Insights - October 2014

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Financial services are provided by The Uniting Church (NSW) Trust Association Limited ACN 000 022 480, ABN 89 725 654 978, AFSL 292186 and by The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) ABN 77 005 284 605 pursuant to a s.911A Corporations Act 2001 (Cth.) authorisation and APRA Banking Exemption No. 1 of 2014 (“Uniting Financial Services”), for The Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT pursuant to ASIC Regulatory Guide 87 exemptions. Uniting Financial Services® is a registered trademark of The Uniting Church (NSW) Trust Association Limited and is used with permission by The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW). Neither The Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT, The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (NSW) nor Uniting Financial Services is prudentially supervised by APRA.An

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Insights October 2014 3insights.uca.org.au

A s I write this article for Insight’s October edition, I am still overwhelmed by

a sense of gratitude to God and the people of the Synod of NSW and the ACT for electing me to the position of Moderator. Despite my weaknesses and shortcomings, I have faith that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.

The ingenious design of God has created flowers for the bees, trees for the birds, the rain to come down from heaven to water the earth so that it could bring forth grains for the farmers and bread for the hungry. I believe that we are here to witness God’s faithfulness to the whole of creation. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, as part of the work of God’s hands, we too are living signs bearing witness to the faithfulness of God.

Saint John said that Christ was the embodiment of the saving grace of God in his totality: his life, ministry, death and resurrection. And in Him, God reached out to a lost, alienated world, bringing the whole creation into a renewed relationship with God.

For the last two millennia Christians have been called to bear witness to this Gospel of reconciliation of God. And now, in the twenty-first century our witness needs to be courageous and decisive as the light dispels the darkness and the salt that adds taste and zest to life.

We, as the Church, have been transformed by the grace of God. But this transformation is not for our benefit alone.

We as a national Church have been uniquely called in this ancient land, with its “golden soil and wealth for toil; girt by sea; and abounding in nature’s gifts”, to work together with the First People.

And as a Church in the twenty-first century, we face serious responsibilities not only for our own backyard, but also for the entire world as we become increasingly aware of the interconnectedness of our lives and our world around us.

We live in challenging times with changes that seem to threaten the traditional Church, but these same changes also offer us an opportunity to see a new way of being Christians.

We are not here to keep the checks and balances of the institutional Church in place. We are called to be the living sign of God’s presence in the created world; a dwelling place of God, an alternative community of God whose primary goal is to connect people’s spirit with God’s spirit.

Twenty-five years ago my mother said to me, then an inexperienced woman entering into the ministry of Christ, “Now you begin a life-long obligation to pray for others!” I must confess that I have not always lived the prayerful life my mother had in mind for me.

But it is never too late to try to improve!

May I invite you, as your Moderator, to join me in my resolution to pray for each other, for our Churches, Presbyteries, Synod staff, the Uniting Church schools and UnitingCare staff as symbols of our witness to the faithfulness of God.

Welcome from the Moderator

Rev. Myung Hwa ParkModerator

“Let our Christian witness begin with prayer”

The Moderator is elected to give general and pastoral leadership to the Synod,

assisting and encouraging expression and fulfilment of

faith, and the witness of the Church.

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3 from the Moderator

5 letters6 news

24 fellowship news26 updates from the General Secretary

27 belief matters29 culture watch30 entertain me

Editor Adrian DraytonSUB-EditiNG/ProdUctioN/dESiGN Belle&CoEditorial/advErtiSiNG/diStriBUtioN iNqUiriES PhoNE 02 8267 4304 Fax 02 9264 4487addrESS Insights, PO Box A2178, Sydney South, NSW, 1235 Email [email protected] wEB www.insights.uca.org.au

Insights is published by the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of New South Wales and the ACT. Articles and advertising content do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or of the Uniting Church. SUBScriPtioNS: Australia $38.50 (incl. GST); overseas $50. © 2014. Contents copyright. No material from this publication

may be copied, photocopied or transmitted by any means without the permission of the Editor. circUlatioN: 18,000. iSSN: 1036-7322 Commonwealth of Australia 2014

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contents

The Rev. Dorothy Harris-Gordon, known to most as Aunty Dorrie, celebrated her Closure of Ministry at Marmung Uniting Fellowship in Coraki in August. Officially this is her second retirement. At the service there were many tributes thanking her for her wisdom, inspiration and service after 49 years in the ministry. Aunty Dorrie shares a glimpse of her life in the Church and what called her to mission.

regulars

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cover story

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The Uniting Church in Australia is one of the country’s largest

denominations. Our vision is that it will be a fellowship of reconciliation, living God's

love, following Jesus Christ and acting for the common good to build a just and compassionate

community of faith.

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Your Say

Take a hard lookI think it is about time we all took a long hard look at our participation and financial support of SRE in Government schools, both primary and high school. There are many changes about in society and we are no longer ‘Christian’ in any shape or form.

Our attempt to share the Gospel with a multicultural society is creating more division than cohesion. I am very concerned that we are creating unnecessary tension with teaching staff when many children opt out of SRE and are placed in other classes where they are not supposed to participate in the curriculum. Would our money be better spent elsewhere in serving the communities on our doorstop? We cannot afford to stick our heads in the sand as the waves are already washing over us.

Sue Turner

Feed back: the next stepsI wish to say I’m impressed and thank you for making me feel included in the process by being transparent, logical and ‘plain-talking’ in Property for A Pilgrim People: The Next Steps.

It was thought provoking to read what others told you. Personally, I hadn’t thought of those who don’t have English as their first language or for whom consultation/discussion are alien concepts due to their culture.

What was really good was the way ‘The issues you identified’ were presented, followed up with

‘Suggestions addressing the issues’, specifying “That synod…request/direct/work with/provide opportunities…’. These actions are assessable and, I’m assuming, we will be able to see which ones, and how many, have been passed or accepted at the September 2014 Synod.

I found this issue challenging but inspiring. the Rev. Niall Reid’s question hits home with me: “Can we break out of the silos we have created?” Perhaps only by selling them. As for myself, I intend to be one of Gideon’s 300.

Bronwyn Mannell

Part of the fastest growing Church on Earth!Whatever UnitingWorld’s intentions for its recent publication in which it celebrates the growth of a vibrant Church in China, it must surely cause faithful UCA members to ponder God’s freedom to bless or to withhold his blessing, Romans 9:15. The publication falls short in a number of ways: Firstly, it speaks of the whole truth of the Gospel being taught as if there was one uniformly understood Gospel proclaimed in the Uniting Church. Secondly, its focus on growth, tolerance and inclusiveness leaves the impression that these are the ultimate expression of a vibrant church, rather than the love and faithfulness of the Scriptures, see 1 Timothy 1:5.

Could it be that in China today, the Jesus who is proclaimed and experienced is the Jesus proclaimed in the interpersonal, extravagant, exalting language of the heart?

By contrast today, in Australia and in the Uniting Church particularly, the Jesus proclaimed is the product of modern scholarship, expressed in the language of the mind that reduces Jesus to a compilation of historical facts and one of a number of Jewish Mystics, filled with God’s spirit, as were the prophets of old; a model for Godly living, rather than a Saviour to be loved, believed and trusted for our salvation.

I’d suggest that as a fine piece of music is more than a mere sequence of notes for those with ears to hear, so the Gospel is more than a compilation of historical facts for those who by grace have eyes to see and ears to hear; the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.

Rev. Peter McIntyre

C ommercial realityBonny Hills closure is not unexpected news and whilst the decision will be received with a mixed reaction, the commercial reality must also be acknowledged and respected. Bonny Hill served the church well during its life. Its beginning were humble, inspired by a vision of the late Rev. Wyvile Thompson, then minister at Port Macquarie Methodist Church, and brought to life by the tireless efforts of members of the Mid North Coast district of the Conference.

As young bank teller based at Port I have fond memories of time spent at the Bonny Hills site, particularly attendance at the October long weekend Crusader camp in 1967. These were formative times for young lives as we enjoyed the fellowship and in many cases, long term relationships, with those who shared our faith. The Uniting Church presence remains close to the original site through the life and witness of the Bonny Hills congregation.

Allan Gibson

Be rewarded for having Your Say

This month every contributor receives a copy of Grace of Monaco on DVD courtesy of EONE Home Entertainment

Your Say letters should be sent to [email protected] or posted to Insights, PO Box A2178 Sydney South NSW 1235. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

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News

Insights takes home gold at the ARPAsThe Australasian Religious Press Awards (ARPAs) recognises excellence in religious press and is an ecumenical Christian communication network for Australian and New Zealand publications and their editors, journalists, designers, contributors. This year the APRAs celebrated their 40th anniversary.

The awards night was held on 6 September and Insights magazine won a Gold Award for Best Feature written by Sarah Sullivan for the September 2013 cover feature “Seeking Refuge”. The judges said the feature was: “Ambitious in scope and wide-ranging in its sources, this feature untangles some of the political, moral, theological and personal threads in Australia’s debate over asylum seekers, while retaining a coherent through-line focusing on the

imperatives of a Christian response. The writing is clear, the article well structured, the content compelling, and overall, this seemingly intractable controversy becomes more intelligible.”

Our second Gold Award was for Best Theological Article for Ben Myers’ Culture Watch article entitled “Christmas for the fun of it”, which ran in our December 2013 issue. Judges said of this article: “It’s a risk awarding one of the briefest articles submitted, but Myers demonstrates that profound ideas can be offered with brevity, eloquence and humour. There is no shortage of depth and rigour here: this is finely sculpted prose, and theological clarity at its best. And it frees Christians to truly get into the festive spirit!”

Insights was also awarded Bronze in the Best Cover Design category for our November 2013 “Escape to the country” rural issue cover.

‘God through the lens’“People see God every day; they just don’t recognise him.” — Pearl Bailey

Normanhurst Uniting Church is running their fourth annual photographic competition, which asks the question: “How do you see God?”

Everyone sees God differently. We see through different eyes from different angles. We each see God’s influence on our lives and creation in our own unique way. The photographic competition is an opportunity to show each other and those outside our Congregations how we recognise God.

Entrants are asked to describe how their photo fulfils the subject in categories of Human Interactions, Special Effects, The Big Picture, The Small Detail, and All Things Bright and Beautiful (under 12’s only).

The judge for the 2014 photographic competition is Ken Eastwood, who is an award-winning journalist, author, editor, photographer, and communications consultant.

Sunday 16 November is the closing date for entries, with photos being displayed and winners announced on Opening Night of the exhibition, Saturday 6 December. All photographs entered in the competition will be on display in the Church until Sunday 14 December.

This year the photographic competition will be held during Normanhurst’s Christmas events, which this year includes the Musical Society’s production of Scrooge — The Musical (held in late November), and the Christmas Lights display.

For details on the competition and entry form, or just inspiration from previous year’s entries, head to the Normanhurst Uniting Church website at: normanhurstunitingchurch.org.au


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A feast of exotic spiritual splendorThe rich tradition of Eastern Christian spirituality and imagery will be celebrated at the Art Gallery of Ballarat from 18 October to January 26, 2015 with the exhibition EIKON: Icons of the Orthodox Christian World.

Gallery Director Gordon Morrison, who is curating the exhibition exclusively for the Ballarat gallery, believes the exhibition will not only strike a chord with Christians of all denominations but appeal to those looking for a more profound and mystical understanding of spirituality.

“While on one level Icons are sacred portraits, in a deeper sense they represent the Divine Presence. They have been referred to as Windows on Heaven.

“Icons are far more than two-dimensional images of Christ, the angels and saints. They are a powerful form of visual prayer that has been integral to the devotional practice of Eastern Christianity for 1,500 years”.

The exhibition will explain the origins of icons, exploring their meaning to the communities who create and venerate them and their impact on cultures who have come in contact with them. The aim is to give the visitor insights into the extraordinary power of these paintings to sustain and shape belief in different times

and contexts, sometimes against significant odds.

Viewing the exhibition will be a special event, with dramatic lighting and a soundscape incorporating traditional chanting, bells and other sounds of an Orthodox service, recreating the original setting of the works.

EIKON will be accompanied by a lavishly illustrated catalogue, as well as specially produced Christmas cards and other souvenirs. There will also be a schedule of education and public programs, including concerts of Greek and Russian-inspired music.

Maisie continues to amazeFriends at the Milton Ulladulla Congregation gathered in early August to pay tribute to Maisie Evans for her support to the Uniting Church. Introduced to the Church at an early age, Maisie and her friends have attended Church together ever since.

During her tribute they featured all the many roles she has played in the Church organisation. They included being a Sunday School teacher, girls groups, an outreach volunteer, roles within the Church fellowship group and Church couples clubs.

Maisie worked as a seamstress for many years and made many wedding dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses and christening gowns for friends and family.

Maisie was born in Rockdale and has been a member of Churches in Carlton, Dumberlton (Hurstville now), Cobberty, Lewisham, Douglas Park, Appin, Fairfield, Cronulla and Bowral.

Maisie still lives independently with help from the local Illawarra Retirement Trust and has support from many supportive friends. While she is looking forward to her 103rd birthday in January 2015, Maisie says that she does not fell her age. “I don’t feel 102. I don’t feel any different to when I was 80. But my legs are not so good”, she said.

Maisie has spent many decades as a pianist and organist, learning to play at age six at the London College of Music. Even today Maisie will play the piano at the monthly Uniting Church service in Milton at the Sarah Claydon Retirement Village.

It is fair to say Maisie’s life has been one certainly worth celebrating!

What: EIKON: Icons of the Orthodox Christian World

When: Saturday 18 October 2014 to Monday 26 January 2015

Where: Art Gallery of Ballarat, 40 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat

Details: Gallery open 10am – 5pm daily (closed 25–26 December)

Cost: Adults $15, Concession $10, Children free.

Gallery website: www.artgalleryofballarat.com.au



News

English classes get the thumbs up at HillstonTommy (Jihoon Kim), Jenny Moran, Roma Cashmere and Andrew (also Jihoon Kim, pictured above) enjoy English lessons together each week with Sue Chapman as part of a funded English as a Second Language (ESL) group at Hillston.

Every Monday before the night shift starts at the local cotton gin, Andrew, who studied music in Korea, and Tommy, a trained mechanic, join fellow classmates, Yoko, Roma, Jenny and Sue for ‘Conversation Group’. This Group comes together to practice speaking English with native speakers.

Participants have been meeting for several months and strong friendships have formed, such is the graciousness of the Koreans and Japanese, and the generosity of the Australians.

“We have a lot of fun together in the hour we share — playing word games, such as Scattegories, and Animal, Vegetable, Mineral, and learn more about each other’s countries, language and culture”, said Sue.

The Innovations grant from UnitingCare Ageing, provided the funds to hire an experienced ESL teacher to run a workshop in town for all our volunteer ‘Conversation Group’ native speakers.

“We aim to increase our knowledge and resources so we can better provide this great service to our visitors from other countries and to non-native speaking locals in our own community”, said Sue Chapman of the group.

The cotton gin contracts only last a few more weeks and once all the cotton is ginned our friends will have to move on to other parts of Australia or back home. They will be missed!

Preaching for Transformation ConferenceOn 25–28 August, the Centre for Ministry played host to The ‘Preaching for Transformation’ conference featuring Lutheran, Clay Schmit.

Schmit emphasised the urgency of preaching and the need to ensure that we really do bring good news to people, and in turn be used by the Holy Spirit to change lives.

Utilising an engaging conversational approach, Schmit drew people into considering how scripture can come alive.

During the public lecture, he spoke of the five engagements of preaching: engaging the text, context, theology, the mind and heart of the listener.

Schmit also pointed out the preacher’s paradox — that we have to use words to attempt to describe concepts that are often beyond words. His practical approach was helpful as he dealt with the poetry of preaching and the use of pulpit materials, including preaching without notes.

The conference enjoyed sharing in worship and music and Alan Robinson used his drawing skills to illustrate a sermon.

Nine electives were offered with choices ranging from ‘Finding our Creativity in Preaching’ to ‘Preaching the Prophets’; ‘Reformed Preaching for Today’ and ‘Preaching in a Multicultural Congregation’.

The conference concluded with a panel discussion with Clay Schmit and elective leaders responding to questions. All left with a heightened awareness of the preaching task.



Being part of the fastest growing Church on earthThe view from the pew in an average Australian Uniting Church isn’t always inspiring. Many long-term Congregation members are all too aware of empty seats, voices that waver on beloved hymns and the lurking spectre of a budget committee meeting when the service ends.

It’s true that Church attendance in Australia is in decline, as it is throughout much of the Western world. But that’s not the full story. Globally, and particularly among our Asian neighbours, Christianity is still the world’s largest and fastest growing religion. In China, three new Churches have been either re-opened or newly built every single day for the past thirty years.

Through an historic new partnership with the China Christian Council, we’re also faced with a unique opportunity to shape the future of global Christian leadership.

“The China Christian Council has looked world-wide for a ministry partner to support its development and share what it’s learning about this massive revival among God’s people. Closed for 12 years during the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese Church now conservatively numbers anywhere between 23–70 million worshippers every Sunday and is set to be the largest on earth within a decade,” says the Rev. Ji Zhang, UnitingWorld’s Church Connections Asia Manager.

China’s severe lack of trained leaders presents a critical challenge to the nurture of God’s people right now and the shape of the Church to come.

“Our most critical need is for more trained leaders for our Church. We are reaching in partnership toward the Uniting Church of Australia because we see a unique global Church with a theology, commitment to social service and love for God’s people that we share”, says the Rev. Kan, General Secretary of the China Christian Council.

Through UnitingWorld, The Uniting Church partnership aims to help train a new generation of global Church leaders and learn from thriving, engaged Congregations of God’s people. Theological scholarships will be offered, particularly to women and students from remote ethnic communities, while exchanges will be fostered between Australian and Chinese students, lecturers and Congregations to share knowledge and resources that will invigorate the local Church.

“This exciting partnership represents a significant opportunity for The Uniting Church in Australia not only to support our Christian brothers and sisters right now but to help shape the Church of the future, ” Ji says.

“The students who participate in the scholarships will become the leaders of the Chinese Church, while the UCA will have valuable opportunities to learn together with one of the largest growing communities of faith in the world.”

To find out more about how to take part in this exciting new partnership, or to have Rev. Ji Zhang speak with your Congregation about the opportunity to support this ministry, contact UnitingWorld on 02 8267 4267.

Basis of Union conference‘The Basis of Union – Catalyst for Renewal’ conference was held on 22-24 August at the Centre for Ministry in North Parramatta.

The program examined the continuing role of The Basis of Union in The Uniting Church. The conference was especially enriched by the presence of two Chinese theologians from Nanjing Union Theological Seminary.

President of the National Assembly, the Rev. Prof. Andrew Dutney opened the conference relating The Basis of Union to the recent census of the Uniting Church pointing out that our Church now is very different to what it was in the 1970s.

A variety of speakers at the conference dealt with subjects as diverse as how The Basis of Union relates to everyday life, the fact that the document doesn’t acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Peoples and other issues relating to this document that is now over 30 years old.

Drawing on his South African heritage, speaker Ockert Meyer dealt with how The Basis of Union fits loosely into the category of creedal documents and confessions.

The Rev. Ji Zhang from UnitingWorld and Lin Manhong shared a session about partnerships and service. Lin spoke about diakonia (the notion to serve as Jesus did, and do not count the cost) and responded to questions about the Church in China. Rebecca Lindsay related The Basis of Union to the story of Moses as we go forward as a Pilgrim People.

CorrectionInsights ran the feature introducing Rev. Myung Hwa Park in the September issue of Insights. Unfortunately a typographical error meant the opening sentence had material missing.

The copy should have read: “The Rev. Myung Hwa Park is the 27th person to be elected Moderator of the Synod. At the upcoming Synod meeting in September 2014, Rev. Park will be installed as the Moderator, serving the Church until April 2017.”

We apologise to both Rev. Myung Hwa Park and readers for this error. The story has been corrected online and is available to read at www.insights.uca.org.au/features/welcoming-rev-myung-hwa-park


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I ’m pleased that our feature story this month is on the work of the Rev. Dorothy Gordon-Harris, or

Aunty Dorrie as she is affectionately known.

I recently heard Aunty Dorrie give a welcome to her own country at a Presbytery rally in Casino. I was moved by the way she spoke and welcomed us first in her own language and then explained the welcome and something of the life that she has lived.

She was completely forthright in her explanation of the treatment Aboriginal people had received in her part of the world over the years. She was also clear that the Church has a role to play in continuing to be agents of reconciliation and to take the task that we have set ourselves in the covenanting process very seriously.

Hers is a life that has been passionately committed to ministry in The Uniting Church and ministry with Aboriginal people – ministry she shared with her late husband, the Rev. Charles Harris.

I began to work more closely with Aboriginal communities when I had four years in the Northern Synod in the late 1980s. It was a steep learning curve and a rich engagement with the culture of Aboriginal people, particularly in north-east Arnhem Land in Australia’s Northern Territory.

The local Aboriginal people certainly taught me to see things a different way. They have the ability to look at things that were familiar to me and give me a new interpretation. I was given a clan name and adopted into a wider family.

I also discovered much about Aboriginal dispossession in this country and had the chance to learn from many great leaders who have made a wonderful contribution to the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander

Christian Congress (UAICC). It does seem to me that nearly a quarter of a century later our progress remains slow on the issues of reconciliation and finding a proper place for the work of the Congress within our Church.

So I give thanks for leaders such as Rev. Dorothy Gordon-Harris and for the work of the Congress.

It was her early work in 1970’s with her

husband that she had a calling for God’s workAlthough I’m not able to tell you in

this column everything that happened at Synod, I can let you know a few things. There was a lot of talking! We worshipped and were inspired. We heard from speakers and were challenged. We listened to reports and knew that there was much work to do in our Church. We did not always agree! But we did agree that it is better to work together than apart, and that we do, as a Church, continue to have a future as God leads us on.

The task following a Synod, as always, is to turn our words into action to allow God to work through us and have the courage to face the future that God is leading us to.

It will almost certainly mean that we will have to change some things which are both comforting and familiar. Yet that for me is what it means to be a Pilgrim People always on the way to a promised land.

God, continue to lead your people on.

From the General Secretary’s deskThe work of Aunty Dorrie

Rev. Dr Andrew Williams

General Secretary

The General Secretary is appointed by the Synod to provide leadership to the

Church by actively engaging in strategic thinking about

the life, direction, vision and mission of the Church.

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UTC is constituted within the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT, and CSU’s School of Theology.

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Study Creation and Ecology

Uniting Earth Minister Dr Jason John will be leading a five day intensive course on Creation and Ecology from 17 to 21 November at the United Theological College in North Parramatta. This subject reflects on God as creator of heaven and earth, exploring critical questions about the church’s ecological responsibilities in today’s changing world. Creation and Ecology (THL 211) is available as an elective in CSU’s Bachelor of Theology, as Single Subject Study or for interest only.

How does our faith relate to our environment? What are the church’s ecological responsibilities? What is the future of our planet?

ENROL NOW

For more information:Joanne Stokes 02 8838 8967 [email protected]

www.utc.edu.au/courses

This subject may be studied as an individually assessed subject, for interest only, or credited towards further study.

To register: Renee Kelly 02 8838 8914 [email protected]

EXPLORE LIFE AND HOPE IN THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

• those preparing for specified ministries in the Uniting Church

• anyone seeking an intelligent and deepening understanding of the Christian faith

• undergraduate university students studying theology as part of their degree in some other subject

• postgraduate and research students in theology and ministry studies.

ENROL NOW FOR SESSION 1, 2015

For more information:Charles Sturt University 1800 334 733www.csu.edu.au/contacts/enquiry

UTC, Student Admin 02 8838 [email protected]/courses

Now is the time to consider exploring the Christian faith in a culturally diverse community... faith seeking understanding.

UTC is located in North Parramatta and is an inclusive community of women and men from a vibrant diversity of cultural backgrounds who are committed to theological enquiry and the practice of the Christian faith.

Apply now for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including:

AD6

• Master of Theology• Master and Doctor of Ministry• Doctor of Philosophy

• Bachelor of Theology

Options for study in many cases include part-time, full-time, on campus or by distance education. Single Subject Study options are also available.

United Theological College (UTC) is part of the Charles Sturt University School of Theology. UTC seeks to provide theological education and ministerial formation for:

UTC is constituted within the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW & the ACT, and Charles Sturt University’s School of Theology.

• Graduate Diploma in Theology

(including an 8 subject Diploma and 16 subject Associate Degree)

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Dreams, vIsIOns anD wIsDOmCelebrating the life and ministry of Rev. Dorothy Harris-Gordon



The Rev. Dorothy Harris-Gordon, known to most as Aunty Dorrie, celebrated her

Closure of Ministry at Marmung Uniting Fellowship in Coraki in August. Officially this is her second retirement. At the service there were many tributes thanking her for her wisdom, inspiration and service after 49 years in ministry.

Aunty Dorrie was ordained in 1999 and has been serving the Marmung ministry ever since. She was the first ordained Aboriginal woman in The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) in NSW and the ACT Region.

Aunty Dorrie is one of the original custodians of the Widjabul Clan of the Bundjalung Nation, which stretches from the Tweed in the north to Tenterfield in the west and down to Taree in the south.

Aunty Dorrie reflects on her early calling to God’s work as a young girl growing up with her family on the outskirts of Lismore and her dreaming — for her people and for the future of the Church.

It is only five days since her Closure of Ministry when we catch up with Aunty Dorrie by phone. A well respected and much loved member of the Lismore community, already she has spoken at a rally, given a Welcome to Country and hosted the General Secretary, Rev. Dr Andrew Williams and Katalina Tahaafe-Williams.

In the background a door slams, kids are running and Aunty Dorrie apologises for the noise, “You see, I live in a noisy place where everyone just comes in and goes again,” she says.

Barely audible, she whispers in Bundjalung to one of her great, great grandchildren as she takes some time out to talk.

Aunty Dorrie is wanted here, there and everywhere like a president. She travels and talks to students, university professors, government ministers, and her people about growing up in the 50s, Aboriginal culture and God.

Quoting the inspiration of black leaders like Martin Luther King, who had a dream for his people to become leaders, Aunty Dorrie explains why we are seeing black leaders, like President Barack Obama, fulfilling that ‘dream’ 30 years later.

Similarly, Aunty Dorrie explains she is a woman of dreams and visions. She is from this dreaming, leading in front with her people and with her husband, the Rev. Charles Harris, who passed away in 1993. She says there are more black leaders that must come forward in Australia.

In 1953 she married Rev. Charles Harris, one of the founders of The UAICC. As a young minister’s wife, she travelled to Queensland.

During her ministry, Auntie Dorrie had a passion for many things, but it was during her early work in the 1970s, with her husband, that she had her calling for God’s work.

“The passion of my heart was the one that was the driving force of my people, because so many of my people (50%) are incarcerated,” she explains.

Alongside Church members and Aboriginal Elders, Aunty Dorrie and Charles established a large community rehab centre in Paddington, Brisbane. Here they did God’s work with Aboriginal people in Musgrave Park who all too often gathered intoxicated which in turn led to violence in families recalls Aunty Dorrie.

After Charles passed away in 1993, Aunty Dorrie went to college in Darwin where she studied with the Rev. Rronang Garrawurra, who is the Chair of the National Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. She was ordained in 1993 and after a Period of Discernment went to Grafton to establish her ministry at the Goorie Good News Centre.

She was a chaplain in the Grafton prison, and for more than ten years was a chaplain in all the big NSW prisons, including Long Bay, which is home to some of Australia’s most notorious criminals.

The odds stacked against herBorn in the 1940s it was not an easy time to be a woman and to be black.

“I was brought up in a very happy, sharing community just outside of Lismore near the river with my family and community of about 150 people,” explains Auntie Dorrie. There was no electricity and they only had rations to live on.

Aunty Dorrie says her dreaming came through the respect, caring, sharing and spirituality she learned from her mother and her father as a child, and that is what lead her to want to become a Minister.

From the age of five she went to an all-Aboriginal school in the Lismore area with about 25 children and one white teacher. They were not allowed to speak her language at school, only at home.

“Our laws, respect, values and spirituality were all imbedded in my upbringing, we were taught the Biblical laws, Genesis and the other books of the Bible.”

“Where I am today is just overwhelming,” says Aunty Dorrie as she talks about her Closure of Ministry, which was shared with relatives, family and the Lismore Mayor Jenny Dowell — all of whom gave special tributes.

“In my heart is the feeling that when our people come out of prison it’s not to go around in a circle and go back. It is for young men’s healing; to learn skills and return to good health, strength and employment. It is important not to lose the younger generation. This is what I am dreaming,” said Aunty Dorrie.

Aunty Dorrie has been a driving force for Aboriginal rights.

“It has to be a passion and God inspiring. Without that you won’t be able to go and do it so much. The passion I have had is for the growth of Aboriginal Ministry especially among young people,” she says.

Forgetting for a moment that she is retired, Aunty Dorrie talks passionately about how she wants to see a diversionary centre in Lismore for young people set up to learn some skills and to heal from things like drug and alcohol addiction, so they can move on with their life. Already the project is in the pipeline.

It's important not to lose the younger

generation. This is what I am

dreaming.



The Rev. Rronang Garrawurra

Rev. Dr Andrew Williams and Katalina Tahaafe-Williams with Auntie Dorrie

Rev. John Thornton, Far North Coast Presbytery Chairperson officiated at Auntie Dorrie's Closure of Ministry



Can you help our regional communities and ministries?Thank you for your generous gifts and pledges to Living Is Giving for the 2014/15 year. Through Living is Giving we help the Synod offer prayerful, professional and financial support to Congregations and Presbyteries to carry out the Uniting Church’s mission and service in local communities and in remote areas.

Living is Giving supports the work of the whole Church in its many expressions of ministry and Christian witness. This includes generously working to build community capacity throughout NSW and the ACT. With God’s guidance and love we are creating a sustainable future for the Church.

“When they are doing nothing they just go round in circles. You know, God will raise up some as new leaders,” states Aunty Dorrie.

With the odds stacked against her, Aunty Dorrie is proud to have been the first ordained Aboriginal woman of the UAICC in the NSW and ACT Region.

“Because of my upbringing, women had to be silenced. But I broke that silence for all my dreaming to be a Minister. Now I would like some of my people to run with the dreams and visions,” reflects Aunty Dorrie.

Aunty Dorrie will continue to serve in the Regional Council of Congress NSW/ACT as State Elder and Deputy Chairperson and a State Elder representative at National Congress. Malveena Welsh will be leading the Marmung Fellowship.

The marmung Fellowship: Living Christ’s workThe Marmung Uniting Fellowship is an Aboriginal Congregation operating in partnership with the Lismore Regional Mission. Its focus is working among Aboriginal people across Lismore and the Northern Rivers region, including cultural programs assisting youth recapture their heritage through bush experiences; boys and girls business, and wisdom guidance from local and Church elders.

Investment in long term ministry, education and leadership is needed to create inter-generational impact.

The UAICC in NSW and the ACT continues to work with issues of significance to the Aboriginal community, particularly in the areas of heritage and Aboriginal health.

Please support the UAICC in NSW and the ACT regional program to help our Aboriginal Church leaders and ministers by making a donation to Living is Giving.

Supporting Living is Giving is helping the wider work of the Church. Gifts come in all sizes.

A general donation will be gratefully received to continue the work of the Synod in the Church’s life and mission, uniting for the common good.

Hold a fundraiser then securely bank the funds collected online at www.livingisgiving.nsw.uca.org.au

Collect your Living is Giving donation envelope from your Church or Presbytery in November or find it in the November Insights and return your donation to Living Is Giving, PO Box A2178, Sydney South NSW 1235.

Send your fundraising news or questions on the best way to bank your donations to Lisa Sampson, Uniting Resources, at email: [email protected] or call (02) 8267 4303.

Fundraising can be fun. When everyone gets together it’s easy. It’s all about our community and raising money for the common good.

Some facts about Aunty Dorrie • She is a mother of six children

• She is the widow of the Rev. Charles Harris who was the founder of the UAICC

• She is a State Elder for and Co-Founder of the UAICC

• She is a Bundjalung local Elder of the Far North Coast Region: The Bundjalung Nation encompasses all of the Far North Coast Region and extends from the Clarence River in the south to the Logan River in the north, and to the foothills of the Great Dividing Range in the west. The Bundjalung people across the Northern Rivers region are represented by a Council of Elders comprising respected Elders from the different clans of the Bundjalung language group. The Council of Elders is an important consultative group for local Aboriginal people and is recognised as such by the wider community and government bodies. Protection and preservation of culturally significant areas and the environment is very important to the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Arakwal people and wider Bundjalung people

• She was the first Ordained Aboriginal woman in The Uniting Church in Australia

• She was ordained in 1999. Retired Minister of Marmung Fellowship Congregation in Coraki, NSW

• She has served 45 years in ministry in the Methodist and The Uniting Church

• She was a Chaplain for ten years at Grafton, Long Bay, and Glen Innes Prisons

• She is the Deputy Chairperson of Congress Regional Council NSW/ACT.

Livingis Giving



T here’s an elderly woman near me who has missed out on the joy of having grandchildren.

All her friends seem to have hoards, but in her family it just hasn’t happened [yet]. She still hangs on to the treasured toys and baby clothes of her own children, hoping for just one little person she can love and to whom she can hand down her collected repository of family history.

A few years back, when her daughter-in-law fell pregnant and then miscarried, she decided to finally get rid of her own sturdy wooden cot, which had served well for her children. A difficult decision. But when the charity shop would not, could not by law, accept it for resale, she just couldn’t believe it. Unsafe by modern standards, it was fit only to be taken to the tip!

What of the cot sheets and baby blankets that she had tailored to fit? It seemed so pointless having kept them all these years.

Now the miracle has happened again and her hopes have soared. Of course she follows the request of her son not to breathe a word until the 12 week scan — a concept with which she’s unfamiliar.

She learns to go online each week and see how her grandchild is developing in the womb. It’s the world of the future and she wants to be part of it because of what it is bringing her. When the time comes for her son and daughter-in-law to know the sex of their child, she goes with the flow so she can be where they’re at. It’s really quite an advantage and, she realises, it’s actually the world of the present.

The parents-to-be have been online and researched cot death, immunisation, car seats and cotton versus bamboo clothing. Understanding that this baby will be in good hands, she begins to reconsider the items she has kept inviolate for years. Perhaps it’s time to let them go.

The agony is that more than 40 years have been wasted hanging on to treasures that are no longer relevant. Moreover, she has to accept that she has no control over what is now considered relevant. There is no call for hand-knitted lacy matinee jackets and booties. Easy care is the order of the day.

Her son and daughter-in-law will do it their own way, no matter what. In point of fact, being totally honest, there really never was a single ‘right way’, certainly not just hers. She starts to find it very liberating.

In his book, Border Lands, David Adam makes a point which seems to be relevant to this (true) story.

“The church has got caught in an imperialist role, saying to others, ‘I have this, and I know what is good for you. Without what I have you are poor and ignorant – not to forget damned! I have the riches to bring to your poverty, I am the possessor of what you need to receive.’” 1

Adam, in the introduction to his book (page vii), cites a passage from Alec Vidler’s book, Christian Belief, where he said of the Holy Spirit:

It is the work of the Holy Spirit to disturb a man or institution that is becoming settled or stiff; to break up what was taken for a fixed philosophy of life or a satisfactory routine of habit, in order that he may build up something better.

Are we paying attention?1 David Adam, Border Lands, SPCK 1991,

p.44

SoapboxA 21st century parable

Bronwyn Mannell

What are you passionate about?Want to continue this conversation online? Tweet or Facebook using #ucasoapbox and let’s get a conversation going.

The soapbox is conventionally attributed to street preaching on a given subject, to engage

those who would stop and listen in passionate discourse. Hyde Park, London is known

for its Sunday soapbox orators, who have assembled at

Speakers' Corner since 1872 to discuss religion, politics and

other topics.

18 - Soapbox & Positive Pschology.indd 18 24/09/2014 9:04:25 PM


Far from being a ‘buzz’ fad in psychological practice and ‘new age’ wellbeing, developments in

positive psychology continue to present meaningful benefits to individuals and workplaces.

Positive Psychology is science

Positive Psychology has been very much in the media spotlight in recent times. Much of the coverage paints a picture of a kind of ‘happiology’ that ignores real challenges and real mental health issues. A nice-to-have ‘fluffy’ piece that sits beyond workplace wellbeing programs.

Yet the reality is that the science of Positive Psychology is well tested and compelling. That’s why it’s woven into the core of what Assure Programs do; not only in short-term solution-focused therapy but in preventive programs, career transition and wellbeing checks.

PERMA: the five pillars of psychological wellbeing

While there are different ways of thinking about wellbeing, 20 years of positively focused psychological research has identified the elements that consistently lead to wellbeing. These are captured in the acronym PERMA. Broadly speaking these five domains, when combined,

underpin overall wellbeing.

Positive Emotions: Pleasant feelings such as happiness, satisfaction, optimism, gratitude, hope and love, which are appreciated in the present moment.

Engagement: Experiencing a feeling of intense focus, immersion in a task or activity, often known as ‘flow’. It can be experienced during a variety of tasks, situations, or projects.

Relationships: Devoting time to enjoying and strengthening meaningful, positive relationships with colleagues, family and friends, and actively appreciating the relationships you have in these different domains.

Meaning: Serving a cause bigger than the self. It can be of a personal or professional nature.

Accomplishment: Enjoying a sense of bettering yourself, from achieving a task to reaching a valuable goal.

The role of healthy choices, exercise and being in nature

Positive psychology and PERMA are of course not the entire picture. We suggest the model of PERMA – H, where H is health. We know that choosing to eat healthy, nutritious foods, exercising

regularly and being in nature from time to time combine to help build resilience and improve wellbeing.

Teachable, learnable skills for all

Evidence shows that each aspect of PERMA can be improved through teachable, learnable skills. Recent discoveries in neuroplasticity show that new skills and information can be learned at any age. With deliberate practice, new attitudes and characteristics can be developed over time; new brain pathways forged for the better individuals.

Assure Programs (The Synod of NSW and the ACT’s provider of Employee Assistance Program) has been privileged to have unprecedented access to Professor Martin Seligman who is widely recognised as the “father of positive psychology” and thought leader (you may wish to view one of his many engaging presentations at Seligman Ted Talks).

If you are interested in developing your individual skills and increasing your wellbeing please call Assure Programs and make an appointment with our highly trained Psychologists on 1800 808 374. If an employing Entity is interested in skills training for your team please call 9002 6378.

Practical positive psychology and wellbeing

18 - Soapbox & Positive Pschology.indd 19 24/09/2014 9:04:26 PM


“I ’m scared. Mum and Dad always fight. Dad is always cranky – sometimes he hits

mum.”

The impact on children and young people who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence has been ever increasing in our society. We need to break the cycle so that children do not follow in their parents footsteps.

UnitingCare has taken a proactive approach and developed a world class program. Working with the Parenting Research Centre, UnitingCare developed an evidence-informed practice framework to address the challenge of working with families where domestic violence is present.

The practice framework guides staff in how to work with these families to achieve a range of outcomes. Very few programs around the world have shown any success either with perpetrators or victims, and most programs don’t work with the whole family — focusing on parent and child safety.

This program is unique in that it has a harm reduction focus, works with families no matter what their current status, and has a focus on an individualised approach for each family.

Some of the most common scenarios of domestic violence at home include:

• parents arguing constantly in front of their children about problems that never get resolved

• a separated couple, where mum is in hiding because of the level of violence towards herself

• extreme jealousy from one partner to another that results in physical aggression

• verbal augments that escalate into physical altercations

• fights that result in the police being called.

The main scenario is that children are affected by hearing or seeing the fighting, or worse still, are being injured in the violence themselves.

What is the impact to the children and partner of domestic violence?There are serious emotional, social and economic costs associated with domestic violence.

• Physical, sexual or psychological harm to the partner or children

• Children can experience negative effects from witnessing or experiencing violence. Not all children will demonstrate difficulties, however, it can lead to behavioural and psychological difficulties in some

• There is an increase in mental health concerns

• There is a risk of poor physical health, homelessness, financial difficulties, child abuse and neglect

• Social isolation

The long term impact is that some children may grow up to perpetrate violence in their own homes

How you can help?Help stop this cycle of domestic violence and make a difference and donate today. Your special gift will help us expand our program to other areas within the state, such as the Central Coast and the western region of NSW.

In just the past year, the domestic violence program in Campbelltown has helped 40 families reduce the incidence in domestic violence and help change the family environment to a stable, safe one for children.

In November, UnitingCare NSW.ACT will be running a campaign called “Jump to Confront Domestic Violence”. On the 21 November 2014, you can jump off a plane and fundraise to continue to help domestic violence victims. To register or for further information, please visit www.jumptoconfront.org.au

Otherwise, donate to our special Christmas Appeal by providing a special gift in the insert provided in this edition of Insights or you can visit our website: www.unitingcarenswact.org.au or call (02) 9376 1400.

How your gift will be making a difference?

Your special gift will help us further develop caseworkers, so that they can assist families experiencing domestic violence to end this cycle.

How your contribution helps:• $750 allows the caseworker to

deliver the program to one family experiencing domestic violence

• $5,000 contributes to the training of a group of caseworkers in one region, helping at least 50 – 70 families per year

• $15,000 assists caseworkers to deliver the program to better the lives of 20 families experiencing domestic violence

Your special gift will help the children in our communities grow up in a safe, loving environment.

UnitingCareFamily matters: breaking

the cycle of violence

Facts about domestic and family violence

• The overwhelming majority (87%) of victims are women and 98% of perpetrators are men

• Anyone can be affected by domestic violence, irrespective of age, income, race, occupation or religious beliefs

• Domestic and family violence is not an argument that gets out of hand, nor is it solely caused by alcohol or drugs. It involves a deliberate choice to use violence or behaviours that control or frighten another person within a relationship.

• People who use violence usually know it is wrong, and try to hide these behaviours.

• Domestic violence is the leading cause of death, disability and illness for women aged 15 – 44 in Australia.*

*VicHealth (2004), The Health Costs of Violence: Measuring the burden of disease caused by intimate partner violence. Melbourne: VicHealth.

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20 - UnitingCare article.indd 21 24/09/2014 9:04:55 PM


Lectionary Reflections

October 5 Matthew 21: 33-46This parable reads like a soap opera, with intimidation, coercion and even murder. The tenants of the vineyard try to escape the solemn contract they have made with the owner, and attempt by foul means to claim it. But just as the perpetrators think they have got away with the crime, they discover their assumed inheritance has been forfeited and they have been rejected.

October 12 Matthew 22: 1-14In this parable Jesus again uses a familiar event, a wedding, to talk about the kingdom of heaven.

The first invited guests reject Jesus’ invitation and persecute his followers. The invitation is then broadened to include all people, both good and bad. However, the final verses indicate that righteousness (the wedding garment) is still an issue - it is no use answering invitation if one is still unrighteous.

October 19 Matthew 22:15-22Jews living in the Palestine area before the destruction of the temple in 70 CE had an obligation to pay at least two types of taxes. The first was known as the ‘temple tax’. The second was the tax that all residents in the Roman Empire had to pay direct to the Roman administrators.

Jesus has been presented with a question that is clearly a trap. The Pharisees see him as a troublesome blasphemer, and the Herodians, who support the Romans, will damn him no matter what he says. It is a classic dilemma - a “yes” will confirm he is a blasphemer, a “no” will damn him as a revolutionary.

Jesus foils their plot by showing a third way. He gives what is due to God and to Caesar. He neither collaborates with, nor speaks violently against, the Roman oppressor. As such, Jesus transcends the dilemma of the trap laid for him.

October 26 Matthew 22:34-46Which commandment is the greatest? Jesus’ answer is simple: love God with all your heart, and such love will be reflected in love for neighbour.

This double command, to love God and neighbour, has been deeply imbedded in the psyche of the Christian Church throughout its history. In many ways it has become the fundamental principle of how we understand the heart of Christian faith.

The Lectionary Reflection was prepared by the Rev. Elizabeth Raine who ministers at Wauchope Uniting Church and is the Southern Zone Minister for Mid North Coast Presbytery

W hat would it have been like to have been there?

Watching the news today may lead people to think that wicked people who would be rulers often get away with their crimes. But this is not the message of the parable. The hope of the parable is that despite the chaos, God’s plan will eventually triumph over human frailty and wickedness, and from the midst of death and suffering, new life will emerge.

Like Matthew’s ill-clad wedding guest, it is very easy for us to identify with the righteous. It is easy to enter the Church, join in the Christian community and espouse a life of faith. In his Gospel, Matthew recognises that such actions are not necessarily indicative of true faith. The same is true today. Only by consciously living out our faith, through our words and our deeds, can we truly hope to be numbered among those at the banquet table.

Jesus was not a revolutionary who set out to win people to his cause by championing political freedom for Israel. He concedes there is a restricted duty owed to the government, but balances this with the more important command to give God what is God’s. Jesus teaches that it is our very selves we render to God, not a token amount of money.

This double command, to love both God and neighbour, is truly powerful. It at once gives to God the reverence and obedience that God is due, and it allows us to treat others as we would have God deal with us – with forgiveness, mercy and grace.

22 - Lectionary Reflection.indd 22 24/09/2014 9:05:11 PM


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Take a stand against human traffi cking and slavery this

Abolitionist Sunday.

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed …”

Isaiah 1:17 (NIV)

Register your church today:worldvision.com.au/abolitionistsunday

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23 - AD matrix.indd 23 24/09/2014 9:05:44 PM

24 - Fellowship News.indd 24 24/09/2014 9:06:03 PM


Updates from the General Secretary

Welcoming new placements• Rev. Seung Jae Yeon Gladesville

Boronia Park: 1 August 2014• Rev. Alimoni Taumoepeau Strathfield-

Homebush: 1 September 2014

In loving memory• Mrs Margaret Laura Dominish,

wife of Rev. Dr Clyde Dominish, passed away on 2 July 2014

• Mrs Edith Wellington, mother of Lay Pastor Geoff Wellington, passed away on 13 July 2014

• Mr Jack O’Brien, son of Jon and Meryn O’Brien, tragically lost 18 July 2014 on flight MH17

A prayer for good health• Mr Norm Hawkes• Mrs Narelle Hawkes• Rev. Mark Watt• Rev. Dr Ann Wansbrough

Induction/Commissioning• Rev. Alimoni Taumoepeau

Strathfield-Homebush was inducted on 7 September 2014

Retiring gracefully• Rev. Bo Young Chun, 28 February 2014• Rev. Neil Ericksson, 30 September

2014• Rev. Gregory Crawford, 30 November

2014

Celebarting 25 yearsReverend Bill Crews invites you to join in the celebrations at our 25th Year Anniversary Gala Dinner on Saturday 18 October at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth.

The evening will be officially opened by the Hon. Mike Baird MP, Premier of New South Wales, and emceed by Jessica Rowe with special guests Peter FitzSimons, Chris Bath, Andrew O’Keefe and the Lord Mayor, Clover Moore.

Tickets include a three course dinner, fine wines from Robert Oatley Vineyards and entertainment, along with live and silent auctions. We hope you can join us for a wonderful evening as we celebrate 25 years of helping the Australia

community and raise vital funds to support our frontline services.

To purchase tickets visit exodusfoundation.org.au or email [email protected]

Don’t miss outWant to find out what’s happening

every week, sign up to the ENewsletter at nswact.uca.org.au/about-us/connect/

Information for individuals and C ongregations

P lacement Vacancies as at 1 October 2014.The following placements have had profiles submitted to the Placements Committee and are either in, or soon to be in, the process of seeking to fill a ministry vacancy. Placements are available to specified ministers of the UCA. These placements are listed as being suitable for a Pastor under Regulation 2.3.3(a)(ii). A non-ordained minister may offer to serve in an approved placement through a written application to the Synod. Expressions of interest may be made in writing to the Associate Secretary, Rev. Jane Fry at [email protected] or to the Presbytery’s Placement Committee representative.

MInIStRy MAtteRS

Free to a good homeThe Leura Uniting Church is currently renewing its sanctuary furniture, and is looking for a loving home for its old pulpit — a beautifully carved 1930’s piece. You can view pictures of the pulpit here: http://leuraunitingchurch.org.au/projects/sanctuary/renewal/. If you’d like more information, please contact Louise Mattay by calling 02 4782 2931 or email [email protected]

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25 - Gen Sec Updates.indd 25 24/09/2014 9:08:17 PM

SKYDIVE DETAILS Date: 21 November 2014 Locations: Sydney (Picton), Hunter Valley,

Wollongong and Coffs Harbour

* To be eligible for the free skydive, you must fundraise a minimum of $1,000 (Skydive valued at $250)

UnitingCare NSW.ACT is a proud supporter of White Ribbon Australia.facebook.com/ucnsw.act T: (02) 9376 1400

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26 - Double Page Advert UnitingCare.indd 20 24/09/2014 9:20:22 PM

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“He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father”

In the second century after Christ, many gnostic sects sprang up claiming to be the authentic interpreters of the Christian faith. But they were deeply troubled by some parts of the gospel tradition, including the stories of Christ’s ascension (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-11).

Marcion’s edited version of the Gospel of Luke omitted both the birth narrative and the ascension, since Marcion wanted a spiritual, disembodied Christ. Other teachers claimed that Christ ascended spiritually, leaving his physical body behind. For such gnostic interpreters, the human body is evil; the material world is consigned to ruin; salvation is about escaping the misery of this world. According to this view, Christ wanted nothing to do with physical life in this world. At the earliest opportunity he fled the scene and escaped into the safety of a purely spiritual existence.

It was against such teaching that the early Christians proclaimed a gospel of Christ’s bodily incarnation, bodily suffering, bodily death, bodily resurrection, and bodily ascension. The faith of the ancient Church was not about spiritual escape but about the redemption and transfiguration of human life in its fullness, including the life of the body. As the second-century pastor Irenaeus put it, the Son of God “did not reject human nature or exalt himself

above it,” but united himself with our nature in order to unite us to God. Christ was raised and exalted as a true human being. In Christ, human nature has taken up its abode in God’s presence.

When the New Testament writers speak of the ascension, they are not describing Christ’s absence but his sovereign presence throughout creation. Christ’s ascent “to the right hand of the Father” is his public enthronement over all worldly power. No scriptural passage is quoted so often in the New Testament as Psalm 110:1: “The Lord says to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.” The earliest Christians proclaimed that Christ had been enthroned as the universal messiah. The exalted Christ has “entered his glory” (Luke 24:26; 1 Timothy 3:16), and from now on “all things are subject” to his authority (Philippians 3:21; Hebrews 2:8).

The ascension does not mean that Christ has gone away from us. He is not absent. He has been exalted in order to exercise his authority even more fully. He “has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him” (1 Peter 3:22). Because he is ascended, his risen life is universally available. His loving authority extends over the whole creation and is present wherever believers assemble (Ephesians 1:20-23).

So the ascension is not meant to make us wonder where Christ has gone. Instead

it ought to provoke the question, “Where can I go from your presence?”

In a painting by the Aboriginal artist Shirley Purdie, the ascension of Jesus is shown not as a flight into the sky, but as a triumphant ascent into the earth. He “ascends down” into the sacred land – not fleeing our world but entering into its depths in order to exercise his loving authority over (and within) the whole creation. This is a profound depiction of the New Testament understanding of Christ’s ascension. Because he is ascended, he is not far from us. “In him all things hold together…and in him God was pleased to reconcile all things” (Colossians 1:17-20).

The ascended Christ is there for us and is able to draw us more and more into the loving presence of his Father. To quote Irenaeus again, we “ascend through the Spirit to the Son, and through the Son to the Father.” And one day, Irenaeus adds, believers will come to share so fully in God’s unbounded life that “they will forget to die.”

Ben Myers is Lecturer in Systematic Theology at United Theological College

Belief mattersOn the right side of God

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Entertain me

The Judge (M)Even though this film evokes a John Grisham-style vibe from late 90s, the clear piece of inspired casting is pitting Robert Duvall’s talents with Robert Downey Jr’s razor-sharp wit, and then letting them loose.

The story will be familiar to those who have watched or read slow-burn legal dramas. Hank Palmer (Downey Jr) is a successful lawyer who returns to his hometown for his mother’s funeral only to discover that his estranged father, the town’s judge Joseph Palmer (Duvall), is suspected of murder. In order to discover the truth he needs to reconnect with the family he walked away from years before.

Much of the pleasure of The Judge derives from the two leads superbly conveying the complicated dynamic of a father and son who, for all their differences, are united by their colossal stubbornness, fierce intelligence and unwillingness to suffer fools.

Unfortunately after two acts of gravitas, the conclusion is a little cloying and sentimental. And many of the female roles are of the blink-and-you’ll-miss-them type, which is a shame because excellent actors are left on the sidelines with little to do but be love interests and ex-wives.

Adrian Drayton

Maleficent (M)This is not the Sleeping Beauty story you may remember from childhood. This is a new spin on the hero and the villain of this beloved story. Director Robert Stromberg, known for his visual effects expertise in numerous films capitalises on his visual abilities, while delivering a beautiful story of forgiveness and redemption.

This narrated fairy tale begins with a child who is a fairy that lives in a beautiful forest kingdom. This is the young Maleficent, who has a special connection with the kingdom, but is introduced to another: the kingdom of men. A young boy, Stephan, ventures into her world and into her life. Over a period of years, they grow in their friendship, but eventually find themselves on different sides of two kingdoms. Through inventive plot twists, the familiar story of the curse on Princess Aurora is explained.

The film manages to convey a fascinating story of forgiveness, redemption and a different view of ‘true love.’ The twists in this tale are plentiful making this a surprising film worth seeing.

Russell Matthews

DARE!Erin Frankel and il lustrated by

Paula HeaphyDARE! is a picture book about

bullying — what it feels like and what children can do when it happens. The plot of DARE! is interesting because it explores why bullying happens and why other children stand around unwilling/unable to help or even start bullying themselves.

Emphasis is placed on learning skills to deal with this type of situation, such as being prepared for bullying by knowing what you are going to say and working together with other children to prevent it happening.

DARE! is part of the Weird series, where bullying is told from three perspectives: WEIRD!, from the perspective of the victim, TOUGH!, from the perspective of the bully and DARE!, which is from the point of view of the bystander. DARE! is suitable for children aged five to eight.

Katy Gerner

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30 - Entertain Me.indd 30 24/09/2014 9:13:10 PM

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Insights - October 2014

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