Dear Friends,

It’s been wonderful to see more of you coming along to our gathered worship – if not every week, at least occasionally. As you may be discovering, the content of what we receive by email is much the same, but our prayers are bathed in community. Also, we are able to celebrate communion together which is a special gift. 

This week we will explore the final section of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Having been scattered and regathered in 2020, Paul’s letter about community life seems especially relevant. 

Following worship on Sunday, there will be a celebration of marriage service for Charnell Hosking and Russell Hickson. Best wishes to them and their children––Logan, Keagan, Kristen and Laura. We look forward to congratulating them in person when they worship with us again.

The Home Worship Guide for this Sunday is available here and the Reflection in Solitude is available here.

In peace,

Christine  

Dear Friends,

We continue to make our way through Paul’s letter to the Philippians. May our prayer be more and more the one we find in Paul’s letter: I want to know Christ. If by “Christ” we mean the physical manifestation of a spiritual God, what might knowing Christ look like for you and for the community we hope to be?

This evening our church will host a shared meal for those who are newer to Australia and a part of the community during the week. In our own small way, we hope to be an hospitable space that embodies our oneness in Christ.

A reminder about the conversation on the theology of worship that will be offered starting Sunday. (flyer is attached) If you have yet to choose a time but would still like to come along, please respond and let me know which time works for you. 

The Home Worship Guide for this Sunday is available here and the Reflection is available here.

In peace,

Christine

Dear Friends,

As we continue to make our way through Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, we turn our attention to the self-emptying nature of Christ. In speaking about what it might mean to be a self-emptying church in a lecture given at Trinity College in Melbourne entitled “Running on Empty: Contemplation and Ecclesial Possibility,” Sarah Bachelard says this:

I believe that to be adequate to the depth of the world’s need, truly bearers of Christ’s reconciling love, calls for an expansion of the church’s imagination and our compassion. To live into this possibility means being willing to let ourselves go, to fall empty-handed into the hands of the living God so as to receive our life back as gift and renewed call. Dare we accept this invitation? Will we follow Jesus through the deep waters of chaos and death, being uncreated to be recreated, broken to be given as blessing for all? 

You might want to read the whole accessible and inspiring lecture here.

Those gathering for worship on Sunday will have the opportunity to receive communion, a beautiful, sacramental expression of our unity in Christ. Perhaps if you have yet to return to gathered worship, Sunday’s communion celebration may be a good reason to get out of bed!

The Home Worship Guide for this Sunday is available here and the Reflection in Solitude is available here.

Peace,

Christine

Dear Friends,

This week, we continue our exploration of Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi.

I visited the ancient city of Philippi as part of my seminary training, a three-week excursion through the cities of Paul and immersion into the Greek Orthodox Church.

Here is a photograph of the baptismal pool created in memory of Lydia, a place I found beautiful and inspiring – obviously because I later named my daughter Lydia.

As the unusual founding of this community (a Gentile woman and a Roman soldier) reminds us, God’s Spirit is at work everywhere including in surprising people and places. 

Also, here is a song that will be part of our worship for those who gather together on Sunday:

I made the mistake of playing it early in the day and it has stayed with me, just ask the volunteers in the kitchen! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

If you are worshipping from home, here are the links to the Home Worship Guide for this Sunday and the Reflection.

In peace,

Christine