Aimee - EAPPI volunteer in Bethlehem

Aimee Kent, a Deacon candidate (NSW) has been in Bethlehem for three months on an EAPPI volunteer placement. An amazing experience, especially monitoring the checkpoints in the wall around Bethlehem! Sobering at this time of the year.

DOTAC (Deacons of the Americas and Caribbean)

The Deacons in the region of North and South America and the Caribbean will be holding a conference in Oklahoma City, July 14-19th 2011, exploring the theme of Chairs - at the feet of God. A promotional spot can be seen here, including some reflections on the theme. Registration details will be posted on the DOTAC website. This conference may be of interest to some Deacons in the UCA, particularly gaining a broader understanding of and learning from deacons in the DOTAC region. Study leave for 2011, anyone?

Rev Adam Tretheway, refugee advocate

Rev Adam Tretheway, refugees advocate

Rev Adam Tretheway along with Andrew Clarke, two of the UCA's refugee advocates, brought a proposal to the October UCA Synod meeting in SA, calling upon the government to reconsider detaining people seeking asylum in Australia who are unable to obtain any form of visa to come to Australia, other than for the brief period required for security and health checks.
At the full meeting of the Synod, members voted unanimously in favour of the proposal.
As a consequence, the Uniting Church SA has called on the Prime Minister to put an end to the use of Mandatory Detention. The Moderator Rev Rob Williams will write to the Prime Minister, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, the Leader of the Opposition, the Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and  the three independent Members of the House of Representatives, asking each of them to end the use of Mandatory Detention.
You can read more here.

SA Deacon candidates

It's great news that there are two new Deacon candidates in SA after the weekend's Selection Panel. Welcome to Mandy Harvey and Albert Patrizi!

Rural ministry challenges

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/mining-boom-bypasses-regional-towns/story-e6freon6-1225945591064
Check out this story from the Sunday mail about challenges of fly in fly out for rural communities in the middle of a mining boom. Karyl Davison shared with us about these very communities at the 2010 deacon conference.

My first blog

Hello deacons,

I have taken the plunge, this is my very first blog! Diakonia UCA gathering in Brisbane was fantastic- so many new faces and great to see the enthusiasm of new comers for the diaconate. Conference was very signficant I think in the depth of presentations and the future direction.

Good to hear of John's ordination and that Aimee has arrived in Israel

Rev John Brentnall was duly ordained by Illawarra Presbytery on October 10th in Berry (NSW) Uniting Church. Congratulations, John!

Deacon Robyn Lyons fastening the Deacons badge during the service

Deacon candidates at pre-sessional 2010

It was fantastic to see so many deacon candidates attend the pre-sessional gathering in Brisbane including those transitioning from lay pastor to Deacon. Here's a photo of the candidates and facilitators.

Nigel Hawken in Zambia

Nigel Hawken (NSW Deacon candidate) is in Zambia for 7 weeks with the Face to Face 2010 program, as part of his formation for ministry. We pray for Nigel at this time of wonder and discovery, and for his family who remain at home in Australia.

Nigel in Zambia with Face to Face

Recently, Nigel was featured in the Out and About Publication (August 2010, Edition 22), reflecting on his experiences at United Theological College. Here is a summary of the article:

"I have been around college life since 2005. I only started as a part-time candidate in 2007, having worked in church and community service organisations in youth and family work, counselling and relationship education after my decade of training and work in electrical and computer engineering.
Development in personal and spiritual growth has occurred on so many fronts, especially preaching and leading worship, adjusting to different modern and ancient forms of worship and learning to sing unfamiliar hymns. I now have a renewed confidence in our compassionate Christ, our Creator's amazing handiwork and the Spirit's gentle leading. I have grasped some of the diversity of Christian disciplines and how they complement and sometimes compete against each other. I am a big believer in life-long learning so I know I will continue to discover more in coming years and decades.
I always knew before becoming a candidate that I was drawn to a pastoral care and chaplaincy ministry and so to have been accepted as a Pastoral Care Worker at St Vincent's Public Hospital is an answer to prayer.
I am excited about future ministry with God. Throughout the rest of my life I hope to be used within the wider church and the community - locally, nationally and internationally.
I am still humbled about my upcoming cross-cultural experience to Zambia before I finish the year and can't wait to see what God cultivates in me overseas. As I prepare to leave, following God's call for this next stage, I eagerly look forward to what's next and for the further work God will do within me".

'Acting with love'

Sue Pickering is featured in an article in this month's Journey (a publication of the UCA Queensland Synod). Sue has a passion for social justice and has spent time in India working with women. She said the phrase, 'acting with love' was her starting point. 
'I believe that the heart of the gospel is love, not in a warm and fluffy sense, but in a challenging sense. How can we honestly say we are acting with love if we are supporting injustices and failing to respond with compassion and mercy even in the most difficult circumstances? Acting with love for me is about acting with integrity, with a preference for the poor (in its widest sense), challenging understandings and systems that oppress and bring about injustice, which will undoubtedly in some cases bring discomfort and unrest for others. Acting with love for me is a challenge to consider my actions, responses and values'.
Sue is leading an 'in solidarity' trip to India this month, with a team of six women from her congregation. 

DUCA meeting, October 2010

The Deacons who gathered for the recent DUCA meeting included some of the pioneers who were involved in the early days of the renewal of the diaconate in the UCA, retired deacons, deacons in placement, as well as deacon candidates and even a Minister of the Word working in a community organisation who identifies with diaconal ministry.

2011 marks the 20th anniversary of the decision of the National Assembly of the UCA to proceed to renew the diaconate (after several years of serious consideration and a number of reports). Heather den Houting has written a helpful overview of the renewal of the diaconate.

2012 will mark the 20th anniversary of the first Deacons recognised in the Uniting Church. Definitely a cause for celebration in an Assembly year!

DUCA Executive 2010

Bill, Naomi, Juleen, Christa and Sandy

At the recent Deacons meeting in October, the SA Deacons agreed to form the core group for the new Executive, 2010-2012. This group will work in cooperation with a representative from each Synod, as well as a wider group of Deacons with particular areas of interest and expertise, or connections. Together, this wider group will provide leadership for the national responsibilities of DUCA (Deacons of the Uniting Church in Australia). The DUCA Co-ordinator and contact person will be Sandy Boyce, who will work with other SA Deacons. The SA Deacons pictured at the DUCA meeting are Bill Harris, Naomi Rosenberg, Juleen Villis, Christa Megaw and Sandy Boyce.

Ordination service - John Brentnall

John Brentnal

It is wonderful news that John Brentnall has been ordained on Sunday, October 10th. John will continue to serve in ministry at Berry UC (Illawarra Presbytery, NSW). John has transitioned from Lay Pastor to the Ministry of Deacon. 

Out There! Exploring the Diakonia of the Whole People of God

Organisers Michelle Cook and Heather den Houting

Deacons from all around Australia gathered in Brisbane for the Deacon biennial Continuing Education program. Deacon candidates gathered earlier in the week for the pre-sessional program, an integral part of their formation for diaconal ministry. The DUCA (Deacons in the UCA) national meeting took place on the weekend following the conference, where a new Executive was appointed to offer leadership for the next two years. The next Deacon pre-sessional, Continuing Education program and DUCA national meeting will take place in NSW in 2012.

Movie discussion resources

Several years ago, Sandy Boyce regularly wrote movie discussion resources for youth and young adults. Now serving as a Deacon in a city congregation placement in Adelaide, Sandy has begun posting movie discussion resources for small group reflection. They will be posted here on the Pilgrim Uniting Church website. The first movie is Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps with Michael Douglas.

India bound.....

Sue on a previous trip to India

Rev Sue Pickering is leading a group of six women from Wilston Uniting Church on a short 'in solidarity' visit to Chennai for three weeks in October. The women, ranging in age from early 20's to late 60's, will see the programs of the Church of South India - Diocese of Madras, as well as have an opportunity to share some of their skills and expertise in practical ways. With only a week to go, Sue and the six women surprised the congregation at Wilston UC with a procession into church, Bollywood style. You can follow what Sue is up to in India on her travel blogsite.
(Information about another opportunity to join an upcoming 'insolidarity' 3 week trip to India later in 2010 here).