Win Hilliard - obituary written by Rev Bill Edwards

Bill has written an obituary for Win Hilliard, published in The Advertiser 7th April, 2012. The original text can be found here.

Bob Mitchell: Mapping a theology of change for Christian development organizations

Rev Bob Mitchell is a UCA Deacon. He has a strong interest in international development work, arising out of projects in East Timor. Bob joined World Vision Australia in 2009. He has been a lawyer for more than 20 years, and was a Tax Partner at Price Waterhouse Coopers for 14 years. He presently serves on the Executive of World Vision Australia.

Having a long-term interest in the not-for-profit sector, Bob has served as a board member of several not-for-profit organisations including BlueCare, the Timor Children's Foundation, and The PwC Foundation. He is a member of the Federal Attorney-General's International Pro Bono Advisory Group, and is a Director of Western health.

Bob has been studying theology for many years, and is an ordained minister. He is presently undertaking doctoral studies examining the role and integration of faith in the work of development organisations. An excellent paper, Mapping a theology of change for Christian development organizations, is available online (scroll down the web page - Bob's paper is the last one on the list.

http://www.worldvision.com.au/AboutUs/OurChristianIdentity.aspx

Heather's on the move

Great to hear Heather den Houting's news. She is concluding her placement at Kenmore Uniting Church and commencing as Director of Mission in Blue Care on 16th April. Easter Sunday will be Heather's last service at Kenmore UC.For over 55 years, Blue Care has been providing care and support for the elderly, people with a disability and others in their time of need.

Rev Lesley deGrussa-Macauley - new placement in Albany

Rev Lesley deGrussa-Macauley was inducted into a new placement at Albany Wesley Uniting Church on 21st January 2012. It is one of the oldest churches in Albany. We wish her well in her new placement.

Rev Karyl Davison - new placement in WA

Rev Karyl Davison was inducted into a new placement in January 2012 with the Wellington Regional Mission - with responsibility for Collie,Waterloo and Harvey congregations and the Eaton/Millbridge Project - being church in the community for a new housing development. A change of scenery for Karyl and Peter after moving from Queensland to Bunbury. Blessings as you begin your new placement, Karyl.

SA Deacons January 2012 gathering

A group of SA Deacons gathered for an informal lunch on 22nd January, to catch up on news and plan for 2012. This includes the Deacon intensive in the last week of June 2012 in Sydney, and the Deacon Continuing Ed conference in the first week of July also in Sydney. Both events organized by the NSW Deacons. As the Triennial Assembly meeting is in Adelaide in July, there will be an opportunity for SA Deacons to offer hospitality to Deacons who will be present at the Assembly meeting.

Alison McRae, Frontier Services High Country Patrol Minister

The November 2011 edition of Frontier News features an article on Alison McRae, High Country Patrol Minister in the Victorian Alpine communities. This link will open to the news - click on November ('Returning to Country') and scroll through to P 18 - 20. This article on the Vic/Tas blogsite outlines the High Country Patrol Ministry when it was introduced in 2008.

Aimee's ordination

On Saturday January 14th at 2pm, Aimee Kent will be ordained as a Deacon in the UCA. The service will be held in the Christian College’s new Auditorium in Wagga Wagga and will be followed by afternoon tea.

Aimee will be inducted into her placement in Goulburn on the 22nd Jan at 4pm at Victoria Park. She will be doing community development for the Uniting Church, including the formation of a new faith community/congregation.

Please pray for Aimee in this time of transition.

National Ministers Conference 2011 - Adelaide (Fresh Expressions)

Juleen Villis writes:
I have spent the last week attending the National Minister’s Conference 2011 - Adelaide. It was great to catch up with many of my deacon colleagues again; however most of the 100+ attendees were Ministers’ of the Word. On reflection I am struck by the profound diaconal nature of almost everything that was said throughout the week as we were encouraged to explore ways to engage those who are ‘ not yet members of any church’. Phrases such as ‘out there’, ‘taking the altar to the people, not bringing the people to the altar’, ‘incarnational mission’ that ‘encompasses God’s mission for the whole world’ made me feel right at home and an excitement in realising the unique opportunity deacons have to encourage all ministers in the quest to do ministry diaconally. This does not mean that all minister’s must be deacons, but that those of us who have a call and gifts for ministry to ‘those not yet members of any church’ can lead the way when, inevitably change becomes difficult. The conference made it clear that this move toward what is a more diaconal way of doing ministry is imperative if the church is to not only survive, but thrive in the 21st century.
I would be interested in the comments of other deacons who attended the conference.

Naomi's on the move

Naomi Rosenberg (Ministry of Deacon), along with her husband Marty (Minister of the Word) are on the move after four years on Southern Yorke Peninsula (SYP), with ten congregations and ministry in the community. Marty will be taking up a placement at Sunset Rock UC. Naomi will take a break from diaconal ministry responsibilities for a while. We look forward to hearing further news from Naomi and Marty as they settle back into life in Adelaide.

Congratulations to Elaine

Congratulations to Dr Elaine Ledgerwood who graduated today with a PhD.

Rev Christa Megaw

Christa was ordained as a Deacon on 21st August, 2011 at a service at Adelaide West UC, along with four others ordained as Ministers of the Word. Congratulations, Christa!

Sandy in Moshi, Tanzania for World DIAKONIA Executive

Rev Sandy Boyce has been in Moshi, Tanzania, for the DIAKONIA World Federation Executive meeting in the last week of July. Students from Lyamungo Secondary High School joined the DIAKONIA Executive, and entertained with many songs.

Denise Champion - Johannesburg

The 12th World Assembly of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women will be held in Johannesburg from 10th to 16th August, 2011, with eleven Australians attending. The conference theme is Bambelela! (‘Never give up!) Christ is our hope!

Around 1000 women from 60 countries will gather for the conference, which includes worship, learning, social action, Bible Study, conversation, music and so much more. There is an excellent line up of leaders and speakers

Denise Champion, a Deacon candidate for Ministry from the SA Synod will travel to Johannesburg as the Uniting Church in Australia indigenous representative. Denise has been a faithful member of the Uniting and Aboriginal Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) for many years, and has worked on the SA Regional Council and as the state's Women’s coordinator and other projects.

Christa Megaw to be ordained

The SA Synod & Presbytery meeting in June 2011 agreed to ordain Christa Megaw in August as a Deacon in the UCA. Christa currently works in the International Mission team, part of Mission Resourcing SA. Recently, another Deacon, Adam Tretheway, began as the other International Mission Officer, a role left vacant by Lyn Leane (Deacon candidate) so that she is able to continue her study and formation requirements for ordination.
It would be interesting to do some research into how many deacons are involved in cross cultural and multicultural ministry and mission, and how many could track the influence of cross-cultural and multicultural ministry and mission on their call to diaconal ministry.

An introduction to cosmology by Louise Mattay

Came across an article in Wellspring publication dated June 2010 written by Louise Mattay, a retired UCA Deacon. 'An introduction to cosmology'makes for an interesting read. She quotes from several authors including Brian Swimme, who describes in The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos – Humanity and the New Story the difference between Cosmology and Science. ‘Science is not the same as cosmology, even when a cosmology is deeply informed by science. Cosmology is the story of the birth, development and destiny of the universe, told with the aim of assisting humans in their task of identifying their roles within the great drama. Science on the other hand is focused on obtaining a detailed understanding of the physical processes of the universe.’ He goes on to state: ‘The great news of our time is the evolutionary story in which we come to realize that we humans are all embedded in a living, developing universe, and that we are therefore cousins to everything in the universe.... Cosmology as an ancient wisdom tradition draws from science, theology, art, poetry, and philosophy, but is, strictly speaking, its own distinct tradition. It is not a question of eschewing scientific or theological terms altogether, but rather of aiming for language arising out of our experience of living within an unfolding cosmos.’
The article invites us to recognize that 'As the new universe story seeps into our awareness, it challenges us to expand the way we think about and respond to the life around us. As clearly as the parables told by Jesus challenged his listeners to ask questions about who they were and what their relationships meant, so the new universe story challenges us. This new world view acknowledges evolution as a creative process urged on from within by the very Spirit of God’.
Fascinating reading. Thanks, Louise!
You can read the full article (and other Wellspring articles)here
.

Emma Matthews - ordination

Congratulations to Emma Matthews who was ordained on 16th July. Emma has been appointed as the Chaplain at Penrhos College in Perth, commencing 25th July.

Sandy visits Kaiserswerth

Sandy Boyce with Sister Gudrun, Sister Sonia and Father Raimund

part of the Diakonia cemetery at Kaiserswerth

The graves of Theodor Fliedner and his second wife Caroline

Sister Hilda, Sister Sonia and Sister Gudrun at Diakonie Kaiserswerth

Sandy spent a day in Diakonie Kaiserswerth with Sister Gudrun and Sister Sonia. This is the heart of the mother house movement for deaconesses in Germany, established by Theodor Fliedner and his wife Friederike, and supported by Theodor's second wife Caroline after the early death of Friederike. The deaconess order was a response to the social issues of the day, and also to enable single women to take up a ministry of service in the vocation of nursing.

Welcome to Frances!

This month, Frances Bartholomeusz has transitioned from candidate for MoW to candidate for Ministry of Deacon. It has been a long period of formation and discernment for Frances, and we are delighted that she has found her 'niche'. Frances has been working for several years as a hospital chaplain, with a wonderful gift of encouragement and gentle support.

Sharon Cutts - ordination

Sharon Cutts

What great news that Sharon was ordained as a Deacon on June 18th at 2pm at Wentworthville Uniting Church. Congratulations to Sharon!
Sharon continues in her role at Wentworthville UC. 
You can read Rev’d Charles M. Vesely’s sermon at Sharon’s ordination here.