The South Pacific Division (SPD) has once again taken part in National Reconciliation Week (May 30–June 3) with a line-up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers for staff worships, training and presentations on how different departments are partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministries (ATSIM) at the Australian Union Conference.
Organised by the SPD Ministerial Association, morning devotionals were taken by Pastor Darren Garlett (ATSIM director), Pastor John Beck (ATSIM senior remote area pastor), Doreen Murphy (Bible worker at Brewarrina) and Connie Toga (ministry coordinator at Mamarapha College).
“The SPD has such an influence in its regions abroad but also right here in Australia,” said Pastor Garlett. “It’s great to see them leading the way to having better cultural understanding of First Nations people. We have been sharing our culture since the first day of school and will continue to as long as people are willing to learn. Through this learning comes understanding, empathy and unity. Australia needs healing and through these opportunities of cultural exchange the Church will be strengthened.”
A display table with learning and sharing resources was set up in the worship room during the week, including free ATSIM Acknowledgement of Country bookmarks.
Ms Murphy was touched to be able to share some of her personal story tied in to devotional thoughts during the Tuesday session (May 31). “Doors are opening for people to be educated on how hard our lives are,” she said. “And God is touching hearts to be a part of our healing. We have longed so much for this. We need loving hearts to help First Nations people see that the only solution to our pain is Jesus Christ.”
“The week of worships was a real blessing to me personally,” shared SPD People Services manager David Potter. “It was encouraging and inspiring to hear and see a little of the work of ATSIM for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.
“The Church is blessed to have such talented and dedicated people working to spread the gospel to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The challenge they gave during the week was how can I/we be involved in the work of ATSIM? What can I/we do to support that work?”
During the week there was also a lunch and training program offered on Zoom, led by Pastors Garlett and Beck, entitled “A Fast Guide to Aboriginal Culture”. The session, attended by about 100 leaders from across the SPD, provided some great insights into Aboriginal culture and tips for engaging with and understanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples better. The session was conversational, and there were a lot of comments and questions in the chat line which Pastors Garlett and Beck answered for the final 15 minutes of the session.
The session covered topics like the meaning of country and acknowledgement to country, understanding the right terminology to use when referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, identifying an Aboriginal person and what Aboriginal identity means, as well as sharing how to find out more about Aboriginal culture and history.
Other church organisations, schools and conferences reached out for the recording to share with staff and students.
After the morning worships, a short time was devoted to sharing how church leaders are working with ATSIM: SPD’s Dr Darius Jankiewicz is teaching a theology segment at Mamarapha College (WA), Pastor Greg Pratt reported on a cultural training rollout to South Queensland Conference teachers and pastors, Pastor Brendan Pratt provided an update on the AUC’s Reconciliation Action Plan, launched in May, and ADRA’s Brad Watson (ADRA) reported on the book he edited about Mona Mona, an Adventist Aboriginal mission.
Speaking about the AUC’s Reconciliation Action Plan, Pastor Brendan Pratt said, “It’s not something we can leave to a department of the Church, but all of us have to take responsibility for reconciliation. In our ministry areas, [it means] going about that in a way that honours Christ by reconciling to each other.”
