both part of our Church and part of a culture, living and ancient, that met God in this country long before non-Indigenous people even knew the country existed. ABM is enormously grateful to the writers who have contributed, especially in the wake of a year that has been personally gruelling. The hand of friendship extended in the Uluru Statement from the Heart was batted away by the Referendum result. Yet, these writers have chosen to reach out again, and share generously with the Church. They know they may be misunderstood and that their voices may not be welcome in every place. But they have given the Church another chance to listen. To hear. To embrace the wonder of how God chose to reveal God’s self in ways that we cannot understand or see without their kindness. It is important to point out that Aboriginal and Torres Strait writers, theologians, clergy, leaders and artists do not all speak with one voice. They may not always agree with each other, even if it might suit non-Indigenous people to have a single narrative to learn from. Life and faith and culture are complex. Each of our writers is writing from a particular human perspective, guided by their unique understanding of the issues. Each writer’s work is their own and does not necessarily represent the views of others or of ABM. This is yet another gift to those of us who read this book. Just as the boy Jesus went to the temple to listen to the elders in order to learn, it may be that the greatest missional need in our country is that we learn to listen respectfully to those who carry the spiritual history of this land in their very DNA. This Lent, may we listen, learn and repent, in the hope that we might be part of yet another ‘resurrection’ moment in the life of the Australian church. The Reverend Canon Stephen Daughtry Education Missioner - ABM 5
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