The Gippsland Anglican November 2012

Volume 109, Number 10 November 2012
Published in Gippsland Diocese since 1904

The Gippsland Anglican is your award winning newspaper: Best Regional Publication Bronze Award (ARPA) 2012; 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.
Remember Defence
Sunday
Page 6
Submission: a
redemptive word
Page 4
School supports
Christmas child
page 9
2 Our Diocese - Parishes November 2012
The Gippsland Anglican
The Gippsland
Anglican
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Index
Harpist at Bairnsdale 2
Vale, Jim East 3
Submission redemptive 4
What use is religion? 5
Defence Sunday 6
Color-in picture 7
Kidsplus+ news 8
Adolescent issues 9
Gifts change lives 10
St Margarets hospital 11
Church closes 12
Being Barbara 13
Clergy ministries 14
St Lukes hall is 60 15
Diocesan calendar 16
Literary reviews 17
Art and the Abbey 18
Youth Ministry 19
Avon garden tour 20
ON October 19, an appre-
ciative audience gathered
at St Johns Bairnsdale for a
performance by Robin
Ward, an international
Harpist, on his handcrafted
triple strung harp, a unique
instrument. Robin (right,
with is harp) commented
the church is the perfect
venue for the harp as the
acoustics complement the
instrument.
The musical program in-
cluded folk and classical
pieces, with a combination
of music originally written
for the instrument, as well
as Robins own arrange-
ments.
Most of the compositions
were from earlier centuries
and Robin spoke about
each piece and composer, a
dialogue welcomed by
many of the audience, who
were eager to learn more
about this instrument and
the mostly ancient music
written for it.
Robin was born in New
Zealand and is now based
in the United Kingdom. He
has played with various or-
chestras and ensembles. He
is also an instrument maker
and harp teacher.
He has just completed a
year of 50 concerts. Bairns-
dale parish was privileged
to have him play his last
concert for this year at St
Johns before returning
home.
Contributor: U Plunkett
Bairnsdale hosts harpist
A GOOD-sized crowd
steadily flowed into St
Pauls for the annual Spring
fair in October. As well all
the regular, popular stalls,
this year included nail
painting and Sudanese food
prepared by the Sudanese
members of St Pauls.
In the Cathedral, musical
items by Sale Pipe Band,
Sale City Band, Sale Col-
lege Saxophone Ensemble,
Anthony Hahn on Pipe
Organ and Mark Caruana
singing kept many people
entertained. Several local
artists and photographers
provided a visual smorgas-
bord feast.
St Pauls congregation
members are also busy in
November, providing cater-
ing at the Sale Agricultural
Show, and barbecues in the
shopping mall and other lo-
cales. Rich Langham is in-
volved in a motorbike ride
and the parish is catering
for ordinations!
Seven members of St
Pauls are CRE teachers and
some of the fundraising
funds are given to ACCESS
Ministries.
Contributor: C Morris
TOP: Reverend Josh and Ro
Verspaandonk with some of
the wooden toys Josh
crafts.
ABOVE: Trish Broadbear on
the cake stall.
Photos: C Morris
Toys and more at
Sales parish fair
November 2012 Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries 3
AT every level of the Angli-
can Church, from the inter-
national to the local, we are
living in times of conflict
and great diversity of opin-
ion. The current challenge
is how to remain together
in Christ across our differ-
ences and within our con-
flicts, rather than allow
them to lead to division and
disunity.
This is not a new challenge
for the Anglican Church.
Indeed, the Church of Eng-
land was born out of in-
tense conflict and
entrenched opposing opin-
ions within its membership.
In the 16th and 17th cen-
turies, those on either side
of the conflicts were literally
killing each other over their
differences. Such was the
conviction they held to their
differing beliefs.
Yet, somehow, from out of
this violently conflicted situ-
ation, Anglicanism was
born. From the fires of con-
flict and dissent, a church
was forged which managed
to hold together those of
trenchantly-held opposing
viewpoints.
Papists and Puritans were
brought together by God.
Strong disagreement re-
mained between them, but
their unity in Christ was
maintained.
It is to this heritage we
need to look in the current
times of conflict and diver-
sity of opinion.
The heart of the settle-
ment that came to the in-
fant Church of England was
its insistence on common
worship. As we worship God
together, we are bound by
the Spirit of God into the
unity of Christ. This is a
unity not of our own mak-
ing. It is a gift.
In worship, we sit together
under the grace of God.
Each one present knows
they are able to gather in
the presence of God only
because of the grace of
God. This grace has been
revealed to us in the death
and resurrection of Jesus
Christ, which, together, we
proclaim as our central act
of worship.
We are not present in wor-
ship because of any merit
we might claim for our-
selves by virtue of what we
have done or said and cer-
tainly not by virtue of any
opinion we might hold. We
are present by grace and by
grace alone.
Our unity is the gift of God
in Christ who accepts each
of us in grace, no matter
who we are, despite what
we may have said or done
and despite what our par-
ticular opinions may be.
In that wondrous experi-
ence of Gods grace in wor-
ship together, we are called
simply to act in grace to-
ward each other in every
moment of life. The genius
of Anglicanism is its central
emphasis on experiencing
the grace of God together;
an experience eliciting
growth in grace toward
each other.
In grace we are reminded
the one mind to which we
are called is not to insist
that another agrees with
us. It is to have the mind of
Christ, which is to live by
Gods grace. It is to love as
Jesus loved, neither count-
ing the cost nor calculating
the merit of any other to be
loved. It is simply to love
because we have been
loved.
In Jesus understanding,
grace extends love even to
our enemies, let alone to
those with whom we hap-
pen to disagree on some
matter of doctrine or Chris-
tian living.
As a conservative Evangel-
ical Anglican, I first learned
this lesson on moving as a
young person from Sydney
to Melbourne diocese.
There I met others of sig-
nificantly different Anglican
traditions and at first even
wondered if they were re-
ally Christians. But grace
won out, even in my un-
formed Christian mind.
I learned to celebrate the
differences and to appreci-
ate the insights we were
able to bring to each other
by sitting together under
the grace of God, in wor-
ship together and in min-
istry and mission together.
Such is the grace of God
that even my young self-
righteous certainties could
not prevent its work in my
life.
I remain today an Evan-
gelical Anglican and even a
conservative one; if that
means I continue to under-
stand we are each made a
child of God by grace
through faith; I cherish the
Bible and look to it for godly
guidance in all matters of
faith; and the works of faith
are to act with justice and
to show mercy.
The difference for me,
now, is I am able to glory in
the gift of unity I have with
Anglicans of other traditions
and to learn so much more
of the things of God
through them, as I pray
they may have sometimes
learned through me.
Indeed, I thank God for all
I learn of God through so
many people, both inside
and outside the church,
simply because I have
learnt to meet them with
the same grace I have been
met by God in Christ.
I have discovered the ge-
nius of Anglicanism is sim-
ply the genius of being
human, as God has shown
us what it means to be truly
human in Jesus Christ.
Of being human
Right Reverend John McIntyre
Bishop of Gippsland
Charles James Jim East
OAM
July 21, 1937 to
September 13, 2012
JIM was a much respected
and loved member of St
Johns Fellowship, Bairns-
dale for more than 50
years. He was born in Sale
and completed his educa-
tion in 1952. Canon Dou-
glas Smith married Jim and
Jean Minchin at St Johns in
1960; it has been a long
and happy marriage. Jim
joined the Army in 1956,
followed by service in the
Army Reserve and promo-
tion to Warrant Officer. He
received the OAM in1977
and was involved with the
ANZAC parade for 50 years.
Jim worked for the Bairns-
dale Hospital as a Cleaning
Staff Supervisor until his
retirement in 1999. He was
a man who did not know
the word no and was in-
volved in all aspects of his
church. He served as
church warden for many
years, in pastoral care for
20 years, founded St Johns
Mens Fellowship which was
close to his heart and still
meets every month. Men
outside the church were al-
ways warmly welcomed.
If a working bee was
needed, Jim was there to
organise it. No job was too
big; he once co-ordinated a
team to paint the inside of
St Johns church in one day.
Jim was also a warm and
attentive welcomer at
church. He loved children
and introduced our ongoing
custom for letting children
help with taking up the of-
fering, however young.
He was a member of the
RSL, Ambulance Service,
was the Chamber of Com-
merce Father Christmas,
taught swimming and, with
Jean, helped train debu-
tants and helped with the
dancing.
Jim was the instigator of
St Johns partnership with
the RSL to raise money and
meet the cost for some
Bairnsdale Primary School
students to attend the an-
nual Mayors camp in Port-
sea.
In his spare time he en-
joyed golf and fishing as
well as travelling with Jean.
Archdeacon Ted Gibson of-
ficiated at Jims funeral and
President Geoff Hopkins
presided over the RSLs
farewell.
He is survived by his wife
Jean, children Debbie, Rod,
Neil and Vicky and five
grandchildren who meant
everything to him.
Contributor: U Plunkett
Vale, Jim
4 Our Diocese - Perspective November 2012
By Malcolm Wilson
THE biblical word usually
translated submit is
hupotasso, which may be
rendered, to place oneself
under. In Ephesians 5:21,
we are exhorted to submit
ourselves to one another,
out of reverence for Christ
or the fear of God, de-
pending on the translation.
The call is on the proactive
will of the one submitting;
it is not, as some have as-
sumed, a mandate for
some to require submission
of others.
Verse 22 states: Wives,
submit yourselves to your
own husbands as you do to
the Lord. This is not, nor
was ever intended to be,
permission for husbands to
abuse their wives. Sadly,
many have seen it as such,
and much injury has re-
sulted.
It is an exhortation to
wives to take a proactive
decision about their atti-
tude to their husbands; in
that sense, it is none of the
husbands business. It is an
exhortation to the wife. It
was certainly never in-
tended as carte blanche for
men to assume authority
over women generally,
since the clear inference is
to married couples.
Those who look in the
scriptures for ways to sub-
ject women to men gener-
ally will, if they are honest,
find no help there. If the
Bible is the Word of God
and there is the suggestion
wives should submit to
their husbands, it cannot
mean women are inferior to
men, because of the state-
ment in Genesis 1:27 that
God made men and women
in his own image.
Verse 25 states: Hus-
bands, love your wives, just
as Christ loved the church,
and gave himself up for
her Here it gets really in-
teresting, because, as
Christians, we are all collec-
tively the Bride of Christ.
As a Christian man, I have
a husband, Jesus, who
loves me and gave himself
up for me. As a husband, I
have to do the same for my
wife. If she is encouraged
to submit to me as if I was
Jesus, I have to behave as
though I am Jesus for her.
Personally, I have never
experienced abuse of any
kind from Jesus; he loves
me. When I am doing right,
he loves me. When I am
doing wrong and grieving
his heart, he loves me. His
love towards me is not con-
tingent on my performance.
That is what he is like;
that is what I have to be
like. He never shouts, slaps
me, is rude to me, threat-
ens me or complains about
me to his friends, even if I
do not submit to him as
much as I should. I there-
fore should not do any of
those things either.
Submission is not a fash-
ionable word; it is a bit like
judgement in that sense.
It doesnt find much usage
in most peoples conversa-
tion these days.
We do not, as a society,
like to think of having to
submit to anyone elses
rules or of there being any-
one greater than us who
can pass judgement on us.
But these are important
biblical concepts we, as
Christians, must not back
away from just because
they are not popular.
Our redemption was won
for us by Jesus, who chose
to submit to the Fathers
will ... nevertheless, not
my will but thine be done
(Luke 22:42).
In these days where the
self is the judge and arbiter
of all and the comfort of self
the main game for many, if
we as the church of Jesus
Christ have nothing to offer
instead, we are failing in
our mission.
Clearly, using biblical texts
to subjugate others instead
of bringing them into the
joy and liberty of the King-
dom of God (Luke4:18) is
not what we are here for.
Surely what we need to be
doing is to teach and model
what submission really is:
an alternative to the cult of
Self and the attitude in
which Jesus walked (yes,
even when he was turning
over tables and calling the
clergy hypocrites) as he
travelled the road to Cal-
vary to lay down his life for
the world.
By Bevil Lunson
YOU have probably heard
you really know who your
true friends are when the
going gets tough. I believe
there is a lot of truth in this
statement. We have all ex-
perienced a scenario or two
when we have been going
through a painful situation
only to discover who actu-
ally has the time for us. . .
our tears, our problems,
our endless hours of whin-
ing and self-discovery.
The people in our lives
who we thought would be
there, faithfully, no matter
what, through thick or thin,
wind up being what we call
fair-weather friends.
As you know, a fair-
weather friend is someone
who is only your friend
when things are going well.
When the weather is nice.
When things look bright
and sunny or when they
need you. As long as the at-
mosphere is pleasant, you
have a friend for life; but let
a storm start to brew in
your neighborhood and
they are nowhere to be
found.
Here is an acronym for the
word friend I think holds a
very true meaning of what
a real friend should be.
FRIEND = Found Reaching
In Every Needed Direction.
You see, it should not mat-
ter what the climate is in
your world whether your
friends stand with you dur-
ing times that are stormy or
sunny. It is usually the
times of adversity that draw
our faithful friends to us
and then we become closer
and more personally
bonded with them; building
longer lasting, closer rela-
tionships.
I have discovered it is the
same way with Jesus. We
will never really know Him
in a personal way until we
allow Him to help us in our
adversity. In fact, Jesus
tells us in John 16:33 that
we WILL have adversity in
our lives. It is inevitable.
I have told you these
things so that in me you
may have peace. In this
world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have over-
come the world.
How awesome it is to
know that with troubles, we
will also have peace.
Here is a profound mes-
sage that dissects Psalm 91
and taught me how to pitch
my tent there and set up
my camp as a reminder to
me each and every day that
He is my place for safety
and protection. My God in
whom I trust (v. 2). That
under his wings I can hide
(v. 4) nothing bad will hap-
pen to me He will put His
angels in charge of me to
watch over me wherever I
go (v. 11) I can call on
Him and He will answer. He
will be with me when I am
in trouble and rescue me.
(v. 15).
I have read Psalm 91 daily
and made it personal for
me. It has sustained me
through many a storm.
Perhaps you are weather-
ing a storm in your life as
well. I know the waiting is
the hardest part. Rest as-
sured in knowing there is a
silver lining. Nothing is
hopeless. Nothing.
Every hurt can become a
treasure. Every ending is
the beginning of a fresh
start. Every tear is the wa-
tering of new growth. The
only moment that truly
lasts forever is the one
where we say yes. Yes,
Lord, you are my faithful
friend; my God in whom I
trust.
So hold on. Hold tight.
Read Psalm 91 daily. Yes,
others will fail you but your
friend (found reaching in
every needed direction of
your life) wants you to have
peace; peace through the
storm.
Submission: a
redemptive word
ABOVE: Jan Cropley and Archdeacon Phillip Muston with
paintings and a collage donated to be placed on the walls
of the dining room in the A-frame, at the Abbey of St
Barnabas at ABeckett Park.
Photo: Jeanette Severs
Finding peace
and friends
November 2012 Our Diocese - Perspective 5
By Gordon Dowthwaite
RECENTLY, I buried my
Dad. It was a day of sad-
ness but also celebration as
we put to rest a great man.
A man of God who had lived
a full and fruitful life and
whose last years became
increasingly difficult as his
health deteriorated.
As you do on these occa-
sions, there was an oppor-
tunity to reflect on his life
and share memories with
many people he knew dur-
ing his 82 years on earth.
He grew up in a strong
evangelical Anglican home
and became involved in
Christian service as a
youth, answering the call to
ministry aged in his early
20s, when he headed off to
London and, later, Sydney,
for theological training.
Friends from his youth in
South Africa and his college
days reminded me of his
adventurous and somewhat
mischievous nature.
The fact he still had close
friends from so long ago re-
minded me of just how
good a friend he was.
One speaker at Dads me-
morial service reminded us
about the years he spent
serving in a missionary fel-
lowship working in South-
ern Africa, attesting to his
desire the Gospel of Jesus
Christ be made known as
widely as possible; and if he
couldnt do it himself he
supported and empowered
those who could.
In parish ministry, he al-
ways promoted Bible read-
ing and study, knowing
knowledge of God through
the Word changed lives.
Other speakers from secu-
lar organisations spoke. He
was a long time member of
the Morris Register (a car
club) and became, first un-
officially and later officially,
the club chaplain. He sur-
vived prostate cancer and
helped shape a support
group for other sufferers.
I was reminded of how
Dad showed interest in
others lives and how his
care for them was both
practical and spiritual.
While preparing a eulogy
to deliver at the service, I
spoke with my brother
about what we saw in Dads
character. The Beatitudes
came to mind (Matthew
5:3-12), as did the fruit of
the Spirit (Galatians 6:22-
23) and we wondered at
how the work of God in his
life had blurred with his
personality. His humor, in-
terests, desires, were all
uniquely his, but through it
all shone a Godly character.
We all wish to leave a
legacy. I remember Dad
telling me his greatest joy
was his three children fol-
lowing Jesus and how he
prayed for us every day.
He certainly wasnt my
only influence but I largely
attribute my faith in Jesus,
love of the Bible and appre-
ciation of the Prayer Book
to him (and Mum). I am
glad he left me this legacy
and I know from the many
hundreds attending the fu-
neral and thanksgiving
services and have con-
tacted us otherwise, the
same legacy was left with
others of all generations.
The reading at the service
was appropriate (2 Timothy
3:10-4:8).
I was privileged to spend
time with Dad during his
last days. I was present
when others came to visit
and express something of
what Dad meant to them:
new life in Jesus, help with
understanding the Bible,
mentoring in church leader-
ship and pastoral work, in-
terest in individuals,
random acts of kindness.
I was able to read the
Bible he knew so well and
pray with him. I witnessed
the absolute assurance Dad
had he would soon be at
home with his Lord Jesus
and the grace he showed as
he endured to the end.
It has been said the true
test of religion is not just
how it helps you live, but
how it helps you die. Dad
lived well, and he died well,
knowing [Jesus] was deliv-
ered over to death for our
sins and was raised to life
for our justification. There-
fore, since we have been
justified through faith, we
have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus
Christ, (Romans 4:25
5:1).
I will follow his example.
How good is your religion?
What use is
religion?
BISHOP George Browning recently re-
sponded to the question: At the begin-
ning of the 21st century, does
Christianity have a view about an ideal
human society? Bishop Browning, past
convenor of the Anglican Communion
Environmental Network, reflected such a
society must address rapidly growing in-
equity and ... confront an economic sys-
tem which operates as if resources are
infinite and humanity can somehow exist
as if it is not part of an unfolding ecolog-
ical crisis.
In a new series of reflections, Bishop
Browning explores the roots and mean-
ing of Sabbath and how a fresh under-
standing and practice of this biblical
concept can reconnect economics to
ethics and shape human society in a
manner consistent with the creation
upon which it depends.
As Christians we have inherited a story
that speaks Good News to all creation. I
believe the Sabbath narrative, where we
understand God not ceasing the work
of creation, but rather being present to
creation, has the capacity to change be-
havior and lifestyle, said Bp Browning.
It is strong enough to replace our pre-
vailing narrative predominated by eco-
nomic success with one of human and
environmental well-being.
As humans, we know our primary re-
lationships are dependent upon trust;
and trust is rooted in expectations of fi-
delity, while fidelity means the accept-
ance of limits. Why would our
relationship with creation be any differ-
ent?
Through the seven Sabbath reflections,
Bishop Browning sets out to look closely
at the Sabbath principles which do no
change, but which have to be inter-
preted afresh for each generation as pe-
culiar sets of challenges are faced and
lived out in a rapidly changing world.
Creation and redemption are the twin
and interdependent theologies emerging
from a reading of scripture. God is the
creator of all things: what God creates,
God is also committed to redeeming.
Our understanding of creation should
always be informed by our understand-
ing of redemption. Of equal importance,
our understanding of redemption should
be informed by our understanding of
creation ... The Kingdom of God is the
celebration of Sabbath economics, of
generous hospitality and sacrificial com-
passion, of investment in all that builds
community and the rejection of amass-
ing fortunes in barns.
The seven Sabbath reflections are de-
signed for individual or group use in
parishes, seminaries and other study en-
vironments. They have been produced
as pamphlets for download at
http://acen.anglicancommunion.org/re-
sources/documents.cfm under the fol-
lowing themes:
1. Gods Relationship with Creation; the
Template for Human Society
2. Presence, not Withdrawal
3. Blessing and Hallowing within the
Family of Creation
4. Embracing Jubilee
5. Economics: The Theology of Enough
6. Jesus: Sabbath Life, Fully Lived
7. Sabbath: The Yet to Come
The Anglican Communion Environmen-
tal Network will formally launch the re-
flections during the meeting of the
Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-15)
in Auckland, New Zealand, October 28 to
November 8.
For more information about the Angli-
can Communion Environmental Network
(ACEN), see http://acen.anglicancom-
munion.org .
Note: Bishop George Browning, Angli-
can Church of Australia, served as con-
venor of ACEN from 2005 to 2011. The
current chair of ACEN is Dr Thabo Mak-
goba, Archbishop of Cape Town and Pri-
mate of the Anglican Church of Southern
Africa.
Source: http://www.anglicancommu-
nion.org/acns/news.cfm/2012/10/9/AC
NS5201 October 9, 2012
Sabbath studies from
environment network
6 Our Diocese - Defence Sunday November 2012
DEFENCE Sunday is held
annually on the Sunday
nearest to Remembrance
Day. This year, Defence
Sunday will be on Remem-
brance Day, November 11.
Chaplains with the Aus-
tralian Defence Force (ADF)
and churches use Defence
Sunday to draw attention to
the spiritual needs and
wellbeing of those who
serve in the ADF as sailors,
soldiers or airmen; foster
prayerful support within
churches for those who
serve the nation through
ADF service; encourage
clergy to consider service
as full or part-time ADF
chaplains; and build bridges
of co-operation between
the Anglican ministry to the
ADF and each diocese and
its parishes across Aus-
tralia.
Bishop Right Reverend Len
Eacott has written to
parishes saying: While Re-
membrance Day recalls the
tragedy of World War 1 and
the hope for peace which
came with the Armistice on
November 11, 1918, the
experiences of the 20th
century and the first decade
of this century reveals this
hope remains unfulfilled.
Tragically, Australian
service personnel continue
to die in combat in the Mid-
dle East and the numbers of
physical, psychological and
spiritual casualties contin-
ues to increase. This brings
with it an obligation to pro-
vide ongoing pastoral and
spiritual care and comfort.
The greatest support the
church can provide to its
chaplains engaged in this
mission is prayer and un-
derstanding.
Defence Sunday is an op-
portunity for the whole
church to prayerfully sup-
port the ministry and mis-
sion of the Anglican clergy
serving as military chap-
lains, the Anglican laity and
their families who serve in
the ADF, as well as for the
wounded and the grieving.
Please join with me and
pray with and for the De-
fence Anglican team on De-
fence Sunday, November
11, 2012, Bishop Eacott
asks.
Anglican ADF Chaplains
and General Synod Defence
Force Board members are
available to participate in
parish worship as deputa-
tionists. To arrange an Aus-
tralian Defence Force
deputation, please contact
either our Bishop or one of
our Service Archdeacons.
By Chaplain Campbell
Carroll
WHO would have thought
I would be standing in a
specialised hanger in Dar-
win with the high pitch
whine of the turbo jets kick-
ing in on an FA-18 Hornet
waving God speed to the
pilot? It certainly beats
parish council meetings.
Being an Air Force Chap-
lain is awesome. I still pinch
myself wondering if I am
going to wake up from a
dream because no one day
is ever the same.
I am usually based at
RAAF Williamtown just
north of Newcastle. Each
day presents different op-
portunities to minister in
such a unique environment.
Its is fantastic.
In my short time as a de-
fence chaplain, I have done
things I previously would
have thought impossible.
The men and women who
serve our country are some
of the finest I have ever
had the privilege to serve
and minister too.
Being an Air Force Chap-
lain is challenging, intense
and never dull. Having just
returned from one of De-
fences major bi-annual ex-
ercises, called Talisman
Sabre, I never felt bored or
uninspired. For the first
time, I got to work along
side an American Chaplain
whose excitement in been
in Australia was infectious.
Morning physical exercise
with the Combat Com Unit
(who are a part of the
American Marines), con-
ducting shared services
with my American friend
and feeling like I am part of
something really big is very
exciting.
Then there are the intense
times and the solemn times
where, for example, the
chaplain really comes into
his own and the importance
of Christian faith becomes a
reality; when a death hits a
Unit whether directly or, for
our squadron, indirectly
while on Talisman Sabre, is
extraordinary. No one es-
capes the feeling of loss.
The Holy Spirit is present
through this ministry. I
sense the Spirits presence
particularly in the time of
tragic loss as a unit will
gather and I have the priv-
ilege of opening up the
Bible and leading prayer in
such a time. It is my expe-
rience many people turn to
God in times of grief.
This and many other mo-
ments throughout my min-
istry that make this voca-
tion to Defence Chaplaincy
so very special and so very
unique.
It wasnt until I landed in
another country did I fully
realise I was deployed to
the Middle East Area of Op-
erations. It sounds odd,
doesnt it? But up until that
point, everything leading
up to my first military de-
ployment was so quick and
so much was happening
that even boarding our air-
craft at Sydney seemed
surreal.
It took a long time to get
to my first destination and
by the time I actually got to
my designated location
overseas it had taken me
43 hours to get there.
What can I say about been
deployed? Been deployed is
not beer and skittles. I
needed to be flexible and
go with the flow and be ex-
tremely adaptable. I found
this out as soon as I ar-
rived.
I was meant to stay in one
location and found myself
and everyone with me
being ordered to move to a
new location. I helped pack
up our location and we all
moved to a new location.
This is no easy feat, let me
assure you.
I was soon to realise this
is what being on a military
deployment is all about:
expect the unexpected. I
look back and I can see this
was certainly the case.
Deployed Air Force Chap-
lains need to be both
adaptable and be able to
mix in many different sce-
narios, circles and situa-
tions. From working in my
office discussing pastoral
situations with a com-
mander; to sitting with an
airman in the middle of a
war zone discussing their
hopes and their fears while
even feeling the same fears
myself.
Being on a military deploy-
ment allows our Defence
Force people to see the
chaplain in the field in a
very real way. It conveys
like no other words can we
are there with you; in the
sand, in the dirt, in the
snow and also in the front-
line.
By us doing this, we are
bringing the realisation that
God is there with them al-
ways; wherever they are,
we are there with them.
I am glad I have deployed,
it has brought me an un-
derstanding and a deep ap-
preciation of what our
people go through that pre-
viously was only academic.
I, too, have experienced
what it means to be afraid
and lonely; and also the
great joys that only being a
defence chaplain can bring.
It is a challenge, yes and it
is not easy; but God is cer-
tainly there and the irony is
it is the chaplain that repre-
sents Gods presence by
simply being there.
In the morning,
we will
remember them
By Chaplain Steve
Gunther, RAN
ONE of the great privileges
of being an ADF Chaplain is
the regular opportunity to
officiate at memorial serv-
ices. For me these occa-
sions are always emotional.
They are times when cur-
rent and past serving mem-
bers remember, honor and
give thanks for those many
men and women who have
gone before us; especially
those who have made the
ultimate sacrifice, giving up
their own lives for the sake
of our freedom.
The late Sergeant Brett
Till, his wife, Bree, and their
young children, are repre-
sentative of the members
who have died in the
Afghanistan conflict and
their loved ones. Sgt Till
was serving in Afghanistan
with the Incident Response
Regiment, Special Opera-
tions Task Group when he
was killed by an improvised
explosive device he was at-
tempting to diffuse. Sgt Till
and all the fallen will be
honored and remembered
always at ceremonies on
Remembrance Day.
Defence Sunday is
Remembrance Day
ABOVE: The honour board
of defence personnel who
have died in the
Afghanistan conflict, at the
Roll of Honour Ceremony at
the Australian War Memo-
rial, November 11, 2011.
This year, Remembrance
Day is on a Sunday. Careful
planning needs to be made
to ensure the Last Post is
played at 11am. Depending
on the time of your church
service, you need to give
careful consideration to the
lead up to this time.
Photo: ADF Chaplaincy
Who would have thought
ABOVE: Chaplain Campbell
Carroll.
November 2012 Our Diocese - Family and Childrens Ministries 7
IN Sale parish, the St
Pauls annual blessing of
the animal day service had
two rabbits, nine dogs, one
cat and many loving owners
eager to receive a blessing
for their pets.
St Francis Day and the
Blessing of Animals has a
special focus in a public ex-
pression of the bond we
have with all animals.
Through the service, we are
able to make them an inte-
gral part of our worship life
and relationships.
In our call to worship, we
join with our pets and with
all animals to worship our
Creator. In the Psalm, we
call on all creatures to
praise God.
In our confession, we re-
call how we may have hurt
or neglected animals. In the
readings, we discover how
animals are part of the fam-
ily of God in Eden, how an-
imals are created with
greater glory than that of
Solomon and how they join
in praise with the angels
around the throne of the
Lamb.
In the Scriptures, the act
of blessing means the im-
parting of power or life. The
person performing the
blessing is mediating that
power from God or Christ to
the person or the animal in-
volved.
To bless is more than an
expression of goodwill and
caring. To bless is in part
Gods power in person. The
blessing of each animal, by
name, means health, heal-
ing and life are being medi-
ated from God for the
benefit of the animal in its
relationship with its human
partners. Shalom is one He-
brew expression of bless-
ing.
Contributor: C Morris
RIGHT: Christine Hahn with
a very alert Bernard at
Sales blessing of the ani-
mals service.
FAR right: Melissa, Julie and
Colin Irving with their dog
at the blessing of the ani-
mals service at St Pauls
Cathedral in Sale.
Photos: C Morris
Color in the picture
LEFT: Eliza Foley
took her pet rabbit
to the pet blessing
service held at St
Pauls Anglican
Cathedral in Sale.
BELOW: Bron and
Josh Hall with their
dog, Mitchell and
Marc Caruana with
their rabbit and
Eliza Foley with her
rabbit, at the an-
nual blessing of the
animals service at
St Pauls, Sale.
Photos: C Morris
Animals blessed
8 Our Diocese - Family and Childrens Ministries November 2012
GIPPSLAND GFS Kid-
splus+ members recently
attended the 130th birth-
day celebrations of GFS
ministry in Melbourne, Bal-
larat and Bendigo. Special
guests for the day included
the World GFS president,
Mrs Glenys Payne, from
Wales and Australian chair-
man, Julie Smith, from Tas-
mania.
Intergenerational mem-
bership of GFS celebrated
the occasion at St Alfreds
church, Blackburn North.
Thirty-two Gippsland repre-
sentatives attended, includ-
ing Lauren Kittwood, An-
nette Lade, Gary Prosser,
Carol Johnstone, Mary
Nicholls and Penny Clothier.
MOE parish welcomed
Bishop John McIntyre to our
special farewell service for
Reverend Abraham Maluk,
on October 14. We joined
in worship to wish him well
and bless him in his min-
istry in South Sudan during
the next few months.
Abraham plans to help in
establishing the Bor Or-
phanage, a project close to
his heart and supported ex-
tensively by churches of
Gippsland and, indeed,
many agencies throughout
our diocese. A shipping
container left Holy Trinity
Moe filled with generous
donations of school bag
supplies, chairs and as-
sorted equipment for the
project. Recent days have
seen the container being
prepared and converted
with doors and windows,
ready for its transforma-
tion, on emptying, into a
much needed medical cen-
tre and library for the Bor
community.
Interested readers may
like to visit the Bor Orphan-
age Project webpage, which
describes the projects de-
velopment.
Abraham is assured of the
continued prayers from the
congregation in the parish
of Moe, where his family
continues to worship. The
farewell service was fol-
lowed by a sausage sizzle
lunch, especially enjoyed by
the many children partici-
pating in the worship and
Sunday school activities.
Contributor: M Nicholls
ABOVE left: Children from
Gippsland, with local lead-
ers, at the 130th birthday
celebrations of GFS min-
istry in Melbourne, Ballarat
and Bendigo.
GFS ministry is 130
Sunday school in
Abrahams farewell
ABOVE: Combined Sunday school activities with 35 chil-
dren attending, on the occasion of Reverend Abraham
Maluks farewell service. Photo: L Kittwood
November 2012 Our Diocese - Family and Childrens Ministries 9
By Bev Foster
THE five most pressing
concerns for parents was
the title chosen by Dr
Michael Carr-Gregg, adoles-
cent psychologist, at his re-
cent address in Gippsland.
Sponsored by the Anglican
Diocese of Gippsland, pre-
sented by Mothers Union
through the Social Respon-
sibility Committee and gen-
erously supported by St
Pauls Anglican Grammar
School, the seminar on Oc-
tober 9 at the schools Trar-
algon campus was very well
attended and received.
Dr Carr-Gregg works as a
child and adolescent psy-
chologist in private practice
and has a media career and
has written several well-re-
spected books.
The five concerns were
brain development, sleep,
alcohol, resilience and hap-
piness. They are elaborated
on in the following text.
Concern number one,
brain development: This in-
volved accepting the brain
development of our child or
adolescent is a Work in
Progress. There are 100 bil-
lion brain cells in an aver-
age 16 year olds brain.
While making allowances
that they cannot think as
adults, we should ensure
they learn bad choices have
consequences.
Calamities happen some-
times and all families have
difficulties at some time.
Accompanying slides in-
cluded a mother duck lead-
ing her ducklings over a
grating, with the obvious
result that most of her
brood fell through.
Concern number two,
sleep: Research has shown
young people need be-
tween eight-and-a-quarter
and nine-and-a-quarter
hours sleep every night.
The period known as Rapid
Eye Movement is the most
important sleep.
The fact that many teens
have mobile phones, ipods
and other devices accom-
panying them to their bed-
rooms is a great factor in
sleep deprivation. Strate-
gies for handling this prob-
lem were discussed and
remedies suggested for
promoting an atmosphere
of calm routine. Bedtime is
a cool-down period.
Concern number three, al-
cohol: Alcohol and teen
brains dont go together,
said Dr Carr-Gregg. He
showed slides depicting al-
coholic drinks favored by
young people, including
bourbon and coke. Each
can equals 2.7 standard
drinks and should last three
hours. He said many ex-
ceed this amount and the
chilling facts are that 50
standard drinks in the
space of one month equals
brain damage. Booze
harms brains, he said.
Concern number four, re-
silience: How do we show
we can be strengthened by
adversity? Important fac-
tors are a charismatic adult
the young person can draw
strength from (not neces-
sarily a relative); social and
emotional competence -
some statistics from the law
courts indicate of 400
young people on charges,
only four were involved in
organised sport; and feel-
ing good about yourself -
positive self talk is impor-
tant; Catastrophising web-
site and Mood Gym was
recommended for accessing
online therapy; boredom -
encourage involvement in
social and sporting activi-
ties - sense of spirituality
vital.
Concern number 5, hap-
pingess: Dr Carr-Greggs
top pieces of advice were
life is not fair and random
and chaos happens in the
universe; everyone has
something going on, do not
ruminate; see life as it is
and focus on the good bits;
if you want to feel good, do
something nice for some-
one else.
Questions and discussion
raised by the audience in-
cluded concern of youth
suicide and anorexia. Dr
Carr-Gregg stated there
had been a 52 per cent de-
cline in youth suicide since
2010 but mental health
services leave much to be
desired in rural areas. He
recommended the book
Real Gorgeous, written by
Kaz Cooke.
TOP: MU members in the
kitchen provided catering.
ABOVE: MU members who
organised the event, Gwen
Matheson, Jenny MacRobb,
Karin McKenzie, Jan Misi-
urka and Bev Foster, with
visting Melbourne MU
member, Joy Venables
(third from right).
Photos: Rod Foster
Expert talks about
adolescents issues
Gippsland Grammar
supports Operation
Christmas Child
GIPPSLAND Grammar was
an enthusiastic supporter of
this years Operation
Christmas Child Appeal.
This appeal, a project of
Samaritans Purse, brings
joy and hope to children in
desperate situations around
the world, through gift-
filled shoe boxes delivered
at Christmas time.
It provides an opportunity
for people of all ages to be
involved in a simple but
handson project with the
power to transform chil-
drens lives.
With the help of their fam-
ilies, Gippsland Grammar
students from the two jun-
ior campuses packed a total
of 256 boxes. The boxes
will be sent to children in
need across South East
Asia and the South Pacific.
Each box included some-
thing to wear, something
for school, something to
love, something to play
with and something special.
A $9 donation was also
made with each box, to pay
for its delivery.
A service was held to ded-
icate the 256 boxes, in con-
junction with the St Annes
Junior Campus, Sale, led by
school chaplain, Reverend
Jon Taylor. During this serv-
ice, Mrs Kathryn Herald, re-
gional co-ordinator for
Operation Christmas Child,
spoke to the children about
the program and thanked
them for their participation.
Gippsland Grammar and
Samaritans Purse sincerely
thank the many families
who gave so generously to
this appeal.
ABOVE: St Annes campus
student, Indie Roberts,
proud of being involved
with the Operation Christ-
mas Child box appeal.
10 Our Diocese - Family and Childrens Ministries November 2012
TEAR Australia has re-
leased its new Useful Gifts
Catalog 2012-13 in time for
Christmas. The catalog pro-
vides gifts of hope, life and
opportunity.
In 1993, TEAR Australia
launched the very first
charity gifts catalog, which
has gone on to revolu-
tionise the way in which
charities have gone about
engaging supporters and
raising funds. Nearly 20
years on and TEAR Aus-
tralia is again excited by the
new Useful Gifts Catalog for
2012-13.
For the first time ever, you
can also support Indige-
nous Australian projects
with gifts available that go
to Dhumba, TEARs Indige-
nous program. With this
$25 gift, you will receive a
card illustrated by Indige-
nous artist, Safina Stewart.
In the rest of the cata-
logue, you will find life-
changing gifts supporting
good food, good health,
learning and safe water.
You can buy gifts like goats,
chickens and vegetable
gardens, school supplies
and primary schooling, ma-
ternal and child health, toi-
lets and wells.
One of TEAR Australias
gifts are tree seedlings.
Nyambaka Makuri and his
young daughter live in rural
Tanzania, where they are
part of a traditional dance
group. Nyambaka was
struggling to make a living
before becoming involved
in a livelihood project with
TEAR partner, the Buhemba
Rural Agricultural Centre.
As part of the project he
was able to access training
in seedling and nursery
production and some start-
up seedlings, eventually es-
tablishing a tree seedling
nursery with a group from
his community. By selling
seedlings to farmers, group
members now have a mod-
est income that helps pay
for things like school fees
and household essentials.
That is something to dance
with joy about.
The catalog is included in
this issue of The Gippsland
Anglican as an insert and
available online at
www.usefulgifts.org
TEAR Australia is a Chris-
tian development, relief
and advocacy organisation
responding to global
poverty and injustice. TEAR
Australia works in partner-
ship with other Christian or-
ganisations around the
world and with Indigenous
organisations in Australia.
TEAR Australia focuses on
community development
projects that seek to im-
prove the lives of the poor-
est and most marginalised
people in the world, regard-
less of background or belief.
For more about TEAR and
their partners work please
visit www.tear.org.au
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.
ABOVE: Nyambaka Makuri and his daughter in the native
tree nursery that has changed their lives.
Gifts change lives,
give opportunity
ABOVE: Lance Meredith is entranced with the trains made
by Reverend Josh Verspaandonk for the Sale parish fair.
Photo: C Morris
ABOVE: Darcee Young and
family dog, Bindi, were at
the Bairnsdale parish pet
blessing service.
Photo: J Hogan
ABOVE: Rohan and Katie
Hall got their faces painted
at the Sale parish fair be-
fore stopping at the
wooden animals stall for
craft activity.
Photo: C Morris
November 2012 Our Diocese - St Margarets Hospital Mission 11
OCTOBER is the month
when Spring comes into its
own. The gardens are all
looking wonderful and so
many plants are flowering.
St Marys Morwell decided
to run an Open Garden Day,
to enjoy a garden and raise
funds for our mission proj-
ect for 2012, supporting St
Margarets hospital in
Papua New Guinea.
The day was planned and
advertised. The garden to
be open was Oliver and
Carolyn Raymonds garden
in Tyers.
The garden looked won-
derful, but the weather
man thought it was a good
day for rain. It rained all af-
ternoon. Everyone who
came, including those from
other parishes, enjoyed a
walk around the garden
with umbrellas and several
cups of tea with scones by
the fire inside.
Unfortunately, October
when the gardens look so
lovely, is also the wettest
month in Gippsland.
Each year the parish se-
lects a different mission
project to support. At the
annual meeting we hear
about three mission proj-
ects and vote on which
project we will work for
during the year.
St Margarets hospital is
an Anglican hospital in PNG
and a project of Anglican
Board of Mission (ABM).
There is a need for new
equipment but also for
maintenance on old build-
ings.
Morwell parish has been
raising money all year
through competitions, a
film night, donations and a
small change jar to which
many people contribute
each week. The recent gar-
den day raised $310.
At the end of October,
Archbishop of Canterbury,
Dr Rowan Williams, visited
St Margarets hospital and
led a dedication and re-
opening ceremony.
Ninety-five per cent of the
PNG community identifies
as Christian and Dr
Williams visit is only the
third time an Archbishop of
Canterbury has visited
PNG.
The St Margarets Health
Clinic has served the people
of Oro Bay and the sur-
rounding areas for many
years, initially with the help
of ABM missionaries and
volunteers. During the past
few years, ABM has been
working with its partner,
the Anglican Church of
PNG, to refurbish the Clinic.
The aim of the refurbish-
ment has been to upgrade
it to a Level 4 hospital, so it
may complement the state-
run Popondetta General
Hospital. St Margarets will
also contain a specialised
facility for the testing and
treatment of sexually trans-
mitted infections as well as
an obstetrics section.
ABMs Executive Director,
Reverend John Deane was
privileged to be alongside
Archbishop Williams and at-
tend the opening of the first
Anglican hospital in the
South Pacific.
Its been a most inspiring
experience to be in PNG
and witness Archbishop
Williams officially open the
new St Margarets hospital.
There is still some work to
be done to make the hospi-
tal fully operational and
sustainable but most of the
hard work is over and all
should be proud of what
has been achieved, Rev.
Deane said.
The people of PNG need
this hospital to provide
them with health care, in a
country where the general
health and sexual health
statistics are quite alarm-
ing. ABM is proud to sup-
port the hospital and work
alongside the people and
Church in PNG, he said.
Rev. Deane also drew at-
tention to the substantial
support that AusAID and
Asian Development Bank
had provided for the proj-
ect.
The major remaining work
is the provision of more
housing so that good staff
may be attracted to work at
the facility; improved com-
munications through satel-
lite technology so some
medical procedures and ad-
ministration can be man-
aged from external
locations; and a more ade-
quate (quality and quan-
tity) water supply .
Donations to the hospital
are still needed; visit
www.abmission.org
The Anglican Board of Mis-
sion (ABM) is the national
mission agency of the An-
glican Church of Australia.
For more than 158 years,
ABM has been assisting
people all over the world to
proclaim the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, provide health
and education services, im-
prove agricultural practices
and strengthen the Church.
Contributors: C Raymond
and E Keever
Hospital population has
new hope; Morwell helps
with garden day funds.
LEFT: Archbishop of Can-
terbury, Dr Rowan Williams,
with Archbishop Joseph
Kopapa and Sister Mildred
Laksen, Hospital Manager
for St Margaret's Hospital,
at the official opening in
Papua New Guinea.
ABOVE: Lyn Bearlin, Felicity
Knight and Marlene Proud-
foot enjoy a Devonshire tea
by the fire at the Open Gar-
den Day, held by Morwell
parish to raise funds for St
Margarets hospital.
FRONT page: Carolyn Ray-
mond, Inge Bissel and Fe-
licity Knight see the garden
in the rain.
RIGHT: Robyn Lubawski
was keen to see the rain-
soaked garden.
Photos: O Raymond and
R Thompson/ABM
ABOVE: A maternity ward at St Margarets hospital.
BELOW: Accomodation for staff is under construction.
BELOW left: St Margarets hospital.
Photos: R Thompson/ABM
ON September 30, more
than 120 people gathered
at St Georges Anglican
Church in Koo Wee Rup for
its final service. The deci-
sion to cease worship at St
Georges has not been
made lightly. Much thought,
prayer and consultation has
gone into what was a diffi-
cult and painful decision for
any faith community to
make.
The final service was a
time to acknowledge our
grief as well as honor and
celebrate the significant
part St Georges has played
in the lives of a many peo-
ple since 1917. After Rev-
erend Brenda Burney
welcomed those present,
Sue and Peter MacGregor
led the singing of three
hymns.
Julie Smallwood read the
Bible readings for the day
and Rev. Erena Lawrence
led the congregation in
prayer. Rev. Brenda
preached from the pulpit for
the first and last time.
Joan Green, Norm Scott,
Lorraine Nadebaum (nee
Hodgson) and Frank Bell all
shared some special mem-
ories of their own as well as
some memories written by
Doug Hodgson for the
churchs Golden Jubilee cel-
ebrations. Some of the
symbols of worship life at
St Georges were brought
forward before prayers of
remembrance and thanks-
giving were said.
These symbols included
the chalice and paten, the
bowl from the font, the
gavel presented to Bishop
Arthur Wellesley Pain on the
occasion of the laying of the
memorial stone on May 1,
1917, a Bible, a cross, a
hymn book, the Church
register, offertory plates, a
lit candle, a Sunday school
chair, a cup, saucer and
plate, a duster and a ham-
mer.
Joyce Light from the Unit-
ing Church spoke of the
journey members of the
congregation have shared
together and of looking for-
ward and continuing and
strengthening that journey.
After the service, parish-
ioners shared a generous
lunch and more stories of
our time at St Georges,
well into the afternoon. A
bookmark to commemorate
the occasion was made by
Rev. Brenda and Jenni and
Alannah Ellis and given to
everyone who attended.
Since February 2010, the
Anglican Parish of Western-
port and the Uniting Church
parish of Koo Wee
Rup/Lang Lang have been
worshipping together. The
two churches have entered
into a formal relationship,
covenanting to serve God
together in mission and
ministry.
During this time, worship
services have been shared
between the Anglican and
Uniting church buildings, al-
ternating on a monthly
basis. From a practical and
spiritual perspective it was
felt it was more beneficial
to worship together in one
place in Koo Wee Rup. Our
shared sacred space will
now be the Uniting Church.
Some of St Georges sanc-
tuary furniture is now at
home in the Uniting
Church. The high table,
complete with its brass can-
dle sticks, and the credence
table look as though they
have always been there.
The font and banners also
have a special place.
Our Uniting Church broth-
ers and sisters have been
absolutely wonderful in
their care of our St
Georges congregation in
their grief at this time. They
have opened their hearts to
us and willingly made space
for the things we wanted to
bring with us to help us feel
more at home. We look for-
ward to many more years
of sharing on the journey of
faith.
Contributor: B Burney
Brenda moves
BRENDA Burney, at West-
ernport parish since July
2007, is the new priest-in-
charge of the Co-operating
Parish of Churchill, Boolarra
and Yinnar.
Brenda had 23 years ex-
perience as a preschool
teacher prior to entering
ministry. She was a parish
worker at Traralgon and
Drouin specialising in chil-
drens and family ministry
before her appointment to
Westernport.
Brenda grew up in Morwell
and has spent most of her
life in Gippsland diocese.
She is married to Rod and
they have two children,
Sarah and Matthew. Her in-
duction service into the new
parish was held in late Oc-
tober.
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Hard decision to close
ABOVE: St Georges Anglican Church at Koo Wee Rup be-
gins to fill for the final service.
ABOVE, left and
below: Members
of the congrega-
tion at the final
service for St
Georges Anglican
Church at Koo
Wee Rup.
November 2012 Our Diocese - Celebrating Ordained Women 13
By Jeanette Severs
NEXT year, Barbara Logan
will celebrate 20 years
working for the Gippsland
diocese. Reverend Canon
Barb, based for the past
two years in Lakes Entrance
and Metung parish, is a
woman of quietness, grace
and with a contemplative
centre to her being.
Barb is Gippsland born and
bred and this brings insight
into and understanding of
the people she ministers to
and leads in ministry. Born
at Sale, she grew up on a
dairy farm at Pearcedale,
which she and her husband,
Jim, bought from her wid-
owed mother some years
ago. Her venture into min-
istry has meant leaving the
farm behind for the past
eight years, leasing it for
agistment.
As a young woman, Barb
learned bookkeeping, qual-
ifying with a certificate in
accounting. Her experience
looking after the farm busi-
ness led her into work as a
finance officer at the Reg-
istry office in Sale and,
eventually, into the role of
Acting Registrar. She began
working for the diocese in
the time of Bishop Colin
Sheumack but her venture
into accepting Gods call to
ministry was during the
tenure of Bishop Arthur
Jones.
But, to step back in time,
Barb recalls knowingly feel-
ing a call to ministry as a
young child, as early as
four or five years old. Her
mother taught her to pray
at a very young age and
she conversed freely with
Jesus as a friend and com-
panion.
Talking with Jesus was a
very natural, normal part of
life, Barb said.
She was attracted to the
sisterhood as a young child,
but cannot recall why. She
does recall often pretending
to be a nun, setting up an
altar and holding services
before a chimney on the
property.
But, even at age five, I
knew being a nun meant I
didnt marry and have chil-
dren, which is also some-
thing I wanted to do. If I
hadnt had that desire to
marry and have children, I
would have gone into an
order [as an adult], Barb
said.
When I began religious
education classes at school,
I really responded to what
was being taught.
During primary school,
she wrestled with an old
King James Bible, reading
it at home, striving to un-
derstand the language
(lots of thees and thous).
At secondary school, she
received a Good News new
testament and it opened up
a new world.
I was so excited. It was in
plain English and I could
understand it. I just gob-
bled it up, Barb said.
Barb grew up feeling a
constant calling to ministry.
Total strangers and friends
would seek her counsel,
sometimes in the most un-
likely places and on topics
beyond her experience.
It was an unmistakable
call and I did fight it, she
said.
As an adult, she was a
normal volunteer in the
church; doing her duty as a
sidesperson, a server and
in other roles. She attended
Cursillo and Alpha, evening
becoming an Alpha leader.
I remember being at Cur-
sillo and at the final service
before closure, Im praying
for the strength to answer
Gods calling for what was
next in my life, Barb said.
Through Cursillo and
Alpha, I felt this calling to
something.
At the ordination of my
sister-in-law, I realised it
was a calling to ministry as
a priest.
But I was still waiting for
someone to say no. I went
to see Bishop Arthur to talk
about it.
The result was I capitu-
lated.
You dont win when you
struggle with God. Eventu-
ally you have to give in.
Barb also admits that for
many people her call to
ministry was not a surprise.
Now Barb, the quiet woman
working behind the scenes,
found herself in the role of
lay reader and taking serv-
ices in small, outlying
churches.
I would go to take a serv-
ice at Munro and my mouth
would be dry and my hands
were sweating, I was so
nervous. I couldnt believe
God thought this was what
I should be doing.
She also began studying,
completing her degree in
Theology in 2006, through
St Marks Theological Col-
lege in Canberra, at Charles
Sturt University. Since
then, she has completed
four years of study in Spiri-
tual Direction.
She became a Deacon in
2004 and was sent to Omeo
parish. She became a priest
in November 2004 and, in
2007, was elevated to
priest-in-charge. But in July
2007, Barb left Omeo, mov-
ing down the mountain to
Bruthen parish. She also
became the chaplain for
Mothers Union, taking on
that role until 2011. In
2009, she became Regional
Dean for the Eastern Re-
gion of Gippsland diocese.
In this role, Barb is re-
sponsible for organising
locums, parish inductions
and liaising with parishes
and incoming incumbents.
She also has a pastoral and
gathering role, teaching
and sharing the skills of
ministry with other minis-
ters, and alongside other
ministers, teaching and
sharing skills with lay peo-
ple in the parishes.
Expecting to remain at
Bruthen for some time to
come, Barb felt a new call
and went to be the rector of
Lakes Entrance and Metung
parish in 2010. Since taking
on that role, she has also
been made a Canon of St
Pauls Cathedral in Sale, in
2011.
She also has diocesan
roles, being on Bishop-in-
Council, on Provincial Coun-
cil, on the Finance
Committee, the Appoint-
ments Board and the com-
mittee overseeing the
Anglican Development
Fund.
Im interested in the
health and wealth and
growth of the diocese as a
whole, she said, explaining
her involvement.
I have never had a plan.
All Ive done is seeking
being obedient to the voice
of God.
Her life in ministry is a life
of constant change.
While you do have things
written in your diary, you
never know what you are
doing when you get up in
the morning. Your life is
very much open to change,
because you are available
to people.
Going to buy the newspa-
per can take five minutes or
it can take 30 minutes. The
telephone rings or there is
a knock on the door.
Responding to casual en-
counters on a day by day
basis is a very large part of
what I do.
Barbs responsibility to the
parish includes gathering,
encouraging and equipping
the people in their ministry.
It is important people are
encouraged to take up the
gifts they are given and use
them.
I am always trying to en-
thuse and encourage and
bring a little bit of God into
everything. God is in my
presence.
Barb is inspired by many
of the people in her parish,
particularly by older parish-
ioners she has worked with
in her career.
Some of our older parish-
ioners have an amazing
presence in God, she said.
She is also responsible for
preparing services and the
church centres and, occa-
sionally, in the community.
Lakes Entrance and Metung
are tourist areas and Barb
is cognisant of the need for
services to be open, wel-
coming and user-friendly,
as every week brings new
people into the congrega-
tion.
We print booklets for the
seasons and we know it is
important to be hospitable
and enable visitors to slip in
to the congregation, she
said.
In every community she
has served, she has also
made the effort to learn
about its history, its needs
and activities, the expecta-
tions of the community and
the organisations available
for the church to work with.
Barb has a calm centre,
something she nurtures
through contemplation,
meditation, reading and
classical music. She also
enjoys spending time walk-
ing her dogs and, when
time permits, working in
the garden or visiting her
four grandchildren in Mel-
bourne.
It is important to look
after yourself, she said, re-
vealing she recently pur-
chased a ukulele and hopes
to learn to play.
Her faith is graceful
and contemplative
ABOVE: Reverend Canon Barbara Logan.
Respondi ng to casual
encounters on a day by
day basis is a very large
part of what I do.
14 Our Diocese - Clergy Ministries November 2012
RUSSELL MacQueen, a
former Archdeacon of Gipp-
sland diocese and the im-
mediate past rector of
Maffra parish, was recently
awarded the Victoria Police
Service Medal with 25 year
clasp by Chief Commis-
sioner Ken Lay. The cere-
mony was held at the
annual Police Chaplains
Conference, at the Police
Academy in Melbourne. At
the dinner, one person was
awarded a 30 year clasp,
two people received 25
year clasps and some 15
year clasps and 10 year
medals were awarded.
Victoria Police is very ap-
preciative of the role Chap-
lains play and have
encouraged and supported
the work.
They treat us with re-
spect and provide wonder-
fully for us at the academy,
said Russell.
This years conference
hosted Victoria Police Chief
Commissioner, Mr Ken Lay,
as guest speaker. Mr Lay
spoke about his involve-
ment with chaplaincy going
back to when he was a
sargeant in Sale; his knowl-
edge of officers who had
been helped; the fact that
chaplains were available 24
hours per day, seven days
per week; and they turn out
at the critical times such as
accidents, fires and floods.
Because of this commit-
ment, Mr Lay decided it was
time the chaplains were
recognised as police officers
were recognised and an-
nounced they would receive
the VPSM after 10 years
then a clasp every five
years.
My police chaplaincy
began in 1987 when I was
in Orbost parish, Russell
said.
I was contacted very
shortly after going to Or-
bost by the Inter Church
Trade and Industry Mission
(ITIM) who were then pro-
viding chaplaincy to Victoria
Police as well as other or-
ganisations. The parish was
short one days stipend
each week so it seemed a
good idea to me and the
parish council, to take up
the role.
My territory at that time
covered from Bairnsdale to
Mallacoota, to Omeo and
Bendoc. I loved the work
then and I love it now. As
the parish became more fi-
nancial, I scaled it back
from one day a week to half
a day per fortnight. Then,
the last year I was there I
changed to being a local
honorary chaplain.
When I moved to Yarram
I remained as an honorary
chaplain for a couple of
years until there was a
need for more chaplaincy
down in South Gippsland.
ITIM ceased being the
provider in the early 1990s
and in 1995 Reverend Jim
Pilmer was asked to set up
a specific chaplaincy net-
work covering the state.
He approached me in
Yarram and I became a
foundation member of the
new network, which began
work in 1996 with 30 con-
tracted chaplains across the
denominations and 20 to 30
honorary chaplains who
were also on call.
My patch changed again
when I moved to Maffra
where I had seven stations
to cover, then eight with the
new one-person station at
Loch Sport.
The chaplains role is pri-
marily pastoral care of offi-
cers and their families;
attend fatalities and serious
accidents when called; help
with bereavements in
their families and celebra-
tions in their lives, such as
marriages, baptisms and
promotions; and spiritual
support.
I often comment most of
the work is loitering with
intent, said Russell.
I have developed such a
tremendous respect for
these men and women. I
cant put into words what
they do because even I,
who have been involved
with these men and women
for 25 years, do not know
the full extent of what they
do for us. A number have
paid with their life over the
history of Victoria Police.
Chaplains walk beside
them, listen to what they
are going through, keep
their eyes and ears open to
where they are needed. I
have been privileged to lis-
ten to them, walk with
them, attend the good and
the bad with them, cry and
pray with them. I offer
them all to your prayers.

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Russell awarded for
walking with police
ABOVE: Chief Commissioner Ken Lay hands Russell Mac-
queen his 25-year service award as a chaplain.
Photo: TodaysPhotos
Ridley seminar considers
what makes life good
IN September, Ridley Col-
lege in Melbourne hosted a
seminar titled, Navigating
the good in religion, sex,
grief and life. Guest
speaker, John Dickson, pre-
sented a perspective of re-
ligion, sex and grief and
raised the question of what
makes our lives good.
Held on four evenings in
early September, the event
was sponsored by more
than a dozen Melbourne
churches.
The program included
music; Guy Mason was
host; and there was a bible
presentation by The Back-
yard Bard. The audience
texted questions that John
answered after each talk.
Approximately 300 people
attended each evenings
presentation and Ridley has
received a lot of positive
feedback from people who
were refreshed and encour-
aged.
John Dickson was also a
presenter at the Ridley Mel-
bourne Annual Preachers
Conference in late August.
For more information
about the event, the web-
site is www.made-good.org
Contributor: J Ellison
ABOVE: John Dickson
(right) at the lectures.
BCA: Adrian will
replace Greg
THE Bush Church Aid So-
ciety (BCA) is pleased to
announce the appointment
of Reverend Adrian Lane
(above) to the role of Victo-
rian Regional Officer. He
has been serving as a Sen-
ior Lecturer at Ridley Mel-
bourne and will begin his
new role in February 2013.
Adrian has a real heart for
rural and regional Australia,
and regional Victoria in par-
ticular. His forebears come
from Warrnambool, Mary-
borough, Rupanyup and
Rainbow, in the Wimmera.
Adrian knows the Aus-
tralian church and regional
Victoria well, having served
at Ridley Melbourne for 22
years. During this time, he
has trained ministers for re-
gional Victoria, served on
Provincial Council and has
led preaching workshops
and evangelistic missions in
a wide range of regional
centres.
Adrian said it was a privi-
lege to be given the oppor-
tunity to serve regional
Australia and regional Vic-
toria in particular, through
the ministry of the gospel.
I am delighted and ex-
cited. A great tradition in
BCAs history has been its
commitment to prayer and
I eagerly ask for a fresh
wave of prayer for regional
Victoria, he said.
Adrian replaces Rev. Greg
Jones who retired in May
after holding the role for
the past nine years. Cur-
rently there are four BCA
supported ministries in Vic-
toria: church work at
Strathfieldsaye, Sunraysia
South and Central Mallee
and youth ministry at Sale.
Contributor: A Pearce
THE Bush Church Aid So-
ciety conducted an analysis
of 2011 census data and
found that while the per-
centage of country Aus-
tralians who said they had
no religion was lower than
in the capital cities, there
was a big difference in reli-
gious adherence.
Generally speaking, rates
of religious identification
are highest in traditional
farming communities, es-
pecially in a strip along the
western slopes of New
South Wales and southern
Queensland, said BCAs
National Director, Dr Mark
Short.
They are lower in coastal
communities with a signifi-
cant lifestyle and tourism
presence and in towns im-
pacted by mining and other
heavy industries.
Farm communities
are more religious
November 2012 Our Diocese - Parishes 15
ON Sunday, September
30, Moe parish celebrated
the 60th anniversary of the
official opening and dedica-
tion of St Lukes Kinder-
garten, Hall and Sanctuary.
The weather was not fa-
vorable but the celebration
made up for it. The Eu-
charist was celebrated in
the hall and we used the
hymns, prayers and read-
ings part of the service in
1952.
During the liturgy of the
Word, a slide show was
shown of the building of the
hall and then of the dedica-
tion day. Father John Good-
man conducted the service
and spoke about the impor-
tance of the church com-
munity as the Body of
Christ. (Our rector was on
leave.)
The importance of the
building in our parish life
was recognised but we also
reminded ourselves of how
we had moved on since that
time and, of course, the
need to continually look to
the best way to carry out
the ministry to which we
have been called in this
place.
Lil Galbraith and Bill
Adams were recognised as
two current parishioners
who were present at the
ppening 60 years ago. Lil
spoke of how she taught
Sunday school in the hall
and that she had been the
first Kindergarten teacher
until a qualified teacher was
appointed.
Lil also spoke of the many
friends she made during
her time in the parish and
how important these rela-
tionships were.
The celebration reminded
us of the journey that we
have had in the parish;
commencing at Holy Trin-
ity; the first services on the
Saint Lukes site in the mar-
quees; the building of the
hall, then Saint Lukes
Church and then the new
Holy Trinity.
This journey has been part
of the ministry plan God
has led us through. We are
well aware we are again in
the time of looking where
the next part of the journey
will take us.
Each time the new steps
were challenging but we
managed to work through
them and a new phase of
ministry began.
We also gave thanks the
hall has provided for a suc-
cessful kindergarten, oper-
ating for the past 60 years,
for community use; the hall
for recreation such as
dances, table tennis, films
and concerts; that fellow-
ship has been enjoyed at
many celebrations of birth-
days, weddings and other
parties; and we have been
able to minister to young
people through childrens
and youth groups, coffee
shops, Sunday school and
other outreach projects.
If we added up the num-
ber of people who have
used the facility and there-
fore have come into contact
with the ministry of the
parish, either directly or in-
directly, I am sure we
would be amazed at the
total.
Next year the kinder-
garten will celebrate its
60th birthday and we invite
parishioners to join in this
celebration.
TOP: Reverend John Good-
man leads the blessing and
prayers with Lil Galbraith
and Bill Adams, current
parishioners who were
present at the original
opening of St Lukes hall.
ABOVE: The congregation
at Dedication Day, in Sep-
tember, 1952.
TOP right: Developing St
Lukes hall. The picture
shows some of the original
building stumps being set-
tled in. The tent in the
background is the original
worship center.
ABOVE right: The program
of the Dedication service.
Contributor: G Nicholls
St Lukes hall celebrates 60th anniversary
WHAT is going on and
what is the hope for the
rural and regional Church,
was the theme for discus-
sion at the Eastern Region
Deanery afternoon, on Au-
gust 26.
Dean Don Saines opened
the session, giving some in-
sight into our current, post-
modern, western culture
and ways we experience it
in Gippsland.
Much of this is not new to
us, Don said.
These are cultural
changes that are more
present to us today than
they were even 20 years
ago. Religious pluralism;
the rise of new religious
movements and spiritual-
ity; greater choice; access
to ideas through the inter-
net; decline in associations
like clubs and churches but
more fluid forms of associa-
tion, fleeting memberships;
more options and so on.
These experiences are
cultural pressures on our
attempts to gather and
form Christian communi-
ties. The problem is, we too
readily model our vision of
the Church on past decades
or on city models of
church, Don said.
Change is the norm in
rural areas of Australia and
has been from early Euro-
pean settlement; but
change is happening faster
in recent decades.
The demise of small rural
churches and the struggle
to create Christian commu-
nity in rural and regional
Australia is as much the
product of large scale
changes throughout the
century, as of any short-
comings of ministers, lay-
men or the organisational
structure.
We should not be too
hard on each other. Our
task is to be faithful in the
present.
There are many positives
in this contemporary cul-
ture. God is still present
and gifting us for the many,
though small, possibilities,
Don said.
Be faithful in the present
16 Our Diocese - Media and Literary Reviews November 2012
By Fay Magee
WHAT do we sing for
Christmas? In some ways,
singing together at Christ-
mas is becoming more of a
challenge. It is a classic ex-
ample of needing to bal-
ance the songs of our
cultural heritage with the
obvious interest in some-
thing perhaps new and in-
sightful to our times;
something which helps us
reconsider the incarnation
in our very modern context.
While much of our Christ-
mas busy-ness might be
done to the constant back-
ground of what I call the
[shopping center] Christ-
mas soundtrack, the never-
ending playing of the
traditional seasonal carols
no longer means the gen-
eral shopping public recog-
nise specific tunes or know
the lyrics to the songs.
I certainly find that to be
the case with many school
age children.
The songs we have always
sung for Christmas are a
good example of the many
layers of meaning which
our experience has accu-
mulated; meaning not just
about the story and its the-
ological or faith signifi-
cance. It will also be about
where we have sung them;
who we were with; the
many stories of Christmas
past; our personal and
communal journey.
I usually try to find some
way of introducing some of
the newer carol repertoire.
This can be done through
having a special group
present new songs in the
context of a service or carol
singing event.
Another way is to rehearse
a new song for Christmas,
perhaps after the usual
Sunday service time in the
weeks before.
Born in the night (To-
gether in Song 323) is a
simple folk-style song
which is easy to learn.
Funny kind of night, by
John Bell (TIS 329) ex-
plores elements of the
Christmas narratives with
some simple insights worth
reflecting on.
New songs in Advent are
also a good way to enrich
our appreciation of this
time of preparation. He be-
came poor that we may be
rich, by John Bell, is a short
song, easy to learn and
available in Together in
Song.
This collection also in-
cludes songs which can be
used with the Advent can-
dle lighting each Sunday.
As we prepare for this sea-
son, may we ourselves be
prepared to look a little fur-
ther and not be afraid to
sing the old song with some
fresh insights.
Diocesan Calendar
2012
International Year of People of African Descent, Na-
tional Year of the Farmer, National Year of Reading
November
1 Intentional Pastoral Practice; Bishopscourt,
Sale; 8.45am. Contact Archdeacon Heather
Marten or Registry, 03 5144 2044
2-3 Growth in Ministry Intensive; Bishopscourt,
Sale; 8am to 5pm. Contact Archdeacon Heather
Marten, telephone 03 5144 2044
4 All Souls Day. East Gippsland Symphonia at
8.30am & 10am services, St Johns Bairnsdale
9-11 Workshops on Water and Dance, led by
Archdeacon Susanna Pain; 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. Contact Karin McKenzie, telephone
03 5662 2148
10 Thanksgiving service, GFS Kidsplus+ Network;
11am; Moe; followed by lunch at Gippsland
Heritage Park
11 Defence Sunday
11 Remembrance Day
11 Kidsplus+ Gippsland annual thanksgiving
service and lunch, Gippsland Heritage Park,
Moe; 11am; lunch $25
17 St Johns Bairnsdale parish fair
17 Anglican Earthcare annual general meeting,
10am, St Pauls Cathedral, Sale
17 Ordination service, Deacons; St Pauls
Cathedral, Sale; 11am
18 Diocesan Kidsplus+ Network family picnic at
Morwell Traffic School; 3.30pm to 5.30pm; with
free sausage sizzle; RSVP gippskidsplus@
people.net.au or Catherine, 03 5127 4093 or
Mary, 03 5127 2929
18-25 Vocational Panel Interviews (as required)
22-24 Education for Ministry mentor training, St Pauls
Cathedral Sale Contact Dean, Dr Don Saines,
telephone 03 5144 2020
24 Clergy and their families end of year gathering,
Bishopscourt, Sale; 11.30am to 4pm
27 Mothers Union Gippsland executive meeting,
Morwell; 9.30am to 12noon; followed by lunch.
Contact Karin McKenzie, telephone 03 5662
2148
December
2 Commemorative service celebrating 20 years of
women priests; 2pm, St Pauls Anglican
Cathedral, Sale
6 St Augustines annual dinner, Newhaven Yacht
Squadron, Bass Phillip Island parish
9 Commemorative service celebrating 20 years of
women priests in Melbourne; 2.30pm; St Pauls
Anglican Cathedral, Melbourne
24 Christmas Eve
25 Christmas Day
26 Boxing Day
28-Jan.1 Sale parish family outreach: Summer in
Seaspray
2013
January
Dec.28-Jan.1 Sale parish family outreach: Summer in
Seaspray
9 Bass Phillip Island parish fair
11-16 Summer under the Son, Church Missionary
Society (CMS), Adventure Resort, Phillip Island;
www.summerundertheson.org
12 St Nicholas Lakes Entrance fair
February
3 St Philips Dedication Festival, Bass Phillip
Island parish; guest speaker, Archdeacon Edie
Ashley
9 Ordination service, Priests; St Pauls Cathedral,
Sale; 11am
March
1 Australian Voices performance at Cowes
TBA Mothers Union Lady Day; St Pauls Cathedral
Sale; 10am; guest speaker, Marilyn Oulds,
Worldwide Mothers Union; BYO lunch
25 Catholic v Anglican and others Golf Day, Sale
Golf Club; Registry office, 03 5144 2044
Details as provided to The Gippsland Anglican at time of printing.
Singing at Christmas
Photos: Jeanette Severs
Emu music releases Advent
WHAT if God was one of
us, sang Joan Osbourne in
1995. The truth is that he
is, for one of us is pre-
cisely what the eternal Son
of God became just over
2,000 years ago and he re-
mains fully human; with-
out, of course, ceasing to
be fully God.
The Bible is crystal clear
about this: The Word be-
came flesh and dwelt
among us, writes the apos-
tle John.
And we have seen his
glory, the glory of the One
and Only who came from
the Father, full of grace and
truth (John 1:14).
The songs on this album,
Advent, are each, in their
own way, a celebration of
the reality, purpose and im-
plications of the incarna-
tion. It is our hope and
prayer that as you sing
these songs together, they
will bring glory to our great
King Jesus and blessing to
his people.
The album was produced
by Andy Mak and recorded
at The Grove Studios, Syd-
ney.
The collaboration features
songwriters Mike Begbie,
Nicky Chiswell, Greg
Cooper, Trevor Hodge,
Philip Percival, Simone
Richardson, Rob Smith and
Luke Woodhouse.
Tracklisting:
Grace has now appeared
One of us
See the man
Great things
Come and reign
Did you know?
Make us like Jesus
Immanuel God has come
My heart delights
Eternal King
Advent is now available
from the Emu Music web-
site Christian music and
book stores across Aus-
tralia. EMU Musics aim is to
resource churches with
songs of the Word, biblical,
Christ focused and contem-
porary; helping Gods peo-
ple to engage with him and
each other when they sing
together.
For more information on
Emu Music, please visit
www.emumusic.com.au
November 2012 Our Diocese - Media and Literary Reviews 17
PAUL Barnett has edited a
series of books of Paul,
Luke, Peter, Isaiah and
James. The authors, includ-
ing Paul Barnett, are min-
istry leaders in their own
right.
The Reading the Bible
Today series of non-techni-
cal commentaries is de-
voted to presenting careful
scholarship in a way that
everyone can understand
and enjoy.
Paul: A Pastors Heart
by Paul Barnett
THE Apostle Paul is one of
the most fascinating and
pivotal characters in Bible
history. Previously a perse-
cutor and legalist, he be-
came a great missionary
and pastor to the churches
he established. His writings
form a crucial part of the
New Testament.
However, as his second
letter to the Corinthians
demonstrates, there is a
deeply human aspect to
Pauls writings as he grap-
pled with enormous chal-
lenges and difficulties.
Paul Barnetts insightful
and sensitive consideration
of Pauls situation and char-
acter, seen in his second
letter to the Corinthians,
sheds precious light on this
Paul as he sought to pastor
this difficult church in its
early and turbulent years.
Luke: An unexpected
God
by John G Mason
JOHN G Mason charts a
course through Lukes
Gospel for todays readers,
drawing from his many
years of study of this ac-
count of the life and min-
istry of Jesus Christ. A
fulfilment of ancient prom-
ises and the catalyst for a
new covenant, the Messiah
we meet in Lukes gospel
not only died and rose
again, but also called for all
nations to know repentance
and forgiveness.
As Mason explains this
Gospel clearly and helpfully,
he also encourages readers
to ask and answer for
themselves the question:
Did God really become one
of us?
Masons workmanlike run-
ning commentary offers
constantly insightful an-
swers to many searching
questions. Thoughtful Bible
students will reap great
benefits from it.
Isaiah: Surprising
Salvation
by Kirk Patston
KIRK Patston opens up the
complex and majestic book
of Isaiah in a commentary,
perfectly suited for every-
day reading and reference.
Drawing out what this book
would have meant to Israel
in different periods of its
history, Patston highlights
the themes of danger, trust,
transformation and judg-
ment which run through-
out.
In Isaiah, we enter a dif-
ferent age. The magnificent
book serves as the opening
scene for the world-shaking
themes the prophets will
deliver for hundreds of
years.
This book was shortlisted
for Australian Christian
Book of the Year 2011.
Kirk Patston is a lecturer
at Sydney Missionary and
Bible College and his vivid
interest in Isaiah is clear
throughout this clear and
approachable work.
James: The wisdom of
the brother of Jesus
by John Dickson
MORE than most books in
the Bible, James shoots
straight from the hip. With
little time for sophisticated
rhetoric and fine argument,
James simply and urgently
calls on Christians to look
like real believers.
Peter: Living Hope
by Paul Barnett
THE first letter of Peter is
a broad-brush sketch of the
Christian life from begin-
ning to end. This beautifully
written and spiritually pow-
erful letter will bring great
rewards to those who study
it carefully.
Praise for the Reading the
Bible Today series
For more than three
decades, I have been long-
ing to see the very able
Australian theologians put
their wealth of biblical in-
sights on paper. Finally they
have. This series of com-
mentaries has great depth
without being too technical.
I highly recommend it.
Dr Michael Youssef
Pastor and host of the
global media ministry,
Leading the way
Series seeks to open
up disciples writing
ABOVE: For several years, Ayelen Horwitz has worked as
an editor and project coordinator with Certeza Argentina.
With your support through SPCKA (The Society for Pro-
moting Christian Knowledge Australia Inc.), Ayelen will go
to LittWorld in Nairobi, the only global conference for
Christian publishers and a unique opportunity for net-
working, training and professional development. Ayelen
recently answered SPCKA questions about the challenges
she faces in Argentina and her reasons for attending
Littworld: Our government has approved same-sex mar-
riage and is now reviewing abortion law. It is clear our so-
ciety is changing. Society is turning more individualistic
and hedonist, but also more spiritually open. As Chris-
tians, we need to understand how to be light and salt in
this political reality as well as in the particular situations
that families and people face. My goal is to make books of
excellent quality, appropriate for Argentine society. To
achieve this I need to continue to improve my skills and
learn from others, Ayelen said. It will cost $2500 to send
Ayelen Horwitz to join more than 150 publishing profes-
sionals in Nairobi at LittWorld 2012, the global conference
for Christian publishers. You can support Ayelen by mak-
ing a donation today; telephone on 1300 137 725 or email
admin@spcka.org.au for details. Visit www.spcka.org.au
Talking ethics
Denholm, J (2011)
Talking about Ethics:
Negotiating the Maze.
Acorn Press
By Gillian Porter
JUSTIN Denholms interest
in ethics began in medical
school when his Christian
faith was challenged by nu-
merous ethical dilemmas.
In his search for Christian
books on the subject, Den-
holm found a lack of litera-
ture to equip Christians to
understand and knowledge-
ably converse about ethics.
I found a lot of literature
about ethical theories but
there was a lack of practical
guides for everyday Chris-
tians, he states.
So the idea for Talking
about ethics: Negotiating
the maze was born.
The manuscript for Talking
about ethics won second
prize in the Young Aus-
tralian Christian Writer
Awards in 2009. Released
by Acorn Press in 2011,
Talking about ethics is a
practical and thought-pro-
voking introduction to the
world of ethics.
While academics, philoso-
phers and others who want
to ask big questions will
find it useful, this is a book
that appeals to the novice;
the everyday person who is
looking for a Christian ap-
proach to answering the
hard, practical questions
arising when we attempt to
live faithfully in this world.
Throughout the book, the
reader is provided with
stimulating questions and
case studies that help re-
late the concepts to our
own situation. By putting
into practice the principles
described, we are able to
recognise and think more
clearly about the ethical
questions we face every
day; and are encouraged to
use ethical approaches.
18 Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries November 2012
TWENTY people attended
the home of Allan and Jan
Huggins in the hills behind
Trafalgar for an Anam Cara
Community Quiet Day. The
rain and the beauty of the
garden provided a feeling of
being removed from the
everyday world.
We began the quiet day
with worship of the one
God. This included Jewish
prayers and readings from
the scriptures we share, the
scriptures we call the Old
Testament and Jewish peo-
ple call the Torah.
The title of the day was
Windows to Judaism. As
guests, we invited Gerry
Pearce and his daughter-in-
law, Karen Gerzenstein
from Melbourne to be with
us for the day.
Karen and Gerry were
very generous in their shar-
ing of their own personal
journeys as Jews in Aus-
tralia today. Gerry began by
asking us who among us
had knowingly met a Jew?
Many of us acknowledged
we had not met a Jew. Allan
spoke of our common faith;
both Christians and Jews
worship one God. Gerry
also pointed out Judaism is
unlike Christianity or Islam
in that Jews do not seek
converts.
In fact, they actively dis-
courage people who wish to
convert. You can only be a
Jew if your mother is or was
a Jew.
Gerry and Karen told us of
the significance and mean-
ing to them of the Jewish
Festivals and a little of how
they were celebrated in the
synagogue. They shared
the many different denomi-
nations of Judaism, from
liberal to extreme orthodox.
Karen told us of her edu-
cation at school as an or-
thodox Jew, although her
family were liberal Jews.
She admitted at times this
was confusing.
Gerry and Karen told us of
the many religious laws or-
thodox Jews seek to fulfil
every day. These laws guide
every action throughout
daily life. They dictate how
and what is cooked and
eaten. It is important never
to mix meat and milk and
never to eat pork in any
form.
How you dress and how
you speak to others, partic-
ularly those of the opposite
sex, is dictated for orthodox
Jews. How you work and
how you carry out your re-
ligious duties on the Sab-
bath are strictly defined.
We discussed the concept
of whether Judaism is a
faith, a race or a culture.
Gerry felt Judaism is all
three: a faith, a race of
people and a culture.
We talked of the troubled
history of the Jews and how
they faced persecution in
many countries through
many centuries. Gerry
spoke of the holocaust
leading up to and during
World World 2; and the
legacy it left of suspicion
and distrust by the Jews for
people who were not Jew-
ish. This is intensified by
the state of Israel being
surrounded by hostile na-
tions.
Interestingly, Gerry said
Melbourne has the largest
number, worldwide, of holo-
caust survivors. Gerry and
Karen shared with us their
different response to the
holocaust from the stand-
point that they come from
different generations. The
shadow of the holocaust
spread over the formation
and the continued presence
of the State of Israel.
Gerry described for us the
weekly Sabbath-eve family
meal in his home. The fam-
ily make a great effort not
to miss meeting together
on Sabbath-eve for the
weekly prayers and bless-
ings.
As all ages join in prayers,
hospitality and eating to-
gether are experienced as
both a religious joy and a
duty. Gerry asked us why in
Australia we had given up
the wonderful family tradi-
tion of the Sunday lunch.
The Sunday lunch brought
families together after
church in fellowship and
sharing.
Most regretted the passing
of family Sunday lunch but
realised that, in part, it is
because families now often
live far apart. We shared
our own incomplete knowl-
edge of Judaism and
thought again of our limited
acceptance of Jews and
particularly of those groups
which practise orthodox Ju-
daism.
We also experienced quiet
time together. Many people
walked in the rain in the
garden or sat on the veran-
dah in silence. This was a
time of meditation and
prayer.
Lunch was a time for
meeting new friends, catch-
ing up with old friends and
sharing what we learnt.
The day ended with the
final worship. Here we
looked at our own response
to Christs call to build com-
munity with those who are
different from us as well as
with those who have similar
culture and faith. In the
strength and wisdom of
Christ, we sought to ac-
knowledge our own vulner-
ability and go forth in love.
Thank you, Gerry and
Karen, for your willingness
to share with us so openly.
Thank you, Allan and Jan,
for the hospitality of your
home and beautiful garden.
Contributor: C Raymond
ACC worship of the one God
ABOVE: Heather Cahill and
Allan Huggins.
ABOVE: Jane Mac-
queen sits in quiet
contemplation.
RIGHT: Sue Hopkins
and Anne Turner.
Photos: Marion White
ART Grounded in the Earth
was a workshop retreat fa-
cilitated by visual theolo-
gian, Dr Pene Brook, and
held at the Abbey of St
Barnabas at ABeckett Park,
October 12 to 14. The
workshop began on the Fri-
day evening with dinner fol-
lowed by an introduction to
the workshop aims: Know-
ing Ourselves Within Cre-
ation: Theological
Reflection via Mandala Mak-
ing, followed by a short re-
flection.
Saturday morning began
with a reflection on human-
itys relationship with and
as part of Creation. The
view of the lake and the
surrounding landscape seen
through the chapel window
expressed the workshops
theme far more effectively
than any words could.
The workshop continued
with participants viewing
some of the mandalas
based on the visions of
Hildegard of Bingen, before
busily beginning their own
visual reflections.
The day, broken by feasts
of enormous proportion
provided by the wonder-
cooks, Deb and David
Chambers, concluded with
participants sharing in-
sights they had gathered
during the events of the
day: the reflection, the
walking, the mandala con-
struction, the chatting,
laughing and the feasting.
Sunday morning contin-
ued the praxis of making
and reflecting. renewed
with yet more sharing,
laughing and feasting.
Hopefully, we all learned a
little bit more about our-
selves and our relationship
with creation, but also en-
joyed the possibility of fine
hospitality and friendship.
Contributor: P Brook
Dancing
THE final workshop retreat
for at The Abbey for 2012 is
Dance through Water, No-
vember 9 to 11.
Dance through Water, is
being led by Susanna Pain,
an archdeacon in the Can-
berra Goulburn Diocese and
well known to many in
Gippsland; she is a very ex-
perienced retreat leader.
There will be some gentle
input and you will have the
time to reflect through
movement or dance, or if
you would prefer; just to
take some time out to be
quiet.
For more information and
booking, please contact
Sue Gibson by email,
info@theabbey.org or by
telephone, 03 51566580.
Art and the Abbey
See page 6 in this issue
November 2012 Our Diocese - Youth Ministry 19
THE first ever Interna-
tional Day of the Girl, on
October 11, focused on
early marriage, designated
by the United Nations in re-
sponse to a growing ac-
knowledgement investing in
girls, while overcoming dis-
crimination against girls,
releases their potential to
flourish and to contribute to
their communities and to
the world.
Girls are three times
more likely than boys to
suffer from malnutrition
and are more likely to be
forced into early marriage,
said coordinator of the In-
ternational Anglican
Womens Network, Ann
Skamp.
Around the world, the
daily realities of poverty,
discrimination and violence
mean one in three girls is
prevented from receiving a
secondary education. Only
when obstacles such as
these are dismantled, will
girls properly achieve their
full potential.
So its time to shatter
stereotypes, advocate for
and enable equality and
change girls lives.
Child marriage is a focus
of this first International
Day of the Girl. According
to UN Women, every year,
more than 10 million young
girls worldwide are forced
into marriage, even where
this practice is illegal.
As a result, child brides
are deprived of a good
childhood and are unable to
make choices about their
education and their future.
Child brides are also likely
to suffer from health prob-
lems such as HIV/AIDS,
premature pregnancy and
maternal mortality.
The intention of the Inter-
national Day of the Girl is to
give people and organisa-
tions the opportunity to
raise public awareness of
the different types of dis-
crimination and abuse that
many girls around the world
suffer.
It is also a time to show
what is being done to em-
power girls through active
support and through en-
gagement with parents,
families and the wider com-
munity.
Sadly, the good news of
this movement for the en-
abling and flourishing of
girls has coincided with the
attempted murder of a 14
year old school girl in Pak-
istan, said Mrs Skamp, re-
ferring to the shooting of
Malala Yousafzai, a teenage
activist for education for
girls who was shot in the
head by an extremist while
on a school bus with
friends.
Let us hold in prayer
Malala and all girls in cities,
towns, villages and rural
areas across our world, re-
membering Jesus Christ
has shown us the ultimate
preciousness of each girl
and each boy in our midst.
Science student to
attend National Forum
MARK McAnulty from Gippsland Gram-
mar has been selected to attend the Na-
tional Youth Science Forum (NYSF) in
January, 2013. Mark (right) was one of
432 Year 11 students selected from
nearly 2000 applicants and was nomi-
nated by the Rotary Club of Maffra.
The NYSF will celebrate its 30th an-
niversary in 2013 and promises to bring
together Australias brightest young sci-
entific minds. It will be hosted by the
University of Western Australia, Curtin
University of Technology and the Aus-
tralian National University, with special
onsite visits at the CSIROs Division of
Ecosystem Sciences, the Tidbinbilla
Deep Space Network, Australian Insti-
tute of Sport, HMAS Stirling and the
Perth Seawater Desalination Plant.
Students will meet and talk with
prominent scientists and learn first-
hand what a life in science really
means. They will also gain hands-on ex-
perience in diverse areas such as quan-
tum physics, climate change, marine
science, surgery, engineering and more.
NYSF students are inspired by the wide
range of university and career options
the program showcases. Statistics show
92 per cent of NYSF students enrol in a
science or engineering degree at uni-
versity and 85 per cent continue to
work in a related field.
Day focused on
early marriage
ABOVE: Narelle, Christine and Anthony Hahn took their
cat, Bernard, to the Blessing of the Animals service at St
Pauls Anglican Cathedral in Sale.
Photo: Christine Morris
ABOVE: Elizabeth Ajiel was
decorating fingernails at
Sale parishs fair and
Melissa Irving sat down for
her turn.
Photo: Christine Morris
LEFT: Young people of the
congregation were part of
the final service at St
Georges Koo Wee Rup,
bringing forward symbols of
the worship life of the
church.
ABOVE: Reverend Canon Barbara Logan, of Lakes En-
trance and Metung parish, presents a cheque to School
Captain of Lakes Entrance Primary School, Jemma Stokes,
watched by Amba Carr, also of LEPS. The funds, donated
from profit of NicholasJohn op shop, will be put towards a
marquee for use on sports days by the school children.
KEEN gardeners recently
got on board the Avon gar-
den bus tour. The bus tours
are a chance to catch up
with old friends, make new
friends and enjoy lots of fel-
lowship, laughter and shar-
ing garden tips.
There was great anticipa-
tion by the many keen gar-
deners to check out new
plants, look for favorites or
just generally browse in the
nurseries visited. Although
the weather became in-
clement, it did not dampen
spirits and the bus was
filled with chatter from
Bairnsdale to Traralgon and
return.
Kate Rose, the grandaugh-
ter of Peg Rule, the initiator
of the first ever garden bus
tour, was thanked for her
help and participation over
the years. We acknowl-
edged Lorraine and Janelle
for their organisation and
the time they put into mak-
ing everyone so happy. A
big thankyou to Ben Davies
for driving the bus.
I cannot wait for the Au-
tumn garden bus tour.
Contributor: W Philbey
ABOVE right: Wemyss
Struss and Jan Cropley
found a bowl of flowers to
delight them.
RIGHT: Doris Robertson
and Alison Rule.
FAR right: Isobel Hamlyn,
Bettie Luxford and Valda
Luxford.
Photos: Wendy Philbey
Avon garden tour
Pets blessed in
Bairnsdale parish
ABOVE: Reverend Tony
Wicking with Margaret
Carley and her dog.
LEFT: Jim Stephenson
was happy with his pet.
BELOW: Kathy Graben-
weger brought her dog
forward for a blessing
from Rev. Tony Wicking.
Photos: Judi Hogan
NOT-for-profit aged care
providers, Grace Bruce
Homes and Benetas, re-
cently announced an amal-
gamation between the two
not-for-profit aged care
providers. The amalgama-
tion will mean Grace Bruce
Dalkeith Hostel and
Dalkeith Heights Retire-
ment Village in Traralgon
and Hazelwood House in
Churchill will become part
of Benetas service offer-
ings.
Ray van Poppel, Chairman
of the Grace Bruce Board,
said: The Grace Bruce
Board recently looked at
what we need to be doing
now and well into the future
to fulfil our vision and mis-
sion to be a leading
provider of aged care.
To realise this vision and
to meet the needs of the
local community, we knew
we needed to develop and
operate an integrated range
of aged and community
services.
We looked at options and
decided an amalgamation
was the best way forward
for Grace Bruce; a decision
we shared with our resi-
dents, families and staff at
the time.
The Board of Grace Bruce
is pleased we will amalga-
mate with not-for-profit
aged care provider, Bene-
tas.
Mr van Poppel said the
amalgamation provided re-
assurance to Grace Bruce
residents and families to
know their homes are safe
and secure for many years
to come; and ensures on-
going employment to cur-
rent Grace Bruce staff.
Benetas was established in
1948 when a small group of
volunteers from the Angli-
can Diocese of Melbourne
responded to an urgent
need to provide care and
support for older Victorians.
More than 60 years later,
Benetas is a not-for-profit
organisation employing
more than 1400 staff and
400 volunteers across Vic-
toria.
ABOVE: Benetas recently hosted afternoon tea at the
Windsor Hotel, Melbourne, during Victorian Seniors Festi-
val, and families travelled from across the state to attend.
Benetas expanding in Traralgon

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Published in Gippsland Diocese since 1904

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