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Stories & Feature Articles

Sharing life’s stories

It is somewhat unique for me to be asked to contribute to a theological spot. For the past 20-plus years, I have found myself in front of 1200 to 1500 students weekly, talking about our  spirituality. I have also spent time at camps, sport and in the chapel. The choice of words reflecting centuries of theological insight has little if any meaning in this setting. Perhaps some would  say, ‘that is because the words aren’t used enough.’

I’m not convinced. I think Jesus was faced with this same dilemma as he spoke to the foreigner, tax-gatherer, child or outcast each day.

The theme of this issue, being ‘beyond your circle’ prompts us to ask ourselves, ‘how do we relate to others?’ I believe it begins with simply being with them and listening. The gospel often refers  to Jesus knowing what ‘they’ were thinking and then responding. He spoke through story and chose his stories to carry a meaning that they could identify. More importantly, he cared  what they thought and understood. Jesus would speak and tell stories about their world because it was his own incarnation – he was born as one of us.

Our stories at Scotch College are about things that the students are familiar with and to which they can relate. It may be the story of Disney’s animation film, Big Hero 6, or Dido’s song, Life for  Rent. When a School Captain shares his reflections on the ANZAC legend and a student shares a letter written by a young man to his mother from the trenches at Gallipoli – seven days before he  dies – others begin to understand the different ways people sacrifice.

Categories
Stories & Feature Articles

From the Archives: World War I chaplains

Throughout 2015, to mark the centenary year of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli, Revive will be publishing a series of articles highlighting the men who provided chaplaincy to those who served  in WWI.

Rev Eric Hans Orton Nye was born on the 18 May 1896 in Victoria. In 1915, Rev Nye and his wife moved to Narrogin Methodist Church. On 16 July 1916, he enlisted in the Australian Army as a  chaplain and sailed to the United Kingdom and France on the HMAT Miltiades A28 on the 9 August 1916. He saw service in France on the Somme until his return to Australia on 13 March  1918.

On the night of the 16–17 of October 1917, he was responsible for the rescue of RMO Major NJ Bullen and was awarded the Military Cross. On his return to Western Australia, Eric continued his  ministry in Bridgetown, Claremont, West Perth and Fremantle. In 1937, he returned to Victoria and continued in ministry until 1954.

Rev Eric Hans Orton Nye died on 9 January 1968.

Sheena Hesse

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News & Announcements

Papuan students experience WA’s wheatbelt

Eleven students who took part in the Australian Papuan Cultural Exchange Program, hosted at All Saints Floreat Uniting Church, took a weekend away from their studies to travel up to the northern wheatbelt town of Coorow in March and experience some of Australia’s rural lifestyle. The program hosts students from West Papua in Perth while they build up their English skills.

Inez Davies, a member of Coorow All Saints Uniting Church, learnt about the program whilst attending a Summer Spirit event years ago in Perth. The Coorow congregation, a joint Anglican and  Uniting Church, have followed its progress and offered support – this year by hosting the group in their home town for some time out from their busy schedule. The students arrived for  lunch on Saturday 29 March at Inez’s farm, followed by a drive around the property to see some of their crops. Dinner was provided in town by the congregation before an evening of music and  joy.

“We were all just sitting around talking and they all burst into song,” said Inez. “My son took his guitar and he yodelled for them and they were absolutely ecstatic.”

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News & Announcements

Royal Commission: Uniting Church tasks and responsibilities

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is well and truly underway. Since it was established on 11 January 2013, the Royal Commission has used a number of  means to access the information it requires to carry out its tasks.

These include:

  • Releasing issues papers on topics of interest to its work and recommendations, to allow organisations and individuals an opportunity to provide their opinions and expertise.
  • Holding private sessions that allow survivors to speak directly with a Commissioner about their experiences.
  • Holding formal public hearings to hear evidence about child sexual abuse within institutions. These hearings do not focus on individual cases, but instead focus on case studies of how institutions have responded to allegations and proven instances of child sexual abuse.
  • Holding roundtables to consider what institutions and governments should do to better protect children against child sexual abuse.

The Uniting Church in Australia issued a Values Statement, which said, “…we will not hide from the truth, however painful that may be, and will seek, with compassion and humility, to address  whatever issues and challenges may emerge for us. We will say sorry to anyone who was sexually abused when in our care and, in consultation with those so affected, actively seek ways to make  amends for what happened in the past and identify how we can best offer support into the future.”

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News & Announcements

14th Triennial Assembly almost here

The 14th Triennial Meeting of the Assembly is creeping closer and closer and lots of work is being done to prepare for this important event. The theme of this year’s Assembly, as set by the  president-elect, Stuart McMillan, is ‘Hearts on Fire.’

The Assembly meeting will bring together over 300 members of the Uniting Church in Australia for a week of discerning the business and direction of the church for the next three years. This year it will be held in Perth, with the bulk of the meeting to be held at Winthrop Hall, University of Western Australia (UWA) with accommodation and meals to be held at the Uniting Church in  WA’s Trinity Residential College.

While not everyone can be a member, there are some events that everyone is invited to, including the official Opening Service and Installation of the new president of the Uniting Church in  Australia and the Cato Lecture, an Assembly tradition. A children’s choir will provide a fun and exciting way for kids in the Uniting Church to be involved in the Opening Service. More  information on this can be found here.