August 2004

We were returning to Sydney and talking about what we’d been up to in the last few days.

My companion, from the Department of Correctional Services, spoke of visiting a correctional centre in an isolated rural setting to experience the way people in that centre were being prepared for their return to the life “on the outside”.

Two evenings previously I’d been welcomed with others to Cranbury — between Cudal and Canowindra (“Australia’s answer to St Martin’s in the Field: Cranbury in a paddock”) for the induction service of the Rev. Kel Hodge as Rural Chaplain. The new ministry, to which Kel Hodge has been called, grew from a vision that the church should have a designated rural chaplain — someone able to move quickly to minister among communities when there are disasters or traumatic events. This includes drought, fires, closures of businesses, crop failure, disease in crops and animals; or the withdrawal of many basic services which those who live in larger communities take for granted.
My companion on that trip asked how the Uniting Church was involved in the life of the community. Some of the story the person knew. A great deal was not known. We each talked on easily about our “work” to the end of our journey.
Have you ever been in a correctional centre? My most recent time “inside” was an autumn afternoon last year for the induction of the Rev. Esther Smart as Chaplain in Lithgow. We were in the buildings, but we didn’t have to go through security clearances. People from congregations in the Central West Presbytery joined staff of the centre, UnitingCare chaplains and others for the service. Esther had been at work in the centre for some time. We heard she was already well received for herself and her ministry.

As a student for ministry a long time ago I had visited Long Bay with the chaplain. Between these times, I had experienced with others the ministry of Kairos Prison Ministry, through which God has changed the lives of residents and staff.
Sometimes people feel themselves imprisoned by what is happening in their life, or their bodies. How can one possibly worship God when all one has known is falling apart or in a strange place? It is a question asked by the people of God through many generations and a cry of the soul we hear in the Psalms and other scriptures.

Isolation, loneliness, frustration, lack of communication and misunderstanding can so easily imprison us. Though they may not do so in the same way being physically detained against our will does.

The Schoolwise Program of Exodus Foundation in conjunction with Macquarie University Special Education Centre, enables up to 35 children each school semester to gain skills in basic literacy skills. In that way they gain freedom to read, write and speak confidently.

Armidale people gathered on the coldest weekend for many places this winter to celebrate the witness of those people called Methodists (and others over the years since), who 140 years ago completed (in the middle of winter) the building that became the first church. Several former ministers reflected on their time at a dinner on Saturday night and joined the congregation for the celebration service filled with music and singing on Sunday morning.

A fun day in the park at Taree attracted many people from that area joining in activities as part of the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance.
Uniting Church people in Gloucester hosted a dinner for the congregation and other churches, allowing people to meet with the Moderator. At Wauchope high tea on Saturday was the time members of the congregation met, talked about how they were the Body of Christ and asked questions. Worship times with Kempsey and Yarrahappini (another church in another paddock) received a blessing from much needed rain. Canberra City congregations celebrated God’s love in baptism, commissioning of elders, church councillors and communion.
Whatever is happening to us, wherever we find ourselves, may we know God with us allowing others to know God’s presence within as we hold light on the way!