This article was published as part of Wellspring's September 8th Newsletter. In no particular order, the resources Rob referred to can be accessed below:
 

• "A Christian Perspective on the Voice Debate: 4 Key Takeaways", Akos Balogh, The Gospel Coalition Australia
• "PM's offensive vanity project a bad 'vibe' for nation's future", Peter Dutton, The Weekend Australian, Apr 8-9 2023
• "The Voice: A Christian Consideration", Michael Jensen, The Gospel Coalition Australia
• "A majority of First Nations people support the voice", Rebecca Huntly, The Guardian
• "No pamphlet casts light where Yes prefers shadows", Louise Clegg, The Weekend Australian, July 22-23 2023
• "Indigenous Voice to Parliament a question of love and moral imagination", Max Jeganathan, CPX
• "Reject race-based 'poison', privilege voice will deliver", Ramesh Thakur, The Weekend Australian, July 29-30 2023
• "Voice our chance to lift Indigenous lives above lies and insults", Marcia Langton, The Weekend Australian, Aug 5-6 2023
• "Human Equality and Permanent Privilege: Concerns with the Voice Proposal", Sandy Grant, The Gospel Coalition Australia
• "Attacks on the voice an ugly attempt to wound the PM", Chris Kenny, The Weekend Australian, Aug 5-6 2023
• "An Open Letter", Tim Costello, Tearfund

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The Voice to Parliament referendum will be held on October 14th. Australians will be asked whether we approve an amendment to our Constitution, to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders by establishing a Voice to Parliament. (The federal governments website provides a useful overview of what that means). Most of us will have received paperwork, read commentary, and perhaps already formed a view that amounts to a Yes or No.

Like many contemporary issues, the bible does not comment on this Voice, therefore there cannot be a categorically Christian way to vote. But, as with every other matter the bible does not specifically address, Christians are wise to employ their reason and conscience, seeking the Spirits illumination.

As your Pastor, I want to be upfront with the Wellspring community and indicate Ill be voting Yes. You will need to research, think, and discern about these issues for yourselves. If you dont know, dont vote No: please find out more and pray.

Here are a few convictions driving my intention to vote Yes:

1. God made and owns our land Australia, including everyone in it: therefore, what is done by and to Australians matters to Him. The Uluru Statement from the Heart, from which The Voice originated, is essentially one big appeal for white Australia to listen. I believe the permanence of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in our Constitution, often cited as a negative, is a much-needed corrective for peoples who have been historically marginalised, mistreated, and sinned against.
2. Jesus gospel is as big a solution as our sin-problem. When the problem is reduced to my sin between me and God, the solution is as private: 'Jesus died so I am forgiven and go to heaven'. The effect of the solution is also small-scale: 'I can overcome my personal sins'. When the problem is broadened to 'Sin has tainted everyone and everything', the solution is likewise wide-ranging: Jesus has come to restore whats broken and resurrect whats dead, inside me and around me. The effect of this solution is personal and social. Political decisions, including about The Voice, can be part of the outworking of Jesus justice-producing gospel.
3. Christians should be the best at reconciliation. If we have experienced forgiveness and welcome from God through Christ, we can apply that to our human relationships, perhaps especially the complex ones. In what I think is a gracious way, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are inviting Australians into renewed relationship with this Voice, where listening and speaking play their parts.
4. Not perfect is our default setting until Jesus return. I dont believe flaws in The Voice model are reason enough to deny its passage. Political solutions only partially fix spiritual problems, but the fixes remain worthwhile where we are able to make them.

Ive been reading and reflecting about The Voice for some time and have compiled the above resources from a variety of viewpoints which may help as you continue considering. One timely opportunity is to attend Dr. Michael Guerzonis workshop at the upcoming Bishops Training Event.

Some of us may be alarmed by how polarised the wider debate has become, which is sure to increase in the coming weeks. Lets be praying that honour, integrity, and good listening characterise the Churchs witness especially.

If desired, I invite you to contact me to explore things further.

Your brother in Christ,

Rob Imberger

See attached report from Richard Lord at the recent synod meeting.

Our AGM is going to be held Sunday August 27 at 2pm. 

Attend in person or watch (without participating) via zoom.

Zoom link is here

Meeting ID: 893 4997 0758
Passcode: 310794

All documents you require before the day can be found here. 

1. Minutes from our 2022 AGM

2. Agenda for 2023 AGM

3. Ministry Reports

4. Governance Reports

5. Audited Financials 2022-2023

6. Budget 2023-2024

If you are unable to make the meeting and would like to register an apology please email Lara admin@wellspring.org.au. 

If you have any questions about the above reports feel free to contact the report writer direct or email Lara admin@wellspring.org.au.

Nominations for Parish Council 2023-2024 are open. They will close Sunday 20 August. 

Download this form and use it to nominate for positions of: 

Parish Councillor, Warden

Please return completed forms to the office no later than 20 August 2023.

Hard copy forms are available from church.

What are these roles?

A suitable Parish Council member represents the wider church, in particular their home congregation, and joins with the Rector in ensuring the affairs of the Parish are properly conducted. More importantly, a Parish Council member is committed to life with Jesus for themselves, as they demonstrate a passion for the vision and welfare of Wellspring.

A suitable Warden will fit the above description also, as well as having a greater degree of responsibility in the spiritual discernment and welfare of Wellspring Parish (our people and property).

The Anglican Church around the world (known as the "Anglican Communion") has had its crisis points over the centuries and come out the other side changed each time. In this season, we're experiencing some deeper differences on issues as fundamental as reading and applying the bible, and that is what makes the stakes higher.

Wellspring was recently praying for the annual Bishops' meeting held in Hobart. Two documents below show some of the fruit of that meeting. It is good for us to be aware of what our leaders are grappling with, because undershepherds of our Chief Shepherd are called to be exemplary in character (see 1 Peter 5:1-4).

Soon after the Bishops' meeting, the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) was held in Rwanda, the Australian chapter of which our Bishop Richard Condie chaired, until recently. These leaders from around the world expressed pain and an inability to keep fellowship with many in the Anglican Communion, including the Archbishop of Canterbury. Richard wrote to us all about this, and the letter is below also.

Please keep interceding for the Anglican Church in Australia and worldwide, for our life with Jesus to be close, faithful, and unified. The below is a prayer commissioned by our Synod last year:

Almighty God, by your Son Jesus Christ
you gave many excellent gifts to your apostles,
and commanded them to feed your flock.
Bless the bishops and other leaders of our Anglican Church of Australia.
So fill them with your truth, and clothe them with holiness,
that as pastors of your Church they may diligently preach your word,
setting aside all teaching that is contrary to the mind of Christ,
and urging all your people to live according to Gods Word.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.