New Times - September 2007 - Uniting Church in Australia

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N E W S Campbelltown UC expands 10 New Times Examining expansion plans: (from left) Nicola Irvine, a manager from the Domestic Violence Service, Campbelltown UC minister Rev Gillies Ambler and member Peter Rumbelow. S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 7 Campbelltown UC is expanding so it can extend its outreach possibilities. the congregation supports people who have suffered domestic violence, migrants and refugees and people who are socially isolated. In order to extend the type of support available on site, the congregation is building new offices, seminar rooms, a kitchen and toilet facilities behind the church hall. Congregation member peter Rumbelow, who co-chairs the redevelopment task group with minister Gillies ambler, said the project will cost between $350,000 and $400,000. It will be funded by a $100,000 grant from the Uniting Foundation as well as grants of an equal amount from state and local government and other organisations. the rest will come from church reserves, local fundraising and a Synod loan. Defacto aid agency peter said the outreach redevelopment project grew from the fact that the church is already operating as a defacto aid agency. “people just seem to turn up on our front-door-step,” peter said. “So we thought if we have all this land and we are so well situated for transport – wouldn’t it be better to host the other aid agencies here? “this church has a very sympathetic atmosphere and with agencies like UnitingCare wesley adelaide and bowden, and Families Sa agreeing to operate from our premises – people will be able to come here and have all their needs professionally met.” the church has a strongly supportive relationship with the Central Domestic Violence Service in the eastern region. In association with the Campbelltown Rotary Club, (which many church members belong to) the congregation provides toiletries and toys for women and children fleeing from violence. the church and rotary club also work together collecting unwanted household goods and delivering them to people in need. Saving grace Domestic Violence Service spokesperson nicola Irvine describes Campbelltown UC as the organisation’s saving grace. “women experiencing domestic violence are so frightened and traumatised that once they reach us they don’t want to go back into the community,” she said. “Having to access various agencies for further help puts pressure on them. but they feel comfortable going to the church for assistance. “many of these women are so traumatised they simply can’t understand the congregation’s generosity and kindness - they have never experienced anything like it.” Gillies said the church is able to access many resources, unlike the women it supports who have often moved away from family, friends and other support networks. “they are very vulnerable and in financial hardship,” he said. “often they are migrants who come here on a spouse visa and are unable to access government benefits or assistance. “we often support these women for up to six months – meeting their social, spiritual and physical needs. we provide funds for chemists’ bills, school uniforms and bus tickets and our help is always unconditional. Deeply meaningful “this mission field is deeply meaningful to the whole congregation. we are continuously touched by stories of hardship and frequently moved to tears. It’s such a privilege to be able to help.” Sometimes the women who have been helped join the congregation, or show their appreciation by supporting church programs. nicola has seen many lives turned around through respect and encouragement. “the intense support we can give these women in partnership with the church starts the healing process,” she said. “when they feel supported and loved they start to mend. we help them move through a transition period and back to independence.” the congregation hopes redevelopment work will start later this year and be completed between april and June next year. Gillies prefers to focus on caring for those in need rather than on the redevelopment. “the important story is helping brave women traumatised by domestic violence to create a new life for themselves and their children,” he said.
New Times N E W S Fostering a ‘culture of conversion’ “When was the last time you heard someone tell the story of how they came to Christ?” That’s the burning question on Rev Beth Seaman’s mind. Beth heads the team charged with developing a culture of conversion growth in the church – a key direction in the Uniting Church SA’s new Strategic Plan. Beth believes it’s time we started sharing our personal conversion stories.“It’s time for us to reclaim the power of our story, that moment we said ‘yes’,” said Beth. “We all have a story that God longs for us to tell. This will be a vital element in developing a culture of conversion.” Beth recognises that changing the church’s culture will demand fearlessness, energy and passion. Australians’ reluctance to share their conversion stories is well recognised and has been documented by Monash University professor and sociologist Gary Bouma. In his book ‘Australian Soul’ Bouma states “it is not characteristically Australian to trumpet encounters with the spiritual … Australians hold the spiritual in their hearts, speaking tentatively about it”. Beth has invited Gary to speak to the ten local congregations that are now engaged in a ‘Conversion Growth’ pilot study. Pilot study Representatives from these congregations have joined her original Conversion Growth Core Team which includes MRn executive officer Rev Dr Ian Price, Malvern and Unley minister Rev Jonathan Davies and Parkin-Wesley College lecturer Rev Tony eldridge. The core team plus leaders from Adelaide West, Blackwood, Christ Church, Port Adelaide, Port Pirie, Rosefield, Tea Tree Gully, The Shed (Men’s Spirituality group at Aberfoyle UC), Waikerie and Whyalla are exploring the nature of conversion together. Beth says this will include “biblical, theological, social and psychological conversion”, plus “preaching and pastoring for conversion”. The journeys of the ten congregations will eventually be made available as a resource for the wider church. The team is meeting monthly this year and has begun sharing their stories. Whyalla’s story Rev Greg Pearce from Whyalla Uniting Church has spoken to the pilot group about the changing community profile in the town. “Whyalla used to be a welfare area, but with the mining boom it has become quite an expensive place to live,” he says. There’s also quite a bit of movement between the different denominations in Whyalla. Greg believes there needs to be more faith sharing for effective conversion – “I don’t expect programs to do the trick. The congregation is praying for evangelism and growth and slowly we are starting to see people share their faith.” Greg is also encouraging the congregation to become more mission focussed and to tap into the younger generation. Adelaide West Adelaide West Uniting Church’s story has been one of rapid growth since it was formed from four congregations more than four years ago. Minister Ashley Davis says the congregation now has five worshipping communities and a lot of growth has come from outreach work in schools. “We have lots of conversions and baptisms of young people who have never been to church before,” he said. Adelaide West youth pastor neil Milton said the youth Some of those involved in fostering a culture of conversion growth in the church, from left Rev Derek Schiller, Rev Sean Gilbert, Rev Leanne Jenski and team leader Rev Beth Seaman. group has grown from seven to 70 with the original focus widening from games and fun to encompass worship, preaching and leadership development. “We want to equip, empower and send these young people out as leaders … our vision is to transform the youth of this city,” neil said. Christ Church Christ Church - the home of the Progressive Christianity network and the effective Living Centre - is a Liberal Protestant community and a place where members can expand their theological thinking. Minister Rev Sean Gilbert says the congregation is interested in spiritual formation and conversion and is very evangelical. “There’s a misconception that Liberalism is not evangelical – we are,” he said. “We also try to be respectful of other traditions. “We see conversion as a lifelong journey, not a once off event. It’s about deepening our humanity along the way.” Between 40 and 80 people worship at Christ Church on Sundays. The congregation includes many professional and retired people but is finding it a challenge to attract younger members. Blackwood Blackwood Uniting Church, situated at the intersection of five roads at the main round-about at Blackwood has “location, location, location” says minister Rev Leanne Jenski. “Our vision is to be an inclusive Christian community, committed to justice, learning, service and care – everything we do involves these four things.” The congregation is involved in a wealth of projects both locally and globally. But Leanne confesses – “we’re great at justice and service, but not so good at sharing our faith.” The congregation will work on integrating people from its week-day community outreach programs into the life of the church on Sundays. 11 Waikerie Rev Derek Schiller from Waikerie Uniting Church says God has blessed his congregation with an incredible cross-section of the community, reflecting the diversity of the area. he says theology is central to the congregation’s conversion growth strategy. “Preaching the Gospel is at the centre of everything and the message of Salvation. “We pour out lavish grace to all and reflect the unconditional love of God to others. “An important part of evangelism is praying for people and praying that God will convert them. As we preach the gospel, God has sent us people – and we see these people converted and set free.” The congregation is now looking for a mission and evangelism worker. S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 7
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New Times - September 2007 - Uniting Church in Australia

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