Date: 2009-04-06 13:18:28
“It is times like this that help to put life into perspective. Speaking personally I so often get caught up in the business of ministry and running, or lately, flying, from one situation of need to another, that I fail to stop and appreciate the important things of life. Every now and then I try to remind myself that there is a difference between the URGENT and the IMPORTANT. Sometimes the urgent is important but it is surprising how often it is not.”
(Rev. Bruce Cornish, Head of the North Queensland Presbytery of the Uniting Church, reflecting some weeks ago on the impending birth of his first grandchild).
Every year at Easter we are thrown right back to square one, to the one and only reality that is truly important. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with its inevitable consequences prises open the hard shell of expediency we have built around ourselves. Like Peter we live in fear of being exposed (Mark 14) – when it might cost us something to be followers, don’t we all too often find ways of rationalizing our attempts to distance ourselves from Jesus and his uncompromising life – his uncompromised death?
The beautiful thing is that it doesn’t stop there. Forgiveness is uncompromising too – thank God. All the things we think are urgent fall into place behind the one most important reality, that of new life.
May you sense the Spirit prising open that shell this Easter to let in the light.
Glenine Hamlyn
As Indigenous elders invited us to reflect on the degree of unity of different peoples within our member churches, QCT delegates gathered to consider the future.
Ethical regulations and a framework of common values are needed in order to set limits to the actions of financial players motivated by greed, says the World Council of Churches (WCC).
World nations met recently to discuss water - and church groups lobbied them to recognize that access to water is a human right, with little success.
What a turnout! Read about the wonderful World Day of Prayer service in Ashgrove West, Brisbane.
The Multi-Faith Centre in cooperation with various faith, interfaith, and community organisations, is holding a dialogue-forum on the theme "The Death Penalty: An Interfaith Forum."
Check out What's On for details.
… to order your materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Reconciliation, 24 May – 3 June
… to make a record of some stories to share from your ecumenical Easter celebrations. Remember, photos are very welcome.
Together for Humanity training courses 20-21 May
