| 28 – 31 August, 2020

Gathering Leaves, the international retreat for Swedenborgian/New Church women, will take place at the Purley Chase Centre, in Warwickshire, England. The theme for the event is “Fruits of the Spirit.” There will be a variety of activities and time for connecting. A generous benefactor has offered to pay the room and board fees for women from Australia and New Zealand, and suggests beneficiaries consider making a donation to the NCIA. Details about the event, and about booking in, are on the Purley Chase website.

Here is an update from Rev. Alison Southcombe about Gathering Leaves 2020:

“As we are sure you are all aware, COVID-19, the illness caused by the Novel Coronavirus, has now been classified as a worldwide pandemic and governments around the world are requesting curbs on social gatherings and advising travel to be restricted. As the collective Gathering Leaves Committee, we have decided to make a final decision and announcement about whether to proceed with Gathering Leaves at the end of May. This may be somewhat optimistic, but we should be better able to see how measures have worked to impact the situation at that time with a fervent hope that we may be able to proceed with our Gathering Leaves event at the end of August as planned.”

On Friday, David Moffat opened with a devotion around the theme of the mountain of the Lord. After this, we talked extensively about where we see the church and its place in the future. We were invited to look at the 2002 Council of Minister’s paper “The Church and the Future” which seems extremely relevant to us and our needs, sixteen years on.

After morning tea, we had a session on the Strategic Plan which has been simplified down to essentials from what it originally was. We broke up into groups, each discussing one area and then reporting usefully back to everybody. Points were noted and will be further worked on.

The afternoon began with discussion around the church camps and the idea mooted in the January camp that the name be changed to ‘retreat’. Various opinions came out, one main one being that number at recent camps are less than they were, possibly due to people’s current lifestyles. A presentation was made about the 2019 Family Camp/Retreat to be held in Jindabyne, in the mountainous area of southern NSW.

Later we turned our attention to the New Church in Australia website which was thrown up on the screen for comments. Websites are perennially in need of updating – often for accuracy – and also to look more modern and appealing. Overall we felt that it was good material but in need of more attractiveness to those within and outside the New Church through images. Thanks were given to those who undertake its maintenance and changes.

Under general business, several items came up for consideration: the possibility of combining future assemblies with camps/retreats; the situation regarding the Building Fund which originally looked towards obtaining physical premises for the College; financial support for the Australian New Church College, and the policy of the New Church in Australia towards homosexuality. This last one brought out quite strongly the feeling that while our teaching on marriage being between a man and a woman because of such a marriage’s spiritual correspondence, we are accepting of people who have same-sex orientation and the church should be welcoming to these and all people.

After a break, Sarah Walker (Perth) gave a session on “Looking to grow within in order to grow without”, making use of two short passages from Swedenborg for us to relate to. A good discussion about this followed.

On Friday evening David Millar gave us a guided tour of Logopraxis, its history, development and growth, providing examples of its approach to personal work with the text of the Writings. This was certainly helpful to many of the people there.

Saturday began with the NCIA AGM, a short and necessary statutory meeting. David Millar then shared the current activities of the College, here and overseas, in particular, that he was assisting several African ministry students, sponsored and financed by The Lord’s New Church. It was clear to everyone that David is certainly stretched, at least at times. Discussion was on assisting if possible the work of the College as well as its financing.

After morning tea David Moffat presented a session on Outreach and advocated doing several easy to do and inexpensive promotional things. See the President’s page in this issue on his presentation. After several more short items, the Assembly ended with a circle of hands and a prayer.

The Tops

Stanwell Tops NSW

May 3-5 2018

Sharing our ideas about the future of the Church

All are welcome – cost is $215.00

Contact: Kevin Attwater

It was extremely well-managed by those who had put the work in beforehand, and they were thanked at the very start.

The mornings were led by the ministers: David Moffat had organized a treasure trail which took us spiritually around the camp and gave the groups some activities to complete. Julian introduced us to our knees, and then led a session about letting our light shine.

Brian Keith got the children thinking about and handling pebbles and said some lovely things about what they mean, and then showed us photos of the African New Churches.

David Millar worked with the children out front about Moses’ signs to Pharaoh with dramatic effects, and then to the adults about how we deal with our issues when we do our spiritual work. After morning tea, age groups happened which were really good.

Wednesday was Outing Day and a large contingent headed for Jamberoo, and others visited nearby beaches and shops. That was the only full day of sunshine all through the week!

Good evening devotions were led by various lay people during the week, and on the last morning Todd led a particularly “unfair” session bringing home to us that the Lord agrees with each of us a fair payment however long or short the time may be. The children excelled themselves in reacting here.

There was also Yoga (twice), Zumba (power and noise), Zentangle (so artistic!) and Needlework (more sedate) offered during the afternoons with happy results. The Choir practised and sang exceedingly well.

The Choir practised and sang exceedingly well.

Cameron Robinson took the Table Tennis trophy after a finals battle with Wayne Kasmar.

Thanks from us all to Todd and Jenn Beiswenger, Carolyn Heldon, Chris Kendrick and Graham Hanna and no doubt others too for providing a great week which will linger long in our memories. There were people from every state in Australia, and from New Zealand, and a representative from overseas whom I understand was attending his 10th Camp!

And looking ahead to next January……….

The 2018 Camp is very likely to be at Alexandra Heads on the Sunshine Coast on the same dates – Monday January 1st to Sunday January 7th. Details are now up online, along with the opportunity to book.

We are glad to be able to say that our minimum numbers are covered and we know that there are quite a few more people who intend to be there.

Rt Rev Brian Keith and his wife Gretchen will be part of the Camp, and they have not been to one here before but have been to Australia a number of times. Brian is the Bishop of the General Church and a fine man indeed. We look forward to welcoming them and gaining from them being with us.

On a financial note, it is now required that final full payment for the Camp is settled in advance and the expected date for this is December 1 st . The New Church in Australia website will help here.

Next Row: Kevin Attwater, Lesley Longstaff, Tammy Rush, Graham Hanna, Lyn Rocke.

Next Row: Richard Keyworth, David Moffat, Graham Hall, Wayne Kasmar.

Front Row: Ruth Duckworth, Bev Shepherd, Judy Robinson, Pauline Merrit, June Johnson, Ros Taylor, Gaye Heldon. Photo, Len Robinson

Ian Arnold was also present at times over the two days.

The Assembly in Canberra was successful in being time for representatives from around Australia and New Zealand to meet up, to speak out, express feelings, suggest plans for the future and hear quite a number of varied presentations. The various motions and decisions that were made will be taken to a General Meeting later this year, for action. I believe everyone who was there was very pleased to have been part of it. Everybody contributed.

The Presentations that were given at the Assembly included the following:

New New Church Models; “What’s Gone Wrong?”; Churches, Education and Young People Today; Are you an internal person or an external person?; Baptism and its relevance to the organised New Church in Australia; Our organisational structures, communications and activities; Where have all the young people gone?; The Writings and the Word.

Other agenda items included:

Where do you see the New Church in the future? (Strategic Plan); Succession planning for NCIA Directors; The Swedenborgian Church of North America; The Ordination of Women; The Australian New Church College Business Plan; The name of the College; Individual/Associate membership of the NCIA; NCIA Constitution and By-Laws; NCIA Trading Name; Bereavement and Wedding Cards; National Register

I felt that the Assembly gradually picked up its own momentum and it became closer together over the two days. I also felt that the relationship between the Board and local Societies will have been very much helped by having the Assembly.

It was said and agreed that we should hold an Assembly every few years, to keep the process going and to bring people physically together.

I had the enormous pleasure to step down from my national Presidency and to induct Rev. David Moffat into the Presidency early on the first morning. It was very moving. David did an excellent job of chairing the Assembly for virtually the whole of the two days.

The induction included a well-worded service and the laying on of hands, and the presentation of a President’s copy of the Word which includes inscriptions of three previous Presidents.

After the service everyone came in a circle around David and gave him their blessing, a hug, and some  encouraging words. This was a significant moment for the New Church in Australia and New Zealand.

We all wish David well in his new position for the church.

We held a short, half-day seminar on Saturday 24th October, and if you’re interested, you can hear the talks by following the links below. You can also share them to Facebook or Google+, which would be an excellent outreach opportunity.

Swedenborg’s Science
Swedenborg’s Awakening
The Matrix a Postmodern Retelling of the Zombie Metaphor
What Swedenborg’s Work Means to Me

We do have a number of t-shirts left over from the campaign, and anyone who is interested can buy one for $20.00, to support the cause. There are a limited number of “L” and “XL” size shirts. They are black with white printing, a fun “zombie” logo, designed by Alexander Moffat, and well known words from Psalm 23. Again, this represents a great outreach opportunity, which points to the spiritual meaning behind the words, “the valley of the shadow of death”:

“To walk in a shady valley” signifies in the spiritual sense an obscure understanding that does not see truths from light; “Thy rod and Thy staff will comfort me” signifies that spiritual Divine truth together with natural Divine truth will protect, for these have power; “rod” meaning spiritual Divine truth, “staff” natural Divine truth, the two together meaning these in respect to their power to protect, for “to comfort” means to protect. As “rod and staff” signify Divine truth in respect to power, it is next said, “Thou wilt make ready before me a table, Thou wilt make fat my head with oil, my cup will abound,” which signifies spiritual nourishment through Divine truth; for “to make ready a table” signifies to be nourished spiritually; “to make fat the head with oil” signifies with the good of love, and “cup” signifies with the truth of doctrine from the Word, “cup” standing here for “wine.” (AE 727.2)

Yea, when I walk through the valley of shadow I will fear no evil (Ps. xxill. 4);
where the “valley of shadow” denotes lower things, which are relatively in shade. [6] As valleys were between mountains and hills, and below them, therefore by “valleys” are signified the lower or exterior things of the church, because by hills and mountains are signified its higher or interior things, by “hills” things which are of charity, and by “mountains” those which are of love to the Lord. (AC 4715.5,6)

From Monday January 4th to Sunday January 10th – at Arcadia, 40 kms north west of Sydney – 67 people coming – several day visitors – interesting morning sessions – challenging and original afternoon onsite activities – evening program – Thursday outing is to the Northern Beaches (Newport, Avalon, Palm Beach, Barrenjoey Lighthouse and Pittwater area) – and a very helpful management at Vision Valley.

Thank you very much to those people who have been involved in the setting up and putting together of this Camp.

NEW CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA ASSEMBLY MAY 6th and 7th 2016

This is a very important opportunity for the church to come together nationally and discuss the future life and needs of the church. Being an Assembly, it is not a decision-making meeting but a sharing of views, which can be taken forward for further work and ratification.

It will be held at Greenhills Centre, just outside Canberra.

There are currently 31 people who have booked to come or indicated that they will be there. People will be attending from all societies in Australia and New Zealand, plus some other individual people. A program is in the process of being drawn up and this will include a number of papers and presentations, some organisational and some spiritual.

It is a long time since we have had a national gathering or Conference, and it is good and timely that we are doing so mid next year.

At the start of the Assembly there needs to be a short Annual General Meeting (a requirement), and this will be followed by the appointment and induction of Rev. David Moffat as the incoming President of The New Church in Australia.  

Thanks go to Rev Martin Pennington and his team of helpers – Len, Judy, Marian, Peter – for running a successful camp, and equal thanks to Rev Chris Skinner and Margaret for a huge amount of work prior to the camp. Chris and Margaret were unable to be there.

Morning Devotions and Presentations were given by the ministers at camp: David Moffat, Todd, Trevor, Martin and Julian. This year we didn’t have a theme but everyone did what they chose to present. It works very well.

Phillip Island offers a large number of things to see and do, including a boat trip to Seal Rocks where the largest colony of seals in Australia is, the famous Penguin Parade, and the beaches, shops and tourist activities.

It was good to have nearly 20 people from South East Queensland, along with children, and nearly 20 people all the way from Perth, again with children.

VISION VALLEY 2016 CAMP

MONDAY JANUARY 4TH to SUNDAY JANUARY 10TH 2016

Vision Valley is an excellently set-up centre run by Wesley Mission in beautiful open countryside at Arcadia, 30 kms north-west of Sydney CBD.

Promotion of this family camp will start from April 1st and you are invited to consider being at the Camp. We seriously need to know committed numbers and bookings by September 1st so that we know it is financially possible to hold the camp.