1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

Issue 33, No 11, 2014
The voice of Uniting Church SA
December 2014
Joy
CAMPAIGNS AND CONSENSUS RESPONDING WITH JOY
A Presbytery & Synod
Interpretations of joy from the
meeting summary
Uniting Church SA community
pp. 6-7
pp. 8-11
Contents
FEATURES
Meeting summary
Responding with joy
6-7
8-11
Joy shaped by sorrow
13
New Times survey
24
REGULAR PAGES
Moderator’s comment
4
CEO/General Secretary’s comment
5
Getting to know...
19
Diary20
Letters21
Editor: Catherine Hoffman
Editor-in-Chief: Bindy Taylor
Advertising: Loan Leane
Design: David Lombardi
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New Times is the voice of Uniting Church SA. Published monthly, February through December,
New Times represents the breadth, diversity and vision of Uniting Church members in SA.
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editorial
Discovering joy
Like many emotions, joy can be difficult to
define. In preparing this edition of New Times,
I’ve encountered and explored a wide variety
of definitions of joy. I’ve also undertaken
some research of my own online, reading
through dictionaries, encyclopaedias and
theological articles. In doing so, I’ve found
similarities and differences in the ways in
which Christian and non-Christian thinkers
encounter the term.
For those outside of church circles,
the word is usually a good synonym for
“happiness,” although among many there is a
feeling that joy is more than that; a feeling that
joy is to happiness, what despair is to sadness.
These definitions of joy often encompass
contentment, bliss or delight along with
happiness.
Christians encounter the word differently.
While the definition remains fundamentally
the same, there is a strong sense that feelings
of joy are gifted to us by God. This is evident
through exploration of Galatians 5 and in the
many instances in which the word is used
throughout the Bible. There is also a persistent
idea that, through relationship with God, joy
can be found even in times of darkness.
My own idea of joy encompasses all of
these definitions and references, but it is still
not something I am able to explain clearly.
This is, I believe, because joy was meant to
be felt, not explained. So I’d like to share with
you, New Times readers, just some of the
experiences that I connect with the
word “joy”:
The feeling I got upon seeing people’s
willingness to contribute at the recent quiz
night for My Sister’s Scarf, which raised funds
to support disabled workers in India and help
to prevent human trafficking.
The feeling of holding a fragile baby in my
arms, the daughter of two friends who have
overcome a number of health complications.
The feeling that creeps up on me while eating
a good meal or consuming an icy glass of water.
The feeling I got upon seeing an old friend for
the first time after a long time spent overseas.
The feeling bestowed upon me when reading
certain novels or articles as I find myself
thoroughly engrossed, bringing out emotional
or thoughtful responses.
Return to Contents
Catherine Hoffman
Cover details
Placements News
Placements finalised since the November
edition of New Times:
Rev Jonathan Davies to Seeds Uniting Church
(Priority) from 1 March 2015
Do Young Kim (Exit) to Adelaide Korean
Uniting Church from 1 January 2015
Upcoming inductions:
Casey Lau (Exit), Yilki Uniting Church (0.3) on
Sunday 7 December, time to be advised
Rev Mark Boyce (Deacon), Grange Uniting
Church (0.5) on Sunday 11 January 2015 at
4.30pm
Vacant placements:
The following is the current list of vacant (or
soon to be vacant) approved placements as of
The feeling I got when a friend showed trust
by confiding in me about some family issues,
and the evident relief she felt in sharing this
burden.
The feeling that comes with the strength of
understanding and love shared in my family
and friendship groups.
And finally, the feeling I get in knowing that
Christmas is right around the corner – the
reminder of God’s love and gift to all of us.
As you read this edition of New Times,
I encourage you to consider how and where
you find joy in your life, particularly during
the Advent season.
Wednesday 19 November:
Profiles available – Belair (0.5); Clearview (0.5);
County Jervois (Arno, Cleve, Coolanie, Cowell,
Driver River); Goolwa UC (from 1 January 2015);
Kadina Wallaroo (from January 2015); Seaton
(0.3); Whyalla.
Profiles not yet available – Keith One Church
(Uniting Church and Church of Christ); Klemzig
(0.5); Malvern; South West Fleurieu Linked
Congregations (0.6); Tumby Bay & Districts (0.5);
Windsor Gardens (0.5).
For more information on any of these placements,
or to view national placements, please visit
sa.uca.org.au/pastoral-relations/placementsvacant
Deciding on a cover for this
edition was difficult. The individuals,
congregations, communities and
organisations that form the Uniting
Church in South Australia express joy
through events, outreach, worship and
more. There were so many photos we
could have chosen, but we decided
on an image of a star. This is a
symbol that is particularly poignant
at Christmas time, reminding us of
how God guides us through life, as he
did the shepherds, and of the birth of
Jesus, God’s gift of joy to the world.
This photo is from pixabay.com
3
moderator
Expressions and experiences of joy
“The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.” (Psalm 126:3)
If I were to describe a visual expression
of joy as it is spoken of in Psalm 126,
it would be the sunrise we experienced
over Adnyamathanha country (the Flinders
Ranges) when we journeyed with Aunty
Denise Champion in “Walking on Country.”
The rising sun threw light into the darkest
of places and gave us a view of the world that
was transformative. Such joy not only touches
one person, but a whole community and the
wider world.
In a recent interview, theologian Jurgen
Moltmann was asked: “In an environment of
anxiety and terror, how does one find a way
to joy?” Moltmann replied: “Whenever I feel
the presence of God, my heart is lifted up and
I see more positively into the future of the
coming of God and thus hope is awakened
in me.”
Later in the interview, Moltmann
contrasted joy and fun. “Fun is a superficial
feeling that has to be repeated again and
again,” he explained. “Joy is a deeper feeling
of our whole existence, with your whole
heart, your whole soul and all your energy.
Joy is Divine – it comes from outside into our
life – in a journey from sadness to joy, from
loneliness to communion.”
As we contemplate the “joy to the world”
that is heralded with the coming of Christ,
how do we, personally and as communities of
faith, experience the deep joy that arises from
life in communion with God?
There have been a number of occasions
that have led me to such joy over the past
few months.
I recently attended the 10th anniversary
of the Unity Hill Uniting Church building in
Port Lincoln. It was an occasion of joy, hearing
people’s witness to Christ’s transforming
grace as they shared the ways they have
nurtured community and discipleship in
Port Lincoln and beyond. It was delightful to
participate in the opening of their “Adventure
Zone” – a creative and carefully designed
4
Dr Deidre Palmer prays with
Uniting Church President
Rev Prof Andrew Dutney
at the October/November
meeting of the Presbytery
and Synod.
intergenerational community space where
all are welcome.
In my visit and worship with congregations
of the Barossa, a younger member shared
with me her call to serve others – in
mentoring younger students at her high
school, and in discerning a career where she
can make a difference in other people’s lives.
The joy of Christ touches her whole heart
and being.
Our recent annual Presbytery and Synod
meeting was also an experience of joy. As I
sit here, several weeks after the event, I am
looking at photos of our gathering – many
familiar faces, sisters and brothers in Christ.
I see the joy in the music team leading us in
praise and thanks to God, and encouraging us
to be God’s people. I remember the passionate
speeches. I contemplate the frustration of
some, particularly at our inaction. I recognise
how uncomfortable it is for some of us to
be sitting at the same table, or in the same
room, with fellow Christians who think so
differently to us. And yet we have the courage
to be present to each other and to God. That
brings me joy – a gift from God to us! I recall
our celebration of emerging communities of
faith, our global partnerships, our concern
for living lives of reconciliation and peace,
our grief over the treatment of people who
seek refuge among us. In this recalling,
I am touched by the joy of the Divine
presence in all our discernment.
At times I have, in CS Lewis’ words, been
“surprised by joy.” As Moderator there are
difficult and painful conversations to be had.
People who love God and love our church
have shared with me their concerns about the
shape of our life together and our witness to
the Gospel. They are sometimes frustrated
by what they see as a lack of action or a lack
of attention to growth, in whatever form
we imagine it. At the end of several of these
conversations we have shared together in
prayer. In those prayers, I have felt invited
into a deeper space of love for each other and
communion with God. Those moments have
felt like the sun rising – Christ bringing light
into the pain and shadows of our personal
and communal life.
When Christ, the crucified and risen One,
comes into our lives, we know joy – a deep
and unshakable assurance that God’s love for
us is beyond measure, and we are called to live
as a people of joy.
May our joy be uncontained!
Dr Deidre Palmer
ce o / ge n e ral se cre ta r y
Rev Nigel Rogers (left) with his family and attendees at his induction service on Wednesday 29 October (see page 6 for details).
Christmas, joy and fruits
To find joy in everyday life is simple – all we need to do is slow down
and see the worth in those things we can so easily take for granted.
I’ll confess that slowing down is not a pace of life that comes naturally
to me; some days I feel like I’d make Bear Grylls look sedate. However,
like most people, I know that throttling back a little is absolutely
essential. Perhaps it’s why I love Christmas holidays so much as this
time gives me the chance to enjoy life at a different speed.
For many years now our family holiday over Christmas has been
spent at Currumbin on the Gold Coast – it is our “happy place.” One of
the most enjoyable things to do there is to sit out on the front verandah
on a hot, tropical afternoon and eat a big mango. God’s genius is
certainly found in combining summer time and tropical fruit!
Yet more than this is the joyful reality that our love for Christ affords
God the opportunity to work together all manner of good things in
and through us.
The Holy Spirit generates fruit within us, not primarily for selfedification but for sharing in relationship with God and others. The
Holy Spirit produces joy in a beautifully mysterious way. It is akin to
the wonder of a tiny seed that germinates, bursts through the ground
and then grows into all the fullness of its potential. As a tree bears fruit
it is also producing the seed needed to perpetuate the process of growth
all over again. A simple example is an apple. It is delicious to eat, in the
moment but it also contains the seeds that, with a bit of care, become
the means for the next apple tree. The fruit of the Spirit works in the
same way.
Return to Contents
Consider someone you know who overflows with the joy generated
by God’s Spirit. We are drawn to these people because they make life
lighter. They make us laugh and smile, and worry less. The joy that God
produces puts the anxieties and stresses of life into perspective. I would
suggest that the seed inherent in the fruit of the Spirit is the revealing
of God to another. The fruit of the Spirit reveals the nature of God to
others. Therefore, God becomes known to others as the Holy Spirit
bears fruit that bursts forth from our life to those around us.
The fruit of the Spirit is always in season! Whilst the Christmas
season is an enjoyable time, it reminds us that much in life comes and
goes. The transformative work of God is to swap the temporary for
the eternal. The produce of our self interest will always be temporary.
The fruit and seed of the Holy Spirit is eternal. When we slow down
and consider the simple reality of this it means enjoying God forever
is a far better option than the fleeting pleasure and contentment of the
temporary things in our lives.
This Christmas may the joy of the Lord be your strength!
Rev Nigel Rogers
5
news
Induction sermon focuses on strength and identity
Bindy Taylor
Rev Nigel Rogers, or "Nige" as he likes to be called, was inducted
into the role of CEO/General Secretary at a service held at Adelaide
West Uniting Church on Wednesday 29 October, the evening prior
to the annual meeting of the Presbytery and Synod. In his sermon,
Nige presented attendees with his vision and mission as a leader in
the Uniting Church in South Australia.
Opening by acknowledging his passion for sport, Nige reflected
on the thrill people get when a sporting team makes a comeback –
going from a seemingly impossible situation to winning a contest.
Using this as an analogy for the Uniting Church, Nige asked all
those in attendance a tough question: “Can the Uniting Church
make a comeback?”
Nige confidently shared his feeling that the Uniting Church is
primed to make a comeback in Australia. He acknowledged the
need for everyone to play a part in this process to ensure the Uniting
Church returns to a position of strength, supporting this by referring
to 1 Corinthians:
“If one part suffers, all parts suffer with it, and if one part is honoured,
all the parts are glad. Now all of you together are Christ’s body, and each
one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26-27)
Nige went on to identify two ways in which he believes the Uniting
Church SA can gain strength - by honestly refreshing our sense of
identity and strengthening the core of who we are.
To do this, Nige spoke about realising that our relationship with
God is the defining factor of the Uniting Church’s identity – not our
relationship with our buildings, our liturgy, our music or our societal
contributions. While acknowledging that these areas are not irrelevant,
Nige emphasised the need to be aware of their importance in relation to
God – when they become more important to us than our relationship
with God, it’s time to take a step back and reconsider. He encouraged
attendees to honestly consider whether we, as a church, have loved
certain aspects or facets of the church more than our relationship
with God.
6
Concluding this point, Nige reflected on how drifting apart from
our relationship with God can lead to confusion about who we are and,
subsequently, why we do things. The people of God are strongest when
they are responding in love for God as they experience and encounter
the love of God for them.
“If we honestly identify ourselves as the people of God then it
challenges certain areas of our life as a church. Essentially it challenges
what and who we love most,” Nige said.
In speaking about strengthening the core of who we are as the
Uniting Church SA, Nige asked the audience: “If the entire [Christian]
Church dropped off the face of the earth, what would the nation lose?”
In answering this, Nige believes our focus should remain on the core
purpose of the church – to draw people to Christ.
“There is no other group or organisation that fundamentally exists
to point others to Christ,” Nige stated. “It is the unique purpose of the
church. Furthermore, it is the love of God that empowers the church
to point others to God.”
Drawing on this idea, Nige went on to examine Paul’s words to
the Corinthians – that without love the church has nothing more than
meaningless noise. He invited the audience to consider the impact
the Uniting Church SA could have within our state if we collectively
engaged in transforming our communities through relating with others
with the kind of love Paul identifies in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
Nige also related the necessity of this kind of love within the
Uniting Church, identifying the need to draw together in love rather
than allowing diversity to divide the church. By uniting in Christ,
the Uniting Church can diversely express his love through the
power of the Holy Spirit and point people towards the living God
who loves everyone.
In closing, Nige reiterated that strengthening our identity
and core purpose is an achievable goal for a community of people
who desire to see the Uniting Church make a comeback.
news
Campaigns, committees and consensus
The October/November 2014 meeting of the Presbytery and Synod of the Uniting Church in South Australia opened with
the induction of Rev Nigel Rogers as CEO/General Secretary on Wednesday 29 October (see page 6). Business opened
on the morning of Thursday 28 October and concluded on Saturday 1 November. Below are some of the highlights from
the meeting. For a full account, please refer to the meeting minutes, which are available at sa.uca.org.au/pres-synodmeetings
Elections and appointments
Over the course of the meeting, nominations were received for a
number of vacancies on various Uniting Church SA councils and
committees. Nominations were also sought for people wishing to
represent the Uniting Church SA at the 14th Triennial Assembly of the
Uniting Church in Australia, which will be held in Perth from 12-18
July 2015. The declaration of ballots was not presented until after the
close of the meeting. A full list of those elected and appointed to vacant
positions is available online at sa.uca.org.au/pres-synod-meetings
Acknowledgement of Rev Dr Graham Humphris
During the Thursday session, the gathered members of the Presbytery
and Synod joined in a minute of appreciation for Rev Dr Graham
Humphris, the ex-General Secretary/Chief Executive Officer,
and past Moderator, of the Uniting Church SA.
In response, Graham reflected on the highlights of his time as
Gen Sec/CEO, as well as the trials he faced in the role. He spoke about
his strengthened knowledge of God’s faithfulness and his hope for the
future of the Uniting Church in SA.
Reports
Reports from the Standing Committee, the Beneficiary Fund,
the Moderator, Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress,
Assembly, Resources (the Finance, Resources Board, and Mission and
Service Fund Budget reports), and Ministry Centres were presented
at the meeting. To read the reports in full, please follow the links to the
30 October-1 November 2014 section at sa.uca.org.au/pres-synodmeetings
In memoriam
Attendees of the Presbytery and Synod stood in silence to acknowledge
the ministry of the following ministers who have died since the 2013
meeting of the Presbytery and Synod – Graham Mackley Nicholls,
Rod Noel Mann, Kevin Sidney Secomb, Don Andrew Purdey and
Erwin Laurence Mickan.
Ordinations
The Presbytery and Synod resolved to ordain Adam Low as a Minister
of the Word in the Uniting Church in Australia. Adam has recently
accepted a placement in Queensland. The Presbytery and Synod also
resolved to ordain Esteban Lievano as a Minister of the Word in the
Uniting Church in Australia subject to placement.
Recognition of Lay Preachers
Max Howland led a celebration to recognise three accredited
Lay Preachers who recently reached anniversaries - John Ferris
(who has served as a Lay Preacher for 60 years), Don Sinnott (30 years)
and Kathleen Whitby (50 years).
Return to Contents
Fundraising campaigns
Rev Peter Riggs launched a fundraising campaign for the new Playford
Uniting Church. Pete spoke about the need for a “community space”
in the area, which will offer opportunities to engage with local families.
Rev Amel Manyon introduced a fundraising campaign for the
Northern Suburbs Dinka Speaking Faith Community. This large
community will soon be moving to St Stephen’s Church, which is
in need of repair for safety reasons. Amel spoke about the need for
volunteers in areas including mentoring, building repairs and
engaging contractors, in addition to a need for financial contributions.
For more information about each of these fundraising campaigns,
please click on the “Make a Donation” tab at sa.uca.org.au
Beyond Our Walls resource
Morialta Uniting Church has recently engaged in offering videos
of worship services to congregations, organisations, groups and
individuals who are unable to attend a full service or who may have
difficulty finding a regular preacher. This project is titled “Beyond Our
Walls,” and provides videos in DVD and online (YouTube) formats.
For more information, please visit morialtauca.org.au
Bible study with Rev Prof Andrew Dutney
Uniting Church President Rev Prof Andrew Dutney conducted two
Bible studies over the course of the three day meeting. The first of these
was based on Romans 13:8-10 (“Love your neighbour as yourself”) and
the second on Matthew 5:43-48 (“Love for enemies”). Through each
of these inspirational, thought-provoking studies, Andrew focussed
on one key question – what kind of church is God calling us to be?
He concluded by saying: “That question is not essentially answered
by structures or processes or employment of resources, but by the
way we are called to love one another and love our enemies.”
Recognition of Ministry Service
A Recognition of Ministry Service was held on the Friday evening of
the meeting to celebrate individuals moving into new stages in their
ministry. Five retiring ministers – Greg Pearce, Algis Greb, Graham
Pitman, Jwee Teo and Diane Grimm – were recognised with a candlelighting service, worship and sharing. Nine ministers moving from
Phase 3 to Phase 4 were also recognised – Andrew Robertson, Sarah
Agnew, David Hoffman, Benji Callen, Titus Ng, Vicky Balabanski,
Christa Megaw, Matt Stuart and Coralie Evans. Finally, the Presbytery
of South Australia commissioned Adrian Nippress into International
Mission ministry and Kemeri Lievano into Multicultural and Crosscultural ministry, both within the Uniting Church SA Mission
Resourcing department.
7
j oy
We all experience Christmas differently – some find cause for celebration, while others take time to reflect. In the Uniting
Church, we find deep joy in reflecting on Jesus’ birth and God’s love for us. But Christmas can still be a difficult time for
many within the Church, as people struggle with feelings of loneliness or remember loved ones who have passed away.
This December, New Times will explore stories of joy, celebration and reflection as we approach the Christmas season.
Responding with joy
This month, New Times asked Uniting Church SA members from a variety of backgrounds to answer two questions
about “joy.” Some chose to respond directly to the questions, while others wrote a short reflection on the topic.
The results provide an interesting insight into how faith, life and joy intersect in the lives of Uniting Church members,
particularly over Advent and Christmas.
Rev Sue Ellis with one of her grandchildren.
Rev Sue Ellis
Joy comes from participating in the glory
of God.
My middle name is Joy – sometimes I say
I am full of Joy – as a result, joyfulness has
always intrigued me.
I am filled with joy when I experience,
again and again each Christmas, the wonder
of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling in
the messiness of our midst in the infant Jesus.
Joy captures my heart when people are
still able to demonstrate goodwill and love
towards one another in the stress-filled,
spending frenzy of the festive season.
Whenever and wherever I experience
the delight of the glory of God, there is joy –
with bells a-ringing!
8
Rev Brian Polkinghorne (right) shares with a farmer and his family in Tanzania.
Rev Brian Polkinghorne
What does the term “joy” mean to you?
A few times in my life I have been walking
somewhere, and jumped in the air and clicked
my heels together. Why? Well, it had just
dawned on me that, momentarily, what I
believed was the will of God, for me and the
society around me, was being realised. Not
happiness, but something much deeper and
more meaningful – fulfilment, contentment,
deep satisfaction that, for that moment,
all was well. Joy.
How do you experience joy during
the Christmas season?
The Christmas season for me is always
a tough one. I cannot but agonise over
the distortion, shallowness, extravagance,
waste and skin-deep, tinselled frivolity of
Christmas in Australia, and the Western
world – particularly compared to the grinding
poverty, but widespread deep contentment,
of the Developing world. For me, Christmas
highlights the conflict of the world of waste
and the world of want.
It almost drives me crazy to think
that this is possibly the season of greatest
environmental destruction and pollution on
the one hand, while in my head and soul, I
know that joy has come to the world as Christ,
the world’s hope and salvation, has arrived.
So for me, joy lies in the reality of giving
meaningfully at Christmas as God gave of
God’s-self in Christ. Christmas Bowl and
UnitingWorld’s gifts to the poor, in enabling
others, are my source of joy in the conflict.
joy
Rev Sarah Agnew.
Esteban Lievano (right) with his family.
Esteban Lievano
What does the term "joy" mean to you?
Especially at Christmas time, joy means
the sense of happiness from being a part of a
loving family, as well as the wider Christian
family in the church. Joy is also something
that is shared – Christmas is a time when
we’re reminded that God loved us so much
that he sent his son, and that knowledge of
the love of the Father brings joy. I have the
immense pleasure in sharing that with my
children as well my brothers and sisters in
the church.
How do you experience joy during the
Christmas season?
I rejoice in being able to take time to share
with my kids another element of my culture
in sharing the Christmas traditions. We have
a traditional meal of Argentinean asado,
with ensalada rusa and empanadas – all of
which we have laboured together to produce.
Return to Contents
In the living room we have a traditional
Christmas tree with all the trimmings,
but next to it is our pesebre or nativity scene
celebrating that Latin American tradition
of putting the baby Jesus at the centre of the
festivities, and we open the presents on the
24th at midnight – waking up for Christmas
Service is sometimes difficult! The evening
usually ends with breaking a piñata outside,
a custom we’ve picked up from our Hispanic
community here in Australia, and the kids
are allowed one piece of candy before we tuck
them into their beds. On Christmas morning,
we join in with our wider church family and
my wife’s Australian family in celebrating
Aussie traditions – so we get the best of both
worlds! This mixture of custom, tradition
and faith - and the privilege of sharing this
with my family – is one of the aspects of the
season that brings me great joy.
Rev Sarah Agnew
Jacarandas burst, lining the streets with
Advent joy. Days linger into the evening as the
seasons themselves sing joyful songs of life.
That was last Christmas, and every
Christmas before it. This year, I am
accompanied by empty trees and long
nights as the carol books and decorations
are dusted off again.
This year, I will sing, but will not play,
the carols of Christmas joy. Our midnight
contemplative service of the past three years,
at which my clarinet accompanied the carol
singing, was a special Christmas joy.
This year, for the first Christmas in over
a decade, I will hear the story told without
telling it. Will I find joy in a return to listener,
even as I feel the absence of collaboration
in telling the story anew in a community
of faith?
For the first time in my life, I will not eat
and drink Christmas with my family, my
deepest Christmas joy. As I write these lines,
I do not know where or with whom I will eat
and drink this Christmas; and in my gifted,
chosen “homelessness” my thoughts turn
to all those who yearn for home, whatever
“home” may be.
This Christmas, the language and imagery
of light in the darkness take on new meaning
as I celebrate Christmas in the darker, colder
north. But though I am told not to get my
hopes up, this relocation may bring a new
joy I could not experience at home – a white
Christmas! There is joy even in the possibility
of snow!
9
j oy
Rev Sue Page.
Rev Lindsay Faulkner (right) shares in passing the peace at a recent Adult Fellowship meeting.
Rev Sue Page
What does the term “joy” mean to you?
When I first hear the term “joy” I think of
celebration, excitement, fun. But when I think
about it more, I would also describe joy as
a sense of urgency toward God – seeking,
learning and praising God. Joy is also that
sense of warmth in heart and soul that I
experience when all feels right in my world.
How do you experience joy during the
Christmas season?
I experience joy during the Christmas season
in the retelling of the Christmas story and
entering into the feelings of Mary, Joseph,
the Shepherds and Magi at the advent
of the Christ child – the wonder, the fear,
the excitement!
I also experience joy watching my children
celebrate Christmas - my three-year old son’s
exclamations over the Christmas decorations
in shopping centres, and excitement when
he spots Santa. I get that warmth in my heart
when my seven-year old is asked by someone
what Christmas is all about, and he answers
that it is the birth of baby Jesus.
I feel great joy and excitement when I
think about seeing my extended family and
celebrating Christmas with them – sharing
life, reflecting on the year that has been, and
looking ahead to the new year. All is right in
my world when I am listening, sharing and
celebrating life – what joy!
Rev Lindsay Faulkner
“Surprised by Joy” is the title the late C.S.
Lewis gave to the book about his life and
journey into faith. His faith was in the love
of God shown in the birth, life, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. To define joy as a
surprise is, to me, very apt. It is a surprise that
God chose such a simple way to show love –
coming as a child, born at the fringe of a small
community and so vulnerable that he had to
be whisked away to safety in another country.
Joy is that he returned and lived out a life so
that you and I may know God’s love for us,
to be surprised by that love and so be joyful.
Joy is also an experience or emotion that
can only be defined by each of us as we come
upon it. I remember the joy of seeing my
children at their birth, and in sharing their
growing. I reflect on the continuing joy of
my marriage to Nessie, and our shared joy
in ministry to communities throughout
Australia and beyond in the name of
our Lord.
Since our “retirement,” Nessie and I have
made our church home in the congregation
at Payneham Road Uniting Church.
10
In this place we have met many people from
different countries and cultures. It has been
our habit to host a Christmas dinner for
young people in our community who have no
local family outside of the church. It is a joy to
see strangers become friends in the fellowship
of Christ!
This year we are to miss out on that
particular Christmas joy and exchange it for
another – we are heading to Melbourne to
share Christmas with our family there! It will
be the first time in many years that we will
be able to share a Christmas dinner with our
daughter and her family. What a joy!
During this past year I have had the
privilege to serve as SA Synod President of the
Uniting Church Adult Fellowship committee.
In that role, I have travelled widely in South
Australia. It has been a joy to meet so many
people, each practicing the joy of fellowship in
many ways – through Packing Day, op shops,
Men’s Sheds, quilting groups and more!
Joy is not just a solitary experience – it is a
gift that surprises us as we join together in the
household of God.
joy
Rev Jock Dunbar
What does the term “joy” mean to you?
I recently read a quote by author Brene Brown
stating that joy can feel like a “setup” – a
feeling that things will suddenly or inevitably
become worse than they are, and that I need
to prepare myself for that coming situation.
I must make a choice to receive and feel
the love and pleasure I find in the present
moment, and thereby experience the fullness
of joy through God’s Spirit. Being welcomed
into the Synod and Presbytery of the Uniting
Church SA, the congregation of Rosefield,
and the neighbourhood of Highgate has
been a joyful experience.
How do you experience joy during the
Christmas season?
At present, I find joy in seeing others included
at lunch and dinner tables, particularly people
who would otherwise have little or nothing to
celebrate and no one to celebrate with. Joy is
closely related to gratitude, and this is a good
thing to exercise over the Christmas season.
During this season, God challenges me to
see those who do not have what I have, and
to participate in acts of kindness, justice, and
peace-building for people abroad and closer
to home.
Jenny Esots
As we lift up our voices and sing
We are currently contemplating the season
of Advent, a time of waiting. That feeling of
anticipation is on the rise. There is something
very special about celebrating Christmas –
the remembrances, gatherings and good food.
Beneath all the clamour of the season there
is also the simple joy in singing Christmas
hymns and songs, joining in carol services
and worship, and remembering all the
Christmases past. Rarely have I felt pure
joy like that caused when I hear or sing
a favourite carol.
There is joy in knowing that Jesus came
into our world and rocked it to the core.
The sound of choruses ringing out over
the land provide just one way for joy to be
expressed. Other joys may sing out through
nature – the blossom on the trees, brilliant
Return to Contents
creatures and reflective skies, rolling vineyards
and coasts shining.
Still, music has a unique ability to unite the
whole community, particularly through songs
like the Hallelujah chorus, which have passed
across generations. Music such as this is a joy
that surpasses the commercialisation of this
time as we acknowledge the love that came
down at Christmas and is with us still.
Neil Andrew
What does the term “joy” mean to you?
It was an engaging coincidence to get this
question emailed to me on the day our
youngest son was returning briefly to
Australia from Abu Dhabi. In common
with other parents who have adult children
working and living overseas, Carolyn and I
were happy about the news of his visit.
This cheerful sentiment was transformed to
joy when he appeared on the air bridge – an
immediate sense of fulfilment, contentment
and completion flooded into our lives. This
was joy because everything that mattered
was just as it ought to be; life’s priorities
were in balance and aligned. Joy is much
more than happiness. It is more than simply
having what we want. Look at joyful people
in Holy Orders – they do not have all that
they could materially desire, but they radiate
contentment and joy because they have
relationships that are reassuring and fulfilling.
How do you experience joy during the
Christmas season?
My illustration above has no relevant
parallel in the Christmas season. The joyful
appearance of my “prodigal” son into the
arms of an even more wayward father is
as close as this analogy gets to any biblical
context. By contrast, Christmas “joy” is the
miraculous revelation of God in the form of
His Son. Creation is complete. Relationships
are restored. God becomes man. Life is in
perspective because God has revealed himself
as a loving father, and we see our new roles
as sons and daughters in common with
the entire human family. It is this sense of
reconciliation and completeness that heralds
Christmas joy. Luke records the shepherds
as the initial recipients of this “good news
of great joy.” Consequently Christmas is
celebrated by giving. We discover again
the joy of giving without expecting reward.
We gather as the Magi did – simply to
worship the One whose revelation has meant
that we are acceptable. We gather, joyful,
because we know we are welcomed as we
are and reconciled to others. In Christmas
celebrations, life is fulfilled, purposeful and
complete – a time of great joy.
Rev Elwyn Penna
Joy
“Sweet is the sunlight that follows rain,
and sweet the joy that follows pain.” So we
used to sing, and there is truth in that, but joy
and pain are two sides of the one coin – the
coin called “life.” In life, we are equally open
to joy and pain.
The modern demand for instant and
lasting pleasure is a search for the impossible
without denying the nature of life. There are
different levels of joy. We reduce it to being
constantly happy – there is a deeper joy that
exists even in the midst of pain. This joy is
one of the fruits of the Spirit.
Joy in Christmas
In my family, I enjoy the shared reflections
and banter, and as I can no longer run and
play as I used to, I now find watching the
family games a rewarding experience.
I love Christmas carols and wish we
would sing a wider range of them – there is
joy in the music. Besides carols, I find joy in
sharing with God’s people the good news of
Jesus, reflecting on the implications of the
coming of the Saviour and in the gathering
of family. Sadly, the latter of these seems to
have assumed greater importance than the
coming of Christ for many people today.
The commercialisation of Christmas
has greatly distorted its message. We are
constantly told that getting our wish for
Christmas will bring pleasure, even joy.
11
j oy
Are you ready for a story?
Kerry Black
A child enters the room and is greeted with kindness and respect,
valued as an equal member of the community. The “door keeper”
shakes their hand and asks a question, prompting them to prepare
themselves for not only a story but a time of wondering and creativity.
Children and their parents meet on the “circle time carpet” as the
storyteller greets them and personally invites them in.
In quiet preparation, the group settles as the storyteller begins.
She starts with a candle, a solitary flame, and the story of a man who
said great things and did wonderful deeds. With particular language
and selected hand movements, she weaves the story of a parable, using
a box of beautifully crafted materials to appeal to the child’s sense of
play. Pausing at particular moments she creates wonderment through
the creative process as the tale is told. She focuses on the story as it
unfolds, her eyes aimed downward to draw the child’s attention to
her actions. When complete, she looks to each child and softly says,
“I wonder…” She poses questions that prompt thought and openness
to the purpose of the story.
Once the story has been told, the children feast together before
moving to the “response room” where they are able to respond to
the meaning of the story though art, books and quiet contemplation.
This process accommodates the child’s needs as a whole person,
addressing the creative process through “play.” Contemplative silence is found throughout the session – as the
child returns materials to the shelf, as the storyteller creates purposeful
pauses in the telling of the story, and in the deliberate ritual of the child
arriving and departing.
This is what Godly Play looks like in action.
In his book The Spiritual Guidance of Children, Jerome Berryman
identifies how the use of essential language in Godly Play keeps
communication open between children and adult mentors.
He explores the ways parables and Biblical stories can assist in
stimulating creativity, and in creating identity and biological meaning.
The author also addresses the importance of contemplative silence in
joining human creativity with that of the creator.
Love, like play, is an integral part of this creative process – it involves
the whole person and the cerebral nuances of the brain. Both love
and play are deeply engaging and link to activities such as ethics and
creating meaning.
Through tears and laughter, Godly Play sessions are infused with
joy, love, creativity and communication. Godly Play ideally provides a
safe place for mutual blessing and the evolvement of spiritual maturity,
releasing the joy of God’s blessing of grace.
This article is based on experiences of Godly Play at Burnside
City Uniting Church through the Early Beginnings Program. Early
Beginnings offers a full Montessori playgroup curriculum for children
aged two to three, and operates from 9am-12noon on Wednesdays and
12
A child participates in a recent Godly Play session at Burnside City
Uniting Church.
Fridays during school term times. For further information about Early
Beginnings, please visit accademiadimontessori.com.au or contact
Tonia Smith on 0432 378 219 or Kerry Black on 0450 623 851.
More on Godly Play
Developed by Jerome Berryman, Godly Play is a Montessori
method of religious education that focuses less on telling
individuals about God’s deeds, and more on helping people
to discover who God is. Through parables, sacred stories and
liturgical lessons, Godly Play invites listeners to connect faith
stories with personal experiences. Godly Play is mostly used
with children, but can also be a great exercise for adults; it has
been used in settings such as schools, hospitals, churches and
aged care facilities.
Kerry Folland is the Godly Play Coordinator for the Uniting
Church in South Australia. Individuals, families and communities
from the Uniting Church SA can experience Godly Play through
events, workshops, gatherings and resources.
For more information about Godly Play, please contact
Kerry Folland on 8396 3252 or [email protected] or visit
sa.uca.org.au/cfm where Godly Play can be found by clicking
the “Ministry leaders” tab.
joy
Joy sharpened by sorrow: a Sri Lankan story
Cath Taylor
“We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world.” – Helen Keller
Robbed of sight and hearing at the age of 19
months, yet one of the world’s most celebrated
activists, authors and communicators, Helen
Keller knew a thing or two about adversity,
bravery and patience. Like many people with
disabilities, her joy was sharpened by her
experiences of sorrow. During a recent trip to
Kilinochchi in the far north of Sri Lanka, Matt
Tyne encountered many children for whom
joy has been sharpened in the same way.
“Picture a region devastated by the civil
war that finally ceased in 2009, taking with
it thousands of lives,” Matt says. “Red soil
crammed with land mines, the Jaffna library
flattened, countless young men threatened,
assaulted, recruited, disappeared, tortured.”
After a closure caused by the Sri Lankan
civil war, the rail-link between the north and
the south of Sri Lanka was recently reopened,
enabling train travel between the regions for
the first time in more than 20 years. Since
the end of the war in 2009, roads between
the north and south have also been able to be
traversed more easily. This has allowed Matt,
UnitingWorld’s recently appointed Associate
Director for Relief and Development, to visit
the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka (MCSL),
one of UnitingWorld’s partners.
“MCSL and their partner DeafLink,
with UnitingWorld’s help, work with
people in Kilinochchi and surrounding
districts to improve education for children
with disabilities,” says Matt. “This involves
lobbying school authorities to acknowledge
the importance of including children with
disabilities in mainstream education and
providing specialist training for staff.
Patience and bravery are paying off for
families who are now seeing their children
enrolled in school.”
Investment in those who have disabilities is
critical. While disability and extreme poverty
go hand-in-hand throughout the developing
world, rates of disability in Sri Lanka are
particularly high due in part to the legacy of
Return to Contents
Two young boys benefitting from the support provided by UnitingWorld
and the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka through education initiatives.
the civil war. Yet those affected have often
seemed invisible within their communities.
“Children at the local school in Kilinochchi
feel the joy of being enrolled in school more
keenly because they have previously been
excluded,” Matt explains. “We saw it in their
faces as they proudly showed us their books
and sang for us. These are children who’ve
grown up with multiple traumas, affected
by shelling, landmines and the psychological
horrors of war.”
The MCSL also works with adults
disabled by the war to develop new skills
and opportunities to improve their lives.
The church is training and supporting
people to establish mobile phone repair
shops, a significant business opportunity in
a country where telephone landlines are few
and far between. Other groups are making
candles and incense for sale in the local area
and beyond.
It’s not the only project making a difference
within the community.
“In Anuradhapura, an exciting project
is uniting people from different faiths to
overcome religious suspicion and intolerance,”
Matt says. “As I walked into the local
Methodist Church I was struck by the sight
of three Buddhist monks, a Hindu priest,
an Anglican priest and a Methodist priest,
all sitting together talking. This image filled
me with joy.”
Sri Lanka’s immediate past is filled with
pain and adversity, yet the people are creative,
strong, patient and brave. As we celebrate
the birth of Christ this Christmas, we also
celebrate new life for men, women and
children in places of conflict and poverty
around the world.
This Christmas, Uniting Church members
have the opportunity to support children
with disabilities in Sri Lanka by contributing
to their education. For more information on
how to make a gift, please visit UnitingWorld’s
“Everything in Common” website at
everythingincommon.com.au or
call 8267 4232.
13
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joy
Mae Li and her children in Mae La refugee camp.
Karen McGrath
Mae Li and her husband had just enough time to take their children
and escape when the Burmese army attacked in the night and
destroyed their village. It was terrifying.
“Life in Burma was very fearful. When the military attacked we
were very afraid. If the military did not attack then it was ok but
we were often afraid,” Mae Li recalls. “Here [in Mae La refugee camp]
it is better as there is no fear.”
Mae Li is one of over 120,000 people – Burma’s forgotten refugees
– forced to flee their homes to escape death, violence and fear caused
by the conflict in Burma and now living in refugee camps across the
border in neighbouring Thailand. Life in the camp is hard, but at least
Mae Li has felt safe here, up until now.
Unable to return home and confined to camps by Thai policy,
refugees like Mae Li rely on food rations to survive. But recently, rations
in the camps have had to be reduced because of funding shortages.
There simply isn’t the money to provide enough food for everyone.
If more funds aren’t found soon, the refugees could be faced with an
impossible decision – stay in the safety of the camps and watch their
children go hungry, or return to Burma and risk violence and death.
Mae Li is terrified that if her rations are cut further, she will have no
choice but to take her family back to Burma to find food – back to the
place where, just four years ago, they were attacked in their sleep.
How can she again live with the constant fear that her children might
be abducted, abused or killed by the army?
“I worry about my family’s future [and] for my children,” she says.
“If I go back to Burma we will all be afraid.”
Moved by this horrific situation, Rev Prof Andrew Dutney, President
of the Uniting Church in Australia, has called on Christians around
Return to Contents
Australia to take action and bring some Christmas joy to refugees
like Mae Li by making a gift to the Christmas Bowl appeal this year.
“The Christmas Bowl is such a familiar part of the Uniting Church
celebrations in Advent and Christmas that we almost take it for
granted. But a moment’s thought about the Bowl’s support for people
trapped in poverty, or fleeing their homes, or caught up in conflict,
reminds us of what a privilege it is to be part of this network of practical
care,” Andrew says.
“I encourage all Uniting Church congregations and families to
support the Christmas Bowl again this year, making it a centrepiece
in our celebration of the birth of Christ.”
Funds raised by this year’s Christmas Bowl will provide food rations,
as well as vegetable seeds, tools and training to ensure families like Mae
Li’s have enough to eat until it’s safe for them to return home. Gifts to
the appeal will also help to support other people in need around the
world, including providing emergency assistance to Christians and
other minority groups fleeing violence and persecution in Iraq.
The Christmas Bowl is the Christmas appeal of Act for Peace, the
international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia.
Now in its 65th year, the appeal brings together over 100,000 Christians
of all denominations to give relief and hope to people suffering as a result
of conflict and disaster at Christmas.
In 2013, Uniting Church congregations across South Australia
generously gave $180,000 to the Christmas Bowl – it is hoped that this
can be raised even further in 2014. To find out more about the Christmas
Bowl appeal or order a church fundraising kit with worship resources,
please visit actforpeace.org.au/christmasbowl or call 1800 025 101.
15
magazine
Gearing up for KCO 2015
Over the March long weekend, Saturday 21 to Sunday 22 March
2015, children aged seven to 12 will once again join together for
KCO (KUCA [Kids of the Uniting Church in Australia] Camp Out).
Next year’s theme will be “A-OK! (Acts of Kindness),” which will
help attendees to focus on discovering God’s great act of kindness (the
gift of Jesus) and exploring how to share God’s love through everyday,
intentional acts of kindness. As usual, the annual camp will provide an
exciting opportunity for children from congregations, communities
and schools to grow their faith, make new friends and have fun.
Registrations for next year’s KCO event close on Saturday 31 January
2015. For more information about KCO and how to register a group,
please contact the KCO Event Office:
e. [email protected]
p. 8236 4246
Or visit the website at kco.sa.uca.org.au
Children enjoying the fun and fellowship of KCO in 2014.
CommUnity Days awards announced
At the October/November meeting of the Presbytery and Synod,
Communications Manager Bindy Taylor and Moderator Dr Deidre
Palmer presented the 2014 CommUnity Days awards.
CommUnity Days events are held throughout the year by Uniting
Church congregations and organisations, and are supported by the
Uniting Church SA Communications team. A number of vibrant
community events were held in 2014, making it challenging for
the judges to decide on a victor for each of the award categories –
Community Partnership, Innovation and Service. However, a decision
was reached and the following congregations were presented with
certificates at the Presbytery and Synod meeting for conducting
exciting community events:
Community Partnership Award
For successfully partnering with another community group or
organisation to host a CommUnity Days event
Adelaide West Uniting Church – Community Spring Fair
and launch of “Shining Light”
Honourable mention: Murray Bridge Uniting Church –
dinner event for the United Nations’ Year of Farming Families
Innovation Award
For hosting a unique and innovative CommUnity Days event
Ceduna Uniting Church – Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Honourable mention: The Corner Uniting Church – The Good Table
Community Exhibition
Service Award
For dedication and service to the community through hosting a
CommUnity Days event
Maitland Uniting Church – Free Market
Honourable mentions: Para Hills Uniting Church – Community
Market Day, and Sunset Rock Uniting Church – Pop-Up Op Shop
CommUnity Days will continue to operate in 2015. For more
information about CommUnity Days and how to register an event,
please visit sa.uca.org.au/community-days or contact Communications
on 8236 4249.
Planning your Lenten journey
The end of the year is fast approaching and Lent will occur soon
afterwards, starting in February 2015, so now is the time to start
planning for the Lenten season! Through its 40 days of action,
reflection and connection, UnitingWorld’s Lent Event provides
resources to assist congregations in engaging with faith and the
life of the global church each year.
In 2015, Lent Event will launch a new mobile phone application
(commonly known as an “app”), which will provide prayers and
reflections for each of the 40 days of Lent. It will also offer information
about projects which are making a global difference through the
16
provision of safe water, healthcare and education. A new Bible study
titled “Forty Days of Hope” has been written by Rev Dr Cliff Bird,
a minister from the Solomon Islands, to provide a day-by-day guide
through the Lenten season. Resources for young people and worship
services are also available.
Lent Event invigorates faith, and encourages individuals and
congregations to live more simply, sharing resources so that people
are empowered to break the cycle of poverty.
To find out more or to register for Lent Event in 2015,
please visit lentevent.com or call (02) 8267 4267.
ministry centres
Mission Resourcing – mission, Fresh Expressions and evangelism
Earlier this year, the different sections of the
Mission Resourcing ministry centre joined
together to form three distinct teams – the first
of these, the Uniting Young People team, was
featured in the October edition of New Times.
In this edition, Wendy Perkins and Rev David
Buxton share the vision for their newly formed
Mission Resourcing team, which is comprised of
Rural and Regional Mission, Fresh Expressions
and Evangelism, and Urban Mission.
Despite a certain level of resource and
idea sharing, the areas of Rural and Regional
Mission, Fresh Expressions and Evangelism,
and Urban Mission within the Mission
Resourcing department have usually operated
separately. This is due to change in the coming
months with the recent formation of a single
team encompassing these areas. While the
team does not yet have a name, its members
are confident on what it is that ties them
together.
“What we have in common is a desire to
see people transformed as passionate disciples
of Jesus,” states Rev David Buxton, Regional
and Rural Mission Officer. “We’re about
mission and discipleship.”
This is a goal that many within the Uniting
Church SA Synod office could identify with,
but this Mission Resourcing team is poised
particularly well to address it in a practical
manner. Each member of the team regularly
visits congregations and communities across
the state, finding out what their needs are and
identifying ways to address these.
“We’ve found that it’s important to facilitate
the spiritual faith development of individuals
within congregations and faith communities
as a precursor to mission planning and
resourcing,” says David.
“Our mandate is to help congregations
thrive,” adds Urban Mission Officer Wendy
Perkins. “We’re here to assist congregations,
providing them with the people, training,
books, guidance, websites and other resources
they need to support them in their growth
and faith development.”
The team is aware of the many
issues currently facing Uniting Church
Return to Contents
The areas of Rural and Regional Mission, Fresh Expressions and Evangelism, and Urban
Mission are involved in visiting and supporting Uniting Church communities across
South Australia – including those far off the beaten track. Photo by Timothy Molineux.
congregations. The latest National Church
Life Survey (NCLS) and the 2013 Uniting
Church survey of ministers and congregations
revealed some sobering statistics. Church
attendance is down. Congregations are
growing smaller. Faith communities are
struggling to attract young people.
“The recent NCLS data revealed a
disappointing lack of vitality in our churches,”
Wendy says. “It’s really made congregations
think carefully about what God is calling
them to do and to be.”
“This is often a matter of churches
rethinking and changing their culture, which
can be a slow process,” David elaborates. “Our
projects with congregations are long term,
not just a matter of three to six months.”
The need to seriously rethink who and
what the Uniting Church is being called to
be has recently been addressed by Uniting
Church President Rev Prof Andrew Dutney
and Uniting Church SA CEO/General
Secretary Rev Nigel Rogers. Both men spoke
on this topic over the course of the October/
November meeting of the Uniting Church SA
Presbytery and Synod.
“We’re here to help congregations as they
think these things through,” says Wendy. “We
are not going to tell congregations what to do.
Our focus is on equipping, resourcing, serving
and collaborating with the communities
of the Uniting Church in South Australia.”
“Congregations often find it useful to get
an external person to assist with the growth
of their faith and church life,” David says.
“While outside consultants charge a lot for
this kind of service, our team members help
congregations without cost, as contributions
from the Mission and Service Fund enable
the funding of the staff team.”
“We encourage any churches in need
– whether it is a need related to resources,
training or a larger issue – to contact us for
assistance,” Wendy concludes. “We’re here
to help.”
The members of this Mission Resourcing
team are Rev Ruthmary Bond, Rev David
Buxton, Wendy Perkins and Rev Beth Seaman.
To find out more about the support offered by
this team, please use the appropriate contact
details below:
Fresh Expressions and Evangelism –
Ruthmary on 8236 4244 or
[email protected]
Rural and Regional Mission – David
on 8236 4236 or [email protected]
Urban Mission – Beth on 8236 4253 or
[email protected] or Wendy on
8236 4284 or [email protected]
17
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Vermont Uniting Church
Having celebrated the 64th anniversary of
their church building in August this year,
the Vermont Uniting Church congregation
hopes to continue its history of providing a
welcoming place of worship. The community
aims to be open to new ideas through
God’s leading, focussing on spiritual growth
through the different preachers who regularly
join them for worship services.
The leadership of Vermont Uniting
Church includes Rev Angie Griffin (in a
0.5 full-time equivalent placement), church
council members, elders, pastoral carers,
an accredited Lay Preacher, Sunday School
leaders and leaders from the Fijian fellowship.
The leadership team offers support, guidance
and teaching for both the Fijian fellowship
and the English-speaking congregation.
The Vermont English-speaking
congregation is made up of 35-55 people,
including children and teenagers, and is
passionate about encouraging people of all
ages to be involved in the life of the church.
The welcoming hospitality, friendliness
and caring nature demonstrated by the
congregation’s members can be felt by all who
attend church services and events. Together,
the congregation celebrates birthdays,
anniversaries and achievements, including
the recent Australian citizenship of a church
member who was born in Africa.
Members of Vermont Uniting Church's English-speaking congregation and Fijian Fellowship.
The Fijian fellowship is a vital part of
Vermont Uniting Church and worships
as a community every Sunday after the
English-language morning service. The
Fijian fellowship includes 20 adults and
approximately 15 children.
The attendance of families and individuals
from Fiji has hugely enriched the life of the
Vermont Uniting Church congregation,
enhancing worship and providing church
members with a vision for future possibilities.
Through the members of the Fijian fellowship
who have found a home at Vermont Uniting
Church, other congregation members have
found new opportunities for friendship
and fellowship. It is hoped that together the
members of the congregation will help to
develop leaders, and enable all within the
church community to use their gifts
and talents.
Vermont Uniting Church also connects
with the wider community through hiring
of church halls, monthly community lunches,
support of the Christian Pastoral Support
Worker at Plympton Primary School,
donations of goods for UnitingCare Wesley
Bowden, support of the Waikerie Fruit
Project, donation of goods for the Lions Club
Toiletry Packs for the Homeless, Cancer
Council Biggest Morning Tea, and hosting
occasional speakers from charity groups to
share with the Vermont Adult Fellowship.
One 90 year-old member also knits jumpers,
beanies and blankets for children throughout
the year.
Words from the Fijian fellowship
We are celebrating God’s grace as we are
being encouraged and appreciated when
we worship and participate together in the
Sunday morning English-language service.
We enjoy a sense of welcome and assurance
of being an active and responsible member of
the faith family at Vermont Uniting Church.
The Fijian fellowship already has strong
attendance, and it is our mission to gather
together Fijians living in Adelaide for
worship in Fijian language. We now have a
broader vision of growing into a mainstream
congregation where we can positively
contribute to the worship and fellowship
Return to Contents
with our English-speaking congregation.
Our uniqueness as a fellowship is the joy we
share in our singing. We sing unaccompanied
by music or instruments – we love it.
We value and respect the presence
and faith of the elderly members of our
congregation. Their wisdom, continued
support and encouragement means so much
to us. This is what we highly appreciate in our
current church life as we share and learn to
journey together with the English-speaking
congregation at Vermont.
We are consciously aware of God’s leading
and appreciate the leadership and friendship
of our current Minister, the Chairperson,
the Church Council (in which we are
represented) and the Elders council.
Our hope is to grow within the traditions
of the Uniting Church, and to contribute
and celebrate the multicultural nature of
the church.
We faithfully join the pilgrim journey
learning to grasp the rhythm of the “Lord
of the Dance”:
Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said he.
19
positions vacant
Lecturer in Pastoral Care (0.4)
Uniting College is the Uniting Church’s college for
discipleship and ministry training in South Australia.
We seek a Lecturer in Pastoral Care (0.4). The successful applicant
will have a vision for developing exceptional pastoral practice
in the life of the church. They will teach a range of pastoral
topics essential to ministry practice in the contemporary
world. Postgraduate qualifications are highly desirable.
Enquires to Craig Bailey –
[email protected].
Applications close 15 December, 2014,
with interviews in the new year.
p o s i t i o n s va c a n t . s a . u c a . o r g . a u
BECOME A DISABILITY CARER TODAY
A million reasons to smile
Supporting me supports
a new way of thinking
Real Heroes don’t
need super powers
Share your home
and share your life
HOMELINK SA (08) 8202 5291
[email protected]
www.unitingcommunities.org/homelink
UCare celebrates 20 years
On Saturday 17 May, UCare
Gawler celebrated 20 years of
operation. The UnitingCare
SA organisation provides vital
emergency assistance to people
in crisis in Gawler and the
surrounding districts.
To recognise this special
anniversary, UCare held a
luncheon on Tuesday 30 September. The event was attended by
approximately 60 people, including UCare Gawler Chairperson Geoff
Benier, UCare Gawler CEO Richard Carter and the Deputy Mayor,
Brian Thom. During the course of the lunch, attendees were invited
to hear speeches, eat delicious food and share in conversation with
one another.
For more information about UCare Gawler, please visit
ucaregawler.org.au or call 8522 4522.
Pictured: Hazel Afford and UCare Gawler CEO Richard
Carter cut the celebratory cake.
20
diary
A CHRISTMAS MUSICAL. The Corner Kids Performing Arts
Group presents “Shepherds, Sheep and a Saviour,” a Christmas
musical for the whole family! Please join us on Sunday 21 December
at 10am for a fun-filled morning followed by morning tea. The
Corner Uniting Church (corner of Oaklands Rd and Diagonal Rd,
Warradale). More info at thecorner.org.au or by phoning 8350 5400.
ADARE GARAGE SALE. Are you planning a holiday or day trip to
Victor Harbor over the summer? Make sure you put Saturday 10 January
2015 in your diary and come to Adare Uniting Church for their massive
garage sale. This will include numerous stalls with cakes, toys, books,
kitchenware, haberdashery and all manner of household items – plenty
of gifts for children and bargains for adults. Large furniture items, many
perfect for furnishing a holiday house, will also be available. Delicious
food options include egg and bacon sandwiches, Devonshire morning
tea, sausage sizzle and more. The garage sale will be held at Adare Uniting
Church (3 Adare Ave, McCracken) on Saturday 10 January from 8am
until mid afternoon. For further information, please phone 8552 8377.
NATIONAL AND WORLD MISSION SUMMER GET-TOGETHER
will be held on Tuesday 13 January 2015 in the basement of Brougham
Place Uniting Church from 12noon. Please come along if you have
an interest in mission, and enjoy meeting with people and hearing
about mission activities. Shared lunch, drinks provided. Parking is
available along surrounding streets. Enquiries to 8261 3843.
CENTERNARY SERVICE. Did you attend the old Murray Bridge
Methodist Church on Fifth Street? Perhaps you were married or
baptised there? Murray Bridge Uniting Church is inviting members of
the wider community to celebrate 100 years since the first service was
held at the Methodist church in 1915. People who share a history with
the church are especially welcome to attend a special service at Murray
Bridge Uniting Church (Narooma Blvd, Murray Bridge) at 9.30am on
Sunday 1 February 2015. A pooled lunch will follow. RSVPs required by
Wednesday 31 December 2014. For more information, please contact
Ken Wells on 8532 2669 or Graham Edwards on 0428 813 070.
To have your upcoming event or message published here, email
[email protected] with ‘Diary’ in the subject line.
Sharing creative resources
At the October/November meeting of the Presbytery and Synod,
Rev Terence Corkin shared information about a new subscription
package being offered by Assembly through the Songs That Unite
platform. This presentation was further enhanced by Rev Prof Andrew
Dutney’s use of “Spirit, lead us,” a song available from Songs that Unite,
during the two Bible studies he shared at the meeting.
Songs That Unite was created to enhance the worship experience
of communities across Australia through the provision of songs,
art, photography and more. The new subscription package allows
congregations to access music, artwork, teaching and learning tools,
family-friendly films and Christian resources for personal and
congregational use.
For more information about Songs That Unite resources or
the new subscription package, please visit songsthatunite.org.au
letters to the editor
Polarised views
The subject of protests and refugees (N. Andrew and responses from
A. Parnis, B. Ward and B. Harris in recent editions of New Times)
obviously evokes strong and polarised views.
Two issues are being confused. The need to accept UNHCRrecognised refugees, which most of us would support, including
N. Andrew. These are people in genuine need and at risk in their
current environment.
Then there are the boat people, who I would consider more as
economic refugees – otherwise why (and how) do they pay the fee
to the traffickers? I am aware that a high percentage of them have
been accepted on review, as refugees, which just highlights how
legally generous Australia has been in making humane assessments
(and consequently encouraging even more boat people). Yes, I am
concerned about the impact which detention has on children,
but that is a risk that those who elect not to use the UNHCR
(United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) system are
prepared to take. The fact remains that these people threaten
the integrity of that UNHCR system.
Is it not far better to increase our UNHCR intake?
So, if protest is seen to be a productive way to approach these issues,
why not concentrate on increasing the UNHCR quota, increasing
the international aid budget and those programs which aim to make
countries less fortunate than ourselves more self-sufficient?
The opening words of Niebuhr’s Serenity Prayer come to mind:
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot
change; courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to
know the difference.”
8261 8211
All hours
www.ivanbutlerfunerals.com.au
[email protected]
26 OG Road Klemzig SA 5087
AUSTRALIAN
FUNERAL
DIRECTORS
ASSOCIATION
Geoff Lewis
General Manager
G. Thomas,
Blackwood
Send your letters to:
[email protected]
or PO Box 2145, Adelaide 5001.
Be topical, be brief, be timely.
Letters over 150 words will be edited; responses to previous letters /articles will
be considered within two months of the original item’s publication only.
All letters are published at the editorial team’s discretion.
classifieds
RESTORE your phonographic records or tapes
to near original quality & preserve them on CD
Restore your faded 35mm slides to bright colour
and preserve them on DVD. Ask us about VHS or
MiniDV video tape & 8mm film to DVD conversion,
SA MEDIAWORKS, Kent Town SA Ph: 8362 2251
[email protected]
Calling all Card Makers and Scrapbookers!
Regular workshops held in Blackwood and Ascot
Park, and additional venues in 2015. Fiona Meier,
Independent Kaszazz Consultant #108320,
contact 0424-269-039 for program details to
be sent to you or to make a booking, or see all
details at www.cardsbyfiona.blogspot.com.au
Return to Contents
Blue Christmas Service
Thursday 18th December
6.00pm
For those who feel sadness and grieve the loss of loved
ones in the Christmas season.
CHRISTMAS EVE
6.00pm Festival of Readings and Carols
with Pilgrim Choir and organ
10.30pm Christmas Eve Contemporary Worship
With Communion
CHRISTMAS DAY
9.30am Christmas Day Celebration
Music with Pilgrim Choir, organ and brass
Ministers: Rev Jana Norman & Rev Sandy Boyce
Ph: 8212 3295
www.pilgrim.org.au
21
magazine
A chance to contribute
Written by members of the Environment Task Group
Earlier this year, members of the Uniting Church in South Australia
established the Environment Task Group. The group is made up of
individuals who are passionate about environmental causes, and have
qualifications and experience related to the environment, including
Jim Daly, Dr Colin Cargill, Dr Graham Elford, Heather Hill, Prof David
McKirdy, Rev Dr Brian Phillips, Rev Brian Polkinghorne, Jeff Telfer,
and Rev Sarah Williamson.
The first initiative of the Environment Task Group was to present a
proposal regarding investment in fossil fuels at the October/November
meeting of the Presbytery and Synod of the Uniting Church in South
Australia. At this meeting, the Presbytery and Synod adopted the
following proposal:
That the Presbytery and Synod resolve to ask the Environment
Task Group to:
a) Undertake a consultation process with the Ethical Investment
Working Group and other interested parties to enable consideration
of investment and divestment options in relation to fossil fuels.
b) Bring a proposal back to the June 2015 Presbytery
and Synod meeting.
The Environment Task Group would like to invite input from
congregations and/or members wishing to add to this discussion
(details at the end of the article).
There are many things individuals, communities and organisations
can do to minimise the environmental impact of human actions. One
of the ways to reduce this impact is to move towards supporting energy
sources other than fossil fuels. Churches world-wide, including the Vic/
Tas and NSW/ACT Synods of the Uniting Church, are taking steps to
support the environment in this way. By divesting investments in fossil
fuels the Environment Task Group believes the Uniting Church SA can
assist in promoting positive change.
The Environment Task Group acts through their belief that Christ
calls some people to express and live out the Gospel in new ways,
inspired by the Holy Spirit, speaking out and acting on behalf of
the vulnerable and dispossessed.
Underlying any Gospel response to caring for the environment is a
profound belief that “the earth is the Lord’s” (Psalm 24:1), and that God
requires people to till and care for God’s garden earth (Genesis 2:15).
With this in mind, the Environment Task Group will initially focus
on working with the Ethical Investment Working Group in order to
prepare a proposal to be presented at the June 2015 meeting of the
Presbytery and Synod.
The Environment Task Group would like to hear from Uniting Church
SA members and communities wishing to add to the discussion of fossil
fuels and wider environmental issues. The group will also be coordinating
information sessions on climate change, which members are invited
to engage with. If you would like to share your views or find out more
about the work of the Environment Task Group, please email Uniting
Church SA Solidarity and Justice Officer Rev Sarah Williamson on
[email protected]
To inspire discussion and debate amongst Uniting Church SA
congregations, New Times will be publishing a series of articles on the
environment throughout 2015. These will cover a wide range of topics,
including eco-theology and water management.
Jubilee celebration
On Sunday 9 November, a large group of
people joined together to celebrate the life
and ministry of 16 men who were ordained
50 years ago. The men being recognised were:
Rev Dr Jonathan Barker, Rev Kelvin Benn,
Rev David Clarke, Rev Donald Cope, Rev Ray
Creevy, Rev Ian Hope, Rev Doug Hosking,
Rev Alan Jones, Graham Knill, Rev Ken
Maher, Rev Barry Oakley, Rev David Pill, Rev
Brian Polkinghorne, Doug Rogers, Rev Dr
Geoff Scott and Rev Baldwin Van der Linden.
While Rev David Clarke, Rev Ian Hope, Rev
Ken Maher and Rev Dr Geoff Scott have since
passed away, their families and friends were
invited to share in this celebration.
22
The jubilee service was attended by many of the sixteen ministers being recognised; some
ministers were represented by their sons. Pictured are a number of the ministers celebrating
50 years of ministry, along with Uniting Church SA Moderator Dr Deidre Palmer (fourth
from left) and Adult Fellowships President Rev Lindsay Faulkner (fourth from right).
magazine
New life to flourish at Uniting College
At just five years of age, Uniting College for Leadership & Theology has
already achieved a great deal and, judging by its exciting plans for 2015,
it seems the tertiary institution is just getting warmed up!
Starting next year, the number of subjects being taught and the
locations in which theological education will be delivered will increase
substantially. A strategic partnership between Newlife Uniting Church,
a Gold Coast congregation with over 1,500 attendees and the Adelaide
College of Divinity (ACD) will see Uniting College subjects being
presented both face-to-face and via distance education. Uniting College
will utilise the latest interactive learning technologies to deliver learning
to the New Life community, along with the significant contingent
of students who enrol to study remotely. The recent addition of two
classrooms fitted out with the latest distance learning technology,
combined with a user-friendly online learning portal, places Uniting
College in a unique position as a leader in delivering theological
education efficiently to remote learners.
In 2015, Uniting College and ACD will also continue to offer the
innovative Diploma of Ministry course. This diploma enables students
to study a diverse array of different pathways, including innovation
and pioneering, school and aged care chaplaincy, children, youth and
families’ ministry, and much more. It has proved extremely popular
among those looking for a way to begin theological study, especially
lay people who favour studying a specific ministry.
As a member of the ACD, Uniting College will continue to offer
innovative postgraduate programmes, providing a unique opportunity
for students to further develop their own particular ministry area.
The postgraduate programmes on offer at Uniting College are popular
due to their flexibility, the calibre of the academic staff teaching the
program, the focus on missional leadership and the ability to study
remotely. In 2015, Uniting College will offer a number of intensive
courses, including Walking on Country/Toward Reconciliation,
Mission and agencies, Mission of the church, Leadership and
organisational culture, Pioneering, and Theology and practice
of Chaplaincy.
Enrolments for 2015 are now open. For further information
about Uniting College for Leadership & Theology, please visit
unitingcollege.org.au or contact Student Services on 8416 8400
or [email protected]
Congratulations
Rev Dr Steve Taylor, Principal of Uniting College for Leadership & Theology, was recently chosen to receive a 2014 Flinders University
Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. Steve was praised for implementing teaching that is innovative in assessment design, for his
exploration of “flipped learning” and his reflective practice.
No mums allowed
Every year Westbourne Park Uniting Church joins with other nearby
churches to organise a “dads and lads” overnight camp. The philosophy
behind the camp is to provide a one-on-one opportunity for dads and
their sons to spend quality time together. It is also an ecumenical event,
which forms connections between Christian men from surrounding
churches including Westbourne Park Uniting, Rostrevor Baptist,
Hawthorn Church of Christ and Edwardstown Baptist.
The coordinator of the camp, Uniting Venues General Manager
Mark Lee, has been organising both the South Australian camp and a
similar one in Queensland with much success over the past few years.
“These camps provide an opportunity for children to see their dads
in action, to experience boundaries set by other dads, and to watch
other dads and their sons interact,” Mark says.
This year’s South Australian camp, held from 14-16 November at the
Saunders Gorge Sanctuary in the Mount Lofty Ranges, provided plenty
of opportunities for four-wheel driving and walking in a bushland
setting. The dads were provided with a list of questions to ask their
sons, which helped the fathers gain an understanding of the tastes and
experiences of their loved ones. Families who attended brought their
own food and drink, and paid $10 per night for the use of the campsite.
Return to Contents
Family fun at the “dads and lads” camp in 2014.
In May 2015, Mark plans to host a “dads and daughters” camp,
which will most likely take place at Deep Creek Conservation Park.
For further information on these camps, please contact Mark Lee
on [email protected] or phone 8278 1883.
23
s u r vey
New Times survey
Please complete and return this survey
by Friday 9 January 2015 to:
New Times
c/o Uniting Church SA
GPO Box 2145
Adelaide SA 5001
Alternatively, complete the same
survey online:
surveymonkey.com/r/newtimes2015
Tell us a bit about yourself…
1. I am
Under 18 18-25 26-35
36-50
51-64 65+
2. My postcode is:
3. How do you generally acquire
information about the Uniting Church
in South Australia?
Please choose all that are appropriate.
☐ Uniting Church SA website
☐ “Uniting Church Uniting People” Facebook page
☐ New Times
☐ UC E-news
☐ Congregational newsletter
☐ Church noticeboard
☐ Mix of some/all of the above
☐ None of the above
☐ Other (please specify)
4. Please rate the quality of the publication
by numbering the following aspects.
24
Please give a value between 1 and 10 for each
listed item, where 1 = Poor and 10 = Excellent.
__ Content
__ Ease of reading
__ Writing
__ Layout and design
__ Cover
__ Photography
__ Length of publication
__ Frequency of publication
If you have rated any aspects below
6, please indicate what you would
specifically like to see changed.
5. Please rate your interest in the
following items covered by New Times.
Please give a value between 1 and 5 for
each listed item, where 1 = Completely
uninterested and 5 = Very interested.
__ Feature articles
__ Local congregation news
__ Agency news (UnitingCare, Uniting Justice, Uniting World, Schools)
__ Uniting College news
__ South Australian Presbytery
and Synod news
__ Assembly News
__ World news
__ Articles from the Uniting
Church President
__ Getting to know... (congregation profiles)
__ Editorial (Page 3)
__ Moditorial (Page 4)
__ CEO/General Secretary’s
comment (page 5)
__ Letters to the Editor
__ Diary
__ Positions Vacant
__ Book reviews
__ Movie reviews
__ Other (please specify and rank)
Are there any stories you would
like to see more or less of?
6. Please indicate your agreement
with the following statements.
Please tick all that apply.
New Times:
☐ Serves as a source of news about the current state of the Uniting Church
☐ Keeps me up to date with events/
anniversaries/happenings in the
Uniting Church SA
☐ Encourages me to volunteer my time
with the Uniting Church SA
☐ Encourages me to support the
Uniting Church SA financially
☐ Does not address topics of interest to me
☐ Does not reflect my experience of involvement with the Uniting Church SA
☐ Is not an objective source of information for the Uniting Church SA
☐ Other (please specify) ________________
____________________________________
7. What article/theme/topic has been
the most memorable in the past year?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
8. What do you like most about New Times?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
9. What do you like least about New Times?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
10. Are there any changes or improvements
you would like to suggest?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
Thank you – your answers will contribute
to ongoing improvements of New Times!
Return to Contents

Over 11 editions in 2014, New Times
brought readers news about conferences,
campaigns and congregations from across
the Uniting Church SA. Now the editorial
team wants your feedback about the articles
and topics you found most interesting, and
to identify changes you’d like to see occur.
This survey is an opportunity for you, the
readers of New Times, to provide input into
the shape of the publication in 2015. The
survey should only take five to 10 minutes
to complete. Thank you for your time!