UTC eNews 201330 week8
FROM THE FACULTY
Interfaith
Seminar
- On Saturday May 11th William Emilsen and Sef Carroll hosted an interfaith
seminar on the theme Religious Leadership in a Pluralist Society at the Centre
for Ministry. The objective of the seminar was to explore the notion and
example of leadership in the founders of the great world religions and in some
contemporary religious leaders in order to create ways of developing a more
harmonious society. Presentations were made by scholars of different faith
traditions. Ben Myers, Keith Rowe, Howard Wallace and Sr Eleanor Capper were
among some of our Christian scholars presenting on the day. There were contributions
from Sikhism, Bahai'i, Buddhism, Confucianism and Islam. Other contributions
from Judaism, Zoroastrianism and Hinduism will be part of a publication later
this year. It was a thought provoking, stimulating day and we hope that the
ensuing publication will offer a contribution to the discussion on leadership
in the wider domain.
Out & About
Clive
is leading the high school kids at Leigh Memorial on how to compose a letter
from Paul to the congregation. He will be leading the first of three workshops
at Springwood Uniting Church on what does it mean to be human? The following
two will be on The Bible and the UCA; and then Biblical models of leadership
and the UCA.
Faculty Reflection - Clive Pearson
Thinking ahead ‑ next week’s sermon.
There is a rather funny practice which can happen in
congregational ministry. This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. There’s plenty of
scope to talk about the spirit, wind, flames, energy – and, in keeping with the
book of Acts – being drunk! One week on it is Trinity Sunday. This particular
Sunday does not seem to have the same street appeal.
Yes, there are the analogies drawn with water –
liquid, ice and steam. Yes, there are the oft-repeated criticisms about how good
are Christians with their maths – how can three go into one and one be the same
as three. Years ago, the theologian Geoffrey Lampe argued that this doctrine
requires us to undergo ‘intellectual somersaults’. And then there are habits of ministerial
practice: how often does the incumbent get someone else to preach on the
Trinity?
The lectionary reading from the gospel for this week
is taken from John 16:12-15. It is all about all the ‘many things’ Jesus has to
say to his disciples. He is looking ahead to the coming of not just any old
spirit, but, in this instance, the Spirit of truth. In the case of John’s
gospel, the truth refers to the truth about Jesus and how he is, of course, the
way, the truth and the life. This Spirit will glorify – in a sense, praise and
raise them up – not because of anything his disciples have done. The Spirit
‘will take what is mine and declare it to you’. And the truth of this matter is
that what is identified with Jesus is also identified with as coming from the
Father.
The language is not inclusive. It is rather nice then
that the lectionary should place the feminine figure of wisdom alongside this
reading. So here we have themes of wisdom and the Spirit of truth. And
surrounding them both are the component parts of the doctrine of the Trinity:
the father, the Son and the Spirit. There is no formal doctrine of the Trinity
in the New Testament. The way in which it comes to be expressed is in terms
which are actually rather alien to biblical thought and more attuned to Greek philosophical
categories. But here we can discern intimations of the Trinity.
The way in which these references to the three emerge
in this text can remind us to check our order of services. They can often focus
on one or two persons of the Trinity to the exclusion of the second or third
member of the Godhead. What are the consequences of that? In a sermon for this year it could be helpful
to focus upon how the implied Trinity here testifies to a spirit of truth.
There is a sense in which the gospel is constructed
along the lines of court case between ‘the world’ and those who follow Jesus
and ‘love one another’ for his sake. There are frequent references to judgement
and to light and dark. Into the midst of all this comes this revealing Spirit
of truth. Why not contemplate the conflicts and confusions of our time? Why not
think about the disputes within the church for this ‘world’ is as much within
the church as outside of it? How helpful would it be to wait upon wisdom and
have the revelatory light of the Spirit of truth which is to be declared in and
through the Son and the Father?
UPCOMING EVENTS
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
NO CHAPEL SERVICE & COMMUNITY LUNCH, 22 May - there is
no service or lunch this week as the
College will be visiting the Detention Centre, House of Welcome and STARTS.
LECTIONARY FOR MAY 26
The
lectionary for the coming week - Trinity Sunday (also National Sorry Day) is Proverbs
8:1-4,22-31, Psalm 8, Romans 5:1-5, John 16:12-15 (white).
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.
FROM THE LIBRARY
The
20th to 26th of May is Library and Information Week. The theme this year is
"Share your story" and to celebrate this we are inviting library
users to share what the library means to them. In the library there are
coloured sheets of paper for comment. Fill one in to complete the statement
"Camden Theological Library is ..." and pin it on the board in the
circulation area. Alternatively you could make a comment on our webpage http://www.library.nsw.uca.org.au/news/library-and-information-week-20-26-may-2013 or
on Facebook.
SYNOD NEWS
Christ and Cultures Gathering - Exploring the Missional
Church, Saturday 18 May 2013, 9.30am-4.00pm at the Centre for Ministry auditorium - come and join a discussion
to explore “What it means to be a Missional Church.” Keynote speakers: Dean
Drayton and Amelia Koh-Butler. Cost $10.00 (morning & afternoon provided).
Lunch BYO.
Men’s Breakfast - 18 May 2013, 8.00-10.00am at
Wentworthville Uniting Church, 115-117 Station Street - Guest
Speaker Beyond Blue Ambassador, Mr Paul Walshe. RSVP sharoncutts@bigpond.com
David and Lena Reichardt - our sessional
lecturer David Reichardt and his wife Lena are planning to serve as Lay
Education and Healthcare Volunteers in remote North India and they would value
your prayers and financial support as they undertake this 3 year mission. For
information http://www.unitingworld.org.au/programs/experience/reichardts/
or to offer assistance, please contact Kathy Pereira at kathyp@unitingworld.org.au phone
8267 4250.
ASSEMBLY
NEWS
Disability landmark tarnished by deficit of justice - The President, Rev Professor Andrew Dutney has responded to the 2013 Federal Budget by urging politicians and policymakers from all sides to do more for the most vulnerable people at home and abroad. "I warmly welcome the decision to fully fund DisabilityCare Australia and the support it will extend to people of disability, their families and carers, this is an important spiritual landmark in the history of our country and in our commitment to those who need help." However Rev. Prof. Dutney expressed concern about the Federal Government's continued punitive approach to asylum seekers and its decision to postpone its promise to increase aid to countries not as lucky as Australia. “My greatest concern tonight is not the national deficit, but the deficit of justice and compassion in a number of policies – particularly in relation to asylum seekers." For the full article, see http://assembly.uca.org.au/news/item/1376-disability-landmark-tarnished-by-deficit-of-justice
The first national photographic images competition of the Uniting Church in Australia is now open. More info see http://assembly.uca.org.au/news/item/1375-national-photographic-images-competition-2013
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/
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The newsletter is from the Principal & College
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