Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Gold Coast Outreach supplies Christmas hampers

(originally published at http://www.vision.org.au/christian/gold-coast-outreach-supplying-hampers )

An outreach ministry on Queensland's Gold Coast is supplying up to 500 emergency Christmas hampers to families in need this summer.
Newlife Care, the community outreach arm of the Newlife Uniting Church, provides counseling, community outreach and emergency relief all year round but Christmas is especially busy.
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Newlife Care Hampers (source:https://www.facebook.com/newlifeunitingchurch)


Care coordinator Antoinette Dupreez told UCB News they don't do it alone relying on the church and the local community.
Local welfare agencies, schools and chaplains help them ensure the hampers are age and family appropriate.
Listen here.

Sharing the gospel with a Christmas CD

(originally published at www.vision.org.au)

A conversation about how to share the Gospel through music has led to a church releasing a Christmas Album.

Newlife Uniting Church on Queensland's Gold Coast have produced Songs of Christmas as a way of blessing their church and community.
songs of Christmas launch bw
Craig Hindman is the Creative Arts Pastor for the church and as you will hear they had specific criteria for the songs which made it on the album.
Listen Here.

Photos from Newlife Uniting Church. Used with permission.



Sunday, June 22, 2014

Lending a hand to Aussie farmers


Drought and farmers in need have been getting a lot of publicity of recent times and Australia is being asked to spare some dollars to help our struggling primary producers.

One organisation that is doing that though isn’t asking for a handout, in fact they’re asking you to offer a hand up and they’re doing so by partnering with an agency of the Uniting Church in Australia.



Charles Alder was at Easterfest in Toowoomba earlier this year and he starts by explaining exactly what Buy a Bale is.



Thursday, June 5, 2014

Working with Children at the Coalface

Chaplaincy comes in many different shapes and sizes. You can find chaplains in Hospitals, Schools, On Camps, In the Military and even involved in Emergency Services.

One thing that draws all Chaplains together is that each one has their own unique gifts and skills which they bring into their role and above all, they all have different approaches to that ministry.

In Queensland, Scripture Union QLD is the employing body of public school chaplains and this is the story of just one of those. Stephanie Kennedy, the Chaplain of Wellers Hill State School on Brisbane's Southside.


http://www.suqld.org.au/weblog/2014/peek-inside-a-chappy-lunchroom/

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Jonah Blurs Lines Between Satire and Racism


Australian Comedian Chris Lilley continues to raise eyebrows with his newest satirical series on the ABC "Jonah from Tonga". Following on from the character's appearance in "Summer Heights High" and "Angry Boys" Lilley's character continues to blur the lines between satire and offence; especially amongst the Tongan people.


Rev Jason Kioa

Last week the Chair of the Uniting Church’s Tongan National Conference Rev. Jason Kioa, said the portrayal of Jonah sent the wrong message on so many levels. This opinion was backed up by the Church President Rev Professor Andrew Dutney. “Notwithstanding the program makers’ assurances of benign intent, the depiction of the character Jonah is offensive to our Tongan brothers and sisters.” Rev Dutney said in a statement

“As members of the same body of Christ we share that pain that their nationality has been singled out for ridicule on the national broadcaster. Young Tongan leaders make an amazing contribution to our Church and our country. They deserve our pride not this kind of prejudice."

The Uniting Church isn't alone in airing some concerns about the series with numerous news reports showing opinions both for and against Lilley's brand of humour from within the Polynesian Community. 

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/backlash-over-chris-lilleys-jonah-from-tonga-as-protest-movement-gains-momentum/story-e6frfmyi-1226918651717

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/jonah-from-tonga-deemed-racist-by-polynesian-community-9379280.html

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/05/15/chris-lilley-facing-social-media-backlash-over-racist-jonah-tonga

Rev Jason Kioa shared his thoughts on ACU Wired Radio.



Friday, May 9, 2014

No Gift Without Its Corresponding Service



The Christian Church has its history woven amongst the service and sacrifice of the ANZACs. From the shores of Gallipoli and then the first Anzac Day in 1916, to the ships on border patrol in Australian territorial waters; padre’s have long had a place alongside troops looking after their spiritual wellbeing.

Carina Salvation Army Corp lead the 2014 Anzac march

In modern times, the Church continues to interweave with the traditions and remembrance of Anzac Day. Paragraph 13 of The Uniting Church Basis of Union states The Uniting Church... acknowledges with thanksgiving that the one Spirit has endowed the members of Christ’s Church with a diversity of gifts, and that there is no gift without its corresponding service” These gifts could be music, prayer or general service of others. 


The Ekibin Memorial Park service organised by Yeronga – Dutton ParkRSL has always had strong representation from the local churches. Every year the Carina Corp of the Salvation Army lead the short march and provide musical accompaniment for the hymns during the service and ministers from the local churches lead prayers in annual rotation.

Rev David McGregor
Another element introduced by the Wellers Hill Tarragindi Uniting Church (WHAT UCA) is free tea/coffee and Anzac Biscuits. On a cool Autumn morning, a hot drink and a snack is just what is needed by the veterans and the general public. With biscuits donated by local supermarkets and congregation members and the tea, coffee, milk and sugar all donated through the church; this would be the perfect opportunity to raise money for the church. 

The WHAT UCA do put a donation bucket out, but every cent is given over to the local Legacy branch to assist them in their mission to care for the widows and children of diggers that never return. 2014 was another humbling year for the church with the local community donating $722 to assist Legacy in the local area. The model of Jesus is alive and well in the modern church as it seeks ways to give back to the community to which they belong.

 Lest We Forget

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Crazy Love hits Toowoomba



Easterfest front entry - Queens Park Toowoomba QLD
For 16 years, Toowoomba has been the hub of easter activities for lovers of Christian music. Easterfest brings together some big names from Australian and overseas Contemporary Christian Music and joins them with smaller independent and local performers to create a weekend of live music, entertainment and fellowship.

Easterfest branded the festival with a theme of “Crazy Love” in a way to sum up the message of Easter and to also highlight some of the other changes including a brand new layout and more of a focus on a whole city event not just a concert in a park. Over the last few years, Easterfest has expanded from having its activities concentrated in Queens Park in the centre of the city, to including cafes, restaurants, pubs and Shopping Centres; bringing not only live entertainment but also a major revenue boost for local retailers. Toowoomba City has reciprocated with more local businesses opening up over the long weekend, even on public holidays, to an appreciative and enthusiastic patronage.
Toowoomba Daily Newspaper “The Chronicle” quoted Southern Qld Country Tourism CEO Mary-Clare Power as saying "These events are very important for tourism in Southern Queensland Country, and are one of the 'hero' experiences for Southern Queensland Country - the experiences that give us the edge over competitor destinations." Local business Bon Amici Café (also an Easterfest City Live venue) reported an increase on last year’s patronage over Easter with owner Wayne Luchterhand telling “The Chronicle” "We didn't think it was going to be as busy as it was so we'll be even better prepared for the next one because we'll know what to expect."

In a first for Easterfest, Mainstage was undercover in 2014

In the Park precinct Festival Director Dave Schenk’s vision of a completely fresh look for the festival payed off with patrons and store holders alike commenting on the increased flow of traffic, the new look and feel of an undercover mainstage and an increase in community areas. “Thanks to the Major Event status given by the QLD government, we were able to do a comprehensive independent study after last year’s festival with the results revealing that the majority of people coming to Easterfest came not for the music or the ministry exhibitors, but for community” Mr Schenk said. 

“So what we’ve tried to do is create a festival that encourages patrons to stop and enjoy each other’s company, and I think the new layout certainly was successful in that.” Another bonus to Mr Schenk’s vision was the lack of complaints from local residents “We only had about 1 noise complaint across the entire weekend, which means that our state of the art sound system and undercover stages achieved what we wanted”.


A variety of artists playing across a number of stages both in Queens Park and in the city kept patrons entertained with a mix of rock, pop, folk, heavy metal and more. Artists spoke openly about their Christian faith, the message of Easter and joined in discussions and worship across the site. Artists with mainstream appeal like Bec Laughton, Evermore and Dami Im were drawcards while Easterfest veterans Alabaster Box, Compliments of Gus and Scat were always guaranteed to draw a crowd. With big names Peter Furler and Switchfoot announced for 2015, its sure to draw more people back to Toowoomba for Easter.
Bec Laughton brings back the Drum Line for her 2014 Mainstage appearance.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Record Attempt Sends Aircraft to Timor



Parkes Regional Airport was a hive of activity on November 2nd last year for a record attempt by a former Missionary Pilot.

Ron Watts, at the age of 64, was attempting to break an Australasian record for the most take off and landings by a single pilot in a single day. The target was 140 and at the end of the day, a new record was set with an average of 3 minutes between each landing.

A replica of the GA8 on display at Easterfest 2014

“We started the effort at 6am and by 4:30 that afternoon we had done it” Mr Watts said “It was a beautiful day in Parkes and the people were just fantastic”.

But this is only the beginning of the story. The record attempt also doubled as a fundraiser for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) who needed to make up the shortfall to pay for a second aircraft for Timor LestÄ“. 

 
A whopping $191 000 was raised, completely funding the $500 000 cost of the GippsAero Airvan 8 (GA8 Airvan).

Ron has been with MAF for almost 40 years. He's seen the difference light aircraft can make to remote communities and especially to the remote country of Timor Lestē where the only fixed wing aircraft in the entire country is a MAF GA8 Airvan.

MAF board chair Pam Condie poses with Ron at Easterfest

“The second aircraft would enable MAF to double the capacity to serve these people” Mr Watts explains, “We currently have 1 aircraft and 2 pilots flying missions that have regularly saved lives. Over the past year MAF have flown over 100 Medivacs, about 1 every 3 days, there are 30 aid agencies currently working in-country relying on our aircraft and our pilots to transport equipment and personnel across rugged and unforgiving terrain”. 



This is just the beginning of the work that MAF do with the Government of Timor Lestē also chartering the aircraft as required.

Mr Watts is looking forward to being part of the ferry team that will deliver the aircraft in June this year; “we’ve had to have a new engine fitted to the aircraft which has delayed the arrival, but I’m really excited about the way this second aircraft will boost the work of MAF to share the gospel through very real and practical service”.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Fame and Notoriety have its perks


In 2013 a shy music teacher from Brisbane blew away seasoned professionals and Australian television audiences when she competed on the reality television talent program X Factor. Dami Im went on to win the competition and in doing so gained a record deal with Sony Music and instant celebrity status.

12 year old Sakthivel - Noah's sponsor child of 6 years
Along with her husband Noah; Dami has been sponsoring children through Compassion Australia for the last 7 years and so approached the organisation to offer some help. “We’ve always been passionate about doing something for God and maybe something to help the people in poorer areas. Since we’re sponsoring through Compassion anyway lets contact them and see if we can help.” Dami said “They were really surprised as they had wanted me to be their ambassador and had sent me an email which I hadn’t checked because of all the craziness.”

14 year old Somoli with Dami
As an Ambassador for the Compassion Child Sponsorship program, Dami visited India in March 2014 to see first hand how Compassion 'release Children from Poverty in Jesus name'. “I was really surprised at how short they are, especially considering despite being female and Asian I’m actually pretty tall” laughed Dami, “but because of their malnourishment when they were younger, these children were shorter than me. Its like a whole different world and really conflicting seeing the people and the slums…I really felt like we need to do more about this and I’m really proud that I’m an Ambassador for Compassion because the work they are doing is really really making a difference, breaking the cycle of poverty for these kids.” Dami also got to meet Somoli, her sponsor child of seven years face to face.
Dami’s husband Noah said to her that they should do a trip like this every year and despite her fatigue agrees that it helps put everything into perspective and gives more meaning to what she does.



Dami Im is performing on Mainstage at the annual Easterfest in Toowoomba on Sunday night, "before winning X-factor I sang in different churches and haven't had the opportunity to do much of that since. It sort of feels like going back to that community and still embracing whats happenied to me recently. I want to be the bridge between the Christian community and what I do in the mainstream world and still use the mainstream music to bring glory God". 
Sakthivel and family with Dami & Noah Im

Dami will also be at the Compassion tent on Saturday afternoon to talk more about her visit to India and the work of Compassion.



Special thanks to Compassion Australia for the photographs contained in this article.
  

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Communicating Easter to Families




“Easter and Christmas… the 2 major points of the Christian Calendar.”

Rev Jock Dunbar is the Minister of the St Marks Uniting Church, a small church in suburban Brisbane. Jock has witnessed first-hand the way his community connected to a friendly family based event in the form of Christmas Carols in the church grounds for the past few years and was inspired to try to connect with the same people or others at the other major point of the Christian calendar – the remembrance of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus - Easter.


Families have different priorities to other people so engaging them takes activities that kids love like hunting for chocolate eggs, craft and even a Donkey!  Two Sundays before Easter, the St Marks congregation ran their very first Easter Family Fun Day. Kids and their parents engaged in the Easter message at every turn during the event, but never in a forceful or intimidating way. 

 

The message was clear in the craft, the music and of course in the story telling. Kids had a great time getting messy, being creative and even getting to ride a real life donkey.



St Marks volunteers chatted over sausages and hot cross buns, helped spread glue and paint on to cardboard and assisted small hands in moulding shapes to communicate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 



This congregation is making the effort to show the community they care and want to be in relationship with them, but most of all are willing to not just talk about the real meaning of Easter but demonstrate it as well.  


Rev Jock Dunbar reads Dave the Donkey as part of the fun day activities.



Monday, March 24, 2014

A Destiny Together: Uniting Church laments treatment of Indigenous Australians.

From the 17th - 23rd March 2014, the Uniting Church in Australia called upon its entire membership to engage in a week of prayer and fasting for the first people of Australia. Entitled "A Destiny Together" this week was the church's way of responding to the stories told to members of the national council of the church in Adelaide in July 2012. These stories highlighted the struggles of indigenous Australians living in areas affected by the Federal Government’s ‘Stronger Futures’ legislation and the ‘Intervention’ before that.

Part of the week of prayer and fasting was a public prayer vigil and service of lament held on the lawns of the Australian Parliament in the Nation's capital. Every state was represented at this public gathering, both indigenous and non-indigenous, attracting approximately 200 people. The service was led by the President of the National Assembly, Rev Prof Andrew Dutney and Chair of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) Rev Rronang Gurrawurra.

Pastor Stuart McMillen, the President -Elect of the Uniting Church National Assembly highlighted to Vision Radio that this was a historic moment for the Uniting Church "I believe this is very historic. I don't believe there has been another time in our history as the Uniting Church in Australia that the entire church has been called to prayer."

The mood of the gathering was hopeful and respectful. It was treated as a time of prayer and worship and more than that it was seen as a coming together of first people and second people for a common cause; a cause of social justice.



A Destiny Together from Matt Gees on Vimeo.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Chaplaincy at Australia's Biggest Christian Festival

This blog was originally posted in March 2012. 2 years on, the cry has once again gone out for willing and able volunteers to assist in a unique festival position. Although this is a re-run, you can hear a recent conversation with the Chaplaincy Coordinator Leanne Hutton.

Every Easter the city of Toowoomba in regional QLD plays host to a massive music festival that also features a mass of great speakers. This festival started off as The Australian Gospel Music Festival, but changed its name to Easterfest for its 10th anniversary 5 years ago to better reflect its mission to be a festival at Easter about Easter.
Being a Christian festival, one thing that they are constantly aiming to do is to look after the spiritual health of the (mostly) volunteers that make this festival happen and this is done through a network of chaplains.

Leanne Hutton (R), Chaplaincy Coordinator for Easterfest
Leanne Hutton, chaplaincy coordinator, says they are coming from a place of service to just “be there” and to help out with stress and bring God into the forefront of everything that happens. This is done through praying for people, sharing a cuppa or lending a hand in areas which reflect the skills of their other lives. Throat lozenges, water, band aids, earplugs, picks, safety pins are the main stay of a chaplain’s “tool kit” which comes out of years of Leanne being a mum to a musician. “Musicians are a forgetful bunch on the whole, so its amazing how often they forget to drink before performing. If someone loses a pick in the grass, its great to pray about it, its even better to just hand one to the artist.”

A great example of the way that chaplains can be an asset in a totally unforseeable way was at last year’s festival when the site in Queen’s Park copped a torrential downpour and had to be evacuated. “The young man who was chaplain for Mainstage was a Large Tongan young man who used his physical strength to lift and carry…” Leanne said. “Another person who was only able to come on the Sunday, in his professional life he had been involved in the Brisbane floods looking after the victims and he knew how to speak to the young people who had been in a pretty stressful situation the night before. I think he went to every campsite that remained and spoke to everyone to see how they were doing. I had just the right people for the jobs that needed to be done.” 

Chaplains are being recruited for this year’s festival and the type of person Leanne is looking for is specific. “We don’t really want someone who is there to get their photo taken with a famous person. We want someone who can be sensitive and caring and who understands that everyone from the car park attendant to the sound and lighting techs and the artists need someone who will be there to listen, pray and just be available.”

http://easterfest.com/apply/


Sunday, February 23, 2014

What price should we put on elite sports training?

Now that the Winter Olympics is over, out come the claws as some "experts" say that Australian taxpayer's contributions of $10.8 Million over 4 years to end up with only 3 medals is not worth it.

I prefer to listen to the other experts who say that the Aussie taxpayer paid 12c per Aussie per year to make up the $10 million, while the Australian Olympic Committee paid $10 Million raised through independant investments and sponsorships. According to Fox Sports columnist John Lehman, Corporate Australia has spent $38 million on the London and Sochi Olympic campaigns combined. He also made the point "We better give up on the Paralympics too as federal taxpayers will be giving $9,101,250 this financial year towards Paralympic sport – more than three times as much as our winter sport investment."

The Australian Newspaper's Nicole Jeffery also defended the performance of our Winter Olympians; "Australia has spent less than half of the money that Britain has to earn one less medal at the Sochi Winter Olympics."

So now we have to wait and see what happens next as because Australia didn't get a Gold Medal at this olympics, rumour has it they will undergo similar structural changes that the Summer Olympic team went through when their performance at London wasn't up to scratch.

Aussie snow journalist Rachael Oakes-Ash shared on her Miss Snow It All blog 60 reasons why we should applaud our winter olympic team, even if we didn't win Gold at Sochi. Have a read and remember that in every sport there are those that play for fun and those want to compete with the best in the world proudly wearing their country's colours.

I say congratulations to all of our Olympians for even managing to get to this level. I know I'll never be there and recognise the hard work and sacrifices made by these sports men and women to get where they have.

Australia's Winter Olympic Team prior to the Sochi Closing Ceremony.  Photo from https://www.facebook.com/AUSOlympicTeam