Dear Friends, I had one of those frustrating days yesterday. I was looking at the Common Grace materials for National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June), and their call to those who took part in the Walk for Reconciliation in 2000 to send in photos and stories for the 20th anniversary of that event (today – the 28th May 2020). (Photo: Rick Stevens, Sydney Morning Herald) And I can see my photo clearly! In it is my mother and I Read more…
Dear friends Last Sunday was our Annual Thanksgiving Day when we launched our Thanksgiving Offering. John Lewis from Baptist World Aid was our guest speaker, via Zoom from Newcastle. He brought an up-date on BWA’s ministry in various parts of the world, but especially in Bangladesh. Out Thank Offering will be used to help communities in that country deal with the devastating affects of Coronavirus. John Lewis spoke on 2 Corinthians 1:1-17, emphasising that God is a God of comfort Read more…
‘Safe as houses’ was the theme last Sunday; that rather than promising us the relative physical security of a house, Jesus, in John chapter 14, promises we will always find a home, a dwelling place, with him, a place of shelter to which we are called to invite and welcome others. It was the message Jesus gave his disciples in uncertain times and it continues to both a comfort and a challenge to us in uncertain times. And the uncertain Read more…
Well, the results are in for the Canberra Baptist Church ‘Songs for the Journey’ playlist’! 500 miles by The Proclaimers was mentioned in a few breakout rooms – one of my personal favorites! And with the proximity to Anzac Day we had a few wartime songs: Coming in on a wing and prayer, Pack up your troubles, and It’s a long way to Tipperary. There were a few nostalgic entries; The Carnival is over and Morningtown Ride by The Seekers, I love to go Read more…
Greetings everyone. Last Sunday morning I commenced my sermon with a riddle – “When is a door not a door?” I invited anyone with an answer to write it on a sheet of paper and hold it up at the end. There were so many who held up “When it’s ajar” that we didn’t have time to spotlight them all. There were also some very creative responses including “ADORE”, an actual jar, and the following virtual background from Zach. The Read more…
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! It was wonderful last weekend to gather – over Zoom – with a congregation meeting in different homes and different states (and even different countries) to remember again the life, death and resurrection of Jesus – that within our darkest night God’s powerful love has kindled a fire that never dies away. Attached is a picture of the flowers on the communion table on Easter Sunday – with the Christ candle and other Read more…
Dear Friends, It is interesting what we can do and what we can’t do during this Covid 19 emergency. Our family can’t drive to Sydney for a special meal to celebrate my brother’s birthday this week, but we are having a 40 minute Zoom conversation with our four households – each week – bringing us closer than we have been in years! As a church we cannot at the present time hold services in our buildings, but we can Read more…
Dear Friends, What a week this has been! Last Sunday we were trialing Zoom church and this Sunday it has become our only option! Also, in the course of this week, all church programmes and Community Centre activities have ceased to be physical gatherings and gone on hold or on line, and John, Cecelia and myself are now all working from home. And so many Australians – friends and relatives and some members of our congregation – have faced even greater turmoil. Its not Read more…
Dear Friends The following statement is part of a helpful email distributed to Churches this week by Steve Bartlett, the Director of Ministries for the Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT. With the Covid19 virus present in our communities and the projections for how it will spread in coming days, weeks and months, we find ourselves in extraordinary times. It is easy during a time of crisis to grasp for control and certainty. As followers of Jesus, how can we live differently in what is a time of Read more…
Dear Friends What a difference water makes! Kristine and I were in Wellington (NSW) for 18 months while I did an Intentional Interim at the Baptist Church. The region had already been in a prolonged drought when we arrived, and it continued during our whole time there. Farmers and businesses were struggling. When we left just before last Christmas, many paddocks were just dust and the landscape was an ugly brown. With Burrendong Dam at 1.5% capacity and severe water Read more…