Tag Archives: political protest

Resolution on non-violent anti-genocide action

At the eighteenth meeting of the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, Rev. Alex Sangster and I presented a proposal condemning antisemitic acts in Australia, while pointing out that protesting genocide is not antisemitic and encouraging members of the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania to do so. The proposal was passed without amendment. This is the text of that proposal, the rationale for it, and the words of the speech I made presenting it. Continue reading

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Sermon: Building Jerusalem in Australia’s dry and dusty land

We live as citizens of the New Jerusalem when we work to make the world a better place. Knowing God’s ultimate intentions, we do not accept injustice, war, and poverty as just ‘the way things are.’ Knowing God’s universalism, we do not limit our compassion to our families, friends, and those like us, those of the same race, faith, or nationality. We are not afraid of speaking out, standing up, or even sitting down and refusing to be moved when those things are called of us. We know that even if we die, God wins. Continue reading

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Sermon: Street marches

Reflection for North Balwyn Uniting Church Palm Sunday, 24th of March 2023 Psalm 118:1-2 19-29 Mark 11:1-11 After hearing today’s gospel story, of Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem the week before his death, I am a little surprised that the Roman powers … Continue reading

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Sermon: Palm Sunday Protests

There can be no ‘Walk for Justice for Refugees’, which churches and community groups have held on this Sunday for years as our government’s attacks on people seeking asylum have got worse. We are seeing a very different Palm Sunday, a much more subdued one than we would normally experience. But its importance, its message, remains the same. Continue reading

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