On Sunday, more than twice as many people sent in apologies as showed up. If it wasn’t so serious, it would be comic. But we are surrounded by sickness, exhaustion and anxiety. Many of those who aren’t currently sick are worried about becoming sick, or sick again; while many of those who are sick are worried about the long term effects, as yet unknown. Continue reading “Slow reading | A promise to sick and tired people (and everyone else!)”
3 | asterisks and gentleness #Lent2022
Paul writes, “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)
When lockdown was announced in 2020 and we were watching the news reports with concern and then horror at the deaths in the Northern Hemisphere, I also noticed there was for me a little excitement, as in, “Okay, kids, this is how we handle tough times. Watch me!” Continue reading “3 | asterisks and gentleness #Lent2022”
One body, not yet fully vaccinated
Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
There’s a lot of talk these days about independence, self-sufficiency, and ‘my body, my choice.’ Whether people are referring to financial arrangements, homesteading, or vaccination, there is an underlying assumption that each person, or at most each family, is an individual unit, independent of anyone else and free to choose how to live. This is not, however, consistent with Christianity. Continue reading “One body, not yet fully vaccinated”
Victorian Roadmap: Sanctuary’s response
There’s a lot of hype around the Victorian Roadmap, and high expectations. We read that 10,000 fully vaccinated people will be able to attend the Melbourne Cup: and we get excited. However, the reality is that the new freedoms are, in fact, very limited and are almost entirely directed at fully vaccinated people. We at Sanctuary are blessed to have a high ratio of children: but this means that many of our households include people who are not yet old enough to be vaccinated. Therefore, the leadership team has met to prayerfully consider the Victorian Roadmap, and to work through what it means for Sanctuary. Continue reading “Victorian Roadmap: Sanctuary’s response”
What next? A conversation
So we spent most of last year switching and changing and cancelling and adapting and being flexible, and then kicked off this year doing the same thing. Urgency compelled this, but we need to pause, take a breath, and reflect together. Therefore, the leadership team invites you to a church conversation on Sunday 28 February, to be held in the carpark during our usual service time. Continue reading “What next? A conversation”
Why aren’t we inside yet?
So it’s the new year, and we all hoped things would be different, and in some ways they are. We are no longer required to wear face masks in every public space; offices have returned to half capacity; restaurants and pubs are bustling. And so I know some of you are wondering when on earth we get to go inside the building. Unfortunately, the short answer is, ‘Not for a while yet.’ Continue reading “Why aren’t we inside yet?”