The Advent season is a good time to reflect on the Biblical roots of taking non-violent direct action for justice. Rachie and Mike of Great Britain’s Christian Climate Action will share the Biblical roots from the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. People of faith made courageous decisions in the past. They risked something new. Now it’s our turn to risk something new!
Have you seen the new mini series “All the Light We Cannot See”? It is based on a book by American author Anthony Doerr. The novel is set during WW11. It focusses on Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind French girl who lives in her uncle's house in Saint-Malo after Paris is invaded by Nazi Germany in 1940, and Werner Pfennig, a clever German boy who is accepted into a German military school because of his skills in radio technology.
After a full-on, uplifting and brilliant time together, for our WoW “Open Hearted” in Grafton NSW, I am now on my third coffee after a slow morning of unpacking, both literally and metaphorically. I wish to thank Alice and Tom and family for hosting the event in their home-town of Grafton. The historic Hall, with all its charm and rustic vibe was the perfect place to hold our event. My list of thanks is very extensive, but it is important to emphasise how blessed a community is, when we have people who see the value of volunteering and participating in community events such as WoW that has its heart grounded in "Wholeness and Wellness".
In his book Streams of Living Water, Richard J Foster suggests that sacramental living is manifest firstly through our corporate worship of our God and secondly through our material living.
There are many different ways people worship their God. We do it by using material and human forms whether by singing hymns or burning candles, dancing in ecstatic praise or bowing in speechless adoration. We also use the cross and a dove as symbols of holy presence. The sacramental emblems in the communion service are also a focus to lead us into God’s presence.