anglican focus

The news site of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland: nourishing and connecting our faith community

Coming of The Light

Justice & Advocacy Torres Strait Islander elder and young person Justice & Advocacy

Keeping the home fires burning — a very long way from home

“I have shared something of my culture here with you — how muiy (fire) gives physical and spiritual strength to my people. I have shared this from the warmth that I have for you in my heart. I encourage you to similarly share with someone this NAIDOC Week something of your culture, speaking from the warmth in your own heart. What keeps your pride in your culture burning?” asks Aunty Dr Rose Elu

Resources & Research Saibai Elder Aunty Dr Rose Elu wearing a dress featuring the crocodile totem of her chieftain clan Resources & Research

My experience navigating the Anglican Church as a Torres Strait Islander person

“I also often invite other Anglicans to see that Torres Strait Islander Christians are Christians in our own way. We seamlessly blend our ancient sovereign ways and knowledges as Traditional Custodians with the wider Church’s ways and knowledges. For example, as part of my baptism as a baby, my mum removed my clothing and nappy and held me up in the sea breeze to be sprayed, to first be blessed, by the malu (ocean). She then took me to the church for the service,” says Aunty Dr Rose Elu

Homilies & Addresses

Anglican Indigenous Network: Lambeth Conference 2022

“God calls us to respect one another. This, in part at least, involves respecting people’s territories, traditions and protocols; seeking counsel and consent; and, caring for one another. Respect is also about being welcoming and inclusive. When respect is fostered, harmony presides. When respect is denied, harm is caused,” says Aunty Dr Rose Elu in her Lambeth Conference Anglican Indigenous Network address

Video

Buiyaw Thoethupoegay (The Coming of The Light prayer)

On 1 July annually, Torres Strait Islanders celebrate the anniversary of “The Coming of The Light” when the London Missionary Society and Melanesian leaders landed on Erub in 1871, introducing the Bible to the people who lived there. Hear Saibai Elder Aunty Dr Rose Elu share the Buiyaw Thoethupoegay (The Coming of The Light prayer) in Kalaw Kawaw Ya in this special video

Homilies & Addresses

Mothering Sunday: 27 March 2022 – St John’s East Malvern (Melbourne)

“I was not the best with sailing growing up, especially given that I am from the sea. I suffered terrible seasickness as a child. Whenever we sailed, I would always stay on deck, close to my father so I felt safe… As we sat around my father while he steered the rudder, he told us that, ‘The rainbow is God’s creation and God made this world in beautiful colours, including his people.’ He then told us not to be judgmental and to always respect, honour and listen to one another. He said that loving others is always the most important thing,” said Aunty Dr Rose Elu during her Mothering Sunday sermon at St John’s East Malvern

Features

Early missionary societies: history, medallions and a banknote

“Dr David Livingstone has long been a hero of mine. In 1841 he was sent as a medical missionary to South Africa by the London Missionary Society. Recently, I was the successful bidder at an online auction for a medallion celebrating the centenary of the London Missionary Society in 1895. It is a beautiful medallion and it motivated me to learn more about the society,” says Dr Peter Lewis