The Gold Coast will be invaded by youth ministry specialists in September this year. Chaplains, church youth pastors, government and community youth workers, teachers, university workers and any Christians that work with youth or young adults are invited to an event designed to help them in their crucial tasks.
The National Youth Ministry Convention (NYMC) is a four day event that brings together Christian youth workers from across Australia and New Zealand for a time of professional development, networking and refreshment.
It will be held from September 25-28, 2007, at Surfers Paradise in the heart of the Gold Coast. Delegates will attend one of six full day seminars, five general sessions and eight of 38 electives, in between forging connections with peers from around the region and enjoying the best the Gold Coast has to offer.
Elective sessions include.. “What Paris Hilton taught me about following Jesus”, “Working Alongside ‘At Risk’ Young People”, “Reading the Bible for a post-modern world”, “Empowering young people to change the world”, “Purpose Driven Youth Ministry”, a “Spiritual retreat” and 38 others.
Microsoft is launching Windows Vista tomorrow. It remains to be seen how the new operating system impacts on everyday computing. I know that it’s easy to find a cheap laptop right now, as long as you’re prepared for it to come with Windows XP. My present leased Dell is due to be replaced in a year’s time so I’ll have the benefit of everyone else’s experience by the time I sign up.
Windows Vista is not the inevitable choice though, as Paul Walton points out on his new blog, Getting There. Paul’s posted a cartoon from The Joy of Tech, revealing his true loyalty in this time of uncertainty…
Hey I’m back. Still Pacific Highlander. But now an Australian citizen. Yes - this morning, on Australia Day, I took the pledge with my family at an outdoor ceremony.
The Australian Citizenship Pledge
From this time forward, under God, I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey.
There are actually two versions of the pledge. The version we said, with 15 other people, includes with words “under God”. The second version, said by three new citizens, omits those words.
So why did I join up? As a permanent resident of Australia for six years I have had no problems taking part in Australian life except for a few areas.
Being an Australian citizen gives me the right to live in Australia, apply for an Australian passport and to leave and re-enter Australia without applying for a resident return visa, seek assistance from Australian diplomatic representatives while overseas, vote to help elect Australia’s governments, stand for Parliament, work in the public service, serve in the armed forces, register as Australian citizens by descent any of my children born overseas after I become an Australian citizen.
As a citizen I am required to obey Australian laws, enrol on Federal and state/territory electoral registers, vote in elections, defend Australia should the need arise, and serve on a jury if called to do so.
Being an Australian citizen does not require me to relinquish my New Zealand citizenship or passport.
Today was a last of its kind in many ways. My certificate of Australian citizenship is signed by Amanda Vanstone as minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. She has just been replaced by Kevin Andrews, the new Minister for Department of Immigration and Citizenship. It remains to be seen how the federal government approaches multiculturalism.
When we applied for citizenship we had an interview with two very helpful DIMA officers. Apparently in future applicants will be trained and assessed in citizenship at local TAFE colleges.
