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.