Tag Archives: ministry
Sermon: In a boat battered by the wind and waves
I said that the Bible remained important to me, but I did not think I could just pick a verse, “like Matthew 14:27,” I said, making up a verse at random, and have it mean something for my life. A little later in the conversation my flatmate and I decided just to have a look and see what Matthew 14:27 said, and we found that Matthew 14:27 is the verse I just quoted. It could not have been more relevant to a discussion in which I had confessed that I was finding the one holy catholic and apostolic church deeply problematic as I learned more of its history, but that I could not bear to leave Christianity because if I did “I would miss Jesus”. Continue reading
Sermon: With gentleness and reverence
I have also found it incredibly heartening to hear why these people believe that they have been called into ministry in the Uniting Church. Most often, they talk of the inclusivity of the Uniting Church, of our diversity, of the way in which we respect each other’s differences and do not demand that everyone follow our way of being Christian. We are an entire Church that shares our faith ‘with gentleness and reverence’; that seeks to find common ground between us and those who are not Christian. Continue reading
Sermon: Exercising our gifts
one ministry that absolutely does not depend on being active and mobile is the ministry of prayer. I do not want to say that ‘anyone can pray,’ because for me one of the signs that my clinical depression is becoming acute is an inability to pray, but it is true that prayer does not require the person praying be filled with youthful vigour. It can be done as well, if not better, by the elderly and frail as by the young and strong. Continue reading
Sermon for Carlynne’s Ordination
Carlynne, it is absolutely vital that you preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in opposition to the deadly hatred we see spewed by so many. Continue reading
Sermon: Love and Solidarity
In Jesus God is acting in solidarity with humanity, and so be watching what Jesus does we can see what we are called to do; what it means to be human beings living in relationship with God. Continue reading
Sermon: God-Humanity Solidarity
Sermon for Williamstown The First Sunday of Lent, 22nd of February 2015 Genesis 9:8-17 Mark 1:9-15 I’ve mentioned before that the Gospel according to Mark is a short, quick, intense gospel. Today this is a huge benefit for us, because … Continue reading
Sermon; When life is utterly unfair …
Sermon for Williamstown Uniting Church 15th of June, 2014 Genesis 1:1-2:4a Psalm 8 One of the things that I love most about being a minister is that as part of that role people include me in the most important moments … Continue reading
Reflection for the funeral of Jemima Pearson Campbell Hannah
Scripture Readings Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 – Read by Murray Hannah-Jones Romans 8:37-39 – Read by Samantha Bykersma The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Preaching of the Word We are gathered here today to say good-bye to Jemima Pearson … Continue reading
In which Avril is very excited (and moved) by an exchange of tweets
A few weeks ago I was one of the guests on the fabulous Doctor Who-based podcast Splendid Chaps. If you’re a fan of the Doctor and you haven’t found this podcast, go check it out NOW. It’s a wonderful fiftieth-anniversary … 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 