Phill recounts his experiences at RMU Conference, August 2013

Arriving in Mulgoa, the first thing we did was to talk about going into city for a Service of Lament led by Moderator. This was a chance to stand as one - Rural and City against the way our country’s leaders had lost sight of human need.

It was a great service and I, like many, felt a pride standing on the steps of Pitt Street Uniting at the end of the service holding a candle as the Moderator addressed the press. Many ministers donned their white collars and black shirts. Many of us wore our name tags, yellow ear tags with our name and UCA Rural Ministry on them, indicting we were from the country areas.

 Workshops: To catch up the time away at the service, we gave up our free time so all the things planned could still happen. We had a number of visitors speak from UME and Uniting Care plus Simon Hansford, Bronwyn Murphy and Karen Burchell- Thomas.

 I liked the fact that most of the time they had us split into table groups to work on building stronger relationships.  One of the sessions was to help us ask” intentional questions”, others were to look at “What now for RMU?”

We had interesting insights from the Peter Worland, Interim Executive Director, opening up some questions of how we use what we have to take the church forward.

Three of the Community Development workers from around the state shared stories from their area.-Chris is based in Parramatta-Nepean Presbytery, Corrina from Dubbo and Neil from Riverina. Their projects were very well received by all present and very encouraging to hear.

Sunday: The RMU AGM.

 Simon as outgoing Chair gave a very passionate report on changes and where the RMU fits in the life of the Synod. The Committee was reshaped as it usually is at the AGM when official positions are voted on.  The conference closed with a Communion service led by Darren Wright.

What did I get out of this time?

 This was my first RMU Conference so was I not sure what it would be like but I found it a worthwhile experience. The theme “Mission Possible” was a challenge to us all that “we can do it.”  The skill based talks honed “what we have” into “what we need.”  I found the groups looked at the core of ‘Community of God building, ’asking and listening to, questions of passion; sharing “yours” without drowning  “theirs.”

The UME and UnitingCare people added to the combined rural wisdom in the room.  I built some good relationships with many new people and added to those already started with others I know, but do not see very often.

Thank you for assisting me in attending this conference.

I found as Rural Chaplain it was helpful in connecting with folk from around the state in a good way and the conversations opened up many opportunities and relationship. The speakers gave us a positive view of the Church but also challenged us to look at new exciting ways to be the 21^st Century church.

I found the RMU Conference an uplifting and informative time and a time of team building with fellow NENW people, as well as those from other presbyteries across the Synod 


                                               Rev Phill Matthews, Rural Chaplain