networking - Churches of Christ in Queensland

Transcription

networking
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MAY 2
Bringing the light of Christ into communities
From the Editor
Churches
of Christ
in Queensland
networking
Over the past few months we have made significant progress with the
written history of Churches of Christ in Queensland. Geoff Risson and Craig
Brown have submitted sections of the publication following extensive
research and interviews with a number of people. The 130 year history book
will be launched later in the year. Please send your stories and photos for
Networking or for the 130 year history book to communications@cofcqld.
com.au or phone 07 3327 1643.
Churches of Christ in Queensland, through its care services division, is
committed to providing best-practice and achieving positive outcomes
for our clients in our care services. Continual improvement is a big part of
our vision and we are always looking to further improve the services we
provide to individuals and the local communities in which we operate. We
are industry leaders across several of our different care provisions and, in
many cases, one of the largest not-for-profit providers of such services in
Queensland.
Our cover story this month is a shining example of this. We are the first
organisation outside the United States to achieve certification in Sanctuary
– a trauma-informed systems approach to out-of- home care (p10-11). More
than 250 organisations around the world, including in England, Canada and
Singapore, are implementing this model of care, but we are the first to be
certified following three years of application and studies led by Churches
of Christ Care Program Manager for Therapeutic Care, Annaley Clarke, and
supported by General Manager for Child, Youth and Family Care, Jane Carter.
The recent implementation of ChildSafe (p13) – a safety management
system for working with children and young people – across all our churches
is another wonderful example of our commitment to best possible care
outcomes.
I would like to close by personally extending an invitation to all readers of
Networking, their families and friends, to attend the official opening and
community day at our Churches of Christ Campus at Mitchelton on Saturday
25 May (p27). A true family and community day, we will have a jumping
castle, sausage sizzle, community stalls, live entertainments and much
more to celebrate this momentous occasion. The address is 28 Blaker Road,
Mitchelton and the event will run from 10.30am to 2pm. I look forward to
seeing you all there!
Desley Millwood
Director of Communications
contents
Chief Executive Officer’s update............................................ 4-5
Council and Board update........................................................ 6
Communications Division
Churches of Christ in Queensland
41 Brookfield Road Kenmore Qld 4069
PO Box 508 Kenmore Qld 4069
07 3327 1643 [email protected]
cofcqld.com.au
Her Stories - The women of Churches of Christ.......................... 6
Annerley Church of Christ celebrates 100 years......................... 7
Computers wanted at Chinchilla............................................... 7
Breathing new life into community housing ............................. 8
10
CREATING A SANCTUARY IN
FOSTER CARE
4
Chief Executive
Officer’s update
8
Breathing new life into
community housing
18
Things are heating up
for State Youth Games
20
Medical Santo
preparing to care
for thousands of
ni-Vanuatu
Creating a sanctuary in foster care...................................... 10-11
Boondall welcomes Iranian imigrants......................................12
ChildSafe documents available for all churches.......................13
On tinkers and tea ladies................................................... 14-15
Welcoming your first foster child.............................................16
West Moreton Community Care team recognised
for outstanding community service.........................................17
Things are heating up for the State Youth Games................18-19
Medical Santo preparing to care for
thousands of Ni-Vanuatu....................................................20-21
Global Mission Partners update........................................ 22-24
Next Generation Leaders Network.......................................... 26
The Crossing.......................................................................... 26
Men’s shed empowering men with special needs................... 28
Retirement living is a lifestyle investment............................... 29
Lockyer Valley seniors battle for Games glory......................... 30
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Chief Executive
Officer’s update
Coogera Apartments - housing
and community building at
Caloundra
It has been a big month of new facilities opening
and expanding our ministry and mission services in
Queensland.
church building next door to accommodate our South
East Fostering Service staff, who will relocate from their
rented offices in Yatala.
In April we also officially opened
66 one, two and three-bedroom
apartments in Caloundra.
Tallowwood Apartments - housing and
community building in Ipswich
Churches of Christ Care provides foster, kinship and
specialist care for children and young people who, for a
variety of reasons, are unable to remain living with their
own parents.
The new facilities will provide urgently
needed accommodation for over
80 people identified by the state
government.
The Springwood Campus is the latest example of an
integrated community, where we can work together to
combine significant facilities and services to better
bring the light of Christ into communities.
Community Chaplaincy Team Leader
Murray Thomson opened proceedings
with prayer and dedication.
Three levels of government were present to celebrate
the official opening of Tallowwood Apartments, our
new community housing development, consisting of 46
one, two and three-bedroom apartments at Booval in
Ipswich.
Federal member for Blair, Shayne Neumann,
together with Queensland’s Minister for Housing
and Public Works, Tim Mander, officially opened
the new complex, while the Mayor of Ipswich, Paul
Pisasale, presented a plaque symbolising the City
of Ipswich’s support.
Tallowwood Apartments provides quality,
affordable community housing that enables
tenants to remain independent while living in a
secure and supportive environment. Support was
provided by the Queensland Government with
funding received from the Federal Government’s
Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan.
Ben Zambra, Tallowwood’s Community Chaplain,
offered the opening prayer and dedication of the
new facility.
Springwood Church of Christ
After years of prayer, visioning, planning,
fundraising and working bees led by Senior Pastor
Geoff Charles, Ministry Coordinator Cal Muggleton,
and the leaders of Springwood Church of Christ, a
new 600-seat church and community facility was
officially opened on Sunday 21 April.
The new, multi-purpose, community facility is a
tangible testimony to the effective partnerships
of the Springwood Church working together with
our Queensland Conference through Churches
of Christ Care and our Centenary Development
Foundation.
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4
The new Springwood campus will
– through its ministry, worship
and conference facilities, care and
community services – provide for
the physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual needs of the community.
After much discussion, it was decided that
Churches of Christ Care would purchase the old
State Minister for Housing and
Public Works, Tim Mander, was again
generous with his time, mingling with
residents and touring the facilities
before the official opening.
Councillor Peter Cox came to
indicate the support of the Sunshine
Coast Regional Council, as did
representatives from our Caloundra
Church of Christ.
Mike Armstrong (CDF), Eric King (CDF), Dean Phelan (CEO, CofCQ),
Geoff Charles (Senior Pastor Springwood), Peter Cranna, (Director of
Finance and Infrastructure, CofCQ), David Swain (Director, Churches
of Christ Care) and Gary Edwards (Chair of Board, CofCQ).
Mission Action Partner, Kevin Hamer,
is the pastoral team leader for our
Coogera tenants.
Uplift – my new blog
As many of you will be aware, I recently launched my own blog called
Uplift.
My aim with this blog is for each entry to leave you with a “positive
grain of sand” through reflection on events, news stories, spirituality
and the work we do as Churches of
Christ.
I am very interested in readers of
Networking or Uplift to send any
thoughts or feedback to me in
response to what I write - I may even
respond to it in future articles and
posts, or it could even give me ideas
for content.
Please email me at
[email protected] with any
comments you may have. I look
forward to receiving them.
www.cofcqld.com.au/deansblog
Dean
Phelan’s
blog
“Uplii”
‘‘...reflections on events
and news stories, and
thoughts on spirituality
and the work we do as
Churches of Christ.’’
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Council and
Board
update
The Affiliated Churches of the Churches of Christ in Queensland
elect a Conference Council, who in turn appoint a Board. The
Council and Board, together with Chief Executive Officer, Dean
Phelan, and his Executive Team, oversee the activities of the
Churches of Christ in Queensland.
During March and April the Board and its committees
met on various aspects of church business.
The Board has five separate committees that meet
regularly through the year – Finance and Infrastructure;
Mission and Ministry; Risk and Audit; Ethics, Care and
Clinical Governance; and Remuneration.
The Board itself went through matters relating to
Council, Board and Executive Team at the
2012 Annual General Meeting in Brisbane
significant risks, expanding ministries, income streams
for funding mission activities, the Ni-Vanuatu Global
Missions Partners project, and development options for
the Kenmore Head Office site.
The Board also approved involvement with other state
Church of Christ Conferences in a National Insurance
Scheme – a major step forward for our movement – and
approved the work done to date on a major submission
to the state government on a Churches of Christ Care
housing initiative in the Logan area.
The Board also discussed and spent time in prayer for
churches facing some challenges.
The Council did not meet in the last month; however,
Council members remain busily engaged with local
churches – each Council member has five to eight
local Churches of Christ that they seek to informally
encourage through the year.
Please remember to keep the church’s Council, Board
and associated committees in your prayers.
Annerley Church of Christ
celebrates 100 years
Annerley Church of Christ will this year celebrate
a 100 years of witness to the community of
Annerley.
The thirteenth affiliated
church to reach the
centenary milestone,
Annerley Church of Christ is
holding a service of celebration
on Sunday 18 August.
Chief Executive Officer, Dean
Phelan, will be among the guests
of honour, making a special
address to the crowd and joining all for a
chat over morning tea.
“Many people have worshipped with us
over the years: some through Sunday
School, Girls’ and Boys’ Brigades, children’s
programs, youth groups, women’s fellowship
and so on,” Annerley Church of Christ’s Corinne
Forster, said.
“We invite all to join us for this special
milestone celebration.”
For catering purposes, please contact Annerley
Church of Christ via email at admin@annerleycofc.
org.au or by phone on 07 3892 2568, from Tuesday
to Friday between 9.00am and 2.00pm, if you wish
to attend.
Her Stories - The women of Churches of Christ
Evelyn Colbran has been given the task of
researching and collating a book: a book to tell
the story of the work and mission of the women of
Churches of Christ in Queensland.
With 115 years of history at Evelyn’s disposal,
Her Stories will cover the work of the century-old
Women’s State Conference, camps, rally days, the
work of individuals and groups, a roll of honour, and
much more.
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6
“I take this opportunity to thank those who have
sent their stories, but I need more; so for those of
you who are still considering but have been caught
up with the busyness of life, I ask that you put your
part of our amazing history together and forward to
me.
“As I rely solely on God to give me the strength and
guidance for this incredible task, I seek your prayers
for myself and those who are helping.”
Many hours have already been put into this book,
but to bring to completion Evelyn is calling for
readers’ help.
Contributions can be sent to Evelyn via email at
[email protected] or by post to 4 Jalinda Court,
Currumbin Valley, QLD 4223.
“I started this awesome task at the end of last year
and have since sent 120 letters asking the women of
our churches to give me their story, be that from the
work of their women’s group or personal anecdotes,”
Evelyn said.
Evelyn is also available to chat over the phone on 07
5598 6934 or 0418 199 010.
Computers wanted at Chinchilla
Chinchilla Church of Christ
is seeking two computers
to help support the work of
their secretary in preparing
newsletters and distributing
emails to their members.
Pastor Erik Liljegren said
the church isn’t looking for
the latest and greatest, but
simply a reliable, healthy and
relatively quick machine.
“We are hoping that one of
the churches might have
some computers they no
longer use that they would be
willing to sell or, better still,
donate to us,” Erik said.
“We are not looking for
anything flash but just
something for our secretary
to work comfortably and
efficiently on.”
“If your church or service
can assist Chinchilla, please
contact Erik via email at
[email protected]
or by phone on 0400657328.
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7
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Beryl Wiltshire
Scholarship
for Study Towards a
Career in the Caring
Profession
Breathing new life into community housing
In April, Churches of Christ Care improved the lives of
hundreds of Queenslanders on housing waiting lists,
with the official opening of two community housing
complexes at Caloundra, on the Sunshine Coast, and
Booval, in Ipswich.
options for individuals and families who are earning
low incomes, are discriminated against in the private
housing market, or are homeless or at risk of becoming
homeless.
Minister for Housing and Public Works, Tim Mander,
attended both openings and said the properties would
help address the shortfall in the state’s housing supply.
“Churches of Christ Care is proud to be building
communities where people feel safe, valued and
respected, where care, accommodation and support
services are available,” David said.
Coogera Apartments at Caloundra and Talloowwood
Apartments at Booval provide 110 new one, two and
three-bedroom apartments to their local communities.
“We provide quality and affordable community housing
that enables tenants to live in a secure and supportive
environment.”
“There are currently 1,724 households on the social
housing waiting list on the Sunshine Coast alone, which
is well above the state average,” Mr Mander said.
Mr Mander said one of the greatest challenges facing
the social housing sector was matching tenants with
suitable properties.
“That’s why projects like these undertaken by Churches
of Christ Care are so important.”
“Most people on the waiting list are single and have
relatively high needs which means detached suburban
homes are not the best option,” Mr Mander said.
The new complexes have been tenanted with applicants
from the state’s housing register, with rents capped at a
maximum of 30 per cent of a tenant’s income.
Churches of Christ Care Director, David Swain, said
the organisation provides a range of rental housing
“These units are exactly the sort of thing our new
tenants need.”
Churches of Christ Care has undertaken the two housing
projects through funding received from the Nation
Building – Economic Stimulus Plan.
“We work closely with the Department of
Housing and Public Works to assist, where
possible, in providing solutions to the underoccupancy issue within public housing,”
David said.
Churches of Christ Care is one of the
largest not-for-profit housing providers in
Queensland, with over 30 years’ experience
in property and tenancy management.
page
8
The organisation manages approximately
1,200 tenancies throughout South East
Queensland.
Beryl Wiltshire AM was a highly respected leader in welfare and
community work in Australia especially during her long and
distinguished career with Churches of Christ Care. She was also
Queensland Mother of the Year and received the Order of
Australia for service in the field of social welfare on Australia day
1996.
She was a friend, counselor, and mentor, to any who were in need
and sought her help and advice. Beryl had a particular talent for
identifying the potential in people and quietly assisted many with
funding for their education and training to get them started in
their career. This scholarship continues the tradition she
established and is designed to meet the tuition and associated
costs of a person or persons who wish to embark on a career of
service within the social, welfare, human services, and caring
sector.
An annual sum of $5,000 is available to fund one or more
scholarships for study towards a qualification at any educational
or training organization which may lead to a career in the caring
profession. The scholarship is open to persons of all ages and
there are no conditions for candidacy.
Candidates should outline the nature of the career they wish to
pursue, their motivation for undertaking study towards the
relevant qualification, the course they wish to undertake towards
this career, and give details of the likely annual tuition and
associated costs ( fees, books, equipment etc).
Please prepare an application
including the following:
(attach full details)
Name
Address
Phone
Career being contemplated
Reasons for choosing this career
Education/Training course to be
undertaken including name of
course and qualification and
institution for study e.g. training
organization, college, University
Duration of course
Annual costs to be funded including
tuition fees and associated costs
Names and contact details of two
referees
Preference will be given to applicants who do not have access to
study assistance programs in their employer organisations.
Please send completed application form, by September 30th 2013 to:
Beryl Wiltshire Scholarship
30 Gregory St. Clayfield Qld. 4011
Further enquiries: Phone 0418 713 593
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9
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“Caring for children and young people who have been
hurt or experienced trauma is challenging.
“Sanctuary equips children, foster carers, our staff and
the wider community with effective tools to enable
them to recover from their trauma and go on to
experience many successes in life.
“It’s not about making excuses; it is a
way of looking at what’s happened to
someone rather than what’s wrong
with them.”
Creating a sanctuary
in foster care
Sanctuary can improve
interactions not only
between young people
and their carers, but
between staff and carers,
and also among staff.
While there are 250 organisations
practising the Sanctuary Model around
the world, Churches of Christ Care is the
first organisation outside the United States
to reach certification.
During April, two members of the United Statesbased Sanctuary Accreditation Team, Sarah Yanosy
and Landa Harrison, were in Brisbane to complete the
certification.
“We are inspired by the commitment of the team and
their professionalism and leadership,” Ms Yanosy said.
”Not everyone can take an international model and
modify it to ensure it’s culturally relevant.
“Additionally, there has been a real generosity in
sharing their knowledge and experience with other
organisations, both within Australia and internationally.
“It shows a genuine ability to put the model into action,
to ‘walk the talk’ so to speak, and has created a growing
sense of community within the out-of-home care sector
in this country.”
Over the past three years, the Churches of Christ Care
team has had five visits from Sanctuary assessors,
as well as undertaking monthly teleconferences for
professional education and support.
For the past three years, Churches of Christ Care
has been implementing Sanctuary, an innovative,
international model to support children, young
people and families in its child protection services.
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10
Program Support Manager, Annaley Clarke, said that
by undertaking a global search the organisation
was able to identify the model best suited not only
to children and families, but also to staff, the wider
community and Churches of Christ Care’s values.
The Sanctuary Model is a trauma-informed systems
approach to out-of-home care programs, with an
emphasis on safety and community.
“We found that the Sanctuary Model offers a unique,
whole of community approach, with everybody
working together to help others heal,” Annaley said.
“We have had candidates say they were encouraged
to apply because they knew we were committed to
Sanctuary,” Annaley said.
“It has also helped us improve retention rates, with staff
saying it is one of the reasons they have chosen to stay.
“Retention in foster care and residential care is
extremely important as it increases the sense of safety
in kids and foster carers and helps build healthy,
positive attachment bonds.
“In short, retention is critical to maintaining those
relationships that help people to heal.”
But the most important outcome is the effect
Sanctuary is having on the kids – the fact that safety
and community are the key focus helps them to feel
connected, secure and valued.
“We have had kids who take their safety plans to school
to show their teachers and explain to them what they
need to do when they start to get angry, distressed or
violent,” Ms Clarke said.
“Some schools have adopted the safety plans and we
know of kids who have started to use the tools to start
a conversation with their parents, which has long-term
effects for all their relationships.
“We have also seen an increase in service satisfaction,
with young people saying they feel welcomed, safer,
more connected and with a greater understanding of
what is expected of them.”
Churches of Christ Care is one of the largest nongovernment providers of child protection services in
Queensland. We provide foster care, kinship care,
respite care, assessment and intervention services, and
residential and supported independent living services.
Churches of Christ Care provides assistance and
care to over 2,600 children and young people
annually with the support of more than 950
dedicated and compassionate foster
carers.
www.care.cofcqld.com.au
“Churches of Christ Care has demonstrated an abiding
commitment not only to the model but to the children,
young people and families they support,” Ms Yanosy
said.
“The organisation has created a culture of traumainformed practice, putting theory into operational
practice in a way that allows continuity across
different sites and services.”
The Sanctuary Model has also had
effects on staff recruitment and
retention within the organisation.
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Boondall welcomes
Iranian imigrants
It’s not every day that a Churches of Christ congregation
gets to have four Iranian Christians worshipping with
them!
Christians are pretty scarce on the ground in Iran;
however, one family was led to Christ after tragically
losing their parents in a car crash.
The three siblings Rozita, Shahrokh, Morteza, along with
Sharhrok’s wife Samira, found a home church that met
in secret, where a man known as Albert helped them
convert to Christianity.
Albert loaned them Christian books
and they learned more about Christ
from American television.
The family made the decision
to flee from Iran as converting
to Christianity is regarded as a
crime and may involve them in
”mysteriously vanishing one night”.
They left Iran and flew to Indonesia
where they were told to just “stay
where they were” in fairly dark and
awful conditions for three months.
They had to pack up quickly one
night and were driven for eight
hours through the night in a black
car.
After 20 minutes in a dinghy, the
smugglers eventually put them and
62 others on a boat – destination
unknown as far as they were aware.
After 36 hours, the boat arrived at
Christmas Island, where they spent
four months being assessed.
When I inquired as to how they got meals on the boat,
Rozita, who learned to speak English at a private school,
replied that she was sea-sick for the whole time and had
not given a thought to eating.
The family was transferred to Darwin for two months and
then flown to Brisbane, where they were settled in a
house by Red Cross, close to Boondall Church of Christ.
They first attended our Church for the 10am service on 3
February and were immediately welcomed and warmly
accepted by the congregation.
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12
One church member arranged for four brand new pushbikes with helmets and locks, telling us he “got a good
deal”.
Some members will use an Iranian phrase for “good
day”, which is “rooz bekheir”, and the Iranians will
quickly reply, “good day” – we’ve yet to add “mate” to
that!
Don Bartrim helped the two men mow their lawn, which
was very high, and cleaned up the yard for them.
They have been invited to various homes for lunch and,
in return, they have had members to their place for the
same.
When the family fled Iran, they were only allowed one
piece of luggage, which didn’t allow for coats and
clothing for our recent spell of cooler weather, or for
most of the things we take for granted in our daily lives.
However, the Boondall congregation
has been so generous in their support
that Kath Male has taken on the role
of coordinating their needs.
Kath makes sure the family has
enough essentials such as personal
items, clothing and kitchenware,
without unnecessary duplication.
To help them settle in to their new
community, Isabel Drew took them to
the library at Sandgate and showed
them the sights around the bay, as
well as transporting some furniture
for their home.
Other members are setting up a
computer for them so they will be
able to connect with Iranian friends in
Melbourne and Adelaide.
Additionally, we have contacted
the Multicultural Development
Association at Nundah and two of
them have enrolled for English classes
at Kedron High School.
A recent trip to Toowoomba enabled
them to see how beautiful and free Queensland is; more
than 300 kilometres of driving and there were no checkpoints along the way!
Rozita read the scriptures for our Good Friday service,
which was listened to very attentively by all who
attended.
It has been an interesting and instructive time to
personalise the “illegal migrants”, “queue jumpers”
and “siev” (‘suspected illegal entry vessel’) or even
”boat people”, as they are referred to.
ChildSafe documents available for all churches
In recent years there has been increasing awareness
and expectation that organisations must be doing all
that they reasonably can to ensure that children in
their care remain safe.
Churches of Christ in Queensland has adopted the
ChildSafe system as the preferred safety management
system for working with children and young people
within the church environment.
ChildSafe is all about keeping children safe and
provides a system by which churches can be proactive
about the safety of the children in their care.
As part of Churches of Christ in Queensland’s ongoing
commitment to supporting the local churches,
the Assurance Services Division has developed a
Managing Children’s Safety Policy and associated
supporting procedures.
The purpose of these documents is to provide
guidance to the churches around child safety and
also to comply with insurance requirements and state
regulations specified by the Commission for Children
and Young People and Child Guardian.
The documents address the following topics:
• implementation of ChildSafe within the church
• volunteer management
• volunteer grievance and discipline
• disclosure of harm.
These documents are now accessible via LeaderLink.
Click on the Resources tab on the home page and
scroll down to the ChildSafe section.
The suite of ChildSafe documents, developed by the
ChildSafe team, is also available on Leaderlink for
those churches that will not be using ChildSafe’s
online database.
Should you have any questions or require assistance
with these documents or the implementation of
the ChildSafe system within your church, please
contact Churches of Christ in Queensland’s Risk and
Compliance Advisor, Amy Walton, via email at amy.
[email protected] or by phone on 07 3363 1768.
We have been blessed by their presence.
Allan Male
Boondall Church of Christ
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13
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On tinkers and tea ladies
Dr Laura Schlessinger, American radio host, caused
a storm when she declared that homosexuality is an
abomination, as stated clearly in Leviticus 18:22.
Amongst the protests, her comments sparked the
following humorous response:
“Dear Dr Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people
regarding God’s Law.
I need some advice from you regarding some other
specific laws and how to follow them:
I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as
sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. What would be a fair price
for her?
I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while
she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness – Lev.
15:19-24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried
asking, but most women take offense.
Lev 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves,
provided that they are purchased from neighbouring
nations. A friend claims that this applies to Mexicans
but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own
Canadians?
I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead
pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I
wear gloves?”
A light-hearted letter, but with an important point: we
cannot simply lift a verse from the Bible and assume
it translates directly into our culture and context, and
because we still quote the 10 commandments, we can’t
say that Old Testament Law is no longer relevant.
So how do we determine how to live as Christians?
As a young teacher of English, I very quickly learned the
importance of culture and context in understanding and
appreciating literature.
When I taught Shakespeare or Chaucer, we would often
spend several weeks learning about the life, culture and
language of those times.
Once students understood a little of the language
and culture, their initial frustrations would give way
to excitement as they uncovered the richness and the
nuances of meaning in the text.
It was always obvious if someone had missed the
background study: they risked totally misunderstanding
the message.
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14
Language and culture change so much over time
that even information from 50 years ago can be
misinterpreted.
If you doubt this, think about words such as mouse,
bookmark, desktop.
What about gay, cool, surf, text?
And which teenager today understands the role of a
tinker or the importance of the office tea lady?
I believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, but we
need to understand that God’s inspiration, as seen
in the Bible, has passed through the filter of many
different writers in many different contexts, cultures and
languages, over a period of 1300 plus years – 26 times
the 50-year gap separating those who remember tinkers
and tea ladies!
Add to this the effect of translating the Bible from
Aramaic and Ancient Greek, through Latin into English.
Think what happens in a game of “Chinese Whispers,”
where a message is passed down a chain of people, or
try translating a sentence, using Google translator, into
Japanese and back into English – the end result can be
hilarious.
Like many people, on occasions I have been given a
Bible verse which has spoken directly to me.
I know that this is God inspired.
I have verses that I will always treasure because of their
personal significance, but if we take a Bible verse at
random, look only at its literal meaning and use this as
the basis for an iron-clad rule, we can run into trouble.
I am often challenged and confronted by the diversity
of views about the role of women amongst Christian
groups.
Some men and women, often with the best of
intentions, skew the debate, obscuring or missing the
real issues.
Danielle Strickland, in The Liberating Truth: How Jesus
Empowers Women points out that the Bible contains far
more instructions on
how men should treat
their wives than vice
versa.
She focused on Bible “rules” but could not see the
forest for the trees.
Her minister instructed her to forgive her husband.
Most women in this situation have tried everything to
change themselves, proving that it is not their fault, but
that it is his behaviour which needs to change.
But Jesus tells us: “If he sins against you seven times in
a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I
repent’, forgive him.”
When an abused woman can summon up the courage
to leave, who is responsible for breaking the marriage
vows?
As a condition of forgiveness, a sinner must truly repent
his actions, and Jesus never says that forgiveness
means forgetting the wrong done to us.
Can anyone say Sally’s husband is keeping his vow of
loving and honouring his wife while he is beating her?
A woman who stays in a dangerous relationship where
there is not genuine repentance cannot fulfil her
spiritual obligation to reach her God-given potential.
Like Zaccheus and Matthew, if someone is truly
repentant, they will go out of their way to repair the
damage caused by their sin and to change their ways.
With domestic violence, this never means giving
flowers, apologising and then repeating the abuse.
It means enlisting help to change behaviour; it means
demonstrating that his behaviour and his attitude
towards her has changed, not just until his next
outburst, but for the long-term.
The same principal applies when the positions are
reversed and the husband is the victim.
In Lynne Baker’s study of Christian women who have
experienced domestic abuse, only one out of 20 men
significantly changed their behaviour.
Unfortunately, the “battered wife” syndrome leaves
women so powerless that most women feel incapable of
leaving their husbands.
They would rather believe the myth that, this time, his
remorse is sincere.
If she accepts her situation by forgiving him yet again,
she gives him no reason to change.
“Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again,
but expecting different results”, according to Narcotics
Anonymous.
Jesus says that “anyone who divorces his wife, makes
her a victim of adultery”.
This is a direct parallel; the perpetrator of the abuse is
the one guilty of breaking the marriage vows.
I believe strongly in the sanctity of marriage.
I have been blessed to have been married to the same
wonderful man for 37 years and I am looking forward to
many more happy years together.
In 99 per cent of cases, I encourage couples to overcome
hurts and find a way forward together.
But for people like Sally, who have been manipulated
and abused, their spouse has already broken the
marriage vows.
Leaving may be the only way to find safety and to regain
dignity for themselves, their spouses and their children.
It confronts the issues and reminds Sally’s husband of
his responsibility to make reparation and to salvage his
commitment to his marriage vows.
What can we learn from Sally?
Basing an unbreakable rule on a couple of out-ofcontext Bible verses makes as much sense as playing
football with gloves on.
Janette Phelan
Mission Action Partner
Yet Christians often
focus on one or two
New Testament verses
about the role of a
wife, without regard to
context.
I have previously
written about “Sally,”
a domestic violence
victim.
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15
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Welcoming your first foster child
March’s Foster and Kinship Carers Week celebrate the
dedication and commitment of foster and kinship carers
within the Fraser Coast region and the difference they
make to the lives of the children and young people in
their care.
But according to Bundaberg locals, Cate and Barry, it
can be carers who are most profoundly impacted by the
young people they support.
“You get so much back from the kids,” Cate said.
“The difference a cuddle makes to a child is
indescribable and the joy you see in their faces from
something so simple, a gift or whatever it may be, is just
magical.
“Then there’s the trust - they look at you with those
eyes. Innocent eyes ready to trust again, and in turn you
give them the love they need.
Cate said the feeling they had the first time they found
out they were going to be welcoming children into their
home was something they hadn’t felt before.
“We received a phone call from the Department; you
don’t get much notice,” Cate said.
“They asked if we’d take two sibling little girls on four
days respite, gave us as much background to the girls
as they could, and asked were we happy to accept them.
We were!
“They were great girls and we had a ball with them. We
were a little bit anxious before they arrived, but when
we opened the door our excitement overcame any
nerves.
“That first placement was so rewarding: we really felt
we’d achieved something.”
“You want to make them feel valued and loved, but it’s
the children who impart those feelings to you.”
Cate said the couple now has a ritual in place when it
comes to preparing for new arrivals.
Barry and Cate became fully accredited foster carers
in September 2012 and have since provided a vital
safety net for children and young people residing in the
Bundaberg area.
“When we find out children are coming we have a little
gift ready for them, to help break the ice,” Cate said.
“It’s become a bit of a pattern now. You just need
something simple, an inexpensive gift
to offer them. It breaks down a myriad of
barriers and has worked with every child.
West Moreton Community Care team recognised
for outstanding community service
“It’s probably my best tip.”
However, not all placements go to plan
and Cate said it’s reassuring to know that
Churches of Christ Care is with her and
Barry every step of the way.
“You quickly learn that staff are there to
support you, no matter what happens, and
that really puts your mind at ease,” Cate
said.
“If you get a placement that doesn’t suit,
they are available 24 hours a day. They
never put you in a position you can’t
handle.”
Churches of Christ Care provides
assistance and care to over 2,600 children
and young people annually with the
support of more than 950 dedicated and
compassionate foster carers.
page
16
To find out more about Churches of Christ
Care’s child protection services visit
carepathwaysqld.com.au or phone 1800
22 2273.
Staff at Churches of Christ Care West Moreton
Community Care Program received some much
deserved recognition for the support they provide their
community after being nominated for 2013 Pride of
Workmanship Awards.
The annual recognition awards are held by the Rotary
Club of Boonah and celebrate those who embody the
Rotary ideal of “do it once – do it well”.
The West Moreton Community Care Program provides
elderly people the support they need to stay in their own
homes for as long as possible.
The team took pride in being selected among the
10 finalists, particularly as the award is traditionally
reserved for individuals, not teams or programs.
“The whole team at West Moreton is to be congratulated
for this deserved recognition,” Jenny Tyrrell, Community
Care General Manager, said.
“I’m told they don’t usually accept team nominations,
so they must have felt West Moreton particularly worthy.
“The fact that one of our clients, who is actually an
independent living resident at Fassifern Retirement
Village, went out of their way to nominate us, tells you
just how much she appreciates the support she receives
and the way it is delivered.
“What a great example of what we all want to achieve,
and that is to make a difference in the lives of people
living in the local communities we serve.
“Well done to all staff who have had a part to play
in West Moreton’s great community reputation and
steering over many years.”
West Moreton is one of 55 Churches of Christ Care
community care programs.
Programs include community aged care packages,
home and community care, extended aged care at
home packages, extended aged care at home dementia
packages, consumer directed care, older people’s
action programs, flexible respite programs for people
with advanced dementia, healthy ageing programs,
veterans home care, private services and day respite
services.
page
17
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Things are heating up for the State Youth Games
From 4-7 October more than 1,000 young athletes from
20 different churches will converge on the Watson Park
Convention Centre at Dakabin for the 2013 State Youth
Games.
Churches of Christ in Queensland wants
to make this year’s State Youth Games the
biggest and best to date, so organisers
are making it easier than ever to get
involved.
Australia’s largest Christian sporting competition, the
Churches of Christ in Queensland driven event reaches
out and brings the light of Christ to youth and young
adults via the vehicle of sport.
Organising the logistics to take a group
of young people to such a large event in
Brisbane can be a bit daunting, so there
is a whole new system to set your team
up for success.
Specifically designed for people 25 years an under, the
event brings church groups, youth groups and school
ministries together in sport, fellowship and fun.
Not only do organisers provide you with
all the documents, tools and checklists
that you will need, but they can also
organise to “buddy” you with another
experienced team.
As well as Dakabin, this year’s Games will be held at
multiple sporting venues on the north side of Brisbane,
including Brackenridge, Morayfield and Caboolture, and
will feature more than 20 different sports and activities,
from the less serious three-legged races to the highly
competitive touch football.
Sports will be played in a round-robin format,
culminating in a finals’ series, with athletes given
the option of competing in the open age A or B grade
categories, or under-18s division.
With such great variety of events, Churches of Christ
in Queensland’s Director of Communications, Desley
Millwood, said there is a sport or activity for everyone.
“Young people can take part in a range of different
sporting activities, from touch football and netball to
Tenpin bowling and darts, and even get involved in the
Fun Run,” Desley said.
“The different categories and groups range in size from
80 people to as few as 10, and we even cater for team
leaders who want to take part, letting them compete in
the open category.”
As well as winning trophies for each sport, players
compete for either the small, medium or large “Group
Champions” trophy, depending on their group size; and
“Fair Play” and “Group Spirit” trophies for upholding the
positive foundations the Games were built on.
However, Desley insisted that this is one competition
where winning really isn’t everything.
“It’s about the spirit
of the game,” Desley
said.
“What is valued
most is not athletic
prowess, but the
attitude of the
participants.
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18
“Everyone is
welcome and you
Easier than ever to be a part
of State Youth Games
Your buddy team can give you the
benefits of their knowledge of planning
and pre-event preparation and, even
more importantly, may be able to help
you out with catering for the Games.
don’t have to worry about your athletic ability.
“The competition varies from those who have competed
at fairly high levels to those who are still learning to play
the games.”
State Youth Games is also about building a sense of
community and involvement, so there is a whole range
of activities planned off the field.
With around 700 people expected to be camping at the
Dakabin “Tent City”, there will be a variety of activities
and entertainment held each night.
“In keeping with the sense of fun and community, there
are lots of recreational things planned, including a café,
speakers, bands and social games,” Desley said.
“State Youth Games is about helping to bring young
Christians together through sport and engaging them
with each other and their broader community.”
This can leave you free to enjoy your first
State Youth Games experience, with all
the fun and sense of community that the
event brings.
For more information about the buddy
system, or for any further help or advice,
visit www.sygqld.com.au or contact
Churches of Christ in Queensland Events
Manager, Ben Farley, by phone on 07
3363 1737.
REGISTER NOW!
This year, the registration process has been streamlined
and is now available completely online, with a special
new system to help support first time groups and ensure
their enrollment is made as easy as possible.
Registration costs $90 or just $75 for early birds who
sign up before 23 August.
Costs cover all sporting and camping fees, but each
group must organise its own catering.
For more information or to register, visit www.sygqld.
com.au or contact Churches of Christ in Queensland
Events Manager, Ben Farley, by phone on 07 3363 1737.
page
19
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can provide specialised
care to many women who
are in desperate need of
medical attention.
Medical
Santo
preparing
to care for
thousands of
Ni-Vanuatu
What does a peanut farmer, a
carpenter, an airline manager, a
skate board teacher, a plumber, a
waitress, a Boy’s Brigade leader,
an intensive care paramedic and a
business manager have in common
with Vanuatu?
God has called each one of them
into His service, in Vanuatu.
page
20
They are preparing the Churches
of Christ Medical Santo clinic for
opening next month, which will be
used to minister to God’s people
through health care and by sharing
the good news.
Medical care in Australia is a
blessing from God that we do not
appreciate until we have seen the
lack of available medical care in
Vanuatu.
Churches of Christ Medical Santo
is supporting the Vanuatu Ministry
of Health by providing access to
primary health care to over 140,000
people in Northern Vanuatu.
Poor health and death at an early
age is an accepted part of life in
Vanuatu that I believe as Christians
we cannot close our eyes to.
I am responsible for my brothers
Is this something that
you can assist us with?
Prayer is our best
resource that allows
God to work through His
saints.
Would you please pray
that God will provide us
with a full-time Christian
doctor to supervise the
Medical Santo outreach;
that we will have the
resources to equip the
clinic to provide a high
quality of service to
the people of Northern
Vanuatu; for the local
outreach/care team
who will be sharing the
good news as they are
visiting, supporting and
encouraging all who
come into contact with
Medical Santo; and
that God will guide us
through the red tape and
relationships.
We are grateful for His
provision in our lives.
and sisters over my back fence and
in Vanuatu and all nations.
least of these brothers and sisters of
mine, you did for me.”
It is God’s blessing to me that I
live in Australia, a land of milk and
honey.
For Medical Santo there are many
items to set up, equipment to
source, and medical supplies to
purchase.
The resources and gifts that God
has blessed to each according to
his own ability is for His work in
sharing the good news.
How can I receive the abundant
blessings of God without concern
for those less privileged?
The King will reply, “Truly I tell you,
whatever you did for one of the
We have made contact with a
specialist women’s health nurse in
Vanuatu who, for $200 per week,
Churches of Christ
Santo
Changing lives in Northern Vanuatu
Thank you for your prayer
in support of Churches of
Christ Medical Santo.
Allen Cox
Churches of Christ
Medical Santo
Help us change lives
Cheques made out to:
Churches of Christ Medical Santo
PO Box 5478
Maroochydore BC
Qld 4558
or
Direct Deposit:
BSB 034-243
Acc No. 12-1873
If you require a Tax Deductible receipt please request this and send
your return postal address so we can forward the receipt to you.
page
21
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Global Mission Partners
Pentecost power: United as One
Pentecost marks the dramatic birth of
a missionary church.
The church that was ”born” on the first
Pentecost – when the disciples were
filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4) – is
a church that came into being with a
message to proclaim and the means to
proclaim it.
Alternatively, contact the GMP office
via email at [email protected].
au, by phone on 08 8352 3466, or by
post at PO Box 341, Torrensville Plaza
SA 5031.
page
22
Upload to Facebook or Twitter some
photos and comments, and share your
church’s participation in the Pentecost
offering.
Later, when the Makovero siblings returned from
church, they recognised their father standing on their
doorstep and experienced a joyful reunion.
Life settled into a comfortable rhythm where survival
was no longer the main priority for the day.
Their father, who was critically
ill, was taken away for care by
relatives.
Join with other local Churches of Christ
on Sunday 19 May and be part of
giving to this first Pentecost offering,
United as One, for the growth and
development of our international
partners.
You can find these resources at www.
inpartnership.org.au/pentecostsunday.
Each of the children has since settled in well at KCV,
with the boys joining the KCV soccer team and all of
them enjoying the singing and music.
KCV welcomed Nester, twins
Tawanda and Tatenda,
Takudzwa, and Ayanda, the
only girl in the Makovero
family, in April 2011 after their
mother died.
Today we all, in Australia and
overseas, continue to live out this task.
Resources available for this event
include Pentecost offering envelopes
with stories from some of our church
partners, Pentecost Bible studies,
an International Church Partnerships
PowerPoint presentation, YouTube
video clips, and ideas for using these
resources.
A frail man stood by the door of Zimbabwe House
at Khayelihle Children’s Village (KCV) on Sunday
morning and asked to see the house parents.
After two years of separation,
there were lots of hugs and
smiles and much news to
share.
The invitation to share the gospel
message “beyond Jerusalem” still
stands.
These gifts will be directed to churches
that are committed to living out
the Pentecost call in places where
resources are few and the spirit is
great.
A wonderful surprise at Khayelihle Children’s Village, Zimbabwe
Nester, 13, had done his best to look after the other
children, but trying to provide for them while living
in an incomplete house with no toilet, no water or no
electricity was a challenge beyond his years.
However, at the back of their
minds was an anxiety for the
wellbeing of their father and
a longing to be reunited with
him.
After a long time without any
news, Sunday there was an
unexpected moment of happy
reunion.
Mr Makovero is still not well
and is currently unemployed,
so he is not able to take care
of his children as yet.
They will continue to call KCV home until his
health improves and he has secured a job, but the
children’s worried thoughts about their father have
been eased.
Absent friends at Gandep, Papua New
Guinea
The commencement of the new year at Gandep Bible College was
tinged with sadness.
One of their fellow students from the Sogeram area was not among
them; he had passed away in January following a prolonged illness.
Anton Leloi, a long-term lecturer at the college and Dean of
Students, was also absent.
This year he is undertaking further studies in counselling at the
University of Goroka.
Yabru Jerry, Melanesian Evangelical Churches of Christ (MECOC)
Director, is filling in for Anton over the next few months.
The MECOC Board anticipates being able to appoint a replacement
for Anton in June.
“We sincerely appreciate your ongoing support for the college staff
and students here at Gandep,” Principal Steven Yamok said.
“Please pray for strength and wisdom and for God’s protection over
them this year.”
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23
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Engaging young people with GMP
Late last year, 30 young people from
Churches of Christ across Australia
gathered in the dingy back room of a
Canberra church.
Couches were placed haphazardly, the
smell of greasy pizza was rife, and the
music playing was typical Gen-Y indiepop.
While sounding like a generic youth
gathering, it was anything but; the
event was unique not only for Global
Mission Partners (GMP) but also for
the Australian church today.
The group was part of a wider
community who were in Canberra for
four days as part of Voices for Justice
– a Micah Challenge Australia event,
where Christians of all denominations,
ages and backgrounds get together to
encourage Australia to do its fair share
in ending extreme poverty.
Melbourne visited churches,
cocoa farmers and young leaders
in rural Papua New Guinea and
are committed to exploring how
global mission is part of their
faith now they are home.
Additionally, we’ve seen young
people in Sydney organise
Fairtrade afternoon teas and
build relationships with
GMP partners overseas.
It’s stories like these that
have led to the vision of
embody: to see a national
community of young
people participating in lifechanging partnerships in
global mission.
GMP and the embody
volunteer team will exist
to empower and connect
The young people attending with GMP
young people in their local
were not only empowered to raise their
churches, throughout the state and
voice with that of the poor and that
across the country to participate
of God in search of justice, but also
became connected to a national family in global mission through prayer,
passionate about God’s mission in the advocacy, lifestyle change,
serving overseas, fundraising
world.
and volunteering.
For GMP this event was unique as less
than two years ago it could have been In Queensland, Ally Jensen
argued that GMP’s engagement of
is the embody State
young people was bordering on nonCoordinator and she is
existent; however, the good news is
looking for a team of young
that over the past 12 months, stories
people to help connect and empower
like that of Voices for Justice have
the community.
become increasingly common.
The team is looking for
We have seen young people from
a Group Coordinator and
Queensland embark on a mission
a Training and Events
trip to Vanuatu, building long-term
Coordinator.
relationships and impacting the lives
of both the mission trip crew and the
For further information, visit
ni-Vanuatu.
www.inpartnership.org.au/
volunteer or email embody State
One hundred young people organised
a flash mob at one of Victoria’s biggest Coordinator, Ally Jensen at ally@
embody.org.au.
train stations, campaigning to end
child slavery in Uzbekistan, and
3,000 young people raised more than
$10,000 to build sporting facilities for
their peers in Zimbabwe.
page
24
A small group of young adults from
The team would also love to hear
from churches, youth groups or
individuals wanting to know more
about global mission and how to be
part of this exciting new community.
Volunteer positions available with embody
At embody, we believe volunteering and stewardship of the time and skills God has given us, is one way of
participating in global mission.
Volunteering doesn’t simply have to be about stamping envelopes and running coffees.
Volunteers can be central to the work we do.
Check out some of the opportunities listed below, or email me if you are interested in finding out more - I
would love to chat with you and work out a role that matches your skills with embody’s needs.
Queensland Training and Events Coordinator
Queensland Group Coordinator
The Queensland Training and Events Coordinator will
be a committed, relational and logistically capable
embody community member who will facilitate
key training activities throughout Queensland and
organise our involvement in key Christian events
occurring throughout the state.
The Queensland Group Coordinator will be a
highly relational, proactive and organised embody
community member eager to equip and support
young people as they engage their communities in
global mission.
This position will be responsible for overseeing
embody campaign training days and other events
that will equip and connect the Queensland embody
community.
This position will be responsible for the relational
management, encouragement and equipping of
embody group leaders and church representatives
once groups have been established throughout
Queensland.
For further information or a job description,
contact embody State Coordinator, Ally Jensen,
via email at [email protected].
Churches
of Christ
in Queensland
Save the life of a
mother &
her newborn
Your donations will provide
training to traditional birth
attendants and help save lives.
to find out more
or donate
Scan here
For more details cofcqld.com.au/shine
page
25
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Next Generation Leaders Network
Churches of Christ in Queensland has launched the
‘Next Generation Leaders Network’.
“The participants in the program are an excellent group
of young people and they bonded quickly,” Marty said.
This program will run for the next two years and has
been set up to nurture talented young leaders who are
connected to Churches of Christ churches.
“Over the course of the three days, the room was
continually filled with energy, ideas, debate and
inspiration.
Participants in the program are aged from 18-32 years
and the male to female ratio is 50-50. There is also a
majority representation from our rural churches which is
an encouraging sign.
From 19-21 March, 18 members of the Network came
together for the first of six gatherings, which will occur
across the duration of the program.
The first gathering was combined with an Australian
College of Ministries (ACOM) unit on “Foundations for
Youth Ministry” and occurred at Southport Church of
Christ on the Gold Coast.
As well as training from Churches of Christ in
Queensland’s Senior Youth Pastor, Marty Thompson,
special guests’ input was provided by Ross Farley from
TEAR, Danny Mitchell from Presbyterian Youth, and
Scripture Union school chaplains, Erin Simpson and
Alicia Shields.
“If we continue to develop this team and other young
people from within our churches, the movement of
Churches of Christ in Queensland will be in good
hands.”
Over the course of the two-year program, participants
will be required to attend a further six network
gatherings: Centrifuge Mission Conference in May,
National Youth Ministry Convention in October 2013,
Youth Leadership Teams Weekend in January 2014,
ACOM unit in June 2014, and Centrifuge Mission
Conference in November 2014.
Each successful participant has been granted a
scholarship of $2,500 for those who are not enrolled in
formal ministry study and $5,000 in total for those who
are enrolled.
You are invited...
Official Opening and
Community Day
Saturday 25 May 10.30am - 2.00pm
28 Blaker Road Mitchelton
stle
Jumping Ca
Live
Entertainment
Sausage
Sizzle
Community
Stalls
Plus much
more...
Help us celebrate the official opening of the Churches of Christ Campus
at Mitchelton. The campus incorporates retirement living, community
care, residential aged care, dementia care and community housing. It is
also home to the Churches of Christ Historical Resource Centre.
cofcqld.com.au
The Crossing
A life of radical discipleship requires a theology,
disciplines and practice deeply rooted in the Biblical
narrative of God interacting with, and through His
people.
Celebrating 130 years with a book
If you are a young adult aged 16 to 25 who is interested
in social justice and the call to mission and radical
discipleship, Stirling Theological College invites you to
attend The Crossing.
It will reflect the story of Churches of Christ in Queensland and what can be learnt from our
experiences through pictures and words.
For further information, visit www.unoh.org/thecrossing
or email [email protected].
Celebrating
•
years
un
itie
s
The all inclusive cost for the three days is only
$150.
Contributions can be sent to the Communications Division
via email at [email protected] or by post
to PO Box 508, Kenmore, Qld 4069.
hrist in Qu
of C
ee
s
n
he
in
ng
Bri
page
26
Stirling Theological College Principal, Andrew Menzies,
who is committed and dedicated to preparing leaders
theologically and practically for a life time of engaging
mission, will be in attendance, along with Urban
Neighbours of Hope (UNOH) workers including Ash
Barker, Jon Owen and Jodie MacCartney, who will be
Terry is an award-winning author, speaker and
professor, specialising in indigenous peoples, cultures
in context, anthropology, missions, and the church,
and has been active in community-based, grassroots
ministry for more than 30 years.
“Our prayer is that there may be another mighty movement
for God in our nation that includes Churches of Christ in
Queensland,” Geoff said.
nd
sla
centered, Spirit-inspired discipleship to be a sign of
the coming kingdom to those in neighbourhoods facing
issues of poverty.
Terry Leblanc, a Mi’kmaq/Acadian (North American
indigenous tribes) will also be joining campers.
This account will build on the book “Venturing in Faith”, which was printed to celebrate the 100
year anniversary.
Chu
rc
It is aimed at young people for the purpose of inviting
and informing a new generation of a Christ-
sharing real life stories of finding joy and hope in places
of despair.
To be a part of this historical production, invitations are now extended to churches and both
missional and care services to contribute to the book by sharing the story of their church or
service’s journey including pictures or documents.
•
Held at the Adanac Camp at Yarra Junction from 28-30
June, The Crossing is a camp where people are informed
and inspired by God’s engagement in the world, and
how he invites each of us to join with Him in loving and
caring for the poor, the marginalised and the lost.
To celebrate 130 years of Churches of Christ in Queensland, Geoff Risson and Craig Brown have
been commissioned to produce a book celebrating the rich history of the organisation.
gt
he
ligh
t of Christ into
com
m
page
27
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Retirement living is a
Men’s shed
empowering
men with
special needs
The Nambour Men’s Shed recently
hosted a “Disabilities in the
Men’s Shed” workshop for local
disability service providers’
managers.
The aim of the workshop was
to provide an opportunity for
disability service managers to
collaborate with the Men’s Shed
management to discuss and agree
upon a sustainable model that
will assist clients with disabilities
to have greater independence
and involvement within the Men’s
Shed for the long term.
With two years’ experience in
catering for men with disabilities,
Nambour Men’s Shed has certainly
gained a good understanding of
what works well and what doesn’t
work as effectively.
Nambour Men’s Shed Coordinator
and Churches of Christ in
Queensland Mission Action
Partner, Mark Wall, has come to
the conclusion that the sheltered
workshop type concept does not
sit well with the Shed’s main
objective of socialisation.
page
28
Men’s Shed, making it their own
while they are attending.
“It is also envisaged that
carers will assist their clients
to participate within general
shed operations with such
things as maintaining their own
supply stores, planning their
own projects, fundraising to
support their projects, cleaning,
and preparing meals and social
activities.”
Each disability service provider
is being encouraged to adopt a
volunteer skilled project manager
to help groups and individuals
with project planning, material
preparation and step-by-step
instructions.
“The disability service managers
who attended the workshop are
thrilled at how this new initiative
has the potential to assist fellas
with special needs to become
more empowered, independent
men within a man-friendly
workshop environment,” Mark
said.
“We are now working with
disability services to encourage
and explore a greater sense of
personal independence and
responsibility for their clients,
similar to other regular shed
attendees,” Mark said.
If you live in the vicinity of the
Sunshine Coast and have some
skills and experience in workshop
techniques, Mark would love you
to consider becoming a project
manager, to assist men with
disabilities and their carers within
the Nambour Men’s Shed.
“Instead of simply undergoing a
project for only a few hours per
week and then leaving, fellas with
special needs will be encouraged
to take greater ownership of the
For further information, please
contact Mark via email at
blokesinshed22.salc@westnet.
com.au or by phone on 07 5441
2527.
lifestyle
investment
What goes around comes
around
In May 2012, Nambour Men’s Shed
became aware of an ill Nambour
resident, named Len.
Len had great difficulty in accessing
the footpath from his house to have
a taxi transport him to medical
appointments, so the men from
the Shed went to work to provide a
concrete path to assist him.
Len has since recovered remarkably
well and as an act of appreciation
used his engineering skills to build
a mobile work bench for the shed,
and donated some new workshop
tools.
“Everyone is a winner when people
willingly care for one another, for no
other reason other than, because
we can,” Nambour Men’s Shed
Coordinator and Churches of Christ
in Queensland Mission Action
Partner, Mark Wall, said.
Len’s well-appreciated gifts stand
as a tangible reminder within the
Men’s Shed that what goes around
comes around.
Retirement is meant to be the best time of your life, a
time to relax and focus on the people and things you
love and enjoy the most.
For many, it can also mean creating their own personal
sanctuary at the beachside or hinterland community,
often on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, an area rich in
services and lifestyle options for seniors.
Imagine having the freedom to enjoy an active,
independent, coastal lifestyle without the worry of
maintaining your home and gardens, with the additional
security of tailored care packages if ever required.
Churches of Christ Care Retirement Living General
Manager Kim Teudt said this is what makes living at
one of the organisation’s three retirement villages at
Nambour and Bribie Island so attractive and popular.
“Our retirement villages offer total freedom and
independence with the security of ageing-in-place,
which means knowing you can stay in your home and
community, with additional support available if and
when you need it,” Mrs Teudt said.
“Our industry leading retirement living model provides
residents with support, companionship, personally
tailored care and peace of mind, while enabling them to
remain active members of the wider community.
Residents of Churches of Christ’s Sanctuary Park
Retirement Community at Nambour are also offered
a choice between brand new and refurbished twobedroom units, some with the option of a study and
second powder room.
“Retirees live full lives, so the option of a study helps
them continue to focus on learning and other interests
without sacrificing living space or that all important
guest accommodation,” Mrs Teudt said.
“We have residents who are involved with the University
of the Third Age and others whose sewing, craft or other
interests need that extra space the study allows.
“Also, being able to choose between new and
refurbished units also increases the flexibility of their
options and accommodates for different personal
situations.”
Sanctuary Park Retirement Community is close to local
amenities including the Nambour Golf Club, hospitals,
medical centres, shopping centres, council library,
cinemas, churches and the bus and rail network to
Brisbane.
It is situated in a rainforest setting next to the beautiful
Ferntree National Park and only a short drive to the
famous Blackall Range towns of Maleny and Montville.
Churches of Christ Care also operates two retirement
villages on Bribie Island, Woorim Village and Bribie
Island Village, for those retirees who prefer the option of
beachfront access, but who still want to remain close to
local services and amenities.
Churches of Christ Care is one of the leading not-forprofit providers of retirement living in Queensland,
operating 18 retirement villages throughout Queensland
(14) and in Melbourne, Victoria (4).
To find out more, or to request a tour of a Churches of
Christ Care retirement village on the Sunshine Coast or
throughout Queensland and Melbourne, Victoria, call
1800 199 740.
page
29
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Lockyer Valley seniors battle for
Games glory
Nubeena and Amaroo become best
of friends
On Tuesday 12 March, Churches
of Christ Care Amaroo Retirement
Village in Gatton hosted the
inaugural Lockyer Valley Seniors
Games.
Residents at Churches of Christ Care’s Amaroo
and Nubeena Retirement Villages are thoroughly
enjoying their newfound friendships.
Amaroo and Regis Valley Views in
Gatton together with Tabeel Nursing
Home in Laidley, each fielded seven
athletes, along with two support
staff, who competed across seven
disciplines - darts, grip ball, throw
ball, hoops, basketball, golf putting
and quoits.
Amaroo also supplied an event
coordinator, several off-duty staff
and a number of volunteers to run
the games.
Lifestyle Coordinator, Janine
Granzien, said enthusiasm was high
from the moment the teams arrived.
“It was exciting to see each team
arrive in uniform; everyone’s morale
was boosted at first sight,” Janine
said.
“It was a wonderful day and
we have had so much positive
feedback. It was certainly the
highlight of our March.
“Regis sent us a ‘Thank you’ card
too, signed by each of their team
members.”
All athletes, officials and volunteers
joined together for a cuppa and
some delicious fresh scones before
the ‘Games’ began.
The competition was
exciting and the events
well-contested, with
residents from each of
the facilities enjoying
the opportunity to
relive, and reminisce
about, their glory days.
page
30
“Everyone was a
winner,” Janine said.
“There was so much
laughter and interaction between
everyone, whether they were
participants or spectators.
“It was also great that each
group, rotating around the games,
consisted of a member from each
team; it gave all a chance to mix
and to have their competitive streak
appear.
“We even had to have a ‘playoff’
between Amaroo and Regis
to decide the winner of the
basketball.”
The games ran so smoothly that
they finished ahead of schedule,
so, following lunch, all athletes
played Bingo until Member for
Lockyer, Ian Rickuss, arrived in the
afternoon to present the individual
trophy winners and overall team
champions.
Vera won one trophy for Amaroo,
with Tabeel also taking home a
trophy.
Regis claimed top honours in the
other five events and the overall
title.
“Congratulations to Regis, but we
will be in training for next year, so
watch out!” Janine said.
“I wish to thank all residents who
participated on the day and those
who watched on and encouraged
the teams. Together they helped to
make the day a huge succcess.
“Thank you also to Emily for
instigating the idea; Arnold, our
volunteer, who organised the day;
all our volunteers who assisted by
running the games; and to our cook,
Jenny, for preparing a delicious
morning tea, lunch and afternoon
tea - the quiches were a big hit; and
to the staff who came in on their day
off to help out. Thanks so much.”
Churches of Christ Care is one of
the leading not-for-profit providers
of retirement living in Queensland,
operating 18 retirement villages
throughout Queensland and in
Melbourne, Victoria.
To find out more, or to request a
tour of a Churches of Christ Care
retirement village in Queensland or
Melbourne, call 1800 199 740.
Following a village meeting at Amaroo, residents
told staff they would like to arrange a social gettogether with their counterparts at Nubeena.
Always obliging where possible, Amaroo, Nubeena
and Crows Nest Retirement Living Manager, Jan
Beutel, and her staff quickly set about making the
request happen.
The first gathering of new friends took place in
March, and Jan said it has fast become a highlight
on many of the residents’ social calendars.
“Churches of Christ Care’s retirement villages have
always been a lifestyle investment: an investment
in an active, independent lifestyle where
residents can age-in-place with total freedom and
independence; so we were obviously more than
happy to accommodate their request,” Jan said.
“Word quickly spread to Nubeena and the
residents were all excitedly arranging to go to
Amaroo for afternoon tea and a chin wag, and
Charmaine Huth (administration officer) and I
accompanied three car loads of residents down
the range from Toowoomba to Gatton.
“The laughter and chatter coming from the room
was just wonderful to hear. They shared cakes
made by the residents and chocolates, and
everyone had such a good time.
“During the conversations, residents discovered
that many of them loved playing indoor bowls, and
so in April we headed back down the range for a
game of bowls followed by a cuppa.
“They have come to enjoy each others’ company
so much, that they have decided to make this a
monthly event and are counting down the days to
29 May for the next gathering.”
Churches of Christ Care is one of the leading
not-for-profit providers of retirement living in
Queensland, operating 18 retirement villages
throughout Queensland and in Melbourne,
Victoria.
To find out more, or to request a tour of a Churches
of Christ Care retirement village in Queensland or
Melbourne, call 1800 199 740.
page
31
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Restoration
Vision Retreat
6:30pm
Friday 9th August 2013
Brisbane City Hall, King George Square
Aims
Our Restoration Vision Retreats aim to:
•
impart an understanding and
appreciation of the history, DNA
and unique features of Churches of
Christ in Queensland as a frontier
missional movement within the
kingdom of God
Who should attend?
Anyone interested in understanding Churches
of Christ and its expression of ministry
activities is invited to attend our Restoration
Vision Retreats. In particular, all ministerial
leaders throughout Churches of Christ in
Queensland are encouraged to participate.
This includes paid and voluntary leaders,
Next Generation Leader Network and Fresh
Horizons Leader Network members, and
Australian College of Ministries (ACOM)
students based in Queensland.
Retreat content
The Restoration Vision Retreats are generally
a two-day, live-in event. However, the
content can be presented in other formats to
suit local/regional needs.
•
consolidate our contemporary
vision and future directions
•
build unity across all missional
activities
•
welcome and incorporate new
leaders
•
refresh and refocus existing leaders
Session 2: The Restoration Movement in
church history.
•
assist ministering persons to meet
endorsement requirements
Session 3: The Restoration Movement’s
history, DNA and core beliefs.
•
renew leadership focus and
passion for the next stage of the
journey.
Session 4: The church united through its
diversity.
Session 1: Restoration Vision Retreat
introductions, aims and sharing of stories.
Session 5: Churches of Christ’s history in
Queensland and Australia.
Session 6: Churches of Christ in
Queensland’s vision of bringing the light of
Christ into communities.
Session 7: Churches of Christ in
Queensland’s future – our resources,
networks and priorities.
page
32
For more information contact
Ross Pelling
Senior Pastor - Leader Development, Mission Division
P: 0428 195 226
E: [email protected]
When and where are
the retreats held?
Two Restoration Vision
Retreats are held each
year at venues across
South-East Queensland.
Additional retreats can
be held regionally when
12 or more leaders are in
attendance.
The retreats run for two
days, from the morning
of the first to the
afternoon of the second.
However, other time/day
configurations can be
arranged to suit individual
requirements.
Why is the retreat
held over two days?
Supporting people at risk of homelessness
BOOK NOW
cofcqld.com.au/caredinner
or contact Chris Stone
on 07 3327 1627
or email
[email protected]
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE
Tickets
Table of ten
Restoration Vision
Retreats are a
concentrated period
of vision building and
learning. They are held
over two days to allow
ample time for prayer,
reflection, discussion,
networking and
inspiration.
Costs
The full cost of the two
annual Restoration Vision
Retreats will be covered
by Churches of Christ in
Queensland. A shared
cost for other retreats in
local/regional areas can
be negotiated.
l Mystiq
u
o
S
ue
Featuring world class
entertainment!
$225
$2000
M
s-
on
Bec L
au
gh
t
The purpose of our Restoration
Vision Retreats is to provide a setting
for ministerial leaders throughout
Churches of Christ in Queensland to
connect, network and be inspired to
continue bringing the light of Christ
into communities.
ris Bombol
h
C
a
Purpose
C
page
33
networking
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Inspire
Bright Solutions for the Women of Vietnam
Empowering Women: Challenging Poverty
Speakers
Aliki & Donna Savill
with music by Krysalus
& Claire Hazard
Bundaberg Church of Christ
Women’s Conference
Providing an opportunity for women in Vietnam to become
part of a formal workforce. By providing employment to single
mothers, widows, low skilled or unemployed women, Bright
Solutions aims to increase their work skills, job prospects and
self-confidence, thus empowering them and their families to
move towards financial independence.
Cost
$25 (Earlybird)
$30 (after 16/6/2013)
13 July 2013
Includes gift bag, meals
and refreshments.
Shining
Like
Stars
Help to support women employed by Bright Solutions in Vietnam
by purchasing handcrafted items.
Request a brochure at
www.inpartnership.org.au
Global
Mission
Partners
Churches
of Christ
in Australia
07 4155 1619
www.bundabergchurch.com
Bundaberg Twyford Street
Church of Christ
A Ministry of
Churches of Christ
in Queensland
important
AnnuAl CelebrAtion
FeASt
Join us for a
MAY
Saturday 15th June 2013
fantastic evening
6:30pm for a 7:00pm start
of fun, food, giveaways, ministry resources showcase,
awarding of the annual Dream Grant
and saying thanks.
Churches of Christ Campus, Mitchelton
28 Blaker Road, Mitchelton
Tickets just $15 per person
Special Guest: tbA
Churches
of Christ
in Queensland
ignite giveaways
page
34
lolly buffet
Ministry resources showcase
A feast of information, ideas, inspiration, motivation and fun for children’s ministry leaders.
register today at cofcqld.com.au
15 dates
Children’s ministry Annual
Celebration Feast
23 Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea
16-22 Drug Action Week
26 National sorry day
20 World Refugee Day
JUNE
1
JULY
Seniors’ Month
5 World Environment Day
7
NAIDIOC Week
For the 2013 Calendar of
Important Dates visit
www.cofcaustralia.org
page
35
BEQUESTS MAKE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE GROWTH OF GOD’S KINGDOM
A bequest, however large or small, is a legacy of love.
It stands as a monument to the values you hold dear.
The Christian beliefs and faith we hold in this life are passed
down to future generations so that they too may know the love of
Jesus and continue His work. Through a bequest to Churches of
Christ you can continue to strengthen God’s kingdom and ensure
its growth into the future for the benefit of generations to come.
Whatever the purpose of the gift and whatever the amount,
Churches of Christ in Queensland treats every gift with the utmost
diligence and respect. You can be assured that your bequest will
be used for the growth of the kingdom of God.
A Will is one of the most important documents you will
ever sign!
Without a valid Will, you will have no say in how your estate is
managed after death, and your assets will be distributed according to State Law, even if your intentions are well-known.
Taking time to write your Will allows you to make provision for
your family and friends. It also gives you the opportunity to let
your love live on through a bequest to Churches of Christ in
Queensland.
DONATE TODAY!
Post to:
PO BOX 508 Kenmore, Qld 4069
www.cofcqld.com.au
Phone: 1800 600 900
Head Office
41 Brookfield Road
Kenmore Queensland 4069
Phone (07) 3327 1600
Fax (07) 3878 1268
Website cofcqld.com.au

networking - Churches of Christ in Queensland

Transcription

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