The Rev’d Andrew Schmidt reflects on self-help books: “They are the social equivalent of the photo-shopped celebrities that cannot be attained, but still people pay for the privilege of the dream. Just buy the book, follow the trademarked 7-step path to a more fulfilled life, eat this diet to a healthier heart chakra. I could go on”
“Initially, I experienced meditation in the Buddhist way of chanting, but once I was introduced to Christian meditation it became my way. I first met in person with a beautiful group of people; however, I have discovered that time and space are no barriers to gathering with others for meditation. Meditating together can happen over Zoom, via a phone teleconference and in any other digital spaces where people can gather,” says Leonie Clancy from Holy Hermits Online
Our Diocesan community, under the anglican focus banner, won ‘Best Social Media Campaign’ at the Australasian Religious Press Association Awards, which were announced on Friday night – congratulations to the six dedicated priests and parishioners who contributed engaging and insightful anglican focus content for the winning #AprilAngel campaign
“Right now, we especially need to reach out to those in our parishes and communities in the high-risk groups who are withdrawing to their homes to avoid getting infected for weeks, or possibly even several months,” says Justice Unit Coordinator Jen Basham, who suggests practical ways we can do this
Find an extensive range of books and grab some delicious food at the St Paul’s, Ashgrove Bookfest on Friday 27 September 4pm-7pm and on Saturday 28 September 8am-3pm. Enjoy the cake, craft and plant stalls. BBQ available (weather permitting). Free Entry. See More.
“Excellent thurifers spin the thurible in such a way that a thick cloud emerges during the Eucharistic Prayer. I try and get a good smoke happening. Although there is a fine line between smothering the incense hot coals and not putting enough incense in the thurible,” says formation student Tim Newton, who is currently studying theology at Oxford University
“What I want to say is that any person who risks their life to seek safety is the same. Whether people come here via a United Nations refugee camp or arrive by either boat or plane to apply for asylum, we all have one thing in common – that is the need to find a safe place to live in freedom,” says Bishop Daniel Abot, as the International Day of Peace approaches
“With the relentless bombing in Gaza, I think about the future of the young Palestinians there if they do live. More than 16,000 of the 40,000 people killed in Gaza are children. However, even surviving this statistic as a young person in Gaza means living in constant fear of being killed, grief from loss of family and friends and displacement from your home with no protection or safe place to go,” says a secondary school student and St Andrew’s, Indooroopilly parishioner
“The book made me realise how disconnected I am to the land, sea and sky and how much I need to work on being grounded in Creation, which is really the same thing as Country. I now see God’s hand more in Creation and consequently my faith is more embodied rather than primarily abstract. As a city-dweller, this book’s explanation of the Dreaming and its liturgical resources enable me to embody my spirituality in Creation,” says the Justice Unit’s Peter Branjerdporn
“On my afternoon walks with my wife, Alison, we each carry a shoulder bag because along the track we find considerable litter – many chocolate wrappers, plastic bags, take-away cups and other items. We collect soft plastics in one bag and the hard plastic containers, cups and cans in the other, so they are not washed into the creek,” says The Rev’d Peter Moore as World Environment Day approaches