2015 Deacon Intensive

The 2015 Deacon Intensive for Deacon candidates in the Uniting Church in Australia has been held   in Adelaide, 9-13th February. Nine candidates have attended including two Aboriginal leaders. It has been an enriching time of learning, guided by facilitators including Rev Dr Vicky Balabanski (Bible Studies) and Rev Dr Steve Taylor (evening 'case studies' sessions). The three afternoon immersions have included visits to Yatala Gaol (with prison chaplain, Rev Deac Albert Patrizi), Hope's Cafe which supports refugees and asylum seekers, The Grove Uniting Church (Rev Deac Lyn Leane) and St Andrews Uniting Church community program (coordinated by Rev Deac Adam Tretheway). The photo shows the candidates, facilitators, and some of the planning team and  catering team.It has been an enriching time of learning, guided by facilitators including Rev Dr Vicky Balabanski (Bible Studies) and Rev Dr Steve Taylor (evening 'case studies' sessions). The three afternoon immersions have included visits to Yatala Gaol (with prison chaplain, Rev Deac Albert Patrizi), Hope's Cafe which supports refugees and asylum seekers, The Grove Uniting Church (Rev Deac Lyn Leane) and St Andrews Uniting Church community program (coordinated by Rev Deac Adam Tretheway). The photo shows the candidates, facilitators, and some of the planning team and  catering team.

Deacon candidates, facilitators and planning team

Ministry in a small congregation

Induction of Rev Naomi Rosenberg, Nairne Uniting Church

Rev Naomi Rosenberg is a Deacon in the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA). In September, Naomi was inducted as the Minister in a small congregation in a rural community on the outskirts of Adelaide, South Australia. Naomi is a former Registered Nurse, specialising in paediatrics and asthma education.  She worked on a paediatric ward for 10 years in Adelaide where she also specialised in asthma education. Naomi has had a significant ministry with seniors in aged care residences and in community programs, as well as serving in rural congregations.
In the UCA, 'Deacons are called to be, along with the scattered members of the congregation, a sign of the presence of God in the everyday world; to be especially aware of the places in the community where people are hurt, disadvantaged, oppressed or marginalised and to be in ministry with them in ways which reflect the special concern of Jesus for them; to recognise, encourage, develop and release those gifts in God's people which will enable them to share in the ministry of caring, serving, healing, restoring, making peace and advocating justice as they go about their daily lives'. (Report on Ministry in the Uniting Church 1991 Assembly). 

Denise Champion and the Aboriginal Congress

 

Denise Champion (standing, centre, in blue/black top) is a Deacon candidate in the Uniting Church in Australia, and provides significant leadership with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) in South Australia. Currently she is working on 'A Destiny Together', a week of prayer and fasting with a focus on justice for First Peoples. It is an initiative of the National Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia.

The week, set down for 17-23 March 2014, will include a public prayer vigil outside Parliament House in Canberra, to be held on Tuesday 18 March and to be led by the UAICC Chairperson and the Uniting Church President. It is hoped that many Uniting Church members will come to Canberra to be a part of this historic public witness to justice and reconciliation.

The heart of the week will be a nationwide movement of Uniting Church individuals, small groups and congregations exercising a daily practice of prayer and fasting.