Happy New Year, to all of you, and thanks be to God who walks with us into this new year! I have been thinking about the 12 days of Christmas this week, as today, 4th January, is the 11th day of Christmas! (According to tradition, the 12 days begin on the 25th ofDecember and end on the 5th of January – before Epiphany or Three Kings Day.) So, happy ‘eleven pipers piping’ day to you as well! But I have Read more…
As I mentioned on Sunday, the season of Advent offers us a series of invitations, not the usual Christmas invitations, but invitations, that writer Debie Thomas describes as, “hard-edged; [that] don’t look pretty on greeting cards. But…are essential and life-giving, nevertheless.” Advent is an invitation to tell the truth. To lament what is happening in our world or in our lives at present. Advent is an invitation to yearn – to want and to want fiercely! What is it that you Read more…
When I was visiting in the hospital last week, I overheard two nurses speaking to each other outside in the hall. “There’s been a lot happening this morning, hasn’t there!” said one nurse. “I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed” “Yes, I know what you mean,” said the other, “There’s been a lot.”And the first nurse reached over and put her hand on the other’s arm – just for a moment. “Ok,” she said, “That’s ok. Let’s keep going.” It was just Read more…
What a weekend! Let me first say that Des and Janice’s renewal of vows was wonderful! And the pictures I have seen of Marlene’s big birthday (was it 60, Marlene?) celebrations looked absolutely lovely! Saturday’s Baptist Assembly, however, was a very different story! Sunday passed in a bit of a blur, but sitting in church, I really appreciated the songs Steve had chosen. First, ‘Let us build a house,’ with that wonderful welcoming refrain, “All are welcome, all are welcome, Read more…
A tangible expression…..In my experience, even the most well intentioned plans, if done without a clearly stated purpose, can have unplanned outcomes. Outcomes where many within the congregation can feel estranged from what is going on, and those actually involved can feel overwhelmed and exhausted. In the haste and passion for success, things get rushed, people left behind, and the only thing to truly flourish is a petri dish of confusion. The deacons meeting in August this year affirmed that the Read more…
*|MC:SUBJECT|* *|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* View this email in your browser This week I’m producing the Sunday to Sunday. Belinda is away for a few days for her father’s funeral. Please continue to support and uplift in your prayers, Belinda’s mum, Alison, and Belinda, Aron and the whole family. As the theme for this week’s Sunday to Sunday, I’ve chosen to provide some of the background to the Listening, Learning and Listing Series. I hope it will help people understand something more of Read more…
I don’t know if you have ever wondered about this! Some of you – like me – have grown up in Baptist churches and regard the unique ways we operate as normal. Some of you are new to the Baptist movement and are attracted to a church structure that is less hierarchical, where the local church is self-governing and where freedom of conscience is emphasised. Some of you have just come and found a warm welcome here and stayed! Whatever Read more…
We’re driving down a dark and quiet street in the coastal town of Hahei, New Zealand, when Zach suddenly calls out, “What’s that on the road!” It’s a possum and in the split second it takes for the driver to react, rather than slowing down, Aron speeds up! “What are you doing?” three voices in the car cry. “They’re pests here,” he explains, accelerating even more. The possum stops and stands on its hind legs, staring down the car bearing Read more…
While Belinda is away….. I’m sending out this weeks Sunday to Sunday. I thought I might reflect further on a comment I made during last Sundays’ worship service. As part of the service we heard something of the story of Vincent Lingiari. Vincent was an Aboriginal stockman and land rights leader. We also listened to the song From Little Things Big Things Grow by Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly. As part of my comments, I named prayer and unity as activities that may be seen as Read more…
“Can you speak my truth to the power in your communities?” This was the request that Mali, who I mentioned in Sunday’s sermon, made to Kirsty Robertson, the CEO of Caritas Australia, when Kirsty visited her village in Ethiopia two months ago. Mali had just returned from a trip to collect water that has taken her longer and further from her family as the drought in the Horn of Africa has worsened. It was originally a 40-minute return journey, then Read more…