DIAKONIA News

The first edition in 2011 of news from the World DIAKONIA Federation (which include Deacons in the UCA) is now available. Check out the DIAKONIA World News on the DIAKONIA UCA website.

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

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.”