… is IT troubleshooting. For a small, ageing congregation, we’re very wired up. We digitally record our services, network with one another through email and a few are even braving Facebook and Twitter. This week I ventured into Android tablet territory and began teaching myself its various idiosyncracies and exploring the wonders of syncing itContinue reading “One thing my training never equipped me for…”
Monthly Archives: August 2011
Jumping to conclusions and landing on our faces…
We are quick to name the culprits if there’s a possibility of reinforcing our prejudices. Two instances are apparent today: the London riots – in this far flung outpost of the old empire we hear alarmed predictions of “how the same will happen here if we don’t stop the boats” and “just as Enoch PowellContinue reading “Jumping to conclusions and landing on our faces…”
Census night
The choice tonight is to catch up on this blog or fill out the census forms. My son with eagle eye already discovered a discrepancy in the registration number on our form and rang up about it. Sure enough, the number was ‘invalid’ and we had to arrange for the census office to SMS aContinue reading “Census night”
When the High Court saves us from ourselves…
There’s a very good reason for the separation of powers – particularly law and governance: High Court puts Malaysia deal on hold | News.com.au. There will be many who gnash their teeth and wail that a High Court intervention interferes with the so-called “will of the people.” It depends, however, on what theContinue reading “When the High Court saves us from ourselves…”
Peter picked a permanent positive pistuous posture
A variant on Peter picked a pepper? No – just some leftovers from this morning’s ruminations on the Gospel of Matthew’s account of Peter walking on the water and sinking. I would never dare use such a pretentious alliterative phrase anywhere else but here. I reiterate the view, however, that Peter was not being typicallyContinue reading “Peter picked a permanent positive pistuous posture”
Trying a Triantiwontigongolope
It was my usual charge in and grope my way in the dark. I needed some things from the office, so I felt for the right shaped key, found the lock – turned the knob and entered the dark cave I call my study. I reached out my hands and felt around the desk. BotherContinue reading “Trying a Triantiwontigongolope”
Paying the tax collector
Having just labored over and electronically lodged my tax return (how tremulously the finger hovers on the “send” button!), I now sit back and ponder. The question of taxes is not a light one. A conflicted standoff over how much and under what circumstances and “what for?” recently brought our inhabited cosmos to the brinkContinue reading “Paying the tax collector”
Demythologising the wedge
The wedge has been used to good effect in Australian public life over the last decade. Politically, the strategy has effectively divided the community on such issues as immigration, Aborigine & Torres Strait Islanders affairs, the environment, sexual equality and, yes, public funding of school chaplaincy. The strategy is effective. Divide and conquer keeps theContinue reading “Demythologising the wedge”
Just a quick one…
… this is one of those days where my interruptions are having interruptions. I recall a mentor from long ago saying “Welcome your interruptions – they are simply occasions for new opportunities!” Well – plenty of opportunities abounding today – but which ones to chase and where?
Clarifying the School Chaplaincy case before the High Court
The important debate re school chaplaincy (and Special Religious Education) in Australian schools is being waged on many fronts. Confusing the issues are political expediency and opportunism, unclear definitions, and a range of alleged apparent motivations across the religious sector. State specific situations, such as the “Ethics alternative” showdown in NSW and the administrative issuesContinue reading “Clarifying the School Chaplaincy case before the High Court”
Wondering Pilgrim 