus. And Bonhoeffer’s biographies of Bonhoeffer are also most thoughtfully done, Divinity School and Director of own story gives to his theologi- flat in the way they set the man which in an afterword is more the Jonathan Edwards Center cal convictions heft and hope. in his context. But we see here fully explained. Bonhoeffer is Australia.

For more book reviews, visit the TMA website (tma.melbourneanglican.org.au/film-and-book-reviews)

Faith and Courage: Praying with Preaching with an Accent: Biblical genres Mandela, by Thabo Makgoba for Australian congregations, edited by Ian (SPCK, 2019) Hussey (Morling Press, 2019) reviewed by Richard Prideaux reviewed by Bishop Paul Barker

Thabo Makgoba is not the perfect For those tempted to channel hop for priest and he is not without self- great preaching around the globe, beware. ish ambition. He has successes Your greatest need, not least in time of and failures. Some things he is lockdown and social distancing, is to be good at become so huge and with your own congregation being fed, burdensome he has to give them challenged and comforted by your own vicar or up. This is in fact the honest story of a faithful pastor who knows you and loves you. And for those of you who priest who simply saw needs and tried to help. Powerful do preach, do not be discouraged. This helpful book will refresh indeed is his call for Anglicans to maintain unity along and challenge you again to preach that powerful word of God, with their current deep divisions. the double-edged sword that pierces to the core of our being. www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 • 17 GROWING IN FAITH TMA Let prayer be the lifeblood of your pilgrimage by Bishop Kate Prowd each Sunday, I “select” who to pilgrimage knows that life is connect with for online worship. never the same again, for pil- hat is prayer, and I hardly know the words to use: grimage is the time when we what does prayer look Do I connect with worship? Or become, to use Oakley’s words, Wlike in our current watch it? Or participate? Or join? “a little more acquainted” with context? Right now, we may be Or sign in? However, many are God. Just so, in the experience frantically praying: Stop this expressing their deep gratitude of prayer. For prayer, to borrow virus. End this suffering. Heal for the efforts clergy and par- one last image from Herbert, is all who are infected. Let a vac- ishes are making to offer online to our souls as bloud (is) to the cine be made immediately. Let prayer and fellowship. It sustains body – circulating around, giv- us all go back to normal very … for now. Praise God for that! ing the body life and energy. soon. May jobs be all sorted Here I’m again comforted by So keep turning up for God so that people aren’t financially Herbert, who refers to prayer as in prayer. That will do as your strapped. And that trip I’d of a series of metaphors about something which is “Angels age” pilgrimage for now. God will planned for 2021 … many prayer and I think these meta- – that is, prayer is boundary-less keep turning up for you. It’s thanks God … Amen. phors speak in to our experience in time and space. It reaches the life-giving. And expect the Of course, these are under- of life with COVID-19. eternal and so is never limited unexpected call to service. And standable prayers, reflecting the Herbert writes that prayer is by closed church doors or even in your quiet time, you may like secrets of our hearts. I imagine “the Churches banquet” – such a the restrictions of time or online to read the inspiring stories God’s been hearing a lot of this! sumptuous image! Prayer is not technology. So, take heart all. of mission that are happening I’ve been reading and reflect- exclusively private and personal Herbert uses another lovely globally. Enjoy hearing about ing on the poetry of 17th century so much as what we can do com- phrase to describe our experi- what the UK Church Mission poet and priest George Herbert. munally. There’s a sadness right ence of prayer; speaking of it Society is terming “Mission His poem “Prayer (1)” is poign- now that we can’t meet in the as the “heart in pilgrimage”. We unscripted” – stories of mission ant, and here, I confess to hav- flesh for corporate prayer as the are all on pilgrimage right now (even) during COVID-19 (see ing heavily borrowed from the Body of Christ, although we are – not one of our own choosing, churchmissionsociety.org). Revd Canon Mark Oakley as indeed finding creative, techno- but nevertheless one where the Pray and serve without ceas- my “assistant” in understanding logical ways to compensate for Risen Christ is our companion ing … this poem (in his book My Sour- this. Nothing replaces the real on the way, as He was with Sweet Days: George Herbert and encounter of corporate prayer in Cleopas and the unnamed Bishop Kate Prowd has oversight of the Journey of the Soul). Oakley the flesh, of course, and it can’t disciple on the road to Emmaus. the Oodthenong Episcopate in the suggests that this poem consists be more apparent than when, Anyone who has been on Diocese of Melbourne. A spiritual awakening for Boris Johnson? by Roland Ashby there was indeed “such a thing helping a parishioner to face as society”. the news that he was ill with an Statements by British PM Only a brush with death inoperable cancer. After a rigor- Boris Johnson about his recent could have brought about such ous process of assisting him to brush with death suggest he may a seismic shift in attitude. In make “his peace with everyone have undergone something of a the silence of his ICU ward, and everything”, the parishioner spiritual awakening. This would confronted with his fragility said to him with shining eyes: not surprise St Benedict, some- and mortality, there was an “My body is almost dead, and times described as the father of awakening to what truly mat- yet I have never felt so intensely Western monasticism, who in ters in life. That we are not alive as I feel now.” British PM Boris Johnson. the sixth century advised his just our bodies, or our careers, It is fitting that a new hospi- monks to “Always keep death achievements and plans, and tal in London, tasked with treat- him the gift of pure love. The before you”. in the haunting words of the ing those with the coronavirus, 20th century French mystic While this at first glance to courageous Dag Hammarskjöld, has been named after Florence Simone Weil describes such the modern mind may seem the second Secretary-General of Nightingale. She said, “Life is a pure, selfless attention as pure to suggest a morbid fascination the United Nations: “You wake splendid gift – there is nothing prayer. with death, Boris Johnson has from dreams of doom – and for small about it”, and described It is an experience that gives shown it to be, on the contrary, a moment – you know: beyond nursing as an art which rise to pure gratitude, which in a profound and joyful insight. all the noise and gestures, the “requires an exclusive devotion” turn gives rise to pure joy. A few months ago I could only real thing [is] love’s calm because the body is “the temple Pure love, gratitude and joy never have imagined that the unwavering flame in the half- of God’s spirit”. are all at the heart of spiritual newly elected Conservative light of an early dawn.” Those modern day awakening, show us the beauty leader would be describing the The late Anthony Bloom, Nightingales, the nurses that of human life at its best, and National Health Service as “our who was for over 50 years the Boris Johnson thanked so mov- give us the greatest reasons for greatest national asset” and “the head of the Russian Orthodox ingly for their constant vigilance, wanting to live. beating heart” of the nation; Church in the UK, and had and their pure, undivided atten- and, in a notable rebuff to “Mrs been a medical doctor before tion, like Anthony Bloom with Roland Ashby is former editor of T”, that he had discovered that he became a priest, wrote about his parishioner, had also given The Melbourne Anglican. 18 • The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au TMA DIARY Humour in isolation for meme, myself and I by Barney Zwartz are visual, so there’s no point alleged response: a replace- repeating them here, but there ment line called “Ebola beer”. lack humour is as are some that, written down, On a similar theme, a priest, a old as humanity. can raise a smile. rabbit and a vicar walk into a BI’m reasonably There’s the one begun bar. The rabbit says, “I may be certain it began around by my wife: “If I get quar- a typo.” the time Adam and Eve antined with my husband, One tweet: “Day 2 without departed the garden, it won’t be the virus that sports. I found a young lady and it has provided grim kills him.” * sitting on my couch today. comfort in adversity ever since. Barney Zwartz Some of the best “Some couples and families Barney Zwartz is media black humour has adviser to Archbishop come in final moments, are discovering whether Philip Freier, and a senior most famously Oscar they really like each other.” fellow of the Centre for Wilde: “Either those Public Christianity. curtains go or I do.” It’s theologically unsound, but I can’t My thoughts are Apparently she’s my wife. an adult under quarantine (or, help smiling at going out for all She seems nice.” That man is in my case, a couple of hours Voltaire, asked on those poor married blessed, because some couples less), which is why it is called his deathbed by a men who’ve spent and families are discovering a “pandemic”. priest to renounce months telling their whether they really like each The pandemic has brought Satan: “Now is not wives, “I’ll do that other. one of the world’s great come- the time for making when I have time.” My current favourite is two dians to peak form. Donald new enemies.” It is apparently polar bears slumped on an ice- Trump was perfectly accurate The COVID-19 true, according to berg. “Got any plans?” says the when he told a press confer- pandemic doesn’t a survey, that 38 per first. “Do nothing.” “You did ence, “people are dying who have many silver linings, but cent of Americans stopped that yesterday,” says the first. have never died before”. one surely is the ironic meme drinking Corona beer (from “Didn’t finish.” Another ursine (as we now call them), mostly Mexico) for fear of the virus. theme: did you know that on * Just kidding. I hope. Or I may be transmitted at high speed by I’m not so sure about the average a panda bear feeds 12 numbered among President Trump’s social media. Many of them veracity of the company’s hours a day. This is the same as first-time victims. In a time of fear, draw deeply on the wells that sustain you by Clare Boyd-Macrae condition that God addresses his death, Jesus is described a word in the words of the prophets as descending into hell, a line I was struck by a verse from and in the life, death and I love for its assurance that the Easter gospel reading this for all resurrection of Jesus. there is no human hell where year, Matthew, chapter 28 seasons And, as the women at the God has not been and cannot verse 8: “So they left the tomb tomb discovered, it is not stand alongside God’s hurting quickly with fear and great joy, has been ever with us. The incompatible with joy. By children. and ran to tell his disciples.” fear experienced by the which I don’t mean an ephem- In a time of fear, draw Fear and joy. Hebrew slaves in Egypt, eral type of glib happiness upon that which brings This couldn’t be more the exiles in Babylon, the that depends on denial. Real you the assurance of deep apt in a time of pandemic, quaking disciples huddled in joy is when we face and sit joy, of the peace that passes where not just the poor and their upper room after the within our deepest fears and understanding, which noth- powerless, but even those ing can take away. Worship in privileged corners of the – by whatever means you can world like ours are filled with “Real joy is when we face ... now access it. Reading of the fear. Fear of economic disaster, scriptures and other texts. endless unemployment our deepest fears and griefs, Above all, prayer, which we queues, escalating domestic have more time for in a time violence and crime and knowing ... that God is with us.” of lockdown. Draw deeply homelessness. Fear of illness on the wells that sustain you, and death, of cultural decline drink of the water spring- and of never quite recovering crucifixion, the world during griefs, knowing (even though ing up to eternal life. It is the way we used to live. The the Bubonic plague, plus the when we are down there, we natural to know fear; it is not fear is felt around the planet, myriad minor daily anxieties can’t usually feel it) that God incompatible with joy. weighing on us all. that beset us. is with us in our darkest But these times are what Fear is part of our human moments, even in the valley Clare Boyd-Macrae’s blog is the Gospel addresses. Fear condition, and it is this of the shadow of death. After www.clareboyd-macrae.com www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 • 19 IN REVIEW TMA Secrets, prejudices simmer in moody mystery by Wendy Knowlton scenic vistas are juxtaposed with desolate stretches that s the camera skims manage to feel vast and empty the water at the start one minute and claustrophobic Aof the new series the next. Tracks are hemmed in of Mystery Road, there is an by scrub and suffocated by dust, immediate sense of menace. and cramped interiors seem Below the surface is a body and built to conceal secrets. beneath the facade of Gideon – Intersecting storylines “the Pearl of the North” – lies a throw up more than one mys- tangle of secrets and horrors. tery. Whilst an archaeologist Detective Jay Swan (Aaron digs up Indigenous history and Pedersen) has been pursuing participants in a sit-down vigil a drug syndicate throughout simmer with rage over what the long stretches of Australia’s they see as the pillaging of their north-west, and suspecting a past and the betrayal of some of connection, he arrives in the their own, faded photographs night, belligerent and taciturn, of missing girls on the police isolated even in the midst of Jay Swan (Aaron Pedersen) and new partner Fran (Jada Alberts). notice board suggest if they’re others. black, no one’s trying too hard Swan is difficult to know. father to his teenage daughter, not from here.” Or anywhere, it to find them. Having retreated behind a bar- but can’t seem to sustain the seems. Moody and tense, Mystery rier of terse questions, he rarely effort required to earn that Dialogue takes a back seat Road promises compelling answers any directed his way. right. His job has taken him to atmospheric landscape, and viewing over the weeks ahead. Ex-wife Mary (Tasma Walton) deep into the dark depths of bursts of violence. Monstrous Issues of belonging, family and views his intrusion into her humanity, and he can’t seem road trains hurtle through the the prejudices of Australia’s past new life with suspicion. She’s to find his way back. “Where darkness, red taillights gleam- and present will be explored finally happy, and his presence are you from, Detective Jay?” ing like malevolent eyes. It feels as the rough denizens of this threatens to leech this away. a local asks, and Swan stares as though something is lurking environment deny the dictates He’s a man who seems inca- blankly for a long moment beyond every spill of lamp or of law and respond savagely to pable of joy. He wants to be a before the bleak response, “I’m torchlight. Even in daytime, any challenge to their “rights”. Podcast prompts deeper thought about films’ themes, contexts by Tim Kroenert the series suffers from a bad case of “white dude syndrome”. In the age of isolation, listen- It’s at its weakest when the ing to podcasts is one of the presenters seem to lack aware- most effective ways to pass the ness of the privilege afforded time while keeping our minds by their over-represented active. One engaging film- perspective. related podcast this reviewer The show is far more effec- has binged is Show Me the tive when the hosts openly Meaning, by American pop confront the limitations of their culture platform Wisecrack. perspective. They dedicated a It takes a deep dive into the full episode responding to feed- themes and socio-political back received following their contexts of films old and new. ‘Show Me The Meaning’ examines a wide range of films, from coverage of Jordan Peele’s race The style is conversational blockbusters to family friendly offerings like Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’. relations horror film Get Out. and highly accessible, and the Their reflections on the contro- presenters’ tastes are broad: tion of ‘hustle culture’ and its ing film geek. Film editor Ryan versial decision not to include a they can treat the Japanese relationship with Instagram. Hailey tends to focus on enter- person of colour on the episode curio Tetsuo: The Iron Man, A review of The Incredibles tainment value and cinematic are thought provoking, if not action blockbuster The Matrix 2 reflects on the role of the effectiveness. Austin Hayden entirely persuasive. There is and Pixar’s family friendly “mediated image” in shaping Smidt is the resident intel- also an absorbing discussion Inside Out with equal rigour social norms. A retrospective lectual, who wields a Master about evolving perspectives on and enjoyment. on 1976’s Network considers of Theology, a philosophy PhD the 1999 film Fight Club’s sati- Frequently the conversa- the place of rage in Trump’s and a deep love of cinema as a rising of perceived masculine tions take a broad perspective. America. vehicle for big ideas about life ideals. An episode on the Netflix The roster of presenters and the universe. Prompting conversation documentary Fyre: The Greatest contains a core crew of three. Admittedly, notwithstand- and deeper thought about films Party That Never Happened Wisecrack founder Jared Bauer ing occasional appearances by is Show Me the Meaning’s stated expands into an interroga- is the prototypical deep-think- women and people of colour, goal, and in that it succeeds. 20 • The Melbourne Anglican • May 2020 www.tma.melbourneanglican.org.au