New Times - September 2007 - Uniting Church in Australia

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6 N E W S Philippines partnership affirmed Bishop Mariano Inong from our partner church the North Luzon Jurisdiction of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines with International Mission officer Lyn Leane. S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 7 The UniTing ChUrCh SA has reaffirmed its partnership with the north Luzon Jurisdiction of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. The original partnership agreement was signed in 1992. it has been updated and was re-signed during the recent Presbytery and Synod meeting by Bishop Mariano inong, (the Bishop of the north Luzon Jurisdiction) and the Moderator and general Secretary. Bishop Mariano briefly addressed the meeting, bringing greetings from his church. he said the north Luzon Jurisdiction is spread over 76,000 square kilometres and has a population of 20 million people. Within this area the United Church of Christ has approximately 500 congregations, with an average of 150 people. Some congregations have more than 1,000 members. ‘Leadership for Life’ weekend Keren DeBoo For The 24 young people who attended the eArTh ‘Leadership for Life’ weekend at the end of July, leadership is not just hosting a Bible study or being a youth leader. Leadership is living. The focus of the weekend was on the practical integration of faith with life and politics. eArTh project officer Deanna howland believes young people are leaders in many different ways. “We’re leaders in our workplaces and our communities, by the way we live and the choices we make. “Leadership might be looking at politics, looking at the way you live your life, and how you follow your calling,” she said. Dr Deidre Palmer, Christian education lecturer at Parkin Wesley College, was the keynote speaker, telling young people it is important to understand the connection between faith and daily life. “it’s important that in every aspect of their lives, whether it be work, study, or relationships, that young people can work out of a framework inspired by their relationship with god and their Christian discipleship,” Deidre said. “Jesus came to give us life and life in all its fullness, so it’s not just about getting by, it’s about thriving and flourishing as human beings. “The gospel of Christ relates to every aspect of our lives and that’s why that kind of leadership in the wider community is really important. Christ calls us to be engaged in god’s mission in the world.” For the delegates, it was a good opportunity to network with other young people from around the state. During the weekend delegates also participated in ‘Mission immersion’. They went in small groups to a range of service organisations around Adelaide, to learn about issues as varied as environmentally stable living, domestic violence and Sudanese culture. Both the Uniting Church SA and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines are keen to revive a congregational ‘twinning’ project. Bishop Mariano later said his church was greatly encouraged by Uniting Church people being prepared to listen to their stories and share their faith journey. he said 17 ministers from his church have been killed and several others jailed because they had been critical of government programs and policies exploiting Filipino people. “Because of this and our human rights programs we become a target,” he said. “Many of us are branded as Communist supporters and a number of our workers and ministers are murdered and jailed without charge.” The Bishop also said his jurisdiction is in a typhoon belt area and can experience more than 20 typhoons in a year – causing great hardship to grain farmers in the region. Lay preachers recognised The exTenSive long service of many of the church’s 276 lay preachers has been recognised with certificates presented to many by the Moderator. Lay preachers recognised for 60 years service were eric Paschke (Mount Barker), geoff Pike (Brighton) and Brian Jeffries (rosefield). george Wood (Salisbury) was recognised for 55 years service and Peter Bird (Belair), Colin Brideson (Seacombe), David Dent (Taperoo), Don hopgood (Trinity, Christies Beach), iain Kilpatrick (Tea Tree gully), Brian robertson (Seacombe), Milton rowe (Port elliott) and Keith Wotton (Summertown) for 50 years. Peter Jeffries ( Myponga) and Don Sarre (Beaumont) were recognised for 40 years service. Craig Bailey (Aberfoyle Park), Colin Beaton (Coromandel), nigel Croser (Tusmore Memorial), Jim hayward (Westbourne Park), John howland (Aberfoyle Park) and John Pratt (Church of the Trinity, Clarence Park) have served for 30 years. Lay Preachers Committee secretary Max howland would like to hear from lay preachers to ensure records are acurate. Contact Max on 8296 2508 or at mhowland@internode.on.net
New Times Building relationships: Young people from Aberfoyle Uniting Church, (including Elliot Modra bottom right) and the UAICC community of Pututja near Ernabella. Covenanting with Indigenous people Jane Bean and others from the Journey Christian Church recently spent a weekend with the UAICC in Port Augusta on a cross cultural mission trip. Jane tells of a confronting experience that opened their eyes and hearts to the plight of Aboriginal people. Saturday morning and the sun was warm in port Augusta. Our group of 35 arrived at the Uniting Aboriginal and islander Christian Congress Church to meet leaders and share morning tea. god was present. no matter the basic surroundings, nor the colour of our skin, there was an overwhelming acknowledgement of His presence. Three amazing daughters of god told us the history of the region and the story of the Aboriginal people. Auntie Denise gave us the historical facts. The tragedy of indigenous languages lost over time; the indignities suffered by Aboriginal people and the ongoing need for tolerance, assistance, understanding and most of all, love. Auntie Joanne gave us a traditional pitjatjanjara welcome. i felt honoured. Rachael, social worker and daughter of Rev Hohaia Matthews, sang for us in her first language, Maori. Her wonderful voice filled the church without accompaniment. Over morning tea we learned more about Auntie Denise and Auntie Joanne. They were taken from their families – part of the stolen generation. We also learned that Aboriginal people were still classed under the Flora and Fauna Act until the 1970’s. As we travelled to the Umewarra Mission we came across a place of transition for Aboriginal people. We saw tents, shaped like humpies, erected over dry, red dirt in an area fenced like a cage. it made Baxter Detention Centre look like a five star hotel. Feelings of desolation and sadness overwhelmed us. At the Davenport Community we were greeted by Uncle Reg who was busily cooking and tending three fires. Suddenly people appeared from all over – inquisitive about us. We sat around the fires watching, talking, learning about each other and taking in the beauty of the red scrub and ranges beyond. There was much chatter and laughter as the women made damper. Flies were everywhere drawn by the aroma of sausages, also on the BBQ plate. lunch was interesting. i tried Kangaroo tail soup and roasted Kangaroo tail – with the fur still on. We sat in the red dirt and ate and talked together. Bonds were formed. This is the best way to really communicate with Aboriginal people. My heart melted when i met nine month old leo. He smiled and laughed as he was handed from person to person. i marveled at his polished brown face. But his legs and arms were covered in disfiguring scars. Scabies - common amongst Aboriginal children and it scars for life. god was slowly revealing the plight of our indigenous brothers and sisters. i was again challenged when we visited Tjinatjunanyi – a school providing a positive learning environment for indigenous students who had left mainstream education. Despite a lack of resources, papa Joe, Uncle Reg, Auntie Denise, Auntie Joanne and others from the Congress Church were helping these students reintegrate into mainstream schooling. These kids were receiving a basic education, life skills and cultural training with scant resources and poor equipment. My heart broke as i took in the surroundings - a third world environment in a first world country. That evening we shared worship. Singing in pitjatjanjara was an amazing experience. The depth of their spirituality was profound. god’s spirit was overwhelmingly present – fostering encouragement and discomfort at the same time. Rev Hohaia Matthews asked us what we had done for Aboriginal people. i couldn’t think of a thing. i was just a little indignant at his implication that white people would determine the future of indigenous people. Yet i knew he was right; as the majority of voters in this country are white, we can shape the future of the Aboriginal people and their culture. What would i choose to do? Sweep the issues under the carpet, or covenant to support my brothers and sisters. god is calling us to support Congress and its work with indigenous people. We have been challenged. We’ll keep you posted. M A G A Z I N E Pututja mission Helping the UAiCC (Uniting Aboriginal and islander Christian Congress) community in pututja, near ernabella was a life changing experience for at least one member of an Aberfoyle Uniting Church mission team that visited the community recently. eleven year old elliot Modra, (son of Aberfoyle UC’s shed pastor Roger Modra) said he now looks at people differently after spending ten days at pututja. A group of 24 people from Aberfoyle travelled to pututja to repair a house for the chairperson of Congress in the area, Katrina Tjitay. Roger said the project also involved relationship building through a host of craft, games, sport and musical activities. “Our team was well suited to the task, with musicians, mechanics, a plumber, builder, electrician, nurses and cooks,” Roger said. “Our young people forged some powerful relationships with the young people on the homeland, mainly because they played sports (footy, soccer, softball) all day long.” “We spent ten days working, relating, playing, visiting sacred sites and eating Witchetty grubs, Kangaroo tails and Honey ants. “The most wonderful times were talking and singing and worshipping together around the campfire at nights. “There were many tears when we were saying our goodbyes. We felt incredibly blessed by their generosity and acceptance of us from the moment we arrived. “everyone wants to go again – especially the young folk.” The Uniting Foundation provided $8,000 for the $30,000 project. The homeland and Aberfoyle Uniting Church both contributed $2,000 and the rest was covered through donations. 7 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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