Diakonia UCA

Welcome to the home page of Diakonia UCA, your online portal for information about Deacons and diaconal ministry in the Uniting Church in Australia.

May 2013

Rev Meg Evans features in the May edition of Frontier News, in an article titled ‘Caring for the Midlands’. Great story! You can download a copy here.

April 2013

Rev Meg Evans has retired, and the attached story shares some of the news from her farewell. Enjoy your retirement, Meg!

” Meg was the first minister appointed to the Midlands Patrol when it was established in 2003. Extending across the Midlands and Central Highlands of Tasmania, the Patrol covers the small towns of Oatlands, Ross, Bothwell and Campbell Town and the isolated properties in between.

Looking back on her time in the Midlands, Meg reflected on her work as a “ministry of presence”.

“As more and more services leave these rural areas, the presence of the church is really significant,” she said. “It’s important just to be there.”

“It has been such a privilege to be a part of people’s lives, to have people trust you, and to share in the hard times and the good times.”

As the Midlands Patrol Minister, Meg has led 114 funerals, 33 weddings and 35 baptisms. She has . In her final week, she conducted a baptism for a family she had come to know well. Meg buried the grandfather, married the children and now welcomed their grandchildren, touching four generations in one family!

For many, Meg has been more than a church minister. She has been a welcome visitor in isolated places, an advocate for the community and a trusted friend. Always, she has been a visible sign of the church’s presence in the community.

Retired Deaconesses in Victoria meet every month to share stories, hear about different areas of interest, and to offer pastoral support. A courtesy copy of the minutes from the monthly “Senior Chapter Notes” meetings are sent to DUCA, a great way to connect the circle of Deaconesses and DIAKONIA UCA. It was noted that Barbara Higgins will light the remembrance candle for Valmai Schmidtke at the Vic/Tas Synod when it meets in early May.

Caribbean churches reflect on new directions for diaconal work
“Diakonia must be done through action, social services, advocacy and challenging systems and structures that create injustice and dehumanization of people,” said Rev. Dr Paul Gardner of Jamaica at a seminar in April 2013 at Port-au-Prince, Haiti, organized by the World Council of Churches in collaboration with Caribbean churches (see photo of participants below). The seminar discussed good practices for the diaconal ministry of the churches, and participants shared updates on contemporary issues related to diakonia and development in the ecumenical movement, particularly in the Caribbean. The discussions were a follow-up to consultations on diakonia in Romania in 2009 and the Netherlands, 2010. A document, Theology of Diakonia for the 21st Century, an outcome of the WCC consultation in Sri Lanka, 2012, was also discussed extensively. Elvire Douglas, a Haitian participant, said, “Diakonia should be a way of living for each Christian bearing testimony of the gospel in the 21st century. Prophetic diakonia is to be promoted by the churches to enable and reset its objectives and define relevant strategies to teach, empower and advocate for justice and peace for the healing of the world”.

Rev Frances Bartholomeusz was inducted into her community outreach placement at Murray Bridge (South Australia), on April 21st. SA Deacons were warmly encouraged to attend, and others in the DUCA network were encouraged to send greetings to her on this happy occasion.

Albert Patrizi (candidate for Ministry of Deacon) commenced a part-time placement at Yatala Gaol on April 1st. His call to ministry focussed on prison ministry, and it is fabulous news that he able to commence a placement at Yatala. He spoke at Pilgrim Church recently about his life and sense of call (audio download)

March 2013

As we enter Holy Week, may it be a season of renewal, encouragement and blessing to you.

A quick update re the World DIAKONIA Assembly in Berlin – there are a few UCA Deacons heading there, along with some Anglican Deacons. Rev Di Bos (Qld), Rev Sandy Boyce (SA), Rev Bill Harris (SA) and his wife Margaret, and Rev Alison McRae (Vic), Revs John and Jenny Preston (Vic) along with eD Helmbold (Deacon candidate, SA) are definite starters. While it might have been less than we’d hoped for for this fantastic event (held every four years), it is  great for DUCA to be represented as part of ‘world diakonia’. Please pray for the organizers at the ‘business’ end of the conference, with all those logistics that need attention.

February 2013

Deacon gatherings in February: Saturday Feb 2 gatherings in SA and WA

January 2013

Happy new year! Blessings to you in your ministry and for the year ahead.

Rev Denise Savage will be inducted into a new placement at St Peter & Emmaus Church, Joondanna at 2pm on 3rd February, 2013. This is an ecumenical placement (Anglican and UCA congregations). The closure of ministry service for her current placement with First Third for the Metro North Region will take place on Sunday 27 January, 9.30am, at Cousin’s Hall St Stephen’s School Duncraig.

Congratulations to Rev James Godfrey, ordained on 18th December, 2012. He continues his placement as Mental Health Chaplain to Eastern Access Community Health.

2012 was the 20th anniversary of the first ordinations of Deacons in the UCA – and also the 20th anniversary of the ordination of the first women priests in the Anglican Church. A momentous year, it seems!

Rev Frances Bartholomeusz was ordained on Saturday 12th January, 2013. Congratulations! She will take up a new placement in the Murray Bridge UCA congregation as a community worker.

The UCA Deacons Directory is being updated for 2013. You will find it listed in the link above – password protected. Deacons in the UCA are asked to kindly confirm details for 2013 or provide updates for contact details to the DUCA National Convener, Sandy Boyce. More details provided in the latest (snail) DUCA mailing which was posted in second week of January.

The DIAKONIA World Assembly is held every four years, and will take place this year in Berlin in the first week of July. Please scroll down for relevant documents, and please consider going to this wonderful event.

Rev Nigel Hawken – new placement
Nigel commences a new role in January 2013 as the Uniting Church Chaplain at Westmead Hospital.

Rev Dennis Cousins, Frontier Services Cunnamulla Patrol Minister

Dennis Cousins’ job is to spend time with individuals and families in their place. Dennis’ patrol stretches from the New South Wales-Queensland border, 230 kilometres north to Wyandra, east about 100 kilometres and west to Nockatunga — a patch roughly 150,000 square kilometres in area.
“There is a great respect for Frontier Services because we have been there during the tough times, during the nine-year drought and more recently the Queensland floods. People feel comfortable to talk and sometimes they will ask you for a quick prayer before you go.
“And then, when someone needs a minister to conduct a wedding or a funeral, people will say, ‘Dennis, you’re our church bloke out here.’”
For Dennis it’s not about preaching religion or taking advantage of people’s hospitality. As a Frontier Services Patrol Minister, people feel comfortable to approach Dennis during those times of life when they need someone to call on.
“Often people will say, ‘I’m not religious’ and I say, ‘I’m not either, but I have a faith in God’ and they will say, ‘Well I suppose I have a faith too. You can’t get by out here without it.’”
“It’s a great privilege, just being alongside people … taking Christ to the people instead of expecting people to come to a church building — somewhere that is quite unfamiliar to them.
“It’s about going where people are familiar and taking Christ to them there … that’s what this ministry is about. “To me, people sharing their lives, opening their homes and recognising Christ in the work of Frontier Services, is the abundance — the life overflowing abundance — that you get in this ministry.”
(excerpt from article by Natalie McLeod in Insights)

Article in Journey – What does church look like in your neck of the woods?

Article in Journey online – Frontier Services welcomes ordination of local patrol minister

Article in Journey online – Patrolling the frontiers of the future

December 2012

In the lead up to Christmas, letters and cards are written, posted, emailed, and placed on Facebook. Sister Doris Horn, President of the World DIAKONIA Federation, has prepared a Christmas letter which you may be interested to read. DorisHorn.Christmasletter.2012.

The program for the World DIAKONIA Assembly is available. Please let Sandy Boyce know if you are planning to go as there may be some travel funds available for participants.

World Assembly program.English.FINAL

November 2012

The World DIAKONIA Assembly will be held in Berlin in 2013, July 1st-8th. The registration form is attached here, and will also be stored in the side folder titled ‘conferences’ for easy access. Information on the post-Assembly tours is also attached and will be available in the ‘conferences’ folder. If you plan to go, please contact Rev Sue Langhans (DUCA Treasurer) in regards to the travel scheme, and Rev Sandy Boyce (Convener, DUCA Executive). We hope there will be a number of UCA Deacons who travel to Berlin for the Assembly – a great chance to learn more about the many expressions of DIAKONIA around the world, and for learning.

Registration DIAKONIA Berlin 2013

Invitation letter – Assembly 2013

DIAKONIA 2013 Post Assembly Tours

Rev (Deac) Sandy Boyce attended the DIAKONIA Asia Pacific (DAP) regional conference, held in the Philippines from 28th October to November 2nd, 2012. It was a great time of learning and sharing.

Congratulations to Rev (Deac) Nigel Hawken, who has been appointed Uniting Church chaplain at Westmead Hospital, commencing January 1st, 2013.

The Deacons in the SA Synod celebrated the 20th anniversary of DIAKONIA in the Uniting Church on Friday 2nd November at the annual SA Synod business meeting. Rev (Deac) Mark Boyce shared about his work as a mental health chaplain, Rev (Deac) Cogs Smith provided an informative overview of DIAKONIA in the UCA, and its focus

October 2012:

An article on the expressions of diaconal ministry by Tara Burton, Ministering in the world – in Journey online.

Rev Naomi Rosenberg (SA) has several projects involving cooking in her ministry at Sunset Rock UC. The photo  was taken at CATR (Cooking at the Rock), which is a cooking class held fortnightly on Fridays with people with mental health issues in the community. This particular week it was made into a CommUnity Day Program. There is also a monthly program with girls cooking with older women in the congregation, and then enjoying the meal together and sharing. Great initiatives!

Rev (Deac) Sandy Boyce attended the DIAKONIA Asia-Pacific Regional Gathering in the Philippines in the last week of October. There were representatives from Australia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as a representative of the World DIAKONIA Executive. It was a great time of fellowship and learning.

September 2012:

The most recent DIAKONIA newsletter is now available. Always worth reading! You can go to the World DIAKONIA website to check out past editions as well as the most recent edition.

Rev (Deacon) Karen Mitchell-Lambert was inducted into the Wesley Castle Hill congregation (Sydney) on Friday September 12th, 2012. She joins Rev Dr Rhonda White in collegial ministry. Her new role at Wesley will involve responsibility for community development, families, children and youth. More photos here.

Edition 98 of World DIAKONIA News has now been published. Rev (Deacon) Sandy Boyce is the English co-editor of DIAKONIA News. This edition has articles and news from all over the world, and includes information about the 20th anniversary of the renewal of the diaconate in the UCA. Download it on the link. It will also be available on the World DIAKONIA website. DIAKONIA News 98-2012

Uniting Communities held a day seminar on 15th September, focussed on ‘faith in action’ and Assets Based Community Development (ABCD). There were 4 Deacons in attendance who appreciated the opportunity to reflect on gifts and assets as a framework for ministry in the community.

Rev (Deacon) Sarah Williamson was a coordinator for ‘Suicide: It’s no secret’ & Lifeline’s ‘Out of the Shadows & into the Light’, and spoke on the steps of Parliament House, South Australia.

Rev (Deacon) Dr Alison McRae was the guest speaker for the celebration of the renewal of the diaconate in the Uniting Church in Australia. She made a significant presentation at Pilgrim Uniting Church on September 9th, in collaboration with the SA (UCA) Historical Society. A copy of her presentation can be downloaded here: Renewal of the diaconate.20th celebration_Alison McRae

Rev (Deacon) Dr Alison McRae preached at Pilgrim Uniting Church, Adelaide, on September 9th, using Mark 7: 24-37, developing the theme: “Caught with your compassion down”: lessons from the boundaries’. You can download a copy of the sermon here.
Alison McRae sermon – ‘caught with compassion down’

Rev (Deacon) Bev Fabb preached the sermon on Sunday 9th September at the WA Synod morning service. You can download a copy of the sermon here. WA SERMON SYNOD 2012.BEV FABB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deacon celebration calls church to mutual vulnerability
WA Synod Sunday began with worship celebrating the 21st anniversary of the renewal of diaconate ministry within the Uniting Church. The focus of the morning was on the ministry of service given expression by those ordained to the ministry of deacon.

Rev Marion Millin gave some historical background, telling of how the Uniting Church, in 1991, agreed to recognise two expressions of ordained ministry, the ministry of the Word, and ministry of deacon.

Rev Bev Fabb preached, focussing on the story of the last supper as told in John 13:

… So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Master, you wash my feet?”
Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.”
Peter persisted, “You’re not going to wash my feet—ever!”
Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.”
“Master!” said Peter. “Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!” (The Message translation)

Bev pointed out that, while Christians have followed the tradition of the last supper by celebrating communion, and recognising it as a sacrament, Jesus’ command to wash one another’s feet is not followed often.

“The act of foot washing is an experience of mutual vulnerability,” said Bev. When you kneel at someone’s feet, you risk being kicked in the head. At the same time, the person whose feet are being washed has to expose their defects and sensitivities.

“Deacons are called to wash the feet of those who suffer in our world, in gentleness, compassion and love,” said Bev. “What God wants is for us to wash one another’s feet.”

During the celebration of communion and over the morning tea, Bev and other deacons were available to wash others’ feet or to have their own feet washed.

Photos and story here

August 2012:

A fantastic article by Dr Clive Pearson published in the UCA NSW Synod publication Insights, reflecting on the recent DIAKONIA conference, God is where?! Read it here.

Events coming up in September in South Australia (and beyond!) that will be of interest to Deacons.

‘The Reshaping of the Mission of the Church.  the Gift of the Renewed Diaconate.
Acknowledging the 20th Anniversary of the Renewed Diaconate in the UCA. ‘
Guest Presenter: Rev Dr Alison McRae.
3.30pm, Sunday 9th September  at Pilgrim UC. No cost.
Sponsored by the UC Historical Society in association with the Deacons of the UCA in South Australia.
Enquiries:  Jonathan Barker 0438 012 227

Putting Faith into Action : Community Development Day
Presenters: Peter Kenyon, Rev Paul Turley, Rev Peter McDonald and others
9 – 4.30pm, Saturday 15th September at Burnside UC.

Church on Mainstreet 2012
Presenters: Bronwyn Pike(Urban Renewal Authority), Rev. Bruce Grindlay, Rev Adam Tretheway,  John Emmet (Vic/Tas Synod)
Tues. 25th and Wed. 26th September 10am-3pm at St. Andrews by the Sea UC, , Jetty Road, Glenelg.
Fee for 2 days $30 or 1 day $20 .
Further info: Rev Dr Dean Eland djeland@bigpond.com or 0419 112 603.

Deacon brochure for 20th anniversary in the UCA. Double sided, colour. DEACONS PAMPHLET 2012

A number of UCA Deacons are considering attending the next DIAKONIA World Assembly in Berlin in July 2013. Rev Bill Harris has offered these reflections on his first experience at a DIAKONIA seminar in Europe, and his first DIAKONIA Executive meeting in Sweden. Rev Bill Harris – reflections on DRAE & Exec Sweden 1998

July 2012 news:

Some of the UCA Deacons attending the UCA 13th Assembly in Adelaide in July as well as SA Deacons who have been involved in the program or catching up with people. The UCA Assembly formally recognized the 20th anniversary of the renewal of the diaconate in the UCA – first ordinations were in 1992.

A letter has been prepared for Deacons and Deacon candidates who may wish to attend the DIAKONIA World Assembly in July 2013, with information about the conference and encouragement to source funding to enable them to participate. The letter may be used to liaise with funding bodies and congregations for funding to support travel and conference registration. It can be downloaded here: DUCA-WORLD ASSEMBLY LETTER

The UCA National Assembly meeting is to be held in Adelaide, 15th-21st July. There are 10 Deacons participating in the 13th Assembly held every three years. One of the presentations will be ‘Reconciliation People – a Statement to the Nation’, written by young adult leaders in the UCA. Here’s a link to a video with the statement, featuring Rev Aimee Kent at the start of the video.

The DUCA Business meeting was held on July 1st in Sydney. The meeting agreed that the Executive continue to be based in SA for a further two years. Sandy Boyce will continue as DUCA National Convener.

The Deacon Intensive for UCA Deacon candidates was held in Sydney at the end of June. A great time of learning and building collegial relationships.

Rev Emma Matthews is a school chaplain at Penrhos College in Perth. Read more about her story here.

June 2012 news:

The World DIAKONIA Executive are meeting in Denmark in the last week of July. Amongst the business they are discussing is the program for the World DIAKONIA Assembly in Berlin in 2013, July 1-8th. Will be a wonderful time. Please consider attending (held once every four years).

At the 13th triennial Assembly of the UCA, there is a proposal in relation to the 20th anniversary of the recognition and ordination of the first Deacons (1992). You might like to check it out here.

Rev Luna Dingyan will be the guest speaker at the Thursday night dinner at the Deacons conference in the first week of July. He is a minister and key leader of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and the President of the Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Baguio, the Philippines.  ETS has pioneered a curriculum and pattern of delivery that responds to the missional priorities of the UCCP among the poor of the Philippines.  It grounds biblical and theological studies in community development, human rights and Christian leadership.  Luna’s theological research has been in the area of “a Christology of solidarity”.  He is a fine scholar and educator, and an inspirational church leader. What a privilege to have Luna speak at the conference (he’s also a Bible Study leader at the 13th Assembly of the UCA in Adelaide in July).

James Godrey (Deacon Candidate, Vic/Tas) is currently in Vanuatu on a short field placement, organized as part of his formation for ministry. Other Deacon candidates have had similar cross-cultural placements with partner churches as part of their formation – if it’s something you’d like to explore, talk with your theological college and Uniting World (Kathy Periera).

The World DIAKONIA Executive meet in Denmark in the last week of June. Here’s the press release sent out today. Please uphold the meeting in prayer as the Executive hear reports from the regions, and discuss diakonia in its many forms around the world. press release engl 210612

Great news that Craig Batty (Queensland) is being ordained on 28th June, and will begin his placement at Indooroopilly Uniting Church as the children’s, youth and families minister on 1st July. Congratulations, Craig!

Came across an interesting read in this online version of the journal Cross Purposes, featuring an article written by James Godfrey (UCA Deacon candidate) and one by Chris Duxbury (UCA Deacon). There’s also a review of Sara Miles’ book, Take this bread. All worth a read! Cross Purposes Edition 19, 2009.

DUCA business meeting – reports: Reports are posted for WA Synod, Northern Synod, SA Synod, Queensland Synod and NSW-ACT Synod, as well as DUCA Executive report and Treasurer’s report – quick link here.

Karen Mitchell-Lambert (NSW) will conclude her placement at Cromer UC on 19th August, and take up a placement at Wesley UCA, Castle Hill as the Deacon specialising in children, family, youth and community development.

WCC Conference on DIAKONIA: “Diakonia is an alternative form of power which consists precisely in serving. If we transfer this insight into the social and political realm, the question is then to what extent structures of power can be permeated by the spirit of service,” said Dr Walter Altmann, moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee. Altmann was delivering a keynote address at a WCC conference on “The Theology of Diakonia for the 21st Century” in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 2 June 2012. More info on the Diakonia in the UCA blogsite.

UC SA Historical Society – focus on diaconate
As part of the celebrations for the 20th year since the first Deacons were ordained, the UC SA Historical invited SA Deacons to prepare the newsletter. This has been printed and distributed. We’re now working on a national edition with contributions from Deacons in other Synods. Copies can be made available for the people attending Assembly, as well as uploaded to the UCA Diakonia website and possibly the Assembly website. Here’s what we have so far. We’d LOVE to hear from UC Deacons who are able to contribute. Ideally 500 words, but as you can see, the length varies a great deal. Here’s the draft thus far: Occasional Papers_Draft 1_29May2012

Rev Adam Tretheway and Rev Christa Megaw (International Mission Officers, SA Synod) are visiting partner churches in Korea. Here’s a photo of them near the border.

May 2012 news:

Rev Heather den Houting has commenced her role as Director of Mission at Blue Care. Here’s an article with more information.

Registrations for the Deacons Conference in July are coming in. As of mid-May, there are  36 for the full conference. There’s still time to register – we would love to see a good turn out for the conference, which will provide really worthwhile learning, and an opportunity for networking and encouragement. Scroll down a little further for the registration details.

Congratulations to Priscilla Hein, who has been accepted as a candidate for the Ministry of Deacon in SA. This brings the total of Deacon candidates to 10 in South Australia, 16 altogether in the UCA. Priscilla (Sil) is working in aged care, a recognized Ministry of Pastor placement.

Synod reports for DUCA Business Meeting in July 2012 being uploaded onto the website as they are received (password protected).

DUCA Conference (first week of July) - conference flyer has been updated.
REVISED Registration Form God is Where
Here’s the link to make direct payments to United Theological College: http://subscriptions.utc.edu.au. Please note: early bird date has been extended to May 15th

April 2012 news:
July DUCA Conference: For those who need to travel, please arrange flights asap, as travel equalisation system will work on a ‘reasonable’ fare rather than last minute bookings. Travel equalisation only applies to financial members of DUCA. (Note: system of travel equalisation is being discussed at present and there may be some changes in the future).

Deaconess Win Hilliard – obituary
Rev Bill Edwards has written an obituary for Deaconess Win Hilliard, published in The Advertiser (Adelaide) on 7th April. The original text is here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 2012 news:

Elaine Ledgerwood (Deacon candidate) will be commissioned as the Pastor at Rowethorpe (WA) on Sunday 25th March. The venue is the Sutton Centre, and the commissioning will take place from 3-4pm. WA Deacons are encouraged to support Elaine on this significant occasion.

SA Deacons will be interested to know about the induction of Rev Judy Knowling into the role of Chaplain at Royal Adelaide Hospital at 2pm on 22nd March in the RAH Chapel. All welcome to come along and support Judy.

Congratulations to Adam Tretheway who has accepted a 0.5 position as Deacon at St Andrews by the sea at Glenelg, starting later in March. Induction service planned for Sunday 1st April at 4pm.

Congratulations to Val Aumann who celebrated 50 years since commissioning as a Deaconess on March 4th. What a milestone!

February 2012 news:

DUCA biennial conference – July 2012 – update re fees, registration etc.

 

God is Where flyer – registration information

 

Heather den Houting is concluding her placement at Kenmore UC on Easter Sunday, and moving to a new placement as Director of Mission at Blue Care, the Queensland agency responsible for providing care and support for the elderly, people with a disability and others in their time of need.

Rev Dr Alison McRae will be presenting a public lecture on September 9th in Adelaide as part of the 20th celebrations of the renewal of the diaconate, and the first ordination of Deacons in 1992. More details published as they become available.

 

DIAKONIA News provides a broad range of current news from the DIAKONIA World Federation, including the three regions (DAP – DIAKONIA Asia Pacific; DRAE – DIAKONIA Region Africa Europe; DOTAC – DIAKONIA of the Americas and Caribbean). Definitely worth a read! Contributions always welcome (Sandy Boyce is the English Editor for DIAKONIA News). Click on the banner on the right hand side for DIAKONIA News – February 2012.

Rev Graham Anson began work on 1st Feb at Uniting Mission and Education, a new unit set up in the NSW Synod. His new role is New Initiatives and Congregational Development Consultant. He joins Kath Merrifield, Geoff Wellington and Bronwyn Murphy. Feb 1st also celebrates 21 years of Graham begin in full time ministry in the UCA. Congratulations, Graham!

Rev Dr Alison Macrae will be leading the Bible Studies for the Deacon Intensive (formation for candidates for Ministry of Deacons in UCA, to be held in Sydney 2012 in the last week of June). Alison’s doctoral thesis was titled, De-Centred Ministry: A Diaconal View of Mission and Church.

January 2012 news:

Deaconess Win Hilliard passed away on 2nd January 2012. She will be remembered for her faithful years of diaconal ministry at Ernabella, SA. A brief overview of her ministry has been uploaded here.

The planning team for the UCA Deacons 2012 Conference has prepared a brochure. The conference will be the first week of July 2012 in Sydney. All Deacons in the UCA are welcome to attend. There will also be an opportunity to celebrate the 20th year of ordination of Deacons in the UCA.

God is Where Conference flyer

The SA Deacons met for an informal lunch on 22nd January to plan ahead for 2012. The story is posted on the DUCA blogsite. Here’s a photo of the group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rev Karyl Davison has been inducted into a new placement at Eaton Community College in Bunbury, Western Australia. Karyl will be in placement with the Wellington Regional Mission, with responsibility for Collie,Waterloo and Harvey congregations and the Eaton/Millbridge Project – being church in the community for a new housing development.

Congratulations to Aimee Kent, ordained as a Deacon in the UCA, 14th January 2012

Rev Lesley deGrussa-Macauley was inducted into a new placement at Albany Wesley Uniting Church, on 21st January, 2012. The church is one of the oldest in Albany.

General:

Occasional papers: exploring issues relevant to diaconal ministry in the Uniting Church in Australia.

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