Advent Reflection by Maranu Gascoigne Kaitiaki, St. Isaacs Retreat House. November 2021 photo; Fabian Moller unsplash Before you read on please pause a moment or two and notice your breath. Take time to really feel and notice the breath breathing within you. Go a step further and notice that you have no control over this breath, this ruach (breath) of God is breathing in you. There will always be situations that choke, suffocate or diminish our Qi (chi) vital life force. Can you recall a moment when you have been winded and gasped the words, ‘I can’t breathe’. Much has been written during the past year, whether its ‘I can’t breathe’ because someone has their foot on … [Read more...]
Can I live a sustainable life?
Deb Cole responds to Jacqui Paterson, Virtual Theology Chat: Crisis? What crisis? . Thoughts from Rev Jacqui Patterson’s reflection on Sustainable Development 16.09.2021 Deb Cole Sustainable Development – ‘Jesus is the master of the creator universe and of human history. He is the one in control of all … upon which the physical cosmos depends … that is the theological meaning of scientific and technological enterprise. (Science and technology) have always presented themselves as the instruments for solving human problems, though without its theological context it becomes idolatrous and goes mad.[1] From a Christian perspective one has confidence in the absolute belief in God as … [Read more...]
Hope is the melody of the future; faith is dancing in that melody right now
Blythe Cody Existing in the space of liminality can be disorienting, scary and lonely. It is a bit like being dropped in the wilderness with no map, no compass and no idea how to get back to civilization. Anne Franks and John Meteyard. “Liminality: The Transforming Grace of In-Between Places, Hope is the melody of the future; faith is dancing in that melody right now.[1] I am not a big fan of change. I recently moved house and was reminded again of how much I dislike the disruption of life; the change of what has become comfortable for what is unfamiliar and strange. I still go to the wrong side of the kitchen to find the microwave; and there are boxes in my garage filled with … [Read more...]
Towards a Theology of Land, with Jekheli Singh
photo by Sharad Kumar Rev Dr Jekheli Kibami-Singh - Leviticus, Land & Jubilee. Presented to the Tikanga Pakeha Ministry Council, May 2021. https://youtube/wIBfiBQXOZI Jekheli Singh is a tribal Christian woman from Nagaland in the North East of India. She came to New Zealand about 15 years ago, and is currently vicar of Te Kuiti. In this talk about the theology of land, she incudes Biblical theology, God the Creator, Land and identity, land as Go’s gift to be shared, and land as new community. She references Leviticus: 25and the concept of Jubilee. Used with permission from Stephen Black, Diocese of Waikato … [Read more...]
Out of the Blue: A guide through the journey of grief and healing
Mary Redmayne ©Mary Redmayne Self-publishing a book, by Mary Redmayne Leaning on God through the painful journey of grief “The journey of grief can be terribly hard. So painful.”[1] The sudden loss of a loved one – especially one’s child or grandchild - is a bitter, protracted agony. Three years ago, my grandson died suddenly. Out of the blue. And the world, life, and the future changed for so many people. Here in New Zealand, there are, tragically, many healthy young lives lost suddenly and unnecessarily. “We don’t learn how we should handle such a loss of a loved one or close friend. It fills our life with no warning, with a wail, disbelief, confusion, despair. With … [Read more...]
Thinking theologically about the Pandemic
CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY IN THE MIDST OF COVID-19 https://unsplash.com/@thecreative_exchange COVID-19 changed our lives suddenly and dramatically. As the crisis unfolded, immediate responses at individual, community, national and international levels naturally focussed on the actions needed to treat the sick, limit the spread of the infection and bring it under control, care for those who were particularly vulnerable, manage the economic impact of the pandemic, and so forth. At the same time, many people’s time and energy were consumed by sudden and major changes to working and domestic life, combined with the personal impact of the pandemic on them and their loved ones. For … [Read more...]
Prayer among the Pandemic, with Podcasts
Pandemics and Plagues have been part of the Christian story from the beginning. Discover some podcasts which talk of Catherine of Sienna, Julian of Norwich and Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz and many others, and learn how they coped in times of plague and sickness. Catherine of Siena Catherine of Siena was born a year before the Black Death Much of Catherine of Siena’s life was defined by sickness and plagues. The future saint was born in 1347. The next year, the Black Death began—an epidemic that killed more than 20 million people over the next five years. Despite growing up surrounded by death, Catherine was unafraid. When a plague struck again less than two decades later, the … [Read more...]
Covid-19 perspectives from Buddhist, Muslim and Christian theologians
What are some ways that people from the Buddhist, Muslim and Christian faith traditions can reflect upon the coronavirus pandemic using a theological lens? How can Buddhist, Muslim and Christian practitioners respond in practical ways to the coronavirus pandemic, utilizing resources from their faith traditions? Photo by mostafa meraji on Unsplash This contribution offers reflections on the worldwide suffering and challenges that the pandemic has caused from the perspectives of Buddhist, Muslim and Christian practitioners. Each writer offers practical resources and theological reflection from their vantage point as spiritual care providers and as people of faith. Photo by Forja2 … [Read more...]
Is Contemplative Spirituality for me?
Looking for a place for timeout?Planning a retreat in 2021??Want some training in Spiritual Direction? You can read all about possibilities in the 2021 handbook from Spiritual Growth Ministries. See their website www.sgm.org.nz Spiritual Growth Ministries is a network of people from diverse Christian traditions and experience who find depth and meaning through the whole Christian heritage of contemplative spirituality. The Spiritual Growth Ministries Trust* aims to enable people to develop spiritual resources for their life and work by deepening their relationship with God in Jesus Christ through spiritual direction, formation of spiritual directors, retreats and other … [Read more...]
Ko Tōku Mana Wahine
A theological reflection on mana wahine and how it can address gender based violenceThe Rev Ruihana Kaylene Marama Paenga rangatahi@tpoa.nz 3 Nov 2020 Images are property of Robyn Kahukiwa, PaengaWhanau Colletion, Michael Tubberty and Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou Mana Wahine as a faith- based expression of indigenous female leadership was the concept explored in a fascinating virtual theology chat on 4 December. Speaking from a Tuhoe perspective, Ruihana Paenga wove the Maori and Biblical creation stories together into an illuminating discussion of the concepts of mana and tapu. You can hear the recording … [Read more...]
