Episode

It feels like a while since I read – in full – story of David and Goliath. (And in case you’re thinking I chose this passage deliberately at this moment when we are in a David and Goliath struggle with the Association, can I say – no – it is Read more…

1 Samuel chapter 8 and following chapters are some of the most anti-monarchist passages in The Old Testament. It wasn’t until late in the week – when it was too late to change the readings – that I realised the irony of preaching this passage on the eve of King Read more…

Over the last four weeks we’ve explored the Baptist Mission Australia theme of ‘Mending’. We heard Beth Jackson speak about that beautiful Christmas tree ornament and God’s ‘renewing’. On Mother’s Day I spoke about ‘relating’; how God’s love is a love that urges us to live bigger, shine brighter and Read more…

Today – despite what our calendars and the sales prices on the few remaining chocolate eggs in our supermarkets say – is still Easter. We are in Eastertide and counting down the Sundays until the day of Pentecost. But as we read through the book of Acts in reverse we Read more…

On Easter Sunday morning, four years ago, a member of this church sent me this cartoon from The Australian. The context being, of course, that we were in lockdown, unable to leave our homes unless we were essential workers! Raising questions about how the life-giving, life-transforming work of Jesus has Read more…

found wrangling this reading from John, the last reading for this season of Lent like trying to get an octopus into a string bag! It begins with a convoluted story about Greeks (maybe Jewish converts, maybe Greek-speaking Jews) seeking Jesus, which leads, quite abruptly it seems, into Jesus speaking about Read more…

There was exciting news this week – for my family at least! – that an Australian airline plans to allow small cats and dogs on board! But it has drawn attention to other ‘animals on planes’ stories! Did you know some Middle Eastern airlines allow falcons to travel on plans? Read more…

This morning, we continue to reflect on our church goals and specifically on the second goal – Led by the Spirit, we will build an inclusive, caring community. And it was really interesting (and really wonderful) to hear Meryl, David and Megan speak last week on our first goal – Read more…

Many years ago, this church had an important conversation (1st picture). I am not referring to this many years ago! The church looked more like this (2nd picture) at the time, but actually that first picture (1st picture) reminds us that this is a conversation we have been having for Read more…

One of the aspects of our Mark reading this morning that the commentators comment on is the reoccurrence of the word ‘immediately’! ‘Immediately’ brings a sense of urgency, of drama, to the story. For example, if I told you that on Wednesday night, driving to a conference in Sydney, Rebecca Read more…