Marcus Curnow
Assisting young peoples participation in personal and social transformation.
Growing effective community development responses to the needs of 'at risk' young people inspired by the teachings and life of Jesus of Nazareth.
Praxis NZ Trip 07
September 22, 2007
Been having fun and working hard attending and running workshops with Praxis. Thanks to Kate Allen for all the help with the Bible and Community seminar in Wellington. We had a great time having dinner with the Pierson's in Auckland and also learnt all about Kilikiti, also known as or kirikiti, or Samoan Cricket. It is the national game of Samoa and is especially popular in New Zealand. The game is descended from the cricket brought to Samoa by English missionaries; teams of unlimited size follow rules that are hard to follow if you're an outside observer, in a game/dance/feast event that can last several days. Love to connect it with the Credo Cricket mob.
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Oasis Adventures 2006
July 17, 2006
Been studying Mark's Gospel and travelling "on the way" to the Great Ocean Road and the Credo/Corporate Day at the You Yangs with this years Oasis Global Action Team who have once again become an important part of our lives. Amy, Caroline and Rachael you are grouse! (Aussie for good!)Thanks for the "road movies".
1:9 And it happened in those days that Jesus came from the Western Basalt Plains and was baptized by John into the Little River. 10 And the moment he came up out of the water he saw the heavens ripped apart and the Spirit Bunjil Maman swooped down upon him like an eagle-hawk. 11 And a voice came out of the land, "You are my dear Son, with you I am really pleased". 12 And straightaway the Spirit throws him out into the scrub. Satan was in the bush tempting him. And he was with the wild beasts and the spirits of the ancient dreaming were ministering to him.Gospel of Vic. 2006
Posted by marcus at 10:38 AM | Comments (0)
Vocations Stations for MLC
February 25, 2006
Ran what I thought was our best ever Alt. Vocations session with MLC final year students last week. Thanks to Oasis punters, Pamela Hopper and Jo Wright for some fab. work last year making this year possible. I loved the Stations because it moved away from an Urban Seed rant about stuff to really facilitating a space where people could do some serious, yet cool personal soul work. Some of the conversations I had with students were very real, earthy and honest. THanks guys....Station list below!
Vocations Stations
A reflective space to assist you on the journey of hearing the voice of God.
MLC Retreat Day 2006
Feel free to sit, stand, walk, lie down, approach one or all of the stations, and in any order. Please respect others by moving and reflecting quietly.
Station 1: Booklet: You’re More than Your ScoreTake away our booklet of quotes, stories and ideas to help you workshop and journal ideas of vocation in your own life…
Station 2: Creation Plinth “Voices shape Choices”Write, draw or make a stencil and spray on the plinth, words or images that describe what you want to say to God at this time or what you consider a voice that will help you to make positive, creative choices for this year and beyond.
Station 3: Temptation Plinth “Voices shape Choices” Satan: “Command these stones to become bread.”
Jesus: “Humanity shall not live on bread alone but by the stories of God”
Write, draw or make a stencil and spray on the plinth, words or images that represent negative, difficult voices that surround you at this time. Voices that could tempt you from your true calling.
Station 4: Wall of Fame
What’s your first reaction to the images of “successful” women in our society. Write your gut response/ words/ideas on their pictures around the walls. How do they shape your own ideas of success?
Station 5: Leunig
Watch some short snippets of Animated Leunig around the themes of life, success, and calling.
Station 6: Simpsons
Watch some edited vocation scenes from classic Simpson’s episodes:
“Different Vocations”: Bart and Lisa have vastly different reactions when they receive the results of their computer careers test.
“Marge Gets a Job” : Marge overcomes the negative voice of her high school art teacher and rediscovers her artistic streak.
Consider plot, scenes, etc. lines that connect with your own experience. What similar struggles and/or barriers to vocation can you identify with?
Station 7: The Piano Confessional
Pick up a stone and hold it tight in your hand. Sit and watch the video loop from the movie The Piano for a while – at least once through the sequence. Reflect on what you might have to let go of or reduce in priority in order to move toward your calling. Drop your stone into the bucket as a symbol of your resolve to move forward.
Station 8: Green CollectAn 8 minute promotional video for Green Collect, a business that operates out of this building. Green Collect creates opportunities for business, community and the environment by employing disadvantaged people in recycling initiatives. Hear participants talk about what work means for their lives.
Station 9: TimeTimetables, Deadlines…. Year 12 is hectic/beautiful/amazing/stressful time. The way we think about and treat time says a lot about what we truly believe...hmmm chocolate eggs.
Station 10: Funeral / Remember the Saints
How will you be remembered? What legacy will you leave? Consider what would you like people to say at your funeral?
At a traditional Christian funeral the coffin is covered by a white “baptisimal cloth” to indicate their identity and hope for new life was based upon stories of Jesus. Often this baptisimal garment is embroidered with the names of people from that community who have “died in Christ”.
Remember those that have died. Write upon the ‘baptisimal cloth’ the names of those saints or hero’s that have shaped and inspired you. Who’s sacrifice inspires your own sense of vocation?
Station 11: Candle lighting
Life is no brief candle to me. It's a sort of splendid torch which I've got to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations. George Bernard Shaw
Light a candle and watch it burn for a time. What light will you shine into the world? Place the candle in the sand tray as a prayer for yourself, another person, or a situation.
Station 12: Bread, Betrayal and Failure
At his last meal Jesus offers to put his body on the line for his calling. “This is my body given for you; eat it and remember me.” He gives this bread to a friend who will later betray him with a kiss. Eat bread, consider betrayal and lipstick …
Station 13: Water and New Life
Water is life and death. Christ is death and life. In the same way that he had taken the bread, Jesus took what they had been drinking and said, “This is my life-blood, given for you. A symbol of the new relationship I’m making possible between you and God.” Drink and encounter the risen Christ. Be refreshed and renewed.
Station 14: Mirror
Stand in front of the mirror. Take some time and look at yourself. The bible says you were created unique and beautiful, “in the image of God”. What are the things that spoil the image of who you were created to be.? As you reflect upon these things smear some dirt across the mirror.
Jesus says: “Your sins are forgiven.” God longs to restore this beauty to you. Use a tissue wipe the dirt off the mirror. Consider that just as God creates, you also were made in God’s image to be creative and work to restore beauty to a broken creation.
Songs
U2: Elevation, Switchfoot: This is your Life, Peter Gabriel: Pitch Black
Conclusion : The Credo Beatitudes
Posted by marcus at 10:22 PM | Comments (3)
Red Di
November 28, 2005
Wearing funny hats with Red Di!!! 6 years ago she did work experience at Urban Seed and now she has nearly completed Nursing/Midwifery and is heading off in the New Year to India to do the TWESO course with TEAR Australia's partner EFICOR. GO DI! We love ya!
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YITS Retreat
Got to speak at Tabor College Year In The Son final retreat down at Anglesea with Dave Bryce talking about some of the things I wished I'd known when I was starting this journey at 18. Enjoyed the "roadmovie" with the new Urban Seed van, Yumbabird....and a trip to Erskine Falls, Lorne! We have loved having David and Ruth Bryce in and around the Central House building, their open door and work on Credo Cricket have been invaluable. He's doing the FORGE internship and they will be heading off to Cambodia mid-late 2006 with Servants.
Posted by marcus at 12:25 AM | Comments (0)
Robyn Hemmens Seminar
August 21, 2005
Along with Greg Hewson (TEAR), David Fagg (who did a placement at YFC:Sth Africa last year) I helped organise a seminar about working with 'At Risk' young people at Urban Seed which was led by Robyn Hemmens from YFC:South Africa
Robyn was over for the TEAR Victoria Gathering and spoke powerfully about the issues facing her country and her work with homeless young people on the streets. She was incredibly vulnerable and honest, encouraging and inspiring...
Some of the other groups involved included:
Order 614: (Melbourne City Salvation Army)
A CCES Chaplain from Eaglehawk Secondary College in Bendigo.
Inspired for Life (Scripture Union in Melbourne's West)
Posted by marcus at 05:25 PM | Comments (1)
State Youth Games
June 16, 2005
I was very proud of the staff and volunteers of Urban Seed:green, our youth participation team, who on short notice pulled off a “Sacred Space” prayer tent at State Youth Games in Warragul this long weekend.
Stations included
· Credo Beatitudes and Lords Prayer Stations
· 5 senses prayer
· Labyrinth
· Reading the newspaper with a holding cross
· Origami Fish prayers hooked on a net
· Graffitti Wall and Art space
· Celtic ‘Greishog’ ritual (Evening and Morning Prayers)
· Confessional Mirror
· Confessional Sand and Pond
· Shout to the Lord /Angry at God Station
(This included lots of poems and images which were very confronting. Some found it unnecessarily controversial other people just sat and wept!)
Other groups ran a Communion Service, Post- it note prayers, Images of Jesus, Images based on the U2 song ‘Yahweh,’and an intercessory session before the evening events. It was the first time SYG had offered an alternative space such as this and was great to be a part of. Having spoken there last year I was really impressed with it as a Christian event it does well in terms of Len Sweets EPPIC framework (experiential, proclaim ,participatory, interactive, community....or somethin like this). Sacred Space really added to this!
We got flooded out on Friday night, the tent only leaked where there was electical equipment (projecters, laptops etc)!!!! For a while we were very depressed and thought we may just float candles down the puddles on the floor! With great effort we recovered! Unfortunately we put much more thought into the Sacred Space than our own our campsite (We forgot to bring the roof!!!) so we ate soggy cereal whilst cobbling together borrowed tarps....very Urban Seed! Well done David Bryce, Tom Popplewell and Ian 'MacGyver' Charles.
The other highlight was Marty Costello who showed up and created an Urban Seed basketball team out of nothing to take out the C4 grade final. A true miracle!
Darryl Gardiner from YFC New Zealand was the guest speaker and it was great to catch up with him again after 8 years since my Urban Neighbours of Hope (UNOH ) involvement. He generously plugged Urban Seed Mission Exposures and Residential Placements as a way of taking discipleship seriously.
Read on for Classic DG Quotes:
“Following Jesus is more than singing songs. It’s much more fun singing songs when your not a Christian because at least then you can be drunk or stoned. Its much more fun singing songs when you’re drunk or stoned.”
“Send me your emails of complaint. I print them off and hang them on the wall of my office where my degrees should be”
Bagging the inane Planet Shakers song ‘Everything has changed, Everything is different’ song…..
“You’ll stop swearing but everything else will be the same.. following Jesus requires radical, revolutionary lifestyle change. You’ll worry about changing your job, your suburb and your kitchen but everything else will stay the same. People who aren’t Christian’s think that you are boring”
Posted by marcus at 05:51 PM | Comments (3)
Oasis @ Urban Seed
May 16, 2005
Just off the plane Tom, Jo, Pam and John from the Oasis Round the World 2005 Team join in with the Seedy Mob on Credo Retreat at Gariwerd (The Grampians). Welcome!
Posted by marcus at 12:12 AM | Comments (0)
Vetamorphus Matt 4-13
February 11, 2005
Questions from Urban Seed's Vetamorphus Peer Group Week 1 and 2: Matthew 1-13
Meets at "The Den" in Melbourne's Chinatown, Wednesday arvo's!
Matthew 7-13
Interpretation Hint of the Week
Break text up into:
1. Episodes: Movie scenes for a DVD cover! Find names or keywords for each scence. What connections can you find between scenes? Why structure the story like this? What does the structure of these scenes suggest about meaning?
2. Characters: Why are characters characterised in this way?
3. Locations: Why is the story set here? What are the meanings behind the locations used?
Questions and Clarifications:
Chapter 4: How can Jesus be "lead" into temptation by the devil. What power has Satan got over Jesus?
Certainly some otherwise it wouldnt be much of a temptation would it? Jesus is offered ways out right through his ministry. Ways of avoiding the cross. Peter in Mark 8, The Garden of Gesthemane....etc.....But Read 4:1, who's leading who? He was led by the Spirit. He was not led there because he had fallen out of God's will. Jesus was led to the desert to discern the one true voice that would keep him true to his mission.So why is it that the Spirit, not the devil, leads Jesus into the wilderness to be tested (Matthew 4:1)?
Matthew's world wasn't as troubled as we might be by the idea that Jesus needed to be tested to prove himself fit for the apocalyptic struggle at hand. The Greek diabolos is not the devil we love to hate. Clarence Jordan suggests an unusual etymology for the word diabolos (devil) in this passage. He says in The Substance of Faith:
"'Diabolos' comes from dia meaning 'around through' and bollo meaning 'to throw.' Our English word 'ball' comes from that. Diabolos means 'one who throws things about'—one who stirs things up—gets them confused. The work of the devil is just to get us muddled."
The father of lies, the one who scatters them about, the slanderer, the accuser of the saints, then, is really the Great Confuser.Even the term Jesus uses—Satan or the Prince of Demons (Matthew 12:24)—can be translated, simply, as adversary.
The adversary reaches back to Job, where the accuser (Hebrew ha-satan) resembles the spies kings employed to sniff out sedition. These ancient narcs had equivalents in the pantheon—lesser gods who tested people's fidelity. So when Satan suggests that Job's fidelity be tested, he's just doing his job. (ideas from Nancy Hastings Sehested, a Baptist pastor from USA)
5:1- What does it mean to be Poor in Spirit, Meek?
5:31 If you look lustfully at someone is this adultery and therefore grounds for divorce according to the sermon on the mount?
6.25 If Jesus says we shouldnt worry about things why are people poor and don't have enough to live on? Why do Christian people who are faithful often not have enough to live on? What does it then mean to "Seek first the kingdom....."
Chapter 9: Is it enough for your friends to have faith for you in order to be healed? What is the nature of faith and how can our faith/prayers make a difference for other people and situations in the world?
Chapter 10:
What is the significance of how the disciples are characterised? Who are Zealots, who are Tax Collectors, why is Judas introduced as a betrayer, Why are there 12?
What does it mean to say "the Kingdom of God is near"? What is the nature of the "Kingdom"? How does Matthew's portrayal of Jesus Kingdom differ from his portrayal of Herods Kingship that we looked at last week?
10:34-36 Why is it so controversial and cause such division?
Posted by marcus at 04:49 PM | Comments (2)
Urban Seed Alt.Vocation Seminar makes The Age
December 15, 2004
The Age newspaper came asking us questions about the seminar the Urban Seed "Den mob" run for Year 12's called Alternative Vocations. The seminar promotes volunteer service of others as a way of finding your own calling. We also encourage people to measure success in terms of spiritual and communal aspects of life. The story was on what to do if you didn't get the score you hoped for because results (ENTER scores) for final year students were released on Monday....continue for our bits below, all be they brief!!
Posted by marcus at 12:54 AM | Comments (0)
OASIS Global Action Team
December 07, 2004
From May-July 2004 Urban Seed played host to an Oasis 'Round the World' Team consisting of 11 young women who had donated their GAP year to play numerous roles in assisting our work, as well as with organisations in Zimbabwe and India. It was a crazy but highly memorable time for us and the team. We're looking forward to playing host to another Oasis team of four people in May 2005.
The photo below is of team member Dee Marshall and myself cooking a brekky in the bush on the teams Great Ocean Road adventure.
![marx+dee wonder brekkie[2].jpg](http://www.mintleafstudio.biz/urbanseed/journal/mt/mc/marx+dee wonder brekkie[2].jpg)
Deidre (A Northern Irelander) was placed doing Education work at 'The Den' and was soon running our city walks by herself. The classic quote from a student during one of her walks was
I can't understand a word that you're saying but keep talking....I'm loving your accent.Having since returned to Glasgow to undertake her studies we were rapt to hear that Dee was able to get work doing drug and life skills education with students.
Posted by marcus at 01:51 AM | Comments (0)
