Week of Prayer for Reconciliation

27 May to 3 June, 2012

Resources for People Who Pray

THE ARCHBISHOP OF MELBOURNE WRITES:

National Reconciliation Week 2012 is a time to reflect on the Indigenous heritage of our nation and the contribution we can make to a proper honouring of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous.

I commend to you the Prayer Resources developed for the Diocese of Melbourne and encourage you to make use of them in parishes and for personal prayer.

The Most Reverend Dr Philip Freier,Archbishop of Melbourne

For many years, the Anglican Church of Australia has set aside a period of time to focus upon issues which are now called ‘reconciliation’. Each year, the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation starts on May 27th, the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, and finishes on June 3rd, sometimes known as ‘Mabo Day’, the anniversary of the High Court’s 1992 Mabo judgment which was a major landmark in the recognition of Indigenous land rights in Australia.

These materials have been prepared to assist people as they meet with God in prayer. Each day has a different focus.

These resources are often brief and omit significant information or important people; sometimes this reflects things such as restraints of space, or the fact that some people have not been consulted. Users of these materials are invited to make their own additions.

People are encouraged to look for Aboriginal stories in their own area. Often the local library is a good place to start.

More resources may be found by checking the entry for Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in the index at the rear of your prayer book.

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Sunday 27 May: Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum

Alternative Sunday readings as proposed in 1910: 1 John 4: 7-21.Luke 16: 19 – 31.

As a result of this referendum, the Commonwealth Parliament is able to make laws which are directed towards Indigenous Australians in the various States. The referendum also resulted in Indigenous Australians being included in each national census.

Pastor Sir Douglas and Lady Gladys Nicholls

Give thanks for the Indigenous People of Australia

Thanks for the Indigenous pioneers:

William Barak; Nathaniel Pepper; David Unaipon; William Cooper;Pastor Sir Douglas and Lady Gladys Nichols; Mavis Tucker, Neville Bonner.

Pioneering Indigenous Anglican clergy and partners:

the Rev’d Joseph Liu & the Rev’d Poey Passi. [1st Torres Strait Islander Priests, 1921]the Rev’d James Noble, pioneer missionary, Qld, NT & WA. [1st Aboriginal Deacon, 1926]the Rev’d Patrick Brisbane, Qld. [1st Aboriginal Priest, 1970, died 1974]the Rev’d Canon Michael Gumbuli Wurramara, AM, NT. [2nd Aboriginal Priest, 1973]Bishop Arthur Malcolm, Qld. [First Aboriginal Bishop, 1995]Bishop Ted Mosby, Qld. [First Torres Strait Islander Bishop, 1997]

Thanks for the ways that Indigenous people cared for the landscape, its plants and animals, as well as inland waters and oceans.

Thanks for the ………………* people who lived in our local area from time immemorial. *If you can, use the traditional name for the traditional owners of your district.

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Use the prayer, A Thanksgiving for Australia,

by the Rev’d Lenore Parker, A Prayer Book for Australia, p 218.

A Thanksgiving for AustraliaGod of holy dreaming, Great Creator Spirit,From the dawn of creation you have given your children

the good things of Mother Earth.You spoke and the gum tree grew.

In vast deserts and dense forest, and in cities at the water’s edge,creation sings your praise.

Your presence endures as the rock at the heart of our Land.

When Jesus hung on the treeyou heard the cries of your peopleand became one with your wounded ones:the convicts, the hunted, and the dispossessed.

The sunrise of your Son coloured the earth anew.and bathed it in glorious hope.

In Jesus we have been reconciled to you,To each other and to your whole creation.

Lead us on, Great Spirit,as we gather from the four corners of the earth;

enable us to walk together in trustfrom the hurt and shame of the past

into the full day which has dawned in Jesus Christ. Amen.

By the Rev’d Lenore Parker, A Prayer Book for Australia, p 218.

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Monday 28 May: Europeans meet Indigenous Australians

Tattambo King, described as ‘Belonging to Mr Fryer’, died in September 1865and was buried in the Murchison Cemetery, Victoria.

Recognition of inappropriate ways Europeans have treated Indigenous Australians

We acknowledge: That Europeans took control of the continent without negotiation or compensation. That Europeans managed the land in ways which made it unsuitable for traditional

Aboriginal lifestyles; this also resulted in destruction of plants, animals and habitats. Across most of the nation, including Victoria, there were bitter ‘wars’ over land.

Casualties were not restricted to ‘warriors’. ‘Massacres’ and outrageous recriminations were too common.

That Indigenous Australians have often been treated in ways that did not recognize them as made in the image of God.

The creation of ‘stolen generations’ and consequently Indigenous people who have lost their land and traditional identity.

That today, many Aborigines live in conditions that are far worse than most other Australians.

Sometimes contemporary events repeat these evils.

Recognition of inappropriate ways Indigenous Australians have treated Europeans It was not uncommon for innocent Europeans to be killed in the early turbulent times.

Recognition of the Church Workers who have worked with Indigenous Australians Since the arrival of the first Europeans, there have been church workers such as

missionaries, clergy and local men and women of good will who have worked hard for Indigenous people. At times when settlers rarely took an interest in the first Australians, a few inspired people were enduring hard conditions to support Aboriginal people.

We recognize that mistakes were made as attitudes of the day were imposed and at times Indigenous people treated inappropriately.

Confession Consider these matters, and look for words of acknowledgement and confession.

Commitment to working for justice and peace. In God’s presence, think about ways of responding.

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Tuesday 29 May: Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians

St James’ Thornbury proudly recognizes traditional Aboriginal owners.

We give thanks for those who have worked for peace and reconciliation in every generation in Australia, especially community leaders today.

Pray

For Indigenous men, women and children who experience racism. [Which means most!]

For the day when all people will live in nations where they are not judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character. [Martin Luther King, 1963]

For people who have difficulties in accepting others who are different from them.

That Indigenous people will always ‘get a fair go’ - in education- in health- in housing, and social services

with the law.

That dioceses and parish churches may contribute to reconciliation at a local level.Especially those who have established ‘reconciliation’ groups.

That all churches will be a welcoming place for all people, including Indigenous people.

For Anglican Church Organizations with a special focus on Indigenous people, includingChurch Missionary Society WEBSITE: http://www.cms.org.au/ Bush Church Aid Society WEBSITE: http://www.bushchurchaid.com.au/Anglican Board of Mission–Australia WEBSITE: http://www.abmission.org/ Mothers’ Union. Australia WEBSITE: http://www.mu.org.au/

A Thanksgiving for Australia,by the Rev’d Lenore Parker, A Prayer Book for Australia, p 218.

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Use the prayer, A Prayer for Reconciliation

by the Bishop Arthur and Mrs Colleen Arthur, A Prayer Book for Australia, p 203.[Parishes are encouraged to regularly use this prayer]

A Prayer for ReconciliationLord God, bring us together as one,

reconciled with you and reconciled with each other.You made us in your likeness,

you gave us your Son, Jesus Christ.He has given us forgiveness from sin.Lord God, bring us together as one,

different in culture, but given new life in Jesus Christ,together as your body, your Church, your people.

Lord God, bring us together as one,reconciled, healed, forgiven,sharing you with others as you have called us to do.

In Jesus Christ, let us be together as one. Amen.

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Wednesday 30 May: Anglican Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders

Give thanks to God for the work of Anglican Missions involving Aboriginal people, including European and Aboriginal missionaries.

In 1908, the Roper River Mission was founded by three people from Victoria, and three from Queensland. Photograph kindly supplied by State Library of Victoria.

Give thanks for the people who have worked to preserve Indigenous languages, and for those who have worked to translate the Bible.

Give thanks for recent developments in General Synod supporting Indigenous people and for the special allocation of places for Indigenous People in General Synod.

Pray for:Communities which have grown out of Anglican missions, these include:

Northern Territory: Ngukurr (Roper River Mission); Groote Eylandt; Gunbalanya (Oenpelli); Numbulwar (Rose River Mission)

Queensland: Torres Strait: Thursday Island; Saibi Is.; Mer.Mainland: Yarrabah; Lockhart River; Kowanyama.

South Australia: Point Pearce.Victoria: Lake Tyers, and scattered peoples from Lake Condah and Yelta.

Aboriginal Anglican Church leaders throughout Australia, Especially the Aboriginal Anglican Bishop [vacant] and the Torres Strait Islander Bishop, Bp Saibo Mabo.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council (NATSIAC)NATSIAC formally represents the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of the Church nationally. It assists in the provision of pastoral care as well as assists, encourages and resources Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ministries.Chair: The Ven Brian Kirk; Secretary: The Revd Di Langham

Anglican Aboriginal Clergy in Victoriathe Rev’d Janet Turpie-Johnstone and the Rev’d Helen Dwyer (Melbourne); the Rev’d Kathy Dalton and the Rev’d Phyllis Andy (Gippsland); the Rev’d Robyn Davis (Bendigo);

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Anglican Indigenous Clergy across Australia

Training of Clergy and lay workers: Nungalinya College. WEBSITE: http://www.nungalinya.edu.au/ Wontulp-Bi-Buya College. WEBSITE: http://www.wontulp.qld.edu.au/

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission of the National Council of Churches of Australia

WEBSITE: http://www.ncca.org.au/departments/natsiec

The provision of adequate finances, church buildings and equipment for Indigenous congregations. [It is not generally understood that hardly any Indigenous clergy have the usual arrangements for the provision of income]

Nungalinya College Darwin, foundation stone laid by Archbishop Sir Frank Woods in 1974.

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Thursday 31 May: Governments and Aboriginal Community Leaders.

The Hon. Ken Wyatt, MP, left (first indigenous Member of the House of Representatives) and the Hon. Marion Scrymgour, MP (first indigenous woman to be made a Minister of the Crown).

Pray for Members of Parliament with special responsibilities for Aboriginal matters:

The Hon. Jenny Macklin, MP, Minister for Indigenous Affairs.The Hon. Warren Snowdon, MP, Minister for Indigenous Health.The Hon, Julie Collins, MP, Minister for Indigenous Employment & Economic Development

Indigenous members of Parliament, includingThe Hon. Linda Burney, MP, NSW, Deputy Leader of the ALP. The Hon. Alison Anderson, MP, Northern Territory.The Hon. Malarndirri McCarthy, MP, Northern Territory.The Hon. Marion Scrymgour, MP, Northern Territory.The Hon. Ken Wyatt, MP. [1st Indigenous MHR]

Social Justice Commissioner: Mr Mick Gooda. WEBSITE http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice

Aboriginal academics and teachers.For schools with Indigenous students, especially those in remote areas.

Leaders of Aboriginal Community Organizations

Those responsible for planning:National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples: A new national body.Changes to Australia’s Constitution.

Other Indigenous leaders:Community leaders and leaders of key Indigenous organizations.Musicians, such as Archie Roach, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, Jessica Mauboy. Cathy Freeman; leading footballers from Douglas Nicholls (Fitzroy) onwards, Other sportsmen and women.

All people in occupations who have close contact with Indigenous people:

Police, judges, prison officers and legal officers.

Centrelink workers.

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Friday 1 June

Memorial plaque near Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance. The plaque is located close to St Kilda Road, near the tram stop.

Aborigines in VictoriaVictorian Kooris have had less success in achieving recognition of their land claims than Indigenous people in other States and Territories. New ways of recognizing claims have been developed which involve less adversarial forms of working.

Let us give thanks for those who work for justice in land claims and pray that their labours may continue to be wise and fruitful.

Pray for Koori communities across Victoria.Lake Tyers CommunityKoories can be found in every municipality in Victoria. Many live a long way from their homelands, such as people linked to Lake Condah. Places where lots of Koories live include Shepparton, Robinvale, Echuca, Gippsland, Western Victoria, Dandenong, Preston/Thornbury.

Pray for those who feel hurt by the activities of Christians.

Pray for Aboriginal Christians in Victoria

Victorian Indigenous Prayer Network Convenor: Anne Green

Aboriginal Evangelical FellowshipConvenor: Denis and Maureen Atkinson

Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, ThornburyConvenor: Ms Vicky Clark.

The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress [part of UCA] State Director: the Rev Ken Sumner, the Rev Willie Pickett (Regional Chairperson & Development Outreach Minister) and Mr Vince Ross.

Various independent fellowships and churches which meet across the State. And for those who are treated badly because of their faith.

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Pray for Parishes seeking to make contact with local Indigenous people.

The Aborigines Advancement League, now in Thornbury, has a long proud history of working for justice.

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Saturday 2 June: Indigenous Policies, Health and Education

Aboriginal elder from Ngukurr, NT, Mrs Marjorie Hall (on right) at Darwin Hospital.

We confess the inequality in our community, especially Indigenous people who are too highly represented amongst people with serious illness, unemployment, poverty and inadequate housing.

Pray

That there might be a widespread desire to change things for the better.

For those concerned with health provision:Doctors, nurses and all people who work in hospitals.Community health workers, including Aboriginal health workers and carers.Medical researchers.

That all men and women may have access to meaningful occupations.

For all Centrelink workers.

For all teachers, school administrators and educational researchers.

That the efforts of government to improve the provision of housing might be successful.

For the large army of Aboriginal women and men who try to help their families and communities.

For the least powerful people in communities, especially children and the elderly.

For Indigenous people in penal institutions, and those who care for them.

For all members of Parliament and public servants, that all policies and actions might be just and compassionate.

That the next developments in the area of the ‘Federal Intervention’ might restore dignity and justice where they have been compromised, and that widespread harmony and well-being might be the result.

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Sunday 3 June: 20th anniversary of the Mabo High Court judgment

This judgment, in 1992, recognized that the people of Mer (Murray Island) in the Torres Strait had always possessed their own land, with clearly marked internal boundaries. This established a legal basis for traditional ownership and was a clear recognition that the legal notion of ‘terra nullius’ was inappropriate.

We give thanks for the many positive outcomes of land settlements across the nation.

We pray for Indigenous people as they seek to care for their land, to make it accessible and to use it to support themselves in the twenty-first century.

We pray for Indigenous people who remain out of contact with their homeland, especially those who do not know where they came from. [This a particular problem with people who have been describes as part of the Homeless Generation]

The Future: Pray for Justice and Generous Hearts.

More and more Christians are concerned that the process of reconciliation has stalled.

Pray that the Holy Spirit may convict more and more people to open their hearts.

Pray for Anglicans as they consider the issues of Restitution.

In 2010 the Synod of the Diocese of Melbourne resolved:

Practical Restitution for Indigenous Peoples (Motion 23)

That this Synod, acknowledging the impact on Indigenous peoples of this region, the traditional owners, arising from

the loss of their land and undermining of their culture, the breakup of their society, and the damage caused by successive government policies, often well-intentioned but

in ignorance of the profound issues involved, and the church’s frequent complicity with those actions and policies,

desires to continue to engage in a process of practical restitution which,

(a) acknowledges the debt we owe to the Aborigines in terms of restitution, respect, and Gospel partnership;

(b) requests the Archbishop in Council to work with the Diocesan Indigenous Policy Steering Committee to initiate a process of listening, learning, thinking and prayer in order to discern appropriate responses which may include engagement in the national Reconciliation process and forms of restitution;

and to develop a comprehensive and practicable plan of action for the Diocese, to be brought to the 2011 Synod.      

[Emphases added]

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Thank God for the Indigenous partnerships program of the Diocese of Melbourne, especially with Nungalinya College, Darwin, and for the commitment of parishes, schools, colleges and agencies to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Please call upon God to guide the Archbishop and all who are called to advise and lead the Diocese in discerning appropriate responses to the situation in which we find ourselves, that we might have the courage to follow God’s voice.

Nigretta Falls, near Hamilton

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