Connecting with community

Issu

e 35

, No

6, 2

016

DISCUSSIONS & DECISIONS

Presbytery & Synod meeting

summaries pp. 6-7

FOLLOWING CALL

Words from the new

Moderator pp. 10-11

The voice of Uniting Church SA December 2016 / January 2017

ISSN 0726-2612

New Times is the voice of Uniting Church SA. Published bi-monthly, February through

December, New Times represents the breadth, diversity and vision of Uniting Church members

in SA. News policies, guides and deadlines appear online at newtimes.sa.uca.org.au. Articles

and advertising do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor.

w: newtimes.sa.uca.org.au facebook.com/UnitingChurch.UnitingPeople

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Editor: Catherine Hoffman

Editor-in-Chief: Bindy Taylor

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Design: Gareth Pennington

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DEADLINE FOR FERUARY/MARCH 2017 EDITION:

Friday 20 January

New Times online and UC e-News will continue to provide a space to share stories and news in between print editions of New Times. The final UC e-News for 2016 will be distributed on Wednesday 14 December; e-News will resume operation on Wednesday 18 January, 2017. Online news content will be published occasionally between these dates. To subscribe to New Times online, please visit sa.uca.org.au/new-times

ContentsFEATURES

Discussions and decisions 6-7

Why Christmas is my favourite time 9

Following a call 10-11

10 tips for writing web content 16-17

Readership survey 24

REGULAR PAGES

Moderator ’ s comment 4

Letters 20-21

Diary 21

www.resthaven.asn.au

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This edition’s cover shows Sean Weetra, a young Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri artist, standing alongside his unique artwork, painted on the asphalt of the Adelaide West Uniting Church carpark.

Sean designed the piece as a timely response to discussion surrounding proposed nuclear waste repositories in South Australia, particularly the Barndioota site in Adnyamathanha (Flinders Ranges) country.

A number of symbols are present in the artwork - the shield represents protection, the four outer symbols represent people sitting (gathering) and the four directions people come from to stand in solidarity with the Adnyamathanha people. Other symbols represent land and waterways that the shield is protecting. On 9 September, the Uniting Church SA Standing Committee formally agreed to stand in covenantal solidarity with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) on the issue of nuclear waste repositories in SA.

Young people from the Adelaide Congress and Adelaide West congregations assisted Sean in creating the piece on Tuesday 1 November, in the lead up to the November Presbytery and Synod meeting (more information on pages 6-7).

Cover details

ed i t o r i a l

When I was younger, my favourite Christmas tradition was attending the local nativity re-enactment. The event took place in Stirling’s Apex Park, where a grassy slope led to a flat area – a perfect (if somewhat steep) natural amphitheatre.

Each year, our family would gather on the slope, meeting other families or friends, to sit on the grass and watch the Christmas story unfold. We’d sing carols and hold candles with flimsy cardboard circles to prevent the wax from reaching our hands. I delighted in touching the dripping wax with the very tip of my finger, watching it form a fragile shell as it cooled, then peeling it off and looking at my fingerprint. I loved the live animals in the show, and the fact that someone I knew was almost always cast in a minor role – a shepherd one year, an angel the next. But most of all, I loved that the event brought the church into the community in such a joyful way.

Growing up, I often felt like church was something most of my friends didn’t really understand – and it wasn’t something I could easily explain to them. But Christmas provided an avenue to connect them with the most joyous of Christian stories and celebrations – the story of Christ’s birth. And even if they didn’t start asking questions about Christianity or attending church, the Christmas story became a part of their tradition and memories were made through these events.

I was recently speaking to a friend of mine about the re-enactment. Although the idea of attending church has never appealed to her, she engaged with the Christmas story each year at the nativity re-enactment and would often ask me questions about church afterwards. She’s now starting a family of her own, and she spoke of finding a local re-enactment event to connect with once her child is born.

It’s been many years since my friends and I attended the Stirling nativity re-enactment – we’ve moved away from the Adelaide Hills and moved on to new traditions. But the memories remain.

Uniting Church congregations will hold Christmas services and events across South Australia this year. For some people, attending an event is an extension of their usual church attendance; for others, it may be the only time they engage with the church all year. Attending the event may be an old tradition, steeped in memories and meaning, or it may be a new experience, perhaps even the start of a new tradition. But for all, it is a time to reflect on the good news of Christ’s birth.

Catherine Hoffman

Memories and opportunities

International Summer School 4-11 January, 2017

Join us for worship at the following services8 Jan @ 7.30pm: Wesley Uniting Church, Fullarton Rd, Kent Town9 Jan @ 7.30pm: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Flinders St, Adelaide

10 Jan @ 7.30pm: St Peter’s Cathedral, North AdelaideOrgan recital

8 Jan @ 3pm. Malcolm Archer (UK). Wesley Uniting Church, Kent Town. Tickets $20 at door.

The Communications team has several things to communicate to the Uniting Church SA community in this edition!

1. Welcome to Gareth Pennington who has taken on the role of Graphic and Web Designer while Winaya Kamaputri is on maternity leave.

2. Congregations are invited to send their Christmas service details to the Communications team for inclusion on the Uniting Church SA website (sa.uca.org.au). Please email communications@sa.uca.org.au or call 8236 4237.

3. Tributes for John Akehurst are being sought by the Uniting Church SA Historical Society via the Communications team. John had a significant ministry at Parkin-Wesley College (now Uniting College for Leadership & Theology) from 1976, to 1991. Short tributes or anecdotes can be sent to communications@sa.uca.org.au or Communications, Uniting Church SA, GPO Box 2145, Adelaide SA 5001.

4. The new Congregational Website Program has just launched! The program offers an innovative, easy-to-use template for congregations looking to revitalise their website or establish their online presence. Two versions are available at different price points. For more information, please visit ucasa.org.au or call 8236 4247. For tips on how to write for the web, please see pages 16-17 of this edition.

Communications corner

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modera to r

For many years, I was a sole parent of four children. Times were hard; we were poor. During this time, I can remember coming across the scripture John 10:10 in the Bible study group I attended:

“I have come that you might have life, and have it abundantly.”I found this idea difficult to apply to my own life, which hardly felt

abundant. It was difficult to feel as though my life was abundant when I found myself having to pay bills in instalments. It didn’t feel abundant when the only meal we were able to eat out as a family was the annual basketball dinner at the local hotel. And it certainly didn’t feel abundant when the refrigerator was empty and I had hungry children to feed.

I prayed for what I thought of as the abundant life – for more money, more things for my children, more happiness.

One day, I came across the scripture again, in a different translation – the same translation that we’ve used on the Uniting Church SA Christmas postcards this year:

“I have come that you might have life to the full.”I laughed as I read it – my life sure was full! Here I was, rearing four children on my own, deeply involved with

my local community – with the church, the high school and primary schools. I was the communications officer for the local Country Fire Service, the secretary for the neighbourhood watch, a leader in two sporting organisations, and was involved in several other church and community organisations. In addition to all this, I was working as a relief teacher to earn money. It struck me that I was living life to the full because there was never a spare minute!

I then realised how much I loved being involved in my children’s activities, and how serving in my church and community gave my life purpose and value. I was living the life, and it was good. It was like discovering a hidden treasure about the meaning of life to the full.

Often at Christmas, we try to stuff so much into our stockings to make life seem full. Church, school and community events, shopping, present-wrapping, and baking are all activities that vie for our time and attention.

Can we discover the little treasure, hidden away in the bottom of the stocking, which offers life to the full? The little treasure, hidden away in the back shed of a country town pub, that made angels sing for joy, filled shepherds’ hearts with hope, brought peace to wise scholars from afar, and who filled his parent’s lives with love.

This treasure is Jesus, who offers us life to the full every day and in the best possible way.

May His love fill you with abundant life.

Rev Sue Ellis

Life to the full: the hidden treasures of Christmas

Placemen ts News

Placements finalised since the October/November 2016 edition of New Times:Rev Douglas Monaghan to Noarlunga Uniting Church (Priority Placement) from 1 February 2016Vacant Placements as of 15 November 2016The following is the current list of vacant (or soon to be vacant) approved placements:Advertised positions/placements – Eldercare Aged Care Chaplain (full time, The Lodge, Wayville), Eldercare Aged Care Chaplain (full time, Cottage Grove, Woodcroft), Wesley Kent Town (0.7).Soon to be advertised – Pilgrim, UCA/Uniting Communities.Profiles available – Christ Church (from February 2017); County Jervois (Arno, Cleve, Coolanie, Cowell & Driver River); Gawler Parish (from 1 January 2016), Kimba; Payneham Road (0.5); Port Augusta & Quorn; Tumby Bay & Districts (0.8); Westbourne Park (0.5); Western Eyre (Cornerstone (Cummins), Cummins, Lock & Yeelanna).Profiles not yet available – Campbelltown (from February 2017); Covenanting Officer, Presbytery and Synod; Kangaroo Island Linked Congregations (from February 2017); Mannum (0.3); Naracoorte (from February 2017).For more information about any of these placements, to view national placements or to find out more about upcoming services, please visit sa.uca.org.au/pastoral-relations/placements-vacant-and-finalised

Rev Sue Ellis during her installation as Uniting Church SA Moderator on Wednesday 2 November, 2016.

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Local leaders at the Owen commemorative event, including Rev Dr Phil Marshall (front right), Moderator Rev Sue Ellis (back right) and Recovery Project Officer Emma Christian (back left).

On Sunday 20 November this year, Owen Community Church decided to cancel their usual Sunday service. Instead, they held a special community event, “A day of gratitude”, commemorating the Pinery Fire, which raged across the Lower Mid North and Barossa Valley regions from 25 November to 2 December 2015.

The first anniversary of the devastating fire, which burnt 10,000 hectares in an hour, has stirred strong thoughts and feelings in the Owen community and surrounding area.

“Our hope was that the commemorative event would help people get a good perspective on the last year, while providing a caring gathering where people could find a listening ear and compassionate response,” says Rev Dr Phil Marshall, the minister of the Plains Community Churches and the Uniting Church SA Recovery Liaison Pastor.

“It was an opportunity to express thanks for everyone who keeps the community safe, and gratitude for the generosity of others as we recover.”

Phil’s position as Recovery Liaison Pastor has been funded by the Uniting Church SA Relief Fund, which many individuals and congregations contributed to after the Pinery Fire. This fund has also provided support for Jordan Gauci, who has engaged in pastoral work with farmers around Mallala and the western end of the fire scar, and Emma Christian, who is specifically working with fire-affected children and families across the region.

Approximately 100 people attended the commemorative event, which was followed by a free barbecue provided by the Local Recovery Centre. Volunteers from the Owen and Alma Country Fire Service attended the event in uniform, providing the community with an opportunity to thank them for their service.

The next fire danger season has now started, resulting in heightened anxiety in the community hit by the Pinery Fire. Phil addressed this in his message at the event:

“We should not be surprised that the approaching anniversary of the Pinery Fire stirs up strong feelings. For every person who feels that they are over it, there is another person who is not. But we sit here together today, saying we are all in this together, and we will move forward. We don’t want anyone to be left behind.”

Members from Uniting Church communities and other denominations across South Australia have undertaken training to become Disaster and Recovery Ministries Chaplains. Congregations are encouraged to acknowledge and pray for these chaplains, particularly now the fire season has started. Another two-day training event for potential chaplains will be held in the McLaren Vale on Monday 6 and Tuesday 7 March, 2017.

For more information, please contact Wendy Perkins on 8236 4284 or email wperkins@sa.uca.org.au

A day of gratitude

Messy Church lived up to its name recently at Walkerville Uniting Church! The worship service on Sunday 20 November got decidedly wet and waterlogged as eight young people were baptised by full immersion. Three teenagers were also confirmed during the service.

The young people, who come from the central Northern Territory, have been especially nurtured and supported over many years by congregational members, Trevor and Beryl Scoop, and Alan Christopher.

Members of the Walkerville congregation donated personal Bibles for each of the baptismal and confirmation candidates.

“It was wonderful to see so many teenagers who had grown up attending our Messy Church over the past five years being baptised or confirmed,” says Walkerville member Sue Farrant.

For more information about Walkerville Uniting Church, please visit walkerville.unitingchurch.org.au or call 8342 5875.

Waterlogged at Walkerville

Young people who were baptised and confirmed at Walkerville Uniting Church in November sit with Rev David Kowalick, Family Ministries Worker Alicia Burns, and other helpers.

news

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news

The November meeting of the Uniting Church SA Presbytery and Synod was held at Adelaide West Uniting Church from Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 November. Key topics of discussion have been summarised for New Times. Full reports and proposals are available at sa.uca.org.au/pres-synod-meetings

On Thursday 3 November, the members of the Presbytery and Synod resolved to ordain Linda Driver and Will Hall as Ministers of the Word.

Rev Sue Ellis was installed as the new Moderator of the Uniting Church SA in a celebratory service on Wednesday 2 November.

Evangelism

Over the three days of the Presbytery and Synod meeting, members were invited to discuss and engage with the idea of evangelism in a number of ways – through table group discussions, elective sessions, a presentation by Rev Dr Chris Walker (National Consultant on Christian Unity, Doctrine and Worship, Uniting Church in Australia Assembly) and Bible studies led by Rev Ruthmary Bond.

As a result of these discussions, three proposals related to evangelism were presented to the meeting and were passed by consensus. The proposals related to resourcing an integrated approach to evangelism, encouraging congregations to have conversations about sharing faith, and making the conscious decision to engage in relational evangelism.

In memoriam

Members stood in silence to acknowledge the ministry and contributions of five ministers who have passed away since the 2015 annual meeting. Those recognised were Rev Gerald (Gerry) Warner Hodges, Rev Keith Smith, Rev Colin Thomas White, Rev Brian Glenn Robins and Rev Dr John Edward Akehurst.

Ex-Moderator's End of Term Report

Ex-Moderator Dr Deidre Palmer presented her End of Term Report, focussing on her theme of “Community in Christ – Living Compassion & Hope”. Deidre spoke warmly about her congregational visits, every member ministry, international partner churches, intergenerational ministry, issues of justice, and much more. She spoke about narratives of evangelism and hope, and thanked those who supported her as Moderator.

Generation Y session

Young people from Ignite Ministries opened the Gen Y session with energising worship. Rev Mike Wardrop (Intergenerational Discipleship Developer, Mission Resourcing) led a panel of four young people under the age of 35 – Ashlee Littleford, Aaron Tai, Adam Williams and Lauren Andris. Topics of discussion included “dos and don'ts” for interacting with Gen Y, church culture, worship ministry, hopes for the future of the church, and the role that the UAICC and reconciliation might play in Gen Y church communities.

Mission and Service Fund budget

Astrid Kuivasaari (General Manager, Resources) presented the Mission and Service Fund budget for 2017. She provided a breakdown of the income and expenses of the Mission and Service Fund. It is expected a balanced budget will be achieved in 2016, and this is also the aim for the 2017 budget.

Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) & nuclear waste

Rev Denise Champion presented the UAICC Report, talking particularly about the Tailem Bend Uniting Church site and the renovations that are needed. She provided an update on the various UAICC faith communities and on the topic of nuclear waste repositories.

A proposal relating to nuclear waste repositories was presented by Dr Marelle Harisun and Rev Sandy Boyce later in the meeting. Proposal 8 focusses on concern over the process for determining the site for a proposed nuclear waste repository on Adnyamathanha land, and called for appropriate consultation with the traditional owners of the land. After lengthy discussion, it was decided that the proposal would be brought to the next meeting of the Presbytery and Synod, where it would be made a priority.

Discussion and decisions

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news

Recognition of ministry and commissioning service

A service was held to recognise and celebrate the life and ministry of retiring ministers – John Deer (ordained 1985), Ross Honey (ordained 2005), Peter Ryan (ordained 1980), Robert Tann (ordained 1989), Graham Humphris (ordained 1980), Mark Hinton (ordained 1987) and Phil Pynor (ordained 1997). Rev Sue Ellis provided brief histories, outlining the churches they served, and invited three of the ministers to share short reflections on their ministry.

Rev Dr Andrew Dutney and Sue led the gathered members in commissioning Danica Patselis as Intern Year Coordinator and Karen Vanlint as CALD Coordinator with Uniting College for Leadership & Theology.

Appreciation and recognition

Over the course of the meeting, a number of people were recognised for their significant contributions to the life of the Uniting Church.

On Thursday 3 November, Rev Sue Ellis thanked Rev Matthew Stuart for his service in church ministry and defence chaplaincy in South Australia. Matt will soon be moving to serve as a military chaplain in the Northern Territory.

During the Mission Resourcing presentation, the gathered members recognised the ministry of Kemeri Liévano, who is concluding her time as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Mission and Ministry Officer to move into chaplaincy ministry in Queensland.

Appreciation was also expressed for the service of Rev Gary Stuckey, who will conclude his placement as Director of Stillpoint Spirituality Centre in December.

As part of the Lay Preachers’ Report, Max Howland recognised lay preachers who are reaching significant anniversaries: 30 Years – Tina Lee; 40 years – Bob Bradshaw, Jim Everett, Ann Siddall, Denise McWaters, Campbell Menzies, Thelma Pike, and two others (names not released); 50 years – Dorothy Loller; 60 years – Rita Argent and Don Hopgood; 70 years – Geoff Pike.

On the final day of the meeting, Rev Philip Gardner and Rev Beth Seaman asked members of the Presbytery and Synod to place on record their appreciation of Dr Marelle Harisun. Phil noted Marelle's pioneering work in Safe Church Policies, which made a significant difference to Uniting Church operations – in South Australia and nationally. Members joined in applauding Marelle for her contributions to the life and ministry of the Church.

Chaplains & pastoral care in public hospitals

Due to recent changes in the public health care system, seeking pastoral and/or spiritual care in hospitals requires a few extra steps. In the past, chaplains were notified of a patien’ s religious affiliation. Now, patients must list the Uniting Church as their religious affiliation on their forms, and the patient or their family should ask the nurses for a “spiritual care consult order” . Alternatively, chaplains can be contacted directly.

For more information about chaplains, including contact names for those serving in public hospitals, please visit sa.uca.org.au/chaplaincy or contact Pastoral Relations and Mission Planning on 8236 4204 or pastoralrelations@sa.uca.org.au

Assembly Report

Stuart McMillan, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, introduced the Assembly Report, speaking particularly about reconciliation and the Mapoon Appeal, and church partnerships.

Assembly General Secretary Colleen Geyer spoke about the significance of justice in the life of the church, and provided updates on a number of resolutions made at the 14th Triennial Assembly Meeting held in 2015. Colleen reminded members that the Uniting Church will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2017.

Stuart concluded the report by speaking about the Royal Commission, respectful conversations on marriage, intergenerational ministry, and church leadership.

For more information, please visit the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly website at assembly.uca.org.au

Mission Resourcing

Rev Dr Amelia Koh-Butler introduced the Mission Resourcing Report. Amelia spoke about developing missional communities and the formation of the new Mission and Leadership Development ministry centre. She reflected on the importance of resourcing congregations and faith communities, particularly highlighting the new mental health resource, “Caring for Community”.

Several videos featuring interviews with Mission Resourcing staff, ministers, and leaders who have contributed significantly to mission were shared as part of the report. The videos can be accessed by contacting Mission Resourcing via email at mr@sa.uca.org.au

Ex-Moderator Dr Deidre Palmer spoke about the partnership between the Uniting Church SA and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK). A mission team were commissioned and blessed in preparation for a visit to South Korea from 26 November to 6 December 2016.

Each day of the Presbytery and Synod meeting opened with a time of worship, before Rev Ruthmary Bond led the Bible study for the day. On Thursday 3 November, Korean members of the Uniting Church SA shared a Bible reading and music with the gathered members.

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I know that Christmas is a busy time of year. There’s so much to do! There’s the usual Christmas chaos, school wrapping up for the year, and a rush of work that needs to be done – particularly when you’re involved in a church. Last year, the church I was serving had more than 6,000 people visit within 24 hours over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. To say it was crazy would be an understatement – my theological training did not prepare me for overseeing the security guards we had hired!

In spite of all of the crazy busyness that is associated with Christmas, it is my favourite time of the year – not only because of the quality time I can spend with my extended family, but also because of the theology associated with the Christmas story.

The incarnation is one of the greatest mysteries of faith, that the God of all creation would become human – not some powerful ruler, not a wizard from Hogwarts nor a superhero with amazing powers, but human. God became a tiny, fragile newborn baby. A baby not born to the elites of society in a nice private room in hospital, but born in a farm shed that did not even belong to his parents.

The Christmas story is the story of a God who subverts our human values and expectations; a God whose mighty strength is embodied in a newborn baby. It sounds crazy – if God had run this salvation method past a panel of humans, they’d surely say it was too risky. What if something were to happen to the baby during its birth, especially given the somewhat unhygienic environment and lack of medical interventions available? What if the child was to be hurt in

some way or succumb to illness during childhood? Wouldn’t it be better if the parents were rich and socially well connected so that the God-human might speak to those people of influence? No, I cannot imagine that a panel would have approved God’s risky plan. Yet the plan went ahead, and in the birth of Jesus, we see a God who is willing to be humbled, to learn, and to engage in the highs and lows that come with being human.

So here is some good news! God is not like us. God’s chosen method for the salvation of humanity shows us that the Kingdom of God is unlike anything we have known before. Through the incarnation, we see that the Kingdom of God is not only for the rich and powerful, but for the poor and the oppressed, the lonely and the heartbroken, the overlooked and the undermined. In Jesus, God understands what it is like to be human, to be born, to live and to die, and all of the struggles that lie in between.

The incarnation affirms the goodness of our world; the goodness of creation and humanity in spite of the problems of sin. In Genesis, when God finished creation, it was proclaimed to be “very good”. In the incarnation, by becoming human, God reaffirms and recommits to the “very goodness” of the world. We see this in Jesus’ proclamation of the arrival of the Kingdom of God, even before his death and resurrection.

Christmas is my favourite time of year because it shows me that God understands my humanness; that God is willing to take risks to bring salvation, and that God stands alongside those who are oppressed, downcast or broken.

Why Christmas is my favourite time

of the year

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faith

Rev Christy Capper, Director of Missiology with Mission Resourcing and Uniting College for Leadership & Theology, shares her love of Christmas and reflects on the story of Christ’s birth.

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Rev Sue Ellis has been many things – a teacher, a mother, a minister, and now, Moderator of the Uniting Church in South Australia. Sue was installed as Moderator at the November Presbytery and Synod meeting, but she first felt God calling her to this ministry four years ago.

In 2012, Sue was one of five people who were nominated for the position of Moderator. At that time, Dr Deidre Palmer was elected to serve in the role from November 2013 to November 2016.

“When it didn’t pan out, I thought, that’s very strange, because I had this sense of call to be Moderator and I had to deal with that,” Sue reflects. “One of the ways I thought about that was to prayerfully think through my call to be Moderator – I recognised that I had the call and felt I had been faithful to it. That was how I dealt with responding to a call but not being elected.”

When the nominations for the position were called for again, two people immediately approached Sue and asked if she would be willing to be nominated. Although Sue felt her time had been and gone, she agreed – in part due to concern from the Synod office that not enough people would participate in the nomination process.

Despite her prayerful consideration before agreeing to be nominated, Sue was surprised when the Presbytery and Synod chose her to be Moderator-Elect.

“I recognise now that the call to be Moderator-Elect is a call from God through the Church, and I’m trusting that God will lead that call. When I look at myself, I don’t see that in me – but clearly the Church, the discernment of the Holy Spirit through the Church, does see that,” says Sue.

By following her call, Sue is leaving her position as minister of the Western Eyre Parish, exchanging country life for city living. Growing

up on the Yorke Peninsula, Sue has spent most of her life in rural areas. She taught in different rural contexts and raised her family near Melrose in the Flinders Ranges.

“When I was involved in the Uniting Church at Melrose, I had that sense of call to go into ministry and begin ministry work,” Sue recalls.

She began as a pastoral assistant in the 70s and 80s, supporting the minister as he tended to the six churches in the parish.

“We in the churches had to take charge of our own life. It was about making our church services happen on Sunday, reaching out into our community with the Gospel, caring for one another, teaching one another, teaching our children – we did it all ourselves in the country,” says Sue.

Sue went on to become an ordained minister, and has served in numerous rural contexts. She has been in ministry in the Western Eyre Parish for the past two and a half years. Her vision as Moderator is inspired, in part, by her experiences in the rural church.

Having already provided a vision during the previous nomination process, Sue was initially at a loss as to what to present when she was nominated a second time.

“When I thought it through it came to me that I wanted the Uniting Church to be a place where everybody belonged and had a place, no matter who they were or how they experienced God,” says Sue.

“I wanted it to be a really inclusive, generous community, and so I envisaged the mustard seed parable and this is what I shared at the Synod. I believe that our church is called to be like the planting of a small mustard seed that grows into a large bush in which all birds and creatures can come and find their place.

leadership

Catherine Hoffman

Following a call

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leadership

“As this vision came to me, I saw in some ways every congregation being like a little mustard seed being planted and growing and flourishing into a larger bush into which people of all sorts of backgrounds and theologies could come and find a place, and grow as disciples of Jesus. But I also thought the whole Uniting Church SA Synod would be like this too.”

Still not believing that she would actually be elected, Sue expanded this vision the night before she was due to present it to the Presbytery and Synod members. She decided to draw on her experiences as a minister and to talk about the things that interest her most.

“In my term as Moderator I’ve chosen three things for my vision – to grow the church, to nurture the church in discipleship, and to flourish fresh ways of how we can create the Kingdom of God for our particular context, for every particular context.”

Grow. Nurture. Flourish.She identifies relational evangelism as a key way to grow the Uniting

Church in South Australia. This was also a focus during the November Presbytery and Synod meeting – Sue’s first as Moderator.

“With relational evangelism, I’m talking about developing relationships over time that we commit ourselves to so that we can journey with people and help them come to a point of committing their lives to Jesus,” Sue explains.

“It’s about forming committed relationships, it’s about giving of ourselves. It’s not all about us – it’s about serving Jesus by coming to love and care for our neighbour, and to be willing to bare our souls and let them hear from us why Jesus matters to us.

“We all have our own story of hope; we all have our own story of how God has come to us. We don’t go into this relationship with our agenda. We go in love. And we are on Jesus’ agenda – we are on his timeline. We’ve all got a story about connection with God that we can share with others when the time is right.”

Connecting with people at different stages of life – reaching them at that “right time” – also feeds into Sue’s point about nurturing the church in discipleship.

“I’m very interested in intentional discipleship that is intergenerational, and I’d like to see our church being very intentional at every stage of development in growing disciples of Jesus. God can speak into any stage of life, and we need to be aware of that. As we continue our journey of faith, year by year, there are seasons in which we grow to be more like Jesus,” says Sue.

“Jesus taught his disciples the ways of the kingdom, how to make room for one another, how to look for the good in one another, how to be that goodness in the world, how to connect with God and to support one another, and to be people of justice and people of mercy.

“I’d like to see us be more intentional about nurturing this kind of discipleship growth so that the leadership of every congregation is looking to see what people need – at their age and stage of life – to grow to be more like Jesus.”

Finally, Sue focusses on innovation and flourishing church communities.

“I want us to flourish as a church – to not be afraid, to be creative and to have different ways of doing church, to plant new churches, to do church differently, to have a bit of courage and to be innovative in what we do,” she enthuses.

Sue acknowledges that creating new and different ways of doing church can be a painful process – she has experienced this herself with recent changes made to the Cummins/Cornerstone church community in the Western Eyre Parish.

She believes prayer, seeking God, reading scripture, and speaking up courageously are important in creating a flourishing, innovative community.

“I think it’s so important to hear the voice of God, to give an idea your best shot, and see where it takes you. Sometimes these ideas are only for a season, and we need to have the courage to let it go once that season has passed, and to seek a new vision.”

In having to seek a new vision for her second nomination process, Sue recognises the importance of Spirit-led conversations and prayerful consideration.

“I’ve been reminded that the one who calls us is always faithful, and we have to trust in that faithfulness. We’re only called to follow what God is asking of us. That’s a struggle, I think, for every person in ministry, to follow that call of God and to help people recognise and affirm what God is “saying,” she says.

“The call doesn’t always go the way you think it’s going to go.”Rev Sue Ellis will serve as Moderator until November 2019 and will

provide an article on page 4 of each print edition of New Times. For more information, please contact Tim Molineux, Personal Assistant to the Moderator, on 8236 4221 or email moderator@sa.uca.org.au

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A chance for peace for South SudanCath Taylor

When Rev Caleb* puts his hands to the blistered steering wheel of his four-wheel drive and heads out of Juba this month, he’ll go with prayers and provisions from Uniting Church communities and members. This support, Caleb believes, will give South Sudan her best chance at peace.

Caleb oversees the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan’s Peace Desk. It’s a grand title for his work – urging a battered vehicle into remote areas to speak peace to families and communities who’ve watched their families members literally cleaved apart by tribal violence.

Caleb is part of a movement of Christian leaders preaching and teaching reconciliation and forgiveness as they help care for people wounded by war and hold politicians to account for the peace process.

He lives and breathes the peace of Christ, and Uniting Church people in Australia, through a partnership with UnitingWorld, are helping fill his lungs.

Right now, South Sudan’s townships are quiet. But it’s not long since they rang with gunshots and this new nation’s raw skin opened, once again, to the violence that has dogged it since it gained independence in 2011.

“The fighting has stopped but the wounds are still bleeding,” Caleb says. “Our people have lost faith in political leaders and the military. They’re turning to us, to the church, to offer them hope and leadership. That’s why we’re here.”

Caleb is one of a handful of determined Christian leaders who’ve returned to Juba from refugee camps or from safe havens in neighbouring countries to pick up the pieces of life in a country where war has destroyed everything from the economy to roads, hospitals and schools.

Along with other peacemakers, he believes the best chance for his country’s recovery lies not only in securing safety, shelter and a lasting peace agreement, but in a profound change in the hearts of his fellow South Sudanese.

“This is where it starts. This country cannot move forward unless we do the deep work of reconciliation and forgiveness, person to person, tribe to tribe, at the grassroots and at the political level,” Caleb explains.

The Uniting Church in Australia, through UnitingWorld and their partner the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan, is one of only a few agencies on the ground in South Sudan with a vision to care for the

Rev Caleb* from the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan with Dr Sureka Goringe, the Associate Director of UnitingWorld.

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whole person – spiritual and physical. It’s a unique difference and one that Rev Caleb and other Christian leaders believe is the key to the country’s future.

With the support of large South Sudanese populations in South Australia, Victoria and Queensland, we’re not only responding to the urgent needs of South Sudanese people through hands-on training to save lives, rebuild schools and help people earn a living, but we’re sharing the transforming hope of Christ.

The local Sudanese church is deeply committed but seriously lacking in resources. Approximately 60% of the population now identify as Christian and people are hungry for Christian leadership.

“Christmas is about God taking on flesh to meet people at every point of need,” says Sureka Goringe, Associate Director of UnitingWorld.

“The people I met in South Sudan share that vision. Their quest for peace is grounded in their faith. We support Christian leaders as they carry out their mission both of meeting need and sharing God’s peace and reconciliation.”

Caleb believes this support – and a continuing focus on peace – is vital for South Sudanese communities to grow and flourish.

“We are re-training teachers and leaders, providing trauma counselling for women and children who are victims of war, helping families get the skills they need to earn a living,” he says. “But none of this will succeed without peace as the foundation.”

“Everything in Common” is the Uniting Church’s gift catalogue for the work of the global church. It provides unique gifts that share the love and Christ and meet practical needs, and reflects the desire of the first followers of Jesus to share all they had so that no one would be in need (Acts 4:32-35). These gifts of peace, hope and love will directly support the work of Caleb and others. For more information, please visit everythingincommon.com.au or call (02) 8267 4267.

*Names have been changed.

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Geoff Lewis General Manager

culture

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Christmas is a time… Christmas is a signficant occasion for all Christians. The Uniting Church is made up of thousands of people from different backgrounds, cultures and generations, each with their own special way of celebrating Christmas.

When Editor Catherine Hoffman first started as an intern at New Times, she wrote an article exploring the ways people of different cultures within the Uniting Church celebrate Christmas (New Times, December 2012). This year, New Times Intern Tom Mitchard continues the tradition, focussing on four people of different generations from some of the Uniting Church SA’s largest congregations. Tom asked each individual how their Christmas celebrations have changed over the

years, and what they value most about the Christmas season.

…to reflect and focusElizabeth Megaw, Westbourne Park Uniting Church

I love Christmas, and I have been fortunate enough to be raised in a family that loves Christmas as well. There are so many traditions and aspects of Christmas that I love, but what I appreciate most is the “vibe” that is around during the Christmas season – people are often more willing to do things for one another, and there is a nice atmosphere around the community. It is also a great opportunity for the Gospel to be shared.

Christmas has always been a family event for me. When I was younger, we would do lots in the lead up, including cooking, craft and decorating. Our mince pie routine was much loved, and we also got our homemade Christmas pillowcases out on pageant morning.

On Christmas Eve, we would watch carols on the TV and in the morning, we would open our homemade stockings and the presents under the tree. Then we were off to a traditional lunch with mum’s side of the family. In the afternoon, we had dinner with dad’s side of the family. Boxing Day was spent in our pyjamas, eating left overs and watching the cricket.

As an adult, it is much the same. I now travel down to Mount Gambier in November to see their community pageant with my sister and her kindy. As a family, we all go to the 11pm Christmas Eve service at my church. Afterwards, when we get home, we quickly go to bed so that Father Christmas can come.

For the last few years, I have been working the afternoon shift at work as a nurse. Working on Christmas Day can actually be a lot of fun, and both staff and patients are more relaxed.

Since primary school, I have helped my grandmother with the traditional Christmas pudding. This year, I have to do it myself, which will be a reflective time for me.

Church is a focus of my Christmas celebrations – attending and helping with services has helped strengthen my Christmas passion. My church community engages with each other and the wider community over Christmas.

…to welcome everyone homeAndy Hogarth, The Journey Uniting Church

Like most Australians, I really value Christmas for the time with family, the anticipation of the summer holidays and food.

Growing up, I didn't have a lot of extended family around, so Christmas was often celebrated with close friends and our immediate family. I think what sticks out in my mind is the combined churches community carols, where most of the town would turn out.

Now, I have a growing extended family with whom to celebrate. It’s quite a feast on both sides of the family! It’s a time of relaxation and fun, with some surprises for the kids.

The Journey Uniting Church goes “all out” for Christmas. It is the last remaining date on the Christian calendar that has significant resonance with the wider Australian community, so we maximise this and start preparing from September.

The church has a celebration service the Sunday night before Christmas, with nearly triple the size of our regular congregation attending. During the service, we take up a community offering for a great cause.

On Christmas Eve we hold a candlelight service. Some years we have had a jazz feel to it, while this year it is more mainstream. A lot of people from the wider community come along for this event and it feels like a “welcome home” for everyone.

On Christmas Day, we join together for carols, a message, and prayers for the world. As a Christian, it’s a brilliant opportunity to invite friends and family, who wouldn't normally go to church, to come and experience Jesus through the message, music and community.

I am amazed at how the story of Christmas can continue to speak to me in a different way each year. The best thing about Christmas, most certainly, is the coming of Jesus into our world as a helpless baby.

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Members of The Journey Uniting Church and the wider community gather together for a Christmas celebration.

…for all the little extra special thingsChristy Rayner, Seeds Uniting Church

We can never truly comprehend the marvel it is, that God stepped into flesh and blood to be amongst us, and to bring us into the glorious kingdom of his light. Christmas affords us that time to ponder, reflect on, and most importantly, celebrate this wonder.

As a child, breakfast was always a significant part of the day. Only after we had breakfast together would we sit down together and, one by one, open the presents. For some reason, I had a near phobia of Santa Claus. I remember our neighbour came over dressed up one year – I just bawled and bawled!

I have continued on the special breakfast tradition with my family, but having a big shared lunch is a prominent part of the day, too. I just love all the little extra special things you do around Christmas to make it feel more significant.

Our Christmas services at Seeds Uniting Church are also like that. Lots of extra effort goes in to make the days leading up to Christmas feel special. Singing carols and decorating the church is something that I love to be a part of each year.

Every year, Seeds hosts the “Road to Christmas” event, which is basically Bethlehem set up in our car park. I think this is a great experience to get us all reflecting on the “flesh and blood” reality that is the true meaning of Christmas.

This year, we are keen to create more opportunity around our services with hospitality.

Christmas is such a brilliant opportunity to be a living example of the love of Christ to our communities. What a privilege and joy!

…for the unexpectedPete Riggs, Playford Uniting Church

I do love that, for many, Christmas is about children, and I love the heat of an Australian Christmas, which clashes with the “winter wonderland” image.

What sticks out from my childhood Christmas? Pillow cases, combined church, kids sharing what they received that morning, and then family and food all day. I have distinct memories of Christmas spent at Port McDonnell in the 70s – the drive down the night before, and trying to stay awake to see Christmas trees in the windows and decorations from light poles.

This year at Playford Uniting Church, we are looking at more of a Christmas season approach starting in late November. We’re holding a number of events in late November and December, in addition to our Christmas Eve and Christmas morning services. A postcard delivered to homes around us brings these events closer to home for our community.

Those who attend our services and events because “that’s what you do at Christmas” have certain expectations about what the church does – we have a wonderful opportunity to share with them in unexpected ways.

It’s funny, I don’t think our broader community enjoys the busyness of Christmas, or the focus on spending. I think that, in this busy season, we have an opportunity not to add to the "business" and “busyness” of Christmas, but to become part of a person’s or family’s Christmas story.

faith

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tips for writing web content

Websites are one of the most effective tools for congregations to connect with the wider community – but some churches struggle to know how best to use their websites. The Uniting Church SA Communications team recently launched the new Congregational Website Program*, which provides an innovative, easy-to-use platform for churches to work from.

To help congregations make the most of their online presence, New Times has compiled 10 tips to keep in mind when writing for the web.

Keep it simple

Use language that is short and concise. Don’t say in three sentences what you could say in one. Most web users scan content and are less likely to engage with a large chunk of text.

Ask yourself, for example, does your audience really need the entire history of each of your ministries? Or do they just need to know how to engage with them?

1

Priortise the most important information

As mentioned in relation to the first tip, web users typically only scan text, so it’s important to ensure the most important information is placed prominently.

This information will differ from church to church – it may include your location/address, contact information, or one or two lines about who you are.

2

Think about your audience

While church websites are often useful tools for current congregation members, they also provide the best way to connect with people outside of your church.

As you write for the website, keep in mind the information you would want to know as a visitor or new attendee. You may also want to consider how people of different ages, cultures and backgrounds might engage with the information provided.

3

Use inviting language4Many people now visit church websites before

choosing to visit the physical buildings so it’s important to use inviting, inclusive language.

By using others-centred language – for example, using the word “you” in your welcome or calls to action – you are inviting the web user to connect with your community. But don’t go overboard! Stick with using this kind of language in welcome lines, introductions, conclusions, etc. rather than in every line of your text.

Avoid abbreviations and jargon

Communities and organisations often develop their own language, using abbreviations, slang or acronyms to refer to certain ideas or groups.

This sort of language can be difficult for people outside of your community to understand so make sure you simplify these things as much as possible.

5

Ensure information is up-to-date

Making sure the information on your website is correct and updated frequently is very important. Your contact information, as well as the times and days of your different services and ministries, should always be correct. If you are including a calendar, blog and/or sermon section this should also be kept regularly updated.

Web users are less likely to engage with information when they can see nothing new has been added to the site – or if old items have not yet been removed.

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*The Congregational Website Program is open to all Uniting Church SA congregations and costs $20 per month. For more information or to sign up to the program, please visit ucasa.org.au, contact Communications on 8236 4230 or email congregationalweb@sa.uca.org.au

Please visit the Playford Uniting Church website, the demo site for the program, at playford.ucasa.org.au

Use inviting language

Avoid abbreviations and jargon

Ensure information is up-to-date

Think about what sets you apart

When writing about your church and different ministry areas it is important to think about what makes your community/ministry unique. Why will people want to engage with it? And how can they do so?

7

Include calls to action

What do you want visitors to your website to do? Come along to a service or activity? Contact someone from your community? Give to a particular ministry or cause?

Providing a clear call to action can help you achieve this – and helps web users to find the best way to engage. Provide clear directions through text and/or titles asking web users to take action – Get involved, Contact us, Find out more, Subscribe to our newsletter, etc.

8

Don't make promises you can't keep

When writing web text it can be tempting to make your church sound even bigger and better than it already is. While it’s good to keep your language positive, it’s also important to ensure the information you include accurately represents your community.

9

Learn from others

If you’re having trouble phrasing your information in engaging and welcoming ways, seek out other ideas and advice! Friends, family and members of other churches may have different experiences and perspectives that you can learn from or consider. Inspiration can also come from other websites – but be sure to adapt any ideas to your church’s own unique context!

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culture

25 years of Christmas cheer

This year, the UnitingCare and Target Christmas Appeal is celebrating 25 years of gifts and service. Although it has changed names several times, the aim of the appeal has remained the same – to offer support and gifts to people doing it tough at Christmas time.

Ingrid Justice, a member of One Tree Hill Uniting Church, has been supporting the Christmas Appeal since its inception – she’s one of three Christmas Appeal coordinators celebrating 25 years (the others are Glenda Koop at UnitingCare Mount Gambier and Brenda Cross with UnitingCare Copper Triangle).

In addition to running the Humbug Scrub Animal Rescue, Ingrid volunteers with Target Elizabeth to collect and deliver gifts for the Christmas Appeal every year.

“I’ve had so much fun coordinating the appeal these 25 years,” says Ingrid. “Lots of people support the appeal in our community. I coordinate the Elizabeth store, and every year it amazes me how generous people can be.”

In early January 2015, Ingrid’s home was caught in the Sampson Flat bushfire, which raged in the region for seven days.

“I had the UnitingCare Christmas Appeal gifts here and I loaded them into my four wheel drive with the intention of taking them to another carer in case we lost the house,” Ingrid recalls.

Although Ingrid’s home was left standing, the family lost animals in the fire and the property was a mess. Many families in the surrounding region lost everything – Ingrid was able to share the Christmas Appeal gifts with children from these families.

“Last year, UC Invest partnered with the appeal to help us buy Christmas hampers for people affected by the Sampson Flat bushfires. That was very special to show the community that we hadn’t forgotten about them,” Ingrid says.

“This year, I’m thrilled that we’re celebrating 25 years, and hope for 25 more great years to come!”

For more information about the UnitingCare Christmas Appeal, please visit unitingcarechristmasappeal.com.auTo support the Christmas Appeal or be partnered with a UnitingCare SA organisation, please contact Julianne Rogers on 8236 4233 or email jrogers@sa.uca.org.au

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After meeting his wife, Judy, the pair moved to their own farm in Tarcowie in 1966, where he became involved in the Tarcowie Methodist Church. He later joined the church council, and eventually became a Uniting Church Elder in 1977.

At the suggestion of Rev David Crammond, the minister in Orroroo in the 1970s, Ian began to lead services, gradually growing in confidence through God’s support and guidance.

Despite never having been trained as a lay preacher, Ian has helped with services in different churches for many years. He took two Sunday services on a quarterly basis at churches in the Flinders Ranges, and has served in many churches within the Goyder group, including Jamestown. Over the past eight years, Ian has also contributed to the ANZAC Day services at Appila, a small farming community close to Orroroo.

Having served as a preacher in so many locations, Ian finds it difficult to pinpoint just one highlight in his ministry.

“It’s a highlight when you get an unexpectedly large congregation or when you’re celebrating something – somebody’s been married, or the birth of a new child,” he explains. “Those sorts of things are always a highlight.”

Nowadays, Ian has relaxed his preaching schedule a bit. At present, he leads a service once a month in Orroroo, as well as

helping at Easter and Christmas services, and filling in for people who can’t make it. He also spends time with Judy, his four sons, daughter, 12 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

In his past ministry and his continuing role, Ian feels the most rewarding work he has been able to undertake is supporting people through prayer and preaching.

While Ian’s time at Orroroo Uniting Church has provided many wonderful moments and memories, it has not been without its challenges – a congregation growing smaller in number, a struggle to find preachers, and the process for gaining wheelchair access for the church building.

But throughout all of the times of trouble, the congregation has drawn on their faith and worked together to pull through.

Ian feels lucky to have had such a harmonious ministry team in Orroroo, and “a very cooperative, loving congregation who look after each other”.

“The big highlight [of my time at Orroroo Uniting Church] has been the way our community came together, grew together, and have managed to survive this long,” Ian says.

“It has been a battle but it’s something we’re quite proud of.”Orroroo Uniting Church meets weekly on Sundays at 10am with a

family service held on the first Sunday of each month. The congregation is served by Pastor Graham Ingram and visiting preachers. Members and visitors are invited to share in fellowship over a “cuppa” after the service.

“Getting to know…” articles provide profiles of Uniting Church SA congregations and members who have contributed significantly to the life of the Church. Orroroo Uniting Church has nominated long-serving member Ian Shields as the focus of their congregation profile for this edition. New Times Intern Tom Mitchard spoke to Ian about his life, faith and the Orroroo church community.

Located in the beautiful Flinders Ranges, the town of Orroroo is home to a population of approximately 500 people, about 20 of whom attend Orroroo Uniting Church each week. Despite its small size, the congregation is a warm and welcoming group, and members often spend their time before services deep in friendly conversation. Among them is a man with a great passion for the Church, who has spent over 50 years serving across a number of congregations, and has called Orroroo Uniting Church home for nearly 20 years.

A proud Scotsman, Ian Shields grew up in the United Kingdom and first came to South Australia as an 18 year-old in 1949, where he started working on a sheep station at Commonwealth Hill.

“That’s a pretty big change from the green pastures of England,” Ian says with a chuckle, “but I love the bush, and still love going back out when we get the chance.”

getting to know

Orroroo Uniting Church

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CHAPLAINCY VACANCY

AGED CARE CHAPLAIN Full TimeThe Lodge - Wayville

Eldercare Inc. is part of the Uniting Care network and provides residential care for aged persons in South Australia. We wish to appoint a full-time Chaplain to commence January 2017 at our Wayville site.

Quality spiritual and pastoral care are key priorities for Eldercare. The successful applicant will join a team of dedicated Chaplains who are committed to providing spiritual and pastoral care for all residents, their families and our staff, informed by researched best practice and subject to continuous improvement.

The person we are seeking will have substantial relevant pastoral experience, grounded in consistent reflective practice. They will be able to demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and development and a genuine enthusiasm for offering quality spiritual and pastoral care to people living in an aged care setting. We also seek a person who can build effective working relationships within a multi-disciplinary team environment, which includes management, clinical, personal care, lifestyle, allied health and domestic services staff and volunteers.

For enquiries, or to be sent a copy of the Job and Person Specification, please contact Mark Butler, Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy Services ManagerEldercare Inc. (mark.butler@eldercare.net.au) or Rev Beth Seaman, Chaplaincy Manager, Pastoral Relations and Mission Planning, (bseaman@sa.uca.org.au).

Please address written applications (marked CONFIDENTIAL) to:

Mark ButlerPastoral Care/Chaplaincy Services ManagerEldercare Inc. 247 Fullarton Rd Eastwood SA 5063

The closing date for applications is the Friday 30 December, 2016.

Please Note: All applications should include a cover letter, CV and response to the Job and Person Specification.

CHAPLAINCY VACANCY

AGED CARE CHAPLAIN Full TimeCottage Grove - Woodcroft

Eldercare Inc. is part of the Uniting Care network and provides residential care for aged persons in South Australia. We wish to appoint a full-time Chaplain to commence January 2017 at our Woodcroft site.

Quality spiritual and pastoral care are key priorities for Eldercare. The successful applicant will join a team of dedicated Chaplains who are committed to providing spiritual and pastoral care for all residents, their families and our staff, informed by researched best practice and subject to continuous improvement.

The person we are seeking will have substantial relevant pastoral experience, grounded in consistent reflective practice. They will be able to demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and development and a genuine enthusiasm for offering quality spiritual and pastoral care to people living in an aged care setting. We also seek a person who can build effective working relationships within a multi-disciplinary team environment, which includes management, clinical, personal care, lifestyle, allied health and domestic services staff and volunteers.

For enquiries, or to be sent a copy of the Job and Person Specification, please contact Mark Butler, Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy Services ManagerEldercare Inc. (mark.butler@eldercare.net.au) or Rev Beth Seaman, Chaplaincy Manager, Pastoral Relations and Mission Planning, (bseaman@sa.uca.org.au).

Please address written applications (marked CONFIDENTIAL) to:

Mark ButlerPastoral Care/Chaplaincy Services ManagerEldercare Inc. 247 Fullarton Rd Eastwood SA 5063

The closing date for applications is the Friday 30 December, 2016.

Please Note: All applications should include a cover letter, CV and response to the Job and Person Specification.

Emmanuel is a contemporary, mission focused church in the inner north-western suburbs of Brisbane. We are a congregation of 350 members, with a significant

small group ministry and extensive community outreach. After a period of intentional growth in Christian discipleship we see the next phase of our journey

as mission oriented. Our recently adopted vision statement, “real people, relevant faith, our community”, expresses this call.

We are seeking a Lead Minister who will lead this exciting new phase.

They will assume leadership and overall responsibility for the ongoing missional and practical operations of the church. This includes leadership of a staff

ministry team comprising a minister, two pastors and an administration assistant.

The gifts, skills and passions we are looking for include: strong leadership, passion for discipling others, prayer and scripture. They will be Spirit led, and

have a heart for mission and evangelism in contemporary society. They will also have a passion for contemporary worship and music.

This is a full time placement, with stipend and allowances according to UCA

Queensland. A full position description and congregation profile is available on request from the JNC Chair: minister@faithworks-uc.com.au

Applications close 30 December. Please address your application to: Emmanuel Uniting Church – Enoggera, c/- Secretary, Synod Placements Committee,

Uniting Church in Australia (Qld Synod), GPO Box 674, Brisbane QLD 4001. Alternatively, email placements@ucaqld.com.au clearly identifying the role in

the subject line.

Emmanuel Uniting Church - Enoggera is seeking a full time

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Campbelltown: 8365 0377 - Fax: 8365 0677 Web: www.tecsa.com.au

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l e t t e r s t o t he ed i t o r

Ecumenical concernSeaford Ecumenical Mission at Seaford is the only successful ecumenical venture I am aware of. Its outreach program to the community and to us as a whole are numerous. It is set in the most central position, surrounded by beautiful and sacred gardens. The recently extended op shop is highly profitable and staffed by volunteer members from each of the five congregations and other dedicated community volunteers.

Altogether 140 volunteers cover all the outreach programs including youth clubs, music programs, community meals, urgent financial and food assistance and general counselling etc. The fully functional kitchen, cafe and large rooms are used by many “not for profit” organisations and private functions and celebrations such as our Golden Wedding anniversary two years ago.

But after 20 years the lease arrangements by the Uniting Church, Lutheran and Catholic church has ended and the premises is up for sale. This move is initiated by the Uniting Church Resources Board apparently primarily due to financial concerns.

So please explain how the Uniting Church in South Australia can afford to “plant” new churches (ten by 2021) yet force the closure of the only successful ecumenical venture. Is ecumenism no longer worthy of support.S. Saunders,Seaford

Response to the Seaford Ecumenical Mission letterEarlier this year, the Uniting, Lutheran and Catholic churches made the mutual decision to close the Seaford Ecumenical Mission (SEM).

This decision was not an easy one – the three denominations with a financial interest in the property have each had long term conversations about the future of the mission.

A combination of financial and mission factors contributed to the decision to place the property on the market, including the end of the lease arrangement with the South Australian Health Department. The SEM communities do not have the resources to meet the costs of ongoing ownership, nor do the churches have the capacity to sustain the plant and property.

Since its establishment 20 years ago, the mission has provided State-funded health services, church services and social outreach. Anglican, Catholic, Church of Christ, Lutheran and Uniting churches all contributed to the community.

At present, a congregation of approximately 35 Uniting Church and Church of Christ members meet to worship at the site, alongside separate Catholic and Lutheran congregations.

The Uniting Church SA Resources Board and Pastoral Relations and Mission Planning team have ensured consultation occurred with the community, and continue to provide pastoral support.

There is no date for the closure yet, and the different churches will continue to communicate with their communities.

For more information, please see the joint announcement from the churches online at sa.uca.org.au/uniting-church-media-releases/seaford-ecumenical-mission-announcementRev Nigel RogersUniting Church SA CEO/General Secretary

South Sudan project supportI would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who responded to the recent request in the UC e-News for support for Ben Yengi and his Kajokeji Project in South Sudan – your donations were very much appreciated! I am sure the video of his progress since he returned to South Sudan in 2007 to rebuild his village encouraged you to reach out to assist him. Ben’s efforts so far have resulted in a much improved situation for his village. However, there is still more to be done! The video is still available to view at youtu.be/qSRxj5ZLM7c

Ben has acknowledged with deep gratitude the previous support he has received from South Australia’s Uniting Church members and friends. Further assistance is still needed for funds to go towards the completion of the Nursery School. Please contact me if you would like more information about the appeal – rhendo@ozemail.com.au or 0409 671 031. D. Henderson,Prospect

Thank you!Recently young people from Naracoorte UC attended KCO and SAYCO. I am writing to thank the many people who worked tirelessly to make sure these events ran smoothly and that young people encountered God and the wider church. Particularly I would like to thank other congregations who played a part in making sure my young people could make the massive trip to these events. Thank you to Adelaide West UC for looking after our tents between events and putting them up and down for us at KCO. Thank you Westbourne Park UC who made sure we would be catered for at SAYCO and helped where needed at KCO. Thanks to Coomandook UC for your hospitality on the way to SAYCO and for the food and fellowship you provided us with.

Naracoorte UC is thankful that the kingdom of God is bigger than just local neighbourhoods and how that that was shown in community, fellowship and hospitality during these events. We hope that in the future we can show that same hospitality and support to any of you.

N. Mugford,Naracoorte

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d ia r y

CHRISTMAS SERVICES. Uniting Church congregations across South Australia will be holding a variety of Christmas services and events, including Blue Christmas services. Further information is available at sa.uca.org.au/christmas/christmas-events

CAROLS BY TORCHLIGHT. Tuesday 13 December, 6pm. Company Square, Alberton. This community carolling event is perfect for the whole family! Community time, including a barbecue, face painting and bouncy castle, will begin at 6pm. Carols and live entertainment commence at 7.30pm. For more information, please contact Anne Thyne on 0417 868 253 or email info@trinityalberton.com

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CAROLS. Thursday 15 December, 6-9pm. Ramsay Place, Noarlunga Centre. The Ramsay Place carolling event will include performances from the Noarlunga Uniting Church Choir, the Jazz Bandits, the Shedtastics and the Christies Beach High School Ensemble. A variety of family friendly activities will also be offered. The Uniting Church SA Community Outreach Mission Network is one of the sponsors of this event. For more information, please contact Velvy Holden on 0415 728 457 or Don Hopgood on 8326 3795.

ROAD TO CHRISTMAS. Friday 16 – Saturday 17 December, 7-9pm. Seeds Uniting Church. See, hear and taste Bethlehem 2,000 years ago in the Seeds Uniting Church car park! This free event includes a live nativity, Jewish dancers, centurions, children’s activities, animal nursery, tastings and more. For more information, please contact Seeds on 8370 6472 or email info@seedschurch.org

CLEARVIEW CLOSING SERVICE. Sunday 18 December, 10am. Clearview Uniting Church. All former members, ministers and other visitors are invited to attend the Clearview Uniting Church closing service and morning tea. For more information, please call 0428 723 774.

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL. Sunday 18 December, 10-11.30am. The Corner Uniting Church. The Corner Kids Performing Arts Group presents “Did They Bring Presents?”, a Christmas musical for the whole family. Join the Corner community for the performance during worship followed by morning tea. For more information, please visit thecorner.org.au or call 8350 5400.

MUSIC SUMMER SCHOOL. Wednesday 4 – Wednesday 11 January. Aquinas College, North Adelaide. The South Australian branch of the Royal School of Church Music is running a summer school in January 2017. Registrations are open. For more information or to register, please visit rscmaustralia.org.au or email SS17@rscmaustralia.org.au

NCYC 2017: YURORA. Sunday 8 – Thursday 12 January. The Tops Conference Centre, Stanwell Tops, NSW. Yuróra is a multicultural Christian youth festival of word, arts and celebration. Yuróra is hoping to gather delegates aged 16-25, as well as adult volunteers, from around Australia. There will also be programs for younger siblings and children. Yuróra values our multicultural society, and places special emphasis on the participation and relationship with the First People of Australia and the Second Peoples of Australia. For more information or to register, please visit yurora.com

INTENSIVE CHURCH PLANTING COURSE (2017). A five day (6 hour per day) intensive course covering the essentials of church planting will take place at Uniting College from 27 February to 3 March, 2017. Course content will include interactive lectures and learning from practitioners. This is the first time this course has been offered and will be led by Rev Dr Graham Humphris and Rev Tim Hein. To express interest, please email generate2021@sa.uca.org.au or phone Rev Dr Graham Humphris on 8236 4235

To have your upcoming event published here, email diary@sa.uca.org.au or use the event form at sa.uca.org.au/events/submit-an-event

A petition of lasting significanceThese days petitions are so commonplace that we receive multiple email petitions every day, some of which we may click on to show our casual support, before forgetting them in favour of the next thing. But think back 25 years and things were very different.

The collection of 1,400 signatures in Adelaide over a few months in late 1991 was a considerable achievement; all the more so when a Federal MP was persuaded to present this petition to Federal Parliament in Canberra in February 1992. The petition was on the topic of landmines in Cambodia. Did you sign this petition? If so, you took part in an action of lasting significance, as it led to a movement of Australian individuals and humanitarian non-government organisations, becoming a campaigning network which joined with the developing International Campaign to Ban Landmines to take this issue to the United Nations.

The Australian network continues, now under the changed name of SafeGround, with the aim of reducing impacts of war. A group still meets in Adelaide [and they are] organising a celebration for the 25th anniversary of the presentation of this petition to Federal Parliament. It will take place on Monday 27 February at Mercedes College from 7-9pm. The event is not restricted to those who signed the petition, and all are welcome to attend. H. Stranger,Hallett Cove

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MORIALTA UNITING CHURCH STUDENT HOUSES – VACANCIES 2017Undergraduate university/TAFE students from rural/

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Send your letters to: newtimes@sa.uca.org.au or PO Box 2145, Adelaide 5001.

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“Thanks to your investment the Wattle Centre is a quiet and comfortable place where students can focus on their studies. The new space provides a real sense of community and an opportunity to develop relationships with others.”

Renae and Joshua, Students, Pedare Christian College

Visit us at ucinvest.com.au or call us on 1300 274 151.

Invest with someone who invests in your community.

UC Invest is an activity of The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (S.A.) ABN 25 068 897 781, the legal entity of the Uniting Church SA. Investment services are provided on behalf of the Uniting Church SA pursuant to ASIC Policy Statement 87 exemptions and APRA Banking Exemption No. 4 of 2014 (“The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (S.A.)”). Neither UC Invest nor the Uniting Church SA are prudentially supervised by APRA. Investments and contributions lodged with UC Invest will not benefit from the depositor protection provisions of the Banking Act (1959). All products offered by UC Invest are designed for investors who wish to promote the charitable purposes of the Uniting Church SA.

rev i ews

100 years of mission at Warruwi

Book: Fighting Spirit: a history of Christianity at Warruwi,

Goulburn Island

Author: William W. Emilsen

Recommended for: people interested in Methodist mission history

In short: A history of Christianity as it came to Warruwi, South

Goulburn Island, from the early 20th Century to the 1970s.

Available from: MediaCom

Rev Dr William W. Emilsen launched his new book, Fighting Spirit: a history of Christianity at Warruwi, Goulburn Island on the centenary of the church in Warruwi. The historical work was stimulated by the realisation that the church would be marking 100 years in June 2016.

With agreement from the Northern Regional Council of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), and in conjuction with members of the Northern Synod, William undertook the extensive research required to fill some of the gaps in our Uniting Church records and compile a history of Christianity in Warruwi.

The book begins with a brief examination of the history of the Goulburn Islands in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The mission story begins in 1915, when Rev James Watson was given the task of visiting the region to report back on a suitable site for a mission. The book details the three months of travelling James undertook by foot throughout Western Arnhemland, and by bicycle over sandy tracks as far South as Mataranka and the Roper River. James completed his report.

As a result of his journey and subsequent report, a decision was made to establish a mission on Goulburn Island, and James was appointed to start that work. James’ arrival by boat on a small sandy beach in June 1916 marked the beginning of Methodist missions in Arnhemland. The event is recorded in just four words entered in his diary on 25 June: “Began at Goulburn Island”. This beginning would lead to the establishment of mission stations across Arnhem land, and today continues in the Pilgrim Presbytery of the Northern Synod and the UAICC.

The history that William presents is structured around what he identifies as the “four major activities of Methodist missionary work” – spiritual, educational, medical and industrial (agriculture, animal husbandry, arts and crafts, fishing, etc.).

This history also recognises the significant contribution that Indigenous peoples, Europeans and Pacific Islanders (mostly Fijians and Baduans) have made to Christianity on South Goulburn Island. “Though small in number, Pacific Islanders have had an almost continuous presence since their arrival with the first missionaries (or perhaps even before),” William writes.

The book also includes an insight into the difficulties associated with mission work:

“For most of the 1920s, the Aboriginal Mission at Goulburn Island struggled. After the heady pioneering days of Watson, the infant mission was beset with numerous difficulties: a shortage of qualified staff, interpersonal conflict, ambition, rumour, incompetence, poor decisions and as the decade drew on financial pressures.”

These difficulties, which many Uniting Church members will have observed over the following century, are expanded on as the history unfolds.

William concludes his history with a summary of developments in the 1970s – the period in which the church made strenuous efforts to “hand over” activities and control of mission stations to the local Indigenous community.

It is unfortunate that William decided to end his history at this point. As a result, the book fails to capture the changes in mission policies that occurred with the implementation of ‘Free to Decide’ and the emergence of the Indigenous church as a member of the Uniting Church in Australia. This significant story is yet to be written.

Despite its end in the 1970s, this book provides valuable insights and details about the history of the Uniting Church and the Warruwi mission.

Rev Bill Harris (Deacon)

“Thanks to your investment the Wattle Centre is a quiet and comfortable place where students can focus on their studies. The new space provides a real sense of community and an opportunity to develop relationships with others.”

Renae and Joshua, Students, Pedare Christian College

Visit us at ucinvest.com.au or call us on 1300 274 151.

Invest with someone who invests in your community.

UC Invest is an activity of The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (S.A.) ABN 25 068 897 781, the legal entity of the Uniting Church SA. Investment services are provided on behalf of the Uniting Church SA pursuant to ASIC Policy Statement 87 exemptions and APRA Banking Exemption No. 4 of 2014 (“The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (S.A.)”). Neither UC Invest nor the Uniting Church SA are prudentially supervised by APRA. Investments and contributions lodged with UC Invest will not benefit from the depositor protection provisions of the Banking Act (1959). All products offered by UC Invest are designed for investors who wish to promote the charitable purposes of the Uniting Church SA.

Centenary celebrations at Warruwi on South Goulburn Island in June 2016. Photos taken by Rev Dean Whittaker.

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Over six editions in 2016, New Times brought readers news about conferences, campaigns and congregations from across the Uniting Church SA. The editorial team is now seeking feedback about the content published in 2016, in addition to any suggestions for future editions. This survey is an opportunity for you, the readers of New Times, to provide input into the shape of the publication in 2017. The survey should only take five to 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your time!

Please complete and return this survey by Monday 16 January 2017 to:New Timesc/o Uniting Church SAGPO Box 2145Adelaide SA 5001Alternatively, complete the same survey online: surveymonkey.com/r/newtimes2016

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.☐ New Times print☐ New Times online☐ UC E-news ☐ Uniting Church SA website☐ “Uniting Church Uniting People ” Facebook page☐ 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. Please give a value between 1 and 5 for each listed item, where 1 = Poor and 5 = Excellent.__ Content__ Ease of reading__ Writing__ Layout and design__ Cover__ Photography__ Length of publication__ Frequency of publicationIf you have rated any aspects three or lower, 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 = No interest 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 in 2017.

New Times survey

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