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SUMMIT: The only woman priest at the 2020 summit, the Revd Cathy Laufer

One of three Anglican clergy taking part in the Federal government's 2020 Summit, CATHY LAUFER* found signs of hope that the views of people of faith are being considered as Australia's future is shaped.

I was astonished to be selected as a delegate to the Australia 2020 Summit.

I had hoped that my arguments for the inclusion of people of faith in any discussion of our nation's future would help other more senior or well-known clergy to be selected.

In the event, no Anglican bishops were included (although some were nominated), but I found myself on the participants list.

Despite my concerns, people of faith seemed to be well represented.

As well as Christian clergy and laity from various denominations, there were Muslims, a Buddhist monk, a Sikh, and no doubt others who were not identifiable by their dress.

The weekend coincided with Passover; once the government realised this timing disaster, they arranged a separate Summit for Jewish delegates the previous weekend.

The acceptance of such a range of religious folk in a national forum gave me hope that this government views issues of faith as significant in planning our nation's future.

And there were other signs of hope, too.

Calling together the country's 'brightest and best' indicates a desire to eliminate the tall poppy syndrome and to value creative thought. About time!

But perhaps the greatest sense of hope came from the attitude of the Prime Minister and the ministers who were present. All were willing to talk to any of us, to listen to our ideas, to discuss how they might be implemented.

I came away with a sense that there is another way of governing, of doing democracy, and that Kevin Rudd is determined to give it a go.

The Summit itself was hard work. It began some two weeks before the actual meeting when a participants' website was set up.

We were asked to upload a 'big idea' to take to the Summit and to take part in online discussions with others in our stream. (The 1000 delegates were divided into 10 streams: see the website below for details.)

At the Summit itself, each stream worked in small, flexible groups allowing everyone to express their views.

How do 1,000 'big ideas' get heard?

How do they get culled?

How do 1000 people find their way to their stream or to lunch?

The answer: volunteers.

Facilitators, scribes, liaison people, all gave their time and expertise to ensure the Summit ran smoothly. Their enthusiasm added to the sense that we were part of a significant event.

Thanks to the competence of the scribes, all our ideas were recorded, to be sent to the relevant minister. Professional facilitators helped us debate, alter, set aside, combine and vote on ideas so that, by the end of two days, each stream had a short summary list to include in the Summit Report.

Some people will, inevitably, leave such a large gathering dissatisfied.

However, my impression was that the vast majority left at least as hopeful as they arrived.

I certainly came away with a sense that I have participated in a significant event. I have met a range of fascinating, thoughtful and creative people, people of passion, willing to contribute their time and effort.

And their elected leaders are willing to listen, and, I believe, to act upon the ideas they developed.

I'd like to finish with a very personal reflection. I was the only ordained woman present, and identifiable as such as I wore my collar.

What was most remarkable for me was that not a single person commented on women's ordination. Many asked me what denomination I belonged to, or wanted to hear a priest's opinion on some issue, but my gender as priest seemed irrelevant.

Even the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide, who made a point of greeting me, made no comment.

Week by week I read articles on Anglican websites which still debate the legitimacy of my orders; a member of my parish will not receive Communion when I preside.

Yet, my experience at the Summit is that, for the wider Australian community, women priests are no more remarkable than male ones. Thanks be to God!

The Summit Report can be accessed at http://www.australia2020.gov.au/

* The Revd Dr Cathy Laufer is Associate Priest, at St Mark's Anglican Church Buderim in QLD.