Date: 2010-02-22 13:23:51
Here we are again. We thank God and our web expert for overcoming the attack on our website (and on the host server) which took place about four weeks ago.
This newsletter was sent out originally just as the website was hacked, but the links did not work because of the above problem. We tried again some time later, but apparently it did not reach many people, if any. So this time, we hope you can read it all! Apologies for content that may be a little out of date, but we did not want to keep it from you.
An up-to-date newsletter will follow hot on the heels of this one.
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Late last year some friends and I saw a church sign that read: “Don’t condone what God condemns.” We were itching to turn around the words to reflect a true message of grace: “Don’t condemn what God condones” – but the sign faced rather a public road.
“Don’t condone what God condemns.” God is the God of condemnation, according to this injunction. And if we don’t condone something, it is a short step to condemning it. Or condemning him, or her, or them. Before we know it (if we ever do), we are playing God - God’s willing judges. It’s pretty tempting, and in one way or another, we all do it. Thinking about those bankers and their bonuses (or even people much closer to my reality), I confess to thoughts like that. At the far end of that spectrum we have extremists willing to use violence to mete out what they regard as justice or further what they see to be the cause of God.
Last week in Brisbane church leaders stood together in prayer and public presence to support one of QCT’s smaller member churches which, in the home country of many of its members, had been targeted by extremists. Read about the prayer service and the march below.
I wonder what churches together locally and at other levels can do to show support for Indian students and make them feel welcome? After all, it’s Australia Day tomorrow. We can fly all the flags we like, but the real mark of belonging to a country that prides itself in its freedom and relaxed lifestyle is surely the extent to which we care for those who do not feel free and relaxed. “Heal the world” is the motto chosen by Queensland Government for its multi-faith Australia Day ceremony tomorrow (9:00am, Suncorp Piazza, Southbank, Brisbane) – a good theme, chosen even before Haiti (don’t forget the appeal, by the way).
This week we pray that we might shine with God’s incredible love poured out on all of God’s creatures.
Glenine Hamlyn
Church leaders in Brisbane showed their support for the Coptic Orthodox Church in an ecumenical service and march following the killing of Christians in Egypt.
Caring for each other, caring for the homeless - the Border Council of Churches takes seriously the call to be involved in God's mission together. Read about BCC's activities and their tenth anniversary.
While the media targets religious extremists in the Muslim world, US and Australian defence forces have been using weapons imprinted with bible verses.
For centuries they have used the term “Allah” for God, but now non-Muslim minorities in Malaysia are being attacked because of it.
Posters and prayer cards for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (16-23 May) have been printed, so place your order early with QCT!
Download further resources here.
Please pray for a group of Australian young people on a pilgrimage to the Philippines, to meet communities there and attend a Taize international gathering.
Mission Australia is offering to share the results of its extensive social research into the current trends in Australian youth.
The Bible Society initiated a global summit of Abrahamic faith leaders – and all stayed where they were to take part.
