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February 2003 Also available in .pdf (212k) | .doc (426k) | .rtf (538k)
One of the little time luxuries in my life on a public holiday is to read more than the headlines in the Sydney Morning Herald. So last Monday I took the time to read an article about a doctor who had been looking at a painting The Adoration of the Christ Child circa 1515 by an unknown artist. In it he observed that one of the angels and one of the shepherds had the facial features of persons with Downs Syndrome.Here is an indication that people with Downs Syndrome were integrated into the life of a community, not regarded as somehow unhelpfully different. The doctor speculated that it was perhaps since 1866 when a Dr Down described this syndrome that special attention was given to it and those who were named that way were subject to prejudice and different treatment. Maybe, maybe not – in this case. However it is true that when we name people in a certain way we see them in a certain way and treat them accordingly. The names we give people do affect our relationships. Jesus was aware of this when he particularly referred to his followers as his friends and not servants. James knew of the power of the tongue when he urged that it be bridled. Sometimes we create prejudice just by categorizing people. Sometimes we do it more bluntly by imposing dehumanizing labels. In times when there is a lot of tension we exercise a ministry of reconciliation when we choose our words carefully. One of the tasks the Assembly Standing Committee is wrestling with is how to enable open discussion on issues without creating an atmosphere of vilification and harassment. These guidelines will be important because they are about expressing gospel values. The words we use matter – it is a gospel issue. Rev Terence Corkin, General Secretary Bushfire Appeal The President, Rev Professor James Haire and the Moderator of NSW, Rev Alistair Christie visited Canberra in late January to meet people who had been affected in various ways by the fierce bushfires in Canberra. Over 500 houses have been destroyed in Canberra suburbs. A pastoral letter to the church from the president is attached to this issue of Assembly Update. The President reflected that he had visited many burned out buildings at this time of the year in his three years as President: 2001, in the Mollucus islands; 2002 in Sulawesi; 2003 in Canberra, and in the coming weeks probably also in Papua. "A burned out house is a home! People everywhere feel this internally as a personal attack.” Among other greetings he has received, the President passed on specific greetings to the people of Canberra from former Governor General, Sir William Deane, who also urged that the Greenhills Conference Centre should be revitalised. James finished his comments by saying that "God walks with us for the long term... [and] God also was (with people) in the centre of that hell [on Saturday]. Hear that divine word, spoken out to others, and help them hear and understand it." Canberra people report that the city is in good heart and that there is a lot of support for each other. People are being encouraged to share their stories with each other and with friends and family near and far. It can help people deal with the trauma and begin to think though decisions about what to do next. Prayers, emotional support, an ability to appreciate the humour as well as the tragedy within every situation, along with practical aid are all important in assisting people who have been in these and other bushfires and suffered loss and trauma. The Canberra presbytery is working to provide immediate practical aid to needy families, and to provide legal advice and long term trauma counseling. The Assembly and the NSW synod have funds that will enable them to do that.
Key Document - Becoming
Disciples How can the Uniting Church energise and equip Congregations and Faith Communities for evangelising and forming disciples of Christ? How can Congregations lead people to a deepening of faith and commence a life-long practice of growth in the Christian life? These are two of the questions which the Assembly's ‘Becoming Disciples’ discussion paper seeks to answer. The discussion paper also asks: Do changes need to be made to the Constitution and Regulations regarding membership of the Uniting Church? What adjustments can we make to our current practices for conducting the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion? How can we help church members to re-consider regularly the wonder of the God's gift of new life in Christ and the commitment that this entails? The discussion paper is being circulated for discussion, and will then be a major item at the Tenth National Assembly to be held in July. Presbyteries, Congregations and Agencies are asked to comment by April so that any changes can be made before the paper goes to the Tenth Assembly for decision. Responses are sought by 30 April. Please circulate the
document widely, discuss it and send a response. It is available from
the Assembly website <http://nat.uca.org.au/home>
or single copies will be mailed to any address in Australia by Ruth Crispin
<ruthc@nat.uca.org.au>
or t: (02) 8267 4220. It may be freely photocopied. Witness the Glory of
God Photographically! To enhance the sense of the National Gathering the Uniting
Church, the design team of the 10th Assembly invite you, your congregation
or group, to ‘witness the glory of God’ with your photographs.
A display of photographs will be on show at the Uniting Church’s
10th Assembly filled with images that depict the theme ‘witness
the glory of God’. If you are interested in entering some photographs
please see the brochure attached to this issue of Assembly Update. Appeal for Fiji after
Cyclone On 13th and 14th January, Cyclone Ami struck the Fiji Islands. This was an intense cyclone with winds of 200 km/hr and very heavy rain. Very extensive damage was caused by the wind, flooding and tidal surges. Food crops were destroyed, and fourteen people lost their lives. The Fijian government has estimated a total damage bill of over AU$50 million. Together with churches and NGOs, it has launched a massive relief effort. The majority of the people in the affected areas are members of the Methodist Church in Fiji, our partner church. They have advised that they have set up a ‘Special Task Force’ within their Department of Christian Citizenship and Social Services to assist those people most severely affected. Immediately after the cyclone, AU$5,000 was sent from the emergency relief funds of Uniting Church Overseas Aid. The General Secretary of the Methodist Church has expressed his thanks for our immediate assistance, and has requested further assistance to meet the severe need, both for emergency relief and for the church so it can minister spiritually to the people at this time. If you would like to contribute to the recovery of Fiji from the cyclone, you can: FOR EMERGENCY AID RELIEF (tax-deductible) FOR THE WORK OF THE CHURCH (non tax-deductible) Address for both: PO Box A2266, Sydney South, NSW 1235 Please pray for the people of Fiji. The aftermath of Bali;
how you can support the Balinese community The bombing of October 12th affected many people, including the local Balinese. Our Partner Church there is the Protestant Christian Church in Bali. No members of the church were killed or injured by the bomb blast in Kuta. However, many of the local people depend on the tourist industry for employment and an income. Balinese village people earn incomes as traders, shop assistants, drivers, tailors, crafts people, artists, cooks, waiters, cleaners etc. Their livelihoods are now under serious threat. UIM has launched an appeal to support congregations of the Protestant Christian Church in Bali. These donations will be forwarded to the church and will be used to support poor communities that are dependent on the tourist industry for employment and an income. Cheques or money orders made out to "Uniting Church
Bali Crisis Appeal" can be sent to: Alternatively, freecall 1800 000 331 to make a credit
card donation. For more information, t: (02) 8267 4232. Upcoming Cross-Cultural
Workshops and Consultations The ‘Confronting Racism Cross-Cultural workshop’ and the ‘Looking with New Eyes 2003 Cross-Cultural consultation’ are the upcoming events from the NSW Synod Youth Unit, which you or young people from your church may like to be involved in. The fourth and final Confronting Racism Cross-Cultural workshop for young people will be held in Sydney at the Elanora Conference Centre from the 21st-23rd of February 2003. Full accommodation and catering for only $40. That's a bargain! It will also be the last chance for you to be involved in this version of the workshop where you can experience some of the material that was used very successfully at NCYC 2003. The final event for the Developing Networks of Diversity and Tolerance project will be the Looking with New Eyes 2003 Cross-cultural consultation. It will be held on the weekend of the 14th-16th March 2003 at Namaroo Conference Centre, Sydney (also $40). This consultation will be a gathering of young people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds in our church to share stories and build friendships with other people in their church. It provides and opportunity to discuss the results of NCYC 2003 and determine how young people from different cultural backgrounds can continue this sort of dialogue, gathering and sharing into the future. For a flyer/registration form or for further information
for either workshop contact Andrew Elia “Walking Together”
Invitation to forward statements on how the UCA can further grow as a Multicultural Church. What do you think are the most important areas for us to work on in the next 5 – 10 years? You are invited to forward you comments and suggestions to Helen Richmond, Assembly Multicultural Ministry t: (02) 8267 4224 or e: <helenr@nat.uca.org.au> or post: P.O. Box A2266, Sydney South NSW 1235.
Brochures and applications forms are now available. For a copy of the brochure contact Helen Richmond, Assembly Multicultural Ministry t: (02) 8267 4224 or e: <helenr@nat.uca.org.au> or check out the Multicultural Ministry Website at <http://nat.uca.org.au/multi/>. Announcement - The first UCA Chinese National Conference
will be held in Sydney from Wednesday 19 – Thursday 20 March. Contact
Helen Richmond for details (as stated above).
Attention Presbytery
Secretaries The following certificates are now available from the Assembly office (not Uniting Education office)
The Assembly Office is happy to provide you with these certificates under the following procedures. As they are legal documents, you must formally send a letter from the relevant presbytery officer to obtain them. We cannot supply them without this letter. Please send it to Linda Pritchard, Assembly office, PO Box A 2266 Sydney South NSW 1235. The cost of each certificate is $5 plus postage and handling. When we receive your official order an invoice will be issued. You may contact me on t: (02) 8267 4262 or e: <lindap@nat.uca.org.au>
for further information. I look forward to hearing from you.
Mission Prayer
Handbook Review The Mission Prayer Handbook for 2003 has now been published and is being snapped up by people in churches all across Australia. This latest 96 page edition features an exclusive range of superbly beautiful photographs, all in full colour, which illustrate the theme of this year’s 10th Assembly . . . witness the glory of God. The Mission Prayer Handbook has been published annually by the Uniting Church in Australia for the past twenty-five years. Containing stories and meditative moments to inform as well as inspire readers, it provides a valuable resource for ministers and leaders as well as every congregational member who is keen to gain an insight into the needs and blessings of today’s churches. Copies are available from the National Assembly Office in Sydney. The cost is just $8.00 per issue or $7.00 per issue for a minimum order of 10 or more copies. For further information or to place your order, please
contact Linda Pritchard t: (02) 8267 4262 or Information including an order form is also available
on the Uniting Church website at:<http://nat.uca.org.au> Coolamon College Celebrates
10 Years Coolamon College particularly would like to ask for
people to keep us in their prayers, for the celebration of the 10 years
and as we complete the arrangements to transfer awards to Adelaide College
of Divinity, and later in the year transfer office to Adelaide as well.
Throughout 2003 Assembly Update hopes to bring you some reviews of new books available from Uniting Church BookShops. This gives you the opportunity to see what new resources are becoming available and give you and insight on what they are all about. Books are selected by Hugh McGinlay <hugh@rainbowbooks.com.au> and are available from Uniting Church Bookshops and resource centres. ON FORGIVENESS If forgiveness is the criterion of Christianity, how do we measure up? Richard Holloway, retired Anglican Bishop of Edinburgh, relates forgiveness to the events of 11 September, the South African Truth Commission, events in Palestine and Northern Ireland. This is a timely book about how forgiveness works, and our need to practice forgiveness is we are ever to escape the binds of our past. SET THEM FREE What is the message of the Exodus story for Christians of the first world, including Australians? Dykstra's book tells the story from the perspective of the Egyptian empire - oppression, self-aggrandisement, brutality, racism. The result is an account that is prophetic, critical and passionate. 'A sophisticated and compelling project' (Ched Myers). UNFINISHED BUSINESS The UCA Synod of Victoria and Tasmania organised an important conference in 2002 to honour the memory of Eddie Mabo and to consider the 'unfinished business' that continues ten years after the Mabo decision. Unfinished Business contains the addresses and contributions of key speakers and commentators at the conference and marks an important milestone in assessing where we stand as Australian Christians in relation to the on going injustices experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this land. THE EARTH STORY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT The fifth and final volume in the Earth Bible series that connects theology and ecology. How does the voice of the earth make itself known to people of faith? In this volume, scholars grapple with the New Testament texts to deepen their understanding of God's love for all the earth, its creatures and its abundance; and show us how to listen to those ancient voices of the earth in our Bible and traditions and in the world around us. GOD OF SURPRISES This is a new edition of one of the great contemporary books on spirituality. Full of practical wisdom, humanity, deep thoughts and light touches, and with a very sympathetic style of teaching. Based on an unquestioning acceptance of St Augustine's words that 'God is closer to me than I am to myself'. |
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