Jesus used stories all the time, but he used them for far more than inspiration or entertainment. He introduced, through his parables, a new way to understand and relate to God and to the people around us. In fact, storytelling was arguably Jesus’ primary approach to persuasion. This article explores what makes that approach so powerful and offers several practical tips for improving our own storytelling.
A 29-page letter (pdf document) drafted by 138 prominent Muslim leaders to leaders of the world’s Christian churches has been met with enthusiasm and encouragement. (Steve G. recommends this report: CS Monitor) The historic Muslim document, entitled, “A Common Word Between Us and You,” received a warm embrace from leaders of the Yale Divinity School in the form of a response that has been cosigned by the Harvard and Princeton seminaries…
The lengthy response released yesterday by the Yale scholars, entitled Loving God and Neighbor Together: A Christian Response to A Common Word between Us and You says, “We receive A Common Word as a Muslim hand of conviviality and cooperation extended to Christians worldwide. In this response we extend our own Christian hand in return, so that together with all other human beings we may live in peace and justice as we seek to love God and our neighbors.â€
Bishops in London and Liverpool are championing a new kind of 40-day fast calling on Britons to cut back on carbon, rather than chocolate or alcohol, for the Christian period of Lent this year.
The New York times reports something that ought not be a surprise to most pet owners – that having a pet such as a dog has enormous health benefits. One study done in Melbourne suggests that pet owners had lower cholesterol, blood pressure and heart attack risk compared with people who didn’t have pets.
The church has St. Francis to thank for the blessing of the animals, as a celebration of the creatures that God has blessed us with – as assistants who raise our quality of life in a wide variety of ways. Dogs have long helped humans to see and hear, and the leading edge of research is examining their role in “sniffing out” hypoglycemic episodes before they happen, and even in the early detection of cancer.
As a dog lover, I give thanks for dogs and pets of all persuasions.
Plan Australia, in partnership with the Youth Research Centre, at the University of Melbourne, and RMIT University, has been awarded an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project grant, valued at $283,000 over three years, to generate a new model of sustainable partnership across NGOs and learning institutions with the aim to provide youth-led, global education programs for school-aged youth.
Known as the Global Connections Program, the project will facilitate the development of effective processes toward young people’s greater participation in social life and will focus on social connections across racial and religious boundaries.
With Shrove Tuesday rapidly approaching, the Oakleigh community is gearing up to support the ‘Take a break’ program while eating their share of savoury and sweet pancakes.
‘Take a break’ is an initiative of the Wimmera UnitingCare agency to help out drought affected families to take a holiday from the stresses and distresses of living on drought affected land.
The annual pancake day at the Oakleigh Uniting church serves as a fun community day while also raising awareness of UnitingCare, and in particular this year, the ‘Take a break’ program.
The pancake day is open to everyone, and begins at 5:30pm on Tuesday February 5th at 154 Drummond St., Oakleigh.Â
A campaign called Don’t Wait—Meditateâ„¢ in Oregon, USA, is promoting the health benefits of turning dead waiting time at traffic lights and in doctor’s clinics into useful meditation time.
Often a reason given why people do not meditate is that they don’t have the time for it.
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is awash in profitable oil reserves yet pouring billions into renewable- and sustainable-energy technologies to build the world’s first zero-emission city, “a metropolis that emits not a single extra molecule of carbon dioxide — the cause of global warming”.
As Jesus begins his ministry and calls Simon Peter, destined to be the leader of the Roman Catholic church, we reflect on a bold initiative by Richard Branson to gather a group of Elders to be brokers of world peace. In terms of our own personal journey, we too can live as elders who make a difference in the lives of others.
Sermon Sunday January 20th, 2008Â (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga
A Virginian Baptist minister, Steve Reynolds, appauled at the addiction of many of his flock to fatty takeaway foods decided it was time to make a difference.
A year ago he set his entire congregation on a diet, and developed a Bod4God program.
There has been a remarkable difference in outlook as between them there are 952 less kilograms …