Anglican News
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
September 2009 Anglican News Vol 26Page 1 No 7 Anglican News September 2009 The Newspaper of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn 3700 copies every month FREE Dragon boat takes CGGS girls to Prague Girls’ Grammar over the world, including China, students compete in Singapore and Canada. Lorraine Peck from Canberra Dragon Boat World Girls’ Grammar School said that Championships in this was “a fantastic and exciting Czech Republic opportunity” for all students in- volved to represent their country. from the school “The girls have been training 18 Canberra Girls’ Grammar very hard and have also been in- School students, five St Clare’s volved in fundraising to assist in College students and one Can- the cost of participating in these berra College student are cur- championships,” she said. “The rently representing Australia in students have been raising money the Australian Junior Women’s by holding BBQs, organising Crew squad to compete at the wine/chocolate and cinema Dragon Boat World Champion- fundraising, and hosting an en- ships in Prague. tertainment evening and raffle. In April this year the National Lorraine Peck added that Dragon Boat championships $3000 has also been generously were held at Kawana Waters, donated from Clubs Australia and near Caloundra in Queensland. $4300 from Canberra Dragon These championships saw State Boat Association. versus State teams compete, The girls travelled to Prague with the ACT Junior Women’s on 22 August with the Australian team winning the National Title Junior Women’s Team managers and therefore the right to repre- from CGGS and St Clare’s coach sent Australia at the World Cham- and sweep Margaret Wolf. Some pionships. of the students were also com- The Australian team will be peting in the Australian Mixed CONTENDERS: Canberra Girls’ Grammar students make up three-quarters of the crew of competing at the World Champi- Junior Team, made up largely of the Australian entry in the Dragon Boat World Championships being held this week in onships against teams from all Queensland students. Prague. The team practised at Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club, Yarralumla. St Mark’s subject on cults attracts interest of Police Students enrolled in Charles most of them, but they are finding ology students as well. Jones and over 900 followers in students a place to say what they Sturt University’s Policing and that by learning more about the Tom Frame said he regards Jonestown, Guyana, in 1978. believe, the goal is not to convert Justice course make up over topic they start to break down this as a healthy mix, giving both The course studies breakaway students to Christianity. 80% of applicants for a subject prejudices and take a much better- groups a chance to rub shoulders Christian groups, several cults “I tell students the purpose is entitled New Religious Move- informed view,” Tom Frame said. with people they would not come and sects including the Kenja cult not evangelism, it’s just to develop ments, Cults and Sects, being of- “A surprising number of students across in everyday life. In most in Australia; Scientology; the a deeper understanding of the fered at St Mark’s National Theo- actually realise that they need to re- cases the result is a deeper un- Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mor- subject” Tom Frame said. “But I logical Centre examine their own belief system.” derstanding and respect for each mons. also tell them that if anyone wants Head of St Mark’s, Professor Because of increasing de- other’s beliefs. “What this does is, it opens to stay and talk to me personally Tom Frame, who teaches the mand the topic is now offered “This is one of the great ben- up some deep personal reflec- after a class, I’m very happy to subject, said the majority of stu- every year at St Mark’s, as a six- efits of doing Theology in a pub- tion,” Tom Frame said. “Some of talk with them.” dents in each class come from a day residential subject. It typically lic university,” he said. the students are curious about He said these discussions have non-religious background and attracts between 40 and 50 stu- The course begins by look- how I can maintain my Christian led to some deeper ongoing con- readily admit they have no under- dents each year, and while the ing at the People’s Temple cult beliefs, when so much of this nections with some students, who standing of the subject matter. majority are serving Police offic- and its leader, Jim Jones, which stuff is so implausible.” have stayed in touch long after “It’s a whole new area for ers there is a sprinkling of The- ended with the mass suicide of But while the course gives all the residential course finishes. alsoalso inin thisthis issue:issue: Database streamlines Review of Diocesan Conference to look property management Code of Practice ... page 7 beyond church ... page 3 ... page 5 Page 2 Anglican News September 2009 THE BISHOPS’ COLUMNS Letting go of the flying trapeze with Bishop Dear Friends, in a period of intense discern- to move on from this, my mother credible experiences - and The decision to leave this ment. Diocese; I believe that I am now that is all gain. Allan Ewing wonderful diocese, one that has With the gracious encourage- being challenged to build on the We have an enormous been the focus of my ministry for ment of Bishop Stuart I was able ministry that Tricia and I have gratitude to God, and to so the past 25 years, did not come to step back from the day to day shared with the people of God in many of the people of the No matter how hard you try as a sudden realisation. activity of sharing leadership; and this Diocese in a different way in Diocese, for the love, encourage- you cannot get from one swing Rather the question of the fu- whilst maintaining an on-going a different place. ment and acceptance of these to another without letting go. ture for myself and for Tricia has presence in the Diocese I was The third is a less formed but years Sometimes there is a catcher, been a major component of able to return, on a part-time ba- solid conviction about the future; I am particularly grateful to sometimes not, but you always prayer and conversation for at sis, to doctoral studies that had that there is more, much more, Bishop Stuart for his encourage- have to launch yourself to go least the last two years. been laid aside some years ear- still to be discovered. ment in providing opportunities from one to the other. Letting go As I have shared in the lead- lier. to thank God, and so many of has to happen before arriving can ership of the Diocese and as I After three months I em- you personally in the months to occur. considered my future ministry I barked on a period of Long Serv- come. Tricia and I deeply value your have sought to be guided by the ice Leave, where my studies This is a story about By Bishop Stuart’s invitation prayers for us both, and we look Lord, the people of God, and my were the principle focus. letting go, and the I shall be preaching at Synod in a to whatever may be next with own inner reflection. During that period of leave I exhilaration of the couple of weeks time, and in early great confidence. And so we find During this time of discern- became aware of three deep con- December I shall make special free-falling wait. ourselves on a high trapeze, will- ment I have been greatly blessed victions; as I spoke of them to thanks to God for ministry in a ingly letting go so that we might by wise counsel and significant others I became sure that these service at the Cathedral. This arrive at a new place. We do not encouragement; I have also come convictions are of God. service will be on December 5. yet have images of arrival... to know myself better. I have The first is that my immedi- At the end of the year I shall lay This is a story about letting found within me a great passion ate task is the doctoral work that I know that my ministry is far down all my diocesan roles and go, and the exhilaration of the for the Gospel, and a great de- I have re-commenced; whatever from completed, and the profound responsibilities. free-falling wait. sire to care for and lead God’s comes next my present work is yearning to care for and lead There is an image, a metaphor, For this, God is with us, and people. to be the research and reflection, God’s people has not left me; nei- that has come to mind in last cou- that is enough. Following the Episcopal Elec- writing and deep learning of doc- ther is there any sense of pain or ple of weeks. In a circus, part of tion at the end of last year it was toral studies. regret as we prepare to leave. We the entertainment is the Flying clear that it was a time to engage The second is that it is time have enjoyed the privilege that is Trapeze. The Trapeze act has shared ministry in this diocese for two essential components; two 25 years, we have grown, ma- swings set some distance apart Bishop Stuart tured, formed friendships, had in- high above the ground. Anglican names SALT team Clergy moves and News Bishop Stuart Robinson has in the diocese, where he has been appointments The newspaper of the appointed five Regional Archdea- helping develop mission strate- Anglican Diocese of cons and two ‘Portfolio’ Arch- gies appropriate for their particu- Bishop Allan Ewing has recently resigned and will formally Canberra and Goulburn deacons to form the Strategic lar context.