Aimee's moving to Goulburn

Aimee Kent has completed her formation for ministry and in 2012 will be one of the Ministers in Goulburn. Her main task will be to foster a new Uniting Church Faith Community. Ordination into the ministry of Deacon in mid January. Congratulations, Aimee!

Mt Druit Community Ministry (MDCM)

Rev John Dacey, a Deacon in the Uniting Church in Australia, is the Team Leader at MDCM. It was established in 2003 as a cooperative ministry of the Parramatta-Nepean Presbytery of the UCA, and Catholic Diocese of Parramatta. Based in the Bidwell Uniting Church Community Centre it provides a place of welcome and hospitality, and a range of community based programs focusing on personal and community capacity building to people living in the Mt Druitt region, one of the most disadvantaged communities in NSW.
The Community welfare programs include a Community Animation Project, a community and personal transformation program facilitating residents in action for change and learning for personal growth. It is jointly funded by UnitingCare NSW.ACT and Catholic Social Services, Parramatta Diocese.
MDCM also coordinates a Housing Communities Program, funded by Housing NSW. It is a community development project that aims to increase social cohesion and wellbeing. It utilizes the Asset Based Community Development framework and other engagement and participation strategies.
The Willmont CyberCafe (funded by Housing NSW, DOCS and other partners) is a community enterprise involving training programs, volunteering and community activities centred on Information and Communication Technology and café operations.
MDCM has numerous programs and groups for children, youth, young others and older people, including mentoring and home tutoring to high absentee primary school students.
It has developed into a significant and respected service in the area, demonstrating its commitment and capacity to implement and successfully maintain programs that build community capacity and existing strengths; and to build successful partnerships with churches, community service providers and others.
The service supports in excess of 2000 people annually and is operated by seven paid staff supported by six volunteers. The operating costs are met through financial contributions from Catholic Social Services, the Uniting Church and UnitingCare NSW.ACT, along with small donations, and government grants.
(source: UnitingCare report)

The rural chaplain: pastoral carer and advocate people in tough times

Rev Kel Hodge, Rural Chaplain

Rev Kel Hodge is the Uniting Church's Rural Chaplain in New South Wales and the ACT. His brief is far from simple. He has a massive geographical area to cover and increasingly difficult situations in which to minister. Kel's appointment was initially a component of the Uniting Church's natural disasters response strategy. As well as providing encouragement and pastoral care to people facing tough times, he advocates for individuals and groups in rural areas and liaises with government bodies, the Synod Disaster Response Committee, and the Rural Support Service, a sub-committee of the Central West Presbytery which was established to support rural projects across NSW.
He knows what is happening to people and families as they try to pick up their lives, begin again, and cope with situations that have started to get beyond their control. Kel says that connecting with others working in community welfare and development has been one of the most worthwhile, and necessary, parts of his job.
'A knowledge of who is out there, what they do and how they operate within their particular fields is essential for the position of Rural Chaplain. While the established church networks are important and useful, much of my role is concerned with the wider community in areas that churches do not reach'. The importance of sustaining a reasonable quality of life in rural NSW in the face of disasters is a position that some groups are questioning.
Kel says, 'An economic rationalist would have us believe that individuals and communties that are not economically sustainable under the pressure of natural disasters have no right to be propped up by the rest of the economic system'.
'I do not believe that it would be wise or just to only consider the problems associated with living and working in the country through the eyes of an economic rationalist. In fact, as Christians, we are called to look at another's misfortune through the eyes of Jesus who helped those who were suffering'.
As a rural chaplain, much of Kel's time has been given to listening to people talk about their concerns, whether they are financial, emotional, relational or spiritual.
Kel says, 'I have been impressed with the response by our church to the call of Jesus Christ to be compassionate to those suffering. Many people within our church have made great efforts to express their faith in service to the people of rural NSW. We hear a lot of talk about how our church communities are dysfunctional. I wish to share with you the good news about the Spirit of God working through the compassion of others in our small part of the world'.
Source: NSW Synod website

Hungry no More celebrates 10 years

Juleen Villis

Rev Juleen Villis is in placement (0.5) with the Hungry No More (MNM) project. It is a response to the identified need for a free community meal with some Christian input for people in the Mount Barker region, and especially for those who are homeless, lonely, poor, and/or have suffered depression and addiction problems. The broad volunteer base includes five UCA groups, a local Anglican church, a Rotary club and individuals, and provides and serves a weekly meal,  with a smaller group of volunteers committed to the week by week organisation of HNM and to the children’s The Mount Barker linked congregations have employed a youth worker and a junior youth worker for HNM - each for 3 hrs/week. The main aim is to build a Christian community that includes and empowers people who have often been excluded, rejected and forgotten.

HNM started as a meal with a ten minute devotion in February 2001 and this month celebrates ten years. Congratulations to the team who has fanned this initiative into life and sustained it for ten years!

Cogs is moving to Blackwood

Cogs is on the noticeboard

Coral Cogs Smith  is looking forward to beginning the newly created .5 position of “Outreach Ministry Worker” at Blackwood UCA.

Blackwood is a suburb in the Adelaide Hills.  It will be a change of pace after 10 years of congregational ministry in older congregations in the Western Suburbs of Adelaide. She will be working in a team ministry with the Rev Leanne Jenski (MoW). Blackwood is a larger congregation of about 275 regular attenders over two services (9.15 & 11.00).

As well as a playgroup and other activities, they run an extensive community program  of arts, crafts, yoga, men’s shed etc.

Cogs will take up a role in the community programs, to build on existing programs as well as develop new initiatives. The existing community programs have an average attendance of 300 people and runs in school terms. A paid coordinator administrates these programs.

Cogs work as the Outreach Ministry Worker  position is threefold-

- To support and encourage leaders, volunteers and participants of existing outreach programs.
- To seek opportunities to enhance and build on existing programs.
-  To identify and develop new initiatives for community engagement.

Cogs writes, “It is a great opportunity to do some deacon work!  When I was going through college, I can remember the then principle shaking his head and saying, “what will you do when you leave college”.

I always hoped to be able to go to a position like this one.”

Gavin Blakemore's ordination

Gavin with two other ordinands

Congratulations to Gavin on his ordination on Saturday 29th January, 2011. 
Gavin continues in his placement as Community Worker at UnitingCare, Hotham Mission which  is the community and justice arm of the Hotham Parish and is part of a network of community service agencies across Australia.

Queensland floods

Rev Heather den Houting

The floods have been devastating but now the focus is on rebuilding communities. Rev (Deacon) Heather den Houting is Minister at Kenmore Uniting Church, which is currently set up to act as an aid and distribution centre for donations from the local community. The donated goods will be distributed in the local area, and that which is not used will be regularly transported to other flood affected towns. 

Rev Karyl Davison

Rev (Deacon) Karyl Davidson has worked with others to prepare a flood liturgy and prayers of intercession for use in worship which can be found online here. They are in PowerPoint format. (The lament was written by Jennifer Farquhar, Secretary, Presbytery of Central Qld. PowerPoints compiled by Karyl Davison, Rural Ministry Coordinator, Presbytery of Central Qld, and the Queensland Synod Communication Services Unit). Photos used with permission and taken by Uniting Church members and associates in December 2010 and January 201

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).