Thought I could quietly slip into my seventh decade without anyone noticing. But the cover has been blown in the local church newsletter… and my sister’s not only blabbed it all over Face Book but she used my secret name! (Face-palm! Face-palm!). And I’ve already had two birthday cakes! This one emerged with some fanfareContinue reading “It all begins…”
Category Archives: Personal
Yes – Christians & Muslims can Pro-exist!
So claimed Toby Keva, Uniting Church student minister who grew up in Indonesia. Toby was one of two key note speakers at this afternoon’s interfaith dialogue Can Christians and Muslims Co-exist in the Modern World. Toby contended that his own experience answered this question where, even in the face of sporadic violence in his homeContinue reading “Yes – Christians & Muslims can Pro-exist!”
Rose in Sunset after Rain
I quite like this! One of those opportunistic moments when you look out the window and think “I wish I had a camera handy!” In this case I did.
Reporting Back!
Foraging for bush tucker Our trip took us to the Aboriginal community at Looma (on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert), a mission enterprise in Derby and the indigenous communities of Lombadina, Ngamakoon and One Arm Point on the Dampier Peninsula. There we made our base at Kooljaman, a camping ground and resort ownedContinue reading “Reporting Back!”
Listening Journeys
It’s over twelve months since the Australian nation passed an important milestone – the beginning of a process of reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with a formal act of apology for the government’s role in formulating and pursuing policies that led to the phenomenon of the Stolen Generations. Prime Minister Rudd’s words ofContinue reading “Listening Journeys”
Gimlets, Raspberry Jam, Sugar Gums and York Gums
These are the species of tree we planted yesterday at Yaraandoo, a rural property and permaculture farm near Toodyay, about an hour’s drive from Perth. “Not endemic to the area,” we were told. In fact these trees are specific to the the abutting northern region, but changing climate may see them move southward. The exerciseContinue reading “Gimlets, Raspberry Jam, Sugar Gums and York Gums”
Thin Places Revisited
Once again some theologs and I met at King’s Park to explore a question that arises from a Celtic perspective of Christian spirituality – “Is King’s Park a Thin Place?” The escarpment’s close proximity to the CBD of Perth combined with the beauty of it’s bushland setting create a popular tourist spot. It is aContinue reading “Thin Places Revisited”
Three local churches join together for Pentecost communion
It’s a tradition in these parts now. Every Pentecost over the last four years we have joined with the Uniting Church at St Paul’s Anglican Church to celebrate Pentecost with an Anglican Eucharist. Everyone wears red and the sharing of communion is a highlight. Here’s the reflection I shared on John 15:27-16:4 As well asContinue reading “Three local churches join together for Pentecost communion”
From the ashes
Seems like such a small thing after the devastating bushfires in Victoria, but around our streets it’s quite big. We’re getting our shops back! See here.
Chaotic hotels of radical hospitality
Disasters bring out the worst and the best in us. Have a look at Mark Riessen’s blog for a discussion and an exhortation. There is talk in the back rooms asking how local church communities can best respond to disasters that occur on such a large, gut wrenching and life altering scale. Disaster response strategiesContinue reading “Chaotic hotels of radical hospitality”
Wondering Pilgrim 