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".