Tag Archives: Royal Commission to investigate Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

Sermon: Forgiveness and Repentance

we cannot expect to remain the same when we joyfully climb down that sycamore tree. As we examine our lives, we may find ourselves relinquishing half of what we have, and doing four times as much right as we have previously done wrong Continue reading

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Sermon: God’s motherly love

In times of difficulty, post-Royal Commission, during congregational change, grieving the Christchurch massacre, as we walk with Jesus on the road to his death during Lent, we can rely on the God who loves us as a mother and protects us as a hen protects her chicks Continue reading

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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

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Reflection on the sexual abuse of children

As a minister I am aware of how much respect ordained people are given by our communities, and for abusers to have misused that utterly appals me. Continue reading

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Prayer for the survivors and victims of child abuse

I’ve been trying to write a prayer for Sunday’s service in response to the news of the guilty verdict in George Pell’s trial. I was not sexually abused in the church, but news of the verdict still left me feeling sick … Continue reading

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Sermon: Clericalism is wrong

The proposed legal change is a sign that the world is changing, and it seems that Australian society will no longer allow churches to be treated differently from other institutions. And that’s good! Continue reading

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Sermon: #MeToo

From the story of Eli, it appears that the Lord agrees that ‘The standard you walk past is the standard you accept’. Continue reading

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Sermon: Can we speak of Joy after the Royal Commission?

Hope and joy come from God’s love of justice. And so we know that God was at work in the Royal Commission, as God is at work in every human endeavour that strives for peace and wholeness. Continue reading

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Sermon: Merited and unmerited suffering

History shows us too many times when Christians have utterly failed to do good. Let’s never add to that history by doing evil. Continue reading

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Sermon: Another one of Avril’s feminist sermons

Yes, this is going to be another one of my feminist sermons. You have been warned. Continue reading

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