Exploring minisry in tourism settings

Wendouree UCA, Tuesday 11th June 10.30-4pm (1022 Grevillea Road, Wendouree)
Drouin UCA, Thursday 20th June 10.30-4pm (Sinclair Street, Drouin)

Outreach in tourist areas presents a number of unique challenges.

How do we provide an effective ministry to those visiting the coast, the mountains, or other holiday destinations, when they are just looking to have a good time and relax?

What about those who work in holiday spots and spend their time cleaning up after others?

You are invited to attend one of these forums to share the experiences of your congregation
or agency in providing ministry in tourism settings, and hear what others are doing?

What ministry might be provided to those:

• who are on holiday in our area for a short time;
• with holiday homes in our area and come at various times;
• whose lives consist of serving the above groups;
• other people we come across in tourist settings.

Cost $10, which can be paid on the day. BYO Lunch. Following these forums, a two day conference will be held October 8-9th (venue TBA).

Register with the Commission for Mission: (03) 9251 5284 or by emailing: philipliebelt@gmail.com.

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 Co-chair of the Lutheran/Uniting Church Dialogue, Rev Dr Anna Grant-Henderson of the Uniting Church, said that the liturgy marks a significant step in the continuing relationship between the two churches.

“The dialogue is seeking a way forward for both churches to share in our traditions and to build relationships across our Christian communities,” said Rev Dr Grant-Henderson.

“There has been strong support for the new liturgy and much healthy debate over what was to be included.

“Communities with shared ministry arrangements will now have a truly ecumenical liturgy that identifies with both denominations.”

The liturgy titled ‘A Great Prayer of Thanksgiving’ was adopted by the UCA Assembly Standing Committee in March of this year.

Shared ministry arrangements exist in a number of places across Australia allowing small congregations to join together in worship.

The booklet contains both liturgy and commentary and is designed for cooperating congregations where church leaders have agreed to joint worship.

There is also a commentary which provides insights to the background of the liturgy and discusses the differences between the denominations’ traditions.

‘A Great Prayer of Thanksgiving’ is available at http://www.assembly.uca.org.au/unity/resources/item/1379-a-great-prayer-of-thanksgiving.

Another national failure to welcome the stranger

The President of the Uniting Church in Australia 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 earlier this week, 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.

20 May 2013

Contact:                      Matt Pulford       0408 634 373