The New Church Newsletter

Hurstville Society February 2003

Family Camp - 2003

Kiah Ridge Conference Centre, Tahmoor, NSW

6-12 January, 2003

New Church friends from the Northern Territory, South Australia and all points east came together for what has proven to be another wonderfully memorable New Church Family Camp. John Cunningham even made the trip from the UK. A sincere thank you goes out to the Canberra group who were hosting their first camp. Particular thanks go to John Talbot, Cor Visser-Marchant and Rev David Moffat for all of their efforts in organising and promoting this event.

Rev Julian Duckworth, as President of the New Church in Australia, did a fabulous job guiding the activities of the week. Over 80 people attended for at least part of the time. It seems that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful facilities that Kiah Ridge provided and the varied and inspirational program on offer.

Kiah Ridge is owned and operated by the Baptist Churches of New South Wales. It is located near Tahmoor, NSW a short distance south west of Sydney in the Southern Highlands. Our hosts Ian and Jenny need to be congratulated on their hospitality and the delicious and almost overwhelming supply of food.

The People

This year's camp was intentionally without a single unifying theme. This does not mean that it was without direction. Instead, each presenter was given scope to follow his inspiration into any area of his choosing. The presenting crew of ministers was slightly smaller than previous years, being led by Revs Julian Duckworth from Roseville, Sydney (with wife Ruth), Chris Skinner from Melbourne (with wife Margaret), David Moffat from Canberra (with wife Pam), and Garry Walsh from Hurstville (with wife Laurel).

Among the first time Hurstville Society attendees were Dot Heldon, Patricia Walsh and her grandson James, Kaye MacFarlane, together with her four grandchildren Brandon, Mikayla, Lachlan and Connor Hinds, Graeme McLeay, Robert Cooper and Huiling Sun. It was nice to be joined by Grace and Graham Horner who made the trip down from the Tamworth area. We were sorry that at the last minute Philip and Eleanor Richards and Coleen Forster were unable to attend.

The Program

As with previous camps, each day began with the campers being roused from sleep, on this occasion by the striking tones of a bell being rung throughout the camp. These morning wake-ups were at times accompanied by the vocal summons of those acting as volunteer town criers.

8:00am breakfast was followed by morning worship led in turn by the staff of ministers. The pattern was changed on Friday when a lay-worship was ably led by John Talbot. A family session followed worship. These sessions offered a broad assortment of themes including "The Prodigal Son", "Parables and Sowing Seeds", "David's Capture of Jerusalem" and the Ten Plagues.

Following morning refreshments, sessions were offered for varying age groups. These sessions offered such subjects as, the workings of Divine Providence, The life of King David, the Five Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the myths and legends of the Ancient Word and Genesis, and "What can knowing the Lord do for us?" A program for younger children ran consecutively with the program for the older groups. This program was organised and led by Ruth Duckworth, assisted by Laurel Walsh and Pam Moffat.

The afternoons offered a variety of optional activities. Some of these included swimming, tennis, a game of English rounders, crochet and a game of Assassin that seemed to some of the younger children to be a good excuse to soak as many people as possible with

water pistols. John Talbot introduced some of the campers to the art of boomerang throwing, while others ventured out horseback riding, or falling as the case may be.

Thursday provided an opportunity to leave camp and embark on a number of activities. John Talbot had bravely ventured out the day before to determine the difficulty of reaching Wombeyan Caves some hour and a half's journey away. Despite John's warnings about the challenges of navigating the winding road, some campers chose to make that their day's activity and were well rewarded by the beauty of the caves and the scenery. Others were comfortable with exploring shops and restaurants in the historic town of Berrima, a mere forty minute drive away. Some of the Berrima bound people were able to enjoy a second trip in the afternoon to Thirlmere Lakes.

The afternoons and evenings provided an opportunity for the traditional table tennis and basketball competitions. The basketball was won in surprising style by 9 year old Alicia Moffat. The table tennis came down to a late night dog fight that finally saw Cameron Robinson from Ballarat overcome the defending champion John Talbot at 1:30 in the morning 26-24 in the third set!.

The evenings also provided time for a series of activities. Carolyn and Michelle Heldon organised a games night preceded by a handbell ringing demonstration performed by the combined Roseville and Hurstville young people. Also there was a Bush Dance, a poetry talk by Norman Heldon, a group "lateral thinking" competition and the annual Talent Night. Sprinkled throughout the week were screenings of an ever-lengthening slide show of camp pictures, compiled and presented by Murray Heldon, who was the rightful recipient of this year's "Happy Snapper" award.

As with previous years, this year's camp had to end. The final worship on Sunday morning featured more of the bright new music that David Moffat had inspired us with each morning throughout the week. "So longs" were as drawn out as time would allow, the morning bell being the only thing that will not be missed. We left with the hope that a camp will indeed take place in 2004 and we will have a chance to get together once more.

Some of the folks in Queensland have expressed a desire to be the next host. There have also been murmurings from south of the border. Let's hope that some group grabs hold of the opportunity and runs with it the way that the group in Canberra did this year. Whoever decides that they want to host this wonderful event will know that they have our full support.

This year's camp was hosted by the Canberra group

Cor Visser-Marchant, John Talbot, Rev David Moffat,

Sally Visser-Marchant, Pam Moffat

Rev Julian Duckworth, President of New

Church in Australia

Rev Chris Skinner and

Rev Garry Walsh

Rev David Moffat gave a family session on "The Prodigal Son" Pictured L to R are Deanna Walsh, Alexander Moffat, Ebony Moffat,

Braden Wende, Alicia Moffat and David Robinson

Robert Ridgway doing antics on ball

Len Robinson throws the boomerang

watched by John Talbot

Rev Julian Duckworth conducts the handbell ringing done by the Roseville and Hustville young people

One of the highlights of the camp was the trip to Wombeyan Caves

A group of the young people at Kiah Ridge

Group Photo - Kiah Ridge 2003

Letter from Loving Arms Mission

November 19, 2002

Dear Friends,

It's hard to believe the Loving Arm's Children's Home has been operating three years! When Kent Rogers went to Nepal three years ago to open a home for orphans and street kids in Katmandu, we imagined that it would take a long time to get things off the ground. Instead, within a month and a half, Mamata Bel Gar, as the home is called in Napali, opened its doors and took in its first five children. The children that now live in the home have been together since July of 2000, when a friend told Kent about Puji Magar, a little girl living on the streets of Katmandu and making her living by rag-picking, and she became the tenth Loving Arms child.

In these past three years, the children have blossomed in so many ways. Truly, the source of all goodness is God. We know that God works through regular people to work his miracles; the security and love provided by Kent and his bride Shova have allowed innocence and playfulness to return to children who were hardened and hurt by the hardship and trauma they'd experienced at such an early age. And of course it is not just Kent and Shova who allow the Lord's love to heal the children. His love flows to them through all the wonderful people who give of their money, time and talent to support Loving Arms Mission. You too are part of the Loving Arms family.

At this time of year we write to you and ask you to make a contribution to Loving Arms Mission, and we are always overwhelmed and moved by the generous and loving response we receive. Your donation is truly appreciated, and goes a long way to help the children. For instance, a donation of $US500 covers all the homes expenses for a month, excluding rent. We like to remind you that all fundraising is done by volunteers, so most of the money we raise goes directly to Nepal to help the children.

The principal of the school the children attend recently remarked, "Your children are so happy." Even more than the steady improvement we have seen in their health, even more than their academic and social progress, this happiness that radiates from them is a miracle to be treasured. If you have not yet contributed to Loving Arms Mission, we warmly invite you to join our family and our happiness.

Yours truly

Amanda Rogers-Petro, chairperson

P.S. In addition to our annual campaign, we are initiating a special campaign this year called "High Hopes," to raise money for a facility that will allow us to expand our project to serve more people.

Kent Rogers was a classmate of mine at the Theological School in Bryn Athyn until he felt called in 1999 to serve what he saw as a growing social need. Even before that time, many New Church people in North America and elsewhere had felt compelled to try to assist children in need. Few would have suspected that the first fully fledged New Church orphanage (at least within the bounds of General Church people) would open in far away Nepal. The generous support of mostly New Church people has meant that Kent and now Shova have been able to establish a true home for children who have never known the comfort and support that that environment provides. Regrettably the need in Nepal is far greater than the ten children Loving Arms Mission now supports. As a result, Loving Arms hopes to move from its present rented space, into its own facility. Such a move would also allow for the construction of an adjoining, but independent facility to house Nepalese woman returning from the trials of sexual slavery, mostly in India. Many of these women are stricken with AIDS, and few of them have any support when they finally manage to return home. It is in response to these needs that the "High Hopes" campaign has been launched.

To find out more, please refer to the copies of "Loving Arms News" that are available in the Baringa Bookroom, or you can contact Garry Walsh. .

To contact Loving Arms Mission, write to: Loving Arms Mission, P.O. Box 213, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009 Email alrogers@newchurch.edu

Kind Regards,

Garry Walsh

New at Glencairn Museum

A new online resource with dozens of high quality photos has been added to Online Tours section of the Glencairn Museum Web site (www.glencairnmuseum.org)

You can visit "The Tabernacle Model at Glencairn Museum" directly by going here http://www.glencairnmuseum.org/tabernacle

The last third of the book of Exodus concerns the construction of a unique tent, the Mishkan, or Tabernacle. Here the glory of God descended to live and communicate with the Children of Israel. The instructions for building this tent were so detailed and meticulous that readers of the Bible have long felt that in order to understand it properly they need to build it

The model of the Tabernacle of Israel now on exhibit in the Glencairn Museum's Ancient Near East Gallery was built in the 1920s under the supervision of Bishop George de Charms. Bryn Athyn Church School students in the seventh and eighth grades assisted in its construction. The model was built to scale, each inch equalling one cubit. De Charms felt that a detailed model was important because it would allow people, especially children, to visualize its physical appearance and understand its spiritual meaning.

We invite you, in exploring this new Web site, to learn more about the unique history of this model, as well as the Biblical context of the Tabernacle and its interpretation by Jews and Christians through the ages. A special section on the New Church perspective on the Tabernacle will introduce visitors from around the world to what the Writings reveal about the spiritual significance of this unique structure.

Our thanks to the Paul Carpenter Fellowship Fund, Academy of the New Church, and the Phoebe W. Haas Charitable Trust at the recommendation of Chara Cooper Haas, for making this Web site possible

Ed Gyllenhaal Curator Glencairn Museum P.O. Box 757 1001 Cathedral Road Bryn Athyn PA 19009

After many hours of thought and hard work, the New Church Young Adults Connection has an on-line directory!

It is a way for young people connected to the New Church to get email addresses of other young people worldwide. When you sign up (free), you have the opportunity to submit a profile and to read other profiles. You will be able to search by name, area, graduating class (high school) and more! In a few weeks we should have a growing and expanding directory!

Here is the address: www.newchurchyoungadults.org/directory

Or go to our regular website and connect from there: www.newchurch.org/youngadults.

Joanne Kiel New Church Young Adults Connection

www.NewChurchVineyard.org

An on-line family magazine from the G.C. Office of Education

featuring materials for all ages focused on a new theme every month.

The Glory of the Lord in December 2002

Seeds of Truth in January 2003

News Notes

We have had news that as of the time of writing all of New Church friends in Canberra have escaped the bush fires. The Rev. David Moffat family report that they were evacuated from their home within an hour of arriving back from Melbourne. A short while later they were evacuated from the first evacuation centre. Fortunately their home survived while many of their neighbours were not so lucky. The last we knew, the Moffats, including mum Joy, who is visiting from Perth, are camping it with no utilities except the phone. There is no indication as to when life will begin returning to normal for them and the others similarly affected. We understand that the Richards, Visser-Marchants, Hicks, Ridgways and Hinds families all have their own harrowing experiences to tell. May our prayers and best wishes go to all those who have lost so much in these terrible bush fires.

Our congratulations go to Reverends David Millar and David Keyworth, who were both ordained in a joint ceremony in Auckland on the 19th of January. Both ordinations were performed by Rev. Julian Duckworth. David Millar, together with wife Mandy, son Stephen and Mandy's mum, Rosemary, left New Zealand almost immediately following the ordination so that David could assume the pastorate of the Adelaide congregation. David Keyworth, together with his wife Lori, is not seeking a traditional pastorate at this time, preferring instead to embark on a range of evangelisation pursuits.

While we are looking at new pastorates, we send our thoughts and well-wishes to Rev. Ian Arnold and wife Margaret as they take up their new position leading the Brisbane Society.

Brenda Klein from San Francisco will be arriving on Monday 27th January and staying in Baringa until 13th February. After a trip to New Zealand Brenda then intends to return and hopefully gain employment in Sydney.

After 11 years of excellent service the tennis court is in need of repair. Resurfacing is scheduled to begin on 10th March and will take approximately 3 weeks.

Harvest Festival

This year the Harvest Festival is scheduled for a family service on 16th March.

New Phone Number

Graeme Macleay has a number phone number (02) 4869 2250.

Pastoral Absences

Looking ahead the pastor will be away in Bryn Athyn from Thursday 20th February until Monday 3rd March attending Council of the Clergy meetings. A reminder that if you want to have input to the selection process for the next bishop to consult with the pastor before he leaves.

The pastor will also be absent attending a family reunion on the weekend of 9th March. Therefore there will be three consecutive lay services.

Birthdays

We forgot the January birthdays. Happy Birthday to Margaret Heldon (9th), Rachel Heldon (21 on 15th), Garry Walsh (19th), Kerry Lockhart (24th) and Kaye Macfarlane (30th). In February we have John Hicks (9th), Mike Lockhart (11th) and Kathryn Kennedy (24th).

February 2003 Calendar of Events

Note: All events are located at the church at 22 Dudley St, Penshurst 2222 (off Hillcrest Ave) unless otherwise stated. Contact the pastor Rev Garry Walsh on (02) 9580 1589 for more information or email Garry at newchurch@optusnet.com.au All are welcome and refreshments are served after church each Sunday.

Sunday February 2nd 10.00 a.m. Worship and Sunday School

Tuesday February 4th 7.00 p.m. Young People

Wednesday February 5th 10.00 a.m. Discussion Group

Friday February 7th 7.00 p.m. Dinner followed by Doctrinal Class

Sunday February 9th 10.00 a.m. Worship and Sunday School

Wednesday February 12th 10.00 a.m. Discussion Group

Sunday February 16th 10.00 a.m. FAMILY SERVICE followed by Theta Alpha Guild Meeting

Tuesday February 18th 7.00 p.m. Young People

Wednesday February 19th 10.00 a.m. Discussion Group

Thursday February 20th Pastor departs for Council of Clergy meetings

Sunday February 23rd 10.00 a.m. Worship and Sunday School (Lay service)