from the desk of bishop greg anderson
TRANSCRIPT
TOP CENTRE THE NEWSLETTER : MAY 2015
…. From the desk of Bishop Greg Anderson
In the Top End the Dry season has started, and in the Centre the jumpers and blankets
are definitely out. We will be celebrating the feast of Pentecost soon, as the
conclusion of the Easter season. The refreshing south-east breezes, at least in Darwin,
remind us of that wind sound of refreshing and empowering that the disciples
experienced in Acts 2:2. Jesus has been raised from the dead, and is “seated at God’s
right hand”, but he has not left us because his Spirit has been poured into our hearts.
The Holy Spirit of Jesus equips us for the ministries that we take part in for the
building of God’s people. All of us in our Territory Anglican churches have gifts to
use in that building task. Each one of us is, in fact, God’s gift to all the others in our
church, and I hope we have a sense of excitement in being involved with what God is
doing as he makes use of us for his purposes.
Synod met from April 17 to 19 in Darwin, and I am very thankful for those who came,
representing the churches of the Territory, as well as various other ministries.
Synod made a number of important decisions:
The biggest was to make Anglicare a legally and financially separate organisation
from the Diocese. Anglicare will continue its work as a Company Limited by
Guarantee, and the Diocese is the only member of that company. What that means for
us is that Anglicare is still very much part of the diocesan family, but, in very
practical terms, its money won’t pass through our bank any more. Even with
Anglicare becoming separate, all our churches still have contact with people who are
finding life very difficult, and as Christians we do what we can to help. But Anglicare
is a great resource that enables us as a diocese to engage much more widely, and
across many different areas of need, compared with what can happen at the parish
level. The value-adding that Christians and Christian agencies can make as they act
for justice and compassion is to be aware, and to share, that we do this because it
reflects God’s character, shows the dignity of the creation that God has made, and
demonstrates or illustrates what God’s kingdom is like.
Synod also made three other decisions that will be very relevant for our churches:
One asks our churches to think about how they can contribute to minimising climate
change. This is a big challenge, and includes participation in public debate about the
environment as well as other practical steps like the way we use our buildings, and
invest our money. It was terrific to visit Kewulyi/Roper Valley last week and to see
that all their electricity is generated by solar power.
Another decision asks our churches to engage in a program of teaching and
encouraging about how we use our money and other resources for God’s work. It can
be hard to talk about money, and the last thing churches want is to look like they are
just interested in increasing their income. But the Bible has important things to say
about money and ministry. It is timely to be reminded about them and to act on them.
A third decision was to set up a committee to think about the use of grape juice as an
alternative to wine at communion. There are different practices across Australia, and
different dioceses have reached different decisions, but it is an important matter for us,
especially in the Territory environment where alcohol causes such widespread
problems.
In this Pentecost season, let’s recommit ourselves to celebrating, with excitement, the
good news that God has sent Jesus to mend the world, and that God has given us what
we need to join in with his work.
SYNOD 2015
Kewulyi solar panels Kewulyi
NT SYNOD APRIL 2015
Held at Christ Church Cathedral and
Kormilda College, 59 members of the
NT Diocese were present.
Bishop Greg unveiling the new
colourful logo
Members of Synod awaiting the
Opening Service and presentation of
the Presidential Charge
Synod Executive:
Tony Jenner, Revd Jenni Weekes,
Bishop Greg, Leeanne Zamagias,
Dr Andrew Bell and Max Horton
There are too many great photos of
the presentations and discussions at
Synod to present here click on:
Joy at seeing friends once again
Nungalinya friends reunite
Anglicare presentation
Kormilda College presentation
https://www.flickr.com/photos/130859
633@N05/sets/72157651965452676
From Ngukurr, John and Jenna
Armstrong report on their recent
trip ….
“ We’re enjoying being back home in
Ngukurr after seven months down
south on Home Assignment (aka
furlough). We serve as sponsored
volunteers so we embraced the
opportunity offered by Home
Assignment to catch up with our
prayer and financial ministry partners
in QLD, NSW, VIC and SA in order to
share about our past three years
serving at Ngukurr and our exciting
future serving with Scripture Union
NT. We also enjoyed catching up with
family, friends, sending churches,
introducing Lydia and celebrating the
wedding of Jenna’s sister.
Additionally, we prioritised
conferences and courses that would
refresh and equip us for the next few
years at Ngukurr. We knew travelling
with Matty (turning 3 in June) and
Lydia (now 13 months) would be
interesting, so we decided to do it with
a caravan to minimise the transitions
and sense of ‘homelessness’. The
caravan proved to be a wonderful
blessing and the children love it. We
have now parked the caravan at
Mataranka to use for breaks from
community and the numerous ministry
related trips ahead.
We would value your prayer as we
reconnect with the community at
Ngukurr and for wisdom and
discernment as we help establish an
Indigenous Ministry that will be a new
partnership between Wycliffe
Australia, Scripture Union NT and the
local Indigenous Churches (with a
strong partnership with the Anglican
Diocese in the Roper Region). The
annual Roper Region Yangbala Kemp
(Youth Camp) is planned for 29 June -
2 July. Please pray for the camp,
preparation and the upcoming training
weekend for the indigenous leaders
taking place on 29-31 May. “
The Ngukurr Rectory Guest
Flat is available for bookings, with
church visitors having priority. Cost is
$110 per person per night or as
negotiated. Enquiries and bookings can
be made by contacting Jenna
Armstrong by email
[email protected] or call
0427 456 100.
From Christ Church Cathedral,
Darwin
THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC
The Cathedral has been at the centre of
commemorations for the Centenary of
Anzac Day. On the evening of Sunday
19th
April 2015 the Cathedral hosted a
Centenary Service. The service
focused on three young men who were
parishioners of Christ Church Darwin.
Photos and plaques and the wreath
Two of them, Sid Lauder and Lloyd
Herbert – died at the Battle of Ypres in
October 1917. They are remembered
by plaques installed in 1918, even
before the Great War finished. The
third young man was a friend to both.
Willie Allen was a Larrakeyah man
who enlisted in 1917, served in the
Middle East and returned home in
1919.
The service wove together their stories,
along with traditional music by the
Darwin City Brass Band, including the
bugle calls Last Post and Rouse.
Dean Keith Joseph leads the Service
Our remembrance was led by the Dean
and was attended by His Honour the
Administrator, the Speaker and the
Lord Mayor. The official speech was
given by Lieutenant-Colonel Matt
Campbell, Commanding Officer of
Norforce, who has served in East
Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan and
Bishop Greg gave the blessing at the
end.
Distinguished guests & Bishop Greg
Overall, a beautiful and quiet tribute to
those who served, especially
remembering those who belonged to
our parish a century ago.
On Anzac Day itself Bishop Greg and
Fr Keith both attended the Dawn
Service. The Dean has served in the
Army (both reserve and full-time) for
over twenty five years, and also served
in the peace-keeping force in the
Solomon Islands from 2004 to 2006.
He is a member of the RSL, who
invited him to lead the prayers and to
bless the new additions to the
Cenotaph. Dawn Service saw a record
attendance of over 10,000 people – a
huge number which filled the entire
park. The service itself was conducted
in reverent silence. On behalf of all in
the Diocese, Bishop Greg and Annette
Anderson laid a wreath during the
service. No flag waving, no cheering
or clapping. Last Post played out as the
sun rose, into a deep blue sky.
Sunrise catching the poppies in
Darwin
REFLECTION ON ANZAC DAY
Anzac Day is too serious to celebrate.
It is about the cost of war and conflict.
It started as a remembrance of those
men and women who died in the Great
War; Australia lost 60,000 of its finest
young men and women, which was
well over one percent of the population
at the time. In today’s terms, it is as if
we lost over 300,000 young men and
women. Double that number were
wounded. Those that died were buried
overseas, and the war memorials that
appeared in every town and city in
Australia became the place where
mothers and fathers mourned their sons,
women cried for their husbands, and
children came to remember a father
that they barely knew. Sadly, the war
to end all wars did not. All in all, about
100,000 young Australians have died
in conflict in the last century.
Those of us who have served know
something of the cost of conflict. In
my own case, service in the Royal
Australian Army Medical Corps over
25 years (part-time with some full-time
service) was followed by two years
with the police in a peace-keeping
force in the Solomon Islands. During
my time there, we lost a police officer
shot dead, and a soldier who died
accidentally while looking for the
weapons of the killers. There was
sacrifice – but there also was peace.
So we observe Anzac Day. We
remember those who died, and also
remember those who suffer in war –
not just the soldiers, but refugees and
those made homeless, those who are
injured in body, mind and spirit, and
those who mourn. We might
commemorate those who made the
supreme sacrifice, for their mates
(John 15.12-13) or for other great
ideals. But Anzac Day is far too
serious to celebrate. Lest we forget.
The Very Reverend Dr Keith Joseph,
Dean of Darwin
FROM ST PETER’S
NIGHTCLIFF:
At St Peter’s we want to help
everyone grow in Jesus Christ. One
of the ways we want to do this is, as
we meet, is to encourage one another
to be centred on God’s word.
Recently we’ve started planning for a
church weekend away at the end of
September to bring together our two
congregations for a sustained period
of time. Please pray for the
organizing of the weekend and that
many come.
The Revd Joshua Kuswadi
The Rev’d Mike Nixon of
Christ Church Cathedral:
“As a doctor at the local prison we
note an increasing number of young
people being convicted for drug
related offences – some from
apparently ‘good’ families. “Ice” is
the latest recreational drug in the
market – this Amphetamine-like drug
is extremely addictive and needs
only one shot or pill to alter the
brain’s workings to demand more –
hence severe addiction. People go to
extreme measures to get money to
buy it once addicted.
Please advise all kids/youth of the
extreme dangers associated with this
drug and also the dangers of
ingesting substances from strangers
and acquaintances who may be drug
sellers”
Please contact Mike Nixon directly
with any questions or would like
any help with talking to kids about
this problem:
Katherine Christian
Convention 2015
Some reflections from The Revd
Joshua Kuswadi about his first time
at KCC:
On the May long weekend, the
Katherine Christian Convention was
held for the 48th
year. It was my first
and a great blessing to be at. We sat in
the shade of trees planted over 30 years
ago by members of the then organising
committee with the foresight to
provide for these days.
People had come from across the
Territory, and some volunteers
travelled from interstate to serve in
many ways. As someone commented
to us, 'There's no talk of reconciliation,
for we are all one in Christ.' While the
talks were in English, the singing,
Bible readings and prayers were in
multiple languages.
The Revd Rob Haynes
The biggest highlight was hearing The
Rev’d Rob Haynes trace some of
what the Bible teaches about God's
living water from Genesis, Psalms,
Isaiah, John and Revelation. Hearing
talks on these passages, written for an
indigenous audience has highlighted
how western my framework and
practice of reading the Bible is. Please
give thanks for the faithful Bible
teaching and pray that God continues
to support this great ministry.
Another contribution from The
Revds Kate & Tavis Beer, in
Katherine, who have attended many
KCCs ….
The 48th Katherine Christian
Convention (KCC) was held at
Morrow's farm again over the May
Day weekend. Attendance was strong,
with just over 1200 people coming
along. Around half of these camped
onsite. There were people from
Anglican, Uniting, Baptist, AIM and
other churches. Many of those came
from remote country all over the Top
End and around Australia. To this end,
one of the key aims of KCC, which is
to celebrate our unity in Christ, was
achieved. Our main speaker was Rev'd
Rob Haynes, a past lecturer at
Nungalinya, who gave five talks on the
theme of God's Living Water. It was
great to see his teaching connect with
such a diverse group.
One of the most encouraging things to
happen this year, was the strong
numbers of volunteers who came with
a servant heart to see the convention
happen. Once again the convention
was used by God to encourage and
build up his people. If you did not go,
maybe you might consider coming
next year! “
Ngukurr childen
Celebrations
Lisa Mumbin from Katherine AIM who
led the main sessions this year
Check out another 230+ photos taken
by Tim Zamagias at this link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/118158
478@N08/sets/72157651827467637/w
ith/17162190749/
Farewells and Welcomes
around the Diocese:
The Rev’d John Hewitson,
has been, on a half time basis for the
past 15 months, the Ministry
Development Officer, based in the
Diocesan Office. He leaves us this
week to commence as the Co-
ordinating Chaplain at the Royal
Darwin Hospital. Those who will
receive the warmth, sincerity and
generosity of spirit and huge
understanding of the sadness of
sickness and loss will be greatly
privileged. John is one of the most
competent CPE (Clinical Pastoral
Education) educators in Australia.
We will miss the value of his planning
for training, the counsel to those who
asked, his time to sit under a tree and
listen to those out in the communities
he has visited, the sense of humour, the
ability to move furniture in the office
that the Registrar and the Secretary had
no hope of doing, and through it all
came his personal caring and love of
God.
We must also acknowledge the
commencement of the work that John
and his wife, Anne, took on, of looking
after the Art Collection here in the
office. Anne’s knowledge of art is
invaluable for the future of this
amazing collection.
Part of the Art Collection
Part of John’s role with the Ministry
Resource Unit was to plan and present
a pre-synod series of training sessions
of what the presentations were going to
be at Synod, using a Synod in Easy
English booklet and role playing.
This enabled those from the
community parishes to be better
prepared during the very involved
business of Synod and the
Incorporation of Anglicare as the core
item on the agenda.
Participants and presenters with
Bishop Greg
John steps into the Co-ordinating
Chaplain position as Morris Bastian
retires from that position after 7 years
in the role at the Hospital. Another,
whose ability to understand people in
such stressful situations that ill health
brings, will be valued by all whom
Morris came into contact with. He
and his wife, Ann, are retiring to be
literally ‘over the back fence’ from
family in Adelaide and we are certain
there will always be room in their
hearts for all in the NT where they will
be sorely missed.
DIOCESAN COUNCIL farewells:
Mrs Marian Ah Toy, Treasurer, and
Ms Gill Wright, Diocesan Council
member from Alice Springs.
We thank both for their major
contributions and wish Marian more
time to do ‘the jobs I never get time to
do’ and Gill in her new position at
Lake Macquarie Hospital in the
Diocese of Newcastle NSW.
DIOCESAN COUNCIL welcomes :
The Revd Peter Johnson was elected at
Synod as DC Treasurer.
Peter was ordained Deacon and Priest
1986. He has served for 11 years full
time parish ministry plus other part
time roles. University studies in
Accounting led him to roles in Cost
Accounting and Financial Accounting
including payroll and preparation of
annual financial reports.
Peter has been part of Nungalinya
College as a Cert III and IV in
Theology teacher since August 2011
and is married to Jenny who is
Assistant Principal of Nungalinya.
They have one married daughter who
lives in Sydney. “We are committed to
help the equipping of Indigenous
Christians for life and ministry in their
communities by helping them to learn
more of Jesus through his word the
Bible”. St Peter’s Nightcliff is our
church home, where we are part of
Bible study groups and serve in other
ways.
We welcome The Revd Kate Beer of
Katherine Parish and the Roper
Valley communities and Violet
Huddleston of Bickerton Island
Parish who will be introduced to you
in the next Newsletter.
Temporary Position (3 months)
The Diocese is seeking expressions of
interest for a paid temporary
position of Safe Ministry Assistant,
one day a week.
Please contact the Registrar,
Leeanne Zamagias for more
information on 08 8941 7440 or
The Church of the Ascension,
Alice Springs
Bishop Greg, Annette with Brian
Jeffries, Eric and Jenny Neil at St
Mary’s Chapel.
Rector Brian Jeffries will welcome
Bishop Greg Anderson to Alice
Springs for his second Pastoral Visit,
on Saturday 23rd
and Sunday 24th
May
2015.
The Bishop’s schedule includes a
morning tea soon after he arrives to
meet parishioners followed by a lunch
meeting with the Parish Council.
Later in the afternoon he will meet
with the CEO of Central Australian
Affordable Housing Company about
future planning for the St Mary’s
property.
The following morning, Bishop Greg
will lead workshop on Pentecost Day
and preach at both the 8.00 AM and
10.00 PM services.
After the service, the Bishop will
participate in the farewell to Gill
Wright. Gill has been a long-term
parishioner and has been prominent in
assisting the Rector in management of
the parish including Parish Council,
Warden and Ministry Assistant. Gill
was also the Safe Ministry
Representative, Synod representative
and Diocesan Council member. Gill is
taking up a position in a Lake
Macquarie Hospital and we wish her
all the best.
The Revd Brian Jeffries
Nungalinya College Resource
Centre
This centre is open on Tuesday,
Thursday and Friday afternoons and
aims to supply scripture materials for
use in front-line ministry.
There is a growing range of Bibles,
New Testaments, tracts and other Bible
resources for all ages. CDs and DVDs
for use in outreach and worship in
many languages. Scriptures in
languages of a variety of indigenous
communities are here.
Nungalinya College is encouraging
indigenous artists to sell their artworks
through the Resource Centre as a
means of gaining income and
hopefully progressing to running their
own businesses.
Hand-made textile arts including
tablecloths, picnic cloths, shoulder
bags and aprons feature indigenous
designs.
Original paintings, prints and even
earrings are made by current and
former students. These make great
gifts and support indigenous artists.
Don’t forget the unique design
Nungalinya clergy stoles in red, green,
white and purple. Come and visit the
Resource Centre soon for the best
choice.
The Revd Phil Zamagias
News from St Francis’ Church,
Batchelor
On the first Saturday of each month the
congregation of the Church at
Batchelor led and organised by Sue
Bligh run an Opportunity Shop at the
Church for the local community.
On Saturday 2nd
May they decided to
donate the morning’s takings to the
ABM appeal for the victims of the
Nepal earthquake.
In 4 hours $738.50 was raised from
the sales in the shop and this has
been forwarded by the Parish of
Fred’s Pass and Batchelor to ABM.
The monthly Opportunity Shop
provides a very worthwhile service to
the Batchelor community and has now
provided support to the community in
Nepal who are suffering at this time.
The Revd Ian McDonald
Anglicare
The weekend of May 8 and 9 saw the
Anglicare Board members visit
Katherine office to view the substantial
progress made in the delivery of social
services since 1996.
Katherine staff currently run: a short to
medium term emergency housing
program, the HIPPY early school
training for parents to help young ones
be ready for education and two aged
care and disability care programs.
Anglicare Katherine Staff join
Anglicare Board visit
Board Chair, Mr Richard Giles, said
“We, as a Board, are excited to be
meeting in Katherine, it is a great
opportunity to hear stories from our
staff about the programs and services
they provide”.
Bishop Greg has appointed
The Revd Kate Beer as Ministry
Development Officer following
John Hewitson’s appointment as
Hospital Chaplain.
Kate will carry out her work from
Katherine. Kate and Tavis have
served with the Ministry Resource
Unit since 2013.
Kate Beer & Estelle Farrer at Kewulyi
working on liturgical and bible study
resources
The late The Rev‘d Tasma
Viney
Just as Synod started in April, we
learnt of the sad passing of
The Revd Tasma Viney (b. 1932).
Bishop Greg Anderson celebrated her
life at her funeral
on Monday 20th
April where she was
surrounded by loving
family and friends.
I asked The Rev’d Pat Williams to tell
us a little of her knowledge and
friendship with Tasma …
Tasma was very much on the periphery
of my world for some years. She was
just one of the CMS people who
worshipped at St. Peter’s Church. I
was very pleased, however, when
Bishop Clyde told me that Tasma and I
would be ordained as Deacons together
at Pentecost 1988.
Even then we only saw each other
spasmodically at Diocesan gatherings
and Clergy Retreats. It was at these
Retreats that we became friends as the
only women in the group of fellows,
we shared our ups and downs and
laughed at the absurd together. Tasma
was very involved with the beginning
of St Luke’s Parish with Ron Bundy as
the Parish priest. When Ron moved to
Brisbane, she carried the Parish for
some time, not easy, and as I was busy
with Christ Church doings, we didn’t
see much of each other.
I can’t remember the timing but sadly
Tasma became ill losing the ability to
move easily and suffering various
other difficulties that resulted from
brain surgery. In no way did this affect
her mind at all, she was as thoughtful
and as sharp and down to earth as ever.
Over the next decade women’s
ordained ministry was taking off and
we had six women in ministry and one
postulant in the Territory. Those of us
who could, met every couple of
months to listen, encourage and laugh
with each other. As you can imagine
there were many issues each of us
brought to those meetings, with lots of
discussion about our specific concerns.
Tas didn’t say much (she probably
couldn’t get much of a word in
edgeways anyway) but at the end of
the time, Tasma always brought us
back to the most important part of
ministry, simply sharing the Gospel of
Jesus and prayer.
She has been one very wise woman.
When her husband, David, was struck
by severe stroke and everything
changed for both of them. After many
difficulties and very hard decision
making, they moved into the Tiwi
Aged Care Facility. Tasma was a
wonderful advocate for David, making
sure that his care was good and
providing every facility that would
help his recovery. Through this time I
visited fairly often, sometimes bringing
Communion for a small group of the
people there.
For me these visits were a mutual
encouragement and sharing time.
Sometimes we vented our frustrations
and problems, sometimes we just
talked about life in general and
ministry in particular. The wonderful
thing was that we always ended up
having a good laugh, sometimes a real
belly laugh.
How I am going to miss the wisdom
and the humour. Bless you Tas.
The Rev’d Pat Williams
Recent cyclones, including Cyclone
Lam, have hit the north coastline of
the NT quite hard and it is with
sincere thanks we share that
anglicanaid.org.au, based in Sydney,
consulted with Bishop Greg Anderson
and have forwarded us an emergency
grant for $10,000 to assist the Uniting
Church Synod, whose properties were
most affected, to make repairs to the
Galiwinku Bible Translation
Centre on Elcho Island.
The building exterior sustained some
damage, with the loss of the shade
structure being significant as
translation staff and community
members like to share time on the
verandah. Replacement will be
important as the big tree that gave the
building shade was blown over.
The electricity has been reconnected.
Thanks be to God that the resources
inside were not water damaged.
Wangarr is celebrating
because, although the shade has not yet
been replaced, her victory is given just
before she came into Darwin to assist
with the Media Studies course at
Nungalinya College.
Trees stripped of their leaves & debris
being cleared away by the truckload
Roof sustained considerable damage
from falling trees and 200+km per
hour winds!
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
In the event of any sexual misconduct
by a church worker in the Diocese of
the Northern Territory, there is a
Diocesan Protocol and procedure for
dealing with such misconduct. Copies
of the Protocol can be obtained from
Rectors of various Parishes
Diocesan Office 08 8941 7440
The Director of Professional
Standards
Mr Greg Milles Ph 07 3835 2266
This is the new colourful logo,
highlighting the ochre colour instead
of the black and white image that has
been used for years. This was revealed
for the first time during the
Presidential Charge at Synod 2015.
A scene, alongside the Roper River,
taken by Bishop Greg on his recent
visit, shows the ochre colour at the
heart of our NT land.
If you would like to present an article
for publication in your next Top
Centre Newsletter
Please ensure you send your
contributions to :
Jan Hemphill
before 10th
July 2015