… I knelt on a Melbourne platform and was ordained a minister of Churches of Christ in Australia. Today is an occasion of reflection of what it has all meant. Historically my tradition has had an ambiguous stance towards the matter of “setting apart” or ordaining clergy. After all, are not all ordained and set asideContinue reading “40 years ago today…”
Author Archives: wonderingpilgrim
Melons, chickens & goats
Thinking today of a young lady I met in the back blocks of Zimbabwe. She’s 17 years old, orphaned and living with her grandmother. Her industry is inspiring – she grows melons and tends her flock of six goats (started with one). The two chickens given her two years ago have grown to a flockContinue reading “Melons, chickens & goats”
Wilderness Community Garden
Whilst bashing about the parched back-blocks of rural Zimbabwe, we came across a large fenced off area above a slow flowing river – the district community garden supplementing hamlets and farmsteads for many kilometers around. Known locally as a “garden of Eden,” the plots of a variety of vegetables, including spinach and kale, were surprisinglyContinue reading “Wilderness Community Garden”
Going to Church in Zimbabwe
We got to do it five days in a row – each service lasting around three hours and part of our mutual exchange as we encouraged and taught amongst the very hospitable people. We were never bored – Shona worship is exciting and exhilarating. Here, in Muuyu, the musical Mr Bunda motivates the congregation. WhoContinue reading “Going to Church in Zimbabwe”
Drinking from a fire hydrant…
… that’s how someone described a first time encounter with Africa. I recall my first day in Bulawayo standing on the pavement outside a courier’s office where my colleagues were spending considerable time. They were hopefully negotiating the reduction of storage fees for a box of solar lights that had been mailed over to assist studentsContinue reading “Drinking from a fire hydrant…”
Out of Zimbabwe
It’s now a few days since completing a three week stint working with Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe as part of a volunteer team from Australia and New Zealand. The dust has started to settle, the Africa in our veins is distilling to something quieter and more reflective. The next few posts will describe someContinue reading “Out of Zimbabwe”
Cranky Christians against asylum seeker cruelty – The Drum (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
I’ve been looking for something fresh to say about upping the ante on off-shore detention but Fr Chris Bedding nails it with hilarity. Here it is … Cranky Christians against asylum seeker cruelty – The Drum (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).
Easter choices…
Parker Palmer is someone I enjoy immensely – not the least for his reflection on our choices in response to Resurrection Sunday!
A meditation for Easter Saturday
Originally posted on Wondering Preacher:
Each year about 40 members of Prestbury Methodist Church each write a meditation or two for our Lenten Diary on a given theme. This year, each day focused a single word. This was my contribution for Easter Saturday. The word was ‘Tomb’. My Easter Sunday contribution will be published tomorrow. Reading: John 19:38-42 After this, Joseph,…
Reflections On Getting Arrested
Originally posted on No Guarantees:
#LoveMakesAWay For many years I have half joked about the fact that on my bucket list was this; that I would be arrested for doing something righteous, Christ-like, aka – not drunk and disorderly conduct! I guess in some ways that motivation makes this ‘all about me’. Other than the…
Wondering Pilgrim 