This is the first reduction in the size of the Regulations since the 1977 edition.

Which 20%? I don’t want to spoil the book for you so you will have to read it for yourself. An interesting part of the discussion was what to keep and what could we do without. One of the selection criteria was “if the regulation covers something that we would do even if it did not exist then it should be taken out”. Two broad categories of experience were covered here. There were a number of regulations that told us to do what the law of the land required; and then there were others that were telling us to do things that should be so embedded in our character and way of being that we should not have to write it down. Of course those criteria begged the question of whether the members of our church actually know the context in which they exercise their discipleship as a church, and whether there are areas of our life where we can be confident that we all share the same convictions and values.

All this has me wondering about our congregations and whether they are truly incarnational. Do the members of your congregation have a knowledge of the expectations and mores of the context in which they seek to bear witness to the gospel? I am not suggesting that we should mimic our society but in a multicultural, multi faith society made up of many sub groups we need a sensitivity to context which helps us know what is appropriate behaviour. It is not possible to legislate for that sensitivity – it has to be appropriated and drawn upon in shaping our actions.

We hear it to the point, at times, of becoming boring that the Uniting Church is a diverse church. While that phrase is true it is often used to imply that there are no core values to us as a community of faith. We legislate for values when we are not sure they will be known and owned. I am aware of a number of areas where Ministers and other members of the Uniting Church are not applying / living out what I consider to be among the core values of the Uniting Church. There are too many places where the leadership of women is not encouraged and even rejected; where people abandon the ecumenical commitments of the church by making up their own “contemporary” versions of baptismal blessings and Communion liturgies that reject historic formulations; places where relationships with people of other cultures are seen as a threat rather than a gift and calling from God; members who think that justice issues are for those of left leaning political persuasions; etc. Did we put regulations in the new edition to cover these things?

The answer to fostering gospel living is not to make laws about it. I think Jesus and Paul had a lot to say about that! Rather it is to enter into the heart of the community’s story - the Christ event - through Scripture, the sacraments and the spiritual disciplines. And then to keep reminding each other of the kind of community that we are called and graced by God to be. As much as I think the Regulations are important they cannot do these things.

Terence Corkin

PS: The new Regulations will be available by early April and will come into effect on June 1st 2012.

In particular the competition is calling for pieces that relate to the seasons of the church year – Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, etc.

People who produce the winning entries will have the opportunity to have their work publicised across the church through our networks. If they are interested there will also be the opportunity to make them available for sale on the Assembly’s music website to be launched in March 2012.

More information will be posted on the Assembly website as it becomes available.

The new Regulations come into effect on June 1st 2012 and represent the first decrease in size since 1977.

Significant changes include Parts 5 and 6 being removed.

The updated Regulations will be made available both online on the Assembly website, on disc and in print.

For any enquiries regarding the new Regulations, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For nearly two months, Flynn travelled the north and upon his return, his reports were presented to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Australia on 26 September, 1912. The Church responded to his description of the needs of the “settlers” by establishing the Australian Inland Mission (AIM) and appointing Flynn as its Superintendent.
Flynn’s vision was to create a "mantle of safety" so people could build sustainable communities despite the hardships of outback life.

Following church union in 1977, the outback work of the AIM, the Methodist Inland Mission and the Congregation Union came together using the name Flynn himself had used – “Frontier Services”.
100 years later, the commitment made by our predecessors is just as important to the people of remote Australia.

Frontier Services, as an agency of the Assembly, is there today serving rural and remote Australia through the provision of ministry and community services, striving to break down the disadvantage created by distance and isolation.
In this centenary year, we celebrate the vision of our pioneers, as well as the enormous hope, spirit and resilience of the people living at the heart of rural and remote Australia.
We want this year to be the year all Australians recognise their shared humanity, regardless of geographical location. As a nation, we must have the courage and innovation needed to ensure equity extends beyond the urban boundaries to those who live in rural and remote Australia. Centenary celebrations will take place across Australia with two thousand people expected to attend the major event in Melbourne on 26 September 2012. All are welcome to attend this historic occasion!

Frontier Services will be organising a number of Centenary events, and encourages all members of the Uniting Church to participate. This is not just our year – it is also your year – your opportunity to celebrate the changing face of remote Australia.

We invite you to join in the celebrations by hosting your own Centenary event. Whether you host a Centenary Great Outback BBQ, a Frontier Services Sunday, an historical display or activity in your community - or any other celebration that you can think of – there are endless ways in which you can get involved!

To find out more or get involved contact Kate Higginbotham, Centenary Events Coordinator on 02 8270 1361 or send  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for more information.
You can also log on to the Centenary section of the Frontier Services website (www.frontierservices.org/centenary) to keep up-to-date with the latest news and announcements, events and resources.

It is our hope that all across Australia people will grasp the opportunity to honour this amazing story of continued commitment and to sign on to the vision of a bright future for remote Australia.

Former operators Aboriginal Hostels Ltd (AHL) approached Frontier Services last year to assume responsibility for the Home.
The decision to transfer ownership was made to allow AHL to concentrate on its core business of providing housing for Indigenous people who must live away from home to access study or medical care.
Regional Manager NT Sharon Davis said Frontier Services was committed to providing people-centred, culturally sensitive care for those living at Hetti Perkins Home.
Under the new arrangement, Frontier Services will maintain important cultural elements which are integrated into the care of the clients.
The Home has a camp fire where residents can sit and listen to their favourite music.
Traditional bush medicine is an important feature in the care of the residents, many of whom request visits from the Nunkari (bush medicine man) who prescribes traditional medicine for ailments like aching legs and joints.
The name of the service remains unchanged in recognition of the outstanding contribution of artist Hetti Perkins and her standing in the community.
Frontier Services is the largest provider of aged and community care in remote Australia, managing 12 residential aged care services across the Northern Territory and Western Australia and providing a wide range of respite and in-home care services.

Judy is one of 22 Frontier Services Patrol Ministers, based in some of the most remote locations across the country. Covering large geographical areas, the patrol ministers are constantly on the road or in the air, visiting people on isolated properties, Aboriginal communities, mine sites and road gangs. Much of their time is taken up simply listening to people who face the daily challenges of isolation. Often they become passionate advocates for their communities, working hard to find, or in some cases deliver, the services and support people need.
After almost a decade of caring for people in the Pilbara, Judy has made an extraordinary contribution in her work with Frontier Services. The Pilbara Patrol covers an area which is only slightly smaller than the state of Victoria. Unrelenting heat, violent cyclones and extreme remoteness are part and parcel of everyday life. Judy has worked alongside the community, overcoming the challenges and isolation and displaying unwavering commitment to those she serves.
Her dedication and resilience typify the spirit of Frontier Services working alongside communities to provide support to people, when and where they need it.
Judy has literally clocked up hundreds of thousands of kilometres across the rugged desert country of the Pilbara. Based out of Tom Price, 1500km north of Perth, her impact has been wide and varied, from working as a chaplain at fly-in, fly out camps, getting involved with the local neighbourhood centre, and performing a blessing for one of the area’s major roads.
She attended camps for the School of the Air and was Treasurer of the Pilbara Branch of the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association for five years.
One of the most rewarding and yet difficult parts of her job has been supporting families through the harder times, particularly as natural disasters have battered the region.
For many families struck by cyclone and flood, Judy was one of the first to come and visit.
Cindy Parsons, who lives on a remote cattle station two hours from Tom Price, described Judy as “a fantastic support to us all”.
“Nothing is too much trouble for Judy. It is a great comfort to know we have someone we can talk to whenever we need to,” Cindy said.
Looking back, Judy is enormously grateful for her time in the Pilbara. “It has been one of those amazing opportunities that came my way,” she said. “It is a huge privilege to be welcomed into people’s homes and lives to share some of their journey.”

But speaking shortly after Fair Work Australia handed down its equal remuneration decision, Ms Hatfield Dodds said there’s work to be done yet.

“The Federal Government has shown real leadership on this issue by agreeing to fund its share of the agreement,” Ms Hatfield Dodds said.

“We need a similar commitment from the States and Territories.

“Funding this important claim must not come at the expense of vital social services.

“The reality is that if there is no commitment from relevant parties to fund the agreement, agencies will have no choice but to cut services and rationalise staff.

“People who work in community services are highly valued by the people they care for, by families, communities and by their employers.

“We have been working with the Federal Government’s Working Group to ensure the pay rise can be delivered without cutting vital social services.

“We will continue to work with all stakeholders on this issue to ensure those increases are adequately and equitably funded so vulnerable and disadvantaged Australians get access to the services they need,” Ms Hatfield Dodds said.