Opinion

JOURNEY ASKED people to name a favourite saint or hero. George MacLeod, the founder of Iona Community (1938), became a campaigner for nuclear disarmament. His life story continues to inspire my commitment to holistic worship, social justice and ecumenism. Duncan Macleod,Vision for Mission Advocate Padre Meraj Masihi who in the late 70s and early 80s was pastor to the small ...

I VIVIDLY remember, a couple of years ago, driving my kids home from school. My oldest son wanted to listen to Triple M. The music wasn’t great (not enough actual rock), but I went along with it anyway. To my surprise – it was, after all, mid-afternoon – an ad came on the radio for Naughty but Nice, the popular ...

All right, I admit it. I hate Halloween and all the garbage that goes with it. Each 31 October I put a sign on our front door that says “No Tricks and No Treats”. I don’t have to buy any lollies but I do have to wash the smashed egg off the front of the house next morning. Not only ...

I SUBSCRIBE to The Bulletin as one way of keeping in touch with news and events around the world. I read the October 10th issue with a growing sense of unease. It included the following stories: the alarming increase in the number of Australians addicted to methamphetamines (known as “ice”); a crisis within the indigenous community at Maningrida over allegations ...

After considerable thought, I have chosen to make a statement in this issue of Journey regarding the proposed Assembly of Confessing Congregations (ACC). At this point in time we do not have all the information we need, but my comment here is based on the material that has been made available so far and on my participation in a dialogue ...

With Australians spending more than $3.5 billion a year on weddings celebrations it’s no wonder parents quake with anxiety. A reception for 70 people can cost $10,000, the dress $2,500, flowers $400, wedding cars $1,200 and a honeymoon to Fiji $5,000. It doesn’t take long for the cash register to ring up $30,000 or more; something in the league of ...

Newly appointed Chaplain with Wesley Hospital’s Department of Pastoral Care, Sue Duncan, was one person who reflected on her role as Chaplain for this month’s issue of Journey. She said, “When I can humbly meet another’s need I accept the challenge and reality of human suffering knowing that I do not travel this path alone. I go on this path ...

After a short three hour drive to Jandowae the first thing that I noticed hopping out of the car was that almost automatically it felt as if life had somehow slowed down.  The distinct din of the city was gone and the background silence was punctuated by the call of birds and the occasional car.  There was time to breathe ...

IN A WIDE variety of life situations, our ministers and members are frequently in contact with people who have no regular relationship with a local congregation or any other activity of the church. Such interaction often occurs in response to personal, family or community crisis and offers a special opportunity to share the good news of God’s love and grace ...

Parents, with one simple proposition in mind, make a move from home to Church. “We want our baby done”. The Church, a specialty business, acts with the facility of a convenience store. It is not a question of exploring needs, but a repetition of “I want”. No refusal, and no fee. Hundreds knock on church doors each year, a busy ...