Forgive us

OUR sins bishop page 2

30+ groups

against fracking page 3

How bright is our light?

page 6

Beansand Smudge

page 12

TheAnglicanVolume111,Number2March2014PublishedinGippslandDiocesesince1904

We are

the evidence page 5

Steve Clarke: Approaching Easter There is a magic deeper still, page 10

BundalaguahBluesNight

Fires in February burnedthrough many hectaresin Gippsland. Somehomes and stock were lost,but thankfully not lives. !"#$% "&'()% '*(% +)($% ,(-".%that threatened Morwell, thetown was still shrouded insmoke, according to residentand church member SandraWagner. She said Sunday 9th/(,)0")#% 1"$% 2"% *3))4+5% 6"#7It all blew up about 1:30 inthe afternoon, with smoke

billowingalloverthetown.

Many people evacuated,especially from the south andwestofMorwell,astwoseparate+)($% 5"8(% &)4-*'(.4.-9#% 593$(%to the town. By 6:00pm onSunday,thePrincesHighwaytoTraralgonwastheonlyroadoutofMorwell.Sandrasaiditwasareallyscarysituation.

TherectoratMorwell,theRev.Heather Marten, and assistantpriest, the Rev. LynWilliams,visited many homes to check

onparishioners, and thenwentacross to Traralgon to helpout at the relief centre there.Heather said that she decidedto leave her own place, partlybecausepeopleacross theroadfromher,andinthenextblockwere being evacuated, andpartlysothatshecouldhelpatthereliefcentre.Shesaiditwasawful to see the devastationto farmland having visitedMoe, she had seen both sidesof the freeway between MoeandMorwellwerejustblack.She also made the comment,This is a pretty resilientcommunity and they bouncebackprettywell.

Other places aroundGippsland were also affected,#%'*(%+)($:%.3'%9("$'%,#%8".#%road closures, and the trainsbeing unable to go beyondMoe.

TheRev.JohnBattsaidthatat Neerim South that Sunday,the power went out at 10:45amanddidnotcomeonagainuntil ten oclock that night.It was very windy and wildand pretty worrying. Somepeople were evacuated fromBuln Buln and Jindivick, androads were cut. For manypeople, it brought backmemories of the trauma from+;(% #(")$% ,(&3)(:% 1*(.% '*()(

was terrible devastation in'*(%

TGA

Page2TheGippslandAnglicanMarch2014

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TheAnglicanGippsland

IndexBundalaguah Blues Night 1

Gippsland fires 1

Letter from the Bishop 2

30+ groups 3 against fracking

Hospitality brings blessing 4

South Sudan update 4

We are the evidence 5

Trafalgar awards 6

How bright is our light? 6

Theos award 6

Deep gratitude 7

Farewell for Janet Wallis 7

Grammar Schools 8 VCE results

Local support for 8 children in Thailand

Caring for the environment 9

Approaching Easter 10

From the editor 10

Letter to the editor 10

Beans and Smudge 12

Diocesan Calendar 12

5%ThatstheinterestyoucanearnwhenyoudeposityourmoneywiththeAnglicanDevelopmentFund(A.D.F.)fortheDioceseofGippsland.

Enjoygoodratesofinterestonyourdeposit.CurrentinterestratesfordepositswiththeA.D.F.

3.75% At Call 4.75% Term Deposits to $20,000 5.00% Term Deposits $20,000+Wellmakeyourmoneyworkinlowriskinvestmentopportunities,!"#$%&'(%)*&+)!,#-*.)/012)'(*#)*&+)3'#1+.+)*#).+,4+)*&+)5'..'#(oftheChurchhereinGippsland.

WhatagreatopportunitytoSavewithyourdepositandservethechurchatthesametime.

ConsideralsothatthereareNoFeesorChargestooperateyourAccountwiththeA.D.F.Itsallpartofourfreeandfriendlyservice.

So,hereisyouropportunitytolearntheartofGivingwhileReceiving.Giveusacallon(03)51442044orwritetoTheRegistraratPOBox928,Sale,3850,oryoucandropintotheDiocesanRegistryat453RaymondStreet,SaleforanApplicationFormtoopenanaccountwiththeADF.Note:NeithertheAnglicanDioceseofGippslandnortheAnglicanDevelopmentFundGippslandisprudentiallysupervisedbyAPRA.ContributionstotheFunddonotobtainthe,(.(+'%3&%6(?3$4'3)%?)3'(5'43.%?)3;4$43.$%3&%'*(%

TGA

Community Groupsaround Gippsland aregalvanising to challengeunconventional gas (or coalseam gas) mining acrossthe region. They say it willdesecrate the environment,devalue land and reducethe regions population.According to Sale activist andpediatrician JoMcCubbin,morethan 30 groups have formedacrosstheregion,fromPoowongEasttoLakesEntrance.

Included are church peopleconcerned for what theprocess, popularly knownas fracking, will do to thecreation and peoples health.More than a hundred peoplemetatMeerlieu.

Groups in Mirboo North,Seaspray and Poowong haveundertaken door knocking toengage with local residents.Seaspray is reported to have;3'(6% '3% ,(% "% E-"$% +(96% &)((F%community. East Gippslandcommunities are encouragingeach other to work togetherto survey their communities.They have threatened, ifnecessary,toblockadedrillingplannedforthismonth.

2G*(% ?(3?9(% ")(% +.64.-a voice across Gippsland,shesaid.

Dr McCubbin saidGippslands water supply andmeansoffoodproductionwereunder threat from the mining

process. It involves drillingpipes vertically down throughcoal, rock and shale, and thenhorizontally into seams orgas pockets to extract tight gas(gasretrievedfromrocksoflowpermeability) by pumping amixture of water, chemicalsandsandalongsmallseams.

G*(% E&)"5=% H046F% 4$% '*(.%returned to the surface,by this stage consisting ofwater mixed with hydrocarbons, heavy metals andradioactive substances leachedfromtherocks.Itisdisposedofbyvariousmeans.

Possible risksof theprocessinclude the devaluation offarmingland,leadingtoreducedpopulation, and pollution ofagriculturalwaterbypollutantsincluding radioactive elementsthat may make their wayinto the food chain, DrMcCubbinsays.

There is no requirementto test for radioactivity inagriculturalwater,shesaid.

Engineers are interested inthe technology of the mining,but often dont consider thedisposal of waste to be theirproblem.Thereisnolegislation&3)%1*3%*"$% '3%+I%0?% '*(%8($$%attheend,orwhohastomakesure the well casings that areleft,donotbegintoleak.

DrMcCubbinwasconcerned'*"'% '*()(% 1"$% 4.$0&+54(.'%baseline monitoring of water,

airandhealthstandardsrequiredby legislation. Itwas often leftto mining companies to selfmonitor.

Gippsland is already afragile area, she said, addingthat the Strezlecki formationwas an unstable faultline andGippsland was prone to earthmovementandsubsidence.

Those in favor of CSGmining, including many inGovernment and business, cite'*(% ,(.(+'$% "$% 4.59064.-% 83)(%jobs and cheaper natural gasforconsumers.

These supposed advantagesare questionable in the longterm,saidDrMcCubbin.

Although initially contractdrillers will be employed,many will be brought in from3'*()%?")'$%3&%A0$')"94"%"$%H#J4.H#J30'% 13)=()$7% A.6% 14'*%devalued farming land andshrinkingtownsmanyjobswillbelostaswell.

Shesaidtherewasnowsucha surplus of natural gas in theUS thatAmerica nowwants toexport it toAustraliasmarkets.Dr McCubbin said farmerswere pressured into allowingmining companies onto theirland.ExplorationLicencesafter+;(% #(")$% 53096% ,(% )(?9"5(6%with Retention Licences thatcould be renewed, resulting infarming land being tied up inthefrackingprocessforupto30#(")$:%(;(.%4&%.3%$4-.4+5".'%-"$%

"5'0"99#%H31$7The Lock the Gates

initiative was encouragingmore farmers to resist theprocess, she said. If peoplestick together and talk to their

neighbours about it, they canbe strong. She saidGippslandpeople should also have achatwith their localmembersto voice their concerns aboutCSGextraction.

Government and somefarmers are seduced by bigbusiness,shesaid.Politiciansare being very quiet aboutthe whole thing, althoughto their credit they haveextended the currentmoratorium on the chemicalfracking until after thestateelection.

MentalhealthconcernsAnotherpersonassociatedwiththe challenge, CommunityOver Minings Tracey Anton,said the mental health risksassociatedwithCSGextractionhadnotbeenwidelycanvassed.As landholdings are devalued

through multiple drillingsand contamination of waterand soil, and throughlocalised subsidence of land,properties will becomeunsaleable.You wont be abletoborrowtoimproveyourlandifitisworthlittle.

Withthis,alackofclarityon insurance and continuedratingof suchpropertieswillcause increased stress, withdepressiontofollow.

Ms. Anton warned thatyoungpeoplewouldmoveoutof regional communities insearchofjobs.

Theminingcompaniessaythey will put back into thecommunity through givingmoney to sporting groupsand other groups. But theresnotmuchuse indoing this ifthe people especially theyoungerpeoplehavegone,shesaid.

CSG mining has beenwidely practised in parts oftheUSA for several decades.But the results have beendestructivetotheenvironmentin many regions, notably inTexas and around the GulfofMexico.

TheSocialResponsibilitiesCommittee of theMelbourneAnglican Diocese hasproducedadetailedreportoncoal seam gas mining whichcanbeseenat:http://tinyurl.com/lllpfdo/.

March2014TheGippslandAnglicanPage3

PhilipMustoninvestigatesconcernsaboutcoalseamgasmining

30+ groups against fracking in Gippsland

Farm photograph: Jan Down, sign photograph courtsey Gas Field Free Seaspray

Dr McCubbin said Gippslands water

supply and means of food production were

under threat.

RICHLANHAMSAYSTHE

FIRSTPRIORITYFORPARISHESDEVELOPINGYOUTHANDFAMILY

MINISTRIESISTOSEEKGODSDIRECTION,PRAYTOGETHER

ANDEVENTOFAST

Its with great enthusiasmandexpectationthatIbeginmy regular spot in theGippslandAnglicanpaper. Imexcited and hopeful about theconversations and possibilitiesthat will be generated as weservetheLord,developingandgrowing ministry to familiesandyoungpeople.

2014isalsotheyearthenew+;(% #(")% 6435($".% ?9".% )("99#%begins to roll out, as parishesadopt and plan to addresskey elements of the DiocesanStrategicDirections.

My role as DiocesanYouth!(;(93?8(.'% @&+5()% *"$% 8(%invited to different parisheswithaviewtosupportingthem,as they develop their ministryplans for their communities.Often thisgoesbeyond simpleyouthministry, as the parishesrecognise that youth ministryis a component of the wholeparish activity, and sometimesthere are other more pressingissuesthatneedtobeaddressed,well before a youth ministryisbegun.

In addition to this someparishes are recognising thatyouthministryisnottheirmostimmediate ministry need infactIhaveadvisedanumberofchurches to consider childrensandfamilyprogramslikeMOPSor Mainly Music as beginningpoints for their strategic plan,as these ministries provide anexcellent platform to growrelational ministry to parentsand their children. I recentlyasked two parishes to consider

two questions as they seek todeveloptheirnewministryplans:

1. What are you prepared todo?and

2. Howlongareyouprepared todoitfor?

I asked these questionsafter telling the story of theAboriginalchurchinGilgandrathatJulesandIworkedwith,andhowtwopeoplemetforchurch(;()#% >0.6"#% &3)% +;(% #(")$:%believing that the Lord wouldsendpeopletotheirchurchandit would grow again, andGoddidandthechurchgrew.

I would like us all toconsider these questions, astheychallengeustoassessourdependence on God and trustin his provision. As ChristianpeoplemakingplansforGods?(3?9(:%1(%.((6%'3%+)$'%933=%"'%ourselves.TobeawarethatGodloves us dearly and that Jesusdeath and resurrection free usfromfearandtoexperiencethejoy that comes from knowing

this.The greatestministry/toolresource that God provides uswithisus.WearethepeoplewhomGod restores, heals andfrees. The people whom Godcreatedus tobe.Godwants touse each of us as evidence ofhis great love and grace, andwe are challenged to embrace4'% ".6% )(H(5'% 4'% '3% 3'*()$7I would ask us all to considerour time spent with the Lord.K% '*4.=% '*(% +)$'% ?")4$*% "5'4;4'#%shouldbetogathertogetherforprayer about where the Lordwantsustofocus.Todeveloparegularprayerroutineandevenfasttogether.

There are always plentyof programs or activities thatwe can run in our churcheshoweverweneedtobesureweareseekingGodfordirectionaswedecidewhattodo.

IhopetoseemanyofyouattheYouthandFamiliesMinistrySummit on February 2123at Raymond Island where wewill discuss, share, brainstormand encourage each other in

building these ministries. Imalways keen to talk with anyofyouaboutgrowingministryin your churches and I amavailable to come to you andmeetwith your people as youdevelop your parish ministrystrategy.Icanbecontactedon0419392462 or richlanham@optusnet.com.au.

Ill leave you with Jesustalkingtousabouttrustinghimtoprovideandseekinghimforhisdirectionandplan:

Matthew6:2534Therefore I tell you, do notworryaboutyourlife,whatyouwilleatordrinkoraboutyourbody, what you will wear.Isnotlifemorethanfood,andthe body more than clothes?Look at the birds of the airthey do not sow or reap orstore away in barns, and yetyour heavenly Father feedsthem.Areyounotmuchmorevaluable than they? Can anyoneofyoubyworryingaddasinglehourtoyourlife?

And why do you worryabout clothes? See how the

H31()$% 3&% '*(% +(96% -)317They do not labour or spin.Yet I tell you that not evenSolomon in all his splendourwas dressed like one of these.If that is howGodclothes the-)"$$%3&%'*(%+(96:%1*45*%4$%*()(%todayand tomorrow is thrown4.'3% '*(%+)(:%1499% *(%.3'%805*%moreclotheyouyouoflittlefaith?Sodonotworry,saying,What shallweeat?or Whatshallwedrink?orWhatshallwewear? For the pagans runafterall thesethings,andyourheavenlyFatherknowsthatyou.((6% '*(87%

A container of computers, clothes, school equipment, army tents and other materials, which was sent last year from Gippsland to the Bor orphanage in South Sudan, has been raided, with everything taken except for some Colorbond roofing material and the container itself.

Abraham Maluk, Executive Director of the Bor Orphanage and Community Education Project, reports that the children from the orphanage in Bor are now hiding beside the Nile River. People are fearful because the rebels are still in the area. The team of workers from the orphanage are trying to do what they can to care for the children, but the situation is very bad. Many homes have been burned down, and there is an urgent need for tents, food, medical supplies and mosquito nets, especially as the rainy season approaches.

Abraham asks that people continue to pray for the children and workers in Bor, as well as the team here in Gippsland, and all those who have lost family and friends in this crisis.

The civil war in South Sudan began in December last year. Many thousands of people have been killed, and hundreds of thousands displaced in the violence. While there has been a shaky ceasefire, the crisis is far from over. For up to date information, see the ABM website: www.abmission.org/programs/overseas/south-sudan/ and this poster for the fundraising Bingo night in Traralgon.

March2014TheGippslandAnglicanPage5

Hospitality brings blessing by Jane Peters

Wonthaggi/Inverloch

Over the past fewmonths the WonthaggiInverloch church hasbeenpleasedtotohostdifferentgroupswhointurnhaveblessedus. Last December a group ofstudents from the ChristianUnion at Monash Universityarrived after attending theirNational Training Conference.Theywereimmediatelyabletoput some of their training intopracticeas theyparticipated inparish activities, especially theChristmas program involvingtheInverlochKongwakPrimarySchool. Each class came from

theschoolfora1.5hoursessionhighlighting the Christmasstory. The uni students werekept busy helping with thecrafts, story reading and thesinging sessions. On Sundaytheyparticipatedintheservicesindifferentways.

Soon after Christmas theparish hosted the InverlochSUFMteam.Theteamisbasedat the church property and theparishhelpedoutbyprovidingshowering facilities andcateringforsomeoftheevents.The week kicked off with aFun Run and sausage sizzleand itwas great to see a largenumberofpeopleparticipating.

The SUFM runs with thesupport of many churches inInverlochandsurroundingareasanditisablessingtobeabletohost themeachyear.Aclosingservice saw the participationof representatives of many ofthesecongregations.

As the holiday seasoncomes to a close the parish isconscious that the blessings'*"'% H31% &)38% *3$?4'"94'#willbecontinuingaswebeginourMondayCommunityMealprogram for 2014. Gods loveandprovision is evidentaswesharemealsandour liveswithdiners and volunteers whocomefromweektoweek.

Contestants prepare for the start of the Fun Run.

Lorna White and Wendy McBurnie discuss the next session with Ale, Tim and Samuel from Monash Uni Christian Union.

Page4TheGippslandAnglicanMarch2014

TGA Around The Parishes

SouthSudanupdatetheBororphanage

by Jan Down

Page6TheGippslandAnglicanMarch2014

Two Trafalgar parishioners were recognised for their service to the community on Australia Day.

Jackie Neale was the Trafalgar Citizen of the year. She has worked with various community groups, includ-ing playgroup, when her chil-dren were small; the Battle of Trafalgar (president for three years); Scouts; the Public Hall committee; the Trafalgar Com-munity Development Association; and the Trafalgar Lions.

Jackie is an ideas person, but is also willing to put in the hard work to make a project hap-pen. She used her knowledge of the building industry to as-sist the Trafalgar Anglican Parish to work towards the building of a community complex, which should start soon. For the past two Christ-mases Jackie has organised a friendly event at the Public Hall for people who may have spent the day alone for a variety of reasons.

Linda OConnor was working in

the CFA and MFB communication centre in 2009 when there was a very bad fire season, including Black Saturday and Darlimurla complex fires. She worked through-out this intense period when many people called in and, along with some other workers, has been rec-ognised with a National Emergency Medal. Linda says the atmosphere was intense in the call centre and all the workers felt under huge pressure, especially some whose own homes were under threat.

TGA

How bright is our light?Around The Parishes

Trafalgar Australia Day Awards for Two

1.

2.

3.

3.

by Carolyn Raymond Morwell

St.MarysMorwelexaminesitsowngospelliving

Now that school is back, itfeelsasiftheyearhasreallybegun. At St Marys we havecelebrated the start of theyearbyspendingoneSundayinlookingat thestrengthsofourparishlifeandalsowhatwecando both to grow our spirituallives and to reach out toourcommunity.

ArchdeaconHeatherMarteninvited the Rev Trevor Smithto come and spend the daywith us and to facilitate theconversation.Wehadonlyoneservice that day so all couldcome and be involved. Trevorpreached, and the gospelreadingwasa timelyreminderthatwearethesaltoftheearthand the light of the world.All through the service thecongregation could lookat the

wonderfulaltarpiecemadeforusbytheSundaySchool.Thislargealtarhangingremindedusalltocountourblessings.Someof the beatitudes were printedbelowthetitle.

At the end of the service,Trevor gave out cards onwhich each of us had towriteof one event or characteristicof our parish in which we1()(% &09+994.-% '*(% -3$?(9:% ".6%were living as the light of theworld.Later,whenwegatheredtogether for our conversation,wecomparedthedifferentwaysinwhichwestronglylivedasalighttotheworld.

Wethenjoinedingroupsoflikeminded people to see the$4-.4+5".5(% 3&% '*4$% "5'43.7% K'%may be outreach through theChristmasservices,prayerandthe collection of money forthose in need, resilience and&"4'*% 4.% '48($%3&%64&+509'#:% '*(%ministry among children, ortheministry of funerals. Eachgroup looked more deeply

into one of these ministries,considering the action thebelief that had supported theaction and the result of this"5'43.7% G*4$% 1"$% ".% "&+)84.-%lookatthelifeoftheparishandwill encourage and direct ourparishlifeintheyearstocome.TrevorwillcollatethismaterialandbringitbacktotheParishCouncil who will share theresult with the congregation.Thank you Trevor, for yoursupportofourlifeatStMarys.

Captions:1.SomemembersoftheSundaySchoolsharing thealtar frontalthattheyhadmadeforus.

2. The people of St Marysgathered in the hall to have aConversationaboutourfuturedirectionasaparish.

3.JanetHarris,LorrainePeake,ArchdeaconHeatherandtheRevTrevorSmithattheConversation

!eos beach mission won the Lakes Entrance Australia Day Award for Event of the Year.Photo courtesy of East Gippsland Newspapers.

L-R: Al Steenholdt, Dr Hugh Chisholm, Rev Janet Wallis, Peter Wallis, Pat Bowman

Marion Noppert third from right

Photos by Ezara Jennings

March2014TheGippslandAnglicanPage7

by Mary Nicholls Moe

Asummer progressive.dinnerwas hosted by theparish as an early fundraiserand more importantly a socialoccasion. Approximately 40parishioners,friendsandchildrenparticipated as we travelledin cars and mini bus toparishionershomesfornibbles,barbequemaincourseandthenbacktoStLukeshallforcoffeeanddessert.

Afterenjoyingthehospitalityand unique garden setting atMarion Nopperts home, wewere pleased to be able touse the occasion to expressour deep gratitude to Marionwho has faithfully servedthe parish for over 30 yearsas the Kindergarten hallcaretaker/cleaner.

Only those in the parishfamiliar with St LukesKindergarten and our fullchildrens youth ministryprogramscouldbegintoimaginethe unique and arduous taskthis demanded. Kindergartenequipmentseeminglydisappeared(intostorerooms)twotothreeevenings per week and atweekends,makingwayforourbusyparishactivities.

GraemeNicholls (warden),onbehalfoftheparishexpressedour gratitudewith a small gift?)($(.'"'43.7% N(% )(H(5'(6%3.% O")43.F$% 0.JH"??",9(%H(I4,494'#% ".6% -)"5430$.($$%as unexpected short notice forhalluseoccurredonoccasions.YesMarion was employed bythe Kindergarten committeeshowever,asaMoeParishioner,sheactedasawonderfulliaisonbetween the church and thecommunity.Theclosureof theKindergartenattheendof2013marked60yearsofcommunity$();45(:% 1*45*% 1"$% +''4.-9#%celebratedinDecember.

Changing community needsand an expansion of localshire kindergartens had madeour once valuable communityservice redundant. The parishisnowconsideringthebestwayforwardinutilisingitsfacilitiesandgroundsforlocalministry.

Deep Gratitude

by Marion Dewar Leongatha

OnSundayevening,on2nd February, the ReverendJanet Wallis and Mr PeterWallis were farewelled fromthe Anglican Parish ofLeongatha after more than sixyearsofministry.

People from St PetersChurch, the other churcheswithintheparish,andchurches&0)'*()%"+(96:%"$%1(99%"$%?(3?9(%fromthecommunityandnearbytowns joined in an evening ofcelebration of the ministry oftheWallisfamily.

The evening began with abarbequetea,followedbysomehomegrownentertainmentandanumberofspeeches.

Thespeechesweremadeby

Hattie Steenholdt (on behalfof youth and children of theparish)GraceKuhne(onbehalfof centres of Dumbalk andMeeniyan) Doug Grigg (onbehalf of centres of TarwinLowerandVenusBay)HowardStevens(onbehalfofLeongathaPrimary School ChristianReligiousEducationProgram)SouthGippslandShireCouncilMayor Cr Jim Fawcett (onbehalf of the shire and thecommunity) Father PeterKooloos (on behalf of theMinisters Fellowship andthe Christian churches of thedistrict)andDrHughChisholm(onbehalfoftheparish).

Mrs Margaret Stokes madea presentation to Mr PeterWallis and Mrs Pat Bowmanmadeapresentationto theRevJanetWallis.

TGA Around The Parishes

Farewell for Janet Wallis

Page8TheGippslandAnglicanMarch2014

TGA

Eales from Warragul (95.4)and Frances Manson fromNar Nar Goon (95).A furthernine students obtained scoresover90.

This years results areanother pleasing performancefortheSchool.16%ofstudentsobtained an ATAR score ofover 90 putting them in thetop 10% of the state whilst42% obtained an ATARscore in excess of 80 placingtheminthetop20%.81%ofthestudentsplacedinthetop50%.

One student obtained an

ATAR score over 99 whilst afurther nine students achievedscoresover95.

In terms of study scores inindividual subjects, we weredelightedthat63%ofthescoreswere above the state averageof 30 whilst over 10% of thescoreswereover40andhencewill be published on theVCEhighachieverslist.

The list of high achievingstudents continues to showan impressive geographical64;()$4'#%)(H(5'4.-%'*(%>5*339F$%largecatchment.

Gippsland Grammar VCE results 2013

The Dux of St Pauls for2013wasAdamSmetanafromDrouin.Adam obtained an outstanding ATAR$53)(% 3&% CC%1*45*% 4.5906(6% +;(% $53)($%over 40 two of which were over45. Adam plans to study Medicine.Close behind Adam were DavidHamiltonfromWarragul(98.6)JessicaBibbyfromDrouin(98.55)andBenjaminFraserfromWarragul(98.55).

Other very high achievers included:Liam De Vries from Morwell (97.95)KristenBoverySpencerfromTraralgon(97.6) Leon Raymond from Traralgon(96)BonnieKoopmans fromWarragul(95.65)DaisyAnne

Gippsland Grammarstudent, LauraWigney,spent part of hersummerholidayasavolunteerin Thailand, working ona community project withEmpower International.Empower,whichwas foundedby her father, Geoff Wigney,4$% "% .3'J&3)J?)3+':% &"4)J')"6(%organisation which aims toempower the privileged to empower the poor.

Laura and her father werepart of a team of eighteenselffunded volunteers, whotravelled toNorthernThailandto work on the Clear SkiesHouse, which has received

support from Empower forthe past three years. In 2011,P8?31()% +)$'% $(.'% "% '("8% '3%rebuild the original bamboostructure which was thenhousing eight children. Thisnewhouseconsistedofseparatesleeping areas for boys andgirls,bathroomsandaroomforthecarers.Italsohadanoutdoorkitchen area and dining room.The most recent project sawLaura and the team workingto build a new dormitory andsecurity wall to ensure thesafetyofthechildren.The

Clear Skies House now*30$($% '1(.'#J+;(% 5*496)(.%and all living and educationexpenses are covered byEmpower. The group aims tohelp educate the children so

thattheymayhaveabrightandsafefuture.

An important focusfor Empower is to offer asafe living environment tovulnerablewomenandchildrenwho are often at risk of being&3)5(6% 4.'3% *08".% ')"&+5=4.-%andsexualslavery.

Often the children areorphaned or abandoned andhavenowhereelsetogo.

EmpowerInternationalhasaretailoutletat188MainStreetinBairnsdale.Theshopisnotfor?)3+'% ".6% $0??3)'$% &"4)J')"6(7%Allproductsarehandmadeandcarefully selected from smallbusinessesofferingtrainingandemploymenttothoseinneed.

Forfurtherinformation,pleasegoto:www.empower.org.au/.

LocalsupportforchildreninThailand

by Meredith Lynch

The Dux of Gippsland Grammar for 2013 is Lachlan Buck, from Lakes Entrance. Lachlan obtained an ATAR score of 98.75, with five scores over 40, including a 46 in Physical Education, which he studied in 2012.

This years results are another strong performance for the School. This year six out of the top ten ATARs were scored by girls.

Close behind Lach-lan were Sarah Scott from Sale (98.6), Mark McAn-ulty from Maffra (97.8), Emily Lade from Flynn (96.9),Harry Thackray from Maffra (96.7), Melis Rutherford from Paynesville (95.95), Emily Simpson-Page from Pearsondale (95.85),

Ritchie Hua from Sale (95.5), Dallas Adams from Newry (95.45), and Mikayla Colley from Sale (94.85).

One student, Sarah Scott, achieved a perfect score of 50 for Legal Studies.

As a school we are thrilled with the outstanding results attained by our high achiev-ing students; however, there are many other success stories this year not listed in these notes.

We would like to congratulate all of our students who successfully obtained their VCE or VCAL certificates and also our dedicated staff who have worked tirelessly to assist these students for many years.

StPaulsGrammarSchoolVCEresults2013

by David Baker, Principal

Children and house parents standing in front of the new dormitory at Clear Skies House in Thailand

March2014TheGippslandAnglicanPage9

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by Sue Jacka

Anglican Earthcare Gippsland(I4$'$%'3%?)383'(%'*(%+&'*%8")=%of the Anglican Communion:to strive to safeguard the integrity ofcreationand sustain and renew the lifeof the earth.AEG is a homegrownorganisation of our own diocese,Gippsland. Our aim is to have peoplewho are concerned about caring forcreation ineachparishgetting togethertolearnmoreandtoencouragewiseuseoftheearthanditsresources.

Our principle focus currently isto support the development of theAbbey at Raymond Island as a centrefor spirituality and the environment.We recognise that this is a very specialplacewith abundantwildlife aswell assomebeautifulcoastalnativevegetation.It is a place where people can connectbothwithnatureandwithGodourappreciation of creation often leads us topraiseGodforthebeautyandcomplexityofthenaturalenvironment.

I recently visited the Abbey todiscuss with Archdeacon Edie Ashley,theAbbeypriest,somedoableprojects

that your parish might like to support.Someofthesemayinvolvemanuallabouror fundraising. All will support thedevelopment of the centre forspirituality as well as caring for thenaturalenvironment:

Planting of Ena Sheumack House garden with indigenous species.

Removal of polygala (introduced from South Africa) from the grounds and coastal areas.

Tend the native areas. Some areas have had weeds removed and now we have to wait for the indigenous plants to re-emerge. This involves monitoring by taking photographs of new growth and checking what is growing, as well as removing the non-indigenous plants that recur.

Provide quality signage and labels to raise awareness of the local plants and their history.

Sponsor an energy audit of the property. Pay for an electrician to test the lighting system and replace existing light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs.

Sponsor the conversion of the former boating shed into a small environment centre.

The construction of habitat boxes.

Provide interpretive signs for the night sky.

Look after the garden/s outside the units and other buildings. Join an environmental education and work party details and dates will be advertised soon.

Each of these projects needs to be considered in consultation with the Abbey Chapter. !ere are many exciting possibilities here, so why not see if your parish can partially or fully support one? Donations to Anglican Earthcare Gippsland are tax deductible, so this may encourage some people or groups to donate to your project. Call Sue Jacka 5633 1021 or Edie Ashley on 5156 0511 to discuss.

TheSwamppaperbark scrubgrowingalong the foreshore.Theseareasaregoodhabitatforbirdsandslowdownerosion.ThepaperbarksareunderpressurefromtheincreasedsalinityoftheGippslandLakes.Invasiveweedremovalisapriorityfortheseareas.

TheForestredgumwoodlandgrowingaroundTheAbbey.Forestredgumsarefoodtrees for thekoalasonRaymond Island.Grassyeucalyptwoodlands like thisarethreatenednationally.OneaimistobringbacksomepocketsofthiswoodlandwithinthegroundsofTheAbbey.

Caringfortheenvironment

Approaching Easter: There is a magic deeper still

Page10TheGippslandAnglicanMarch2014

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The Rev. Steve Clarke, Dean of St. Pauls cathedral, Sale,

reflects on three art works in the lead up to Easter

From the editor

What can one person do? And equally What can one person get away with? Where does individual responsibility end, and corporate begin? Does it really matter whether I, as an individual, buy recycled toilet paper or fair-trade coffee?

The bishop speaks in this months letter about the need for corporate repentance. Philip Muston writes about a community or corporate response to fracking on farms in Gippsland, and Sue Jacka asks whole churches to support earth care projects on Raymond Island.

I have just been reading about the churches in Devon, in the south of England. Martin Goss, who is Diocesan Environmental Coordinator for Exeter, describes a large map in their diocesan office entitled Devons Green

Churches. There are dots and stars scattered over this map, each representing a church that is taking corporate responsibility for creation care in some way, through actions such as installing a composting toilet, or putting up solar panels, or by undertaking an energy audit. He points out that it is often individual pioneers in a church who get projects like these started. So individual action then becomes corporate.

The dioceses of the South West of England are having a Carbon Fast for Lent, to encourage church people to find ways to reduce their fossil-fuel needs. I know of one family who have decided, for ethical reasons, to give up supermarket shopping for Lent something not all of us could do. Last I heard, they were spending the months

leading up to Lent in finding local alternatives, including growing and preserving some of their own fruit and vegetables.

I find it encouraging (and challenging) to know that my individual actions and choices do matter, because they are part of a bigger picture. Many individual actions combined can have a huge impact both negative and positive. While big corporations may wield enormous power, often to the detriment of people and environment, there is a different, awesome, leavening power at work in the world at the same time. Your kingdom come. Amen!

Letter to the editor

Oh dear, the bishop is cross again. Cross with the Abbott government. Before the last election the bishop was trenchant in his criticism of the Liberal party and he also took a swipe at the ALP, which he described as not much better. Nevertheless, it seems that about 80% of Anglicans in Gippsland clearly disregarded the bishops views and decided to vote for Liberal and National parties or the ALP. The days are past when relatives, union leaders, company bosses, clerics and other notables are able to wield power over the voters. Most Australians, happily, can think for themselves. And when the bishop espouses such prejudiced and extreme views, sadly it makes people even less likely to listen to him when he has something worthwhile to say.

Roger DoyleMoe

Someofusreadingthis,areold enough to rememberthe 1969 album releasedbyKingCrimson,IntheCourtoftheCrimsonKing. Its opening track was aprovocative and propheticattempt to predict theexperience of western societyin the next millennium. It wassimply entitled 21st CenturySchizoidMan.

CatsfootironclawNeurosurgeonsscreamformoreAtparanoiaspoisondoor.21stcenturyschizoidman.

BloodrackbarbedwirePoliticiansfuneralpyreInnocentsrapedwith!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"#$#%&!'()21stcenturyschizoidman.

DeathseedblindmansgreedPoetsstarvingchildrenbleedNothinghesgothereallyneeds21st century schizoid man.

AndrewFletcher,an18thcenturyScottish moral philosopher,wrote,GivemethemakingofthesongsofanationandIcarenotwhowritesitslaws.

Songs, as with other formsof popular art, are a majoraccess point to the mindset of a culture. They playa dual role, that of insight".6% 4.H0(.5(:% &3)% '*(#% $*"?(%moods and reveal convictions.So, in the light of Fletchersmaxim it is worth pausing a838(.'% '3% )(H(5'% 3.% '*($(lyrics,andthoseofthealbums3rd track, Confusion Will BeMyEpitaph

Between the iron gatesoffate,Theseedsoftimeweresown,And watered by the deedsofthoseWho know and who areknownKnowledgeisadeadlyfriendWhennoonesetstherules.ThefateofallmankindIseeIsinthehandsoffools.

Confusionwillbemyepitaph.As I crawl a cracked andbrokenpathIf we make it we can all sitbackandlaugh,But I fear tomorrow Ill becrying,Yes I fear tomorrow Ill bedying.

ForKingCrimson,lifesepitaphis summed up in one word confusion. The predictions arecompelling as the imagination

is left to wander throughscenes of senseless violence,needless hate, and heartlesscruelty, behind which lies anunshakeable barrenness of soulamidsttheuncertaintyofafuture".5*3)(6% 4.% &0'494'#7%G*(%?)3+9(%of the 21st century schizoidman? Nothing hes got hereally needs. In case you thinkthisistoobleakapicture,Iofferan account from renowned USAnglican sociologist, RobertBellah. In his book The GoodSocietyBellahtellsofastudentspeaker at a recent HarvardUniversitygraduationceremonywhosaid,

Ibelievethatthereisoneidea,onesentiment,whichwehaveallacquiredatsomepointinourHarvardcareers,andthatladies and gentlemen is in aword, confusion... They tellusthatitisheresytosuggestthesuperiorityofsomevalue,fantasy to believe in moralargument, slavery to submittoa judgementsounder thanyourown.Thefreedomofourday is the freedom to devoteourselves to any values weplease,onthemereconditionthatwedonotbelievethemtobetrue.

The Harvard students soberevaluation of her educationalexperienceechoesthesentimentoftheearlierlyrics,

KnowledgeisadeadlyfriendWhennoonesetstherulesThefateofallmankindIseeIsinthehandsoffools.

I want you, as Christians topause a moment with me and

recognise the degree to whichwe often hide behind neatphilosophical and theologicalarguments,heavilyfootnotedforeffect,ratherthanfacethehurts,confusion, passions, and lovesof thoseamongwhomwe live.Theunmaskedvulnerability,theheartfelt anguish, the soaringaspirations of those aroundus too often go unrecognised.I invite your attention as weconsiderthreeimagesthatbringtogether the threads of thisarticle, and offer what Ibelieve to be an answer to thedisorientationofthisgenerationandthewaybacktoacoherentsociety that truly values allitsmembers.

In 1633 Rembrandt portrayed'*(%5)054+I43.%3&%Q($0$%".6%'145(%includedhimselfinthepainting.FirstweseehimatthefootoftheCross, gazing up, as if sharingresponsibility for the deed.Second we see him, handoutstretched,clutching whatappears to be aCross, lookingstraightintoourfaces, as if toinviteustoenterthe scene, toaccept ourplace in thisd r a m a .We see alsothe puzzled+-0)(% 14'*%overly largehands in thelower left.He accentuatesR emb r a n d t si m a g e r y ,encapsulating

thequestions,invitation,mystery,and sublimity of thisextraordinary moment. The'*)((% +-0)($% )"4$4.-% '*(% R)3$$%pushing,pulling,carrying theburdenof thisawfuldeed.Andcentral to the image is ChristHimself. Bathed in light, Heis suspended between heavenandearth.Hisnearnaked formleavesnodoubtthatHeistrulyhumanoneofus.YethisgazeheavenwardtellsusthatthatHelooksintotheFaceoftheDivineHeseeswhatwecannot.YoucanhearthewordsofentreatyFather,forgivethem,fortheyknownotwhattheydo.

It is a painting full ofrich imagery, full of humanexperience and emotion, anddivine promise and hope. Itis intimately personal and yetembracing of all who wouldenteritsscene.

In the 1960s Andy WarholpaintedCampbellsSoupcans.Inallhecreatedasetof32,onefor each variety Campbellsproduced.Warholsbiographer,David Bourdon, says theinspiration came from seeingemptysoupcansonhisdeskandthedesiretoshowmodernlifeasbeing without any substantialpersonality or individualexpression.AsWarhol simplyexplained a group of paintershave come to the commonconclusion that themost banaland even vulgar trappings ofmodern civilization can, whentransposed to canvas, becomeArt.Heunderstoodthemoderneraasoneofcommercialisationand indiscriminate sameness.By repeating mechanicalderivatives of a packagedcommercial product Warholwasmockinganypretensiontodiscrimination or perception.(See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbells_Soup_Cans)

Noticeably absent fromWarhols work is the person,whether human or divine. Forhim,wearemerelyconsumers,without substantial personalityor individual expression, merecaptives to the banal andderivative. The can is theobject of meaning, itself anabsurdity. In stark contrast, forRembrandt, our identity is tied'3% '*(% 5)054+I43.% 3&% '*4$%Manon a Cross He is the objectof veneration and wonder.

Both images raise questions3&% *08".% $4-.4+5".5(% ".6%divine purpose. RembrandtsandWarholsworksofartserveas powerful symbols in termsof their respective visions ofreality. Every society has its

symbols, its icons, which tellofitssearchformeaning.Once"%5)054+(6%S36%1"$%30)%;4$43.T%now we stare at CampbellsSoup cans. Once we were-"'*()(6% ")30.6% '*(% 5)054+(6%Jesus, but now we are merelyconsumers.

You Are What You WorshipThere is something terriblyhollow about modern life. AsJohn Alexander reminds us,The tragedy of modernity isthat we have nothing worthyof worship the absurdity ofmodernity is that we go aheadand worship anyway. Yousee, the question of what weworship is inextricably linkedto our understanding of whowe are ourselves. The absenceof the human from Warhol isultimatelyduetotheabsenceoftheDivine.

Thebiblicalinsistenceisthat,4.% R*)4$':% *08".% ,(4.-$% +.6%clues to meaningful identity.Withoutmeaningfulidentitywe

devolve into mere consumers.In such a world, therefore, allthings are ultimately absurd.The presence of the humanin Rembrandt is due to thepresence of the Divine. It is4.% '*(% 5)054+(6% R*)4$'% 1(% +.6%clues to what our humanityentails. His presence amongus speaks of our inalienablevalue and worth. Our presenceat His death speaks of ourdisorientation and culpability.

We are hollow becausewe arealienated.Rembrandtspaintingis full of these rich images.What about Warhol and soupcans? They, like us, are facedwith emptiness. In Warholsworldtheemptinessistrivialised.InRembrandtsitisconfronted.

As we approach this Easter,we are again confronted withthe question of the meaning3&% '*(% 5)054+(6% ".6% )4$(.%Christ. In moving from theonedimensional banalityof Warhol to the multidimensional spirituality ofRembrandt we have to ask,Whatdoweworship,andwhy?AsaChristianIworshipChrist,5)054+(6:% ".6% )4$(.% &)38% '*(%dead.Why?Thisisthecrucialquestion in these postmoderntimes. We have passed fromWarhols 60s image of emptyconsumerism but to what?Acommonlyciteddepictionofthe postmodern condition isfound in Edvard Munchspainting,TheScream.

It shows an agonised,'3)8(.'(6% +-0)(% 3.% "%lonely bridge, holding itshead in a desperate attemptto shut out the ragingviolencewhichsurroundsit.The+-0)(% 4$% "$(I0"9:% '*(% $14)94.-%,"5=-)30.6% 0.46(.'4+",9(7% G*(only clarity is in the agonyof the person the Scream!There is a confronting potencyto this image when consideredfromaChristianperspective.

At theheartof theGospel istheassurancethatGodhasheardhumanitys scream. It is anagonisingcryofhumandespair,borne out of disorientation andthe alienation that follows.GodhascomeamongusHehasconfrontedtheragingviolenceof our moral and spiritualconfusionHe has embraced inprotective love all those whohave fallenvictim to sinfulnessandalienation.AsRembrandtsopowerfully depicted, the Crosstellsustostoplyingtoourselvesand face our vulnerability. We5)054+(6%N487%U('%N(%,3)(%30)%alienationwillingly.

It is in thismystery that wecome to know the power ofthe Risen Christ. The vacuumof postmodernism yearnsnot merely for proof of theResurrection.RatherityearnsforthemeaningoftheResurrection.ThevictoryofJesusoverdeathand alienation promises thesilencingof theScream,Itputsthe soup cans backwhere theybelong, on our supermarketshelves. But to comprehendall this we must stand withRembrandtattheCross,gazeinwonderatJesuslove,andownourshareinHisdeath.

In his extraordinary novel,The Lion, the Witch, and theWardrobe,C.S.Lewiscapturesthe drama of the death andresurrection of Christ in apenetrating allegory. The Lion,A$9".% V'*(% R*)4$'% +-0)(W:%triumphant over death, greetsthe children (whose deceptionbytheWitchhasleadtoAslansdemise on the Stone Table),andexplains,

It means that although theWitchknewtheDeepMagic,there is magic deeper stillwhich she did not know.Her knowledge only goesback to the dawn of Time.If she could have looked alittle further back, into thestillness and the darknessbefore Time dawned, shewould have read there adifferent incantation. Shewouldhaveknownthatwhena willing victim who hadcommitted no treachery waskilled in a traitors stead,the Table would crack anddeath itself would startworkingbackwards.

Lewis point is both simpleandprofound.Thereisadeepermagic.SeenthroughtheeyesofHimwhoconquereddeath,lifeis not a scream, nor is it anempty, impersonal existence.It is taken up in adorationandwonder, in theworshipofthe One whose life was notonly given for us, but is nowsharedwith us, so that deathitself would start workingbackwards.

I close with these wordsfrom former Archbishop ofCanterbury, William Temple

WorshipisthesubmissionofallournaturetoGod.Itisthequickening of conscience byHis holiness, nourishment ofmind byHis truth, purifyingofimaginationbyHisbeauty,opening of the heart to Hislove, and submission of willto His purpose. All this,gathered up in adoration,is the greatest of humanexpressions of which wearecapable.

Here then, is the key to theunity of all human experienceanditsrelationships.Lifeislivedas a gift, as an act ofworship.Philosophy from Socrates toAristotle, from Aristotle toPlato,fromPlatotothepresenthassoughtfortheone,unifyingtheme of life, and has endedin confusion. Is it knowledge?Is itpleasure?Is itpower?No!it is in Temples statement, itisinthesubmissionofallofournaturetoGod.

ConsciencequickenedbyHisholinessNourishment ofmind byHistruthPurifying of imagination byHisbeautyOpeningofhearttoHisloveSubmission of will to Hispurpose

Allthisgatheredupinadorationis the greatest of humanexpression.

It is life in Jesus Christthat fuses all else together.The alternative is a seriesof disconnected events andexperiences that build nooverallpurpose.

Thereisamagicdeeperstill!

March2014TheGippslandAnglicanPage11

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At the heart of the Gospel is the assurance

that God has heard humanitys scream.

by Jan Down

Ihadsuggested aquietplaceto meet for this interview,but any chance of that wastotally blown by Lizzie andJimmy(seephoto),whoinsistedon coming with us and wereshoutingateachotherwithinaminuteofmyarrival.Orrather,Lizzie was yelling, Jimmy?JimMYYYY?!! inaneffort to*(9?%Q(..#%+.6%*487%%Q488#%1"$%hiding somewhere in Jennyscrowdedsuitcase.

He popped up eventually, andthen it was all on. None of usadultscouldgetawordin.SoweheadeduptoalocalKorumburracafe, hoping to keep the youngfriends amused while we talked.Itworkeduptoapoint...

The Rev. Brenda Burney andthe Rev. Jenny Ramage tell methey began working creativelytogether before either of themwas ordained, when they wereboth worshipping at St. MarysMorwell,about1996.

They began by using thepuppets during church services.Jenny had Jimmy, and gaveLizzietoBrenda,whodidnthaveanyone.Thencametwooldladies,ElizabethandFelicity.Thesewerecharacters theyadopted forsomeshort skits during services. Thesetting was a home Bible Studygroup so they would have atable and chairs at the front ofthechurch,withcupsandsaucerson it, and theywould be dressedvery demurely, as two elderlychurchgoingladies.

The two clowns were next.Brenda is Beans (she has alwaysbeen full of them) and Jenny isSmudge. Jenny says she was an(I')(8(9#%)(905'".'%5931.%"'%+)$':%butwhenshetriedit,shelovedit.She ismostlyasilentclown,andcanbebothsadandhappy.Beanssimplycantbequietorsad.Theyare bothwhitefaced clowns, butBeans says she is a mongrel between the Augustine and thewhitefaced, while Smudge ispart whitefaced, part trampclown. (See link below for moreabouttypesofclowns.)

TheinspirationfortheirstoriescamefromtheBiblereadingsfortheday.Whentheywereregularlyperforming, theywouldhavelatenight supper sessions together,poring over the set readings andbouncing ideas around. Thesetimes were often hilarious, butthey had a serious side too, as'*(% '13% 13096% +.6% '*(8$(9;($%having to deal with their alteregosand the things thatcameup

for them from their own hearts,as well as needing to watch outfor the temptation to step overboundaries.Outofthisworkcamethe stories that touchedhearts aswell as funny bones. Both saythatclowninghasawayofgivingpeople permission to cry aswellaslaugh,andisanotheravenueforlearningfromGod.

One day in church, Beansand Smudge claimed theywere keeping all of the TenCommandments, and decided tositonthealtarrailsoas tobeasclosetoGodaspossible.However,as Keith South, the minister,beganexplainingtherealmeaningof each commandment, and theclownsbegantocomprehendthattheywerenotquitesoperfectafter

all, they began to move furtherbackdownthechurch.Bytheendofthecommandments, theywereoutthedoor.

KeithSouthwasoneofseveralpeople Jenny and Brenda coopted into theircreativeministryatMorwell,withKeithbecomingPuddles the clown. After aclowning workshop with theyouth group one night, they allwent for awalk, and it hadbeenraining.Therewasahugepuddleand Beans jumped in it andsplashedKeith she says I justcouldnt help it. I love jumpingin puddles! Keith then took hisumbrella,dipped it in thepuddleandtippeditoutontoBeans...

I ask if they have ever doneformal training as clowns, andBrenda says that Jenny taughther: Jenny has been a gift ofGodforme.Jennyisselftaught,and it clearly comes naturally toboth.TheyalsofeeltheyvebeentaughtbyGod. Oftenwewouldknowwherewewere going, andGod would do a Uturn on us,

or a right angle. They have runclowning and puppet workshopsat different times and placesaroundGippsland.

There have been some bizarreand funny moments. Travellingbackfromaneventlateonenight,they stopped for a coffee at aservice station andwere runningacross the road incostumewhensuddenly they remembered thatthere had been a an armed holdup recently by a clown. Theyslowedtoawalk.

Aswellasclowninginchurch,Beans and Smudge have alsovisited the La Trobe RegionalHospital and nursing homes.When the Olympic torch camethrough Morwell, the clownswere there, running their ownrelay with their fake torch, aswell asperforming in the churchtent. Beans has also been seenclowning around at communityevents in Westernport, Brendaslastparish.ShehopesBeanswillbe involved in theAustraliaDaycommunityactivitiesinChurchillnextyear.

During the late 90s and early2000s, in the restructuring andprivatisation of the electricityindustry in the La Trobe Valley,therewasahugelossofjobsandconsequentlyoffamilytraditions,whichcausedalotofpain.Jennyand Brenda found there wasa great need for laughter andconnection with people. TheirMadcap Ministries at Morwellmetarealneedinthecommunity.

Brendasaystheircreativeworkis awayofhaving funwith thegospelandbeingourselves,whichiswhatGodwantsustodo.Bothnow have some opportunities touse theircreativegiftsseparatelyin their current parishes, butwouldlovetodomoretogetherinfuture.

Thats if Lizzie and Jimmywillgivethemsomeairspace...

For more information onthe history of clowning:http://tinyurl.com/md6rrdw

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