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. God blesses us through the ocean as the waves and the current go in and out. The ocean is sacred – life-giving – to us. Our spirituality lies in the boeradhar (land), malu (sea) and dapar (sky) and our people have always believed in a Creator. The Christian God is the same Creator God who made us custodians of the boeradhar (land), malu (sea) and dapar (sky). Churches are important agents of change because Christians care about the whole person, including physical, spiritual, emotional, social and cultural wellbeing. If the Church is going to demonstrate this care, all Anglicans need to come to terms with how “Australia” started, especially because the impacts of colonialism are ongoing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This process is slow. I think Anglican clergy and lay leaders need to be more intentional in their leadership as a result. Some of the many ways they can do this include building relationships with Elders 78
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1