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Author Archives: Avril Hannah-Jones
Sermon: Jesus the refugee and the tragedy of Bethlehem
Sermon for Williamstown Uniting Church Epiphany, January 4 2015 Matthew 2:1-12 For the past month or so the soundtrack of my life has been Christmas carols. I’ve heard them whenever I’ve been shopping; I’ve played them while driving in my … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged asylum seekers, Bethlehem, Epiphany, Matthew 2:1-12, refugees, Separation Wall, Sermon, Williamstown Uniting Church, Year of Mark
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Sermon: How can we celebrate Advent in a world without Peace
There are many, many other places around the world where an absence of conflict is misnamed ‘peace’. I’m reminded of a very famous quote from the first-century Roman historian Tacitus’ history of Rome’s conquest of Scotland. Tacitus writes a rousing speech that he puts into the mouth of the British leader, Calgacus, in which he says of the Romans: ‘They make a desert and call it peace.’ Continue reading
Sermon: Confronting. Uncompromising. Comforting?
The coming of the Lord sounds terrifying for both the Lord’s adversaries and for the Lord’s faithful people. If this is what the coming of the Lord, the focus of Advent, is like, is it really something to look forward to? Continue reading
Sermon: God is NOT “a harsh man”
One of the things that I discovered as I researched today’s parable is that it’s one of John Howard’s favourite Bible passages … This is why we shouldn’t look to politicians for biblical exegesis. Continue reading
We are all Gaza
Originally posted on Andrew F Dutney:
While I’m very grateful for the experiences of the last couple of weeks, I certainly don’t think I’ve suddenly become an expert on Palestine or the Middle East. In any case, as Sami El…
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Reflection: Very, very initial and tentative thoughts on Palestine and Israel
I have returned from Palestine and Israel a more fervent supporter of the two state solution than I was when I entered it. There must be two states in the Holy Land, where Jews, Christians and Muslims can live in peace. There is no alternative. In support of this, countries like Australia much condemn all breaches of international law, whoever commits them. Continue reading
Posted in Random Musings, Reflection
Tagged Holidays, Human rights, Israel, Palestine, Politics, Religion, World Christianity
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A Wedding Sermon for Susan and Daniel
Song of Solomon 2:10-13, 8:6-7 1 John 4:7-10Matthew 5:1-10 Friends, we have gathered here today to witness and celebrate the marriage of Susan and Daniel, and I am absolutely ecstatic. I was almost tempted to limit this part of the … Continue reading
Sermon: Learning from Jesus
Williamstown Uniting Church 17 of August, 2014 Matthew 15:21-28 A few years’ ago I took my nephew and niece to see a film called To the Arctic at IMAX. The stars of the film were a polar bear mother and … Continue reading
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Tagged homophobia, Matthew 15:21-28, racism, Sermon, sexism, Williamstown Uniting Church, Year of Matthew
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Sermon: Avril talks about “boat people” – again
Sermon for Williamstown Uniting Church August 10, 2014; Ordinary 19 Matthew 14:22-33 Listening to today’s gospel reading is one of those times when our twenty-first century Australian mindset can create a problem. Most Australians are happy coastal dwellers, much more … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
Tagged Apostle Peter, asylum seekers, boat people, immigration detention, Matthew 14:22-33, refugees, Sermon, Uniting Church
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Sermon: God is not safe
Sermon for Williamstown 3rd of August, 2014 Genesis 32:22-31 Today’s story from the Hebrew Scriptures is one of my favourites, and Jacob is one of the biblical characters with whom I most empathise. That may seem strange; I hope it … Continue reading
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Tagged C. S. Lewis, Genesis 32:22-31, Jacob and Esau, Narnia, wrestling with God, Year of Matthew
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