Author Archive
Uniting World
September 2nd, 2010 | 
Author: 
UnitingWorld in Tonga
Coral reefs, a King, coconuts, palm trees, domestic pigs wandering the streets, smiles, church bells, sunshine, tapa cloth, mats, feasts, villages, hot bread, TTI (Tapou Tertiary Institute), singing, islands, whales, new friends, plaits, black, Rugby.
These are some of my impressions of Tonga when I spent five and a half weeks in a placement with the Free Wesleyan Church Education Office. As a Primary School teacher, I was very interested to see the schools in the three island groups (TongaTapu, Vava’u and Ha’apai) and to work with the teachers to develop their understanding of how literacy is taught. Tonga has an oral and dance culture and reading doesn’t rate too highly despite the schools having excellent supplies of English reading material. The workshops I ran are being followed-up by the Education Officers and the resources I sent over on my return to Australia will help with that work. They are such lovely people to be with.
My time being billeted by ‘my Tongan family’ will always stay with me as a precious memory of living in the Tongan culture. Church bells start at 5am, calling the people to early church three times a week. It’s hard to sleep through those. Regular church services Sunday morning at 10.30am in the Centenary Church begin with the National Anthem, the King present in his special area, the brass band introducing the hymns and the choir singing magnificently. 200-600 people in attendance is common.
I’ve not had an experience of living in a kingdom before and, although the hierarchical society and its incumbent rules can be restrictive, it provides support and security for its families. I felt very cared for while in Tonga and highly valued and respected. At a wedding I attended, the palangi’s (us foreigners) were invited to sit at the top table alongside the bride and groom! The Tongan people highly respect the Royal family, the Nobles and each other and it is this intense respect and gentle care for each other that I bought home with me.
On my return, the world seemed a little too fast, people were abrupt and the people on the roads were rude. This is all part of the ‘re-entry’ process that comes after a total-immersion experience like mine. After a few weeks, I started making more sense, the stories were all told and life started getting back to normal. I thoroughly enjoyed explaining my experiences to the students at my own school as I recalled the rules of family life in Tonga and my role.
Tonga was a wonderful placement and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of living and working with new people in a new place. The temperature hovered around 24 ºC each day with a balmy little breeze and the hint of coconuts and laughter. The preparation and support offered by the UnitingWorld Office prior to my departure, during my placement and on my return was excellent. Now, I just have to save up for another plane ticket that will take me back to the islands of Tonga.
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Labyrinth Prayer Days
Labyrinth Meditation Day
“Praying ecologically”
Saturday 11th September, 10am to 4pm
[The International Year of Biodiversity]
60 Bass Meadows Boulevard,
St Andrews Beach. Melway map 251 J5
Leaders: Robin & Bronwyn Pryor
Please book by 9th Sept. 5988-5257 or robron@pryor.org.au
Cost: $18, or unwaged $13 [Lunch provided]
[future Labyrinth Days are 13th Nov, 11th Dec, & New Year’s Eve]
Women’s & Men’s Retreats
22nd–24th October, Pallotti College, Millgrove [Melway 289 A2]
NB: the two retreats have simultaneous but separate
programs; couples may attend but accommodation
is in single rooms and different meeting spaces.
Annual Women’s Silent Retreat
Leaders: Bronwyn Pryor & Peggy Jones
Theme: “Sabbath: Joyous rest”
Emphasis on prayer & quiet reflection; meals in silence
Cost $!60. Bookings to Bronwyn on 5988-5257 or robron@pryor.org.au
Annual Men’s Retreat
Leader: Robin Pryor
Theme: The journey of men’s lives in the Spirit.
Some contemplative silence & prayer, times of input & sharing.
Cost:$160. Bookings to Robin on 5988-5257 or robron@pryor.org.au
Mission Happening
Greetings!
A number of congregations of our Presbytery are exploring how best to use the property entrusted to them for mission.
Some initiatives in other countries are proving very exciting and helpful, in particular work being done in the UK. This is especially relevant to congregations looking at building projects in conjunction with UnitingCare Harrison.
These workshops will open your missional imagination and help your congregation explore possibilities for living faithfully into the future, plus allow you to draw on the experience of others instead of just hoping it will work.
The Presbytery of Yarra Yarra is hosting two seminars, one in Melbourne on Saturday 11th September and the other in Bendigo on Saturday 25th September. (This seminar will conclude before the Grand Final commences)
The seminar leaders are Rev Lord Andrew Mawson and Rev Peter Southcombe from the United Reformed Church in the UK and have both been heavily involved in at looking at a mission shaped church and regeneration of property to meet this mission. The attached brochures will give full details.
I warmly commend these workshops to you and hope that we get a terrific attendance from our Presbytery.
All the best,
Steve
Children & Family Ministries
PORT PHILLIP EAST MONTHLY CHILDREN & FAMILIES MINISTRY UPDATE – SEPTEMBER
1. Children & Families Ministry Symposium Sep 3 10am – 4pm CTM, Parkville
This event is for anyone interested in the practical application of recent local research being undertaken in the area of ministry with children and families. Click here for more information and registration. Topics to be explored include…
· Children as Agents of Pastoral Care
· The Child in 1 Corinthians 13: a more excellent way
· Godly Play, the state of play: UK, USA and Australia
· Exploring children’s spiritual expression of ‘wonder’ in the natural world
· Pastoral Care of Childhood: Assessing models of pastoral care in the light of a developing theology of childhood
2. Thanking Significant Sources
Many different people source resources that end up in this update. In particular, I would like to acknowledge Mary Hawes (National Children’s Adviser, Education Division, Archbishops’ Council) from the UK, Melissa Cellier & Mary-Jo Zwar (Resource Centre for Children and Families Ministry) from South Australia and Beth Barnett (Baptist Union of Victoria) for their generosity, creativity and willingness to share resources that they come across.
Headaches & Heartaches from Beth
Leading Systems, not People from Beth
Development through the life-span from Mary
Involving Children in Decision-Making from Mary
Evaluating Sunday Schools from RCCFM
2010 International Year of Biodiversity Resources from RCCFM
3. 40 Developmental Assets & 33 Perspectives on Influencing Children’s Faith
Many people at the recent Overflow Training came across the “40 Developmental Assets” for the first time. The Developmental Assets are 40 common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults developed by the Search Institute in the US. Following the original research, the lists are now available for specific age groups. The material relating to Spiritual Development will be of interest to many – as will the link to The Center For Spiritual Development.
Nb. If you didn’t check out What Matters Now in Children’s Ministry? from the Cory Centre
last month, let me encourage you to do so. You might even like to try the same process amongst those you lead with.
4. Some Recent Books
· Listening to children on the spiritual journey
Catherine Stonehouse (Joining Children on the Spiritual Journey and Scottie May (Children Matter) highlight the spiritual responsiveness and potential of children and suggest how parents, teachers, and ministry leaders can more effectively relate to and work with children to nurture their faith.
· Children’s Spirituality: what it is and why it matters
From Rebecca Nye (The Spirit of the Child), Children’s Spirituality is described as “A powerful re-affirmation and exploration of the importance of childhood spirituality for the ministry and mission of the church, which will be welcomed by all working in this field”. What more could I say?
· Teaching Godly Play (Revised edition)
Jerome Berryman has now completely revised and expanded Teaching Godly Play to provide an essential handbook for people who have perhaps only experienced taster or introductory sessions of Godly Play. Teaching Godly Play gives practical, adaptable advice that can assist children and leaders grow spiritually through Godly Play.
Nb. Those particularly interested in Godly Play may like to note the national Godly Play Conference planned for July 13-15 2011 in Sydney.
5. Planning Training For 2011
Believe it or not, consideration is already being given by the Training Partnership (comprising Access Ministries, OAC, SU and denominational representatives) of the Children’s Ministry Network to training dates for 2011.
One potential date for Port Phillip East is Saturday June 18 in Frankston. It would be great to hear your comments as to what you would like to see covered and the suitability (or otherwise) of this date. Please e-mail your suggestions/comments to chris.barnett@ctm.uca.edu.au
The major Saturday state-wide Children & Families training events are expected to take place
Feb 26 Ministry to Children Conference
May 28 Overflow or Stories of Childhood Conference TBC
July 30 Stories of Childhood or Overflow Conference TBC
August 13 Creative Children’s Ministry Seminar
Oct 8 Torque Training Day
The major national events Children & Families training events are expected to take place
May 17-20 Leaders to Go Qld
July 13-15 Godly Play NSW
Aug/Sep Messy Church Vic/NSW/SA
Sep 2,3 Symposium Vic
Australian Church Library Association
The Victorian Chapter
of the
Australian Church Library Association
is holding a meeting on
Saturday, 23rd October, 2010
10.00 am to 4.00 pm
at New Peninsula Baptist Church,
370 Craigie Rd. Mt Martha (Melway 146 A11 )
Theme: Some ABC’s of church librarianship
Appraising and Assessing social justice resources ‑
you are invited to bring any resources that you may have;
Bookshop and Buying, with Terry Robinson, manager of the
church bookshop, which will be open for browsing and buying;
Covering, Cataloguing, and Commercials (promotion)
- your choice of these elective workshops
Also:- A tour of the church library
A swap table – bring along books, videos, cassettes, CDs and other resources that you no longer need.
Enquiries from Marion on 9803 0583
Please bring a plate of food to share for lunch
Playback Theatre
Memorial for people killed and injured on Victorian roads
Invitation to attend Playback Theatre Performance
In 2009 the Road Trauma Memorial Project commenced. Its purpose is to establish a response within Victoria which acknowledges the enormous loss of life and serious injury as a result of road crashes. The Uniting Church in conjunction with Road Trauma Support Services, with initial support from the Transport Accident Commission, has been developing this initiative.
The Road Trauma Memorial Project is concluding its consultation phase. As part of the project, extensive consultations with affected groups and individuals have been undertaken. Forums have been held with both metropolitan and rural communities, and a range of online feedback has also been received.
Over the weekend of 13-15 August, RMIT’s Design Research Institute has generously offered to host and assemble two interdisciplinary teams, comprising expert landscape architects, designers and artists to develop concepts from the feedback received. As part of that weekend people affected by road trauma are invited to participate as part of an audience with PlayBack Theatre www.melbourneplayback.com.au/, a highly regarded and sensitive improvisation troupe, which works with stories people wish to share at the performance.
You are warmly invited to attend this free performance by Playback Theatre,
and also hear an update of the Project’s progress.
When Friday August 13, 2010, 4.30 – 6.15pm
Where RMIT Melbourne, Building 8 (enter opposite Swanston/Little LaTrobe corner). Take lift to Level 11 Theatre (Room 68).
http://mams.rmit.edu.au/ah5hshrpo0ky.pdf
Public transport is excellent. Commercial parking is available behind the Oxford Hotel, 427 Swanston Street, and also at the Queen Victoria complex, entered from Russell Street.
Light refreshments available upon arrival.
RSVP by August 9 to kym.dyson@victas.uca.org.au
Andy Calder
Project Manager
andy.calder@victas.uca.org.au or 03 92515489
Children & Family Ministry
PORT PHILLIP EAST MONTHLY CHILDREN & FAMILIES MINISTRY UPDATE – AUGUST
1. Justice Spot – Ride to Worship Week and A New Blog
Ride to Worship Week (Oct 9 – 15) is an initiative of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. It is one way that we can address our contribution to climate change – showing our care for God’s creation, and our concern for the poor who are most affected by climate change. Please feel free to contact Cath.James@victas.uca.org.au for more info.
Justice. Compassion. A Global Backyard. Kids. Us. Hope. Journey. Learn. Change. Ordinary. Small. Somethingsmallsomethingbig is a new blog that explores from a family perspective the question “How can we be part of the change we want to see in the world?” Put together by Kate Conway, the blog also contains other interesting links to explore.
2. Worship Resources
Party On Together continues to generate a lot of interest. Individual chapters and resources are regularly being added for free download and use. Check out Luke 12:13-21: Jelly Beans, Lima Beans & Boxes for a Children’s Talk idea, Multi-age Worship 3: Time & Energy to stretch your thinking and Luke 15: 11 – 30:The Welcome Home BBQ as a multi-age service idea. To purchase the entire resource, e-mail sarahc@suvic.org.au
Based on Light for the Lectionary resources, All-Age Lectionary Services Year A contains 60 multi-age service outlines – and a range of resources – that can be further supplemented by free material available for download from www.scriptureunion.org.uk/lightdownloads (once you have registered for free). Contact sarahc@suvic.org.au for more info.
Mucky Paws is a regularly updated lectionary-based collection of contemporary liturgies and creative moments from Abbotsford, Scotland. According to the website, “Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t but we believe (most of us) that it is worth being creative”. It is also possible to receive these free resources direct to your computer via a monthly e-mail.
4. Some Interesting Reading
· The Boring Bits for Kids an article by Beth Barnett exploring “Church”, “Kids” and “Boring”
· Family Friendly services from familyministry.co.uk
· Does e-mail make it harder to pray? from The Huffington Post
· What Matters Now in Children’s Ministry? from the Cory Centre
· Children’s Literature: a resource for ministry from Union Presbyterian Seminary
· Material from the recent visit to Melbourne by Dr. Keith White of the Child Theology Movement
4. Children & Families Ministry Symposium Sep 3 10am – 4pm CTM, Parkville
This symposium is for anyone with an interest in current research being undertaken in the area of ministry with children and families. Click here for a registration form.
Topics to be explored include…
· The Child in 1 Corinthians 13: a more excellent way
· Godly Play, the state of play: UK, USA and Australia
· Pastoral Care of Childhood: Assessing models of pastoral care in the light of a developing theology of childhood
If you have either recently completed or are in the process of completing research and would like to present at this Symposium, please e-mail chris.barnett@ctm.uca.edu.au by August 10.
5. Upcoming Training Opportunities
· Melbourne Metro
Jul 31 9am-4pm Overflow 2010 CMN, Parkville
Aug 11 7pm–10pm More…for Children CCCW, Nunawading
Aug 14 9.15am – 3.30pm Creative Children’s Ministry Seminar OAC, Heathmont
Aug 25-27 kidshaper2010 kids r us, Richmond
· Join the Dots
For anyone engaged in at least 8 hours (paid or unpaid) of ministry with Children & Families in a typical week and interested in study relating to ministry, “Join the Dots” is a fantastic new free program co-facilitated by Chris and Beth Barnett (Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania & Baptist Union of Victoria Children and Families ministry co-ordinators respectively). Taking place basically fortnightly on Friday Mornings (commencing August 13) from 9:30am – 12:30pm at the Centre for Theology and Ministry in Parkville (top of Melbourne Uni, opposite the Cemetery), “Join the Dots” is a morning of…
◙ peer support
◙ theological and ministry practice reflection prayer
◙ ‘Big Picture’ input and resources
For more information or registration go to “Join the Dots” or e-mail/call chris.barnett@ctm.uca.edu.au (9340 8806) or beth.barnett@buv.com.au (0425 756 996).
Feedback from those who participated in the first course included
◙ “Great to have a safe place to be valued and affirmed whilst acknowledging weaknesses and past mistakes”
◙ “Good to be made to stretch my thinking theologically”
◙ “Loved the handouts and reading material provided – not what I usually pick up”
◙ “Can’t thank you enough for facilitating Join the Dots and sharing personally and assisting us as leaders. You’ve inspired us, challenged us, encouraged us so much.”
Something to Speak about
Dear Friends,
With the election now announced we need to make our voices heard and ensure that the funding of chaplaincy continues.
We presently receive funding from the Federal Government of $20,000 per chaplain for a basic salary. In November 2009, the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd gave a commitment to continue the funding until the 31st December, 2011. The review of the program is presently taking place. Whether the School Chaplaincy program remains after the election and beyond is uncertain.
Kevin Rudd was a great advocate of chaplaincy however his view was not shared by all his colleagues.
It is important that we encourage both parties to support the continuation of chaplaincy and its expansion whilst retaining the present Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) guidelines. Our concern is that the program could be modified going forward.
• The current government has indicated that the program may be given over exclusively to a secular service.
• The Greens Party has indicated that it prefers a secular service model.
In other words, the unique holistic and spiritual dimension of chaplaincy will be lost.
• The Liberal Opposition has stated that the program will continue under their leadership, however it will not expand the number of school chaplains.
All parties need to hear the voices of those who value the unique role of chaplains and to hear of the magnificent impact on the lives of our children and young people and the school communities they represent.
Please – for our children and our communities – contact your local MP, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition and tell them why chaplaincy should continue and be extended to all schools.
Can you share with them stories of how chaplains are supporting children? Will you encourage others concerned about chaplaincy to do the same (your church, your committees, your friends, your school)?
PLEASE – VOTE FOR CHAPLAINCY
Go to http://support.schoolchaplaincy.org.au/ to inform your local MP of why they should support our chaplains.
Entering your postcode at this site will deliver the contact details for your local MP. From there you just need to add a short, simple story about why school chaplaincy must be continued.
Finally, please pray that God in His grace will overrule and this vital ministry to children will be preserved and will flourish.
Yours sincerely,
Canon Dr Evonne Paddison
CEO
ACCESS ministries
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sent by ACCESS ministries, Level 2, 695 Burke Road,
CAMBERWELL VIC 3124
Peppering May 2010
Easter season is a wonderful time for the Church. Our celebrations are filled with joy. We remember the Risen Christ in our midst.
After the ecstasy of Easter Day there is a tendency to relax. We need to be reminded by the scriptures what a tumultuous time that was for the Disciples of Jesus. Those who had followed him and shared in his ministry. On the day of the Ascension, forty days after the resurrection, we see the disciples worshipping and praising God in the temple, daily.
There are elders and leaders in our presbytery who lead a prayer shaped life as did those early disciples. They fast and pray regularly. I have already indicated that It is my intention to focus on prayer. It is prayer that keeps us connected to Christ and each other. Prayer is openness to God’s presence. God can find us in surprising ways and places. In the gospel of Mark, Jesus goes out early in the morning by himself to pray. This is very different from the prayer and praising that the disciples did in the temple. Jesus on another occasion, when they have had no success casting out a demon, tells them that “this kind can only be cast out through prayer”.
The church has rejoiced in this Easter season as we have ordained a young minister, by prayer and the laying on of hands. We will see ordained three young ministers later in the season. The first one is Robin Yang and the Presbytery of Port Phillip East gathered at the Korean Church of Melbourne in East Malvern to celebrate the Ordination. Have a look at the pictures on the Korean Congregation website at http://www.melhans.com/. What is on interesting about this is that Reverend Robin will be ministering to the English speaking Koreans at the Gardiner Uniting Church. You will need have a look at their website http://www.gardiner.unitingchurch.org.au/ . The other young ministers to be ordained are Mr Martin Wright, he will ordained by the Presbytery of Port Phillip East at Armadale Uniting Church as he was a candidate from PPEP and had a training placement at Armadale. At the same time at Armadale UC, Ms Kylie Crabbe will be ordained by the Presbytery of Port Phillip West and her induction into the congregation of Armadale is something that we as a Presbytery will have to do. Kylie has been an intern at Armadale for the past year. She and her congregation are working closely with Gardiner in projects aimed at installing renewable power at their Churches. The Rev Dr Ji Zhang has had experience of this already and the installation he brought to fruition in Bentleigh whilst minister there, will be officially turned on by the President of the Uniting Church in Australia, the Rev. Alistair Macrae.
As we approach Pentecost our prayer is of course “Come Holy Spirit, renew the whole creation!” Are we ready for the radical vision of John the writer of Revelation, a new heaven and a new earth? It is through the Holy Spirit that we will have that unity which Christ prayed for. It will overcome those petty divisions of language and culture. Old congregations will find new ways to be church, it is already happening. The Presbytery is deeply involved in helping congregations to discern their mission and ministry and to be with them as they find hope and possibilities. Yes indeed the Holy spirit is at work here.
Young people finding Christ is something that is a live probability in this Presbytery. In June there is the Somers Camp, a ministry to young people which has been running for fifty years, and if you think it is about to fall over, check their website http://somerscamp.com.au/. The Holy spirit empowered the first disciples and it still at work with us today. There are exciting Youth ministries at Frankston, St.Leonard’s Brighton Beach, Koornang, Cranbourne, Parkdale, Glen Waverley, Springvale and Dandenong. There are others as well, and no doubt they will write and tell me that they are a vital part of the Church’s ministry today.
Look for the fire of the Holy Spirit to come upon you and your congregation, that you may be on fire for the mission of Christ.
Pentecost Blessings
Rev David Peel