Radical Church

Greetings. The uni year is nearly on us, and there are various events being planed. The calendar below will give you some details.
Two fixed events will be:
- Bible Study, Genesis 11, Mondays, 1.05-1.155pm, apt as it is Charles Darwin’s bicentenary – beginning 2 March. in Union House Chaplains Rooms; and
- Wednesday Midday Prayer, 1.15-1.45pm, in Conference Room, Old Physics.
If you want to give some thought to the year, you are invited to meet at the Chaplaincy Meeting Room, Level 1/138 Cardigan St, Carlton, 2-3.30pm, 27th Feb.
On Tuesday 24th Feb (O-day for services) we will be offering pancakes in Deakin court.
On Wednesday 25th Feb, 10am (Ash Wednesday) , will be a service of ‘Ashing’, Gryphon Gallery (Grattan St near the Swanston St corner).

Also:
Bush Fire Response led by Chaplains
Opportunity to offer prayer in a time of quiet spiritual meditation and simple ritual will be offered at 11am-1pm on next Thursday, 19th February in the Chaplaincy Meeting Room, level 1/138 Cardigan St, Carlton. Opportunities to offer prayers and practical support will also be found in the various services of worship in local communities. Details are on the chaplaincy website:
 wesleyc at unimelb.edu.au;
At ‘Chaplaincy’: level 1/138 Cardigan St, Carlton,
Tel: 0431 847 278; 8344 6034
e-mail:  wesleyc at unimelb.edu.au
WEBPAGE: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/chaplaincy/
BLOG: http://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/radicalchurc…

WORSHIP & PRAYER
Prayer is the heart of Christian faith and life. A number of opportunities:.
• mid-week midday prayer service: beginning 4th March: Wednesdays 1.15-1.45pm, Old Physics Conference Centre, led by Wes Campbell
• meeting for informal prayer for the university: an opportunity to meet and pray with other Christian on campus.
• Occasional Ecumenical services, Gryphon Gallery
• Exploring a regular Eucharist and meal.
• NOTE: University Colleges and local congregations meet on Sundays for worship: see chaplaincy webpage and ‘Radical Church’ blog.
• Shared Prayer will be offered on campus for all affected by the bushfires.

PREPARATION FOR EASTER
• Ash Wednesday Service: 10am, 25th February, Gryphon Gallery
• Forty days of prayer and fasting: students planning to meet weekly for prayer and fasting before Easter (in the season of Lent)

FAITH & LEARNING
Last year the group read and discussed the Gospels from Mark and Matthew, drawing on contemporary scholarship, exploring the ‘call to discipleship’. We take up verses that are at the centre of the controversy between faith and science, or ‘creation’ and ‘evolution’.
• BIBLE STUDY: Genesis 1-11 (Mondays 1.05 – 1.55pm, Chaplains Rooms, Union House – 3rd floor, above the Noodle Shop; beginning 2 March)
• THE BIBLE AND WESTERN CULTURE: A Thursday forum – to be arranged. The Bible has been a major contributor to Western society – in ways of thinking, in imagination, poetry and visual art. We will offer a forum that begins to open up that relationship.

FAITH & SCIENCE:
We continue a conversation on the issues raised by Richard Dawkins. This discussion continues to explore the challenges of science and faith.
• GOD, SCIENCE, EVOLUTION, DESIGN: A Thursday Forum followed by a study group: Revd Dr Stephen Ames and others. In the year of Charles Darwin’s bicentenary, a continuing response to an atheist critique of Christian faith by Richard Dawkins’ and others.

FINDING JESUS NOW
For those who want to explore the search for the ‘historical Jesus’.
• A Thursday forum with a New Testament scholar, followed by a study group meeting to explore how modern scholars have searched for the ‘historical Jesus’ in the past couple of centuries, and implications for ‘following Jesus’ now. Including an exploration of the church’s confession of Jesus and the ‘politics of Jesus’.

JUSTICE & PEACE
Special themes on ‘making indigenous poverty history’; and seeking ‘immersion opportunities’ – that is, contact with people challenged by disadvantage – offered by local church communities.
• Palm Sunday Peace Service: Sunday 5 April: this takes seriously the way in which Jesus’ non-violent entry into Jerusalem calls his followers into a way of non-violence. (acknowledged in Wednesday Prayers)
• Support of ‘Peace Convergence’ at Shoalwater Bay, opposing 2009 ‘Talisman Sabre’ joint Australian/US military exercises : July 6-26th July.
• Hiroshima Day Vigil: 6th August, Concrete Lawn’ (east of Union House) (associated with a forum on issues of nuclear proliferation & disarmament.)
• A Thursday: forum exploring issues relating to disarmament – World Disarmament Week: 25th -31st October, 2009:)
• Offering prayers on Wednesday for refugees and migrants – Refugee & Migrant Sunday: 30th Aug 2008
• A Thursday Forum during Anti-Poverty Week (11-17th October) – in cooperation with the Uniting Church synod justice unit.

FAITH AND VISUAL ART
Faith is enriched by the visual arts. It is important for Christians to be visually literate.
The Potter Gallery exhibits serious and challenging works of art. A conversation about a specific exhibition, with the artist or curator and In association with the Centre for Theology and Ministry.
Films provide explorations of major themes of Christian faith. From time to time we will meet and discuss a film on general release.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES:
MULTI FAITH CONVERSATION
Taking the opportunity to meet people of differing belief and practice, and to explore this diversity together. Beginning with 16th March, ‘interfaith conversation – speed Dialogue’ – in North Court, 12noon.

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN FAITH? A BASIC INTRODUCTION
An study opportunity to meet on a regular basis, using a recent introduction to Christian faith.

SCHOOL OF DISCIPLESHIP, CANBERRA (JULY – MID YEAR BREAK)
A national school which takes learning of the faith seriously, and includes fun and celebration with students from other unis.

STUDENT CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT
See below. Orientation camp in March; regular gatherings for discussion and meals with students from other campuses and from around the world.

SCM in Victoria
Orientation camp
27-29 March at Moora Moora Lodge (in the
bush near Healesville, VIC).
A relaxed weekend away, exploring the theme
of A Christian Response to Climate Change.
1st semester 2009
Evening gatherings
Students and SCM Friends will gather once a
month during semester at the Wesley Uniting
Church “old schoolhouse” (Lonsdale St,
Melbourne). Each evening will include opening
prayers, input and discussion on a key issue,
and a shared meal. 6:00-8:30pm.
Monday 16 March
Climate change: Understanding and
responding in faith
Monday 20 April
The economic crisis: Understanding and
responding in faith
Monday 18 May
Common threads and solutions
For more information
Contact Claudine Chionh on 0418 592 269 or
 claudinec at gmail.com