June 2016 - Diocese of Willochra

A Prayer for our Diocese
God of hope and love,
you have called us to be
the body of Christ;
inspire us in the Diocese of Willochra
to worship with joy and energy
serve with compassion
and be welcoming of others
in our communities,
so that all will know
the good news of Jesus
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be honour and glory forever.
Amen.
FOLLOWING Jesus ........... PROCLAIMING his gospel .......... CONNECTING with his world ........ and ENJOYING our common life.
4th Series No 108 June 2016
SYNOD 2016 at Minlaton
NEW APPOINTMENTS
At the Opening Service of 2016 Synod at Minlaton the Rev’d Gael Johansen was commissioned as the Diocesan
Ministry Development Officer. Gael is pictured with her husband,George after her commissioning by Bishop John,
On the Sunday evening following Synod a service to install the new Dean was held at the Cathedral in Port Pirie.
The Rev’d Mary Lewis was installed as Dean of the Cathedral and is pictured receiving her license from Bishop John.
Published quarterly by the Anglican Diocese of Willochra PO Box 96 Gladstone SA 5473
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From the Bishop.......
Coming Diocesan Events
June 2016
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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We are followers of the way
of Christ, the name by which those who
would eventually be called Christian were in
the years after Jesus' death, resurrection and
ascension.
lmbedded in the phrase is the
essence of pilgrimage, to be followers of the
Way.
This year's Presidential
Address to the Synod, which can be found
on the diocesan web site on the Home Page
Australian Prayer School Follow-up, Clare - 1 to 5pm
10 - 12 Mission Conference at the Cathedral
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Diocesan Council, Gilbert White
Centre
July
1 to 3
Retreat with Amazing Women for
Amazing Women, Camp Willochra
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July School holidays start
22 - 23 Retreat with Amazing Women for
Amazing Women, Cummins
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July School holidays conclude
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Thanksgiving for the Diocese
celebrated at 11am service at the
Cathedral Church of Ss Peter and
Paul, Port Pirie
or at the web address:
http://www. diowillochra. org .au/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/
August
Presenditial-Address-to-Synod-2016.pdf.
15
Diocesan Council, Gilbert White
In that address I spoke of Pilgrimage, I wrote:
Centre
Pilgrimage is about journey - how to [get somewhere]; pilgrimage is
Cathedral Chapter meeting 11am
about destination - where to [go]. Pilgrimage can be physical - walking a 16
pilgrim way; it can be in the mind - a process of guided reading for instance. September
In both cases it is a spiritual endeavour that is enabled by physical exertion - 4
Father’s Day
walking, or intellectual exertion - reading to name two ways of pilgrimage. 9 to 23 Clergy Conference, Camp Willochra
Pilgrimage requires that we follow - follow a physical path that has been well
worn or follow a mind path that may have been mapped by others for us.
Please contact Church Office
Christian pilgrimage of course is ultimately focused on Christ, and Christ's
for further details - (08) 8662 2249
way.
Thomas Merton wrote: "The geographical pilgrimage is the symbolic
acting out of an inner journey." The inner spiritual journey is the core of The Diocese of Willochra is a safe place for
pilgrimage .... we as a diocese have the potential to create geographic pilgrim all. If you have a complaint or question about
sexual abuse or inappropriate behaviour,
ways through the dry yet inspiring geography of the Flinders, along the coast
please contact the
of the Eyre and Yorke Peninsula's and along such existing routes as the
Director of Professional Standards:
Riesling Trail in the Clare Valley which passes many of our historic churches
Theodora Ekonomopoulos
with their own tales of God's presence and activity.
The Centenary of the Diocese of Willochra in 2015 reminded us that
PO Box 171, Stepney SA 5069
the Diocese of Willochra was founded on the 28th July. The cathedral
Telephone: 08 8366 6589
Chapter has decided that we, the diocese, should mark that occasion on the
Mobile: 0412 256 244
nearest Sunday to that date, this year Sunday 31st July.
We are asking that as many of the diocesan family as possible take a
pilgrimage to the Cathedral Church of Ss Peter & Paul, Port Pirie for a service
THE WILLOCHRAN
of Thanksgiving for the diocese at 11am. The Cathedral Chapter News,
Published
four times a year for the Anglican
November 2015 reported that;
Diocese
of
Willochra, and sent out
We promise you a day of uplifting worship, encouragement in
electronically
from Church Office,
mission and fellowship as we come in pilgrimage from our own churches to
Gladstone.
the mother church. The Willochra Cross will find its final home [ following
EDITORIAL GROUP:
its extensive pilgrimage in the diocese ] in the cathedral in that service.
The Canon Theologian of the diocese, Bishop Stephen Pickard, will Bishop John Stead, Mary Woollacott, the
Rev’d John Fowler and June Hillier [Editor].
be speaking about a theological understanding of
CONTRIBUTIONS
Refuges - political and environmental.
PO Box 96 Gladstone SA 5473
Peace and Joy in believing,
Phone:(08) 8662 2249
Fax:(08) 8662 2027
I received some very sad news late
email: willochran@diowillochra.org.au
on Friday 27/5 while driving down to Adelaide.
website: www.diowillochra.org.au
Bishop John and Bridget Ford's son and daughter-in-law were expecting the
DEADLINE: September issue:
birth of a son within a week. Devastatingly the baby has died.
Both Bishop John and Bridget have returned to England to be with their family
at this time. It is impossible for any of us to truly imagine the impact that this
The Willochran is now distributed
has had on them, let alone their extended family.
electronically. However, as printed copies are
Please keep them in your prayers.
still required, any contributions toward the
Friday, August 5, 2016
The Rt Rev'd John Stead .........Bishop of Willochra
bishop@diowillochra.org.au
Mob: 0417 551 689
cost of these publications may be made to
the Diocese of Willochra,
P O Box 96, Gladstone 5473.
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SYNOD 2016 at Minlaton
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'ON AIR'
In the world of live
radio, when the red sign
comes on we know that
the studio is 'on air'. Synod too is a series of 'on air'
presentations and the audience is invited to 'tune in'.
Our weekend in Minlaton was such a time. There
were presenters who reached the crux of the matter
succinctly.There were others who relished the sound of one
voice delivering and spoke into overtime. Our 'producer'
+John steered the proceedings with energy.
The Registrar, Gavin Tyndale, and the Treasurer,
Michael Ford were clear and concise as they commented
on matters financial. The erudite David McDougall,
Archdeacon of the Flinders, inspired with an enlightened
message during the first service at the welcoming Uniting
Church. Some of what he said has stayed with me. 'Jesus
Christ is not unknown in our culture but there is a great
weariness ... ' Fr Dave pleaded for the qualities of
forgiveness and magnanimity or generosity to be always
present in our lives.
Peter Sandeman, CEO of Anglicare SA, lifted our
sights with a call to follow Jesus with compassion. Thomas
Karama also emphasized the need to 'live for others' in his
homily at the last service. We wish him well as he begins
his time in the parish of Mount Barker. As expected, Michael
Hillier drew laughs in his caricatured portrayal of a synod
'heavy'. This year it was the Registrar.
The commissioning of Gael Johansen as our MDO
was a sign of hope for new perspectives on church life.
Mary Lewis and Ruth Robinson offered both vision and
pragmatism. Mary's call to effective evangelism climaxed in
the acceptance of a unanimous motion to add the remote
northern areas of SA to our field of view. Arthur Tanner
brought a winsome reality to this discussion.
Country catering by the Ministry District and the
Minlaton community was superb. We were all grateful to our
good God for providing such feasts and to our Lord Jesus
who loved having a meal with his friends.
Yours on air,
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Photos:
1. The Rev’d Joel Hill (Roxby Downs) speaking in Synod
2. Rev’d Thomas Karama, of the Minlaton Parish preaching
at the Sunday Eucharist.
3. The Rev’d Ali Wurm giving thanks for the all the helpful
donations that have been given to Whyalla through
Anglicare Whyalla.
4. The Clergy Partners enjoying lunch at a local eatery on
the Saturday.
5. The Rev’d Peter Sandeman CEO of Anglicare, South
Australia, guest speaker.
Ruth Buxton
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The Willochran - 4th Series, No 108, June 2016
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The Mission of God
and the People of God
Our mission is not only about ensuring a "future church" but
about "entering into God's mission which desires life in all its fullness
for the earth and all that dwells therein" and allowing that mission to
transform our church now. (from "Life in Abundance:Imagining the
present Church" www.abmission.org)
The centre spread/insert in this edition of The Willochran is a
copy of Our Mission Statement. It is a statement of what we believe as
a Diocese to be Our Vision, Our Focus and Our Goals for the next
period of time (three to five years). It is founded upon a Biblical
Mandate and the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Consultative
Council (2012). This document needs to live in us and as a result bear
fruit, fruit for the kingdom of God - that people may look at the Diocese
of Willochra and see that it is a living and vital expression of that
kingdom where life is lived in abundance.
The Mission Statement is a human expression of what we
believe God is calling us to be. It has been developed carefully and
prayerfully through a process that has been focussed on engaging with
the people of the Diocese as well as discerning God's call on us as His
people.
The Statement will be just words unless each of us, as the
people of God in our local context, engage with those words and start
putting actions against the goals which are discerned to be most
relevant to us where we are. The Diocese’s role is to ensure that it
aligns its resources with the goals we have set ourselves so that we
are Growing Christian Community (Our Focus).
The next step is for each congregation, missional cluster of
congregations, parish, ministry district and mission unit to consider the
section of Our Mission Statement Steps on the Way and how action
can be taken within each context to see a goal or some goals
achieved. We are being called to a very intentional, thoughtful and
prayerful process of action.
One approach may be to undertake a process of Appreciate
Inquiry which leads us to appreciate what we have, how we are
blessed and in addition to consider what the community in which we
are located has and does not have and to come to a decision about
how our blessing can meet the needs of our community - how the
church can be a blessing as a result of how it is blessed.
The Ministry Development Officer, the Rev'd Gael Johannsen
is able to facilitate such a process for you.
In addition there will be opportunities in August, in various
regions of the Diocese, to hear from Roy Godwin (http://www.ffald-ybrenin org/), the author of The Grace Outpouring. Roy will speak on
the power of prayer and the power of blessing.
In September the Rev'd Canon Robin Greenwood (https://
www.dur.ac.uk/st-johns.college/research/fellows/currenttellows/
robingreenwood/) will be visiting the Diocese. Robin's most recent
book Sharing God's Blessing: how to renew the local church is
focussed, as Robin says, on, "giving people a real experience of a
conversational approach [to identifying where we are blessed and how
best to respond to the surrounding community] where presentations
will be interwoven with practice with an integration of dynamic bible
study." Robin will be presenting on a regional basis from Saturday 10
September - Friday 16 September; he will then be the key note
presenter at the Clergy Conference from the 19 - 23 September.
These two international speakers, will assist us with Goal 3:
Grow and mature and confident faith in Jesus, Goal 6: Pursue God's
justice in the world through word and action and Goal 7: Share our
gifts with others. In addition their facilitation offers a way of engaging
with the other goals so that we fulfil Our Focus: Growing Christian
Communities.
N.B. A copy of both The Grace Outpouring and Sharing God's Blessing
will be supplied to the clergy prior to these events.
Bishop John Stead
CAN'T AFFORD IT ? THINK AGAIN !
Somebody in your church will probably
want to discuss money later this year. Our
Diocese of Willochra is having a year in which
Stewardship is getting some attention.
Maybe your Wardens and Treasurer just
want to remind you that the old year has
finished. Vestry meetings concluded, books have
been audited. Time to move on?
Maybe you are having an appeal to
rethink your giving in light of the new Budget,
new costs. Clergy stipends have gone up again,
so has power and water, etc. etc. So you can't
afford to give any more? Why not? Really, why
not? Your income is down. OK. So what
expenses are you cutting?
The Church. Right - what else? .... ??
Can't do without anything else. Need
petrol, food, bit of fun - on the pokies, a meal
out.
OK. OK. Stop. I'm not going to win this
argument. Let's try another tack.
You need all your money? OK. What
about in 50 years' time? When you're "not
around", "pushing up daisies", "playing bowls in
heaven"? Who needs your money then? Your
family? Hmmmmm! Will your present in-laws still
be entitled? Maybe.
Perhaps that's the time to seriously help
your church, because it will be around then, and
it will still need your help. So - what about
helping your church in your next life. It's an
exciting thought, isn't it? All the things that you
could be usefully doing for God without moving a
muscle. Wow!
How much help? What about a tithe?
Could your family afford to do without a tenth of
your cash and shares? Sure they could. Leave
the farm alone - and the house. They'll be happy
if they know that is staying "in the family".
Tell them now you're going to do it so
there will be no unseemly arguments when the
time comes. Adding a codicil to a Will is pretty
easy. When you say - help the Church, which
church? Local, diocese, national Mission - ABM,
CMS, BCA? It could be all of those, or some.
Where is the biggest need?
We have some urgent needs right now,
right here in Willochra. See Fund, Camp
Willochra, Home Mission, Ministry Training. I'll
bet your church congregation, parish or Ministry
District could come up with more. Do you dare
ask?
Michael Ford - Diocesan
WILL you remember the
CHURCH when you die?
IT will remember you.
The Willochran - 4th Series, No 108, June 2016
my heart
5 touched
at Blinman and just
about
the church
Making the Faith/Work Connection
Featuring people from the diocese sharing their
views on the connection between faith and life.
Sally Henery is
interviewed by
Jane Tanner
Sally Henery lives on Alpana,
a sheep station just out from
Blinman in our majestic Flinders
Ranges. She has been
particularly dedicated to
maintaining the church of St
Mark, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.
Has the Anglican Church always been a part of your life?
I was raised in the Uniting Church in Loxton. My parents and
four siblings went to church occasionally and I always enjoyed
it. I was nine when we moved to Adelaide and I remember
Mum and I visited a few churches but never finding one where
we felt comfortable and so we stopped going. My earliest
memories of church are in Loxton. One year I was given a
cherished bride doll for Christmas and she came to church
with me every week in her beautiful white wedding gown to
‘get married’. Yes, every week! There was never a groom and
I don’t recall ever thinking that there should be a groom.
Hmmm. I also remember Sunday school, and completely
messing up during a Palm Sunday parade…veering left when
I was supposed to veer right - mortified. When I left Adelaide
and ‘went bush’ at age 17 to work as a Governess on a sheep
station near Blinman, monthly services were held in St Mark’s.
The family I was working for attended and I chose to attend
too. The minister lived in Leigh Creek and was funded by
BCA. It was my first experience of an Anglican Church, very
similar to my memories of Uniting Church services. I felt
comfortable with and comforted by the traditional service and
hymns.
Were there any particular people who influenced your
faith journey?
My parents were the first people to influence my faith journey,
leading by quiet example, instilling strong values, helping
people, being very community minded and attending church
services reasonably regularly. We children took turns to say
Grace before each evening meal. I don’t recall any open
discussions about religion or church; it was more a
background thing and an expectation of how we were to live
and behave. My father’s mother was very devout and a good
influence. Bishop Garry was so warm and caring and also
Morwen Watkins based in Leigh Creek and taking the services
in Blinman for several years. Both were kind, and good
listeners. They didn’t just offer to help. They pitched in and
really helped. I was influenced enough to decide to become a
confirmed member of the Anglican community. As a baby, I
had been baptised in the Uniting Church at Jamestown, but
had never been confirmed. At some point at age 21 or 22 it
became very important for me to do that.
Sometimes I find it hard to run St Mark's feeling very much on
my own for many years and last year I was ready to give up,
then Bishop John came to Blinman for a Christmas service
and did an affirmation. It included so many things that directly
being there and not giving up and being strong. It spoke
straight to my doubts and fears and I vowed to keep
persevering with church services at St Mark's.
Is there a particular story from the Bible that resonates
with you?
Here’s the thing…am I allowed to say I don’t read the Bible? I
have in the distant past, but it's not something I do or have
done for a long time. Not enough hours in the day! As a child I
used to have a small book with a yellow cover with beautifully
illustrated Bible stories...I think it was called The Child’s
Garden of Bible Stories, or something like that. I used to love
reading that and absorbing those beautiful illustrations. The
shepherds being visited by the angels on Christmas Eve; a
small boy holding a lamb that he had to sacrifice – maybe
even then I was being drawn to the sheep industry?
How has your faith shaped you and your outlook on life?
For me it is about trust. Trusting that a higher power has
control and that all things have a purpose. Once I allowed
myself to trust in God I found life much less stressful, and
more enjoyable. Of course there are still times of stress in our
busy lives, but knowing God has the big picture covered really
helps. I am not a worrier and I try to be positive, after all it is
my blood type…B+!
What are some of the positives and negatives of remote
living?
My Dad used to say that Blinman was in Suburbia, i.e. not
really remote at all. With the small town and several
reasonably small stations surrounding it, the Blinman area is
relatively highly populated. I suppose remoteness is relative!
There are many services we do not have easy access to, but
none that I miss or for which I feel a need to be closer. Some
positives of living at Alpana Station and in the Blinman area
are in the strong, close-knit community, the stunning scenery,
the lifestyle of being self-employed on the property, working
closely with my husband David as a partner in our business
and partners in life. There was also supervising my children’s
primary school education through School of the Air (although
some of those days were not so positive!). Since we opened
our doors to tourism we have had the privilege of meeting
many interesting people, and some have become friends. One
negative of remote living is in having to send the children
away to board for high school at thirteen years of age and
missing them so much...and just when they were getting to be
useful on the property! Another is communication access in a
land with no mobile phone coverage at all and limited (and
inadequate) satellite Internet access. The Millennium drought
was a huge negative…hard times all round, but the drought
led us into tourism, which is listed in the Positives.
How do you put your faith into practice?
I put my faith into practice in the practical sense of being the
Church Warden and local contact person, cleaner, secretary,
treasurer, flower arranger etc. etc. I have been the Church
Warden at St Mar’s since 1992 and have seen the church
community in the Blinman region shrink to almost nil, but the
community knows that St Mark’s is there and it is important to
them. I think being the Church Warden has an influence on
my position in the community. I try to sometimes ‘be still’
mentally and physically, and try to notice God at work around
me, and remember to say thanks. I am not good at prayer,
never really learned how. This year St Mark’s is
acknowledging 50 years since the current church was built.
There will be some planning, organising and contacting of
people for that to be done soon.
The Willochran - 4th Series, No 106, December 2015
Jane Tanner
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Cool World
There is a revealing scene towards the end of the film adaptation of
David Williamson's play Emerald City in which two of the characters discuss
the merits of producing an Australian film with Australian actors or re-jigging
the script with an American angle and using American actors.
These are our stories, Mike' suggests Colin Rogers 'Otherwise we will
think real life happens somewhere else and is spoken in accents other than
our own.'
In the early days of Australian radio, most of what we listened to, and
subsequently performed and recorded, was influenced by bands and singers
from overseas. It wasn't until Gary Shearston in the 1960s with his reflections
on Australian life, and then Skyhooks, Cold Chisel and Paul Kelly (to name just
three) in the 1970s referencing Australian suburbs and landmarks that we
began to voice ourselves musically and lyrically.
Enter Andrew McLeish Durant (1954-1980) who made his name as
guitarist, vocalist and songwriter with Adelaide band Stars. Andy had enough
confidence in Australian history and culture to write a swag of impressive
songs about panning for gold, life on the Murray River when riverboats were
the transport of choice, working away from home and truckies travelling on our
own highways and not along Route 66.
Andy was only 25 when he died, but he left us a memorable legacy of
music and lyrics that shone a light upon not only our Australian heritage, but
also his own battle with cancer, as evidenced in such poignant songs as
Solitaire and Ocean Deep. The Andrew Durant Memorial Concert, available
on DVD and featuring the talents of some of Australia's rock music royalty, is a
lasting tribute to one of this country's most gifted yet underrated songwriters.
Since Andy's demise, his former bandmates from Stars have gone in
different directions, with lead singer Mick Pealing fronting his own bands and
lead guitarist Malcolm Eastick playing blues with a variety of singers. Last year
Stars, with Mick and Malcolm sharing a stage together for the first time since
1980, was inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame. As a result
of that encounter, the boys decided to perform a couple of concerts in
Melbourne showcasing the songs of Andy Durant and the majority of Stars'
back catalogue. And while Mick had previously performed Andy's songs with
his own band, this would be the first time in over 35 years that two of Stars
most celebrated alumni would together re-visit Andy's material.
As a massive Stars fan this was music to my ears and I made
arrangements to travel to Melbourne earlier this year to witness what I felt sure
would be something quite special.
And so it proved to be, as Mick Pealing and Malcolm Eastick, together
with Tracey Kingman (backing vocals) and Nick Charles (acoustic guitar),
thrilled the audience with an evening and an afternoon of music that brought
back so many fond memories of the days when Andy and Stars permeated the
airwaves with modern classics such as Mighty Rock, Song For The Road,
Look After Yourself and Last Of The Riverboats.
Mick and Malcolm are to be commended for keeping Andy's musical
legacy alive and South Australia has an opportunity this month to experience it
first hand, as The Gov (59 Port Road, Hindmarsh) will host their show on
Friday, June 24.
Andy Durant was an exceptional Australian who died way too young,
but through his words and music, and
that of other Australian songwriters
such as Paul Kelly, Don Walker and
Greg Macainsh, our history and
heritage is presented in an Australian
accent.
Pictured, with thanks to
Lawrence and Soozie Pinder for the
photos, are a Stars-struck John Fowler
with Malcolm Eastick.
John Fowler, Ministry District of
Southern Flinders
Ministry of Spirituality
Join the Database for the Ministry of
Spirituality and receive information via
your email.
Send your email details to
stmaryburra@bigpond.com
• Retreats •
Advent Retreat 2016 still to be finalised
• Courses •
New Course available:
Tuning to the heartbeat of God:
the stages of our spiritual development
4 sessions
The Spiral of Prayer • Learning to
pray and going deeper • 5 sessions
Meditation • 6 sessions
The Art of Sacred Reading • 4 sessions
The Palestine of Jesus • 4 sessions
Experiencing the wonder of God’s time:
Using the Daily Office • 3 sessions
Intercessions •1 session
The Hidden Power of the Gospels •
5 sessions
• Website •
The Ministry of Spirituality has its own
website. www.bushspirituality.org.au
• Other possibilities •
Retreats, Quiet Days, Workshops,
Spiritual Direction. For further information
contact:
The Ven. Michael Hillier, PO Box 47,
Burra, 5417
08 8892 2313, 0458 508 628 or
stmaryburra@bigpond.com
ECO - SPIRITUALITY 2016
August 22-27 at Balcanoona
Station
‘A mountain, a lake, sand dunes
and a murder’
Spiritual Director: Angela Evans
Oct 31 to Nov 5 at Angepena
Station
‘In the land of the of the
Adamathanha People’
Spiritual Director: Peter Linn
The cost for all programmes will be $620
which includes accommodation, food,
and facilitators.
For further details: see Michael Hillier’s
details above or visit the Diocesan
website: www.diowillochra.org.au
or contact Terry Krieg (08) 8682 1571 or
0428 834 141, email:
The Willochran - 4th Series, No 108,June 2016
patezl@yahoo.com
7
……ISSUES….ISSUES….ISSUES….ISSUES…..ISSUES….ISSUES…..ISSUES….
Ascension-tide
2016 Synod Sermon
The Text: Luke 24 Verses 44-53
Archdeacon David McDougall
Here in this passage, in his last
words to his disciples before he is taken
physically from them in his ascension,
Jesus explains the real way of things to
his disciples. These disciples are
beginning to understand something of
what God is doing in resurrecting their
friend Jesus, and every day that goes by
in this period of Pentecostal journey from
the defeat of the cross, through the
resurrection to the moment of the first
bold evangelism of the early
Church — every day that goes by
in this ‘between’ time they
understand a little bit more, and
they fear a little bit less.
Jesus was once such a
charismatic leader to them, then
he was caught and crucified as a
common criminal, dashing their
hopes and dreams of glory… but
now he was resurrected. So, what
does this resurrection thing that
God was doing, mean?
Jesus is helpful to them as
they grope towards the light. Here
in this passage he explains the
new normal of God: and he said to
them, [so patiently it would seem],
“the Messiah is to suffer — and to
rise from the dead on the third day,
- and that repentance and
forgiveness of sins is to be
proclaimed in his name to all
nations, beginning from
Jerusalem.”
New Testament scholar
Joel Green tells it like this, that part
of the message here is that in the
‘new normal’, that the resurrection
of Jesus reveals, status before
God does not come through
lording it over others, or by the
clever, agonistic machinations
ordinarily governing social interaction,
but through the rejection of such values
in one’s commitments and practices.
And today, in 2016, I want to
emphasise the ‘clever agonistic
machinations governing social
interactions’ rather than the more
straight-forward ‘lording it over others’,
for I think we have made real progress as a people and as a culture with
learning not to ‘lord it over others’ —
even if we do this, we know it is wrong,
especially in Australia – but I think we
are right at the beginning of being taught
by the Holy Spirit not to participate in the
second method of getting power; the
‘clever agonistic machinations ordinarily
governing social interaction’.
Experiments conclude that guilt
produces two types of response: an
approach to make things better and
alleviate the guilt, but a withdrawal over
the long term if guilt is regularly used to
motivate.
Let me give you an example. In the
community I work in, it may be possible
to see how the ambivalent effects of
clever machinations may be produced in
an everyday context. For instance:
I can complain to my
congregation that ‘my being expected to
fill the spare spots on the roster in the op
shop is wearing me out’. This will be
especially effective if I look suitably tired
and worn down when I tell them. They
may respond with an ‘approach’ by
volunteering themselves for one or two
spots. The problem, at least for now,
has been solved. However, if I
keep this behaviour up, if the guilt that
an encounter with me p rod u ce s
becomes a generally pervasive thing, or
even is often enough the case, then
what I notice over the longer term is that
these same people quickly duck into a
shop when they see me coming down
the street. They withdraw from me.
I make this point with such a
banal example because I believe, as
James Alison says in his doctoral
dissertation, that ‘heaven and hell open
out from the banality’ of situations just
like this. 1 I concur with Alison that ‘the
work of biblical texts, culminating in
those produced around the death and
resurrection of Jesus, has opened up
“what we’re really doing” in our social
and cultural lives. 2 What is true enough
for me as I walk down the
street in my community may
be true also for cultures
agonising over post-colonial
guilt and, perhaps, also for
people in relationships in
which there has been a
history of serious
wrongdoing. What is found
to be true in my small parish
example may help provide
an insight into a way of
being in the world that the
wider church has been
invited into. So, what was I
“really doing”? I take it that,
by virtue of my position as a
Christian leader and the
context of church life in
which I was behaving the
way I behaved, regardless of
my intentions and because I
ought to know how I would
likely be taken, I effectively
manipulated a response
from my parishioners they
were not otherwise inclined
to give. The results of my
behaviour help shed more
light on Michael Welker’s
warning that ‘Jesus Christ as
a powerful cultural icon goes
hand in hand with a
widespread weariness of or even
aversion to Jesus’. 3 Michael Welker is
not saying that Jesus has no resonance,
but that the resonance he has today as a
cultural icon strikes all the wrong notes
─ that it makes people tired and creates
an aversion, a withdrawal.
ISSUES….ISSUES….ISSUES….ISSUES…..ISSUES….ISSUES….ISSUES….ISSUES…..ISSUES….ISSUES…
The Willochran - 4th Series, No 108,June 2016
8
.ISSUES….ISSUES….ISSUES….ISSUES…..ISSUES…..ISSUES…..ISSUES
So, the question then arises,
how should I have behaved? Yes, it is
true that I am tired because of the roster,
and I should not dissemble about this —
that would be dishonest and only serve
to undermine trust in the community.
Over time, through the months and
years of the reflective practice of
Christian ministry, I reflect on this
requirement for a different way of being.
Gradually one that seems right suggests
itself. It strikes me that the only honest
position open to me apart from foisting
guilt on to others is to forgive the people
I might think of as having let me down,
and not to ‘announce’ this forgiveness,
which as Friedrich Nietzsche and James
Alison point out would be only an indirect
way to tell them they have let me down.
Instead my hope is to learn to really
forgive them from my heart, such that
my resentment is dealt with, or at the
very least can be seen to have had limits
put around it. That mode of being in the
world, it now seems to me, is generosity
born of magnanimity.
I have learned a little saying
which I have found to be more or less
reliable: “No magnanimity, no ministry”.
So, is this a significant part of
what changes the disciples’ hearts, so
much so that they are transformed from
frightened and trodden down Galileans
in locked rooms to emboldened
evangelists of the resurrection?
I am going to suggest to you that
it is…
There he is, appeared amongst
them. All of them have let him down in
significant ways. None of them were
there for him at his hour of need, not the
boys, at least. For the lick of their lives
they ran away. Peter even disowned
Jesus in his hearing just so he could get
warm and be part of the community
around a fire.
He appears to these ordinary,
flaky men, just like me — I don’t know
about you, and no-one knows where to
look… for shame… for embarrassment.
Jesus refuses the temptation to sulk, or
to play the martyr, or the hero, or any of
the other things we are tempted to do
when we are victimised. “Peace be with
you,” he says, and “don’t be afraid.” In
the passage just before ours here, he
then says, “have you guys got anything
here to eat?”
And with that he takes all the
guilt and all the worry out of the room.
On the road, the two travelling
are talking about the terrible events of
Good Friday.
“While they were talking and
discussing, Jesus himself came near
and went with them, but their eyes were
kept from recognising him. And he said
to them, ‘What are you discussing with
each other while you walk along?’ They
stood still, looking sad.” [so terrible, so
tragic, so jolly serious]
“Then one of them answered
him, ‘Are you the only stranger in
Jerusalem who does not know the things
that have taken place there in these
days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’
The irony of the situation in that
the very person who had the most right
to complain and talk gravely about the
crucifixion asks innocently ‘what things?’
is meant to make us laugh, for to Jesus
his victimisation is not so important. He
is very happy now, and more than
compensated, more than compensated
by the joy of resurrection.
Paul says this of all Christian
suffering, not that it didn’t (or won’t)
happen, but that compared to the
enormous winning of the lottery that
Christians have won in looking forward
to eternal and abundant life in Christ, our
present sufferings will not be worth
comparing…
We are a lucky people. We are
lucky because we will be resurrected.
Knowing and believing that is meant to
enable us to be generous with those
who annoy us, to not complain too much
about the situations that we feel might
be unfair; in short, knowing we are so
fortunate enables us to put up with
suffering to a certain extent, and to
magnanimously rise, with Jesus,
somewhere above the endless dividedness of it all, the tired old rivalries of the
world.
We are called to a high calling
indeed, a calling as high as the
ascension. We are called to be a people,
a community, a church together, who are
free to lose ordinary petty disputes...…
for the Christian is enabled like Jesus to
love and forgive out of a sense of having
won something altogether more glorious
and worthwhile. Amen.
1. ALISON, James The Joy of Being
wrong: Original Sin through Easter Eyes
( N e w Yo r k : C r o s s r o a d P u b l i s h i n g
Company 1998), 12
2. ALISON, James The Joy of Being
Wrong’, 13
3. WELKER, M, ‘Who is Jesus Christ for
us today?’(Harvard Theological Review,
95, (2002) 133
Blood and bone
My dad had green fingers.
Mum used to say that he
could
grow lilies in a rubbish dump.
"What's the secret?"
I asked him one day.
"Blood and bone." he said,
"Blood and bone."
and tipped me a wink.
My Father is a gardener,
working in wasteland,
making deserts flourish.
"Blood and bone on a
rubbish dump." he says.
"Blood and bone.
That's all it takes."
© Rev'd Sr Sandra Sears
CSBC 9/2/16
Photographers for this issue:
Jan Stead, the Rev’d Sandra Sears,
Jane Tanner, Jacky and Ross Vonow,
.ISSUES….ISSUES….ISSUES….ISSUES…..ISSUES…..ISSUES…..ISSUES
The Willochran - 4th Series, No 108, June 2016
Lawrence and Soozie
Pinder r, Michael Ford,
Ruth Buxton, Cynthia Moffat
and Avril Luke
9
By Motor Bike through
women soldiers frisked us) before being
allowed through to watch this most
amazing theatrical spectacle of top brass
soldiers with bright, fancy head dresses
marching (goose stepping!) There was
On many blind corners where
Incredulous and somewhat disbelieving impromptu dancing, even I got up and
were my initial reactions when Ross joined in, band playing and lots of we'd blow the horn, there would be huge
started showing interest in a motorbike applause. Eventually the Indian flag was trucks or buses absolutely crammed full
trip through the Southern Himalayas, lowered amidst more theatrical marching of people, coming around to face us.
especially as we had not owned one for up and down by the soldiers. You could The Indian method of handling this
over thirteen years! After much see on the Pakistan side of the border, would be to honk loudly and push
research, he had me hooked and we their flag also being lowered. By the through on your two wheels, often
decided on going with a small UK sound of it, the Pakistanis were carrying squeezing through with centimetres to
company specialising in small group on with as much pomp and ceremony as spare on either side. Apart from the
trucks and buses, we had to be ready for
motorbike tours. One of the attractions the Indias.
was the fact that only Royal Enfields
The following day, after oncoming scooters (carrying up to five
were used for the tours. They have a a three-hour drive north to Pathankot, people - four is legal in India) cows,
reputation for robustness, and are we found our motor bikes waiting. Ross goats, donkeys and other cars all being
locally made in India where they are and I (sitting pillion) were allocated a driven too fast for the road conditions.
considered as the Rolls Royce of Royal Enfield 500. Andrew and Steve Most of our motorbike riding in the
motorbikes.
were to ride Royal Enfields 350cc. We Southern Himalayas was done on roads,
also met our driver from the support which were full of potholes along with
vehicle, Nandu, the accompanying the odd rock or two from recent small
medico, Avneesh, and the mechanic landslides.
We had been advised prior to
who would also ride the motorbikes if
our
starting
this trip that the roads would
required, and tend to any injuries/
be
fairly
quiet,
but in some of the villages
ailments. They were both fantastic
we
went
through,
there was so much
company and we learned so much from
traffic
that
there
were
traffic cops, though
them.
really
they
were
pretty
ineffectual.
We had lunch at a hotel where
I
n
t
e
r
s
e
c
t
i
o
n
s
w
e
r
e
a
n
absolute
we picked up our motor bikes and not
nightmare
with
traffic
converging
from all
long after as we started winding our way
directions,
lots
of
scooters
and
other
up impossibly narrow winding roads, I
bikes,
tuk-tuks,
cars,
buses
and
trucks,
started feeling unwell. Sitting on the
plus sacred cows just wandering through
back was pretty bumpy too.
So, at the next roadside stop I the mayhem, completely oblivious to the
We arrived at 9.30 pm on 18
chaos.
September at New Delhi, hot and humid was very unceremoniously introduced to
Towards the latter part of our
after leaving Adelaide early that morning. Indian squat toilets where after ablutions trip, we passed through and up and
The distance into our hotel was only completed, I had to climb up stairs past down many pine-clad mountains with
about 30 km, but it took us over 1 1/2 our group having chai in the dhaba cedars and deodars emitting sweet pine
hours! Even at 11 pm the traffic was (cafe) to fill up a bucket of water to flush scents in the fresh mountain air. It was
unbelievable - the eight lane highway the contents away! As we reached truly beautiful. We were both looking
was jam packed with cars, scooters, Dalhousie it started raining, and lucky forward to seeing Shimla, the summer
motorbikes, trucks, buses, tuk-tuks, me, I was able to sit in a support vehicle retreat for the British during their
rickshaws and people, plus the odd cow, (a Mahindra 4WD) while Ross tested out occupation of India.
all in the middle of the capital of India! his wet weather gear. At this stage, with
Welcome to India! We were met at our me not feeling too good and with the
hotel by armed guards, who checked our constant rain, I was beginning to wonder
taxi for bombs. This is routine for many what I'd let myself in for!
Luckily, by next day I started
hotels. They have a long pole to which a
feeling
better,
but as the weather was
large mirror is attached and with which
still
a
bit
miserable
I stayed in the car.
the guard checks all vehicles coming
Steve (aged 73) had lost his nerve and
into the hotel.
After two days in New Delhi, he also rode in the car, and the
trying to get accustomed to the chaos mechanic rode his bike. Ross really
and crowds, we met Andrew, our tour tested his wet weather gear that day!
guide, and the only other tourist Our accommodation that night was very
participant, Steve from the USA. We comfortable including a western shower
went by taxi to Amritsar, 10 km from the and toilet.
With the sun shining the
Indian/Pakistani border. It was Sunday
and after settling into our hotel, we were following morning and feeling much
picked up and driven to the border to better, I again rode pillion and started to
Ross's great-grandmother was
watch the lowering of the flag ceremony, appreciate the wonderful scenery, the born there, with her father serving as a
a daily evening ritual. There were snow-capped mountains in the distance doctor in the British Army in the 1880s. It
thousands of spectators, all of us having and the fruit and vegetable farms, rice snows there in winter and in summer, it
to pass through security checks (like paddies and sweet com growing on very still is a retreat for Indians wanting to
airports). We were all frisked by very steep hillsides. The roads were very escape the summer heat of Delhi and
serious, armed soldiers (women on one steep and narrow, up and down and with surrounds. In Shimla, we stayed at the
many hairpin bends thrown in.
side through curtained cubicles where
The Willochran - 4th Series, No 108, June 2016
India
10
Cecil Oberoi, a truly opulent and grand hotel that had
previously been built to cater for British aristocracy. It is a busy
town, quite pretty, perched on the side of a hill among the pine
and cedar trees. However, it was an absolute nightmare with
all kinds of traffic jostling for space and progress on the roads.
Moreover, the roads in Shimla are so steep, narrow and
rough, that it was not a great experience when riding pillion!
The following day we rode on the UNESCO narrow
gauge train for two hours - the motorbikes were brought down
to meet us at the station where we alighted. The plan was to
ride to Kalka, a distance of about 60 km, where we would
board a high-speed train to Delhi. Steve and I took one look at
the traffic on the roads and decided to ride in the support
vehicle. Steve had spent 9 years in the USA racing speed cars
and even after this experience, he was chickening out! He
said riding motorbikes on the chaotic road in front of us would
be suicidal. We never dreamt at this stage that it was going to
be touch and go as to whether we'd meet the train in time.
Ross, Andrew and the mechanic rode the bikes and we in the
car soon lost sight of them with the traffic in both directions (a
major highway) absolutely congested. In the car, we were in
several shocking traffic jams where there was no progress for
20-30 minutes at a time. Trucks, buses, cars, tuk-tuks,
scooters, motorbikes, bicycle rickshaws and livestock of all
kinds all competed for space and progress. The scooters and
motorbikes were at an advantage, being able to squeeze
through impossibly narrow spaces between trucks and buses
and travelling on the wrong side of the road if it suited.
Andrew, Ross and the mechanic arrived at the station 45
minutes before us. We arrived with about five minutes to
spare. As all our luggage was in the car, they were as relieved
as we were to catch up!
Kalka was where we said goodbye to our motorbikes,
our driver and mechanic. Nandu (driver) and the mechanic
had been wonderful on our approximately 1300 -1400 km
through the Southern Himalayas. They were so helpful and
nothing was too much trouble.
Relieved that we had survived unscathed, Andrew,
Steve, Ross and I, and Avneesh the doctor, boarded the train
for our five hour trip into Delhi. The following day our son and
daughter-in-law met us at our hotel and joined us for a further
six days travelling to the Taj Mahal and other tourist attractions
in Agra and then travelling on to Jaipur, a very colourful and
interesting city, where we spent several days exploring. Jaipur
is called the Pink city, as in 1876, it was painted pink to
welcome the then the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII.
Pink is traditionally the colour of hospitality and the pinkcoloured facades of this city are protected.
On reflection, our trip to India was exciting, intriguing
and despite some pretty hairy moments, it is already luring us
back.
Jacky and Ross Vonow
Quorn, in the Parish of Port
Augusta and Quorn
•
•
CMS News
CMS have launched their LASTING HOPE APPEAL
2016, details of which can be found at
www.lastinghope.cms.org.au/sant. The deadline
for donations is 30 June.
The 2016 CMS Dinners will be held on Wednesday
3 and Thursday 4 August at the Fogolar Furlan
Function Centre in Felixstow with Dr Michael
Goheen as Guest Speaker. Bookings close 26 July.
Details and bookings at bit.ly/cms-dinner
Solicitors for the Diocese
We welcome your instructions from anywhere
in the Diocese, for all legal services and
conveyancing.
Offices at Jamestown, Port Pirie, Clare and
Adelaide. Ph 8664 1043
The Willochran - 4th Series, No 108, June 2016
11
Around the traps……
Something unusual surely! Three of our priests in the
Diocese all with a common birthday, November 12th. From
left, the Rev'ds Trevor Briggs, Anne Ford and Andrea
ABM Auxillary Day was McDougall
Michael Ford
held this year at Crystal
Brook. Morning Tea was
enjoyed, then Bishop
John presided over a
Eucharist in the church of
St Silas.
After lunch the ABM Auxiliary
AGM was held led by
Meredith Francis, the
President of the Auxillary.
Then, as Kenya is one of the
ABM Projects this year,
Bishop John had been
invited to talk about his visit
there some years ago.
Lambeth's young monastic community hailed a major
success Forming a monastic community of young adults at
Lambeth Palace to embrace a yearlong commitment to prayer,
study and service may have been an audacious experiment,
but members of its first class say the initiative has been a
major triumph and an extraordinary life-changing experience.
ANSC
Primate of Hong Kong
elected as new chair of
Anglican Consultative
Council
Th e Archbishop and Primate
of Hong Kong, the Most Revd
Dr Paul Kwong, has been
elected as the new chair of the
Anglican Consultative Council
the legally constituted body
that brings together Anglican churches from around the world.
Dr Kwong will take on his new role at the end of the current
meeting of ACC-16 which was held in the Cathedral of the
Holy Cross in Lusaka, Zambia. Archbishop Paul Kwong at
ACC-16 in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka as it is
announced that he has been elected chair of the Anglican
Consultative Council ANSC
The Anglican Communion's Director for Mission, John
Kafwanka, outlines the importance of intentional discipleship.
ACC wants "every province, diocese and parish" to focus on
intentional discipleship The Anglican Consultative Council
has called on "every province, diocese and parish" in the
Anglican Communion to "adopt a clear focus on intentional
discipleship" as part of a "season of intentional discipleship" to
run for the next nine-or-so years.
Sad News: We note the recent deaths of two retired priests
who served in our Diocese: The Rev’d Michael Sainsbury
who was priest of Minlaton from 1990-2003. Please uphold his
wife Shemariah in your prayers. Also Canon Ron Keynes
who served in the Northern Mission 1963-66, Ceduna 1966
-70, Pt Augusta 1971-75, Auburn/Riverton 1982-93,
Jamestown 1993-96, Pt Augusta-Quorn 1999-2000 Chaplain
Pt Augusta Gaol 1999-2008 and Honorary Assistant Priest Pt
Augusta 2001-2008. Please uphold his wife Robyn and the
family in your prayers. Rest Eternal Grant to them, O Lord.
Cuban Combo Thursday March 3 was the World Day of
Prayer service at St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church in
Cleve. Sounds of Cuban calypsos could be heard as nearly
sixty people from all Cleve churches entered the beautifully
decorated building. Each person received a paper national
flower, 'butterfly', made by Diana Ranford. Cuban women
used to write messages inside a petal during the struggle for
independence. Our message written in each one was, 'God is
love'. Diana and John had decorated the sanctuary and altar
with flowers and flags in blue, red and white with greenery.
Judy Pearce, previous resident, played the organ and all
churches participated. It was a wonderful morning as we
prayed for Cubans.
Ruth Buxton
Therese Bates, Josie Scott, Diana Ranford, Leslie Venning,
Hellena Thom and Judy Kraehe
Congratulations to Patricia Jacka OAM who has been
awarded the Country Education Foundation's "2016 Katie
Walker Outstanding Service Award" for her tireless volunteer
work in helping young-people achieve their career goals
through her involvement with the Wool, Wine and Wheat
Country Education Fund. The award recognizes volunteers
who have dedicated 10 or more years to the foundation
Patricia was one of the founding members and inaugural
President from 2007-2014. You can read her full story in the
Plains Producer, Northern Argus and Flinders News
newspapers. Fabulous Patricia. We are certainly proud of her
achievement!
Sonja Czora
The Willochran - 4th Series, No 108, June 2016
12
Ceduna farewells the Johansens
On Sunday 20 March, the Ceduna community farewelled
Reverend Gael and George with much food, fun and frivolity.
Marls and Jon Shipard kindly hosted about 40 people in their
home. The Lord supplied a perfect day and we were able to
enjoy Shipard's entertaining area overlooking Bosanquet Bay.
A beautiful setting for
Gael and George's "last
meal" with us.
Following lunch,
speeches were made
and a presentation
made to them, a framed
photo of Murat Bay,
reflecting the view from
the front veranda of the
Rectory, to remind them
of what they are
missing!! We will miss
them both and wish
them every blessing in
their new roles in
G l a d s t o n e .
Cynthia Moffat
Thanks from Anglicare Whyalla I have finally had a chance
to sort through the donations from Synod.There is a wonderful
supply of very useful items. Soups both canned and cup a
soup, pasta, canned meals, cereals, canned fruit, personal
items and even a cash donation will help our clients a great
deal. It is all very much appreciated.Our thanks to all who
contributed
Jan Wakling
Farewell to the Thorpes Dorothy and Bruce Thorpe have
recently moved from Auburn to Adelaide. We bless them, and
thank them for their generous contribution to the diocese
during their years with us.
Adelaide Plains Male Voice Choir performed at St Mary’s,
Burra,
on the 1st May. The Sunday afternoon concert
included presentations by Kim Van Dokkum playing the
harmonica and Rosemary Nairn at the organ. The 29 men of
the Choir were conducted by Darrel Schutz. A most enjoyable
afternoon!
Advertising space
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or third column $25
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See The Willochran contact details on page 2.
Ss Simon and Jude
Church
at
Cummins During
the Good Friday
service the entire
congregation placed
a flower on an old
rugged cross
symbolising the new
life that we have in
Jesus. The Paschal
candle was lit by Avis
Colbert, a long time
church member. Avis
was assisted by
Warden Brian
Treloar.
Avril Luke
ABM NEWS
ABM 2016 Tax Appeal
May 2016 |ABM has launched its 2016 tax appeal which will
directly benefit 774 people in remote villages in Myanmar.
Your donation to this project will give clean water to local
communities in Myanmar and assist hundreds of people.
Myanmar Water Tax Appeal
ABM Resources for National Reconciliation Week
Please see the Diocesan website for a copy of the letter
from ABM in regards to National Reconciliation week held
between 27th May and 3rd June. A link is included in letter
for prayers and resources for National Reconciliation Week
St Benedict's at Minlaton has 40 new chairs of the same
design as those in the Cathedral and at St Alban's Gladstone.
Many of you will have seen or sat on one of these at the
Synod. Audrey Cook is pictured helping to set the new chairs
in position. They were purchased courtesy of a bequest from
the estate of the late Hazel Harrison, a faithful worshipper at
St. Benedict's. As there were some funds left after the chairs
purchase, the Church Council is now looking to purchase
some oil-filled candles as the old wax ones are increasingly
not up to standard.
Michael Ford
The Willochran - 4th Series, No 108, June 2016