In my family (thanks to my American auntie, Auntie Melea) the rule was that Christmas decorations could not go up until after Thanksgiving! In Christian tradition, however, Christmas does not begin until the 25th of December! The period leading up to Christmas, that begins this Sunday, is Advent – a Read more…
Dear Friends, Our series on joy has come to an end, but, as I mentioned on Sunday, joy goes on! It fills our prayers for one another. It is our strength in difficult times. It sustains us as we model Christ’s humility. It is our confidence that we are ‘in Read more…
Dear Friends, Last Sunday, 12 November, was a significant day for our community. We welcomed two new members – Stephen Tang and Eric Tsoi – who shared some of the wonderful and challenging parts of their respective journeys of faith. It was a privilege to hear their stories and we Read more…
This Sunday our series on joy continues with Philippians chapter 3! (I love the fact that Paul plays that old preacher’s trick here, beginning with “Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord,” and then going on to make several more points across two more chapters!) I am again Read more…
Dear Friends, An incredible rainbow – the most vivid and colourful I have ever seen in my life – appeared in the sky over Kingston last night. Here is my picture of it, although Duncan Grove’s picture (below), captured the colours much better! (I also note that Callum Ince had Read more…
Dear Friends, I am still looking for contributions on ‘joy’! It was wonderful to hear Elizabeth speak about ‘where she finds joy’ in the service last Sunday. (She says she had stage fright, but it certainly didn’t look like it! 😊) I still have slots for the Blessing of the Read more…
Dear Friends, Over the next few weeks (with a break on the 22nd and 29th October) we are working our way through the book of Philippians and our theme is joy AND I am looking for help! I am looking for children (or families – if that’s easier) who can Read more…
Dear Friends, Aron and I got back on Tuesday after a wonderful time in Massachusetts and New Hampshire; celebrating my cousin’s wedding, catching up with friends from our years in Japan and brushing up on our knowledge of the American Revolutionary War and authors of the New England region! We Read more…
Dear Friends, I am not back from leave just yet! I am still in the US at my cousin’s wedding and enjoying some time with friends and family. It seems, however, that I am always away from Canberra at the best times. In April I missed some of Canberra’s beautiful Read more…
Dear Family of God! On Sunday we sang a new hymn: Forgive our sins as we forgive,”you taught us, Lord, to pray;but you alone can grant us graceto live the words we say. It was written by Rosamond (now that’s a name that should come back!) Eleanor Herklots (1905-1987) in Read more…