JourneyOnline
AT first thought, penguins and presbytery ministers do not appear to have much in common.
But, the story of one penguin – anxious to encourage change within his colony – was one of the key themes of the National Presbytery Ministers’ Conference held at Beauty Point, in Tasmania’s north, in February.
The story of the penguin related to the seemingly intractable obstacles which can be thrown up by those resistant to change and the positive way such roadblocks can be overcome to give change a chance.
In the case of the penguin it was the fact the iceberg which had been the colony’s home for decades was slowly melting but no one seemed to want to listen to his desire to find a new home.
Uniting Church President Rev Alistair Macrae said the church was in a time of fundamental transition but that fi tted in with the Basis of Union which stressed that the church was “open to constant renewal and reform” under God’s word.
Mr Macrae said the church punched well above its weight in terms of its advocacy on behalf of a broad range of people particularly Australia’s first people, asylum seekers and those struggling with gambling addiction.
About 40 presbytery ministers from around Australia attended the five-day event organised by the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.
One of the organisers, Scott Guyatt, said the event had been a perfect opportunity for ministers to share stories, encourage and learn from each other.
Photo : Enjoying the Tasmanian sunshine are (from left) Rev Gwen Fisher (South Moreton, Presbytery Minister), Rev Jen Pretty (Western Victoria, Vic-Tas) and Rev Brian Gilbert (Central Queensland Presbytery Minister). Photo by Nigel Tapp
