Creating Sacred Community:
Australia Region Conference 2001

The first gathering of the church in Australia as Community of Christ was the Region Conference, held April 13-16 at Tiona Park campground in New South Wales (NSW). The theme, “Creating Sacred Community,” provided opportunity to explore reconciliation and community building, as well as recreation, relaxation, and fellowship.

Diverse Ministry

Business meeting presiders: Anne Sutton, Matthew  Naylor, Bunda Chibwe, and Bruce Wooderson

Diverse offerings of ministry highlighted the Easter weekend conference. Apostle Bunda Chibwe, Africa Region, spoke about community, ethnic and cultural divides, and building sacred relationships, based on his experiences in the many nations of Africa and the challenges faced on that continent. He shared his own tribal background and the difficulties he encountered because of his desire to marry a woman of another tribe. His ministry had a tremendous impact on the people gathered. Pacific Field Bishop Malcolm Stephenson also provided ministry colored by his rich pacific island experience.

There was also a focus on aboriginal culture during the conference. Marshall Leaver led a discussion on the need to understand the history and culture of indigenous Australians. Leaver’s study of the indigenous culture has led him to continually work to break down the barriers of misunderstanding and ignorance. He even takes students on camps and excursions so they may learn more about aboriginal culture.

An aboriginal guest, Duane Pittman, spent the entire day with the conference on Saturday. He taught the children cultural dances and songs in the morning, which they performed for the conference during the afternoon session. Pittman also played the didgeridoo, an aboriginal large wooden musical pipe, and talked about his culture and its spiritual connections to nature. At the evening campfire, he shared an aboriginal story and sang.

Conference Business
A resolution proposed by the Adelaide congregation that calls on the church in Australia to support efforts toward reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples was approved. Reports and budgets were accepted and several officers were elected and sustained. Delegates also selected Melbourne as the location for the 2003 Australia Region Conference.

Directors were approved for SaintsCare, a compassionate ministry organization that provides a variety of community services as well as emergency financial relief to needy persons. Directors are: Greg Gildea, Linda Hazell, Leigh Lonsdale, Peter Lonsdale, Rick Sarre, Keith Smith, and Anne Sutton. Richard Gillard and Matthew Naylor continue to serve on the board as ex-officio. Record budgets were approved for this growing organization to provide for several full-time employees and a full-time director.

The Australia Investment Board will now allow its members to participate in meetings via teleconferencing and other communications means. Julie Crittenden, Graham McAleer, and Malcolm Stephenson were sustained as board members. Brian Ayres, Fred Gordon, and John Harding were newly elected.

The work of the Floyd Burdekin Scholarship Fund for Social Justice and Human Rights was recognized by delegates. Janelle and Leon Clifford were recognized for long service to the church, and in honor of Leon’s retirement from World Church appointment in July 2001. Jonathon Stack was recognized for his long-term service on the Australia Investment Board. Other recognitions included Paul Hardwick, who was transferred to the Asia Mission Field in September 2000, for service to the Australia Region, and Ruth Winterton for service to church history.

The excitement was apparent as the church in Australia gathered together for the first time as Community of Christ. Accommodations at Tiona Park were covered by the offering of the last evening, where more than $7,000 was given. Being called to become Community of Christ has sparked renewal and re-engagement among members and friends.

Church Objectives
Conference business and activities reflected the six objectives for the church in Australia as established in the five-year strategic plan developed by the National Gathering of Pastors and Congregational Leaders in 1999 and finalized by the Region Presidency. The objectives are: 1) We will have stronger congregations. 2) Our resources will be aligned with our mission. 3) We will have five new congregations. 4) We will have strong children and youth ministries. 5) We will have well-resourced compassionate ministries. 6) Our community will be strengthened by better communications.

Approved budgets reflect the church’s commitment to provide more full-time ministers to support congregations, and several pastors and children and youth workers have been added to the region’s team since 1999. The region will also focus on balancing membership levels, ministry needs, and appropriate congregational facilities to strengthen congregations.

The realignment of resources continues in several areas, including conference and retreat centers. The strategic plan calls for these facilities to be mission-driven, reflecting the highest environmental ethics and business standards so the church is presented in the best possible light. A national committee is completing its review of the retreat and conference centers, which includes analysis and assessment by independent consultants. The Australia Investment Board will continue its sound management of the church’s funds, using financial resources to further the mission of the church.

Craig Martens and Anna Patterson, full-time children and youth ministry specialists, have trained 150 adults in the region through workshops. Camps continue to thrive and clubs continue to grow. Plans to develop the WorldService Corps program in Australia will further the education of young adults in ministries of peace and justice.

The operations of SaintsCare have grown considerably, leading toward the church’s mission of delivering quality compassionate ministries and building communities of peace, reconciliation, and healing of the spirit. Various divisions of SaintsCare include self-care homes for the aged, youth support services, congregational compassionate ministries, and community centers.

In the arena of communications, Saints Herald Australia will no longer be produced. Instead, subscribers will receive the World Church’s Herald, published in Independence, Missouri, USA, with a four-page insert, Connect, that reports news from around Australia. A beautiful new Web page was also created to coincide with becoming Community of Christ, www.CofChrist.com.au.

-David Judd and Matthew Naylor reporting