Gippsland Grammar celebrates

Page 3

Jesus Christ here and now in Westernport pages 7 to 10

Literary and media reviews pages 14 & 15

Volume 108, Number 8

September 2011

Published in Gippsland Diocese since 1904

Sudden death of Bishop Neville Chynoweth

Gippslands seventh Bishop remembered for his humanity
By Rev. Canon Jim Connelly
THE Right Reverend Neville James Chynoweth AM ED MA BD ThL ARSCM, born October 3, 1922, was the seventh Bishop of Gippsland, from 1980 to 1987. Bishop Neville died on August 11, 2011, following a fall. A memorial service was held for him at St Pauls Cathedral, Sale, on Thursday, August 25. Originally from Sydney, Neville served in the Middle East and New Guinea in World War II, trained at Moore College, was ordained in St Andrews Cathedral, Sydney, in 1950 and served in a succession of parishes and in hospital and military chaplaincies, in Sydney and CanberraGoulburn dioceses. He was Assistant Bishop in CanberraGoulburn at the time of his appointment to Gippsland. This table of record says little of the man and what he meant to us in Gippsland. He came to Gippsland following the death by accident of his close friend and predecessor as Bishop of Gippsland, Graham Delbridge, and Nevilles gentle and sympathetic ministry helped the diocese to grieve and gradually recover. We remember particularly Bishop Nevilles preaching and occasional addresses and his writing. His preaching was moderate and persuasive rather than exhortative. His sincerity was obvious. He never went beyond his own experience or what he himself firmly believed. He respected the intellectual ability of his listeners and his words were full of humor and verbal byplay. He once wrote in a letter to clergy: The spirit of this diocese is a precious thing, which we all have the capability of preserving, enhancing, or destroying. It springs from the conviction that the worship of God, the proclamation of the gospel and self-spending, caring ministry in Christs name are absolutely paramount. Everything else is subsidiary to it. We try to do everything well for the Gospels sake. The last sentence could serve as his epitaph. He tried to do everything well for the Gospels sake. Neville had a high view of the Church and of priesthood. He was steeped in the scriptures and the prayer book. He worked ceaselessly to raise liturgical standards throughout Gippsland, especially musical standards and the place of music in the Sunday liturgy. He was a member of the committee that produced the Australian Hymn Book in 1977. Neville himself was a marvellous musician, accomplished with the trombone, at the piano or organ and as a composer and arranger of music. He was the first person to receive the degree of Master of Arts in Music from the University of Sydney. On social occasions he liked nothing more than to sit at the piano, playing quietly as people talked and moved around him. At his memorial service at St Pauls, Manuka, on August 18, attended by 600 people, the choir sang a very beautiful motet written by Neville himself. After leaving Gippsland, Neville retired to Canberra, but it was a very active retirement. He acted in various diocesan capacities, including as Administrator and Assistant Bishop at times and as Warden of St Marks College of Ministry. He led several tours of the Holy Land. He was the greatly-loved pastor to a gathered congregation at St Davids Red Hill, a branch congregation of St Pauls Manuka. He was in the full vigor of ministry at the time of his unexpected death. Neville was a friend to men and women of all churches and of all faiths and of no faith. He endeared himself to people because of his accepting nature and his obvious authenticity. He never tried to hide his own vulnerability and so we were able to believe in him and love him because of it. The idea of freedom was very precious to Neville. He gave us room to move. He encouraged us to live up to the potential he could see in each of us. He once com-

A snapshot of a life lived full

BISHOP Neville Chynoweth was educated at Manly High School and the University of Sydney. He was ordained in 1950 and after a curacy at St Michaels Sydney became the Rector of Kangaroo Valley and then a chaplain of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. During this time, he authored a history of St Michaels Anglican Church (published 1954). From 1954 to 1963, he was Rector of St Johns Dee Why and then St Annes Strathfield. In 1966, his ministry took him to Canberra, becoming its archdeacon and then an assistant bishop. He was a keen student of music and a professional jazz musician. He wrote a thesis, published in 1957, on the influence of the Oxford movement on the music of the church. His Psalm 133 (New English Bible) How good it is, an anthem for four voices and organ, was published in 1977. In 2001, he performed an afternoon of piano and song A Walk Down Memory Lane at the Bombala High School on Sunday, May 29. In his sermon of December 20, 1992, at an ordination of women priests, in his role as assistant bishop of Canberra and Goulburn, Neville Chynoweth said: You women who are being ordained today have an important pioneering task in establishing role models for future priests who are women. With Graham Downie, in 1995 he recorded a series of interviews which now become publicly available at the National Library of Australia. In 2008, the Anglican Historical Society Journal (volume 46) published A Virtual Martyr, a brief history of James Benson, priest of Gona, PNG, written by Neville Chynoweth.

Photo: Philip Chynoweth

mented: God is more interested in our freedom than our perfection. Bishop Neville was blessed with a peaceable and loveable temperament. He was full of mischief as well as good deeds. He delighted in Laurel and Hardy, the Goons and Victor Borge. He had malice toward none and charity for all. He was the most human of bishops. His priestliness flowed from his humanity and vice-versa. His example of how to live life productively and joyfully lives in many of us and we will be always grateful for his graceful ministering to us, both individuals and the Gippsland diocese as a whole. We who remain extend our love to Mrs Joan Chynoweth, who herself did so much in Gippsland and who is very fondly remembered and to the children, Meg, Ros, Nigel, Philip and their families. They have had a loving and delightful husband and father. Who else would have taught his children this piece of doggerel? Roses are red; violets are bluish; If it wasnt for Christmas, wed

all be Jewish! I end on the note of joy we will all feel as we look on Bishop Nevilles life in its entirety, a joy that is evident in these words with which he closed one of his Synod charges here in Gippsland: I am more than ever convinced of the truth of the Gospel; more than ever thankful to be a Christian in these exciting times; more than ever, dare I say it, glad to be an Anglican with the best of friends in the best of all possible causes. With glad hearts, we commend him into Gods keeping. May his portion this day be in peace and his dwelling in the heavenly Jerusalem. *His awards explained: Neville Chynoweth was awarded the Efficiency Decoration for his military chaplaincy work; the Australia Medal for his services to the Church, music and the community; his Master of Arts (Music) from the University of Sydney; BD and ThL denote his theological qualifications; the ARSCM was awarded for his long and distinguished service and support of church music.

The Gippsland Anglican is your award winning newspaper: Most Improved Newspaper (ARPA) 2001; Best Regional Publication (ARPA) 2003; Best Social Justice Story Highly Commended (ARPA) 2004.

Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries

September 2011

Index
Obituary Bp Chynoweth Gippsland Grammar Mu raises funds for Rwanda Birthday for Recycle Me Perspectives on meditation Perspective on I-life Westernport parish Diocesan calendar Kidsplus+ gatherings Puzzles VP service with students Farewell to Bob Brown Deans Conference 1 3 4 5 6 6 7-10 10 11 12 12 13 13

Do not fear asylum seekers

CYNICISM is destroying this country. It is 10 years since the Tampa incident, the Howard governments cynical exploitation of the most vulnerable people on earth to buy the votes that won the Liberal coalition government an election. Its legacy, today, is a debate devoid of any principles from either of the major political parties in their responses to asylum seekers. Worse than that, cynicism is increasingly a part of public debate on this matter. Some prominent business and union leaders recently endorsed a new strategy on asylum seekers which would see mandatory detention a thing of the past and Australia increasing its refugee intake. They were immediately viewed by some with scorn. One response even suggested their motive to be self-interest. Apparently, business wants to increase demand for goods and services and unions want to increase their membership by letting more asylum seekers into Australia. Former Liberal Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, also pointed out how the debate on asylum seekers on both sides of politics has degenerated into a competition about who can be toughest, who can be nastiest, who can do more to besmirch people who get on boats, who can do more to say such people do not deserve a haven. He, too, was met with derision. One response was to declare him nave and to ask him to explain why his old party led the descent into shame, completely ignoring the fact Fraser is consistently one of the most trenchant critics of the current Coalition Partys asylum seeker policy. Cynicism grows easily in a culture of fear. Ever since asylum seekers were cast as a threat to security for political gain in the Tampa election, the soil in which cynicism flourishes and grows has continued to be ploughed and watered. As scared people, we are easily exploited. Our defence for our lack of courage is to distort the truth, in a pitiful attempt to justify our weakness. Cynicism is the product of this process which is grounded in fear. Sadly, the Australian electorate as a whole has descended into fearful, cynical weakness when it comes to the debate about asylum seekers. Consequently, we have been rewarded with the political leadership we deserve. This leadership itself has grown too scared to stand publicly for justice and compassion. This does not mean the vast majority of our leaders are not personally compassionate or concerned for justice. The tragedy is they, too, are silenced by the climate of cynicism which continues to be cultivated for personal gain by some in political leadership and by some in the media. To speak up for justice and compassion in this climate requires great political courage, always a huge demand for those who see life only in terms of what they have to lose. Currently, the biggest losers in this political climate are asylum seekers. The critical question for us as Australians is how to overcome the fear that breeds cynicism. In writing to some early Christians, John is clear about this. He says: Perfect love casts out fear and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. He says this within the context of saying: God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. For John, growth in our capacity to love is not a matter of striving in our own power to be more loving. It is more a matter of striving more and more to abide in Gods love, or to live in the experience of Gods great love for us. In being loved, we grow in love. In growing in love, we grow in courage, and we become less fearful. One sure sign of a lack of fear is a lack of cynicism. We no longer need to be cynical when we are not afraid to speak the truth. We know the truth will not only set us free, but it has the capacity to set free all who are bound in fear. Pray it will set free those who are bound not only in fear but in the irons of the current asylum seeker policies of our country. Fortunately there are some small signs of hope now in Australia for asylum seekers. More people are finding the courage to speak up about this, on both sides of politics and in many walks of life. They are advocating for compassion and justice for asylum seekers and for an increase in Australias refugee intake. More high-profile people are counting the cost of being outspoken in the current climate of cynicism and they are

Literary & media reviews 14-15 Parishes 16

The Gippsland

Anglican

Price: 90 cents each $25 annual postal subscription Member of Australasian Religious Press Association Member of Community Newspapers Association of Victoria Registered by Australia Post. Print Post Number 34351/00018 The Gippsland Anglican is the official newspaper of and is published by The Anglican Diocese of Gippsland, 453 Raymond St, Sale,Victoria, 3853, www.gippsanglican.org.au Editor: Mrs Jeanette Severs, PO Box 928, Sale, 3850 Tel: 03 5144 2044 Fax: 03 5144 7183 Email: editor@gippsanglican.org.au Email all parish reports, all articles, photographs, letters and advertisements to the Editor. Photographs should be jpeg files. Articles should be .doc or .txt files. Advertisements should be PDF files. Printed by Latrobe Valley Express P/L 21 George Street, Morwell, 3840 All contributions must be received by the Editor by the 15th day of the month prior to publication. Contact the Editor to discuss variation to this date. The Editor reserves the right of final choice and format of material included in each issue. The Gippsland Anglican and the Editor cannot necessarily verify any material used in this publication. Views contained in submitted material are those of contributors. Advertising Rates: $6.80/cm deep/column black & white. Color is an extra $130. Contact the Editor in the first instance for all advertising submissions, costings and enquiries, including about inserts in the newspaper. All advertisements should be booked with the Editor by the 10th of the month prior to publication. For Sale Classifieds: Parishes can advertise items for free, for sale at prices up to and including $100. Send details, including contact name and telephone number, to the Editor by 10th of the month prior to publication.

speaking out. More ordinary people are joining in the search for a just and compassionate response to asylum seekers. A recent survey shows 53 per cent of Australians now say asylum seekers should be processed onshore and 32 per cent even say they should live in the community rather than be held in detention. Let us together increase those percentages, and let us together, as Christians, lead the way in the love that overcomes fear and destroys the cynicism that defiles us all.

The Right Reverend John McIntyre Anglican Bishop of Gippsland

How Tampa became Australias turning point

By Katharine Gentry
THE theme for Refugee Week in 2007 was The Voices of Young Refugees. Year 8 student, Katharine Gentry, won the Victorian National History Challenge for her essay The Tampa incident and how it became a turning point in Australian history. This is an edited version of her essay: The Tampa search and rescue mission of 438 asylum seekers heading towards Australia in 2001 marks a turning point in Australias history in three key ways. Firstly, it provoked legal changes that determine how Australia responds to unauthorised boats in our territory. Secondly, through extensive media coverage, it shaped the publics opinions towards boat people and dramatically influenced the outcome of an election. Lastly, the Tampa incident marks an important turning point in international perceptions of Australia., On 26 August 2001, in response to a Mayday signal from a ship in international waters, the Australian government sent a plea to nearby vessels to conduct a search and rescue mission. The Tampa, a Norwegian cargo ship, responded. After a four hour journey, the Tampa crew discovered the Palapa; a 35 metre Indonesian fishing boat with 438 asylum seekers on board. The Palapa was heading to Christmas Island; the passengers were planning to claim refugee status in Australia; but they encountered a storm and the boat was falling apart. The asylum seekers asked to be taken to Christmas Island and the master of the ship, Arne Rinnan, took them as far as he could before he was forbidden to enter Australian waters. Canberra did not want any more asylum seekers in Australia and they held to several arguments: to protect the nations sovereignty; detention centres were full; these people might not be genuine refugees and after September 11, there could be terrorists among them. The asylum seekers were kept on the hot deck of the Tampa with up to 15 people unconscious at one time, not enough toilets, on hunger strike, with skin diseases, diarrhoea, three pregnant women, one broken leg, several suffering from hypothermia and 46 children. Rinnan waited outside the territorial waters with the health situation on board deteriorating for three days, until he decided he had to get to Christmas Island. At this, the government sent an SAS recruitment to board the ship. On September 3, the asylum seekers were transferred to a navy boat and taken to Nauru as part of the Pacific Solution; 131 of them ended up in New Zealand and the rest were scattered. Australia wanted as few refugees, particularly from the Tampa, as possible. On September 17, the new Border Protection Bill was voted in. This made the Tampa incident not only an event, but a turning point in Australias history and law. In effect, the Bill represented a shift in power away from legal systems (where judges and evidence determine asylum seekers future) to military and government officials. It overrode previous laws, like the international convention (1951). This gave the Prime Minister the right to turn the Tampa and many other vessels away. As to be expected, there was opposition to the Bill. It took two appeals to parliament for the Bill to be agreed to. Human rights advocates and the United Nations also strongly opposed the Bill for humanitarian reasons. The Tampa sparked an upsurge of media interest in asylum seeker issues and consequently established immigration policys place as a key social question. Before the Tampa incident, media coverage of boat people was enough to ignite fear but never informative enough to present the issue clearly. Just one week before the Tampas mission, polls were showing Howard would lose the 2001 election. It turns out the Tampa mission was a crucial turning point in the election campaign. Howard used the Tampa incident to fuel anxiety. Before the Tampa, Australia was well known for its humanitarian treatment of refugees. In conclusion, the Tampa incident represents a three-fold turning point in Australias modern history. It led to the creation of the Border Protection Bill, which was a substantial change in Australias law and attitude to asylum seekers. It raised immigration policy and asylum seekers as a major social issue and influenced the 2001 election. Finally, Australias humanitarian and fair image was damaged in the international community. If it werent for the Tampa incident, Australians would probably still be very ignorant about asylum seekers, with little media interest in the subject. Amnesty International Australia, see www.amnesty.org.au

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September 2011

Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries

Gippsland Grammar celebrates

MORE than 150 former students and staff attended Commemoration Day at Gippsland Grammars Garnsey Campus on Sunday, August 7. The school community was celebrating 50 years of the campus and 40 years since amalgamation of St Annes Church of England Girls School and Gippsland Grammar School (the Church of England boys school). Guests enjoyed a service of celebration which included an address from the 1971 school captains, Russell Needham and Jan Davis. Current school prefects and former students presented symbols of the life and work of the school. Former Head of Junior School, Reverend Tom Binks, who was unable to attend on the day, addressed the congregation via a pre-recorded DVD. Guests travelled from around Victoria and interstate to attend the milestone event which marked the first amalgamation of Anglican Schools in Victoria. The Gippsland Grammar School and St Annes Church of England Girls Grammar School were originally operating independently but could see the benefits of working together to maximise the use of facilities, resources and, especially, staff. The decision to merge the schools was made at a combined school council meeting on August 8, 1970 and the new, co-educational school came into being the following January. Current Head of School, Ms Jan Henry said: Sharing stories from our past develops an understanding of the values significant in a community and Sundays service of celebration was an opportunity for past and present students and staff to share many stories and reconnect with old friends. I was thrilled that students from nine decades, from the 1930s to the present day, were able to come together and celebrate their experiences of schooling at Gippsland Grammar.

Help needed for people with print difficulties

RADIO for the Print Handicapped (RPH) Australia has 17 radio stations around Australia, staffed mostly by volunteers. Every day these volunteers offer the 18 per cent of Australians with a print disability, the opportunity to hear the contents of their daily newspaper, hear a book read to them, or even catch up on the news from a range of magazines. The Department of Communications Australias print handicapped population consists of people who through age, disability or literacy problems are unable to physically handle books or newspapers or to read or comprehend written material. People who are blind or vision impaired, quadriplegic, dyslexic, functionally illiterate and aged people are included in this group. The RPH network uses the immediacy of radio to give a highly efficient, effective and accessible means of closing the information gap experienced by people with a print disability. RPH Australia is seeking to recruit more volunteers, according to Ashley Morrison, Business Development Manager. For further information, telephone 03 9864 9207, email admin@rph.org.au or search the website www.rph.org.au ABOVE left: Past and present students and staff enjoyed a celebration service at the Chapel of St Anne at Gippsland Grammar on Sunday, August 7, to mark 50 years of Garnsey campus and 40 years since amalgamation. LEFT: Former staff member and old scholar, Jan Saville, with fellow old scholars Joy Brand (nee Saxton), Ruth Glover (nee Macalister) and Eileen Douglas (nee Connley). BELOW: Old Boys Russell Needham, Neil Lett, Bruce Savage, Bill Jessep, Russell Speechley, Grant Derham and Geoff Gooch.

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Aged care reform welcome Anglicord

By Lisa Rees, Benetas
LEADING Victorian aged care provider, Benetas, welcomed the recommendations for aged care reform released by the Productivity Commission in its inquiry into Caring for Older Australians. Benetas CEO, Sandra Hills (right), said she fully supports the recommendations. The whole framework presented is very positive. I am particularly pleased to see an emphasis on the independence and overall wellness of older Australians. The report looks to present much more control and choice for consumers and a more sustainable industry, she said. As a not-for-profit provider, Benetas is particularly interested in the focus on block funding for special needs groups, such as those who are homeless or from culturally diverse backgrounds. We also hope the focus on increasing community support services will lead to a reduction in social isolation, which is a real danger for an alarmingly large proportion of older Australians. Other areas strongly welcomed by Benetas include the abolishment of the high/low care divide; removal of the limit on residential places and community care packages; and the opening up of the market place, which will force providers to compete on a range of areas such as cultural awareness, quality of food and professionalism of staff. The report makes a very clear statement about what these changes will mean for two distinct groups: the consumer and the provider, Ms Hills said. It will create healthy market competition among providers, which will lead to a fantastic result for consumers; theyll have plenty to choose from. A particular focus for Benetas as an organisation is research and advocacy for older Australians. The final report has covered this area in a lot more depth than the draft. I can see there are some exciting opportunities to be had around researching innovative projects where we dont already have existing data. This could ultimately lead to new models of care. Wed really like to see this embraced because it would be a shame to miss such a fabulous opportunity, Ms Hills said. Benetas has partnered with Deakin University, for research conducted around the topic of respect for older people and positive perceptions of older Australians in society. We were surprised there was not more about overall positive ageing in the report, as it is an integral element to ensuring the general public embrace change, said Ms Hills. If Australians are not interested in ageing, or continue to see it as a taboo topic, then there wont be the support needed for the government to feel confident in embracing the recommendations. Public education is vital. We will have to make sure the government are held accountable. The reforms outlined are hand-in-glove and we are hopeful the government doesnt just pick up whats most palatable or whats most easily achieved. Once approved, the implementation of the reforms will essentially be an enormous change management process for all stakeholders; government, providers, and most importantly consumers. Benetas is keen to see, and be involved in, an active engagement of industry bodies to ensure a smooth and effective transition.

CEO: Ease the suffering in East Africa

MU raises funds for Rwanda

ON August 10, more than 60 people gathered at St Peters Leongatha for a soup and sandwich lunch in aid of the Seeds of Peace project in Gahini diocese in Rwanda. The lunch was hosted by St Peters Mothers Union branch and was attended by MU members from Morwell, Drouin and Wonthaggi Inverloch, members of Corner Inlet parish, women from the Leongatha Uniting and Catholic churches, representatives of the Tarwin Lower and Dumbalk Meeniyan congregations, as well as many people from St Peters. Guest speaker, Anne Connelly, spoke about the three months she and her husband, Reverend Jim Connelly, spent living in Gahini diocese. They spent their first week at the Seeds of Peace conference centre and guest house, on the shores of Lake Muhazi. Gippsland diocese has committed itself to helping the people of Gahini to finish building the centre; so far, only five cottages have been completed. Another $200,000 is needed to complete the project, which will provide needed skills training and employment to the local people. Anne and Jim Connelly also visited 42 parishes in Gahini diocese, where they were asked to inspect the cows donated by Gippsland diocese to help support the pastors and their families. Water supply is a big problem in Rwanda, Anne explained, with many villages built on top of hills, with the water supply in the valley below, so every drop of water has to be carried up the hill in plastic containers. During the dry seasons, when it does not rain for months at a time, some water sources dry up. Children spend time after school carrying water to their homes. Anne and Jim visited Leongathas link parishes of Karangazi and Musenyi and met their pastors and families. Archdeacon Moses, of Karangazi parish, has a motorbike for transport: cars are very rare in Rwanda. Anne commented that of the 350 people attending church at the cathedral in Gahini, only one family arrived by car; nearly everyone walks long distances to church. HIV/AIDS is a serious problem in Rwanda. It is so prevalent patients admitted to Gahini hospital are not tested; it is just assumed every patient is infected. During a hospital stay, families must supply all the patients bedding and food and cooking facilities are primitive. Anne showed a mother walking to hospital to have her baby, with her suitcase on her head and her previous baby strapped to her back. It is quite typical for families in Rwanda to number seven children. The lunch raised more than $650 for the Seeds of Peace project and Leongatha MU thanks all who attended for their generosity and Anne Connelly for her insight into the country and its people. Contributed by Heather Scott ABOVE: Elsie Allchin, Anne Connelly and Marilyn Kingsley, from Drouin MU, chatting with Liz Chapman and Christine Farmer of Leongatha at the MU lunch. Photo: Heather Scott

Friday September 9th

Koo Wee Rup Phillip Island

Friday September 9th
Sunday September 11th

Saturday September 10th

Leongatha

Wonthaggi

THE humanitarian crisis in East Africa continues and some agencies are estimating as many as one in 10 children in Somalia may die by November. People continue to struggle with lack of clean water and food for people and livestock. Recent rains have come too late for weakened people and cattle herds and increase the risk of waterborne diseases. The CEO of Anglicord, Misha Coleman, said the organisation is collecting money to support communities in Ethiopia and Kenya through existing partners and support communities where there is no existing relationship, such as Somalia, through the ACT Alliance. Your help will buy food for people and livestock, and water wells. The assistance will be focused on pregnant and lactating women and children, as they are the people most vulnerable to the effects of malnutrition, Ms Coleman said. Your donation will help enormously. All donations to Anglicord are tax deductible. You can donate securely online at www.anglicord.org.au or telephone 1800 249880. Donating online reduces our costs so your support goes further. Thank you so much for your help.

Sunday September 11th

Korumburra is coming to you!

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In a time of need, we all turn to our family for comfort. Gippsland Funeral Services continues to provide care and attention just as it has for the Gippsland Community for nearly 70 years. My grandfathers attitude was that every funeral he looked after would be well conducted. That has been our philosophy for the three generations that my family has assisted your family, and continues to form the basis of our service. - Scott Rossetti

Emission reduction a moral duty

By Jane Still, Anglicord
THE government and people of Australia have been issued a prophetic challenge by The Environment Working Group of the General Synod (the national parliament) of the Anglican Church of Australia, to take up their moral responsibility to reduce carbon emissions. The Group says paying for the cost of carbon pollution will be a necessary part of that action. The Group has issued a Discussion Paper that states, in part: Reducing carbon emissions is a practical and moral necessity. The Group criticises opponents of a carbon price, stating: Those who oppose all forms of carbon pricing are discounting the importance of public policy action in the face of substantial risks for all life on this planet. Oversimplified political rhetoric does everyone a disservice. A strategy is needed to move Australia (and the world) to less dependence on fossil fuels. Ensuring the cost of carbon pollution is accounted for is an essential part of such a strategy. The Group argues that avoiding responsibility to reduce carbon emissions will lead to higher future costs for everyone through more frequent natural disasters and the loss of jobs to more innovative economies on track to a sustainable future. People living in poverty would suffer most and Christians have a role to play in advocating for these people.

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Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries

Happy birthday Recycle Me

RECYCLE Me op shop reached its seventh birthday since its opening in Barkly Street, Warragul, on July 8, 2004. A lot of organising had gone on before the opening and Warragul parish appreciates Sheryl Hastings, who helped carry the vision through to fruition. The move to the present premises, 49 Victoria Street, was made in May, 2006. There have been ups and downs in the new premises, major of which has been storm and water damage. Volunteers have been ready to walk the extra mile with working bees to put the shop back to rights after roof and other repairs. We have been happy to welcome new volunteers and encourage everyone to keep in touch with the shop through visiting it, even if not actively involved. We recently also welcomed Gabbie Willems, a year nine student at St Pauls Anglican Grammar School. Gabbie, who worships at St Pauls Anglican Church with her

Gwen brings gifts from Gahini

MEMBER of Mothers Union Cowes group, Gwen Petersen, visited Gahini diocese in Rwanda earlier this year and returned with gifts from the link parish. Bass Philip Island parish is linked to Mhingo parish in Gahini diocese. Gwen presented a woven container and an embroidered wallhanging to the group. The embroidery picks out the phrase, God is the one who did all this, God is the love, the way of life. Gwen reported on the many projects active in Mhingo, relevant to Mothers Union, including increasing awareness of AIDS/HIV and its method of infection, parenting assistance and microfinance projects. Contributed by Karin McKenzie, president MU Gippsland ABOVE right: Gwen Petersen, of Cowes Mothers Union group, with a woven container, a present from the Mhingo parish to Bass Philip Island parish. TOP: The members of Cowes Mothers Union group who attended the meeting to hear about Gwen Petersens visit to Gahini diocese. RIGHT: The embroidered tapestry, a present from people in Mhingo parish, Gahini diocese, in Rwanda to members of Cowes parish. The English translation hangs under the wallhanging.

family, is spending time at the shop as part of the schools community service project. We are grateful for Gods goodness in guiding us in this important ministry. Contributed by Bev Foster

ABOVE: Saturday volunteers, Elizabeth Crighton and Philip Bucknall, with the Happy Birthday banner for the recent seven years celebrations for Recycle Me op shop in Warragul. Photo: Bev Foster

Christian book of the year awarded

THE 2011 Australian Christian book of the year award has gone to Economics for Life, written by Ian Harper and reviewed in the July issue of The Gippsland Anglican. One of the nations leading economists, Emeritus Professor Harper regards his book as one of his most significant contributions to civic life in Australia. Harper provides a grass roots perspective on the economy nationally and globally and writes about how Christians, in fact anyone, can make moral choices about their finances. The first prize was awarded to Economics for Life at the 31st Australian Christian Literature Awards on August 18, 2011, in Melbourne. Subtitled An economist reflects on the meaning of life, money and what really matters, Professor Harper proclaims economics a good servant but a bad master. One of three panellists appointed in January 2011 by the Baillieu Government of Victoria to carry out an Independent Review of State Finances, Harper declares economics makes a valuable contribution to clear thinking about important questions that focus on humanitys material condition, yet it is not a philosophy for the whole of life; and was never intended to be. In 2000, Professor Harper was elected to a Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia in recognition of his standing as an academic economist, and more recently to a Fellowship of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Second prize was won by John Wilsons respectful yet unflinching Christianity alongside Islam published by Acorn. Historian, Paul Collins, won third prize with Judgement Day: The struggle for life on earth published by UNSW Press. The Awards were judged by an interdenominational panel of judges and presented by the Society for Promoting Christian

Knowledge Australia. The judges comments about the prize-winning and short-listed books can be found at: www.spcka.org.au The Australian Christian Literature Awards are administered by the Australian Christian Literature Society, an activity of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Australia Inc.

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Ray and Maree Anderson

MEMBER OF AUSTRALIAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

THE Registrar of Gippsland diocese, Mr Brian Norris, is planning an administration and insurance seminar on Saturday, October 29 October ,2011 at Warragul, from 10am to 2.30pm. Mr Norris organised a similar seminar last year, which was very successful, with a good attendance and many questions raised about parish and diocesan business. Mr Richard Macdonald of the Anglican National Insurance Program, Melbourne will be in attendance again; Mr Macdonald presented last year. A formal notice will be sent to parishes in early September. Register for the seminar, on October 29, to the Registry, telephone 03 5144 2044.

The Gippsland Anglican

Our Diocese - Opinion

September 2011

Perspective ... on meditation: a response

By Dr Colin Thornby
REVEREND Neil Thompsons question (The Gippsland Anglican, August 2011, page 3), Meditation: why?, is an interesting one, which deserves a response. [Editors note: see Perspective ... why be guided by other religions?] The Anam Cara Community, as Neil observes, is a body that has a relationship with the Anglican Church, through the Diocese of Gippsland. Not all members of the Anam Cara Community are Anglican and some people would not call themselves Christians, perhaps. I am one of those who is both Anglican and a follower of Jesus. One of the things I value most about the Anam Cara Community is the commitment to journey with all who seek the deep things of the spirit, while holding firmly and consistently to the historic faith. We feel we can be hospitable and welcoming to all who genuinely and sincerely come; a hospitality modelled by Jesus. It was in that spirit we hosted an event that featured a dialogue with a Buddhist monk, the Venerable Jampal. If we sit down as brothers and sisters, the days theme asked, what can we find in Buddhism that speaks to our Christian experience? What is different? What is the basis of our dialogue? Part of that dialogue, on that day, was to experience a time of Buddhist meditation, a foundational practice in Venerable Jampals form of Buddhism. That sharing experience was part of our respectful hospitality and to allow those present to see what a form of Buddhist practice looks like. Many Christians are suspicious of meditation, thinking it is unChristian and in fact anti-Christian. Buddhist meditation is a particular practice for Buddhists, with a full and detailed philosophical system behind it. Christian meditation and centering prayer are forms of meditation for Christians, based on teachings that come from the early Christian centuries. Both are taught and practiced by experienced, thoughtful committed Christians throughout the world, as part of their commitment to a life of prayer and following Jesus. Both teach meditators to still themselves in order to be fully present to God, and both seek, as a final goal, to develop in the meditator a soul that is responsive and alive to the Holy Spirit. Both enjoy active support from many prominent Christian leaders, including Archbishop Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Neither is compulsory and neither replaces prayer, reading the Bible or other foundational parts of the Christian way. Christians who are interested in either form of meditation can find more information at the Anam Cara Communitys website: www.anamcara-gippsland.org Dr Colin Thornby (PhD) is a member of, and writes here on behalf of, the Servant Leadership Team of the Anam Cara Community.

Perspective ... meditation

By Reverend Bruce Charles
IN an article in last months The Gippsland Anglican, titled Perspective why be guided by other religions? Reverend Neil Thompson raises two very important questions. The first is expressed in the title of the article and the second he concludes the article with Meditation: Why? The first question is far more complex to deal with than just quoting Dr Michael Green, who few would regard as being an expert in this area. Consequently, Ive asked the Editor of The Gippsland Anglican if I could reply in several parts over the next two or three issues. The second issue Meditation: Why? is more simply dealt with. Many books have been written on the subject, but given the question has been asked through The Gippsland Anglican, some reply is necessary. Meditation is one of the most basic and important forms of prayer. Unfortunately, its importance is clouded by a confusion about words and the fact most parishes appear to have neglected to teach it properly either during confirmation preparation or subsequently. On the simplest level in the Christian tradition, meditation, as defined by Wikipedia, a useful online encyclopaedia: a term for form of prayer in which a structured attempt is made to get in touch with and deliberately reflect upon the revelations of God. The word meditation comes from the Latin word meditari which means to concentrate. Christian meditation is the process of deliberately focusing on specific thoughts (for example, a biblical scene involving Jesus and the Virgin Mary) and reflecting on the meaning in the context of the love of God. In the past 50 years or more, Western society has become more aware of what Eastern religions call meditation. Although it has some similarities with the above definition, it more generally refers to another type of prayer. A type of prayer that has been within the Christian contemplative tradition for centuries and dating back probably to the earliest days of the church. It is also part of the Jewish tradition dating back to before the time of Christ. Current examples of this type of prayer which we might be familiar with are the Eastern Orthodox tradition of the Jesus prayer, in the Roman Catholic and other traditions of prayer based on the use of the rosary at Taize services. I do not have space in this article to describe the varieties of prayer the word meditation includes, but we can describe it at its simplest level. It is a way of praying that helps us to be still and know that I am God. One of the commonest forms of meditation in Eastern religion is based on the use of what is called a mantra. The word mantra means mind shelter. One of the desert fathers, John Cassian (c 360435) described the mantra as a formula. In this way of praying, the time that one sets aside as meditation is a time when we seek to quieten our mind and go beyond the mind into that secret place where we meet with the Father (Matthew 6:7). The praying person holds their heart before God and repeats a word or phrase to help them do so. This is a time when one chooses not to think, so that when thoughts arise, as soon as one becomes aware that one is thinking one returns to the formula. The purpose of the formula is in time to lead one beyond words to the Word, who is Jesus, the light and life of the world, the life of each and every one of us. One of the main advantages of this form of prayer is it helps one to be still and listen to God. Some people choose to concentrate on a candle or an icon or something else that is meaningful to them, helping them to focus the mind and go beyond thought. Personally, I do not regard this type of meditation as as pure as the formula method because it still involves the senses. There is scientific evidence to suggest the depth of the experience is not as deep. On a personal note and this is the beginning of my response to Rev. Neil Thompsons first question, the prayer I learned growing up in the church was very formal. In our confirmation classes we were given a little book titled In His Presence. A useful little book which I treasured but I do not recall it talking about this type of prayer. It was during my university days and through a series of events I came to learn Transcendental Meditation. This was a mantra form of meditation which I embraced passionately and meditated for 20 minutes twice a day very regularly. A month after beginning this process, I knew God existed. From then the journey unfolded, without going into details, and led me into a deeper relationship with Jesus; and in the process to find how this method I learned was a part of the Christian tradition as well. The Christian version made more sense in that it was based on bringing your heart before God. For those who study the contemplative traditions of the Christian West and Eastern orthodoxy, they will find not only the parallel to Eastern meditation I have discussed, but many similar practices of prayer, especially involving the way we breathe as we pray. My own prayer life is much deeper because of what I have learned from Eastern religions, particularly various forms of yoga and various forms of Buddhism. Consequently, I can understand the Anam Cara Community wanting to hear what a Buddhist monk has to say about meditation. We can learn much from Eastern religions about philosophy and metaphysics and their understanding of the spiritual effect of sound. This promise seems light years away from a Church that at the moment seems to have lost much of the deeper understanding of liturgy. To spell out these and other benefits in any further detail is impossible in this article. Apart from the many books written on the subject, if anyone is interested, I have written a short booklet on prayer and meditation which covers some of these aspects in more detail. It is available on the Moe parish website http://moe.gippsland-anglican.org or you can contact me bcharles@aanet.com.au or PO Box 224, Moe, Victoria and I will send you a copy. Reverend Bruce Charles is the rector of Moe parish

Perspective ... the I-life: what price is choice and freedom?

By + Jeffrey Driver
THE currently most desired electronic gadget is a pad with an I as part of its name. The IPad complements the I Phone in digital accessorising. The digitally fashionable are then encouraged to wash their hair with a shampoo that tells them because you are worth it. Even the purveyors of that product we wish we did not need, car insurance, have jumped onto the bandwagon with their assurance that they are definitely You-i. This obsession with I, with the rights and indeed the desires of the individual, is a mark of our time. But when does it go too far? Watching through media reports, people rising up in countries like Libya and Syria, seeking greater rights for the individual, draws our sympathy because basic human freedom has been repressed by those in power. The right and freedoms of individuals do matter and are worth defending. But is the individual always king? I have been following the national debate that followed the release of a report by the Productivity Commission on poker machine gambling. The report recommended, among other things, a mandatory pre-commitment scheme and limiting withdrawals from ATMs in gambling venues to $250 per day. The gambling industry has lobbied extensively against these proposals, pushing the argument of individual choice and individual freedom. Of course, the vested interests are obvious. Beyond this, though, there is an important question to be debated: how much do we let individual rights prevail, even when we know their exercise harms others, particularly the vulnerable? Poker machines touch much more than the pocket of the individual gambler. We know about a third of all regular users are harmed. We know on average seven people are affected by every person with a gambling problem, at least one of them a child. Its not just about I. Some things cannot simply be approached as a matter of individual rights. In the famous Two great Commandments, the Bible balances individual needs and aspirations (love of self) with love of the others around us (love your neighbor as yourself). The proposals to limit gambling harm presently being considered by the Federal Government strike a sensible balance. They are worth supporting. Life is not just about I. Archbishop Jeffrey Driver, of the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide, is a past Bishop of Gippsland (2001 to 2005). This article appeared in the July issue of The Guardian and is reprinted with permission.

Interested in the environment and exploring your spiritual journey? Want to listen for the rhythms of life ... and to God? Spend time at the Abbey of St Barnabas at ABeckett Park on Raymond Island - set in several acres of bushland and surrounded by the waters of the Gippsland Lakes.
Spring 2011 Program:
Title:
Living with grief and loss: Hope for the journey Water, Dance and Drama Spirituality of Spring with the Anam Cara Community Earth and Art Work Week Intellectual Disability, Spirituality and Community Celebration Day for people with intellectual disability, their families and carers

Dates:
2-4 September

Led by:

June Treadwell & Edie Ashley 9-11 September Susanna Pain 16-18 September Joy Campbell, Carolyn Raymond & Marion White 30 Sept-2 October Pene Brook 21-23 October FULLY BOOKED 26-27 October Eileen Glass & the LArche community October 29 Eileen Glass & the LArche community

The Abbey of St Barnabas at ABeckett Park P: 03 5156 6580 E: theabbeyofstbarnabas@gmail.com www.theabbeyofstbarnabas.org for details of the 2011 program and accommodation

The Gippsland Anglican

September 2011

Our Diocese - Jesus Christ Here and Now for Westernport parish

Westernport diverse in partnership

By Brenda Burney
THE parish of Westernport is spread across quite a large and diverse area, with towns in both Bass Coast and Cardinia shires. There are worship centres in the towns of Corinella (population 500), Koo Wee Rup (population 2100) and Lang Lang (population 1300) but there are a number of smaller settlements within the parish including Bayles (population 200), Grantville (457) and Coronet Bay (643) where there are no worship centres. Reverend Brenda Burney is the only resident minister of any denomination in the area covered by the parish. Many of the towns in the parish are experiencing a slow increase in population, due to their proximity to Pakenham and because they are along the growth corridor between Pakenham and Philip Island. Many people commute to larger centres and to Melbourne for work. Farmers, young families, retirees and holiday makers make up a large percentage of the population. Work on the desalination plant has had a huge impact, both positive and negative, on local communities and individuals. A recent study by Cardinia Shire and Anglicare has shown there are many families who are considered to be at risk of poverty. Johns Lang Lang to form a new parish: the Parish of Westernport. The Parish was a full-time appointment until 2007. Between July 2007 and January 31, 2010, the parish could only provide a part-time ministry of three days per week. With declining numbers and congregations, made up of mainly older adults, it looked as though this would be the way things would stay. However, in September 2008, a meeting between the Lang Lang/Koo Wee Rup Uniting Church minister and Rev. Brenda brought to light a new possibility. The Uniting Church minister, Rev. Dr Des Parker, was due to retire in early January 2010 and he was concerned this may leave his congregations without a minister. The Uniting Church appointment was also part-time, at three days per week. The possibility of the Uniting and Anglican churches worshipping together under the leadership of Rev. Brenda was discussed. The idea was then put to Bishop John McIntyre and Rev. Philip Liebelt (UCA Presbytery Gippsland) before being considered by both church councils and our congregations. On Sunday, April 26, 2009, to determine the level of support for the proposal, a ballot was conducted. The steering committee had agreed on a two-thirds majority for the proposal to go ahead. We were astounded at the support of our church members; 95 per cent in favor. A steering committee of members from the Uniting and Anglican congregations was formed to discuss how the relationship between the two churches would look. On Sunday, January 31, 2010, more than 100 people (including a group from Neerim South) gathered at Grantville Lodge to celebrate the new relationship with a service of prayer and joyful singing. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Bishop John, The UCA Presbytery Chairperson (who just happened to be Rev. Dr Des Parker), Rev. Brenda and the secretaries of both church councils. A bring and share lunch followed.

ABOVE: Officials at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding at Grantville Lodge, January 31, 2010 were Norm Scott, Rev erend Dr. Des Parker, Lyn Kelly, Bishop John McIntyre and Rev. Brenda Burney.

History
THE churches at Corinella, Koo Wee Rup and Lang Lang were in separate parishes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1904, Koo Wee Rup and Lang Lang came together to form the Parochial District of Lang Lang. St Johns Lang Lang was the principle church but services were held at St Georges Koo Wee Rup and at seven small communities within the district. St Georges, Corinella was originally part of the Parish of Bass and, in more recent times, was part of the Parish of Bass-Phillip Island. In April 1997, St Georges Corinella combined with St Georges Koo Wee Rup and St

There have been many things we have had to work through since that day. Surveys, ballots and congregational meetings have been an important part of determining our future, addressing issues that arise and encouraging each other. We are all getting used to new ways of worshipping and we are certainly enjoying having more voices to sing on Sunday mornings and more people to share our ministry and mission with. We have been very conscious of the need to pray constantly so that we might determine Gods vision for our future together. The congregations have been together now for just over 18 months and have decided our relationship will continue on a permanent basis. (In February this year, 97 per cent voted to stay together.) The steering committee is working on a new Memorandum of Understanding, to take effect from January 31, 2012. We still have much work to do and some difficult decisions to make as we journey together. The whole parish will spend the day at Granville Lodge on October 30 to pray, to worship, to share lunch and to discuss some of the more practical issues that relate to our future together (such as, the number of buildings we have, how often we will celebrate Holy Communion and other topics).

Becoming More Christ-Like In All We Are and Do

AS we discussed the Diocesan Strategic Plan as congregations and as a parish, there were two things we felt we needed to build on with regard to our inner journey; prayer and bible study. Each year, ecumenical groups meet in peoples homes for Lenten studies. The studies have included material from Anglican, Uniting and Catholic traditions and often prompt some good discussion and introduce us to new ways of being. This year we had a movie night at St Johns at the end of our Lenten studies. We watched Invictus, about Nelson Mandelas life after his release from prison. This movie was chosen because of the discussion about Nelson Mandela that was triggered by the notes in this years study, Set Free. Supper after the movie is a vital part of our fellowship and a good time to discuss the important things of life. The study groups have enjoyed these times of learning and fellowship and have wanted to continue meeting, so this year we are offering another six week study at each centre looking at a Uniting Church

study called Light Eternal: Jews and Judaism. It explores the Christian-Jewish relationship and the group that has completed the study found it has some very thoughtprovoking questions for Christians about the way they think about Jews and Judaism. On our last night we watched the movie The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas which triggered some deep discussion about human nature. A small group meets to say the daily office and to pray early on Wednesday mornings at St Johns. It is a valuable time to commit our parish, ourselves and others to prayer. It is a quiet time where we can come before God with our concerns, our hopes and our thanks. Prayer candles are lit and sometimes quiet music is played as we pray together. An important part of our journey inward is our Sunday worship. We offer a variety of services across the parish each month. Family services are held once a month at Lang Lang and Koo Wee Rup. Sometimes these are Morning Prayer services and sometimes they include Holy Communion. Sometimes they are in a Uniting Church and sometimes in an Anglican church, so the liturgy is varied. continued next page

Your Local MP in Gippsland

Philip Davis
Member for Eastern Victoria
Serving the communities of Gippsland in State Parliament

Advocating for Gippsland Putting your concerns to the State Government

Shop 2, 424 Raymond Street PO Box 9210 Sale Vic 3853 (03) 5143 1038 philip.davis@parliament.vic.gov.au

Authorised by Philip R. Davis MP

ABOVE: Some of those present at Grantville Lodge on January 31, 2010 to celebrate the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Anglican and Uniting church congregations.

The Gippsland Anglican

Our Diocese - Jesus Christ Here and Now for Westernport parish

September 2011

continued from previous page These services include music and activities for the children and the message for the day is more informal; with input from the congregation welcome. Rev. Brendas puppets are usually on hand for some fun (above). With services in each centre every Sunday morning and Rev. Brenda only being at two of the three centres each week, Westernport parish has a team of lay people who help in many ways with preparing for and leading worship. In the past four years, we have added new lay readers, eucharistic assistants, liturgical assistants, readers, intercessors, welcomers and sidespeople to this team. Discovering our gifts of ministry and encouraging others with theirs is very much a part of our inward journey. Encouraging the inward journey of our young people also takes place at our JAFFAS program, an after school group for primary school children, which meets every Wednesday night at the Uniting Church in Koo Wee Rup. Alongside the games, food and craft activities, there is a Bible teaching time. The children always have lots of questions to ask about their faith. Our combined parish camps with Drouin have also been opportunities for nurturing our inner journey. This year, Gippslands Bishop

John McIntyre was guest speaker. His talk about the Holy Spirit gave participants in the camp much food for thought. Our times of worship saw all ages participating in many ways. The inner journey of those in aged care is not forgotten as we share worship with our ecumenical faith community at Killara Hostel in Koo Wee Rup twice each month. The hostel is part of the Koo Wee Rup Regional Health Service , enabling us to visit people in the hospital section for prayer and/or Holy Communion while we are there.

ABOVE: Reverend Brenda Burney baptises twin girls, Elouise and Andrea Randall, at St Georges, Koo Wee Rup on the day of Pentecost, 2010. Our ministry to those who come to us for baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals allows us to share our understanding of our faith at particularly significant times in peoples lives. These are often times when people have questions about Christian faith they need answered, questions which reflect their own inner journey. The focus of the parishs Journey Outward is connecting with children and their families. Much of our discussion of this part of the strategic plan focussed on acknowledging we do not have young people and their families in our congregations and we do not provide for them in the way we used to (for example, offering Sunday school). We perceived a need to reconnect with families in our local communities. We also realised we need to reconnect with the wider community; to let them know there is an active and caring church in their local area. Much of what we were offering had the expectation of people coming to the church instead of the church going out to the people. There are several ways we have gone about this and they differ in each centre. In the Corinella area, we have an annual Pet Blessing (Paws in the Park) service in one of the local parks each January. We have targeted school holiday time because families holiday in the area and there is no weekend sport. A Saturday morning seems to work well. The past two years have seen about 30 people and their pets attend. We invite a guest speaker, provide a barbecue lunch and have a fun competition with prizes (for example, the dog with the longest tail). We have members of our Corinella congregation involved in teaching CRE at the local primary school and we also help at the schools breakfast program. One of our parishioners managed to have a commercial toaster donated to the program, which makes life a lot easier. A few weeks ago, 80 children came to the breakfast club one morning. One of the reasons the program is so popular is that most of the children who go to this school travel by bus and leave home very early in the morning. The program has been running for a number of years and initially began through the Anglicare Parish Partnerships scheme. St Georges Corinella also run Georgies Op Shop. The shop has been operating since 1992. Initially it was set up inside the church, using the pews to display the clothes. Everything had to be packed up before church each Sunday and stored elsewhere. Now we use our own building at the rear of the church. We provide

ABOVE: Residents of Killara Hostel, Koo Wee Rup at a worship service.

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ABOVE: Paws in the Park at Corinella is an annual activity held in January, providing a barbecue lunch and including many holiday-makers.

The Gippsland Anglican

September 2011

Our Diocese - Jesus Christ Here and Now for Westernport parish

ABOVE; Breakfast club at Corinella. BELOW: Volunteering at St George's Op Shop at Corinella, Margaret, Pat and Danielle at work. BOTTOM: Glenis Hitchins and Mary Hodgson preparing for the community lunch at Corinella.

ABOVE: Participants in the JAFFAS after school program at Koo Wee Rup. about Jesus teaching on caring for others and sharing what we have. The churches in Koo Wee Rup have Easter and Christmas outreach programs which are put together by Sue and Peter MacGregor. The Christmas outreach is run in conjunction with the local Seventh Day Adventist Church and includes a trip to the outdoor theatre presentation of The Road to Bethlehem in Melbourne. This is sponsored by the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Our Crib service on Christmas Eve is aimed at families with young children. It is a very simple service which tries to get across the message of the real reason for Christmas. Last year, the Christmas story was told from the point of view of the innkeeper, who had a very sleepless night (above right). The children who attended were invited to dress up and take part in the story (right). About 60 people attended the Crib service. Our close relationship with Koo Wee Rup Regional Health Service has meant Rev. Brenda has been asked to bless the new Mens Shed and Community Garden as well as two memory trees in the Nursing Home and Hostel. Some of the men in our congregations spend a lot of time helping with the programs at the Mens Shed and Community Garden. Many members of our congregations are also involved in helping at the local community op shop, which allows some funds to be given to the church. Members of the Lang Lang congregation also help with the JAFFAs program and have helped bring the gospel to our local school through teaching CRE. We have

a great outreach and community service for families in the area. This year, the shop has been able to donate some money to the school on a regular basis for fruit for children who come to school without lunch. This is a great way of giving something back to our community. We are overwhelmed by the amount of donations we receive from such a small community and our volunteers are a hard working group of women who provide not only bargain goods but a cup of tea or coffee and a chat as well. Without the op shop, our parish would find itself struggling even more to make ends meet. The op shop volunteers have just begun a new venture. Two of our parishioners came home from our last rural deanery meeting inspired with a vision to provide a get-toknow-you lunch for the local community. The first one was a great success, with 26 people sharing lunch and fellowship at the senior citizens rooms. There is no cost to those who attend. The next one is planned for early September.

Last year we had the great joy of being able to extend our church building at Corinella to include a small meeting room. We can now have our fellowship time after church seated comfortably in a warm room instead of standing around at the back of the church. After the dawn ecumenical Easter service on the foreshore this year, we were able to offer breakfast in our new room. One community group is using the room for regular meetings. In Koo Wee Rup, we provide an after school program (JAFFAS) for primary school children on Wednesday evenings. There is no cost to parents but they can make a gold coin donation if they wish. We use the money to pay for our craft materials and snacks. When we have a surplus we have special activities such as ten pin bowling. This year, our surplus will also be used for Operation Christmas Child. We will take the children shopping in Pakenham one night and pack the boxes the next week. The planning of this event has led to some good discussion

held Advent programs for primary school children in our church hall and movie sessions for children during the school holidays (as has Koo Wee Rup and Corinella). One of the things the Lang Lang congregation felt was missing in our centre was fellowship with each other. We decided to hold a fellowship tea at the local hotel every couple of months, just so we could get to know each other better. We also thought this would be a good opportunity to invite people who might live on their own. continued next page ABOVE: The memory tree.

The Gippsland Anglican

10

Our Diocese - Jesus Christ Here and Now for Westernport parish

September 2011

Diocesan Calendar
2011 September
24 Living with Grief and Loss: Hope for the journey B; The Abbey of St Barnabas; with Rosemary Pounder. 3 Lay Readers Training Day; St Pauls Korumburra; 10am to 3.30pm. With Reverends Bruce Charles, Tony Wicking and Jenny Ramage, lay readers chaplains. 4 Bishop John McIntyre in Westernport parish 4 Combined churches eucharist, St Nicholas Lakes Entrance; 7pm; please bring plate for shared supper 6 E-conference, Following Jesus Matthew 6th National eConference; live webcast 10.30am to 2.50pm; telephone 07 9847 0726, email econferences@bbi.catholic.edu.au 68 The Abbey of St Barnabas, Raymond Island; Retreat into Silence; details TBA 8 10 Taize; two brothers from the Taize community in France visiting Victoria; theme joy, compassion and forgiveness; aimed at 18 to 35 year age group; information http://www.taize.fr/en_article7190.html 9 11 The Abbey of St Barnabas, Raymond Island; Water, Dance and Drama A. Led by Susanna Pain. 9 CMS South Gippsland Archdeaconry Mission Support Weekend with Tavis and Kate Beer. St Georges Koo Wee Rup; 11am followed by lunch; details Reverend Brenda Burney, telephone 03 5997 5440. 9 CMS South Gippsland Archdeaconry Mission Support Weekend with Tavis and Kate Beer. St Philips Philip Island; 5pm with a casserole tea; details Reverend Greg Magee, telephone 03 5952 2608. 10 CMS South Gippsland Archdeaconry Mission Support Weekend with Tavis and Kate Beer. St Peters Leongatha; 5.30pm with dinner; details Reverend Janet Wallis, telephone 03 5662 2055. 10 Safe Ministry Seminar: Bullying and Boundaries; for clergy, stipendiary lay church workers, coordinators of ministries, op shops, pastoral associates and lay readers; 10am to 12noon; St Georges Wonthaggi; RSVP Registry office, telephone 03 5144 2044. 10 CWCI gathering, Flowers with Focus; Baptist church hall, Princes Highway, Sale; 1.30pm. 10 Quiet Day Walking the Labyrinth, St Johns Metung; 10am to 3.30pm; BYO lunch 11 CMS South Gippsland Archdeaconry Mission Support Weekend with Tavis and Kate Beer. St Georges Wonthaggi; 9am Wonthaggi; 11am Inverloch; details Reverend Graeme Peters, telephone 03 5672 4590. 11 CMS South Gippsland Archdeaconry Mission Support Weekend with Reverend Graeme Vines. St Pauls Korumburra; 9.30am St Pauls Korumburra; 11am All Saints Poowong; details Reverend Jenny Ramage, telephone 03 5655 2007 or 0407 369486. 11 Back to Church Sunday 11 Bishop John McIntyre in Bruthen parish 11 Kidsplus+ Network Gippsland adult friends fellowship and supporters invited to afternoon tea at Lillico Glass Studio and Gardens; RSVP Gale Mowat, telephone 03 5144 1220 by September 5; cost $13.50 each. Open invitation. 11 13 Growing the church in the community; UCA Presbytery of Gippsland; Grantville Lodge campsite; $120; contact Wendy McDonald, telephone 0437 688477, email wendy.mcdonald@victas.uca.org.au 13 Mothers Union AGM; St Lukes Moe; 10am; BYO lunch 13 15 The Abbey of St Barnabas, Raymond Island; Water, Dance and Drama B. Led by Susanna Pain. 16 18 The Abbey of St Barnabas, Raymond Island; Spirituality of Spring. A Retreat led by the Anam Cara Community, Joy Campbell, Marion White and Carolyn Raymond. 16 18 Cursillo caravan pilgrimage weekend, Orbost; sites $23 per night or stay in a cabin; contact Peter Down, telephone 03 5157 8996 or email downmp@activ8.net.au 17 Ridley Melbourne pastoral seminar Where is my little miracle? 9am to 3pm; RSVP www.ridley.edu.au/infertility 18 Bishop John McIntyre in Rosedale parish 18 Diocesan Ultreya, Cowes; 2pm to 4pm 20 23 The Abbey of St Barnabas, Raymond Island; Environment Week. Led by Dr Ann Miller and Environmental Taskforce. 23 25 The Abbey of St Barnabas, Raymond Island; Environment Week. Led by Dr Ann Miller and Environmental Taskforce. 24 CMS Spring Dinner with guest speaker, Dr Cheryl Catford, Head of the School of Theology and Context at Tabor College; 7pm; One Community Church, Blackburn North; $35 each, $32 concession, $240 table of eight; email vic@cms.org.au or telephone 03 9894 4722 24 25 Bishop John McIntyre in Orbost parish 27 30 The Abbey of St Barnabas, Raymond Island; Earth and Art A. Led by Dr Pene Brook. 30 October 2 The Abbey of St Barnabas, Raymond Island; Earth and Art B. Led by Dr Pene Brook. Calendar continued on page 15
Dates and events as provided to The Gippsland Anglican by date of printing.

ABOVE: Attendees and their friends at the pet blessing service held at Lang Lang. continued from previous page We also thought it would be good for the local community to see us out and about together. This year we held a special day of prayer at St Johns for the Japanese earthquake victims. In Lang Lang, Rev. Brenda is invited each year to say prayers and give a blessing at the Australia Day and ANZAC Day celebrations. The Pet Blessing services in the churches at Koo Wee Rup and Lang Lang have been very popular and help us to connect with some new people as well as with our young families. Each year we hold a whole parish Harvest Festival and donate the goods to our local agencies, including Anglicare and the 4Cs. These services are not only a great opportunity to give thanks to God for all that we have but also to take what we have and share it with those who may otherwise go without. We have been very blessed this year to have added Rev. Erena Lawrence to our ministry team. Rev. Erena is our ministry support person and at the moment her main task is pastoral care. She has gathered a team of pastoral carers from among our congregations and organised our first training day. As well as this, she has been visiting parishioners and helping to lead worship in each of our centres. As well as our inward and outward journeys, there are many fundraising activities run by a small group of hard working and dedicated church members. Some of our fundraisers include cent nights, flower shows, quilt shows, fashion parades and garage sales.

ABOVE: Reverend Brenda Burney presents Rev. Erena Lawrence with her licence as honorary deacon in Westernport parish.

Be a part of supporting the

Aboriginal Ministry Fund

The AMF exists to resource employment of Aboriginal people in ministry; training of Aboriginal people for ministry; development of Aboriginal ministry in the community; the planting of Aboriginal churches; education of the Diocese about Aboriginal issues.

Be a part of achieving these aims.

Contact the Diocese of Gippsland 453 Raymond Street, Sale, Victoria PO Box 928, Sale, 3853 Telephone 03 5144 2044 Fax 03 5144 7183 Email registrar@gippsanglican.org.au

Thank you to Reverend Brenda Burney for her work in compiling this article and to the people who provided photographs.

The Gippsland Anglican

September 2011

Our Diocese - Children, Youth and Family Ministry 11

Color in picture

Confirmations at Newborough
ON Sunday, August 14, at St Aidans Newborough, nine people presented themselves to Bishop John to confirm their baptism vows taken at an earlier time, to follow Jesus in their lifes journey. Seventy people attended the service to witness the confirmations, including a congregation of Nuer Sudanese people and children and parishioners from Erica, Rawson, Yallourn North and Newborough. Reverend Neil Thompson assisted the Bishop at the service. Contributed by Bill Raymond ABOVE: With Bishop John McIntyre and Reverend Neil Thompson, the confirmees are Mark John Wilkins, Lilie Hanah Hayblom, Samuel John Heyblom, Shauna Louise Flintrop, David Roy Guthrie, Michelle Anne Guthrie, Noah Harrison Koschade, Eliza Mary Koishade and Hunter Michelle Koshade. BELOW: Some women of the Sudanese congregation sang Onward Christian Soldiers at the confirmation service on August 14. Photos: Bill Raymond

Kidsplus+ camp
ALL children between six and 18 years are invited to plan to attend the Gippsland Diocesan KidsPlus+ camp in March 2012 at Phillip Island. The Kidsplus+ network team has booked The Island CYC campsite at Cowes (right) for the weekend of March 23 to 25. Parish leaders are encouraged to bring a group of children to the weekend or encourage individuals to attend. Adults approved for leadership through your parish are welcome to join the leadership team. Please contact Carol Johnstone, Kidsplus+ secretary, telephone 03 5174 8445 or chairman Mary Nicholls, telephone 03 5127 2929 to express your interest. Application forms for the camp are available next term through a parish mail out.

Kidsplus+ friends gather

Gippsland Adult Friends Fellowship and supporters of the Kidsplus+ network are invited to join the September 11 outing to the Lillico Glass Studio , Gardens and Afternoon Tea. Those interested in attending should RSVP to the coordinator, Gale Mowat, telephone 03 5144 1220 by September 5. Travellers: turn off the Princes Highway at Nilma and travel along Bloomfield Road towards Lillico. The afternoon tea will cost $13.50. The Adult Friends of Kidsplus+ Gippsland meet socially three or four times a year and maintain their support of the wider ministry through the use of our regular prayer diaries. They often provide practical assistance and support for special ministry activities. The activities are always open to visitors and new friends. Contributed by Mary Nicholls

The Gippsland Anglican

12

Our Diocese - Children, Youth and Family Ministry

September 2011

Puzzles
Crossword

VP day service involves students at Bairnsdale

ON Sunday, August 14, a special service to celebrate VP Day (Victory in the Pacific) was held at St Johns Bairnsdale. Members of the RSL and children of the Bairnsdale Primary Schools choir and their families were welcomed by Reverend Tony Wicking to the service. Two flags were paraded and returned to their place in the Warriors Chapel. It is 66 years since the end of the Pacific war. During the service two girls from the choir performed on tin whistles, a boy and girl read the second lesson and three girls spoke about the Lord Mayors camp in Portsea. This camp is supported by the RSL and our church for underprivileged children from the school. The choir was very good and sang during Holy Communion. The speaker, Mrs Lyn Jamieson, reflected on her son Bradley, who is stationed in Afghanistan. He loves the army and is happy to be where he is. Lyn talked about her natural worries as a mother but is content as long as her son is happy. Modern communications make it easier to keep in touch as she hears from him daily using internet social sites and communications to talk to him. Lyn finished by saying that in her view every young man would benefit by spending time in the army. The service finished with the RSL president reciting the Act of Remembrance and playing of the Last Post and Reveille. Contributed by Ursula Plunkett ABOVE right: Bairnsdale Primary School students play the tin whistle during the service. RIGHT: Jim East and RSL friends. Photos: Dorothy Scott

Wordsearch

The Anglican Diocese of Gippsland takes complaints of abuse and harm seriously.
If you may have been harmed by a Church worker, or know someone who has, please come forward. All complaints will be treated sensitively and confidentially. The Director of Professional Standards, Cheryl Russell, can be contacted on telephone 03 5633 1573, on mobile 0407 563313 or email cherylrussell1@bigpond.com The Anglican Diocese of Gippsland does not tolerate any harassment or abuse in its church community.

Kidsplus+ begins after school in Inverloch

AS a follow on from the extremely successful You are special holiday program for children, Inverloch will be beginning a weekly afterschool kids club at The Ascension. Called Kidsplus+, it is the official diocesan childrens ministry and, for those who remember, a joint venture between GFS and CEBS. The program will begin in fourth term on Thursday, October 13. The program will be from after school until 5pm and will include a mixture of games, stories, craft activities, songs and even a period of time to do homework. We have a great team of volunteers currently preparing the program but there is still room for more if you think you might be interested. You will, of course, need a Working with Children card and a great heart to work with children from grades three to six. The parish is excited about where this new ministry will lead us, so please remember to pray for Kidsplus+.

Lauren reports on World Council

By Lauren Jankovic GFS Australian Junior Delegate to the World Council of GFS
The 20th GFS World Council was in Dublin, Ireland, from June 24 to August 4, 2011. Twelve of the 24 member countries were represented with senior delegates and eight with junior delegates. Emila Corrigan, GFS World President, opened the council with one thousand welcomes. The first order of business began with accepting the membership application from the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands was welcomed very warmly into the GFS world body. The second day, all 200 council participants were bussed to various GFS parishes to enjoy drama and songs. The opening service at St Patricks Cathedral was followed by dinner where we heard some traditional music as we entered the dining hall. Throughout the Council, fellowship time was shared and each day began and ended with prayers hosted by the different countries. There were also opportunities for junior members to share time together with a junior program in parallel with the Council. Local GFS children took every opportunity to join activities planned around our Council. GFS Childrens and Youth ministry is alive and well in Ireland. Each country reported on the wide variety of ministry performed through the auspices of the Society. Activity programs for children and youth, pre-school, playgroup and music ministries, educational, skill teaching, mission and world aid projects were just a few. Current projects are challenging and certainly varied, often working in co-operation with other support agencies. The Junior Japanese delegate gave a very emotional report, describing the aftermath of recent natural disasters and nuclear leaks. After a discussion, it was decided GFS will develop a world relief fund to support GFS countries at times of disasters. The money raised from GFS Australias trading table at international day was donated to establishing this fund. The closing service was held at Christ Church in Dublin where Glenys Payne (Wales) was appointed to World President for 2011 to 2014. * Lauren Jankovic is a GFS leader in Moe parish and an active member and vice chairman of Gippsland Kidsplus+ Network. Lauren was selected to be the GFS Australian Junior Delegate to the World Council of GFS, held in Dublin, Ireland recently.

The Gippsland Anglican

September 2011

Our Diocese - Clergy Ministry

13

Farewell to Bob

Lay reader training encouraging

THE third in a series of lay readers training days will be held on September 3, at St Pauls Korumburra. The day begins at 10am and finishes 3.30pm. Two training days have already been held, under the facilitation of lay readers chaplains, Reverends Tony Wicking, Bruce Charles and Jenny Ramage. Following are reports from a lay reader and a lay chaplain, from the workshop held at St Johns Bairnsdale in August.

First Australasian Deans Conference

THE first Australasian Conference of Anglican Cathedral Deans was held in Wellington from August 11 to 14. Seven Deans from Australia attended along with seven from New Zealand and one from Suva Fiji. Gippslands Dean, The Very Reverend Dr Don Saines, said these conferences are of great value because we get to talk to other Deans and hear about other Cathedral ministries. Of particular interest at the Wellington Conference were the sessions by Dr Andrew Bradstock entitled Faith in the City/ Theology in the Public Square. Dr Bradstock holds the Howard Paterson Chair in Theology and Public Issues and is Director of the Centre for Theology and Public Issues, Otago University, Dunedin. Dr Bradstock offered an interesting overview of his work and in so doing created a lot of discussion about the ways Cathedral ministries might reach out and seek to influence public thought. Public theology talk and debate about issues of current concern in the light of Christian thought aims at bringing fresh ideas to the public arena. Public theology looks to go, not left or right, but deeper. It seeks to raise the quality of public debates and sometimes even to reframe them, Dr Bradstock said. Like all conferences, ideas are generated. Hearing the stories from other Deans was well worthwhile. The Dean of Wellington, Frank Nelson was our host and opened with an overview of his recent research on Benedictine Spirituality. The Dean of Christchurch, Peter Beck, was present and told of their experience of the Christchurch earthquake and of their intention to rebuild a Cathedral. Dean Peters story of the Christchurch earthquake was an especially moving account of how the Cathedral parish is seeking to be present to the city in its loss while also seeking to develop its own life in the face of the loss of a remarkable building and a changed community life. Dean Saines concluded: The conference was a good catalyst for ideas but also for mutual support. Several Cathedrals like our own in Sale are small and include parish ministry within a rural and regional area. In general, Cathedral ministry is coming back to the forefront of the life of a renewed church, especially in the larger cities. In rural centres like ours in Gippsland, Cathedral life remains creative and vital. This is so for all Cathedrals though few are without financial difficulties. Contributed by Don Saines ABOVE: The Deans inside Wellington Cathedral after the Sunday morning Sung Eucharist.

Encouragement
By Kath Grandy Lakes Entrance and Metung Parish IN Boolarra Churchill parish, the final service with Reverend Dr Bob Brown was held on July 3 at the Churchill centre. Special guest was Rev. Tim Angus, Uniting Church Presbytery Minister for Gippsland. Other guests represented Church of Christ and parishioners from Bobs former parish in Deepdene, Melbourne. The Churchill Catholic parish sent a farewell message as nobody was available to attend. Congregation members did the readings and prayers, Churchill singing group gave a choral item and Gordon and Rosemary AbetzRouse gave a musical item. Several speakers talked of Bobs many programs during his seven years of ministry with us, such as Lenten Bible studies, lectures the local Monash campus and lay preacher training. Last year Bob (above) was part of a group that travelled to the Holy Land and he gave an inspiring talk and photograph show of the trip at one of the monthly Saturday breakfast meetings. The last part of the relinquishing service (conclusion of a placement) saw Bob handing the pastoral lists to the church secretaries, the singing of the Aaronic blessing and a thanksgiving prayer. A presentation of gifts preceded a delicious lunch catered for by both parishes. Bob has plans to do further study in his retirement. Our annual winter warming was also held on July 3 and a quantity of canned and packaged goods was donated to local charities. Bishop John McIntyre was our guest on July 17, with a shared lunch to follow. A special service was held on July 24, at Yinnar, where a congregation of 60 witnessed a double baptism (mother and son) and a Uniting Church confirmation. Contributed by Rae Billing Photo: George Francis I WENT along to the lay readers training day at St Johns in Bairnsdale because it was an expectation that lay readers attend. However, I found the day was very informative as there were opportunities to share experiences with others and Tony and Jenny were anxious to find out from those present what their expectations were for future training days. Jenny began the day with Saturday morning prayer and in doing so passed on to us some ideas in conducting a service. Tony Wicking assisted us in the process of presenting a sermon, by asking groups to discuss the reading for the day and then give a rough presentation to the other groups. This showed us there are a variety of ways to study and present a sermon. It was a good day, being with other lay readers who shared their knowledge and experiences and I came home feeling confident and encouraged in my calling as a lay reader.

Correction
RE the report on Jo Whites ordination in August issue of The Gippsland Anglican: Bishop John received an email that indicated there was a previous ordination at St James Traralgon in the past. I was present at the ordination of Fr Fred Horton at St James, Traralgon. I think the year was about 1987 or 1988; it was certainly before 1989, wrote Raelene Carroll of the Bunyip Church. The incorrect information was printed as provided to The Gippsland Anglican.

News In Brief
THE Anglican Archbishop of Adelaide, Jeffrey Driver, announced the ordination, on November 20, of Archdeacon Tim Harris as Bishop for Mission and Evangelism in Adelaide diocese. Bishop Sir Paul Reeves died in Auckland on August 14. He was appointed Bishop of Waiapu in 1971. In 1979, he became Bishop of Auckland, then Primate and Archbishop of New Zealand in 1980. In 1985, Sir Paul was appointed Governor-General, the first Maori person to hold that position.

Good discussion
By Tony Wicking Lay Chaplain LAY readers play a vital role in the life of the diocese. As such it is important they have opportunity to develop their skills and competencies in all areas of their role. The diocese requires lay readers attend two training days over the three year Synod cycle. On Saturday, August 13, the second of three such training days was held at St Johns, Bairnsdale. The first was held at Moe the previous month. These days are being run by the three lay readers chaplains, Bruce Charles, Jenny Ramage and Tony Wicking. For Jenny and Tony, it is a new role. Training was centred around learning from the lay readers what they were doing in their parishes; concerns or issues they had; and how we, as lay reader chaplains, could best help and serve them in their role. There has been good discussion and encouragement from both lay readers and chaplains. The Chaplains will collate responses to prepare for organising next years sessions. Our intention is to to cover the broad areas of theological, practical and pastoral issues relating to lay reading.

BARRY AND ANNETTE LETT

Order of St Luke energised

CANON Don Crewe was recently appointed chaplain for Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley Chapter of the Order of St Luke. The Order of St Luke is dedicated to encouraging and supporting the ministry of healing in local churches. It has a long history in Gippsland but has lacked a local chaplain since the late Canon Dick Pidgeon. The Order of St Luke the Physician (OSL) derives its name from St Luke, the beloved physician as he is described in the Bible. The Order began in Australia in the 1950s and is now firmly established in Australia, New Zealand and many other countries. In late 2009, after considerable consultation with the membership, OSL Healing Ministries was adopted as the operational name of The Order of St Luke the Physician in Australia to reflect the mission of the Order in the 21st century. The aim of OSL is to promote the understanding and practice of the healing ministry according to New Testament teaching and to help to restore this ministry to the normal stream of church life.
Contributed by H Taylor & D Crewe

Funeral Directors

Barry, Annette and Bradley Lett offer care, compassion and service with dignity for the people of Gippsland. Caring and personal 24-hour service.
Prepaid and prearranged funeral plans available.

67 Macarthur St., Sale 3850

(03) 5143 1232

Photo: Theo Bruinsma

The Gippsland Anglican

14

Literary and Media Reviews

September 2011

Bush priest in the outback

By Bishop Ron Stone Stamp R (2011) As The Sparks Fly Upwards. Melbourne: Sid Harta Publishers.
I AM a great admirer of the wonderful work of various Anglican Bush Brotherhoods which planted the Christian faith and congregations in some of the remotest areas of Australia. The earliest Brotherhoods were mainly comprised of dedicated young priests from the Church in England. I have often wondered what these men from Englands green and pleasant land, made of the Australian outback: the distances, differences, heat and flies. Richard Stamp, a former Bush Brother, has provided something of the answer in this book with its fictional tale of Brother Mark. As the Sparks Fly Upwards has been beautifully written by one who is a master in the use of words. The author is also an artist with words and paints a wonderful landscape of the uniqueness that one finds in the Australian outback, together with brightly colored portraits of some of the wonderful characters who live far from the well settled coastal fringe. I started to wonder about some of the colorful characters the author introduces to the reader. Are these really fictional characters? Could their exploits and adventures be true? Was Miss Vercoes fishing catch real? How about Nails the Undertaker? What about Ferret and Chugger? What of Wendy, whose bright undergarments attracted the attention of the unmarried Brother Mark? These are just a few of the many wonderful characters introduced to the reader. Then, upon reflection, I realised these are dinkum outback Australians; just like many I have been privileged to meet in my own ministry as a Bishop in the outback. Alongside the places and characters in the book there are to be found little cameos; of faith in action, of the nature of a call to ministry and of the loneliness of being a Bush Brother far from home and family; and of serving in that vast, challenging, wonderful part of Australia known as the outback. As the Sparks Fly Upwards is a book that brings with it some of the humor of the Australian bush. It is

Pondering lifes choices

By Jeanette Severs
RELEASED on DVD in July, What if ... is a film about Gods plans for a man and suggests What if God gave you a second chance?. Ben and Wendy are focussed on a life serving God. Offered a job in the city, Ben leaves his home town and Wendy, promising a bright future for them both. The story then switches to 15 years later and Ben is a man without a moral sense of responsibility. A high flying executive, he has not entered a church in years and has an attitude that money is the only icon. He is engaged to a woman who reflects his own greedy, nocare attitude. Celebrating his latest accomplishment by purchasing a Mercedes sportscar, Ben encounters an angel in the form of tow truck driver, Mike. Suddenly Ben is in the midst of a domestic crisis, married to Wendy, with two daughters and about to be welcomed as the new pastor in his home town. The story is about Bens unwillingness to perceive God in his own life, his attempts to sabotage this new life and return to the old one and, especially, the impact of Wendys faith that Ben will trust God in his calling. There are moments of poignancy and humor as we follow Bens journey. However, Gods plans for Ben do not include him remaining in this life with Wendy and their daughters. Although Ben tries to avoid it, God abruptly returns him to his old life. What has Ben learned and what will he do with the choices available to him? Watch What if ... and ponder yourself what you would do with a second chance at your lifes choices. Rated PG, What if ... is available from Heritage HM, www.movieschangepeople.com or telephone 07 5370 2007 or at Christian retailers. What if ... is also available from the diocesan bookroom; contact through St Pauls Cathedral, Sale, telephone 03 5144 2020.

a book to be enjoyed. As the Sparks Fly Upwards is available through bookshops; recommended retail price is $24.95 (ISBN 1-921829-35-4). It is also available online and as a Kindle Ebook at $12.99. Bishop Ron Stone is a former Bishop of Rockhampton diocese.

Brotherhood releases workbook for students

AUSTRALIAN students have the opportunity to open the book on the lives of people with less fortunate chances. A new workbook from the Brotherhood of St Laurence, for use in the nations schools, is set to give secondary students a deeper understanding of poverty, disadvantage and social exclusion in Australia. The Brotherhood workbook (right) is an educational resource designed to be used in conjunction with Brotherhood: Stories of Courage and Resilience by Fr Jeff OHare. This book, first published in 2009, tells the compelling, sometimes heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting stories of 29 Australians who rely on the support of national welfare organisation, the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Each personal story in the Brotherhood book is accompanied by a set of activities and questions in the workbook for students to answer, debate and contemplate. The workbook was produced by a group of eight experts in their field, including school principals, theologians, social justice practitioners, chaplains and a journalist. The workbook gives students an insight into why many members of our society can and do fall on hard times and how it can so easily happen, said Fr Jeff OHare, General Manager of Chaplaincy at the Brotherhood. By being encouraged to think carefully and deeply about these peoples circumstances, we hope students gain a greater understanding of the journeys taken by vulnerable and disadvantaged people. It may even motivate some to play a future role in helping shape an Australia that is socially inclusive for everyone. Greater social inclusion in Australia is the ultimate aim of the Brotherhood of St Laurences programs, services, research and advocacy. In a socially inclusive society, people are given the opportunity to fully participate in life. They are able to access education, find a job, earn a fair living, return home each day to safe and secure housing and connect with family, friends and the wider community. The workbook discusses the battles fought and adversities triumphed by many Brotherhood clients. Some of the raw experiences lived through and touched upon in the workbook include war, alcohol and drug addiction, life as a migrant or refugee, mental illness, losing loved ones, long-term illness and injury, bullying and unemployment. Some have lived through terribly painful chapters, but the light at the end of the tunnel for many of our clients is the Brotherhoods support. It can help them to reconstruct their lives and look forward to happier times, said Fr OHare.

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of the Anglican Church in Gippsland
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Note: Neither the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland nor the Anglican Development Fund Gippsland is prudentially supervised by APRA. Contributions to the Fund do not obtain rv the benefit of depositor protection provisions of the Banking Act 1959.

The Brotherhood book and its companion workbook illustrate why each and every person deserves a fair go. Written with year nine and year 10 students in mind, the workbook can be tailored to suit secondary students of all ages. It is also suitable for integration into a range of subject curriculums, including English, History and Religious Education. Were proud and excited to bring this educational resource to schools, said Fr OHare. We hope students find it thought-provoking and are moved and inspired by the amazing stories explored in it. The Brotherhood workbook was launched at Korowa Anglican Girls School on June 27, 2011. To order copies of Brotherhood: Stories of Courage and Resilience and the workbook, telephone 03 9483 1301 or online, http://www.bsl.org.au/About-theBrotherhood/Publications/Books.aspx

The Gippsland Anglican

September 2011

Literary and Media Reviews

15

Spiritual abuse results from flawed theology

By Ian Gibson Orlowski, BM (2010) Spiritual Abuse Recovery: Dynamic research on finding a place of wholeness. Wipf and Stock.
NOW spiritual abuse is officially recognised by the Anglican Church in Australia, it is important we understand better what spiritual abuse means and how it occurs. For our church, spiritual abuse means the mistreatment of a person by actions or threats when justified by appeal to God, faith or religion. For Barbara Orlowski, a Canadian explicitly concerned with spiritual abuse in the evangelical, pentecostal and charismatic streams of Christianity, it means using spiritual authority inappropriately, thereby violating the sacred trust of a spiritual shepherd. Orlowskis book results from her doctoral research into the question: How have Christians recovered after experiencing perceived spiritual abuse in a local congregation? with the book focussing particularly on recovery. She describes her book, accurately, as a recovery manual for wounded workers. Her research included a study of victims of spiritual abuse. They had often been strongly committed members of their congregation and had most commonly left the congregation following public or private rebuke, shunning and false accusations against them. They left angry and bewildered. Two-thirds returned to some form of Christian congregation or community; the other one-third of people did not. Orlowski considers the literature, the biblical and theological dimensions and the evidence from her respondents but consistently returns to some key themes, all related to ways the pastor of a congregation can abuse its members through the power relationship. Her overall argument is that spiritual abuse can occur when members of a congregation are deprived of personal agency in understanding God and scripture and that the path to recovery lies in rediscovering that agency, partly through understanding how fundamentally flawed was the theology that justified the abuse. In the area of leadership she concentrates especially on authoritarian and hierarchical leadership, the dangers of pastors who purport to mediate between God and the congregation, the denial of the role of women in leadership, the priesthood of all believers and servant leadership. More broadly, she is concerned with how a Christian community can continue to live under grace instead of under law and the tendentious hermeneutics of abusive pastors. Orlowskis main purpose is to equip people who have been spiritually abused in an evangelical, pentecostal or charismatic congregation to recover through understanding, first, they are not alone, and secondly, the particular form of spiritual abuse encountered in these churches is justified by biblical understanding, theology, ecclesiology and models of leadership that are misinformed and erroneous. This book is not a work of scholarship. It deals with issues of theology, but not comprehensively. It does not attempt to understand the dynamics of abuse or to consider how spiritual abuse is practised in Christian traditions outside those with which she is familiar. Some of

Diocesan Calendar
2011
October 1 Street stall, St Johns Metung 12 Bruthen Parish Country Craft and Art Fair 2 Opening of memorial garden, St Johns Metung; dedication by Bishop John 36 Annual clergy retreat; Pallotti College; with Reverend Peta Sherlock, Dean of St Pauls Cathedral, Bendigo 9 Bishop John McIntyre in Mirboo North parish 9 ICC Hymn-fest at St Georges Wonthaggi; 2.30pm; spend time together singing hymns, bring a plate of afternoon tea and a retiring offering for the hospital chaplaincy program. 11 Anglican Women of Australia Gippsland Rally and AGM; 9.30am to 3pm; guest speaker Mike Hansen, on the Camino pilgrim walk; enquiries, Pat Cameron, 03 5147 1990 11 14 The Abbey of St Barnabas, Raymond Island; Environment Week. Led by Dr Ann Miller and Environmental Taskforce. 14 16 The Abbey of St Barnabas, Raymond Island; Environment Week. Led by Dr Ann Miller and Environmental Taskforce. 15 Mothers Union Quiet Day, Leongatha, 10am 16 Diocesan Ultreya, St Nicholas Lakes Entrance; 2pm to 4pm 17 20 Anglican Women of Australia bus trip to Mornington Peninsula; contact Pat Cameron, tel. 03 5147 1990 18 21 The Abbey of St Barnabas, Raymond Island; Work and prayer working together. Led by Brian Turner. 19 Mothers Union State Council, Melbourne 19 Vocational Training Day, Growth in Ministry Training Day, Clergy Professional Development Training (Supervision Training) ; Bishopscourt, Sale 20 Vocational Training Day, Growth in Ministry Training Day, Intentional Pastoral Practice Seminar; Bishopscourt, Sale 21 Faith in Jazz concert with Reverend Greg Jones, Bob Sedergreen and Matt Kirsch; 8pm; Lotus room, Warrandyte; bookings, telephone 03 9844 5155 or email info@earthharmony.com.au 21 22 Growth in Ministry Intensive; Bishopscourt, Sale 21 23 The Abbey of St Barnabas, Raymond Island; Work and prayer working together. Led by Brian Turner. 23 Bishop John McIntyre at St Pauls Cathedral, Sale 23 Concert for Bush Church Aid with Reverend Greg Jones and local musicians; St Nicholas Lakes Entrance; 26 28 The Abbey of St Barnabas, Raymond Island; Intellectual Disability, Spirituality and Community; Led by Eileen Glass and the LArche Community. A workshop, by invitation, for those people involved or interested to be involved in ministry with people with intellectual disability. Expressions of interest to Reverend Edie Ashley, email edieashley@bigpond.com 29 The Abbey of St Barnabas at ABeckett Park; Celebration Day for people with intellectual disability, their families and carers; led by Eileen Glass and the LArche Community; a day of fun, community and spiritual reflection. 29 Diocesan administration and insurance seminar for parish councillors, with Richard McDonald of the Anglican National Insurance Program and Brian Norris, Registrar of Gippsland Diocese; 10am to 2.30pm; Warragul; RSVP Registry 03 5144 2044, kerries@gippsanglican.org.au 29 31 (Mixed) Womens and Mens Lay Retreat; Palotti College, Millgrove November 5 Enthronement of new Bishop of Ballarat, Bishop Garry Wetherill; 11am; Christ Church Cathedral Ballarat 6 Defence Sunday; remember the ministry of the Anglican Church among defence personnel and their families. 15 16 Emergency Chaplaincy training course, Level 2, for clergy and pastoral ministers; Victorian Emergency Chaplaincy Network; 9am to 4pm; $25, incl. catering and manual; email emergencies@vcc.org.au or telephone 03 9654 1736 19 Bairnsdale parish fair, St Johns church grounds 20 Diocesan Ultreya, 2pm to 4pm 24 25 Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training; Latrobe Valley; $275; contact Sarah Gover, telephone 03 5144 1100 or 0458 450370 27 Advent Sunday 29 Mothers Union Gippsland Executive meeting, Morwell; followed by lunch at Gastronomy December 3 Annual diocesan clergy family end of year gathering, Bishopscourt, Sale; 11am to 5pm 4 Emergency Services Sunday, St Johns Bairnsdale 25 Christmas Day 25 Community Christmas Lunch, Cowes Dec. 28 Jan. 3 Summer in Seaspray, Sale parish Dec. 30 Jan. 6 Scripture Union Theos beach mission, Lakes Entrance
Dates and events as provided to The Gippsland Anglican by date of printing.

the books assertions are breathtakingly generalised. The book quotes heavily and with glowing approval from other North American publications on the same topic; their authors have in turn endorsed Orlowskis book on its back cover. This book would be of particular value for anyone directly engaged in helping a victim of spiritual abuse to pick up the pieces and find a path to recovery. It could also be confidently handed or recommended to someone who had suffered spiritual abuse, especially in the church contexts principally dealt with. Spiritual Abuse Recovery: Dynamic research on finding a place of wholeness is published by Wipf and Stock; retail price is $27. Dr Ian Gibson, who has postgraduate qualifications in the dynamics and ethics of organisations, is the Advocate of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne. This review was first published in August issue of The Melbourne Anglican and is reprinted with permission.

Familys faith wrestles with t ra d i t i on of tr ib a l mu rd er

By Jeanette Severs Hanon J (2011) The Grandfathers; released by Heritage HM films.
on the tradition of murder in the tribe. Jesses own grandfather was killed by four of the tribesmen. It is the questions of a group of visiting anthropology students that allow for discussion of this issue. Their questions reveal, as Jim Hanon also discusses, 60 per cent of the deaths in the tribe are by tribespeople killing their fellow tribesmen and women. One of the main characters is responsible for killing many people in his wifes family. Tradition dictates then that the murderer is killed by someone of the next generation. For the Saint family to follow this tradition, Jesse and his father are expected to kill these four men. The film is a fascinating exploration of living a life of Christian witness and mission with what is reputed to be the most violent tribe

THE Grandfathers, directed by Jim Hanon, tells the story of Jesse Saint as he searches for his identity while living with the primitive tribe that murdered his grandfather. Set in the jungles of Ecuador and rated PG, The Grandfathers is a movie about redemption, forgiveness, traditions and revenge. Sixteen year old Jesse moves with his family to live with the tribe and the film is a compilation of film taken through a number of years, documenting much of the life and adventures of the Saint family and their fellow tribespeople. A major issue of the film focusses

in Ecuador. The viewer will be surprised by some of the information and decisions that are made by the participants, from the beginning of the movie to its end. It is a fascinating fly on the wall documentary well worth watching and sure to engage discussion. The DVD is available from Christian retailers and from Heritage HM films, telephone 07 5370 2007, email kylie@movieschangepeople.com or online www.movieschangepeople.com

Col, Pal & Brad Semmens FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Correction
FOR the Bible tells me so, a DVD reviewed by Karin McKenzie and published in August issue of The Gippsland Anglican. The phrase Christian fundamentalists at the end of the second paragraph was added during the editing process and was not a phrase used by the author.

~Servicing Gippsland~ Maffra 5147 1954 Sale 5144 1954 Heyfield 5148 3354
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Our Diocese - Parishes

September 2011

Support for asylum seekers

THE parish of Wonthaggi Inverloch had David Spitteler, facilitator of The Asylum Seekers Centre, located in Dandenong, speak at both Sunday services recently. Since 1997, the centre, manned by volunteers, has supported more than 1,043 asylum seekers, from 65 countries. The centre has applied $344,703.53 from cash donations in the provision of services such as food, clothes, bedding, travel cards, telephone cards, work experience and pastoral care. This has been achieved with help from 740 churches and organisations. In his address, David described this ministry as a voluntary interdenominational response to the needs of refugees and asylum seekers, with no committees, no budget and with no regular source of funding. The Centre relies on Gods provision and is an example of the church in action and exercising a ministry of faith. Recently St Georges, Wonthaggi had Reverend Geoff Campbell speak during the Sunday services, about his appointment as Pastoral Care Volunteer Coordinator through the Interchurch Council and Bass Coast Regional Health. The aim of this initiative is to recognise and support the current volunteers who already visit patients in hospital on behalf of local churches and to provide a more uniform and wider resourced response to the needs of this sector. Volunteers will undergo some training and will provide listening, support and spiritual care to patients and families as part of an holistic approach to health care. The program was met with a positive response from parishioners, with many offering to be trained as pastoral care assistants. Rev. Geoff is funded for 20 hours weekly for two years and hopes to have enough people trained so volunteers will be available every day at Bass Coast Regional Health. Contributed by Jill Price ABOVE: David Spitteler on left, speaking to Samantha, a visitor to our church about his ministry with asylum seekers. Photo: Jill Price ABOVE: Congregation members of St Thomas Bunyip with the results of their winter food appeal for Anglicare, Morwell. Photo: Heather Clarke

ABOVE: On August 7, 2011, Tarwin Lower Union Church congregation signed a Resolution (1) appointing the Anglican and Uniting Churches as new Trustees of the church land and improvements on the land and (2) setting in motion the transfer of the land into the names of the Anglican Trusts Corporation of the Diocese of Gippsland and Uniting Church of Australia Property Trust (Victoria) as the newly appointed Trustees as tenants in common in equal shares. Pictured are some of the signatories: Eric Ballon, Reverend Denis Simmons, Rev. Janet Wallis, Doug Grigg, Ted Fisher, Elizabeth Dunlop, Jim Cope and Allan Mercer. Contributed by/Photo: Heather Scott

ABOVE: The Sudanese congregation of St Marys Morwell held a special service to mark the creation of the worlds newest state, the state of Southern Sudan. St Marys Australian congregation joined with the Nuer speaking congregation to celebrate that after all the blood shed and the dislocation, the State of the Southern Sudan has hope to build a life for its citizens within their own control. Archdeacon Heather Marten and Pastor Stephen Riek led the service at Morwell. [Editors note: See October issue of The Gippsland Anglican for a perspective on this event.] Contributed by/Photo: Carolyn Raymond

DURING the service at St Johns Maffra on August 14 we took a long walk through church history with Archdeacon Ted Gibson narrating. Seven members of our church family showed clergymens outfits through the ages to the modern day. ABOVE: Brian Tease, Jeff Wheaton, Brad Nielson, Alan Banner, Spencer Eakins, Gordon McIntosh, Archdeacon Ted Gibson and Jack Spunner. RIGHT: Reverend Nielson, just arrived by horseback for services, greets parishioner Christine McIntosh. Photos: Jean Heasley

LEFT, above and right: Audience members and thespians who participated in the Beauty and the Beast theatrical performance at St James patronal cabaret dinner in Orbost in late July. Photos: B Lunson

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