(a publication of the Anglican Diocese of Riverina) A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden and there it divided and became four rivers. [Genesis December 2019 Summer Edition The Clergy and people from across the Diocese met Canons together in Synod on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th The newly elected and October. Synod began with a appointed Canons are: Eucharist in the Cathedral Clergy: with Bishop Donald presiding The Rev’d Canon Robert and assisted by Deacons Murphy. (Leeton) Brendan Webster (Griffith) The Rev’d Canon Paul and Jeni Bedding Kumasaka. (Lake Cargelligo) (Narrandera). The Rev’d Canon Wayne Sheean. (Deniliquin) Rural Deans Lay: Canon Ken Martin At that celebration the newly (Coleambally/Darlington Pt) appointed Rural Deans were Cathedral Canon James Walsh (Assistant Commissioned. Chancellor) The Rev’d Paul Kumasaka— Ordinance Canon Marion Barker Anderson Deanery; (Barham) The Rev’d Helen Ferguson— As part of the business of Halse Deanery; Synod a new Cathedral The Ven Robert Done— Ordinance has been passed re- Bishop’s Murray Deanery. establishing the Cathedral The Rev’d Neale Sommersby Chapter in a new form to Residence was unable to be present but has create better links between the also been commissioned for the Cathedral (mother Church of Synod resolved by Ordinance Linton Deanery. the Diocese) and the Churches to sell the Bishop’s House in and people of the Diocese. As Narrandera and a house a consequence of this new owned by the Diocese in Ordinance there was an Yenda and use the funds election of new Canons as raised from these two sales to members of the Cathedral purchase a new Bishop’s Chapter. For the first time in Residence in Griffith. It is our Diocese’ history there are envisaged that the cost of the ‘Lay Canons’ of the new residence will be less Cathedral. than the money generated (Continued on page 2) Happy Page 1 Christmas! (Continued from page 1) supplies for everyone ‘is a support in the Riverina and human and spiritual interstate. from these sales and the imperative’. ABC Riverina interviewed surplus will be invested in the The Diocese of Riverina Bishop Donald on Monday Diocesan Trusts. covers approximately 37 11th November the same day Ministry Structure percent of the state of NSW the Australian Competition & Following the Bishop’s and includes the drought- Consumer Commission Charge to Synod, the affected communities of (ACCC) held a public forum Chancellor moved a motion to Wilcannia, Broken Hill and in Griffith on water markets in establish a Diocesan Menindee as well as the Murray-Darling Basin. In Committee to look at how we Wentworth and towns along the video interview Bishop might approach ministry in the Murray River. Donald stressed that water should not simply be available the Diocese in the future. This Bishop Donald said the Committee has begun meeting Riverina was built on the to the people with the deepest and is looking at new ways to creative use of water but many pockets. He spoke out provide ministry to the whole people and communities are specifically against the Diocese recognising the now struggling to survive with practise of water trading: the financial limitations we have. the extreme lack of water buying and selling of water by It is intended that this which is also affecting irrigators and speculators with Committee will report to the people’s mental health. no intention to use the water next Session of Synod with themselves. ‘We have a some recommendations for ‘Without the people on the situation in the Riverina where the Synod to consider. land growing the orchards there are many people who’ve and crops and grazing stock relied on water for many years Water those living in the rest of the who now simply can’t afford ‘Spiritually speaking, water is nation would not have the to buy the water. We’ve lost the essence of life. We are necessary food supplies. We sight of what water is; it’s not people who not only know the talk about the mental health a commodity; it’s the very practical need for water but of those on the land yet fail essence of life; we cannot also the spiritual need of the to give them the one thing survive without water –none water of life feeding body and that will help—water!’ of us can.’ Bishop Donald said soul. It is up to us to do all we Bishop Donald’s comments on while drought was a clear can to promote and support the water crisis have generated contributor to the water local efforts to provide safe wide media attention and and sustainable water supplies for all—it is a human and spiritual imperative!’ Amid the current catastrophic drought, raging bushfires, communities and towns running out of water and farmers and irrigators in the Southern Basin demanding urgent changes to the Murray- Darling Basin Plan, water - or the lack of it - is on everyone’s minds. In his opening address or Charge to the 63rd Synod of the Diocese of Riverina, Bishop Donald said providing Bishop Donald outside St Alban’s Cathedral where he was interviewed by safe and sustainable water ABC Riverina (Photo courtesy Moyra Shields) (Continued on page 3) Page 2 I(Continued from page 2) crisis, there has also been a Beyond ‘bricks misallocation of water and the current system does not care and mortar’: for people on the land. Registrar urges Diocese to find new ways of being Church ‘Water is something we should see as a common resource in what is the driest continent on In her address to Synod in building is not,” Louise said. earth. And yet here we are October, the Registrar Louise ‘We must find new ways of happily selling it off and not Potter encouraged the Diocese coming together and doing seeing the need to ensure to start the conversation on mission in our communities everybody has an adequate revisioning who we are as a that doesn’t necessarily require Church and what we are doing supply for their physical as bricks and mortar,” Louise as people of faith in our added. well as spiritual wellbeing.’ communities. Link to ABC interview: The Registrar’s comments “We can so easily slip into the followed her report on the https://www.abc.net.au/ habit of seeing the Church as sharp rise in insurance news/2019-11-14/anglican- the physical buildings we have premiums for Church bishop-donald-kirk-says-water- in our parishes. But the properties. The annual Church is first and foremost – is-not-a-commodity/11695910 property insurance premium ‘community’. Our coming for the Diocese of Riverina is together is fundamental to expected to increase by up to being Church but having a 300 percent in 2020. “We are paying Insurance premiums and maintenance for Meet Ashka buildings dotted around the Ashka holds a Bachelor of Diocese that we are not using. Or rarely using. This is not Commerce degree from the sustainable”, the Registrar University of Kelaniya in Sri said. Lanka. “We need to find better ways Ashka and her husband ,Sam of doing Church. I am with the an industrial chemist, previous Archbishop of migrated to Australia with Canterbury, Dr Rowan their two children, daughter Williams in that I believe that Sanuli 8 and son Nethum 5 in God ‘always has the capacity 2017. to do something fresh and Before moving to Griffith, different, to bring something Ashka worked for more than new out of a situation’. And I 10 years as a financial believe that with our cooperation he can do that accountant at Sri Lanka’s with us.” largest apparel company, MAS Holdings. During Synod a motion was passed to form a Ministry Ashka also works part-time at Structure Review committee to Ashka Galapitage—Diocesan Accountant Griffith City Library and enjoys address the future structure of Anushka Galapitage is our volunteering with ‘Women on Ministry in the Diocese. The newest staff member in the Fire’, a multicultural group which members are: The Very Rev’d Diocesan Registry Office. supports women who have newly Rob Harris, the Rev’d Canon arrived in Griffith. Paul Kumasaka, the Rev’d Sue- A qualified accountant, Anushka Ellen Chilvers, David Webb, (or Ashka as we call her) joined Robert Crawford, Lyn us in September. Middleton & Louise Potter. Page 3 Fr Robert Murphy celebrated Riverina including as assistant the silver jubilee of his priest at Griffith and Corowa ordination to the priesthood and Priest-in-Charge of with a Solemn Mass at St Coleambally-Darlington Point Peter’s Church, Leeton on parish. For the past 16 years Monday 28 October 2019, the Fr Robert has been the popular Feast of Ss Simon & Jude, Rector of St Peter’s Parish, Apostles & Martyrs. Leeton. Fr Robert with Fr Thomas Leslie (Deacon) and Fr Peter McLeod-Miller (Sub-Deacon) More than 250 parishioners, friends, priestly colleagues St Peter’s Choir and trumpeters, including current and past Ian Bull and Matthew clergy from the Diocese of Stuckings. Riverina, packed St Peter’s The liturgy was followed by Church for the Solemn Mass more celebrations in the parish which was concelebrated by hall and a magnificent supper Bishop Donald and Bishop catered for by the Anglican Some of the Clergy present for the Mass Sonia Roulston from the Women’s Fellowship. Diocese of Newcastle. “I am sure that at the feeding of Fr Robert was ordained at Guest preacher was the four thousand there must St Alban’s Cathedral, Griffith Archdeacon John Gibson who have been an Anglican on 28 October 1994 by the then at the time of Fr Robert’s women’s group involved Bishop of Riverina, The Right ordination was the Dean of St because their catering is truly Reverend Bruce Clark.