The World Council of Churches says' We are conscious that flattening the Covid-19 curve has realized its own share of challenges, which emphasize the fissures in the way society is ordered. There has been an increase in internet usage in this season of Covid-19 isolative measures. How has that affected you? Has this been a blessing or an inconvenience? How are you communicating with your congregants and ministry partners? How has your region fared in dealing with the various add-on implications of flattening the curve – domestic violence, unemployment, food scarcity, mental health and suicide challenges, crime and violence, inability to gather together in one physical place as a … [Read more...]
Thursdays in Black
In every country, gender-based violence is a tragic reality. This violence is frequently hidden, and victims are often silent, fearing stigma and further violence. We all have a responsibility to speak out against violence, to ensure that women and men, boys and girls, are safe from rape and violence in homes, schools, work, streets – in all places in our societies. Thursdays in Black: Resistance and ResilienceThe campaign is simple but profound. Wear black on Thursdays. Wear a pin to declare you are part of the global movement resisting attitudes and practices that permit rape and violence. Show your respect for women who are resilient in the face of injustice and violence. … [Read more...]
Break the Silence Sunday
22 November 2020 Break the Silence Sunday is the church's commitment to speak out against violence in our families, homes, community and society at large. These service resources and suggested readings have been prepared by the members of the Christian Network - Talanoa and commended to the Fiji Council of Churches for their use. All churches are invited to use them. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence runs from November 25 – the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to December 10 – International Human Rights Day. It is a global campaign to focus our efforts towards working to eliminate violence against women in our … [Read more...]
Gender Based Violence -16 Days of Activism
photo by Melanie Wasser, Unsplash 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence Campaign by the Christian Network – Talanoa The Most Reverend Dr. Winston Halapua, former Archbishop for the Diocese of Polynesia). Domestic violence, sexual offences, bullying, harassment and any kind of abuse are criminal acts against humanity and a violation of the rights of women and children. The Christian Network – Talanoa is an alliance of ecumenical partners and individuals convened by House of Sarah (HoS) of the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia in 2013 to talk with each other, share information and take collaborative actions to address violence against … [Read more...]
Hold us close in your arms
photo: Anne Nygard, Unsplash A Covid-19 liturgy for young people. Lesley Mouat, Chaplain at St Matthew's, Masterton, prepared DIY chapel services for students at home during the lockdown, and sent them out through their school app. Be sure to watch the video! Put yourself into a space where you can be still and quiet for 5 to 10 minutes. If your parents will allow – light a candle (please remember to put it out carefully before you leave your chapel service) and settle into silence for a moment. A Pilgrim Song 131 God, I’m not trying to rule the roost, I don’t want to be king of the mountain.I haven’t meddled where I have no … [Read more...]
Kindness is a Mode of Blessing
‘Perhaps we bless each other all the time, without even realizing it. When we show compassion or kindness to one another, we are setting blessing in train. There is a way in which an act of kindness done becomes an independent luminous thing, a kind of jewel box of light that might conceal itself for days or years until one day, when you are in desperate straits, you notice something at the floor at your feet. You reach for it and discover exactly the courage and vision for which you desperately hunger’. John O’Donoghue has written a whole book of blessings, called Benedictus. Published in 2007, this collection is remarkably suited to the spirit of our time, as we progress through … [Read more...]
Social Drama and Christchurch Cathedral
Patricia Allan analyses the years of debate about the future of the earthquake damaged Christchurch Cathedral in terms of Social Drama Rebuild or pull it down- why was the future of Christchurch Cathedral such a controversial issue? Was it a contest of power between ‘the old boys’ network’ of Christchurch and the Anglican Church? Was it because the Bishop was a Canadian woman? Were misogyny and xenophobia the underlying themes? Was it about the identity of Christchurch being closely tied to the Cathedral as ‘icon of the city’? Was this a contest of power- economic, political, cultural and ecclesiastical power? Patricia Allen believes it was a contest of … [Read more...]
Lock down Bread 2020
photo: Unsplash Revd Anne Priestley: Every loaf has turned out well with this recipe! 5 cups flour (3 wholemeal/rye, 2 white: or use all white) extra flour for kneading 2 teaspoons brown sugar or honey 2 teaspoons salt 1 tablespoon dry yeast 2 cups lukewarm water 2 tbs vegetable oil * Reactivate the yeast with sugar and one cup of the water. * Meanwhile, in a large bowl sift and mix the flours and salt. * When yeast is frothy, add to the bowl, along with the other cup of water and the oil. Stir well, then tip out the dough onto a floured surface and knead it till the dough has become resilient (springs back if … [Read more...]
May the earth continue to live…
May the earth continue to live May the heavens above continue to live May the rains continue to dampen the land May the wet forests continue to grow Then the flowers shall bloom And we people shall live again. Hawaiian Prayer https://www.coolharvest.org/ … [Read more...]
Are you looking for spirited, wise women of passion and compassion?
This easy-to-use book has strong feminist imagery and references focused on wom-en of the Bible. Updated and expanded, it now provides reflections on Tamar, Di-nah, Naomi, Michal, Vashti, Jephthah’s Daughter, Lenna Button, Susanna Wesley and Ann Turner to use in church during the sermon slot. Includes prayers & dialogues. Buy it here Rosalie Reynolds Sugrue is a fifth generation West Coaster. A wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and author, Rosalie is a retired teacher, and has also worked as a psychiatric nurse and motellier. She has been active in Jaycees, the Methodist Women’s Fellowship, the Community of Women and Men in Church and Society, National Council of … [Read more...]
