The historic Anglican church of St John’s in Footscray in Melbourne’s west is discovering the generous spirit of local Sudanese refugees.
Members of the Sudanese Bari community have collected money to assist with reconstruction of the church’s arch. Earlier this month this money was presented to Bishop Philip Huggins.
Many members of the Sudaneses community are subject to harrassment and race-related threats. Following the welcome gift, there were prayers in the church about this issue. Since arriving in Australia, many of these people have been praying regularly in this church.
The word of God is being brought up to date with a new service in Britain allowing Christians to download the Bible directly to their mobile phones.
A company has launched a religious line of products for mobiles, giving users the chance to express their faith through their phone’s wallpaper and ringtones.
We hear a lot about the “bottom line†these days. When people talk about the bottom line it is generally associated with money and profit. But what kind of society are we living in if we put profit before people and their real needs? What kind of society are we when our government ends up with billions of dollars of profit to give away, when basic needs, like decent health services, are not being met?
The Rev John Thomas, president of the US United Church of Christ, has been arrested in a protest about the Iraq war outside the White House in Washington DC.
Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has said that Richard Dawkins and other apostles of anti-religious sentiment are oversimplifying complex issues and often missing the point. His comments came in a weekend lecture on ‘misunderstanding religion’ at the University of Swansea.
Wesley Mission has called for an end to discrimination in the workplace, more flexible employment opportunities and increased funding for community based care as part of a 21-point reform plan to address the major issues impacting people with mental illness.
Melbourne’s newest church opens today in the Docklands area. The James Squire Brewhouse’s upper room will be home to the Docklands Church. Worship includes bible reflections, prayer, music and monthly communion.
For more information visit the Docklands Church website.
Eureka Street has an eye for those who fall between the cracks. There are ever increasing demands on church organisations and social services to meet professional benchmarks for service delivery. They ask if it means churches are no longer able to prevent people from slipping through support networks.
Next week at St. Catherine’s in Caulfield South, there will be a Godly Play workshop for Religious Education teachers in all settings. Check out the link below to find out more details. Bookings essential.
Godly Play workshop (pdf)
St. Catherine’s, South Caulfield
Jeanette Acland offers an ecumenical intensive course in the parables. This is designed as a further step for those already familiar with the Godly Play/ Montessori method.
The course is offered over three Fridays in May 2008 and class size is kept to a maximum of eight people. Cost: $310 (includes some materials). Held at St Mary’s Anglican Church, North Melbourne.
For more information contact the Centre for theology and Ministry on 9340 8815 or email info@ctm.uca.edu.au.