July 8, 2008

News in brief

Refugees
The head of the All Africa Conference of Churches has warned that the continent still has 12 million refugees, despite hopeful signs in some countries, and he urged a redoubling of efforts to help those who have fled their homes and countries.
On World Refugee Day, June 20, the Rev. Mvume Dandala said, "The church can still help give refugees hope for the future and new opportunities for their families and communities."

Citizenship test
The Uniting Church has called for the abolition of the citizenship test introduced by the Howard government.
At a meeting in May, Elenie Poulos, National Director of UnitingJustice and Tony Floyd, National Director of Multicultural and Cross-cultural Ministry, told Chris Evans, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, that the test diminished the understanding of citizenship.
"It's an English literacy test," said Ms Poulos. "It's exclusionary, because many humanitarian entrants - refugees and asylum seekers and those given special entry because they're at risk in their countries - don't even have literacy in their first language, let alone English.
"The process they go through should reflect seriously on the nature of citizenship but should also be something that enables people to demonstrate their understanding of what citizenship means in ways that are appropriate for them."
The citizenship test is currently being reviewed by the Rudd government.

DocBytes
The national Working Group on Doctrine has prepared three discussion starters to encourage theological thinking on apologetics, doctrine and marriage. The two-page DocBytes can be used by groups or for personal reflection.
They provide input, questions and further reading options.
They can be downloaded. Printed copies can be purchased from Assembly Communications, 8267 4233.

President dines with royalty
Uniting Church President the Rev. Gregor Henderson was treated as an honoured guest during the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga's s annual conference in June and was seated at the top table alongside the royal family and the President of the Free Wesleyan Church.
The opening days of the conference were celebratory with a focus on feasting and long worship services, including 14 choirs (some with as many as 300 members), Bible readings, prayers and sermons.
The Free Wesleyan Church, the largest church in Tonga, has been a partner church since the first Australian missionaries went to Tonga in the 1820s.
An example of the partnership is a UIM project that assists deportees who are returned to Tonga by the US, New Zealand or Australia governments.

Knox anniversary
To pre-emptively celebrate the anniversary of Knox Grammar School, Synod Moderator the Rev. Niall Reid was invited to speak at all six chapel services.
Brandishing two halves of a pool cue, Mr Reid spoke of the prophetic vision of Ezekiel 37:15-28 and of Christ's vision in John's gospel that all his people may be united as one.
The students heard that following God's call as his people was not always easy but it was fruitful.
The students of Knox Grammar School attend a weekly chapel service every Tuesday as well as Christian studies seminars and classes.
Mr Reid said his hope for each student was that they grew in to young men with a desire to seek the will of God and be agents of change in the world.

Birthday honours
Uniting Church members in the Queen's Birthday 2008 Honours List included:
(Member of the Order of Australia) Professor Charles Birch, Darling Point, for service to science and contributions to the understanding of the relationship of science to religion; and Dr Roderic Kefford, Hornsby, for service to primary and secondary education.
(Medal of the Order of Australia) Mr Hilton Davis, Blayney, for service to the community, particularly through retirement and aged care organisations; Mr Anthony Gifford, Avalon, for service to sport; Mr Richard Lornie, for service to education; and Mr John Mace, Modanville, for service to the community of Lismore.

WorshAbility
The ecumenical worship services for children with disabilities and their families and carers have a new venue: St Matthew's Baulkham Hills (Corner of Charles and Edgar Streets).
WorshAbility services will be held on August 3 and November 2 at 2.30 pm. For further information contact Sue Scott, 0425 360 826, Christine Bayliss-Kelly, 0409 925 607, or email.

Trailwalkers
This year Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney will see 500 teams (2,000 individual participants) walk 100 kilometres on the weekend of August 29-31, principally on the Great North Walk and the Harbour to Hawkesbury Walking Track in the bushland of northern Sydney.
Each team must commit to raising at least $1,000 to support Oxfam's work in 26 countries, including indigenous Australia.
Uniting Conference Centres has been a significant sponsor of the event for a number of years, supplying meals to the hundreds of volunteers that make the event possible.
This year it has have entered a team, Four Servants: Nathan Smith from Bonny Hills, Doug Shoemark, Executive Officer, Rod Dunkley from Naamaroo and Steve Nicolson from Elanora.
Another team, Griffon, includes Christopher Neilson, Doug Taylor from Picton Uniting, Mathew Trounce from Griffith Uniting and Paul Lillyman.
Read more and support them here.

Justice agenda
A seminar on "The Church, The State, The Media: Who sets the Nation's Social Justice Agenda?" on August 30 at St Ninian's Uniting Church, Lyneham, will feature the Rev. Elenie Poulos, National Director Uniting Justice, Mr Jack Waterford, Editor at Large, Canberra Times, Professor John Langmore, former Federal Member for Canberra, and Professor John Warhurst, ANU.
Topics covered will include the political influence of Christianity, strengthening social justice, competing interests and the media and human rights.
Information at www.stninians.org.au.

Interfaith day
Gosford Uniting Church will host an interfaith day, October 18, 10 am to 3 pm.
"Living with the neighbour who is different" is intended to provide an opportunity to reflect on Christian and Islamic teaching and deepen Christian-Muslim relations. Contact the Rev. Greg Woolnough, 4325 3695.

Ebenezer community
Uniting Church Moderator the Rev. Niall Reid and Presbyterian Moderator the Right Rev. David Seaman attended Ebenezer's 199th anniversary service on June 21.
Also taking part was Ebenezer's minister, the Rev. Grant Bilbey.
In his sermon, Mr Reid said that the founding community at Ebenezer was probably a model of the understanding described in Matthew's gospel: against a legalistically judgmental interpretation of faith; an expression of love for God and neighbour and self, flowing from the compassionate heart of God.

Lithgow celebrates
Sunday June 22 marked a time of special celebration for the members of Lithgow Parish while marking the 31st anniversary of the inauguration of the Uniting Church.
At Hoskins Memorial Uniting Church, the occasion was made memorable with eight new members making their vows as either confirmed members, members in association or members by transfer.

Asylum seekers
Asylum seekers are not criminals and they are in danger if they go home, Honorary Chairperson Virginia Walker reminded people at the Bridge for Asylum Seekers Foundation (BASF) fifth birthday celebration at Balmain Uniting Church on June 22.
The event coincided with Refugee Week and included an art and jewellery exhibition, featuring work by asylum seekers and refugees as well as other contributors.
Part of UnitingCare NSW.ACT, BASF provides a modest but regular income for asylum seekers released into the community on bridging visas and other special category refugees who do not qualify for Medicare, transport concessions, the right to work or the right to welfare.

Faith on film
Several films will premiere at the inaugural Faith on Film Festival, coinciding with World Youth Day in Sydney this month.
Included are Hillsong's I Heart Revolution, which follows the Hillsong United worship team around the globe; footballer Jason Steven's and the Compassion team's The Disposable Ones, which explores the strength and survival of Columbia's underprivileged children and child soldiers amid abuse and disease; and the Australian premiere of Jose Rivera's (The Motorcycle Diaries) Trade, inspired by a chilling account of the US sex trade.
Also there will be the Australian premiere of the documentary Lord, Save Us from Your Followers and other already released films such as Amazing Grace and Faith Like Potatoes.
The festival will run at The Hoyts Entertainment Quarter, July12-27, Hoyts Blacktown, July 23-27, and Hoyts Belconnen, July 23-27. More information here.

Hope for farmers
Uniting Church congregations in the Upper Hunter have arranged for Gordon Moyes to speak on September 6 at an outreach for drought stricken farmers in the South West of New South Wales.
The Rev. Suzanne Balfour, from Maitland, said the dinner will provide an opportunity for farmers to be drawn from their isolation for a special evening in Finley. They will enjoy a free dinner together, fellowship with other farming families, and hear a gospel message of hope.
The program has been supported by Cessnock congregation and women from Kingscliff will provide a booklet of spiritual encouragement for each family.
There will be free pastoral and financial counselling for farmers and a crèche for farmers' children, including fun activities and refreshments.
Invitations are being personally delivered by networks of farmers to every farming family in a wide radius from Finley.
Ann Sloan (6035 9415) is taking registrations for the dinner.