The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 28

1 The Sydney Morning Herald, Wed, June 22, 1977 28 IfWteillTING llll GET FORWARD! IN AUSTRALIA A special Herald report on the formation of the Uniting Church in Australia, which brings together the Methodist Church and major elements of the Presbyterian and Congregational Churches. The NSW ntwiptptr of th' Uniting Church First issue out on Juno 22 GREAT ECUMENICAL ADVANCE If you think church paper have to bo boring, thl it tho on to mako vou chanaa vour mind. IM-z i Umitin Church Uvoly, informative, ofton provocativo. Forward will bring you news of the local and world church, Christian commentary on significant con-. temporary litutt.

iVwili have itVoattd to you monthly for tha ratt of tha y. By ALAN GILL Splits and divisions, rather than the unity which Christ commanded men to seek, have tended in the past to represent the pattern of Christianity in this country. Today. June 22. 1977.

is different. Almost three thousand people will participate at a service in Sydney Town Hall to inaugurate the Uniting Church in Australia. In nearby Sydney Square, the occasion will be celebrated lesi formally, with balloons, streamers, singing groups, and impromptu renderings of prayer and praise. your chaqua now.to tho Editor, Forward, PO Box 6:178. St Jerries; you wlir hava! our first issue within 'i('; t''.

souvenir edition wlthreiartDade outgiving pens with details of the synod celebration; presbytery new church's state and national leaders. Produced by the Board or bommunications aervicn, i Miimnin Sydney 2000. Phone' 233-6399. w-'i i ydmey rally The Uniting Church will nominally embrace mure than 2 million Australians (those who describe themselves in census BOARD OF MISSION OUTREACH ARM OF THE UNITING CHURCH WE MEAN BUSINESS returns as Methodists. Presbyterians or Congregationalism, tionalists receive the elements the very time the general public the Continuing Presbyterian Rev Bob Morris, is a Baptist, and will be Australia's third seated in their pews.

In all was becoming increasingly con- structure. Scots Church, Margaret Street largest denomination. three denominations, the olli- cci ned about the problem of al- The first Moderator of the definitely not an ethnic It will have 240,827 con- dating minister is assisted in coholic liquor in the commit- NSW synod of the Uniting church will be a Continuing firmed members served by the distribution of the elements nity. Church is a woman. The post Presbyterian congregation.

1.500 parish clergy. by leaders (Methodist), elders He claimed that thousands of will be filled by Mrs Lillian minister, the Rev Dr Stuart Other Christian denomina- (Prebyterian) and deacons Methodists might give up Unit- Wells, who has been president Barton Babbage. is an Angli-tions have offered prayers for (Congrcgationalisl). jng Church membership if the of the Congregational Union of can. St Stephen's, Macquarie those who will enter into the The national headquarters of new denomination ignored NSW since 1974.

Street, the City's other major Uniting Church. the Unitine Church will be at Methodist principles on alcohol. Another prominent member Presbyterian Church, becomes a A MISSION TO THE NATION AND THE WORLD nrUVisnK 'J Liarencc btrcct, Sydney; of the Uniting Church is Miss Uniting I'arish. Aivh.liiCMa has asked Catholic the NSW synod offices will be Jean Skuse, secretary or the Women ministers WE LISTEN WE RESPOND parishes to join in prayer and (at Castlcreagh Street. The thanksgiving for the Uniting (national) assembly will have commissions and committer commissions and committees Australian Hymn Book Australian Council Churches.

In 1975, Miss Skusc. a Methodist, was elected joint The Uniting Church will con ON THE FRONTIER: Menindea Nursing Service if Lay Pastors ft Immigration ir Hospital Visitation inurcn. jne inauguration is tain women ministers, born COMMUNICATING THROUGH: ft Evangelistic Mission ft Preaching Missions by Members ft Broadcasting weekly described as "the most significant ecumenical event in The main bodies of the m'" sinSle- cc lhc The Uniting Church, also tha assembly a 2 Asmblv Stand- receive the same stipend as men Council of Churches. Anglican and Roman Catholic Committee Emission for when occasion de- The Uniting Church will have Churches, will use the Austra- AustndkT nland NlTssion and "d'. moniha' maternity five training centres for students liar.

Hymn Book when this ta FrZierServS Council fo? W- iT World Mission. Commission on Regulations also state that Un. ed Ideological Co lege (for- ber. World Mission Commission on "so far as it is possible" merly Le.gh Thcologici.1 College i 1 rw. ih id nf ihe svn.nl renre- tnficld (NSW): the Theological ecumenical hymnal is an ex- Australia's history." Parish priests were asked to refer to the event in their sermons last Sunday.

The new denomination will retain interesting features from all three constituent bodies. ENGAGEMENT IN MISSION: Conference on Missionary rr -v. u.ji cilniff venture in co-oneralion. fhnri'h nnir.rnmf.nl uiii trine. Council tor Christian snouiu ok women.

rHi in t. I h. nnA.lhirl rulinn ti l-UIICIIC. SUCIdlUC: I rimlv I I1CD- lumii m- me onc-iniru ruling bv an Assembly (a term used Education, Commission on logical college, Brisbane; nnu Perth Theological College. migration and fcthnic Affairs, have been mandatory, but was Ministerial F.ducation Council, amended following arguments Commission on Ecumenical Re- that a too-severe ruling might Lifestyles for Congregations Renewal Weekends Sunday Morning Seminars Lay Academics Regional Missions Urban Mission Home Mission Stations Home Mission Support Croups by Presbyterians and Congrega-tionalists), which will meet, in normal circumstances, every three years.

The elected leader clerical or lay, male or-le- WE ARE PART OF THE ONE FAMILY OF GOD IN THE WORLD THE UNITING CHURCH CONTINUES RELATIONSHIPS WITH ft South Pacific ft Papua New Guinea ft South East Asia ft India ft Arnhem Land Aboriginal communities SUPPLYING STAFF WITH SPECIALIST SKILLS ON REQUEST ft Community development ft Vocational and agricultural training ft Teaching ministries ft Medical care ft Evangelism IN THE STYLE APPROPRIATE ft ft ft ft ft ft INLAND MINISTRIES: ft Support service for Far West Mission Parish ft Australian Inland Mission ft Commission for World Mission CONTEMPORARY FORMS OF MISSION: Resources of Evangelism ft Conferences ft Consultations CHATSWOOD-WILLOUGHBY PARISH ASSOCIATES ed, to which will be added tha best of the new hymns words and music being written today in Australia and around the world. The Australian Hymn Book, to be published by Collins Ltd, will be available in a standard edition, containing 579 hymns, or with a Catholic supplement comprising a further 45 hymns, Continuing Presbyterians intend setting up a new Presbyterian 'Ihcological Hall in Sydney. 1 he Queen Victoria Hospital for Mothers and Babies will be taken over for this, probably by the end of this The 'ultimate desire' maie will be called President (a Methodist term). Rem'onal Svnodi fa term al year. Continuing Presbyterians also have permission to use the mM W4 jn facilities of Moore Ihcological ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF FUNDS FOR MISSION Both are available in a College, an Anglican institution ready used by several denomi- The Rev Winston O'Reilly, nations, including Methodists) secretary of the Uniting will be held annually and will church in Australia: fc.My SrttdrrSynoS .5 will elect a Moderator (in ev of lhe Uniting Church pression used by Presbyterians), flow from a number of At local level one or more things, congregations will form.

a ..1 believe that unity of pur- Ethnic groups harmony edition, containing all accompaniments, four part harmony settings, words and indexes, and a melody line edition, containing melody lines for all hymns, also guitar Deliberations over the formation of the Uniting Church in Australia have fostered the as parish and a group of parishes Further Information: The General Secretary, Board of Mission, Uniting Church in Australia, PO Box 240, Chitswood. NSW. 2067. Phone 412-2990, 412-2991. TO THE AREA pose and action is the ultimate desire of Christ for the whole Church.

chords (a sign of the times) win torm a preshytery. The word Methodist will sumption that all involved Presbyterians, Methodists and wncre appntaoie. officially disappear from the re "I believe Ibis union is a step lie lie TV iiiia tiiiivti is nisi lT7 TS- in that direction, and that It esting exception arises in Nor beins undertaken in faith and folk Island where, in the ab- in obedience to Christ's will. To Congrcgationalists are of Anglo-Saxon extraction and Trie emDiem heritage. An official emblem has been In fact, several ethnic for Uniljng churcb comniunit.es are involved not and is shown in the heading above, counting expatriate Pacific The desi fcatu.

cfws Islanders who have a traditional of Jc5lls chrisl jn ils ight involvement with Methodism. love, standjng over darkened 1 rhiirrn Irwal 7i7L A Bdvantages win surely onow. ui 7. u. "se re secondary and ton- The Church will be with.

re The Rev Winston O'Reilly. sequential only, (hough by no means unimportant. TUT God's response to this act of Une such congregation is vvwld. redcemine it through named "Uniting Church in Australia in Norfolk Island, incorporating the Methodist i also believe this union has faith and obedience will be fur- SilnV Chinr- Preshvinian ...1 been achieved through genuine ihcr rnrkli the canucltv of Church, mi r-ii acrcemcnl as to the essentials ihe rhuivli to meet he need, 'hin thn nndl iikIi in ka Mission becomes the Wesley of and to assist more effectively, lhc late nineteenth century. The wide at the bottom of the Central Mission.

Is ln no a in bringing together the now Church has opted out of union, emblem points to the fact that Other historic terms associ- hlch surrenders any aspects or separated parts of lhc human Sydney's Armenian F.vangeli- the churches are uniting. As a ated with Methodism will also tb or spiritual values. family both within and beyond ca Congregational Church has semi-circle it also reminds disappear. There will no longer "Above all, I believe that Australia. volcj faVour of union, as Christians "that the rcnewing.of be Lonnexlonal secretaries 1 have the Dutch Prcsbvtcrian both Chrch and world are -as Church at Ultimo and the Ko- yet incomplete.

considered discriminatory rcan Methodist Church in Mel- The emblem will be used on (secretaries of State conference). This English term harked back lations, Finance Council and be bourne. official documents, synod furn- to the original Methodist commission on social against men. societies and the fraternal link Responsibilities. The three constituent deno The Uniling Church will also ishings.

clergy stoles, and' on known as the Methodist The seven regional synods minations already permit, ccr- indirectly a small Connexion. will be served by standing com- tainly in principle, me ordina- number of Italian migrants bc- promouonai maicnai, inciuuing car stickers, T-shirts and souve- longing to the Waldcnsian longing 11c iviciiiuuiM icrm urcuii minces, ana oy me louowing nun ui wuiucm. will also disappear. The ex- organisations: Board of Commu- An unusual ecumenical event church i ait work mm Annotate Msm the oldest Reformed picssiun Dcgan wun tne original mcations Services, Board or occuireu in riawmorn, mci- ilinerant preachers who rode on Mission. Board of Education, bourne, in March, 1976, when horseback from place to place, Board for Social Responsibility, the Rev Mrs Pam Kerr was or- nn.l iiUm-A ri 1 I It i lt DrAtUiilnmnn body in Italy.

The Aboriginal Presbyterian congregations at Aurukun, Ma-poon, Mornington Island and Wcipa (Queensland), Krnabella Poon, Mornington Island and iir. Z.iTr,: nir spoons. The new emblem has superseded the unofficial but popular design used during the past two years by the new Church's Joint Constitution Commission. This design showed three individuals, representing the three participating denominations, standing beneath a cross within a circle. The individuals on the left and right of the trio extended an viivuii.

auu 1111 iwuaj uiibiiii wi Uniting Church will be filled by Australia's 54 presbyteries mission i.n Victoria, is married "MwmlumlNM a mixture of the Methodist (there are 14 in NSW) will have Rev Harry Kerr, an Aug- ern TerritorV) ill jo the appointments system and the divisions functioning on similar clergyman, and chaplain nitinchurch Presbyterian and Congrega- lines to the boards of synods. to Swinburne College of Tech 1 IhiWht om. tional roll vtm i nn nn. Huu-ihnrn Aboriginal IViemOulSl COngre- hand ot to rausn councils win uavc a fmlpr Provision has been made for hrHi. Ihcv met while she was a ai yrokcr isianu, cicno rhristians.

hintine at fur. open friendship those who hold the office of cat committees would be those student at the college. Wa'w. Vown Island. Mil in- etumcnitai ventures to elder (Presbyterian).

deacon inrhin mission. In July, 1976. Mrs Joy Bar- jmbi and irrkala (all in the iuiigiciiaiionai; ana "leader social responsibility, property, iiiuiuiiiL'w was uiudinL-u cji- some womens groups auuca ping Presbyterian Church as uniting. a 0 ihe figure in the NSW's first woman Prcsby- I reported two years ago that centre a lighthcarted gesture terian minister. When her Aurukun Aborigines would recognising Ihe provision that husband, Harry, is ordained form Australia's only Contin- one-third of Uniting Church this year, the unusual husband- uing Presbyterian Aboriginal synod representatives should be and-w ife team will be complete, congregation.

However, only 12 women. i vih ajjiuiuai iinance ana communicauons. oversight (Methodist) to serve The Uniting Church has no as elders in the Uniting Church, fixed ruling on alcohol. Meth- Parishes within the Uniting odist ministers have tradition- Church will be free to use any ally abstained from alcohol, of the existing liturgies of the During last year's NSW Many continuing Prcsby- members or the toiai congrega- kuiismuciii ucnominauons. in Methodist Conterence con Jesus Christ.

To some, a swear word. To others, the vital clue that makes sense out of life, and the very hope of the world. Jesus was broucht ud as a practice, ministers are likelv to imu.nu amc nv.i uhthir tcrians arc not hannv with the tion of 150 bothered to vote, World Mission shares resources for his work with churches throughout the Pacific, Papua New Guinea and Asia. It fights against dehumanising systems in our own country and beyond, and stands beside people who are struggling for basic human rights, dignity and freedom. All because of Jesus Christ.

And as wc seek to obey him and share in his work, we invite your support. tradesman. He became a teacher. use the order of service with not liquor should be banned decision of the (undivided) and of these nine were Euro- which they or their congrega- from staff quarters in Method- assembly, in 1974. to allow pean missionaries, many of tions are most familiar.

The ist or part-Methodist colleges or women ministers and would like whom have since left. compilation of a common theological centres where these to see this ruling reversed. Members of the 'Continuing" liturgy will be an early task of were occupied by non-Method- In this connection, argument and "Uniting" assemblies and the new Church's liturgical com- ists. has arisen over whether a deci- mission boards subsequently mission, for ratification at a It was pointed out that it sion taken by Che Presbyterian discussed Ihe issue and decided future assembly. would be unfair to try to tell a General Assembly.

before in the interests of Aboriginal Within the three traditions Presbyterian minister how to union, is binding on the Contin- unity to ignore the vote, but there are, at present, minor dif- behave in his own quarters over uing Presbyterian Church after to allow access by Continuing icmices in custom relating to an issue on whicn the two deno- union. nnoyicnun nus xt the distribution of the con- minations held different views. If the ruling is reversed, ob- become one of the more remole secrated bread and wine at Holy The Rev Alan Walker, Super ions difficulties might arise in Uniting cnurcn congregations. VIOIIS renard to lhc stains of cxislinc The Welsh Presbyterian The unofficial emblem, used over the past two years. communion.

Methodists trudi- intendent of the Central Mcth- tionally receive the elements odist Mission, said Methodist kneeling at the communion rail, attitudes were softening a Presbyterians and Congrega- fact which he regretted al women ministers, such as Mrs Church in Sydney has opted out Bartholomew, whose parishes of union. An in-ioke in Church have opted to remain part of circles is that the minister, the fE3C '1 Commission for that spoil human lives. Here in Australia, the Uniting Church is a small step towards expressing the new community which he has created a community that overcomes prejudice and stifling tradition, and binds people into one World very popular with ordinary people. He healed their sick. But after upsetting the authorities, he was executed as a criminal.

And then came the real shock. Three days later, his friends claimed to have seen him alive again. They were changed people. They were no longer afraid and cringing, but openly declared that the man the authorities had executed was God. Their experience was that Jesus broke all barriers between races, cultures and nationalities.

He made one new community, of new people. Ever since, Christians have experienced his living power, compelling them to act against the suffering, division and strife Five newspapers, 200,000 readers One of the most obvious papers were themselves divided lished as a supplement in the in Queensland, South Australia, mcnts were made with Method- Mission i. .1 rti the issue, which was re- Vic onan svnou paper. ana rcw auum nai i ki iu.uh lU teen Mgns oi me amva oi mc Tnc 'western Australian edited, respectively, by the Rev congregational interest, pemf uniting U1U1CI1 Will DC Its synoj papeli, broadly cone- newspaper, Western Impact, Gordon Cook, the Rev Tony ing Church union, newspapers, which will have sponding to the present Melh- will be a community paper Nancarrow and the Rev Russell Australian Presbyterian Life, Uniting Church in Australia Box 103C, Clarence St. P.O., NSW 2000 lamily.

Within the Uniting Church, the Commission for World Mission exists to make him known, and to join his struggle against suffering, injustice, racism, poverty and oppression. a combined readershiD of odist pattern. aimed at the general public. In Uavies. All three are ivieinouisi at plcscnt a national fortnightly about 2nnnnn Aiictrilian The Uniting Church will a major break with the tradi- ministers who edited their pre- newsp.ipcr.

will become "a duuui ttusiraiians. have five newspapcrs. They arc tion of Church newspapers in vious denominational journals. monthly magazine serving Con-Most other denominational Church and Nation (formerly Australia, it will be distributed Particular interest surrounds tinning Presbyterian interests, practices and loyalties will take New Spectator), Victoria and free at supermarkets, stores and ihe attempt to update the image yjjiQn to its newspapers time some of them years Tasmania (fortnightly); For- other centres by Impact work- and appearance of the Uniting niling chmch will have a to be affected by union. But the ward (formerly The Methodist ing groups from Uniting Church Church paper in NSW.

The yniiing cnuicn win nave lunrn uill n.nlm. ik. WW nuriehoa iho Slalc Mikn.liti onJ Cnnirrroa. missionary magazine, IDC I'll U123 Uarence Street, Sydney Phone 290-3833. Enclosed ismy donation of towards the work of World Mission new Church as a reality right (monthly); Life and Times (for- The new-look Victorian tionalist.

which-the new paper Jf Pr Wnrfd tiJkn away. merly The Methodist Times), paper, Church and Nation, will replaces, vied with the Catholic church ThS a i. i ifnrniDhlli'l! fpnlrul TIiiim u. Week for the DOSItlon as ol Uniting Cnurctl. ile merly The Methodist Times), paper, Church and Nation, will replaces, vied with the Catholic has Jld (fornightly); Central Times 'be edited the Rev Warren Weekly for the position, as DName: II Address: whethc gument raged over by the Uniting8 Church imchanaed).

Sou. Clarnette. a Methodist minister NSWs highest selling religious nnrnsion compiles he for be served by Stale A (toi niuhtly): lhc i)nj former daily newspaper journal. a Impact (formerly the have not Methodist Over- should Id isynoui papers, wun me cmpna- journausi wno nas euuea .1110 oiigieguuunaiisis tcrinn body d) papers, with the empha- journalist who has edited. the Congregationalists Mn 0liy.

sis on local events, or a nation- mcuiuuiM-, Victorian ana lasmanian naa a newspaper 01 men uwn Mkvinn. and Canone. al prestige journal, with a high- Australia (monthly). papcr, New Spectator, for the since 1975. when the paper, 'r .1,.

Iv.it cir v.rc Anstraliiin "nnitreOHl nnulut. t'Ollal Council for WOlld MlS- Edilois of existing Church Australia synod will be pub- The Uniting Church papers ceased publication. Arrange- sion..