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

Diaconia: Journal for the Study of Christian Social Practice

Diaconia Journal

This new journal aims to:

* contribute to new research and interpretation of Christian social practice with and among the marginalised
* to hear, interpret and communicate the voices in the field
* analyse the social and political context of ministry

The journal will include interdisciplinary research, and topics on biblical, ethical, dogmatic and contextual theologies, historical, socio-scientific and practical aspects of the diaconia and Christian social practice.

Contributions are also welcomed!

It would be great if this journal was available in theological libraries for use by Deacons and Deacon candidates, as well as anyone interested in diaconal ministry.

Nigel's ordination

Laying on of hands and prayers for Nigel

Congratulations to Nigel Hawken who was ordained on 4th March 2011 as a Uniting Church Deacon by Parramatta Nepean Presbytery, and inducted into the pastoral team ministry at St Vincent's Hospital by the Sydney Presbytery of the UCA.

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