Volume 109, Number 2 March 2012

Published in Gippsland Diocese since 1904

The Gippsland Anglican is your award winning newspaper: 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.
Local students and
teachers visit Gahini
pages 10 & 11
Discussing Esther
as a role model
Page 4
Jesus Christ here
and now in Bruthen
pages 12 to 14
By Jeanette Severs
TWO Gippsland men
received awards on
Australia Day, January 26,
2012. Peter Vranek, of
Avon parish, received the
Australia Day Citizens
Award presented by
Wellington Shire Council
and the Local Community
Award for Citizen of the
Year presented by
Stratford Lions Club. Geoff
Bell, of Morwell parish,
received the Community
Services of the Year Award
presented by Latrobe City
Council.
Peter and his wife,
Denise, are members of
Holy Trinity Anglican
church in Stratford and are
well known for their activi-
ty in the parish, especially
through the thriving op
shop. Peter, in particular, is
responsible for renovations
and maintenance of the op
shop.
He grew up in Maffra but
has lived in Stratford for
more than 50 years. Peter
and Denise raised two chil-
dren, Tony and Josephine,
have four grandchildren
and have always con-
tributed their time and
energy to the community.
Peter was a plant operator,
scaffolder, rigger and
farmer before he retired
to become even more
involved in the Stratford
community.
He was completely sur-
prised to received the
awards.
It was a shock and a
great honor to receive both
awards, he said.
I have been getting a lot
of congratulations and peo-
ple keep telling me the
awards are well deserved,
even people I dont know.
But the biggest honor Ive
received is a letter from
Bishop John McIntyre con-
gratulating me.
Peter was nominated by
Brendan Lee, a founding
member of Stratford Lions
Club. Brendan commended
Peter for his many years of
dedicated community serv-
ice including 36 years as a
member of Stratford Lions
Club, serving twice as
president as well as being
regularly on various com-
mittees and initiating many
fundraising activities. He
has provided emergency
assistance over a consider-
able period to disabled
people which is ongoing;
has been president of, and
remains a driving force of
Gippsland Woodcraft
Group; was involved in
Landcare and Beefcheque
until he retired from farm-
ing; began a
Neighbourhood Watch
group in the northern area
of the town; and, through
his membership of the
Stratford Community
Representatives Groups,
has worked with Wellington
Shire to improve footpaths
and wheel chair access for
elderly and disabled peo-
ple.
Peter was an active advo-
cate for the development
of independent living units
in Stratford until the cause
was taken up by the
Uniting Church and has, on
a number of occasions
taken on an advocacy role
for elderly and or disabled
persons, such actions gen-
erally unknown to others.
He assists the Stratford
primary school by provid-
ing woodwork lessons for
interested children and,
when asked by the school
principal, makes various
items of equipment for the
school. For 12 years he
contributed hundreds of
hours of voluntary service
to Diabetes Australia.
Using his woodwork skills,
Peter has crafted and
donated many items for
various organisations to
raffle for funds and
upgrade of the entire Holy
Trinity op shop building,
including lining, shelving
and plumbing, is a testimo-
ny to Peters diverse abili-
ties. Peter contributes sev-
eral hours each week in
voluntary service through
the op shop.
Also at Holy Trinity,
Peters woodworking skills
are evident in the garden
seat built and donated to
commemorate 20 years of
Peg Rules garden bus
tours and in the Honour
Board on the church wall.
He has also completed
numerous woodcraft or
handyman jobs over time.
The Stratford Mens Shed
was, in cooperation with
the Wellington Shire, start-
ed by Peter in 2010 and is
an ongoing testimony to
Peters persistence in com-
pleting an important activi-
ty for so many retired men
needing mateship and a
regular pastime. His dedi-
cation and example
encouraged others to
become involved and help
to achieve their new
venue. The shedders are
now involved in a number
of community projects.
Peter regularly assists eld-
erly people in need of vari-
ous repair work in their
homes.
Brendan stated the
impressive account of com-
munity assistance, given
so freely by Peter Vranek,
is an example of contribu-
tion which makes Stratford
such a popular place in
which to live.
Geoff Bell, of Morwell, is
another humble man who
has contributed much in
his lifetime to his commu-
nity. Geoff grew up in
ABOVE: Geoff Bell, of Morwell, stands in his prolific vegetable garden with his Australia
Day award. Photo: Jeanette Severs
Humility of
these men
awarded
continued page 20
2 Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries March 2012
The Gippsland Anglican
The Gippsland
Anglican
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Index
Aust. Day awards 1
Diocesan focus 3
Esther a role model 4
AWA song 5
Janet Wallis 6
Color-in picture 7
Gonski report 8
New leaders 9
Gahini report 10,11
Bruthen parish 12-14
Diocesan calendar 15
New bishops 16
Ultreya 17
MU news 17
Reviews 18,19
Abbey progress 20
Letters to the Editor
Closure of AWA
Dear Editor,
I was one of the very for-
tunate Anglicans to travel
on nearly all the bus trips
organised by Anglican
Women of Australia Gipps-
land group. I did miss the
very first trip to Canberra.
It was under the leader-
ship of Joan Chynoweth,
wife of Bishop Chynoweth.
The bus trips were a great
opportunity to get to know
the bishops wife and the
clergy wives at a common
level.
The second trip was to
Philip Island. I liked these
trips because they were
well planned and were
over two, then three,
nights. One could leave
the cat, dog, chooks or
husband well set up for
those few days. We must
have travelled all over Vic-
toria in that time and saw
some wondrous sights.
The House of Wheels was
one of these.
A lot of shopping was
done, as the bus trip was
close to Christmas. We
have met up with many
relatives along the way.
A fun thing to do was to
count how many people
called Betty travelled on
the bus each year. There
were usually five: Betty
Goodwin, Betty Yeates,
Betty Works, Betty John-
son and Betty Luxford. We
did take a photo of them,
one trip.
I think it was on the long
trip to Mildura we knitted
squares to make rugs.
Boy! Could some of the
ladies make those knitting
needles fly. Little wooden
dollypeg dolls were sold on
one trip. One lady knitted
tiny Christmas puddings to
use as Christmas decora-
tions, just superb.
Two ladies were great
football fans. One bar-
racked for the bombers
(Essendon) and the other
was a one-eyed magpie
(Collingwood) supporter.
They waved their scarves
around with great pride
and would leave them on
the seat as we left the bus,
so they could find their
correct place on return.
One day, the temptation
got too much for some of
the passengers and on
their return, the two
women found the fringe of
the black and white scarf
all tightly plaited and
wound around the armrest
of the seat, much to great
merriment!
On all the trips, Merryl,
Pat and all the clergy
wives looked after us very
well and we made long
lasting friendships.
What a privileged era to
live through - AWA - the
Anglican Women of Aus-
tralia. Thanks for the holi-
days, the good coach
captains, the planning,
love and care, girls. I am
sorry it has come to an
end.
Sincerely,
Betty Luxford
Stratford
Leadership
Dear Editor,
Mr Westhead (The Gipps-
land Anglican February
2012) made some inter-
esting comments about
Bishop McIntyres leader-
ship style. Let me take
issue with him as he
seems to have distorted
the role with how it is
done.
While I agree in essence
with his definition of lead-
ership I think church lead-
ership has different
parameters to business
leadership. Church leader-
ship also includes what is
often called servant lead-
ership. I see this as a
leader working with others
to help them achieve their
goals, whatever they may
be. This is done through
teaching, training and gen-
erally encouraging and
equipping them for this
task.
Where I do take issue is
that it is also the role of
the leader to challenge the
existing values and ideas
of the people. Without it,
we run the risk of continu-
ally doing and being the
same. This is good if what
we are doing is right. If
not, then we need to be
challenged about our views
and, if need be, change
them to better fit the re-
sponse to the challenges of
the day. It is in discussion
of differing views that the
diocese is able to form
opinions and a common vi-
sion. The bishops role as a
leader is to provoke that
discussion.
This will cause anxiety
and distress, especially if
one is from the other side
of politics. Many of us do
not like to have our atti-
tudes and ways of living
challenged. Let us face it;
the Gospel is about chal-
lenging the comfortable to
bring comfort to those who
need it. This will bring
people who think differ-
ently into opposition to the
bishops ideas. Sometimes,
I wonder if this opposition
is because one may not
want to examine ones own
life in the light of the
gospel and bring about the
change required. We are
happy the way we are,
thank you. The bishop is
obviously passionate about
the views he holds. I
would sooner that than
one who toes the party
line for the sake of keep-
ing the peace.
As regards the separation
of Church and State, can
we separate them? We are
called to live out our faith
in our lives. The State is
part of our lives. The very
fact we are Christian
means we must care for
the poor, the disadvan-
taged, speak out for the
marginalised. Often that
means being involved in
the State. The politics of
the day is a place where
we can and need to be in-
volved to bring about the
changes necessary to as-
sist them into a better life.
Being new to the diocese,
I cannot speak for the
Bishop Appointment Board
and their decisionmaking
process. I would hope they
did take due diligence in
the background check of
our bishop. Perhaps they
saw the diocese needed
something new or differ-
ent. Perhaps in Bishop
McIntyre they saw this was
the leader the diocese
needed at this point in
time.
I may not always agree
with the bishop. But I do
support his action and his
role as a leader to chal-
lenge us; to look to our at-
titudes so we can change
them if we need. The more
we are willing to be open
and discuss these issues,
the more unified as a dio-
cese we become and the
better we can serve our
Lord.
Sincerely,
Tony Wicking,
Rector,
St Johns Bairnsdale
Freedom
Dear Editor,
I am replying to Mr West-
heads letter in the Febru-
ary edition of The
Gippsland Anglican. I
would like to start by
thanking him for his letter
and you for publishing it.
The letter was clear and
well written, expressing Mr
Westheads concerns and
his personal position. I be-
lieve it is important that all
members of our diocese
should be free to express
their thoughts and beliefs.
Mr Westhead defined the
role of the Bishop of Gipp-
sland, rightly, as that of a
leader. He summarised the
role of a leader as estab-
lishing a clear vision and
co-ordinating and balanc-
ing the conflicting interests
of all members of the dio-
cese. This shows us a
leader who is working with
the people he is leading.
This is true, but I believe it
is incomplete. A leader
should also extend and
challenge the understand-
ing and actions of the peo-
ple he is leading. A leader
must create a climate of
growth; this growth will in-
evitably involve change.
Change is always chal-
lenging. As the leader of
our diocese, our bishop
must and does create a cli-
mate where each of us can
deepen our spiritual
growth. This helps us all to
grow in our relationship
with Christ and our under-
standing and love of oth-
ers.
I do not see how this nec-
essary faith activity can be
separated from political is-
sues. Bishop John has en-
couraged us to commit to
certain morally based po-
litical issues but he has not
pushed a particular politi-
cal party. Both faith activ-
ity and political issues are
with us all the time and in-
fluence us every day of our
lives.
Mr Westhead seems to
hope we in the Church
should always live in total
agreement with each
other. I can only see this
leading to complacency
and spiritual stagnation.
It is only through being
challenged that we are
forced to examine our-
selves and so to grow in
the love of God. We come
from different life experi-
ences and backgrounds,
which helps form our be-
liefs and also our political
allegiances. I hope there
will never be total agree-
ment across the diocese.
Bishop John is leading us
by challenging us. I, for
one, need to be chal-
lenged. Mr Westheads let-
ter has challenged me to
write this response.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Raymond,
St Marys Morwell
Personal view
Dear Editor,
Mr Bill Westheads letter
concerning Bishop Johns
leadership has prompted
me to review many of the
views expressed by the
bishop in The Gippsland
Anglican and other publi-
cations. I would like to
make a personal comment
on three matters raised in
the letter.
I cannot endorse Bill
Westheadss view that our
bishop has abrogated his
leadership. There are
many models and forms of
leadership, not one set of
precepts, as the letter im-
plies. The dictionary defini-
tions quoted seem to apply
to business management
and are not entirely appli-
cable to a pastoral role
within the church. I would
expect all church leader-
ship to be assessed ac-
cording to a scriptural
model of servant leader-
ship, as exemplified by
Jesus himself. A very de-
manding model indeed!
I cannot accept Bill West-
heads view that Bishop
Johns views are entirely
leftwing. They seem to be
quite wide-ranging and I
find criticism of both side
of politics. Our bishop does
certainly have and express
strong views on social jus-
tice issues and such views
will always have political
implications and will not be
endorsed by everyone
within the church. Person-
ally, I have not agreed
with his views on all mat-
ters, but I am pleased to
continued next page
March 2012 Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries 3
The Gippsland Anglican
OUR current Diocesan
Strategic Plan comes to a
close in 2013. It is time
now to begin to reflect on
what the key focus will be
for our coming five-year
strategic plan for 2013-
2017.
In our current plan, Jesus
Christ, Here and Now for
Gippsland, for clear and ob-
vious reasons the central
focus is on Jesus Christ who
is central to our faith. The
Here and Now aspect is an
emphasis on the immediacy
and urgency of our mission.
For Gippsland emphasises
our commitment to local
action as a priority, and our
understanding of Gods
grace towards us and the
communities of which we
are a part in Gippsland.
Because our current plan
has challenged us to be in-
tentional, focused and ac-
countable in ministry and
mission, we can look back
with thankfulness on many
new initiatives that have
taken place across the dio-
cese. For example, one
particular focus of the plan
has been on ministry with
children and young people
and their families. Two in-
dicators of the success of
the plan are the growing
number of Mainly Music
groups, and the recent ap-
pointment of Richard Lan-
ham in Youth and Family
Ministry; he is employed at
the cathedral and with a
diocesan-wide brief. There
are many more stories to
tell.
The emphasis on The
Journey Inward and The
Journey Outward has also
given us a balanced ap-
proach to ministry and mis-
sion, recognising our need
to become more Christ-like
in all we are and do as we
join with God in Gods work
in the world. Only by en-
gagement in ministry and
mission will we become
more Christ-like and only
when we grow in Christ will
we be effective for God in
ministry and mission.
Under our current plan, it
has been good to see peo-
ple willing to take risks and
try new things. For me, The
Abbey has been a bench-
mark of our commitment as
a whole diocese to look at
new ways of engaging in
ministry and mission as
Gods people in Gods world
as part of the plan. It has
been risky and we have ex-
perienced a few set-backs,
but the vision continues
and grows. As it grows, it
has drawn more and more
people into its excitement,
from within and outside the
church.
Behind the scenes, struc-
tural and financial decisions
have been taken to align
our processes and finances
with the priorities of our
strategic plan. This means
our dreams are not limited
by the constraints of struc-
tural inefficiencies and that
financial bottom lines are
held in perspective.
My first task in coming
back into the diocese after
long service leave has been
to ask the clergy to begin to
reflect with you all on what
might be the central focus
of our new strategic plan.
Bishop-in-Council has al-
ready set aside a date in
April as a planning day.
Time will be spent at the
coming session of Synod to
further our exploration of
where God is calling us to
focus in ministry and mis-
sion in the five years from
2013.
The more people are in-
volved and the wider the
discussion ranges, the
greater the possibility we
will together discern aright
the will of God; and the
higher the ownership of the
eventual plan. I encourage
you to be involved in your
parishes in the praying, re-
flecting and discussion nec-
essary to arrive at our new
plan.
In writing to the clergy, I
have suggested we begin
our reflections around one
of the central themes of the
Gospel of Mark, which is the
Gospel we are reading
through on Sundays this
year. That theme is
summed up in some key
moments in the Gospel,
one of which is when Jesus
says to a paralysed man:
So that you may know the
Son of Man has authority
on earth to forgive sins
I say to you, stand up,
take your mat and go
home (Mark 2.10-11). The
Gospel writer then tells us
the people were amazed
and glorified God when the
man did just that. Could it
be their amazement here is
due to their realisation that
God has placed into human
hands the authority on
earth to forgive sins?
The clear focus on the
Son of Man in the Gospel
of Mark is certainly a focus
on what Jesus does as a
man. This, in turn, indicates
the authority we have as
human beings in Christ to
act for God in Gods world.
It also indicates the respon-
sibility we have to act for
God in Gods world. In part,
at least, this is the respon-
sibility to forgive, precisely
because wrongdoing in the
world is only overcome by
forgiveness.
Could this mean God sim-
ply want us to become
more and more human in
terms of the humanity of
Jesus and that this is our
mission for God in the
world? Could this mean a
true focus on Jesus is sim-
ply a clear focus on the
human being, the person
who is most fully human?
Could this mean becoming
more Christ-like is essen-
tially becoming more truly
human? With this under-
standing, is the key focus of
the ministry and mission of
the church to affirm our hu-
manity and the humanity of
all others?
I would suggest this is
worth contemplating as a
starting point for our new
plan. I encourage you to
pray, reflect and discuss as
we begin to shape a strate-
gic plan for 2013 to 2017,
centred again on Jesus
Christ, the Son of Man.
from previous page
have a bishop who does
challenge us to think
deeply and respond ac-
cordingly about issues of
justice from a Christian
perspective. I am uncer-
tain from Bill Westheads
letter whether he is un-
happy with the views ex-
pressed or whether he
believes a bishop should
express no views at all.
Would he accept a bishop
who expresses only right-
wing or conservative
views?
I agree the separation of
church and state is an im-
portant principle, which is
enshrined in our constitu-
tion. But this principle
does not mean the church
should make no comment
on social or political issues.
I quote from Bill Walliss
book Gods Politics, also
quoted by Kevin Rudd in
his 2007 essay, Faith in
Politics: Religion . . is not
to be ideologically pre-
dictable or loyally partisan
. . .faith must be free to
challenge both right and
left from a consistent
moral ground.
Martin Luther King also
observed: The church
must be the conscience of
the state, but never its
tool.
Sincerely,
Lloyd H George, Sale
Challenge
Dear Editor
In Februarys issue of The
Gippsland Anglican, a con-
tributor to the letters page
made comment on a per-
ceived left wing bias in the
content of our bishops col-
umn. Bishop John was de-
scribed as resorting to the
harangue and denuncia-
tive and abrogating his
leadership function. He
was also accused of de-
nouncing those who hold
opposite but reasoned
views.
I wonder whether terms
such as left wing and
right wing are useful in
furthering debate. Dont
they become weapons to
diminish opponents and
cloud rather than clarify is-
sues?
We do live in fraught and
unstable times and for pre-
cisely this reason the
bishop needs to speak with
a clear, prophetic voice
about issues of the day
where justice and fairness
is undermined. He is not
alone. In February, Trinity
College is hosting the
Sambell lecturer in Pas-
toral and Public Theology,
Reverend Dr Ray Cleary,
who is leading a forum ti-
tled The Public Domain,
the Church and Justice.
Try as I might, I cannot
see our bishop as an ha-
ranguing demagogue.
Even less can I see him as
denouncing those who hold
views at variance with his
own. Certainly, he chal-
lenges some aspects of
public policy with vigor;
public policy pursued by
both sides of politics but
his vehemence is directed
at the idea, never the
holder of the idea.
What are the options?
Should the bishop be so
conscious of not offending
that he avoids contentious
issues or homogenises his
column so it offends no
one and, in so doing, says
nothing worth reading?
Inevitably, forthright and
direct expression of opin-
ion will challenge some
peoples sensitivities. Isnt
that what engagement of
the church in the life of the
world is meant to be
about? In challenging us,
the bishop invites us to
look anew at longheld atti-
tudes. Sometimes his chal-
lenge will result in change,
sometimes it wont.
Jesus wasnt too fussed
about offending people:
the money lenders in the
temple and the law-driven
Pharisees, to name two
groups. Above all, he was
on the side of the under-
dog, the marginalised and
sometimes said some
rather unpalatable things
that offended the religious
establishment of the day.
Our bishop seems to like
this model and I urge him
not to stop being challeng-
ing and forthright. If he
did opt for a more guarded
discretion, he would be
selling us and selling him-
self short. As people of the
Gospel, we are entitled to
the principled leadership
the bishop offers.
Sincerely,
Sue Fordham,
St Peter by the Lake,
Paynesville
Begin to focus on
next strategic plan
Right Reverend John McIntyre
Bishop of Gippsland
4 Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries March 2012
The Gippsland Anglican
IN late January, people at-
tended the annual CMS
Summer conference, on
Phillip Island. There were
Bible studies, opportunities
to hear about what God is
doing around the world, lis-
ten to missionaries, meet
new people, times for re-
laxation and programs for
children and young people.
Christianity in the Middle
East today held much in-
terest. Bishop Mouneer Anis
spoke from his experience
leading the diocese of Egypt
with North Africa and the
Horn of Africa and his role
as Primate of the Anglican
Province of Jerusalem and
the Middle East.
Many Christians are emi-
grating from the Middle
East from fear for the fu-
ture and their departure is
a huge loss. Christians
must be encouraged to stay
in their countries and those
who have left need to be
encouraged to return, so
they can be salt and light in
their communities and con-
tribute to the development
of their country. At the mo-
ment there is uncertainty,
fear and apprehension, but
also hope for the future.
Lindsay Brown, Interna-
tional Director of the Lau-
sanne Congress on World
Evangelism, drew on his
wide experience of the
Church around the world.
The call of the Church is
not just to be radically dif-
ferent from society, but to
penetrate it. Our response
to suffering and adversity is
one of the most powerful
ways we can bear witness
to Christ, he said.
Among the current threats
to Christianity, Lindsay
cited growth of the new
atheism. Whereas past
atheists have said religion
is unhelpful or not true,
some people are now say-
ing religion is evil and must
be eradicated.
Lindsay believes partner-
ships between churches
and Christian organisations
are vital.
CMS (Church Missionary
Society) has missionaries in
40 countries; the confer-
ence considered the secu-
larisation of Europe where
the world of faith exists has
been pushed to societys
margins.
Retired principal of Ridley
College, Dr Peter Adam, led
Bible studies on the Book of
Esther, with scholarly expo-
sition of the text, relevant
applications, telling illustra-
tions, many challenges and
touches of humor.
God is not mentioned in
the Book of Esther, but he is
hidden behind all the
events the book describes.
The book is not about how
God used a special person,
but about how God uses
everything for good. Even if
life seems out of your con-
trol, look for opportunities
to serve God, he said.
Esthers resolve to go to
the King (4:15-17) to plead
for her people showed her
to be a person of great
human courage, an exam-
ple of all that human beings
are called to be. She points
forward to Jesus who came
among us as one who
serves.
Peters challenge to every-
one was to trust God in bad
times as well as good, in
big matters and small, in
pain as well as in joy, when
you are not sure if God is in
control or not.
We can learn something
from Esther about how God
works but we need the rest
of the Bible to understand
the full glory of the great
works of God.
Every missionary pointed
out that being with people
and developing relation-
ships with them is their
most important activity. If
those watching you can see
the love of Christ lived out
in your life, they will be at-
tracted to the Christ you
serve.
Contributor: Janine Stewart
Photo: Andrew Astley
Esther is a role model
By Lesley Chisholm, Leongatha parish
IT was wonderful, as always, to gather with a few
hundred Christians at Phillip Island to hear about the
work of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) both lo-
cally and overseas (see story, left). Our days began
with dramatised bible readings from the Book of Es-
ther, bringing this intriguing story alive.
Reverend Peter Adam made many fascinating and
challenging points as he led the bible studies. High-
lights for me were:
1. Esther was made queen for such a time as this!
to save the Jewish people. When she overcame her
fear and seized the opportunity to approach the king,
even though she might die, she became a person of
great dignity. She said: Better to serve God even if
I fail, than to fail to serve God. What a wonderful at-
titude and a courageous one.
2. We all live moment by moment with the opportu-
nity to serve God. Everyday acts have eternal conse-
quences for all human beings. We affect each other
and what we do really matters, because we are made
in the image of God.
3. God is at work both in the ordinary and miracu-
lous, in good and bad times, through the rich but
more often through the poor. God works in coinci-
dences, sometimes called visible moments of grace;
but God is also working when the coincidences or
miracles are not seen. This, Peter called the invisible
grace, which is constant and ongoing. We need to
trust God is working all the time in everything that
happens, good and evil.
4. We must be careful not to let Gods love of the
individual supersede the fact God cares about his
people as a group; the flock, the church. He said:
You are here to be a blessing to your community. It
made me wonder how God wants us as a church to
bless our community this year.
Missionaries spoke about the work of God in differ-
ent areas of the world they were serving. It was won-
derful to hear more from Jon and Deb, our link
missionaries in Indonesia, who thanked us for pay-
ing them to have coffee with the people God has
brought into their path. They have formed some spe-
cial relationships they hope will lead to deepening
trust and sharing the Gospel in the future. They will
attend Leongathas church camp in March.
Lindsay Browne, a gifted evangelist and head of the
Lausanne World Congress on World Evangelism, told
stories of people coming to Christ after experiencing
the love of Christ from Christians.
Bishop Mouneer Anis, Anglican bishop of Egypt and
much of northern Africa, shared his understanding of
recent political changes in Egypt and many other
Arab nations in Africa. He demystified Islam and said
most Muslims appreciate friendship and respectful di-
alogue with Christians. He explained we do not need
to fear Muslims, just befriend them.
The music was uplifting and fellowship such an en-
couragement. It was a blessing to be able to spend a
few days being inspired in so many ways. I recom-
mend SUTS next year, even for day visitors.
A local perspective


Owned and operated by Ray & Maree Anderson

With care & dignity, we serve
South Gippsland and Phillip Island

Main Office:
WONTHAGGI/INVERLOCH (03) 5672 1074
176-178 Graham Street, Wonthaggi, 3995 Fax: (03) 5672 1747

PHILLIP ISLAND (03) 5952 5171
15 Warley Avenue, Cowes, 3922 (by appointment only)
Email: randm33@bigpond.net.au

Pre-paid & pre-arranged funeral plans available.

CARING & PERSONAL 24 HOUR SERVICE

MLM8L8 Cl AuS18ALlAn lunL8AL ul8LC1C8S ASSCClA1lCn
March 2012 Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries 5
The Gippsland Anglican


Advance Notice
The Organ and More!
A Concert with a Difference for Lovers of
Inspirational Music
dK Voice&s
Hear the St Peters Allen Organ played by local organists,
joined by vocalists and instrumentalists

Sunday, June 17, at 2pm
^WAnglican Church, Leongatha

Admission $10 per adult (children free)
including Afternoon Tea

Proceeds to support events for local children, including
Christian Religious Education and Carols in the Drome.
RIGHT: Some photographs,
items and vestments on
display during a gathering
of Anglican Women of Aus-
tralia in Gippsland. The
50th anniversary celebra-
tion of AWA in Gippsland is
on March 6, at St Pauls An-
glican Cathedral in Sale,
beginning 9.30am. Angli-
cans Fair is a song for AWA
in Gippsland, written to mark the organisations 20th anniversary on October 6, 1982.
It was updated to celebrate the 40th anniversary, October 15, 2002 and verses were
added (see bottom of page). The song should be sung to the tune of Widdicombe Fair.
1. All Anglican women come gather around, All along, down along, out Gippsland way,
For a wonderful organisation weve found ...
Chorus:
With Evanne Garnsey, Gwen Graves, Miss Whitehead, Joyce Knife, all Anglican women
and all, all Anglican women and all.
2. Our foundation we owe to the work of Evanne, All along, down along, out Gippsland
way,
Her inspiration and vision gave birth to the plan ...
Chorus:
With Audrey McDonald, Elinor Scott, Val Manchester, Hazel Fuhrmeister, Mrs Holloway,
Margaret Smallbone, all Anglican women and all, all Anglican women and all.
3. Condensed, you can call us AWA, All along, down along, out Gippsland way,
Thats Anglican women in every way ...
Chorus:
With Audrey Delbridge, Eileen Cox, Shirley Ferguson, Joan McLaughlin, all Anglican
women and all, all Anglican women and all.
4. Our umbrella is up, but its not for the rain; All along, down along, out Gippsland way,
It unites us in Christ as we serve in his name ...
Chorus:
With Audrey Matthews, Jenny Rainsford, Fay Woodward, Nell Jones, Joan Less, all An-
glican women and all, all Anglican women and all.
5. Weve got Guild ladies, Mission maids, Choristers, too, All along, down along, out
Gippsland way,
GFS, YMD and the girls of MU ...
Chorus:
With Joan Chynoweth, Anita Johns, Judy Reynolds, Rosemay Cooper, Jan Huggins, Anne
Connelly, all Anglican women and all, all Anglican women and all.
6. Were Australia wide, even over the sea, All along, down along, out Gippsland way,
Anglican women together in His service, free ..
Chorus:
With Annabel Gibson, Ena Sheumack, Jenny Ross, Cherry Ireland, Beryl Llewellyn, Mar-
garet Pamphlet, all Anglican women and all, all Anglican women and all.
7. At our workshops we share and we learn with a will, All along, down along, out Gipp-
sland way,
With confidence boosters and many a skill ...
Chorus:
With Elvie Olden, Beryl Brien, Pat Cameron, Michele Chidgey, Pam Pincini, Jenny Mac-
Robb, all Anglican women and all, all Anglican women and all.
8. Our rallies are known from the hills to the sea, All along, down along, out Gippsland
way,
We worship, talk, listen and drink lots of tea ...
Chorus:
With Valerie Jones, Joyce Elliot, Edna South, Ethel Armstrong, Heather Baker, Marion
Jones, Claudette Mogensen, all Anglican women and all, all Anglican women and all.
9. When alls said and done, is it worth the time? All along, down along, out Gippsland
way,
We attest, its the best! is our answer in rhyme ...
Chorus:
With Merrill Johnston, Janet Wallis, Pam Davies, Margaret Scott, Neila Peart, Peggie
Arthur, Roma Durham, Jane Macqueen, Lindy Driver, all Anglican women and all,
all Anglican women and all.
(With acknowledgements to Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy, Danl
Widdon, Harry Oak, Old Uncle Tom Cobbley and all; and grateful thanks to the 20th an-
niversary author of the verses, Reverend Tom Binks. The new verses are all the choruses
following verses 2 to 9.)
Anglicans
Fair at 50
AUSTRALIAs first Bible Museum, in St Arnaud, Victoria,
is now open, with free entry to all, including guided tours.
The museum is open five days weekly, Tuesday to Satur-
day, in Napier St, St Arnaud. Plenty of free parking is
available on the street directly out the front of the Mu-
seum. The Museum is wheelchair friendly with plenty of
ramps instead of stairs. Free tea and coffee is also avail-
able.
Displays are constantly changing as new items are added
to the collection. The displays include history of the Bible,
bibles from around the world, the 400th anniversary of
the King James Bible and illuminated manuscripts.
The museum contains more than 1100 Bibles, together
with models and artefacts associated with the bible mes-
sage. There are educational displays of many types, in-
cluding the history of the bible in English.
The bible collection has original bibles printed 400 years
ago, as well as the most recent modern editions. The col-
lected age of the bibles is about 15,000 years.
There are also displays focussing on fruits and food of
the bible, women of the bible, musical instruments of the
bible, coins and stamps related to the bible and archeol-
ogy and the bible. Visitors can also see Jewish oil lamps
and buildings in the bible, such as the Jewish Temples,
Tabernacle, Masada and Patriarchs Tomb.
Online at http://www.thebm.com.au or telephone 03
5495 1169.
Bible museum
is now open
6 Our Diocese - Celebrating Ordained Women March 2012
The Gippsland Anglican
By Jeanette Severs
JANET Wallis felt an early
call to ministry. But, like
Elizabeth Alfred who was
interviewed in The Gipps-
land Anglican February
issue, Janet thought her
call to ministry meant she
would need to marry a cler-
gyman. Thankfully, times
changed, the Anglican
Church in Australia decided
to ordain women and even-
tually Janet was able to fol-
low her calling to become a
priest.
Notwithstanding the call to
ministry in her late teen
years, Janet remained ac-
tive in the Anglican Church.
She qualified and worked as
a teacher, married and
spent 10 years raising a
family before returning to
emergency teaching and a
role as a family day care
field worker.
It was a move to Gipps-
land when her husband,
Peter Wallis, was appointed
Registrar of the diocese,
that saw her increase her
involvement in lay ministry.
I still felt a call to ministry
but my conversations with
God were along the lines of
well, God, you dont mean
me, you mean my husband
or son, Janet said.
The lay reader role in Sale
parish, alongside Peter, de-
veloped into visiting and
preaching and Janet felt in-
creasingly comfortable with
what was happening. She
sought guidance and
Bishop Arthur Jones, then
serving Gippsland Diocese,
encouraged Janet to take
up some theological study
and explore the ministry
role, taking responsibility
for pastoral visiting, leading
worship and preaching at
first Giffard, then Seaspray.
As my pastoral and litur-
gical skills developed, the
path explored felt right and
the sense of Gods guidance
strong.
With some doubts remain-
ing, Janet returned to
teaching fulltime, with a
focus on working with chil-
dren with special needs.
At the end of 12 months,
I knew my passion was for
people to know the Gospel
and Gods grace. So I had
to make a decision and I
was led by my passion, em-
bracing a call to ministry.
Janet was ordained dea-
con in December, 1997 and
was appointed to Rosedale
parish from January 1998.
This was a part time ap-
pointment as deacon-in-
charge and lasted until
2001. During this time she
was ordained priest (1999).
Rosedale was the fulfil-
ment of all I thought min-
istry should be, working
with people to move the
church to different forms of
worship, Janet recalled.
It was a very supportive
congregation and the peo-
ple shared responsibility
between myself and other
leaders in the Rosedale
parish.
After a time, Janet felt she
needed to move on and an
opportunity arose to be the
priest-in-charge of Mirboo
North parish; this enabled
her to live and minister in
the same community.
At Mirboo North, there
was a real, genuine love
and faith of the people in
the church. The people in
the congregation live the
scriptures day to day. The
congregation was involved
in ministry and had a real
willingness to be involved in
the community.
Janet was rector in Mirboo
North parish from 2001 to
2007, before taking up the
role of priest-in-charge at
Leongatha parish.
Mirboo North and Leon-
gatha are similar in that, at
the time of her appoint-
ment to each parish, the
congregations were grow-
ing; and over time, each
congregation has slowed in
that growth and reduced in
numbers.
Leongatha parish was
and is keen to try new di-
rections, Janet said. Leon-
gatha parish was featured
in the November 2009 issue
of The Gippsland Anglican.
Janet is currently fo-
cussing on exploring new
ways of being flexible and
energising people in the
parish to develop the next
steps in ministry, for herself
and for others.
I am also exploring my
role in ministering to the
people of the parish, she
said.
Ive always believed, as a
teacher, you should do reg-
ular assessments; I have
brought that into my min-
istry role.
Janet is conscious of her
role in Leongatha parishs
focus on intentional and
purposeful ministry but
feels caught between con-
centrating on growth in
numbers of people in the
congregation or spiritual
growth of the people al-
ready part of the church.
I am reflecting on what is
the best sort of ministry for
the parish at this moment,
she said.
Janet has held, and does
hold, other responsibilities
in the diocese. She is one of
three Rural Deans in the
diocese. Her responsibilities
include meeting with lay
people in the deanery re-
gion, three times annually,
and facilitating opportuni-
ties to come together for
learning. She offers pas-
toral support to clergy in
the region and is responsi-
ble for some parish prop-
erty matters in the region,
such as building projects.
Her responsibilities are
shared with the Archdeacon
in the southern region.
Janet became chaplain of
the Anglican Women of
Australia Gippsland group
and remembers with love
and contentment the min-
istry of the women in AWA.
She helped to facilitate and
supported executive com-
mittee meetings and at-
tended the tri-ennial AWA
conference in Traralgon.
The conference enabled
her to meet AWA members
from throughout Australia
and internationally. Her ex-
ample of chaplaincy en-
couraged other AWA groups
to return to their diocese
and ask their bishop to ap-
point a chaplain.
I really appreciated AWA
members focus on sup-
porting parishes in this dio-
cese, in other dioceses and
overseas. I really enjoyed
being involved with some-
thing organised by lay peo-
ple; people coming
together for a common pur-
pose, she said.
Janet drew similarities
with the involvement of lay
people in Cursillo. Her own
involvement includes at-
tending Cursillo while living
in Bathurst diocese and, on
moving to Gippsland, be-
coming further involved. As
a priest, she has been spir-
itual adviser to a number of
Cursillo teams in Gippsland.
Cursillo has helped me
grow my faith, learn in
practical terms what it
means to be part of the
body of Christ, loved and
supported by other peo-
ple,Janet said.
Through Cursillo I have
also been honored to hear
lay people talking about
their faith.
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cle about Reverend Eliza-
beth Alfred, Kay
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t c A g n ki an B e th f 1959.
Janet led by Gods guiding hand
Rowan
Williams
speaks in
debate on
women
bishops
THE Church of Englands
General Synod is currently
looking at the legislative
process designed to make it
possible for women to be
bishops while making pro-
vision for those who, for
theological reasons, will not
be able to receive their
ministry.
The Archbishop of Canter-
bury intervened during the
General Synod debate on
the Business Committees
Report on the Reference of
the Draft Bishops and
Priests (Consecration and
Ordination of Women)
Measure to the Dioceses.
Following debate and
amendment, the motion:
That this Synod call upon
the House of Bishops, in
exercise of its powers
under Standing Order
60(b), to amend the draft
Bishops and Priests (Conse-
cration and Ordination of
Women) Measure in the
manner proposed by the
Archbishops of Canterbury
and York at the Revision
Stage for the draft Meas-
ure.
was carried in the follow-
ing form:
That this Synod (a) noting
the significant support the
draft Bishops and Priests
(Consecration and Ordina-
tion of Women) Measure
has received in the Houses
of Bishops, Clergy and Laity
of diocesan synods, and (b)
desiring that the draft
Measure be returned to the
Synod for consideration on
the Final Approval Stage
substantially unamended
so that it can be seen if the
proposals embodied in it in
the form in which it has
been referred to the dioce-
ses can attain the level of
support required to achieve
Final Approval, request the
House of Bishops in the ex-
ercise of its power under
Standing Order 60(b) not
to amend the draft Measure
substantially.
The Archbishop, Dr Rowan
Williams, stated he felt the
church wanted clarity about
a single structure for the
diocesan episcopate; to see
bishops being bishops
rather than different kinds
of bishops with different
kinds of powers; and to
make provision for a minor-
ity that respects their theo-
logical integrity and their
need for pastoral continuity
and ecclesial integrity.
His views are detailed at
http//www.aco.org/acns/ne
ws.cfm/2012/2/9/ACNS503
1
March 2012 Our Diocese - Children and Family Ministries 7
The Gippsland Anglican
THE Diocese of Gambia,
part of the worldwide Angli-
can Communion, at its re-
cent Synod, resolved to
extend the reach and in-
volvement of Mothers
Union and youth in its
parishes.
The Diocese of Gambia
comprises the republics of
Gambia, Senegal and Cape
Verde Islands and the
diocesan population is
8,375,867 people.
This years Diocesan
Synod in Gambia called for
diocesan organisations to
be established in all
parishes and membership
opened to anyone inter-
ested to join.
In a statement issued fol-
lowing the Ninth Synod of
the Diocese of Gambia at St
Marys Cathedral, Banjul,
members resolved That
Diocesan Organisation such
as Mothers Union and the
Anglican Young Peoples As-
sociation should be estab-
lished in all parishes and
membership be extended
to all those interested. A
special effort must be made
to reach out to women at St
Cuthberts and Church of
the African Martyrs.
The Synod went on to rec-
ommend the Youth Min-
istry be challenged to be
more active in 2012 and
subsequent years than they
have been in 2011; more-
over that special and con-
certed attention plus
encouragement be given to
their ministry.
To that end, all parishes
have been asked to allow
the youths to participate in
the Sunday Service at least
once a month, in an at-
tempt to encourage youths
to be more active.
A major theme of this
years Synod was the Mil-
lennium Development
Goals, in particular goals
three to five: to promote
gender equality and em-
power women; to reduce
child mortality; to improve
maternal health. These will
be a focus during the com-
ing synodal period.
Diocesan Bishop, Dr
Solomon Tilewa Johnson,
said in his charge to Synod:
Last year we reflected
upon Millennium Develop-
ment goals one and two.
The common theme is that
of social action in our
Church. This is not at all di-
vorced from our ministry in
evangelism and the nurture
of believers.
St Francis used to say to
his followers, go and
preach the Gospel, using
words if necessary. It is
possible to reveal the
Gospel through our actions;
that is, the incarnational
approach.
The full statements are at
http://bit.ly/weoDND
Source: http://www.angli-
cancommunion.org/acns/n
ews.cfm/2012/2/16/ACNS5
039 dated February 16,
2012.
ABOVE: At a mainly music activity in Warragul at the end
of last year, were Vanessa Barry and Kaelan Lowe.
Photo: Bev Foster
Gambia Synod
encourages MU
and youth focus
across diocese
Color-in picture
Copyright: Bible Society Australia
Nativity set used with honor
RIGHT: Each Christmas, St
Augustines Anglican church
of San Remo, in Bass Phillip
Island parish, holds an
evening family carols and
readings service. Each fam-
ily at the service takes up
pieces of a nativity set
made by Chris Robins many
years ago. Readings are
appropiate with that part of
the service. The nativity
scene is behind the chil-
dren. Reverend Dawn
Robins and Chris began the
service many years ago and
have left a lasting memory
for us all to share in.
Photo: Roma Caulfield
8 Our Diocese - Youth, Children and Family Ministries March 2012
The Gippsland Anglican
By Russell Powell
THE long-awaited Gonski
report has the potential to
boost educational outcomes
and equity in the school
funding system, but only
with the recommended $5
billion cash injection ac-
cording to a senior Anglican
educator.
On February 20, business-
man David Gonski unveiled
a series of recommenda-
tions including a one-off
boost to address what the
report describes as imbal-
ances and lack of co-ordi-
nation in funding and a
significant gap developing
between low and high-per-
forming students.
Other measures would in-
clude collecting national
data to boost resources for
students with disabilities,
encouraging philanthropy in
schooling, and establishing
a Schooling Resource Stan-
dard (SRS) as the basis of
the funding model for state
and private schools.
The principal of St An-
drews Cathedral School, Dr
John Collier, was at the re-
port launch in Canberra. Dr
Collier is chair of the Asso-
ciation of Heads of Inde-
pendent Schools in
NSW/ACT and a member of
the Anglican Education
Commission.
He says the document,
two years in the making,
contains several promising
initiatives including the SRS
scheme.
The notion is a good one
in terms of a base that ap-
plies to all schools, with
loadings for indicators of
disadvantage which are
open to non-government
schools as well as govern-
ment schools. The method-
ology for assessing school
achievement is more prob-
lematic as it would be
based on the NAPLAN test-
ing, which is a narrow
method of assessment and
was never meant for this
purpose.
Dr Collier believes overall
non-government schools,
including church schools,
could benefit if the entire
report was adopted.
At the top end, I doubt
there would be any increase
at all in funding, quite pos-
sibly a reduction. But bear
in mind that most of the
schools in our sector, de-
spite the stereotypes, are
not high income schools.
Most independent schools
in Australia and many An-
glican schools are included,
are not at the most affluent
end of the range and stu-
dents in those sort of
schools could expect to
benefit by having more re-
sources available, Dr Col-
lier said.
Already School Education
Minister Peter Garrett has
ruled out a mutli-billion dol-
lar injection to the system
but the government says it
will now begin work on the
next stages in developing a
new funding model for
schools. Based on the Gon-
ski report, it will take a set
of funding principles to the
next meeting of the states
and territories.
Dr Collier believes that is a
disappointing result consid-
ering the amount Gonski
argued for is only a 15 per
cent rise in the education
budget or .05 per cent of
Gross Domestic Product. Al-
ready, Australia ranks near
the bottom on the OECD
scale of comparable coun-
tries, in terms of education
spending.
Chief executive of the
Sydney Anglican Schools
Corporation, Dr Laurie
Scandrett, described the
report as a great step for-
ward but is also worried
the government will delay
providing the extra funding
needed to back the Gonski
findings.
Were concerned the gov-
ernment will not, in the
foreseeable future, imple-
ment significant parts of
the report such as the in-
troduction of a schooling
resource standard and the
recommendation to fund a
greater proportion of school
capital works.
The government has
pointed to the expenditure
on the Building the Educ-
tion Revolution (BER)
school hall program as evi-
dence of its significant con-
tribution to capital works
for schools.
Theyll really need to be
prepared to put dollars to-
wards it or it defeats the
purposes of the equity
measures contained in the
report, Dr Collier said.
Theres a mismatch be-
tween politicians demands
that we be the clever coun-
try and the resourcing that
is available to make it so.
February 20, 2012
www.sydneyanglicans.net/
news
Important Information
This summer, electricity businesses will be modifying their powerline safety settings to reduce the risk of bushres. This may delay restoring power
if a fault occurs. Consider your need for back-up power if you are highly reliant on electricity. Remember power outages can also affect phones,
radios and water pumps.
Hove o bottery-pcwered rod|c ond spore botter|es cr o w|nd-up rod|c ovo||ob|e tc heor o|erts ond worn|ngs |n cose pcwer fo||s,
Hove o |ond||ne w|th o ccrd, o fu||y chorged mcb||e phcne os bockup ond o spore bottery ond,
Hove o ncn-e|ectr|c pump ovo||ob|e thot con be cperoted frcm on o|ternot|ve woter supp|y
such as a swimming pool, concrete or metal tank, or dam.
If you lose power, contact your electricity distribution business on the
Faults and Emergencies number on your most recent electricity bill.
8e prepored. Fcr mcre |nfcrmot|cn gc tc www.esv.v|c.gcv.ou
ABOVE: Richard Lanham (centre) after his induction as
assistant minister youth and families, for the Sale parish
and the Gippsland diocese, in February. Richard is pictured
with Bishop John McIntyre, Dean Dr Don Saines and his
sons, Elijah, Jack and Jacob and wife, Julie Lanham.
Contributor/Photo: Christine Morris
Gonski report can boost education
ABOVE: Youth participants at the Summer under the Son conference at Philip Island in
January, hosted by Church Missionary Society (CMS).
Photo: Andrew Astley
ABOVE: Former exchange student at St Pauls Anglican
Grammar School, Natsuru Saito, recently graduated with
Honors in Aeronautical Space Design at Melbourne Uni-
versity. The Japanese exchange student arrived at St
Pauls in 2007 with very little English, no Australian friends
and a lot of courage. When asked his career ambitions
back then, he replied: I would like to graduate from an
Australian University and work in aerospace design. In a
recent visit to St Pauls, Natsuru and his mother, Mrs Saiko
Saito, thanked the staff and students for their continual
support and care of Natsuru during his time at the school.
Natsuru returned to Japan to work in his chosen field.
March 2012 Our Diocese - Youth Ministries 9
The Gippsland Anglican


The Anglican Diocese of Gippsland does not
tolerate abuse, misconduct and harm in its
Christian community.

The Diocese is committed to ensuring all people in contact
with the Church can participate in a safe and responsible
environment. If you may have been harmed by a church
worker, or know someone who has, please come forward.

The Director of Professional Standards, Cheryl Russell, is
available, and will maintain confidentiality, on telephone
03 5633 1573, on mobile 0407 563313, or email
cherylrussell1@bigpond.com
OFFICE OF THE Director of
Professional Standards
ABOVE: Gippsland Grammar inducted its 2012 prefects and school captains at a special
service at its Garnsey Campus in February. The ceremony was followed by morning tea
for students, school dignitaries and parents. Back row: Elliot Shaw, Executive Principal,
Mike Clapper, Chelsea Fernandez, Ben Emonson, Maddie Crombie, Jake Lauria, Lydia
Evans, Ben Lawless, Cara Penton, Riley McLaren, Indiarna Ellis and Head of School, Jan
Henry.Front row: Tom Johnston, Vice Captain Anna Bourke, School Captain Jack Daw-
son, School Captain Laura McConville, Vice Captain Nick Robinson and Stephanie Bar-
nett.
Photo: Lisa Baker Photography
RIGHT: St Pauls Anglican
Grammar school principal,
Lisa Moloney, received, on
behalf of the students and
community, an Aboriginal
flag from local elder, Mrs
Dot Mullett, and Mr Russell
Broadbent. This year, St
Pauls celebrates its 30 year
anniversary. Ms Moloney
said it is timely the school
is recognised for efforts to-
wards reconciliation and its
ongoing relationship with
the Aboriginal community.
Mr Broadbent addressed
the students about their
potential to contribute to
the wellbeing of all Aus-
tralians, including those in
rural and indigenous com-
munities. St Pauls students
Dylan Proctor, Ebony Proc-
tor and Tanika Jensen-
Thain assisted principal, Ms
Lisa Moloney, Mr Russell
Broadbent and Mrs Dot
Mullett, to raise the Aborig-
inal flag at the school.
Aboriginal honor
for St Pauls
YOUNG Anglican peacebuilders from
countries damaged by conflict will get a
chance to participate in a unique workshop
being organised by the Anglican Alliance in
July. The program will enable young Angli-
cans from Africa, Asia and Latin America a
chance to look at ways to prevent conflict
and build the role of women in peace-
building initiatives.
Focussing on the role of conflict as a bar-
rier to development, it will give the young
people a chance to share best practice and
experiences across the Anglican Commun-
ion. It takes forward the commitment from
the Anglican Alliances global consultation
to put peace and reconciliation at the heart
of its work. The program will run in con-
junction with the Community of the Cross
of Nails, established at Coventry Cathedral
after its wartime devastation.
The Peacebuilders Exchange: Trans-
forming conflict, Changing Lives is a 10
day program designed to develop the
peacebuilding skills of young Anglican
leaders. It will explore the challenge of
conflict as a barrier to successful develop-
ment and allow participants to share ex-
amples of best practice in conflict
transformation across the Anglican Com-
munion.
The initiative will allow young people to
develop peacebuilding leadership skills and
ask them to identify how they can be re-
sourced, sustained and affirmed in their
current roles. Participants will be chal-
lenged to consider the influence of the past
on understanding conflict in the present,
ways of building peace in multicultural and
interfaith contexts and the role of the
church in building sustainable peace. They
will also examine the role of women as me-
diators and sustainers of peace.
Workshop for young peacebuilders
ABOVE: Youth at the Summer under the Son mission con-
ference on Philip Island in January.
Photo: Andrew Astley
Note from the Edi-
tor: Due to a tech-
nological glitch,
emails sent prior
to February 16
were lost. If you
sent information
that has not ap-
peared in this
issue of The Gipp-
sland Anglican, or
has not been ac-
k n o w l e d g e d ,
please send this
information again,
to editor@gipp-
sanglican.org.au
10 Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries - Links with Gahini Diocese March 2012
The Gippsland Anglican
AFTER last years final VCE
exams were complete, a
group of six year 12 stu-
dents from Gippsland
Grammar and St Pauls An-
glican Grammar, in defiance
of the schoolies tradition,
left Australia somewhat
more purposefully for a
two-week community serv-
ice expedition to Gahini dio-
cese, in Rwanda. This
possibility was brought to
life through the efforts of
Sarah Gover, Anglicares
Community Development
Officer in Gippsland, and
builds upon the already sig-
nificant connection existing
between the dioceses of
Gippsland and Gahini. This
article is based on a com-
munal diary written by the
youth and adult partici-
pants, conveying their im-
pressions of this amazing
cultural and life-changing
experience.
Day one, November 28,
2011: So much for being
scared of flying in a plane.
Rwandan driving at night
on the way to Gahini
topped all our fears, swerv-
ing around motorbike riders
into oncoming traffic and
avoiding the hundreds of
pedestrians who walk along
the edges of the roads. The
next morning we hiked to
the village of Gahini, up a
steep hill where women
carry jerry cans of water
from the lake. When word
go t out that we had fris-
bees and a soccer ball, the
children came running.
They loved seeing them-
selves on the displays of
our digital cameras and
were soon laughing as they
used the cameras them-
selves. The children also
kept holding our hands,
asking for high fives and
handshakes and marvelling
over the difference in the
color of our skin. The great-
est thing about the children
is they seemed happy and
content and were happy to
play with the smallest
things, such as a frisbee, all
day.
Day two: Today we went
to Kiramuruzi, a town about
20 minutes away by road.
John, Mike and Jo hosted a
seminar for teachers and
everyone else went to a
local school, where we were
confronted with a swarm of
more than 400 children.
With the help of some
Canadians, who were also
here on a community proj-
ect, we settled them and
got the pleasure of watch-
ing them dancing and
singing for us. Their voices
are amazing, it was so gor-
geous. Three hours later,
leaving to hundreds of
waves, we were so ex-
hausted. The poverty was
more evident on the car
ride, as you see children no
older than six years carry-
ing jerry cans, bananas or
tending to crops. It makes
me never want to say no to
mums request to empty
the dishwasher ever again!
(Britt)
Day three: It was Sarah
and Daves 15th wedding
anniversary, so they were
commanded by Bishop
Alexis to have a day in Ki-
gali; I hope they had a fan-
tastic time because they
sure deserve it. While most
of the group tripped off to
Nyagatari, to run education
seminars or play with the
children, Melissa, Aiden and
I went to the rehabilitation
centre and hospital for the
morning. I met with the
South African medical stu-
dents and they showed me
the hospital, which was big-
ger and more impressive
than I imagined. We were
required to find the total
surface area of a childs
skin (who had Burkits lym-
phoma) in order to admin-
ister the correct amount of
chemotherapy. In theatre, I
witnessed a sterilisation op-
eration and then I wit-
nessed my first caesarean.
It was so amazing. The
baby was the second of
twins but had not de-
scended properly and was
becoming distressed. There
was a touch-and-go mo-
ment. The hospital has no
neonatal resuscitation or
heart machines, yet the
baby was fine within min-
utes thanks to the simple
methods of the Rwandan
midwives. That amazing
experience was followed by
a group of children coming
up to us on our way home
and showering us with hugs
and high-fives; quite a few
of us were contemplating
taking the children home.
(Ella)
Day four: Today a group of
us visited a school in Rugu-
rama. What seemed like a
small school actually had
more than 600 students.
The school seemed to lack
a play area; however, this
did not seem to deter the
children, for as soon as we
produced balls, they were
involved in every activity
we threw their way. Ini-
tially, there were not many
children; however, we were
led through a maze of
houses and with every door
we passed more bright and
wondrous faces joined our
troupe.
The morning activities
seemed to fly by and before
we knew it, we were thrust
in front of a group of teach-
ers to give our thoughts on
what made a good teacher.
Later in the afternoon,
Melissa, Jon and I went for
a walk and met some locals
along the road, giving us a
chance to try some of our
Kinyarwandan. (Aiden)
Day five: Today, Toni,
Jayde, Jo, Jon, Mike and I
went (along with Bishop
Alexiss son, Sam) to
Kabarore. Mike and Jon
worked with teachers from
the area and the rest of us
played with a group of chil-
dren. We played some
games and they told us
some stories. Today, Ella
was at the hospital, Britt
played with the kids in the
rehabilitation centre and
Dave and Aiden helped net-
work some computers in
the room at the school
which the blind students
use. After lunch, we took a
taxi bus to Kayunza to ex-
plore the markets. It was
really fun; we had a group
of kids follow us around the
market. A lot of us bought
some beautiful African ma-
terials for about 3500
francs (about $6). It made
it a lot easier to buy things
when we had our translator,
Valence. When we got
home, we went for a swim
and took a kayak down at
the lake; very peaceful!
(Melissa)
Day six: Our rest day
began with a typically late
start as we waited for our
bus drivers to take us to Ki-
gali for the day. The long
and bumpy ride was spent
deep in conversation for
some, but for others play-
ing I Spy and 20 ques-
tions. Once in Kigali, we
headed straight to the
Genocide museum and me-
morial centre. All of us were
moved by the terrifying sto-
ries of the genocide in
1994. After a meal, it was
time to shop. After a visit to
the foreign exchange, we
spent half an hour in the
supermarket buying missed
items such as chocolate and
croissants. We were sur-
prised at how cheap things
were. Around the corner,
we found a tourist souvenir
shop which had a variety of
wooden carvings, clothing
and jewellery. We went
crazy in here and after half
an hour were satisfied and
thought we had spent lots
of money but when trans-
lated, it was hardly any-
thing in Australian currency.
The ride home was filled
with Mike and Jon singing
all the Christian hymns to
try and find something to
sing to the Tanzanian choir
who will visit us tomorrow.
(Toni)
Day seven: Jesus is alive
and well is the name of a
song the Rays of Hope
have just been singing at
our celebration evening.
Jesus is alive for these peo-
ple, is what is in my mind
this morning as we arrived
at the parish of Kiramuruzi
(Toni, Jo and myself; the
others were at the service
at Gahini Cathedral). It was
a truly unforgettable time.
From the moment we ar-
rived, the singing was hap-
pening.
As the service started, the
choirs took their turn to
sing. I guess what had an
impact on me was the lack
of inhibition of the Africans
and their beautiful singing.
Canon Patrick did the trans-
lation of my sermon and
there was a response of
about 10 people who
wanted to start following
and trusting Jesus; others
wanted to confess their
sins. Afterward, we found
out this has been normal

The Church, over the years, has been blessed with the generosity of Anglicans and others in support
of its mission. One way you can support this ideal in a relatively easy way, is to make a gift through
your will. In the first instance, of course, you will consider carefully the needs of your immediate
family and friends before proceeding with a bequest to the church.
We offer a way of helping you to carry out your wishes. Your gift, through your bequest, will be very
much appreciated. You may wish to support the Diocese of Gippsland as a whole, or your own parish,
or for a particular purpose.
Making your bequest in your Will is a simple procedure, although in preparing or amending your Will
you should always consult a solicitor. The Registrar of the Diocese of Gippsland has information to
assist you in making a bequest, including the form of words you and your solicitor might want to use.
Telephone Brian Norris on 03 5144 2044, or go to www.gippsanglican.org.au
A LASTING GIFT: A bequest to the
Anglican Diocese of Gippsland or your parish
Leaving Gippsland;
next stop: Gahini
Gahini Cathedral
continued next page
March 2012 Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries - Links with Gahini Diocese 11
The Gippsland Anglican
from previous page
for about six months.
There would have been 400
adults at the service and
150 children; an incredible
morning.
The Tanzanian choir ar-
rived late afternoon and
came for a walk past our
units. Everyone was so
friendly and many photos
were taken of the Tanzani-
ans and Australians to-
gether. We made our way to
the outdoor entertainment
area before dinner to listen
to the choir warming up.
This was great because in
the midst of the singing
everybody was dancing, so
we all joined in. The formal
evening started with the
choirs sharing their songs
and some traditional danc-
ing. Bishop Alexis spoke
about the importance of
young people feeling wel-
come in the church; the
older people are the ones
with the resources for the
younger ones to partici-
pate. Lots to think about for
the Anglican Church in
Gippsland! (Jon)
Day eight: A day of vari-
ety; many tasks to be com-
pleted. An unexpected and
sad start to the day when
we learn of the death of an
ex-staff member at St
Pauls. We lit candles and
said a prayer for him at
breakfast. Jon and Mike
headed to Karangazi with
Bishop Alexis to give an-
other seminar to local
teachers.
Jo and Ella headed for the
hospital to complete the
grading of the 120 pairs of
glasses, generously do-
nated by the Sale commu-
nity. This takes time as the
machine was archaic but
we had fun doing it. Britt,
Aiden, Toni, Mel and Jayde
went to the rehabilitation
centre to work with the chil-
dren. Britt gave her new
little friend there a new
dress which fitted beauti-
fully and gave great pleas-
ure.
Several of us met up at
Berthas to work on the
Gippsland card order (1500
cards); a mammoth task
for the small group of dis-
abled workers in Gahini.
This was the evening of the
Great Debate involving
some of the local young-
sters mixed in teams with
some of our students and
debating the topic Young
people have a significant
role in strengthening the
church. Britt stole the show
with a wonderful perform-
ance as final speaker for
the affirmative team. (Jo)
Day nine: An African day.
Mid-morning, Mannaseh
collected Jo, Sarah and
Dave for a visit to Matare,
Maffras link parish. On the
drive, Mannaseh spoke of
his experience as a refugee
in Uganda, being allocated
the worst land infested with
tsetse flies (or no land at
all); no access to educa-
tion; unwanted and without
rights. This was his journey
and reflecting on it gives
him a gratefulness to God.
Just past Rugurama, we
turned off the bitumen. The
last 10 kilometres to Matare
was a one-lane, rutted and
eroded dirt track. Eventu-
ally the road passed over a
small crest and we were
there. The village was an
old childrens slide and
swing set, the ministers
house, a Compassion Inter-
national office, a school and
the church, a one-and-a-
half metre brick perimeter
wall with a timber and tar-
paulin structure for the
sanctuary.
Stepping out of the car
and looking around, we
were in one of the most
beautiful places in the
world, surrounded by green
hills covered with forest and
banana plants and crops. I
loved this place. Parish
council was meeting in a
school classroom. Man-
naseh led us into the meet-
ing and immediately the
council broke out into a
song of greeting; beautiful
voices, friendly smiles. We
were welcomed and asked
to speak before presenting
a gift from Maffra parish to
Pastor Francis.
Francis told us about
Matare parish. The parish
has four congregations and
6512 believers on their
church roll. Despite being
told our visit was only brief,
Francis and his wife, Shan-
tal, invited us into their
house for a drink, which,
once inside, became a deli-
cious Rwandan meal. Dur-
ing the meal, rain began.
We were told that as soon
as we finished lunch we
would have to leave as the
track would become im-
passable. I left, moved by
the isolation, by the beauty,
by the hospitality, the re-
silience, endurance, faith,
passion and vision. (Dave)
Day ten: Our last full day
in Rwanda. In the morning,
Jon and Mike had their last
session with the Gahini
teachers, which went well,
particularly when Aiden
came to answer questions
at the end. The others were
up in the rehabilitation cen-
tre finishing the cards. In
the afternoon, we had a
meeting with Bishop Alexis
to discuss future possibili-
ties for the Gippsland and
Gahini relationship.
Then the fun started. We
were all given a present
from Gahini as well as two
CDs from the Rays of Hope
choir which we enjoyed
hearing on Sunday. Felician
and some of the other sen-
ior choir members had gone
to a great deal of trouble to
prepare these.
The women in the group
received traditional cos-
tumes and were required to
try them on and make their
spectacular re-entrance.
Great thought had gone
into matching colors of
dresses and necklaces with
complexions and personali-
ties and the combined ef-
fect was amazing. But it
did not end there. They had
to learn the traditional
Rwandan dance (which
took a while) while the men
cheered.
However, the mens turn
was to come and we spent
a merry 30 minutes stomp-
ing to the rhythm of African
drums. For me, the high-
light of the whole trip un-
folded in the next few
hours, as the choir mem-
bers first sang to us and
then taught us some of
their songs, which we were
able to sing together. We
then reciprocated by teach-
ing them Jesus, Lover of
my Soul which, after a few
practices, they sang far
better than we ever could.
They are such instinctive
musicians with beautiful
voices but are incredibly
patient with us. A very spe-
cial evening.
Day eleven: Thursday, De-
cember 8; goodbye,
Rwanda. After the amazing
farewell, we headed to our
rooms to pack. We had only
just begun when the power
went out, so packing con-
tinued by candlelight. The
girls abandoned the task,
deciding to sleep and finish
packing in the morning. We
got up at 5am; still no
power, so cold showers and
packing in the dark. Al-
though the vehicles were a
little late, we made it to the
airport with time to spare
and flew to Nairobi via Bu-
jumbura (Burundi). Once
landed, through immigra-
tion, gathering luggage,
customs and money-chang-
ing, we found our tour
guides and climbed into two
eight-seater vans; the lux-
ury of space. As we drove
to our guest house, we
passed a herd of giraffe.
Timothy at the guest
house remembered Dave
and I from last year. We
found our rooms, went for a
swim, had hot showers and
generally relaxed before
dinner and bed. (Sarah)
Days twelve and thirteen:
Kenya Safari. The next
morning, we left the guest
house in our safari vans at
8am to travel to Lake
Nakuru National Park. Dur-
ing the drive, a lot of us re-
alised how different Kenya
is from Rwanda and the dif-
ferent levels of poverty in
the two countries. On the
drive, we saw lots of
gazelles and zebras, which
made us really excited to
get to the safari park.
Eventually we got to the
park gate where there were
lots of cute little monkeys.
Cute, but very cheeky and
likely to steal anything left
lying around. We got
through the gate and drove
to Lake Nakuru Lodge,
which was amazing, with a
fantastic view over the lake
from the rooms, a pool and
a bar.
During the next two days,
we had three extensive
trips into the park, seeing
white rhinos, impala, gi-
raffes, water buffalos, os-
triches, baboons, lions and
many more amazing wild
animals and birds. It was a
great way to unwind from
the incredible Rwandan ex-
perience which has
changed all of our lives.
(Jayde)
ABOVE: Rays of Hope choir at practice.
LEFT: During a service at Kiramaruzi church.
BELOW: In the school playground.
Photographers: Mike Clapper, Jo Cockwill,
Melissa Irving
12 Our Diocese - Jesus Christ Here and Now in Bruthen parish March 2012
The Gippsland Anglican
By Jeanette Severs
THE Bruthen Anglican
parish, situated east of
Bairnsdale, has traditionally
been blessed with a vibrant
and active community. It
includes the churches of St
Matthews Bruthen, St
Columbs Swan Reach and
St Marys Buchan. In the
past, services have been
held at Nicholson, Tambo
Upper and Gelantipy, too.
Traditionally, the parish has
been the training ground of
many lay ministers and
newly ordained priests.
The parishs slogan is
Making Christ Known and
underlies the current
priests focus.
The Bruthen community,
traditionally agricultural,
holds a number of activities
throughout the year and
the church has been regu-
larly involved. On the fourth
Saturday of the month, the
church hosts a devonshire
tea stall in the local hall.
Every month, lunch and
hoy are held for a large
group on Wednesday in the
hall at St Columbs Swan
Reach.
Ladies Guild and Mothers
Union have always been ac-
tive organisations in the
churches of Bruthen parish.
The annual Bruthen Blues
and Arts Festival on the
third weekend of February
each year includes a Sun-
day Gospel service. Last
year, the parish screened
the AFL grand final in St
Matthews church hall.
The hall has also been
used to screen films as part
of community outreach ac-
tivities.
The church has tradition-
ally participated in the
ANZAC Day service in
Bruthen and sometimes
been involved in providing a
blessing or leading prayer
at other community activi-
ties.
There has been an annual
parish dance and a signifi-
cant art and craft market
on the first weekend in Oc-
tober. Unfortunately, the art
and craft market retired a
couple of years ago.
Past activities have in-
cluded a Friday after-school
activity session for school
children and, at Swan
Reach, the local school has
traditionally attended a
Christmas service every
year.
Boorai Centre, a childcare
centre held in St Matthews
church hall four days
weekly, enables many
young families to be aware
of the church. The current
priest-in-charge, Tom
Killingbeck, has a young
family and his youngest two
children participate in the
Boorai Centres activities.
The op shop has a signifi-
cant role in Bruthen, being
the principal source of in-
come for the parish and
providing a six-day-a-week
service to the community,
with a score of volunteers
rostered to work regularly
both in the shop and in sup-
porting roles. The shop, it-
self, is a landmark in the
Bruthen landscape.
Recent changes include
building a storage shed on
the church site, for large
furniture items and out-of-
season clothes donated to
the shop.
A past Anglican Bishop,
Charles Murray (born
1899), grew up in Bruthen.
Charles Murrays parents
had a store in Bruthen. He
attended school in Bruthen
and Bairnsdale and went on
to Melbourne University and
Oxford.
Charles Murray was or-
dained in 1923 and held
several appointments be-
fore being consecrated
Bishop of the Riverina in
1944. While still Bishop, he
died in a aeroplane crash in
Western Australia in 1950.
Charles Murray was the first
Gippsland-born bishop in
the Anglican church. (Ref.:
Gibson E (2002) Great
Faithfulness.)
New incumbent
TOM Killingbeck, his wife,
Tanya, and their three
young children, moved to
Bruthens rectory while he
was still a lay minister, em-
ulating many who either
were appointed to the
parish in the past or who
took up the mantle of lay
ministry while a member of
the parish. Tom was or-
dained a priest in 2011 and
has brought a missional
focus to his ministry in the
parish. This stems from his
involvement in the
Covenant Players, a theatre
group with a focus on chris-
tian mission.
Tom says he felt a call to
be ordained six months
after he became a Christian
in 1995. This was some
years before he was or-
dained a deacon, but his
path led him into youth
ministry in Warragul parish.
In 2010, Tom and Tanya
were introduced to Bruthen
parish and he felt this was
a good move for him and
the community. Obviously
the parish agreed.
Tom has expressed an in-
terest in promoting the lay
ministry that has been a
strong component of the
history of the parish. He
feels it is unnecessary to
robe for regular Sunday
worship and is concerned
about the barriers that oth-
ers may perceive blocking
their entry to services. For
example, he is encouraging
people to think about where
they sit in the church and
how to open this up to wel-
come others.
I am looking to encour-
age others to learn about
leading services and break-
ing down perceived divi-
sions between clergy and
the people; between the
regular congregation and
visitors; and explaining jar-
gon.
The past 12 months, I
have been focussed on en-
suring everyone in the
parish is on the same
page, he said.
He has been introducing
small changes in an effort
to be more mission fo-
cussed in what we do. I
hope we can focus on being
a witness and example to
others within and outside
the church.
One initiative is FEZ, the
Friday Evening Service held
in the Killingbecks home.
Attendees gather at 5pm
for a shared meal. This is
followed by a talk with a
biblical theme, then discus-
sion for the adults and craft
activities for the children.
FEZ is particularly focussed
on young families, but does
not exclude others.
The motivation for FEZ is,
held at the end of the week,
the early meal means peo-
ple with young children can
attend and can go home
straight after and the chil-
dren are ready for bed,
Tom said.
Begun this year, FEZ is
slowly growing in numbers.
Another initiative is face-
book for the church. Tom
has also placed Bruthen
parish on the internet, with
its own facebook page. His
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PO Box 928, Sale, 3850. Enquiries, telephone 03 5144 2044.
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A focus on missional worship
continued next page
ABOVE: St Matthews church in Bruthen. The churches in Bruthen parish have been well
maintained by the congregations and memorial rose gardens are a feature at St
Matthews and at St Columbs Swan Reach.
Photo: Jeanette Severs
March 2012 Our Diocese - Jesus Christ Here and Now in Bruthen parish 13
The Gippsland Anglican
from previous page
experience shows this is a
fantastic way to connect
with youth and an addi-
tional and modern point of
contact for visitors, trav-
ellers and locals. It is an-
other way for me to link to
and communicate with the
community, he said.
CRE has been a regular in-
volvement of the parish and
Tom and Tanya have contin-
ued this, at Bruthen and
Tambo Upper primary
schools.
I am also praying for
more people to take up a
call to be lay ministers in
CRE, Tom said.
Music has been a regular
feature of services at St
Matthews for some time
and Tom is continuing to
encourage this. He plays
the guitar, Anker Ottosson
plays the accordion and An-
drea Faile plays clarinet for
services.
There have been alliances
with other congregations.
The Catholic congregation
in Bruthen used St
Matthews for monthly serv-
ices for the past couple of
years and the Uniting
Church service has been
held monthly for many
years.
Photographers: Jeanette
Severs, Tom Killingbeck,
Tanya Killingbeck, Carl
Rauth.
ABOVE and left: Memorial windows and rose bushes have
been a significant part of the congregations recognition of
fellow worshippers who have given much to the churchs
mission.
TOP left: Betty Albert, Tom
Killingbeck and Ruth Cot-
trell. Betty held the role, for
many years, of coordinator
of the annual art and craft
fair in Bruthen parish.
ABOVE: Tom Killingbeck
ready for FEZ, the Friday
evening service recently
begun at St Matthews
Bruthen.
ABOVE right: Andrea Faile,
Anker Ottosson and Tom
Killingbeck provide music.
RIGHT, below right and
below left: Among the
many volunteers at the op
shop are Odarka Gibbs and
Vel Calvert; Trisha Crack-
nell, Gail Pattison and Gle-
nis Doody; Jack Soar, Pat
East and Ruth Cottrell.
Some of the volunteers
work in other op shops in
the region.
14 Our Diocese - Jesus Christ Here and Now in Bruthen parish March 2012
The Gippsland Anglican
LEFT: These young people
met at a Scripture Union
beach mission at Wilsons
Promontory and, with Tom
Killingbecks encourage-
ment, brought their musical
talents to the gospel serv-
ice at the Bruthen blues
and arts festival.
BELOW: Some of the peo-
ple attending the outdoor
service at the Bruthen
blues and arts festival.
BELOW left: Cynthia Mc-
Stephen is a member of the
parish who also contributes
time to community activi-
ties. She was a volunteer at
the Bruthen blues and arts
festival in February.
Photos: Jeanette Severs
BELOW and below right: A massed choir performed at the
Bruthen Blues and Arts Festival in February. People from
Mallacoota to Canberra to west of Bairnsdale travelled to
Bruthen to perform in the choir.
Photos: Jeanette Severs
LEFT: Tanya Killingbeck leads Sunday school in
Bruthen parish and teaches CRE to the junior classes
at Bruthen and Tambo Upper primary schools.
Photo: Tom Killingbeck
RIGHT: Making fez hats for the FEZ, Friday evening
service, a new innovation in Bruthen parish. FEZ is en-
couraging people, especially young families, to join to-
gether at the rectory for a shared service, followed by
biblical talks, discussion and craft activities. It is based
on the ALPHA model of a shared meal followed by dis-
cussion on a biblical topic.
Photo: Tanya Killingbeck
March 2012 Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries 15
The Gippsland Anglican
MOE parishs annual outdoor eu-
charist was held at the Moe Botanic
Gardens and this year both congre-
gations of St Lukes and Holy Trin-
ity joined for the occasion. The
service was followed by a picnic
lunch. Assistant priest, Reverend
Abraham Maluk presided during the
service and afterward showed his
skill, assisted by Abraham Maluel,
cooking the Australian barbecue.
The Bor Orphanage and Commu-
nity Education Project, in South
Sudan, will benefit from a film to be
shown at Lowanna College, New-
borough, on March 15. The film,
War Child, begins at 6.30pm and
attendance proceeds will support
the orphanage.
War Child is the story of interna-
tionally renowned peace activitist,
hip hop artist, refugee and child
soldier, Emmanuel Jal. The film fea-
tures actual footage of Jal and the
group of child soldiers he
fought with.
Along with watching the
film, attendees at the
screening can sample au-
thentic African food. There
will also be a question and
answer time with Reverend
Abraham Maluk and Abra-
ham Malual, who are former
lost boys of Sudan, with
lives in some respects lived
in parallel with Emmanuel
Jal.
Tickets are available from
Select Music Systems, Traral-
gon; telephone 03 5174
2849.
Bor Orphanage and Com-
munity Education Project
was established to develop
an orphanage and school for
the homeless and parentless
children of Bor, South Sudan.
Since the recently granted
independence for South
Sudan, people, including or-
phaned children, are return-
ing to the region to rebuild
their lives.
More information about the
project and orphanage can
be found at www.bororphan-
age.com
ABOVE: Reverend Abraham
Maluk cooks the barbecue.
Photo: Mary Nicholls
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2012
TBA Blessing of Ena Sheumack House; Abbey of St Barnabas at
ABeckett Park, Raymond Island
International Year of People of African Descent, National Year of the
Farmer, National Year of Reading
March
3 Safe Ministry Education, Christ Church Drouin; 10am to
12pm; The Many Faces of Trauma with Reverend Brenda
Burney; contact Archdeacon Heather Marten or Registry
office, 03 5144 2044 to register.
3 Safe Ministry Education, St Matthews Bruthen; 10am to
12pm; The Many Faces of Trauma with Brian Norris; contact
Archdeacon Heather Marten or Registry office, 03 5144 2044
to register.
6 Anglican Women of Australia Gippsland 50th celebration;
9.30am to 2.30pm; St Pauls Cathedral, Sale; $10 each;
RSVP to your parish representative
10 Growth in Ministry training for candidates, priests and
deacons; TBC; Sale; contact Archdeacon Heather Marten, 03
5144 2044 or Dean Don Saines, 03 5144 2020
14 18 Conference with Dr Alexander Shaia, The Abbey of St
Barnabas, ABeckett Park; www.theabbey.org.au
18 Mothering Sunday
23 - 25 Kidsplus+ Gippsland camp, Philip Island; contact parish
for application forms, or Mary Nicholls
26 Mothers Union Lady Day; St Pauls Cathedral Sale; 10am to
3pm; BYO lunch; contact Karin McKenzie, 03 5662 2148
April
1 Palm Sunday
1 Serra Club Golf Day; TBC
3 Renewal of Ordination of Vows and Blessing of Oils service,
11.30am to 3pm; St Pauls Cathedral, Sale; contact Registry
to confirm details, 03 5144 2044
5 Maundy Thursday
6 Good Friday
7 Environment open day and workshops; Abbey of St
Barnabas, ABeckett Park, Raymond Island; 10am to 4pm;
contact Ann, 0427 445866 or tarkaan@netspace.net.au
7 St Nicholas Easter Craft Fair and Easter Bonnet Parade,
Lakes Entrance; 9am
7 Easter Light service at St Barnabas Chapel, ABeckett Park;
5.30pm; including commissioning of Von Dubbeld as
Assistant Minister to the Abbey parish (was Paynesville
parish). Led by Bishop John McIntyre.
7 9 St Johns Metung Giant Easter Book Sale; donations,
telephone Ann and Andrew, 03 5156 2502
8 Easter Day
14 15 Growth in Ministry training for ordination candidates, priests
and deacons; venue TBA; overnight at Bishopscourt, Sale;
contact Archdeacon Heather Marten, 03 5144 2044 or Dean
Dr Don Saines, 03 5144 2020
21 Bishop in Council planning day, Registry, Sale
25 ANZAC Day
30 - May 2 Clergy conference; Abbey of St Barnabas, ABeckett
Park, Raymond Island
May
April 30 - May 2 Clergy conference; Abbey of St Barnabas,
ABeckett Park, Raymond Island
1 Mothers Union Gippsland Executive meeting, Morwell
5 Anglican Earthcare Gippsland annual general meeting, St
Pauls Cathedral, Sale; led by Bishop John McIntyre
17 Two Bishops and the Dean Q and A on the environment
and other matters; Bishop John McIntyre, Bishop Kay
Goldsworthy, Dean Dr Don Saines; Abbey of St Barnabas,
ABeckett Park; 2pm to 4pm
18 20 Gippsland Anglican 36th annual Synod, Sale
23 Mothers Union Australia Council open day, Palotti College,
Millgrove, 10am to 4pm
25 27 The Spirituality of Winter, a retreat led by Reverend Anne
Turner; Abbey of St Barnabas, ABeckett Park
27 June 3 Vocational panel interviews; venue TBA
29 30 Victorian Council of Churches Emergency Ministry
Training, Level 2; Traralgon; contact 03 9650 4511 or email
emergencies@vcc.org.au
June
2 Lay Reader training, 9.30am to 4pm; Korumburra; contact
Reverend Jenny Ramage, Rev. Tony Wicking and Rev. Bruce
Charles; register at Registry, 03 5144 2044
13 Mothers Union June Join In; St Marys Morwell; 9.30am to
3pm; Karin McKenzie, 03 5662 2148
Diocesan Calendar
Details as provided to The Gippsland Anglican at time of printing
Local priest helps raise
funds for Bor orphans
16 Our Diocese - Clergy News March 2012
The Gippsland Anglican
THE Archbishop of Canter-
bury, Dr Rowan Williams,
announced the appoint-
ment of Kay Brock LVO DL
as his new Secretary for
Public Affairs, based at
Lambeth Palace.
Kay Brock brings with her
a wealth of public affairs
experience having spent
time in a variety of senior
roles, including Chief of
Staff to six Lord Mayors of
London and Assistant Pri-
vate Secretary to the
Queen. She also brings an
international understanding
to the post having worked
throughout the 1990s on
economic aid to ex-commu-
nist countries in eastern Eu-
rope.
Speaking about her new
position, Kay said: Now
that many people are re-
examining the values by
which we live, the Arch-
bishop of Canterburys role
in our society and interna-
tionally has more relevance
than ever. I feel honored to
be given the opportunity to
assist the Archbishop in his
valuable work within the
church and in the public
sphere.
Kay has a degree from Ox-
ford University and an MBA
from the London Business
School, She holds various
voluntary positions such as
Chair of the charity, Dance
United, is a trustee of the
Academy of Ancient Music
and is a Deputy Lieutenant
for Greater London.
Covenant videos
MEMBERS of the Anglican
Communion with internet
access can nowwatch three
videos produced by the
Inter-Anglican Standing
Commission on Unity Faith
and Order (IASCUFO) in
which its members speak
about the Covenant.
In one video, members
from Provinces including
England, the West Indies,
Central Africa and Southern
Africa explain why they
consider the Covenant im-
portant for the Communion.
In another, the Church of
Ceylons Right Reverend
Kumara Ilangasinghe, re-
cently retired Bishop of Ku-
runagala, shares his
thoughts on the value of
accountability.
In the third video, mem-
bers share their thoughts
about the sections of the
Covenant.
The videos were filmed by
Simon Oliver, a member of
IASCUFO who teaches at
the University of Notting-
ham. A subgroup of the
Commission, overseeing
the reception process for
the Anglican Communion
Covenant, decided to make
them when the Commission
was meeting in Seoul,
Korea in December. They
wanted to present the
Covenant using the mem-
bers of the Commission, as
they come from such a di-
verse range of people from
around the Communion.
A spokesperson for IAS-
CUFO said: We were grate-
ful to the Anglican Church
of Korea for loaning us their
equipment. Its hoped the
videos will be useful as dio-
ceses and Provinces con-
sider the Covenant. There
is a lot of written material,
but its good to have some
audiovisual resources as
well.
The videos were produced
and edited by Jonny Perry
Jennings and IASCUFO
member Bishop Victoria
Matthews of Christchurch,
New Zealand.
You can find the videos at:
The Anglican Communion
C o v e n a n t
http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=4jq_063uf3k
The Covenant and ac-
c o u n t a b i l i t y
http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=T228Qk5tueM
The sections of the
C o v e n a n t
http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=4E51zRTJ3eE
For more information on
IASCUFO visit:
http://www.aco.org/min-
istry/ecumenical/commis-
sions/iascufo/index.cfm
February 22, 2012
http://www.aco.org/acns/n
ews.cfm/2012/2/22/ACNS5
048
New Pacific role
THERE is a chance to
make a difference to devel-
opment in the Pacific as the
Anglican Alliance facilitator
based at the Anglican
Church of Melanesia in Ho-
niara, Solomon Islands.
Food, climate change and
youth empowerment will be
the focus for the new post,
to work with Anglican
churches and their partners
across the Pacific region to
bring together develop-
ment, relief and advocacy.
It is a position for some-
one with drive, commit-
ment and ability to be part
of the global network sup-
porting the work by Angli-
can churches to challenge
and transform poverty and
injustice.
See the job description
and personal specification
for more information about
the post. Applicants should
complete the application
form and return it to angli-
can.alliance@aco.org by
March 9th.
February 16, 2012,
http://www.aco.org/acns/n
ews.cfm/2012/2/16/ACNS5
040
















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International news
350 years
THIS year, 2012,
marks 350 years since
The Book of Common
Prayer 1662 came into
use in the Church of
England. The Book of
Common Prayer 1662
was used in conjunc-
tion with An Australian
Prayer Book from
1978. (Last year was
the 400th year since
publishing of the King
James Bible.)
ARCHBISHOP Philip Freier
has appointed Reverend
Canon Dr Ray Cleary
(above left) as Acting Dean
of St Pauls Cathedral, with
Rev. Dr Ruth Redpath
(above right) named Acting
Precentor. Dr Freiers an-
nouncements on January
31 followed the resignation,
for personal reasons, of
Bishop Mark Burton as
Dean a week earlier and
the appointment late last
year of the former Precen-
tor, Rev. Rachel McDougall,
as Vicar of St Johns
Bentleigh.
I am satisfied that Canon
Cleary and Dr Redpath will
provide very good leader-
ship and management for
this interim situation,
Archbishop Freier said.
I believe we are fortunate
to have two people who are
already an important part
of our Cathedral to take on
these roles.
The Archbishop said the
recruitment process for the
next Dean will commence
almost immediately.
Vale Mark
BAIRNSDALE parish and
Gippsland Diocese was sad-
dened to hear of the death
of Reverend Mark Boughey,
in South Australia. Mark
was priest-in-charge of
Bairnsdale parish until he
resigned and returned to
South Australia, where se-
rious ill health was diag-
nosed. He is survived by his
wife, Kerrie, and their two
sons. A service was held at
St Johns Bairnsdale after
his death was announced.
New Bishops
THE Election Synod of the
Diocese of North West Aus-
tralia met on February 10 to
11 this year and elected
Reverend Gary Nelson to be
the next Bishop of North
West Australia. Gary cur-
rently serves as Director of
External Studies at Moore
Theological College. Please
pray for Gary, Christine and
the Diocese of North West
Australia in this time of
transition.
Bishop Stuart Robinson
has announced two ground-
breaking appointments as
assistant bishops for the
Diocese of Canberra and
Goulburn.
Archdeacon Genieve
Blackwell, currently rector
of Yass, will become the
first female bishop conse-
crated in NSW. She will be
based at the parish of Tur-
vey Park in Wagga Wagga,
where she grew up, and will
serve the west and north-
west of the Diocese.
The Diocese will help fund
an assistant to support Ge-
nieve in the local pastoral
work at Turvey Park.
Archdeacon Ian Lambert is
to remain rector of Bate-
mans Bay but take on a
brand new role; regional
bishop responsible for the
South Coast, Monaro and
Snowy. There has never
been an Anglican Bishop
based on the south coast.
Interim appointments
at St Pauls Cathedral
March 2012 Our Diocese - Missions and Ministries 17
The Gippsland Anglican
FORTY cursillistas and
other interested people
gathered for a diocesan
Cursillo Ultreya, held at St
James Traralgon on Satur-
day February 18, this year.
The highlight of the Ultreya
was the witness talk pre-
sented by Bishop John
McIntyre.
He shared some of his
thoughts, inspiring atten-
dees to confidently live out
their lives as Christs follow-
ers, despite individual de-
fects and shortcomings. He
emphasised the brokenness
of Jesus on the Cross and
the message He was sent to
save us.
The Ultreya was led by Mal
and Marita Campbell and all
appreciated their thorough
preparation and ability to
keep the session moving.
Thought provoking ques-
tions about forgiveness
were discussed during the
group reunions.
We welcomed Margaret
Tatman, leader of this
years Womens Cursillo,
and husband, John, and
leaders of the 2010 Cursil-
los, Len and Chris Makin.
Thanks to Traralgon cursil-
listas for looking after the
afternoon tea and those
who attended.
The 2012 Mens 34 and
Womens 35 Cursillos, again
to run parallel this year, will
be from Thursday, June 28
to Sunday, July 1, at Black-
wood House, Gippsland
Grammar School, Sale.
Sharlene Asmus has cre-
ated an online site for Cur-
sillo Gippsland and we
invite you to join and keep
updated with Cursillo
events. Website at
http://www.facebook.com/
#!/group.php?gid=284386
94822
Alternatively, contact Peter
Down, email
downmp@activ8.net.au or
Liz Hall, email
elizabeth.hall6@bigpond.co
m or telephone 03 5688
1286.
Contributor: Liz Hall
ABOVE: Mal and Marita
Campbell organised and led
the Ultreya at Traralgon.
TOP: Attendees at the Cur-
sillo Ultreya held at St
James Traralgon on Febru-
ary 18.
Photos: Liz Hall
Cursillo in June at Sale
Come on the CWCI
saf ari i n Gi ppsl and
A REGIONAL Safari will be hosted in
central and east Gippsland by Christian
Women Communicating Internationally
(CWCI). Speaker is Beth Allison (right)
on the topic, Lasting Foundations.
Beth was a lawyer, specialising in fam-
ily law, before she completed a Bache-
lor of Theology and worked as an
associate pastor in a large church for
eight years. Her role included preach-
ing, leadership training and develop-
ment, oversight of small groups,
healing and prayer teams and estab-
lishing a recovery ministries program.
The first meeting, hosted by Latrobe
Valley CWCI, is on Monday, March 26,
at 7pm at Morwell Community Church,
on the Princes Highway, Morwell.
On Tuesday, March 27, christian
women are invited to the home of Mary
Jondahl, in Laws Lane, Denison. CWCI
is hosting a morning safari, beginning
10am.
The safari will travel to Bairnsdale
Baptist Church, Princes Highway, Luc-
know, for a gathering at 5pm on Tues-
day evening.
On Wednesday, March 28, the safari
will be at Paynesville Uniting Church in
King St, Paynesville, at 10am.
On Wednesday evening, women will
gather at 5pm at the Orbost Uniting
Church in Browning St, Orbost.
For enquiries, contact Irene Hood,
telephone 03 5167 1391 or mobile:
0428 671391
ABOVE: Members of Leongatha Mothers Union worked to-
gether at their February meeting to make bookmarks to
be presented to the congregation as gifts on Mothering
Sunday, March 18. Pictured holding the bookmarks are
Pearl Christofferson, Eileen Wisdom, Ruth Sage.
Photo: Karin McKenzie
BELOW: Members of Mothers Union Gippsland Executive,
Jan Misiurka, Jenny McRobb, Karin McKenzie and Bev Fos-
ter, as they begin planning for a Family Forum to be held
in October. Further details will be published in a future
issue of The Gippsland Anglican.
Easter art exhibition
THE Bairnsdale Uniting
Church will hold an art ex-
hibition during the long
weekend of Friday, April 6
(Good Friday) to Tuesday,
April 10. The theme for all
exhibited works is Spiritu-
ality in everyday life, allow-
ing artists to explore a wide
range of creative ideas in a
variety of media.
The two- or three-dimen-
sional works will be exhib-
ited in the spacious and
modern auditorium of the
church, with an acquisitive
prize of $450 for each cate-
gory: painting, drawing,
photography, fabrics, sculp-
ture, woodwork and more.
A previous exhibition two
years ago (above) attracted
artists from across Gipps-
land. Artists are entitled to
sell their work at the exhi-
bition.
Entry is by gold coin dona-
tion. Artists and potential
viewers please note that
more details can be ob-
tained from the website
bairnsdaleunitingchurch.we
ebly.com or telephone
Jenny Eckhardt, 03 5152
4046 or Jacqui Nicholson.
03 5156 7183.
The exhibition opens at
midday on Good Friday and
is open each day until 4pm.
Contributor: J. Eckhardt
18 Literary and Media Reviews March 2012
The Gippsland Anglican
Pfennigwerth, F (2011)
The Scrolls Illumi-
nated: An illuminating
presentation of
Solomons Song of
Songs, Ruth, Lamenta-
tions, Ecclesiastes and
Esther from the Bible.
By Jeanette Severs
ARTIST, Fiona Pfennigw-
erth, brings her immense
talent to the task of illumi-
nating a number of texts
with waterolour illustrations
of Australian fauna and
flora. She invites the reader
to explore and respond to
these stories through the il-
lustrations and verses con-
tained within the book.
Available through the Bible
Society of Australia, the five
books in this illuminated
volume (Solomons Song of
Songs, Ruth, Lamentations,
Ecclesiastes, and Esther)
are arranged as a set in the
Hebrew Bible called The
Scrolls, which are read at
five of the annual Jewish
festivals. This edition uses
the English Standard Ver-
sion with images of Aus-
tralian nature illustrated by
Australian artist, Fiona
Pfennigwerth.
Fruits of the orchard and
Australian bush and rain-
forests, along with delicate
illustrations of leaves from
ivy, myrtle, native rasp-
berry and maple, border or
intersperse texts. The king-
fisher provides splashes of
bright blue among delicate
flowers and softly drawn
feathers from a powerful
owl illustrate the stories in-
cluded in the book.
Rainforest motifs from na-
tional parks in New South
Wales suggest decorations
fit for a Persian palace in
the story of Esther.
Drawings of mangrove
roots separate the prologue
and epilogue of Ecclessi-
astes while stormy skies,
migratory seabirds, soldier
crabs, pre-dawn mist and
driftwood illustrated from
tidal mudflats near Port
Stephens, NSW, connect
words to themes.
Snow gums consumed by
fire, summer alpine wild-
flowers and flowers of the
Bog carraway, inspired by
walks in the Snowy Moun-
tains, illustrate alternate
translations of Lamenta-
tions.
The Songs of Solomon are
illustrated with a richness
from the Australian bush,
with butterflies, lillies,
frangipani, flannel flower,
early nancy and lush fruits
providing a sense of peace
and wonder alongside the
text.
The artist provides a key
to the illustrations and a
story amended to each
chapter informs the reader
of the inspiration to the del-
icate paintings.
This is a book to enjoy, to
dip into and relish the texts
and accompanied illumina-
tions or to open at the first
page and slowly read
through. It is a book to be
shared and discussed, as
bible stories should be. The
illustrations are to be
shared and discussed, too.
I strongly recommend this
softcover book. It is one
that could reside on your
coffee table and encourage
discussion with visitors or
make a special gift. Avail-
able from the Bible Society
of Australia, telephone
1300 139179, email bsdi-
rect@bible.org.au or
www.biblesociety.org.au
Beauty in the text
and illustrations
Brain, M (2011) en-
gage! how the church
can reconnect with
young people. Can-
berra: Barton Books
By Tom Killingbeck
I HAD the pleasure of
reading Matt Brains book
engage! how the church
can reconnect with young
people with the intent of re-
viewing it, hoping that
would be that. Fortunately,
reading this book is not that
simple.
You see, Matt, with his
years of experience within
the youth ministry field and
with an eye to the Anglican
Churchs current standing
with young people in Aus-
tralia, has crafted a power-
ful book. Its core aim is to
allow churches to under-
stand this new generation
of digital natives and
bridge the gap between
worldviews of those in the
church already (and who
have often been there for a
number of years) and those
who are ignorant of church
and ignoring it (who may
have never set foot inside a
church at all).
This book is essentially an
accessible theology of mis-
sion to young people.
Initially, Matt offers a look
at the differences that have
occurred, the situation or
location of people from a
completely different cul-
tural milieu, who speak a
different language. See,
when old people (if were
going to say young people,
we can surely use old peo-
ple, right?) say, Kids these
days..., what they are al-
luding to is correct. Things
have changed. The way in
which youth think about is-
sues and life is different.
Our particular issue is sim-
ilar to that of Paul, Matt
states. What follows is an
examination of 2 Corinthi-
ans 4 and its implications
for us in the 21
st
century;
and then a very compre-
hensive application of the
principles of the text for our
own use.
Initially, the book is quite
heavy going, but once the
foundation is laid, he goes
into detail about how Chris-
tians can reach out to
young people.
One of the key things
about the book is that it is
not just about gathering in-
formation. ...The chal-
lenge is to turn the
information into a pastoral
decision, he writes in the
third section, aptly named
Deciding: new possibilities
in mission to digital na-
tives. We need to apply
what we have learned,
turning our beliefs into our
actions. It is the pivotal
point in the book, really;
and one which needs to be
heartily embraced by all
with a desire to see young
people back in our
churches.
With a sprinkling of per-
sonal stories and tackling
social data from various
streams, Brains book be-
comes not just a stale text-
book but an accessible
guide to moving from dis-
dain and condescension
(how church can feel) to
missional and forward-
thinking (how church needs
to be).
To be honest, this is the
kind of book I wish I had
read before I started out in
youth ministry, as it is a
very solid basis for commu-
nicating Christ to digital
natives of all ages. It will
not give you easy answers;
it will, hopefully, make you
search until you find the
right way to communicate
to young people in your
neck of the woods.
Reconnect with youth
Treat, SR (2004) How to Succeed in
Marriage. Ohio: The Pilgrim Press
By Jeanette Severs
THIS small book (32 pages) is written by
Stephen Treat, a pastor and a clinician in
marital and family therapy. He believes
any marriage can be fun, exciting, chal-
lenging and fulfilling and has written this
text for young couples, older adults,
blended families and other mixed mar-
riages.
He writes that marriages need both the
love of the two people and spiritual love to
be successful; but that finances, jobs, sex-
uality and other issues become stumbling
blocks that overwhelm and overshadow a
couples relationship with each other and
with God.
Pastor Treat emphasises the importance
of thinking about and discussing what you
expect from marriage and your relation-
ships with each other and with God in that
marriage. He discusses the importance of a
covenant and to ensure respect, faith,
trust, understanding and loyalty are strong
in the relationship before marriage.
Treat looks at many myths surrounding
marriage. He writes of the importance of
having a mature and peer-oriented rela-
tionship with our parents before we enter
marriage; how the tensions we feel be-
tween ourselves and our parents can eas-
ily be replicated with our partner in our
marriage. He discusses a range of behav-
iors and provides advice for when oppo-
sites attract.
Prayers are included throughout the book
and meditations are suggested in the clos-
ing pages.
This is a quick reference guide, part of the
Looking Up series of thoughtful and inspi-
rational booklets. It introduces subjects
and discussions that will be enough for
some people while being a guide for others
looking for more information.
Available at Christian bookstores, the
Gippsland Mothers Union book stall at
gatherings and www.pilgrimpress.com
A quick and easy marriage
guide, with prayers included
March 2012 Literary and Media Reviews 19
The Gippsland Anglican
Fletcher, B (2011) SING a new
song: Australian hymnody and the
renewal of the Church since the
1960s. Canberra: Barton Books
By Fay Magee
MUSICAL and church history has been
made in the form of a new book charting
the development of the Australian Hymn
Book, SING a new song: Australian
hymnody and the renewal of the Church
since the 1960s by renowned Australian
historian Brian Fletcher.
To quote the back cover, This challeng-
ing book breaks new ground in the field of
Australian religious history by exploring
the much neglected field of hymnody. It
centres on the work of the Australian
Hymn Book Committee and the publication
of the Australian Hymn Book and Together
in Song, compilations that placed Australia
on the world map of hymnody for the first
time.
SING a new song explores how these
two hymnals evolved through a complex
and demanding compilation and editorial
process, based on a firm belief that hymns
are rich cultural artefacts possessing the
capacity to influence the mindset and out-
look of those who sing them.
Those congregations who have been
using both the Australian Hymn Book and
Together in Song may have forgotten how
significant the ecumenical nature of this
project was. These days, many Christians
are post-denominational, prepared to wor-
ship in different traditions over time. In
many ways, the Australian project,
through these two editions, has facilitated
much more ecumenical fellowship.
It has also brought into one collection so
much of the best of current congregational
song from a variety of sources, local and
global.
The process, as detailed in Fletchers
book, outlines the workings of the hymn
book committee since 1967. It encourages
us to reflect on the journey of the church
over those years, not just musically but on
a broader scale of being church in a
changing world.
It highlights the work of significant,
maybe otherwise, unsung heroes of the
Australian church like Professor Wesley Mil-
gate and Reverend Laurie Bartlett. We
have much to be grateful for and there is
much to sing about!
SING a new song is available online from
Barton Books
http://www.bartonbooks.com.au/ RRP
$30, or from St Peters Bookroom, tele-
phone 03 9663 7487 or online at
http://web.stpeters.org.au/bookroom/loca
l.shtml
Explore renewal of the
Church and hymnody
Dethlefs, N (2011) In
His Strength: Letters
from Afghanistan
2005-2009. CBM Aus-
tralia
By Tony Wicking
IN some ways, I find the
life of a missionary some-
what romantic. Those far
away places, sometimes
exotic, bringing the gospel
into the lives of the locals.
Isnt it something most of
us would like to do? Cer-
tainly it was something I
looked into many years ago
but found it not my calling.
Now, I know the life is not
romantic. It is hard work,
often a slog and can be full
of great danger and uncer-
tainties. However, when I
read the regular communi-
cations from missionaries
they are somewhat dry and
often lack the background
to the situation in which
they find themselves.
They tell us what they did,
what they hope to do and
keep us up to date with
family news. They seek us
to pray for them as they
endeavour to do that.
Rarely have I read ac-
counts of the life of a mis-
sionary and what is going
on around them. This is not
the case in this book by
Noriko Dethlefs.
Noriko and her husband,
Roger, were sent to
Afghanistan in 2005 by
Christian Blind Mission.
Roger is an ophthalmologist
with an interest in serving
in places with inadequate
eye care services. Noriko is
an accountant but was lec-
turing in Japanese at Wol-
longong University and
qualified to teach English as
a second language. In
Afghanistan they served in
Herat, near the Iranian bor-
der, and then in Kabal.
Roger worked as an oph-
thalmologist. Noriko taught
English and worked with
community groups, espe-
cially with women.
The book is a collection of
her emails sent to her
friends around the world
while she was in
Afghanistan. These are not
just what we did letters.
They describe with a rich-
ness of detail the day-to-
day experiences she and
Roger experienced.
These ranged from the op-
pressive summer heat to
frozen winters. They give
wonderful insights into the
lives of the Afghani people
and issues faced by the
missionaries she was with.
She writes with some
humor about cultural differ-
ences, such as men walking
holding hands but husband
and wife not doing so. Of
how everything is done in
community even if it is with
the same gender. Of the
aged care being undertaken
by families and not institu-
tions.
She writes about a family
lying to a daughter who
was overseas, about the
health of the mother. When
the daughter returned to
find her mother died some
time ago, it was explained
she could mourn in commu-
nity. Norikos work with the
women and their desire to
learn and have an impact in
the future of Afghanistan
was encouraging.
Noriko writes about the
faith differences between
Islam and Christianity and
of the difficulty Muslims
have understanding how a
Christian talks about a God
who loves. This is con-
trasted with the fatalism of
Allahs will.
There are accounts of
hardships placed upon the
missionaries because of
kidnapping and murder of
foreigners and of terrorist
activities. These included
being confined to their
compounds because the
area was too dangerous. All
this was worth reading for
the insights of missionary
life in Afghanistan.
My one disappointment
with the book was in what
the title suggested but did
not deliver. There was very
little explanation of how she
was able to do her work in
Gods strength. Sure, it was
certainly implied because of
all she experienced.
But the book could have
been written by anybody
working there. I found very
little explanation of how it
was she derived strength
from God. I would have
liked more definite exam-
ples of how God gave her
strength in the situations in
which she found herself.
Toward the end of the
book she does give a sum-
mary of things learned but
even then I found it unsat-
isfying.
In spite of that I would
recommend the book. It is
easy to read and I can see
why the National Director of
CBM Australia states they
were the first emails he
opened.
The book richly describes
the type of life a missionary
may encounter, the cultural
differences and their impact
upon a foreigner, the fun
and joy of knowing people
from a different culture.
Missionary insights
Standish, A (2011)
Australia through
womens eyes. Aus-
tralian Scholarly Pub-
lishing in association
with the State Library
of Victoria
THROUGHOUT the 19th
century, British women as
diverse as Louisa Meredith,
Marianne North and Beat-
rice Webb travelled to the
Australian colonies and
wrote about the emerging
white civilisation they
found. Some were visitors,
others settlers, but all were
fascinated by the possibili-
ties of this new world.
Here, Australia is seen
through the eyes of such
women writers. It is a land
of strange and un-English
flora and fauna and of won-
drously growing cities; a
place where European cul-
tural institutions are begin-
ning to flourish; and where
Indigenous culture was be-
coming invisible.
When Louisa Meredith ar-
rived in Van Diemens Land
in 1841, after a year living
in New South Wales, she
was struck by how much
the colony resembled her
homeland.
Finding signs of home in
both the landscape and so-
cial life of the colonies is a
theme that recurs in the
writings of female colonists.
All were fascinated by the
evidence of white civilisa-
tion emerging in this
strange, yet somehow fa-
miliar, continent.
But, in celebrating this
progress, these narratives
also marginalise or silence
Indigenous experience; for
Australia to be home, it
seems, it must also be
white.
Ann Standish is an histo-
rian, editor and writer, and
has taught at Melbourne
and Deakin universities and
worked in book publishing.
You can buy this book at
the Readings online shop.
RRP $39.95; Paperback;
Illustrated; 344pages;
ISBN 9781921509070.
Women explore Australia
20 Our Diocese - News March 2012
The Gippsland Anglican
from page one
Morwell and, with his late
wife, raised four children
and now has five grandchil-
dren. He was a carrier for
40 years and has freely do-
nated his trucks and forklift
for community work, in-
cluding for the churches in
Morwell, including building
a church.
Now retired, he is busy
with his prolific vegetable
garden and a part time ca-
reer as a courier for a local
pharmacy.
There are many awards on
Geoff Bells walls and he is
proud of them all. This in-
cludes a rare Girl Guides
Helpers Award for a Male
badge and various badges
and certificates that de-
scribe his lifes contribution
to Red Cross (31-plus
years) and Lions Club (42
years), among others. Both
organisations have recog-
nised him with life member-
ship.
He has been a Red Cross
blood donor since he was a
lad. When Geoff began do-
nating blood, his mother
had to sign a form giving
permission because he was
aged under 21 years.
With enjoyment, he de-
scribed his first encounter
as a blood donor: the nurse
tied a tourniquet on his
arm, deadened the site with
a hypodermic needle, used
a scalpel to cut an incision,
poked in a tube, connected
it to a bottle; and the nurse
remained there, shaking
the bottle regularly as the
blood drained in.
Some years ago, Geoff re-
ceived his award for donat-
ing an accrued 100 pints of
blood. He continues to do-
nated blood regularly.
Every week throughout
the year, Geoff donates
vegetables from his garden
to people in the commu-
nity; friends, family, neigh-
bours and others. This in-
cludes weekly deliveries to
St Marys Morwell and the
now retired Canon Frank
Lowe and giving many
pumpkins to the church
each year.
He credits Frank Lowe with
saving his life. It was on
one of Geoffs regular
strolls past the church,
dropping off a box of veg-
etables, that Frank chal-
lenged him to give up
cigarettes. Geoff said he
stopped that day, in 1981,
and I still supply him with
vegies weekly.
He enjoys talking about
what he has done and still
does in the community and
sharing his passion for his
garden.
I didnt do it for recogni-
tion, I did it because Ive al-
ways enjoyed it. When you
live in a country commu-
nity, you should give your
time to the community,
Geoff Bell said.
ABOVE: Peter Vranek, of Stratford, receives his Australia
Day Citizens Award from Wellington Shire. He is pictured
with Mayor Scott Rossetti.
Photo: Denise Vranek
Humility of these men awarded
By Edie Ashley
IN August 2011, the De-
velopment Working Group
for the St Barnabas Abbey
at ABeckett Park proposed
a new step in developing
the vision for the Abbey as
a Centre for Spirituality and
the Environment, as a vital
part of the whole diocesan
mission.
In September 2011,
Bishop John McIntyre met
with Paynesvilles parish
council to explore with
them the possibility of be-
coming the Abbey Parish.
In February this year,
Bishop in Council approved
the proposal.
In practice this means an
Abbey Chapter will be es-
tablished under the leader-
ship of Bishop John.
Membership of The Abbey
Chapter will include the
Bishop, the Registrar, the
Cathedral Dean and the
Abbey Priest, with repre-
sentatives of Bishop in
Council, Paynesville Parish
Council and Anglican Earth-
care Gippsland Inc.
Archdeacon Edie Ashley
will be appointed Abbey
Priest. Edie will live in Ena
Sheumack House and pro-
vide leadership for the next
phase of development of
services and facilities at the
Abbey and to foster devel-
opment of a supportive
community based at The
Abbey.
The local parish of Pay-
nesville will fashion its life
and ministry and mission to
include the diocesan mis-
sion of the Abbey as an in-
tegral component of its life
and mission. The ministry
of the Abbey Parish will re-
flect the relationships of
priest and people in mission
together; this includes the
local mission and ministry
in Paynesville, Eagle Point,
Raymond Island and New-
lands Arm and the wider
mission at the Abbey.
Von (Evonne) Dubbeld (far
right) will be appointed to
the Abbey Parish as Assis-
tant Minister on a part-time
basis. Von, her husband,
Mick, and their four chil-
dren, Rowan, Sean, Becca
and Beth, will move from
Cann River to live in Church
House, adjacent to St
Peters by the Lake Anglican
Church in Paynesville.
Vons ministry focus will
ensure the ministry of the
local parish will continue
despite the broader role of
the parish and the Abbey
Priest.
Members of the Gippsland
Diocese are invited to the
Abbey for the Saturday of
Easter, April 7, to witness
Von Dubbelds commission-
ing as Assistant Minister.
This will be held during the
Easter Light Service, which
begins at 5.30pm.
Earlier on the same day, a
Sustainability Open Day will
be held at the Abbey, be-
ginning 10am and finishing
about 4pm. More details
about the Sustainability
Open Day in the diocesan
calendar in this issue of The
Gippsland Anglican and on
the Abbey website.
Abbey Program
THIS year the Abbey pro-
gram will bring a number of
significant church leaders
and thinkers to Gippsland.
Dr Alexander Shaia will
visit the Abbey from March
14 to 18. Dr Shaia is an in-
ternationally recognised
teacher on the gospels. His
recent book, The Hidden
Power of the Gospels, has
attracted praise from across
the world and is contribut-
ing to an ongoing discus-
sion about Christian
discipleship. In the book, Dr
Shaia traces themes in the
four gospels and suggests a
way of reading and using
the gospels that is simulta-
neously new and ancient.
The workshop at the
Abbey is open to everyone
and will have two themes.
The first day will focus on
preaching, praying and cel-
ebrating Year B: Gospel of
Mark. Remaining days will
explore Creating and Nur-
turing Vital Community:
Lessons and Practices, es-
pecially wisdom the Gospel
of John and the Third Spiri-
tual Path.
For more information on
the event, visit the Anam
Cara Community website
(www.anamcara-gi pps-
land.org). For more infor-
mation on Dr Shaia, visit
www.quadratos.com. Con-
tact Colin Thornby, email
Colin@colinthornby.com or
telephone 0403 776402.
Les Mathieson, CEO of
East Gippsland Water and
Michele Adler, Horticultural-
ist, along with Trevor Cald-
well, Raquel Harris, Iain
and Ann Miller, Lee Rannoch
and others, will present
talks, demonstrations and
workshops at the Sustain-
ability Open Day; 10am to
4pm at the Abbey, Easter
Saturday, April 7.
In April 2008, Bishop Kay
Goldsworthy became the
first woman to be conse-
crated as a bishop in the
Anglican Church of Aus-
tralia, at St Georges Cathe-
dral, Perth. She is currently
Assistant Bishop of the An-
glican Diocese of Perth,
Western Australia.
Bishop Kay has a passion
for the environment and
with Bishop John McIntyre
and Dean Dr Don Saines, of
Gippsland Diocese, will
meet with people in Gipps-
land and join the panel for
Two Bishops and the Dean
... Q and A on the environ-
ment and other matters on
May 17.
Reverend John Stewart is
Director of the Living Well
Centre for Christian Spiritu-
ality and an Associate Priest
of St Georges church,
Malvern. He is a highly a re-
spected and experienced
spiritual director and
sought after retreat leader.
John Stewart, with Robert
Fordham and Rev. Brian
Turner, will lead a mens re-
treat at the Abbey, August
3 to 5.
Susanna Pain is Archdea-
con of North Canberra and
Rector of Holy Covenant,
Jamison in Canberra. She
is linked to Gippsland
through her great grandfa-
ther, Arthur Wellesley Pain,
who served as Gippslands
first bishop from 1902 to
1917.
Susanna is a dancer, sto-
ryteller and spiritual direc-
tor with extensive
experience working with
creative forms of spiritual
and life formation. Susanna
has agreed to lead a week-
end workshop, November 9
to 11, titled Water and
Dance, a retreat to explore
the theme of water in all its
guises.
Reverend Anne Turner is
hosting a retreat on May 25
to 27 focussing on the Spir-
ituality of Winter. From Au-
gust 31 to September 2,
she will lead a retreat on
the Spirituality of Spring.
Archdeacon Ted and Mrs
Annabel Gibson will host a
retreat for those who have
enjoyed the ABeckett Park
site in past years. On July
24 to 26, it is a chance to
re-visit, remember and
share the vision for the fu-
ture.
A retreat titled Fire and
Creative Written Expression
will be hosted by Archdea-
con Philip Muston and Mrs
Sue Fordham on August 18
and 19 at the Abbey.
The very talented Fay
Magee, of Cowes parish,
will join with Dean Dr Don
Saines for workshops on
Wind and Music, from Sep-
tember 14 to 16.
For more information or to
register for a workshop or
retreat, telephone the
Abbey, telephone 03
51566580 or email
info@theabbey.org.au The
full 2012 Abbey program is
at www.theabbey.org.au
Paynesville parish reflects Abbey progress