UTC
eNews 201330 week9
FROM THE FACULTY
This is John Wesley Week - we especially
remember him on May 24 as that was the date in 1738 of his famous “Aldersgate
experience”. He was attending a Moravian Chapel Meeting listening to a reading
of the preface to Romans written by Martin Luther when “I felt my heart
strangely warmed”.
Wesley felt “strangely warmed” because of the
realisation of salvation through grace and only by grace, and so the 24th
May is often heralded as the day the Methodist movement was born.
He
began preaching sermons on God’s Grace being “free in all” and “free for all”.
Many of his sermons contain writing on prevenient grace, salvation by faith,
witness to the Spirit and sanctification.
Wesley
was an Anglican deacon, ordained in 1725. The term Methodists arose from Oxford
students ridiculing the way in which Charles Wesley’s “Holy Club” required
members to live a holy life. The Aldersgate Experience followed Wesley’s time
in Georgia which was not successful. From 1738 onwards Wesley began open air
preaching. As these groups grew they required places for worship. The first was
in Bristol.
John Wesley is remembered for his concern for the poor, for his support of abolitionism and for the beginning of Methodism (there are now 74 million Methodists in 135 countries around the world). For more information see http://www.christiantoday.com/article/24th.may.wesley.day.for.methodists.worldwide/882.htm
National Sorry Day, May 26 - as we are reminded of Wesley’s concern and action on behalf of the disenfranchised, we also remember that this Sunday is National Sorry Day - an annual day of commemoration and remembrance of all those who have been impacted by the government policies of forcible removal that have resulted in the Stolen Generations. For more information and to get involved, see http://www.nsdc.org.au/events-info/history-of-national-sorry-day
Week
of Prayer for Reconciliation 27 May – 3 June - we are encouraged to
reflect on the reconciliation process during the Week of Prayer for
Reconciliation (which in 1993 was widened to also become National
Reconciliation Week). This year, the
theme for National Reconciliation Week is “Let’s Talk Recognition”, topical as
the start of public consultation process towards a referendum on recognising
Indigenous people in the Australian Constitution begins. The Uniting Church has
taken its own journey to a new Preamble of our Constitution which acknowledges
Aboriginal and Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia. See http://assembly.uca.org.au/resources/covenanting/item/661-week-of-prayer-for-reconciliation-resources
College Visit - this week on Wednesday the College visited the Villawood Detention
Centre and heard from John Jegosothy about START (Students And Refugees
Together), whose mission is to work in partnership with families,
individuals and organisations to facilitate the transition of refugees from
people in need to self-reliant contributors to their local communities. http://www.studentsandrefugeestogether.com/
It was an informative and timely
visit in light of the Federal Government’s recent decision adversely affecting
asylum seekers (see Assembly News below).
Research
Seminars - next Friday 31 May
The program
for next Friday's Seminars - all welcome
1:00-2:00 Jason Kioa, "Tonga national conference
as bridging agent" (DMin thesis proposal presentation; see below for
abstract)
2:00-2:30 Gavin Foster, "Honor and shame: The
Filipino context"
2:30-3:00 Rawaa Gebara, "Islam and
modernity" (see below for abstract)
3:00-3:30 Nada Roude, "Trials and tribulations
(and joys) of preparing a survey
Publications
Home
and Away: Contextual Theology and Local Practice - Edited by Stephen Burns & Clive Pearson, available from Student
Admin, Cost $18.00
Faculty Reflection - Gerard Moore
Sunday
June 2 lectionary texts
1Kg
18:20-21; 30-39Ps 96
Gal 1:1-12
Lk 7:1-10
The
readings for this Sunday after Pentecost have energy to burn, and contradiction
too. They erupt with the explosive Elijah tackling the prophets of Baal. He is
bold, brazen almost, daring the followers of the cult, utterly confident that
his God will provide. And behind this energy and violence is a drama of great
proportions. The lone prophet is trying to win back his people to their
ancestral God, and in doing so also begin to settle the question of whether
there is one God or many gods. The religious future of Israel as the
people of the one and only God takes a decisive turn in this intervention.
A
Christian turn is taken in Paul’s opening remarks to the Galatians. It is a
passionate letter, vigorous and also somewhat intimidating. As with the Elijah
narrative a decisive moment in Christian history is being documented. The
Christian life requires fidelity to the one Gospel, revealed by Christ. It is a
living shared tradition, not a private interpretation.
There
is nothing simple about this one Gospel. Luke records Jesus healing the slave
of a centurion. The Healer treats foreigners a bit differently to Elijah! As
well, he seeks to look into faith. The healing of the reign of God extends
beyond barriers and bounds. Invading army officers and slaves receive his
mercy, and have their hearts open. This healing power is the source of Paul’s
restless determination to uphold the Gospel. A challenge is to see into faith,
and bring healing beyond distinctions and inequalities.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Farewell for CFM Receptionist Julie Attenborough - next Tuesday
28 May, 2.45pm (at Community Afternoon Tea). Julie,
who concludes on Thursday 30 May, has provided over 7 years of service to all
who have visited the Centre. A card and collection are being held at Student
Administration.
Cancer Council Afternoon Tea, Tuesday 4 June, 2.45pm - UTC
will be hosting this fundraiser for the Cancer Council. Everyone is encouraged
to wear yellow to get into the spirit of the event - the bolder the better! A
donation box will be available at the tea or you can donate beforehand at http://nsw.cancercouncilfundraising.org.au/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=580260
CHAPEL SERVICE & COMMUNITY LUNCH, Wednesday 29 May - the weekly Service of Word and Sacrament is held in St Andrew’s Chapel
from 11.30am, followed by Community Lunch - everyone welcome.
FROM THE
FIRST YEAR MENTOR
Pasifika
Students Talanoa with Gerard Moore Thursday May 30th from 4.30-5.30pm in G4. This
is an opportunity to talk with Gerard about your studies, choosing subjects,
raising concerns and making suggestions about studying at UTC. Contact: Sef
Carroll secarroll@csu.edu.au
FROM STUDENT ADMINISTRATION
Students
are encouraged to enrol in their subjects for Second Session now, as this
assists with planning classes. If you would like assistance with subject
choices, please contact Student Administration. Applications to enroll for
Second Session close 10 June.
FROM THE LIBRARY
Library
and Information Week - thank you to all who took the time to mark this event by
contributing your thoughts about Camden Theological Library. You have created a
delightful and colourful display. Moira
SYNOD NEWS
Christ and Cultures Gathering - the opening conference of the Christ and Cultures Gathering was an excellent inquiry into how we use the language of being a missional church. Much of the discussion was in table groups but we had splendid keynote addresses from Dean Drayton and Amelia Koh-Butler. There were reflections at the end of the day from Ji Zhang, Sef Carroll and Chris Walker.
Resources
for Ministry with Children and Families - recommended reading: Intergenerational Christian Formation by
Holly Allen and Christine Ross and Fostering
Children’s Faith by Jeanne Hall. For more resources see www.childrensministry.org.au
ASSEMBLY NEWS
Another
national failure to welcome the stranger - The President Rev.
Professor Andrew Dutney has deplored the move by the Federal Government to
excise the Australian mainland from the migration zone. The move means that no asylum seekers arriving in Australia will
have the automatic right to remain in Australia while their claims for a
humanitarian visa are being processed. “Yet
again Australians of compassion are ashamed at the lengths our Government will
take to avoid its obligations to some of the world’s most vulnerable people,”
said Rev. Prof. Andrew Dutney. “Jesus
called his followers to welcome the stranger and he commanded that we love our
neighbour as we love ourselves. His command directs us and all people towards a
life of peace and justice. I fear that this move is another example of the nation
being led away from Christ’s teachings. It is frustrating that in the week that
we fully fund assistance to Australians living with disabilities, we also
decide to flout the basic human rights and dignity of people who seek refuge in
our wealthy country.”
Responding to the 2013
Budget, Rev. Prof. Dutney said the national lack of compassion for asylum
seekers is distorting our priorities. Additional funding for offshore
processing in places like Nauru and Manus Island is more than 10 times the
amount of funding allocated for onshore processing. With more than 90% of
arrivals later found to be refugees, we are damaging people who are already
vulnerable,” said Rev. Prof Dutney. “We are denying asylum seekers the ability
to start their healing process and contribute to our society.”
Rosemary Hudson Miller,
acting national director of UnitingJustice, said that the move shows the
Government is neglecting their promise to enact more compassionate policies for
asylum seekers. “This is a sickening move in policy, showing that the moral
compass of the Government has lost its way,” said Ms Hudson Miller. “The
enactment of this recommendation from the Houston Panel Report shows that the
Government has no regard for the safety or wellbeing of some of the world’s
most vulnerable people. The Government has back flipped. They said in 2007 that
this policy is a stain on Australia’s national character and now they are the
party supporting the legislation.”
The Uniting Church is a
long-standing supporter of onshore processing of asylum seekers with good case
management, access to adequate services including healthcare and education.
Lutheran/Uniting Church liturgy for shared
ministry - representatives of the Lutheran Church
of Australia and the Uniting Church in Australia have launched a new liturgy
for shared ministry between their churches. The liturgy titled ‘A Great Prayer
of Thanksgiving’ contains both liturgy and commentary and is designed for
cooperating congregations where church leaders have agreed to joint worship. See
http://www.assembly.uca.org.au/unity/resources/item/1379-a-great-prayer-of-thanksgiving.
Multicultural & Cross Cultural
National Reference Committee, 28-30 May - the MCM NRC is meeting at the CFM this coming week.
Once every year they meet on campus because of the composition of the student
body here and the library resourcing available.
GENERAL
NEWS
The David Malouf
Symposium, 31 May, 8.45am-5.30pm at the Ryan Auditorium James Carroll
Building, Australian Catholic University (40 Edward Street, North Sydney), for
more information see www.acu.edu.au/maloufsymposium
Book Fair (including
theology books) - Epping Uniting Church, Saturday 1 June, 10am to 2pm (Chester
and Oxford Street Roundabout).
Education and women’s
empowerment in Goa, India - Antipodeans Abroad invites students to
participate in their UniBreak volunteer projects in Goa, India, for more
information www.antipodeansabroad.cmail1.com/t/t-l-fxihy-pxltlhi-e/
The newsletter is from the Principal & College
Secretary
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