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The phrase "Fresh Expression of Church" is used widely in our Diocese - but what does it mean and how is it different from what we have known before?
The Church of England has led the Anglican Communion in exploring and pioneering new ways of being the church.
Fresh Expressions UK says, “A fresh expression is a form of church for our changing culture established primarily for the benefit of people who are not yet members of any church.
“It will come into being through principles of listening, service, mission and making disciples. It will have the potential to become a mature expression of church shaped by the gospel and its cultural context."
This definition highlights three defining characteristics of fresh expressions of church:
• First, fresh expressions are new communities which are formed through mission, and which will exist alongside traditional expressions of church;
• Second, fresh expressions of church will be planned and developed after a careful listening process with the wider community and service alongside other community groups in which the church is to be formed;
• Third, fresh expressions will develop into mature communities of faith in which there is an ongoing dialogue between the Gospel and the local context. These mature expressions of church need not look like traditional expressions of church.
Underlying this definition of fresh expressions of church is the belief that the love of God and the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will transform individual lives and communities.
Fresh expressions of church seek to communicate and live out the heart of the gospel, without being afraid to adapt to the particular social contexts in which we find ourselves.
The definition provided by Fresh Expression UK is not a final statement but a summary of the current best practice, which has been developed with a number of other partner organisations, and which is expected to evolve over time.
The Diocese of Newcastle is a part of a wider network of Anglicans in Australia exploring new ways of being Church.
Mission is firmly on the agenda of the Anglican Church across Australia. The national General Synod of the Church has established a task force to offer resourcing and support across the dioceses. The task force is titled "Fresh Expressions Australia" and is led by Bishop Andrew Curnow (Bishop of Bendigo), who recently visited Newcastle to explore mission further with our clergy. Bishop Andrew is supported by Fr Stuart Robinson and Wayne Brighton.
Stuart is the National Mission Facilitator for the Anglican Church of Australia. In this role Stuart provides advice and consultancy to diocesan leaders about evangelistic mission. This includes strategic planning and practical advice on how to build healthier churches and to start fresh expressions of church. Stuart can be contacted on (02) 9419 2200 or by e-mail at stuart.robinson@stpauls.org.au<//link>.
Wayne is the Communications and Research Officer at Church Army Australia. He likes to keep his finger on the pulse of church innovation and provides strategic advice and assistance to the Fresh Expressions Australia task force. He can be contacted by e-mail at freshexpressions@
anglican.org.au.
Other members of the task force include Lyn Bullard (Diocese of Bathurst) Bishop Stephen Hale (Diocese of Melbourne), Bishop Trevor Edwards (Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn), Bishop Robert Forsyth (Diocese of Sydney) and Sue Williams who works across the Diocese of Newcastle with the Samaritans Foundation.
Fresh expressions of Church are likely to look very different from each other, reflecting the people involved and the contexts in which they are found. Regardless of these differences they all seek to engage in God's mission in new ways together with existing ways of being the Church.
In the coming three years Fresh Expressions Australia will focus on:
• developing a missional network
• helping innovators and practitioners to exchange ideas through sharing stories and web resources
• supporting innovation through reviewing, co-ordinating and producing suitable resources and training material for parish use..
The task force is developing a website which will offer a gateway for all people interested in “doing church” differently. In due course it will feature a marketplace with reviews, forums on Australian culture, tips on “growing” churches and pointers on starting fresh expressions of Church. Why not take a look at: www.freshexpressions<//link>
australia.org.au
Around our diocese new community ministry initiatives and fresh expressions of church are seeking to make lasting connections by reaching out in mission. Fresh expressions of church and community mission initiatives are as diverse as the different contexts of the Diocese of Newcastle. They illustrate the many different ways in which parishes are seeking to step out in mission.
However different these examples are, they hold in common a desire to build genuine community, a commitment to be formed by the Gospel in a way which will be appropriate to the specific realities of the local situation, and a need to be connected to the wider body of Christ for resourcing and support.
Fr David Battrick and Sue Williams introduce some of the initiatives:
Open Door Cafe
The vision for a community cafe came from the Parish of Nelson Bay's visioning process. The Open Door Cafe opened in early December 2006 and has had a great response from the local community. Parish volunteers who host the cafe aim to build relationships with members of the wider community by offering welcome, food, fellowship and friendship in the foyer and verandah of the church complex.
Tuesday Nite Life
This new community is designed for people between the ages of 18 and 30 in the Parish of St John’s Newcastle. The gathering is a cross between a Bible study and "spirituality at the pub." It provides the opportunity to gain biblical teaching while meeting new people, expressing ideas and opinions and sharing within a safe community. The service uses multimedia, lots of clips from movies and music, TV shows and YouTube and has great coffee and food. Nite Life has a core group of around 8 to 18 young people. Stewart Perry who is leading this fresh expression of church said, "In the study we talk about cultural and contextual issues. We read the passage, dissect it and link it to our context. Creating relationship is as important if not more, than the study itself." Stewart sends e-mails and mobile telephone text message reminders to the group each week.
Thinking Inside 64 Squares
St Christopher's Chess Club, in the Parish of Telarah Rutherford is attracting 20-25 young children each week from over seven schools in the area. New friendships are being made, relationships are being built and the young people are gaining experience playing chess, learning new skills and having fun. The parish has also established a regular community barbecue in the local shopping centre and is exploring establishing a "Grandparents as Parents" support group, resourced and supported by the Samaritans Foundation.
Freedom @ 5
The Parish of Lakes Anglican is in the second year of offering an informal service focused on food, fun, friendship and finding God. Families and children meet together on a weekly basis on Sunday afternoons. The parish has also recently begun a new Kidsplus program in the local McDonalds restaurant.
Community Cottage
A team of volunteers in the Parish of Cessnock Wollombi are working in partnership with the Samaritans Foundation and the Department of Housing in a community cottage on a local housing estate. Parish volunteers host a number of community activities every Thursday at the Cottage. Since the project began, strong relationships have been built between parishioners and the residents. This is an invaluable community ministry initiative.
Xalt - Fun for Families
In the Parish of Merewether a monthly family service called Xalt offers contemporary worship for families and children, helping them to explore faith through games, music and drama. Xalt is informal, flexible and fun. Xalt is central to the parish's strategy to reach out to and disciple young families who bring their children to baptism by providing space for deep and genuine relationships to develop. Worship is prepared and led by the families themselves and the evening always finishes with a barbecue. Xalt has evolved to include Xcape (a nurture and fellowship group for parents which meets in restaurants) and Xplore (an opportunity for families to meet and relax together on day trips or picnics).
Movie Mornings
The Parish of Toukley Budgewoi is seeking to reach out into the local community in a number of new ways. The parish is offering welcome, friendship and hospitality to residents of a local boarding house and hosting a regular community sausage sizzle in the Toukley shopping precinct to make connections with local people. More relationships are being built through parish movie mornings open to the community offering morning tea and then a loved classic film in the church building.
Caravan Park Barbecue
The response from parishioners to a robbery at the church centre of the Parish of Wyoming was to look around their local community to see what they might be able to do to help those who live around them. An approach was made to the owner of a local caravan park which provides accommodation in the area for many single men who might otherwise be homeless. The parish offered to provide a weekly barbecue for the residents and over time meaningful relationships and friendships have begun to be developed. A regular group of parishioners run the event with those who are unable to help out offering financial support for the project
Jam
Jam is for High School aged young people and meets from 6 to 7:30pm on Tuesday nights in the Parish of Gosford. It is an opportunity to pick up an instrument and play music as part of a group led by a musician with a wide range of experience. The band then leads the music at the 10am Family Worship at Christ Church on the 4th Sunday of each month.
Community Fun Day
In partnership with the local Department of Housing the parishes of Mount Vincent and Weston offered a Community Christmas Fun Day hosted by Weston Primary School. The parishes are now building on the connections made by offering space in one of the parish's centres for the use of community organisations.
The Encounter reports with an update on the unified set of ordinances.
The 2007 Synod directed Diocesan Council to, "effect a procedure with a facilitator to lead the clergy to discuss the issues (outlined below). To formulate draft policies to address this motion and after Deanery meetings of Synod representatives and clergy to report to Diocesan Council to enable ordinances to be brought before Synod no later than the First Session of the Forty-Ninth Synod of this Diocese".
The unified set of ordinances relates to areas of:
• professional supervision, appraisal and support
• flexibility of ministry models
• procedures for retirement or recall
•conditions for appointment
The process of forming a set of unified ordinances is underway, commencing with deanery meetings of clergy in April.
Bishop Brian Farran said, "Our continued consideration of these issues is fundamental to our life together and will offer us further elements of wisdom as will this consultation process."
Based on these discussions, draft policy will be formed and put forward for consideration and discussion at further deanery meetings of clergy, lay Synod representatives and Diocesan Council members, which will be conducted in June. Draft legislation will then be developed and distributed for final comments and feedback ready for presentation to Synod in October.
A unique process called Open Space Technology will be utilised for these conversations and planning which is a self-organising process that runs on the energy and commitment of those who attend. The process is a highly self-directive, interactive, dynamic and flexible workshop process which allows participants to directly name and address each of their "burning" questions, issues and ideas.
People in the Diocese are encouraged to become involved in the sessions relevant to them.
To attend the open session in June click on the download here.
The Encounter introduces three of the Diocesan Ordinands who are preparing for Stipendiary Ministry.
Kate Englebrecht
I am looking forward with enthusiasm to joining the program for ordinands in 2008.
Joining the Newcastle Diocese feels very much like something of a “homecoming” for me. Although I grew up in the Canberra/Goulburn Diocese, Newcastle is my father's hometown and is where we came to visit grandparents and spend holiday time when I was little. I currently live in the Blue Mountains and work as a chaplain in Sydney. I'm passionate about Christian discipleship, love our rich spiritual tradition, the wisdom of so many of our great mystical writers and teachers and am committed to participating in a Church which is constantly evolving and being transformed.
I was brought up in the Anglican Church and for me faith in Jesus was a given. I grew up listening to my Dad practising hymns on the piano and spent many Saturdays with my Mum polishing brass and rearranging flowers at our local St Paul's. For as long as I can remember I have listened to conversations about God and Christianity. My brothers and I grew up with an interesting blend of experiences from both of our parents.
I married in the Anglican Church and have three children. Two have grown up and left home and the youngest one is in high school.
As a young woman I felt very drawn to ordained ministry and first approached the possibility after completing my first degree in theology in the late 80's. At the time I came to feel I wasn't ready for formal ministry of that kind and spent nearly 15 years working in mission education within the Catholic Church in Sydney.
I'm looking forward to learning more about the Diocese and keen to become involved in parish placement at Gosford.
Michelle Hazel - Jawhary
I married Toufic (Ted) Jawhary in 2007 and have two adult sons, Ryan, 27 married to Jade, with two beautiful granddaughters (Zahlia, 3 and Amaiya, 1) as well as Reece, 23. I also have two stepchildren, Phillip aged 32 and Anna aged 27.
I have previously worked as an Assistant in Nursing for over twenty years and most recently worked in Chaplaincy / Pastoral Care for Uniting Care Ageing for three years. I have also been the Samaritans Parish Community Development Officer on the Central Coast for one year and worked in Parish Administration at Bateau Bay Anglican Church.
I grew up in the Western Suburbs of Sydney and attended Sunday School at St Clement’s Busby.
We moved to the Central Coast in 1989, and began worshipping at St Christopher and St Thomas of Canterbury Bateau Bay. In 1997 my sons and I moved to Budgewoi for 2 ˝ yrs, and I taught Sunday School at St John’s Budgewoi and also worshipped at St Luke’s Toukley. In 2000 , we moved back to Bateau Bay and I was licensed as a Lay Liturgical Assistant. I was also a Parish Councillor, Synod Representative, Samaritan parish link and was Rector’s Warden for two years for Fr Mark Watson.
I have completed study in Aged Care and Community Services, Community Welfare, Basic Counselling, Clinical Pastoral Education, Trinity Certificate in Theology and Ministry and the Bishops Certificate in Theology for Ministry.
In reflection I see my study and work as a nurse, pastoral carer, and parish administrator along with my various roles in the church as wholistic ministry and feel in many ways God’s loving and empowering spirit leading me to my next exciting journey as an Ordinand of the Diocese of Newcastle.
Megan Rooney
I am 20 years old and was born in Waratah. I grew up living in Glendale and later Charlestown with my parents Neil and Jenny and younger sister Gillian. I went to school at Belair Public School and Merewether High, graduating in 2005.
Over the last two years I have been studying radiography at the University of Newcastle.
My interests include music (I play piano, guitar, bass and double bass and I sing) and lasertag, which I have played socially and competitively over the last 18 months.
I have been a member of the Christ Church Cathedral choir since 2003, before then I had never regularly been to church. I was baptised and confirmed at the Easter vigil service at the cathedral in 2005.
Over the past few years I have felt a sense of calling to priesthood, which I doubted and tried to ignore at first, but as it continued to grow I came to realise that it was genuine.
I have come to trust God and I know that through Him I can become the person I am called to be.
Last year I attended vocation days and then went through the Diocese’s discernment process. I'm very excited to be starting my ordinand training this year.
Look out for more profiles in the next edition along with a reflection on vocation from the Rev’d Margaret Carr.
 - There are different options when forming ministry teams.
I have heard discussions about the possibility of developing a ministry team in our parish. What are the different areas of responsibility in the team, and what happens if we want a different role from the ones which are available in the Diocese?
Six new Parish Ministry Teams (from the parishes of Charlestown, Lakes, Singleton, The Entrance, Toukley Budgewoi and Wingham) will commence training on the Bishop's Certificate in Theology for Ministry this month. They join the four teams which have been formally authorised for ministry by Bishop Brian in the parishes of Bateau Bay, Murrurundi, Nelson Bay and Stockton.
Each of these 10 teams is very different. The teams have different numbers of applicants and candidates for ordained local ministry. They have different numbers of Lay Ministers, different ministry areas which will be led by those ministers, and differing numbers of stipendiary staff as well.
In most situations it would be surprising if some core ministries which will be common in most healthy churches were not represented within the Parish Ministry Team. These core areas normally include: worship, adult discipleship, mutual care and community mission (although they may have different names in different parishes).
In smaller parish communities the Parish Ministry Team may consist of Lay Ministers or candidates for ordained local ministry who will lead these four areas, together with the parish priest. This model is illustrated in the first diagram, from which the titles or roles can be amended to descriptions which will communicate most effectively in each local situation.
In many parishes there will be a desire to have a larger team which will include Lay Ministers who will oversee other significant areas of ministry within the life of the parish.
There is no "master list" of what these roles can or should be, although they need to be negotiated with the Diocesan Bishop, who will ultimately issue authorisations to the Lay Ministers who lead each area. Through a process of visioning and reflection parish leaders define the number of ministry areas, and the focus of each of these areas.
The second diagram offers an illustration of what a larger team might look like, but it is important to remember that this is not a template for parishes, it is simply an idea to help begin people's reflections. For example, in the Parish of Charlestown there is a ministry area entitled "Environment and Sustainable Living." This ministry team is currently the only one in the Diocese to have a ministry area focused on the environment, and reflects the clear vision of the parish to make that area a major focus of the vision of the church.
Some parishes have separated pastoral care amongst seniors as a distinct ministry area from the mutual care of the whole congregation as a sign of the importance of that work within the parish. Other parishes have separated family and children's ministry on the one hand, and youth ministry on the other, into two distinct ministry areas within the Parish Ministry Team.
The ministry areas represented by Lay Ministers in the ministry team will reflect the vision of the parish. Each major aspect of the parish vision will be represented by a ministry area and a Lay Minister on the ministry team. The team exists to deliver the goals associated with the vision of the parish; that vision will always reflect the God-given gifts, talents and calling of the congregation, and the needs of the wider context in which the church community is located.
Lay Ministers and candidates for ordained local ministry are formed and trained through the programs of the Newcastle School of Theology for Ministry. The School will seek to develop and offer ministry skills streams, where possible, for all of the ministry areas within parish teams. This means that in due course further ministry skills streams will be available in response to new ministry areas being defined by parishes.
So in answer to your question: the ministry areas and roles within a parish team will be decided upon by each local congregation, there is no template or blueprint which parishes need to follow. While there are some core areas which we would expect to find in every church, these may be expressed quite differently, and in many cases will be augmented by other ministry areas which may be unique to a Parish Ministry Team.
I would be very happy to forward to you a booklet showing the ministry areas in the teams which are currently in place in the Diocese. This will show you what people are actually doing at the current time. Please be in touch with me if you would like to receive a copy of this booklet.
Please send your questions to davidbattrick@angdon.com<//link>.
 - Central Coast Deanery ministry team.
This is the first in The Encounter’s 2008 series highlighting the Deaneries around the Diocese. We hope each feature gives you some insight into life in each region of the Diocese and showcases some of the great activities happening.
The Central Coast ministry team visited Lakes Grammar - An Anglican School. The School continues to emerge as an integral part of the Diocese’s mission on the Central Coast. The Team were impressed by the extent of the campus and the engaging spirit of the school. Principal, Michael Hannah, led a tour of the school with one of the chaplains, the Rev’d Robyn Pullin.
Bateau Bay Ministry
Ministry Team members at Bateau Bay spent 2007 studying the Bishop's Certificate. The certificate program is designed to provide a firm theological basis for new forms of mission and ministry. For this reason it seemed wise to postpone any new ministry initiatives until after the end of the course of study to allow more focus to be given to it. The five ministry areas are: Worship, Formation and Discipleship; Hospitality and Community Building; Mutual Care; Community Connections, Welcoming and Incorporation; Families and Children.
The church property is adjacent to one of the local primary schools. Parents who drive their children to school use the church carpark and outlying street when they drop them off in the mornings. Last year Fr Mark Watson and Michelle Hazel, then Community Connections leader, met with the Principal to offer the parish hall as a meeting place for parents to drop in and have coffee. The principal was very enthusiastic about the idea, relating how desperately many of the parents need a safe place just to meet others and chat. The new Community Connections leader, Joan Seymour, and a group of volunteers will offer free coffee and raisin toast at the "Take 5 Coffee Club" commencing in March.
In the area of Formation and Discipleship, 35 people have joined this year's four Lenten study groups, 15 of those for the first time. Mutual Care, the Pastoral Partners program started two years ago, has some new volunteers this year. Other ideas are currently being explored in each area of ministry.
Working Together on the Coast
Fr Zyggi Wloczek (Gosford Catholic), Fr Rod Bower (Gosford Anglican) and the Rev'd Greg Woolnough (Gosford Uniting) were the guest speakers to begin the year at Kincumber Spirituality in the Pub. Over 200 people packed the hotel dining room to hear the three clergy, who have come to be known as "the three amigos" speak on the subject "What really matters".
The three parishes are in their third year of a covenant relationship and the large crowd who came to listen confirmed the wide interest in local ecumenism. Clearly what really matters to the three amigos is their covenant relationship and shared ministry in Gosford.
Fr Rod and Fr Zyggi are enthusiastic supporters of the Tri Diocesan Covenant and will be travelling together to Newcastle on April 2 to witness the signing of the Covenant.
In other news, over 120 people from all the churches in the area came together at St Mary's Catholic Church, Toukley for the annual Lenten Liturgy. The liturgy began by members of the four churches lighting the Churches Together unity candle.
The theme was the Stations of the Cross and the homily was delivered by the Reverend Ann Watson from the Anglican Church, Toukley. At the conclusion of the service a time was spent enjoying supper and fellowship together.
Freedom @ 5
Food, fun, frenzied activities, fellowship and more food. That pretty much sums up the Freedom@5 service at the Church of the Holy Spirit.
Aimed mainly at young families the service begins at 4:30pm on a Sunday afternoon with finger food and catching up with others. Then at 5 all full-bellied folks move into the church for a fast-paced and action packed service.
With half the congregation being 12 or under the singing is accompanied with brilliant tambourine rhythms and often a lot of creative dancing. The children then move off at pace to the hall for some amazing craft, stories and games.
Meanwhile the adults enjoy 10 minutes of peace and a short, sharp talk. Finally there is some more singing and prayers and you guessed it, more food.
To find out more about Freedom@5 call Matt at Lakes Anglican Parish, a part of the Central Coast Deanery.
 - Photo courtesy of The Singleton Argus.
Vandals have severely damaged the historic St Clement’s Church at Camberwell, part of the Parish of Singleton.
The Georgian style stone church was broken into in March and investigations showed cedar pews had been piled and set alight damaging the baptismal font and altar.
Fr Gary Harman, Rector of Singleton, said the flames had reached the beams, blackened the stone walls but thankfully much of the ceiling woodwork and heritage items had been saved.
"We're very thankful that the heritage pieces and communion plate we have at the church were not damaged and we're hopeful that the altar should be able to be restored," he said.
"We have had offers of assistance from many groups in the community and the feedback and generosity has been very kind. We are sure the insurance will allow the church to be restored to its former glory."
St Clement’s is one of the oldest churches in the Diocese and was consecrated in 1851 by Bishop Tyrrell. The foundation stone was laid by Bishop Broughton.
Fr Gary said, "With this vandalism taking place on the eve of Holy Week we reflect on our Lord's death and resurrection.
“We must remember this time provides good guidelines for all Christians and the people of Camberwell as we look to the future," he said.
 - Volunteers had their feet washed at the celebrations.
Over 150 people walked the red carpet when they gathered at a garden party held at the Cathedral Hall to give thanks for all Special Religious Education (SRE) teachers in the Hunter, Newcastle and Central Coast regions in March.
Although wet weather moved the celebrations from Bishopscourt a great time was had by all.
Sue Sneddon, one of the event organisers said, "This party was a real celebration of SRE teachers in our region. We wanted to give thanks for the teachers' efforts and hard work over the years.
"Rarely in this kind of work and ministry do we have a time to rub shoulders with so many notable personalities in such pleasant circumstances and to have such fun doing it," she said.
To ensure a fun and pleasant time, those attending the event walked the red carpet on arrival, were able to mingle with special guests such as heads of churches and civic leaders, were treated to morning tea and live music and had an opportunity to have their feet washed by Bishop Brian Farran.
Mrs Sneddon said, "The event was a chance to affirm the work that so many faithful people do, every week of the school year in our government schools.
"Some SRE teachers have been volunteering for over twenty years and it is important to celebrate the hard work of these people."
The garden party celebrations were held in conjunction with the Christian Committee for Special Religious Education in School Support and Training (CCRESST).
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