WORLDWIDE PHOTOS Ltd The Religious Media Agency

WEEKLY NEWS REVIEW

March 20, 2003

INDEX

AUSTRALIA: 1. YOU’VE READ THE MEDIA, NOW HEAR THE SERMON (Matthias Media) 2. VIGILS COMMENCE IN SYDNEY (Worldwide Photos) 3. WAR ON IRAQ AN ADMISSION OF FAILURE (Insights) 4. NEW NURSING SERVICE IN NORTHERN SYDNEY (Wesley Mission) 5. THE ETERNITY MAN RETURNS AS AN OPERA (Worldwide Photos) 6. HOSPITALITY HOUSE IN MELBOURNE (Vic Baptist Witness)

OVERSEAS: 7. IRAQIS FLEE WAR TO COME; SEEK ASSISTANCE (Christian Aid) 8. HUNDREDS FIND CHRIST IN ARMY REVIVAL (Christian Herald) 9. CHILDREN’S CONCERNS ABOUT WAR ADDRESSED (Focus on the Family) 10. WEB SITE OFFERS WAY TO SHARE PRAYERS (UMNS) 11. AIR STRIP OPENED IN BEIMES, INDONESIA (MAF News) 12. RISING VIOLENCE LEVELS SCARE OFF CLERGY (C of E Newspaper) 13. ARCHBISHOP TAKES SEAT IN HOUSE OF LORDS (Lambeth News) 14. SCHOOL DATES CRISIS FOR EASTER IN UK (Christian Herald) 15. WHAT WOULD JESUS EAT? (Misc Media)

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1. YOU’VE READ THE MEDIA, NOW HEAR THE SERMON (Matthias Media) At the commencement service for the Very Rev. Phillip Jensen in St Andrew’s Cathedral, he gave a rousing sermon based on Ephesians 6. He asked for prayer that he will proclaim the gospel boldly and he explored the implications of the gospel’s inclusiveness (that all may be saved) and exclusiveness (that salvation is found only in Christ). Many Christians welcomed Phillip’s address, but some media reports accused him of bigotry, insensitivity and intolerance. Now people can hear the sermon for themselves on CD from Matthias Media. For $9.50 (which includes postage within Australia), they can decide if Phillip’s remarks are controversial or just “declaring the gospel fearlessly”. Send orders to http://secure.fellowworkers.com/cgi-bin/mmstore/deancd.html)

2. VIGILS COMMENCE IN SYDNEY (Worldwide Photos) The first of three days of special “Peaceful vigils” was held in Sydney Square on Wednesday, March 19, from 5.00pm to 6.00pm. Attended by approximately 100 protestors against the possibility of war in Iraq, and a dozen police officers, banners and posters affirmed the message of “No War”. As security precautions, rubbish bins were removed from the nearby shopping arcade and those in Sydney Square were sealed closed. At the Wednesday vigil, most prominent was literature and T-shirts by the Communist Party of Australia, with the Quakers calling for “Peace” and the Rev. Doug Clements of Wesley Mission handing out A4 posters declaring: “Jesus called us to be peace-makers, not war-mongers. Matthew 5: 9”. Plans have been made by “Walk Against the Coalition” to hold city-wide gatherings on the day that war begins, in Sydney Square at 5.00pm, as well as many regional centres and interstate capitals.

3. WAR ON IRAQ AN ADMISSION OF FAILURE (Insights) The national leader of the Uniting Church in Australia has expressed deep grief and sorrow at the announcement by Prime Minister John Howard that he was committing Australia troops to a war in Iraq. “Today is a day of grief and sorrow because the announcement of war is an admission of failure. Yet another new century begins with bloodshed and destruction as a means of solving our problems,” said the Rev. Professor James Haire. “I fear that this action will set off renewed Middle East tensions that could take another 30 years to resolve.”

4. NEW NURSING SERVICE IN NORTHERN SYDNEY (Wesley Mission) A new and expansive nursing service will be officially opened by the Superintendent of Wesley Mission the Rev the Hon Dr Gordon Moyes AC MLC at Noakes’ Hornsby offices on Thursday, 20 March at 10:30 am. The new centre will be the hub of nursing care on the North Shore and is an expansion of Noakes Nursing Services, which has been operating on Sydney’s northern beaches for the past eight years. Wesley Mission’s Group Manager of Health and Counselling Services, Bernard McNair, said the new service would mean that the Noakes mantle of nursing care would stretch from Palm Beach to the Central Coast and from Hornsby to Manly. “Noakes offers nursing services to hospitals, residential aged care facilities,” he said. “As a community service agency we receive referrals from other community providers to help clients maintain their independence at home. We have good quality and highly skilled staff, who offer integrity of service. If we give a commitment to a facility we ensure that our commitment is honoured and fulfilled.”

5. THE ETERNITY MAN RETURNS AS AN OPERA (Worldwide Photos) An opera based on the life of Arthur Stace, “Mr Eternity”, will be staged in London at the Almeida Theatre on July 23, 25 and 26. Named “The Eternity Man”, it features the work of Jonathan Mills, a past director of the Melbourne Festival, as composer and festival director, with one of Australia’s most respected writers and poets, Dorothy Porter. Richard Jackson will play the part of Arthur Stace, “a reformed alcoholic and religious visionary who through three decades wandered the streets of Sydney by night writing the word ‘Eternity’ on many exposed surfaces and obvious locations”.

6. HOSPITALITY HOUSE IN MELBOURNE (Vic Baptist Witness) The Indigenous Hospitality House in Drummond Street, Melbourne is unique. Set up by Uniting Church members, it is now run by members from four denominations, including two members of the Collins Street Baptist Church. The house was set up by a Bible Study group who read a report by Koori workers in city hospitals identifying a need for appropriate housing for indigenous people visiting their family in hospital. Since its inception in mid-2001, the House has had 167 guests, ranging from single mums to family groups spanning three generations. For those wanting to donate food or sundries, phone Lisa Hampton on (03) 9387 7557.

7. IRAQIS FLEE WAR TO COME; SEEK ASSISTANCE (Christian Aid) Tens of Thousands of Christian refugees from Iraq are lining the roads into Jordan, Syria and Turkey, fleeing from the approaching war. Christian Aid is responding to help the refugees. Ministries in Syria report that roads are lined with refugee tents all the way from the Iraq border to as far as Damascus and Aleppo. They are asking for food, fuel, blankets, heaters and medicines. Families with small children are being given water, soap, diapers, milk and emergency food supplies. Many Christian families in Jordan, Syria and Turkey are taking Christian refugees into their homes so they won’t have to go into the tent camps. But their food supplies have been quickly exhausted. Native workers are on the scene helping the refugees as they arrive.

8. HUNDREDS FIND CHRIST IN ARMY REVIVAL (Christian Herald) As Anglican bishops began to express their public support for British troops engaged in the conflict with Iraq, a former soldier claims to have witnessed an amazing outpouring of the Holy Spirit among new recruits at Army Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, North Yorkshire. Scripture Reader Mark Reynolds served 22 years as a full-time soldier before becoming a full-time evangelist. “Over the past year, I would calculate that somewhere between 700 and 800 have made professions of faith.”

9. CHILDREN’S CONCERNS ABOUT WAR ADDRESSED (Focus on the Family) Experts offer advice to help children who may be affected by constantly being exposed to images and threats of war. Psychologists are worried about the mental health of children that are constantly exposed to images and threats of war. They’re asking parents to keep a close eye on their kids. Jim Vigorito, a psychologist and counsellor at Focus on the Family, said kids won’t always tell you they’re worried. “You may see a child that’s distracted, a child that’s daydreaming, not staying on focus with the task at hand,” Vigorito said. “You may see a child crying.” He added that what the children may need is some personal attention. Christian families have a resource not available to those that don’t know Christ. Bonnie Aldrich, children’s pastor at Pulpit Rock Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., said prayer and the Word of God can really comfort worried children. Aldrich added communication diffuses fears. Above all, keep talking to your kids.

10. WEB SITE OFFERS WAY TO SHARE PRAYERS (UMNS) People of faith can share their prayers during this volatile time through the United Methodist Church in the USA official Web site, http://www.umc.org . Beginning March 19, “A Call to Prayer” invites visitors to enter prayers, their names and where they live. Selected prayers are being posted on the site. Larry Hollon, top staff executive of United Methodist Communications, said: “We are offering another avenue – the Internet – for people of faith to offer their prayers. It is an opportunity to voice humanitarian concerns for civilians in Iraq and the families of persons serving in the armed forces in the U.S. and Great Britain.” The Web site also offers a special feature, “Assisting Those in Service,” marked with a yellow ribbon and highlighting the work of United Methodist military chaplains.

11. AIR STRIP OPENED IN BEIMES, INDONESIA (MAF News) Over the past year, MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship) has monitored the construction of a remote airstrip in Beimes, Papua. Now complete, the new airstrip is located approximately 60 miles south of the MAF base in Manokwari – about a 30 minute flight by MAF plane. Originally built in the 1970’s by others, the strip was soon closed down as it was too small for safe use. After years of labour by the local people, the airstrip began to meet MAF safety standards. In November 2002, MAF pilot Steve Richards landed in Beimes to determine if the strip was ready. Steve and his wife, Jodi, said that approximately 50 new houses will be built in two nearby villages with the help of about 60 planned MAF flights carrying materials and workers.

12. RISING VIOLENCE LEVELS SCARE OFF CLERGY (C of E Newspaper) A rising tide of violence is leaving deprived inner-suburban areas of England — especially those in the North — without vicars, the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, said this week. Clergy, particularly those with families, are steering clear of many parishes, said the primate. The Archbishop said, “We are finding it very difficult to fill posts, particularly in the North and in some of the more difficult urban areas. Assaults on clergy have now reached a higher level than those on police officers and doctors, revealed Nick Tolson of the National Church Watch scheme. He said that while one Archdeacon told him there had been no assaults in his diocese, he himself knew of 16.

13. ARCHBISHOP TAKES SEAT IN HOUSE OF LORDS (Lambeth News) The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams was introduced in the House of Lords today, Wednesday 12 March 2003. The introduction took place at the start of the afternoon’s business after prayers had been said by the Bishop of Derby. Dr Williams processed into the House, escorted by his two supporters – the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Richard Chartres and the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Michael Turnbull. After the reading of a mandate, the Archbishop took the necessary oath, shook hands with the Lord Chancellor and took his seat on the bench traditionally assigned to the Lords Spiritual. The Archbishop of Canterbury is a member of the House of Lords by virtue of his Office. Dr Williams, who was previously Archbishop of Wales, has not previously served as a member of the House of Lords.

14. SCHOOL DATES CRISIS FOR EASTER IN UK (Christian Herald) Special meetings of the organisers of “Easter People” have been held to discuss the proposed changes to school holiday dates in Britain. Speaking of the proposed changes, Easter People Director, Rob Frost said: “If, as the government plans, the Easter school holidays are moved permanently to the first two weeks of April, the cultural shape of Easter may change. It will mean that in some years the holidays will not coincide with Easter at all. This presents a major new challenge for the churches, but it also means that Easter People may have to move away from Easter with their outreach programme!”

15. WHAT WOULD JESUS EAT? (Misc Media) Drawing on the inspiration of loaves, fishes, water and wine, Dr Don Colbert of Florida has published a self-help manual, “What Would Jesus Eat?” and a companion volume, the “What Would Jesus Eat Cook Book?” Dr Colbert said that he wrote the book after realising that many of the fattest Americans are also dedicated Christians. He believes that obese patients might listen more to Jesus than to their doctors. The biblical diet and most of the recipes in the cookbook include modest helping of fish or meat with salads, lightly cooked vegetables, olive oil, fresh bread and fruit, all washed down with a decent wine. The doctor claims a “modest consumption of wine with meals is good for the heart because the alcohol helps break down the fats.”

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