The Link Here is the news from the Diocese...

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1 The Link Here is the news from the Diocese... Change in technology With the release of the September 2013 edition,the Link will now be published online. The online edition will be published each month via the Anglican Diocese of Armidale website at The Anglican Diocese of Armidale has thus forged a new link with all its parishes and special districts. The new link is a break with tradition that has been in place for some 50 years. The printed or hard copy, quarterly publication, has now ceased and The Link becomes an online monthly magazine with the release of this the September 2013 edition, with the official launch taking place at Tamworth over the Synod weekend of September. Editor of The Link, Barry Blair feels the new approach will require some lateral thinking, noting that December 2013 marks ten years at the editor s desk. He is enthusiastically looking forward to a few more years in the role. Meanwhile... New Registrar appointed - page 4 25th Anniversary of St Peter s Gardens - page 5 DAWN breaks for Mothers Union - page 6...and much more. SSN September 2013 Edition 54 Telling others, what God is doing, through others Highly Commended Best Regional Publication, ARPA Excellence Awards The Link, September 2013

2 Technology, frequency of publication changes BY now you will have noticed The Link is no longer a hard copy or printed magazine. Nowadays, many organisations communicate with their publics/customers/ members, and staff via a range of media, including , websites, text messages, mobile phones, and social media (see coloured icons above). How times have changed since ca1439 when Gutenberg invented moveable type, and the written word became available to everyone, much to the chagrin of the elite classes. Later that century, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue, and The Link Published online monthly by the Anglican Diocese of Armidale. Deadline for copy/photos: First Monday of the month prior to publication. The editor is not responsible for opinions expressed by contributors, nor do their views necessarily reflect the policy of The Link, or the Anglican Diocese of Armidale. Acceptance of any advertisement does not mean endorsement of any particular product or service. Articles/copy Where possible should be ed or as an attachment in MS Word or RTF. proved the earth was round and not flat. Over 100 different versions of the Bible are now available on the internet, including the King James version. Visit: Every day in one way or another we are dealing with digital change: electronic timers on washing machines, kitchen equipment,/cd and MP3 players in cars, and bedside clock radios that can change automatically to daylight saving time... the list goes on. Included in that list is The Link that has also embraced the changing times. Photos Should be scanned at 300dpi in jpg format. Please provide information/captions with each photo. Advertising rates Single col/cm $ GST Quarter page $ GST Half page $ GST Full page $ GST Enquiries The Link PO Box 210 Uralla NSW 2358 T: M: barryblairmedia@bigpond.com SAYS IT ALL: The December 1964 front cover of The Link, here reproduced for the September 2009 edition. The words circumscribing the unbroken chain read, Linking the parishes together to the diocese and to the world-wide Anglican Communion. Anglican Diocese of Armidale The Anglican Diocese of Armidale does not tolerate harassment or abuse in its Church community. If you would like to make a complaint, please phone: The Link, September 2013, Number 54 Anglican Diocese of Armidale PO Box 198 Armidale 2350 T: F: E: diocarm@northnet.com.au W: Editor: Barry Blair PO Box 210 Uralla NSW 2358 T: M: E: barryblairmedia@bigpond.com Contributors: Tory Cayzer, Sharon Kirk, St Peter s Cathedral, Armidale, David Swan, Warren White. Deadline: October edition: 1 October The Link, September 2013

3 Move means need to work hard, reach new people in new ways In what started out as a decision to switch track from city to country, and after a fouryear posting at Gunnedah, David Swan has moved further north, to Bingara. WHERE God seems to take you is always surprising. In my final year of college I came to Gunnedah for a college mission. My plans and intentions had been to work in the Sydney diocese for which I was then an ordination candidate. As I left for Gunnedah in April 2008 my wife Elizabeth said I would come back as an Armidale candidate. She is no prophet but she sure was on the money that day. By the end of the week in Gunnedah I was talking with Scott Dunlop about a position in A few s, many conversations and a lot of prayer and thinking went into the decision to switch tracks and head to Gunnedah in For four years I was able to work with, train, learn, make mistakes and learn some more from Scott, Adam Draycott and later on with Ben France. I always describe Gunnedah as a working town full of hard working people and working in the church there is no exception. It was a very busy four years but one that ingrained into Elizabeth and I the pleasures and the hard realities of full time ministry. I have a great amount of respect for Scott, his self discipline and the love that he has for the people that he shepherds in Gunnedah, often sacrificially. By the end of our time in Gunnedah we felt ready to St John s, Bingara. take on a parish and see what God would do. Yet moving further north to Bingara also came as a surprise to us. As the proverb says, In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. This is always a fearful proposition as you hand over your plans to God. And while it is nothing more than all Christians are called to do every day it is none-the-less a frightening step, increased by the anxiety of starting new relationships, new work environment, new home, new school, new the list goes on. Through the entire decision making we must testify to being well supported and patiently understood by our bishop Rick who guided us prayerfully through the process. Bingara, as we have discovered, is a very pleasant, peaceful and nicely paced town. There are generous amounts of God s creation to enjoy and plenty of people that are thirsty for the gospel. In Bingara we are acutely aware that there is an urgent mission to be carried out and that the church here needs to make a stand for the gospel. We have noted the many opportunities that seem to spring up in conversation with locals who need to know about the God who saves. However time is short as many of the Christians here reach their senior years and many more need to be raised up as disciples and disciple makers of Jesus. Therefore we realise that we are not here to maintain the status quo for a few more years but to work hard to reach new people in new ways. Working alongside Brent and Elizabeth Weightman is also a great privilege. We have formed a strong bond and partnership as Brent seeks to put time into youth and children and Elizabeth supports and complements this work. We are very grateful that the Worboys fund is able to support such a strategic ministry. Please pray that we may partner with all Christians here in Bingara to see the gospel passed on and many more people introduced to Jesus and build a relationship with Him. Also pray that we might be encouraged by the Lord s words to Paul, Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent because I have many people in this city. (Acts 18:9-10). 3 The Link, September 2013

4 New Registrar finds house in good order CAREFUL financial stewardship by both the diocese and previous registrar, have enabled the new Diocesan Registrar and his wide range of transferable skills to support the Bishop and serve the Diocese. The new Registrar of the Diocese, Mr Ron Perry, assumed the reins in the Diocesan Registry from Mrs Marion Ainsworth at the beginning of February. Ron joins the Diocese after a career in the Australian Public Service spanning 41 years during which time he worked for The Treasury, the then Department of Finance, and the Department of The Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C). Before retirement in December last year, he headed PM&C s intergovernmental (Commonwealth-State) relations area which involved advising successive Prime Ministers and overseeing, between meetings, the work of the Council of Australian Governments. Ron and his wife Robyn ACTION: Diocesan Registrar Ron Perrry, at St Peter s Cathedral, Armidale. Photo: Barry Blair have five adult children. When the children are not working or travelling overseas, they reside in Canberra. Their youngest daughter, Tahlia, was married in April and their eldest son, Christopher, is to marry in March next year. Prior to coming to Armidale, Ron and Robyn were members for over 30 years of the St. Matthew s Wanniassa parish. During their time at St Matthew s, Ron, for a long period, was part of the leadership team and also participated in aspects of Diocesan administration. Meanwhile, Robyn was heavily involved in pastoral care and support in the parish and, for almost a decade up until the end of 2012, helped coordinate the scripture-in-schools program in Canberra s Tuggeranong and Lanyon Valleys. Ron said, I am finding the Registrar s job to be more faceted than I ever imagined, but is thankful for the experience lent by 25 years in parish administration. He also served for a time on the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn s Finance Committee and as a Synod representative, which equipped him well for the role he has been asked to play in the Armidale Diocese. He is thankful too for the wise and careful financial stewardship exercised by the Diocese, and his predecessor Marion Ainsworth, over a number of years. This has enabled him, to be free of day to day financial preoccupations and therefore able to support the Bishop and serve the Diocese in an undistracted manner. In Christ Alone pulled from Presbyterian hymnal August 1, 2013 (CBN News) THE popular hymn In Christ Alone will be left out of the new hymnal of the Presbyterian Church USA. That s because songwriters Keith Getty and Stuart Townend said they will not change the lyrics. Some members objected to the line that says, On that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied, spokesperson and chair of the Presbyterian Committee Mary Louise Bringle wrote in The Christian Century. Bringle said most of the committee wanted the lyrics changed to: The love of God was magnified. They said they didn t want to suggest in the new hymnal that Jesus death on the cross was an atoning sacrifice needed to assuage God s anger over sin. The hymn writers refused. Getty said they wrote In Christ Alone to tell the whole gospel. 4 The Link, September 2013

5 Spring is with us and blooms beckon SPRING gardens will be on display at both Armidale and Uralla in November. An alternate route from Armidale to Uralla is via Scenic Drive 19 (leaflets available at both Armidale and Uralla Visitor Information Centres) The scenic drive Armidale to Uralla contains 8.5km of good gravel. Just before arriving at Gostwyck Chapel (right) is a view from the roadway to the left to the unusual Deeargee Woolshed. What appears to be a stone fence around the chapel is actually a levee bank. Adjacent is Salisbury Waters, known to flood on occasions The Link, September 2013

6 DAWN breaks for Mothers Union initiative By Sharon Kirk MOTHERS Union has undertaken an initiative to assist ministry to women and families throughout the Anglican Diocese of Armidale. DAWN, the Diocese of Armidale Women s Network, has been established to reach out to women in the diocese through the internet. For now it is through a Facebook page, but there are plans to expand to a website page in the future. DAWN is a page that can be liked (or talked about) on Facebook. It is regularly updated with helpful articles, promotion of ministries, and events in our diocese. There are also links to resources, discussions on ministries in parishes, and prayer points for ministries, with a particular emphasis on supporting women, marriage and family life. It is hoped that DAWN will provide a way for women to share resources and ideas on how to best minister to women and families in our parishes, as well as coordinate and promote activities happening across the diocese. Some of the items that have appeared on DAWN so far include articles by Janene Lewers on ministering to children in our parishes and a discussion on how to run a Passover meal based on events at Moree Anglican Church last Easter. What ideas do you have for DAWN? Pass them on to the administrators through: Facebook com/dawndioceseofarmidalewomensnetwork, E: dioceseofarmidalewomensnetwork@gmail.com or contact Erin Carter at Oxley Vale Anglican Community Church. Mothers Union Vision Our vision is of a world where God s love is shown through loving, respectful, and flourishing relationships. Mothers Union Objectives To promote and support married life To encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their children To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children To help those whose family life has met with adversity Mothers Union Prayer Loving Lord, We thank you for your love so freely given to us all. We pray for families around the world. Bless the work of the Mothers Union as we seek to share your love through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life. Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship, and in love and service, reach out as your hands across the world. In Jesus name. Amen 6 The Link, September 2013

7 Changed attitude now helps others By Warren White TURNING to God and a positive attitude towards life meant a complete turnaround for a man now able to help others abstain from alcohol and drugs. At the June Cockburn Valley Luncheon 50 guests were privileged to hear an address from Tamworth NSW Community Corrections Program Facilitator, George Carter. Mr Carter spoke of his life story involving a journey from a derelict alcoholic through to seeing the light and to his current position of Program Facilitator in the drug and alcohol field, assisting those in need of his services. He stated that his vocation puts him in touch with a wide section of the community, and everyone has a story to tell of his or her life and the joys and the tragedies they encounter along the way. His own story began in Papua New Guinea where as a boy he became involved in the Methodist Church but did not appreciate the meaning of Christianity taught to him. Later he attended a boarding school in Queensland and then went to Gatton Agricultural College at age 16. This was where he discovered alcohol, which sent his life on a downward spiral of heavy drinking and consequently experienced all the repercussions of this lifestyle. His first marriage failed because of this problem and it wasn t until he found himself at Kings Cross, Sydney 7 The Link, September 2013 Attitude: Guest speaker at the Cockburn Valley Luncheon, George Carter (seated) together with luncheon convenor Mrs Elva Clow and mover of the vote of thanks, Malcolm Nodder. at Jakes Monastery where he discovered and read the book, The twelfth step, that he started to realise other people had been in a similar condition and managed to pull themselves out of it. He then joined a twelvestep program and hasn t found it necessary to have a drink since, which is 38 years ago. He stated that it was not easy to change his lifestyle and had to many times call on the Lord Jesus to help him through lots of rough patches. He visited and tried many Christian denominations and other religious organisations to help him find the Lord and gradually his attitude to life changed for the better. After two years sobriety he cut off his long hair and beard and enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy. This was a courageous move and he shocked officials by refusing to Drink with boys. Later he was sent overseas to the United States Naval Institute for Substance Abuse and was assigned to the post of Royal Australian Navy Senior Naval Drug and Alcohol Counsellor from 1984 to With his second wife, Elizabeth they have endeavoured to make God the centre of their lives. Whilst spending nine years worshiping at Holy Trinity Glen Innes they strengthened their faith and are now worshipping at Tamworth Salvation Army. He is currently working at Tamworth Community Corrections and his wife Elizabeth is a Casework/ Counsellor at the Salvation Army HOPE Centre. They both enjoy their ongoing contact with people who are in similar circumstances they both found themselves in many years ago. Mr Carter aspires to the quote from TV evangelist Joyce Meyer, I m not where I want to be but I am glad I am not where I used to be.

8 Experienced leader new Archbishop of Sydney A SYNOD of more than 800 members has overwhelmingly elected Bishop Glenn Davies as the twelfth Archbishop of Sydney. Dr Davies replaced Dr Peter Jensen who held the post for 12 years. For much of Archbishop Jensen s tenure, Dr Davies served with him as Bishop of North Sydney. The other nominee for the post was Canon Rick Smith, rector of Naremburn/Cammeray, a large church on Sydney s Lower North Shore. The final vote came after a complicated process of elimination ballots involving both houses of Synod clergy, and laity. During an earlier elimination stage, a mix-up in vote counting made it seem as though Canon Smith had progressed through to the second round of voting. Between sessions, there was an exhaustive recount which showed he had failed to gain the required majority in both houses. The election then moved to the final stage and Dr Davies was elected. In a surprise move, Canon Smith appeared on the Synod floor and was given leave to move a motion proposing Bishop Davies name be moved to the final list, the last stage of the electoral process. Canon Smith was given a standing ovation by Synod APPLAUDED: After the vote was announced, the Archbishop-elect entered the synod venue with his wife Dianne, to sustained applause and a standing ovation delegates. He also led the group in prayer for Dr Davies in his new role. Both men have stressed their friendship and close working relationship in the church. Bishop Davies is an experienced leader, overseeing a large region of Sydney parishes and multi-cultural ministries as well as roles in the Australian church and internationally. Bishop of Singapore, the Right Reverend Rennis Ponniah, gave the Synod Bible study, saying it was a privilege to be present on what he described as a significant and moving night for the Diocese of Sydney. We trust in God. So, rest in God s faithfulness and go forward to contend for the Gospel, Bishop Ponniah said. After the vote was announced, the Archbishopelect entered the synod Anglican Overseas Aid: A brief history venue with his wife Dianne, to sustained applause and a standing ovation. He thanked Synod for the vote, which was carried on the hands overwhelmingly, without dissent in either house. He then read from a New Testament given to him at his ordination by Sir Marcus Loane in Dr Davies was officially inaugurated Archbishop at St Andrew s Cathedral on Friday 23 August. 1988: Archbishop of Melbourne s International Relief and Development Fund created. 1990: Fund granted tax deductibility status. Joins Australian Council for International Development and adopts Code of Ethics. 1992: Fund moves offices to St John s, Toorak. 1994: 8 The Link, September 2013 Major response to Rwanda genocide receives strong public support. 1996: AusAID contributes $192,000 to Rwanda response. Name changed to AngliCORD. 2000: Office moves to Camberwell. 2004: Full accreditation with AusAID achieved. 2005: Indian Ocean tsunami appeal receives major public support. Office moves to East Melbourne. 2010: Solar lights program launched. 2011: Women Die Waiting breast cancer campaign launched. Joins the Australia Africa Community Engagement Scheme supported by Australian Government funds, with projects in Kenya and Ethiopia. 2012: Name changed to Anglican Overseas Aid. Move to Victoria Parade, Collingwood. Stay in touch: W: org.au F: facebook.com/anglicanoverseasaid T: twitter.com/anglicanoaid G+: Y: youtube.com/anglicanoverseasaid More in October ed of The LInk

9 What? How? Who? Why? Four big questions of human life FOLLOWING is an edited précis of a farewell sermon given by Archbishop Peter Jensen on Friday 14 June where he urged Sydney Diocese to keep the cross as the passionate heart of its message. TAKING 1 Corinthians 1 as his text, the Archbishop posed the big questions of human life: What? How? Who? Why? Final charge His last words were aimed at the thousands of men and women who make up the churches in our Diocese, the great organisations and institutions and particularly clergy and Christian workers and our central task in this age is to serve God by making Him known. Dr Jensen s first plea was to trust in Christ crucified alone. The world is always looking for human and divine celebrities, for gods suitable to its own desires. For our part we are always tempted to impress the world and to gain the world s good opinion. But, Dr Jensen said, we can never graduate beyond the cross of Christ because the divine substitution is the basis for our fellowship, the motive for our worship and the power which transforms lives. The Archbishop s second charge was as you live, so preach. Preach Christ crucified. He warned, Woe betide us if we so glorify religious experience or intellectual attainment and abandon the wisdom of God. Woe betide us if the message of the cross is simply one of the list of things we talk but not the passionate heart of our message. This warning, he said, was for the diocese, and the denomination. If we depart as Anglicans from this old, old story, we may continue for a while as a religious institution in Australia, but we will do nothing for our nation except condemn it to further confusion and despair. The cross of Christ is the key to answering all our questions - the what and the how as well as the why and the who and the when and the where. Robert Healy BCA Western Australian regional officer 9 The Link, September 2013 THE Bush Church Aid Society (BCA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of The Reverend Robert Healy to the position of Western Australian Regional Officer. He has been ministering in the parish of Balcatta Hamersley in the Diocese of Perth and began his new role in July. Originally a high school teacher, Robert had his first taste of BCA ministry to rural Australia when he moved with his wife, Kaye and three children to Newman in Since then and through friendships with The Revd Ray and Mrs Betty-Lou Molyneaux, Robert and his family came to know more about BCA and the important ministry it supported in North West Australia and across Australia. Robert and his family served with BCA as Karratha Field Staff from They then moved to the parish of Dongara Mingenew where Robert served before moving to Perth to take up his current position at Balcatta Hamersley. He has served on the WA Regional Committee for BCA for the past six years and was elected as a member of BCA National Council and Executive in May Robert comments, I m thrilled to again be taking up a ministry with BCA and the opportunities ahead. I m looking forward to again visiting the North West and other parts of the state as I SUPPORT: Newly appointed Western Australian Regional Officer for BCA Robert Healy with his wife Kaye. minister in the name of Christ to all Australians no matter what their background. I think the growing multicultural ministries in Western Australia are so exciting. Christ called everybody to go and make disciples among all nations and here in Australia, we ve got that opportunity in our own backyard. Currently there are six BCA supported ministries in Western Australia at Kununurra, Port Hedland, Wickham, Karratha/Dampier, Newman, and Paraburdoo/Tom Price. For more information, or to receive BCA Prayer Notes, visit au or call the National Office (02)

10 Chaplain proclaims, commends Jesus life-giving Gospel Migrating with her family from Hong Kong to Brisbane in 1988, Fiona May grew up in Brisbane and it was there she completed training in law and psychology at the University of Queensland. DURING my university years I matured as a Christian, feeling the urgency of Christ s name being known and honoured. At that time I started to realise that pursuing vocational Gospel work would be the best way to spend my life, as well as a privilege to partake in. After working in the legal and education sectors, I headed to Sydney to train for ministry at Gracepoint Presbyterian Church. At Gracepoint I served in various roles, such as discipleship and leadership training, preaching, Scripture teaching, and overseeing young adults groups and the youth church. I then studied at Moore Theological College to sharpen my theological thinking and gained a Bachelor of Theology. In my role as Chaplain at New England Girls School, the aim of my ministry is to be an ambassador of Jesus Christ to all. High school is an exciting place, rich with opportunities and possibilities as marketplaces of ideas and competing worldviews usually are. One s teenage years are so precious in terms of testing, challenging, and weighing up ideas and worldviews, and trying to make sense of it all. In such a pluralistic arena and at such a significant stage of life, Jesus life-giving Gospel must be energetically proclaimed and authentically commended. My prayer is that I may faithfully present Jesus, his claims, his glory, and his invitations, to all who will hear: at chapel services, in the classroom, in Bible study groups and in private conversations. May God s Spirit work in the hearts of all who belong to Him to bring them back to Himself. Please pray to the Lord of the harvest that the harvest might be plentiful at NEGS in the coming years. New England Girls School ORDAINED: Bishop Rick Lewers with the Rev. Fiona May and the Rev. Phil Coghlan, at their ordination in St Peter s Cathedral, Armidale in February. Parish moves DURING April both Philip North at Boggabri, and Philip Riley of Uralla resigned their positions as vicars. Philip and Diane North have retired and offer themselves in the future for locum duties. Philip Riley has taken up a position as Chaplain in the armed forces with a posting to Townsville. Bishop Rick noted, The expectation is that he will find all the best fishing spots and we invite ourselves to share the joy. That is of course, if you like fishing. SPIRIT: Photos at right show Philip Riley and family, and Philip in his role of Army Reserve chaplain on ANZAC Day 2013 at Uralla. Photos: Barry Blair 10 The Link, September 2013

11 Out Back... go, otherwise you ll never never know Opportunity to serve Jesus in a remote area South Tamworth to Walgett-Collarenebri By Tory Cayzer A WARM welcome of temperatures in the high 40s, a highspeed collision with a kangaroo that left us stranded with no mobile reception, rising floodwaters, and three funerals in the first week was how it all began. The move from Tamworth to Walgett-Collarenebri, proved quite a big change. But as we keep being reminded, thankfully we have an even bigger God. Many ask, Why would you take a young family to live in Walgett? or as the locals put it, How long are you here for? We came from Sydney to the Diocese to be trained under like-minded evangelical leaders (which we were blessed to have at St Peter s South Tamworth for the past two years), with a view to serve Jesus in a remote area and especially where there might be opportunities for Indigenous ministry. That said we had no reason to not come to the district of Walgett and Collarenebri! It s been some months now. The opportunities between the centres of Walgett, Colly, Cryon, and Rowena are as wide as the wheat plains out here, and so we are still prayerfully considering what is sustainable to maintain. The distinct groups within those communities present interesting opportunities for gospel ministry. Driving between centres is tiring, and it pains me to keep driving over the beautiful Barwon River without getting to stop and fish! Jo and the kids are getting to know others in Walgett and their week is quickly filling up with playgroup, library story time, and coffee with other mums. 11 The Link, September 2013 WELCOME: Tory Cayzer at the lectern with daughter Annika, wife Jo, and son Jacob being welcomed by the congregation. Parishioners at all centres have given us a lovely welcome. We have been immensely encouraged by groups from Tamworth and Narrabri working on the Vicarage, a bus-load from Tamworth for our induction, and many other words of encouragement from others in the Diocese along the way. We are constantly reminded through the ups and downs of just how good God is, and that it sure is good to be part of His big family. In a strange way, it is a privilege to be forced to trust in God and His people for our daily needs out here. Please pray that we love the people of Walgett, Colly, Cryon, and Rowena like Jesus does; that many in the district turn to Jesus as King and Saviour. Also that we know how best to serve Jesus in the district for many years to come. OPPORTUNITIES: Two churches within Tory s area of ministry, St Peter s Walgett (top) and St John s Colly (Collarenebri) below.

12 Out Back... The Out Back... page is, exactly that, Out Back... For churches and parishes, that are not so much, Out Back... but away from the larger towns and cities. So, this page is theirs, for them, about them, by them. Outback locations Arding, Attunga Baan Baa, Bellata Bendemeer, Bereen Blackville, Bolivia Brackendale, Breeza Bugaldie, Bullarah Bushgrove, Cobbadah Come-By-Chance, Coolatai Croppa Creek, Cumborah Curlewis, Dungowan Duri, Emerald Hill Enmore, Gilgai Gineroo Road, Goodooga Gostwyck, Graman Gravesend, Gunnyerwarildi Halls Creek, Hillgrove, Kentucky, Kingstown, Loomberah, Maules Creek, Mullaley, Nemingha, New Angledool, Niangala, North Star, Nowendoc, Pallamallawa, Premer, Rocky Creek, Rowena, Saumarez Ponds, Somerton, Spring Ridge, Terry Hie Hie, Thalgarrah, Tia, Tipperary, Torrington, Tulloona, Upper Horton, Wallabadah, Wallangarra Q, Westdale, Willala, Willow Tree, Wollomombi, Wollun Woods Reef, Woolomin What s happening Out Back? Who? What? When? Where? Why? Around the churches BCA appointment to Lightning Ridge OPPORTUNITY: (L-R) Joanne and David Piper with their two children, Luke (7 months) and Daniel (2½). At right: Lightning Ridge Community Church. CONGRATULATIONS to the Piper family on their appointment to Lightning Ridge The Bush Church Aid Society of Australia is excited to announce the appointment of the Piper family to Lightning Ridge as BCA Field Staff. In February 2010 David and Joanne Piper arrived in Lightning Ridge where David served as assistant minister with a focus on children s work. He took on the role of locum minister last October, when former BCA Field Staff, Mike and Chantalle Keith completed their term and moved to minister in New Zealand. David and Joanne have two children, Daniel (2 ½) and Luke (7 months). We re all excited at the opportunity to stay in the Ridge and had never lived in the country until we moved here, straight after finishing at Moore College, said David. But we love the Ridge, our church family here, and we re thankful we can stay longer. David was ordained presbyter and inducted into the parish of Lightning Ridge asa its vicar, earlier this year. Lightning Ridge is an opal mining town and popular tourist location that also attracts all sorts of people who are either searching for, or escaping from something. The Ridge is full of people who are in need of Jesus. BCA has supported ministry at Lightning Ridge since 1978, said BCA National Director Mark Short. This appointment is a further step in the partnership between BCA, the Anglican Diocese of Armidale and local Christians. What we do BCA shares the gospel, builds up the church, and cares for people all around Australia. According to ABS definitions, our Field Staff serve in regional and remote parts of Australia. Locals in these places are removed from cities, live in sparsely populated towns (sometimes as small as a few hundred people), and often don t benefit from strong support networks of family and friends. Churches in these areas can struggle, ongoing fellowship can be hard to maintain, and encouragement can become a rarity. 12 The Link, September 2013