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Issue 27, No 4 May 2008

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Disability issues 2 • Combat climate change 3 • Strategic map progresses 4 Church finances suffer 5 • Children’s ministry focus 7 - 11 • Easter celebrations 12 -13

www.sa.uca.org.au/goto/NTmay08

Cherishing children- sparking young faith

N E W S

M A Y 2 0 0 8

2 New Times

ISSN 0726-2612Editor: Jill Freear, Ph 8236 4230, email newtimes@sa.uca.org.au Advertising: Russell Baker, Ph 8361 6822, email ribad@bigpond.com Circulation: Jo Watts, Ph 8236 4260, email jo@sa.uca.org.au Production: Joie Creative Printer: Cadillac Printing Circulation: 12,000

Distribution: On the first Sunday of the monthEditorial deadline for June: 5 May Advertising deadline for June: 7 MayNew Times is published 11 times a year by the Uniting Church SACommunications Unit. Articles and advertising content do not necessarily reflect the views ofthe editor or of the Uniting Church.

New Times articles and policies are published on the Uniting Church SAwebsite www.sa.uca.org.au.

Office: Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide. GPO Box 2145 Adelaide, SA 5001.

Cover photo: David Bond and Sammy Sahlos from ‘Eastern Kids’ at KCO

Rev Trevor Whitney

Helen WarmingHam is a committed anglican Christian. She leads an active life whilst also contending with the disabling effects of cerebral palsy. Helen is passionate to see people with a disability fully accepted into the life of the church, whatever the denomination.

Her commitment to ecumenism and disability has seen her work for over 20 years as a member of the South australian Council of Churches Task group on Disability issues. This work has included helping to write faith-based disability resources, helping to organise ecumenical services for the international Day of People with a Disability and assisting to teach the disability component of three lay pastoral care courses at the adelaide College of Divinity.

Helen rejoices in the ministry she exercises in her congregation whilst having a deep concern that the local church, whatever the denomination, could be doing more to include people with a disability.

She says, “The Christian church claims to be the Body of Christ, but if we exclude anyone with a disability we are diminishing that body and what Christ can be in the world.”

Disability and the local church

as to the low numbers of people with a disability in the church she comments, “People with a disability may often feel they have more important issues, such as learning to come to terms with their own disability.”

Helen sometimes sees the church doing things for people with disability without first consulting them.

“The church needs to listen more to people with a disability and what they have to offer. it needs to be more discerning as to the gifts they have to offer, including their vulnerability.”

Out of her desire to see people with a disability included more fully into the church, Helen is helping to organise a forum for inter-Church discussion and networking titled: ‘People with a Disability and the local Church. encouraging the Spirit of Hospitality’.

This ecumenical forum is for all involved in disability ministry in their congregation, or for anyone who would like to be involved. it’s an opportunity to share stories, develop networks and encourage inclusion.

The forum will be held on Friday June 13, from 3 to 5pm at Highgate Park chapel (formerly Julia Farr Services). See ‘notebook’ for details.

THe UniTing CHUrCH assembly will not continue to fund Coolamon College in its present form.

last month assembly Standing Committee (aSC) considered the resourcing needs of the theological college.

assembly general Secretary rev Terence Corkin said the aSC remains committed to finding a way for the church to deliver quality theological education at a distance, in a way that is accessible and valued across the church.

“But it cannot fund this work to the extent necessary to enable Coolamon to continue in its present form,” he said.

“Coolamon College will continue to support students who have enrolled in the first semester this year and is open to receiving applications for the second semester.

“The needs of present students remain the highest priority and the direction set by the aSC

Changes in store for Coolamon College

should ensure that their interests are fully protected,” Terence said.

The aSC has asked Terence to liaise with Parkin Wesley College about a possible partnership in delivering the goals which the church has for Coolamon College.

“Both Parkin Wesley and Coolamon College are members of the adelaide College of Divinity, whose courses Coolamon College delivers,” said Terence.

“There should not be any difficulty in addressing credit and the ongoing program needs of students.

“it’s hoped that any changes can be made with minimum disruption to students and with continued support from the many faculty members who mark assignments and make valuable contributions to Coolamon College.

Helen Warmingham, with Rev Trevor Whitney who chairs the South Australian Council of Churches Task Group on Disability Issues.

Clare Uniting Church is seeking to employ a half time pastoral assistant with a gift and focus on Pastoral Care. For more

information and a job description please call Simon Dent 8842 2930 or 0402 217 860.

Clare Uniting church: Called to be a Caring family, Glorifying God, Growing and Reaching out.

Applications close May 30, 2008

PASTORAL ASSISTANT

Applications are invited from enthusiastic, exceptionally gifted and highly motivated members of the Uniting Church, either ordained or laypersons, to this senior position within the church.

The task embraces the functions of:

The successful applicant will have:

concentrate on delivering quality service provision that will energise a complex organisation

planning

compassion

This is a challenging role for a church embracing challenging times.

A full information pack is available from Tracey Bost, Executive Assistant to the CEO/General Secretary, 8236 4232 or tbost@sa.uca.org.au.Applications close Friday 16 May.

Please forward applications to:

Rev Dr Graham Humphris, CEO/General Secretary, GPO Box 2145, Adelaide SA 5001 or ghumphris@sa.uca.org.au.

Uniting Church in AustraliaPresbytery and Synod of South Australia

ASSOCIATE GENERAL SECRETARY

N E W S

M A Y 2 0 0 8

3 New Times

‘Climate change mitigation essential’ Jill Freear

Church members have been challenged to combat climate change as an essential part of Christian mission, by Professor Michael Northcott, a visiting activist, author and priest of the Episcopal Church of Scotland.

Michael was the keynote speaker at the Presbytery and Synod Resourcing Day at Maughan Church at the end of March.

He is a professor of Ethics at the University of Edinburgh and the author of several books including ‘A Moral Climate, the ethics of global warming’.

Michael told church members that climate change is the major moral dilemma of our time because our civilisation is causing parts of the planet to be uninhabitable due to drought and rising sea levels.

“Climate change is the single biggest cause of malnutrition and premature death in parts of Africa. We have environmental refugees because of drought and also because of flooding.” he said.

Michael spoke of the worsening storms off the Indian Ocean which are flooding people out of their homes and killing thousands in India and South Asia.

He mentioned the people of Kiribati and Tuvalu in the Pacific Ocean who are moving to New Zealand because of rising sea levels.

“Initially they only had problems when the annual high tides came, but now the rising sea level is poisoning their water systems and plants.”

Combat climate change

Michael said climate change mitigation is essential Christian mission; otherwise we would be facing “horrendous, apocalyptical possibilities – but it is not too late”.

He used the analogy of the Forestry Industry in Tasmania to illustrate larger global problems and warned of our inability to continue “business as usual”.

Michael slammed the Australian government for subsidising the Timber Industry which he labelled destructive vandalism. “We are treating forests as if they are farms

and they are not. They are an essential part of the microclimate. Deforestation leads to a significant decline in rainfall.”

He also debunked carbon offsetting and trading schemes. “Old forests store more carbon. It takes 40 years for a new plantation to store as much carbon as a rainforest.”

And later -“carbon trading is destroying the Kyoto Protocol. It allows us to pollute as long as we plant trees - yet one is not equivalent to another”.

Michael said we face several possible scenarios; if we carry on our business as usual we may quadruple annual carbon dioxide emissions to three times the pre-industrial level. “This will lead to a six degree increase in temperatures”.

He said CSIRO figures show that Sydney will be uninhabitable by 2070 if we experience six degrees of warming. “Australia will go from spectacular to uninhabitable.”

Michael said if we take dramatic measures in the next ten years to reduce fossil fuel emissions, we may minimalise global warming.

A moral obligation

He believes Australia has a moral obligation to act because we are one of the largest producers of carbon dioxide in the world, next to the United States.

“We are one of the biggest polluters, so we need to reduce our emissions by 90 per cent over the next fifty years,” Michael said. “People in Africa and Asia should be allowed to increase their emissions so they may enjoy the same standard of living as we do. This seems to me to be the only moral position we can take.

“McKinsey Australia says it will only cost $290 per annum per household to reduce CO2 emissions to 30 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020 - a likely target under the Kyoto II.”

Michael said the Australian Government needs to introduce radical reforms and regulations.

“Part of the problem is the tremendous state and Federal Government subsidies to the coal, oil and gas industries.

Governments need to change their priorities to subsidise clean fuels.”

Michael referred to Scripture and the Old Testament prophets throughout his presentation. He said the Israelites lived through a period of climate change brought about by deforestation and this is portrayed in Isaiah 24. He also pointed to Jeremiah 9: 10 -14 which has similar references about what will happen when people are greedy and take more than nature can provide.

Michael ended his presentation by encouraging church members to view the world as “relational”.

“Economics is the big stumbling block in the world. We are not thinking in relational terms, but purely in terms of our own individual interests. Our present moral climate drives individualism and hedonism, so that greed becomes a virtue. Yet we are all inter-connected. One will have to give. We know that the neoliberal vision is wrong.”

Michael is teaching and preaching at Pilgrim Church for seven weeks until early May. His visit has been funded by Pilgrim Church and the Uniting Foundation.

Climate change activist and Scottish priest Michael Northcott signs a copy of his book for minister Wes Howland at the March Presbytery and Synod Resourcing day.

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M A Y 2 0 0 8

4 N E W S

Around 60 per cent of uniting Church SA congregations have provided congregational data for the Strategic Mapping Project, but information is still outstanding from approximately 120 congregations.

The project was conceived to provide the Presbytery of South Australia with a comprehensive, comparable and verifiable set of data on every congregation. The data will be used to help make resourcing decisions in mission planning, property, placements, and grant funding.

Project manager rev rob Stoner reported to the March Presbytery and Synod meeting that the first phase of data collection has ended.

He said although complete data is not yet available for every congregation,

Strategic Map – stage one complete who you truly are and that you will be happy for us to use the information when making decisions about your congregation,” said rob.

rob said the project has revealed that approximately 20 per cent of congregations believe they are growing. “A further 44 per cent report decline and 20 per cent are stable, and we have no report from the remaining 16 percent.

“But a number of congregations which were thought to be potential regional churches have slipped back into the neighbourhood category.”

Congregational data will soon be available via an interactive map, based on Google Maps. A version of this will eventually be used on the “Find a church” section of the Presbytery and Synod website.

More news from the Presbytery and Synod meeting Rev Rob Stoner who has been driving the Strategic Map project.

Eco-friendly meeting Approximately 150 members

received their Presbytery and Synod papers electronically – saving an estimated 8,046 sheets of paper, at least nine hours of photocopying and $1,836 in postage.

The Annual Synod decisions document may also be sent electronically, saving a further $4,500 in printing costs.

Margaret Burns to retire

Margaret Burns plans to retire in the middle of the year. Margaret has served in the Presbytery and Synod office for 33 years. General Secretary rev dr Graham Humphris acknowledged Margaret’s incredible service and dedication. An official farewell will be held at the next Presbytery and Synod meeting on June 13-14.

New ordinandsThe Presbytery and Synod

agreed to ordain Jane Mcdonald and Barry Littleford as Ministers of the Word.

Period of Discernment certificates

rev rebecca Purling presented certificates to students neil Milton, Liela

dyster and Coralie driver who have completed their Period of discernment.

Drought assistance still available

The uniting Church SA’s drought Assistance Fund has approximately $110,000 available. The resources Board, in conjunction with the Mission resourcing network, is continuing to explore ways in which these funds can be effectively used, including partnership arrangements with the unitingCare Wesley Agencies.

Baxter Appeal continuesThe Baxter Appeal will

continue despite rev Adam Tretheway concluding his term as chaplain to refugees and Asylum Seekers. The resources Board believes it is vital to continue to raise funds to assist refugees with travel costs and resettlement. donations can still be made to the tax deductible Baxter Fund and to the refugee Support Fund.

Treaty Working GroupTreaty Working Group

chairperson rev Peter Mcdonald reported that the group has met twice since being established late last year to explore the idea of a treaty between Indigenous

people and the South Australian Government. The working group hopes to bring a full report to the next Presbytery and Synod meeting.

Lay preachers acknowledged

Max Howland acknowledged the work of four lay preachers who have made substantial contributions to the church. They are Malcolm Potter (who has been a lay preacher for 50 years), david Carver (30 years), Malcolm Haskard (30 years) and Iris Brook (60 years).

June Resourcing Daydavid Augsburger, Professor

of Pastoral Care and Counselling at Fuller Theological Seminary, will be the keynote speaker at the Presbytery resourcing day on June 14.

Pastoral PathwaysPastoral Pathways project

officer rev dianna Bartlett spoke about the courses available for church people wanting to undertake pastoral care training. A number of chaplains are also available to speak in congregations about their work. In addition a PowerPoint presentation about chaplains is available from dianna, call 8236 4283.

The Order of St Luke The Physician

announces that

DR ROBERT WIGHT will present the

2008 Alison Gray / Joy Hocking Memorial Lecture

“HEALING---HOME AND ABROAD”at 2.00pm on Saturday, 24th May in The Memorial Hall,

Malvern Uniting Church, 44 Malborough Street, Malvern.

All welcome.

Admission Free, although a Love Offering will be welcome.

Enquiries to Bruce Napier, 08 8271 4005

Desert Journey rev Ian Hunter reported

that a desert ‘Spirit’ Journey will be held later this year in South Australia. There are ten places available. Contact Ian for further details on 8278 7699.

Pastoral Relations staff appointed

The Synod has a new Pastoral relations Team. rev Beth Seaman has been appointed to the position of pastoral care officer. rev Mark dickens has been appointed to the position of placements officer.

Pastoral Relations and Placements Committee

rev david Buxton reported there was an overwhelming belief amongst mission network representatives that it would not be helpful to separate the Pastoral relations Committee and Placements Committee, despite a previous recommendation to do so.

The Presbytery and Synod agreed to continue the present model until the end of december. A paper outlining options for PrC/Placements Committee will be brought to the november Presbytery and Synod meeting.

Manager Chaplaincy The responsibility for

chaplains will be moved from

the unitingCare Commission to the Pastoral relations Team. Standing Committee will ensure the roles and responsibilities of this position are fulfilled throughout the transition process.

Placements Committee The following people were

appointed to the Placements Committee: david Buxton (Executive officer and chairperson), Margaret Burns (Associate executive officer), Andrew Morris (Central East Mission network), Sue Ellis (Community outreach Mission network), Ashley davis (Grace Mission network), don Carmichael (Gulf Mission network) Jonathan Button (Hope Mission network), Ted White (northern rural Mission network), John Parker (rural urban Transitioning Communities Mission network), Christine Garner (Small Strong Mission network), ross Honey (Small Strong rural Mission network), Bronte Wilson (South East Mission network), Scott Button (3dnet Mission network), dean Eland (urban Mission network), Sybil Peacock (Western Mission network).

The following members were elected to the Placements Committee: Gwenda Kerley, rob Stoner and Wes Howland.

New Standing Committee

The new Standing Committee consists of Moderator rev rod dyson, ex-Moderator rev Graham Vawser, General Secretary rev dr Graham Humphris, Property officer Barry Atwell, uAICC representative rev Hohaia Matthews, rev dr dean Brookes, rev dr Tony nancarrow, rev Jenny Swanbury, Kate Tretheway, Marion Wicks, Karen Parker, Bruce Ind, Margaret Burns, Gwenda Kerley and Leanne osborn.

the major outcomes of the project have been realised – a comprehensive profile on every congregation, a tabulated list of congregations in categories according to size and mission potential and an interactive web-based map of the whole presbytery.

rob said presbytery departments, committees and boards are being briefed on how to use the information to assist their work.

Meanwhile rob is urging congregations that haven’t yet responded to the survey to do so.

Congregational profiles, whether complete or incomplete, have been sent to the relevant congregation to verify or amend.

“We want to be sure that they reflect

M A Y 2 0 0 8

N E W S 5 New Times

The church’s general manager, Resources Barry Atwell says the share market downturn will reduce the funds available for church grants this year.

Church finances feel share market slide The share market downturn has reduced the value of the church’s investments by approximately 20 percent and this will affect church grants.

Uniting Church sa general manager, resources Barry atwell outlined the impact of the share market decline to members at the March Presbytery and synod meeting.

Barry said the Uniting Church sa has developed an extensive investment portfolio over the years. “This needs to be managed closely because investment income is our major funding source,” he said.

“This year investment income will fund 58 percent of the Mission and service Fund budget.

“We are heavily dependent on this income stream to fund

current levels of ministry and mission.

“however we have been anticipating an event like this for some time. To diminish the impact we have been building up healthy reserves and changing from market value based investments to fixed interest which provide guaranteed returns.

“although the market downturn has been severe, from a long term viewpoint this market correction still leaves us with a high level of positive returns from our investment portfolio over the last ten years.

“There is no need to make any radical adjustment to our future investment strategies.

“Over the last five years UC Invest has made accumulated

Saying ‘sorry’

To take part in this poll go to www.sa.uca.org.au/goto/NTpoll

profits of $45 million. after allocating reserves it has contributed $26 million to the work of the Church.

“however the market downturn will affect UC Invest’s ability to provide additional funding for Uniting Foundation (and Gift Funding) grants and synod strategic initiatives in the short term.

Barry reassured the meeting that funds had been set aside for past grant decisions and that “all existing grants will be honoured”.

he also reported the final audited operating deficit for the 2007 Mission and service Fund was $308,000. This has been funded by previous years’ appreciation in investment values.

Marker for historic property The sIGnIFICanCe of Wekewauban, the house on the bank at 20 King William road, Wayville, will be explained through an historic marker which will be placed on the site later this month.

In 1904 the property was gifted by its original owners, richard and emily White, to establish the Chapman alexander Bible Institute, a forerunner to Parkin-Wesley College.

In 1997 Parkin-Wesley College relocated to the Brooklyn Park campus of the adelaide College of Divinity. The college continues to provide theological education to ministers and lay people with the assistance of funds from the r h White Bequest.

For almost the century, Wekewauban has played a significant role in preparing hundreds of ministers, deacons, deaconesses and lay leaders for mission and ministry.

In recent years the property has been redeveloped by eldercare and aged care residents live in the original family home which is now known as ‘The Lodge’. Christ Church and the effective Living Centre are also situated on the grounds.

The historic marker project grew out of concern by former theological students that the original significance of the site would be lost. The Uniting Church historical society set up a working group to see what could be done.

Working group chair rev Keith smith said it was decided to place a large boulder on the site, with a plaque giving details of Wekewauban’s history. another plaque originally attached to the College gateway – a memorial to rev arthur Blacket – will also be attached to the marker.

The marker, (a two tonne boulder from sellicks hill) will be unveiled on sunday May 25.

Wekewauban, originally the home of church benefactor Richard White, later housed theological students. It is now ‘The Lodge’, an Eldercare aged care facility.

sharing the vision, sensingthe presence, in a spirit

of openness

WESLEY KENT TOWNUNITING CHURCH

Traditional Worshipwith Choir

every Sundayat 10 am

Bilingual Worshipand Sunday School

Sunday 2 pm

All WelcomeOffice 8362 2544

www.wesleykenttown.com

Come and sing your favourite

hymns as we celebrate

HYMNS OF OUR HERITAGE

with an afternoon of

music and singing.

2 pm Sunday, May 25, 2008

Admission: Donation

Afternoon tea to follow.

Free on-site parking

Enquiries (08) 8234 1199

Adelaide WestUniting Church

312 Sir Donald Bradman Dr.Brooklyn Park

Uniting Church in AustraliaSynod of Western Australia

Minister of the WordFull time placement – joint congregations of

Mandurah and South Mandurah.(Our mission is active community involvement and service)

An energetic person is sought to assist with the continued dynamic spiritual growth of these congregations with skills to motivate and develop this objective. One of the fastest-growing coastal

regional cities in Australia, Mandurah is 80 kilometres south of Perth (48 minutes by train), providing many challenges and opportunities.

The pro�le is available from the Secretary of PR & PC barbara.bennewith@wa.uca.org.au and applications can be forwarded to

Rev Dr Ian Tozer, Joint Associate General Secretary (Pastoral) WA Uniting ChurchGPO Box M952, Perth WA 6843 or ian.tozer@wa.uca.org.au

Closing date for expressions of interest: 31 May, 2008.

M A Y 2 0 0 8

6 M A G A Z I N E

Summer school at Parkin Wesley Sarah Agnew

Paul studied the Jewish scriptures and was guided and taught on the road by Barnabas in the early stage of his ministry within the body of Christ.

as a Candidate for Ministry of the Word, i, too, receive both academic and practical teaching. this summer i took two courses that reminded

me of the value of each in the formation of leaders.

during February 14 students gathered for three weeks for an introduction to the language of the Hebrew scriptures. this was the last time that Rev dr anna Grant-Henderson would teach Biblical Hebrew.

We started with the beginning, reading the story and encountering the language

there. With passages from Genesis, samuel and Ruth, we began to discover the ancient language of the people of God.

in a time of heightened focus on the practical training and resourcing of church leaders, the passion still evoked by more traditional Biblical scholarship is encouraging.

Candidates, lay preachers and members of congregations from

different denominations studied Hebrew this summer and their knowledge will filter through their various worshipping communities.

a number of students from this introductory course were so taken by the study of Biblical Hebrew that numbers have swelled for the second and third level classes.

Not to be forgotten is the

Changes approved for Foundation grantsthe uniting Foundation Board has approved a variety of changes to grant application procedures following a detailed review.

the changes are: • Applications will be accepted continuously

throughout the year, with no set closing dates.• New application forms with just three

categories; 1) major property projects, 2) other types of projects, 3) Minor expenditure items costing $1,000 or less.

• Applicants must show how the project fits with their congregation’s mission plan and how they will contribute towards project costs.

• Applications will be assessed and ranked according to their creativity, innovation, environmental impact and alignment with

the uniting Church sa’s strategic Plan and mission goals.

• Applicants receiving funding of $5,000 or more must enter into a ‘Memorandum of understanding’ and fulfil agreed conditions.

More detailed information will shortly be listed on the uniting Foundation website: www.sa.uca.org.au/goto/foundation.

If you would like to discuss a project idea contact Louise Johnson on 8236 4237 or email: grants@sa.uca.org.au

if you would like to further the church’s work through making a donation, bequest or gift of property to the uniting Foundation call 8236 4234.

practical guidance for those engaged in ministry, which also featured in Parkin Wesley’s summer courses.

Forty people gathered in March for a course on ‘Becoming a Mentor’, led by dr deidre Palmer and Rev eric Kirkham.

We discovered how to mentor better and why mentoring is so vital to the community.

Expressions of interest are invited from Legal Practitioners in South Australia who practise in Wills and Estates and

who can provide a range of services to people who may be considering making a bequest to the Foundation or to a

specific Uniting Church agency in South Australia.

To obtain information on the types of services which may be required and other information,

please contact John Munchenberg on:

Telephone – 8236 4234 or 0413 646 963

Email – jmunchenberg@sa.uca.org.au

THE UNITING CHURCH SA FOUNDATION

LEGAL PRACTITIONERS

Applicant Project / Purpose Amount Congregation Project / Purpose Amount

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

UNITING FOUNDATIONAN INITIATIVE OF THE UNITING CHURCH SA

The Uniting Foundation is a key provider of funding for exciting and forward

looking projects that are expected to have a major impact on the future mission

and ministry of the Uniting Church in South Australia.

The Foundation is also a proud sponsor of some of the future dreams and visions

of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.

The Board of the Foundation is pleased to advise that the following applications

for Grants & Gift Funding were approved at its meeting on 7th April 2008:

Note these are the last approvals to be issued before the introduction of new

procedures (see article below).

Regrettably, a number of other worthwhile applications could not be supported because of the limited funds available. Unfortunately, this situation is likely to continue until at least the end of 2008.

GIFT FUNDING: are proud to be funding the following projects: GRANTS:

International Mission English language training for Thai AIDS worker $4,500

International Mission Cultural Exchange Program $5,000

UAICC Participation in World Christian Gathering ofAdelaide Congress Indigenous People 2008 - Jerusalem $8,250 UAICC Attendance at National Conferences on Pt Augusta Congress Indigenous and Family Community Strengths $8,500

Eco-Faith Community Funding of Leadership for 3 years $84,000

Tea Tree Gully UCA Youth Leadership Development Program $960 Athelstone UCA Leadership Training $1,000

Ascot Community UCA Development of Play Area $10,000

Berri UCA Children & Families Worker $24,000

Newland UCA Community Outreach Project $967

Thuruna Campsite Mattress Protectors $1,000

Tumby Bay UCA Washing machine & blinds for manse $928

Unity Hill (Pt Lincoln) UCA Outreach to men project $1,000

Yeelanna UCA Kitchen Upgrade $5,000

M A Y 2 0 0 8

F E A T U R E F O C U S 7 New Times

Children and the Kingdom of God Rev Dr Andrew Dutney, Principal Parkin-Wesley College“Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:15) But exactly what is a little child like? This is one of the easiest sayings of Jesus to distort because it’s so easy to project our own cultural assumptions about children onto it.

Children have been valued in every culture of course, but for different reasons and in different ways. Modern western culture has tended to idealise children in ways that other cultures haven’t. It’s a legacy of Romanticism - the 18th century movement that, among other things, began to

Celebrating ministry with childrenDeidre PalmerThIs yeAR is the 30th anniversary of KUCA Camp out. The first Camp out was held in 1979, which was the International year of the Child. our theme song was ‘Care for Kids’. I was part of the organising team of the first Camp out and remember well the creativity and commitment of those people. The organising team saw Camp out as a wonderful opportunity for children to come together to catch a vision of a wider Christian community, called by God, to live our faith in the world. Thirty years later children and grandchildren of the organisers and participants in that first Camp out have attended KCo 2008.

KUCA Camp out is a wonderful event in itself, but it is also part of a much bigger picture - the Uniting Church’s sustained, long-term commitment to ministry with children.

This is expressed through congregations, presbyteries, synods, Assembly and church agencies such as UnitingCare

Deidre Palmer and her husband Lawrie have two daughters who have been participants and leaders at KCO.

at the end of the modern era. Modernity ends with the lowest rates of infant mortality of any time in human history - making children a much safer bet to invest all your hope and ambition. For various reasons modernity also ends with the lowest fertility rates we’ve ever known - making our children more than admirable, they’re rare and precious.

what’s a little child like? no pressure kids, but the modern child is admirable, powerful, precious, the centre of the universe.

And that’s almost the exact opposite to the way children were seen in ancient times -in Jesus’ time. Christians and Jews placed a very high value on the lives of children in

wesley and Frontier services. It is also expressed through the ministries of many people who work with children like teachers, child care workers, nurses, doctors, social workers, sports coaches and play group coordinators.

The Uniting Church’s ministry with children emphasises the intergenerational nature of the Christian community. we have encouraged congregations to be communities, which include all ages in their worship, education, mission and pastoral care. A part of this inclusion is recognising the gifts that children offer through the various ministries and mission activities of our congregations.

our ministry is also concerned with advocacy on behalf of children, who are often the most vulnerable members of our societies. The activities of Uniting Justice, Uniting International Mission and UnitingCare, in Australia and in other countries, contribute to the growth and well-being of children. These agencies have been advocates

on behalf of children affected by government policies, societal attitudes and global trends that have left them at risk through poverty, disease, violence and neglect.

As we mark the 30th year of Camp out, I invite the wider church to celebrate the sustaining love of God in the lives of children and the

Uniting Church’s commitment to ministry with children.

I invite congregations to ensure that they support and encourage children and their parents; that we engage in intergenerational conversations that contribute to our appreciation of the gift we are to each other across generations; and that we

support the mission activities of our churches, which contribute to the well-being of our children in Australia and the wider world.

Dr Deidre Palmer is a member of Rosefield Uniting Church. She teaches ‘The Christian Journey with Children’ for the Adelaide College of Divinity.

portray children as “better” than adults in some respects. not only are they not to blame for any of the world’s woes - poverty, war, climate change - their innocence brings with it a special wisdom and makes them the hope of the future. so in Germany the Brothers Grimm told stories that suggested that children’s close relationship to nature gave them a purer, surer wisdom than adults with minds sullied by life, longing and technology. In england, william wordsworth persuaded a generation that the parent of any man or woman is the child who grew to be that person.

As the modern era proceeded, the pedestal just got higher and higher for children. But no one expected what was coming

comparison to the surrounding pagan cultures. For example, they refused to tolerate the practice of infant “exposure” - deserting children who were unlikely to survive or who placed an intolerable burden on their family - and any other form of infanticide. They took this counter-cultural position because children were so weak. In Jesus’ day they knew children were immature, vulnerable, dispensable and utterly dependent on others’ kindness - a lot like asylum seekers, homeless people or profoundly disabled people today. And unless you receive the kingdom of God like that…

what’s more, if anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble - refer to Matthew 18:1-6!

MARRIED COUPLES Take 'time out' at a GTIM retreat weekend to focus just on one another.

Dates for 2008:

20-22 June, Glenelg

22-24 Aug, Nunyara

7-9 Nov, Tanunda

Enquiries: phone 8331 7061 See also www.gtimsa.org

Children’s and Family Ministry conference

Saturday May 31st, 9am – 4pm at Parafield Gardens Uniting Church

Day includes key note on “Brain Based Learning,” curriculum and faith development session, age-specific workshops, an

intergenerational service, networking and resources.

Cost $20 includes morning tea and lunch.

For registration forms contact the Resource Centre for Children and Family Ministry

on 8285 7104 or rccfm@bigpond.com

Back to Basics

Looking for

resources, programs or training

for children’s ministry in your church, playgroup, kids club,

school or outreach?

Scripture Union has a wide range of resources and training whether you are starting out or heading up children’s ministry.

Call Anita on 8371 0811 or email susa@sa.su.org.au

Introducing children, young people and families

to Jesus, the Bible and the local church

Scripture Union SA

F E A T U R E F O C U S8 New Times

M A Y 2 0 0 8

Who’s who in Children’s Ministry

Melissa Cellier (left) and Mary Jo ZwarMelissa and Mary Jo are based at Parafield Gardens Uniting Church in the MRN’s Resource Centre for Children’s and Family Ministry.

The resource centre was established in July 2002. It has a range of materials available to the wider church, including samples of curricula, books, activities, crafts and other resources relating to children’s and family ministry.

The centre produces a monthly ‘What’s up’ newsletter largely for those in children’s ministry in the Uniting Church SA. It also works in conjunction with other denominations to produce the bimonthly ‘Faith Family’ newsletter - a national publication for people in children’s ministry.

The Resource Centre runs an annual ‘Back to Basics’ training day to inspire and equip people for children’s ministry. It will be held at Parafield Gardens Uniting Church on Saturday May 31. (See ‘Notebook’ for details).

Melissa and Mary Jo are happy to give presentations and run workshops for clusters of congregations or mission networks. Mary Jo has expertise in family ministry and Melissa is particularly interested in evangelism and making connections with the local community.

Melissa and Mary Jo can be contacted on 8285 7104 or email: rccfm@bigpond.com.

There are many people who resource and support the Uniting Church SA’s ministry with children and families. Here’s a run-down on who’s who in kids ministry.

Judyth Roberts, Children’s Mission planner.Children’s Mission planner Judyth Roberts is based in the MRN in the Uniting Church SA office. She is an experienced children’s ministry worker and is acting in the position while Heidi Harding is on maternity leave.

Judyth has been a playgroup consultant with Playgroup SA, a lecturer in play at TAFE, a Children’s, Family and Community worker and has acted as a consultant in a number of local Uniting Church congregations.

She also works as a Community Development facilitator for the Communities for Children project at Seaton Central, run by UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide.

Judyth has coordinated the Children’s Ministry Program at Port Adelaide Uniting Church for the last ten years.

She is available to support congregations and individuals seeking to develop children’s ministry initiatives. Judyth may be contacted on 8236 4281 or email: judyth@sa.uca.org.au.

Linda Driver, Events manager. Events manager Linda Driver is responsible for running the Uniting Church SA’s annual KUCA Camp Out (KCO) and South Australian Youth Camp Out (SAYCO).

KCO is an overnight camp for children of primary school age. There is nothing quite like it anywhere else in Australia. It attracts more than 3,000 children and volunteers each year. KCO encourages faith development, sharing and relationships. It enables children from different congregations to get together in a safe environment for a large-scale experience of Christian community.

SAYCO is a similar event, run on a smaller scale, for church youth. This year it will be held on the October long weekend (October 4 – 6) with the theme ‘Dream Dreams’.

Linda may be contacted on 8227 0822 or email: lindad@sa.uca.org.au.

Linda Vinall, Duty of Care project officer. Linda Vinall is the Uniting Church SA’s Duty of Care project officer. She can provide expert advice on making your congregation a safe and inviting place for children, youth and vulnerable people.

The church’s policies and procedures in this area are contained in the ‘Called to Care’ kit.

All people who are involved in children’s ministry, (whether paid or voluntary) must request a screening authority through the Synod office and be officially approved by their own church council.

Linda has recently returned from a three week study tour in the UK and Ireland looking at child safe practices in various denominations.

Linda may be contacted on 8236 4248 or email dutyofcare@sa.uca.org.au.

Marnie Agnew, ‘KUCA News’ editor. Marnie Agnew has been producing ‘KUCA News’ for the past nine years, following a career as a primary school teacher and children’s librarian.

‘KUCA News’ is a quarterly, lectionary-based resource for anyone working in children’s ministry. It is produced under the umbrella of the Mission Resourcing Network (MRN) for the Uniting Church SA. The publication is now delivered via email and costs $25 a year.

Marnie plans to have a strong environmental focus in ‘KUCA News’ this year and will also be writing about more national and international issues.

Free craft ideas which match the weekly lectionary readings will soon be available on the publication’s web pages: www.sa.uca.org.au/site/page.cfm?u=966.

Marnie may be contacted on 8236 4245 or email: kucanews@sa.uca.org.au.

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9 New Times F E A T U R E F O C U S

Nurturing young faithErnest and Leanne Sorensen Any parent will agree that raising children is a challenge. The biggest question is how to support, nurture and care for your child to enable them to become effective adults. This question can be applied to all areas of life, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

We have often been complimented on our children’s ability to talk about their faith and to engage with their own spirituality. We don’t have a special formula or special practices to make this happen. What we do have is an open and honest respect for each other and some basic principles that we use to help our children grow in every area of life.

Our children have always been a part of our Christian world and have attended many church services, mission programs and different expressions of church. All of these experiences have shaped and given rise to questions and explorations of their own faith. As a family we discuss what we experience and we deal with the tough questions raised. And we are honest with our answers. If we don’t know or are unsure we say we need to think about it.

These basic practices of inclusion, honesty and openness have enabled our children to own their faith in their own way. They love to read their Bibles (which are age appropriate picture Bibles or text). They love to join in with prayers, family discussions and music playing.

This expectation of inclusion also transfers to their participation in formal church. They expect to participate, lead when offered, pray when asked, have an input into the decisions of the church and in some cases use their creativity to build the body of Christ.

These practices are not new. They were given as examples by our own parents who now relate to their grandchildren in the same nurturing and encouraging way – it’s a culture of family practice that is nurturing our children for a lifetime of faith

Ernest is the Youth Mission planner with the Uniting Church SA. Ernest and Leanne have three boys, Joshua who is eight years old, Timothy who is six and Nathan who is four.

Craig MitchellMy Christian education professor, John Westerhoff, is famous for saying “faith is caught, not taught”. Faith grows in the lived experiences of a faith community, through its relationships, rituals, stories and service.

And that includes the family. My wife and I have been far from perfect in raising our children, but we have tried to nurture them in faith.

Over the years we have collected a series of Bibles, each with age appropriate text and illustrations. We read to them as pre-schoolers and then they began to read for themselves from the ‘Lion Story Bible’. As their understanding and literacy grew they have read ‘The Family Story Bible’ (from MediaCom). The Contemporary English Version (CEV) is in my view the best all-age Bible.

Our patterns of family prayer have been varied, most often taking place over dinner as part of giving thanks, celebrating the good things of the day and sharing our concerns. At times we have used a family devotional calendar. Faith has been a natural and integral part of our table conversations through the years.

When the twins were younger, at night we’d say a prayer together; not every day, but enough to be memorable and I hope, significant. Later we took short prayers and blessings from Iona and other prayer books and placed them in a small container next to our daughters’ beds. Sometimes these were read aloud with them, but most often they were encouraged to take one and read it themselves before sleep. Now they are old enough for a daily devotional guide of their own (‘Devo’Zine’ and ‘The Way of Pilgrimage’ from MediaCom).

Christmas and Easter have been significant times. We sit together each evening in the week leading up to the event and read the Scripture narrative. At Christmas this is accompanied by lighting dozens of candles, playing favourite carols and eating something yummy.

Some years we light a candle on the anniversary of our daughters’ baptisms and tell them how we have seen God’s grace in their lives in the past year and pray for them.

Of course that grace has often been experienced through the care and example of the adult Christians who are part of our lives and of our church - people who embody Christ for them in the everyday.

Craig is a Lecturer at Parkin-Wesley College and worships at Rosefield Uniting Church. Craig and Yvonne have three daughters - Grace and Ellen who are 18 and Madeleine 12.

Kathy Blazewicz When my first child was born I prayed and said thank you - thank you for such a beautiful baby that was so perfect. (I did the same for my next two children). Seeing a newborn baby for the first time after carrying it for so many months is such a miracle. Most parents are in awe at that time. It’s probably one of the times you feel closest to God’s creation.

The most important thing we did for our children was to love them. Love is not only cuddles and kisses but teaching and listening, being there when you are needed, being constant and having a relationship and communicating.

Teaching basics such as saying please and thank you and teaching children how to talk to God is also important. Saying prayers out loud is something I have difficulty with, except with my family. My prayers are like talking to a friend: “Hi God it’s me again …” My children have learnt that prayers can happen anywhere at anytime. There are also times when we need to listen to God and find a place that’s quiet and special for us. This can be at home, out camping in the bush, down the beach watching a sunset or just as we wake up or go to sleep.

We have always read with our children and we choose not only Bible stories and stories with morals but also books that are colourful and enticing. We also taught our children to share when playing and to pass on outgrown toys and clothes to those who are less fortunate. We also discussed issues with our children when there was a conflict with our family values and helped them to make the right choices.

One thing that I didn’t even think of, that made a difference to our children, was my grandmother’s black and white pictures of Jesus. They had an effect on me as a child but I thought it was just because they were my grandmother’s. But I have recently discovered my children also enjoy having them in their rooms and it makes them think about what Jesus would do.

Kathy is involved in family ministry at Semaphore and Woodville Uniting Churches. She and her husband Jon have three children - Tanya 20 years, Marc 19 and Joshua 11.

New Times asked some church members what they have done at home to help develop and nurture their children’s faith and spirituality.

Praising God comes naturally F E A T U R E F O C U S

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10 New Times

At MAlvern Uniting Church praising God comes as naturally to pre-schoolers as learning to count and making animal noises.

every Friday morning during the school term youngsters and parents come along to enjoy ‘Kinder Praise’, a 50 minute worship program designed especially for little ones.

the idea has been developed from an english model called ‘tot’s Praise’ and has been introduced to the church by their english children’s worker Sheila Sinclair.

Sheila uses a variety of children’s worship resources and rapidly moves through the program - from prayer and story-telling, to craft, singing and dancing – in order to hold the children’s attention.

“there is absolutely no pressure on the children to perform or behave,” says Sheila. “Parents can relax as there are no expectations on anyone.”

Instead of calling the children to formal prayer, Sheila merely asks them to sit quietly, put their hands together and possibly even close their eyes, so that they might “talk to Jesus”.

Prayer subjects range from a sick goldfish, through to being thankful for mummies and daddies and the recent rain.

Malvern Uniting Church children’s worker Sheila Sinclair teaches children how to pray at a ‘Kinder Praise’ session.

Pre-recorded Christian music injects life into the program with the children singing about a “great great God” and “jumping and springing for Jesus”.

As it was just after easter, Sheila introduced the concept of the resurrection during story-time - using happy and sad face props to keep the children focused. the language was kept appropriate for the pre-school age group. the children were simply told “Jesus died, but God brought him back to life - so don’t be sad because Jesus is alive”.

After the 50 minute session, parents and children enjoy morning tea and often stay on to chat and play until lunch-time.

Malvern Uniting Church also holds a regular playgroup called ‘Panda Playgroup’ on thursday mornings. Sheila says some families that started out attending ‘Panda Playgroup’ have moved on to attend ‘Kinder Praise’ and also church on Sunday.

Sheila is happy to talk to anyone interested in establishing a church playgroup with a Christian focus. She can be contacted on 8271 6817 or email sheilasinclair@adam.com.au.

‘Kinder Praise’ is supported by a grant from the Uniting Foundation.

Shining God’s light on the children

Don Paull

to me, being in Children’s Ministry means being where the children are. I’ve found opportunities to be with children not within the church but in the community - in schools and playgroups.

For two days a week over the last five years, I have spent time with children in a public primary school as a Christian pastoral support worker (formally chaplain).

I am also there for the staff and the parents, but focus most of my efforts on the children.

I have developed innovative ways to connect with children at a deep level, relying heavily on “letting my light so shine” to lead them towards Jesus.

I give lessons in social skills, take a group on a weekly visit to the local nursing home, help at an after school kids club and assist children with special needs.

While this means I have had to study and learn new skills and spend a lot of time in preparation, I receive much in return and have grown in many aspects of my own life.

Don Paull playing with children at Seaton Central.

Also, quite separately, one morning a week I volunteer at a playgroup at Seaton Central (a Federal Government Communities for Children initiative).

even though the children are under the care of their parents, I find plenty of opportunities to play with them and to stimulate and extend their senses and motor skills.

I imagine they see me as a jolly old man who is happy to play and encourage them to try new things. this in itself makes it all worthwhile, but in reality it is more than this because of the comfort, listening and counsel provided to the parents and other staff members.

I believe that every child deserves to know the love of God in their lives and I may be the only one in their life lighting that way.

I think the church is still learning that its real ministry is on the other side of the road from the temple. Although it is dangerous to cross the road in heavy traffic, for me at least, that’s where the children are.

Don is a member of the Henley Fulham congregation.

‘Faith family’ nurtures children’s faith at homeMary Jo Zwar

the ‘FAIth FAMIly’ publication is an ideal gift from congregations to families wanting to nurture their children’s faith at home. About 100 Uniting Church congregations in South Australia receive ‘Faith Family’ and distribute it to their members and families involved in congregational programs.

‘Faith Family’ is a colourful, quarterly four-page magazine for parents (and grandparents and other carers) of children up to age 12.

each issue of ‘Faith Family’ gently guides parents into some proven, effective ways of nurturing faith and living as a Christian family.

Faith-based articles look at such things as observing holidays, building assets, faith development, ‘love languages’, family practices, suggested websites, books and other resources for children and families.

‘Faith Family’ is a joint project of the resource Centre for Children’s and Family Ministry (Uniting Church SA), youth and Children’s Ministry Unit (UCA,Qld), Anglican Ministry Centre (Adelaide), Children, youth and Family Ministry (lutheran Church SA/nt) and Family and Parish Based Catechesis (Catholic Church, Adelaide). It is sent to more than 30,000 homes across the country.

‘Faith Family’ is not for sale to individuals; It available to congregations and organisations to use as part of their ministry with children and families. (Congregations pay 25 cents per copy which covers printing costs).

If your congregation would like to receive copies of ‘Faith Family’ email me at: rccfm@bigpondcom or call 8285 7104.

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11 New Times F E A T U R E F O C U S

Playgroups for first-time mumsKathy BlazewiczAfter running mainstream playgroups for many years, i was recently asked to run a special playgroup for babies. i was surprised. i didn’t understand why we needed a specialised playgroup? i thought about it and realised i hadn’t taken first-time mums into account.

first-time mothers are important because they are inexperienced. they may have been in the workforce for sometime and are not in touch with their neighbourhood. Many have moved away from family and friends.

Baby playgroups offer an opportunity to make new friends, to talk to others in similar situations and to exchange ideas.

first-time mums often lose self-esteem especially if they have a difficult baby. Mums don’t get enough sleep and can easily doubt their abilities.

i started ‘Baby Playtime’ at Semaphore uniting Church about six months ago. it has grown from a small group to include 25 to 30 families. i’ve been overwhelmed by the response. the Child and family Health Service at Port Adelaide has also started referring new mums to us.

i have quickly realised the importance of baby playgroups. Baby blues is a serious depressive

illness. Baby playgroups can help – not in all circumstances and not alone, but having support is vital. Some mothers who come have not left their homes for months. they are desperate for company and positive feedback on their parenting.

i treat the mums to a cup of decaffeinated cappuccino or tea and make them special biscuits. i set out clean baby toys on rugs and have nappy changing facilities available. i also have a church helper who makes the mums (and sometimes dads) feel welcome.

We make positive comments about them and their babies and introduce them to others.

Sometimes we have activities like making paintings with little hand and foot prints, making books and singing. i’ve even sourced helpful information on teething and baby first-aid.

We recently had our first baptism from the group and we made it special by inviting the entire playgroup and putting on morning tea.

this is a special outreach and a special place of community. We’re now planning a first Birthday party for many of the babies which will have a Christian theme and message.

if you would like to know more about baby playgroups email Kathy at kathyblaze@ozemail.com.au.

The Starfish challengeMary Jo Zwar One sunny day I was walking along the beach. In the distance I saw someone at the water’s edge and as I approached I saw hundreds of starfish stranded by the tide.

A man was picking up starfish one by one and throwing them into the surf. It was futile- there were far too many starfish.

“you must be crazy,” I told him. “There are kilometres of beach covered with starfish. you can’t possibly make a difference.” The man stooped down and picked up one more starfish and threw it back into the ocean. He turned to me and said, “I sure made a difference to that one!”

Statistics tell us that less than 15 percent of Australian children are touched by church programs. Many congregations report that they

have no children or hardly any children attending their worship and programs.

that means that we face a challenge - a challenge to make a difference to one child at a time; to form a relationship with just one family among those 85 percent who are not hearing the good news.

the ‘faith family’ Starfish Challenge is a practical way of doing this. identify one child (or one family) in your neighbourhood that does not know about god’s love for them.

for at least a year pray for the child/family every week, talk to family members whenever possible and give them a copy of ‘faith family’ four times a year.

gradually open conversations and invite them to ‘faith family’ activities. if we can make a difference to one child and their family, it is certainly worth the effort.

Ten good reasons torun a playgroupJudyth Roberts, Uniting Church SA Children’s Mission planner

• Most churches can start a playgroup cheaply and easily using existing space and resources.

• Having a playgroup allows you to apply for grants to improve your amenities.

• It’s fun and deeply satisfying to share life’s journey with families with young children.

• People will know your church and talk about it in the community.

• People will identify with your church - playgroup families say “that’s my church” as they drive past.

• Both children and adults come and stay at playgroup and the scene is set for relaxed conversation about things that interest them.

• Begin at the beginning of life. Use the pre-school years to form relationships and nurture faith. research reveals intellectual and emotional development is 85 percent complete by the age of three.

• It is a way of supporting the families who bring children to be baptised and keeping the promises we make as a congregation to support the family as the child grows up.

• It involves church people using their well-honed parenting skills to serve others. the loving service of volunteers makes a huge impression on parents. “it takes a village to raise a child” - be the village and create community connections.

•We are called by God to respond in love to the needs of young families and share our faith with them.

to find out more about starting a playgroup contact Judyth on 8236 4281 or email judyth@sa.uca.org.au.

For all your Children’s Ministry booksBible StoriesCraft ActivitiesChildrens Sermons

Christian Education Curriculum: Seasons of the Spirit Living StoriesChildren’s Plays

Games for preschoolers/primary/youth

phone toll free on 1800 811 311 for catalogues or logon to www.mediacom.org.auor visit MediaCom at 14 Eton Rd, Keswick.

MediaCom Education Inc.an Agency of the Uniting Church SA Synod

Personal AssistantWe are seeking a Personal Assistant (PA) to support the Executive Officer, UnitingCare. As a key member of the UnitingCare team the PA provides secretarial and administrative services across the broad range of activities for which the Executive Officer is responsible. This diverse and challenging role is based at the Presbytery and Synod Office.

Key responsibilities include:

public and external organisations.

We are looking for a born organiser, able to juggle multiple tasks while maintaining a sense of humour! Previous experience in a similar position is essential, as are excellent skills in the Microsoft Office suite of programs, high level written skills and experience in maintaining financial records. A commitment to the ethos and mission of the Uniting Church is also required.

Please contact Linda Bastick on 8236 4212, or email lbastick@sa.uca.org.au to find out more or visit our web site at www.sa.unitingcare.org.au. Applications close Monday 12 May 2008.

Celebrating Easter at Camp Coorong

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12 New Times

Learning aspects of the local ngarrindjeri culture proved a highlight for those who attended the ‘Journey to Kalparrin’ easter camp at camp coorong at easter.

about 100 church members gathered to enjoy fellowship and the beauty of the coorong, as well as learning to weave traditional ngarrindjeri baskets and mats and make feather flowers.

Uniting church sa international Mission officer Lyn Leane said the best aspect of the camp was being able to relax and chat with Uniting aboriginal and islander christian congress (Uaicc) friends from port augusta, salisbury and the local coorong region.

Uniting church sa Youth Mission planner ernest sorensen said an outstanding aspect of the camp for him was the sense of ‘whole community’ with all age groups coming together.

ernest said another easter camp is planned at camp coorong next year and church youth groups in particular will be encouraged to get involved. Traditional Ngarrindjeri basket weaving and flower making were part of the program at Camp Coorong over Easter.

God’s people riding Harley-DavidsonsSusanne Hagan

JesUs riding on a donkey might be a more common palm sunday theme, but Meadows Uniting church went for a different approach this year - god’s people riding on Harley-davidsons.

the congregation had planned a big event with guest speaker John smith, founder of the god’s squad christian Motorcycle club. However, just days before the event, John was hospitalised with a serious infection and his visit cancelled.

Meadows members rode Harley-Davidsons during Palm Sunday celebrations.

two local christian motorcycle clubs had been invited to hear John speak. Members of the Longriders club and the christian Motorcycle association promptly agreed to fill in with testimonies and news about their ministries. One told how the motorcycle club had helped free him from a life of drugs and crime.

after a shared lunch and relaxed conversation, an invitation to ‘go for a spin’ on a Harley-davidson was quickly taken up, first by one of the congregation’s elders and then by several others, including some eager young males.

it was a great time together. no, it wasn’t your usual palm sunday service, but like the first palm sunday, it was a time of spontaneous praise for god’s goodness.

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13 New Times

Carol’s Easter message from Lake Bonney

David Badger

Well it wasn’t quite walking on water – but close. On easter Sunday Berri and Barmera minister Rev Carol Chambers delivered the good news of Jesus’ resurrection from a fishing boat on lake Bonney.

it was a reminder of the occasion when Jesus taught the crowds from a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee.

Just like the fishermen on that occasion, these easter ‘fishermen’ Matt Barry and Ron Harris had not caught a single fish but were more than satisfied with the serene conditions.

it was a perfect morning for the 7am lakeside service which

Help the world’s poorestCourtney SmithWHile AuSSie mums enjoy flowers, chocolates and breakfast in bed on Mothers’ Day, there are millions of mothers all over the world who are unable to properly care for themselves and their children - due to a lack of food, shelter, health care, education and employment.

Christian Blind Mission (CBM) Australia’s national director John Jeffries and his wife Alison recently visited a community rehabilitation centre in tanzania which is supported by CBM.

Mothers and children are treated there for disabilities including blindness, club foot, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus and obstetric fistula.

Alison was appalled by the desperate situation. “these mothers want their children to have a future, to have hope and to be free of pain.”

CBM has launched a Mother’s Day appeal to help mothers in the world’s poorest countries give their best to their children.

to make a donation call CBM Australia’s freecall number 1800 678 069 or visit the website at cbm.org.au.

Alison Jeffries, from Christian Blind Mission Australia with Yusto, an orthopaedic patient in Tanzania.

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drew nearly a hundred people. After the service the crowd shared a breakfast of bread and fish on the grass overlooking the lake.

the annual easter dawn service at lake Bonney is organised by the Berri Barmera Ministers Association.

the service was one of Carol’s final activities before moving to Colonel light Gardens uniting Church.

The gift of Christ -

“Peace be with you”It begins in the quietness

of the heart

At Nunyara, Belair.www.sa.uca.org.au/goto/stillpoint

Phone 8178 0048

StillpointSpiritualityCentre &Community

M A G A Z I N E

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14 New Times

SAY SORRY TO ALLDo the church and the

government suffer from tunnel vision in saying sorry to families torn apart in the name of saving people?

They have said sorry to the Aboriginal people but conveniently omitted the rest. It didn’t matter what colour you were, if you were reported to be at risk the government would split the family up to what they thought was a better environment.

Over time they saved many but also destroyed others, but at the time it was considered

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correct logic. In hindsight it could have been done better and now they acknowledge that.

The sad part is they only said sorry to one group of victims.

This leaves those left out bewildered and angrier from being omitted.

The fact is all families who were affected by the policy of the time have not received an apology. Those left out are hurt and angry. Saying sorry to all families would have healed many more.

Ross WykielPort Augusta

CHAPLAINCY Thank you for the range of

excellent articles on chaplaincy in the April New Times - a great ministry of grace and love spread across so many areas and needs.

There is another form of chaplaincy - in the sports and leisure ministry. Across the world it is one of the fastest growing areas of pastoral ministry, with many hundreds of accredited and trained sports and leisure ministry chaplains in Australia at this time.

Christian chaplains are attached to almost all codes of football - AFL, Soccer, Rugby league, and Union as well as the NBA basketball teams. There are many cricket chaplains and close to 30 motor racing chaplains.

The recent tragic fatality at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 resulted in at least three track chaplains counselling officials, team members and the driver’s family. The senior AVESCO V8 Supercar racing chaplain, Baptist pastor Rev Gary Colman from Sydney,

later conducted the driver’s funeral. Another local chaplain at Clipsal was Dave Vaughan - the Adelaide-based Australian Rally Champs chaplain.

Before moving to Port Lincoln from Darwin, I was chaplain at the Hidden Valley motor racing complex and conducted the funeral for a drag-bike rider killed at practice. I attended V8 races annually plus regular speedway and drag races

There are also golf chaplains, athletics chaplains, surf chaplains, water ski and jet-ski chaplains as well as many lifestyle chaplains such as motor home ministry to ‘grey nomads’ and many, many more.

Sports Chaplaincy Australia is the major accrediting body and annual conferences are run to train and equip people in such

things as trauma counselling and helping injured and retiring athletes cope with change and stress of competition. Many UCA clergy and laypeople across Australia are finding sports chaplaincy to be a stimulating ‘non-church’ outlet to their faith and ‘normal’ ministries.

Rob Tann (Rev)Port Lincoln

Chaplaincy forumLAsT monTh ‘new Times’ asked: how well does the church care for people on the margins? And should congregations do more to support our chaplains? This response came from deacon Bill harris at Vermont Uniting Church.

The Uniting Church has a significant ministry of care for people on the margins but unfortunately it is the agencies that have the most visible ministries and congregations are often not directly related to the services offered.

I believe there needs to be a closer relationship between congregations and chaplains working in their area. More importantly congregations and ministers need to develop a chaplaincy role in their local community that goes beyond just supporting chaplains. If congregations are serious about exercising ministry on the margins they need to give it a much higher priority.

Ideally I believe all chaplains should have a working relationship with at least one

congregation and every congregation should have designated care responsibilities for areas that are serviced by our chaplains.

I wonder why so few congregations include a deacon in their considerations when establishing ministry priorities. In some places churches that have more than one minister designate one to be a ‘minister in the community’. This person has a primary responsibility for relating to the wider community. All too often congregations focus on their own internal needs.

Let’s make chaplaincy a role of the local church and not just agencies. In my own case I have been able to combine congregational ministry with chaplaincy. I have served as an ITIM chaplain and as a voluntary chaplain at a local community centre. I have also visited hospitals and aged care centres which has opened up significant opportunities for those who are not members of the local congregation and those who are living on the margins.

Send a message on Mother’s DayTHIS MOTHER’S DAY, the Micha Challenge is calling on its supporters to advocate for mothers in poor communities around the world by sending a ‘Message in a Bottle’.

On Sunday May 11 the organisation is calling on Christians to sign a simple advocacy message and place it in a baby’s bottle before sending or delivering the bottle to local MPs.

The Micha Callenge says in third world countries more than half a million women die each year and another 20 million suffer disability due to pregnancy and birth complications. It says the lives of children in low-income countries are also at risk. One

in ten children dies before the age of five, compared to one in 167 in Australia.

Micha Challenge wants Australian politicians to support women and children in the developing world by calling for more action to achieve the Millennium Development Goals on maternal and child health.

Further information is available on Micah Challenge’s Health Campaign 08 and the ‘Message in a Bottle ‘campaign. Visit: www.micahchallenge.org.au, call (02) 9453 1586 or email: info@micahchallenge.org.au.

Micah Challenge is a Christian global movement which aims to deepen engagement with the poor by integrating social justice as an essential aspect of faith.

Sermons4kids a useful website Shannon Short Sermons4kids.com is a great website if you’re looking for lectionary-based resources for pre-school and primary school children.

The site was founded by Charles Kirkpatrick, a Baptist minister in the United States.

Each week the site includes a variety of downloadable copyright-free resources that are based around a theme.

There’s an outline for a children’s talk and a variety of worksheets that can be downloaded

and photocopied. There are colouring-in sheets that are ideal for pre-school children and a selection of word puzzles for primary school aged children.

All puzzles and work sheets are archived, so it is also a helpful website if you don’t follow the lectionary.

While the site will never replace a fully-resourced children’s ministry program, it is a helpful tool that can be used to supplement your own local resources.

Online forum Cherishing children

This month we ask you to share your thoughts on Children’s Ministry resources. Below

Shannon Short reviews a useful ‘sermons4kids’ website. What books, websites or programs

have worked well in your congregation?

To take part in this forum email: newtimes@sa.uca.org.au

M A G A Z I N E

M A Y 2 0 0 8

15 New Times

ClassifiedsWork WANtEd

CARPETS LAID. Expert repairs. 0417 872 105 or 8344 4725.

EXPERIENCED HANDYMANHousehold repairs and maintenance. Gardening. “Your spare pair of hands.” Phone 8346 0933.

ACCoMModAtIoN

Holiday accommodation. Baptist Camp Halls Gap. Located in the heart of The Grampians National Park. Church and Family Groups welcome. Bookings: www.baptistcamp.info or David: 0439 001 547.

WANtEd to BUY

Old motor car or motorcycle speedometer. Working or not working condition. Please phone 8396 7469

For more Uniting Church events, visit Uniting Church online www.sa.uca.org.au and click on “What’s On”. There is an online form

which you can fill out to contribute notices to Notebook.

A RURAl SChOOl OF MiNiSTRy will be held at Melrose on May 2 and 3, 2008. The theme is ‘Change of a lifetime’ which occurs when people turn back to God and have their lives renewed and transformed. Contact Karen at ruralsm@bigpond.net.au or call 8767 2405 for more information.

AN eCUMeNiCAl FORUM focusing on the inclusion of people with disabilities in churches will be held on Friday June 13, at the highgate Park chapel, (formerly Julia Farr Services), from 3 to 5pm. enquiries to Rev Trevor Whitney, SACC Task Group on Disability issues, phone 0403 711 653. RSVP to Julie on 8221 6633 or email: sacc@picknowl.com.au.

MOUNT GAMbieR UNiTiNG ChURCh is holding a worship seminar with Dennis and Nolene Prince on Saturday May 10 from 9.30am to 4.30pm. The couple is behind the ‘Resource Chorus books’. Register by May 5 to the church office, C/- PO box 1119, Mount Gambier or email: ucamtg_office@bigpond.com.

TUMby bAy UNiTiNG ChURCh is celebrating 100 years from November 7 to 9 2008. The congregation is compiling a history book and would like to hear from past worshippers. Contact Fay Story, C/- P.O. box 123, Tumby bay, SA 5605; ph. 8688 2337, or email: selection-hill@dodo.com.au to indicate your attendance.

ST JOhNS PROSPeCT (formerly Prospect North) will celebrate 120 years on Sunday May 25. Church service at 10am, followed by a shared lunch. enquiries to 8344 4825.

STATe MiSSiON FellOWShiP will be held on Tuesday May 27 at 10.30am at Scots Church, North Terrace. Jeff and Jan hudson will talk about helping victims of AiDS

in Chiang Mia, Thailand. lunch available at 12 noon for $3. enquiries to 8444 4825.

eMPlOyeD ChilDReN’S AND FAMily WORKeRS are invited to a professional development forum on Wednesday May 7 at Word book store (113 Currie St, Adelaide). Share lunch in the café from 12.30pm and attend the forum upstairs from 1 – 3pm. lunch, coffee and car parking expenses will be paid. For more information and to RSVP email Judyth Roberts: judyth@sa.uca.org.au or phone 8236 4281 or 0414 885 428.

The ReSOURCe CeNTRe for Children’s and Family Ministry’s annual training day will be on Saturday May 31, 2008 at Parafield Gardens Uniting Church. Key

note address: ‘brain based learning’. The day includes time to network, browse resources and participate in an intergenerational service. Cost $20. Please register by May 18. Registration forms from RCCPM on 8285 7104 or rccfm@bigpond.com.

The 28Th SOUTh AUSTRAliAN Prayer breakfast will be held on Wednesday September 17 at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Guest speaker is Andrew Tyndale, a director and senior executive with babcock and brown Australia and chairperson of Opportunity international Australia, a global Christian aid organisation.

WAlKeRVille UNiTiNG ChURCh is running a Quiz Night to send nine people to NCyC ’09 at the church on 17 Smith St, Walkerville on Saturday May 3, at 6.30 for a 7pm start. enquiries to lisa Preston on 8336 4196 or lisa.preston2@bigpond.com.

A bAD DAy on the golf course is better than a good

day in the office…especially when you are supporting a worthy cause. Join UC invest on Wednesday May 14 for a charity golf day at The links lady bay Normanville and raise funds for UnitingCare SA. For more information visit ucinvest.com.au or call 8236 4220.

Share the warmthBring warmth and dignity to vulnerable people

Uniting Care Wesley partners work in a variety of ways to alleviate the eff ects of poverty in the lives of families and individuals in South Australia.

To share the warmth this winter and join with Uniting Care Wesley partners to build “A compassionate, respectful and just community in which all people participate and fl ourish”

Please send donations to

UnitingCare Wesley 10 Pitt Street ADELAIDE SA 5000 Or online www.unitingcarewesleyadelaide.org.au

Photo Lighthouse Studio, Peterhead

N E W S16 New Times

M A Y 2 0 0 8

Change in store for KCO After 30 yeArs at West Beach, KUCA Camp Out (KCO) is in for a change of scene.

Next year congregations will be encouraged to hold a ‘KCO @ home’ during a weekend in March and may choose to join with other local congregations in their area.

resources, promotional materials, networking advice and encouragement will be offered by the Presbytery and synod Children’s Ministry and events teams.

Meanwhile a new venue will be sought for new look state-wide KCO in 2010.

Uniting Church sA events manager Linda Driver said change was necessary as the West Beach venue is no longer available for KCO during March which is the preferred month for the event.

“After 30 wonderful years at West Beach it is now time for a change,” said Linda. “We will be assessing various venue possibilities for 2010 and can promise that the re-launched KCO will be just as much fun.

“We hope that congregations may use the ‘KCO @ home’ event next year to connect with local children in their area. We will be providing lots of resources, support and encouragement.”

South East Kids Camp Out

Children in the state’s south east already enjoy their own locally-tailored version of KCO.

During the first weekend in March more than 200 children gathered for the annual south east Kids Camp Out at Naracoorte High school.

the High school oval was transformed with 137 children from Naracoorte and a further 76 from francis, Kingston, Mt Gambier, and Padthaway, plus 130 volunteer leaders, instructors, musicians, tent riggers, cooks and infrastructure providers.

Campers entered into a fun time of activities including abseiling, gymnastics, swimming, canoeing, ice block tobogganing, box hockey, craft, biscuit icing and the ever popular dunking tank. A shuttle-bus service between elective venues allowed for fuller participation in the afternoon’s program.

the evening program of lively inspirational songs and challenging dramas and sketches opened the way for quality discussion and sharing at ‘tent talk’ time. Discussions revolved around the ‘Climb Aboard’ theme and unity.

On sunday morning the theme was further reinforced through five 15-minute Bible track presentations.

An offering of $901 will support the Naracoorte arm of the Novita Children’s service.

the event has prompted the presentation of the easter story in south Primary school and other follow-up events which will be spearheaded by local minister rev Ian Dow.David Hogarth

What our children say about churchJudyth Roberts

Here’s a familiar scene - children running through a worship area shouting and annoying the adults. When the leaders complain they are reminded of Psalm 8:2. this scene happened 2000 years ago and is recorded in Matthew 21:15-16, when Jesus reminded the Jewish leaders of God’s response to children and their need to be heard.

so I asked some children’s ministry leaders in south Australia to find out what children are thinking, so we might hear their voices. thirty-two children aged from four to 13 shared their thoughts on God and church life.

City and country children articulated a strong faith and prayer life. they valued attending church and children’s programs at their churches. they described Bible stories, prayer, pictures of Jesus, crafts, camps and friends as strong influences, helping them feel more a part of God’s family. But what made

the biggest difference in helping them know Jesus was the loving actions of their parents and their church community.

As members of Christian communities we sometimes need to be reminded how much children learn from us when we are not intentionally teaching them. Our lives must embody the love and care we preach. Look around your church - do you know the name of the child sitting near you? Do you have something special for the children at morning tea time? Are you listening to parents and children’s ministry leaders and supporting their valuable work?

Please contact me in the Uniting Church office if you would like some fresh thoughts on family and children’s ministry.

thanks to the children at Hope Valley, Murray Bridge, Port Lincoln, Port Adelaide, Woodville and temple Uniting Churches for responding to this survey. the full results will be on the Uniting Church sA website.

Children from Woodville Gardens Uniting Church (above) and Eastern Youth (below) at the 30th KCO at West Beach.