Autumn Edition 09March ,, 2009 The recent bushfires in Victoria have left vivid scorch marks in our memories even if we were not directly involved. The fires appeared so suddenly on Black Saturday, like a ravenous beast, devouring everything in their path and leaving death and destruction in their wake. Homes and whole towns have been reduced to dust and ashes. Hope trembles and our faith is challenged…Where were you God? Why this awful suffering and death? Similar thoughts and feelings abounded on another black Saturday some two thousand years ago. The one who had healed lepers, shown compassion for outsiders and taught about the kingdom of God lay dead and buried. Hope was crushed and faith was severely tested. Why did you allow this to happen God? As we know, this wasn’t the end of the story. On Easter day, new life appeared out of death as Jesus rose from the grave. This hope, marked by the empty cross, became part of the core of Christian faith (1 Cor 15:3-5). It means that we do not lose heart even when we are afflicted and confused (2 Cor 4:7-10, 16). I have a large photograph on the wall of my office of new green shoots sprouting from the blackened and twisted stump of a snowgum following the 2003 alpine fires. It is the ideal Australian symbol of resurrection life. There will be similar signs of new life sprouting around Marysville and Kinglake and other fire devastated areas this Easter. May they be signs to us of God’s Easter promise that echoes down through the ages. Enough
The following ideas are possible ways of helping youth, churches and community groups process and debrief the tragic week of fires in Australia. Feel free to adapt, cut, paste and tweak it to ensure it is helpful with your group and context. Adrian Greenwood Read More... Holy3 art exhibition
One seraph cried out to the other And the frame of the door of the temple shook Read More... Walking with the Radical Jesus Bible StudyAdrian Greenwood prepared a series of 5 Bible studies entitled “Walking with the Radical Jesus†based on Mark’s Gospel. Perfect for Lent or or a five week discipleship focus with your group. Read More... Earth Retreat
Saturday 2nd May 2009 Read More... Prophet and Loss
11,12, 13, 17, 18 19 June 2009 Prophet and Loss is a contemporary music theatre performance, to be presented in Wyselaskie Hall. A unique collaboration between Creative Ministries Network, an agency of Uniting Care; the Centre for Theology and Ministry and an outstanding ensemble of artists. Read More... NCYC09 rocked MLC!
Over one thousand young people from around Australia and overseas converged for a week to live, eat, worship, study the Bible and explore faith together during the first week of January. Melbourne turned on the fine weather, and MLC turned on the hospitality. Read More... Shane Claiborne’s NCYC09 ReflectionWhen Jesus and Justice Kiss |
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A worship resource for youth groups, congregations and groups responding to the bushfires
Wisdom’s Feast is happening again at the CTM from 19-23 June. Those who attended back in 2007 speak of how engaging, exciting and educational this event was for their ministry. We want to draw to your attention to the workshops being held on Sunday afternoon from 1-5 pm that are particularly aimed at lay people. Check out the following tasty offerings and be encouraged in your ministry.
