Advent Greetings … The theme for the third week of Advent is Joy.   I wonder if it is only a coincidence that this week, when I was thinking about joy, I should have stumbled upon this poweful quote.  ‘It is not joy that makes us grateful.  It is gratitude that makes us joyful.’, says Catholic…

Advent Greetings … The second week of Advent we light the candle of peace … but what comes to mind when you hear the word “peace”?  Is it calm surroundings, a tidy home, or people behaving well?  Maybe it’s relaxing on a beach, being away on holidays, financial security, soft music, no strained relationships, or…

Advent Greetings … Advent is a special time of year.  It is a season of waiting and preparation.  It is a time when we begin to tell again the story and celebrate the incarnation that comes into our world. The stories, scriptures, and traditions of the Christmas season have been passed down to us throughout…

Greetings … For the last few weeks we have been seeing churches who have discovered new ways of being at mission in their local communities.  These discoveries were made when people were willing to make small changes and build and develop relationships.  In light of this, I thought I’d share with you a change that…

Greetings … Did you wear a poppy on Friday?  The tradition of wearing a poppy on Remembrance Day began with a poem written in the trenches.  A Canadian doctor, Major John McCrae, penned the poem in 1915 after becoming devastated by the death of a young soldier.                      In Flanders fields the poppies blow                     …

Greetings … When through the bush     and coastal lands I wander, And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; When I look out    and see the mountain grandeur, And spy the river, feel the gentle breeze. Then sings my soul,    my Saviour God, to thee, How great thou art, how great…

Greetings … During September our worship has followed the Season of Creation.  We have encountered Wisdom in the readings and discovered wisdom embedded in creation and wisdom as a force employed by God in the creative process.  We have also prayed with, and for, Creation. I commend the following prayer, written by Caritas Australia and…

Greetings … Most days in our calendar are designated as special days for something.  Thursday 8 September is RU OK? Day.  This is the national day of action when we remind people that it is good to ask ‘are you okay?’, and that having this conversation can what encourages someone to get the help they…

Greetings … When I open my calendar and look at this coming Sunday I can see that there are many entries.  It is the first Sunday of Spring and the first Sunday in the liturgical Season of Creation that we like to celebrate in the Uniting Church.  It is also Safe Church Sunday – the…

Greetings … I wonder what you have been thinking about during the week … what is the stuff that has been on your mind? I’ve been thinking about who we are as the church.  I suppose this is a question that the church always needs to ask itself, but I have found myself pondering whether…