newsletter !o $% &'ril +,-. ISSN 1836-511 WEBSITE: www.anglicantogether.org THE TINY ANGLICAN PROVINCE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA GRAPPLES TO SUPPORT ITS DEVASTATED ISOLATED HIGHLAND CHURCH COMMUNITIES It will be months, if not years, before the people in the For several weeks after the initial One observer commented: “This is Highlands of Papua New Guinea earthquake most of the a disaster the likes of which we will get their lives back on track communities hardest hit haven't seen for decades. And I'm following the first catastrophic remained cut off from the outside not just referring to the scale of the earthquake on 26, February 2018, world. Entire villages were wiped destruction. There are few places and now a further one in early out by landslides and broken dams. in the world as remote, and inaccessible, as the highlands of April. Once again buildings were Because of the isolation, the first damaged and many people injured Papua New Guinea where the response Aid Agencies like CARE earthquake occurred”. in these remote Highland areas of had to be innovative in dealing Papua New Guinea. with the emergency. Instead of The Anglican Board of Mission, Widespread damage was caused to distributing bottled water (as the long time Partner with the the land and the infrastructure, normally), they had to use Anglican Church in Papua New which affected homes and collapsible jerry cans and compact Guinea, has launched an livelihood. water purification kits. These take Emergency Appeal for urgent aid up less space, are easier to transport to be forwarded to support the and don't create as much waste. small poor isolated Church Now, following the first response communities in the affected areas. there have been moves to distribute To donate to the Appeal, contact fast growing seed crops, so ABM on-line: www.abmission.org subsistence farmers can quickly re- Telephone: (02) 2964 1021 grow essential food in their gardens. Papua New Guinea, and in ARCHBISHOP ALLAN MIGI, ACPNG particular the isolated Highland has written a prayer for use PHOTO: The quake and aftershocks have regions, lack media coverage and caused widespread damage to infrastructure. so there has been a corresponding following the disaster: (Supplied: Catholic Bishop Donald Lippert) lack of the usual comparable God our Creator, we ask your donations to provide relief. It's a blessing and comfort during The epicentre of the quake was a silent emergency where the this time of disaster full day's drive from the nearest suffering is largely out of sight. We pray for all those whose town and two day's drive from the lives are affected by nearest port. This meant the first earthquake through loss of life, news, and then aid was a long time loss of homes and livelihood. in getting to the devastated villages. We pray for the rescue workers (Photo: John Hewart CARE Australia) as they work together to bring hope to communities torn apart by natural forces. We pray for courage and strength to rebuild lives and move into the future. Amen Families shelter in makeshift tent in Pimaga, PNG, after their homes damaged or destroyed: Photo supplied by Thomas Nybo 1 SOCIAL COHESION HUB Another new initiative by the Parish of St Paul’s Anglican Church Burwood Have you ever had to contact Rosemary King, Lay Minister said: A GOLDEN JUBILEE Centrelink? “ We are very grateful that so many service providers gave up their time The Diocese of the Northern Then you know how hard it is to to come. Territory and Bishop Ken Mason, get onto them and the difficulty in its first Diocesan Bishop, getting all the information you “The Anglicare team, especially celebrated the Golden Jubilee of need – (being transferred from Narelle Hand and David Ip worked the inauguration of the Diocese on one person to another) - in one so hard behind the scenes and on 1st March, 1968. visit or phone call. the day to make sure that everything had been thought of. Natasha Perhaps you are seeking help for an Williams, from Burwood Council aged relative or a friend who has gently encouraged providers (that I been badly treated by the authorities had been unable to access) to come. – surely there must be something Jacqui Thorburn from Jodi that can be done? Well there is, if McKay’s office worked the whole you know who to approach and morning supporting people with what documentation you might various needs, especially with the need to provide. Ombudsman and Legal Aid. St Paul’s Anglican Church, Vanessa Papastravos from our Burwood came up with an answer Federal member, Craig Laundy’s The celebration took place in to this dilemma. On Thursday 8th office was also in attendance. He Sydney in St James’ Church, King March, the Parish organised and also spoke at length with the Rector, Street. Bishop Ken lives in a hosted its Social Cohesion Hub. Fr James Collins about our next Retirement Facility in Mosman, Sydney. Providers from many different project – a mobile medical clinic.” Bishop Ken first served with the services; Housing NSW; Births, All the providers plan to meet Brotherhood of the Good Shepherd. Deaths and Marriages: Centrelink; within a fortnight to decide the way He was Dean of Trinity College, forward from here. Melbourne before being There is one thing consecrated on St Matthias’ Day fairly certain - this (24 February) 1968 in at St John’s is just the first of Cathedral, Brisbane - Archbishop many. Phillip Strong KBE being the The hall was principal consecrator. On St crowded and David’s Day (1st March) he was humming with enthroned at Christ Church, activity. All Darwin, which became the clients left saying cathedral of the new diocese – one that they had had of the largest in the world at their needs met. 1,420,970 km². Cyclone Tracy Legal Aid; Anglicare; Dressed for There was enormous goodwill on destroyed this building on Success; Mates on the Move; the day. Christmas Day 1974 Vinnies; the Ombudsman; the After fifteen years in Darwin Finally from the St Paul’s Church Police Local Area Command and Bishop Ken left the diocese to organisers: “Thank you to everyone other services came together in this become Chairman of the who contributed in any way at all. one place. This gave people an Australian Board of Missions - It was much appreciated and went opportunity to access all these now the Anglican Board of towards the success of the day. services, and where necessary they Mission, the national mission Thank you.” could visit several different services Photo L-R - Rosemary King, John Faker, Mayor agency of the Anglican Church of all on the one day. of Burwood. Fr James Collins, Rector of St Australia. He remained in this Paul’s Narelle Hand, Anglicare. position for ten years, from 1983 St Paul’s was ably assisted by the until retiring in 1993. team from Anglicare who put on a Now he lives a quiet life, but sausage sizzle for everyone, as well Photo Caption:– Column 3 continues to worship at St James’. as non-stop morning tea. In The Right Reverends Greg Thompson, Ken Congratulations Bishop Ken addition there were gifts for Mason, Dr Greg Anderson, Clyde Wood everyone - men and women. 2 ‘ORA ET LABORA’ Greetings in Christ, ‘CHURCH AND STATE – should there be limits to their relationship?’ The relationship between of believers. In this instance, we ‘church’ and ‘state’ in Western- should perhaps talk more of liberal democracies has often ‘churches’ rather than of ‘church’ as principle of the separation of church been ambiguous and sometimes there is no one institution that is and state. hostile. ‘The Church’ – despite the few institutions that might be arrogant Be Subject to the When church leaders make enough to think so! Governing Authorities! comments that are critical of It is impossible to identify a single government some will say that ‘the The state, on the other hand, is ‘biblical’ approach to the church should stay out of politics’. clearly an institutional construct relationship between institutional Yet, if they support the government that includes land and people religion and the state. The Old they are accused of ‘being too close governed corporately with a high Testament narrative records a and cosy’ in their relationship with level of sovereignty. In theory, all movement from localised tribal it; and if they say nothing, then they people must belong to a state to religion and government, through are considered to be ‘out of touch’ which they owe some form of political warlords, to a monarchical and not contributing to the good of allegiance. In our age, not all must nation-state, and finally a vassal society. belong to a church. state in a much larger empire. In this context, religious leadership Likewise, people with religious An initial tension arises over the shifted from tribal leaders and local convictions who are elected to matter of loyalty. Most religious religious ‘high places’, to priests parliament often come under greater institutions will argue that loyalty to and prophets, then a form of analysis and criticism as to whether God must take precedence over established religion based on the their faith might have an undue loyalty to the state. This view has temple, and finally a teaching influence on government policy. sometimes led church people into ministry in synagogues. The New Interestingly, no one applies the civil disobedience and even open Testament likewise presents an same level of scrutiny to economists conflict both with the state and acceptance of a variety of political who hold to a particular economic other religious groupings with and religious constructs.