We need balance

When the balance of what we know, what we allow, and what we enforce together with what we feel, would wish upon ourselves and put our trust in, is out of kilter, lamentable things happen.

Creative living

Our stories affirm that creation is out of something, not out of nothing. The “formless void” in the beginning is not “no-thing,” but rather that which awaits further creative work.

Escape

Escape is one of our favourite follies, right up there with the illusion of control. At the heart of all our entertainments is the desire for distraction, to be removed from knowing and being known. We slip into darkened theatres, bury our heads in books . . .

Sounds easy!

Be more like Jesus - that sounds like a good new year's resolution. At this time of new year resolutions and personal goal setting it might be timely to think about what becoming 'Christlike' might mean, because isn't this what Christians should aspire to?

Tonight and tomorrow

Beauty is real. Hope is real. Peace and joy and love are real. It’s a lot to believe in, and it stretches the bounds of reason in our desperate midnight world, but we can do it.

Reason for the season

During this past 12 months we have helped many people who find life tough. We have also opened our church to many visitors who are interested in our building and heritage and also to allow them the opportunity to have some quiet time during the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

A Bowl of Hope

Each week the front page of our website will feature a different country and aspect of work supported by the Christmas Bowl. The link will take you to a short video clip describing the work in that country.

Magaret River fires

We pray for those affected – for courage, strength, patience and hope, to face the days and weeks and months ahead, even when the story no longer has media attention.

A better world?

What is the good news we long for in this season of Advent, and how might we participate in realizing good news in our place and time?

Remembering those who serve

Mr Saunders asked Church members to not only grieve for the loss of lives cut down in their prime in wars past and present, and pray for peace in our world, but to also remember to support those who continue to serve, believing that they are making a difference and making life safer and more stable for the people in the lands they serve, through prayers, letters, emails, and care packages.

Wake up Australia!

If you were wondering whether Australia has 'lost its moral compass', maybe even its soul, this might help you decide!

Daring to dream!

Our partner church, the Evangelical Christian Church in the Land of Papua, is committed to developing local leaders, to offering quality education and to providing necessary medical care to local communities.

Only a memory!?

I’m interested in the current trend in memorial making. Post-modern monuments are much more fluid and interactive than historical and modern ones.

Question without notice

This story challenges us to think about compromises we may be prepared to make in order to quarantine our own welfare and future, often at the expense of others.

Nobel Peace Prize 2011

We know that peace can be elusive, and we watch with great concern the media reports from troubled regions in the world, including Africa and the Middle East.

What is it that you yearn for? 

. . . peace, reconciliation, love, joy, welcome and hospitality, healing and wholeness, dignity, enough for all?

Unlocking the gates

On the first Sunday in October (2nd October this year) World Communion Sunday is celebrated around the world. The day has taken on new relevancy and depth of meaning in a world where globalization often has undermined peace and justice – and in a time when fear divides the peoples of God's earth. 

One wild and precious life?

Is this life ours to live carelessly, just reacting to what is going on around us or is this life a precious gift . . .

Kick in the gut !?

. . . perhaps we let 9-11 define us in ways that continue to damage us, to allow too many commentators and politicians to use that day to manipulate our fears for their own agendas.

We have a common vision

"With partners of other faiths, we have recognized that peace is a core value in all religions, and the promise of peace extends to all people regardless of their traditions and commitments. . .

The different ‘me’s in me

I’m not so sure we can ‘fix’ the world with sheer elbow grease anymore. I am much more intrigued by the mysterious way the Spirit works and I want to spend as many of my days as possible letting go and trusting that bigger imagination, that bigger mystery…

Here is my dream

We excitedly point out to each other and to the city and to the world all that is lovely and worthy of praise. We are at play together in the fields of the Lord.

In peace together

Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian leaders have all expressed solidarity with the people of Norway in the wake of the tragedy, and pledged to live in peace together.

Evolution and allurement

". . . . we are susceptible to the allurements of the materialism and commercialism of the dominant culture. The trivial life triumphs. What if we resist the advertisers, and allow ourselves to be allured by love?"

A moral challenge

When the Uniting Church was inaugurated in 1977 we pledged to the nation that we would be a voice urging the protection of the environment and the wise use of the earth’s resources.

Oasis

Tired travellers in the desert are searching for palm trees in the distance. They are looking for promised rest and refreshment. They have a more distant destination, but their gaze is intent on the hope that lies immediately ahead. 

Would you get on the bus?

In May this year US civil rights campaigners, now in their 70s, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides.

A Seed Sown... A People on the Way

When people are risking their lives for reform, free elections and democratic government we are reminded of the values that we often take for granted.

A single raisin!

That image has stayed with me these last few days, and offered a mirror for our contemporary situation in Australia where people flee from war and troubled situations in their home countries, and seek refuge in Australia.

Anniversary: returning to the same date yearly

In this so called post denominational age Pilgrim is unapologetic and unreserved in its commitment to the UCA.

When bad things happen
to good people

God leaves us room to be human, i.e. we have the ability to choose between good and evil. For God to interfere with that ability would make us less human.

When life seems to close in

One day a man fell off a cliff, but managed to grab hold of a tree limb on the way down. He called out, “Is there anyone up there?” A voice answered back, “I’m here; God. . . .

The Journey

The story of an extraordinary journey was recently told me. The journey of an older woman, sitting in the bus…and a stranger, a young women in her early twenties, who sits down next to her. For a time they journey in silence…

What now?

The wedding of Kate and William is now over, and so is the commemoration and celebration that stands in contrast to the values and power structures of today.

Who is this?

The wedding of Kate and William will be here soon, and so will a commemoration and celebration that stands in contrast to the values and power structures of today.

A prayer. . .

There were people in those cars,
There were people trying to outrun the waves,
There were people in those buildings
There were people going about their daily business
Just like us,
suddenly cut short
taken by surprise

Giving up?

As we enter the Lenten season, tradition often encourages people to think about what they might 'give up for Lent'.

A prayer for Christchurch

Present in the earthquake, as in the fire and the flood, not as cause but as companion,
God of life and love be with those who are suffering in and around Christchurch.

Can you see anything?

We get a hazy view for a time before things become clearer. Some over a long period of time and others more instant. Neither is right or wrong. It is what it is.

Creating spaces

The future of Pilgrim Church is not in its proud history nor its multi-storey future. It is in the kinds of spaces we create around ourselves.

The King's Speech

He dreaded those occasions when he was called upon to speak at public events, due to his severe stammering problem. "They believe that when I speak, I speak on their behalf, but I can't speak."

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