Multicultural Ministry - an agency of the Uniting Church National Assembly

7th Indonesian National Conference UCA in Sydney 7-10 September 2004

People at the conference! 32 Indonesian leaders met together from 7-10 September at Wamberal, NSW for the Indonesian National Conference. It was preceded by an Ethos and Polity course led by Dr Chris Budden. The National Conference included representatives from Indonesian congregations (there are 12 in all) and Fellowship groups. People came from Darwin, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Highlights included two bible studies led by Rev Benyamin Susilo and hearing from guests, Dr Dean Drayton, John Barr and Dr Clive Pearson. Considerable time was given to hearing the points of growth, joy, pain and concern from congregations.

The Conference will be seeking ways to develop and support ministry in Brisbane and Adelaide. The model of team ministry that supports English speaking and Indonesian speaking ministries was something to celebrate. The arrival of Rev Jonathan Pattisina from Indonesia to serve one of the Indonesian congregations in Melbourne was another celebration. The development of creative youth ministry at the "Rocks", a ministry of one of the congregations in Perth was another encouraging story. The Conference spent considerable time considering their response to Proposal 84 and made joint statement.