Date: 2009-11-03 03:22:48
This week it’s a time of big events and celebrations. It’s time to rejoice in achievements like the completion of St John’s Cathedral and all the wonders along the way. It’s time to give thanks for the ecumenical milestone of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, signed between the Lutheran World Federation and Roman Catholic Church ten years ago this weekend (and later ratified by the World Methodist Council). How amazing that was – and I suppose many Lutherans, Catholics and Uniting Church people still fail to realize its import.
It could be an ambivalent thing, the consecration of a Gothic cathedral with thick solid walls in the middle of a 21st-century Australian metropolis. When Uncle Des Sandy spoke of walking around the outside of the Cathedral before he gave his welcome to country at the consecration service for St John’s on Thursday evening, I could not help thinking of all the footprints that must lie beneath the stones – footprints that seemed to grow warm again with the sound of the didgeridoo and the Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers singing as they brought in the bible. It would be wonderful if this building could grow into its future as a recognized place of welcome for many people who might otherwise be daunted by its massive presence.
Not long after the consecration I sat listening to Bishop Greg Thompson of the Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory talking about being Church in remote Aboriginal communities, celebrating the Eucharist in tin sheds or a church with no walls at all, with the dog lying under the communion table. Bishop Greg’s enormous respect for the faith, resilience and discernment of his Indigenous parishioners shone through. He pointed out their role as missionaries and our need to learn from them – and that resonated with me in the light of one of the articles we bring you today, “Passionate about mission.”
I have enjoyed having my viewpoints challenged and enriched over the past 24 hours – and may that be your experience this coming week too.
Glenine Hamlyn
Sub-tropical Brisbane has marked a milestone in architectural history: the completion of what is perhaps the last Gothic-style cathedral in the world: St John’s Cathedral.
It took 500 years, but Lutherans have finally been reconciled with Mennonites over Lutheran persecution of Anabaptists in the 16th century.
His views turn stereotypes of missions and missionaries on their heads. Meet the Rev. Fidon Mwombeki, who was sent to Germany by his church in Tanzania.
“God calls us to leadership without consideration of gender, colour or descent,” said Rev. Ismail Noko, LWF President, of Margot Kaessman’s election to head of EKD.
Christians in a broad alliance in Zimbabwe are appealing to leaders of neighbouring countries to prevent a breakdown of the unity government.
The National Council of Churches in the USA is educating women about the link between cosmetics, breast cancer and justice – low-income women are most at risk.
Emergency appeals of act for peace – the need is still acute.
Nov
Dec
