Category Archives: Random Musings
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
Speech: #BustTheBudget
We’re not a country divided into lifters and leaners. We’re a community of neighbours who care for each other. At least, that’s the Australia I want to be part of.
Some relaxing reading
This is a lovely, gentle romance; almost a ‘Georgette Heyer’ set in Scotland. I can understand why of all Bruce’s “Colmskirk” stories this was the one most reprinted. The bits of Scots might be a little hard for some to … Continue reading
From the Forum on Same-Sex Marriage; the case for ‘maybe’
Should the church celebrate same-sex marriages? Maybe When it comes to marriage, my head and my heart are split. In the six years that I’ve been a minister of the Uniting Church, and thus a registered religious marriage celebrant, I’ve … Continue reading
Event: Should the church celebrate same-sex marriages?
First in a Spring Series of Controversial Questions: Should the church celebrate same-sex marriages? 7.30 pm, Wednesday the 11th of September, 2013 Williamstown Uniting Church-Electra St Moderator: Rev. Alex Sangster ‘Yes’: Rev. Peter Weeks ‘No’: Rev. Dr Garry Deverell ‘Maybe’: … Continue reading
Talk for Wisdom’s Feast: Why the Church of Latter Day Geeks
As part of Wisdom’s Feast, a conference and education event held at the Uniting Church’s Centre for Theology and Ministry, six people were asked to give short talks on something about which they felt passionate. I wasn’t given a choice … Continue reading
Reflection: In which Avril has an epiphany and decides to tithe
Not so much a sermon as a meandering reflection on Christian attitudes to money, with possibly some over-sharing on my part. 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; Luke 12:13-21 Earlier this week I had an epiphany; a sudden realisation about the way in … Continue reading
Reflection: There’s no such thing as a solitary hero
On Sunday, June 30, the Third Annual Service of the Church of Latter Day Geeks was held at Williamstown Uniting Church – Electra St. These were the readings, and this was the ‘sermon’.
This is the lecture that I gave on ‘Women in the Uniting Church’ as part of Uniting Church Studies at the Centre for Theology and Ministry. There is a lot more here than I shared on the day; the topic … Continue reading
Prolegomena on the use of Social Media in Ministry
Over the past decade social media have taken over the world; or at least those parts of the world with access to the internet. As may appear obvious, social media are called that because they’re social; in contrast to broadcast … Continue reading
Rev Doc Geek 