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St Nicholas – December 6th

Today we honour the great St Nicholas.

Sinterklaas (Dutch) or Sint-Nicolaas (Dutch) is a legendary figure based on Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children.

The feast of Sinterklaas celebrates the name day of Saint Nicholas on 6 December. Sinterklaas is one of the sources of the popular Christmas icon of Santa Claus.

Very little is known about St Nicholas with absolute certainty.
We know he was a 4th century bishop of the Lycian port Myra, and that following his death, devotion to him spread throughout the region. His burial place was also discovered by archaeologists in a church in Turkey in 2022.
Later stories about his life include the story of him rescuing three girls from exploitation by throwing gold through the window of their house; his release of three wrongly jailed military generals; and the resurrection of three boys who had been pickled in brine by a local butcher.
What these stories have in common is not just that St Nicholas showed great generosity but that his gifts were always liberating, bringing life and freedom to those who needed it.
This is the deeper meaning of Christmas ‘giving’: in receiving the gift of Christ, what we receive is freedom and eternal life. May this joyful gift of the Christ child be at the heart of our coming Christmas.
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Christmas Bowl – the experience of Rev Brian Polkinghorne

A Story about The Value of Supporting the Christmas Bowl Appeal

Rev. Brian Polkinghorne

Brian shared this story in Melbourne at the 2024 Launch of the Christmas Bowl, which is now in its 75th year.

I was a Congregational minister in South Australia, with a degree in agriculture when in 1970, my wife Jill and I were accepted as Fraternal workers with the Australian Council of Churches (ACC) through the support given to the Christmas Bowl Appeal.  There was a vacancy with the YMCA Farm School in Tanzania and so with our three very small children, we headed off to Tanzania, not knowing a single person in the fascinating continent of Africa.

 Once there I found a little old 100 egg kerosene operated incubator, got it working, employed a young man to make more incubators and that was the start of very successful poultry industry.  After four years with the YMCA, I was invited to initiate an Agricultural Production and Training School with the Roman Catholic church at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The Catholics weren’t part of ACC in those times, but ACC through the Christmas Bowl Appeal, agreed to continue supporting us. That was 1974 – 50 years ago!

 In this 500 acre bush block we soon got things humming along. We soon established a thriving production farm with almost every sort of crop and animal production and demonstration units you could think of. When President Julius Nyerere heard about us he came to visit. What a day. He lit the fourth 1,100 egg kerosene incubator and asked me to produce 1 million chickens a year for Tanzania! When I recovered from the shock and raised a slight objection, he offered to bring us electricity free of charge to enable this to happen. It happened.

Writing up the project on a little aerogramme I raised the funding for a modern hatchery, incubators from India, laying and processing sheds.  Donors from Germany came and offered more money than I had requested. That’s the way it was in those heady Development days. We started with the aim of 500,000 chickens per year because of potential disease and learning problems which could arise.  Later, to initiate the training facility, I obtained finances from Canada to build a training and accommodation facility for 60 local students.

In 1977, with much heartache, we had to return to Australia.  However, if today you went to the Kilacha Production and Training Centre, this is what you might see.  Instead of a capacity for half a million chickens a year – their capacity has increased to a million a year! Instead of training facilities for 60 students they now have 700 students! No more Europeans on site from 3 years after we left! No more overseas Aid required for the last 40 years – they are totally self-reliant! Their employment tally is enormous. The whole story is very complex but very humbling and highly successful.

The local Catholic church in Tanzania understood that if you lay down solid ethical and developmental foundations, despite all the hiccups that can happen over 50 years and you keep training local people, serving with compassion, and keeping corruption under control, effective inclusive development can occur, and ‘from little things, big things grow.’

 In 1990 I was requested, or shall I say arm-twisted to initiate a big reforestation project

in Tanzania.  After five years I handed over the project to the local staff I had trained and

together with Australian Aid through a local para-church organisation we managed to get well over 2,000 people involved in planting and caring for 6.27 million trees. That success enabled us to start another Training farm with the African Inland Church, and so we spent a total of 26 years in several Regions of Tanzania.

Thank you to the Christmas Bowl for enabling us to fall in love with Tanzania and serve God and God’s people in so many ways. During all those years, Jill was positively involved in a variety of teaching positions, ranging from pre-school education in English medium and International schools, teacher training, English teacher in Bible Schools, and serving on the Board of a Street Children’s project.

In 2018 as a volunteer with the Anglicans in Tanzania, the Bishop asked me to train a young man in planting and caring for trees. I did that with both theoretical and practical training before returning to Australia 6 months later. Three and a half years later that young man wrote to me and said – “Brian, I think that you and I and God got things just right. I have just overseen the planting of our first million trees!”

Thanks be to God and thanks to Christmas Bowl for enabling us to get started, and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, ministering in the trusted tradition of serving God’s people in Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.

Keep this great tradition going. Give generously to the Bowl this Christmas

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Dr Victoria Turner reflecting on the Accra Confession

Dr Victoria Turner was a guest presenter at the recent WCRC (World Communion of Reformed Churches) consultation in Hannover, Germany, December 3-5, 2024.

Victoria was the guest presenter at the Victorian Council of Churches conference in Melbourne in August 2024.

The focus of the consultation was the 20 year anniversary of the Accra Confession (2004), when Professor Choan Seng Song was the President of WARC (World Alliance of Reformed Churches). He died at the end of November 2024.

Here is part of the write-up about Dr Victoria Turner’s presentation.

Dr. Victoria Turner delivered a compelling and multifaceted address that challenged churches to embrace justice, unity, and the prophetic vision of the Accra Confession. Mixing deep theological insights with humor and cultural commentary, Turner spoke to the heart of a generation grappling with the weight of systemic crises.

Turner began her presentation with a striking admission: “Young people are not innocent. We are complicit and part of the problem.” However, she quickly reframed this complicity as a byproduct of what she called the “weight of Empire” – the systems and structures of power that entrench inequality, commodify spirituality, and place insurmountable burdens on the young.

She pointed to the paradox of connection in the digital age, describing today’s youth as living in a “culture of informaniacs,” where the pursuit of endless information fosters isolation rather than meaningful relationships. “Young people are overwhelmed,” she said, “not just by climate anxiety or economic instability but by the sheer emptiness of a hyperconnected world.”

Turner tied this to the Accra Confession, a bold theological document adopted in 2004 that rejects economic systems rooted in greed and consumerism. While she praised its prophetic stance, Turner critiqued its limited engagement with the emotional and spiritual alienation of today’s youth. The confession, she argued, must evolve to speak to the deep disconnection and despair felt by younger generations.

Turner did not shy away from critiquing the church’s own role in perpetuating systems of oppression. She challenged congregations to confront their complicity in capitalist structures, accusing them of prioritizing financial security and attendance figures over bold, justice-oriented action.

Celebration for divesting [from harmful investments] should not replace repentance for investing in Empire in the first place,” she said, underscoring the need for churches to embody the radical justice and unity proclaimed in the Accra Confession. Turner urged churches to resist self-preservation and instead embrace discomfort, risk, and solidarity with the marginalized.

She challenged churches to embody this vision, not through anxiety-driven self-preservation but by recommitting to justice and unity. “We must show young people that we are with God in the margins,” she echoed Lilian Siwila’s phrase, “ready to get our hands and our feet dirty.”

Turner’s address was both a critique and an invitation – a call for churches to rediscover their prophetic voice and align their actions with their theology. She reminded the audience that young people are not giving up. They are reimagining faith, justice, and unity in ways that demand all of us to follow suit”.

Read more about Dr Victoria Turner’s presentation here.

Some further highlights of the consultation can be read here.

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Rev Eunice Smith remembered

Centenarian Eunice Isobel Smith, a tireless advocate for ecumenism, justice and the rightful place of women in Church and society, passed away on Friday October 18th, 2024. A funeral service to celebrate her life was held at the Auburn Uniting Church, 81 Oxley Rd Hawthorn on Tuesday 29 October 2024

Born on the 3rd September 1923 in Traralgon, Victoria, she milked cows, rode to school on a bareback horse, did household chores, showing early signs of a ‘can do’ spirit, alongside a feeling for children poorer than herself. World War II in 1939, her 16th birthday, brought times of scarcity. Married to Thomas Leo Smith in 1946, they had three children, eventually opening their own store. Both were active locally, with Eunice becoming the first female President of a local ICC (interchurch council).

With the zeitgeist of the 1960s raging, Eunice’s inchoate interest in world peace, social justice and other issues led to thinkers such as Paolo Freire, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Teilhard de Chardin. In 1976 she enrolled at the United Faculty of Theology, but travel to Melbourne for lectures while attending to the business was stressful, but nevertheless sensed a call to ordained ministry. With the business sold in 1981, she became the Victorian Council of Churches’ Field Officer for Local Ecumenism. Her Gippsland Presbytery ordained her on 17th November 1987 at the age of 64. After ministering to her congregation at the Cairns Memorial Church till 1991, she began ‘active retirement’.

A genial companion, Eunice was also a strongly motivated change-maker. Even in retirement she was engaged through the Uniting Church Synod, VCC, women’s groups, as a Minister in Association in the Pakenham Parish, carrying on, in her words, ‘as long as God gave…the strength’.  She loved being a long-term member of Pax Christi, whose ‘Agapes’ on justice and peace she sometimes hosted. Many are those who have been touched by her empathy and concern marking a long, well-lived life. Vale, Eunice. RIP.

Submitted by Caesar D’Mello, a member of Pax Christi in Australia, and a Board member of Pax Christi International, was formerly National Director of Christian World Service, an aid, justice and development agency of the NCCA. He often consulted Rev Eunice Smith during various phases of his work.

Photo from UCA Victorian Collections

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Christmas message from the Diocese of Jerusalem

Christmas is a time rich in tradition, but at its core lies the profound mystery of the Incarnation. This Christian belief that God became human in the person of Jesus is a testament to divine love and humility. It underscores God’s willingness to bring peace to a world torn by war and destruction.

The message of peace is at the heart of Christmas. The angels’ proclamation of “peace on earth” at the birth of Jesus heralds a new era. It is a call to humanity to embrace reconciliation, compassion, and understanding, especially in times torn by conflict.

The Incarnation, God among us, is the ultimate expression ofthis
peace, bridging the gap between the divine and the human.

In the spirit of Christmas, we are called to reflect this peace in our lives, even in the midst of war and destruction.

This Season challenges us to break down barriers, heal divisions, and share grace with others. In the midst of conflict, Christmas reminds us that true peace begins within us and is embodied in our actions and responses.

In these difficult times, we are called to rekindle the spirit of the Incarnation by spreading peace in our communities and the world around us. In the face of war and destruction, the spirit of Christmas can inspire us to work for justice and peace.

As we celebrate Christmas in the midst of war and suffering, we must remember that the true message of Christmas is one of hope and renewal. In the heart of darkness, light is born. And with the birth of Jesus, we find in the Incarnation the hope that peace is possible in the midst of chaos. It is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope and peace are possible.
Therefore, Christmas reminds us that, despite all the challenges, peace begins from within. As the spirit of Christmas spreads in our hearts and communities, we can be agents of peace, and bearers of hope even in the darkest of times. The Incarnation calls us to be light in the darkness, and peace in times of war.

++Archbishop Hosam Naoum

The Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East
The Diocese of Jerusalem

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Guru Nanak – founder of the Sikh faith

The Victorian Multicultural Commission(*) stood in solidarity yesterday with the Sikh community who have, in recent weeks, been subject to racist incidents after a lake (not previously named) in Berwick was named in honour of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith. See media release from Hon Jacinta Allan.

(*) VMC has oversight for the Multicultural Advisory Group (MAG) which includes multicultural and multifaith leaders, including Christian representatives. 

Victorian multicultural and multifaith leaders gathered at Parliament House, alongside key government officials, to acknowledge the immense contribution of Sikh Victorians to a safe, strong and cohesive Victoria.

The gathering affirmed the universal values of Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh faith: selflessness, service to others, tolerance and respect. Guru Nanak taught that people should help the poor, live honestly, and keep God’s name in their hearts. Victoria is home to Australia’s largest Sikh community, with more than 91,000 Sikh Victorians recorded in the 2021 Census.

“Our Victorian community is gratefully aware of the generosity of Sikh members,particularly in times of adversity. I am sure when more local folk are aware of the connection of this Sikh generosity to the teaching and inspiration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, they will feel proud to have this connection. As with many things, patient and “careful dialogue will be important in the period ahead.
With my prayers, ✨🙏Bishop Philip.

The Victorian Council of Churches Standing Committee responded to an invitation to be a signatory to a statement (see below). It is important to recognise and value cultural and religious diversity as part of social cohesion.

Statement from Multifaith and Multicultural Leaders
We, the undersigned multifaith and multicultural leaders of Victoria, stand in solidarity with the Sikh community in the rise of racism.
Diversity is Victoria’s greatest strength. We come from over 200 backgrounds, speak more than 290 languages, and follow over 200 different faiths.
From the values of service to the sense of generosity shown to all, Sikh Victorians embody the very best of this diversity.
Today, we come together as leaders from different faiths to say this: we stand with you in solidarity and harmony. This is not just about one name, or one place. It’s how we honour contribution from diverse communities to the story of our state.
Here in Victoria, we don’t just tolerate diversity we celebrate it. To the Sikh community: you are not alone. Your hurt is our hurt, and your strength is our strength. We appreciate the universal values of Guru Nanak of serving humanity selflessly, no matter their caste, creed, or background and nurturing our natural environment to promote equality and togetherness.
We’ll continue standing together – shoulder to shoulder now and always. Because this is what it means to be Victorian: united, proud, and stronger together.

Additional references

Prominent neo-Nazis gatecrash a community rally (paywall)

Community consultation – the decision is not without controversy

Ingrid Stitt comment to Parliament

Media release: Celebrating Victoria’s Sikh communities

Name a place in Victoria – nominations close 16th December 2024

 

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UCA Statement on Israel and Palestine

A statement by the Moderator, Rev David Fotheringham

UCA.Statement on Israel Palestine.Nov2024

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Rev. Dr. C. S. Song: Honoring a Life of Vision and Faith

(originally published on 26th November on World Communion of Reformed Churches)

Rev. Professor Choan Seng Song, an influential theologian, ecumenical pioneer, and advocate for justice died on 26 November 2024.

Spanning decades and continents, Professor Song’s remarkable career shaped the identity and mission of the church in profound ways. His passing marks a significant loss, yet his enduring legacy of faith, scholarship, and advocacy will continue to inspire generations.

Rev. Dr. C. S. Song was a theologian of extraordinary depth and insight, whose work was firmly rooted in his Christian Asian heritage. His reflections, which wove together faith, culture, and a commitment to liberation, spoke not only to the church’s spiritual mission but also to its call to address social and economic injustices. Over the course of his distinguished career, Professor Song served as a mentor and teacher in Taiwan, the United States, Singapore, and Hong Kong, leaving a transformative mark on the lives of his students and colleagues.

“It is with a sense of deep sadness that we heard of the passing of the Rev. Professor Choan Seng Song,” said Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC). “We thank God for his life and the profound impact he had on so many. His theological voice, grounded in his Asian Christian roots, was a clarion call for justice and liberation. He challenged the church to not only preach the Gospel but to embody it in transformative ways,” added Nyomi.

Adding to the tributes, Rev. Najla Kassab, president of the WCRC, reflected on Song’s pivotal role in the global Reformed movement.

“Today, the passing of Dr. C. S. Song comes at a time when we remember the long journey that the WCRC has enjoyed for around 150 years, shaped by a faithful cloud of witnesses who strengthened the Communion. Dr. Song, in his role as President of WARC between 1997 and 2004, stands as a great witness to sincere service and commitment to deepening the communion. His theology impacted many, and his dedication remains a powerful expression of contextual theology,” shared Kassab.

Professor Song’s influence extended far beyond the classroom. His ecumenical contributions were immense, including his service as Director of Studies for the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) and as Associate Director of the Faith and Order Commission at the World Council of Churches. During his tenure as WARC President, the Accra Confession – a landmark theological document that continues to guide churches worldwide in addressing economic injustice and environmental degradation – was developed.

“Song’s leadership during the development of the Accra Confession was visionary,” noted Nyomi. “He believed in a church that speaks truth to power and acts boldly for justice. This conviction shaped his presidency and will continue to inspire us,” expressed Nyomi.

“Under his leadership, the WCRC approved the Accra Confession during its General Council in Accra, Ghana, in 2004. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Accra Confession, a powerful statement denouncing economic and ecological injustice. The injustices that the Accra Confession confronted two decades ago have not disappeared – they have worsened. Dr. Song’s passing serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing need to dedicate ourselves to the fight against injustice, carrying forward the legacy of his prophetic vision and tireless commitment,” shared Yueh-Wen Lu, former Vice President, WCRC.

For many, Song was more than a theologian or leader – he was a mentor and a friend. His ability to combine theological depth with practical action earned him the admiration of students, colleagues, and church leaders across the globe.

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, where Song’s faith journey began, joins the global church in mourning his loss. The WCRC has extended its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the ecumenical community.

“With his passing, the Reformed family and the ecumenical movement have lost a great leader, mentor, and friend,” said Nyomi. “We give thanks for his life and pray that his legacy will continue to guide us. May he rest in perfect peace,” Nyomi reflected.

Rev. Dr. C. S. Song’s life reminds us that theology is not merely an academic pursuit – it is a call to action and a witness to God’s boundless love. His remarkable contributions will live on in the lives he touched and the movements he championed.

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Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem statement

Statement on the Commemoration of the Religious Observances of Advent and Christmas in the Midst of the Continuing War

November 22, 2024

Last year, as a means of standing in solidarity with the multitudes suffering from the newly erupted war, We, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, took a mutual decision to call upon our congregations to forego the public display of Christmas lights and decorations, along with their associated festivities.

While our intentions in doing so were good, many around the world nevertheless misinterpreted this call to signify a “Cancellation of Christmas” in the Holy Land – the very place of our Lord’s Holy Nativity. Because of this, our unique witness to the Christmas message of light emerging out of darkness (John 1:9) was diminished not only around the world, but also among our own people.

For this reason, for the coming Advent and Christmas seasons, we encourage our congregations and people to fully commemorate the approach and arrival of Christ’s birth by giving public signs of Christian hope.

At the same time, we also call upon them to do so in ways that are sensitive to the severe afflictions that millions in our region continue to endure. These should certainly include upholding them continuously in our prayers, reaching out to them with deeds of kindness and charity, and welcoming them as Christ himself has welcomed each of us (Romans 15:7).

In these ways, we will echo the Christmas story itself, where the angels announced to the shepherds glad tidings of Christ’s birth in the midst of similarly dark times in our region (Luke 2:8–20), offering to them and to the entire world a message of divine hope and peace.

—The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem

(image: St George’s Cathedral, Jerusalem)

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:12, NKJV).

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Is there a place for religion in schools?

Is there a place for religion in schools by Herbert Um (published in Ridley College magazine 2024)

Religion in Schools.GRE.2024

In Victoria, GRE is part of the Learning about Worldviews and Religions in Humanities and Ethical Capability curriculum. GRE aims to help students develop an understanding of religious and non-religious worldviews, and to appreciate the values that underpin a multicultural society. GRE can help students to develop tolerance for other religions and world views as well as understand their own identity and the formation of other people’s identities. In the process it also serves to promote social cohesion.