Welcome to the April edition of National Update with latest news from the Assembly

Transcription

1 Welcome to the April edition of National Update with latest news from the Assembly * Just a thought * From the President * Youth and young adult ministry * Worship, theology and discipleship * Cross cultural and international ministry, relief and development * Justice and advocacy * Other church news * Synod news Just a thought Rev. Terence Corkin, General Secretary, Assembly On the way project We have developed a new initiative called the On the way project that has been developed for the church nationally to coincide with the Uniting Church s anniversary in June. It is a three part audio/ visual series with some worship and prayers. The project is designed to foster and help the church tell the story of the Uniting Church and to provide ways in which people can join in the journey of commitment and service. We are hoping that it will inspire a fresh engagement with the calling that God has placed on the Church, and in particular the Uniting Church in Australia. We are hoping for as many congregations as possible to participate. To register your interest enquiries@nat.uca.org.au Just a Thought Maybe it is a conversation that people leave especially for Ministers when they are feeling cranky about the church or Christians. From time to time people seem to want to get into conversations that tell me how many people there are in the church that they don t live up to what they espouse and what a bad advertisement they are for God and the church. On a bad day I m inclined to think So tell me something I don t know! It is sad but true that there are lots of Christians who are not living in a way that is consistent with what would be expected of mature disciples of Jesus. But what to do with that reality? A few weeks ago one of the readings for Sunday was 1

2 Corinthians 1: 1 9. In that passage Paul is waxing lyrical about this great church in Corinth; always thanking God for them because of the grace they had received, how they have been enriched in every way, and through all the gifts present in them are testimony to the effectiveness of the gospel he has preached. In fact they will be presented blameless on the day of the Lord Jesus - sounds hard to get any better than that! But wait a minute! This is the crowd that Paul then goes on to fight with, accuse of undermining and distorting the gospel and of being led astray from the true faith. What s going on here? A revisit to the first few verses of this letter makes it clear that Paul is not just addressing those with whom he has fond relations. He is writing to everyone - those who are beacons of faithfulness and those who let the side down. What Paul understands is that we are all capable of displaying a range of faithfulness and understanding. No one gets it right all the time; but that doesn t mean we drop in and out of discipleship. Rather we have to come to terms with this mixed nature of the church and to deal with it realistically and effectively. There are a variety of places we could go for advice on how to nurture faithfulness and the various means of grace that are available to us. But today I thought I would offer the bold and categorical foundation that lies behind Paul s ability to claim that even these Corinthian Christians are signs of God s work and held in faithfulness. In verse 9 he says God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. At the end of the day our faith rests in the faithfulness of God, and God is faithful. If there are times when you are inclined to harshly judge the faithfulness of others perhaps you might care to recall the people at Corinth and church leaders like Simon Peter and instead choose to give thanks to God for the grace those people have received and to remember that God is faithful. From the President Pilgrimage to Living Water The theme of the current Assembly triennium is Living Water, Thirsty Land and is exemplified as the life Jesus offers comes as living water to a spiritually dry land. Our President Alistair Macrae is encouraging Uniting Church people to embark on a literal pilgrimage to a source of living water, to travel, by whatever means, to a water source, in the ancient manner of a pilgrimage. See Alistair s message here: /video-living-water-thirsty-landhttp://assembly.uca.org.au/newsmedia/news/assembly-news-2011/video-living-water-thirsty-land Church speaks to gambling reforms Rev Alistair recently participated in an ABC feature story in Inside Business that was looking at the new gambling legislation that is proposed and the Church s position on reforms. Go to link below to view the coverage. Ministers Conference registration last minute still possible! It is still possible (only just) to register for the Ministers Conference in Vanuatu. Discover the real Vanuatu with a post-conference visit to the outer Vanuatu islands of Tanna or Santo. Participants will stay in a village as guests of the local Presbyterian Church in Vanuatu and experience life and worship together with ni- Vanuatu families.

3 This is the chance to find out what life is like for local people and to experience some of the challenges of village life together with the rich community and culture they share. Don t miss this chance to experience faith in a cross-cultural context and to be challenged and inspired in new and different ways. You will participate in worship with the community on the Sunday. The program will include traditional meals and village accommodation on Saturday 14 May and Sunday 15 May, and an unwind and debrief back at an eco resort or local hotel on Monday 16 May, and then a Tuesday night stopover in Port Vila before returning to Australia on Wednesday 18 May. Registrations for the event in Vanuatu close on April 15 th. If you miss out on this one and would like to attend one of the others go here for details Youth and young adult ministry Aspiring writers wanted here The Transit Lounge is an online publication for young people who care about faith. Sponsored by the Uniting Church, it discusses life, culture, the world and home, news and events for and by people who trying to figure out life. It doesn t have the answers, it s about the conversation. If you are an aspiring writer and would like to have your work published, check out The Transit Lounge Writers Guide here! NCYC still alive Did you know that the NCYC Facebook community is still alive and well? If you would like to tune in to what is happening with youth and young adults of the Uniting Church nationally join the NCYC11 Facebook page and keep up to date. Worship, theology and discipleship Survey on Lay Ministry A survey of accredited and non accredited lay worship leaders & preachers is currently being undertaken by the Ministerial Education Commission (MEC). The survey is designed to assist the MEC to identify the range of contexts in which Lay Preachers serve and their roles and tasks. This will include understanding the processes and standards for training and assessment of Lay Preachers and what currently is in place to supervise and support Lay Preachers. The survey also seeks to understand the roles and recognition of non-accredited lay preachers and worship leaders. The survey results will form part of a review that the MEC is conducting this year. All accredited Lay Worship Leaders & Preachers and non accredited lay worship leaders and preachers are invited to participate. Go to to complete the online survey or go to /uniting-church-survey-of-lay-worship-leaders-preachers to access a downloadable copy of the document or enquries@nat.uca.org.au for printed copies.

4 The closing date for contributions to the survey is May 31. Theology and Discipleship A number of new resources have been developed by the Worship working group. This includes a resource that outlines several different forms of wording to use at the commencement of worship and on other occasions to acknowledge First Peoples in our land. Plus two leaflets that can be used at times of bereavement, one for Funeral Directors (Partners in Caring) and the other for families (When we lose someone we love) An article on using music in worship is also available. These resources can be found here: In addition, there is a liturgy first used at the 2011 Conference of the Australian Academy of Liturgy. It is intended for occasions of ecumenical worship when it is not possible to celebrate the Eucharist. It can be found here: Cross cultural and international ministry, relief and development Interfaith September The Uniting Church in Australia National Assembly Working Group on Relations with Other Faiths is excited to announce 'Interfaith September'; a new initiative aimed at promoting interfaith dialogue and relations throughout the UCA and beyond. Under this new initiative, the month of September will be a time when ministry agents, congregations, and other interested parties are encouraged to become involved in interfaith activities. This may be as simple as forming a study group to explore one of the books recommended by the Working Group (study guides will be made available to provide material for discussion). Or, the more ambitious might like to host an interfaith gathering or panel discussion. The 'tool box' for all of these options, and much more will become available in July and can be accessed via the Relations with Other Faiths website. April Chat Five Minutes with the Rev. Sef Carroll. Seforosa (Sef) is a Fiji-born Rotuman. She spent her formative years growing up in Fiji, a multi-religious/multicultural context. Her theological research interests fall into two areas: cross cultural relationships/encounters and Christian theologies of other faiths/interfaith dialogue and encounters. Sef is currently the Convenor of the UCA National Assembly Working Group on Relations with Other faiths. She represents the UCA on the National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims and Jews, is part of the Women's Interfaith Network (WIN) and has been involved in different interfaith consultations and projects from time to time. Read the full interview here:

5 UnitingWorld Launches Japan Quake and Tsunami Appeal Following the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan last month, UnitingWorld, with the support of the National Assembly, launched an appeal to support our partners the United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ). UCCJ has established an emergency committee who have been able to set up a relief hub within an undamaged student centre in Sendai, one of the worst affected areas. The Church aims to provide food and water, medical supplies, safe shelter and pastoral and counselling services. John Barr, Associate Director for Church Solidarity Asia, will visit Japan in the next week to connect with our partners and see first-hand what is happening in the aftermath of the disaster. For further information, and the latest updates, on UnitingWorld s appeal and how you can get involved please visit our website: Act, reflect, connect through Lent Event With Lent well underway, Uniting Church congregations across Australia are participating in Lent Event UnitingWorld is excited about the opportunity for churches to engage in reflection, and action, of God s call to mission across the world; raising awareness of issues of poverty and injustice, and connecting Australian churches with our partners across Asia, the Pacific and Africa. UnitingWorld Blogs currently feature a variety of posts from participants of Lent Event reflecting on their experiences and the importance of Lent Event in their spiritual journeys. Visit: Act, Reflect, Connect: Your Church to the World: Greetings from other faiths The Relations with Other Faiths website now displays a greeting to the Jewish Community in anticipation of Passover: and a greeting to the Baha i Community in anticipation of Ridvan: World Sunday for Peace The Working Group on Relations with Other Faiths encourages involvement in World Sunday for Peace, an initiative of the World Council of Churches, on 22 May, For more information, please see Neighbourhoods of understanding: getting to know and understand you begins simply, face-to-face!

6 This was not a normal Saturday night in a country town! There was Indonesian food not available in any local restaurant and a first for many of those gathered. There was dancing and a parade of traditional clothing from several Indonesian cultures. Several songs in Bahasa Indonesian featured, along with Waltzing Matilda. One hundred and five people from diverse cultures were gathered, including a significant number of children and young people. And there was time set aside for speeches and conversation. The fellowship was warm and very friendly. The atmosphere was one of joy, excitement, and deep interest [though there had been some background concern about having Muslims in a Christian church complex ], and the conversation buzzed! The outcome was greater understanding and the removal of a great deal of mystery and misinformation. Growing respect and wonder replaced misunderstanding and its accompanying uncertainty. Common humanity was the most prominent feature and not ideology or sensationalist images so often used in Australian and world media. Here committed and faithful people encountered one another and were surprised by their common values, hopes, dreams and compassion. Formulaic descriptions and generalisations were strongly challenged and for some were broken open completely. The gathered community represented two of the Abrahamic faiths Islam and Christianity - two of the six religions formally recognised in the Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia Two speakers addressed the central convictions and underlying themes of their respective religious commitments and focussed on speaking as a Christian and as a Muslim rather than for either religion. Bp. Nuim Khahayat, a broadcaster with ABC National Radio, introduced the gathering to underlying themes in the Holy Koran and Islam, including dealing with many preconceptions about violence, jihad, and the place and role of women. Revd Dr Tony Floyd, National Director for Multicultural and Cross-cultural Ministry in the UCA Assembly spoke of the key differences in Christianity and of the place of relations with other faiths in the life and witness of the UCA, The Christian Scriptures and the Holy Koran featured in the presentations, and discussion examined texts supporting violence and war in the Koran (frequently cited) and the reality of violent, war encouraging texts (often ignored) within the Christian sacred texts also. Questions and concerns, uncertainties even ignorance and fear also featured in the questions and discussion. For many of the non-indonesians in the gathering this was their first encounter face-to-face with a Muslim. However for most Indonesians, such encounters are so normal as to be almost not commented on. But for some this encounter was special. Never before had they had opportunity to listen to someone articulate clearly key elements of the holy book of Islam. Never before had they heard someone articulate the rich heritage of Islam and the relationship between Islam and Christianity with such respect and simplicity. The gathering and its setting created a space where it was safe for women and men to voice their questions and uncertainties, even their deep fears to people whose common humanity and commitment were clear for all to see. This was a place and among people who would answer truthfully and respectfully, and challenge, not feed their fears or prejudices. The evening was organised by the Traralgon Uniting Church Council, Indonesian members of the UCA and of the Indonesian Muslim community in Melbourne. The Indonesian Consul-General for Victoria and Tasmania saw the event of sufficient importance to be formally represented. The evening was video taped and an edited version presented on Community Television the following weekend. It was

7 another living and lively example of a public affirmation made by the UCA at its first Assembly in 1977: We affirm our eagerness to uphold basic Christian values and principles, such as the importance of every human being, the need for integrity in public life, the proclamation of truth and justice, the rights of each citizen to participate in decision-making in the community, religious liberty and personal dignity, and a concern for the whole human race. (Statement to the Nation: 24 th June 1977) Tony Floyd: National Director, Multicultural and Cross-cultural Ministry Justice and advocacy Churches launch National Gambling Taskforce Australia's major churches met at a national forum in Canberra recently to launch the Australian Churches Gambling Taskforce amid calls for urgent action on gambling reform. Senior representatives from the Uniting, Catholic, Baptist and Anglican churches and The Salvation Army attended along with senior representatives from the church-based social services peak bodies. President of the Uniting Church and Forum Chair the Reverend Alistair Macrae said that each year thousands of children suffer because of the impact of someone's poker machine gambling. "Between 2008 and 2009 Australians spent $12 billion on poker machines. Gambling on poker machines is a regular activity for a relatively small number of people. "The social costs are high relationship breakdown, mental health issues, unemployment, debt and financial hardship, theft and social isolation. These costs are estimated at $4.7 billion a year. "Gambling is a product that causes a problem for 30 per cent of regular users. This is not a benign product. It is a dangerous product for many. The Australian Churches want to see measures which, if people choose to gamble, will help people to do more safely. "A national pre-commitment scheme that is mandatory in all gaming machine venues is one effective consumer protection measure. "Mandatory pre-commitment measures will require all electronic gaming machine venues to install the technology. It will help people help themselves to set and stick to their limits," Reverend Macrae said. The Australian Churches Gambling Forum is calling on all states and territories to sign on to legislation that will ensure all gaming venues have mandatory precommitment technology in place by Worship and education resources for World Environment Day 2011 online now! celebrating the International Year of Forests- World Environment Day, celebrated annually on 5 June, reflects this year on the importance of forests for the integrity of creation and the survival and flourishing of all life on our planet. UnitingJustice, with the help of Uniting Church staff and volunteers from around Australia, has produced a set of resources to assist Church members in marking this day the pack features educational information about the importance of and risks to forests, suggestions for liturgy, a theological reflection and sermon starters, and activities for children and making a positive difference in your community. You can find these resources on our website at

8 or contact or if you would like a soft copy or print-out. Climate change advocacy Two of the Assembly agencies, UnitingJustice, together with UnitingCare Australia, have been invited to participate in regular roundtable meetings with the Federal Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. These high-level meetings of the Stakeholder Liaison Group will provide a forum for information sharing and feedback between the Department and community and business organisations, particularly on the work being done by the Multiparty Climate Change Committee. The first meeting was attended by a number of senior public servants including the General Manager of the Macroeconomic Modelling Division of Treasury and the Australia s Climate Change Ambassador. Media release: Detention on Christmas Island must end We were extremely disturbed at the recent use of force against asylum seekers at the Christmas Island detention facility, and the Assembly issued a media release expressing this concern. You can read this statement here on our website. ( refugeesandasylum/254-mr170311christmasisland.html) Lobbying meetings Rev Elenie Poulos recently took part in lobbying trip to Canberra with representatives from other refugee advocacy organisations. She had a big two days at Parliament House, meeting with the Minister for Immigration, Chris Bowen and the Opposition Spokesperson, Scott Morrison, and other Members of Parliament and advisers, including members of the Government, the Opposition and Independents. The major issues for discussion included Australia s system of mandatory detention and plans for a regional framework for processing asylum seekers. UnitingJustice will continue to take these opportunities to engage with our politicians on these and other issues important to members of the Uniting Church and our work in advocating for policies which better serve the needs of people and the planet. Human rights initiatives UnitingJustice has recently been engaged in a number of the Federal Government s human rights initiatives. The Government invited comments from the community on which of the recommendations made to it under the United Nations Universal Periodic Review in February should be accepted, rejected and prioritised, in order to improve Australia s compliance international human rights principles. The submission from UnitingJustice focused on the need to implement the human rights standards Australia has committed to uphold internationally in our domestic laws (in line with the Church s support for a national Human Rights Act), the importance of implementing the principles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and improving the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers so as to protect their human rights. You can find this submission here on our website pdf

9 Other church news National Council of Churches Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 5th - 12th June The theme for this year s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is "One in the Apostles' Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking of Bread and Prayer" (Acts 2:42) the resources will assist people to look at the experiences of the churches in Jerusalem. The material is adapted for the Australian context and will be available early April for download or by calling your State Council of Churches. Congregations are encouraged consider creative ways to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity this year. Some activities to consider include ecumenically worship held either on Pentecost Sunday or during the preceding week. Another possibility is a luncheon or a dinner with a speaker sharing their ecumenical experiences or sharing a vision for Christian Unity today. A range of other activities may be appropriate in your local context Synod News To find out about what is happening across the country visit the Synod news sites below: New South Wales and the ACT Insights: Northern Synod - Northern News: Queensland Journey: South Australia - New Times: Victoria and Tasmania Crosslight: Western Australia - Revive: To learn more about employment and other Assembly news go to