Liturgy is shared prayer, common worship. The question immediately arrises: “Why?” Why have common worship? Obviously, if you are praying alone – you can do whatever you want. When you start praying together with another person, or as a group – well, that’s quite a different ball game. Suddenly you meet innumerable decisions: When shall
Why have Common Worship? Read More »
Many newspapers recently reported, “All humans are descended from just two people, scientists claim“. And the “Genesis thought of it first”, “the Bible is right” comments followed quickly, as predictably as evening follows morning. But wait, there’s more! Firstly (surprise!), the science is more complicated than the headline would have us understand. And, it’s not
Lilith – Adam’s First Wife – Evolution – and Divorce Read More »
Slow Advent (join): As Slow Food is to Fast Food – so Slow Advent is to most people’s Fast “Season of Advent”. This includes the AdventWord digital Advent calendar and Advent Online 2018 Reflections. You can add your own ideas for celebrating a slow Advent at that link. Let us pray (in silence) [that our
Resources for Advent 2 Read More »
Paradoxology by Krish Kandiah Paperback 308 pages I love the subtitle: “Why Christianity was never meant to be simple”, and the quote by Michael Green on the front: “Paradox is often the pathway to truth, and Krish Kandiah is an accomplished guide along the road.” Krish Kandiah is Executive Director for Churches in Mission at
Over the years, NZ has, on its stamps, minimised the Christmasness of Christmas. It is great to see (at least for old people who still use stamps 😉 ) that this year Christmas on stamps is back. They are designed by Saint Andrew Matautia. They include images of pohutukawa (our Christmas tree). But NZ Post
Aotearoa New Zealand Christmas Stamps 2018 Read More »
The church’s new year begins on Advent Sunday, December 2. In the three year lectionary the focus is on St Luke’s Gospel. In your community, and in your own life, is planning underway how to best make use of this year’s lectionary? It is just plain stubbornly irritating, especially if your denomination (like mine) has
Let us pray (in silence) [that we long for the advent of Christ] Pause Almighty God, [or God of hope or God of justice and peace] give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in the which
Resources for Advent 1 Read More »
Quality movies about faith and religion are few and far between. Novitiate is exceptional. I might have missed it had it not been for a What to Watch article which lavishes praise on this film, a movie that not only bypassed cinemas, but also the film festival in New Zealand. Thought-provoking, rage-inducing and timely in
