Date: 2009-03-23 18:43:51
Queensland has voted, and much to many people’s surprise, Queensland has now become the first state in Australia to elect a woman to the office of Premier – in Queensland Year. Whatever our political leanings (and we know it is policies, not gender, that matter), we have to acknowledge that this is a significant first, something that could encourage many young women to strive to do well, not discounting their own abilities.
What do we pray for a new leader, a new government? Paul tells us that authorities are allowed to rule by God’s grace. They are there for our good (Romans 13). Not without reason, this passage has been the subject of many debates over the centuries. Yet Paul also tells us to be subject to our own conscience. So our prayers for our political leaders should go hand-in-hand with a prayer for our own integrity, so that we know what to pray for our leaders. We pray in the light of the Spirit.
My prayer for the new government is for qualities such as: humility, wisdom, spiritual and political insight, integrity to resist the lobbyists, far-sightedness, the ability to resist short-term gain, patience, stamina, and a healthy appreciation of diversity. I’m sure you could add to that list.
The Sesquicentenary of Queensland goes hand-in-hand with that of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane and the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane. In this Lenten season the two churches are holding a joint “act of repentance” – see below.
We also bring to your attention an opportunity to promote your Easter services in Brisbane. Perhaps those in other places could persuade local papers to follow suit.
Today we provide you with quite a mixed bag of news and feature articles. Don’t forget to tell us your ecumenical stories too!
May we all remember this week to pray for guidance by the Spirit of God to know how to pray for our leaders.
Glenine Hamlyn
You are invited by Archbishop John Bathersby and Archbishop Phillip Aspinall to an Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches common act of prayer seeking God's forgiveness for our failures within the past 150 years of our history.
Check out What's On for more info.
Quest Community Newspapers are publishing an Easter Church Service Guide in their publications in the greater Brisbane area. If individual congregations are interested, they can contact Quest on 3115 8451 to find out costs and deadlines.
This coming Sunday don’t miss Part 2 of The Spirit of Things on the interfaith summit held recently in Brisbane.
Revd Professor James Haire will be the guest speaker at this year’s Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on 7 May.
"Mystery is not something negative that has to be eliminated," says the winner of this year's prestigious Templeton Prize, which honours individuals for their work at the interface of science and religion.
Up to now in Europe most countries still legislate to keep Sunday relatively free of commerce and work. Churches are lobbying to keep it that way.
Former archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu and others have signed a letter to the UN calling for an inquiry into allegations of war crimes in Gaza.
Expand your skills cross-cultural dialogue in and interfaith dialogue through workshops being offered in May by the Together for Humanity Foundation.
… to order your materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Reconciliation, 24 May – 3 June
… to note our ecumenical service on Tuesday, 26th May at 5:30pm in your diary. Click here for details.
… to turn off your lights for Earth Hour on this Saturday night 28th March.
