The news site of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland: nourishing and connecting our faith community

Reflections

Friday October 04

A man and a woman in front of an Outback pub

Postie and priest team wins a rally

“The rally reminded me that you can lose touch with people who don’t go to church…I think Christians need to spend time with others who think differently and with people who disagree. The Church is not meant to be a club of people who all think the same and agree — it’s meant to be a voice that proclaims hope and justice,” says Bishop Sarah Plowman

My liturgical organist journey

“It would be remiss of me not to mention how the organist actually has a certain amount of opportunity to express a sense of humour. Examples of this include the time when I heard an improvisation unmistakably including the theme tune to Wallace and Gromit or when the postlude for the Feast of the Assumption was ‘Hooray and up she rises’,” says The Rev’d Dr Gemma Dashwood OAM

The Very Rev'd Dr Peter Catt enjoying the Italian countryside in September 2024

The mystery of being incarnated

“Above all my sense of being ‘at home’ in particular places reminds me of the importance of honouring the world in which we live and of the importance of caring for Country. Our connection to Country means that an injury we cause to Country will see us injuring ourselves,” says The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt

Tough Questions: Is Christianity always counter cultural?

“In the face of racialised Nazi ideology, particularly anti-semitism, Church leadership remained conspicuously silent. Not to mention the widespread complicity of many ‘ordinary’ Christians,” says The Rev’d Charlie Lacey from St Andrew’s, Springfield

How did I end up ministering one day a week at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre, speaking with the men in green?

“A tall intimidating-looking man was walking towards me. His head was shaved and tattooed. I remained motionless, rooted to the spot. As he passed me, he whispered, ‘God bless’,” says Cheryl Courtice on her early prison chaplaincy experience

Anglicans Ablaze Australia Conference: insights and highlights

“Rut and routine can easily infiltrate one’s ministry, and Bishop Ian Lambert’s message was a timely reminder that God is indeed supernatural, and we can put our faith in Him to save, heal and restore. Bishop Ian encouraged us to hand over the control of our churches to God. I was greatly blessed by this reminder that God is a supernatural God and that we can put our trust in Him with confidence,” says The Rev’d Steve Wockner on the recently held Anglicans Ablaze Australia Conference

My childhood call to the priesthood

“My suggestion for anyone who thinks they may have a call to ordained ministry is to be brave…Be brave to get outside your comfort zone, to take the first step towards Seekers Day,” says The Rev’d Lyn Kareta as Seekers Day approaches on Saturday 31 August

To Fargo and back

“Hugging people with tears of joy was the highlight of my recent trip to the US for me. We former Lost Boys had lots to reminisce about because we are such good friends — we kept each other alive on the long desert journeys and during our 15 years in the refugee camps,” says Bishop Daniel Abot

Tough Questions: Can we reverse Church decline in the West?

“Can church decline be reversed in the West? That depends on whether we can recover our confidence in the message that has been entrusted to us,” says The Rev’d Charlie Lacey from St Andrew’s, Springfield

Tough Questions: Can a Christian lose their salvation?

“There are occasions when believers seem to turn away from the Lord. There are two possible explanations for this. Either their faith was not genuine, or they have allowed sin to establish a foothold in their life. In the case of the latter, Christ will eventually bring them to a place of repentance and restoration,” says The Rev’d Charlie Lacey from St Andrew’s, Springfield