‘To find my own life is a task I cannot undertake without the neighbour.’

I’ve had many formative experiences as a Christian; one of the most significant was the period between 1977 and 1983 as part of the House of Freedom Christian Community, centred in the inner-city Brisbane suburb of West End.
In that time, I was sometimes in the thick of things, sometimes more on the edge; for two [...]

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Happy New Year

Karen and I had a great night last night with our friends David and Marcia, out for dinner at Southbank and then the Queensland Pops Orchestra concert. The program ranged from the likes of Puccini, Bizet & Stravinsky to Tim Rice, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (think ABBA). We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Out in time to [...]

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Getting there this Christmas?

I find every year that I am fine at getting ready ‘professionally’ for Christmas—services prepared etc—but not personally. I have written a few Christmas cards for relatives in the UK, which I sent last month. But not even a Christmas letter to bore my friends with this year. When I think of writing one, I [...]

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Anniversaries.

Ok. The really important one first: today is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As we look around the world, we see there is still so much to be done. Even in Australia! According to the Getup! campaign , Australia is the only democracy in the world without human rights protection. We don’t [...]

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“if you’re someone who prays, please pray for Zimbabwe…”

One of the best things about being a minister in a congregation is the people you get to know. Let me introduce you to one: Katie Wallis is a young woman trying to live a Christian life. Aiming to be a Christian. This has taken her on a journey. Katie was one of those who [...]

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Ordination and Bungeeing (and Broken Symbols…)

I was in Melbourne a few days ago for a long-awaited and long-desired occasion: the ordination of Dr Avril Hannah-Jones, who blogs here.
The occasion was held at The Church of All Nations, a Uniting Church mission in inner-city Carlton.
I had a lovely time. Avril met me at the airport, and once her alb was safely [...]

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Class of ’88

 

 
This is the Class of 88 — those who graduated from Trinity Theological College nearly 20 years ago. Those of us who were ordained that year had dinner the other night at Ciao Baby, an Italian Restaurant. A terrific bunch and a terrific night!
Most of us are still in placement as ordained ministers, and all [...]

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Contemplating a Change @ CUCA

 
 
No sermon from me today. Katie Wallis and the band led us in worship, as a wind up for their marathon 15-week, 24-service promotion of Contemplating a Change, the CD that Katie & Matt Green co-wrote. All proceeds are going to Mwandi; that meant approx. $12600 at the start of the morning, and another ~$500 by the [...]

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Contemplating a Change

That’s the name of the 6-track CD put out by Katie Wallis and friends, and what a terrific night we had last night at its launch. It was a family affair—the Wallis family and many from the church family here at Centenary helped to put on a wonderful dinner and clear out the church so [...]

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Erin in Barca

 
We had a great Christmas this year—the services were creatively put together, with dance on Christmas Eve, and carols sung in French, German and Tamil on Christmas Day, and the band in full force. Many thanks to all involved, not forgetting the AV team!

But Christmas Day was different. My lovely daughter Erin is in Barcelona, [...]

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