Liturgies

This week we will be hearing from Gail Mabo daughter to the famous Eddie Koiki Mabo. His determination to win in the High Court overturned the concept of terra nullius, allowing First Nations people to claim rightful custodianship of this land. Gail proudly carries on her father’s powerful legacy inspiring us to continue the fight for justice for the first peoples of this land.”

As we prepare to move into the NAIDOC celebrations this year we come bearing the unhealed scars of a failed Yes Campaign for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. One of the prominent leaders of the campaign was Thomas Mayo. In this interview he speaks of his disappointment but also what he sees as a way forward for all Australians.

A genuine response to the climate crises invites us to recognise that we are all interconnected. The well being of all life around us is also our well being. Terry will be speaking about the importance of interbeing with the help of a short film by Charles Eisenstein.

This week we commemorate refugee week. We'll view a small film about a refugee camp typical of so many camps like it globally. The Zaatari Refugee Camp is home to 130,000 Syrians fleeing violence and war. Children make up half the camp’s population. We will hear the story of Sidra, a 12-year old girl who has spent the last 18 months in Zaatari.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: A time to be born; and a time to die.” What time does SMX face in the near-future? Will it thrive, or die? What are the options? This homily will explore some different scenarios, and offer some proactive thoughts on how we can collectively respond to inevitable changes.

This week we will be hearing via an interview with Terry from Michelle Piele from the Balaangala Community Group and Garden.

This weekend we reflect on the sad anniversary of Nakba, so called by Palestinian people, meaning Catastrophe. To understand the situation in Palestine today we need to understand Nakba. This is when there were mass killings, displacement and dispossession of Palestinians by Israelis in 1948. At the liturgy we will watch an episode of Compass where we hear from Antony Löwenstein-Jensen a leading voice among Australian Jews speaking out against Israel’s occupation and attacks on Gaza. For many in the Jewish community he is a traitor.

In our homily this week, Liz explores the concept of grace and its place in our Christian lives.

This weekend we will have the privilege of hearing about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict through the eyes of Christian peace activist Mazin Qumsiyeh. Mazin is a scientist and activist Professor and founder and Director at the Palestine Museum of Natural History and author of numerous books including Popular Resistance in Palestine: A history of hope and empowerment.