Project update: NT Discipleship Track

Reverend Lois Nadjamerrek, reading the Bible at the opening of Synod. © Diocese of the Northern Territory.

June 2019

ABM has received a report from the Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory on the progress of the three ABM-supported projects that come under the “Northern Territory Discipleship Track” umbrella.

 

Healing Trauma in Arnhem-land

Healing groups that were formed in previous years are continuing strongly, and with ABM’s support, the Diocese has now assisted two Aboriginal women, Violet and Miriam, to complete their training as healing group leaders. These women are now able to work together to help lead groups in other communities.

In March 2019, Violet and Miriam went to Groote Eylandt to offer the final sessions of these groups to some of the people there. This was their first time leading the storytelling and they were very nervous. In late April, they will travel to another community to start the healing groups program there.

In addition, the Diocese has been able to work together with the Prison Chaplain to offer the healing groups to women inmates.

ABM’s partnership in this project helps to provide the funds needed for the leaders and diocesan staff to travel, and for the training of others so that this important ministry can continue to grow.

A Healing Group in action at St Andrew’s Angurugu on Groote Eylandt. © Diocese of the Northern Territory.

 

Supporting Those Discerning a Call to Ordained Ministry

Another aspect of ABM’s support of the Diocese of the Northern Territory is the funding of the Bishop and members of the Ministry Development Team (MDT) to travel to remote communities to visit and encourage the Aboriginal candidates there in their pre-ordination discernment. Currently there are at least three Aboriginal candidates listening to and discerning God’s call to them. This is an important way in which the Bishop and MDT are able to “walk alongside” those discerning a call to ordained ministry.

 
Senior Aboriginal Church Leaders’ Conference

Again with support from ABM’s donors, the diocese was able to offer another bi-annual senior Aboriginal leaders’ pre-Synod conference. This was held in the last week of May (2019) in Darwin, and enabled Aboriginal leaders from Anglican churches all over the Northern Territory to have an opportunity to meet together and to discuss the issues that are important to them, and which can be raised within the context of the broader diocesan synod. There were 30 participants, both lay and ordained Aboriginal church leaders. Participants indicated in their feedback the high value placed on this unique opportunity to gather with leaders from other communities for mutual encouragement.

Church leaders from St Mary’s Umbakumba and St Andrew’s Angurugu, leading worship at the pre-synod conference. © Diocese of the Northern Territory.

The diocese has expressed its warm thanks to ABM and its supporters, for partnering with the Diocese to make all the above activities possible.

 

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