The earth belongs not to the rich
July 26, 2005
It is not from your own possessions that you are bestowing alms on the poor, you are but restoring to them what is theirs by right. For what was given to everyone for the use of all, you have taken for your exclusive use. The earth belongs not to the rich, but to everyone. Thus, far from giving lavishly, you are but paying part of your debt.
St Ambrose (340-397)
VSU
July 20, 2005
Voluntary Student Unionism
As you would be aware the government is keen to pass legislation about Voluntary Student Unionism, that will prevent Universities collecting a compulsory amenities fee from students. I imagine some of you are at uni and may feel the need to make your voice heard. So I thought I would create a space to share protest times and thoughts about this issue. Below is some of the issues taken from the Monash Postgraduate Association Inc on the issue. Find the full article here
Why saving on amenities fees is not as good as it sounds.
What do my postgraduate amenities fees currently fund?
Services and amenities vary across campuses, but can include: childcare, welfare, advice and advocacy, legal advice, social events, student representation, clubs and societies, student publications, student lounges, counselling, careers and employment, seminars and workshops, short courses, accommodation, sports and recreation and targeted support services for students in groups such as research, distance education, low-income, international, and women.
What does the MPA do with their share of postgraduate amenities fees?
The MPA receives approximately $36 per postgraduate, based on cross-campus figures. With this funding, the MPA provides postgraduate-specific services and activities across all six Victorian campuses, as well as at several off-campus locations……
What’s wrong with a user pays system?
Without a secure base income, many services would not be able to sustain operations and would close down completely. So to argue that students could pay to use the services when they wanted them, misses the point that when students needed a service (such as legal representation in a dispute, or childcare), the service may no longer be offered.
What will happen if the VSU legislation is passed?
Many of the services and activities offered by the MPA to postgraduates would be jeopardised. The MPA would be forced to charge individual postgraduates for every service and activity in which they took part. There would be no publications, no free lunches, no advice and advocacy. Without the ability to employ staff, even the basic functions of representation and communication would rely on the availability of postgraduate volunteers. The ability of postgraduates to influence and direct university policies and regulations, to lobby for improved conditions and to participate in the university decision making processes would be greatly diminished.
Want to respond?
Email your concerns
to: Dr Brendan Nelson, Minister for Education, Science and Training, via this online email site:http://www.dest.gov.au/ministers/nelson/contact.htm
Attend a local action at your uni.
Kids with Cameras
July 20, 2005
Have a read of the mission statement of ‘Kids with Cameras’ followed by part of an article about the documentary ‘Born into Brothels’. Creative actions that empower and give voice to those marginalised….. gotta love that.
‘Kids with Cameras is a non-profit organization that teaches the art of photography to marginalized children in communities around the world. We use photography to capture the imaginations of children, to empower them, building confidence, self-esteem and hope. We share their vision and voices with the world through exhibitions, books, websites and film. We are committed to furthering their general education beyond photography either by linking with local organizations to provide scholarships or by developing our own schools with a focus on leadership and the arts."
Born into Brothels (by Jessie Doerrer, sojourners)
"Born into Brothels was one of the major surprises of the Oscar awards this year, winning the Academy Award for best documentary. It’s a story about children who live in Calcutta’s red-light district, whom photojournalist Zana Briski got to know when she set out to document the lives of more than 7,000 prostitutes there.
None of the children could stay away from her. They were fascinated by why she’d come there, and by how she used the camera that was always fixed around her neck. So Briski decided to begin teaching photography to eight children, most between the ages of 10 and 15. She had no idea how much this small offering of her talents would impact them and infuse them with hope. After two years - she started in 1998 - Briski realised she had the makings of a film."
Read the full review: http://go.sojo.net/ct/FpSXwEs1emeo/
Visit the Kids with Cameras site. http://www.kids-with-cameras.org/home/
Young Writer Award
July 19, 2005
Margaret and Brendan Dooley have longstanding connections to the Jesuits and Xavier College. Margaret always appreciated the value of communication and education for young people, based on spiritual and personal values. She graduated from Sacre Coeur College in 1950, commenced nursing at St Vincent’s Hospital and, with Brendan, raised four children. Margaret died in 2004. The Dooley family are pleased to support this initiative.
The annual award of $2000 is open to any writer, previously published or unpublished, under the age of 40. Entrants must submit two previously unpublished articles that offer: ethical reflection directed to a non-specialist audience on any serious topic, appeal to humane values, such as those that are found within, but are not exclusive to, the best of the Christian tradition, clear argument and elegant expression, and a generosity and courtesy of spirit animating forceful argument.
One article should be of no more than 800 words. The second should be of no more than 2000 words. They may take up the same, or different, topics.
Entries are to be submitted by 5pm Friday, 29 July 2005,
Murder of Christian Minister in Philippines
July 17, 2005
On 12 May Rev Edison Lapuz, aged 39, was gunned down by two armed men in Sitio Motor, Barangay Crossing, San Isidro at the home of his father-in-law at about 6:30 pm after attending burial rites for his father-in-law. Rev Lapuz was a minister in the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), which is the partner church of the Uniting Church.
Rev Lapuz was a founding member of the Promotion of Church People’s Response - Eastern Visayas. He also served as chairperson of Karapatan, a human rights alliance. He had issued statements against human rights violations committed by the Filipino military.
Rev Lapuz was shot in the head and stomach and died instantly from the head wound. He leaves behind a wife, Emma, and two children, Edam Marmonay (aged 12 years) and Demy Freedom (aged 6 years).
Also murdered was Alfredo Malinao, a former councilor and president of the peasant group Kahugpungan sa Mga Mag-uruma sa San Isidro, who was shot in the chest by the gunmen.
The murderers escaped on motorcycles with two accomplices.
On 17 May the Ecumenical Bishops Forum in the Philippines issued a statement condemning the murders of Rev Lapuz, Fr William Tadena, Joel Baclao (UCCP church worker) and Juancho Sanchez (UCCP youth leader).
Pastors and faculty from the Divinity School of Silliman University in Negros Oriental where Rev Lapuz had trained to become a minister issued a statement that "Rev Lapuz defended the rights of the exploited and dispossessed with steadfast conviction because he understood this to be his calling as a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. His death confirms the rising repression that has been unleashed to silence defenders of justice for the exploited and weak."
In October 2004, men in military uniforms had gone to the house of Rev Lapuz’s father-in-law and had asked about the work of Rev Lapuz, where he lived, where his office was and for a recent picture of Rev Lapuz.
Five soldiers went to the wake of Rev Lapuz on 14 May and the sister of Rev Lapuz identified that one of those attending had been one of the soldiers that had visited the house of Rev Lapuz’s father-in-law in October 2004.
On 19 May churches in the Philippines held a rally in Manila to protest against the murders of Rev Lapuz, Fr William Tadena, Joel Baclao and other human rights activists who have lived out the social justice mission of the churches.
In the last two months six members of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines have been murdered or have had attempts made on their lives for their work for social justice in the Philippines.
The situation in Eastern Visayas has significantly deteriorated since Major General Jovito Palparan took command of the 8th Infantry Division in the area. The Major General has a history of human rights abuses increasing in areas where he is in command. There had been a significant escalation in human rights violations in Mindoro during the period in which he was commanding officer of the 204 th Brigade. The General Secretary of the UCCP has asked for the removal of Major General Jovito Palparan.
What you can do
Write polite and respectful letters to (a letter to the Philippines will cost $1.10 using a stamp with the words ‘International Post’ on it):
Ms Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
J.P. Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila, NCR 1005
PHILIPPINES
Fax: +61-2929 3968
Salutation: Dear President
Silence
July 16, 2005
We have a lot of noise in our world. Next time you drive your car or catch public transport turn off the radio - unplug your ipod. Travel in silence. Don’t talk, listen and reflect on what you hear. Even if you car pool see if everyone will do it with you for the trip then chat about it on the way back. A quest for this week is to try out all sorts of places or times to practice silence and deepen your spirituality. You may like to reflect on these words from Henri Nouwen’s book ‘The way of the Heart‘
Chuang Tzu a Taoist philosopher said, "The purpose of a fish trap is to catch fish and when the fish are caught, the trap is forgotten. The purpose of a rabbit snare is to catch rabbits. When the rabbits are caught, the snare is forgotten. The purpose of the word is to convey ideas. When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten. Where can I find a man who has forgotten words? He is the one I would like to talk to."
That could have been said by one of the Desert Fathers. For them, the word is the instrument of the present world and silence is the mystery of the future world. If a word is to bear fruit it must be spoken from the future world into the present world…
First, silence make us pilgrims.
Secondly, silence guards the fire within
Thirdly, silence teaches us to speak.
Partners4Peace - Zack (July 19&20)
July 16, 2005
Hear Zack Speak about Palestinian People’s Vision & Dreams
"No wall will block our visions and dreams - nor will it weaken our everlasting will to build our country - nor will it make us depart our land and abandon our home. It will only feed our hunger to exist, and strengthen our unity as a people."
"I always hope for peace and justice in the Middle East, and I believe that I can make a difference in my country. I want to help provide economic opportunities for unemployed young graduates in Palestine to prevent emigration."
You can meet Zack at the Partners4Peace celebration dinner on 19th July or for supper at Nth Essendon Uc on 20th July and hear his thought s on the struggle for peace in Palestine. See the link below for more details about the dinner and contact Kaylea on 03 9650 6811 to reserve seats. Download info as PDF
Book List
July 16, 2005
A few people have been asking for some books to read in the Radical Discipleship stream that I recommend. All the books I include below are dangerous to those with comfortable theology and faith. Each one has challenged and inspired my spirituality. I will list them with a brief guide to how hard they are to read and what they are on about. (The more star the harder to read) So….
Andrews, Dave. Not Religion but Love. (2001. Lion)
* Dave’s books are easy to read while being challenging in subject and application. This is the book you should read if you intend on going to the ‘With Christ and the Community’ course in July or December. In fact any of the exposures or work parties we link to. There are six small group bible studies included in this book that are great for looking at what to do locally. This book is a combination of ‘Can you hear the heart beat’ and ‘Christ-anarchy’ both great books.
Andrews, Dave. Building a Better World, (1996. Albatross)
This is a good social work styled book that gives you strategies for transforming the world, community and agencies you live in. It is jam packed with things to talk about.
Gill, Athol, Life on the Road, (1992. Herald Press)
** A great Australian book on following Jesus on the margins. Athol’s books and theology strongly shaped the radical discipleship movement in Australia. Try to buy the copy with the discussion questions after each chapter. Then buy ‘Fridges of Freedom’ and basically anything by Athol is worth a read.
Gutierrez, Gustavo, A Theology of Liberation, (1988. Orbis)
*** This book will give you are good understanding of Liberation theology. It is theological text that challenges us to see the links of social and personal liberation.
Lorenzen, Thorwald, Resurrection, Discipleship and Justice (2003. Smyth & Helwys)
** This is a smaller version of his Resurrection and Discipleship. Which I recommend buying if you like this one or if your studying theology. Thorwald explores the resurrection of Jesus and critiques different perspectives on the resurrection. He discusses the interrelation of the resurrection and social, political and ethical issues of our day. Some of you will remember Thorwald from our School of Discipleship 2004 in Canberra. By the way keep June11-13 2005 free for this years S.o.D.
Moltmen Jurgen, Jesus Christ for Today’s World, (1999. SCM press)
*** This is the most accessible book for those wanting to start reading this theologian. As the title suggests it is about Jesus and a theology that understands torture and lost inside the Christian worldview. The next of his should be The Crucified God, it is a more involved and a book that has transformed many peoples theology.
Myers, Ched. Binding the Strongman, (1995. Orbis)
**** Strongman is a social-political commentary on the Gospel of Mark. This is the best commentary I own. It is a heavy book with long introductions to the social-historical scene in the New Testament.
Nouwen, Henri J.M. The Way of the Heart, (1999. Darton, Longman & Todd)
* This is not a radical discipleship text as such but a devotional book. It looks at the Egyptian desert fathers and their practices of solitude, silence and prayer. I like the challenge of being a person with spiritual practice that effect us so deeply that it shows in the world.
Wink, Walter. Engaging the Powers, (1992. Fortress)
*** This book looks at the spiritual, social, political and economic power in our world. Walter discusses a theology of creative non-violence. Walter has a smaller book called Jesus and Nonviolence - A Third Way. It is much easier to read and comes with group questions. Fortress Press 2003
The majority of these books discuss theology at degree level. So for those who would like an introduction to theology book then I recommend Gorden S Dicker’s ‘Faith with Understanding (1996. JBCE)’*. It is not Radical Discipleship text just good starting point for understanding some of the key issues involved in theology. If you have read these or desire a larger list then check out John Hirt’s list http://ucatsa.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=16
Praxis
July 16, 2005
For those wondering what is this word and why use it…
check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praxis
I was thrilled and educated to learn that it was the name of a moon off the planet Qo’noS in Star Trek. Now I just need a way to take this learning beyond itself and into a lived experience.
Praxis is the process by which a theory or lesson becomes part of lived experience. Rather than a lesson being simply absorbed at the intellectual level in a classroom, ideas are tested and experienced in the real world, followed by an opportunity for reflective contemplation. In this way, abstract concepts are connected with lived reality.
Can you think of a time when something you understood about your spirituality became a deeper knowledge through action?
Worship Ideas
July 15, 2005
Ideas for worship, alt worship or worship outside the Church.
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