New Times - October 2006 - Uniting Church in Australia

October 2006
Issue 25, Number 9
PP 565 001/00190 ISSN 0726-2612
‘It’s an exciting time’
Nicholas Kerr
THIS IS an exciting time to be in
ministry, Julian Hamilton said in
Adelaide last month.
Julian, who is based in Ireland, has
an international reputation as a youth
leader. He was guest speaker at SAYCO
(SA Youth Camp Out).
“There are two main challenges,” he
said.
“The first is a major challenge and it’s
across the whole of the Western World.
“It’s a challenge to come up with
new ways of being church that are
appropriate and relevant to new
generations.
“That includes Generation X – and
Generation X is now forty years old.
So I’m not talking just about young
people.”
Julian said the church is in
a “wonderful grey area of post
modernism”.
“We can recognise what’s gone before
– but we can’t quite see what’s coming
next,” he said.
Shaping the future
“We have an opportunity to lay the
foundations of what a post-modern faith
will become.
“We’re actually shaping the future.
We’re trying to envisage and dream
what the church will be and do in the
next 100 years.”
Julian spoke about a “smaller
challenge”.
“Every time I come to Australia I see a
bunch of kids who can’t sit and listen in
church anymore,” he said.
“They just can’t sit and listen for 10 to
20 minutes anywhere.
“It’s to do with the way they’re
educated and their attitude to authority
figures and institutions.
“Their world of entertainment’s so
fast, all very quick fire.
“We live in a sound bite society. It’s
very fluid. Nothing’s still or stagnant.
“No church that’s in any way stagnant
or stale can command immediate
respect.”
Sense of community
Part of the answer, he said, is to create
a real sense of community.
“The church I want to belong to is
a church with a real notion of what
it means to be community – a church
that’s in community with God and in
community with each other in this
incredible gift of a world.
“We need to have a sense of what it
really means to need each other.”
Continued page 11.
SAYCO: Julian (Jools) Hamilton, from Ireland, was guest speaker at this year’s SA Youth Camp Out (SAYCO), held at Oakbank.
Pictured are, from left, Peter Button, Joshua Baldwin, Jools Hamilton and Ben Hatcliffe. Peter, Joshua and Ben are
from Parafield Gardens Uniting Church.
FIRST PRIZE: The Uniting Church’s Red Dove Café won first prize for the best “fixed
site” food outlet at the Royal Adelaide Show this year. Pictured with Red Dove
treasurer, Ken Robinson, are volunteers Helen Giles, of Willunga Uniting Church,
left, and Ellie Butler, of Clayton-Wesley, right.
inside…
Enfield asks for help 2
Coolamon’s new direction 3
27 years of negotiations 5
Adult Fellowship news 5
Awards for refugee work 6
Preparing for Christmas 9
Christmas postcards 2006 11
Uniting Church calendar 2007 12
P l e a s e h a n d o u t a t y o u r c h u r c h d o o r

2 N E W S
New Times
Enfield is looking for some help
Jill Freear
Some of the children from the Enfield congregation
O C T O B E R 2 0 0 6
ENFIELD Uniting Church needs help. The
congregation has a large number of children
and young people, but not enough people to
lead these groups.
Enfield supply minister, Rev Roz Bond,
said the predominantly elderly congregation
is in the unique situation of having more
children than they can cope with.
“We have a wonderful array of beautiful
children and families including Korean,
Sudanese, Iranian, Fijian and Australian
born children and young people,” she said.
“We have up to 40 children who attend
Sunday school and up to 27 young people
attending our Thursday night youth group.
“We sent 25 children to KCO this year and
18 to SAYCO. We’re now planning to send 10
young people to Perth for NCYC in January.
“We have two Sunday school teachers
By bike to Blinman
SEVERAL Uniting Church
SA members have pedalled
from Adelaide to Blinman to
re-enact a push-bike journey
undertaken by three Wesley
College students more than 60
years ago.
The 600 kilometre trip
covered the same route
travelled by then ministry
students Doug Telfer, Alan
Beames and Arnold Hunt.
In 1941 the three students
visited family, friends and
people in ministry. They
took church services, gave
a testimony, addressed the
Blinman Sunday School,
explored Wilpena Pound and
repeatedly mended their bikes.
Doug’s son Colin Telfer said
the ride has become part of
the family history and family
members have talked for a year
or two about undertaking the
ride.
Several friends and Telfer
cousins finally re-enacted the
trip early last month, cycling
through Balaklava, Clare,
Jamestown, Orroroo, Hawker,
Wilpena, Blinman and Gum
Creek Station, before returning
to Adelaide by car.
Colin said the first day was
the toughest with a stiff head
wind.
“However the longest leg –
109 kilometres from Orroroo to
Hawker – was easy, as we had
a good tail wind and travelled
at 30 kilometres an hour.
“The highlight of the trip
was cycling into Blinman
seven abreast and riding
through the yellow ribbon
which our support crew had
stretched across the road.
“It was certainly an easier
journey for us today, with a
support crew taking care of us
and cabins to sleep in along
the way.
“There was not one puncture
or accident. We’ve arrived
home safely with a great
feeling of accomplishment and
just a few sore muscles.”
The keen cyclists are already
talking about another trip.
Those who took part in the
biking adventure included
Andrew and Ruth Telfer
(Seacliff UC), Raelene and
Jeff Telfer (Pilgrim Uniting
Church), Greg Telfer (Klemzig/
Clare Uniting Church), Colin
Telfer (Malvern Uniting
Church) and Mark Phillips
(Pilgrim Uniting Church).
Pastors
THE transition of the new
ministry of pastor is moving
forward.
Assembly Standing
Committee has appointed
a group to oversee the
implementation and ensure
a smooth transition in the
coming 18 months.
One of the group’s key tasks
will be to develop flexible
guidelines for those who wish
to move from existing specified
ministries to ordained ministry.
The group has also been
asked to consult across
the church to find out the
types of issues that may
be faced locally during the
transition period until the new
specification is introduced.
and four youth group leaders, as well as five
people who pick up and deliver families to
and from church.
“But we are flagging – our teachers are
dedicated, but tired. Congregation members
are also supporting a number of women as
they learn English and Australian culture,
but that too takes time and energy.
“We urgently need a team of leaders from
another congregation that will covenant
to work at Enfield in the children and
youth ministry programs for 12 months, or
even for a school term – or alternatively
a congregation that could plant a team at
Enfield that would be dedicated to nurturing
and encouraging our children and youth, for
a specified period of time.
“We also urgently need a team of leaders
who could run a January school holiday
program at the church.”
Jeff, left, and Colin Telfer with their bikes

New Times
N E W S 3
New direction for Coolamon
Coolamon College council chairperson, Dr Marelle Harisun, with Coolamon principal, Rev Dr Lee Levett-Olson
Jenni takes on justice job
JENNI Price Hughes has temporarily joined the
Uniting Church SA staff team.
She is filling the shoes of Solidarity and
Justice Officer Kate Tretheway who is on
maternity leave.
Jenni has previously been involved at
Rosefield Uniting Church in administration and
creative arts and ministries.
Jenni has just completed a Masters degree
in Church Ministry at the Perkins School of
Theology at Southern Methodist University in
Dallas.
Her studies included an internship with the
Centre for Survivors of Torture, working with
asylum seekers, refugees, asylees (asylum seekers
who have been granted asylum) and victims of
trafficking.
While in Dallas, Jenni met her future husband,
Master of Divinity student John Hughes.
Solidarity and Justice Officer Jenni Price Hughes and new husband
Texan Divinity student John Hughes.
John is undertaking an internship at
Brougham Place Uniting Church until next
May.
While at Brougham Place he will assist
church youth in confirmation studies and also
help establish a young adults’ ministry.
Both Jenni and John will return to Dallas
by next August where John will complete
his studies. He will then enter a three year
probationary period before becoming a
Minister of the Word.
Jenni also has her sights set on church
ministry and is currently exploring ordination
possibilities.
“Ultimately I’d like to work in ministry
with a dual focus on social justice issues and
creative arts in worship,” she said.
In the long term the couple would like to
return to Australia.
J U N I O R S C H O O L
Learning is an individual experience.
DISTANCE theological
education in the Uniting
Church is set to take a new
direction.
This follows approval of
a new business model for
Coolamon College that will
see it resource other parts of
the church and allow them to
adapt courses as needed on the
ground.
In the face of increasing
financial pressures on
Coolamon, Assembly Standing
Committee was presented
with a range of options for its
future.
These ranged from no longer
offering higher education
courses to closing the college
altogether.
Standing Committee
acknowledged the value of
the distance study offered by
Coolamon for people without
access to face to face learning.
It also recognised that
without a change in focus,
Coolamon would not remain
viable.
The agreed way forward will
see Coolamon collaborate with
a range of existing providers
to promote quality education
and training with maximal
flexibility for those lacking
access to face-to-face teaching
across Australia and beyond.
It will act as a network
of expertise in the distance
delivery of theological
education, as distinct from
being a stand alone provider.
It will continue to offer nonassessed,
non-accredited group
learning, competency based
and VET sector accredited
training.
The decision will also allow
courses to be licensed to
Synods and other parts of the
church which can then adapt
world school
annesley college
junior school
At Annesley College we recognise the unique needs of every one of our girls.
The Junior School provides a stimulating yet challenging environment where girls
are valued, secure, confident and happy.
Annesley Junior School (K-6) features the Primary Years Program of the
International Baccalaureate and a specialist curriculum in the Arts (Visual Arts,
Drama, Dance, and Music), Physical Education and Language (German, French, and
Japanese). Our co-educational Kindergarten accepts students from 3 years of age.
We welcome families to view the Junior School to gain an understanding of this
unique individual experience.
To arrange an individual tour, or for a prospectus, please contact
the Director of Admissions, Meg Craven, on Tel. 08 8422 2291
or email admissions@annesley.sa.edu.au
A Uniting Church Day and Boarding School for Girls
them as needed and deliver
them locally.
It is hoped the new model
will open opportunities for
education to be offered
in Uniting Church service
agencies and that the
flexibility it offers will help
Presbyteries wanting to
access education and training
resources for people entering
the new specified ministry of
Pastor.
In his report to the Standing
Committee, Coolamon
principal, Rev Dr Lee Levett-
Olson, said it was important
to note that Coolamon College
was established as a justice
strategy.
It remains an important
vehicle for many people
wanting to study within the
Uniting Church.
“Coolamon was established
to enable people of the Church,
wherever they lived and
whatever their circumstances,
to access theological
education,” he said.
“Over time the demand
from Synod agencies and
individuals for access to
studies at all levels from
certificate to doctorate has
been responded to, so that
students can now tailor
their choices to their own
individual needs, using
flexible learning approaches
through the college, as well
as work in congregational
groups with a local facilitator
according to their needs, with
no assessment if that is their
choice.”
Coolamon will begin
negotiations with Synods
about implementing the new
model. It hopes to have the
plan operational within 12
months.
89 Greenhill Road, Wayville, South Australia 5034 Tel. +61 8 8422 2288 Fax. +61 8 8272 0142 www.annesley.sa.edu.au CRICOS Provider No. 00357D
O C T O B E R 2 0 0 6

4 C O M M E N T
News from the 19th World Methodist Conference
Brougham PlaCe uniting Church
minister rev Ken anderson was a
delegate at the recent 19th World
methodist Conference in Seoul, Korea.
Some 3,000 people attended. Ken
reflects on the conference which he
attended as part of a small australian
delegation.
SEOUL is a very interesting city and
one that I would love to visit again
to experience the city, the people and
particularly the churches as they “do
evangelism” and struggle with the issue
of unification which is predominant in
their thinking.
The friendship and hospitality that
we were offered is beyond anything
I have experienced anywhere in the
world. The people and churches were
incredibly generous in spirit and in
kind.
The overwhelming feature emerging
from the conference was the fact that
OVERPOPULATION
World overpopulation was
summed up beautifully by Alan
Jones in his letter to New Times
in August. Why hasn’t the
church addressed this problem,
or the nation as a whole for
that matter?
Here are a few ideas.
When the Bible was written
there were 22 times less people
on the planet, so it is not
surprising that it was not an
issue at the time. Most religious
leaders rely on Scripture to
justify their actions.
It is easy to appreciate
overpopulation in species
different from our own – crown
of thorns starfish, rabbits, mice
and locusts to name a few.
We notice overpopulation
in other religious and ethnic
O C T O B E R 2 0 0 6
churches from first world countries
with a liberal theological emphasis
and formal traditional worship styles
are declining dramatically. In contrast,
churches from emerging countries
and cultures are experiencing holistic
growth. Their numbers, effectiveness
and relevance of worship and
significant social action are making a
difference.
The World Methodist Church has
grown by a million members a year
for the past five years. This has not
come from our style of church and
witness. But when you see what is
happening in places like Korea it is
easier to understand. In most places it
is not rocket science or fancy programs.
Prayer, leadership, small groups,
changes to theological education, the
needs of people and the expectation
that God is going to do something, are
basic to thinking and motivate action.
Highlights for me included a Korean
About your letters
Please keep your letters short — about 150 words is ideal.
Longer letters will be cut or rejected.
You’re welcome to email letters to newtimes@sa.uca.org.au
or they can be posted to us at
GPO Box 2145, Adelaide 5001
groups but notice it less clearly
in our own. Sure the others are
often more densely populated
but that doesn’t make our
overpopulation acceptable.
There is a feeling of being
out competed numerically by
other nations. We feel insecure.
Because issues of family
planning are so sensitive they
have been placed in the “too
hard basket” by our politicians
and church leaders.
So, while I share your
concern, Alan, I suspect we
have to destroy our biological
planet before we realise we
have overpopulated it.
Stephen Wicks
Yacka-gulnare
SLIPPERY SLOPE
The remarks of the new
President of the Uniting
Church, Rev Gregor Henderson,
on the “shameful behaviours
of Christians” regarding
sexuality and leadership are
inflammatory.
If the leadership of the
UC had been strong in the
first place regarding the
appointment of homosexual
clergy it would not be on a
slippery slope of failing in its
duty of care for its members
who, believe me, are grieving
terribly.
Barbara abbott
Blackwood
SEXUAL ABUSE
I wish to encourage elderly
South Australians – who were
sexually abused as foster
children or while in state care
– to contact the Commission of
Inquiry into Children in State
Care.
The Commission is
investigating allegations of
sexual abuse against children
in SA State care and deaths of
State children due to criminal
conduct.
It is also looking into the
adequacy of the Government’s
response to the allegations
and whether appropriate and
adequate records were kept.
The Inquiry has received
more than 1000 allegations
of sexual abuse and is
investigating over 600 deaths
of State children.
We are hoping that people
within the aged care sector
– including former foster
cultural night presenting the country’s
history and faith development. This
told the story of the church and its
growth through music, dance, drama
and visuals. It was one of the best
experiences of my life, and I have seen
some great events.
Another significant event was on the
Sunday morning when 300 delegates
joined 300 Koreans for a worship
prayer vigil at the de-militarized zone
at the 38th parallel border. This was
followed by a tour of the border area.
We released 500 balloons. The news
made the front page of the Seoul Times.
The conference made statements on
Korean reunification and the Middle
East. It installed John Barrett from
England, (now working in Singapore),
as the new President; and elected
Paulo Lachman from Rio and the Brazil
Church as President Elect.
The council also set priorities for the
next five years. They are:
children, their friends, families
and carers – might come
forward to tell their stories so
that we can learn more about
what they faced.
Men and women in their 60s
and 70s are talking to me about
abuse which happened to them
as children, even as long as
50 years ago. Often, they have
not told family members, but I
want to assure them that now is
the time to come forward.
All information provided is
confidential.
Free call 1800 258 668.
Ted mullighan QC
Commissioner
Children in State Care
Commission of Inquiry
IN DECLINE
I was encouraged by reports
in the September New Times
from several Networks of
their plans and activities for
development and training for
evangelical outreach among
their congregations. But I was
dismayed to read about the
shortfall of congregational
contributions to the Mission
and Service fund.
The 7 per cent budgeted for
this year must have been based
on congregational incomes
for the last few years, but, as
there have been “decreases in
congregational giving”, it now
has to be 9 per cent!
What has changed in the last
few years for that calculation
to be $450,000 short? What has
caused over 7000 members and
40 ministers to leave the UCA
in the last few years?
While there may be many
reasons, the passing of
Resolution 84 and its affirming
by Resolution 108 at the recent
Assembly, must surely be the
main contributing factor.
Sadly the UCA seems to be
ignoring the clear warning
of St Paul in Romans 12: 2,
• Evangelism, leaders training and
resources development.
• Clarification of the vision and role
of the WMC.
• Communication and support…
between member churches.
• Communication, including greater
use of technology.
• Youth Ministry. participation and
leadership.
• Continued ecumenical and interfaith
dialogues.
• Offering a prophetic voice for
justice and peace; global issues
of poverty, development and the
environment.
• Supporting churches in countries
where there is conflict and injustice.
Of major significance was the signing
of a “Joint Declaration on the Doctrine
of Justification” by a representative
from the Pope; a representative from
the Lutheran World Federation and the
Methodist President.
as translated by JB Phillips,
“Don’t let the world around
you squeeze you into its own
mould”.
So, as we seem to be blindly
following “the world” with its
standards so removed from the
Judeo-Christian traditions on
which our society was founded,
we shouldn’t be surprised to see
this decline in our membership
and finances.
Kevin r moore
Coromandel Valley
VOLUNTEER IN PNG
Our partner church UCPNG
is seeking tradespeople and
handy persons to help build a
classroom at Bwaruada in the
Papuan Islands region.
Volunteers must be available
for two to three weeks in
November 2006. A volunteer
with a senior First Aid
certificate and a person with
medical expertise are also
needed.
This is a fantastic
opportunity for people with the
appropriate skills and abilities
to experience Papuan culture,
build lasting relationships with
people of another culture and
share in the faith and challenge
of mission and ministry.
For more information contact
the People in Mission Office,
Uniting Church SA on 8236
4270 or email judi@sa.uca.org.
au.
Judi Jones
adelaide
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
REFORM
Anyone who has the
opportunity should attend a
briefing session on the new
Industrial Relations/Work
Choices law. It is more workerfriendly
than the system it
replaces, for instance, on
the issue of taking time off.
It addresses the concerns
expressed by Rev Dr Phil
Marshall in the September New
Times.
Daphne Freeman
Port lincoln

New Times
N E W S 5
27 years of negotiations
WHEN THE Uniting Church
SA appointed Rev Keith Smith
and Ken Leal to sort out
Presbyterian property issues in
1979, the pair had no idea the
issues would take 27 years to
resolve.
At the time Keith was the
second UCA Moderator in
South Australia.
Two Presbyterians – Alistair
Matheson and Robert Arstall
– became part of the group.
Ken Leal later retired due to
ill health and was replaced by
Peter Petherick.
Keith became chairperson of
the specially established body
called “Free Church Negotiators
Incorporated”.
The saga mainly concerned
seven properties which
belonged to the former Free
Presbyterian Church in South
Australia. That denomination
resulted from a split from the
Church of Scotland.
Keith said some Free
Church people migrated
to South Australia seeking
THE UNITING Church Adult
Fellowship, an agency of
the Assembly, has a new
President and a new national
committee which will be based
in Queensland for the next
triennium.
Taking on the theme, “Let the
Son shine through,” the new
committee has already spent 18
months planning activities for
their term.
The first national gathering
of adults from across
Australian will be at Rydges
Resort, Caloundra on the
sunshine coast from September
19 to 23, 2007. These dates run
into the Queensland school
vacation so early bookings are
necessary.
There are two celebration
tours – a pre-celebration
tour, of five days and four
religious freedom and a better
opportunity for their families.
“They planted congregations
down Fleurieu Peninsula, in the
South-East and at Spalding in
the mid-north,” he said.
Many of these churches grew
quickly. Most of them also died
quickly, with the exception
of the John Knox Church at
Morphett Vale which was in
use until the early 1970s.
The properties’ trustees had
long since died and had not
been replaced. The Free Church
Negotiators persuaded the State
Government to pass a Private
Bill vesting the properties with
the Negotiators.
In due course four of the
properties were sold and the
net proceeds divided between
the Uniting and Presbyterian
Churches and the Presbyterian
Church of Eastern Australia.
The Lucindale church, which
had voted against church
union, was vested in the
Presbyterian Church and the
cemeteries at Morphett Vale
Adult Fellowship plans
nights. This tour will take in
the Hervey Bay area and will
include a whale watching trip.
A post-celebration tour
of five days and four nights
will travel to the worldrenowned
Carnival of Flowers
in Toowoomba and on to other
parts of the Darling Downs.
Both tours have limited
numbers and early registration
is advisable.
These three activities will
help link adults of the Uniting
Church throughout Australia
and help them become aware
of the ministries of the wider
church.
Enquiries about the national
gathering should be directed to
Barry Kerr, clankerr@iprimus.
com.au.
– Alyson Madsen,
Adult Fellowship President
and Spalding were transferred
to local government authorities.
“There have been some
ticklish negotiations along the
way, involving claims by the
Anglican Church and some
descendants of the original
Free Church settlers which
were finally resolved without
litigation,” Keith said.
“The last two properties
were sold in 2004, making way
for the final distribution of
proceeds.
“The Uniting Church expects
to receive about $250,000.
However, even more significant
is the fact that we will no
longer have to pay rates,
taxes and insurance on the
properties.”
Free Church Negotiators, from left, Alistair Matheson, Rev Keith Smith,
Robert Arstall and Peter Petherick
.30% p.a.
O C T O B E R 2 0 0 6

6 M A G A Z I N E
New Times
Maughan wins an award
MAUGHAN Uniting Church
has been recognised for its
work with refugees.
The award from the
South Australian Council
of Churches recognises
Maughan’s loan fund which
provides interest free loans to
reunite refugees with family
members in Australia.
Minister, Rev Elizabeth
Vreugdenhil, said the $20,000
loan fund has helped to bring
close to 90 Sudanese refugees
to Adelaide in the past three
years.
“It’s important that the
money keeps circulating to
continually relocate more
refugees,” she said.
“We work closely with
the Anglican Sudanese
congregation which meets at
Maughan.
“We administer the loans
and the Sudanese select the
loan recipients.
“We realised early on that
it’s important to work in
partnership, rather than create
a dependency.
“The system works well. We
have no bad debts because the
Sudanese leaders are strongly
committed to ensuring all
loans are repaid.
O C T O B E R 2 0 0 6
“We’re thrilled to have this
award and have our hard
work recognised by the wider
church.”
The congregation also
provides ongoing support to
new arrivals, helping them
find accommodation, access
the welfare system and
assisting them to re-establish
their lives.
Maughan has also
produced a CD for churches
interested in working with
refugees.
The resource explains
the social welfare system
and provides other vital
information for new arrivals.
And Modbury, too
MODBURY Uniting Church
has also been recognised for
its African Women’s Day
held on Tuesdays.
The program recently
won the Tea Tree Gully City
Council’s Project of the Year
award.
African Women’s Day
is run by approximately
30 volunteers and offers
cooking, sewing, computing
and English conversation
classes to new arrivals.
Some members of the first Sudanese family to be helped by the Uniting Church SA’s Refugee Support Fund
are, from left, Akui Mel Teeng, Benjamin Ayuon Kuol and Wol Bol Deng. They are pictured with
their proposer, Anei Deng Yel. Their application came through Plympton Uniting Church.
First arrivals to be helped by new fund
NINE Sudanese refugees have arrived in Adelaide
after gaining financial support from the Uniting
Church SA’s Refugee Support Fund. Another 15
will arrive soon.
Currently there is $27,000 in the Support
Fund, (excluding funds from UC Invest, which
has promised to match donations up to $50,000).
The Support Fund was boosted recently when
To advertise in New Times:
Contact Russell Baker
phone 8361 6822
fax 8361 6833
the family of Rev Arthur Jackson suggested
people donate to the fund in his memory.
The donations received will enable one adult
to fly from Nairobi to Adelaide.
Application forms for funding refugee
travel are available from Louise Johnson
in the Mission Resourcing Network on
8236 4237 or email louisej@sa.uca.org.au.
© Copyright 2006 Edi Leane. Artwork not to be reproduced in any way without the written permission by Edi Leane of Joie Creative. All Rights Reserved.
email ribad@bigpond.com

New Times
M A G A Z I N E
Numbers were up for SAYCO 2006
Pictured: Top left: Jo Garrard and Kirri Story, from Adelaide West Uniting Church.
Top right: Sarah Jennings and Victoria Fry from Morialta Uniting Church.
Bottom left: Katrina Clarke, Eliza Howland and Tori Silverblade, from Morialta Uniting Church.
Bottom right: Briony Mitakiki, Amber Smith, Anita Mitakiki, Cassie Coulthard and Cassandra
Knowles, from Port Augusta Congress.
ABOUT 350 people took part in SAYCO (SA Youth Camp Out) at Oakbank
last month – 344 to be exact, which was 150 more than last year.
7
O C T O B E R 2 0 0 6

8 M A G A Z I N E
New Times
Proposed Assembly of Confessing Congregations
REPRESENTATIVES of the Assembly,
including the President and General
Secretary met with representatives of
the proposed Assembly of Congressing
Congregations in Sydney recently to
discuss how it would relate to official
Councils of the Church.
One of the main areas of discussion
at the recent meeting was legal advice
received by the Reforming Alliance
which claims the decision of the 10th
Assembly in relation to sexuality and
leadership are invalid or irregular.
Meeting in Sydney on August
26 and 27, the Assembly Standing
Committee received a report on the
meeting from the General Secretary
as well as its own legal opinion
in response to the claims made by
Reforming Alliance.
The ASC accepted the opinion it
had received that there is no validity
to the claims made by the Reforming
Alliance. The ASC expressed
concern that members of the church
felt compelled to take theological
differences to a civil court and made
it clear that the proposed Assembly
of Confessing Congregations has no
status or formal recognition within the
councils of the Church.
It asked the General Secretary
to seek more information from
representatives of the proposed
Assembly of Confessing Congregations
about the exact nature of how it will
operate within the existing church
structures. When answers have been
received to these questions, this
information will be distributed across
the church.
Text of letter
HERE IS the text of the letter sent
to the wider church by Rev Corkin on
August 30.
Dear Colleagues,
As many of you will be aware
the Reforming Alliance has been
proposing to develop an organisation
known as the Assembly of Confessing
Congregations. The information
O C T O B E R 2 0 0 6
shared in meetings, the media and
through official Reforming Alliance and
EMU channels has raised a number of
questions about the objectives of the
organisation and how this group will
relate to the official Councils of the
Uniting Church.
Less well known, but certainly
communicated through the Reforming
Alliance and its members, is the fact
that Reforming Alliance has received
legal advice. This advice leads
Reforming Alliance to claim that the
decisions of the 10th Assembly in
relation to sexuality and leadership are
invalid or irregular.
The National Executive of Reforming
Alliance wrote to the Assembly
Standing Committee and made a
series of requests in the light of their
legal advice. The Assembly Standing
Committee meeting held over the
weekend of August 25 to 27 addressed
itself to the correspondence received
from the Reforming Alliance dated
August 1 and 25, and to consideration
of the legal advice provided to it by the
National Executive of the Reforming
Alliance. Having received advice from
the Assembly’s legal advisers the
Standing Committee denies the validity
of the claims made by Reforming
Alliance.
The Standing Committee gave
serious consideration to the issues
and questions that were put before it.
After long and careful discussion the
Standing Committee came to the views
that are expressed in the resolution that
is enclosed with this letter. The Standing
Committee decision indicates its
willingness for representatives to meet
with representatives of the National
Executive of the Reforming Alliance to
discuss this resolution and additional
questions that the Standing Committee
has in relation to the proposed
Assembly of Confessing Congregations.
When the Assembly has a response
to these questions it will offer further
advice to the Church. The proposed
Assembly of Confessing Congregations
has no status within the church.
Members of the Assembly Standing
Committee were very concerned for the
pastoral dimensions of this issue. They
are very aware that there are members
of the church who are still working
through the way they can live and work
within the worship, witness and service
of the Uniting Church.
Standing Committee believes that
clear guidance is one of the pastoral
responses that it can offer to the church.
I request that you make this
correspondence and the resolutions
of the Assembly Standing Committee
known to Ministers, persons serving
in the Specified Ministries and Church
Council Secretaries.
• An extract from the unconfirmed
minutes of the Assembly Standing
Committee was sent with the letter. The
extract is on the Uniting Church SA and
the Assembly websites.
Guidance offered
THE NATIONAL Assembly has
responded to requests from members,
congregations and presbyteries
for guidance on the proposed
ACC (Assembly of Confessing
Congregations).
Here is the full text of Assembly’s
letter, dated September 7.
1. We welcome the fact that the
Steering Committee of the proposed
Assembly of Confessing Congregations
(ACC) state clearly they wish ACC
supporters to remain within the Uniting
Church and adhere to the Basis of
Union. We applaud this acceptance of
the church’s unity in Christ. We believe
this provides us with a firm basis for
positive relationships between councils
of the Uniting Church and the ACC.
2. We are concerned that aspects
of the proposed ACC may lead
congregations to believe they can pick
and choose which parts of the Uniting
Church’s polity and discipline they
can abide by and which they might
reject. We remind all ministers and
members that every congregation in the
Uniting Church is under the pastoral
and administrative oversight of the
Presbytery and the general oversight
of the Synod. Joining the ACC will not
alter these relationships of oversight
and accountability.
3. We are concerned at aspects
of the proposed “Association of
Confessing Ministry Workers”.
Information issued by the ACC
Steering Committee appears to
suggest that those joining the
proposed Association will somehow
be outside the requirements of
the Uniting Church in relation to
their accountability, oversight and
discipline. We remind ministers and
other ministry agents that joining
the Association will not remove you
from the requirements of the Uniting
Church’s Constitution and Regulations
with regard to your accountability,
oversight and discipline.
4. We are concerned at suggestions
that the ACC may seek to fulfil
church functions which belong
clearly to the Assembly – for example
our relationships with ecumenical
partners and the setting of standards
for ministerial education. While the
Assembly always welcomes input from
church members on these national
functions, they will always remain
responsibilities of the Assembly.
5. The President and General
Secretary, along with two Synod
Moderators, expect to meet again this
month with leaders of the Reforming
Alliance and Evangelical Members
within the Uniting Church. After that
meeting, we expect to issue further
advice to the church. We are very
hopeful that our meeting will serve
to allay our concerns and will build
positive relationships for the future.
6. In the meantime we encourage
church members and congregations
to take care in their decision-making.
We trust that all decisions taken
in the church are surrounded by
prayerfulness and by respect for others
whose convictions on particular issues
may differ from our own.

New Times P E O P L E A N D P L A C E S 9
Preparing for Christmas
Jill Freear
WHILE MOST of us have not even started to think about
Christmas yet, festive season preparations are already well
underway at UnitingCare Wesley Bowden.
Each December the agency distributes up to 1,200 Christmas
hampers to people who are unable to afford Christmas luxuries.
Welfare Services coordinator Maureen Russell said it is a huge
logistical exercise as hampers are prepared for Moslem, Asian and
Australian families of various sizes.
“Our Christmas hampers contain pretty basic food items such
as cereal, milk and sugar,” she said. “We also like to include a
few special treats like bonbons, lollies, plum puddings, tuna, ham,
rice, chicken and pasta.
“We get very little support from the business sector so we are
always grateful to receive non-perishable food and financial
donations from the public.”
Maureen said UnitingCare Wesley Bowden simply could not
operate its various emergency relief programs without the support
of many regular and loyal volunteers.
“I’m fortunate to manage a dedicated and reliable team of 13
to 16 volunteers. One of our volunteers has been coming every
week for 14 and a half years. Our volunteers assist 8,800 families
every year and those families have 11,700 children. Volunteers
interview welfare clients, fundraise, sort donations and hand out
welfare parcels.
“They all love being able to give back to the community in
this way, and I never let anyone leave without thanking them
personally.”
UnitingCare Wesley Bowden is always grateful for donations of
non-perishable food, clothing and household items. They can be
delivered to them at 77 Gibson Street, Bowden.
There are numerous volunteering opportunities at UCW
Bowden. As well as welfare provision, volunteers can be trained
to deliver financial counselling and tax help to low income
households.
Hayette Hamden has been providing tax help to low income
households for the past seven years. She has also provided
volunteer financial counselling services to Arabic speaking people
and others from 1993 to 2002.
Prospective volunteers should contact the team leader of Low
Income Support Services, Rosalyn Williams on 8245 7100 or
email rosalyn.williams@ucwb.org.au.
SA’s new Bible House
THERE will be a special dedication service for the Bible Society’s
new Bible House in Glandore, Sunday, October 22. In June
the Bible Society moved from Rundle Mall to 770 South Road,
Glandore. The new Bible House is the administration site. The
Bookshop is now on Goodwood Road.
The Bible Society has been involved in mission work in South
Australia and has made significant contributions around the
world for more than 160 years. The dedication service will begin
at 2.00pm at Bible House, followed by a tour and afternoon tea.
For more information contact the Bible Society on 82924888, or
email infosa@bible.com.au.
Volunteers, from left, Hayette Hamden, Jean Tomlin, Helen Tickle, Gwen Marchant, Claire Curran
and Sandee Othams.
‘Reel Spirituality’
MOVIES are a great evangelistic tool, according to Sandy Boyce,
who is one of the teachers of a new course which explores faith
through film.
“Reel Spirituality” is a new six week course being offered by
Parkin Wesley College.
Sandy, who is a UCA People in Mission Administrator, has been
leading the course with Rev Phil Gardner from Tusmore Memorial
Uniting Church.
Sandy said the course encourages students to view movies
through a theological lens.
“Movies are a wonderful artistic medium through which we can
explore the nature of relationships, reality and God,” she said.
“After watching a movie with family and friends there may
be a great opportunity to have a meaningful conversation about
spirituality and Christianity – if you know how to go about it.
“This course helps students to ‘read’ films and explores several
short films to discover the directors’ intentions.”
“Reel Spirituality” students also had the opportunity to view
and discuss a short film made by Sunset Rock Uniting Church
member Trevor Wright.
Trevor’s first film “Train Runner” was nominated for several
2006 SA short film awards and won an award for sound design.
O C T O B E R 2 0 0 6

10 N O T E B O O K
New Times
SIGN up early for UnitingCare’s
Pancake Day on February 20, 2007,
to ensure you receive free pancake
mix and maple syrup. Unprecedented
demand meant organisers were
unable to provide free mix to all
2006 registrants. To register call 1800
060 543 or email SA Pancake Day
Coordinator, Ruth Folland, ruthf@
sa.uca.org.au.
THE “Micah Challenge” Action
Group presents “Offering of Letters”
on Sundays, October 1 and 8, to help
churches “speak prophetic words of
justice” to local politicians. Details
have been sent out in Uniting Church
mail outs and e-news. Contact Deanna
Howland 0427 0429 32 or deanna.
howland@gmail.com.
LADIES from as far away as Victor
Harbor and Adelaide answered the call
from the eight Gumeracha Uniting
Church knitters to become “guardian
angel” knitters for World Vision.
These ladies were overwhelmed by the
response of knitters who produced 62
jumpers, 33 rugs, 50 pairs of bootees, 71
beanies, 15 pairs of mittens and three
scarves for children in Mongolia. Please
contact Valda Hanna on 8389 1195 or
Anne Cooper on 8389 1062 if you’d like
to continue knitting, need wool or want
to join the group.
INITIATIVES of Change and St
Paul’s City Ministry invite you to a
presentation, “Why terror? There is an
alternative”, by visiting Islamic leader,
Imam Dr Abduljalil Sajid and Mrs
Jamila Sajid, on Thursday, October 12,
at 7.45pm at the Unley Civic Centre,
corner of Unley Road and Oxford
Terrace. Enquiries to Geraldine Hawkes:
stpauls@itim.com.au or 8127 7314.
Level 2, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide. GPO Box 2145 Adelaide SA 5001
Phone (08) 8236 4260 Fax (08) 8236 4265
Email: newtimes@sa.uca.org.au www.sa.uca.org.au
Telling stories about an innovative, growing church which is proclaiming
Jesus Christ and is empowered by the Spirit to transform God’s world.
Who we are: New Times is a monthly tabloid news magazine serving the Uniting Church SA. It is published 11 times a year with a
combined January-February issue. New Times is a member of the Australasian Religious Press Association. It has won the Gutenberg
award for excellence in religious publication. Its editor has won the same award for excellence in religious communications.
Advertising: To advertise contact Russell Baker, phone 8361 6822, fax 8361 6865, email ribad@bigpond.com
New Times accepts advertising in good faith. Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement.
Deadlines and distribution dates: November issue: Closing date for contributions, Wednesday, October 11, distributed, Sunday,
November 5. • December issue: Closing date for contributions, Wednesday, November 8, distributed, Sunday, December 3.
Subscriptions: New Times is distributed free to Uniting Churches in SA. You can also subscribe and have New Times posted to you.
Subscriptions cost $30 if you are within SA, $35 if you are interstate, $40 if you are overseas.
Submitted material: New Times does not take responsibility for returning submitted photographs or other material.
Our partners: Many of our readers support New Times by making a gift to help us keep up with our costs. Gifts can be sent to us at
GPO Box 2145, Adelaide, 5001.
Distribution: We are distributed on the first Sunday of each month.
Opinions: Opinions expressed in New Times do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the policies of the Uniting Church.
Editor: Nicholas Kerr. Assistant: Jo Watts.
New Times is designed by Edi Leane and Les Colston of Joie Creative, PO Box 29, Kent Town, SA 5071 and printed by Cadilac, 64 Kinkaid
Avenue, North Plymton, SA 5037
Deadline
O C T O B E R 2 0 0 6
DERNANCOURT Uniting Church
annual fete and auction will be held
on October 21st at 9am at 1 Vingara
Drive, Dernancourt. The auction starts
at 9.30am. There is a variety of stalls
and activities. Enquiries to the church
office on 8369 0802.
INTERESTED in developing a culture
of peace in your community? A live in
workshop, conducted by the “Engage”
Facilitator Co-Learning Process, with
Brendan McKeague, will be held at The
Monastery from October 4 to 7. Details
from the SA Council of Churches,
phone 8221 6633 or email sacc@
picknowl.com.au.
SHOWCASING Local Talent, an
opportunity for community members
to showcase their talents, will be held
at Seaton Uniting Church hall, corner
of Squires Avenue and Owen Street,
Seaton, on Sunday, October 22, from
2pm to 4.30pm. Afternoon tea during
the intermission. Gold coin donation
for entry.
SIX SESSIONS on “A greener faith:
theology and ecology and the Christian
life” with Rev Dr Lee Levett-Olson, will
be held on Sundays, from 3pm to 5pm,
starting on October 22. Cost is $40
attendance or $85 for credit towards
a C.Min or Dip. Min. Call Rosalie on
8416 8427 to enrol or email rosalie.
upton@flinders.edu.au, Parkin-Wesley
College.
PLAYGROUP in the Park will be
held on Friday, October 27, from
10am to1pm at the Grange Soccer
Oval. Theme is International Year of
the Desert. It’s a “Big Day Out for
Preschoolers.” Loads of entertainment,
NOVEMBER 2006 issue: Deadline for contributions, Wednesday,
October 11. The issue will be distributed on Sunday, November 5.
For more Uniting Church events, visit Uniting Church online
www.sa.uca.org.au and click on “What’s On”. There is also an online form
which you can fill out to contribute notices to Notebook.
fun activities, sausage sizzle and much
more – all free for families with young
children. Organised by Western Suburbs
Playgroups. For information, email
Kathy: kathyblaze@ozemail.com.au.
THE National and World Mission
Support Committee invite people
interested in the mission and outreach
of the church to State Mission
Fellowship on Tuesday, October 31 at
10.30am at Scots Church, North Terrace.
Rev John Minchin, Synod International
Mission Officer, will speak about his
recent visit to Thailand and tsunami
relief efforts there supported by the
UCA.
STEVE Begg will speak on “The
good oil” at “Natter in the Pub” at the
Tower Hotel Function Room, 621 Magill
Road, Magill from 7.30pm to 9pm on
November 28. He will explore what’s
happening in the oil industry and where
it’s heading. Information, call Alan
Biglow on 8365 3077.
MIDWEEK Meditation is an
opportunity to pause at the end of
the day for spiritual refreshment. It is
held monthly on the third Wednesday,
6.50pm for a 7pm start, at Pilgrim
Uniting Church, 12 Flinders Street,
Adelaide. Phone 8212 3295 or visit:
www.pilgrim.org.au.
SA’S TREES For Life is urgently
calling for an extra 400 volunteer
growers to help them reach their annual
target of growing more than one
million local native seedlings. Register
to become a volunteer grower today by
phoning Trees For Life on 8372 0150.
ONE IN six Australian couples
has trouble conceiving. The book
“Swimming Upstream: the struggle to
conceive”, written by a UCA member,
addresses the issues that infertile couples
face. For more information, to read
some excerpts or to order, visit www.
swimmingupstream.com.au or phone
8325 3035.
PEOPLE in Mission is looking for six
to 10 trade or handy persons, as well
as a first aider or medico, for a two to
three weeks work party in Bwaruada,
PNG, next month. Contact People in
Mission office 8236 4240, 82364273
or email judi@sa.uca.org.au for more
information.
VIENNESE organist, Peter Planyavsky,
will perform on one of Australia’s
finest organs at the Adelaide Town
Hall, Sunday, October 15, 3pm. Free
Admission. Presented by the Adelaide
City Council, in association with the
Organ Music Society of Adelaide.

New Times
Classifieds ‘Act for the Christmas bowl’
AUSTRALIAN churches have responded generously to emergency
situations in the world in 2006, Alistair Gee, Director of Christian
World Service, says. But he has also urged concerned Australians
to remember the Christmas Bowl program.
“Assistance in emergencies is a crucial part of what we do,”
he said. “But we’re also committed to many other partners who
are responding to injustice and poverty through long-term
development projects. Their needs must not be forgotten.”
Alistair said the Christmas Bowl education kit is a great way
for churches to explore ways to come together as a community
and make a positive difference to the world through prayer,
action and gifts.
“As the season of peace approaches, we as Christians
are motivated to find ways to avoid man-made emergency
situations,” he said. “Long term development and injustice
response can be the solution.”
The Christmas Bowl works in 24 countries in Africa, Asia, the
Middle East and the Pacific. It is a program of NCCA/Christian
World Service, the aid and development agency of the National
Council of Churches in Australia.
M A G A Z I N E
‘It’s an exciting time’
From page 1.
He said the global community is becoming increasingly real,
“I want to be part of a church that knows what it means to
have a relationship with God and a relationship with each other.
“Historically, evangelism can seem a little selfish. It can
concentrate on your own relationship with God.
“That’s important. But it means you also have to have a
personal relationship with the people around you.
“Both must go together, or faith doesn’t work.
“We must be a church where people love each other, care for
each other, go out of their way to help each other.”
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Christmas postcard reminder
TIME is running out for congregations wanting to take part in
the Uniting Church SA’s 2006 Christmas postcard campaign.
Postcard orders close on Friday, November 3. The postcards
can be viewed and ordered on line at www.sa.uca.org.au/goto/
christmas. They cost $60 per 1,000.
This year the postcard features a simple black and white image
of a sleeping baby, with the words – Find peace this Christmas.
On the reverse are the words – Come celebrate with us.
Congregations can add up to 50 words about their own local
church events.
The postcard image and theme will be advertised in local
newspapers before Christmas.
The advertising will direct people to the Uniting Church SA
website which will list local congregations’ Christmas worship
times and other festive activities.
11
EIN238133 03/06
O C T O B E R 2 0 0 6

12 M A G A Z I N E
New Times
Calendar for church members
THIS YEAR a calendar is being produced for
Uniting Church SA members, instead of the more
traditional booklet style annual report.
The 2007 Thanksgiving Calendar is being
provided as a gift to thank members for their
continued financial and practical support.
Public Relations officer Jill Freear said the
calendar will be a constant reminder of the many
areas of the church’s work which members help
fund through their offering.
“We decided to trial the calendar after getting
positive responses from church members in focus
group research earlier this year,” she said.
“The calendar will contain all the usual key
components of the annual report, including
information on the church’s income and
expenditure.
Practical and useful
“But we believe it will be a more practical and
useful publication to show members the sorts of
projects they are supporting through contributions
to the Mission and Service Fund.
“On top of that, the calendar will have a 12
month shelf life.”
Copies of the Uniting Church SA’s 2007
Thanksgiving Calendar will be distributed to
congregations at the Presbytery and Synod
meeting in November.
The calendar is being funded and produced by
the Communications and Public Relations Unit,
with some sponsorship support from UC Invest
and the Uniting Foundation.
Stewardship Sunday
THE 2007 Thanksgiving Calendar is also
an ideal gift to give to church members on
Stewardship Sunday, November 12.
A complimentary Stewardship Sunday
PowerPoint and other resources are being
developed for congregations for use on that
day or any other day in which Stewardship is
highlighted.
These resources will be available on the
Uniting Church SA website.
O C T O B E R 2 0 0 6
Thanksgiving Calendar
Uniting Church SA
The cover of the 2007 calendar. It will be distributed at the Presbytery and Synod meeting in November.
New church with community focus
A NEW Uniting Church congregation, with an
emphasis on connecting with and serving the
community, has been launched in Adelaide’s
northern suburbs.
The Journey Christian Church is a second
campus of the Pedare congregation. It has
been planted in the Gateway Uniting Church at
Elizabeth Downs
Pedare minister, Rev Roger Brook, said the
new congregation will be contemporary and easy
going.
“We’re aiming for an outward community
focus and that’s why our foundation members
are all very active in the community – in sports
teams, dance, and art and craft groups,” he said.
“We hope their community involvement will
help attract people to the new congregation.
“Members have also been offering free lawn
mowing and gardening in the area once a week,
to provide a service and connect with local
people.”
The new congregation has already launched a
kids club on Tuesday nights and intends to hold
its first service on Sunday, October 1, at 4pm.
Gateway Uniting Church will continue to
Journey members provided a free community
barbeque recently.
hold services on Sunday mornings and is happy to
share their premises. “We’ll be using the building at
different times, so it’s not a problem,” Roger said.
The new congregation’s pastor is former school
teacher Craig McGlone. He has been preaching at
Pedare Uniting Church for the past 10 years and is
studying ministry at Tabor College.
The Journey Christian Church at Elizabeth is being
supported by the Uniting Foundation. The church
plant will receive $60,000 a year for three years.