The theme for Advent this year is Joy, inspired by Margaret Clifford’s poem, Choose Joy, where she says of joy, ‘It will not shield you from the weight of the world but will save you from its crush’. Mark will continue our theme - Advent is traditionally a time of preparation for Christmas. Being ready for Christmas should mean that our thoughts are not just focused on end of year gatherings, shopping and gifts but on humbling and interior “house cleaning” – what used to be called repentance. The more we are focused in this way, the less chance we will be overwhelmed by the commercialisation of Christmas.

The theme for Advent this year is Joy, inspired by Margaret Clifford’s poem, Choose Joy, where she says of joy, ‘It will not shield you from the weight of the world but will save you from its crush’.Anne will continue our theme - How do we ‘choose’ joy and what might Advent have to say to us about such a choice when we are conscious of so much suffering in the world? Paying attention to the life, the natural world, around us and of which we are all part is one way of turning towards joy. Advent is a reminder that joy and suffering can often go together and that recognising one doesn’t mean turning away from the other.

The theme for Advent this year is Joy, inspired by Margaret Clifford’s poem, Choose Joy, where she says of joy, ‘It will not shield you from the weight of the world but will save you from its crush’. Margaret will introduce the theme of joy this week and provide a reflection on concepts of joy in the Old and New Testaments and what it means to “choose” joy regardless of the circumstances.

We are called to be Peacemakers, to follow Christ in the building of a just and loving community. We often assume peace making is peacekeeping, but they are not the same thing. Peace making is active and requires engagement, whereas peacekeeping can be passive and focus on avoiding confrontation, which can ignore injustice.

Liz will be thanking the homilists who have presented since Terry retired earlier this year. Our AGM is on Sunday. This photo reminds us that we have always been aspirational. And so we continue.

John and Mary are sharing the homily. Together they will describe their organization SERVAS in order to reflect on the connection between hospitality, peace and the sacred.

On this Sunday, the Feast of All Souls, Mark will discuss “Is there a place for All Souls and All Saints in our modern spiritual practice?”

In a world where ‘fake news’ abounds, there is a tendency for everyone to have an opinion about anything – not necessarily based on fact. This often leads to misplaced self-righteousness and conflict. Wayne, in his homily, will discuss how Jesus dealt with this problem in his time.

Be Like Luke is advice offered by Reverend Canon Dr Gregory Jenks (December 2024). Liz will use Rev Jenks’ work to explore the qualities of the Gospel of Luke that we are invited to emulate.