December 08 CAP NEWS. conference edition. WELCOME to the Summer Edition of the Christianity and Psychology Interest Group Newsletter CONFERENCE NOTES

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1 CAP NEWS The conference room was on the second floor and soon there was a bustle of activity. December 08 conference edition WELCOME to the Summer Edition of the Christianity and Psychology Interest Group Newsletter Catherine Chan Kwa, the outgoing National Convenor, started the proceedings with prayer and the room was quiet as we asked The Lord to be with us for the next two days. CONFERENCE NOTES I have just returned from Sydney where I attended the Third National CAPIG Conference. The Novotel Brighton le Sands stands on Botany Bay and as the plane touched down at Sydney airport I could see the hotel across the water. It was peak hour traffic so it took a while to get around to the hotel but when we did arrive we found we had a lovely room, overlooking the beach. The next morning I woke up very early and was happy to see a beautiful pink dawn. In this Newsletter CAPIG AGM CAPIG CONFERENCE NEW COMMITTEE 1

2 The Rev Dr Graham Barker began the day s presentations with an erudite paper on integration and the historical development of Christian Counselling. After morning tea, Dr Nola Passmore from the University of Southern Queensland presented some thoughts from her twenty years spent integrating a Christian perspective into the training of psychologists. farewell three members of the National Committee, Gary McFarlane, the Treasurer, Kath Allison, the Secretary and Catherine Chan Kwa, the National Convenor. We thanked them all very much for their time and efforts over the last few years. Ivan Atkinson from South Australia has accepted the position of National Convenor and Daniela Witschel has agreed to be the Secretary. The position of Treasurer is still vacant. The pre-dinner drinks and the conference dinner provided another opportunity for people to get to know each other. Rev Dr Peter Powell talked about the groups that he runs for sex offenders and told us that every person has a story the story does not lie, as it tells us where the person is, even if the facts are in dispute. Genevieve and Caroline from Western Australia at the pre-dinner drinks. The hotel provided plentiful teas and lunch and people happily made new friends and caught up with friends from previous meetings. After lunch Belinda Harris presented her PhD study on finding a way to forgive and Meg Perkins discussed the issue of apologies from perpetrators and forgiveness for those who have committed serious offences. Afternoon tea followed and then we heard from Dr Bruce Stevens. Bruce is an amusing speaker and we enjoyed his presentation. The CAPIG AGM followed and the minutes are included in this newsletter. We were sad to Nola, Catherine, Genevieve and others enjoying the dinner at the Third National CAPIG Conference. 2

3 On the second day the delegates enjoyed the presentations by Leonie Menzies on the Missions and by Professor Bob Pryor on a Christian perspective on our working lives. People said they were very moved by what he had to say. There were a series of different presentations in the symposia after lunch. They were well attended and very interesting. One of the presenters brought her client with her to discuss her case study. The lady in question had asked for hypnosis and then prayer although she considers herself an agnostic. She spoke to us after her psychotherapist had finished the presentation and the audience was very supportive. The conference ended with a panel consisting of Rev Dr Graham Barker, Dr Bruce Stevens, Dr Nola Passmore and Prof Bob Pryor answering questions NB: In 2009 the Newsletter of the Christianity and Psychology Interest Group will feature articles written by members. Then it was time to leave for the airport and everybody seemed to be in a rush. We had said thank you to Chris Patchett he and his team did a wonderful job of organizing the conference. Chris had the assistance of a number of people Regina Tan, Jenna Richard, Lyn Cottier and Erina Wilkey. Please submit your articles, on any topic that you would like to see discussed in the national group. This newsletter is intended to be a Forum for Australian Psychologists with an interest in Christianity or for Christian Psychologists. What do CAPIG members think of prayer in the counselling session? What do CAPIG members think about hypnosis? Editor mperkins@bigpond.net.au

4 Christianity and Psychology Interest Group Annual General Meeting held on 28 th November 2008 at Novotel Brighton-le-Sands, Sydney Present: Catherine Chan-Kwa, Meredith Secomb, Kathryn Allison, Theodore Gillian, Meg Perkins, Chris Patchett, Lyn Cottier, Nola Passmore, Steve Fyson, Rosemary Steer, Robert Pryor, Deanna Pitchford, Barry Critchison, Genevieve Milnes, Ellie Cameron, Jenna Richard, Faye Hansen, Ivan Atkinson, Barbara Visser, Gary McFarlane, Tony Pirotta, Jill Faddy, Daniela Witschel, Frank Luzza Chair: Catherine Chan-Kwa, National Convenor Welcome: Catherine welcomed those present and thanked them for their support and attendance. She also congratulated Chris Patchett and his organising committee for the work done in preparing for the 2008 National CAPIG Conference. Minutes: The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 15 th November 2007 in Melbourne were accepted as an accurate record of that meeting. Moved: Meredith Secomb Seconded: Kath Allison Accepted Business arising from Minutes: Nil. Report from National Convenor Catherine reported that 2008 had been a busy and fruitful year for CAPIG nationally. She then invited each State Convenor to report on activities in their state. Meredith Secomb reported on activities in Victoria and advised that a new convenor and treasurer will be needed there in 2009; Deanna Pitchford reported on activities in Queensland and that a new convenor is needed next year; Chris Patchett reported on a number of events in NSW and asked members to consider participating on the state committee; Genevieve Milnes believes that she now has ten members ready to form a branch of the interest group in Western Australia; Ivan Atkinson reported that South Australia struggles to have numbers to function well as an interest group. 4

5 Financial Report Gary McFarlane advised that he has struggled for four years with the APS to obtain accurate financial data re CAPIG. He provided copies of the most recent financial statement which indicates that, as at 30 September 2008, the National Balance for CAPIG is $25, At 31 May 2008 unspent funds were: National: $13, NSW: $ VIC: $5, QLD: $1, Gary recommended that national monies be used to assist in development of State branches and in providing additional benefits to members. Elections National Convenor Ivan Atkinson accepted nomination and was elected unopposed. Other Business National Secretary Daniela Witschel has agreed to undertake duties of National Secretary. National Treasurer Vacant Queensland Convenor Meg Perkins agreed to be Queensland State Convenor for National Conference Kath Allison advised that the next National Conference will probably be in April 2010 in Melbourne. She invited ideas about topics or guest speakers. Meeting closed 6.55 p.m. PLEASE SEE NEXT PAGE FOR NEW COMMITTEE FOR

6 NATIONAL COMMITTEE IVAN ATKINSON National Convenor Ivan Atkinson (SA) National Treasurer vacant National Secretary Daniela Witschel National Newsletter Editor: Meg Perkins (QLD) STATE CONVENORS ACT convenor Bruce Stevens NSW convenor Chris Patchett VIC convenor Meredith Secomb SA convenor Ivan Atkinson QLD convenor Meg Perkins WA convenor Genevieve Milnes 6