Koonung Heights Uniting Church

2026, 12th July

Rose Kentwell — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 22:08:44 +0000

Last Sunday we began our series from the book of Genesis and based upon Abraham and Sarah and their descendants, sometimes known as the Patriarchs. The promise of land, descendants a “blessing that you may be a blessing to all the nations” is given to Abram and Sarai (as they were known then) and this plays out through the 50 or so in the extended family tree of descendants, but more immediately the direct line through which we trace the lineage to David and later to Jesus.
But it is not a smooth ride. Abram and Sarai are already old and without children. And then their son Isaac is without a wife. And so, the promise is carried forward, spluttering and convulsing but still alive. Last week the Family were on their best behaviour – well really it was Abraham’s servant and Isaac’s wife Rebekah who were on centre stage – but this week all the family blemishes are on show. Jealousy, deception, parents playing favourites. It is all there and we are left open mouthed at how this God-anointed family can behave this way and still keep the Promise alive.
Esau and Jacob are the central characters this week and their power play hovering around the family “birthright”. We are left thinking hmm, maybe the Bible is not quite the family values book we sometimes take it for. But more importantly we are left in awe of how God can use and work through even these flawed people. And if that be true then we have hope that even us flawed people can be conveyers of the Divine hope.

Ray G.

2026, 28th June

Rose Kentwell — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 22:36:29 +0000

Greetings to the Koonung Heights Community
I had opportunity recently to be in conversation with a psychiatrist who now works with the Victorian Government as head of the state’s Mental Health Services.
We began to discuss the apparent escalation of mental health issues in our communities. I asked the question: ‘Why do you think there is such an escalation?’ He responded in an assured way, that indicated that he had reflected seriously on this. ‘There are two main reasons’, he said, ‘First, social isolation – we live in a society where so many people are lonely; secondly we live in a culture where the strong expectation of self-management and personal success means that there is no ‘space’ for people to share their problems and struggles.’
It prompted a reflection of my own … The Christian Gospel offers a counterpoint to both of these reasons. At the heart of the Christian Gospel is the God who entered into and experienced the most hell-ish of human suffering, embracing the lost and lonely, and overcoming everything that isolates people from God and from one another. The church, as ‘the people of the gospel’, is therefore called to display a life which is communal and not isolating, and where the worst of suffering that human life may bring, can be fearlessly shared.
Blessings,
Randall

2026, 21st June

Rose Kentwell — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:34:43 +0000

“Thank you so much” and “Get lost”
Saying thank you can be transformational for the one who hears and the one who speaks. In recent times I have been saying thank you to Gillian by name much more than I used to. It honours her and blesses me.
In the Koonung Corner earlier this year I shared my story of ministry life and my gratitude to this congregation for a resurrection experience in ministry in 1994. Thank you to those who were here then.
Like many of you, I realise that I am among the most fortunate of this world, born into a peaceful land, highly educated, loved by my family, well travelled, financially secure, still playing the piano and singing. But none of those things are at the top of my gratefulness list.
It is Jesus and his Way, his Truth and his Life that I am most grateful for, because it has formed my life, because it will keep challenging me until the day I die, and because it offers meaning, hope and direction to anyone looking for it. On Sunday I will share why I love that Man and wish I was more like him.
One thing Jesus said that I really love is in our scripture this week: He who would save his life will lose it but he who would lose his life for my sake and the gospel will find it. After we get past our mutual self-congratulation as a church, how on earth are we going to get lost for Jesus?
Paul Tonson

2026, 14th June

Rose Kentwell — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 23:00:37 +0000

What’s in a name? One of the delights of having lived among Pacific Island peoples is to have understood how important are the names given at birth. One encounter was with a young Tongan man whose name was Lonisestoni Vaitohi. ‘The name, Lonisestoni, is the Tongan way of saying Launceston, a town in Tasmania. When I was born, my grandmother was living in Launceston, and she gave that name to me. The name Vaitohi, means writing ink; I was given that name to recall the arrival of the first missionaries, who introduced reading and writing to our people. So, my name in English is Launceston Ink’.
The Bible reading for this Sunday, Genesis 18:9-15, tells the story of the promised birth of a son to Abraham and Sarah. Given that both parents were already well over the age of 80, Sarah, who overheard the promise spoken to her husband, bursts out laughing in disbelief. Subsequently when the child is born, he is called ‘Isaac’, the Hebrew word for ‘She laughs.’
Looking ahead to a comparable announcement recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, the (again unsuspecting!) mother, Mary, is informed that her child is to be given the name, ‘Jesus’ because ‘he will save his people from their sins’.
Before we jump to conclusions, let us remember that, for the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is depicted as ‘the new Moses’, and within this framework, ‘sin’ is not ‘the bad things we do’, nor should we lament what bad people we are; rather it speaks of liberation from anything that holds us captive – any obstacle to the fullness of life that God passionately wills for us.
Randall Prior

2026, 7th June

Rose Kentwell — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 22:16:06 +0000

Greetings to the Koonung Heights Community,

What to write for the last time? … that’s the question. It seems that saying ‘thanks’ is not enough for all the love, care, support and generosity that I’ve received from the members and friends of Koonung Heights congregation since I was inducted here in 2019. We have done a lot together since then, and it’s been a blessing to journey with you.

As the time for farewell comes closer, I have been thinking about how we will all continue to journey, but in different directions that are not fully known as yet. I will be with a new community and you will make community with a new minister. While the uncertainty can be both exciting and a little scary, I am comforted when I recall these words from Jeremiah 29:11 … ‘For surely I know the plans I have you for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.’ (Jeremiah 29:11)

I know that God has great plans for all of us. May we find peace in knowing that our stories are held firmly in the hands of the faithful Creator who promises to walk alongside us always.

Blessings – Heather Hon (she/her)

2026, 31st May

Rose Kentwell — Fri, 29 May 2026 06:09:29 +0000

Greetings to the Koonung Heights Community,

‘O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!’

These words are the opening verse of Psalm 8, the psalm for Trinity Sunday which we will celebrate this week. If you read this psalm you will hear these words being repeated in the final verse, neatly wrapping up the invitation to recognise and praise the Creator God. The psalm is a breathtaking meditation on the majesty of God, but also highlights the incredible, humbling truth that the Creator of the cosmos intimately knows and values humanity, and has given humanity the responsibility of caring for all Creation.

This week, as we worship together in our All-Age service, we will reflect a little on our responsibility to care for Creation, as people who have been entrusted by God with this responsibility. Like all tasks that can seem a little overwhelming, when we all do our bit together, we can accomplish more than we could ever imagine.

May we step with confidence into our calling.

Blessings – Heather Hon (she/her).

2026, 24th May

Rose Kentwell — Thu, 21 May 2026 23:21:35 +0000

Greetings to the Koonung Heights Community …

… and welcome to Rev Dr Avril Hannah-Jones and members of the North Balwyn Uniting Church as we celebrate worship and share in community together this Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is recognised as the birth of the Church and the coming of the Holy Spirit in a new way to the people, when ‘they were all together in one place’ (Acts 2:1) so it seems fitting that we are gathering too.

The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and it is placed in the centre of the Uniting Church logo. The dove, with wings of flame, represents the Spirit which empowers and guides us. In the Basis of Union, we read ‘God in Christ has given to all the people in the Church the Holy Spirit as a pledge and foretaste of that coming reconciliation and renewal which is the end view for the whole creation.’ (BOU Para 3)

May we continue to follow the promptings of the Spirit, as we are enabled to be co-workers for reconciliation and renewal.

Blessings – Heather Hon (she/her).

2026, 17th May

Rose Kentwell — Thu, 14 May 2026 21:22:00 +0000

Greetings to the Koonung Heights Community,

Next Sunday we will wear red as we celebrate Pentecost. From Monday 18 May, landmarks across Victoria are lighting up red – the colour of volunteering – in honour of National Volunteer Week! In its 37^th year, the week marks Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteers, recognising the contribution of millions of individuals across the country. The week also aims to encourage everyone to think about how giving their time and talents can create connection, purpose and stronger communities.

Many within our church communities volunteer, giving their time to support others. BCO and Kids Hope are just a couple of examples. It strikes me that as the Holy Spirit journeys with us, we might be spurred on to serve one another and share with them the inclusive love of God.

As you look out and see red landmarks this week, I wonder which volunteers you might think about and give thanks for. As people look at us, I wonder whether they will see the welcoming invitation of God in our actions and words.

Blessings – Heather Hon (she/her).

2026, 10th May

Rose Kentwell — Thu, 07 May 2026 21:53:13 +0000

Greetings to the Koonung Heights Community,

Mother’s Day is a time to honour the nurturing resilience and profound impact of mothers. It is also a wonderful day to acknowledge other women who have been significant in our lives, friends and mentors whose selfless love has helped shape our lives. It is also a day that we recognise is difficult for some.

As we think of women today, I invite you to pray this prayer, adapted from Uniting World.

God of all people, today we pray for women –
Women who hold the hands of children through the night
Women who sit on Boards and make decisions for our nation
Women who give birth barely sheltered from the rain
Women who are the centre of their families and communities
Women who stay strong for their families
Women who’ve been silenced but continue to speak up with dignity.
God of all people, today we pray for women. Amen.

Blessings – Heather Hon (she/her)

2026, 3rd May

Rose Kentwell — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:16:09 +0000

Greetings to the Koonung Heights Community,

Last Sunday we were reminded of Jesus words, ‘I came that they may have life and have it abundantly’. The invitation to us was that we might live as though we believe this promise and, as a response, be willing to share this abundance with others.

I have been blessed to see the abundance of this church community throughout the week as the number of Hope Boroondara Food Drive bags has grown in Watson Hall. I have had conversations with people at the church door as they have returned their bags, some who are contributing for the first time but wanting to do so in response to what this church community means to them. Likewise, many of the English Conversation students have contributed.

When we live out of a posture of abundance, what we have grows as we share it with those who do not have what we do. Both giver and receiver are blessed, even if we do not know one another. May we continue to be a community that lives out of the abundance of the opportunities God’s blessing presents.

Blessings – Heather Hon (she/her)