Carol touches on the hope of Christmas

By Denise Liersch

O Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see you lie!

I’ve learned this is a favourite Christmas Carol for many communities. It’s a quiet carol, full of hope, set in starlight and dreams. It’s an especial favourite for Blue Christmas services, when we meet together at Christmas with a profound sense of what is not – ...

NAIDOC Week 2020 reflection

Always was, Always will be

Always was
Always will be
The Lands I walk on
And the Lands that walk within me

To know the history of First Peoples
Is to know the importance of place,
To know what being on country is,
Is to know and feel the ...

Write of Passage: Rev David Fotheringham

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Matthew 13:44

By Rev David Fotheringham, Minister at High Street Uniting Church, Frankston

I suddenly have a new favourite parable: the little parable in Matthew 13 in which ...

Why we should seek happiness through helping others

By Moderator Denise Liersch

In the latest edition of the Loddon-Mallee Presbytery newsletter, I read this quote: “The dumbest things I’ve ever purchased was a 2020 planner.”

If we remember back to this time last year, there’s no doubt life this year has turned out to be nothing like we expected.

And here we are, coming closer to the ...

Write of Passage: Rev (Deacon) Wendy Elson

By Rev (Deacon) Wendy Elson, part of the Shearwater Ministry Team

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the ...

What has COVID-19 taught us about connection?

By Moderator Rev Denise Liersch

Like so many of us, I’ve spent a lot of time in Zoom meetings or on the phone over the past months and have been struck by how much I keep hearing the themes of connection from so many people, from all sorts of contexts.

It’s a theme of our public health messages and across ...

Birthday message from the Moderator

We have been celebrating our 43rd birthday this past week.  Many celebrated a day early, on Sunday, others celebrated on the day and others are still celebrating – as I know from the emails I have been receiving this week from Church members.

The emails have been to wish our Church “happy birthday” and to say something about how ...

Why going back ‘to normal’ isn’t good enough

By Moderator Rev Denise Liersch

In the past few months, we’ve been hearing stories of people’s experiences as they have been travelling this roller coaster we call “the pandemic”. We keep hearing phrases like, “when this is over …”, or what the “new normal” might be like. Those phrases carry something of the depth of sadness, struggle and ...

Rev Claire Dawe asks “what defines worship?”

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 ...

Write of Passage: Rev Angie Griffin

“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” – Mark 7:28

By Rev Angie Griffin, Grange Cluster Minister, Presbytery of Western Victoria

The Syrophoenician Woman, whose encounter with Jesus is told in Mark 7: 24- 28 is my favourite Gospel character, even if she is unnamed, as is her daughter.

...

Is it OK to have Holy Communion online?

By Rev Dr Sally Douglas

Something strange happened when we gathered – via Zoom – for worship on Easter Day. We prayed together. We read sacred text together. We sang falteringly, across the wi-fi connection together and we explored what following the risen, crucified One in our own lives might look like. None of this was strange.

However, in the ...

Now I understand what Lent is all about

By Ellaine Downie

I usually don’t “do” Lent. On Pancake Tuesday, between mouthfuls of dough and maple syrup, some of my more spiritual friends announce what they will be giving up for Lent. Sometimes it’s chocolate, sometimes it’s the movies.

I remember one year a friend announced with some trepidation – and (if this doesn’t sound too bitchy) a rather ...