Date: 2009-06-15 18:00:02
In the Psalms I find many prayers that are like nerve endings, sending shots of pain or joy or recognition through my being and seemingly through the whole fabric of human life.
Psalm 139, that wonderful hymn to our origins in God, springs to mind when I read what our new colleague Georgia writes about her sense of where she comes from (see below): “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made… In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed.” (Ps. 139: 14,16).
Then I read the pleading of the psalmist in the next song, Psalm 140, as he longs for deliverance from unjust oppressors. Like many psalms it ends with an assurance of being heard: “I know that the Lord maintains the cause of the needy, and executes justice for the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall live in your presence.” (Ps. 140:12-13) As Refugee Week approaches, we think of many people trying to escape oppression, and the trauma they carry with them. May we be sources of warmth to such people when they come to Australia.
This week we also bring you an account of the film-showing held a few weeks ago in Brisbane, on Yarrabah Mission (“Like Rubies in the King’s Crown”), and an important media release bringing us the voices of Indigenous Christian leaders in Australia.
There are several very interesting events coming up, not least the events happening in NAIDOC Week (watch our calendar for more information).
May we give thanks this week with the Psalmist for the incomprehensible way in which God knows us so deeply, and may we radiate that thankfulness in our encounters with others.
Glenine Hamlyn
A national forum of Indigenous church leaders has condemned the NT intervention and calls on the Australian Government to negotiate.
QCT is blessed to have a new colleague on a p/t basis, promoting NAIDOC Week and other CTIPP interests till the end of October: Georgia Corowa.
Separation from families, harsh conditions and a lack of support by government made life in Yarrabah Anglican Mission extremely difficult for the children who lived there.
Refugee Week is a chance for all of us to cross boundaries - to show friendship to, and learn from, people of many different countries of origin.
The world’s broadest forum on theology will meet soon to discuss what it means to be church, sources of authority and issues of moral discernment.
The world’s broadest forum on theology will meet soon to discuss what it means to be church, sources of authority and issues of moral discernment.
Friday 10 July 2009: the focus is on “Respecting our Elders – Nurturing our Youth” at this year’s NAIDOC Family Fun Day in Musgrave Park (South Brisbane) – with stalls, entertainment, good food and friendly people. All welcome!
QCT has just received some colourful posters for NAIDOC Week – contact Georgia to be sent one free: 07 3369 6792 or ctipp@qct.org.au .
Click here to see the entry in What’s On.
Church groups have formed a very broad coalition in the Philippines and joined with many others to protest at plans to amend the consitution, possibly allowing the President to stay in power longer.
