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Dr John McDowell writes an Easter reflection.
Torches of Freedom!” proclaimed New York newspaper headlines following the very public cigarette lighting of a group of women in the early 1920s.
The phrase was that of Edward Bernays, nephew of Sigmund Freud, who had been hired by major American tobacco companies to improve profit-margins, and his subsequent campaign which connected smoking to female emancipation had the desired effect of overturning a social taboo that had adversely mitigated tobacco sales to women.
Bernays’ psychoanalytic skills were skilfully harnessed not merely in order to understand but rather to manipulate, retrain or change Americans’ desires, thereby creating a consumerist society based on the shaping of personal identity through the desire for the consumption of products and brand-images rather than real needs.
A recent BBC report suggested that through the recent economic difficulties many people have begun to search for meaning and significance “deeper” than consumerist stories can sustain. Can Christians responsibly tell deeper stories about human identity and wellbeing?
From the way many churches market themselves, particularly when the Gospel is spoken of predominantly in terms of spiritual consolations and heavenly compensations, it is understandable that Karl Marx complained that Christianity was a quick “fix” that left nothing really changed.
Jesus’ trial before the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate would seem to read like just such a denial of the present world, what the 19th century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche calls a “nay-saying to life”.
When asked to (patriotically) accede to Pilate’s authority, as the microcosmic representation of imperial Rome, Jesus responded with a refusal in the name of the kingdom of another world (Jn 18:36).
Yet Jesus seemingly referred not so much to a different world but to God’s dynamic remaking of this world to be different from what it presently is.
The reference is to two different types or spheres of relationship, one sinful (“worldly”) and the other holy or godly.
Pilate evidently embodies the first in the narrative through his absorption in the self-serving power of Roman rule, and this rule contrasts markedly from the self-giving and other-serving sovereignty of God in Jesus the Christ.
Through the literary use of dramatic irony, this Gospel disturbingly insists that Jesus’ claim about God’s rule is incarnated in him as the transforming truth of human being – “Here is the man” (19:5).
In this context, as we are faced by “the Man”, the ideology grounded in the maxim “I consume therefore I am” is revealed to be deceptive.
The effects of each and every ideology of self-promotion and preservation, consolation, and self-gratification, are mitigated as we are drawn into the story of the determination of our humanity in Christ, “the Man for others”.
The Fourth Gospel’s set of stories of judgment, rejection and most radically of resurrection may seem to be an odd context for reflections on justice, the good life, human flourishing and the freedom to be.
Yet it is one that the writer asks us to envisage as being true to who we are in Jesus Christ, the torch of our freedom who is the “Light of the world” (1:9).
Dr John McDowell is the recently appointed Morpeth Professor of Theology at the University of Newcastle, the author of “Hope in Barth’s Eschatology” (Ashgate, 2000), and “The Gospel According to Star Wars” (Westminster John Knox, 2007), and the co-editor of “Conversing With Barth” (Ashgate, 2004). His website is
http://www.geocities.com/johnnymcdowell/johnmcdowells_page<//link>
The Rev’d Ruth Brand reflects on learnings from Fr Ian Mobsby about exploring emerging and fresh expressions of Church in a mixed economy Diocese.
On March 10 over 100 clergy, ministry team leaders, NSTM participants and members of congregations from around the Diocese gathered for a learning day with Fr Ian Mobsby.
Fr Ian is a member of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Fresh Expressions team, and the leader of a mission community in the Diocese of London.
Fr Ian invited us to consider myriad statistics, concepts and ideas on the challenges facing the church of the 21st century. Beginning with Morning Prayer led by the Ministry Development Officer, we were presented with tough statistics relating specifically to the Church of England but relevant to our own experience in New South Wales.
In our post-modern, post-secular context church is not high on the horizon for many people. Spirituality on the other hand is diverse and developing as people explore those ideas which enable them to make sense of and give meaning to their lives.
The challenge of spiritual tourism is one for all of us. We were challenged to think about, in a hyper-technical world where virtual reality is an option, how we respond as church.
Fr Ian identified our present culture as a confusing mix of co-existing pre- and post-modernity. Fragmentation and lack of homogeneity are hallmarks of the age. This may be called the age of Holistic Spirituality, characterised by a return to the importance of the subjective and the experiential, to the appreciation of the sacred and the enchantment of life, a world which is informed by post-modern sensibilities.
In such a world much of what we presently do as church makes no sense to those outside the church environment. This environment is fast and fluid, a space of constant “–ologies” of which theology is only one. People who come to faith in this milieu are more likely to come through experience, which then leads to an understanding of doctrine.
The challenge for us is providing a place, a space, where such experience may be available. The question may be phrased, “How do we enable seekers to shift from being spiritual tourists to joining us as pilgrims?” How can we provide forms of spiritual community where all can find acceptance, peace, love, transformation, and inspiration.
Emerging and Fresh Expressions of Church present an inspiring range of possibilities. Fr Ian stressed that a fresh expression of church is not a form of church which recycles the present congregation but is a form of church for our changing culture established primarily for the benefit of people who are not yet members of any church.
Such forms of church come into being through listening and service through incarnational mission and making disciples. Such forms of church have the potential to become mature expressions of church shaped by the Gospel in its particular cultural context.
As Anglicans we have superb skills with words and with liturgy; we have tended to forget spirituality. The old paradigm of believing then belonging is passé. A more realistic process may be to belong, figure out if one believes, then grow into discipleship for life. The whole of this process must be contextual and long term.
The major guiding gift of this learning day was the model of emerging church presented to us by Fr Ian. This model begins with listening and following God’s call, developing loving service to meet the discerned need, forming community, resulting in evangelism and disciple-making which only then leads to evolving worship.
As we face the challenge of how to respond to these insights the whole project will need to be underpinned and supported with prayer.
The Rev’d Ruth Brand is a Deacon in Local Ministry in the Anglican Parish of Charlestown
The Diocesan ordinands for 2009 introduce themselves.
Jessica Grant
Though I was born in Newcastle, I grew up in Toowoomba, in South East Queensland. In 2001, I returned to Newcastle to study nursing and had the opportunity to spend a few months working in a clinic in West Africa, where I was able to explore ministry and learn about experiences of God much different from my own.
After I completed my degree, I worked in paediatrics and neonatal intensive care in Sydney and returned to Newcastle to begin the Bachelor of Theology and Priestly Formation Program in 2007. I have really enjoyed getting to know people from across the Diocese and worshipping with the Parish of Gorokan and the Parish of Cessnock. I have especially enjoyed learning about how the church can use its different gifts in different places to reach out to the local community. I am looking forward to my third year of study in the new degree program and the opportunity to spend time with the Parish of Toronto.
Luke Hopkins
My first year in the Priestly Formation Program was in 2007. I took a leave of absence from study in 2008 to work and travel. I was involved in a number of occupations throughout the year including working for Fry Bros Funerals in Maitland, at the Diocesan Office and as a waiter in the Hunter Vineyards. I was able to use the year to read and to reflect on my vocation to stipendiary priestly ministry.
I truly believe in the future of our Diocese and I am confident that the Bachelor of Theology at the University of Newcastle will enrich university life in our region especially under the direction of Professor John McDowell. I am excited to continue my discernment of a sense of God calling me to be in Newcastle for my formative years on the road to the priesthood. I am also excited to return to the Bachelor of Theology Degree and am looking forward to being amongst my peers at Callaghan Campus.
Megan Rooney
I am Newcastle-born and bred, growing up in Glendale and Charlestown with my parents and younger sister. I went to Belair public school and Merewether High, graduating in 2005.
Prior to entering the Priestly Formation Program I studied for a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Sciences in Diagnostic Radiography at the University of Newcastle, and worked as a “checkout chick”. I came to the Anglican Church when I was 15 through joining the Cathedral Choir and the faith community and worship in The Cathedral have had a significant impact on my journey.
Last year I began my Bachelor of Theology. I also completed parish placements at St John’s Cook’s Hill and Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College. I am very excited to be entering my second year of formation this year, and hope to develop my knowledge and skills in ministry.
Christopher Orczy
I live with my wife Sarah, our six-year-old daughter Ivy, our cat, Beetroot, and our puppy Tigga. We moved to Australia from New Zealand at the beginning of 2008.
I am very interested in all kinds of music, and much of my spare time is spent composing on my Mustel harmonium. I am currently interested in the music of John Merbecke. I love reading and studying, especially the Johannine writings, the Anglican liturgy, and the writings of the Christian mystics. I was baptised an Anglican at birth, but was raised an athiest. I have always been interested in spiritual matters, although I did not not come to the Christian faith until later in my life.
As my faith has grown and my knowledge of Christ has developed, my spiritual journey has been far more fruitful than I could have guessed. The past year of discernment has been of great consequence, especially in terms of my vocation. As I start this next stage of my journey, I look forward to working alongside the people of the Callaghan Experimental Parish.
Michelle Hazel
This year is my second year as an ordinand in the Diocese of Newcastle and I am studying for the Bachelor of Theology at The University of Newcastle.
My family lovingly supports me, my husband, my two adult sons Ryan and Reece and my extended family. I have previously worked as an Assistant in Nursing for over 25 years at a variety of hospitals and homes.
Most recently I have been working in Chaplaincy/Pastoral Care for Uniting Care Ageing, Samaritans Community Development on the Central Coast and Parish administration at Bateau Bay Anglican Church. On a parish level I have been Rector’s Warden, a Synod representative, a licensed Lay Liturgical Assistant, Parish Council member, a Sunday School Teacher and involved in Cursillo. I have been involved in developing a Pastoral Partners program within the parish and community connections.
As God’s loving and empowering Spirit leads me, I look forward to my journey, the many changes and challenges before me, as I am educated and formed for holistic ministry and missional leadership within the Diocese.
To begin its 50th year, Anglican Women held two Lenten Silent Retreats.
57 women from every Deanery in the Diocese as well as Sydney attended. The retreats were conducted by the Rev’d Mandy Wheatley of Merriwa, with musical accompaniment by Dorothy Priestley.
The theme of the retreats was Life in Abundance – enriching our prayer lives as we seek the presence of God, and growing in the abundance of God’s grace.
Those attending were drawn into the deep silence that is prayer, into reading the Scriptures and worshipping together and into quietly offering themselves and their heartfelt concerns to God.
In the four addresses the conductor encouraged the group to explore the great things of God in us as Christians, to practise the presence of God in whatever one is doing, to pray without ceasing, to be spiritually disciplined, and to wait on God to speak to us in the quietude of the retreat.
We all made our own Anglican Prayer Beads – with appropriate invocations for patience! – and learnt how to use them in contemplative and meditative prayer, with a period of reflection and listening.
The Rev’d Mandy shared the stories of her favourite saints, St Francis and St Ignatius, two inspiring examples of devotion to God. The closing Eucharist of the retreat was one of blessing and healing.
The chapel, surroundings, simplicity and serenity of the Monastery enriched our silent retreat and Lenten pilgrimages and we are grateful to all who were involved.
2009 celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Anglican Women in the Diocese of Newcastle. 50 years ago, Moira Housden, wife of Bishop James Housden, articulated a great need in the Diocese to unite all Anglican Women across the Diocese by initiating several events that all could attend and in which they could enjoy fellowship, worship, spiritual refreshment and unity in their celebration of their Christian faith in the Anglican tradition.
Without Anglican Women there were few, if any, inclusive opportunities for all women to come together:
• No Lenten Silent Retreats for spiritual refreshment and healing.
• No Annual Conference in June at which to celebrate our Christian faith together, give thanks for women’s ministries, and be inspired by the stories and witness of gifted guest speakers and musicians.
• No Spring Celebrations in September in the different deaneries of the diocese, as women gather in number for worship, fellowship, guest speakers, entertainment, and fundraising.
• No Thank You Box Appeals which raise funds each year for ministry and mission and enable us to give thanks to God for all his blessings.
Anglican Women provides all of these and many more opportunities for growing faith.
Let us rejoice and give thanks for the vision and action of Moira Housden who, with the commitment of many, have kept the light burning and spread God’s Abundant Love, Grace and Life for all.
Margaret Gibbs
A variety of music events are taking place at The Cathedral throughout April.
CD Launch
On April 5 at 7:15pm, Organist and Master of the Choristers, Peter Guy will release his first solo recording of organ works, entitled Organ Classics from Newcastle Cathedral. Fr James Rigney, newly-installed Dean of Newcastle, will officially launch the CD following a short recital of works from the disc.
The CD includes works by SS Wesley, JS Bach (arr. Virgil Fox), Percy Whitlock, Jean Langlais and a world premiere recording of Introduction, Pastorale and Fugue on hymn tune Leoni, by former Organist and Choir Master of the Cathedral, Keith Noake. We are indeed fortunate that Peter Guy is building on the fine tradition of Cathedral Organists, including Michael Dudman and Philip Matthias (both of whom produced a number of historic recordings at the Cathedral).The new CD will be available for purchase at the launch for $15, or afterwards for $20 through the Cathedral bookshop.
Christ Church Camerata
Christ Church Cathedral is pleased to announce the formation of the Christ Church Camerata, an ensemble of Newcastle’s leading string players. The Camerata will give four exciting concerts in 2009, performing a mixture of string orchestra and chamber music, including such works as Mendelssohn’s Octet for strings, two of Bach’s Violin Concerti and Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel.
The Camerata will perfom with soloists including Susan Collins, Peta Dries and Helentherese Good (violin), Rachel Pogson (cello), and Peter Guy (organ), and conductor David Banney. A number of Newcastle’s finest pianists will also participate in the concerts, including Greg Smith, Michael Power and Andrew Chubb.
The Camerata will launch its 2009 series with a concert on April 19 at 3pm, celebrating the link between Mendelssohn and Bach. This concert will open with Bach’s mighty Toccata and Fugue and include Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins and Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio, amongst others.
Tickets for all concerts are $15 adult, $10 concession and $40 family. They are available at the door or by contacting Peter Guy on 0419 239 828 or music@newcastlecathedral.org.au<//link>. Please support these two very exciting new initiatives in the musical life of our Cathedral.
Fr Daniel Dries
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