Over at Godspace, Christine Sine has posted with lots of links to
resources which will enrich your Advent experience.
Please visit
Occupy Faith
Click thru to site
LECTIONARY
Click thru to site
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Advent: liturgical, personal, a reality of life at various points in life
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This post is printed in full from Interrupting the Silence
with kind permission of its author, Father Michael Marsh,
and gratitude from Miss Eagle.
The collect and readings for the First Sunday in Advent, Year B, may be found here. The following sermon focuses on Mark 13:24-37.
“In those days….” So begins our entry into the Season of Advent. It sounds ominous and it is. Advent is not just a liturgical season of the church year. It is a reality of life. It happens in all sorts of ways. It comes at various points in life, not just the four or five weeks before Christmas.
 "In those days … the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” These are Jesus words to his disciples. The disciples have been admiring the temple and the large stones. They are impressed. Jesus, however, is telling them that change is coming. The temple of their life is coming down.
If you have ever experienced significant change in your life, whether desired or dreaded, you know about “those days.” You know about Advent. You know what it is like to enter the darkness of change. All change, whether welcome or unwanted, brings some kind of loss. It may be the loss of a relationship, the loss of a loved one, the loss of what is comfortable, familiar, safe. Regardless, the world as we have known it has ended.
The Advents of our lives set before us important questions. How will we find our way forward when the usual lights that illumined our path no longer shine? What do we do when it feels as if our world is falling apart? Where do we go when it seems as if darkness is our only companion and God is no where to be seen?
The dark times of life are threshold moments. The temptation is to do something; to fix it, to ease the pain, to escape the uncertainly, and to get back to what used to be. The God of Advent does not allow that. We can never go back to the way it was before the lights went out. God does not undo our life. God redeems our life. Advent is not so much about the losses as it is about the hope and coming of what will be. That hope and coming is the Son of Man, Jesus the Christ. The presence of Christ is the ultimate answer to every prayer, to every light extinguishing loss, to every Advent of our life.
Every time we tell the Advent story of our life we echo the prophet Isaiah’s cry, “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down” (Is. 64:1 ). And God does. God is faithful. God strengthens us to the end. In the midst of our losses we lack nothing as we await the revealing of Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 1:7-9).
The Advent times of life are times of waiting. They are liminal times. In Advent we live in between what was and what will be. We are neither here nor there. We are betwixt and between. They are times of transition and it is hard, sometimes even impossible, to see the way forward.
If we allow them to the dark threshold places of life can draw us deeper into the divine mystery. They remind us that we do not know everything. We do not see all possibilities. We can neither predict nor control anything. We are not in charge. Advent challenges us to give up our usual sources of illumination, to let go of our habitual ways of knowing, and to question our typical ways of seeing. Advent invites us to receive the God who comes to us in the darkness of life.
At some point our world falls apart, life changes, or the lights go out. More often than not we see this as the end. When these things happen, Jesus says, remember the fig tree. Read the signs correctly. When its branch becomes tender and it puts forth leaves you know summer is near. So also when the darkness overtakes your life know that the Son of Man is near. Christ’s presence, our healing, and salvation, are always taking place in the dark and messy parts of life. We have not and never will be abandoned to the darkness.
“Be alert,” Jesus warns. He commands us to “Keep awake.” Darkness is not our enemy as much as is falling asleep. We fall asleep whenever fear controls or life, when hope gives way to despair, when busyness is equated with goodness, when entitlement replaces thanksgiving, when we choose what is comfortable rather than life-giving. Whenever we think our life is over, that darkness is our final reality, that we have been abandoned, or that loss and darkness are our only reality then we have fallen asleep.
To often we allow the darkness to deceive us into believing there is nothing worth waiting or watching for. So we close our eyes. We fall asleep and we become part of the darkness. We refuse to see the One who is always coming to us. The danger in the darkness is that we do not give out eyes time to adjust. We do not trust our night vision. Night vision is not about the light around us but the light that is within us, a light that can never be extinguished.
The Advents of our lives ask us to trust the Coming One more than the darkness. It means we must sit, listen, wait, watch. That is contrary to what most of the world believes and what our society rewards. We must show up every moment of our lives not just in spite of but because of the darkness. To show up and be present in the darkness of life is some of the hardest work we will ever do. Run from our darkness and we run from God.
In the darkness of Advent we move slower, we listen more than we speak, we hold questions rather than answers. We wait expectantly but without specific expectations. Waiting in darkness is an act of faithfulness and surrender to the Coming One. Waiting becomes our prayer, a prayer that is and will be answered by God’s presence.
Tell your Advent story; a story of change, loss, darkness. Then sit down. Be still. Be quiet. Listen. Wait. Watch. These are the practices of Advent. Why? Because God “works for those who wait for him” (Is. 64:4).
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Non-violent Leadership for Interfaith Peacebuilders
Nonviolent Leadership for Interfaith Peacebuilders
I would like to draw your attention to a very exciting opportunity entitled, Nonviolent Leadership for Interfaith Peacebuilders. It is a new 8-day residential program designed for young people aged 18-30 years from a variety of different faith backgrounds who hold a common passion to lead their generation towards the goal of a world without violence, intolerance and injustice. It is offered free of charge to successful applicants (excl travel).
The program involves two modules in 2012 and includes supporting participants to engage in a community project developed by each participant in his or her individual faith community. The 8 day residential retreat will take place at the beautiful and idyllic surrounds of Amberley Retreat and Spirituality Centre on theYarra River in MELBOURNE
PROGRAM DATES
The program involves two modules in 2012 and includes supporting participants to engage in a community project developed by each participant in his or her individual faith community. The 8 day residential retreat will take place at the beautiful and idyllic surrounds of Amberley Retreat and Spirituality Centre on the
PROGRAM DATES
Module 1: The Inner and Outer Journey of Nonviolent Leadership (5 day)
4.30 pm Sunday 29th January and 4 pm Friday 3rd February 2012
Module 2: The Tool-Kit For Nonviolent Leadership (3 day)
9 am Wednesday 11th April and 4 pm Friday 13th April 2012
Further details and application forms are available from the website:
Please feel free to forward this program onto your networks
and recommend young people from your
organisation, faith network or community group to apply.
Hurry, spaces are limited to 20 participants.
Applications should be in by 30 November.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Crown Him with many crowns: the feast of Christ the King
Can I hear you singing along?
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Simplicity and making the best of everything
Life is Like a Cup of Coffee
posted 10/09/10
"A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.
Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite.
He told his guests to help themselves to the coffee.
After everyone had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said, 'If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups have been taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
Be assured that the cup adds no quality to the coffee.
In most cases, it is just more expensive, and in some cases, even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup. But you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups to see who had the best one.
Now consider this...
Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee.
Savor the coffee, not the cups!
The happiest people don't have the best of everything.
They just make the best of everything.
Live simply.
Speak kindly.
Care deeply.
Love generously.'"
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Share This!Monday, April 18, 2011
The Resurrection and the Life in the story of the Buxton Silver Gum
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Eucalyptus crenulata (Buxton Silver Gum)
It's an ill wind bushfire that blows burns nobody any good, it is said.
This story will cause a flutter of excitement in many places. Thanks to the bushfires more was learned about this rare tree and rejuvenation of the species in its special locality is expected. It is this sort of thing that gives us, the human species, hope.
In a week when Christians will be commemmorating a death on a cross and a resurrection to new life, Australia's beautiful, ancient soil has thrown up a story of continuing life in the face of adversity. This is an impressive thing.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
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On Friday, I attended the Women 's World Day of Prayer at St John's Catholic Church at Mitcham. Usually, I find WWDP very ho-hum - as can happen when one stretches the bonds of faith across denominations and beyond everyday faith communities. I always do my best to enter into the mindspace of the women from whichever country has organised a particular year's service. I did that this year - and I found the service, given to us this year by the women of Chile, mind-blowing. So much so, that I am going to do a number of posts this week with regard to this service. If you too have attended the World Day of Prayer this year and been affected by the order of service, please join in the conversation either on the comments section of by emailing me at eaglemiss(at)gmail(dot)com.
To start with, let us look at the logo. The logo is seen in the first photo below in the pulpit piece as well as at the top of the cover of the Order of Service booklet. In the second photo, the logo is dissected and its components explained. The logo was devised by the women of Ireland - and so the Celtic Cross is included. This gladdens not only the Irish heart - but the hearts of those who, like me, consider themselves part of the great Celtic diaspora across the world. Please note St. Brigid's Cross at the end of each Desert post.
More to follow.....1
The Speaker, Mary Cameron.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Queensland - in God's hands and its own resourceful abilities #qldfloods #resilience
I want us to remember who we are.
We are Queenslanders.
We're the people that they breed tough,
north of the border.
We're the ones that they knock down,
and we get up again.
Anna Bligh,
Premier of Queensland.
She said this on the morning
of 13 January 2011
as she held back tears.
Monday, January 10, 2011
The day after the Tucson tragedy #prayer via @zacbailes
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Words cannot fully express the compassion and sympathy
that goes out to the people of Tucson.
It is, therefore, wonderful when someone does find some
good words.
Mark Sandlin over at The God Article has done so.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Desert women's business 25-29 March 2011 #desert #women #indigenous #Aboriginal #NT
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INVITATION TO
DESERT WOMEN'S BUSINESS UMUTJA
25-29 March 2011
Nellie Patterson and the Pitjantjatjara elders
in Central Australia
invite you to share in Women's Business
at a very sacred healing area
approximately 150 kms from Uluru.
(This is a long drive on a desert track).
Cost: $1500.00
Pickup: The Outback Pioneer Motel, Yulara. Tel: (08) 8957 7888
Deposit: $500 by 31st January, 2011
Balance: $1000 by 28th February, 2011
SORRY NO REFUNDS AFTER 28th FEBRUARY
Fee covers transport to and from Yulara
(also there is a free shuttle bus from Yulara Airport to the Outback Pioneer),
all meals, swag and cultural fees.
DETAILS:
We are travelling to very powerful land and we are asked to come with deep respect for the law and culture of this area bringing only an open attitude and willingness to be guided by the elders.
- We meet at the Outback Pioneer at around 12 noon on 25 March. Please be ready to load up into the Troopies by then so that we can reach our destination early. We will return to the Yulara Ceremonial site as usual for rest and integration of our experience at Umutja and then return to the Outback Pioneer around Noon on 29 March but earlier times can be arranged for flights if necessary.
- We travel in 4x4 Troopies. Space is very limited so luggage must be kept to an absolute minimum (additional items for before and after the event can be stored at the Outback)
- You will need to bring 10 litres water for personal use - can be purchased at Yulara when you arrive.
- We provide swags but please let us know if you are bringing your own so that we do not double up.
WHAT TO BRING:
- warm sleeping bag, small pillow and sheet
- large tarp for over and under swag – approx 3 metre x 4 metre
- soft bag for clothes etc - keep it very small for transport
- water and drinking bottle
- torch – headlights are easier and best
- black skirt, knee length or longer. You will spend most of your time in this and will need very little additional clothing for the site other than some warm covering clothes for the evenings and early mornings and maybe socks and beanie for bed if nights get cool. A sarong or two comes in handy too.
- wipes like wet-ones, for washing
- toilet paper and small trowel
- zip lock bags for your own rubbish (incl. used toilet paper!!)
- small towel
- sunscreen and hat
- insect repellent
- Gastrolyte or other electrolyte drink
- additional food for snacking on if you need it. MEALS ARE SIMPLE, VEGETARIAN, AND NUTRICIOUS. (Let us know if you have special dietary needs and we will see what we can do, e.g. gluten free).
- willingness to assist in the kitchen for preparation & clean-up at meal times (a roster will be available for you to sign up on)
- willingness to assist with serving our Aboriginal sisters at meal times.
- we are asked not to bring any recreational drugs, alcohol, drums and other instruments, jewellery, healing items like crystals, etc. as they interfere with the way the women work with the land in ceremony. Photography is not allowed and we are asked to keep our writing, artwork for later.
- it is important for you to know that you will be responsible for yourself and your experience at this event as it is not covered by insurance.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS AS GIVE-AWAYS IF YOU WANT:
- the ladies love and need black skirts - mostly large size
- wool - red, white, black and yellow
- white feathers
- paints, brushes
- canvas
Please send deposit or full fee to:
St George Bank
Account Name: Lorraine Moses
BSB: 112-879
Acct No. 473807023
Or: Mail a cheque/money order to:
Lorraine Moses
PO Box 88,
Alice Springs NT 0871
VERY IMPORTANT
PLEASE BE SURE TO ADD YOUR NAME WITH YOUR DEPOSIT
AND LET ME KNOW BY EMAIL WHEN YOU DO THAT,
OTHERWISE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL
WHO HAS PAID WHAT - MAMMOTH TASK!
THANKS.
Please feel free to phone me if you have any questions 0428 406009.
Love and blessings, Lorraine
Further reading:
Egypt's Muslims serve as human shields for Coptic Christmas Mass #christianity #islam #egypt
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Site sources of religious symbols:-
Islam's Crescent from
St Antonious Coptic Orthodox Church, Portland, Oregon
The article below has come to me via Steve Hayes, my long time 'net friend in South Africa. Its original source is here.
Egypt's Muslims attend Coptic Christmas mass, serving as "human shields"
Muslims turned up in droves for the Coptic Christmas mass Thursday night, offering their bodies, and lives, as “shields” to Egypt’s threatened Christian community
Yasmine El-Rashidi , Friday 7 Jan 2011
In Egypt, ministers and movie stars turn out for trouble-free Christmas mass. Egypt’s majority Muslim population stuck to its word Thursday night. What had been a promise of solidarity to the weary Coptic community, was honoured, when thousands of Muslims showed up at Coptic Christmas eve mass services in churches around the country and at candle light vigils held outside.
From the well-known to the unknown, Muslims had offered their bodies as “human shields” for last night’s mass, making a pledge to collectively fight the threat of Islamic militants and towards an Egypt free from sectarian strife.
“We either live together, or we die together,” was the sloganeering genius of Mohamed El-Sawy, a Muslim arts tycoon whose cultural centre distributed flyers at churches in Cairo Thursday night, and who has been credited with first floating the “human shield” idea.
Among those shields were movie stars Adel Imam and Yousra, popular preacher Amr Khaled, the two sons of President Hosni Mubarak, and thousands of citizens who have said they consider the attack one on Egypt as a whole.
“This is not about us and them,” said Dalia Mustafa, a student who attended mass at Virgin Mary Church on Maraashly. “We are one. This was an attack on Egypt as a whole, and I am standing with the Copts because the only way things will change in this country is if we come together.”
In the days following the brutal attack on Saints Church in Alexandria, which left 21 dead on New Year’ eve, solidarity between Muslims and Copts has seen an unprecedented peak. Millions of Egyptians changed their Facebook profile pictures to the image of a cross within a crescent – the symbol of an “Egypt for All”. Around the city, banners went up calling for unity, and depicting mosques and churches, crosses and crescents, together as one.
The attack has rocked a nation that is no stranger to acts of terror, against all of Muslims, Jews and Copts. In January of last year, on the eve of Coptic Christmas, a drive-by shooting in the southern town of Nag Hammadi killed eight Copts as they were leaving Church following mass. In 2004 and 2005, bombings in the Red Sea resorts of Taba and Sharm El-Sheikh claimed over 100 lives, and in the late 90’s, Islamic militants executed a series of bombings and massacres that left dozens dead.
This attack though comes after a series of more recent incidents that have left Egyptians feeling left out in the cold by a government meant to protect them.
Last summer, 28-year-old businessman Khaled Said was beaten to death by police, also in Alexandria, causing a local and international uproar. Around his death, there have been numerous other reports of police brutality, random arrests and torture.
Last year was also witness to a brutal parliamentary election process in which the government’s security apparatus and thugs seemed to spiral out of control. The result, aside from injuries and deaths, was a sweeping win by the ruling party thanks to its own carefully-orchestrated campaign that included vote-rigging, corruption and rife brutality. The opposition was essentially annihilated. And just days before the elections, Copts - who make up 10 percent of the population - were once again the subject of persecution, when a government moratorium on construction of a Christian community centre resulted in clashes between police and protestors. Two people were left dead and over 100 were detained, facing sentences of up to life in jail.
The economic woes of a country that favours the rich have only exacerbated the frustration of a population of 80 million whose majority struggle each day to survive. Accounts of thefts, drugs, and violence have surged in recent years, and the chorus of voices of discontent has continued to grow.
The terror attack that struck the country on New Year’s eve is in many ways a final straw – a breaking point, not just for the Coptic community, but for Muslims as well, who too feel marginalized, persecuted, and overlooked, by a government that fails to address their needs. On this Coptic Christmas eve, the solidarity was not just one of religion, but of a desperate and
collective plea for a better life and a government with accountability.
http://su.pr/5VmSc1
http://tumblr.com/xne17rnkmv
--
Steve Hayes
E-mail: shayes@dunelm.org.uk
Web: http://hayesstw.tumblr.com/ (follow me on Tumblr)
Blog: http://methodius.blogspot.com
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