The stories we tell about ourselves and the world have the power to shut out hope and possibility – or to open our eyes to the things that God can do. The reflection on the people of Israel who are thirsty at Rephidim, and the encounter at the well between Jesus and a woman from Samaria shows us how different attitudes can radically change our lives.

Sermon February 24th, 2008 (pdf)
St. David’s UCA, Oakleigh, VIC
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

by Sandy Yule

If four letter words are traditionally rude, let’s start a rumour that five letter words are gracious. Sorry is easy to say if we are ready to be truthful about how we have hurt other people. Sorry is hard to say when we want to hang onto being always in the right, or when we don’t want to repair the damage that we have caused. When we say sorry, we reach out to people whom we have alienated through our thoughtless or mean actions. What matters here is what we want to protect.

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President of the UCA, Rev. Gregor Henderson, has congratulated the Federal Government on its long-awaited apology to the Stolen Generations. The Uniting Church made an apology to Aboriginal Australians in 1996 along with other churches and organisations and welcomes ‘Sorry Day’. Rev. Henderson urges real action so that the apology truly does make a difference.

video of Rev. Henderson’s speech

A new periodical from the Uniting Church’s Centre for Theology and Ministry is available now online. Conversations is an e-journal that aims to bring the resources and people involved with Victoria and Tasmania’s ministry education closer to all who share a passion for ministry and theology.

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The dual stories of Adam and Eve being tempted by the snake in the garden, and Jesus being tempted into the wilderness are archetypal stories of the human condition. The message this week ponders the reality that “life is difficult”, as Scott Peck puts it, and considers where God is during the highs and lows of life.

Sermon Sunday February 10th, 2008 – Lent 1 (pdf)
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

The Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) have congratulated the Federal Government on its planned formal apology to members of the Stolen Generations. A formal apology was made to Australia’s Indigenous people by the Uniting Church more than a decade ago.

The President of the Uniting Church, Reverend Gregor Henderson, said the Christian view of confession was a recognition of wrongdoing.

“We take confession to mean that what has been done is not in accordance with the hopes and possibilities that God has for us,” Rev. Henderson said.

“Confession is both an acknowledgement of this and an expression of resolve to live, by the grace of God, differently in the future.

“Our partnership and covenanting agreement with the UAICC is one way in which we have demonstrated our resolve to walk alongside our Aboriginal and Islander brothers and sisters; to seek forgiveness and reparations.

“The Government’s apology to the Stolen Generations marks the beginning of a sense of renewal and we hope it will be backed up with practical measures for better outcomes for Indigenous Australians.”

Read more from the UCA assembly web site>>

The next labyrinth meditation day at Rye will be on:

Saturday 1st  March, titled “Prayers of the Earth”

• Leaders: Robin & Bronwyn Pryor *
• Location: 60 Bass Meadows Blvd, St Andrews Beach 3941, Melway map 251 J5
• 10am to 4pm, lunch and drinks provided
• Cost: $15, unwaged $12
• Please book by 8pm the previous Thursday evening [earlier if possible];
• Phone , 5988-5257, 0412-301-450, or email robron@pryor.org.au

 * Robin and Bronwyn are members of the Uniting Church, and have ministered ecumenically for many years in retreat leadership,  spiritual formation and companioning.  Robin is a member of the Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction, and Bronwyn is National Chairperson for Camps Farthest Out Australia, an inter-denominational retreat movement.  For details of Wilderness Retreats, a Womens’ Silent Retreat, and Camps Farthest Out Retreats,  email as above. For Labyrinth Facilitator Training in Melbourne, March 4-13, contact Robin as above, or Paul Sanders on office@augustine.org.au  and http://www.veriditas.net 

 

The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain top is a reminder that in Jesus, heaven and earth find their place of meeting. As we anticipate the difficult days of journey towards the cross of Easter, being touched and encouraged by Jesus to “get up and do not be afraid” helps us on this journey.

Sermon, Sunday February 3rd (Transfiguration)  [pdf]
St. David’s Uniting Church, Oakleigh
Rev. Arnie Wierenga

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. 

he President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Reverend Gregor Henderson, has today expressed shock at the latest in a series of murders of protestant pastors from the United Church of Christ (UCCP) in the Philippines.

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