Some thoughts for further reflection

Acknowledgement: Rev. Dr. Anita Monro

Symbols are well and good, but what says “Christian”? In Acts 2:44-47, a description of the Christian community is given:

44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. (NRSV)

From this text, descriptions of the “Christian Life” have been drawn. These descriptions usually include at least 4 elements:
1. Leitourgia (liturgy – the work of the people – worship)
2. Koinonia (community)
3. Diakonia (service)
4. Kerygma (proclamation – witness)
The Basis of Union of the Uniting Church uses the phrase “worship, witness and service”. Where do you find each of these elements of the Christian Life in your life and in the life of our community. What says “Christian” about our community of faith today?

Taken from : http://mad-e-lena.blogspot.com/

further thoughts from Assembly

During Assembly I went to the morning service at Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross.

From the start, this service had a large sense of community and inclusion. The service, though quite informal, still had what I consider the important elements of a service. That being prayer, hearing from the word, proclaiming the word, and ofcourse music.

People from the Kings Cross community spoke during the service from their hearts about their own experiences. They spoke as though they felt they had to speak the praises of Wayside and of Rev. Graham Long. In a way it was as though they had to convince us in some way. Hearing what they said moved me. Hearing how this invaluable ministry has made their lives better almost moved me to tears.

Sitting during the service I really felt the spirit present. I felt like this was the type of thing that I wanted to do: share the gospel with those who are marginalised and disadvantaged in order to transform lives. I found that Wayside lives out the NSW/ACT Synod's vision statement: Moving with God, Transforming Communities.

I felt God affirming my call to Specified Ministry.

The Past Month ...

The past month has been very eventful for me.

Having been at Synod Standing Committee, then a bit of time at Mums and with some friends, catching up with some brother Masons in Sydney, School of Discipleship in Canberra, and then the National Assembly at UNSW - it has been a very busy time. But also a very reflective time.

School of Discipleship was a very meaningful time for me. Being my first sod i was not entirely sure of what to expect. I cannot say that I was dissapointed. Both the keynote speakers engage with me spiritually in a way I had not experienced in a while. One of the speakers called us to live in the life of exile as radical disciples. Other furthered on this radical discipleship by focussing around issues of social justice [I will be writing a further reflection on sod itself].

I had attended the 11th Assembly in Brisbane 3 years ago, and I do admit that this assembly in Sydney was quite different. It was also familiar - but felt different.

It was a very emotional assembly (as was the last one). The emotions were definitely all over the place. I felt so proud to be in the Uniting Church when we passed the changes to the Preamble. And the President put it very well when he said "I saw the true nature of this church yesterday afternoon ... when we were all on our knees".

The last month has also allowed me time to reflect further on my calling. I still do not doubt my calling to specified ministry. However I am keeping a much broader mind now than just focussing on ordination. After prayer and discernment, I feel I have been led by God to reflect on whether Ministry of Pastor would be an appropriate path for me to follow at this stage of my life. Also speaking to the Ministry of Pastor Consultant, I have felt called to taking this path and to apply. I will reflect on this further and speak to Anita about it at our next meeting.

My work with KUCA this term will take a bit of a change as I will try to develop it into a group that spiritually fosters and nurtures the kids that go there. It will aim to have a more devotional and reflective motive - but also being fun :)

reflection on ordination and ministry of Deacon.

This is mainly a reflection on why I feel a call to Ministry. Later on I will write another reflection as to the two ordinations.

I feel I need to work in the community but also to minister to those im working with (especially disadvantaged and marginalised people). Evangelising, and being WITH the people of God.

I draw most of my energy and Passion from Proverbs 31: 8-9.

WHY ORDAINED?

I know that baptism makes us all ministers and it is our jobs to worship god, bring witness to Christ, and to serve others just as Christ did. I also understand that certain people are set aside by the Holy Spirit to become ordained by prayer and laying on of hands. Ordination “places them [the ordinand] in a new relation to other people” (Basis of Union 3:6).

I have a passion for sharing the gospel, for the sacraments, and for pastoral care – for also for the community, those disadvantaged, and mission (Basis of Union 1992: 12 [a]).

“[Ordained ministers] have a particular responsibility to for word for the integrity of the body of Christ; the one holy catholic and apostolic church” (Brief Statement: 2).

WHY DEACON?

Deacons’ responsibility is for the church’s participation in God’s mission in and for the world – for ‘dispersing and reforming’ (Brief Statement).

This is the particular task I feel a strong calling to and I recognise God calling me to this particular ministry through my passions.