The Gippsland Anglican, August 2012

Volume 109, Number 7 August 2012
Published in Gippsland Diocese since 1904

The Gippsland Anglican is your award winning newspaper: Best Regional Publication Silver Award (ARPA) 2011; Item or Feature that
shows the most originality Highly Commended (ARPA) 2011; Best Social Justice Story Highly Commended (ARPA) 2004; Best Regional
Publication (ARPA) 2003; Most Improved Newspaper (ARPA) 2001.
Ena Sheumack and
AWA honored
pages 4 & 5
Seeking friends for
the Abbey
Page 3
Literary and media
reviews
pages 18 & 19
By Jeanette Severs
WE need to listen to each
other respectfully, no mat-
ter how much we disagree
with each other, said
Reverend Dr Dorothy Lee,
at a seminar recently in
Sale.
Dr Lee, a noted theolo-
gian, was hosted by Sale
parish at two seminars, in
Drouin and Sale, on July 7
and 8. Dr Lee is the Dean
of Trinity College
Theological School in
Melbourne. At the semi-
nars, she led discussion on
the topic, How do we read
scripture today?.
Dr Lee is a distinguished
teacher in biblical studies
and has written several
books, including a prize
winning book on Johns
Gospel. In all, 84 people of
various ages and scholarly
experience attended the
two seminars.
A lot of things we do as
Church has to do with how
we read the bible, said
Reverend Dr Don Saines,
introducing Dr Lee.
Dr Lee took up the intro-
duction, putting forward a
selection of New and Old
Testament passages for
discussion by attendees
during the afternoon.
How we read the bible is
debated at the highest lev-
els in the Church, as well
as at the parish level, said
Dr Lee.
I see the bible as the
centre of my faith. The
bible is of critical impor-
tance to us and the Church
it is the inspired word of
God; and contains all that
is necessary for salvation.
Each one of us has a
method of reading the
bible and today may give
you a chance to ask how
do I read the bible?.
Dr Lee reminded atten-
dees the Bible is the
prophetic and the apostolic
witness to the Word. Our
religion, our faith, is deeply
personal and grounded in
the Word of God.
Dr Lee ran through her
seven principles for read-
ing scripture, also con-
tained in the lecture notes.
Some she dwelt on, giving
several examples; others
she skimmed. In particular,
she stressed the need to
read the bible intelligently.
For reading scripture
intelligently, we bring our
minds to bear on the bible
and ask questions. The
bible is not just divine word
but also human word, said
Dr Lee, before going on to
lead discussion about read-
ing the bible with an
understanding it was writ-
ten at a time of differing
norms, cultures, education,
influences and understand-
ing.
In particular, she pointed
out the patriarchal influ-
ences that would have
strongly influenced the
writing of many an author
from that period and com-
pared that to todays mod-
ern culture.
I dont believe the bible
is dictation. God speaks
through the writers and
they interpret their writing
through their cultural and
educational influences,
she said.
Dr Lee discussed how
Luke is very well educated
and we see that in his writ-
ings; then compared him
to other writers in the
bible.
continued page 6
ABOVE: It was a day of celebration for women in the Anglican Diocese of
Gippsland when Ena Sheumack House was officially dedicated, at the Abbey of St
Barnabas at ABeckett Park. Pictured enjoying the environs of ABeckett Park, on
Raymond Island, were Diane Ferguson, Denise Rich and Reverend Lyndon Phillips.
See inside pages for more coverage of this event and other activities at the Abbey.
Photo: Jeanette Severs
Lee: Respect
needed for
listening
2 Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries August 2012
The Gippsland Anglican
The Gippsland
Anglican
Price: 90 cents +gst each
$25 +gst annual postal subscription
Member of Australasian Religious
Press Association
Member of Community Newspapers
Association of Victoria
Registered by Australia Post.
Print Post Number 34351/00018
The Gippsland Anglican is the official
newspaper of and is published by
The Anglican Diocese of Gippsland,
453 Raymond St,
Sale, Victoria, 3853,
www.gippsanglican.org.au
Editor: Mrs Jeanette Severs,
PO Box 1254, Bairnsdale, 3875
Tel: 0407 614661
Fax: 03 5144 7183
Email: editor@gippsanglican.org.au
Email all parish reports, all articles,
photographs, advertisements and
letters to the Editor. Photographs as
jpeg files. Articles as .doc or .txt files.
Advertisements as PDF files.
Printed by Latrobe Valley Express P/L
21 George Street, Morwell, 3840
All contributions must be received by
the Editor by the 15th day of the month
prior to publication. Contact the Editor
to discuss variation to this date. The
Editor reserves the right of final choice
and format of material included in each
issue. The Gippsland Anglican and the
Editor cannot necessarily verify any
material used in this publication. Views
contained in submitted material are
those of contributors.
Advertising Rates:
$6.80/cm deep/column black & white.
Color is an extra $130.
Contact the Editor in the first instance
for all advertising submissions, cost-
ings and enquiries, including about in-
serts in the newspaper.
For Sale Classifieds:
Parishes can advertise items for
free, for sale at prices up to $100.
Email details to the Editor.
Index
Respect needed 1
Letters to the editor 2
Abbey needs friends 3
Ena and AWA honored 4,5
Listen with respect 6
Remembering camps 7,8
Abbey workshops 9
Anam cara leaders 10
Faithful Marj 11
Church in the round 11
Diocesan calendar 12
Color-in picture 13
Perspective ... 14
Annual lecture honor 15
Blessed Caroline 16
Vale, faithful servants 17
God in patient care 18
Wren, song writer 19
Diocesan Pictorial 20
Letters to the Editor
Impressed by
newspaper
Dear Editor,
A kind Bairnsdale friend
sent me the June issue of
The Gippsland Anglican be-
cause of our shared inter-
est in several topics, all so
well reported in the issue.
It was refreshing to read
of the wonderful empathy
and understanding dis-
played at Synod. Bishop
Johns address was partic-
ularly helpful concerning
sexuality and the need to
read the Bible in context,
(the church can never
read the Bible in the same
way once it acknowledged
that Galileo was right).
I also found Jordan
Breeds speech on Gipps-
lands community health
very balanced, with an ex-
cellent perspective on per-
sonal responsibility.
Yours sincerely,
Dick Manuell
Frenchs Forest, NSW
Thank you
Dear Editor,
Im writing to thank you
for including details in your
newspaper about the Spiri-
tuality in Everyday Life Art
Exhibition at Bairnsdale
Uniting Church, held over
Easter.
Some of our Anglican
friends saw the published
photograph and article and
came along to view the ex-
hibition as a result.
The exhibition was very
successful, with credit
going to the artists, whose
excellent works drew a lot
of attention.
Your co-operation was
much appreciated. With
thanks,
Yours sincerely,
Jenny Eckhardt
Bairnsdale
Ideas repeated
over time
Dear Editor,
I have been following the
recent debate about ho-
mosexuality and the
church through the pages
of The Gippsland Anglican,
especially the Bishops
Presidents Charge to this
years Synod and the let-
ters that stemmed from it.
One thing has particularly
struck me. There are many
references to scripture in
these articles and letters.
One side of the debate
quotes almost entirely
from the Old Testament or
Pauls epistles or Revela-
tion (11 out of 12 such ref-
erences in my count),
while on the other side of
the debate, all the refer-
ences are to the gospels.
What may we conclude
from this? I asked my
friend, Joe. He said it looks
as if one of these groups
may think they should take
the actual words of the
Bible as being a rule to fol-
low in every situation that
comes along for ever and
ever. Hed heard of that
idea before.
What about the others?
Well, Joe reckons they may
think the words of Jesus
and what he did and the
kind of person he was
should be the rule they
should follow. He said hed
heard of that before, too.
Yours sincerely,
(Rev. Dr) Jim Connelly
Warragul
Wide-ranged
discussion
welcome
Dear Editor,
It is good to see a revival
of open debate and the
free expression of differing
beliefs and opinions from
individual church mem-
bers, recently taking place
in The Gippsland Anglican.
There are inumerable
practices in human life and
its social organisation,
which could and should be
the concern of those who
profess the Christian faith,
which should surely be
subject to serious discus-
sion.
A take it or leave it atti-
tude to acceptable scrip-
ture has probably caused
many to lose faith in the
church because of the in-
terpretation of a biblical
quotation contrary to the
Christian Gospel.
Irrespective of the histori-
cal accuracy of the Old
Testament stories, we can
not be expected to accept
the ethical and moral
atrocities supposedly com-
mitted under the direction
of God.
In those times, few peo-
ple would have been liter-
ate; the (media) would
have been well and truly
controlled by the national
leaders who were certain
they were the chosen peo-
ple of God.
The supposed adherents
to the 10 commandments
and a host of regulations
had no hestitation in de-
claring that God was in-
structing them in their
mass slaughter of millions
of human beings in their
pursuit of wealth and
world domination.
In 2000 years of Chris-
tendom, Christian civilisa-
tion and nominally
Christian nations, the car-
ing and sharing gospel of
love has been constantly
challenged within church
and state.
We live in an era of un-
precedented scientific
knowledge and instant in-
ternational communica-
tion, which means that
human wellbeing depends
on loving our neighbors as
ourselves.
Humanity certainly has a
long way to go in that re-
gard.
It is to be hoped concern
for the expression of uni-
versal love may inspire a
wide range of discussion in
further correspondence to
The Gippsland Anglican.
Yours sincerely,
Eric Kent
Lang Lang
Be a part of supporting the
Aboriginal Ministry
Fund

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

Be a part of achieving these aims.

Contact the Diocese of Gippsland
453 Raymond Street, Sale, Victoria
PO Box 928, Sale, 3853
Telephone 03 5144 2044
Fax 03 5144 7183
Email registrar@gippsanglican.org.au
August 2012 Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries 3
A CONSORTIUM of two
companies, Exxon Mobil
(Esso) and Ignite Energy
Resources, together have
an onshore exploration li-
cence to search for Coal
Seam Gas (CSG) in the
Gippsland Basin. They are
seeking to assess the natu-
ral gas potential in the
deeper coal seams and to
determine whether it can
be commercially produced.
The preliminary assess-
ment phase is for the next
12 to 18 months. If com-
mercial operations are
found to be viable, produc-
tion could come on line in
five to 10 years.
A critical issue will be to
discover whether or not Hy-
draulic Fracturing (fracking)
would be required to stim-
ulate the coal seam to pro-
duce enough gas for
commercial purposes. It is
at this point the search for
CSG becomes problematic.
Gas companies are very
reluctant to reveal what
they use in the fracking
process. Fracturing fluids
are primarily water but con-
tain other chemicals, in-
cluding acids, solvents,
surfactants, biocides and
hydrocarbons. The chemical
residues from fracking can
cause potentially irre-
versible contamination to
both ground and surface
water sources.
CSG extraction also poses
serious risks to fresh water
aquifers. The huge volumes
extracted from coal seams
can lead to major deple-
tions in adjoining aquifers
used for drinking water,
agriculture, other industries
and fire-fighting. Aquifers
may also be connected to
surface water systems.
Further to that, typical re-
leases from gas wells in-
clude substances which
affect the respiratory sys-
tem. Twenty-five per cent
are carcinogenic; 37 per
cent affect the endocrine
system; 52 per cent affect
the nervous system; and
40 per cent affect the im-
mune system. They can
and do contaminate the air
as well as water systems.
Heavy metals and other
toxic compounds are also
naturally present in coal
seams and may be brought
to the surface in waste
water.
Serious health problems in
human and animal popula-
tions have emerged in NSW
and Queensland where CSG
is being extracted in farm-
ing communities.
For more details about the
negative effects of fracking
in farming communities,
see online at www.western-
downs.group-action.com
Exxon Mobil has played
down concerns about the
initial exploration for CSG in
the Gippsland Basin, saying
coal here is of a lower rank
than coal found in New
South Wales and Queens-
land and may not require
fracking.
One response local prop-
erty owners may take in re-
sponse to the approach of
these companies to access
their land for exploration is
to lock the gates of their
property. Lock the Gate is a
campaign begun in NSW
and Queensland to slow the
progress of what may lead
to environmentally haz-
ardous practises associated
with CSG extraction.
Lock the Gate organisers
advise land owners not to
allow company representa-
tives onto their land for any
reason but to meet them at
the gate for any discussion,
preferably with a neighbor,
but never alone. They ad-
vise neighbors to speak
with one voice and to re-
fuse companies access to
property.
A simple No Trespassers
sign on all access gates will
keep them away. Land own-
ers have a legal right to do
this, which will be upheld
by the courts. Organisers
further advise land owners
not to sign anything and to
seek legal advice.
For further information,
Lock the Gate Gippsland is
online at www.lockthegate-
gippsland.com
Issues particular to Gipps-
land include, most impor-
tantly, the potential threat
to food production in this
fertile and productive part
of Australia, and the health
risks to local populations.
In relation to Exxon Mobil,
local landowners already
have had negative experi-
ences of the companys
dealings with them, partic-
ularly around the Longford
gas plant. It has a ques-
tionable reputation in our
communities for not being
transparent in its dealings
with local people.
Furthermore, the company
shows no commitment to
group bargaining with land
owners. They prefer to deal
individually with land own-
ers and to come to separate
arrangements for access
and payment. Typically,
farmers who are doing it
harder than others may be
more easily persuaded into
less than just financial
arrangements when tar-
geted individually.
The situation does, how-
ever, remain complex.
Exxon Mobil argues that, if
CSG can be extracted safely
in Gippsland, it will provide
us with a far greener
means of power production
than that generated by
brown coal plants and may
help the region respond to
the potential loss of jobs
associated with the impact
of the carbon tax on power
production in the valley.
Exxon Mobile also claims it
gives access to further
water supplies produced in
the process of extraction,
once that water has been
filtered.
Nevertheless, no-one can
be sure that safe extraction
is a possibility without an
environmental impact study
being carried out.
It is of concern the Victo-
rian government has shown
no inclination to accede to
requests for a moratorium
on exploration for CSG in
Gippsland until an environ-
mental impact study is car-
ried out. Given the National
Partys claim specifically to
represent the interests of
farming communities, there
is understandable concern
among local farmers their
approaches to government
on this matter seem to be
falling on deaf ears.
Perhaps the coalitions his-
tory of complicity with the
mining sector compromises
their capacity to respond to
rural concerns about CSG
exploration.
I suggest it falls within the
churchs responsibility to
ensure we are informed
about this issue which
threatens to impact disas-
trously on our communi-
ties, and to stand ready to
advocate with and for land
holders for their rights to be
maintained in the face of
the demands that may be
placed on them in the
search for CSG in Gipps-
land.
This is a matter of duty for
those who would hear the
commendation of Jesus to
hunger and thirst for jus-
tice.
Bishop concerned
politicians dont
represent farmers
Right Reverend John McIntyre
Bishop of Gippsland
the churchs responsibility
to ensure we are informed
about this issue which
threatens to impact disas-
trously on our communities
AT A recent gathering at the
Abbey of St Barnabas, at ABeckett
Park on Raymond Island, Archdea-
con Ted Gibson encouraged people
to become a friend of the abbey.
Archdeacon Ted was the incumbent
when the church of St Barnabas
was moved to ABeckett Park, from
Briagolong.
The congregation of the abbey is
only a handful of dedicated Angli-
cans, he said.
We must encourage others to be-
come friends of the abbey, to sup-
port its vision, operation and
upkeep; and to pray for the abbey.
Friends of the Abbey of St Barn-
abas at ABeckett Park receive a
regular newsletter, pray for the
abbey, are encouraged to be in-
volved with the abbey and in pro-
moting it and the programs
offered. They are encouraged to
give financially to the work of the
abbey.
In particular, Friends of the Abbey
are encouraged to offer time and
expertise to support the develop-
ment of the abbey as a centre for
spirituality and the environment.
Membership is $10 and at the re-
cent dedication of Ena Sheumack
House and the reunion retreat led
by Ted and Annabel Gibson, the in-
terest of some attendees extended
to taking up the membership offer.
When you stay at the abbey, you
are immersed in creativity and a
sense of peace; with marvellous
sunsets and the beauty of the
Gippsland Lakes, said Archdeacon
Edie Ashley, priest at the abbey.
Telephone 03 5156 6580 or email
info@theabbey.org.au
Abbey seeking friends in their thousands
Dedication of house and clavinova
By Jeanette Severs
A SIGNIFICANT period in the life of the
diocese was concluded on July 25, when
Ena Sheumack House was dedicated by
the Bishop of Gippsland, Right Reverend
John McIntyre. Ena Sheumack was the
wife of Bishop Colin Sheumack and was
dedicated to supporting the wives of clergy
and the women of this and other dioceses
she served in. She was also a strong sup-
porter of Anglican Women of Australia
(AWA), which, unfortunately, has ceased to
exist in this diocese after 50 years.
A memorial fund was set up by AWA to
raise money in the name of Ena
Sheumack. Recently, negotiations between
the diocese and AWA resulted in the fund
being used to refurbish the house at the
Abbey of St Barnabas at ABeckett Park.
The house was used by the managers of
the park in the past and more recently is
for use by the priest of the abbey.
The ceremony to dedicate Ena Sheumack
House, as a recognition of not only Enas
but all womens ministry in the diocese,
was attended by past AWA members and
supporters from across Gippsland.
After the dedication of Ena Sheumack
House, a service was held in the chapel to
dedicate a new clavinova (organ), gifted by
Georgina Evans in memory of her late hus-
band, Scott.
RIGHT: Bishop John McIntyre places the
plaque on the wall of Ena Sheumack house
during the dedication ceremony on July 25.
BELOW: Bishop John McIntyre, organist
Judy Rennick and Archdeacon Edie Ashley
with Georgina Evans and Bryan Taylor,
widow and son of Scott Evans, placing the
dedication sign on the clavinova in the
chapel of St Barnabas at ABeckett Park.
Photos: Jeanette Severs
TOP: Annabel Gibson, Pat
Cameron and Merrill John-
ston cut the cakes in cele-
bration of the life and
memory of Ena Sheumack.
ABOVE far left: Jim Reeves
and Colin Maxfield at the
dedication of Ena
Sheumack House.
ABOVE left: Rosemary
Pounder and Sue Gibson
after the dedication service
for the clavinova in the
chapel.
ABOVE: Ian and Jan Cook
at the ceremony to dedi-
cate Ena Sheumack House,
at ABeckett Park.
August 2012 Our Diocese - Dedication of Ena Sheumack House 5
continued from page one
God works through the
writers in their own con-
text, culture, time and un-
derstanding.
We can compare the dif-
ferent gospels and we have
the freedom to ask which
interpretation or detailing
of Jesus acts is accurate.
Therefore we need to read
the bible intelligently and
read it in its historical con-
text, culture and kinship re-
lationships, Dr Lee said.
In particular we need to
understand the honor-
shame culture of the an-
cient world, the fear of
being publicly shamed.
We read the bible and un-
derstand that in the ancient
world the writers had a
moral responsibility to
make you a better person.
Referring to the four
Gospels, Dr Lee stressed
the need to ask what each
writer, individually, is trying
to tell us about Jesus
teaching and how we can
ascertain the real story by
then reading them collec-
tively, focussing on the dif-
ferences, similarities and
emphases.
If we are going to read
the bible intelligently, this
means taking seriously the
bible as a human book, tak-
ing seriously the historical
context, the genre and the
question of respecting the
writers diversity in culture,
she said.
It is important we also in-
terpret the bible canoni-
cally, looking for the truth
in the writings and at scrip-
ture as a whole, comparing
what the different writers
argue or detail.
Dr Lee also spoke about
the importance of interpret-
ing scripture theologically.
First we need to see that
Christ somehow stands at
the centre of scripture, she
said.
For example, Luke talks
about Jesus actions but is
trying to interpret those ac-
tions theologically with
Jesus Christ at the centre
and according to Jesus
Christ as the principle of in-
terpretation.
We need to listen to each
other respectfully, no mat-
ter how much we disagree
with each other.
Dr Lee discussed the need
to interpret scripture with
an eye on resurrection; we
have a destiny of resurrec-
tion so we must treat our
bodies with respect [and]
interpret that to mean the
whole of creation as well.
The bible belongs in the
worship and praise of God.
Therefore we read the bible
with our minds and our
hearts, liturgically and
praiseworthy, Dr Lee con-
cluded.
Respect needed for
listening to each other

Owned and operated by Ray & Maree Anderson

With care & dignity, we serve
South Gippsland and Phillip Island

Main Office:
WONTHAGGI/INVERLOCH (03) 5672 1074
176-178 Graham Street, Wonthaggi, 3995 Fax: (03) 5672 1747

PHILLIP ISLAND (03) 5952 5171
15 Warley Avenue, Cowes, 3922 (by appointment only)
Email: randm33@bigpond.net.au

Pre-paid & pre-arranged funeral plans available.

CARING & PERSONAL 24 HOUR SERVICE

MLM8L8 Cl AuS18ALlAn lunL8AL ul8LC1C8S ASSCClA1lCn
SUBSCRIPTION
to The Gippsland Anglican
Get The Gippsland Anglican posted direct to you
Name ......................................................................
Address ..................................................................
.................................................................................
Telephone ...............................................................
Yes, I would like a one year postal subscription to The Gipps-
land Anglican, costing $27.50. I enclose a cheque/postal
order, made out to the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland.
Send to TGA subscriptions, Anglican Diocese of Gippsland,
PO Box 928, Sale, 3850. Enquiries, telephone 03 5144 2044.
LEFT: Sue Fordham, Reverend Dr Dorothy Lee, Rev. Car-
oline Nancarrow and Rev. Lyndon Phillips.
ABOVE: Kate Campbell and Annette Hollonds, both of Sale
parish, at the seminar in Sale where Dr Dorothy Lee spoke
to the theme How do we read scripture today?.
Photos Jeanette Severs
ABOVE: Reverend Tom
Killingbeck, of Bruthen
parish and Pat McKeown, of
Bairnsdale parish (and ex-
Bruthen parish) were
among the 50 people who
attended the seminar in
Sale, to hear renowned
theologian, Reverend Dr
Dorothy Lee.
ABOVE middle: Judy Tul-
loch and May Kyne, of Avon
parish, attended the semi-
nar in Sale, held at Del-
bridge Hall.

MATTE (Madeline) Lanigan, nee Rautman, at-
tended the reunion retreat last month, at the
Abbey of St Barnabas at ABeckett Park, on Ray-
mond Island and reminisced about her time at
the camp, particularly as a young woman in
1939 and as a cook in 1965. Matte was born
and raised in Tinamba and has lived the past 60
years in Heyfield. Matte is now aged 90 years
and her reminiscences are included here.
Girls Camp 1939
IN January 1939, after the terrible bushfires of
that summer, when many homes and lives were
lost in North Gippsland, it was decided the
Church of England Girls Camp would still be
held on Raymond Island. The land was be-
queathed by Mrs Beatrice ABeckett for this pur-
pose; she had died the previous year.
I arrived at Paynesville on a rainy afternoon,
with my blanket, pillor, two chaff bags, enamel
plate and cutlery, plus two shillings and six-
pence pocket money. I was rowed, in a small
boat, to the camp jetty, as the antiquated ferry
was closed for the day.
I was greeted by Sister May Lambert on the
brick-paved veranda at the front of the cottage,
where all the girls were confined because it was
too wet to erect the tents for their accomoda-
tion. A small room beside the house was filled
with straw and some of the older girls, with Sis-
ter Winifred, were busily stuffing it into the chaff
bags.
These bags were quite large and the second
one was pulled down over the filled bag to form
a mattress. The room was then swept, leaving a
heavy pall of dust which was hard to settle in
the moist atmosphere.
Sleeping positions were arranged around the
walls but there had not been enough straw left
for me and, being a little older, I was given the
privilege of using the canvas folding camp
stretcher. Oh, lucky me? All the suitcases had
been stowed underneath, with corners sticking
up everywhere.
Sister May then placed a wooden packing case,
with a hole cut out on top, on the floor, with a
kerosene tin underneath, at the foot of my bed
near the door, explaining it would be too cold
and dark to venture out at night. Besides, the
toilets would not be available until next day.
Well, the sound of rain on an unlined roof could
not compare with the noise of the kerosene tin
throughout the night.
There was little sleep. One girl was trying to
shield the light of a torch while she wrote a let-
ter to her mother.
We breakfasted, seated on wooden forms be-
side a long trestle table under the veranda.
There was 13 on each side and a Sister each
end when all were seated. We had cereal with
milk and sugar on our enamel plates, followed
by poached or fried eggs on the same plate. I
soon learned to retrieve some bread to mop up,
as I was not keen on milky, sweet eggs.
After breakfast, work began on the toilet facil-
ities, using an allocated area where twigs and
grass were used to cover the evidence, while
holes were dug nearer the beach for our sewer-
age system. These were dug until the water
level was reached and each day were flushed by
the Bucket Brigade, involving every camper
spread at intervals to the beach, with a senior
girl knee deep in the lake, filling the buckets to
pass on.
Once our wooden box seats were installed and
hession placed around, we were indeed living in
style.
The camp ground had dried sufficiently for the
tents to be erected but we did not witness it, as
we were all away busily exploring.
Dora Beadle collected our pocket money on ar-
rival and for half an hour each day the bank
was open and we were allowed sixpence to
spend at the tuckshop (boxes of assorted
sweets, etcetera, put out on display).
The tents were erected for the girls but the
adults slept in the house, where the meals were
also cooked, but I never did see beyond the
door onto the veranda.
Mrs Bright-Parker, a Girls Friendly Society
(GFS) leader from Melbourne was there with her
two daughters and Sister May brought a girl or-
phaned by the bushfires, who she had adopted.
The girls came from all areas around Gippsland.
We all had a happy time, swimming, walking,
playing organised games, as well as prayer
time. One day, loads of thick sandwiches were
made and packed into the ever-useful kerosene
tins and we boarded a boat to hold us all and
circumnavigated Raymond Island. We disem-
barked at the far end for a picnic lunch.
Throughout it all we were accompanied by Sis-
ter Mays small dog, Jeldi, and entertained our-
selves looking for koalas.
I was always fascinated with plants and rocks
and our favorite spot on the island was the
pointed end of ABeckett Park land, which jut-
ted out into the water. It was a mass of inter-
esting rocks and around in the bush leading to
it were all sorts of small succulent-type plants.
I could not resist these and I guess I asked Sis-
ter Mays approval, because I brought them
back to the cottage.
The edge of the veranda opposite the door was
blocked off. Maybe a vine had once grown there,
but it was the ideal spot for a rock garden, such
as I had built for cacti at home. I must have en-
thused by new young friends to help carry
rocks, because a sizeable rock garden resulted.
It was still there when I visited some years later.
I would love to know if there is still someone
around who was there and remembers.
Boys Camp 1965
I HAVE returned to Raymond Island several
times in the intervening years. I was at the
camp when Mrs Evanne Garnsey, with women
from all over the diocese, outlined the forma-
tion of a combined group to include all women
of the Anglican faith to get together. We all sat
on the grass in front of the cottage, until some
were so bothered by mosquitos they retreated
to their cars.
My children attended various camps, both with
the school and Sunday school groups. My nine
year old son was at a junior Sunday school
camp when I was asked if I would help at a
Boys Adventure Camp to follow. I agreed and
then learned the cook was sick and unable to
attend; and I was to be the cook.
There were 17 senior boys enrolled, so I felt I
could cope with their rostered help, as it would
only be a little more than double my usual fam-
ily to cook for. I was to have one free day, as a
camp away was planned for the boys.
On arrival, I discovered there would be many
more than 17 boys; there would, in fact, be 56
people. Two CEB leaders had brought their
wives and families, as had our minister. A sports
leader, my small daughter and my son from the
previous camp were among the extras.
The wife of one CEB leader offered to help, but
sadly had to leave after only a few hours be-
cause of a death in her family, but was per-
suaded to leave her children with us. The other
wife took her place, but had a young baby. This
left only the pregnant wife of our minister to
help.
Of course, kitchen arrangements were soon
well organised, with the boys in teams carrying
out the menial tasks, including peeling vegeta-
bles and washing and drying dishes.
Then several of the boys were struck down
with a gastric virus and I contracted it. Luckily,
it hit me in the night, when I was violently ill,
but I recovered quickly next day. I blamed my
unrest on worrying how I was to make four
chickens into a hearty meal for so many, as
there were no shops on the island nd the bishop
was coming to visit.
However, with lots of spaghetti and vegetables,
it was wonderful how the casserole expanded,
like the loaves and fishes.
The boys were busy at the waters edge, with
old drums, rope and planks, as they endeavored
to construct seaworthy craft. When all was
ready, I was asked to prepare food for a picnic,
so with boilers packed with a mixture of sand-
V
alley
F
uneral
L
atrobe
S
ervices
J Qualified, experienced
and caring staff
J Modern chapels
J Refreshments and catering
facilities available
J Secure, guaranteed, pre-paid
and pre-arranged funeral
plans
J Over 70 years of service
to the Latrobe Valley
MORWELL 5134 4937
MOE 5126 1111
TRARALGON 5174 2258
Owned and operated by
Paul and Katrina McInnes
Proud member of the
Australian Funeral Directors
Association and the Australian and
British Institutes of Embalming
MARK
RIDDLE
Consultant
JOHN
GALBRAITH
Consultant
PAUL
McINNES
Director
2002900
Matte remembers camps at ABeckett Park
continued next page
ABOVE: Jean Heasley with her friend, Matte
Lanigan, at the ABeckett Park reunion.
continued from previous
page
wiches, cakes and fruit, we
all set off.
We had taken a yacht with
us from Heyfield and there
was a rowing boat at the
camp. Two lads from home
arrived with a speedboat to
take the women, but I
opted to row the boat, as
we made it across the
water to Newlands Arm.
Eventually, all he boat-
builders arrived, having set
off earlier, with much pad-
dling and repairs on the
way. Everyone had a lovely
time swimming and sun-
baking but I was whipped
home in the speedboat to
prepare the evening meal.
They day of the big adven-
ture arrived, when all the
senior boys were to camp
overnight at a destination
near the sea and I was to
have the promised day off;
after preparing all the food
for them to take. I refused
to make the requested
boiler of custard to go with
their tinned fruit, as it
would be difficult to take in
a boat anyway, so they
opted for the suggested
condensed milk. Finally, at
4pm, with much fuss with
fishing gear and other
equipment, the last boat
left the island, leaving me
with only 23 mouths to
feed.
We all relaxed and decided
not to get up at the usual
early hour in the morning.
Imagine our surprise when
the breakfast was barely
over at 9am and the first of
the adventurers began ar-
riving back. What is more,
we did not get our promised
meal of fish and chips, as it
would have been too costly
to get for everyone.
One of those boys at the
camp was Bill Ray, now
Bishop of North Queens-
land.
After that time, I cooked
at several camps and got
much satisfaction from
planning early and buying
specials, using as much
home grown fruit and veg-
etables in the menu as pos-
sible, to make the camp
economical for the families.
The camps were always a
lot of fun and the im-
promptu concerts displayed
lots of talent, too. I feel sad
that there are so few chil-
dren attending Sunday
schools now. At the last
camp I cooked for there
were 86 campers, but they
were from across a large
area of the diocese. I think
that camp was 10 years
ago, maybe more.
Need a hand at home?
Make life a little easier with Benetas.
Benetas is one of Victorias leading not-for-prot aged care
providers. We offer a range of services to support older
people living at home in the Gippsland community.
Care at home
We can help with personal care such
as showering and dressing, social
support, transport to appointments,
meal preparation, dementia-specic
care and respite services for carers.
We can provide these services for a fee
through Benetas at Home. Or if youve
had an aged care assessment you may
be eligible for these services via a
government-funded Community
Aged CarePackage.
Dementia Carers Support Group
Together with Alzheimers Australia
Vic, we hold monthly meetings in
Lakes Entrance and Orbost for carers
of people living with dementia.
Its an opportunity to share experiences
and receive support. For details call
.
Benetasestablished by the Anglican
Diocese of Melbourne in .
For more information about Benetas services
in Gippsland please call the Benetas Aged
Care Advice Line on 1300 23 63 82 or visit
www.benetas.com.au
Matte remembers camps
ABOVE: Betty Luxford and
Margaret Beckett looking at
photographs from past
girls and boys camps held
at ABeckett Park.
RIGHT: Matte Lanigan
shows Joan Hall, Shirley
Sunderman, Gwynneth
Dickins and Merrill Johnston
photographs from the 1939
girls camp she attended at
ABeckett Park.
RIGHT: Iris Maxfield and
Janet Trotter reminisce
about times past, looking at
photographs from girls
camps held at ABeckett
Park. ABeckett Park was
bequeathed to Gippsland
diocese by Beatrice ABeck-
ett for the use of church
and school camps and
other youth activities. In
recent years, the diocese
has redeveloped ABeckett
Park as an abbey offering
retreats and workshops and
a centre for spirituality and
the environment.
ABeckett Park girls camp 1939
PHOTOGRAPHS taken at the
Church of England girls camp
held in January 1939 at ABeck-
ett Park, from Matte Lanigan.
FAR right: At a picnic at the far
end of Raymond Island in Janu-
ary 1939, Sister May (black veil
on her hat) sits at the base of a
tree with some girls. Sister Mays
dog, Jeldi, is in the foreground.
RIGHT: The campers board the
boat after a picnic.
BELOW: Vin Kelly, Kathleen
Bright-Parker and Matte Raut-
man with (front) Mavis Owen.
BELOW right: Tent mates, Lalie
Murphy, Mavis Owen and Kath-
leen Bright-Parker.
LAST month, leaders gath-
ered from across Gippsland
at Monash University to
think creatively about the
next series of workshop re-
treats at the Abbey of St
Barnabas at ABeckett Park,
on Raymond Island.
From August 3 to 5 is the
mens retreat, led by Rev-
erend John Stewart. For
people who enjoy creative
writing or who would like to
try their hand at it, Sue
Fordham and Archdeacon
Philip Muston are offering
Writing in the Fire from
August 17 to 19.
If making or listening to
music is your interest, Fay
Magee and Reverend Dr
Don Saines offer Music in
the Wind from September
14 to 16. Bring your
recorder, tin whistle, voice
or other instrument, if you
have one.
By popular interest, Dr
Pene Brook will be leading
Art grounded in Earth from
October 12 to 14 for people
who like creating visual
works of color and beauty.
On November 9 to 11,
Archdeacon Susanna Pain
and Dr Ann Miller offer
movement to rhythm with
Dance through Water.
Anam Cara retreats are
becoming popular at the
Abbey. A small gathering of
people in Ena Sheumack
House on the evening of
June 22 shared a meal and
began a short quiet time of
reflection and evening wor-
ship.
Kate Campbell and Kath
Grandy led attendees on a
gentle journey with a sense
we walk together in the
presence of God. Embrac-
ing Winter was the theme
of this retreat.
The next Anam Cara Re-
treat is on September 28 to
30, with the theme Em-
bracing Spring. This one
will be led by Marilyn
Obersby.
Enjoy your retreat in the
comfortable ABeckett
Units. Each room has an
ensuite, a queen sized bed
and a single bed, mi-
crowave, refrigerator,
toaster, crockery and cut-
lery. The full retreat price of
$195 includes all meals,
Abbey retreat leaders
explore their elements
towels and linen provided in
a single room with ensuite
accommodation.
For double, twin share or
budget options, please con-
tact Sue Gibson at the
Abbey, telephone 03 5156
6580. To book or for further
information, telephone
Sue, 03 5156 6580, email
info@theabbey.org.au or
online at
www.theabbey.org.au
Contributor: Edie Ashley
ABOVE: Lalie Murphy,
Win Kelly and Brenda
Woodland.
BELOW: Lady Bay, on Raymond Island, identified
by Matte Lanigan, nee Rautman, from photo-
graphs taken in January 1939 at the girls camp
held at ABeckett Park.
THE Anam Cara Commu-
nity held a service of
Thanksgiving and Commis-
sioning on June 30, at St
Marys Morwell, giving
thanks to God for activities
and ministry in the past
year.
As part of the liturgy, new
Associates of the commu-
nity were welcomed and
existing Associates re-af-
firmed. The Servant Lead-
ers were commissioned for
Gippsland: Kate Campbell,
Sue Hopkins, Jane Mac-
queen, Carolyn Raymond,
Colin Thornby, Heather
Toms, Anne Turner, Brian
Turner, Christopher Venning
and Marion White for Anam
Cara Gippsland. Jeannette
McHugh was commissioned
for Anam Cara Canberra-
Goulburn.
Prayers of thanksgiving
were offered for the inau-
gural Soul Carer of the
community, Reverend Anne
Turner, who retired from
the leadership to journey
with the associates in other
capacities. The new Soul
Carers, Jane Macqueen and
Colin Thornby, were com-
missioned for their new
ministry by Archdeacon
Heather Marten, Vicar Gen-
eral of the Diocese of Gipp-
sland, and were received
with great joy by the gath-
ered associates of the com-
munity.
Dr Thornby spoke about
the Rule of St Benedict and
the requirement for the
Servant Leaders to be ever
sensitive to the individual
needs of associates and en-
quirers. The community is
growing and evolving with
the guiding grace of the
Holy Spirit.
Participants enjoyed lunch
together in St Marys hall
following the service.
Bishop John MacIntyre will
lead the next Anam Cara
quiet day, at St Marys Mir-
boo North on Saturday, Au-
gust 11. All are welcome.
For information, contact
Jane Macqueen, telephone
0411 316346 or email
jane.macqueen@anam-
caragippsland.org or Dr
Colin Thornby, telephone
0403 776402 or email
colin.thornby@anamcara-
gippsland.org
Contributor: Sue Hopkins
Encounter the
Jewish faith
STATISTICS from the
2011 Census indicate
97,300 people identify as
Jewish in Australia, repre-
senting about 0.5 per cent
of the total Australian pop-
ulation. Jewish people in
Australia, however, have
made contributions to Aus-
tralian life far beyond what
might be expected of such
a small population group.
People such as Otto
Frankel, Robert Manne, Sir
Gustav Nossall, Sidney
Myer, Barrie Kosky, Harry
Seidler, Sir Zelman Cowen,
Isaac Isaacs, John Monash,
Geraldine Brooks, Renee
Geyer and Raymond Apple
have added to the richness
of Australia and shared
something of what it means
to be a Jewish person.
The history of Judao-
Christian interactions has
often been difficult and
there are many examples of
anti-Semitism in the
churchs past, from which it
has rightly repented and
sought forgiveness. Recent
but incomprehensible
events such as the Shoah
(Holocaust) demonstrates
the continuing unreasoning
fear and hatred felt by
some for the Jewish people.
Throughout all of this, the
Jews have sought to remain
faithful to the Covenant be-
tween God and the children
of Israel. Various cultural
expressions of the Jewish
faith have sprung up across
the world and many are
represented in Australia.
On Saturday, October 13,
the Anam Cara Community
has organised a day of con-
templative encounter with
two Jewish guests, Gerry
and Karen, who will share
something of the experi-
ence of their faith with
those present. Everyone is
welcome to attend.
People intending to attend
are asked to prepare by
reading one of Chaim
Potoks novels, such as The
Chosen, My Name is Asher
Lev or Davitas Harp (each
of these should be available
from local libraries).
The day will be hosted at
Allan and Jan Huggins
home at 1067 Yarragon
South Road, Trafalgar
South. Access is from the
Princes Freeway via Sunny
Creek Road. Morning and
afternoon tea and soup are
supplied; participants are
asked to bring their own
lunch.
RSVP by contacting Car-
olyn, telephone 03
51918343, Jan on tele-
phone 03 56347616 or
Marion, telephone 03
56233216. Cost is free to
$15, depending on your
means.
Further information online
at http://www.anamcara-
gippsland.org/?p=730
Contributor: Colin Thornby
ABOVE: Anne Turner (front
right), retiring leader of the
Anam Cara Community,
with Jane Macqueen and
Colin Thornby, the new Soul
Carers of the Anam Cara
Community. Jane and Colin
were commissioned on
June 30.
Photo: Carolyn Raymond
Anam Cara
welcomes new
leadership
Cursillistas gather at Sale
ABOVE: The group of par-
ticipants and team mem-
bers who gathered at Sale
in early July to participate
in this years Cursillo. The
theme for Womens Cursillo
35, chosen by the partici-
pants, was I am the way,
the truth and the life.
Photos: Christine Morris
August 2012 Our Diocese - Parishes 11
EVERY now and then in
the church, we recognise
and celebrate the wonder-
fully faithful service of
members of our faith com-
munities.
On Pentecost Sunday, May
27, the members of St
Marys Anglican Church of
Mirboo North recognised
and paid tribute to the con-
tribution of Marj Allen
(right) to the ministry of
music in the worship of God
during 45 years in our
parish and beyond.
There was a special com-
bined worship service at
9.30am to give thanks to
God for Marjs gift to us and
many others, as this part of
her ministry to the life of
the church drew to a close.
There was a good atten-
dance of people to say
Thank You! to Marj, in-
cluding a few community
visitors.
Marj is usually one of the
first people to arrive at
church each week. She is
an enthusiastic and faithful
Christian woman, who has
many other gifts which she
displays selflessly, including
her prayerfulness, reading
of Scripture, generosity and
attention to the needs of
others.
The service was followed
by a special morning tea
where we continued to cel-
ebrate Marjs terrific contri-
bution and make appropri-
ate presentations to her
(including chocolate, flow-
ers, a hairdressing voucher
and a Plaque of Recognition
(inset above), which has
just received its appropriate
faculty for placement in the
music alcove.
Contributor: G. Pittaway
Song and story
CLIFTON Waters Village
Variety Club performed in
their latest musical Mood,
Melodies and Memories.
Songs from music hall
days, comedy, solo per-
formances and the choir
were much enjoyed by the
audience.
The congregation of St
Johns celebrated their Pa-
tron Saint, St John the Bap-
tist, on Sunday, June 24.
The organ played, the choir
sang and Canon Gordon
Cooper, locum priest while
the rector is on leave, cele-
brated Holy Communion
with praise and thanksgiv-
ing for our church.
We were also reminded
that St John the Baptist was
an inspired prophet and rel-
ative of Jesus.
After the service, many of
the congregation enjoyed
lunch while Archdeacon Ted
Gibson, who has a vast
memory of church history
and local events, spoke
about the beginnings of St
Johns church in Bairnsdale.
He talked about the first
ministers travelling on
horses from the Monaro
High Plains to minister to
the people of Gippsland, as
there were no churches.
Between 1880 to 1920,
when churches were being
built, ministers were happy
to share their buildings with
congregations waiting to
have their church com-
pleted.
St Johns was happy to ac-
commodate the Lutheran
worshippers for a time. So
even in those days, ecu-
menical meetings with
other churches were being
held.
Amanda Ballantyne, the
youth and childrens
worker, has resigned from
her ministry in Bairnsdale.
She was farewelled at the
service with a special bless-
ing. We wish her well in the
future.
Contributor: U. Plunkett
ABOVE: Clifton Waters Vil-
lage residents perform.
Photo: Bairnsdale
Advertiser
BELOW: Archdeacon Ted
Gibson spoke about the his-
tory of the parish at St
Johns Bairnsdales Patronal
Festival.
Photo: P. Brand
Faithful servant, Marj
Church in the round
IN June, St Marys hosted
the annual Thanksgiving
Service of the Anam Cara
Community. The Anam
Cara Community requested
the church be prepared so
everyone could be seated in
the round and all could re-
ceive communion by stand-
ing together in a circle.
It was decided to maintain
the church in the round for
the Sunday services. St
Marys congregation appre-
ciated the symbolism and
we have made some small
changes during the month,
such as bringing the chil-
drens corner closer to the
front of the church, but we
have maintained the church
in the round for Sunday
services throughout July.
On July 1, Reverend Lyn
Williams was taking the
service. The Gospel lesson
spoke to us of Jesus send-
ing out his disciples to
preach the word. The Bible
tells us not to take many
possessions as we set out
to preach.
To the surprise of the con-
gregation, Rev. Lyn col-
lected a suitcase and an
umbrella from behind the
organ and was about to
leave the church to preach
the gospel on the streets of
Morwell. However, she had
a suspiciously large case
and this did not seem to be
following the instructions in
the Bible about travelling
light.
She was outed by
Archdeacon Heather Marten
and three children from the
Sunday school, Stacey,
Presley and Remey. They
found, as they suspected,
that Rev. Lyn had many un-
necessary objects. Fortu-
nately, she did have a very
large Bible.
She decided to leave her
preaching on the streets
until later and she stayed to
finish the service.
On Wednesday, July 11,
the mission group held a
casserole tea and film
night, in aid of our mission
project for the year, St Mar-
garets hospital in New
Guinea. We all had a great
night, enjoying the home
cooked food and the film
which took us to Paris by
night.
We were all surprised and
pleased when a Lolly Lady,
alias Joan Peachey, shared
her wares with everyone.
We crunched our way
through lollies and pop-
corn all through the film.
Contributor: C. Raymond
Open Garden
MORWELL parish is host-
ing an open garden, in aid
of our St Marys mission
project, St Margarets Hos-
pital in New Guinea.
Oliver and Carolyn Ray-
mond are opening their
garden at Tyers, an acre of
mainly native garden set on
the side of a hill. The ad-
dress is 60 Cooloongatta
Drive, Tyers; just up the
Walhalla Road past the
Lookout.
There will be Devonshire
teas on the verandah, time
to explore around the gar-
den and wander along the
bush road winding down
the hill into the valley.
The garden will be open on
Saturday, October 6, from
1pm to 5pm. Cost is $10
per person; children free.
ABOVE: Reverend Heather Marten, Stacey, Presley and
Remey ask Rev. Lyn: What have you got in your case?
Busy Boolarra
CHURCHILL Ladies Fellow-
ship met in July at Pat
Stewarts to organise a
Winifred Kiek service on
July 22, a Pleasant Sunday
Afternoon on August 12
and a sausage sizzle on Au-
gust 25.
A Winter Warming was
held at Boolarra on July 1,
when tinned and packaged
goods were blessed for the
work of Anglicare in Morwell
and delivered the following
day. A CRE service at Yin-
nar on July 15 was dedi-
cated to the RE program in
our local schools.
Reverend Marilyn Obersby
has led a study series on
the book by Philip Yancey,
Whats So Amazing About
Grace?, using the DVD for
small groups.
Boolarra Yinnar parish is
organising a murder activ-
ity as an outreach event.
Contributor: R. Billing
2012
International Year of People of African Descent, National Year of the
Farmer, National Year of Reading
August
3-5 Mens retreat led by Reverend John Stewart, Robert
Fordham and Rev. Brian Turner; Abbey of St Barnabas,
ABeckett Park; telephone 03 5156 6580
4 Lay Reader Training; Bairnsdale; 9.30am to 4pm; contact
reverends Jenny Ramage, Tony Wicking and Bruce Charles;
register at Registry, 03 5144 2044
10-11 Seminar with Tim Dyer; follow up to conflict seminar for
clergy, 2011; Traralgon
11 Anam Cara quiet day, St Marys Mirboo North, 9.30am to
4pm; telephone Jane, 0411 316346 or Colin, 0403 776402
12 A pleasant Sunday afternoon, Boolarra Yinnar parish
18-19 Fire and Creative Written Expression; workshops led by
Archdeacon Philip Muston and Sue Fordham; Abbey of St
Barnabas, ABeckett Park; telephone 03 5156 6580
21 Mothers Union executive meeting; Morwell; 9.30am to
11.30am; contact Karin McKenzie, 03 5662 2148
22 Barry Marshall Memorial Lecture presented by Trinity
College, Melbourne; guest speaker Michael Kirby AC CMG;
topic Religion and Sexuality: Uncomfortable Bed Fellows;
6.30pm; Melbourne Brain Centre, Royal Parade, Parkville;
enquiries 03 9348 7127
25 Multicultural music festival, Royal Society of Church Music;
St Pauls Cathedral, Melbourne; 2.30pm to 4pm
25 Sausage sizzle, Boolarra Yinnar parish
31 to Sept. 2 Retreat on the Spirituality of Spring, led by Reverend
Anne Turner; Abbey of St Barnabas, ABeckett Park;
telephone 03 5156 6580
September
Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 Retreat on the Spirituality of Spring, led by
Reverend Anne Turner; Abbey of St Barnabas, ABeckett
Park; telephone 03 5156 6580
9 Back to Church Sunday
11 Mothers Union Gippsland annual general meeting;
Leongatha; 9.30am
14-16 Workshops on Wind and Music, led by Fay Magee and Dean
Dr Don Saines; Abbey of St Barnabas, ABeckett Park;
telephone 03 5156 6580
25-28 Mothers Union invitation week, ABeckett Park; telephone
03 5156 6580
October
6 Open garden for Morwell parish mission to St Margarets
Hospital, New Guinea; 60 Cooloongatta Drive, Tyers; 1pm to
5pm; Cost $10 per person, children free.
7 Feast day of St Francis of Assisi
9 Family Forum, with Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, sponsored by
Gippsland Mothers Union; 7.30pm; St Pauls Anglican
Grammar School Traralgon campus; telephone 03 5134
1356 or 03 5156 1949
12-14 Workshops on Earth and Art, led by Dr Pene Brook; Abbey
of St Barnabas, ABeckett Park; telephone 03 5156 6580
13 Anam Cara Community contemplative encounter, Windows
into Judaism; Trafalgar South, 10am; telephone 03 5634
7616
1518 Annual clergy retreat; Pallotti College
TBA Mothers Union East Gippsland AGM, Swan Reach
27-29 Womens and Mens Lay Retreat; Palotti College. Contact
Gwyneth Jones, Moe; telephone 0421 501 024 or email
gwyneth.jones1@bigpond.com
November
1-3 Growth in Ministry Intensive; Bishopscourt, Sale. Contact
Archdeacon Heather Marten, telephone 03 5144 2044
9-11 Workshops on Water and Dance, led by Archdeacon
Susanna Pain and Dr Ann Miller; Abbey of St Barnabas,
ABeckett Park; telephone 03 5156 6580
10 Quiet Day with Mothers Union and Bishop John McIntyre; at
Bishopscourt; 10.30am to 2.30pm, BYO lunch.
11 Defence Sunday
11 Remembrance Day
27 Mothers Union Gippsland executive meeting, Morwell;
9.30am; followed by lunch
December
2 Commemorative service celebrating 20 years of women
priests; 2pm, St Pauls Anglican Cathedral, Sale
9 Commemorative service celebrating 20 years of women
priests in Melbourne; 2.30pm; St Pauls Anglican Cathedral,
Melbourne
Diocesan calendar
Information printed as provided to The Gippsland Anglican.
Jesus Feeds the 5000
Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to
those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the
same with the fish. John 6:11 (NIV)
Puzzle is based on John 6:1-14
DOWN
1. To take food into your mouth,
chew, and swallow it
2. To cure someone of illness or
disease; to make someone well
again
3. What we eat to give us energy
and to help us grow strong
bodies
4. An animal without legs that lives
in water
ACROSS
3. The number that comes after
four and before six
5. The number equal to one plus
one
6. Pieces of bread shaped and
baked in a single piece and
sliced for eating
7. A basic food made from flour,
water, and yeast mixed together
and baked
1 2
3 4
5
6
7
Puzzles
H J F W W W H F J S S X N N V
V B B O A T T B K X A Y C D D
X P T J M F L N A M T H Q P J
C D Q F E A A C K K I E N T R
T H C L O H V R E U S G K W Z
O E U U T L G I T Z F C P E V
W A X T J R L P X Z I L A L V
N L H T X E Z O L S E P M V B
S E I C Y H S V W P D B V E I
L D C R G S C U L E E S F S K
J O T A E M I M S J D O D K C
F B A S K E T F U L S W P S K
P I B V T T A K B D O H S L W
P S S L E B D U I R K M X M E
Q D J H K S F K C L M E H A O
JESUS THANKS TWELVE FISH
BASKETFULS LEFT HEALED BOAT
SATISFIED FOLLOWED CROWDS SICK
PEOPLE LOAVES TOWNS
Copyright: www.sermons4kids.com
FOOD FIVE HEAL TWO
LOAVES BREAD EAT FISH
Wordsearch
Crossword
August 2012 Our Diocese - Children, Family and Youth Ministries 13
Color-in picture
Feeding the 5000 Copyright: www.sermons4kids.com
James
wins
award
FORMER student of St
Pauls Anglican Grammar
School, James DiFabrizio,
has received the Premiers
VCE award for his excel-
lence in drama last year.
Nominations for the 2011
Top-All Round VCE High
Achievers category were
based on study scores from
2011 and 2010.
Mr Baillieu congratulated
283 Victorian students, in-
cluding 134 students from
Independent Schools Victo-
ria member schools, who
were recognised at the an-
nual Premiers VCE Awards.
Among those students
awarded were the states
26 top all round VCE high
achievers, who gained
study scores of 46 or higher
in at least five of their VCE
studies.
ABOVE: James DiFabrizio
with his Premiers Award.
PLANS are underway for
the 2013 diocesan Kid-
splus+ Childrens and Youth
Camp, to be held at the
Coonawarra Farm Resort,
Stratford. It will be held on
May 3 to 5.
Parish Childrens ministry
teams are asked to encour-
age interested participants.
Hopefully, early notification
will be helpful to parish
planning and fundraising
support for children and
youth aged 6 to 18 years.
It is anticipated costs will
be approximately $100 per
person, plus extra for the
horseriding optional activity
($35 each) .
Parish leaders are encour-
aged and welcome to par-
ticipate in the camp
leadership team. Nothing
can replace the Come with
me invitation in encourag-
ing participation at these
wider diocesan events.
The diocesan Kidsplus+
Network welcomes input for
this and other activities.
Email gippskidsplus@peo-
ple.net.au The next dioce-
san Network meeting is on
Sunday, August 12, 1.30pm
at St James Traralgon. All
are welcome.
Contributor: Mary Nicholls
2013 camp plans
underway now
Rock, L and Ayliff, A (2012)
My very first Story of Jesus
sticker book. Oxford: Lion
Hudson.
THIS is the story of Jesus from his
childhood in Nazareth to the resur-
rection. It contains, in an easy to
read format, some of the most well
known stories about Jesus;his love
for children, healing the lame,
sending out the tax collectors, the
good samaritan and last supper.
Along the way, each page contains
opportunities to discuss the story,
draw parallels with the childs own
life and, of course, place stickers on
the page relevant to the story.
The book concludes with a prayer,
Shine, and questions to encourage
children to talk about simple things
they do to make the world brighter.
Rock, L and Rowland, A
(2010) Journey into the
Bible. Oxford: Lion Hudson.
THIS hardcover book contains 20
adventure stories but with a mod-
ern learning twist. The text by Lois
Rock includes discussion about lan-
guage, interpretation of words,
maps to plan and follow the jour-
ney of the adventurers.
There are great illustrations by
Andrew Rowland, easily recognised
and identified by children. Overall
this book is ideal for many ages.
It can be read by parents to young
children and by older children alone
or in discussion with others.
Both books available from Rain-
bow Book Agencies. Email
rba@rainbowbooks.com.au or tele-
phone 03 9470 6611.
Two worthwhile books for children
14 Our Diocese - Perspective August 2012
By Gordon Dowthwaite,
Leongatha parish
I RECEIVED an email a few weeks
ago offering me the opportunity to
become a follower of Brad Sugars.
Apparently Brad is an expert on
helping small businesses and if I
take up his offer to join as his fol-
lower on social media he will send
me useful tips on how to make
more money.
The social media offers us many
opportunities to get closer to
celebrities and personalities by be-
coming followers, giving the allu-
sion of a closer relationship and
hearing first hand their opinions
and words of wisdom. The means
of communication is proving effec-
tive as blogs, tweets and websites
become a way of life for many and
can sway personal opinion and
maybe behaviour.
I wonder whether our notions of
following Jesus are being shaped
by these popular definitions of fol-
lower in the social media and cur-
rent culture. Is being a follower of
Jesus simply about tapping into
Jesus opinions and words of wis-
dom in the hope we will gain some-
thing to make our life or business
better?
Do we feel more in the know be-
cause we follow Jesus and he told
us? Maybe we claim to be more
committed and stay a supporter
win, lose or draw as if he was a
footy club. Is it possible we only
greatly admire him and maybe
genuinely want to know about him
and his views, even to copy or im-
itate him?
The definition of follower in my
trusty Macquarie dictionary agrees
with all this, but the Bible has some
more direct and troubling things to
say about being a follower of Jesus.
When Jesus called Peter and An-
drew to Come, follow me
(Matthew 4:19), they immediately
left their nets and went with him.
Their old life was left behind and a
new training, to become fishers of
men, began.
This was not isolated to them or a
few special apostles. A teacher of
the law was told following Jesus
meant having no place to lay his
head (Matthew 8:18-20). Another
person was told following Jesus
meant leaving family behind
(Matthew 8:21-22; see also Luke
14:26).
The so-called rich ruler was told
following Jesus required him to sell
everything he had first (Matthew
18:18-22). It gets worse.
Jesus sends us out as sheep
among wolves (Matthew 10:16),
with the expectation we will be
hated by family, friend and the
world, even arrested and maybe
killed, all because we stand against
the world as followers of Jesus
(Matthew 10).
Jesus doesnt send us out in front
like [chessboard] pawns. Rather,
he is the King who has led the way.
He was hated by the world first; his
family stood against him, his clos-
est friends deserted him; he put
aside all self-interest and laid down
his life according to the Fathers
will. He calls us to follow him on
this same path.
In fact Jesus said, Anyone who
does not take up his cross and fol-
low me is not worthy of me.
(Matthew 10:38)
Why on earth would anyone
choose to follow Jesus if it means
such total commitment and sacri-
fice of self? I find myself with Peter
when he was confronted with the
cost of following Jesus. Lord, to
whom [else] shall we go? You have
the words of eternal life. We be-
lieve and know that you are the
Holy one of God. (John 6:68-69)
It is the living God whom we fol-
low, how could we put our own in-
terests before that?
There is the lovely picture in John
chapter 10 of Jesus as the Good
Shepherd who calls his sheep by
name and leads them out. They fol-
low because they know his voice.
The shepherd even lays down his
life for his sheep.
I am reminded of Psalm 23 where
the sheep are provided for and
cared for by the shepherd. The liv-
ing God we are called to follow is
also good and loving. May we be
counted worthy of our King, the
Good Shepherd and Lamb of God
by following [him] wherever he
goes (Revelations 14:4).
By James Oakley
GOOD girl! You shared so
nicely with your brother just
then.
Your sisters ready for school
now, and youre not even
dressed. Please get ready quickly
like your sister does.
Its 9:30! Go to sleep! Its not
that hard, just lie there still and
be quiet!
If you can be really helpful
while we tidy the house up,
therell be a special treat for af-
ternoon tea!
Stop tormenting your brother!
Cant you see he doesnt want a
cuddle? How hard is it to think of
what he wants for once?
Youve hurt your sister now!
Go over there and say youre
sorry and give her a hug to make
up.
DOES this sound familiar? The
endless variations of these phrases
form the background track to most
of my home life. My wife and I try
to teach and instruct our kids. We
try to set clear boundaries on their
behavior and to enforce those rules
fairly.
We work hard toward the goal of
releasing them from our care
(eventually) as loving, honest,
competent adults.
We have read all sorts of parent-
ing books by Christian authors, de-
scribing tools and techniques to
help us in our task of shepherding
our childrens hearts and guiding
their energy and behavior. We have
used sticker charts and time out
and 1-2-3 and count downs.
It was a shock to me to see a de-
scription of my parenting as non-
Christian parenting by Christian
parents. Yet, the more I thought
about it, the more that description
rings true.
Are any of those opening state-
ments that could not have been
made by a Muslim parent? A Jewish
parent? A secular or atheist par-
ent?
But what is actually wrong with
the statements at the start? My
constant repetition of those themes
conveys these messages:
You can earn approval (or good-
ness or righteousness) by your
own efforts.
Obedience is easy. Other people
manage to obey to an acceptable
standard.
You can make up for your own
wrongdoing.
I would never say these things
that plainly to my children. In fact,
I spend most of my working life
saying exactly the opposite to other
peoples children.
The good news is all about how
we cannot earn Gods approval,
that it is hard to obey, that we can
never make things right ourselves,
but that we do not have to do so.
Jesus obeyed perfectly and that is
attributed to us.
Jesus died to atone for our wrong-
doing, so we are freed from that
obligation. The promised Holy
Spirit gives us Gods power to obey.
Some of the content of my par-
enting litany is a problem, but the
biggest shortfall is what I do not
say (or do not say consistently).
I do not make the connection for
my children between Jesus, the
gospel and their day-to-day life. I
do not give grace any air time.
So what could I say or do that
would make my parenting distinctly
Christian? What might grace-in-
fused parenting look like?
I would want to reinforce for them
that I love them regardless of how
they behave. I know they will con-
stantly do wrong, constantly disap-
point, constantly struggle to obey
or constantly fail to think of others
before themselves.
They can be free of the crushing
burden of their own imperfections
because of Jesus perfection. That,
if they trust in him, all that sin is
forgiven. If they trust in him, he
gives them the strength to love and
obey. Their goodness is a sign of
God at work in their lives.
Even as I write this, I know I will
fail to practise it. I know I will get
tired or grumpy or pre-occupied or
selfish. I know when that happens,
I will want immediate obedience,
without wanting to take the time to
show grace.
I know I will feel guilty for not
practising what I preach; for once
again relying on something or
someone other than Jesus. And
once again Jesus grace will some-
how be enough to cover my own
parenting failures. Even worse, I
know I will get it right sometimes
and be tempted to attribute the
success to my own effort or insight.
I will be tempted to believe I can
touch my childrens hearts and turn
them to Jesus. I will swell with
pride (although, very modestly, I
will not admit it) and will usurp
Gods job.
In that instant when I give in to
temptation, I know, once again,
Jesus grace will cover me and set
me back on the path of humble de-
pendence on him.
The book I was reading was Give
them grace: Dazzling your kids
with the love of Jesus by Elyse Fitz-
patrick and Jessica Thompson,
Crossway Publishing, 2011.
This article was first published in
The Tasmanian Anglican, June
2012; reprinted with permission.
Perspective ...
following Jesus
Perspective ...
parents as pastors
Perspective ... abolish slavery
By Sue Jacka,
Trafalgar parish
SLAVERY, or human trafficking as
it is often called, is involved in pro-
duction of cocoa, seafood, bricks,
clothing, rugs and palm oil. These
goods are sold around the world,
including in Australia.
Most of us would be horrified if we
discovered the lovely carpet we ad-
mire was made by a small child
chained to the loom or the choco-
late we eat was produced from
cocoa picked by unpaid women
working long hours to pay off their
husbands debt. Consumers have a
right to know if the goods they are
considering buying have been pro-
duced by some form of forced labor
but so far international treaties and
voluntary codes of practice fall
short of protecting those most at
risk of slavery.
What can we do? It is an impor-
tant part of our faith to stand for
justice. Stop the Traffik is an um-
brella organisation with strong
Christian connections that pro-
motes campaigns to alert con-
sumers to goods involving slavery.
As individuals we can choose prod-
ucts with Fairtrade or UTZ symbols
which ensure the products have
been produced fairly and in an en-
vironmentally friendly way.
Australian law recognises slavery
and human trafficking are serious
offences wherever they occur but it
has failed to offer any incentive for
companies selling imported goods
in Australia to ensure slavery and
human trafficking have not been
involved in producing their im-
ported goods. Companies could be
required to report on the steps
they are taking to minimise the risk
of slavery and trafficking within
their supply chain and to audit pro-
duction of goods to ensure they are
slavery free.
An ecumenical petition requesting
the Federal government take action
was circulated to Gippsland clergy.
Or you can download it. Mail com-
pleted petitions to STOP THE TRAF-
FIK Australia, c/- 130 Little Collins
Street, Melbourne 3000, by Friday,
August 31, 2012.
August 2012 Our Diocese - Clergy Ministries 15
REVEREND Brian Turner
was inducted as Priest-in-
Charge of the Parish of
Avon, at Holy Trinity Strat-
ford Thursday, July 26.
Brian Turner was inducted
into the part-time stipendi-
ary position, as an inten-
tional transitional position
to assist the parish to en-
gage in its partnership con-
versations with other
surrounding parishes as
well as to provide ongoing
pastoral care and regenera-
tion to the parish.
Thanks to the good work
of Reverend Geoff Pittaway,
of Mirboo North, supported
by the diocesan Registrar,
Brian Norris, the diocese
has secured further funding
from the State government
to re-engage David Wilcox
as the Bushfires Commu-
nity Development Worker
until the end of this year.
The government funding is
dollar-for-dollar funding.
Reverend Brenda Burney
will move to the Parish of
Churchill Boolarra Yinnar
from the Parish of Western-
port later this year, at a
date to be determined.
Ken Peters will celebrate
his last Sunday as the long-
term locum in the Parish of
Yarram on August 12.
Vacant parishes
THE Co-operating Parish of
Croajingolong is looking to
its future as the Gippsland
Diocese takes its turn to
look for a new incumbent.
The Parish of Westernport
will begin its search for a
new priest in the near fu-
ture.
The Parish of Yarram is in
process of searching for a
new priest.
The Parish of Newborough
has begun the search for a
new priest.
The Parishes of Avon, Hey-
field, Maffra and Rosedale
are continuing discussions
about developing partner-
ships in ministry, including
the sharing of ministry
staff.
Ordination candidates in
Gippsland diocese are Shar-
lene Asmus, Dr Pene Brook,
Fran Grimes, Katie Peken
and David Perryman. Those
in discernment for ordina-
tion are Von Dubbeld (Pay-
nesville) and Richard
Lanham (Sale).
Changes at Ridley
THERE have been impor-
tant faculty changes at Rid-
ley College, Melbourne,
including the recent ap-
pointment of Brian Rosner
as principal. He began this
new role on July 9.
Brian will bring a vision for
theological education and a
leadership style that will
serve Ridley well in prepar-
ing men and women for
gospel ministry in an in-
creasingly demanding con-
text. Brian is a renowned
scholar with considerable
expertise in New Testa-
ment.
Following Brians appoint-
ment, the board undertook
a full review of Ridleys
teaching needs. As a result
of this process it was iden-
tified Ridley no longer has a
position for a full time New
Testament lecturer and it
was with great regret that
Doug McComiskeys posi-
tion is redundant.
This was not an easy deci-
sion and every conceivable
alternative was considered,
however, the college cannot
afford two New Testament
scholars and the college
also needs to have a full
time theology lecturer on
faculty.
Doug McComiskey has
been a much loved member
of faculty since he started
in July, 1999. He has a clear
love for the Lord and mod-
elled humility and grace to
the Ridley community.
A generation of students
have benefited from his su-
perb exegetical skills, thor-
ough preparation and
encyclopedic knowledge.
He has published several
major journal articles based
on significant research and
is writing a major book on a
biblical theology of restora-
tion from exile.
The board has also made
the decision that we are un-
able to renew the contract
of Adrian Lane when it fin-
ishes on January 31, 2013.
This was another difficult
decision which is a conse-
quence of having too many
faculty in the Ministry and
Practice Department follow-
ing the implementation of
the Ridley Vision.
Adrian has been at the
college for more than 22
years, teaching almost
every subject in his depart-
ment. He established and
led the Ministry and Prac-
tice Department, creating a
culture of academic rigor
and practice.
Adrian made preaching his
specialty, contributing sig-
nificantly to the discipline of
homiletics in Australasia
through publications and
the establishment of the
Australasian Academy of
Homiletics. He is an adept
teacher of pastoral care and
has had a particular con-
cern for training ministers
to be trainers of others.
Adrian will be on long
service leave in Semester
2, returning to Ridley in the
summer. His farewell will be
held early next year.
Ridley Melbournes gradu-
ation was full of excitement
this year as 70 students re-
ceived their awards and
were commissioned for
ministry and mission. Dean
of the Australian College of
Theology, Reverend Dr
Mark Harding commented
there is a real buzz in the
place.
He was particularly taken
by the 19 leaders from the
Karen and Sudanese com-
munities who received Cer-
tificates in Bible and
Ministry.
Four people received doc-
torates, including Ridley
faculty member Rhys Bez-
zant whose work on Puritan
theologian Jonathan Ed-
wards view of church will
be published by Oxford Uni-
versity Press this year.
Right Reverend John Har-
rower, Bishop of Tasmania,
reminded the gathering
mission begins with adora-
tion and devotion of God.
Joel and Kristina Kettleton,
now serving as deacons in
Tasmania, spoke about
their experience at Ridley,
which built them up to send
them out.
Among the graduates are
people who will serve in
churches, schools, bible
colleges, universities and
workplaces in Melbourne,
Warragul, NSW, Queens-
land, Northern Territory,
Hong Kong and Tanzania.
ABOVE: New principal,
Brian Rosner, with his wife,
Reverend Natalie Rosner.
Appointments in the diocese
Annual lecture will
honor Rowan Williams
CANTERBURY Christ
Church University will host
the inaugural international
lecture series in honor of
the Archbishop of Canter-
bury, Most Reverend Dr
Rowan Williams, in Septem-
ber this year; it will be
launched by Colleges and
Universities of the Anglican
Communion (CUAC).
The Dr Rowan Williams
Annual CUAC Lecture com-
memorates Dr Williams 10
years as Archbishop of Can-
terbury. The inaugural lec-
ture will be delivered by Dr
Williams at Canterbury
Christ Church University
and will focus on the role of
Anglican universities.
This high-profile lecture by
the Archbishop will be held
at the Universitys Augus-
tine House, Canterbury, on
Friday, September 28, 2012
and will form part of its Ju-
bilee celebrations. It will
also be video linked to
CUAC institutions across
the world; information on
how to access the video link
will be released before the
event.
In subsequent years, the
annual CUAC lecture will ro-
tate among different re-
gions and be hosted by
member colleges and uni-
versities.
Archbishops
affirm Bible in
Schools
THE two New Zealand-
based Archbishops have
publicly declared the Angli-
can Church stands four-
square behind the Bible in
Schools program.
Archbishop David Moxon
and Archbishop Brown Turei
were moved to comment
following televised remarks
made by St Matthew-in-
the-City priest, Clay Nel-
son, who has joined the
atheist-run Secular Educa-
tion Network in a bid to get
the religious education pro-
gram out of the countrys
primary and secondary
schools.
The archbishops state-
ment reads, in part:
In the light of recent
media comment, it is im-
portant to clarify and re-
state the Anglican Churchs
commitment to Bible in
Schools in this country.
The ecumenical Churches
Education Commission of-
fers the Bible in Schools
program, where a schools
board of trustees agrees to
provide it.
The Anglican Church in
this country has long sup-
ported the Churches Educa-
tion Commission,
financially and in principle
and will continue to do so.
There are many boards
who choose not to offer
Bible in Schools; and many
boards who do believe it is
appropriate.
Where a school does host
this program, pupils do not
have to attend this part of
the day.
This is a long-standing
agreement which honors
the freedom of choice we
enjoy in this country, as
well as the right of parents
to influence their childs
spiritual and moral develop-
ment.
We honor the work of the
hundreds of volunteers who
continue, in a loving, sensi-
tive and non-manipulative
way, to offer access, when
asked, to this heritage in
our schools.
Online sermons
and talks
ALL Souls Church, Lang-
ham Place, in London, Eng-
land, has appealed through
social media and its website
for volunteers to help tag
3,600 free sermons and
talks.
More than 12 years ago,
the All Souls church council
decided to make its entire
archive free, even though
income from the sales of
tapes and CDs paid for
someones annual wage.
They believed the talks
should be a resource for the
global church.
There are more than
3,000 talks, going back to
the 1960s when John Stott
was still rector. The archive
is constantly being added to
with Sunday and midweek
talks available on the web-
site and as podcast.
If you know the bible pas-
sage, the preacher or the
sermons title, it is rela-
tively straightforward to
find what you want, a
church staff member ex-
plains on the website.
We have more than 3,600
sermons and talks in the
archive. If we harness the
interest and support of our
subscribers through crowd-
sourcing, it would take a
matter of only a few weeks.
If 300 people tag 10 ser-
mons each, in one month
we could get the whole lot
done!
Visit http://www.all-
s o u l s . o r g / A r t i -
cles/309547/All/Resourcing
/Sermons/Sermon.aspx
16 Our Diocese - Celebrating Ordained Women August 2012
By Jeanette Severs
SIMILAR to many women
of her generation, Caroline
Nancarrow, Anglican priest
and past Canon, felt a call
to ministry in her late teen
years and, like others, was
facing a life not in the
priesthood but rather in a
support role. At 17 years
old, Caroline felt I should
like to work for the church
and I should like to study
theology and be involved in
ministry.
She saw her headmistress
about this vocation who,
also typical of her time, was
not encouraging.
Never had a woman from
this school gone into the
church, Caroline recalls her
saying.
The headmistress was, in
fact, incorrect, as a former
student had been ordained
a deaconess only two years
previously.
Of eight people that
formed Carolines student
peer group, five work full
time for the church three
are Anglican priests and
one is a Catholic priest,
while one works as a lay
chaplain in a comprehen-
sive school; and another
fellow student works in a
legal capacity for the
church.
Caroline, born and raised
in England, cites the music
and choir master of her co-
educational school as a big
influence on their choice of
future careers.
He taught us to sing, he
was a church organist and
some of us went to church
under his influence, espe-
cially to sing in the choir,
Caroline said.
With that vocational door
closed soundly by her head-
mistress and parents, Car-
oline did go on to tertiary
study, in librarianship.
Work, marriage and a fam-
ily followed.
When our children were
two and three we came to
Australia and joined the
Christ Church Brunswick
congregation.
It was in 1981 that Caro-
lines interest in ministry
and a vocation to the
church were re-ignited.
I shilly-shallied around
for some time until I said I
felt God calling me to min-
istry, because I didnt feel
worthy. I was inspired by
Pat Brennan, Caroline said.
Dr Patricia (Pat) Brennan
was the founding president
of MOW in Australia and
conducted ground-breaking
research into attitudes to-
wards women in the Angli-
can Church of Australia.
In 1981, 1982 I put in my
application to MOW. By
1983 I had enquired about
studying and spoke with
John Gaden, then head of
the theological school at
Trinity College, Melbourne.
[John Gadens wife, Janet,
was the inaugural modera-
tor of MOW in Victoria, in
1984.]
John Gaden asked me di-
rect if I wanted to be a
priest. I was overcome.
Here was John, thinking
without a doubt that I was
enquiring about the priest-
hood while it took me many
years to feel I could say
that was my interest, Car-
oline recalled.
Up until then Id had no
encouragement from male
clergy. In fact, there were
horrible things said, like, a
woman could not stand at
the altar if she was men-
struating.
Anyway, under Johns in-
fluence, in 1983 I began
studying two subjects. I
was studying alongside
Philip Aspinall, Kay
Goldsworthy and Peter
Danaher.
Caroline was further en-
couraged when Monica Fur-
long visited Australia in
April 1984, to lead retreats
in Brisbane, Sydney, Can-
berra, Melbourne, Adelaide
and Perth and to speak
about the Movement for the
Ordination of Women
(MOW). Carolines own in-
volvement with MOW in-
cluded time on the steering
committee.
However, while studying
she was also experiencing
unsuccessful interviews for
Melbourne diocese as a
trained woman worker.
I loved studying at Trinity
College and excelled. I
found the theological sub-
jects exciting and, in 1987,
I finished my degree, de-
clining the offer of an hon-
ours year because I could
see I couldnt be ordained.
So I decided to be an ex-
cellently well educated lay
woman and hoped some-
one could find something
for me to do, Caroline said.
In February 1987, in her
last year of study, Caroline
was offered the part time
role of chaplain at Chisholm
Institute, a role she held
until August 1988.
It was my first role in
ministry but, rather than
Christian students, I found
I was ministering to and
supporting Jewish and Mus-
lim women. This included
supporting their endeav-
ours to get a kosher kitchen
at the Institute.
In the meantime, Caroline
was talking to Tom Binks,
who was locum at St Johns
East Malvern where she
worshipped. Some people
in Gippsland will recall Tom
Binks when he was chaplain
of St Annes and Gippsland
Grammar School
(STAGGS).
I sought his advice and
he was very encouraging
about me applying for the
role of chaplain at STAGGS
when it was advertised.
This was in contrast to
other male clergy. I re-
member one grudgingly
suggested attending an in-
terview for the job was a
fair idea but I shouldnt ex-
pect to be appointed to the
role.
Caroline was met off the
train in Sale by John White,
the then chaplain of
STAGGS. Her interviews
and tours of the two school
campuses filled in the re-
mainder of the day, includ-
ing an interview at
Bishopscourt by the then
bishop.
I fell in love with that
school that day, Caroline
said, remembering in par-
ticular a blond youngster,
one of a group of children
who sang a song for her.
That youngster, Jacquie
Embling, is now an adult
and recently Caroline offici-
ated at her wedding.
Nearly three months later,
Caroline received the letter
offering her the role of
chaplain and her new life in
Gippsland began shortly
after, in July 1988.
I used to walk home
across the playing fields
and wonder I was paid for
this, she said.
It was also the only time I
have been paid a full
stipend for my work in min-
istry.
Caroline spent eight years
at STAGGS. In that time,
she was made deacon, on
May 23, 1993, in front of
437 people. As chaplain,
she also oversaw the build-
ing of the school chapel on
the Garnsey campus in
Sale.
She completed her role of
chaplain at the end of 1996
and Bishop Arthur Jones
sent her to Bairnsdale
parish, to work with
Graeme Winterton, a priest
who had previously
preached that women and
men were complementary
in ministry.
Caroline was one of a
number of curates at
Bairnsdale. At the time,
Paynesville was included in
Bairnsdale parish. Graeme
sent Caroline to Paynesville
to lead services and minis-
ter to the congregation.
She was priested in May
1997, in St Johns Bairns-
dale and recalls 31 priests
attended and lay hands on
her.
I was the first person
priested at Bairnsdale since
the 1940s.
Bishop Arthur then sent
Caroline to Father Fred
Morrey to undertake train-
ing in her role as priest.
She went on to be assistant
priest at Bairnsdale; still in
a non stipend role and in
1988 she was moved to
Omeo parish, in the role of
non stipend priest-in-
charge.
Caroline was in Omeo
parish for two happy years
and recalls, during that
time, her joy when Bishop
Arthur asked her to speak
at the ordination of Elwyn
Sparks as priest at St Pauls
Cathedral in Sale.
Bishop Arthur then asked
Caroline to be the first
priest-in-charge of the
newly created Episcopal
District of Paynesville.
I knew them really, really
well because Graeme Win-
terton had often asked me
to take services in Pay-
nesville, she said.
After three years, Pay-
nesville was viable and
Synod passed that it could
become a parish in its own
right. I was very proud for
the people of that parish.
However, health concerns
were to take precedence for
Caroline and, in 2006, she
had four bypass grafts.
Leave followed and then
she was offered the role of
priest-in-charge of Avon
parish, a role she held until
last year. Also, between
2007 and 2011, she was a
canon of St Pauls Cathe-
dral, in Sale, in the Seat of
Priscilla. She also stepped
back into the role of chap-
lain at STAGGS, in a part
time capacity in 2009.
After another period of
leave last year, when she
spent several months in
England, she is now an as-
sociate priest in Sale
parish.
Caroline has also inter-
ested herself in pilgrimages
and in membership of com-
mittees and Bishop-in-
Council in the Anglican
Church in Gippsland. With
Marilyn Obersby, she has
organised a number of pil-
grimages to England.
I have cried more tears
over the way male priests
have treated me and other
women, but I have never
lost my temper at any of
them, she said.
I owe Gippsland a very
great deal, because Gipps-
land ordained me and
parishes gave me opportu-
nities.
Gippsland diocese is hold-
ing a commemorative serv-
ice to celebrate 20 years
ordination of women
priests, on December 2, be-
ginning 2pm, at St Pauls
Cathedral in Sale.
Monica Furlong
BORN in 1930, Monica
Furlong was a writer,
feminist and Christian
who threw her consider-
able moral authority be-
hind the campaign for
women priests (The
Guardian, Obituary).
Monica was a consider-
able force in the Move-
ment for the Ordination
of Women. (Her father, a
Roman Catholic, served
mass in Westminster
Cathedral; her mother
was an avowed agnostic;
Monica was baptised as
an Anglican.)
Monica was, in fact, per-
sonally committed to the
Christian faith and wrote
extensively on the need
to support men and
women of Christian
ideals, especially homo-
sexual men in the priest-
hood.
In 1980, with six others,
she participated in a
silent protest during an
ordination service, lead-
ing to ejection from St
Pauls Cathedral. One
protestor was supposedly
flagellated by a priest at
the service.
The Movement for the
Ordination of Women,
founded in 1979 in Eng-
land, subsequently took
off and Monica, as mod-
erator, led it her consid-
erable moral authority
from 1982 to 1985.
In 1987, distressed by
the disdain of many male
clergy towards women
and homosexuals, Mon-
ica was a founder of the
St Hilda Community, with
its aims of cooperation
between men and
women in liturgy, using
inclusive language and
inviting ordained women
from other countries to
visit and celebrate openly
rather than clandestinely.
Monica Furlong: Janu-
ary 17, 1930 to January
14, 2003.
ABOVE: Reverend Caroline Nancarrow.
Caroline feels blessed by Gippsland
August 2012 Our Diocese - News 17
THE first woman Anglican
bishop for Africa was
elected in July in a spirit-
filled atmosphere. The An-
glican Church of Southern
Africa (ACSA) made history
by appointing the first fe-
male Anglican bishop on
the continent.
Reverend Ellinah Ntombi
Wamukoya, 61 years, be-
came the bishop-elect of
Swaziland and the first
woman bishop in any of the
12 Anglican Provinces in
Africa.
It is thought she is only
the second bishop elected
in a mainline church on the
continent.
Her election comes as The
Anglican Church of South-
ern Africa, which includes
Angola, Mozambique,
Namibia, South Africa and
Lesotho, commemorates 20
years since the ordination
of women to the priesthood
as presbyters and bishops.
The 1992 synod was, coin-
cidentally, held in Swazi-
land.
Rev. Wamukoya was not
initially a candidate but
after seven rounds of elec-
tions yielding no results,
fresh nominations were in-
vited from the Elective As-
sembly.
She subsequently received
the required two-thirds ma-
jority in both houses of laity
and clergy.
The Assembly was de-
scribed by one observer as
a particularly spirit-filled
atmosphere and there is
said to be much excitement
in the diocese over her
election.
Founded in 1968, the Dio-
cese of Swaziland com-
prises of three
archdeaconries, Eastern
Swaziland, Southern Swazi-
land and Western Swazi-
land.
Her predecessor was Right
Rev. Meshack Mabuza, who
became bishop of Swazi-
land in 2002.
Rev. Wamukoya is cur-
rently chaplain at the Uni-
versity of Swaziland and St
Michaels High School in
Manzini, Swaziland.
She also serves as chief
executive officer of the City
Council in Manzini.
The Member Churches
that have appointed or
elected women bishops to
date are Aotearoa, New
Zealand, Polynesia, Aus-
tralia, Canada, The Episco-
pal Church, Cuba and now
Southern Africa.
Celebrations of the 20th
anniversary of the ordina-
tion of women to the priest-
hood in Southern Africa will
be held in September this
year, on the margins of the
Provincial Standing Com-
mittee meeting, with The
Episcopal Churchs Bishop
Barbara Harris as a special
guest.
Adjournment
motion passed
IN England, the question
of whether women should
be ordained bishops is still
undetermined. General
Synod recently passed a
motion to adjourn the Final
Approval debate on the
draft Bishops and Priests
(Consecration and Ordina-
tion of Women) Measure to
enable the amendment
made in May to clause five
to be reconsidered by the
House of Bishops.
The House will meet for
that purpose in September.
When it does, it will have
power to amend the part of
the text of the draft Meas-
ure previously altered by
the amendment it made in
May to clause five.
The Archbishops have
confirmed that, following
reconsideration by the
House, the General Synod
will meet in November in
London to resume the Final
Approval debate in the light
of the House of Bishops
consideration.
The Bishop of Dover, Right
Reverend Trevor Willmott,
on behalf of the Steering
Committee, successfully
moved the motion propos-
ing debate on the motion
for the Final Approval be
adjourned.
The draft Measure now ad-
dresses the fact that for
some parishes a male
bishop or male priest is
necessary but not suffi-
cient.
No nuclear
power, pursue
alternatives
THE Anglican Church in
Japan has called for nuclear
power to be abolished and
alternative energy pursued.
It is in response to the acci-
dent brought about in 2011
by the East Japan Great
Earthquake and Tsunami at
Tokyo Electric Powers First
Fukushima Nuclear Power
Plant which has posed a
threat to peoples lives by
disseminating radioactive
substances not only in the
immediate vicinity but in a
much wider area, thus re-
vealing nuclear power gen-
eration is extremely
dangerous.
The 59th General Synod of
NSKK (Anglican Church in
Japan) determined it is not
too much to say this is a
warning from God to each
of us who, having suffered
from nuclear bombings,
have failed to acquire suffi-
cient knowledge about nu-
clear power and exposure
to radiation.
Nuclear power is a real
threat to peoples lives in
that it imposes sacrifices on
socially weakened people,
from mining of uranium to
disposal of radioactive
waste.
It also runs counter to the
teachings of Jesus Christ as
it cannot be sustained with-
out peoples sacrifices.
Nevertheless, as the
House of Bishops stated in
its message on March 11,
2012: We have enjoyed
materially comfortable life
by allowing nuclear power
plants to be built in various
parts of the country to
make it possible to con-
sume more electricity.
The Great Earthquake
has shattered the safety
myth of nuclear power
under the guise of peaceful
utilisation of nuclear en-
ergy. We call for the con-
version of Japans energy
policy, which currently de-
pends on nuclear energy.
We also strongly call on all
of us to change our own
lifestyle.
Based on this reflection,
we Anglicans in Japan be-
lieve that, first and fore-
most, we must pray for
those people threatened by
the nuclear accident as well
as the whole of life on
earth. And, as Christians
following Jesus Christ, we
must speak publicly against
nuclear power.
We demand the Japanese
government be responsible
for and put an end to the
devastating consequences
of this nuclear accident and
we also share the responsi-
bility. As Jesus taught us:
Whatever you want men to
do to you, do also to them
(Matthew 7:12).
Covenant
NEW Zealand has declared
it is unable to adopt the
draft Anglican covenant. As
expected, the General
Synod said a final No to
the proposed Anglican
covenant. Throughout the
Anglican Communion,
seven provinces have ap-
proved or subscribed to the
Anglican Covenant. They
are Ireland, Mexico, Myan-
mar, Papua New Guinea,
South East Asia, Southern
Cone of America and the
West Indies.
The Scottish Episcopal
Church, the Anglican
Church in Aotearoa, New
Zealand and Polynesia and
the Episcopal Church in the
Philippines bishops also
have rejected the covenant.
In March, it was clear the
Church of England could
not adopt the covenant in
its current form when a ma-
jority of its dioceses voted
the document down.
First Anglican woman
bishop elected in Africa
ABOVE: Rich Lanham, Reverend Geoff Pittaway and Chris-
tine Morris at Delbridge Hall, in Sale, for the seminar led
by Rev. Dr Dorothy Lee, How do we read scripture today?
See pages 1 and 6.
VALE Ruth Fraser, Novem-
ber 66, 1943 to June 3,
2012. Ruth was born in
Bairnsdale. She was mar-
ried at St Johns Bairnsdale,
to John, and it was a won-
derful marriage and part-
nership for 47 years.
The past six years were a
battle against cancer and
Ruth never gave up; she
was always positive and re-
lied totally on her Lord
Jesus Christ. She was al-
ways ready to tell everyone
she met about Jesus and
how much she loved Him.
Her involvement at St
Johns encompassed many
activities, including Sunday
school, youth groups and
Anglican Women of Aus-
tralia. She loved her bible
study groups and was in-
volved in pastoral care.
Cursillo was a must and
this led to assisting at sev-
eral Alpha courses. Ruth
was also an integral part of
the church office and an in-
valuable welcomer to new-
comers to the church.
Ruth loved sport and was
a good tennis player and al-
ways took a great interest
in her husband Johns foot-
ball team.
She is survived by John,
their children Geoffrey,
Kerry and Craig and six
grandchildren who meant
everything to her. We will
all remember her for her
joy of living and her capac-
ity to make people she met
feel special.
As Archdeacon Ted Gibson
said in his eulogy: She was
well named after an Old
Testament woman who was
remembered for her loyalty
and faithfulness to the
end.
Vale, Peggy
ON June 2 we received
word of the death in Tas-
mania of Peggy Spry, a for-
mer deaconess and contrib-
utor in many ways to the
life and worship of Bass
Philip Island parish.
Before becoming a Social
Worker, Peggy was or-
dained as a Deaconess and
worked in isolated locations
in the Australian outback.
After taking up a position as
Social Worker at the Won-
thaggi Hospital, Peggy
moved to Wimbledon
Heights and quickly became
a valued member of the
Wonthaggi and Phillip Is-
land communities.
During her years on Phillip
Island, Peggy was a mem-
ber of St Philips Vestry and
a parish councilor. She also,
with Bet Robinson, set up
the monthly Focus on Faith
gatherings. We all treas-
ured Peggys wisdom, her
honesty and her sense of
humour.
Vale, Geoff
GEOFF Bell, of Morwell,
was featured on the front
page of the March edition of
The Gippsland Anglican.
Geoff passed away in his
garden on Wednesday,
March 21. Geoff and his
story was featured after he
received an Australia Day
award from Latrobe Shire
Council.
Vale, Ruth
ABOVE: Ruth Fraser.
18 Our Diocese - Literary and Media Reviews August 2012
Colorado, killing two people
and injuring two more.
Jesus Freaks is an obser-
vational, character-driven
documentary, based on a
young, dynamic, visionary
leader, John Murphy, and
his school of 45 snowboard-
ers as he guides them
through a maze of spiritual
transformation in the wake
of tragedy.
With little in common but
God and snowboarding, the
young people wrestle with
authority, substance abuse,
religion, dysfunctional rela-
tionships, death and more.
Guided by peer leadership,
deep faith and seeking
fresh snow, they set out on
a journey that will ruin
them for the ordinary.
Jesus Freaks shows the
realities and struggles of
many young people as they
take ownership of their
faith. For many youth
groups, this documentary is
a great resource in speak-
ing to each individual about
their own journey with God.
Contact Ashlee Hoover,
Heritage HM, email ash-
l ee@movi eschangepeo-
ple.com or 07 5370 2007.
Crocker, E (2011) Nine Minutes
Past Midnight; Authentic Media.
By Colin Goodwin
RARELY does a reviewer get to write
about a book as remarkable as Dr
Ernest Crockers Nine Minutes Past Mid-
night. To situate this book it is important
to note two things about the author.
First, Ernest Crocker is a person of spe-
cial eminence in the medical profession.
His almost 40 years of clinical practice
and teaching in nuclear medicine and ul-
trasound, coupled with about 75 pub-
lished scientific papers in these fields,
have given him national and interna-
tional leadership in the fields mentioned.
Second, Ernest Crocker is an Australian
whose professional and personal life is
directed and energised by a Christian
faith ever seeking strength and practi-
cal wisdom from the Scriptures and
prayer. As Crocker sees it: When we ac-
cept Christ into our lives, God gives us a
measure of faith, sufficient to move on
from a life of nomadic wandering and
into the wonderful plan and presence
that he has for our lives.
Nine Minutes Past Midnight is essen-
tially a compilation of interviews, con-
versations and anecdotes, involving
doctors and patients. The many doctors
concerned, university professors, city
specialists and country GPs, were all
committed Christians, while a number of
the events involving some of these doc-
tors were located in African and Asian
countries.
The purpose of Crockers assembled in-
terviews, conversations and anecdotes,
was to set out sometimes quite startling
factual evidence, entrusted to him by
prominent medical practitioners of
sound mind and undisputed word re-
garding the manner in which a per-
sonal God interacts and intervenes in
the lives of doctors, their patients, fam-
ilies and friends.
This factual evidence related to Gods
intervening in the healing process today.
Put differently, the central theme of Nine
Minutes Past Midnight is the experience
by doctors and patients of Gods pres-
ence now in day-to-day medical practice
as the third person involved in patient
care and in the healing process that
unseen person or silent partner.
Formal theology is absent, the experi-
ential impact of Bible-based belief is un-
derlined, healing ministries are
generously endorsed; for example,
those at St Andrews Cathedral, Sydney;
and virtually everything that is said
rests on Christian doctors immediate
and direct working experience of the
presence of Almighty God, sometimes
as Father, sometimes as Son, some-
times as the Holy Spirit.
Nine Minutes Past Midnight is a coura-
geous book. It lucidly, compellingly,
records an immediacy of experience and
emotion arising out of circumstances of
great medical urgency and often of
great human tragedy.
In it the problem of evil is faced re-
peatedly. Typically: Last week they
brought him into hospital dead! We
wrestled with God. Why did it happen?
Again: How could a loving God allow
something so dreadful to occur? Not
only had they lost their beautiful little
girl but Rosie herself had been given no
chance of survival.
Sceptical opposition is taken into ac-
count: What if [Christian belief] is all a
hoax? What if its all a faade? What if
Philip Adams is right after all?
John Boyages, Professor of Radiation
Oncology at Sydneys Westmead Hospi-
tal, said Nine Minutes Past Midnight was
An inspirational, must-read book which
I couldnt put down. This reviewer could
not put it down either.
This article originally published in The
Melbourne Anglican May 2012 issue;
reprinted with permission.
God, the third
person involved
in patient care
Bullying inter-
ventions in print
and podcast
Rigby, K (2010) Bully-
ing interventions in
schools: Six basic ap-
proaches; Camberwell
(Vic.): ACER
Press/Loggerhead
By Lisa McKay-Brown
SCHOOL communities
recognise bullying as an on-
going problem for which
there is no easy fix. It was,
therefore, refreshing to find
that this book by Ken Rigby
not only critically evaluates
a selected range of inter-
ventions used in schools,
but acknowledges that,
generally, interventions to
reduce bullying in schools
have only been moderately
successful.
Rigby suggests this inef-
fectiveness is linked, first,
to factors outside the con-
trol of the school. Second,
he suggests that, while
schools are effective at de-
veloping whole-school ap-
proaches to student
wellbeing, they are less ef-
fective in directly interven-
ing in cases of bullying,
which is the approach that
needs to be used to have
an impact on this type of
interaction.
This book focuses on case
interventions that have
been designed to resolve
the problem of bullying
when specific episodes
occur. The selected inter-
ventions are considered by
Rigby to be most represen-
tative of major approaches
currently being used by
some schools.
The book focuses on de-
scribing the intervention
and the rationale on which
it is based. Importantly
there is also a critical ex-
amination of each interven-
tion, which explores its
strengths and limitations.
Finally, this book discusses
under what circumstances
each approach can be used
by schools. What I like
about this book is it ac-
knowledges bullying goes
beyond a bully/victim bi-
nary and includes others,
such as bystanders, in any
episode.
It is also good to see an
author asserting that differ-
ent interventions are
needed for different types
of bullying episodes. This
book would be a useful re-
source for school personnel
who would like to explore
using more direct interven-
tions for bullying behaviors.
Further information about
this book is online at the
Australian Council for Edu-
cational Research,
https://shop.acer.au or
telephone 1800 338402.
A series of six podcasts
has been produced by Edu-
cation Queensland featur-
ing Professor Rigby talking
about addressing bullying
in schools. Podcasts four,
five and six are concerned
primarily with intervention
methods in cases of bully-
ing.
They can be accessed at
http://education.qld.gov.au
/studentservices/protec-
tion/community/bullying.ht
ml
NB: Lisa McKay-Brown is
an outreach teacher and a
PhD student at The Univer-
sity of Melbourne.
Youth, God
and faith
Jesus Freaks (2012)
DVD; rated PG.
A DOCUMENTARY film, Jesus
Freaks is the story of young
people on their journey with
one another and God.
The story begins on Decem-
ber 9, 2007, when a gunman
opened fire into a Youth With
A Mission dormitory in Denver,
August 2012 Our Diocese - Literary and Media Reviews 19
Puzzling questions
By Fay Magee
BRIAN Wren stands out as
a significant writer among
the amazing amount of new
songs for congregational
singing which have exploded
into the world of Christian
worship in the past 50
years.
Born in 1936, Wren wrote
his first hymn text in 1961
while at Oxford University,
the first of some 200 texts.
Ordained a minister of the
Congregational Church, he
was associated with Erik
Routley and others of the
Dunblane group which had
been instrumental in pro-
ducing a significant number
of contemporary hymns in
circulation by the end of the
1960s.
There are 24 texts by Wren
in Together in Song, each
one a careful construction
and often suggesting fresh
ideas and perspectives on
what we can sing in wor-
ship. Bring many names,
(TIS 182) written in 1986,
explores the ways in which
we name God only indi-
rectly, in parable and
story.(1)
I come with joy to meet my
Lord (TIS 533) was written
in 1968 and reflects particu-
larly on how communion
means community. Let all
creation dance (TIS 187) is
based on Psalm 148 to the
tune Darwall and is a great
match of text and tune in
exuberant praise.
Here hangs a man dis-
carded (TIS 356) allows us
to reflect on the emptiness
and meaningless of life
which Jesus speaks to in his
death:
Here hangs a man dis-
carded, a scarecrow
hoisted high, a nonsense
pointing nowhere to all
who hurry by.
There is a sense in which
the term hymn can still
mean the text, or the poem,
that is set to music. In a
commentary about Hymns
for today, Wren suggests
many hymns are poems
worth speaking, hearing and
praying in worship, even if
you never sing them; and,
of course, if you do.(2)
This might encourage us to
look closely at the words of
what we sing, but also to
look beyond just singing
them.
Wren has also written sig-
nificantly on the matter of
the language we use for our
understanding of God.
What language shall I bor-
row? God-talk in worship: a
male response to feminist
theology was published in
1989 and has been ex-
tremely influential.
His massive work, Praying
twice: the music and words
of congregational song,
published in 2000, explores
every possible aspect of
hymns, past and present,
their texts and how the
combination works in wor-
ship.
Brian Wrens work is defi-
nitely worth a look and a
sing.
(1) Wren, B (2009) Hymns
for today; Louisville, Ken-
tucky: Westminster John
Knox Press.
(2) Wren.
A great contemporary
song writer: Wren
Griffiths, P and Robinson, M
(2012) Puzzling Questions: a
six-week course to explore lifes
deeper issues; Oxford UK and
Michigan USA: Monarch Books
PUZZLING Questions is a six week
course designed to help you ask some
of the big questions about the meaning
of life. Questions such as Who am I?
What is God like? What happens after I
die? How can I be happy? Why is there
suffering in the world? and What is the
spiritual world and how does it impact
on my life?
This workbook provides extra material
to explore the ideas in the course and
allows space for you to keep a spiritual
journal. Use it to go deeper into the
topic for each session. It is also an op-
portunity to record your thoughts dur-
ing the six weeks you are doing
Puzzling Questions.
There are poems and character driven
stories and questions to assist you in
reflecting on each question and how it
applies to you. For example, there are
questions that enable you to look at
your identity, to consider what God is
like, to consider death and beyond,
happiness and suffering. You are as-
sisted in considering what it means to
be spiritual today.
The book enables self-study and also
group study. You may, as an example,
go as a group of people or with a study
friend to a cafe and watch the world go
by. Then reflect on the questions raised
and discuss them as a reflection of
what you see and feel.
The editors write: Enjoy yourself. Life
is far too short to waste the moments
and opportunities that we are pre-
sented with. Many people have found
this course to be incredibly helpful in
working out what they think about lifes
deeper questions and it has set them
on a pathway to further discovery.
There are helpful hints in using the
book and the authors recommend
keeping a journal in help in the self re-
flection and discovery encouraged by
the exercises.
There are additional resources, in-
cluding the book How Can I Be Happy?
and a Puzzling Questions DVD.
Puzzling Questions is available from
Rainbow Book Agencies, of Preston,
Victoria. Email
rba@rainbowbooks.com.au or web
search www.rainbowbooks.com.au or
telephone 03 9470 6611.
Wright, N (ed.) (2012) Five Un-
easy Pieces: Essays on Scripture
and Sexuality; ATF Press
By Sue Fordham
THIS collection of commentaries on
the five commonly cited scriptural ref-
erences to homosexuality was the
brainchild of Nigel Wright, Anglican
priest, gay man and long time advo-
cate for gay rights.
Five Uneasy Pieces begins with an ex-
planation by Nigel Wright of his moti-
vation in undertaking this task; is
followed by a preface written by Mark
Burton, former Dean of St Pauls
Cathedral, Melbourne; a foreword by
William Countryman, professor emeri-
tus of Biblical Studies at the Church Di-
vinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley
California; and finally, an introduction
by the highly credentialled Michael
Kirby, retired High Court judge and
himself an openly gay Anglican man.
With a preamble like this, you know
the five uneasy pieces have to be
good.
In addition to scholarly and insightful
contributions by Alan Cadwallader (1
Corinthians) and Peta Sherlock (Ro-
mans 1), the following deserve special
mention.
Megan Warner, the inaugural Morna
Sturrock Doctoral Fellow at Trinity Col-
lege Theological School opens with an
examination of Genesis 19, question-
ing whether the sodomites of this har-
rowing passage were indeed sodomites
or something quite other.
Richard Treloar, vicar of Christ Church
South Yarra and Research Associate of
the Melbourne College of Divinity, ex-
amines the Leviticus passages and
looks at the importance of context and
Anglicanisms incarnational spirituality
and canonical reading approaches in
drawing conclusions that hold any va-
lidity.
To quote his summing up: By asking
the old wine skinsof isolated biblical
texts to hold the new wine of our ec-
clesial experience, cultural relocation
and advances in social sciences, among
other things, we risk doing irreparable
damage to both.
The final contribution by Gregory
Jenks, Academic Dean at St Francis
Theological College Brisbane, looks at
1 Timothy in the context of changing
cultural norms and social attitudes.
His most telling point is in the listing
of behaviors normative in biblical times
and asks whether these are ones we
would defend today: polygamy and
concubinage, slavery, human sacri-
fice, totalitarian forms of theocratic
government, collective punishment
and so on.
This excellent book, Five Uneasy
Pieces brings insight and scholarship
to bear on the question of sexuality.
Each of the five essays engage with
issues of etymology (word origin and
development) and the vagaries of
translation; the shifting and broad
word meanings in the original texts
that are translated into our more
specific language and with the par-
ticular biases and world views of the
translator.
Above all, Five Uneasy Pieces ques-
tions a set of texts written at a time
when cultural settings and scientific
knowledge were far different than we
know today. It deserves a thorough
and thoughtful reading as it chal-
lenges the old standard of literal fun-
damentalism that has been so
harmful for so long.
Five uneasy pieces
assay modern thought
20 Our Diocese - Pictorial August 2012
TOP: Betty Luxford studies the photographs at the reunion
retreat at ABeckett Park organised by Ted and Annabel
Gibson.
ABOVE: Jeanette Ringin and Helen Davis look at the pho-
tos from past camps at ABeckett Park.
BELOW: Rene Patterson with photos and memorabilia of
ABeckett Park. See pages 7, 8 and 9.
ABOVE: Reverend Jon Taylor, chaplain at Gippsland Grammar, Melissa Irving, Sarah
Pritchard and Julie Irving at the seminar in Sale, on July 8, to hear Dr Dorothy Lee speak
about How do we read scripture today? See pages 1 and 6.
TOP: Margaret Beckett, Reverend Canon Dr Jim Connelly, Rev. Heather Toms and Rev.
Laurie Baker after the service to dedicate a new clavinova in St Barnabas chapel.
ABOVE: Anne Connelly, Helene Dennis and Joan Hall.
BELOW: Judy Rennick (organist), Bryan Taylor, Georgina Evans, Annabel Gibson and
Archdeaon Ted Gibson outside the chapel of St Barnabas. Bryan and Georgina have
gifted a new clavinova in memory of Scott Evans, father and husband. See page 4.

The Gippsland Anglican, August 2012

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

The Gippsland Anglican, August 2012

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Volume 109, Number 7 August 2012

Published in Gippsland Diocese since 1904

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen