networking - Churches of Christ in Queensland

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Bringing the light of Christ into communities
Chief Executive Officer’s update
- Dean Phelan
Alan Hirsch
Vale Haydn Sargent
Churches of Christ in Queensland is hosting Alan Hirsch in
Brisbane from 15-16 March. I strongly recommend to anyone
who is interested in the church’s mission to the western
world today, that you come along and be part of the Postcard
Radio forum with Alan. Book at www.postcardradio.com.
Church of Christ
minister, media
icon, initiator
of countless
community
projects and
recent Council
member, Haydn
Sargent passed
away on 14
February.
Haydn made
a considerable
contribution over many years to Churches of
Christ in Queensland at the highest levels.
After graduating from College, Alan and his wife Debra
were called to go to South Melbourne Church of Christ in
1989. This church was later renamed “South Melbourne
Restoration Community” and Alan and Deb spent the next 15
years leading this community.
Five years after having begun ministry at South Melbourne,
Alan became the Director of the Department of Mission,
Education and Development (DMED) for the Victoria and
Tasmania Conference of Churches of Christ.
During those years, Alan and Deb planted two churches on
the edges of society for the marginalised and urban poor in
Melbourne. I was privileged to have been Chair of DMED and
to work with Alan during this period.
Alan and Deb were then called to work in America and
are currently based in Los Angeles. Alan founded the
Forge Mission Training Network and currently co-leads
Future Travellers, an innovative learning program helping
megachurches become missional movements.
Alan has authored or co-authored nine books from The
Shaping of the Things to Come in 2003 to The Permanent
Revolution in 2012.
He is co-founder and adjunct faculty for the M.A. in Missional
Church Movements at Wheaton College (Illinois). He is
also adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary and George
Fox Seminary, among others, and he lectures frequently
throughout Europe and the United States.
He is series editor for Baker Books’ Shapevine series and
IVP’s Forge line, and an associate
editor of Leadership Journal.
Known for his innovative
approach to mission, Alan
is today considered to be a
thought-leader and key mission
strategist for churches across
the western world.
Don’t miss Alan on 15-16
March.
Churches of Christ in Queensland Networking
The funeral service was led by long time friends and fellow
ministers Bruce Armstrong, who coordinated the service,
and Barry McMurtrie, who flew down from Townsville to give
the message. Two of Haydn and Norma’s five children gave
eulogies to their dad, as well as his long time producer from
4BC and Channels 7 and 10.
What an inspirational life and legacy of encouragement
was heard. Police cordoned off roads into our Westside
Church to allow for all the people who came. We heard many
stories of tackling projects, supporting causes, passion and
influence across radio, TV, newspapers, politics and the
church in Queensland.
Afterwards, many spoke of private encouragement and
support received.
All this from a man who had cancer in his 30s, one lung
removed and continual health battles throughout most of his
career, passing away at the age of 77.
On the front of the order of service was printed:
“I am only one, but I am one.
I can’t do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do,
And what I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.”
It seemed a very fitting quote.
Send us your stories!
PASCOP Founding Sponsors:
While talking about inspirational people like Haydn, can I
take this opportunity to remind you that we are currently in
the process of compiling our 130 Year Anniversary book.
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Geoff Risson and Craig Brown have been commissioned
to produce the historical book and are calling for stories,
photographs and documents that celebrate the rich history
of our organisation.
They are looking for stories about key figures, events,
meetings and happenings that have shaped the organisation
and the work our churches and missional and care services
do to bring the light of Christ into communities throughout
Queensland and Victoria.
Contributions can be sent to Geoff via email at geoffrey.
risson@bigpond.com or by post at 10 Mackerel Street,
Sandstone Point, QLD 4511.
I know from speaking with many of you that there
are some amazing stories to tell, so please do not
hesitate to send in your memories and recollections
so the whole story of Churches of Christ in
Queensland can be told and documented.
PASCOP (Pastoral and Spiritual Care of
Older People)
Anglican Retirement Villages
Anglicare SA
Anglicare Southern Queensland
Baptcare
Baptist Community Services - NSW & ACT
Bupa Care Services Australia
Calvary Aged Care & Retirement Services
Carrington Centennial Care
Churches of Christ in Queensland
Eldercare Inc.
Illawarra Retirement Trust
Presbyterian Aged Care NSW & ACT
PresCare
Resthaven Inc.
Southern Cross Care (Broken Hill)
Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT)
The Bethanie Group
The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus
UnitingCare Ageing NSW & ACT
Baptist Care Australia
Catholic Health Australia
Queensland Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia.
Churches of Christ in Queensland has joined with other
foundation members (see below) in the establishment of
PASCOP (Pastoral and Spiritual Care of Older People) – a new
national body headquartered in Canberra.
PASCOP’s objectives are to promote and pursue excellence
in the provision of pastoral and spiritual care for the benefit
of older people living in Australia.
PASCOP’s primary focus is for people who are in residential
aged care and accommodation services, community care
programs, rehabilitation services, hospitals, hospices and
other health care/support settings. PASCOP aims to:
• equip member organisations with solid philosophical
grounding and education which supports the delivery of
best practice pastoral and spiritual care
• ensure that service provision is informed by research
which takes into account changing understandings and
the dynamics of the contemporary context
• promote the importance of spiritual health in ageing and
furthering member collaboration and communication in
the pursuit of a common goal
• promote public and professional recognition of pastoral
and spiritual care as an integral component of holistic
care
• garner funds sufficient to support a broadening of the
scope and impact of the delivery of pastoral and spiritual
care
• act as a clearing house for the communication,
dissemination and promotion of better practice and/or
effective practice in pastoral and spiritual care of older
people.
In this issue ...
Board and Council
update
p4
ChildSafe documents
available for all churches p5
Medical Santo on track
for mid-year opening
p16
GMP update
p17
Churches of Christ lead
ambitious Easterfest TV
project
p18
MAPs have big impact
in Bundaberg
p6
MAPs reach out
p7
Trudging through
floodwaters
Becoming a foster
carer
p20
p8
Pathways Mackay/
Whitsundays wrapped
about donation
p21
Shed scrapes up
support for farmers
p10
Nambour Men’s Shed
assists farmers in Monto p11
Riding the storm
in Bundaberg
p12
Exceptional care in
the country
Bob’s big birthday
bash
Pearce’s preparing for
next chapter with church p23
Why Christians embrace
secular life
p23
Surprise birthday
p24
p13
Carols become
community event
p25
p14
Hitting all the right
notes
p25
March 2013
3
Board and
Council update
The Affiliated Churches of the Churches of Christ in
Queensland elect a Conference Council, who in turn
appoints the Board. The Council and Board, together with
Chief Executive Officer, Dean Phelan, and his executive
team, oversee the activities of the Churches of Christ in
Queensland.
Every year Churches of Christ in Queensland’s Council and
Board gather together with the organisation’s Executive
Team for an annual Training and Information Day.
This year the day was held on Saturday 9 February in the
new Community Centre on the Churches of Christ Campus at
Mitchelton.
Being such a broad and varied church organisation, these
events are crucial in helping all those involved to understand
and contribute towards the mission of the church.
Various church leaders presented on the day: The Chairs
of Board and Council, Gary Edwards and Greg Runge, cast
the vision for year ahead; and Chief Executive Officer, Dean
Phelan, discussed Strategic Action Leadership Teams (SALTs)
and other strategic issues.
Conference Secretariat, Steve Slade, recapped on roles and
functions of the Council and Board, and Mitchelton Campus
Site Coordinator, Dean Farnham, took all in attendance on a
guided tour through the newly completed campus.
The Assistant Commissioner for the Australian Charities and
Not-For-Profit Commission (ACNC), David Locke, flew up from
Melbourne to guide those present through a discussion on
how the new ACNC will potentially affect Churches of Christ
in Queensland entities, before local Aboriginal elder, Tom
Kirk, capped the day off wonderfully with a presentation on
indigenous cultural awareness in community and church
settings.
Tom was very ably complemented on the day by Churches of
Christ Care Pathways Mount Isa Service Manager, Marissa
Sherry. The Pathways service in Mount Isa supports a very
high number of indigenous children.
The day was a great success, with many commenting on the
oneness of mind and strong sense of unity amongst all those
present.
The Council and Board also separately held their first
meetings for the year in February. Following the decision
by the Churches of Christ in Queensland affiliated churches
at last year’s Annual General Meeting to amend the
constitution to further reinforce the roles of the Council
of the Board, it was also the first meeting for both groups
in their updated incarnations – Council: Empowers as
Guardians, and Board: Directs as Stewards.
Churches of Christ in Queensland Networking
It was also the first meeting of the Board in their
newly reinforced constitutional role as Directors of the
organisation.
The Council discussed local church and ministry
encouragement activities in 2013, received an update from
the Board Chair on the future of the current state office site,
instigated a new committee to manage the appointment of
members to the Board, and affirmed an earlier circular email
decision in January to extend an invitation to Nigel King from
Southport Church of Christ to join the Board.
The Council also discussed Queensland representation on
the Council of Churches of Christ in Australia and noted that
as of 1 July 2013, the two Queensland representatives shall
be Chief Executive Officer, Dean Phelan, and Council Chair,
Greg Runge.
Council also spent time in prayer for those churches who are
facing some challenges.
The Board had an extremely full first meeting of 2013, with
topics of discussion and decision including theological
training matters for church leaders, the ChildSafe program
for local churches, strategy workshops in 2013, financial and
organisational performance, and the Board processes for
dealing with sentinel (major) events.
The Board approved the new Endorsement of Ministering
Persons Policy, which will be implemented by the Mission
Division in the months ahead.
The Board also discussed Board Committee work for the
year, and discussed upcoming challenges presented by the
rapid ‘digitisation’ of the workforce – tablets and mobile
technology.
Please remember to keep
the church’s
Council, Board
and associated
committees in your
prayers.
ChildSafe documents available for all churches
In recent years there has been increasing awareness and
expectation that organisations must be doing all that
they reasonably can to ensure that children in their care
remain safe.
The documents address the following topics:
•
implementation of ChildSafe within the church
•
volunteer management
•
volunteer grievance and discipline
•
disclosure of harm.
Churches of Christ in Queensland has adopted the
ChildSafe system as the preferred safety management
system for working with children and young people within
the church environment.
These documents are now accessible via LeaderLink. Click
on the Resources tab on the home page and scroll down
to the ChildSafe section.
ChildSafe is all about keeping children safe and provides
a system by which churches can be proactive about the
safety of the children in their care.
The suite of ChildSafe documents, developed by the
ChildSafe team, is also available on Leaderlink for
those churches that will not be using ChildSafe’s online
database.
As part of Churches of Christ in Queensland’s ongoing
commitment to supporting the local churches, the
Assurance Services Division has developed a Managing
Children’s Safety Policy and associated supporting
procedures.
The purpose of these documents is to provide guidance to
the churches around child safety and also to comply with
insurance requirements and state regulations specified by
the Commission for Children and Young People and Child
Guardian.
Should you have any questions or require assistance with
these documents or the implementation of the ChildSafe
system within your church, please contact Churches of
Christ in Queensland’s Risk and Compliance Advisor, Amy
Walton, via email at amy.walton@cofcqld.com.au or by
phone on 07 3363 1768.
Care Community Foundation
2013 Queensland Flood Appeal
Yet again we are faced with devastating weather in Queensland and around Australia.
Churches of Christ in Queensland has launched the Care Community Foundation 2013
Queensland Flood Appeal and we are calling on people to do what they can to assist
families and individuals affected by this disaster.
Recent flooding and high winds in many parts of Queensland has had a devastating
affect on local communities throughout the state, including Bundaberg, Gympie,
Maryborough, Rockhampton and the Lockyer Valley. In Bundaberg and the Lockyer
Valley, flood levels were reported to have reached over those seen in 2011. The
Brisbane and Ipswich also experienced flooding. Although in many areas the levels
of flooding did not reach those seen in 2011, homes and property were still lost in
some areas.
It has been a difficult time for all Australians with recent bushfires, cyclonic weather and floods. We
ask that those of us fortunate enough to have not been directly affected please give what they can.
Funds from this appeal will be distributed through our local churches with every dollar raised going directly to those affected.
Donations can be made by downloading the
Donation Form and sending it to:
Donations can also be made by phone or direct deposit:
Phone: 1800 600 900
Care Community Foundation
2013 Queensland Flood Appeal
PO Box 508, Kenmore QLD 4069
Fax: 07 3378 5299
Email: fundraising@cofcqld.com.au
Direct Deposit:
Churches of Christ Care
Westpac Bank Account
BSB: 034 055 Account Number: 153472
Online donations: www.care.cofcqld.com.au
March 2013
5
MAPs have
BIG impact in
Bundaberg
In response to the recent devastating
flood and storm damage in
Bundaberg, Churches of Christ in
Queensland Director of Mission, Gerry
Weatherall, requested that a group
from the Mission Action Team (MAT)
be sent to Bundaberg to support all
Churches of Christ in Queensland
centres and key people, and assess
what longer term responses the
organisation could make.
The team included Mission Action
Partners (MAPs) Steve Drinkall, Murray
Thomson, Kevin Hamer, Luke Finlay,
Janette Phelan and Hayden Parsons.
The Mission Action Team spent the
first week of February in Bundaberg,
coordinating church and care
services, liaising with other churches
and chaplains, assisting flood victims
and organising ongoing support.
The Mission Action Team operated
in teams of two, working closely with
local Churches of Christ staff and
Cameron West, the Church of Christ
appointed army chaplain, as part of
the joint task force deployed to the
flood relief effort.
“We have been warmly received by all
of our Churches of Christ Care staff and
volunteers,” Steve Drinkall said.
“Everybody is enthusiastic about the
possibility of working together more
closely and our staff look forward to
Churches of Christ in Queensland Networking
gaining a broader perspective of the
work of the wider organisation in the
region.
“We invited everyone to a networking
and thank you lunch, and all key
people accepted our invitation
enthusiastically.
“This has been an extremely positive
result and highlights the possibility of
us doing further work in other regions
over the coming years.
“Many thanks to Bundaberg Church
of Christ for giving us an operations
base and to the church families who
opened their homes to us and made
us welcome.”
persons suffering mental health
issues
Thank you
The Care Community Foundation
2013 Queensland Flood Appeal
has again seen the determination
and compassion of Australians
connected to Churches of Christ
shine through. Churches of
Christ in Queensland would
like to thank everyone for their
contribution and compassion
during this time of tragedy. Your
donations, time and prayers
have, and will continue to make
a real difference to families
and individuals who have been
affected by this most recent
disaster.
A total of $46,425 has been
raised and already over half of
this amount has been directed
to families who have lost their
livelihood or their homes.
Our churches have been a beacon
of hope and strength throughout
this tragedy, as families and
individuals continue to come
to them for assistance. They
have played a principle role
in distributing these funds to
people in need in their local
communities, and our ministers
have been there every step of the
way, helping those who call on
them and showing unparalleled
compassion.
MAPs reach out
Together they achieved some
remarkable outcomes for the people of
Bundaberg, including:
Frontline community chaplaincy:
• laboured with the mud army
• crisis intervention in a volatile
street case involving drug and
alcohol affected people
• delivered food and practical help
for Scripture Union chaplains in the
area
• attended a car accident
• frontline support for displaced
• served at a high school breakfast
club
• counselled a traumatised foster care
family from our Churches of Christ
Care Pathways network.
Development and assessment work:
• familiarisations of disaster areas
with Bryce Savill and Cameron West
• attended a prayer meeting at the
Twyford St Bundaberg Church of
Christ
• spoke at the elders meeting at the
Twyford St Bundaberg Church of
Christ
• met with Kerri Moir, senior elder at
Avenell Heights Church of Christ
• held meetings and discussions with
Red Cross, Lifeline, local ministers,
ministers’ fraternal, chaplaincy
fraternal, council employees,
Scripture Union regional District Coordinator, recovery and evacuation
centres, Minister for Housing and
Public Works, Tim Mander, and
Assistant Minister for Child Safety,
Rob Molhoek
• held meetings and discussions with
internal Church of Christ people,
including Bryce and Donna Savill
(Bundaberg Church of Christ), Kerri
Moir (Avenell Heights Church of
Christ), Hazel Lindholm (Gracehaven
Aged Care Service), Jodie JohnsonSmith(Bundaberg Community Care
Program), Donna Poole (Gin Gin
Family Day Care), Lisa Roberts,
Debra Langerak and Diane King
(Pathways Bundaberg Fostering
Service), Lisa Brandt (Kolan Gardens
Aged Care Service), Lee Beamish
(Gracehaven Pastoral Care Program),
Cameron West (Army Chaplain),
billets from Twyford St Church of
Christ, and the Eidsvold Church of
Christ
• disaster debriefing with Community
Care staff
• connected with people doing farm
ministry in the Burnett River region
• supported Nambour Men’s Shed
Coordinator, Mark Wall, in taking
volunteers to help farmers in Monto
• hosted a lunch attended by all of our
church staff, care service managers
and Army Chaplain, Cameron West.
March 2013
7
Trudging through
floodwaters
The roads were wet and
strangely deserted, and the
ground soggy as we drove
through Bundaberg to our
7am meeting at the church.
By the time we arrived,
everyone was assembled.
We prayed, asking God to be
with us and open us all to His
direction over the day. We
were amazed at how He had
done that already. “We must
be careful what we pray for,”
we joked to each other.
The evening before, after
praying that God would
send us where we were most
needed, we came across a
young couple stuck in the
mud by the river bank. After
helping them out, we quickly
learnt that the woman
needed more assistance
than just getting out of the
mud.
An altercation with the
young man and intervention
by police and ambulance
ensued before the situation
was resolved, with the
woman being taken to
hospital and the man taken
by the police for questioning.
Somehow, the five of us
present simply swung into
action as a team, each doing
what we knew best. We
marvelled at how God had
used each of our talents to
reverse what could have
been a tragic situation.
By 7.15am, Kevin and Steve
were on the road again to
deliver a trailer of goodies
for the North Bundaberg
State High School breakfast
club and to serve breakfast
to the students. The usual
volunteers were busy sorting
out their own flood tragedies
and were unavailable.
The rest of us started
planning a strategy. We
looked at the possibility of
assisting the towns further
upstream, many of whom
had had no help up to this
point. Gin Gin was possible
but further inland was too
difficult in our limited time.
Phone calls were made to
various people; we ticked
off the towns where some
help was filtering through.
We contacted Mark Wall and
discussed taking a team
from Nambour Men’s Shed to
Monto to assist the farmers
who had been devastated.
The Bundaberg Church of
Christ’s mud army team had
assembled and left; it was
time to be on our way. Luke
and Haydn headed off to
an evacuation centre, with
no specific plans except to
check out how they could
help best. Murray and I
settled into the long queue
of traffic heading across the
one serviceable bridge to
the northern suburbs. We
were heading out of town for
a pastoral visit to a couple
who were Churches of Christ
Care employees and also
foster parents for four young
children.
This couple’s flood
experience had left
the family particularly
traumatised. When the
foster mother was injured,
her husband took her to
North Bundaberg for medical
attention, leaving the older
two children, barely school
age, with her elderly mother.
After listening to their story
over coffee and giving
them details for follow-up
counselling, we headed
to Churches of Christ’s
Gracehaven Campus to visit
Churches of Christ in Queensland Networking
the service managers and
determine whether staff and
clients were all okay.
Although most staff had
come through okay, the
Community Aged Care staff
had not yet been able to
resume services to North
Bundaberg. We anticipated
that when they did, the staff
would need extra skills to
care for their traumatised
clients and cope with their
own grief. Plans were set to
run a staff briefing later in
the week.
As we headed back to the
church in the late afternoon,
we were stopped in our
tracks by a car accident,
nose-to-tail, which happened
right in front of us. On top of
the floods, this crisis was too
much for the victims to deal
with. Our team swung into
action again.
Later, as we discussed
the events of the day, it
became clear that people
from the two churches and
five Churches of Christ Care
services in the area did not
know each other. We started
developing plans to host a
lunch for all the managers
so that they could meet and
start to support each other in
the rebuilding ahead.
The situation as it unfolded
through the eyes of the MAPs
Churches of Christ in
Queensland’s head office
was constantly receiving
updates from its Mission
Action Partners during
the recent flooding in
Bundaberg. Here’s some
of that correspondence:
“Donna Savill has
organised billeting for us this week among three
families from the Twyford St Bundaberg Church of
Christ, two people at each house. She has also
offered her and Bryce’s home as a headquarters.
Bryce and Donna have also received news that
one of their families has returned home to find
their yard devastated but no water inside - a
miracle! Unfortunately, this is countered by an
extended family with three homes side by side,
which have been devastated. At least one family
member is inconsolable. It sounds like this
family should be our starting point for pastoral
and practical care.” Janette Phelan
The phone rang. Luke and
Haydn had met two particularly
distressed young ladies at the
evacuation centre. They had
been homeless since the 2010
floods; no-one would help
them. Their car and recently
purchased camper trailer had
now been caught in floodwaters
and they were again homeless.
Murray and I headed out. While
Murray checked out their car
and assessed damage, I talked
to the girls and assessed their
situation. We developed an
action plan the next day, Murray
would organise a replacement
battery for the car and get
it going. The girls needed
assistance to work through all
the official channels for help, so
Haydn and Luke would stay with
them and help them through
this process.
About 7.30pm, we made it back
to the home where we were
billeted – a chance for a warm
meal, an interesting chat with
our hosts and a comfy bed. Ah,
sleep before we do it all again!
If you ever doubt the power of
prayer, just be careful what you
pray for!
Janette Phelan
Mission Action Partner
“We are sending an advance party of six - Murray,
Luke, Steve, Hayden, Janette and Kevin - on
Sunday and Monday and we will be billeted with
families from the Bundaberg Church of Christ
until about Thursday or Friday. We will be trying
to assess the situation and work out exactly what
we can and can’t do over the next month or so.
Our thought is to set up a base at a local church
or something similar that volunteers can come
in and out of over the next month. My suspicion
is that any of us who are willing to go for three
days to a week over the next month will get the
opportunity. We just need to make sure that we
can make our time as meaningful as possible.”
Steve Drinkall
“The problem is massive and will be long lasting.
Information of how to help well is not readily
available. Bryce Savill is focused on immediate
recovery of his own church families. Kerry Moir
from Avenell heights is totally out of contact at
the moment, presumably unable to charge her
mobile. The SES, Red Cross and EMQ are all
particularly hard to get on to. More than 2000
homes have been inundated, which means that
the effect on this town will be extremely long
lasting and so there needs to be a longer term
response. Lots of offers for help from Churches of
Christ at many locations.” Murray Thompson
March 2013
9
Shed scrapes up support for farmers
Before Christmas, support
organisation Walking with
Farmers delivered 40 boot
scrapers to struggling farmers
out west.
Made by the team at Nambour
Men’s Shed, the scrapers serve
as a simple gesture to remind
farmers each time they scrape
their boots that someone cares.
“The scrapers were received
by the farmers with sincere
gratitude,” Nambour Men’s
Shed Coordinator, Mark Wall,
said.
“Interestingly, the thank you
notes received back mentioned
that the farmers were hoping
that the scrapers may have been
a sign that rain was coming.
“They may have experienced a
little more rain than they wished
for, but the Nambour Men’s
Shed fellas are pleased that the
boot scrapers are now being
well used.”
Churches of Christ in Queensland Networking
Nambour Men’s
Shed assists
farmers in Monto
When Nambour
Men’s Shed
Coordinator, Mark
Wall, received word
that the farmers of
the Monto region
were in desperate
need of assistance
after devastating
flooding, it didn’t
take long before he
was leading a small
team north-west to
lend a hand.
The farmers had just
got over the last flood
only two years ago
and this flood was
worse by far.
Mark said the
devastation left
behind after the flood
was too difficult to
describe.
“What force does
it take to uproot
large gum trees
and reposition
them elsewhere,
or to flatten a
complete hardwood
plantation?” Mark
asked.
The Nambour Men’s
Shed volunteers
quickly went to work
clearing debris and
rebuilding fences.
They also collated
and delivered 50
food hampers for
struggling farmers,
with the support of
their counterparts
from Southport
Church of Christ.
“Grateful farmers
have mentioned how
good it was for their
morale to not have
to face the ordeal by
themselves,” Mark
said.
“They were incredibly
pleased to have the
essential boundary
fences re-established
so efficiently.”
The work in Monto remains vast,
and Mark is seeking further
volunteers to assist with the
recovery.
For further information, please
contact Mark via email at mark.
wall@cofcqld.com.au or by phone
on 0439 732 983.
“Denomination is not important.
It’s all about helping people who
have suffered,” Mark said.
Alternatively contact Nambour
Men’s Shed by phone on
07 5441 2527.
“This way, we can bring the light of
Christ into the Monto community.”
March 2013
11
Riding the storm in Bundaberg
In February, people in Bundaberg battened down the hatches
to ride out an Australia Day storm that drew havoc to many,
including clients of Churches of Christ Care Bundaberg
Community Care Program. Community Care Operations
Manager – Area North, Yvonne Dalziel, recalls the long
weekend and the outstanding efforts of Churches of Christ
Care staff.
The storm became more serious on Saturday when a series
of tornadoes ripped through the area. Our staff immediately
launched into action and checked on the wellbeing of their
clients. Bundaberg Community Care Program Coordinator,
Jodie Johnson Smith, was preparing to evacuate her own
family when she received notification from head office of the
tornado.
Knowing her clients well, Jodie identified who was at risk
from the tornado and relayed this information to Community
Care Program management staff who began contacting
people to check on them.
The phone calls were very appreciated by those in the
tornado areas. One gentleman described how his fridge has
been moved across the back porch, power was out, the wind
was noisy and the rain heavy.
Over the following hours people who needed follow-up were
contacted again to check on their progress. Flood waters
continued to rise. Jodie commenced contacting all clients to
advise them to keep in contact with neighbours and family
and to prepare to evacuate.
Some people were not aware of the impending danger, but
most were. Some had already left to stay elsewhere, which
provided Jodie with an extra challenge when attempting to
contact them to ensure they were safe.
North Bundaberg became isolated quickly as did areas of
east Bundaberg. Areas were eventually accessible by boat or
helicopter only. Power was lost and communication was at
times impossible.
During this time Jodie was evacuated and while living
with family, she continued to check on staff. With the help
of program management, she began again contacting
community care clients who faced varying challenges with
food and water supply the need for medication was of
immediate concern.
By this stage petrol was in short supply; however, Jodie
managed to find enough to fill a vehicle for emergency
service provision. Medication was to be delivered to those
in need. This presented difficult challenges and plans were
Churches of Christ in Queensland Networking
made to deliver essential medication by the army Black
Hawk helicopter to people in north Bundaberg.
However, at the last minute, the medication was able to be
delivered via a Gin Gin pharmacy. In another challenge, a
lady was taken to an alternate medical centre for a doctor’s
appointment as her usual clinic was flooded.
Staff rallied to provide support to clients and each other
despite their individual circumstances. Much of this was
done remotely via the phone as staff could not get across the
flood waters. Clothes were obtained for some folk and basic
food supplies were obtained for people who had run low.
Visits to evacuation centres were conducted to locate clients.
This involved a number of rides in a boat for Jodie. On getting
to the centres she was faced with an additional challenge in
that not all people had registered at the centre, and some
had also left and stayed elsewhere.
Some staff were also evacuated. Phone calls continued on
a daily basis until all were accounted for and safe. Over 700
calls were made during this time.
As flood waters receded and roads opened, Jodie visited
the flood affected areas to identify what was required to
allow services to return to normal. The road around north
Bundaberg was a one-way ring road with flood damage,
traffic congestion and speed restrictions.
A normal 20-minute drive took over two hours – some areas
were devastated.
Jodie has worked hard with staff to restore services to
normal and has referred those needing additional help to
services that can assist. Jodie has found that people need
to share their experience with her when recommencing the
service, and encourages those needing ongoing support and
counselling, to access it though services that can provide it.
The rebuilding is continuing and the resilience of people
living in Bundaberg is admirable.
Yvonne Dalziel
Community Care Opertions Manager
Exceptional care in the country
Staff at Churches of Christ Care Warrawee Aged Care Service
in St George are reaping the benefits of their new state-ofthe-art facility.
“The ensuites though have probably had the greatest impact
on how we provide care to residents – they are well-designed
and very user-friendly.
The multi-million dollar reconstruction features new
nursing stations and utility rooms, and a specially designed
dementia care unit that was built in consultation with the
Alzheimer’s Association of Australia.
“There is plenty of space for wheelchairs and other
equipment, which allows staff to provide optimum care and
assistance.”
Exactly one year ago, the worst flood in St George’s history
forced the evacuation and relocation of 33 residents from
Warrawee to the Gold Coast.
While it’s often hard to find too many positives within a
major natural disaster, the new-look Warrawee
Aged Care Service was a definite
silver lining for residents and
staff.
“The staff are delighted with the
new features,” Service Manager,
Katie O’Leary, said.
“The forethought that went into
the new care units, rooms and
all the finishing touches, has
really enabled staff to provide an
even higher level of care in a very
impressive and user-friendly work
environment.
“I have had relief staff helping out
from our Churches of Christ Care sister
services in Bundaberg and Maryborough,
and they can’t believe how up-to-date and
resident-friendly Warrawee is, not to mention
how nice it looks.
“At the end of the day it’s all about what it
means for the residents, and residents at
Warrawee Aged Care Service are receiving
leading aged care in a leading aged care
facility.”
Katie said it was the smaller things
that have made the greatest difference to
how the experienced, qualified and dedicated staff at
Warrawee Aged Care Service provide a high level of personal
care to residents.
Doorways have been widened throughout the service and
modern, user-friendly ensuites built in each room.
The latest in electronic beds and high-care equipment were
also installed.
“The nice, wide doorways are not only an improved safety
feature, but allow staff to manoeuvre residents around the
facility a lot more easily,” Katie said.
Churches of Christ Care is committed to progressing
innovative care that supports residents in celebrating their
personal life journey, and to providing ongoing education,
training and development for all staff to support them in
providing optimum resident care.
While the Warrawee Aged Care Service was
closed, staff were busy assisting other Churches
of Christ Care services in the far-west region and
furthering their education.
Aged care staff undertook their Certificate
III in Aged Care, which focused on further
developing the skills required to provide
care and support to residents in the aged
care facility and to support resident
independence.
Kitchen staff completed their Certificate IV
in Hospitality.
“It was the perfect opportunity for staff to
invest some time in further education.
They have all been putting their
new skills into practice since we
reopened,” Katie said.
“The level of care provided by
staff at Warrawee Aged Care
Service is exceptional and all
the new fittings and features at
the facility further enhance the
residents’ living environment.”
Residents began returning to
Warrawee Aged Care Service in
September.
The Governor of Queensland, Her
Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AC,
flew into St George to officially reopen the
service in November and was joined by
her husband Mr Stuart McCosker, and Balonne Shire Mayor,
Donna Stewart, as well Major Paul Mackenzie and eight
members of his 7th Brigade Emergency Support Force who
were tasked with coordinating February’s clean-up.
Churches of Christ in Queensland Chief Executive Officer,
Dean Phelan, and Director of Communications, Desley
Millwood, together with Churches of Christ Care Director,
David Swain, were also in attendance for the facility’s official
reopening.
March 2013
13
big
’s
Bob
Classic
cars,
toetapping
tunes and
finger-licking
food, Churches of
Christ Care Coolamon
Apartments at Bribie
Island certainly knows how
to throw a party.
More than 40 residents and a
dozen community friends joined to
celebrate foundation resident Bob’s
big birthday bash in early February.
birthday
A keen musician and long-time band
member, Bob invited some of his entourage to
entertain the masses at Bribie Island.
And entertain they did, with renditions of classic
50s and 60s rock ‘n’ roll bringing the house down at
Coolamon Apartments.
“Residents loved the music,” Nick Jovanovich, Site Facilities
Coordinator for the Churches of Christ Campus at Bribie Island,
said.
“One of the band members from Caloundra usually commands
$1,000 a night, so that tells you the calibre of musicians we had.”
Following the glowing feedback, Bob said he would love to entertain his
neighbours more often.
A true gathering of new friends, each resident from Churches of Christ Care’s latest
housing development received a personal invitation in the letterbox.
bash
“It would be wonderful to be able to play a few shows for the tenants every so
often and really give this place a community vibe,” Bob said.
While not all could attend, those who did arranged snacks and assisted with the barbecue.
“It was an excellent afternoon enjoyed by all,” Nick said.
Bob is also an avid car enthusiast and while invited members of his local classic car club were
unable to attend due to a pre-arranged run, Bob had his red Ford Mustang convertible, ‘Sally’, proudly
on display.
Coolamon Apartments is an exciting new over-55s community housing development consisting of 87 one and
two-bedroom apartments. It is located in close proximity to Churches of Christ Care’s Bribie Island Retirement
Village, Bribie Island Aged Care Service and West Moreton Community Care Program.
The Churches of Christ Campus at Bribie Island is the second integrated community to be developed by Churches
of Christ and provides a range of senior living accommodation and care services in one location, allowing tenants to
seamlessly access the various services available onsite.
It was this innovation and forethought behind the development that led to Churches of Christ’s first integrated community at
Mitchelton being named Queensland’s Leading Housing Solution at the 2012 Australian Housing Institute Awards last year.
Churches of Christ in Queensland Networking
March 2013
15
Medical Santo on track for mid-year opening
Once a dream and a hope, Medical
Santo is fast becoming a reality for the
people of Vanuatu, with the planning
team insisting the service will be open
for business by mid-2013.
For some time now, people in Vanuatu
and Australia have been saddened
that the health system in Vanuatu can’t
keep up with the growing population.
The Ministry of Health does all it can on
a limited budget but much more needs
to be done.
Almost two years ago a team from
Queensland came across a young man
who had a major leg injury and who,
without intervention, had a limited life
expectancy.
This was the catalyst for establishing
Medical Santo.
The concept was to set up a clinic
with a permanent doctor and practice
manager in place, and entice volunteer
visiting health professionals to assist
for periods.
A community meeting was held in
Santo that was well attended by
members of the Ni-Vanuatu community,
tourist operators, business owners,
church leaders, medical professionals
and other interested people who were
eager to see this clinic happen.
They were all full of encouragement
and support for the project and so the
search began for suitable premises.
A house was recently purchased in
Luganville, Santo, through
funding from the Centenary
Development Foundation.
A small band of enthusiastic
workers will descend upon the
building in mid-April to build
walls, upgrade plumbing and
wiring, and paint and clean.
The general fit-out of medical
equipment will then take place
to ensure the facility is of an
international standard.
What an exciting and busy time this
will be!
When you take an intelligent step
in faith and ask God to provide,
you can be overwhelmed by His
goodness.
Lyn Cox
Medical Santo
Churches of Christ Medical
Santo’s vision is changing lives
in northern Vanuatu.
The team at Medical Santo
invites everyone to be
a part of this challenging
ministry by praying for them and telling
everyone about the vision.
Churches of Christ in Queensland Networking
Global Mission Partners
It is great to know that the ministry of Global Mission Partners (GMP)
has a personal impact. Here are two insights into what your giving
makes possible.
A student
sets off
Sefyany loves life. She
is a second year student
at the Christian Church
Theological School of
Indonesia (CCTSI). Sefyany
is excited about this
coming weekend when she
commences her practical ministry at Purworejo. It is a two-hour ride
by motorbike and will be her base for an outreach ministry to five
local communities.
Amazingly, Sefyany’s father has offered to take her to Purworejo,
even though he is a Moslem.
“My father was very upset when I became a Christian. He asked me
to leave home because I changed my faith. My mother protected me
and sent me to her relatives in central Java. I heard about CCTSI from
them. My dream is to plant a church in west Java where there are
mostly unbelievers,” Sefyany said.
Sefyany is praying that this outreach ministry will also provide an
opportunity to connect well with her father and share her faith with
him.
Sefyany is one of five from a total of 33 CCTSI students who are
commencing practical ministry as part of the requirements for
their degree. A new addition to this year’s curriculum for second
year students at CCTSI is hairdressing, an extra skill for serving in
practical ways in the village communities.
Life and laughter at
Rwangary, Bangladesh
School has just commenced for the year in
Bangladesh. The 40 children at Rwangary
Hostel, funded through Churches of Christ
Overseas Aid (COCOA), are delightful,
model students, ranging in age from 6-16
years. They work hard to do well at school
and, besides their homework each evening,
cheerfully help out with the cooking and
chores at the hostel.
In the remote villages of Chakma, Khyong,
Tripura and Bawm, where these children
come from, there are no schools and
no teachers. Parents and children make
sacrifices for them to be among the
privileged few to receive an education. For
the closest children, home is a walk of two
hours; for the furthest, two days. There is
no other form of transportation between
these remote communities.
Every Friday in Bangladesh is a government
holiday. Some of the children use this
opportunity to seek work in a neighbouring
village. Many gather firewood to sell or
work in the fields on a farm to meet their
educational expenses.
“It is very common for disadvantaged
children to do some work on Fridays as
their parents are unable to provide all their
needs for educational materials, school
uniforms, tuition fees and food,” Vana
Baum, Rwangary Hostel supervisor, said.
It’s not all hard work: football, volleyball,
badminton, cricket and skipping are among
the sports they love in their spare time.
Changes at GMP
“And every one of them loves singing songs
with a guitar and keyboard or harmonium,”
Vana said.
Craig Brown joins the GMP staff this month
as the Vic/Tas Mission Mobilizer. He brings
his skills as a journalist and will become
editor of GMP publications and be part
of developing our social media. Welcome
Craig!
Rwangary Hostel is run by the Bandarban
Hill Churches of Christ. There is room to
extend the upper floor and the goal for the
commencement of the 2014 school year is
to have 100 children accommodated here.
The GMP Adelaide team has joined
with Churches of Christ in SA-NT in a new
Churches of Christ administration facility.
Our new postal address is
PO Box 341, Torrensville Plaza, SA 5031.
We are waiting for our new phone line to be connected. The best
form of communication is by email at info@inpartnership.org.au.
March 2013
17
Churches of Christ lead
ambitious Easterfest TV project
Fast developing a market leading
international reputation, Easterfest
2013 promises to have an even greater
global outreach thanks to the efforts of
Churches of Christ in Queensland.
Churches of Christ in Queensland is
teaming with M3Media to produce
continuous, 24-hour live and preedited video streaming for the entire
four-day festival.
The extensive coverage will include live
and recorded footage from the six main
stages, worship centre and Easterfest
studio, and live crosses and pre-edited
packages shot on location at Queen’s
Park and in and around Toowoomba.
“Easterfest TV will showcase Easterfest
to the world,” Churches of Christ in
Queensland Events Manager, Ben
Farley, said.
“Something of this size and scale
has never been done before to our
knowledge in the world. It’s ground
breaking stuff. There are not many
festivals doing things anywhere near as
complex and challenging as this.
radio personalities, as well as some of
the artists. When the bands wrap-up
for the evening we will have live feeds
from the 24-hour worship centre we are
running, and pre-edited short films and
highlights from throughout the day.
“Easterfest TV will all be aired and
available free to everyone around the
world via the Easterfest website.
“Each stage has a camera crew, so
there will be six stages streaming
live at any one time, crews feeding in
from our 21 venues throughout city,
live crosses, artist interviews, studio
interviews, pre-edited daily festival
packages, pre-edited shots of the local
scenery and landmarks, and much
more.
“We successfully ran the concept
last year with more than 1,200
simultaneous viewers for Michael W
Smith’s performance. This year many of
the artists are promoting the fact they’ll
be streaming live to their fans via
Facebook, Twitter and other forms of
media, so we’re expecting the number
of people logging on to be huge.”
“It will be hosted by television and
Australia’s largest drug and alcohol
free event, Easterfest has attracted
some of the biggest names in Christian
music to Queen’s Park for the 14th
Churches of Christ in Queensland Networking
annual instalment this Easter long
weekend.
Got Talent’s finalist, Mark Lowndes,
The Voice contestant, Taga Paa, and
local talent Candice Long.
Relient K, Audio Adrenaline,
James Morrison, Lecrae, Luminate,
Newworldson, Sanctus Real and Kiwi
rockers Evermore will be joined by a
host of home-grown talent, including
Brisbane’s Bec Laughton, Australia’s
While the festival proper kicks off
Friday morning, tens of thousands of
Christian music fans are expected to
flock to Toowoomba from Thursday
28 March, with city gigs warming
the crowd up from 3.30pm Thursday
afternoon.
As such, organisers have opted to
launch Easterfest TV on Thursday
morning and continue through to
Sunday midnight.
Interested parties can log on to
Easterfest TV at any time by visiting
www.easterfest.com.au.
March 2013
19
Becoming a foster carer
It can take years to commit and months to become reality,
but it only takes a matter of moments to know it was all
worthwhile.
People become foster carers for a variety of reasons. For Cate
and Barry it was one way the couple could still positively
impact the lives of children.
The couple first looked into providing foster care a number of
years ago while residing in Brisbane and began training, but
when Barry fell ill they were forced to withdraw and put their
plans on hold.
After relocating to Bundaberg for a sea change, they decided
to try again and contacted Churches of Christ Care Pathways
Bundaberg Fostering Service.
“The feeling never left us: we always wanted to pursue foster
caring,” Cate said.
Within 24 hours staff had booked a formal introductory
interview and posted out an enquiry pack.
Following a successful interview, Pathways staff lodged an
Expression of Interest with the Department of Communities,
Child Safety and Disability Services and Cate and Barry
began their training which consisted of four detailed learning
modules, including formal training days and associated
homework.
“We were more naïve than nervous when we first arrived.
The training was very interesting and explained the roles of
carers, Pathways and the Department,” Cate said.
“The Pathways staff don’t hold back either. They were very up
front and provided worst case scenarios – the circumstances
the children may come from and the temper tantrums and
Churches of Christ in Queensland Networking
issues that can be expected.
“We felt we could deal with any of it, particularly with the
ongoing support of Pathways staff.
“The homework was very in-depth too; we had to delve into
our childhood and past, which was quite emotional and
testing.”
With the receipt of their certificate of completion, Cate
and Barry lodged their application and, while the relevant
criminal history checks were run, underwent the final part of
their assessment which consisted of two interview meetings
with a Pathways Case Worker.
“They really looked at what was included in our homework
booklets and dug deep into the emotion pool,” Cate said,
identifying this stage of the process to be the most invasive.
“It has to be done though to not only ensure these children
receive the best possible care, but to prevent people
registering on a whim. It makes you question and reaffirm
your commitment.”
Barry and Cate became fully accredited foster carers in
September 2012 and have since provided a vital safety net
for children and young people residing in the Bundaberg
area.
“I would thoroughly recommend becoming a foster carer to
anyone. Within seconds of our first child arriving, we knew it
was the best decision we’d made,” Cate said.
Churches of Christ Care Pathways provides assistance and
care to over 2,600 children and young people annually with
the support of more than 950 dedicated and compassionate
foster carers.
Pathways Mackay/Whitsundays wrapped about donation
The folding and refolding of fiddly paper, the sticky tape
on the fingers and the awkward shape gifts that just won’t
look neat no matter how many ways you try.
For most, wrapping presents is far from the highlight of
Christmas.
For Margaret Whitney-McMahon though, gift wrapping is
a chance to raise some money for a good cause.
Over the Christmas period, Margaret gift-wrapped
Christmas presents at the Porters Home and Building
Centre in Mackay in exchange for gold coin donations
from the public.
Margaret raised a total of $942.40 which she
presented to Churches of Christ Care Pathways
Mackay/Whitsunday Fostering Service.
“It was a huge and very pleasant surprise,” Michelle
Latailakepa said.
“Margaret sat there day after day wrapping present after
present to raise this money for us.
“She is so generous and we are so grateful that someone
would give up their time for us like that.
“Part of the donation will be used to buy materials for
the hugely successful Pathways Mackay/Whitsundays art
exhibition and Margaret will be a guest of honour on the
opening night.”
Margaret began volunteering 12 years ago when introduced
to Pathways Mackay/Whitsundays by Iona West Uniting
Church.
She was diagnosed with cancer 28 months ago, but chooses
to remain positive and believes that volunteering is seeing
her through the fight and on her way to recovery.
Margaret has seen people close to her who were diagnosed
at the same time pass away and is very passionate about the
need to remain positive.
“You have to have a positive attitude to deal with it,”
Margaret, who hopes to be given the all clear from cancer in
May, said.
“I just want to make the most of who I am.”
Raised in a family of 11 with no money to spare, Margaret’s
generous character was ingrained in her from a young age.
“We were raised on the belief that you always have
something to give and it costs nothing to give a smile or a
helping hand,” Margaret said.
Margaret has been working tirelessly collecting gifts from
under the Target Christmas tree and donations from local
businesses and people.
These gifts are then sorted, wrapped and delivered to the
foster children and young people within Pathways Mackay/
Whitsundays,
including the young people
in the Supported Independent Living Program.
Margaret said that last year was a difficult year trying to do
this alone after three family members who usually assist, fell
ill.
However, she has no intentions to stop giving of her time any
time soon.
“I will do this till the day I die,” Margaret said.
“I don’t volunteer to receive thanks: I do it because I
remember growing up with nothing.
“I just want to give and keep giving.”
Margaret also makes jewellery, pottery and craft which she
donates to Pathways.
When she’s not supporting Pathways, Margaret makes
bonnets, blankets and booties for the babies ward at
Mackay Base Hospital.
“Idle hands make mischief: I like to keep mine busy,”
Margaret said.
Pathways Mackay/Whitsundays Fostering Team Leader,
Cindy Kember, recently presented Margaret with a
bouquet of flowers to say thank you for all the work she
does tirelessly every year to support Pathways Mackay/
Whitsundays.
“We wanted to let her know how much we appreciate her
work,” Cindy said.
“We also took the opportunity to pass on stories to her about
how excited the children were when they received their gifts,
and how we are going to use the money she donated from
gift-wrapping to support the children in our care.”
March 2013
21
Churches
of Christ
in Queensland
Save the life of a
MOTHER &
HER NEWBORN
Your donations will provide
training to traditional birth
attendants and help save lives.
TO FIND OUT MORE
or DONATE
Scan here
For more details cofcqld.com.au/shine
Bright Solutions for the Women of Vietnam
Empowering Women: Challenging Poverty
Providing an opportunity for women in Vietnam to become part of
a formal workforce. By providing employment to single mothers,
widows, low skilled or unemployed women, Bright Solutions aims
to increase their work skills, job prospects and self-confidence,
thus empowering them and their families to move towards financial
independence.
Help to support women employed by Bright Solutions in Vietnam by
purchasing handcrafted items.
Request a brochure at
www.inpartnership.org.au
Global
Mission
Partners
Churches
of Christ
in Australia
Churches of Christ in Queensland Networking
Pearce’s preparing for next chapter with the church
After three and half decades travelling Australia and the
world establishing new churches and entertaining the
masses, Richard and Shirley Pearce are looking forward to
enjoying the next chapter of their life at a slightly slower
pace.
Richard and Shirley will be concluding 11 years of ministry
with the Caloundra Church of Christ on 14 April and
commencing a three day
per week job with Churches
of Christ in Queensland,
educating and resourcing
churches interested in older
adult ministries.
“We have seen Caloundra Church of Christ grow, ministries
established and a major building project undertaken,”
Richard said.
“We believe there will be continuing great days ahead for the
church here at Caloundra.”
Richard confessed that after such an adventurous life of
ministry, the pair are looking
forward to focussing their
energies on taking life a bit
easier for a while.
“Eight music recordings,
thousands of kilometres,
hundreds of concerts, endless
sermons, meetings, pastoral
visits, weddings and funerals
and a few grey hairs later, we
are looking forward to a threeday week with a single ministry
focus,” Richard said.
“We love the Lord and his
church and look forward to a
new ministry,” Richard said.
Richard and Shirley have
served the Lord and his people
in a variety of ways.
Between 1975 and 78, Richard
and Shirley led a new church
plant in Armidale, New south
Wales, before gaining inner-city
experience in 1979, leading the
church at Paddington, Sydney.
From 1980-88 they travelled
widely throughout Australia
and overseas in a faith-based
gospel music ministry, before
leading a camping ministry at Bridge Valley Christian Ranch
in Nelson, New Zealand from 1989 to 91.
They spent the next decade leading the church at Annerley,
Brisbane, and being involved in a church plant on Brisbane’s
southside, before moving to Caloundra.
“The opportunity to slow the
pace of life a little and spend
some time watching the boats
go past while sipping coffee is
quite appealing.”
A farewell lunch for Richard and
Shirley will be held in the family
centre at Caloundra Church
of Christ on Sunday 14 April
at 12pm. Pastor Trevor Holt
extended an open invitation to the Churches of Christ family.
“We would love all to attend,” Trevor said.
For catering purposes please contact Caloundra Church of
Christ by phone on 07 5491 7778 or via email at calcofc@
bigpond.net.au before 7 April.
Why Christians embrace secular life
If a trusted medical specialist advised you to have a crucial
operation, you would most likely take his advice this is a
secular phenomenon.
As sunshine and rain are given to the good and evil alike,
God’s intelligence is embodied in skilful restoration of
human lives.
Pervasive secular phenomena are commonly accused of
neutralising religion, yet the “secular” is humanity amid life.
If this is compromised and diminished in the potential
temptation to personal gain that a combination of human
need and advanced skill presents, priorities relating to
vocation and human dignity can also be challenged and
transformed by the gospel in grace and truth of the Word
who became flesh amid humanity.
This is the gospel’s indigenous context, instead of rites,
temples, sacred lore or a yearning to be “elsewhere” than
here.
Secular life may offer medicines instead of miracles, yet
medicines are products of hearts and minds dedicated to the
miracle of human life, health and dignity.
This focus is embodied in extensive training and empathic
attendance to human suffering.
This is indicative of the gospel’s “secular” interface with
human life. Intentionally, Christians embrace secular life
after the gospel’s unique christological focus and testimony.
Stirling Theological College
Find out more at www.stirling.edu.au/doubt
March 2013
23
Surprise at 92
The painting group at Churches of
Christ Care Nubeena Retirement
Village recently held a surprise
92nd birthday party for one of
Nubeena’s more senior residents,
Jo Smit.
Jo has been a resident in the
village for many years and enjoys
the activities in the hall.
“Up until two months ago, Jo
would often be seen walking with
her wheelie walker down to the
Myer centre and back and it is still
common to see Jo walking across
to Kmart to do her shopping,” Jan
Beutel, Nubeena’s Retirement
Living Manager, said.
“Well done Jo.”
Churches of Christ in Queensland Networking
Carols become
community event
It may have been a few months ago
now, but the excitement from Churches
of Christ Care Petrie Gardens Aged Care
Service’s Christmas Carols is still living
on in Tiaro.
What was meant to be a special treat
for residents quickly turned into a
full community event as word of the
Salvation Army Band’s performance
spread like wildfire through town.
Pastoral Care Team Leader, Sharon Berry, said such was the response that she
and staff at the service have spoken about the potential for bigger events in the
future.
“It was the first year we have had the Salvation Army Band play. We advertised
a little through the school and community, and being a small town word soon
spread,” Sharon said.
“We’re thinking that in the future we can turn it into a real community carols
event and invite the school kids to perform.
“The residents all really enjoyed themselves. They loved the music but also
enjoyed seeing a few fresh faces.”
Hitting all the right notes
Sting mightn’t have been
on hand, but the Police
still proved a crowd pleaser
at Churches of Christ Care
Sanctuary Park Retirement
Village.
The Queensland Police Pipes
and Drums Band hit all the
right notes during a special
performance in the village
clubhouse, before taking the
time to speak to residents and
staff about the sporrans and
kilts they were wearing.
Residents thoroughly enjoyed
the amazing skills of these
musicians and even sang
along to some of their old
favourites.
Everyone laughed at the
comedic way they told the
stories; they kept the crowd
thoroughly entertained.
Following the performance,
it was the residents turn to
impress, winning the band
over with a special morning
tea they had prepared.
The morning was so good the
band offered to come back
again next year to entertain
residents.
March 2013
25
Employment opportunities
Do you want to use your skills to make a real difference in the lives of others? Are you ready for a lifestyle change?
Be a key member of this new medical organisation and gain clinical experience in a developing nation.
• Live and work in a relaxed South Pacific paradise!
• Enjoy scuba diving, caving, beaches and tropical freshwater lagoons.
• Travel and accommodation provided.
Medical Santo is a not-for-profit Christian faith-based medical organisation supported by the Churches of Christ, which is
setting up to provide Primary Health Care to the people of Northern Vanuatu.
Medical Director
Volunteers
We are seeking a Medical Officer/Director to provide
clinical governance, advice, accountability and
supervision for a challenging new medical project in
Northern Vanuatu.
Volunteer Medical Officers, Registered Nurses,
Endorsed Enrolled Nurses, Pathologists, Medical
Scientists and Paramedics wanted for short-term
working trips with humanitarian aid organisation in
Vanuatu.
The opportunity
As the Medical Director, you will provide medical
supervision and clinical governance, from home and
on location in Vanuatu, to a small Primary Health
Clinic using our Christain-based ethos. This role will
be instrumental in the initiation of this new project
and will provide many rewarding challenges. Clinic
starting date is mid 2013.
To succeed in this role you will need:
• At least 10 years as a Registered Medical
Practitioner in Australia or equivelant.
• The proven ability to set clinical governance
standards, guidelines and procedures with the
help of a small dedicated team; including the
ability and will to take clinical responsibility for
this within the organisation.
• Experience in a general practice/hospital
setting, including some rural and remote,
indigenous or acute medical experience.
• Very high communication skills.
• The ability to visit the clinic in Luganville,
Vanuatu for a minimum of six weeks a year or
longer.
Want to challenge your clinical abilities?
Experience in primary health and/or acute or
emergency care would be an advantage. Tropical
health, diabetes, hypertension and wound
management are a focus.
If you have clinical experience in a developing
country or would like to gain some while having a
working vacation in a tropical paradise, this could be
for you.
Clean, tidy, basic, air-conditioned accommodation
is provided locally free of charge. There may also
be the opportunity for close dependants to be
accommodated too.
This is a volunteer humanitarian role which is
negotiated for at least a minimum fortnight to four
weeks.
For more information on any of the above positions, please
visit medicalsanto.com or contact David Ellaby by phone on
+61409696643 or via email at david.ellaby@medicalsanto.com.
Churches of Christ
Santo
Changing lives in Northern Vanuatu
Churches of Christ in Queensland Networking
Manager – Kingaroy Lodge
A manager is sought at Kingaroy Lodge.
Kingaroy Lodge is a recently registered not-for-profit
organisation established by the local Christian
community in Kingaroy. It is a 12-room premise
providing accommodation for men who are either
homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The property has a fully self-contained unit as
manager’s quarters on-site, near-new double lockup garage and four-car carport. It has undergone
substantial repairs and maintenance recently and
is therefore in good condition. The Board members
are primarily drawn from several local Christian
churches.
The aims of Kingaroy Lodge include the
encouragement of all residents to achieve their
full potential in all areas of life. To this end,
collaboration with other community support services
is encouraged to provide support for the physical,
psychological,emotional and spiritual wellbeing of
the residents. Support with general life-skills, as
needed, is also anticipated.
This is an excellent opportunity for a suitably
qualified person to work with the Board and local
community to establish this much-needed facility
into the future.
Award wages will be paid, including on-site
accommodation and superannuation. Flexibility in
working arrangements and salary packaging will be
considered for suitable applicants.
important
MARCH
dates
14-15 Alan Hirsch at Centrifuge
Contact: ben.farley@cofcqld.com.au
21
International Day for
the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination
www.un.org/depts/dhl/racial
29-31Easterfest
@ Queen’s Park, Toowoomba
www.easterfest.com
29
Good Friday
30Lent ends
31
Easter Sunday
For further information please contact Brian Stevens
on 0401 178 703 or Ross Norris on 0410 557 913.
Applications containing a current resume should be
forwarded to:
The Secretary, Kingaroy Lodge Inc.,
C/- 54 Baroona St,
Rochedale South
Qld 4123
Applications close 21 March, 2013.
For the 2013 Calendar of
Important Dates visit
www.cofcaustralia.org
For your information
Please be advised that the organisation known as Iglesia Ni Christo (Church of Christ) is not affiliated with Churches of Christ in
Queensland or any of its sister conferences in other states or around the world.
Iglesia Ni Christo was founded in Manilla in 1914 and followers believe that this church is the “fulfilment of biblical prophecies that the
church, established by Christ would re-emerge in these last days for the salvation of humankind”.
Iglesia Ni Christo is engaged in a public campaign with radio and television to voice their message to all. They are famous for debating
Christians unable to defend scripture.
The church has been in Australia since the mid-1970s and there have been situations where their church and beliefs have been
mistaken for those of our Churches of Christ.
Please ensure all staff, volunteers, residents, tenants and clients are aware that Iglesia Ni Cristo is in no way associated with Churches
of Christ in Queensland and the good work the organisation does in bringing the light of Christ into communities throughout the state.
March 2013
27
BEQUESTS MAKE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE GROWTH OF GOD’S KINGDOM
A bequest, however large or small, is a legacy of love.
It stands as a monument to the values you hold dear.
The Christian beliefs and faith we hold in this life are passed
down to future generations so that they too may know the love of
Jesus and continue His work. Through a bequest to Churches of
Christ you can continue to strengthen God’s kingdom and ensure
its growth into the future for the benefit of generations to come.
Whatever the purpose of the gift and whatever the amount,
Churches of Christ in Queensland treats every gift with the utmost
diligence and respect. You can be assured that your bequest will
be used for the growth of the kingdom of God.
A Will is one of the most important documents you will
ever sign!
Without a valid Will, you will have no say in how your estate is
managed after death, and your assets will be distributed according to State Law, even if your intentions are well-known.
Taking time to write your Will allows you to make provision for
your family and friends. It also gives you the opportunity to let
your love live on through a bequest to Churches of Christ in
Queensland.
DONATE TODAY!
Post to:
Churches of Christ in Queensland
PO BOX 508 Kenmore, Qld 4069
www.cofcqld.com.au
Phone: 1800 600 900
Head Office
41 Brookfield Road
Kenmore Queensland 4069
Phone (07) 3327 1600
Fax (07) 3878 1268
Website cofcqld.com.au