The Advent reflections for this week are to help us hear again and explore more deeply the story of Elizabeth and Mary’s encounter and the joy that erupted in their meeting.
In Peace,
Christine
Rev. Christine Gilbert Minister of the Word St Andrew's by the Sea Uniting Church 92 Jetty Road, Glenelg SA 5045 P: (08) 8295 1771 E: [email protected]
A poem from St. John of the Cross who knew suffering intimately. The poetic language of the mystics can sound unusual to our ears, but they speak out of a lived experience of God that may be welcome in our day.
Today is summer solstice in the southern hemisphere. In the week we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World, we experience the longest day of the year. Priest and author Edward Hays says about this day:
We are children of the sun, the daystar that makes all life possible, as we travel in the icy darkness of frozen space. It is only fitting that we celebrate this turning point of our planet.
riest and author Edward Hays
Below is a prayer by Hays for this day…
In Peace,
Christine
Rev. Christine Gilbert Minister of the Word St Andrew's by the Sea Uniting Church 92 Jetty Road, Glenelg SA 5045 P: (08) 8295 1771 E: [email protected]
Our final Tuesday night meal for 2021 was held on Tuesday 7 December. Several folk made donations so we could serve entrée boxes from Wild Truffle Catering followed by turkey and ham, roasted vegetables and pudding with custard and cream for dessert.
Anna Wilson from Ascot Community Uniting Church came as a guest to distribute gifts from Ascot for our volunteers. Someone at Ascot made a number of ceramic ornaments with “Thanks” engraved on the back. She also handmade each beautiful paper box. The volunteers who received them so far are deeply touched.
The generosity of the wider community to the ministry of St. Andrew’s speaks volumes to us. People are longing to be part of genuine (and diverse) community, to put their hands and hearts to sharing of themselves and seeing the love of Christ come to life in our world. The food is starting to fill our pantry again, we are receiving end-of-the-year financial donations from clubs and individuals, and new volunteers continue to arrive as late in the year as yesterday.
May these signs of love lead us to sing with Mary: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my Spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!
In Peace,
Christine
Rev. Christine Gilbert Minister of the Word St Andrew's by the Sea Uniting Church 92 Jetty Road, Glenelg SA 5045 P: (08) 8295 1771 E: [email protected]
Sometimes we can overcomplicate things. Brother Roger’s words are reassuring in their simplicity.
In Peace,
Christine
Rev. Christine Gilbert Minister of the Word St Andrew's by the Sea Uniting Church 92 Jetty Road, Glenelg SA 5045 P: (08) 8295 1771 E: [email protected]
In Peace,
Christine
Rev. Christine Gilbert Minister of the Word St Andrew's by the Sea Uniting Church 92 Jetty Road, Glenelg SA 5045 P: (08) 8295 1771 E: [email protected]
In Peace,
Christine
Rev. Christine Gilbert Minister of the Word St Andrew's by the Sea Uniting Church 92 Jetty Road, Glenelg SA 5045 P: (08) 8295 1771 E: [email protected]
Miriam Rose Ungunmerr Baumann is Senior Australian of the Year for 2021. She has brought into common usage the term didirri which loosely translated means deep listening. More than a technique, didirri is a way of being, a disposition Miriam Rose says brings healing.
Didirri begins, she says, by greeting each morning with the following prayer: Let tiny drops of stillness fall gently through my day. May Miriam Rose’s way and her words lead us in the Season of Advent.
In Peace,
Christine
Rev. Christine Gilbert Minister of the Word St Andrew's by the Sea Uniting Church 92 Jetty Road, Glenelg SA 5045 P: (08) 8295 1771 E: [email protected]
Each year when the Season of Advent begins, I realise anew how countercultural this season is. Advent asks a lot of us – increasingly so, it seems! – yet we have much to gain by practicing anticipation, yearning and hope in the Christian life.
In Peace,
Christine
Rev. Christine Gilbert
Minister of the Word
St Andrew's by the Sea Uniting Church
92 Jetty Road
Glenelg 5045