By Rev Rose Broadstock
“Gardening teaches me a lot about God’s ways, and the pattern of new life out of death”
It was such a special birthday when my son presented me with the gift of a beautiful lemon tree.
It looked so full of health and its leaves were deep green and glossy.
By Rev Dr Bob Faser
Some years ago, when I was researching Advent and Christmas as “seasons of opportunity” for congregations in their ministry to their communities, one important fact emerged: many people believe the Christmas celebration has the power to bring out the better aspects of our character.
By Peter Whitaker
The pandemic has turned our lives and society upside down and digitalised the Church, as we have had to gather online. These gatherings had an increase in attendees, which was a phenomenon experienced across the globe.
This has happened with concerns about online worship, not the least of which has been the celebration of Holy Communion. Some ...
By Rev Claire Dawe, minister at Manningham Uniting Church
When the first lockdown began, we all knew how difficult funerals would be to organise and lead, but the ever-changing advice seemed to add to the complexity.
My practice, when possible and appropriate, has been to visit the person who is ailing and offer prayer support to that person and the ...
By Rev Sally Douglas, Minister at Richmond Uniting Church
Why do we gather, online or in person, as church? What are we here for? For ministers and congregations, COVID-19 has brought a sharp halt to much of our busy work and created opportunities to engage with such questions. While being busy can make us feel important, indispensable even, pausing ...
By Bradon French
Eighteen months ago, Marie Kondo sparked a “decluttering revolution” via her Netflix special Tidying Up. The show, based on her book, invited a global audience to consider each of their belongings and ask “Does this spark joy?” If the item didn’t, it no longer warranted keeping. Simply sell, recycle or trash it. The show saw op-shops inundated ...
By Damien Tann
I recently read Louise Milligan’s excellent book Cardinal: The Rise And Fall Of George Pell with the intention of reviewing it.
I was interested in it for two reasons: I am a Uniting Church minister in placement and I’m also a survivor of a repeated act of sexual assault perpetrated by an adult officer while I was ...
Rev Mat Harry asks what forms of communities could we provide for people to engage with, and deepen, their Christian faith when places of worship can re-gather in person? He frames his response using the framework of a Discipleship Pathway, such as Call, Alongside, Invite, Equip and Send.
Call – Salt in turbulence
By Rev Dr Robyn Whitaker
US President Donald Trump delivered an address this week in which he threatened military action on the nation. Then he walked to the nearby St John’s Episcopal Church to pose with a Bible.
Yes, Trump held the Bible like a baby holding a spoon for the first time – unsure which end is which – ...
By Swee Ann Koh
“Please, please, please, I can’t breathe. Please, man.”
By now you would have watched the video of a white American police officer kneeling on the neck of an unarmed black man named George Floyd. The video, shot by bystanders, showed George pleading for help as the white officer pressed his knee on George’s neck. George later ...
By Robyn Whitaker
Yet another black man has died this week as a result of police brutality in the USA. His name was George Floyd and his story ignited both rage and grief across Minneapolis. Witnesses yelled at the policeman kneeling on George’s neck to get off as they could see he wasn’t moving. One asked, “Did you kill ...
By Rev Claire Dawe, Manningham Uniting Church
In a bid to explore creative ways of offering meaningful and authentic worship, I sometimes attend conferences and study different ideas looking at re-imagined forms of worship and being church.
Many are incredibly creative, but I wonder if they actually are forms of worship or if they are “just” engaging activities that point ...