October 2003

In initial planning for the new Parliament House in Canberra, more than twenty years ago, it was thought the design might include a chapel.

A “specific Christian sacred space” and something that was not included the original building opened in 1927. As discussion evolved for the new building, the hope was that whatever became a part of the life and work of that facility, represented the Australian context at that time.

So a meditation room was developed, tucked high in the building, open and available for use by people of many faiths, and none, who work there. This created distress for those who hoped for a chapel, and for the wider public as that decision became known. Some of those we elected to represent us in parliament, began calling it “the Upper Room”.
As May 1988 came closer, it became known that the Cabinet had made a decision there would be no religious observance at the official opening of the building. In the months that followed some local church leaders were involved in negotiating arrangements for the brief observance which included Anglican, Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Uniting Churches with Jewish and Muslim leaders. Unlike the observance in 1927, that of May 1988 recognised not all Australians were Christian.

Other negotiations led into planning for the National Gathering of Christians held in the weekend of May 7-8,1988. That time allowed recognition of the Aboriginal people and a request for forgiveness, which led to a time of prayer. In earlier days, Aboriginal people showed the new settlers how to find fresh water. That day indigenous people distributed cups of water to those present.

Australians are people of many faiths and cultures. Christians, of whatever tradition, are some of those who call Australia home. Those who live in larger cities are probably more conscious of this reality than those who live in more remote areas.

People whose ministry is in caring agencies, are our hands and feet, meet the needs of thousands of human beings in the wider community. This month Burnside UnitingCare asks us to support them in their advocacy for the protection of children. For as long as I can remember, Burnside has been an acknowledged leader in caring for children and young people.

Within the New Testament Jesus points us to ways in which his followers will become known. Recent times I have spent with Riverina and Far North Coast Presbyteries and visits to some of their congregations have given me glimpses of people offering a cup of water, of being salt within their community as they struggle with difficulties in the wider church and community.

In other congregations: Windsor has given thanks for a new roof of their 125-year-old church; Wyndham celebrated the rebuilding of their church. Amid Dungog’s flower festival they marked 150 years since the opening of the original Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. In these places and more, local churches are celebrating their faith in new ways.

Taize Pilgrimage of Trust is holding weekend retreats and evening prayer times this month in venues close to Sydney. One of Jacques Berthier’s settings in that ecumenical tradition reminds of whose we are:

“The Lord is my light, my light and my salvation; in God I trust, in God I trust.”